The MLC administers US interactive streaming and download mechanicals on the composition. Public-performance royalties are collected by the songwriter's own PRO. Notes does not replace that affiliation.
Publishing administration
Register the Song.Match It at The MLC.
The MLC administers US streaming and download mechanicals. Notes registers your compositions with The MLC so those royalties can be matched to you, without taking a share of your copyright.
A composition is separate from the sound recording. Notes keeps those rights as two independent 100% pools, then registers songwriter credits, IPIs, ISWCs, and splits with The MLC so US mechanical royalties can be matched into the same account.
Start for FreePublishing administration
Mechanicals sit on the composition side
The MLC
- Distribution
- Broadcast
- Publishing
- Performance
The MLC is a trademark of The Mechanical Licensing Collective. Notes is an independent service and is not endorsed by The MLC.
Best for
Match US mechanicals at The MLC
- Songwriters who need compositions registered with The MLC so US streaming and download mechanicals can be matched.
- Independent teams keeping songwriting splits separate from recording ownership.
- Music companies registering catalogs with The MLC alongside distribution and royalty collection.
Publishing workflow
From composition details to The MLC
Identify the composition
Connect the song to its recording while keeping the underlying composition distinct.
Add songwriter credits
Record the songwriters, roles, IPIs, ISWCs, and other available identifiers.
Confirm songwriting splits
Allocate the composition side as an independent 100% pool, separate from recording splits.
Register with The MLC
Submit the composition, splits, and identifiers so The MLC can match US mechanical royalties.
Collect matched mechanicals
Reconcile what The MLC pays into the same Notes account as distribution and payments.
Pricing
Publishing administration without a royalty percentage
| Plan | Price | Royalty percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Musician | Free tier, then $5/month ($50/year) | None |
| Company | Starts at $100/month ($1,000/year) | None |
Notes uses a flat subscription. Musician and Company pricing covers the broader Notes account, including catalog, credits, royalty review, and connected collection capabilities.
Included
What Notes publishing covers now
- Composition records
- Keep songs distinct from the sound recordings that embody them.
- Songwriter credits and identifiers
- Connect writers, roles, splits, IPIs, and ISWCs to each composition.
- The MLC registration
- Register compositions with The MLC so US streaming and download mechanicals can be matched.
- Two independent pools
- Keep songwriting and recording ownership as separate 100% allocations.
- Matched mechanical collection
- Reconcile royalties The MLC pays into the same Notes account. Notes does not take a percentage.
Good to know
What this publishing path covers
- Registration with The MLC depends on complete composition, songwriter, split, and identifier details.
- The MLC administers US interactive streaming and download mechanicals. It does not collect recording royalties or public-performance royalties.
- A PRO affiliation belongs to the songwriter. Notes does not replace that affiliation.
- Notes does not take a copyright share or a percentage of royalties.
- Notes is an independent service and is not endorsed by The MLC.
Use Notes publishing administration to register compositions with The MLC and collect matched US mechanicals, while keeping recording and songwriting as two independent 100% pools and without transferring copyright to Notes.
FAQ
Publishing administration and The MLC
- What is the difference between a composition and a sound recording?
- The composition is the underlying song written by songwriters. The sound recording is a particular recorded performance of that song. Notes tracks them as two independent 100% pools.
- Does Notes own part of my copyright?
- No. Notes provides publishing administration without taking a share of your copyright or a percentage of royalties.
- What does Notes register with The MLC?
- Notes registers compositions with The MLC with songwriter credits, splits, IPIs, and ISWCs so US streaming and download mechanicals can be matched to you.
- Does Notes replace my PRO?
- No. Public-performance royalties are collected by the songwriter's PRO. The MLC administers US streaming and download mechanicals. Notes does not replace a PRO affiliation.
- How much does Notes cost?
- Musician plans have a free tier, then cost $5/month or $50/year. Company plans start at $100/month or $1,000/year. Notes does not take a royalty percentage.