Songwriter Hub

What is Songwriter Hub?

Songwriter Hub is The MLC's dedicated platform for songwriters with a publishing or administrative deal on any of their works.

The MLC pays digital audio mechanical royalties only to the catalog owner or works administrator.

What can I do in Songwriter Hub?

Songwriter Hub provides tools to help you organize your songs, build your catalog, and submit corrections.

You can:

Use the Catalog Builder to see all iterations of your songwriter name and build your catalog.
Use the Song Catalog to consolidate and organize your works and export the catalog you have built.
Use the Matching Tool to submit match requests that link songs from your catalog to DSP recording usage data. This helps ensure your administrator can correctly collect mechanical royalties for your works.
Request updates to your writer names or publisher IPI if you identify an error, so the matching data can be corrected.

For additional information about Songwriter Hub, visit the MLC Help Center.

How do I sign up for Songwriter Hub?

The sign-up process depends on whether you already have an existing MLC Portal account.

I already have an MLC Portal account

If you already have a user account, you can join Songwriter Hub from the MLC Portal.

Steps to join Songwriter Hub

Log in to the MLC Portal.
Click the blue circle in the top-right corner.
Select the Songwriters tab in your profile.
Click Join Songwriter Hub.
Follow the instructions provided.
Go to the MLC Portal at portal.themlc.com.
Click Sign up in the top-right corner.
Enter your information.
Sign in to the MLC Portal.
Go to the landing page of your Songwriter Hub.
Identify the Songwriter you want to delete and make sure you are certain you want to delete them.
1. Important: If you do not want to delete the Songwriter but instead want to remove songs from their catalog, go to the My Writer Names page and switch the In the Catalog toggle to off.
Click the blue trash can icon in the top-right corner of the Songwriter tile.
Click Delete on the confirmation screen.
Go to the My Writer Names page.
Find the relevant writer name.
Switch the In the Catalog toggle to off.

Once you have access to Songwriter Hub, you can use both Hubs when you log in to the MLC Portal.

To switch between the two Hubs, click the appropriate tab at the top of the screen.

What should I do after joining Songwriter Hub?

Your next step is to build your Song Catalog.

For instructions on how to build your Song Catalog, visit the MLC Help Center.

I don't have an MLC Portal account

If you do not already have an MLC Portal account, you can create one through the MLC Portal.

Steps to get started

After you sign in, you will be asked a few questions to help determine which MLC Hub is the best fit for you.

If you are a songwriter with a publishing or administrative deal on any of your works, you will be directed to Songwriter Hub.

Once you have access to Songwriter Hub, you can organize and export your catalog and submit corrections to help ensure The MLC has accurate information about your songs.

What should I do after signing up?

Your next step is to build your Song Catalog.

For instructions on how to build your Song Catalog, visit the MLC Help Center.

How do I delete a Songwriter account?

Deleting a Songwriter is a permanent action and cannot be undone.

If you are certain that you want to delete a Songwriter, follow these steps.

Delete a Songwriter

I only want to remove songs from my catalog

You do not need to delete your Songwriter account to remove songs from your catalog.

Instead:

This removes the songs from your catalog without deleting the Songwriter.

Quick Answers

What is Songwriter Hub?

Songwriter Hub is The MLC's dedicated platform for songwriters with a publishing or administrative deal on any of their works. It provides tools for building, organizing, exporting, and correcting your song catalog.

Who can use Songwriter Hub?

Songwriters with a publishing or administrative deal on any of their works can be directed to Songwriter Hub through the MLC Portal.

How do I access Songwriter Hub if I already have an MLC Portal account?

Log in to the MLC Portal, click the blue circle in the top-right corner, select the Songwriters tab, and click Join Songwriter Hub.

I don't have an MLC Portal account. How do I sign up for Songwriter Hub?

Go to portal.themlc.com, click Sign up, enter your information, and sign in. You will be asked questions to determine which MLC Hub is the best fit for you. If you are a songwriter with a publishing or administrative deal on any of your works, you will be directed to Songwriter Hub.

What can I do in Songwriter Hub?

You can build your catalog using the Catalog Builder, organize and export your works through the Song Catalog, submit matching requests using the Matching Tool, and request updates to writer names or publisher IPI information when you identify an error.

How do I build my Song Catalog?

