Frequently Asked Questions

2007 Pre-Phonorecords I (Pre-Phono 1)

2008-2012 Phonorecords I (Phono 1)

2013-2017 Phonorecords II (Phono 2)

2018-2022 Phonorecords III (Phono 3)

2023-2027 Phonorecords IV (Phono 4)

The historical unmatched royalties transferred to us cover a span of fourteen years (between 2007 and 2020), and there are three different sets of rates that apply to these uses. The chart below shows the years covered by each of those rate periods, along with the amount of historical unmatched royalties transferred to The MLC for uses that took place during those rate periods:

For more information about historical unmatched royalties, read more here.

On August 10, 2023, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) published the final determination of the mechanical royalty rates for interactive streaming activities for the Phono 3 period. The full text of the Phono 3 rates and terms is available here.

In 2019, the CRB published the final determination of the mechanical royalty rates for permanent digital downloads for the Phono 3 period. Those rates are not affected by the determination published on August 10, 2023. The full text of the rates and terms covering permanent digital downloads is available here.

On December 30, 2022, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) published the final determination of the mechanical royalty rates for interactive streaming for the Phono 4 period. The full text of the rates and terms covering interactive streaming is available here. 

On December 16, 2022, the CRB published the final determination of the mechanical royalty rates for permanent digital downloads for the Phono 4 period. The full text of the rates and terms covering permanent digital downloads is available here. 

Together, these two final determinations set forth the royalty rates payable to The MLC for the Phono 4 rate period (January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2027). 

Phono 4 rates and terms for interactive streaming and digital downloads are effective and applicable beginning on January 1, 2023.

Members will receive mechanical royalties under Phono 4 rates beginning in the April 2023 distribution (for January 2023 usage).