Modern royalty systems run on metadata matching. Without the right codes, your music is invisible to the global distribution network — even if listeners around the world are streaming it.
Music royalties move through global networks of databases. Each work, each recording, and each rights holder is identified by a standardised code. Get any of them wrong and your money goes into the "unmatched" pile. Here are the three you absolutely must know.
1. ISWC — International Standard Musical Work Code
Format: T-XXX.XXX.XXX-X (e.g., T-123.456.789-0)
Identifies a composition (the song itself, lyrics + music), regardless of who records it. One song = one ISWC, even if covered by 100 artists.
How to get it: Issued automatically by your CMO when you register a work. You cannot apply for it independently.
2. ISRC — International Standard Recording Code
Format: 12 characters — CC-XXX-YY-NNNNN (e.g., US-A1B-26-00001)
Identifies a specific recording. Each new recording (live version, remix, re-recording) needs its own ISRC.
How to get it:
- Through your label (which holds an ISRC prefix).
- Through a digital distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, Believe) that issues ISRCs automatically.
- Independently: register with the IFPI ISRC agency in your country (RIAA in the US, PPL in the UK, ASIRINDO in Indonesia).
3. IPI — Interested Parties Information Number
Format: 9–11 digits (e.g., 1234567890)
Identifies a person or legal entity with an interest in a work — songwriter, lyricist, publisher, or performer.
How to get it: Issued by your CMO when you join. Once registered, your IPI is visible in the CISAC global database — the backbone for cross-border royalty matching.
Why all three matter
| Code | Identifies | Issued by | Royalty domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISWC | Composition | Author CMO | Performing & mechanical (composition) |
| ISRC | Recording | Label / distributor / IFPI agent | Master, neighbouring, streaming |
| IPI | Rights holder | CMO | Routes payment to the correct person |
Common metadata mistakes
- Inconsistent name across databases — "Jane Doe", "Jane M Doe", "J. Doe" become three different rights holders to a matching engine.
- Missing ISWC after CMO registration — explicitly ask your CMO for it; chase if not provided.
- New ISRC for every re-upload — fragments your streaming history. Lock the ISRC.
- Multiple IPIs in different territories — usually a sign of duplicate CMO registrations; consolidate.
Pro tip. A publishing administrator's primary value is making sure your ISWC, ISRC, and IPI match across SILM (Indonesia), CISAC (global), MLC (US), and partner CMO databases. This single act recovers more "lost" royalties than any other intervention.