IPI, IPN, ISNI — Which Accreditation Applies to You
Three identifiers that look similar but mean different things. Which one you need depends on whether you write, perform, or are cataloged.
In short
- IPI for songwriters/publishers. IPN for performers. ISNI for cataloging.
- You often need both IPI and IPN if you write and perform.
- Settings > Accreditations stores all three and pre-fills them into agreements.
- 1
IPI — songwriters and publishers
The Interested Party Information number identifies you as a songwriter or publisher in the global CISAC database. You get one by registering with a PRO — ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC in the US, PRS in the UK, SACEM in France. Without an IPI, publishing royalties can't be matched to you.
- 2
IPN — performers
The International Performer Number identifies you as a performer (singer, session musician) in the neighboring-rights database. Issued by performer collection societies like SoundExchange (US) or PPL (UK). If you only write and don't perform on recordings, you don't need one.
- 3
ISNI — general identity
The International Standard Name Identifier is a cataloging ID used by libraries, Wikipedia, streaming platforms, and databases. It disambiguates "John Smith the producer" from "John Smith the session drummer." Optional in most workflows but useful for career-wide identity.
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Where they go in Vandall
Settings > Accreditations in the Vandall App stores all three. Once set, they pre-fill onto every split sheet and agreement you sign — no more typing them in every time.
- Copy IPI/IPN from your PRO account — typing from memory introduces typos that route royalties to nobody.
Tips
- If you're only writing songs, you need an IPI but not an IPN. If you're only performing on someone else's record, you need an IPN but not an IPI.
- An IPI with typos routes royalties to nobody. Always copy from your PRO account.
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