Harry Fox Agency
Harry Fox Agency (HFA)
The legacy US mechanical licensing agent; now part of SESAC Holdings.
About Harry Fox Agency
The Harry Fox Agency (HFA) is one of the oldest and most established mechanical rights organizations in the United States. Founded in 1927 by the National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA), HFA has been the primary provider of mechanical licenses for physical and digital music reproduction in the US for nearly a century.
HFA issues mechanical licenses on behalf of music publishers, collects royalties from record labels and digital services, and distributes payments to its publisher clients. Its Songfile service also allows individuals to obtain mechanical licenses for cover songs.
In 2015, HFA was acquired by SESAC. With the launch of the MLC in 2021, HFA's role in streaming mechanical licensing shifted, but it continues to provide mechanical licensing for physical products, downloads, and other non-streaming uses, as well as offering publisher administration services.
How Harry Fox Agency works
Publishers Register Catalog
Music publishers register their catalogs with HFA, authorizing HFA to license their compositions for mechanical reproduction.
HFA Issues Licenses
When a label or artist wants to record/distribute a song, HFA issues the mechanical license and sets the royalty rate (statutory or negotiated).
Licensees Report & Pay
Labels and distributors report sales and manufacturing data to HFA and pay the corresponding mechanical royalties.
HFA Distributes to Publishers
After deducting its commission, HFA distributes collected mechanical royalties to the publishers and administrators who registered the compositions.
Why Harry Fox Agency matters for songwriters
United States is served by Harry Fox Agency for mechanical licensing agent royalties. Without direct registration, international songwriters rely on reciprocal agreements — which typically add 12–24 months of delay before royalties reach you.
Frequently asked questions about Harry Fox Agency
Do I still need HFA now that the MLC exists?
The MLC handles interactive streaming mechanicals. HFA continues to handle physical product licensing, downloads, and other non-streaming mechanical uses. They serve complementary roles.
How do I get a mechanical license for a cover song?
Use HFA's Songfile service (songfile.com) to obtain a compulsory mechanical license for cover songs. You'll pay the statutory rate per copy/download.
Does HFA work with individual songwriters?
HFA primarily works with publishers and administrators. As an individual songwriter, your publishing admin (like JukeHouse) interfaces with HFA on your behalf.
Collect your United States royalties automatically.
JukeHouse registers your songs directly with Harry Fox Agency and 60+ other collection societies worldwide.