ISWC usage

  1. How should the ISWC be used?
    The ISWC should be integrated within the musical works administration databases and processes that support activities such as: 
    -    Registration and correspondence between CMOs
    -    Publishing and sub-publishing agreement schedules
    -    Licenses granted by a society
    -    Music usage reporting
    -    Performance collection and identification
    -    Royalty administration.

    When a musical work in correspondence or in contracts is identified, the ISWC should be indicated as in the following example: 1.1 "I Love Life" (Smith/Jones) (ISWC T-345246800-1).
     
  2. What is an ISWC composed of?
    An ISWC begins with the letter "T", followed by a unique nine-digit number (from 00000001 to 999999999) with an additional check digit at the end. (Written format: T-345246800-1).
     
  3. What is the descriptive metadata for an ISWC?
    The descriptive metadata for an ISWC includes: 
    -    The title of the work;
    -    All composers, authors, and arrangers of the work identified by their IPI numbers and role codes;
    -    In the case of "versions" (e.g., arrangements), identification of the work from which the version was derived.

    An ISWC cannot be allocated without this minimum, required information.
     
  4. What happens when creators change from one CMO to another?
    Nothing happens because the ISWC is permanently assigned to the musical work
     
  5. Will the ISWC replace the CMO’s own numbering system?
    No. Most organisations will still require their own internal identification numbers for internal reasons. On the other hand, the ISWC is the lingua franca that allows databases to be linked automatically