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A unique code

The International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is an identification system developed by the International Standards Organization (ISO) for sound recordings and music video recordings. It is similar to the ISBN code used by the publishing industry.

Each ISRC is a unique and permanent identifier for a specific recording, as opposed to catalogue numbers and UPC codes which identify entire albums.

An ISRC is made up of 12 characters as follows: - 2 letters for the ISO Country Code - 3 characters for the Registrant Code - 2 numbers for the Year of Reference - a unique 5-digit code assigned by the maker

Among other things, the use of the ISRC facilitates the collective administration of royalties owed to makers of sound recordings. It should be encoded on the recording medium (carrier) during pre-mastering. The first maker should arrange for codes to be allocated to all the sound recordings and music videos they make, and keep a listing of all these codes.