Free resource
Which code goes on which version
Free to use and share. No email asked. Not legal advice.
A one-page guide for composers, songwriters, libraries and publishers: which identifier each version of a track needs.
- ISRC identifies a sound recording. Issued by the recording's owner from a prefix given by the national ISRC agency, or by a distributor.
- ISWC identifies the musical work (the composition). Assigned through your society when the work is registered; you can't create one yourself.
- IPI identifies a writer or publisher. Assigned by your society when you join; the same on every work and every version.
Based on the ISRC Handbook (IFPI, 4th edition, 2021), iswc.org (CISAC), ASCAP's and PRS for Music's guidance on alternate titles. Society practice varies: when in doubt, check with your own society or publisher.
The table
"Same work" assumes the writers, publishers and splits are the same as the main version. If they change, register a separate work (with its own ISWC).
| Version | New ISRC? | ISWC | Society registration | Example alternate title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full mix (main version) | Yes, its own | The work's ISWC | Main title | TITLE |
| Alt mix / remix (same writers and splits) | Yes | Same work | Alternate title | TITLE ALT MIX |
| Remix with a new writer or different splits | Yes | Separate work, own ISWC | Separate registration | TITLE (NAME REMIX) |
| Instrumental (vocal removed) | Yes | Same work | Alternate title | TITLE INSTRUMENTAL |
| Underscore / bed / no-melody mix | Yes | Same work | Alternate title | TITLE BED |
| Mix without one element (no drums, no lead, etc.) | Yes, if released or delivered | Same work | Alternate title | TITLE NO DRUMS |
| 60-second cutdown | Yes | Same work | Alternate title | TITLE 60 |
| 30-second cutdown | Yes | Same work | Alternate title | TITLE 30 |
| 15-second cutdown | Yes | Same work | Alternate title | TITLE 15 |
| Sting / button / tag | Yes | Same work | Alternate title | TITLE STING |
| Extended version / loop | Yes | Same work | Alternate title | TITLE EXTENDED |
| Stems delivered or released on their own | Yes, each stem | Same work | Usually not registered separately | — |
| Stems made only during production, not released | No | — | — | — |
| New arrangement by another arranger with a share | Yes | Separate work, own ISWC (linked to the original) | Separate registration | — |
| Translated or new lyrics | Yes, for the new recording | Separate work, own ISWC (linked to the original) | Separate registration | — |
| Live recording / new take | Yes | Same work | Alternate title if the name differs | TITLE LIVE |
| Same recording as WAV, MP3, AAC or hi-res | No, same ISRC | Same work | — | — |
| Same recording on a compilation or another release | No, same ISRC | Same work | — | — |
| Length change with no creative input (fade, speed), under 10 seconds | No, same ISRC | Same work | — | — |
| Length change with no creative input, 10 seconds or more | Yes | Same work | Alternate title if the name differs | — |
| Remaster with whole-track processing only (level, EQ, compression, de-noise) | No, same ISRC | Same work | — | — |
| Remaster with creative input (remixed, sections changed) | Yes | Same work | Alternate title if the name differs | TITLE 2026 MIX |
| Recording licensed in from another owner | Use their ISRC | Their work's ISWC | — | — |
Spreadsheet columns
Use one row per version. Suggested columns:
| Column | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Work title | The registered title of the composition |
| ISWC | The work's code (same on every row of the work) |
| Version | Full, Alt, Instrumental, Underscore, 60, 30, 15, Sting, Stem… |
| Alternate title | Exactly as registered with your society |
| ISRC | The code for this recording (one per row) |
| Duration | mm:ss |
| Writers | Names |
| Writer IPIs | 11 digits each |
| Society | ASCAP, BMI, PRS, SIAE, GEMA, SACEM, SOCAN… |
| Splits | Must add up to 100 % |
| Publisher and publisher IPI | If any |
| Master owner | Who owns this recording (and so who assigns its ISRC) |
| Delivered to | Library, supervisor, distributor |
| Notes | Anything else |
Before you deliver: checklist
- Every version I'm delivering has its own ISRC
- No two versions share an ISRC, and no recording has two
- Recordings that already had an ISRC keep it (re-release, new distributor, compilation)
- I only assigned ISRCs to recordings I own
- The work is registered with my society, with every co-writer's IPI
- Splits add up to 100 % and match what the co-writers agreed
- Every version name is registered as an alternate title (if same writers and splits)
- Versions with a new writer or different splits are registered as separate works
- File names, metadata and cue sheet titles use the same version names as the registration
- I know whether the library or publisher registers the work, so it isn't registered twice
- I checked for duplicate ISWCs on the same composition, and asked to merge any
- My ISRC log records title, version, duration, artist and date for each code
Where to get each code
| Code | US | UK | EU and elsewhere |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISRC | US ISRC Agency (usisrc.org), Rights Owner Prefix, one-time $95 fee; or your distributor | PPL (ppluk.com), as a recording rightsholder member or "ISRC only"; or your distributor | Your national ISRC agency (find it at isrc.ifpi.org › Get an ISRC Prefix); or your distributor |
| ISWC | Assigned when you register the work with ASCAP, BMI or your society | Assigned when you register the work with PRS for Music | Assigned when you register the work with your society (SIAE, GEMA, SACEM, SGAE…) |
| IPI | Given by your society when you join (ASCAP: typically 2–3 weeks) | Given by your society (e.g. PRS for Music) when you join | Given by your society when you join |
Made by DADAAUDIO — www.dadaaudio.com
From the DADAAUDIO blog · www.dadaaudio.com/blog