An ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code) is an international code that identifies a musical work itself, meaning its lyrics and melody. While an ISRC identifies a recording, an ISWC identifies the underlying composition that the recording is based on.
The Key Difference Between ISRC and ISWC
| Feature | ISRC | ISWC |
|---|---|---|
| What it identifies | The sound recording (master) | The composition / musical work |
| Who it matters to | Artist / producer / label | Songwriter / composer / publisher |
| How many can exist | One per version | Usually one per composition |
| Format | CC-XXX-YY-NNNNN | T-NNNNNNNNN-C |
Why Does It Matter?
A single song can have dozens of different recordings (covers, remixes, live performances); each has its own ISRC. But if all these recordings are based on the same composition, they're linked to a single ISWC. This allows performance rights organizations (like MESAM) to correctly pool and distribute all income from that composition to the right songwriter and composer.
How Do You Get an ISWC?
An ISWC code is typically generated when a musical work is registered with a performance rights organization (PRO) or publisher. In Turkey, this process runs through professional associations such as MESAM.
Do Distributors Handle ISWC?
Digital distribution companies are generally responsible for generating ISRCs; ISWC, on the other hand, is a code that must be obtained separately through the songwriter's own PRO membership. While SOOLY Music manages master recording distribution, it recommends registering the composition's ISWC through organizations like MESAM/MOKAS.
Recommendation on SOOLY Music
If you wrote the lyrics and music for your song yourself, registering with MESAM before or after distribution to create an ISWC record for your composition will make it easier to collect performance royalties down the line. The SOOLY Music support team can point you in the right direction for this process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn royalties without an ISWC? Master royalties (stream-based) don't require an ISWC, but performance royalties depend on PRO registration and an ISWC.
Can a composer have more than one ISWC for the same song? No, each composition is linked to a single ISWC; different recordings of it share the same ISWC.