ISRC
An International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is a unique, 12-digit identifier for sound and video recordings. Generated by your distributor, it’s made up of letters and numbers and remains the same throughout the lifetime of a recording. ISRCs are key to helping to keep track of usage, ownership, and royalties across platforms.
UPC
UPC stands for Universal Product Code. Like an ISRC, a UPC is a unique, 12-digit identifier generated by your distributor which helps to track streams/sales across platforms over time. However, there are some key differences between ISRCs and UPCs.
Firstly, UPCs are made up of only numbers (no letters). And secondly, the main difference is that UPCs are linked to an entire release, rather than individual songs like ISRCs. For example, an EP would have one UPC and multiple ISRCs.
ISWC
An International Standard Musical Work Code, or ISWC, is a unique, permanent and internationally recognised reference number for a piece of musical work. Unlike an ISRC which represents the recording side, an ISWC coordinates with the underlying composition of a sound (lyrics/melody). Generated when you register your work with a PRO, or Performing Rights Organisation, it tracks royalties relating to the writers and publishers.
Catalogue Number
Created by your label or distributor, a catalogue number is a short, unique identifier for your release. Mostly used for internal purposes, you can find them on physical versions of music such as CDs or vinyls (often in the sleeve).
CAE/IPI
CAE or IPI numbers are identifiers assigned to songwriters and publishers. Assigned by your PRO upon registration, CAE/IPI numbers connect contributors with their musical work and help to keep track of royalties.
IPN
An International Performer Numbers (IPN) is an individual code given when you sign up to an International Performer Database (in the UK, this would be PPL). Like other identifiers, IPNs map onto a performers’ work and keep track of royalties.
C Line
The C Line, represented by the © symbol, refers to the composition copyright holder of musical work. This is ownership of the lyrics, melody, and structure, but not the sound recording itself.
P Line
The P line, represented by the ℗ symbol, refers to the phonographic copyright holder, or who owns the sound recording. This is ownership of the audio recorded in the studio, rather than the underlying musical composition.
PRO
A PRO, or Performing Rights Organisation, is an agency responsible for collecting and distributing the public performance royalties of songwriters, composers, and publishers. Whenever music is played on the radio, tv, in a public place eg bar/shop/restaurant, as a live performance, or streamed on DSPs, PROs ensure that rightsholders are compensated for their work being performed.
In the UK, there is only one PRO which is the PRS (Performing Right Society). Meanwhile, the US has three major PROs, including BMI, SESAC, and ASCAP. You only need to sign up to one PRO in your country of residence.
MRO
An MRO, or Mechanical Rights Organisation is an agency similar to a PRO, however it collects and distributes mechanical royalties. These refer to when a piece of musical work is reproduced, including physical reproduction (eg as a vinyl or CD) as well as digital reproduction (eg as downloads or streams).
MROs also ensure that rightsholders, namely songwriters, composers, and music publishers, are compensated for their work being reproduced. In the UK, there is one MRO which is MCPS (Mechanical Copyright Protection Society).
CMO
A CMO is a Collective Management Organisation which combines the roles of a PRO and MRO, meaning that they collect and distribute both performance and mechanical royalties to songwriters, composers, and publishers. In the UK, PRS for Music is sub-divided into PRS (a PRO) and MCPS (an MRO), making them a CMO.
Writers’ Share/Splits
Writers’ shares or splits are mutually agreed between songwriters, dictating ownership of the musical composition. With all shares adding up to 100, they are typically split equally between everyone who contributed to the songwriting process, unless stated otherwise in a split sheet.
