What is the Claiming Tool?
The Claiming Tool is an easy way for users to search for works that already exist in The MLC database in order to add their information and claim available shares.
Why should I use the Claiming Tool?
Your work(s) may already exist in The MLC database without your shares for a few reasons. For example, your work may have been previously administered by someone else or your co-writer may have already registered the work with their shares, but you still need to claim your shares.
It’s also important to use the Claiming Tool to avoid creating duplicate works. For example, duplicate works may be created when two co-writers each attempt to register the same work. Duplicate registrations can prevent accurate and timely payments.
How do I use the Claiming Tool?
- Once you’ve logged into your Member account in The MLC Portal, click the down arrow next to Works Registration from the left-hand side menu.
- From the options that appear below, click Claiming Tool to be taken to the Claiming Tool page.
- To search for a work that exists in our current database, select your desired criteria in the drop-down boxes next to the search box. You may also add additional criteria by clicking the Add Criteria
- Once your criteria is entered, click the Search
- Results will populate below. Click View on the right-hand side, and a new tab will open with the current work details of that work.
- To edit details of the work, click the blue Edit button in the upper right-hand corner. A pop-up will ask you to confirm you wish to edit that work. Click Edit in the pop-up to continue or Cancel to go back to the details page.
- On the next page, click the blue Edit button next to the section with details you wish to update.
- After you have completed your edits, click the blue Submit button in the lower right-hand corner. Another pop-up will ask you to confirm that you wish to submit these updates. Click Create to continue or Cancel to go back to the editing page.
You will be taken to a confirmation page that shows the work you have submitted with edits. You can click into your Registration History in the left-hand menu to see your work with proposed edits in the “Pending” tab. If your edits are accepted, the work will appear in the “Completed” tab, so please check back periodically to check.
How is the Claiming Tool different from the Matching Tool?
The Claiming Tool allows Members to claim their shares of works and collect the royalties.
The Matching Tool allows Members to match sound recordings to their work(s), which in turn helps The MLC more effectively distribute royalties for those works.