UMG just assigned 100K ISNI IDs: You need to get one too

Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced its official adoption of ISNI IDs as a global identifier assigned to anyone involved in the creation of intellectual property.

UMG just assigned 100K ISNI IDs: You need to get one too

For the music sector, ISNI serves as a ‘digital passport’ for artists, songwriters, producers, and other contributors, ensuring they are accurately identified and credited in the complex global music ecosystem. The adoption of this identifier also increases discoverability online and across the supply chain.

UMG is the first major label to universally adopt ISNI.

Now ISNI will also act as a bridging identifier, linking performer or songwriter records within UMG’s systems to collection society identifiers such as IPN (International Performer Number) or IPI (Interested Party Information), creating a consolidated and authoritative view of their recordings, works and revenue streams.

What ISNI Means for All Creators

• Accurate Attribution: Artists, songwriters, producers and other contributors are uniquely identified, preventing misattribution and duplication.
• Global Recognition: ISNI ensures contributors are visible and properly credited across all platforms, helping creators protect their identities from misrepresentation, reach wider audiences, and connect with opportunities globally.
• Streamlined Royalties: Accurate metadata ensures licensing and royalty payments become faster and fairer.

How The Get Your ISNI ID

Below is a list of Registration Agencies offer ISNI assignments to the general public.

For most artists and creators the easiest appears to be Sound Credit which offers free automated ISNIs for music industry individuals during free account creation.

Click through for details of their ISNI services.

• Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) – supporting ISNI assignment to those contributing to the creation of Québec cultural content (available in English and in French)
• Bibliothèque nationale de France – providing ISNIs for the scope of the French legal deposit
• British Library ISNI Quality Team – providing individual or bulk registration of ISNIs for creators
• MVB GmbH – offering ISNI assignments for all types of creators and organizations around the world
• National Assembly Library of Korea – providing ISNI assignments for creative individuals active in Korea
• The National Library of Finland – providing ISNIs for Finnish creators
• National Library of Korea – providing ISNI assignments for creators in Korea
• Quansic – providing professional ISNI services for the music industry in English and Japanese
• Ringgold– specializing in ISNIs for organizations
• Royal Library of Belgium (KBR) – providing ISNI assignments for the scope of the Belgian legal deposit
• Sound Credit – providing free automated ISNIs for music industry individuals during free account creation

Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, a Berklee College Of Music professor and founder of the Skyline Artists Agency