An International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is the unique, permanent ‘digital fingerprint’ used to identify sound and music video recordings. To ensure your royalties are tracked correctly and your data remains interoperable, it is vital to avoid common pitfalls during the assignment process. The rights owner, an exclusive licensee, or an authorized ISRC Manager assigns the ISRC to the recording.

Common ISRC Mistakes

1. Re-assigning or duplicating codes: Each ISRC must refer to one, and only one, recording.

2. Assigning codes to non-recordings: ISRCs are strictly for audio or music video recordings, not MIDI files, sheet music, or merchandise.

3. Requesting new codes for technical changes: New codes are not required for format or resolution changes (e.g., MP3 vs. AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)).

4. Neglecting material creative changes: Remixes, edits over 10 seconds, or added vocal/instrumental parts create a new recording and require a new ISRC.

5. Failing to maintain reference metadata: If you omit the title, artist, or duration, the code becomes non-compliant.

6. Incorrect visual formatting: Missing the “ISRC” prefix or proper hyphenation can cause errors in legacy systems.

Solutions and Best Practices

1. Enforce the “One Code, One Recording” rule: Every distinct version must have a unique ISRC that stays with it for life.

2. Distinguish technical vs. creative input: A new ISRC is required only when there is new creative input such as remixes, edits, covers, or new studio takes (re-recording the track) and is not required for purely technical or commercial changes like level adjustments, de-noising, distribution or licensing changes.

3. Maintain mandatory reference metadata: Store Main Artist, Track Title, Version Title, Duration, Content Type, and Year of First Publication.

4. Use standard visual formatting: An ISRC appears as a 12-character code, for example, AA-6Q7-20-00047, where the five-character prefix identifies the registrant, the two-digit year shows when the code was assigned, and the final five digits uniquely identify the recording.

5. Coordinate split ownership: To avoid duplication, co-owners must agree on who assigns the ISRC.

6. Rectify errors promptly: If two codes exist, select a preferred ISRC and link the secondary one internally.

Applying these practices ensures every recording remains uniquely identifiable, interoperable across systems, and correctly accounted for throughout its commercial lifecycle.