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1. What is the DURP?
The Distributor Unmatched Recordings Portal (DURP) is a new portal that enables distributors to view the publicly available data about the recordings they’ve released to DSPs, which The MLC has been unable to match to musical works in our database.
2. Why is this information important?
The data in the DURP shows recordings for which digital audio mechanical royalties may be accruing but said royalties cannot be accurately paid out to musical works rights-holders because the recording may not be matched to a musical work in our database.
3. What happens after an unmatched recording has been matched to a musical work?
Once matched, the royalties will be verified and paid out based on the musical work collection shares of the rights-holders including songwriters, composers, lyricists, music publishers, and administrators.
4. Where does the data in the DURP come from?
The data is derived from monthly usage reports delivered to The MLC from DSPs containing metadata delivered to DSPs from distributors.
5. Who can request access to the DURP?
Eligible music distributors can request access to the DURP here.
6. Is there a fee to access the DURP?
There is no fee to access the DURP.
7. How is eligibility determined?
Eligible music distributors are distributors named in the metadata associated with unmatched recordings as provided to The MLC by DSPs in their monthly usage reports.
8. How frequently is the data updated?
The data in the DURP is updated quarterly, within 15 to 30 days after the close of the quarter.
9. I own a record label that owns the copyright in master sound recordings. Can I request access to the DURP?
Access to the DURP will be granted to verified sound recording distributors for whom we have information about recordings in our unmatched recordings database. Although a record label may own the copyright in the master sound recording, the digital audio mechanical royalties that we aim to pay out after matching an unmatched recording is generally payable to the copyright owners of the musical work, or an authorized third-party administrator. If you are a record label with a music publishing division that owns or administers musical works, you may be eligible to join The MLC as a member and gain access to our Matching Tool for the purpose of matching your musical works to unmatched recordings. Learn more about membership here.