U.S. Copyright Office Adds Unique Identifiers to the Electronic Registration System
Issue No. 706 - February 5, 2018

The U.S. Copyright Office has added a new feature to the electronic registration system. With this feature, applicants will be able to add the following standard numbers to their registration applications:

  • International Standard Music Number (ISMN), a unique identifier assigned to published printed music.
  • International Standard Musical Work Code (ISWC), a unique identifier assigned to a musical work.
  • International Standard Audiovisual Number (ISAN), a unique identifier assigned to an audiovisual work.
  • International Standard Text Code (ISTC), a unique identifier assigned to a text-based work.

If the applicant includes this information in the registration application, the standard number will appear on the certificate of registration for the work. More information about this technical upgrade is available here.