ECM Part 3 - Duplicate ISRC Clusters
This part of the ECM standard defines an Entity Cluster Type designed to group resources—such as sound recordings and music videos—that constitute the same sound recording, including permissible variations as described in ISO 3901 (e.g., the ±10‑second rule). The messaging framework described herein enables organisations to communicate cases in which multiple International Standard Recording Codes (ISRCs) have been assigned to a single sound recording in a manner that is not conformant with ISO 3901 and its associated rules. This cluster type is used specifically to indicate that multiple ISRCs are duplicates, meaning that they identify the same underlying sound recording according to the applicable ISRC disambiguation criteria.
ISO 3901 stipulates that each sound recording shall be identified by one, and only one, ISRC. In practice, however, two or more ISRCs may be allocated to the same sound recording, or to recordings that are identical with respect to the ISRC disambiguation criteria but differ in other ways. Such duplicate assignments may arise through commercial, operational, administrative, or financial processes and can propagate across the global music industry value chain.
It is important to note that only the rights holder of a sound recording is ultimately positioned to determine the correctness of any duplicate ISRC cluster involving erroneously allocated identifiers. The message specification and associated choreography therefore enable only the exchange of information between two parties to notify the recipient that, to the best of the sender’s knowledge—based on audio assets and/or reference metadata—multiple ISRCs refer to the same sound recording. This exchange does not constitute a request to modify, revoke, or update any identifiers or clusters. Such matters fall outside the scope of this part of the ECM standard.
The cluster type defined in this standard provides a structured mechanism for communicating that multiple ISRCs are considered duplicates and identify the same underlying sound recording. It does not cluster distinct sound recordings. Instead, it clusters two or more identifiers that refer to a single sound recording as understood by the message sender.
The exchange of cluster data represents a statement of fact, as assessed by the message sender at a particular point in time. The accuracy or appropriateness of any duplicate ISRC cluster can ultimately only be verified by the relevant rights holder(s). Verification, governance, or adjudication of such matters is outside the scope of this standard and shall be addressed through separate operational, contractual, or industry governance processes. This communication mechanism does not imply any modification, revocation, or replacement of ISRCs; rather, it facilitates the transparent communication of relationships between multiple ISRCs that are believed to identify the same sound recording within the global music value chain.
The most recent version of Part 2 of the ECM standard – Musical Work Clusters published is version 1.0.
The text of this Part 2 can be found here.
Further Details on ECM Part 3
Detailed implementation guidance and best practice
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