First Periodic Review of the Designations of the Mechanical Licensing Collective and Digital Licensee Coordinator

Pursuant to the Music Modernization Act (MMA), the U.S. Copyright Office has completed the first periodic review of the Register’s designations of the mechanical licensing collective (MLC) and digital licensee coordinator (DLC). These entities carry out key statutory functions related to the administration of the blanket statutory mechanical license for the reproduction and distribution of nondramatic musical works.

The MMA directed the Register to designate an entity as the MLC to administer the blanket statutory mechanical license for the reproduction and distribution of nondramatic musical works. The MMA also directs the Register to designate a DLC to represent digital music providers in the administration of the license and in the determination of the administrative assessment fee paid by digital music providers for the reasonable costs of operating the MLC.

The Register made her initial designations in July 2019 and is required to periodically review those designations. To assist this review, the Office first solicited information from the currently designated mechanical licensing collective and digital licensee coordinator, and then sought comments from interested members of the public. The Office received over sixty comments from stakeholders throughout the music industry. While some commenters provided feedback on ways that the designees could improve their respective services, most strongly endorsed the current designees.

Based on this record and the statutory criteria, the Register has continued the designation of the Mechanical Licensing Collective, Inc. as the MLC, and the Digital Licensee Coordinator, Inc. as the DLC. As required by the MMA, the next review of these designations will begin in January 2029.