Publishing collection guide
How to register with The MLC
The MLC collects U.S. digital mechanical royalties for songwriters and publishers. If you write your own songs, this is one of the easiest places to stop missing publishing money.
MLC registration checklist
Keep this simple: account first, identity second, catalog third, matching last.
Create your MLC account
Start with the member portal, choose the role that matches you, and use the same legal identity you use for tax and royalty payments.
Complete identity and payment details
Add tax information, payment information, and contact details so matched royalties can actually be paid out.
Register your musical works
Add song titles, writer names, ownership shares, publisher information, and identifiers like ISRC or ISWC when you have them.
Check unmatched works
Search for unmatched recordings and claim the works you control. This is where many independent artists find missed money.
Keep metadata consistent
Use the same spelling, writer splits, release titles, and identifiers across your distributor, PRO, and MLC registrations.
Review after every release
Treat MLC checks as part of release admin, especially when you release collaborations, alternate versions, remixes, or covers.
What The MLC does and does not collect
Registering with The MLC is important, but it does not replace your distributor or your PRO.
The MLC covers
- U.S. digital mechanical royalties
- Songwriter and publisher-side work matching
- Unmatched royalty claims for eligible works
You still need
- A distributor for master recording royalties
- A PRO for performance royalties
- Clean metadata across title, writers, ISRC, and ISWC
MLC FAQ
Short answers for artists checking why money may be missing.
Do I need The MLC if I use DistroKid, TuneCore, or another distributor? +
Usually yes if you write your songs. A distributor collects master recording royalties. The MLC handles U.S. digital mechanical publishing royalties.
Does The MLC replace my PRO? +
No. Your PRO handles performance royalties. The MLC handles U.S. digital mechanical royalties. Many songwriters need both.
Is The MLC only for U.S. artists? +
No. It handles U.S. mechanical royalties, so non-U.S. songwriters can still have U.S. streaming mechanical income to claim.