The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), created by U.S. music publishers and songwriters and designated last week by the U.S. Copyright Office to handle licensing and administering rights under the Music Modernization Act (MMA), boasts an impressive industry lineup.
The MLC’s tasks, which are expected to begin imminently, will include the negotiation of a budget with the digital streaming services (who, by law, must fund the collective), partnering with a vendor to provide administration and matching services, and development of a user portal through which publishers and songwriters will be able to manage rights and royalties. The MLC plans to move quickly on all fronts in order to fully launch in January of 2021.
The board of the Collective, which is authorized and backed by the National Music Publisher’s Association (NMPA), the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and the Songwriters of North America (SONA), is as follows:
Chairman
Alisa Coleman (ABKCO): Coleman is COO of the late Allen Klein’s music holdings, which includes the Rolling Stones’ early catalog, along with Sam Cooke and Herman’s Hermits, among others. She launched the company’s soundtrack division, releasing David O. Russel’s “Joy” and Wes Anderson’s Grammy and Oscar-s winning “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”
Directors
Jeff Brabec (BMG) A veteran publishing exec and co-author with brother Todd of the authoritative music-publishing book “Music, Money and Success,” Brabec is SVP of Legal and Business Affairs at BMG, where he specializes in evaluating, projecting income and negotiating music publishing catalog acquisitions. His duties also include songwriter, co-publishing, participation, administration, sub publishing, direct license and joint venture agreements as well as termination rights issues.
Peter Brodsky (Sony/ATV) Brodsky, EVP of Business & Legal Affairs at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, is a Brooklyn Law School grad who previously headed the same departments at BMG before joining Sony/ATV in August 2007.