FAQ: Music usage and licences

If you follow the original version, you can perform and record cover songs without separate permission from the creators.

However, you still need:

1. An NCB recording licence for recording the cover song, if you intend to publish it on physical media (e.g. CD, vinyl or cassette)
2. A performance licence obtained by the event organizer for live performances

More information:
Music licences

Yes, if you plan to publish the work. For sampling, you always need permission from:

• The work’s creators or publisher
• The recording producer (usually the record label)
• The artists performing on the recording

You can contact our customer service for information regarding the creators and publishers of the work. Unfortunately we don’t have a database of the record producers or artists, so you’ll have to find that information elsewhere.

Yes. If the work is still under copyright protection, you need permission from the song’s composer or publisher when:

• You make significant changes to the work
• The arrangement exceeds the so-called arrangement threshold
• You plan to publish or perform an arrangement that exceeds the arrangement threshold

The arrangement threshold is exceeded when:

• You add new musical elements to the work
• You modify the work creatively and originally
• You bring a distinct personal contribution to the work

When a piece of music is changed from one style to another (from pop to heavy metal, for example) it may constitute an arrangement even if the lyrics remain unchanged.

A significant change in musical style often requires creative solutions and modifications to the original composition. If these changes are sufficiently original and identifiable, it is considered an arrangement that requires permission from the original work’s creators.

The exceeding of the arrangement threshold is evaluated on a case-by-case basis according to how many new musical elements have been added to the version. A mere change in style does not automatically mean that it qualifies as an arrangement.

Removing verses from a song or combining different parts constitutes a modification of the work, which always requires permission from the rights holder.

This was confirmed in Finnish legal practice when a modified version of the song “Joutsenlaulu” that was performed in the TV show “Vain elämää” was determined to require permission.

However, performing an excerpt from a song is allowed, whether from the beginning, end, or middle, as long as that part is performed as is. If you want to shorten the song in any other way, this must be done in cooperation with the composer and possible lyricist.

Yes.

To translate lyrics, you need permission from the writer of the original lyrics or, if the work is published, from the publisher.

Using song lyrics in obituaries requires permission. If the work is published, permission is granted by the publisher. Otherwise, permission must be requested directly from the writer or their estate. The writer’s name must always be mentioned alongside the lyrics.

No additions or changes to song lyrics, even small ones, can be made without the creator’s permission. This applies to both adding and removing individual words. It’s not about the number or extent of changes but about the creator’s right to decide how their work is used.

Changes to lyrics can violate both the economic and moral rights of the creator. Moral rights are particularly at risk if the changes affect the artistic value or uniqueness of the work.

To avoid misunderstandings, we recommend requesting permission from the writer of the lyrics or their representatives in advance when any changes to the work are planned.

The process is as follows:

1. Determine if the work is published:
   • Check the published recording or sheet music
   • You can inquire from Teosto’s customer service
2. Contact the rights holder:
   • Published work: music publisher
   • Unpublished work: creator(s)
3. Agree on the terms of use with the rights holder:
   • Format of lyrics publication
   • Duration of use
   • Potential compensation

Obtaining rights for sheet music publication follows the same principle as lyrics:

1. Identify the rights holder:
   • Publisher contacts: Finnish Music Publishers Association website
   • Creator contacts: Teosto customer service
2. Agree on publication details with the rights holder:
   • Publication format (printed/digital)
   • Purpose of use
   • Scope of publication
   • Potential compensation
3. Also ensure:
   • Correct crediting of creators
   • Any special conditions for use

Arranging is a making a creative variation of a musical work (special emphasis on the word “work”). However, not all variations constitute an arrangement; the so-called arrangement threshold is always assessed on a case-by-case basis.

When:

1. you make significant changes to the work, so that
2. the resulting work exceeds the so-called arrangement threshold, and
3. you intend to publish or present a work that has exceeded the arrangement threshold,

you need permission from the composer or publisher of the song if the work is still under copyright.

The arrangement threshold is likely to be exceeded when:

1. You add new musical elements to the work
2. You edit the work creatively and originally
3. You bring a clearly recognizable contribution to the work

What is not arranging?

As a rule, the arrangement threshold is not exceeded merely by:

1. reinstrumentation or orchestration (i.e., changing which instrument plays which part of the work)
2. simplification of the work
3. transposing the work, i.e. changing the pitch

For a work to exceed the arrangement threshold (which would result in a new work), clear creative input from the arranger is needed.

