NORM frequently gets asked a number of questions by both publishers and composers as well as the users of music. Here are some - but feel free to complete the form below for further clarification
- How do I become a member of NORM?
- I would like to use a commercial song in an advertisement for my company. What rights must I obtain?
- How much will an OCW licence (“outside customer work” or compulsory licence) cost me?
- Who pays NORM?
- What happens if the title or titles I want to reproduce are not published by NORM’s members or members of any other reproduction rights body in South Africa?
1. How do I become a member of NORM?
Be coming a member of NORM is easy. If you are a publisher actively engaged in the business of music publishing or a songwriter who has a repertoire of active songs, then you can apply to join. Membership fees are nominal and membership is approved by the NORM Board of Directors
2. I would like to use a commercial song in an advertisement for my company. What rights must I obtain?
This is a synchronization right. NORM deals with mechanical licensing – that is, when music is transferred from one format to another. However, synchronization rights for television, radio and cinema advertising are negotiated directly with and obtained from the copyright owner
3. How much will an OCW licence (“outside customer work” or compulsory licence) cost me?
As per the Copyright Act No. 98 of 1978 (and its amendments) a commercial music licence through NORM will be based on the copyright rate of five percent of the selling price in the case of CD, cassette, video and DVD reproduction.
NORM ’s operational costs are financed by members’ annual subscription fees as well as an administrative feereceivable from the member. Music users are not subjected to any additional charge, over and above the licence fee .
5. What happens if the title or titles I want to reproduce are not published by NORM’s members or members of any other reproduction rights body in South Africa?
The responsibility to obtain a paid up mechanical licence lies with the producer (the record company or entity putting out the CD, DVD or cassette). If the title does not belong to any of NORM’s members or any member of any other reproduction rights body in South Africa, this does not absolve the producer of the responsibility of obtaining a mechanical licence. This licence must then be obtained directly from the copyright owner, wherever they may be.
