ISRC
An identity code for one recording — not for the song
Related
An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) identifies one recording: twelve characters made of a country code, a registrant, a year and a designation. It names this recording, not the song — the studio version, the live version and the remix of one song each carry their own ISRC.
It differs from ISWC (the work code) and UPC (the product barcode): ISRC covers the recording, ISWC the composition, UPC the product. The usual mistake is to think one ISRC equals one song — it equals one recording; a cover needs a new ISRC. Streaming platforms use it to pay the right recording and rights holders.
Read deeper → master rights
Sources
- ISRC 的结构与用途，参 International ISRC Agency 的通行说明与通行音乐产业教材；本文为通识说明，不构成法律意见
Used for fact-checking only; all prose is original.