The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) is a U.S. non-profit that administers blanket mechanical licenses for digital music services. They collect and distribute royalties to songwriters, composers, and publishers for streaming and digital reproductions, ensuring fair compensation and maintaining a comprehensive database of musical works. In this article we will explore how to upload multiple works to the MLC with the bulk work form.
Uploading Your Bulk Work Form
Step 1: Login to the MLC here
Step 2: Select 'View Member'
Step 3: Select 'Bulk Registration Tool'
Step 4: Download the MLC's Bulk Form Template Excel File
This download will open into an Excel file where you fill out all necessary information regarding your works to upload.
Step 5: Select the 'Format' Tab in the Excel File
Step 6: Fill Out the Necessary Information for Each Work
File Requirements
All columns with an asterisk (*) must be completed.
Dependent fields (†): Not required, but if one is filled the other must be completed.
- Administrator Name and Administration IPI
- Recording Title and Recording Artist Name
- AKA Title and AKA Type Code
Example: If you fill out the AKA Title, you must also fill out the AKA Type Code
Maximum of 300 rows. If the file exceeds 300 rows you must upload another file.
File must be uploaded with .xlsx format.
File Logistics
If you're unclear on any of the fields, navigate to the different tabs on the Excel file for clarification.
2. If there are multiple writers/publishers/recordings, do not put them on the same row. Each writer/publisher/recording must be contained on their own row. This means that each work may take up multiple rows.
This is shown in the template file where the sample works have more than one writer and publisher. Note that because of this, the 'Primary Title' and other encompassing information is only written once for each work, so there will be blank Excel cells in these columns if there are multiple writers/publishers/recordings.
3. Your inputted information must 100% abide by all requirements and logistics mentioned above. When uploading, the MLC will reject and information that is missing or that does not follow the requirements.
Step 7: Upload Your File
After correctly filling out your Excel file, select 'Browse Files' and select your completed .xlsx file.
Step 8: Hit the 'Upload' Button
Errors
If you correctly filled out your Excel file:
You will see the below 'Success!' message where you'll press 'Continue.'
From here. you can review all your information to make sure everything is correct. Then, press 'Submit # Works'.
If you upload a file with missing data:
You will receive a message indicating that you are missing data in your file, with the specific missing fields listed. Select 'OK' and fill in the missing data before re-uploading.
If you upload a file that exceeds 300 rows:
You will receive a message stating that your file too large. In this case, you must press 'OK,' separate you file into two separate files, and re-upload the files separately.
If you upload a file with incorrect information:
You will receive a message stating how many works were correct and how many still need 'attention.' The MLC runs your file through their system to validate all your information, so you will only receive this error if some data is inputted wrong.
Select 'Continue' and select 'Resolve Errors' where you'll be able to correct the flagged portions of your file that are indicated as incorrect. After correcting the information hit 'Submit # Works.'
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