For
more than three decades we have been operating in the interests
of music publishers and composers and are a fully-fledged
association charged with the mechanical licensing of the
repertoire of all of our members.
WHAT IS A MECHANICAL LICENCE?
When it comes to music, there are several different rights
that exist in any musical work or recording but here at
NORM we are concerned with mechanical copyright –
that
is, the copyright that arises when music is transferred
from one format to another (from a master tape to a CD for
example). The nature of the music usage can be varied –
when promotional CDs are pressed, when videos are put onto
the correct format for broadcasting, or when music is attached
to television programming are just some examples of mechanical
copyright.
On transference a mechanical copyright
is raised and a licence – or permission – from
the copyright owner must be obtained before any transfer
takes place.
NORM TAKES HASSLE OUT OF
GETTING A MECHANICAL LICENCE
If, every time any person or organisation required a mechanical
licence, the only route available was to go directly to
the copyright owner, the work involved and time delays would
result in something close to chaos! Like similar associations
around the world, NORM
is a “one-stop shop” where those requiring
a mechanical licence (or permission from the copyright
owner to make reproductions) can make their application.
NORM’s
function is to act as a negotiating and mechanical licensing
body, through a mandate issued by its members. Ultimately
we are here to protect the copyright interests of our members.
NORM ensures that anyone applying for a mechanical licence
can do so with ease.
WHO ARE NORM’S MEMBERS?
NORM’s membership is as diverse as it is comprehensive.
The four major publishers in South Africa are members –
Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Gallo Music Publishers, EMI Music
Publishing, Universal Music Publishing . There is also well
over 100 independent publishers including the likes of Sheer
Publishing, David Gresham Publishing, African Dope Publishing,
Essex Music, Mokima Music, De La Music, Copycare Africa,
peermusic, Rodeo Songs and many, many more.
