An ISRC code is a unique identification system for sound recordings and music videos. This 12-digit code helps to identify a specific unique recording, which can be permanently encoded into a product as a kind of digital fingerprint. The International Standard Recording Code (or ISRC code) is an international standard code for uniquely identifying sound recordings and music video recordings.
The ISRC code helps to avoid ambiguity among recordings and simplifies the management of rights when recordings are used across different formats, distribution channels, or products. It represents a recording’s distinct identity and allows the tracking of key details such as sales, streams, radio station plays, and the composition’s author(s), performer(s), label, and UPC (Universal Product Code). In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about ISRC codes and their importance in the music industry.
What is an ISRC Code?
If you’re a musician, music producer, or record label owner, you might have heard about ISRC codes. An ISRC code is a unique identification system for sound recordings and music video recordings. It’s like a digital fingerprint for your music. The code consists of 12 alphanumeric characters and is assigned to each unique recording of a song.
ISRC codes were developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and are now widely used in the music industry. The primary purpose of ISRC codes is to identify and track the usage of sound recordings across different platforms, including radio, streaming services, and physical media like CDs and vinyl records.
ISRC codes are essential for music rights management. They help to ensure that the correct parties receive royalties for the usage of their music. The code also helps to prevent piracy and copyright infringement.
Assigning ISRC codes to your music is a simple process. You can obtain a code from a designated ISRC agency in your country or region. Once you have a code, you can embed it into your audio files using metadata.
an ISRC code is a unique identification system for sound recordings and music video recordings. It helps to identify and track the usage of music across different platforms and ensure that the correct parties receive royalties for their work.
Purpose of ISRC Codes
ISRC codes serve as unique identifiers for sound recordings and music videos. They are crucial for various purposes such as track identification and royalty distribution.
Track Identification
ISRC codes allow for easy identification of individual tracks, even when they are distributed across different platforms or territories. This helps to reduce confusion and ensures that the correct track is associated with the correct metadata. In addition, ISRC codes can help to prevent piracy and unauthorized use of music by making it easier to track usage and ownership.
Royalty Distribution
ISRC codes are also essential for royalty distribution. They enable accurate tracking of music usage and ensure that royalties are distributed fairly and accurately to the appropriate parties. Without ISRC codes, it would be much more difficult to track and distribute royalties, leading to potential disputes and legal issues.
ISRC codes play a vital role in the music industry by providing a standardized system for identifying and tracking sound recordings and music videos. They help to ensure that music is properly attributed and compensated, while also reducing confusion and preventing piracy.
How to Get an ISRC Code
Getting an ISRC code is a straightforward process that involves a few simple steps. Here are the steps to follow:
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Get a Registrant Code: To get an ISRC code, you first need to get a Registrant Code. You can obtain a Registrant Code by contacting an ISRC Agency in your territory. You do not need to be a member of the IFPI or a national music industry trade association to apply for a Registrant Code.
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Apply for an ISRC Prefix Code: Once you have a Registrant Code, you can apply for an ISRC Prefix Code. All applications for ISRC Prefix Codes should be addressed to the ISRC Agency relevant to the territory where the applicant is headquartered or where the applicant’s operations are based.
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Assign ISRCs to Your Recordings: Once you have been allocated an ISRC Prefix Code, you can start assigning ISRCs to your recordings. You can assign ISRCs to your recordings using software that supports the ISRC standard.
It is important to note that ISRCs can be assigned by individual artists, by record companies, or other third parties known as ISRC Managers under an agreement.
If you have any questions about getting an ISRC code, you can check the International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) FAQ page on the IFPI website.
The Structure of an ISRC Code
An International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is a unique identifier for sound and music video recordings. It consists of 12 alphanumeric characters that are broken down into four parts: Country Code, Registrant Code, Year of Reference, and Designation Code.
Country Code
The first two characters of an ISRC code represent the country where the recording was made. This is assigned by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and is based on the country’s ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code. For example, the United States has the country code “US”.
