Tyler Wynn
SoundExchange is a platform that helps artists and creators get credit for their work. It requires ISRCs (International Standard Recording Codes) for sound recordings and music videos to facilitate accurate royalty payments. ISRCs are unique identifiers for each song, like a special ID, and are distinct from ISWCs (International Standard Musical Work Codes) which are used to identify the work of songwriters and publishers. ISWCs are assigned by collection societies, such as ASCAP in North America, and are used to track song titles, songwriters, music publishers, and corresponding ownership shares. While SoundExchange requires ISRCs, it is unclear if they create ISWCs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is an ISRC? | A unique identifier for sound recordings and music videos to facilitate accurate royalty payments. |
| Who assigns an ISRC? | A record label, distributor, or sound recording owner. |
| What is an ISWC? | An identifier for musical works, assigned by a collection society. |
| Who assigns an ISWC? | The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC). |
| How do I get an ISRC? | Through a US Registrant Code or an ISRC manager registered with the US ISRC Agency. |
| How do I get an ISWC? | Register your music with a collection society, such as ASCAP in North America. |
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What You'll Learn
ISRCs are unique identifiers for sound recordings and music videos
ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code. It is a unique identifier for sound recordings and music videos, ensuring accurate royalty payments for artists and creators. Each song has its own ISRC, acting as a special ID or social security number for the music.
ISRCs were introduced by the industry in the late 1980s to identify sound recordings and music videos. They are distinct from codes like ISWCs (International Standard Musical Work Codes) and UPCs (Universal Product Codes). Each ISRC contains a unique set of metadata, including details about the artist, title, duration, release information, country of mastering, and recording date. This metadata is essential for global royalty collections.
The process of obtaining an ISRC involves working with a music distributor or a music rights organization. These entities assist with the necessary paperwork to ensure songs receive their unique identifiers. The first owner of a recording can directly assign an ISRC or utilise an ISRC Manager. In most territories, Prefix Codes are allocated to recording owners by the ISRC Agency of that territory, which supplies a unique Prefix Code for a small administrative fee.
The format of an ISRC is always 12 characters long: "CC-XXX-YY-NNNNN". "CC" represents the two-character country code, "XXX" is a three-character alphanumeric registrant code, "YY" represents the last two digits of the reference year, and "NNNNN" is a unique five-digit number identifying the sound or video recording within the scope of the reference year.
ISRCs can be embedded in various file formats as metadata, including MP3, M4A, AAC, FLAC, OGG, WAV, MP4, M4V, and MKV. SoundExchange, designated as the authoritative source for ISRC data in the United States, offers tools like the ISRC Search Site and the Repertoire Matching Service to help licensees obtain ISRCs.
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ISWCs are identifiers for musical works
The International Standard Musical Work Code (ISWC) is a unique identifier for musical works, akin to how an ISBN number works for books. It is a globally-recognised standard for identifying musical works. The ISWC is a permanent and internationally-recognised reference number used to identify musical works. It is a unique identification number that organisations worldwide use to track and verify specific information about a composition, such as the song title, songwriters, music publishers, and ownership shares.
ISWCs are assigned by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC). However, they are only assigned after the works are registered with performing rights organisations (PROs) like ASCAP. When a new musical work is registered with a PRO, the PRO sends the information to CISAC, which then assigns an ISWC. The ISWC then becomes part of the data attached to that work.
A song can only have one ISWC but can have multiple International Standard Recording Codes (ISRCs). ISRCs are distinct from ISWCs and are used to identify sound recordings and music videos to facilitate accurate royalty payments. ISRCs are often used to identify performances of music, especially on streaming platforms.
The ISWC number is made up of the letter "T" followed by nine digits and a "check digit" that protects the ISWC from allocation errors. The current format of an ISWC identifier is T-123.456.789-C, where the numbers are issued in sequence and are simply for easy reading.
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ISRCs are distinct from ISWCs
ISRCs, or International Standard Recording Codes, are unique identifiers for sound recordings and music videos. They were introduced in the late 1980s to facilitate accurate royalty payments for artists and creators. Each ISRC is associated with a unique set of metadata, including the artist, title, duration, country of mastering, and recording date. A single ISRC is assigned to one recording, and each distinct recording should have its own ISRC. Streaming services and collecting societies like SoundExchange require recordings to have ISRCs.
ISWCs, or International Standard Musical Work Codes, on the other hand, are different from ISRCs. While ISRCs identify sound recordings, ISWCs identify works for songwriter and publisher royalties. An ISWC is linked to the underlying composition of a song and remains the same regardless of the performer or recording. A song can have multiple ISRCs for different recordings but will only have one ISWC. ISWCs are assigned by collection societies or the International ISWC Agency, and they ensure that songwriters and composers are credited and compensated for their work.