Yes, permission is needed to use music at a live event regardless of:

• Whether the event is paid or free
• How many people are in attendance
• Whether live music or recordings are played

The licence must be obtained by either:

• The event organizer
• The company or organization whose premises host the event
• If there are multiple organizers, the designated main organizer

Permission is not needed for personal events such as weddings or birthdays nor for family celebrations and gatherings of friends. Other private events (customer events, personnel events) require a licence.

More information:
Organizing events with music

Livestreaming Licence is needed if:

• Viewers pay to access the stream
• The stream is hosted on platforms other than Teosto-licensed platforms (list available here in Finnish)
• A recording of the stream remains available for 30 days

Livestreaming License is not needed if:

• The stream is free AND
• It is hosted on Teosto-licensed platforms
• No recording is kept for later viewing

Minor Media Licence is needed if:

• A recording of the stream is kept for more than 30 days
• The recording is published on any platform

More information:
Using music online and on social media

Yes. Permission must always be requested directly from the music creators themselves or their publishers. They have the right to decide whether they grant permission for their music to be used in political contexts.

Additionally, a music performance license is needed if you plan to use music in:

• Election events
• Party events
• Political campaigns
• Election videos and advertising

More information:
Find the right licence

A charity event needs a music performance license even if all proceeds go to charity. The most suitable license is usually the Event Licence.

Options for directing compensation to charity:

• Creators can donate their received compensation themselves
• Creators can donate compensation through Teosto

More information:
Find the right licence

No, you don’t need permission. Music performed during church services is exempt by copyright law (church service exception).

This exception only applies to in-person church services – other situations and events require permission from the music creator.

Yes. Playing music on business premises is considered a public performance and requires a permit from musiikkiluvat.fi.

Yes. Restaurants and cafés need a permit from musiikkiluvat.fi to play music in their customer areas.

Yes. Using background music in fitness facilities requires a permit from musiikkiluvat.fi.

First, survey your music usage:

• Where is music played? (store, office, website, etc.)
• How is music used? (background music, events, advertising, etc.)
• What music service is used? (Spotify, YouTube, etc.)

Then obtain the appropriate licence — you can find help selecting one here.

No. Spotify’s free version or private subscription plan is not licensed for business use, as the platform’s terms of service only allow personal, non-commercial use.

Instead, use background music services designed for business use.

Legal background music services suitable for businesses include Soundtrack Your Brand (formerly Spotify for Business), Mood Media, Toneco, Bad agency, Gymmusic, Feelment and SOIVA. All these services are in agreement with Teosto and other copyright organizations.

You need a license to use music if the AI-generated music is based on copyrighted works or reproduces protected music content or parts of it. The safest option is to purchase a license for music use. 

By obtaining a license, you ensure that your use of music is lawful and that music professionals receive appropriate compensation for the use of their works. At the same time, you gain the right to use music without having to worry about how it was produced. On our licencing page, you’ll find licenses for various types of use. 

Teosto’s music licences cover a wide range of music uses for different purposes. By obtaining a music licence, you can use well-known, copyrighted music and also AI-generated music based on protected works in your business—without the risk of infringing the rights of original creators. You’ll find licences for different use cases on our licensing page. 

For licensing inquiries, please contact Teosto’s licensing team at medialicensing@teosto.fi.

Yes. Permission must be obtained directly from the music publisher or the music creator themselves.

Yes. The required license depends on the type of video and its purpose. See here for more information.

Yes. We are currently negotiating with podcast platforms about the terms of music usage, but for now, permission must be requested directly from music creators and publishers.

Yes. The required license depends on the type of video and its purpose. See here for more information.

License prices vary according to how the music is used. Please find more details here.

The music usage fee is determined by its role in your operations: the more central the role of music, the higher the price, and vice versa. Please find more pricing information here.

Performers’ fees cover their work for performing, such as playing instruments and singing. On the other hand, copyright royalties are paid to music creators for the music they have created.

If performers perform their own music, they receive compensation both as performers and creators. However, many performers don’t create the music they perform; instead, there are composers and lyricists behind the songs who aren’t present at the performance.

For these music creators, the license fees we collect might be the only source of income from their created music. We aim to ensure that everyone involved in creating and performing music receives their deserved compensation.