The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective) is the only organization in the US authorized to collect Digital Mechanical Royalties from streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. If you are an independent songwriter and you are not registered with The MLC (or using a Publishing Administrator who is), you are leaving roughly 15% of your US streaming income on the table.
1. What Exactly is The MLC?
Established by the Music Modernization Act of 2018, The MLC is a non-profit organization that manages “Blanket Licenses” for digital service providers (DSPs).
Before The MLC, Spotify had to try and find every single songwriter individually to pay them (and they often failed). Now, Spotify just sends one giant pile of money to The MLC, and it is The MLC’s job to match that money to you.
2. The MLC vs. ASCAP/BMI: What’s the Difference?
This is where most artists get confused. You cannot replace one with the other; you need both.
- ASCAP / BMI (PROs): Collect Performance Royalties (Public broadcast, radio, and the “performance” part of a stream).
- The MLC (MRO): Collects Mechanical Royalties (The “reproduction” part of a digital stream or download).
The Rule of Thumb: When your song is streamed in the US, it generates both. If you only belong to ASCAP, you are only getting half of your “Songwriter” money.
3. Do You Need to Register? (The Choice)
There are two ways to handle The MLC.
Path A: You are a “Self-Administered” Songwriter
If you do not have a publisher or a publishing administrator, you must register as a Member of The MLC yourself.
- Pros: It is 100% free to join, and they take 0% commission (their costs are paid by the streaming services).5
- Cons: You have to manually upload your song data, ISRC codes, and “match” your recordings to your songs.
Path B: You use a Publishing Administrator (Audiobulb)
If you are an Audiobulb client, you do not need to register with The MLC.
- How it works: We are already members. We register your songs for you, ensure the data is perfect, and collect that money on your behalf.
- Why this is better: The MLC only collects money from the USA. Audiobulb collects from The MLC plus every other mechanical society in the world (UK, Japan, etc.).
4. What is the “Black Box”?
The MLC is currently holding billions of dollars in “unmatched” royalties. This is money from songs that were streamed, but the songwriter wasn’t registered.
If you register today, you can use The MLC’s “Claiming Tool” to search for your name and see if there is old money waiting for you. They typically hold this money for 3 years before it is distributed to the “top” artists in the industry (which you definitely don’t want!).
Comparison: Who Collects From the DSPs?
| Royalty Type | Who Collects It? | Is it the MLC? |
| Mechanical (Streaming) | The MLC | ✅ Yes |
| Mechanical (Physical CD/Vinyl) | HFA / MRI | ❌ No |
| Performance (Streaming) | ASCAP / BMI | ❌ No |
| YouTube Content ID | Publisher / Admin | ❌ No |
FAQ: The MLC Essentials
Does The MLC collect money from YouTube?
No. The MLC only collects for Audio-Only services (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal). Video platforms like YouTube and TikTok are handled through “Micro-Sync” and must be collected by a publisher.
I live outside the USA. Can I join The MLC?
Yes. International songwriters can join The MLC to collect their US streaming royalties. However, most international artists find it easier to let a global admin handle it so they don’t have to deal with US tax forms (W-8BEN).
If I join The MLC, do I still need a publisher?
Yes. The MLC has a very narrow scope (US Digital Mechanicals). You still need a publisher to collect your International royalties, Sync fees, and YouTube money.
Summary
The MLC is the “Bank” for your US mechanical royalties. If you aren’t “Connected to Collect,” your money stays in the bank.
Your Next Step: Search The MLC’s Public Work Search for your artist name. If your songs aren’t there, you aren’t getting paid your mechanicals. Let Audiobulb register your catalog with The MLC so we can secure your US income and hunt down your international royalties simultaneously.