U.S. Copyright Office Issues Final Rule Redesignating Mechanical Licensing Collective and Digital Licensee Coordinator Under the Music Modernization Act

The Register has determined that the existing designations of the entities serving as the mechanical licensing collective (MLC) and the digital licensee coordinator (DLC) under the Orrin G. Hatch–Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (MMA) should be continued.

The MMA directed the Register to designate an entity to serve as the MLC to administer the blanket statutory mechanical license for the reproduction and distribution of nondramatic musical works. The MMA also directed the Register to designate a DLC to represent digital music providers in the administration of the license and the determination of the administrative assessment fee they pay 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 inform this review, the Office conducted an extensive public inquiry soliciting information from the current entities designated as the MLC or DLC, as well as 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.

Additional information about this proceeding is available on the Designation of Mechanical Licensing Collective and Digital Licensee Coordinator webpage.