Don’t lose money – Get ISRC codes

If you’ve got your music on streaming services or you’re signed to a label and you’ve not heard of ISRC codes then this is important reading for you. 

ISRC is an abbreviation for International Standard Recording Code and was created by the IFPI (International Federation of Phonographic Industry). It’s like a bar code for audio tracks and is an embedded code in audio files which helps identify sound recordings. This allows streaming services, radio stations and digital broadcasters to automatically credit a label or publisher or musician with a play and helps download sales sites to track sells. So if your ISRCs aren’t being sent to collection societies, services like Spotify might not know who to pay when your songs are streamed and you could be missing out on revenue!

To embed an ISRC into your track you just need a Registrant Code. You do not need to be a member of the IFPI or a national music industry trade association in order to apply for a Registrant Code and assign ISRCs to your recordings. Click here to apply for an ISRC code.

Please remember ISRCs can only be assigned to a track ONCE and must remain the same for the lifetime of the recording. If the rights to a sound or music video recording that has an ISRC assigned are sold then the new rights owner MUST NOT change that ISRC.