The MLC

Announcement

06/06/2024

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About

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) was designated by the U.S. Register of Copyrights in July 2019 pursuant to the Music Modernization Act of 2018. The MLC is responsible for administering the new blanket compulsory license for the use of musical works by digital music services. As of January 2021, ...

mechanical royalties from streaming in the U.S. will be processed and paid out by The MLC at no cost to songwriters or music publishers. The MLC is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of songwriters and representatives of music publishers.

The MLC's mission is to ensure songwriters, composers, lyricists, and music publishers receive their mechanical royalties from streaming and download services in the U.S. accurately and on time.

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About CEO Kris Ahrend

Kris Ahrend serves as Chief Executive Officer for The MLC, where he leads the organization’s mission to ensure songwriters, composers, lyricists, and music publishers receive their mechanical royalties from streaming and download services in the U.S. accurately and on time. Most recently, Ahrend led the development and launch of Warner Music Group’s Center of Excellence for Shared Services in Nashville, where he oversaw the operations of fifteen different functional teams providing a variety of administrative, financial, and legal services to Warner Music’s U.S.-based publishing teams, record labels, and corporate divisions. Prior to launching the Center of Excellence, Ahrend held a senior executive role within Warner Music, where he led a large legal, financial, and administrative shared services organization that he helped to create.

Ahrend began his career in the music industry working in the Law Department at Sony Music, where he provided legal services to all of Sony’s US divisions, including its publishing company. He subsequently worked in the business and legal affairs department at Sony BMG Music Entertainment before accepting a senior executive role at Rhino Entertainment.

A graduate of Binghamton University and the Washington & Lee School of Law, Ahrend worked as a law clerk for the Western District of the Virginia District Court and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals before joining the Intellectual Property & Litigation Group of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, LLP in New York.

Ahrend is a valued member of the Nashville community. He serves on the boards of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce and the Nashville Downtown Partnership, and is a member of the Music City Music Council. A lifelong musician, Ahrend and his wife, Karen, have two children and live in Nashville.

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Publicist

Emily Morrone

emily@rockpaperscissors.biz

646-921-0440

The MLC Hosts Music Industry Roundtable for LGBTQ Pride Month

The virtual roundtable returns for the fourth edition of ‘Tuning Into Pride 2024: An LGBT Music Industry Roundtable,’ featuring special guest Xunami Muse, star of “RuPaul's Drag Race” season 16.

NASHVILLE, TN – The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) hosts the fourth year of the interactive webinar, "Tuning Into Pride 2024: An LGBT Music Industry Roundtable," with special guest Xunami Muse, star of “RuPaul's Drag Race” season 16, to recognize and celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month, which is observed during the month of June.

Moderated by Jai Yoko (she/her/they), artist manager and mentor, and Cameron Ljungkull (he/him), CEO of Secret Spot DTLA and co-founder of PopOut LA, the virtual webinar will feature candid conversations about the issues and opportunities impacting LGBTQ music creators and industry professionals. Attendees will have the chance to engage in a Q&A session as panelists discuss current events, career journeys, future music creator rights, representation for LGBTQ artists and more.

“Tuning Into Pride” serves as a platform for fostering inclusivity, promoting diversity, and highlighting the vibrant contributions of LGBTQ individuals to the music industry. The speakers include Xunami Muse; Kit Rice (he/him), CEO of KAR Records; Divinity Roxx (she/her), producer and composer; Rich Bomb (he/him), rapper and songwriter; and recording artists and songwriters 2AM Ricky (he/him), Bershy (she/they), Nekeith Mitchell (she/her) and Talii (she/her).

The roundtable will take place on Wednesday, June 12 at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT / 12 p.m. PT. Tune in by registering here.  

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About the Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) was designated by the U.S. Register of Copyrights in July 2019 pursuant to the Music Modernization Act of 2018. The MLC is responsible for administering the blanket compulsory license for the use of musical works by digital music services. Since January 2021, The MLC has achieved total royalties distributed of more than $2 billion, at no cost to songwriters or music publishers.    

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

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The MLC Hosts Music Industry Roundtable for LGBTQ Pride Month