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How to Find, Register, and Match Works in The MLC

To register a musical work with The MLC, first confirm the work does not already exist in The MLC Public Work Database, then submit a separate registration for each individual composition through The MLC Portal with complete title, writer, publisher, ownership, and recording metadata. This article covers searching the database, registering works, selecting a release date, matching recordings, and resolving matching issues.

How do I check whether a work already exists?

  • Search The MLC Public Work Database: https://portal.themlc.com/search#work
  • Search by work title, or click "Add Criteria" to enter additional fields to narrow results.
  • If the work already exists in the database, do not create a new registration. Instead, claim your ownership shares or correct the work’s existing information. Contact The MLC Support if you are unsure which action to take.

Register each musical work separately

  • Register each composition (song) as its own individual work. Collections (albums, EPs, LPs, mixtapes) should not be registered as a single work registration.
  • Use this guideline: if a song has its own registration with your PRO and its own ISWC, it typically requires its own registration with The MLC.
  • For each individual work registration, provide the title, writers, publishers, ownership information (including percentage shares and territory), recordings, and any other metadata required by the registration form.
  • Submit registrations through The MLC Portal (see registration help: https://help.themlc.com/en/support/how-to-register-works-in-the-mlc-portal).

Which release date should I use on a registration?

  • Use the date the work was first released on DSPs (digital service providers) such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. If the work was released on physical formats before digital distribution, still use the DSP release date.

Matching recordings to works

  • Use The MLC's Matching Tool — accessible in The MLC Portal — to link sound recordings to the registered musical works in your catalog. Complete your work registrations before using the Matching Tool.
  • Newly released recordings typically appear in the Matching Tool approximately two to three months after release. This accounts for the time DSPs report streaming usage and normal Matching Tool data refresh timelines. Contact The MLC Support for the most current estimate if timing is a concern.
  • For guidance on searching and best practices when using the Matching Tool, consult the Best Practices for Using the Matching Tool resource: https://help.themlc.com/en/support/best-practices-for-using-the-matching-tool

If recordings are not appearing or matching fails

  • When recordings are not showing results in the Matching Tool, prepare the following information for each song to request investigation:
    • Recording title
    • Recording artist
    • Distribution/release date
    • ISRC code
    • Suggested MLC Song Code (the unique identifier assigned to a registered work in The MLC Portal)
  • If you need assistance before resubmitting registrations or to resolve matching issues, contact The MLC Support (Contact Us form): https://portal.themlc.com/contact-us

For additional assistance with work registrations or matching, contact The MLC Support through the Contact Us form in The MLC Portal.