Registrant Code
The next three characters represent the registrant code, which is assigned by the ISRC agency to the record label or the owner of the recording. This code is unique to each label or owner and is used to identify them in the ISRC system.
Year of Reference
The two digits following the registrant code represent the year of reference. This is the year in which the ISRC code is assigned to the track. For example, if the recording was assigned an ISRC code in 2023, the year of reference would be “23”.
Designation Code
The final five digits of the ISRC code represent the designation code. This is a unique code assigned by the registrant to the recording. It is used to differentiate between different tracks from the same registrant that were assigned in the same year.
the structure of an ISRC code consists of a country code, registrant code, year of reference, and designation code. This unique identifier is essential for tracking and reporting royalties for music and sound recordings.
Uses of ISRC Codes
ISRC codes are essential for the music industry as they help to uniquely identify sound recordings and music videos. Here are some of the primary uses of ISRC codes:
Music Streaming
Music streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal use ISRC codes to track and report streams accurately. ISRC codes help to ensure that the correct rights holders receive royalties for their music. Without ISRC codes, it would be challenging to track and report streams accurately, leading to disputes over royalties.
Music Sales
ISRC codes are also crucial for music sales. When a music track is sold, the ISRC code helps to identify the recording and its rights holders. This information is necessary for accurate royalty payments and for tracking the sales of a particular recording.
Broadcasting
ISRC codes are used by broadcasters to track and report the usage of music. Broadcasters use ISRC codes to ensure that the correct rights holders receive royalties for their music when it is played on TV, radio, or other media platforms. ISRC codes also help to identify the music used in commercials and other advertising campaigns.
ISRC codes are essential for the music industry as they help to track and report the usage of music accurately. By using ISRC codes, rights holders can be sure that they receive accurate royalty payments for their music.
Importance of ISRC Codes in the Digital Age
In today’s digital age, ISRC codes have become increasingly important for the music industry. These codes are unique identifiers for individual recordings that help track the usage of recordings across different platforms. Here are some reasons why ISRC codes are essential in the digital age:
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Tracking Sales and Streams: ISRC codes allow the music industry to track sales and streams of individual recordings across different platforms and countries. This helps music labels and artists to monitor their revenue streams and identify which songs are performing well.
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Royalty Payments: ISRC codes are also used to distribute royalty payments to artists, songwriters, and music labels. By tracking the usage of recordings, the music industry can accurately calculate royalty payments and ensure that artists are paid for their work.
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Identification of Recordings: With the rise of digital music platforms, it has become increasingly difficult to identify individual recordings. ISRC codes provide a unique identifier for each recording, making it easier to track and identify songs across different platforms.
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Prevention of Piracy: ISRC codes can also be used to prevent piracy of music recordings. By tracking the usage of recordings, the music industry can identify unauthorized copies of songs and take action to prevent further piracy.
ISRC codes have become an essential tool for the music industry in the digital age. They help track the usage of recordings, distribute royalty payments, identify individual recordings, and prevent piracy. Music labels, artists, and songwriters should ensure that their recordings are properly coded with ISRC codes to take advantage of these benefits.
Common Misunderstandings About ISRC Codes
ISRC codes can be a bit confusing, and there are a few common misunderstandings that people have about them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- ISRC codes are not the same as UPC codes. While UPC codes are used to identify products like CDs and vinyl records, ISRC codes are used to identify individual recordings of songs. Each recording of a song can have its own ISRC code, even if it’s released on the same album as other recordings of the same song.
- ISRC codes are not assigned by streaming services. Some people believe that streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music assign ISRC codes to songs, but this is not the case. ISRC codes are assigned by the owner of the recording, which is usually the record label or the artist themselves.
- ISRC codes are not required by law, but they are highly recommended. While there is no law that requires recordings to have ISRC codes, they are highly recommended by industry organizations like the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). Having an ISRC code can make it easier to track sales, radio airplay, and streaming royalties.
It’s important to understand these common misunderstandings about ISRC codes so that you can use them correctly. Remember, an ISRC code is a unique identifier for a specific recording of a song, and it can be a valuable tool for tracking the performance of your music.
