Mechanical rights

Mechanical royalties are paid every time a composition is reproduced.

Streaming, downloads, physical copies — each reproduction generates a mechanical royalty owed to the composition's rights holders. Collection requires correct registration with the right societies.

Overview

Mechanical rights cover the reproduction side of compositions: streaming, downloads, physical copies. They are collected by mechanical rights societies — separate from the performance side handled by PROs — and require their own registration chain.

What it covers

Registration with the relevant mechanical rights societies in each territory. Correct linkage between recordings (ISRC) and compositions (ISWC) so reproductions are matched. Accurate publisher and writer share data. Coordination with DSPs and aggregators on streaming-side mechanicals.

Why it matters

Streaming reproduction generates mechanical revenue separate from master streaming royalties.

Without registration, mechanical revenue accumulates in society holds and is never paid through.

Recordings and compositions must be linked, or matching fails on the reproduction side.

Coverage is per territory — global usage requires multi-society coordination.

How we operate it

With the right mechanical rights societies per territory.

Link recordings to compositions

ISRC ↔ ISWC alignment maintained across systems.

Coordinate with platforms

Streaming-side mechanicals tracked alongside society collection.

Related infrastructure