ISRC & UPC Codes
The identifiers that track royalties back to you.
What it is
An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) uniquely identifies a specific RECORDING. A UPC (Universal Product Code) identifies a RELEASE (single/EP/album) as a product. Together they're how plays and sales get matched to you.
When you need it
Assigned at distribution, before release.
Most distributors assign ISRCs and a UPC for free with a release. You can also obtain ISRCs directly from your national ISRC agency for a fee. Verify current options.
Where artists lose money
Wrong or duplicate ISRCs fragment your play data. Keep a single master list of every ISRC/UPC so registrations (PRO, MLC, SoundExchange) all reference the same identifiers.
One ISRC per unique recording
Each distinct recording gets its own ISRC — a radio edit, a remix, and a live version are DIFFERENT recordings and each needs its own ISRC.
Do not reuse an ISRC across different recordings, and don't let a re-distribution accidentally mint a new ISRC for a recording that already has one.
Identifies one specific recording. Different versions = different ISRCs.
Identifies one release (product). A single, EP, and album each get their own UPC.
Official links
- US ISRC Agency (RIAA-administered)www.usisrc.org