numbers:
ISRT
ISWT
IPI
UPC – Universal Product Code – for album or songs if sold separately
who owns – artist or label?
- also artwork, masters
ISRC – International Standard Recording Code – for songs – usIsrc.org
Distributors usually provide UPC and ISRC for free but it’s recommended to NOT go with DSP provided numbers, but to get your own.
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UPC and ISRC codes
When you distribute your music to platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, each unique release requires its own UPC code.
If your music is available on CD or vinyl, the UPC barcode can be printed on the back cover of the jacket, jewel-case insert, or digipack.
Where can you get a UPC code?
If you don’t have a UPC already assigned to your release by a label or mastering engineer, you can often acquire one for free from your distributor when you prepare your new music for release.
For example, ReverbNation provides UPCs for all new releases we distribute. If you need an image file of the barcode to include on physical media such as vinyl or CD, you can take the numerical code we assign and use a barcode image generator such as BarcodesInc.com or Barcoding.com.
Where can you get ISRCs?
If your tracks haven’t already been assigned ISRCs by a label or mastering engineer, you can often acquire ISRCs from your distributor.
For instance, ReverbNation provides ISRCs for free when you set up the new music for delivery to popular streaming platforms.
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The MLC Presents: Look into the “I“s: The 4 Identifier Codes You Need to Know(video)
IPI : Interested Party Information
– used to identify publishers, song writers, etc.
– IPI base number
– IPI name number: need one for every name you write under.
– assigned by PRO, stays with you even if you change PRO
– writer and publisher have different numbers
ISWC : International Standard Musical Work Code
– assigned to a musical work (song / composition)
– assigned by PRO when the song is registered
ISRC : International Standard Recording Code
– assigned to sound recordings and videos, one number only, and stays with the recording no matter how it’s distributed
– each different recording of a song (covers, instrumentals, etc.) get a different number
– assigned by a record company or distributor
– a record company must obtain a Registrant Code from a national ISRC Agency, in the US is RIAA
ISNI : International Standard Name Identifier
– represents any artistic producer (songwriters, artists, producers, record companies, book authors, photographers, newspaper articles, tv, etc.)
– new number, started in libraries, assigned by only a few agencies now, soundexchange and youtube being 2
Numbers are important when registering with the MLC
The MLC doesn’t replace Harry Fox or Music Reports, only assumes digital mechanical licensing
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ISRC code identifies and song / performance and all streaming data (video)
ISRCs and UPCs Explained – (A Guide for Record Labels)
international ISRC database
Songview A combined view of ASCAP and BMI musical works.
ISRC Finder on Spotify
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gElkrDolPA
My band saw this coming years ago. What we did was to sign up with ASCAP,
with individual accounts for mechanical as well as publisher, and have the distributor,
in our case CDBaby, not handle any royalties. We get our royalties directly from ASCAP.
Also, make sure you get your own ISBN and ISRC numbers for your music.
That way the distribution channel you use does just that, distribute!
If you don’t get those numbers, the distributor also becomes the publisher,
which then entitles them to make these ridiculous policies.
ISRC
Only $2 per track and $30 to register!
https://www.isrc.com/general-faq.html?keyword=%7Bkeyword%7D&matchtype=%7Bmatchtype%7D&position=%7Badposition%7D&msclkid=11a2e3f3edaa18f7bd1a8546e19122d8#03
https://usisrc.org/
Every version of every song must have it’s own ISRC.
Does Bandcamp supply UPCs and ISRCs?
No, but there are plenty of ways to get hold of them.
Digital aggregators like Tunecore and CD Baby will supply UPCs and ISRCs for your release as part of their service. If you’re a label or you just want to do it yourself, you can also apply to your local ISRC agency to generate your own codes.
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· How do I get a UPC code for my music?
There are two ways to buy UPC codes for your music:
1. Join a GS1 member organization. GS1 is the global organization responsible for administering and managing UPC codes. Join a GS1 member organization in your country to obtain a unique company prefix. The cost to join depends on the number of UPCs you will need. The cheapest option is $30 for one code, but if you ever need more codes than that, you will have to upgrade to another plan, and those start at $250 — plus they have annual fees that start at $50. The plus side of getting your own code is these products will show up as belonging to your personal label. Learn more here.
2. Buy a UPC from Disc Makers. You can easily add a UPC code to any physical CD or vinyl release you manufacture through Disc Makers for just $20 (and there is no annual fee). The only potential downside is that Disc Makers will show up as the record label. But that’s not an issue for most independent musicians — you still own the rights and control everything about your release.
[Ref.]
· Can I Use The Same UPC Code For Digital And Physical Sales Of My Album?
Yes, as long as you are using the same code for the same album, regardless of what type of format, you can use the same UPC code. It is also acceptable to have different bar codes for different formats of the same album: vinyl, download, CD, etc If you change the actual content up in any way, you should register it as a new (version) of the album, which would require a new UPC code. [Ref.]
Luminate tracks sales for things like Billboard.
What is Luminate’s SoundScan and why does it matter?