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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 issued a notification of inquiry seeking public comments regarding the periodic review of the Office’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 directs the Office 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 allows the Office to designate a DLC, which will represent digital music services 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.

In July 2019, the Office made its initial MLC and DLC designations.

The MMA requires the Office to periodically review these designations. The first such review must commence in January 2024.

The Copyright Office is soliciting information to assist in evaluating the designations. The Office is first soliciting information from the currently designated mechanical licensing collective and digital licensee coordinator. This information will help inform subsequent public comments. Once the public has submitted their comments, the currently designated entities will be given an opportunity to respond.

Initial submissions from the existing designees were due on April 1, 2024. Initial public comments were due on May 29, 2024. Reply public comments were due on June 28, 2024. Reply submissions from the existing designees were due on July 29, 2024.

Additional information about the MMA is available here.