RIAA Designates SoundExchange As Authoritative Source Of U.S. ISRC Data

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The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has designated SoundExchange as the authoritative source of International Standard Recording Code data in the United States.

RIAA is taking this action to ensure a trusted source of ISRC data for the U.S. market, particularly as the implementation of the Music Modernization Act and the transition to streaming make accurate ID of sound recordings even more critical. This designation builds on a prior agreement by SoundExchange with IFPI to provide a publicly accessible ISRC lookup service.

ISRC is the internationally recognized identification tool for sound recordings and music videos implemented by IFPI. It serves as a fundamental component of data associated with recordings. ISRC is used throughout the music industry with applications across supply chains, reporting, music discovery, archiving and rights management and is also a key data element used to link recordings to musical compositions and their identifier, International Standard Musical Work Code.

“Due to SoundExchange’s extensive experience and widely respected reputation for efficiency and transparency, RIAA considers the ISRC codes and associated sound recording data held by SoundExchange as authoritative for commercial use in the U.S. marketplace. Moving forward, everyone should utilize this data. Industry wide use of these codes and associated data will contribute to the successful implementation of the MMA and to increased efficiency across the U.S. music industry more generally,” said David Hughes, head of technology and standards at RIAA.

“I am routinely asked how ISRC users can know whether a given code is correct. Designating SoundExchange as the authoritative source addresses this issue within the U.S. We hope it will lead to more efficient and cost-effective processes for data management and transmission,” said Paul Jessop, Executive Director of the U.S. National ISRC Agency.

“Accurate and accessible data is vital to a healthy music industry, and serving as the authoritative source of ISRC data advances SoundExchange’s mission to ensure that music creators are paid accurately and efficiently,” said Michael Huppe, President & CEO, SoundExchange. “When we eliminate friction through better and more efficient technology solutions such as access to ISRC data, creators in the music community can focus on the music.”

Lorie Hollabaugh
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