Q: What types of requests should I submit through the Contact MPL form?
Q: Do I need a license to record and release a song published by MPL?
Q: How do I license a song for synchronization use (Film, TV, Radio, Advertising, Merchandise etc.)?
Q: What is the difference between a Synch License and a Mechanical License?
Q: How do I license a new arrangement or a lyric re-print use?
Q: Where can I get copies of sheet music, arrangements etc. of MPL songs?
Q: What publishing entities does MPL represent?
Q: Is MPL accepting songs for review?
Q: How do I contact someone at MPL?
Q: What types of requests should I submit through the Contact MPL form?
A: Please submit any synchronization license requests through our Search+License feature rather than through the Contact MPL form on the Contact page. This method will guide you through the proper procedure to begin the licensing process. If you have a synchronization request that is not covered under the list of License Types we have provided, you may submit a general licensing inquiry through the Contact page. For all mechanical, print, and arrangement license requests, please read the below FAQs before submitting a request. All other music publishing related inquiries not covered above or below may be submitted through the Contact page. Any requests received that are not related to music publishing will not be accepted.
Q: Do I need a license to record and release a song published by MPL?
A: If you are recording an MPL song for inclusion on a CD or Digital Download or any other audio-only format you will need a mechanical license. For mechanical requests, please contact Kobalt Music Group at kobaltmusic.com.
Q: How do I license a song for synchronization use (Film, TV, Radio, Advertising, Merchandise etc.)?
A: First, visit our Search and License page and search for the song you are interested in licensing. Select the title and click on "License This Song". For most songs, you will be required to fill out a license request form.
Q: What is the difference between licensing the Master vs licensing the Copyright and why do I need both?
A: When you think of a song, you're usually thinking of two things: The song itself, consisting of the words and melody; but in your mind you are probably hearing your favorite recording of that song too. The term used for the recording is the "master" or the "master recording." The "song" is referred to as the "copyright" or "intellectual property." Often, you want to license not just the song but also a particular recording of the song. For synchronization licensing of a song and recording, the owner or publisher of the song (or "copyright") must approve the use for commercial purposes. Then the owner of the recording has to decide if they want their master to be used for commercial purposes. The song and the master recording are not always owned by the same person or company, so in such cases both owners must agree.
Q: What is the difference between a Synch License and a Mechanical License?
A: A synch license is required when you would like to use a song in synchronization with something else like a film, TV show, website, or advertisement where the music is synchronized with the images. A mechanical license grants the right to sell or distribute copies of a recorded song via retail, download etc., or even when given away for free. If you are recording a new version (or a "cover") of a song, please contact our exclusive licensing agent, Kobalt Music Group at kobaltmusic.com for a mechanical license. Special permission is not needed for mechanical licensing as long as you are not altering the melody and/or lyric, and the song has been released to the public at least once before. Mechanical Licenses are sometimes referred to as Compulsory Licenses. The current US statutory royalty rate for a mechanical license is 9.1 cents per song, for each copy distributed.
If you would like to release an existing master recording of a song on a CD or download, in addition to acquiring a mechanical license from Kobalt Music Group you must contact the master recording owner for permission to release their master. The master licensing fee is negotiable.
Q: How do I license a new arrangement or a lyric re-print use?
A: For new arrangement or lyric reprints (e.g. in books, magazines, greeting cards etc.), please contact our arrangement and lyric reprint licensing agent, Hal Leonard Publishing at 414.774.3630 or by fax at 414.774.3259, or on-line at http://www.halleonard.com/permissions.
Q: Where can I get copies of sheet music, arrangements etc. of MPL songs?
A: Please contact our print agent, Hal Leonard Publishing at 414.774.3630 or on-line at http://www.halleonard.com. We also recommend searching www.musicnotes.com.
Q: What publishing entities does MPL represent?
A: MPL represents the following list of publishers:
ARKO MUSIC CORP. (ASCAP)
BARWIN MUSIC CO., INC. (ASCAP)
CARL PERKINS MUSIC, INC. (BMI)
CHERIO CORP. (BMI)
CLARIDGE MUSIC COMPANY, A Division of MPL Music Publishing, Inc. (ASCAP)
CONLEY MUSIC, INC. (ASCAP)
DESILU MUSIC CORP. (ASCAP)
EDWIN H. MORRIS & COMPANY, A Division of MPL Music Publishing, Inc. (ASCAP)
FRANK MUSIC CORP. (ASCAP)
FRANK MUSIC CORP. and MEREDITH WILLSON MUSIC, LLC (ASCAP)
HARWIN MUSIC CO. (ASCAP)
JERRYCO MUSIC CO. (ASCAP)
JUGGLER MUSIC (PRS)
LILY POND MUSIC (BMI)
LLEE CORP. (BMI)
MORLEY MUSIC CO. (ASCAP)
MPL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (ASCAP)
MPL COMMUNICATIONS LTD. (PRS)
MPL MUSIC, INC. (ASCAP)
MPL MUSIC PUBLISHING, INC. (ASCAP)
MPL TUNES, INC. (BMI)
OCHERI PUBLISHING CORP. (ASCAP)
PIC CORP. (ASCAP)
REMSEN MUSIC CORP. (BMI)
RYTVOC, INC. (ASCAP)
SLOOPY II MUSIC, INC. (BMI)
WAROCK CORP. (ASCAP)
WINMOR MUSIC, INC. (BMI)
WREN MUSIC CO. A Division of MPL Music Publishing, Inc. (BMI)
Q: Is MPL accepting songs for review?
A: Not at this time.
Q: How do I contact someone at MPL?
A: Please visit our contact page for information.