Upgrading from RDR-N Version 1.3 to Version 1.4

Version 1.4 of the MLC standard contains various minor updates, including a better description of artists and contributors and a closer alignment of role codes to ERN and RIN. In addition, Version 1.4 contains a new message to allow recipients of DeclarationOfSoundRecordingRightsClaimMessages to report the status of such rights claims back to the sender of the claim message.

Specific changes to the DeclarationOfSoundRecordingRightsClaimMessage include the introduction of an allowed value set for instruments (instead of having a free-form string) and the addition of “studio roles” (such as Engineer) into the role codes for contributors.

Version 1.4 of the MLC standard has a clearer separation between the different types of contributors and artists that played a role in the creation of sound recordings and/or music videos. The DeclarationOfSoundRecordingRightsClaimMessagenow separates out:

  • DisplayArtist – A composite containing details of a main or principal credited artist;

  • DisplayConductor – A composite containing details of a credited conductor

  • DisplayComposer – A composite containing details of a credited composer

  • DisplayArtistName – the string used when presenting the DisplayArtist (or the DisplayArtists) to consumers;

  • PerformingContributor – A composite containing details of a performing contributor to the SoundRecording, as defined in the International Treaties. While there is a semantic difference between a performing and a non-performing contributor, some music licensing companies may classify a specific contribution as one while other music licensing companies may classify the same contribution as the other. Therefore, it is necessary to carry some of the attributes specific to performances (especially the flags) on both composites while in theory they make no sense for non-performing contributions.

  • OtherContributor – A Composite containing details of a contributor that is not a performing Contributor to the SoundRecording, according to the International Treaties. While there is a semantic difference between a performing and a non-performing contributor, some music licensing companies may classify a specific contribution as one while other music licensing companies may classify the same contribution as the other. Therefore, it is necessary to carry some of the attributes specific to performances (especially the flags) on both composites while in theory they make no sense for non-performing contributions. This includes studio personnel as well as writers.

In addition, the contribution of either of the two types of contributors has been placed into a separate composite called Contribution.

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