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Students

The MLC has developed resources designed to help music industry, songwriting, and composition students at colleges and universities learn more about our organization and our work to achieve The MLC's mission. Check back often for new resources.

Student Ambassadors

The MLC Student Ambassador volunteer program provides U.S. college and university students the opportunity to earn the designation “MLC Student Ambassador” through an assessment of their knowledge about The MLC, and commitment to continued dissemination of information about The MLC. Program activities take place for 10 weeks during an academic period and can usually be completed in less than 20 minutes per week. During the time periods when applications are being accepted, you can click here to find the job posting on our Careers page. In the job posting you will also find a list of the benefits that participants in the program for the specific academic period will receive. Application availability dates are as follows:

Applications for the Winter/Spring Academic Period will be accepted from January 5, 2026 to January 11, 2026 (program starts on January 12)

Applications for the Summer Academic Period will be accepted from April 15, 2026 to May 10, 2026 (program starts on May 11)

Applications for the Fall Academic Period will be accepted from August 17, 2026 to September 13, 2026 (program starts on September 14)

 

For Student Ambassadors: The MLC Educational Event Support Program

We are excited to help you host an MLC Educational Event on your campus or in your community! Our Educational Event Support Program provides funds that can be used to towards minor expenses incurred when you host an event, such as food, beverages, and meeting room/classroom rental. Click here for more information and to request support.

Free Online Micro-Courses

The MLC offers several free online micro-courses to help music creators, students, and industry professionals learn about protecting music rights, collecting royalties, and The MLC. Click here to view a list of courses and sign up to access them.

Assignment Ideas and Materials

Below are some topics which might be suitable for academic paper or project assignments, with links to useful related materials.

The MLC’s Operations and Key Metrics

About The MLC in 60 seconds The MLC 2024 Annual Report The MLC’s Newsletter Archive

How digital music royalties flow to rightsholders

The Digital Music Royalties Landscape diagram

How the Statutory Royalty Rates are calculated

Rates

Metadata in the Music Industry

IdentifiersThe MLC Metadata to Dollars How to find your IPI

The MLC’s Publicly Available Musical Works Data

Copyright law section 115 (d)(3)(E) Musical Works DatabaseThe MLC’s Public Search The MLC’s Bulk Data Access Subscription

How The MLC is Governed

Copyright law section 115(d)(3)(D) GovernanceThe MLC Governance and Bylaws

Historical Unmatched Royalties

Copyright law section 115(d)(10) Prior Unlicensed Uses The MLC and Historical Unmatched Royalties

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The MLC Tools

The MLC offers a suite of tools to help you find, register, claim, and manage your musical works (aka song) data so you can collect the digital audio mechanical royalties you've earned. Whether you're a Member or simply checking song information, these tools make it easy to Play Your Part.

View MLC Tools
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Missing Member Lookup

Missing Member Lookup is a database of rightsholders that are not yet Members of The MLC who may be entitled to collect U.S. digital audio mechanical royalties. To see if The MLC may have royalties for you, enter your rightsholder information to search.

Find My Royalties

Resources

Learn more about music rights, royalties, and beyond
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Songwriters

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Get Started

CONNECTING WITH THE MLC IS FREE AND EASY 

Whether you’re an independent songwriter, a music publisher or administrator, a collective management organization, or someone looking to better manage your song data, The MLC is for YOU! Join today to connect your songs with the streaming royalties they’ve earned.

Click to learn more
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To Date

News & Press Releases

See More
Press Release

The MLC Launches Music Registration 101 Micro-Course Covering Copyright, Music Registration, and Royalties

May 4, 2026
Press Release

The MLC Seeking Suggestions for Songwriter Candidates for Board of Directors and Advisory Committees

April 23, 2026
Press Release

The MLC Seeking Suggestions for Board of Directors and Advisory Committee Candidates

April 2, 2026
Press Release

The MLC Announces Advisory Committee Updates

January 29, 2026
Article

Take Control of Your Songs: Introducing The MLC’s Songwriter Hub

January 16, 2026
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