Resources

Explanation of Statutory Rates for Digital Audio Mechanical Uses

The rates vary depending on how the sound recording of the musical work/song is distributed. Read to learn more.

The Digital Music Royalties Landscape

Where does The MLC fit in? Here are the four ways creators get paid.

The MLC Music Business Toolkit

A Guide to Getting Paid by The MLC

GUIDE

The MLC’s Tools

The MLC has created a suite of tools that allows its Members to easily manage their musical work (aka song) data. Learning how to use these tools

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FAQs

Phono III

Did you know that mechanical royalties are calculated using different rates, based on when a song was streamed? Royalty rates and terms are determined by the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) through "rate proceedings" that occur every five years. A list of ...

Phono IV

Rate Periods

Will The MLC audit DSPs?

The MLC has the right to audit each DSP operating under a blanket mechanical license once every three years.

Music Industry Terminology

Like every industry, the music industry often uses its own jargon and terminology. In this section we’ve defined some of the most frequently used terms

Should I become a Member of The MLC if my shares of songs are registered with a publishing administrator (such as TuneCore Publishing Administration, CD Baby Boost, Songtrust, or similar services)?

Should I become a Member of The MLC if my shares of songs are registered with a publishing administrator

Why should I become a Member of The MLC?

The only way to receive digital audio mechanical royalties due to you from DSPs operating under the compulsory blanket mechanical license is to become a

Play Your Part

Play Your Part is how we refer to the specific steps you need to take to ensure you receive all of the mechanical royalties you are owed. Once you become a Member, these steps include registering and maintaining your musical works information, and ...

Is it possible to connect to The MLC database using an API?

It is possible to connect to The MLC database through an API. Visit the Data Programs page for more information on accessing MLC data in bulk.

Connect to Collect

Anyone who wishes to receive digital audio mechanical royalties from The MLC will need to become a Member of The MLC. Becoming a Member of The MLC is how

Do I need to affiliate with HFA in order to receive mechanical royalties from The MLC?

you do not need to affiliate with the Harry Fox Agency (HFA) in order to receive mechanical royalties from The MLC

Who needs to become a Member of The MLC?

Anyone who wishes to receive digital audio mechanical royalties from The MLC needs to become a Member of The MLC. This includes music publishers,

Royalty Payments

The MLC distributes digital audio mechanical royalties to Members on a monthly basis. In this section, we cover how The MLC’s overall royalty distribution process works and specifically address the timing of payments, the royalty rates and terms used by ...

Historical Unmatched: Impact of Prior Settlements

Rightsholders who have been identified by certain digital service providers (DSPs) as securing voluntary licenses or private agreements may affect the distribution of royalties for historical unmatched usages that are ultimately matched or are ...

Do I need to register with The MLC in order to view musical works data in The MLC database?

The MLC’s Public Works Search allows anyone to see the musical works data we have compiled

The MLC

You’ve probably heard a lot about The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) but what exactly does it do and how is it changing the music industry? The following questions give an overview of the trailblazing organization.

Which rate period are historical unmatched royalties from?

The historical unmatched royalties transferred to us cover a span of fourteen years and there are three different sets of rates that apply to these uses.

What are the different rate periods?

2007 Pre-Phonorecords I (Pre-Phono 1) 2008-2012 Phonorecords I (Phono 1) 2013-2017 Phonorecords II (Phono 2)

What is the Music Modernization Act (MMA)?

The Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (MMA) of 2018 or ‘Music Modernization Act’ for short.

Does a record company need to report anything to The MLC?

Record companies aren't required to send sound recording data to The MLC unless they also operate as a DSP or music publisher, in which they might need to.

When does The MLC collect and pay royalties?

The DSPs send sound recording usage data & accompanying mechanical royalties, to The MLC monthly.

Why was The MLC created?

The Mechanical Licensing Collective creates a way for digital service providers to license their music & ensure rightsholders are paid mechanical royalties

Will The MLC’s musical works data be available to connect to industry databases?

The MLC's musical works data is publicly available in bulk and can therefore be copied and incorporated into other industry databases.

How are musical works registered with The MLC?

There are several ways you can register your musical works with The MLC.

What does it mean to Play Your Part?

Play Your Part™ means to help The MLC fulfill its important mission of paying royalties accurately and expeditiously for your benefit.

Which songs should I register with The MLC and why?

