Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS)Protecting the rights and collecting royalties for music publishers, songwriters, and composers.4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Hot take
The Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS) is a cornerstone of the UK music industry, ensuring publishers, songwriters, and composers get paid mechanical royalties whenever their works are reproduced—be it on physical formats, digital platforms, or synched to TV, film, and games. With a legacy stretching back to 1910 and over 30,000 members, MCPS channels significant revenue back to creators, distributing over £188 million in 2023 alone—a 15-year high. It’s renowned for its global reach and collaborative framework with PRS for Music, smoothing out admin hurdles for members. However, the system still wrestles with the industry’s notorious complexity and can sometimes feel bureaucratic or slow, especially for smaller or independent rights holders unfamiliar with the process. Still, MCPS remains the go-to in the UK for mechanical royalty collection, and its publisher-led ethos gives creators solid representation at the table.
How was this take was created?
Pros
Strong track record of distributing mechanical royalties
Publisher-led, giving creators a real industry voice
Covers a wide range of usage: physical, digital, synch, radio
Robust global network and affiliate societies
Ongoing partnership with PRS for streamlined admin
Growing membership and record payouts
Cons
Can be complex and bureaucratic for smaller rights holders
Admin processes may feel outdated or slow to adapt
Requires navigating industry jargon and licensing specifics
Key Features
Mechanical royalty collection and distribution
Covers physical, digital, and synchronization uses
Global affiliate network
Publisher and songwriter/composer membership
Collaboration with PRS for Music
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