To obtain an ISRC for a new sound recording, there are two main ways. Firstly, US recording owners can obtain a Registrant Code through the US ISRC Agency directly. Secondly, ISRCs can be obtained through ISRC managers who are registered with the US ISRC Agency. These managers can be distributors, mixing or mastering engineers, artists, labels, or any party interested in assigning ISRCs on behalf of their clients. SoundExchange, designated as the authoritative source for ISRC data in the US, provides an ISRC Search tool for users to search for the ISRC of a specific track.
It is important to note that both ISRCs and ISWCs play a significant role in collecting royalties for creators and songwriters, respectively. While ISRCs help track revenue from sales and streaming of recordings, ISWCs ensure that songwriters receive credit and compensation for their compositions. Therefore, it is crucial for those in the music industry to understand the difference between these codes and utilise them effectively to receive proper credit and payment for their work.
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ISRCs are obtained through US ISRC Agency or ISRC managers
International Standard Recording Codes (ISRCs) are unique identifiers for sound recordings and music videos. They help keep track of music and ensure that artists and creators receive credit and royalty payments for their work. ISRCs are distinct from codes that identify works for songwriter and publisher royalties (International Standard Musical Work Codes or ISWCs).
ISRCs can be obtained in two ways:
- Recording owners in the US can obtain a Registrant Code through the US ISRC Agency directly. The US ISRC Agency assigns a prefix code, which consists of a five-character alphanumeric code, including a two-letter country code and a three-character registrant code. The agency also assigns a "Year of Reference" element, which is the last two digits of the year in which the ISRC is assigned to the recording.
- Alternatively, ISRCs can be obtained through ISRC managers who are registered with the US ISRC Agency. ISRC managers can include distributors, mixing or mastering engineers, artists, labels, or any other party interested in assigning ISRCs on behalf of their clients.
The SoundExchange database is a publicly available resource that contains ISRC data. SoundExchange accepts ISRCs and metadata submitted by sound recording copyright owners, distributors, and ISRC managers. To include a recording in the SoundExchange database, basic metadata such as the recording's ISRC, artist, and track title are required. It is important to submit ISRCs before or soon after the release of recordings to ensure accurate matching with usage data from streaming services.
ISRCs are always 12 characters long and are structured as "CC-XXX-YY-NNNNN", where "CC" is the two-character country code, "XXX" is a three-character alphanumeric registrant code, "YY" represents the last two digits of the year the ISRC was assigned, and "NNNNN" is a unique five-digit code.
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ISWCs are assigned by collection societies
The International Standard Musical Work Code (ISWC) is an 11-character alphanumeric code that acts as an international identification system for individual compositions. It is a unique, permanent, and internationally recognised identifier or reference number used to track and verify specific information about a composition, such as the song title, songwriters, music publishers, and ownership shares.
ISWCs are typically assigned by collection societies, such as the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) in North America, when songs are registered. ASCAP, as a performing rights organisation (PRO), sends information about the registered work to the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), which then assigns the ISWC. It is important to note that all writers on a work must have an International Party Identifier (IPI) number before an ISWC can be assigned.
In the United States, ASCAP serves as the official ISWC issuance agency, providing ISWCs upon request regardless of membership status. While not mandatory, ISWCs are highly recommended as they enable collection societies, distributors, digital streaming services, and other organisations to track uses of music and ensure proper royalty payments.
To obtain an ISWC, one can either contact a collection society directly or utilise the ISWC Allocation Service provided by CISAC. The ISWC Allocation Service assigns new ISWCs to works after confirming that an ISWC does not already exist for that composition. This service helps to centralise ISWC assignment and prevent duplication.
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Frequently asked questions
The International Standard Musical Work Code (ISWC) is a unique, permanent and internationally recognised reference number used to identify musical works. It is an 11-character alphanumeric code that acts as a unique identifier for a composition, usually a song.
An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a unique identifier for a sound recording or music video. An ISWC, on the other hand, is a unique identifier for a musical composition or song. Each distinct recording should have its own ISRC, but a composition will only have one ISWC, even if it is adapted or arranged.
No, SoundExchange is a platform that uses ISRCs to facilitate accurate royalty payments for sound recordings and music videos. ISWCs are assigned by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) after the works are registered with performing rights organisations (PROs) like ASCAP.
To obtain an ISWC, all writers on the work must first be identified with an IPI number. Then, the work must be registered with a PRO like ASCAP, which will send the information to CISAC for ISWC assignment. In the US, ASCAP is the official ISWC issuance agency.
An ISWC is an important tool for tracking uses of your music and ensuring you receive royalty payments from multiple industry organisations. It helps collection societies, distributors, and digital streaming services verify specific information about a composition, such as the song title, songwriters, music publishers, and ownership shares.