Where is The MLC located?

Our headquarters is in Nashville, and we have team members in Los Angeles, Miami, New York City & London. We reach our audience wherever they are located.

Will record companies continue to secure mechanical licenses and pay mechanical royalties?

The MLC administering can include permanent download. DSPs can to rely on record companies to provide licenses & pay royalties via a pass-through license

What is the Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)?

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) is a nonprofit designated by the US Copyright Office pursuant to the Music Modernization Act of 2018.

Does it cost anything to become a Member of The MLC?

There is no cost to become a Member of The MLC.

What languages does The MLC Portal support?

The screen text of The MLC Portal is in American English, a user of the Portal can enter data, such as musical works titles, in just about any language.

How will The MLC resolve ownership disputes?

The MLC places royalties on hold when a substantiated dispute has been raised. The parties to the dispute will decide questions of ownership.

What is the blanket compulsory mechanical license?

The MLC's blanket compulsory license lets DSPs make & distribute digital phonorecords of eligible musical works with one license.

How are mechanical royalty rates determined?

Royalty rates for blanket licenses administered by The MLC are determined by the United States Copyright Royalty Board & are the statutory royalty rates

Does it cost anything to register a musical work with The MLC?

There is no cost to register a musical work with The MLC.

What happens to unmatched or unclaimed royalties?

Unmatched or unclaimed royalties, from usage occurring on or after January 1, 2021, will be held for a minimum of 3 years to find & pay the rightful owner.

What types of licenses does The MLC administer

The MLC administers blanket compulsory mechanical licenses, available to eligible streaming and download DSPs in the United States.

How is HFA involved in the work of The MLC?

Harry Fox Agency (HFA) assists with musical works & member data management, match digital uses of sound recordings to musical works, & royalty processing.

How does The MLC plan to educate music publishers, administrators, and self-administered songwriters, composers and lyricists about getting registered?

The MLC partners with industry groups to share updates via newsletters, webinars, and social media, and offers educational content for music professionals.

Should I become a member of The MLC if some of my musical works are administered by a music publisher or adminisrator, and some are administered by me?

Songwriters, composers, and lyricists who have retained the right to register any of their own musical works with The MLC AND collect their own mechanical

Will companies like HFA and Music Reports continue to handle mechanical licenses and royalties for digital uses?

The MLC administers the blanket compulsory mechanical license, other companies have the ability to administer voluntary licenses

Do I need to become a Member of The MLC if I am affiliated with the Harry...

Yes, you need to become a Member of The MLC even if you are an affiliate of HFA. The MLC will pay you your digital mechanical royalties from U.S. DSPs

Does The MLC keep a portion of royalties to cover its operating costs?

The MLC does not keep of the mechanical royalties it collects to cover operating costs. Operational costs are paid for by an administrative assessment

Should I become a Member of The MLC if I am based outside of the United States?

The answer depends on your preference, your existing business relationships and any rights or restrictions, on your right to administer your shares of

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Articles

DURP Informational Webinar

If you’re an independent music distributor, aggregator, or sound recording distributor interested in accessing all the unmatched recordings you’ve

Data Programs

Data Programs at The MLC The MLC’s data programs support the efforts of dozens of digital media and technology companies around the world to gain insight

Explanation of Statutory Rates for Digital Audio Mechanical Uses

The rates vary depending on how the sound recording of the musical work/song is distributed. Read to learn more.

The Digital Music Royalties Landscape

Where does The MLC fit in? Here are the four ways creators get paid.

The MLC Music Business Toolkit

A Guide to Getting Paid by The MLC

U.S. Copyright Office & the MLC

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) was designated by the U.S. Copyright Office in 2019 to carry out the vision of the Music Modernization Act

Duplicate Work Registrations

Duplicate work registrations share similar details, such as song title, writers, publishers, ISWC & collection percentages, & sound recording metadata.

How to Register Works/Songs with The MLC

We will walk you through the three ways here.

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Webinars

What is the MLC

May 28, Noon ET | 11 a.m. CT | 9 a.m. PT

The MLC Presents: Understanding Your Royalty Statements

May 19, 2026 Noon ET | 11 a.m. CT | 9 a.m. PT

The MLC Presents: Q&A for Publishers and Administrators

March 12, Noon ET | 11 a.m. CT | 9 a.m. PT