WIN LAUNCHES GLOBAL DIRECTORY OF MUSIC LICENSING COMPANIES
Madrid, 25th June 2026,
WIN presents the MLC Directory, a new resource that compiles information on Music Licensing Companies (MLCs), the collective management organizations responsible for distributing performance rights revenues to record labels. The directory is designed to put actionable information in the hands of trade associations and their label members, to cut through the complexity of global performance rights management.
The MLC Directory is a single, accessible resource covering MLCs across every country and region. The open version contains essential information, such as the entity’s country and region, website, and, crucially, lists of unclaimed royalties where publicly available. Surfacing unclaimed repertoire is a key step in ensuring that performance rights revenues are properly allocated, and WIN is committed to making this information as visible as possible.
WIN members benefit from an enhanced version of the directory, which also includes the entity’s contact details, applicable distribution rules, the specific rights covered, the qualification criteria, and the systems they use. The MLC Directory is a practical tool for any company assessing opportunities in new markets and evaluating the potential value of registering with a specific MLC. Access to this exclusive content is handled via the local trade associations.
Noemí Planas, WIN CEO: “The MLC Directory reflects WIN’s long-standing commitment to making the global performance rights system more transparent and accessible. Every independent label, whatever its size or where it operates, deserves a clear view of who the key players are and how revenues flow. We want independent labels around the world to start seeing performance rights not as a complexity, but as a real and maximizable revenue stream”.
The MLC Directory has been developed in collaboration with the WIN Performance Rights Group (PRG), comprising leading independent music companies with extensive expertise in international rights management.
Henry Thomas, Cactus Co-Founder and WIN PRG contributor “the MLC Directory is a great resource, empowering independent labels to make informed decisions about how to manage their performance income globally. Labels now have the opportunity to understand where their income may be held with a route to collect it”.
About WIN
WIN is the international network that brings together the global independent music community. We connect and develop trade associations representing thousands of independent music businesses around the world, promoting a fair, transparent, and diverse music ecosystem with full market access and opportunities for all. winformusic.org
About IMPALA
IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents over 6000 independent music companies in Europe. 99% of Europe’s music companies are small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists. Known as the independents, they are world leaders in terms of innovation and discovering new music and artists – they produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs. IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change, and increase access to finance. IMPALA works on a range of key issues for its members and started a new co-funded work programme as an EU cultural network in 2025. IMPALA runs various award schemes and has a programme aimed at businesses who want to develop a strategic relationship with the European independent sector – Friends of IMPALA. This year we are celebrating our 25th anniversary with a series of interviews Faces of the Independent Sector and other features, see more here.