The MLC Presents: How Self-Administered Songwriters Can Get Started and Play Their Part | Mechanical Licensing Collective

Starting in January 2021, The MLC will administer blanket mechanical licenses to eligible streaming and download services (digital service providers or DSPs) in the United States. The MLC will then collect the royalties due under those licenses from the DSPs and pay music publishers, administrators and self-administered songwriters, composers and lyricists.

What will all of this mean for self-administered writers?

Dae Bogan, The MLC’s Head of Third-Party Partnerships and a long-time educator and advocate for self-administered creators, will host a series of webinars specifically aimed at self-administered writers. Each webinar will include a recap of The MLC’s activities to-date and our plans for the future. Dae will also explain what it means to be a “self-administered” writer and how self-administered writers can become Members of The MLC (or Connect to Collect) in order to ensure they receive the digital audio mechanical royalties they’re owed. Finally, Dae will help guide self-administered writers through the process of organizing their musical works data now, ahead of the roll out of The MLC’s new user portal for Members.

Why Play Your Part?

The answer is simple. No one is in a better position than you to provide the most definitive view of your musical works data, and making sure your data is accurate and complete is the single most important thing you can do to ensure you are paid properly once The MLC begins receiving digital audio mechanical royalties next year. If each self-administered writer does their part to ensure their musical works data is accurate, The MLC will be in the best possible position to ensure that every self-administered writer gets paid accurately. Remember: The MLC is a non-profit company, and it will distribute 100% of the digital audio mechanicals it receives without deducting any administration fees – so when your ensure your data is accurate, the only one who benefits is you

The MLC has scheduled three webinars so you can pick the one that works best with your schedule. You can sign up by clicking the registration links below. We look forward to seeing you!

September 3, 4pm CT:

https://themlc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nP72CBNJSyij_JU1W0vwRQ

September 17, 4pm CT:

https://themlc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nNtC279SR5W-NyTyVOLbwg

October 1, 4pm CT:

https://themlc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XuxrY4dCQHm34ORrTF8tiA

Get Started

MEmbership is always free

Our mission is to support creators like you with full transparency into the performance of your music. Our member portal helps you see which of your songs have earned royalties, which ones are still being matched, and when payments are made. This openness helps you trust the process and know that your songs are being tracked and paid for fairly.

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FAQs

What are the regulations and where can one find the full text of the rates and terms for Phono 4?

The CRB published a Final Rule in the U.S. Federal Register setting the blanket license mechanical royalty rates for permanent digital downloads.

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Where can I find answers about The MLC portal?

After you have established a login to the Portal, you will find helpful information in our Knowledge Base.

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I want to read the regulation myself. Where can I find it?

The regulation outlining this entire process is found in 37 CFR 210.10(c)(5). You can also reference the regulation along with supplementary information as

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