Notes · Unmatched royalties
Black Box Royalties
Black box royalties are unmatched payments. Register and match your works so you receive what you're owed. Notes does that registration and does not take a percentage.
Black box royalties are royalty payments a collector cannot yet match to a rightsholder. On the US mechanical side, The MLC holds unmatched streaming and download mechanicals until a work is registered with the right ISWC, IPI numbers, and splits. Other collectors hold unmatched balances for the same reason: missing or conflicting data.
Best for Notes. Songwriters and rightsholders who want unmatched mechanicals and other unclaimed royalties identified and registered before they are distributed by market share.
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How Notes collects this
Notes registers compositions and recordings and reconciles payouts so unmatched money can be matched to you. Beginning in early 2027, The MLC starts distributing remaining unmatched blanket royalties on a market-share basis after its matching window — matching your works is how your share reaches you. Notes does not take a percentage.
The two pools
Where this sits on the royalty ring
- Distribution
- Broadcast
- Publishing
- Performance
Each arc is a /learn royalty type. The ring is the same chart as the glossary hub.
Questions
FAQ
- What are black box royalties?
- Black box royalties are payments a collection organization cannot match to a registered work or owner. They sit unmatched until the composition or recording is registered correctly, or until a later distribution rule applies.
- Are black box royalties the same as MLC royalties?
- MLC royalties include both matched mechanicals paid to you and unmatched mechanicals The MLC still holds. The unmatched portion is the black-box pool. Registering and matching your songs is how that share reaches you.
- Does Notes take a percentage of black box royalties?
- No. Notes is a flat subscription. It does not take a percentage of royalties it registers and collects.
Built on the record
Sources
Notes is an independent music distribution and publishing administration service. Named platforms and collection societies are independent organizations. This page is not affiliated with, authorized by, or sponsored by them. Apple and Apple Music are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Spotify, YouTube, The MLC, Harry Fox Agency, SoundExchange, ASCAP, BMI, and other named platforms and societies are trademarks of their respective owners. Notes is not affiliated with, authorized by, or sponsored by them.