In the world of music, getting paid for your creative work involves more than just recording and distributing your songs, you need a PRO. To ensure that your royalties are collected and paid out correctly, you need to navigate the landscape of music rights management with precision. One crucial element in this process is your IPI number, an essential identifier within the global music industry.

If you’ve recently joined a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) like ASCAP, or if you’re considering doing so, understanding your IPI number is key to protecting your music and getting paid properly. Here’s everything you need to know about what an IPI number is, how to obtain it, and how to use it effectively.

What is an IPI Number?

An Interested Party Information (IPI) number is a unique identifier assigned to songwriters, composers, and music publishers. Typically, it’s a 9-11 digit number that distinguishes you from every other music creator in the world, like your social security number. This number is crucial because it’s the way PROs, such as ASCAP, track and manage your musical works across various platforms globally.

The IPI number is issued by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) and is recognized internationally. This means that wherever your music is performed, your IPI number helps ensure that royalties are tracked and routed correctly to you.

Why is Your IPI Number So Important?

Your IPI number plays a pivotal role in the music industry’s complex ecosystem. Here’s why:

  • Accurate Royalty Payments: Your IPI number ensures that royalties for performances, broadcasts, and other uses of your music are correctly attributed to you. Without this unique identifier, it would be challenging to accurately track your music, especially in cases where there are multiple creators or common names involved.
  • Global Recognition: As your music gains traction internationally, your IPI number acts as your global fingerprint, allowing PROs around the world to identify and pay you correctly. This is particularly crucial if your music is being performed or broadcast in multiple countries.
  • Collaboration and Registration: When collaborating with other artists, sharing your IPI number ensures that everyone’s contributions are recognized correctly. It also helps avoid confusion when registering your works with ASCAP or any other PRO, especially when working with creators who have common names.

How to Obtain Your IPI Number

If you’re a member of a PRO like ASCAP, your IPI number will typically be assigned within five business days after joining. You can find this number in your Member Access account, where it will be prominently listed. It’s important to note that while ASCAP manages your membership and royalties, the IPI number itself is assigned by CISAC.

If you’re using a music distributor like DistroKid, you’ll also want to ensure that your IPI number is correctly linked to your distributed works. This helps to ensure that when your music is played, streamed, or purchased, the correct royalties are funneled through to you via your PRO.

Using Your IPI Number Effectively

Once you have your IPI number, it’s vital to use it correctly to maximize your royalty collection. Here’s how:

  1. Register Your Works: Every time you create a new piece of music, register it with your PRO and include your IPI number. This ensures that your work is properly logged in their system and ready to generate royalties whenever it’s performed or broadcast.
  1. Share with Collaborators: Make sure to share your IPI number with any co-writers or collaborators, and collect theirs as well. This step is crucial to ensuring that everyone involved in the creation of a piece of music is properly credited and paid.
  1. Keep It Accessible: While your IPI number is public and can be shared freely, your PRO member ID should remain confidential. These are two different numbers, and understanding the distinction is essential to managing your music career professionally.
  1. Check Your Distributor’s Settings: If you’re using a digital distributor like DistroKid, ensure that your IPI number is correctly listed in their system. This helps streamline the process of collecting royalties from streaming services, downloads, and more.

In the music industry, details matter, and your IPI number is one of those details that can make or break your ability to get paid for your work. By joining a PRO like ASCAP and understanding how to use your IPI number effectively, you’re setting yourself up for success in a complex and competitive industry.

Remember, your music is your livelihood, and managing it professionally starts with understanding and utilizing the tools at your disposal. An IPI number isn’t just a formality—it’s a key part of your professional identity as a music creator.

If you’re serious about your music career, take the time to understand your IPI number, register your works, and ensure that every note you create is properly tracked and compensated.