How to Register with The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective)
The MLC collects ~7-10% of your total streaming income generated in the United States. Registration is FREE and is the only way to collect digital mechanical royalties.
The "Black Box" Problem
Millions of dollars in mechanical royalties sit unclaimed because artists don't register. Distributors (DistroKid) and PROs (ASCAP) DO NOT collect this money.
What is The MLC?
Created by US law in 2018, The MLC is a nonprofit designated to collect mechanical royalties from streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music) and pay them to songwriters.
It does NOT collect:
- Performance royalties (Your PRO does this)
- Master recording royalties (Your distributor does this)
- International mechanicals (You need a Publishing Admin for this)
Step-by-Step Registration
1. Go to TheMLC.com
Click "Connect to Collect" or "Join". Select "Self-Administered Songwriter" if you don't have a publishing deal.
Visit TheMLC.com →2. Verify Your Identity
You'll need to provide contact info and verify your email.
3. Set Up Banking
The MLC pays via direct deposit. Have your routing and account numbers ready.
4. Register Your Songs (The "Matching" Process)
This is the most critical step. You must register your songs so The MLC can match them to Spotify streams.
Required Data:
- Song Title (Must match Spotify EXACTLY)
- Writer Names & Shares
- ISRC Code (Get this from your distributor)
Common Questions
"I'm already with ASCAP. Do I need this?"
YES. ASCAP collects Performance royalties. The MLC collects Mechanical royalties. They are two separate income streams from the same stream. You need both.
"Does it cost money?"
NO. The MLC is funded by the streaming services (Spotify, Apple, etc.) by law. It is completely free for songwriters to join and collect.
Check If You're Missing Money
Our calculator estimates exactly how much MLC money you're leaving behind.
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