Mechanical Licensing & Music Rights
Everything you need to know about mechanical licenses, how they apply to digital streaming, and what Tune Tavern is doing to build toward full compliance as a Digital Service Provider (DSP).
Last updated: April 2026
What Is a Mechanical License?
A mechanical license grants a digital service the right to reproduce and distribute a musical composition (the underlying song — melody, harmony, lyrics) when it streams or delivers that recording to listeners. It is separate from the master recording right, which covers the specific recorded performance.
The term “mechanical” dates to the era of player pianos and phonograph cylinders — the original “mechanical reproduction” of music. Today it governs every on-demand stream, download, and limited download offered by platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
In the United States, mechanical royalties for interactive streaming are governed by the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) under the Music Modernization Act (MMA) of 2018. The statutory rate is currently set through 2027 under the “Phonorecords IV” determination.
Why It Matters for Digital Service Providers
Any platform that streams or delivers music on-demand must either:
- Obtain direct mechanical licenses from rights holders, or
- Report to and pay the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) under the blanket license established by the MMA.
Failure to secure proper mechanical licenses exposes a platform to copyright infringement claims — including statutory damages up to $150,000 per willful infringement under 17 U.S.C. § 504.
This is distinct from DMCA “safe harbor” protection, which covers user-uploaded content but does not excuse the platform from its own licensing obligations when it actively streams or distributes music.
Tune Tavern's Current Status
Where we are today
Tune Tavern is a live listening and review platform. In our current form, artists submit their own original recordings for live critique sessions — we do not yet offer on-demand streaming of a licensed catalog.
As we grow toward full DSP capabilities (on-demand discovery, distribution, playlist syndication), we are actively building the infrastructure required for mechanical licensing compliance, including ISRC code tracking, PRO affiliation recording, and songwriter credits.
Artist responsibility: Until Tune Tavern obtains a blanket mechanical license, artists are responsible for ensuring they hold the necessary rights to any compositions they upload. If your track includes samples, interpolations, or co-written melodies, you must clear those rights before submission. See our Terms of Service for details.
Key Licensing Bodies & Organizations
These organizations are central to music licensing in the US and internationally. Artists should register with the appropriate bodies to ensure their compositions are tracked and royalties collected:
Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC)
US blanket mechanical licensing
The MLC administers the blanket mechanical license for digital audio services in the US under the Music Modernization Act. Songwriters and publishers register here to receive mechanical royalties from streaming services.
Harry Fox Agency (HFA)
Mechanical licensing & royalty collection
One of the largest mechanical licensing agencies in the US. HFA issues licenses on behalf of music publishers and collects royalties for digital and physical reproduction of compositions.
ASCAP
Performing Rights Organization (PRO)
Collects and distributes performance royalties for public performance of musical works. If your compositions are performed publicly (broadcast, streaming), register with ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC.
BMI
Performing Rights Organization (PRO)
The largest US PRO by catalogue size. Songwriters, composers, and music publishers register their works here to receive performance royalties when their music is played publicly.
SoundExchange
Digital performance royalties
Collects and distributes digital performance royalties (non-interactive streaming, satellite radio, internet radio) on behalf of recording artists and sound recording copyright holders.
ISRC Agency (RIAA)
International Standard Recording Codes
Assigns ISRC codes — the unique identifier for each sound recording used by DSPs to track plays and attribute royalties. Register here to obtain your own ISRC issuer code.
Copyright Royalty Board
US statutory rate-setting body
The federal body that sets statutory royalty rates for mechanical and digital performance rights. Their determinations establish the rates digital services must pay per stream.
What Tune Tavern Is Building
Our roadmap toward full DSP compliance includes:
- ISRC tracking — every uploaded track can now carry an ISRC code stored in our database for accurate royalty attribution.
- PRO affiliation — artists can record their Performing Rights Organization (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, etc.) so compositions are properly attributed.
- Songwriter & publisher credits — stored per track, required for MLC reporting.
- MLC blanket license application — in progress as we scale toward on-demand streaming.
- SoundExchange registration — to pay neighboring rights royalties to featured artists and sound recording rights holders.
- Royalty reporting dashboard — per-track play counts and estimated royalty data for rights holders.
Questions about licensing?
If you have questions about mechanical licensing, rights clearance, or how Tune Tavern handles your music, reach out at legal@tunetavern.app.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified music attorney for guidance specific to your situation.