Music Metadata

I strongly endorse the Veva Sound (trademarked) slogan “Collect while you create!” 

They're talking about information.

It’s particularly challenging for micro indie artists to do all of the things in the right order to be able to more easily participate in getting heard and getting paid. 

But, there are a few things that are easy to do that can help make your metadata more accurate and complete.  Digital Data Exchange (DDEX) defines the standard for how information about recorded music is shared. 

The big labels and studios have been using these standards for quite a while.  Of particular interest to people who do their own production and publishing is the DDEX RIN standard, released in Berlin in 2016.

As 2021 approaches and the Music Licensing Collective begins operations in the US it's a good time to make sure from a rights perspective that your ownership of your art is complete and correct.

The way I see it there is no reason ISWC could not be used to collect royalties as long as every ISRC matches a valid ISWC.  

Here's a link to a fun and interesting YouTube playlist about music metadata.  click here

To get an ISWC you need an IPI number.  You probably already have one and not know it,  The IPI number is an international identification number identifying songwriters and publishers.  If you belong to a PRO you already have one.

Once you've finished writing a musical work you should register it with your PRO as they will obtain the ISWC from CISAC on your behalf.  

If you do this before you actually produce your work it can help in the long term with royalty payment matching.

I don't think all distributors require or even accept the ISWC when preparing releases.  (They should!).