ISRC codes for CD

International Standard Recording Code (ISRC)

The ISRC is an alphanumeric code attached to each track of a recording. Composed of four subcodes, the ISRC provides details of: 

• The country of origin for the sound recording owner.
• The Registrant, through a unique PIN code (whether artist or record label).
• The year the ISRC was embedded in the sound recording track.
• The designation code, (the code assigned to each track).

The ISRC is always tied to the track, not the delivery medium. So, for example, a track from a DVD audio release that is later released on a CD compilation would have the same ISRC in each case.

The ISRC code is used to track the usage of the sound recording. The code helps trace the royalty owner and the ISRC is also the tool used to track sales via electronic stores, such as iTunes.

Because the ISRC remains attached to a track even after it is ripped from the original medium and encoded for download as mp3 it is a reliable information source.