CISAC: New ISWC code will give creators more cash

CISAC shared updates about the ISWC in its 2020 annual report this week. It said the new upgrade, which goes live in June, would improve flow of information and offer new features and enhanced services to rights holders.

The ISWC is a unique identifier that connects a musical work to its author, similar to the ISBN (International Standard Book Number). CISAC says the new ISWC will reduce costs though an automated allocation system designed to save collection societies time and resources, and in the process hand more remuneration back to the creators they represent.

The modernised system will also strengthen accuracy through centralisation. Codes will be assigned centrally by CISAC to avoid duplication and inaccuracies. Previously, the codes were assigned by individual societies and led to data integrity challenges. The centralised system will guarantee that each song will get only one unique code.

The system, CISAC says, will dramatically reduce the time it takes to assign ISWCs, making the codes ready for use in the commercial chain within hours of a work’s release.

Since its introduction by CISAC in the 1990s, the ISWC has become a crucial tracking tool for musical works, especially in the digital space. In 2002, the code was certified by the International Organisation for Standardisation and since then it has assisted collective management organisations to collect royalties.

CISAC has organised a series of webinars and training sessions to ensure members benefit from the system upgrade.

CISAC's annual report also singles out, among other areas, copyright buyout by big tech companies.“Services from Netflix to Amazon are seeking to extend buyouts globally. Their strategies are to exploit differences in national legislative frameworks and circumvent the protection offered to creators by societies," it said.

Additionally, the body reiterated the need to promote gender equality in the music industry. CISAC is running its Women @ CISAC programme, which aims to raise awareness and generate key recommendations for CISAC members to advance equality and inclusion.

Download the full CISAC 2019 annual report here.