Announcing MLC Week October 26-30: Everything You Need to Know about The MLC

NASHVILLE, TN - The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) today announced a full week of panels and programming intended to provide important updates about The MLC’s  progress as the organization prepares to launch its full operations in January 2021.

“We’re looking forward to sharing information and engaging with future Members during this  exciting week of programming,” said Kris Ahrend, CEO of The MLC. “It’s an important time  for future Members of The MLC to catch up on our progress and make sure they are fully prepared for 2021.”

Each day during the Week, The MLC will offer a webinar that features updates about the  progress on different aspects of The MLC’s operations. In addition, participants will hear from  leading stakeholders who were instrumental to the passage of the Music Modernization Act and the establishment of The MLC, including representatives from the U.S. Copyright Office, National Music Publishers' Association, Nashville Songwriters Association International, Digital Licensing Committee, The MLC Board, and senior leaders of The MLC.

A schedule of events follows:

Monday, October 26 at 11:00am CT/ 12:00pm ET: “Join us in Supporting The  MLC” 
Established by the historic Music Modernization Act of 2018, The MLC will address longstanding challenges in how music creators collect the mechanical royalties they’re  owed. During this session, we’ll review the origin and purpose of The MLC and hear directly from industry stakeholders about how this revolutionary organization will empower copyright owners around the globe.

Moderated by Billboard's Robert Levine, this kickoff event features a panel with ABKCO Music & Records, Inc. Chief Operating Officer and The MLC Board Chair  Alisa Coleman; Nashville Songwriters Association International Executive Director Bart  Herbison; National Music Publishers' Association EVP and General Counsel Danielle Aguirre; Digital Media Association President and CEO (and representative for the Digital Licensee Coordinator) Garrett Levin; The MLC CEO Kris Ahrend; and United States Copyright Office General Counsel and Associate Register of Copyrights Regan Smith.

Tuesday, October 27 at 11:00am CT/ 12:00pm ET: “The MLC Portal” 
This session will provide a look into The MLC Portal. The MLC’s Chief Information  Officer Richard Thompson will preview The Portal, discuss the Data Quality Initiative and share updates on next steps.

Wednesday, October 28 at 11:00am CT/ 12:00pm ET: “Members First: Making Customer Service our Priority”  
Service is at the heart of everything we do at The MLC, and we aim to build and maintain strong relationships with each and every person we serve. In this session, join our Head of Customer Experience Lindsey Major and Head of Rights Management Maurice Russell for a live Q&A about our customer service operation and hear how we will strive to exceed expectations and deliver excellence for all. Serona Elton, The MLC’s Head of Educational Partnerships, will moderate this  session.

Thursday, October 29 at 11:00am CT/ 12:00pm ET: “Engaging International,  Educational and Third-Party Partners”
Like any good partnership, success depends upon the engagement and contributions  of each partner. Hear from three of The MLC’s leadership team on how they are building partnerships in three key areas. Panelists include our Head of Third-Party  Partnerships Dae Bogan, Head of International Relations Indi Chawla, and Head of Educational Partnerships Serona Elton.and The MLC’s Head of Rights Management, Maurice Russell, will moderate.

Friday, October 30 at 11:00am CT/ 12:00pm ET: “What’s Next: A Vision for the  Future”
In our final address, we have invited Music Business Association President Portia Sabin for a conversation with CEO Kris Ahrend to discuss The MLC's vision for the  future, including a preview of the milestones that lie ahead over the next six months (and beyond) as The MLC continues to ramp up operations. If you're owed digital mechanical royalties, you won't want to miss this session to preview what's next for The MLC.

For more information about The MLC, visit themlc.com and visit themlc.com/mlc-week for more details about MLC Week.

About The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)

The Mechanical Licensing  Collective (The MLC) is a nonprofit organization designated by the U.S. Copyright Office  pursuant to the historic Music Modernization Act of 2018. Starting in January 2021, The MLC  will issue and administer blanket mechanical licenses to eligible streaming and download  services (digital service providers or DSPs) in the United States. The MLC will then collect the  royalties due under those licenses from the DSPs and pay songwriters, composers, lyricists  and music publishers - at no cost to writers, publishers or their administrators.

The MLC is governed by a Board of Directors composed of songwriters and representatives of  music publishers. For more background on The MLC and its Board and Committee members, go to TheMLC.com.