Use the Catalog Builder to see all iterations of your songwriter name and build your catalog. For detailed instructions, visit the MLC Help Center.

How do I switch between Hubs?

After you have access to Songwriter Hub, you can switch between the available Hubs by clicking the appropriate tab at the top of the MLC Portal.

How do I delete my Songwriter?

Go to the landing page of your Songwriter Hub, find the Songwriter you want to delete, click the blue trash can icon in the top-right corner of the Songwriter tile, and click Delete on the confirmation screen.

Can I undo deleting a Songwriter?

No. Deleting a Songwriter is permanent and cannot be undone.

I don't want to delete my Songwriter. I just want to remove songs from my catalog. What should I do?

Go to the My Writer Names page and switch the In the Catalog toggle to off. You do not need to delete your Songwriter to remove songs from the catalog.

What is the Matching Tool?

The Matching Tool allows you to submit match requests that link songs from your catalog to DSP recording usage data. This helps ensure your administrator can correctly collect mechanical royalties for your works.

I found an error with my writer name or publisher IPI. What can I do?

You can request an update to your writer name or publisher IPI if you identify an error so that the matching data can be corrected.

Songwriter Catalog and Matching Tool

Your Songwriter Catalog allows you to compile, organize, and export a list of your works.

How do I build my Songwriter Catalog?

To build your Songwriter Catalog:

Go to your Songwriter Hub.
Select Catalog Builder from the left-hand menu.
Use Writer Search to find each iteration of your songwriter name or any pseudonyms you write under.
Review your search results and click into the works associated with each name to verify which works should be added to your catalog.
Select Add to catalog next to the writer names you want to include in your Songwriter Catalog.

How do I export my Songwriter Catalog?

In Songwriter Hub, you can export your catalog data as an Excel, CSV, or PDF file.

You can export your entire catalog or use the search function to export a filtered subset.

What can I use to filter my catalog?

You can narrow your catalog by searching any of the following fields:

Recording Title
Artist
Co-writer
Co-writer IPI
Publisher
Song Title

Steps to export your catalog

Go to the Song Catalog page.
Click the Export button in the top-right corner.
Select your preferred file format:
1. Excel
2. CSV
3. PDF
Submit the export request.
Your export file will be emailed to you once it is ready.
Search for a title or ISRC to find recordings.
Click the blue drop-down arrow on the right to display the applicable recordings within a recording group.
1. You can also view group details by clicking View under the Details column.
In the Selected column, select the recordings you want to match to a work in your catalog.
Click the blue Match button and then click Continue.
On the next page, enter the two criteria fields to search for your work title.
Once you have determined the correct work, click Select and then Confirm.

I can't find a work in Catalog Builder

If a musical work has not been registered by a publisher, administrator, or self-administrator co-writer, it will not appear in The MLC's Music Database or in your Catalog Builder.

My work is covered by a publishing or administration agreement

If your works are covered by a publishing or administration agreement, your publisher or administrator is responsible for registering the works.

If you cannot find a work that should have been registered by your publisher or administrator, contact them for a status update.

I am fully or partially self-administered

If you are fully or partially self-administered, you are responsible for registering your works.

Once your works are registered, they will be searchable in The MLC's Music Database and visible in Catalog Builder.

Matching Tool

The Matching Tool allows you to suggest matches between sound recordings and works in your catalog.

Using the Matching Tool helps ensure that you collect the royalties you are owed for your works.

The MLC uses an automated matching process to match as many sound recordings to works as possible. You can use the Matching Tool to suggest matches when a recording may need to be matched to a work in your catalog.

How do I use the Matching Tool?

To find recordings that may need to be matched to works in your catalog:

For additional instructions on using the Matching Tool, visit the MLC Help Center.

How long does a suggested match take to appear?

If your suggested match has been approved, it may take up to 3 months for the matched recordings to appear on the work in your catalog.

If you have concerns about your matched recordings, contact your account administrator.

Quick Answers

What is the Songwriter Catalog?

The Songwriter Catalog allows you to compile, organize, and export a list of your works.

How do I build my Songwriter Catalog?

Go to Songwriter Hub, select Catalog Builder, use Writer Search to find each version of your songwriter name or pseudonyms, review the associated works, and select Add to catalog for the writer names you want to include.

How do I add my works to my catalog?

