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

Summary This article explains how to find existing works in The MLC Public Work Database, how to register individual musical works in The MLC Portal, what release date to use on a registration, how to match recordings to works, and what information to provide when recordings are not appearing.

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 to 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 2–3 months after release. This accounts for the time DSPs report streaming usage and normal Matching Tool data refresh timelines.
  • 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

Conclusion Search the Public Work Database before registering, register each song as its own work with complete writers/publishers/ownership/recording metadata, use the DSP release date for registrations, and use the Matching Tool (allow ~2–3 months for new recordings). Provide recording title, artist, release date, ISRC, and suggested MLC Song Code when requesting support for unmatched recordings.