The MLC's 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.
Explore song information with The MLC’s Public Work Search.
The Public Work Search allows anyone—songwriters, publishers, or the general public—to view musical work ownership information on more than 50 million songs in The MLC’s database, free of charge. With the Public Work Search, you can easily search for, review, and share song data with others to help keep our data accurate and complete.
Claim shares of songs with The MLC’s Claiming Tool.
The Claiming Tool allows Members to identify songs that are partially claimed and easily claim their shares. Using this tool, you can search The MLC’s database to see if your songs—or songs you’ve contributed to—have missing or unclaimed shares. If a song is missing your share, the Claiming Tool makes it simple to claim your portion and start collecting royalties. The Claiming Tool is available within the Member Hub of The MLC Portal, and if a song isn’t in the database at all, Members can use The MLC’s Works Registration Tools to add it.
Register new songs with The MLC’s Works Registration Tools.
The Works Registration Tools allow Members to add songs that are not yet in our database so you can receive your streaming royalties. The Works Registration Tools offer flexible options depending on your needs, from Individual Work Registration to Bulk Work Registration and Common Works Registration (CWR), making it easy to register one song or many at once. All registration tools are available within the Member Hub of The MLC Portal.
Before registering a song, it’s a good idea to check the Claiming Tool—someone may have already registered the song, in which case you can simply claim your share!
Match sound recordings to songs with The MLC’s Matching Tool.
The Matching Tool helps users connect sound recordings (ISRCs) to their songs. By regularly checking the Matching Tool, you can identify any missed connections, as we continuously receive new recording data from DSPs and add it to our database. The MLC performs both automated and manual matching, with any remaining unmatched recordings appearing in the Matching Tool. By reviewing these recordings and proposing matches, you help make sure your royalties are paid correctly. The Matching Tool is available within both the Member Hub and the Songwriter Hub of The MLC Portal.
Identify and manage overclaims with The MLC’s Overclaims Tool.
The Overclaims Tool helps Members identify and resolve overclaims, which occur when the total ownership shares submitted by all Members for a song exceed 100 percent. When an overclaim happens, it’s important to address it promptly to ensure royalty payments are accurate. The Overclaims Tool allows Members to amend or relinquish shares, communicate directly with other rightsholders involved, and upload supporting documentation. You can track the progress of each resolution and receive notifications within the Member Hub or via email, making it easier to manage overclaims efficiently and keep song ownership data accurate. The Overclaims Tool is available within the Member Hub of The MLC Portal.
Download a copy of your catalog with The MLC’s Catalog Export Tool.
The Catalog Export Tool lets users download a complete list of their songs on demand. Having a copy of your catalog makes it easy to review your data, track updates, and share information with collaborators. You can download your catalog at any time—especially when a song is added or a new match is made—to keep your records current. The Catalog Export Tool is available within both the Member Hub and the Songwriter Hub of The MLC Portal.
Manage your song catalog with The MLC’s Catalog Transfer Tool.
The Catalog Transfer Tool allows Members to submit and manage catalog transfers efficiently. Instead of relying on manual forms, this tool streamlines the process, helping you save time and track progress easily. Members can submit transfer requests, transfer catalogs between multiple publishers, acquire or relinquish catalogs, and monitor the status of each request on a dashboard—all in one place. The Catalog Transfer Tool is available within the Member Hub of The MLC Portal, and you can initiate a transfer anytime you need to move your song catalog.
Don’t forget to update your information!
If you’re a Member of The MLC, don’t forget to keep your contact details, banking information, and tax forms up to date in Member Settings within the Member Hub of The MLC Portal. Staying current ensures you receive all the royalties you’re owed.