Guide · Glossary

What is an ISRC?

The barcode of a recording — and why it underpins every valuation.

What it is What it does NOT prove How to look one up Frequently asked

Every valuation, royalty line and chart entry hangs on one identifier: the ISRC. Here is what it is — and, just as importantly, what it does not do.

What it is

An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a unique 12-character code assigned to a specific sound recording — for example, a single mix of one track. It lets platforms, distributors and societies track that recording's streams, sales and royalties consistently across the world.

What it does NOT prove

Crucially, an ISRC identifies a recording — it does not by itself establish, transfer or evidence ownership of any copyright, master or publishing right. Two parties can reference the same ISRC; ownership is a separate, contractual question.

How to look one up

You can find a track's ISRC on your distributor dashboard or royalty statement. On Arbiter, you can search any ISRC to see a recording's consumption and an indicative value. For a valuation, your statements (which list ISRCs) are reconciled into a Catalogue Report.

Frequently asked

What is an ISRC?

An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a unique 12-character identifier for a specific sound recording, used to track its streams, sales and royalties across platforms. It identifies the recording but does not by itself establish ownership of any copyright or master right.

General information, not investment, legal or tax advice. Valuing music rights involves assumptions and uncertainty; past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.