What Is a Mechanical Royalty and How Do I Collect It?

When Are Mechanical Royalties Generated?

You earn mechanical royalties when your song (composition) is:

Usage Type	Earns Mechanical Royalties?
Streamed on Spotify or Apple Music	Yes
Downloaded on iTunes, Amazon, etc.	Yes
Manufactured on CD/vinyl/cassette	Yes
Covered by another artist	Yes (if properly licensed)
Played on the radio or TV	No (that’s performance royalties)

Remember: Mechanical = reproduction of a song, not just hearing it.

 Who Pays Mechanical Royalties?

Territory	Collected By	Paid To
U.S. (Digital)	The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective)	Publishers or admin partners
U.S. (Physical)	Labels or manufacturers	Publishers
Outside U.S.	Foreign CMOs (via sub-publishers)	Publishers or admin partners

Songwriters must register with The MLC (if in the U.S.) to collect digital mechanicals from streams/downloads.

 How to Collect Mechanical Royalties

1. Register with The MLC (if you're in the U.S.)
   → Free and easy at themlc.com
2. Register your songs accurately
   → Include titles, writer splits, ISWC codes, and publisher info
3. Use a publishing admin (e.g., Songtrust, CD Baby Pro)
   → They collect mechanicals globally, including physical and foreign royalties
4. Track and claim cover versions
   → You still earn mechanicals when others cover your song

 U.S. Mechanical Royalty Rates (Digital Streaming)

Platform Type	Royalty Source	Who Gets Paid
Interactive streaming	Mechanical + performance	Songwriters & publishers
Downloads	Mechanical only	Songwriters & publishers

 Pro Tips

• Streaming = performance + mechanical royalties—you need to register with both a PRO and The MLC
• Use a publishing admin to avoid missing out on global mechanicals
• If someone covers your song, ensure they get a mechanical license (often via platforms like Harry Fox Agency or Songfile)
• Metadata accuracy is crucial—mistakes = missed money

Bottom Line:
Mechanical royalties are a vital part of your income from streams, downloads, and covers. To collect them, you must register with The MLC and/or use a publishing administrator—or your money could go unclaimed.