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The International Standard Recording Code

CONTENTS
Frequently asked questions
ISRC Handbook, 3rd Edition - PDF
ISRC Report to ISO - 2007 - PDF
ISRC Report to ISO - 2006 - PDF
Bulletin 2008/04 - Approval of Third Parties to Issue ISRCs - HTML | PDF
Bulletin 2008/03 - ISRC Encoding/Decoding and CDs, MP3s etc - HTML | PDF
Bulletin 2008/02 - ISRC Assignment to Spoken Word Recordings - HTML | PDF
Bulletin 2008/01 - National Agency Update: Venezuela - HTML | PDF
Bulletin 2007/02 - Registrant Codes for Licensed Recordings - HTML | PDF
Bulletin 2007/01 - International ISRC Agency to use "ZZ" Country Code - HTML | PDF
Bulletin 2006/03 - Assigning Meaning to ISRC Elements - HTML | PDF
Bulletin 2006/02 - Access to ISRC Registrant Codes - HTML | PDF
Bulletin 2006/01 - Replaced by Bulletin 2008/04 for all new implementations - HTML | PDF
Local ISRC Agencies
Procedure for New Agencies
Procedure for Revocation of National ISRC Agency
Procedures for Assignment of ISRCs by Third Party Applicants - HTML | PDF
New ISRC Agency Appointments
Related Sites

What is the ISRC?

The ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is the international identification system for sound recordings and music videorecordings. Each ISRC is a unique and permanent identifier for a specific recording which can be permanently encoded into a product as its digital fingerprint. Encoded ISRC provide the means to automatically identify recordings for royalty payments.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) recommends that all music producers use ISRC.

Benefits of using ISRC

The ISRC system is the key to royalty collection for recordings in the digital information age.

  • ISRC is a unique, reliable, international identification system.
  • ISRC provides a unique tool for the purpose of rights administration.
  • ISRC is a useful identification tool in the electronic distribution of music.
  • ISRC coding is compatible with standards developed in the field of consumer electronics and is readable by hardware already used in the recording industry.
  • ISRC is cost effective - it can be put into operation without requiring special investment in equipment or technologies.

For further information about the ISRC system, please contact:

International ISRC Agency
c/o IFPI Secretariat
10 Piccadilly
London W1J 0DD
United Kingdom
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7878 7952
Fax: +44 (0)20 7878 7950

* To apply for an ISRC Registrant Code, please consult your territory’s National ISRC Agency.