A writer role identifies who is responsible for different elements of a musical work. A description of what each writer role entails is below.
NOTE: At least one composer/author or composer writer role is required to submit a work registration with The MLC.
Writer Roles
Adapter (AD): One who modifies/adapts the text (lyrics) of an existing musical work.
Arranger (AR): One who modifies the musical elements of an existing musical work.
Author (A): One who writes the text (lyrics) of a musical work.
Composer (C): One who writes the musical elements of a musical work.
Composer/Author (CA): One who writes the musical elements and text (lyrics) of a musical work.
Sub Arranger (SR): One who creates arrangements authorized by the Sub-Publisher.
Sub Author (SA): One who writes text (lyrics) which substitutes or modifies the existing text of musical work.
Translator (TR): One who modifies text (lyrics) into a different language.
Income Participant (PA): A person that receives royalty payments for a work but is not a copyright owner.