About Norcode

The Norwegian Copyright Development Association (Norcode) was established on 26 October 2007 by five collective management organizations: BONO, Gramo, Kopinor, Norwaco and TONO. These five organizations have made a financial contribution to Norcode’s activities with more than 20 millions Norwegian kroner during the years 2008-2011.

During the 20 prior years to 2007, these five orginazations had spent close to 40 million Norwegian kroner on projects aiming to build and strengthen cultural infrastructure in developing countries. The establishment of Norcode has increased the level of these activities, as well as improved the coordination of the operations in question. During Norcode’s first five years in action, the assosiation has supported projects in the following countries i Africa: Eritrea, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South-Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and the following countries in Asia: The Philippines, Nepal and Vietnam. Norcode has in addition also supported multinational organizations and activities.

Norcode’s main objective is to contribute to the building of the cultural infrastructure in developing countries and strenghten the situation of the rightsholders. A strenghtened cultural field is an important contribution to build national identity and promote human rights. In addition, collective management organizations will through their collections from users of intellectual property, be a positive contributor to the economic growth of their countries. On an international level the creative industries continue to play an increasingly important role, both economically and politically. These industries bulid a significant part of their activities on the base of copyright and related rights.

Norcode follows up requests for support from writers, visual artists, musicians, other rightsholders and their collective management organizations in a number of developing countries. Norcode has a small and effective administration that cooperates closely with a competent and active board. In addition, Norcode has several available resources both in their founding organizations and in its national and international network.

NORCODE’S BOARD
Norcode’s Board 2010/2011 consists of Helge Rønning, chair, Tarja Koskinen-Olsson, vice chair, Harald Holter, BONO, Martin Grøndahl, Gramo, Yngve Slettholm, Kopinor, Cathrine Nagell, Norwaco and Cato Strøm, TONO. 

Deputy members are: Benedicte Langford, BONO, Tor Bernhardsen, Gramo, Hans-Petter Fuglerud, Kopinor, Elin Urkedal, Norwaco and Svein Korshamn, TONO.

NORCODE´S ADMINISTRATION
Norcode´s administration consists of the following three persons:

Frode Løvik, managing director, holds a degree in economics from the Norwegian School of Business and Administration (NHH). He has also been reading development studies at Oslo University College. From 2001-2010 Løvik had the position as Head of Administration at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. He has previously worked in similar positions for WWF Norway, Norwegian Church Aid and The Norwegian Seamen’s Mission/Norwegian Church Abroad.

Sæmund Fiskvik, copyright coach, has been working with copyright, nationally and internationally, for many years. He has held various positions within the Norwegian Record industry. He was Executive Director for IFPI from 1990 - 2005 and Chairman of the Board of Gramo, the Norwegian CMO for musicians and producers. For 25 years he was also responsible for the annual Norwegian Music Award, Spellemannsprisen. From 2007 to 2010 he was member of the Board of Norcode.

Anna Opland Stenersen, administrative assistant, has worked part-time for Norcode since March 2011. She holds a bachelor's degree in culture and communication, focusing on multicultural youth cultures in Norway, and is now studying for a master's degree in public health.