Report and Claim Music Usage
With a claim, you can notify us of the use of your music on TV channels, in video on demand services or in cinemas outside of Finland. It is advisable to submit the claim immediately after the performance has taken place and well in advance of the expected distribution.
What is a claim?
You can file a claim to let us know that your music will be or has been used on TV programmes, advertisements or films shown outside of Finland. We ask that you also submit a claim for films (including short films and documentaries) sent to cinema distribution outside of Finland, and any series, documentaries and films containing your music that are shown in foreign video on demand services (e.g. Netflix, HBO). A claim helps us to ensure that foreign copyright societies collect and distribute royalties for the performance of your music so that we can distribute them to you.
There is no need to submit a claim for foreign radio broadcasts or online audio services, as we will receive the required usage reports from other copyright societies and streaming platforms.
We will send the claims we receive to the copyright societies of the countries in which the performances took place. When we send the claims, we will ask the copyright societies to ensure that the collection and distribution of the performing right royalties for the works is carried out correctly.
We suggest submitting a claim for example if:
- you have composed commissioned music for a TV series or film that is shown outside of Finland on TV, in a VOD service or in a cinema
- you learn that other music you have made has been used in a TV series or film that is shown on a TV channel, in a VOD service or in a cinema outside of Finland
Live performances don’t warrant a claim
If you have performed at a gig or a concert, you merely need to report the performance via the Performances section of our web service.
For your own performances outside of Finland, ensure that the event organiser provides the event information to the local copyright society. A good time to check this is when discussing your performance contract. If an event organiser requires that you report the performance on site, you should nevertheless report the performance on Teosto’s web service, too.
If someone else has performed your music at gigs or concerts outside of Finland, you can also report these performances. For example, a composer can report a performance for an orchestra performance of their work. When reporting the performance, select Additional information on the performance abroad: My works have been performed abroad by another artist or orchestra and, in addition to other information, also enter Performer name.