Use Catalog Builder in Songwriter Hub. Search for each iteration of your songwriter name or pseudonyms, review the associated works, and select Add to catalog next to the writer names you want to include.

I have multiple songwriter names. Can I add them to my catalog?

Yes. Use Writer Search in Catalog Builder to find each iteration of your songwriter name or any pseudonyms you write under. Review the works associated with each name and add the appropriate writer names to your catalog.

How do I export my Songwriter Catalog?

Go to the Song Catalog page, click Export in the top-right corner, select Excel, CSV, or PDF, and submit the export request. The file will be emailed to you when it is ready.

Can I export only part of my catalog?

Yes. You can use the search function to filter your catalog before exporting.

What fields can I use to search or filter my catalog?

You can search by Recording Title, Artist, Co-writer, Co-writer IPI, Publisher, or Song Title.

Why can't I find my work in Catalog Builder?

If the work has not been registered by a publisher, administrator, or self-administrator co-writer, it will not appear in The MLC's Music Database or Catalog Builder.

My publisher administers my work, but I can't find it. What should I do?

If your work is covered by a publishing or administration agreement, your publisher or administrator is responsible for registering the work. Contact them for a status update.

I am self-administered. Why can't I find my work?

If you are fully or partially self-administered, you are responsible for registering your works. Log in to the MLC Portal to register them. Once registered, your works will be searchable in The MLC's Music Database and visible in Catalog Builder.

Matching Tool Quick Answers

What is the Matching Tool?

The Matching Tool allows you to suggest matches between sound recordings and works in your catalog.

Why should I use the Matching Tool?

The Matching Tool can help ensure that sound recordings are properly matched to your works so that you can collect the royalties you are owed.

How do I find a recording in the Matching Tool?

Search for a title or ISRC to find recordings that may need to be matched to a work in your catalog.

How do I suggest a match?

Find the recording, select it in the Selected column, click Match, and then click Continue. Search for your work title, select the correct work, and click Confirm.

What happens after I submit a match?

If your suggested match is approved, it may take up to 3 months for the matched recording to appear on the work in your catalog.

My suggested match was approved, but I don't see the recording yet. What should I do?

It may take up to 3 months for an approved match to appear on the work in your catalog.

I have concerns about a matched recording. Who should I contact?

Contact your account administrator.

Customer Agent Decision Rules

When answering questions about Songwriter Hub, use the following decision logic:

If the customer asks what Songwriter Hub is, explain its purpose and the tools available within it.
If the customer asks how to access Songwriter Hub and already has an MLC Portal account, provide the existing-account steps.
If the customer does not have an MLC Portal account, provide the sign-up process through portal.themlc.com.
If the customer asks how to delete a Songwriter, clearly warn that deletion is permanent and cannot be undone before providing the deletion steps.
If the customer says they only want to remove songs from their catalog, do not tell them to delete their Songwriter. Direct them to the My Writer Names page and the In the Catalog toggle.
If the customer asks about building a catalog, explain the Catalog Builder and direct them to the MLC Help Center for detailed instructions.
If the customer asks about matching songs, explain the Matching Tool.
If the customer identifies an error with a writer name or publisher IPI, explain that they can request an update.
Do not infer additional eligibility requirements, functionality, or account-deletion consequences that are not described in this knowledge source.
If the customer asks how to build their catalog, provide the Catalog Builder steps.
If the customer asks how to export their catalog, provide the export steps and available file formats.
If the customer wants to export only certain works, explain that they can use the catalog search function to create a filtered subset.
If the customer cannot find a work in Catalog Builder, first explain that the work must be registered before it will appear in The MLC's Music Database or Catalog Builder.
If the customer has a publisher or administrator, direct them to contact that publisher or administrator for a registration status update.
If the customer is fully or partially self-administered, explain that they are responsible for registering their works through the MLC Portal.
If the customer asks what the Matching Tool does, explain that it allows them to suggest matches between sound recordings and works in their catalog.
If the customer asks how to use the Matching Tool, provide the six-step matching process.
If the customer says an approved match is not yet visible, explain that it may take up to 3 months for matched recordings to appear on the work in their catalog.
If the customer has concerns about matched recordings, direct them to their account administrator.
Do not promise that a suggested match will be approved.
Do not tell customers that an approved match will appear immediately.
Do not invent additional registration, matching, or catalog requirements that are not included in this knowledge source.