In the music industry, identifying and tracking different types of content, and the individuals and organizations involved in their creation and distribution is very important. The industry uses various types of identifiers to accomplish this - each with a unique purpose and format. These identifiers can help ensure accurate and efficient royalty payments, proper music credits, and accurate sales and distribution reporting.

In this series, we'll explore some of the most commonly used identifiers in the music industry. From the International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) to the Universal Product Code (UPC), we'll examine what each code represents, how they are used, why it is important, and how to obtain one. Whether you're a musician, a music industry professional, or simply a music lover interested in the behind-the-scenes processes, this series will provide valuable insights into the world of music identification.

ISRC (International Standard Recording Code)

The ISRC is a unique identifier assigned to every sound and video recording. It identifies each version of a song or video recording. It's a 12-digit code used to track the usage of a recording. It can be obtained directly from ISRC.

ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code) 

The ISWC is a unique identifier assigned to musical compositions. It enables tracking of usage and royalty payments for public performances and broadcasts of a particular musical work. ISWC is used by performing rights organizations to ensure that rights holders receive proper compensation for their work.

The UPC is a number (barcode), originally intended to identify any physical product in North America. It identifies physical releases such as CDs, vinyl, and recently, digital releases. Each unique product, both digital and has its own UPC, is often represented as a barcode. It can be obtained through ISRC as well.

The EAN (European Article Number) is Europe's equivalent of UPC. It can be obtained through ISRC.

The GRid, like UPC, identifies a release but is enhanced for digital resources and enables better productization of a release. It is an emerging identifier and supported by the also emerging DDEX standard. More info here.

The IPI code is a unique identifier for songwriters and music publishers. IPI is used to track royalty payments for performances and broadcasts of songs. It can be obtained through local performing rights organizations and publisher associations.

ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier)

The ISNI is a unique identifier for individuals and organizations involved in music creation, production, management, and performance. It is a persistent, unique number to each identity, allowing for accurate and efficient identification of contributors to musical works. ISNI identifies the individual, separate from their works. ISNI can be obtained through some libraries.

ISBN (International Standard Book Number)

While not specific to music, the ISBN is a unique identifier for books and other printed materials. In music, it is used to identify music-related books such as biographies or sheet music.

In the music industry, proper identification and tracking of content, individuals, and organizations are crucial to ensuring accurate royalties, proper music credits, and accurate sales and distribution reporting. By using the various identifiers we've explored in this series, stakeholders in the industry can ensure that they are able to properly track and manage their music content and that everyone involved is fairly compensated for their work. Whether you're a musician, a music industry professional, or simply a music lover interested in the behind-the-scenes processes, understanding these various identifiers is essential for navigating the complex world of music identification.

The music industry is organized through identifiers for both works and people or infrastructure involved in creating the works.

Music Industry Identifiers: Understanding the ISRC, ISWC, UPC, and More

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