ISRC (International Standard Recording Code):
- What is it?: Think of the ISRC as the social security number for your master recording. It helps track all the royalties your song earns around the world and ensures they come back to you.
- How to Find It:
- Online Lookup: Use the IFPI ISRC Search to find your ISRC.
- Your Distributor: Your music distributor (the one that puts your music on Spotify, etc.) usually assigns an ISRC when your track is released.
ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code):
- What is it?: The ISWC is similar to the ISRC, but it’s for your composition. It identifies your song’s composition and helps track and collect the royalties for it.
- How to Find It:
- Online Lookup: Use the CISAC ISWCNet to find your ISWC.
- Your PRO: Check with your Performing Rights Organization (PRO) since they assign ISWCs when you register your songs.
Important Note:
- Non-Exclusive Tracks: You'll only need to worry about ISRCs and ISWCs for your non-exclusive, released music.
- Exclusive Tracks: For exclusive, unreleased tracks, the library will create and register these codes, ensuring you get paid what you're owed.
These codes are essential for making sure you get all the royalties you deserve from your music. 🙂