What is an ISRC?
The International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) system is the international system for the identification of recorded music and music videos. Each ISRC is a unique identifier that can be permanently encoded into a recording or music video. Encoded ISRCs automatically identify recordings for PPL payments.
PPL is the appointed sole agency for ISRCs in the UK. You should request an ISRC ‘stem’ (or first registrant code) when you become a PPL recording rightsholder member. This stem is three letters allocated in sequence from PPL’s database that is specific to each recording rightsholder member.
Your unique stem enables you to assign individual ISRC codes to recordings.
An ISRC is made up of 12 characters and split into four sections: