Resources
For Digital Service ProvidersGuides
ARTICLE
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.
ARTICLE
The Digital Music Royalties Landscape
Where does The MLC fit in? Here are the four ways creators get paid.
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
FAQs
FAQ
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 ...
FAQ
Phono IV
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 ...
FAQ
Rate Periods
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 ...
FAQ
Will The MLC audit DSPs?
The MLC has the right to audit each DSP operating under a blanket mechanical license once every three years.
FAQ
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
FAQ
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
FAQ
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
FAQ
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 ...
FAQ
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.
FAQ
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
FAQ
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
FAQ
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,
FAQ
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 ...
FAQ
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 ...
FAQ
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
FAQ
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.
FAQ
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.
FAQ
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)
FAQ
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.
FAQ
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.
FAQ
When does The MLC collect and pay royalties?
The DSPs send sound recording usage data & accompanying mechanical royalties, to The MLC monthly.
FAQ
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
FAQ
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.
FAQ
How are musical works registered with The MLC?
There are several ways you can register your musical works with The MLC.
FAQ
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.
FAQ
Which songs should I register with The MLC and why?
Which songs should I register with The MLC and why?
FAQ
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.
FAQ
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
FAQ
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.
FAQ
Does it cost anything to become a Member of The MLC?
There is no cost to become a Member of The MLC.
FAQ
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.
FAQ
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.
FAQ
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.
FAQ
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
FAQ
Does it cost anything to register a musical work with The MLC?
There is no cost to register a musical work with The MLC.
FAQ
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.
FAQ
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.
FAQ
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.
FAQ
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.
FAQ
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
FAQ
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
FAQ
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
FAQ
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
FAQ
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
Articles
ARTICLE
DURP Informational Webinar
If you’re an independent music distributor, aggregator, or sound recording distributor interested in accessing all the unmatched recordings you’ve
ARTICLE
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
ARTICLE
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.
ARTICLE
The Digital Music Royalties Landscape
Where does The MLC fit in? Here are the four ways creators get paid.
ARTICLE
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
ARTICLE
How to Register Works/Songs with The MLC
We will walk you through the three ways here.
