As the top of the year nears, so does the launch of one of the greatest triumphs of the Music Modernization Act (MMA), as the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) will begin administering a new blanket mechanical license for streaming and download services on Jan. 1, 2021. This spells good news for songwriters, composers, lyricists, and publishers, who will start receiving more accurate, timely, and transparent royalty payments. Sounds great, but you might be wondering: how exactly will this work? And more importantly, how will I get paid?

Thankfully, the Recording Academy will host a webinar on Nov. 9 with MLC CEO Kris Ahrend to explore the new process and platform. In fact, Recording Academy members will also have the opportunity to submit questions to be answered by an expert panel. Submit your questions in advance here.

Signed into law by President Trump on Oct. 11, 2018, the MMA has yielded many victories for music creators, ushering in a new era of music licensing and pushing policy forward toward a better system and more fair compensation for all creators. The MLC’s launch will establish a better system for songwriters to be paid fairly and timely.

The Recording Academy was not only been instrumental in the designation of the MLC, but has continued to provide helpful input throughout the process of getting the new entity up and running.  Late last year, Spotify, Apple and other services represented by the Digital Licensee Coordinator (DLC) agreed to a $62 million budget for the MLC to manage the new blanket mechanical license and handle royalty collection and distribution to all songwriters. Putting royalties in the pockets of music creators is a landmark fulfillment of the great promise of the MMA.

Simply put, the MLC's ability to identify, match and administer unclaimed songwriter and publisher royalties will be a game changer. The Academy will continue to work with the MLC and the Copyright Office to establish optimal rules and regulations, and, through events like this webinar, assist the MLC in songwriter outreach to ensure the MLC’s success.

Songwriters have much to look forward to, with payouts to begin in 2021. But knowledge is power, and the Academy's upcoming webinar is the latest benefit to its members to ensure they have all the information they need to take full benefit of the MLC, especially during times of great need.

Don't miss out. Join the Recording Academy's MLC webinar on Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET.

Recording Academy Leaders Talk Dollars & Sense At Unclaimed Royalties Symposium