What is an ISNI?
ISNI stands for International Standard Name Identifier. It is an An internationally recognised formula that describes the best way of doing something. Like an Interested Party Information: a unique international identifier for songwriters and music publishers. or International Performer Number: a unique international identifier for performers., an ISNI can be a reliable way to uniquely identify individuals and organizations. But there is a difference.
Interested Party Information: a unique international identifier for songwriters and music publishers. and International Performer Number: a unique international identifier for performers. are used purely for contributors or A person or company that has Intellectual Property Rights in a musical work, performance or sound recording in specific creative industries, such as music, whereas an ISNI can be used across many additional industries and roles, including literary and scientific writers, visual artists, inventors, and film producers.
ISNIs can be used to help Collective Management Organization: An organization that acts collectively on behalf of the rights holders it represents and collects and pays remuneration to rights holders. and other organizations uniquely and unambiguously identify Collective Management Organization: An organization that acts collectively on behalf of the rights holders it represents and collects and pays remuneration to rights holders. and the different The public image of one's personality. they may have, such as stage names and pseudonyms. It can also identify other rights-holding entities, such as A company that represents songwriters, supporting their career development, monetizing musical works, and protecting copyrights. and A company that invests in, manufactures, distributes, promotes, and monetizes sound recordings on behalf of the artist.. This unique number is useful to CMOs that do not have access to IPIs, as well as large music users, including Digital Service Provider: an online platform that provides streaming or download services to consumers., in making sure rights holders of musical works and sound recordings get paid accurately.
Visit the ISNI website to learn more.
ISNI is a public identification number that can link information about the other four key identifiers for music creators:
Interested Party Information: a unique international identifier for songwriters and music publishers.
International Performer Number: a unique international identifier for performers.
International Standard Musical Work Code: a unique identifier for musical works.
International Standard Recording code: a unique identifier for sound recordings.
By combining information from all four of these identifiers, the ISNI can help track all your contributions to both a musical work as a songwriter and as a performer and owner of the sound recording.
Who is an ISNI for?
Any creator or rights holder, may get an ISNI, including A person who makes an original contribution to the creation of a musical composition or lyrics., Sometimes called a studio producer or record producer, a person who typically helps a recording artist record a musical work. They are usually responsible for the entire recording process., In the context of music, a creator playing a musical work live or on a sound recording., music publishers, and record labels. It is possible to have more than one. If, for example, you compose musical works under your legal name and perform under a stage name, you could register for two separate ISNIs, one for your legal name and one for your stage name.
How do you get an ISNI?
You can get an ISNI from an approved ISNI Agency. For more information, head to the ISNI website.
Why is an ISNI important?
The ISNI is how your public personas can be uniquely identified. An ISNI can help identify you and track the uses of your musical work or sound recording, so that you get To be publicly acknowledged for a contribution to the creation of a musical work, a live performance, or sound recording, for example, listing a songwriter's or performer's name. and paid.
Image credit: Martin Fabricius Rasmussen