IPN (International Performer Number) and IPI (Interested Parties Information) are both music industry identifiers, but they operate in different copyright layers and are assigned by different organisations. Confusing them is common — this guide explains exactly what each one does and why both matter.
The core difference
IPN (International Performer Number) and IPI (Interested Parties Information) both identify individuals in the music royalty system, but they identify them in different copyright contexts. IPI identifies parties in the composition copyright — writers and publishers who receive royalties from the performance, broadcast, and reproduction of musical works. IPN identifies performers in the neighbouring rights context — artists who perform on recordings and who receive royalties from the broadcast and public performance of those recordings. These are different legal rights generating different income streams.
What the IPI is
The IPI (Interested Parties Information) number is a unique identifier assigned by CISAC (the international body of collecting societies) through your national PRO — PRS for Music in the UK. Every songwriter and publisher registered with a collecting society has an IPI number. IPI numbers appear in work registrations, linking compositions to their rights holders for royalty calculation. When PRS processes royalties from streaming, broadcasting, or live performance, it uses IPI numbers to determine who receives payment and in what shares. Your IPI number is your identifier in the composition rights system.
What the IPN is
The IPN (International Performer Number) is a unique identifier assigned by SCAPR (the international organisation of performer rights societies) to identify performers for the purposes of neighbouring rights distribution. In the UK, PPL assigns and manages IPNs for performers registered with PPL. When a recording is broadcast or played in a public venue, PPL collects neighbouring rights royalties and distributes them to the featured performers. The IPN is how PPL (and SCAPR's member societies internationally) identifies which performer should receive which share of neighbouring rights income. Your IPN is your identifier in the recording rights system.
Side-by-side comparison
- IPI: identifies the party's interest in a composition (musical work). Assigned by CISAC via your national PRO (PRS in the UK). Used for: performance royalties, mechanical royalties, sync licensing.
- IPN: identifies a performer in a recording (master recording). Assigned by SCAPR via your national neighbouring rights society (PPL in the UK). Used for: broadcast royalties on recordings, public performance of recordings.
- Key distinction: IPI = who gets paid when a song is used. IPN = who gets paid when a specific recording is played.
- Who needs an IPI: songwriters, composers, music publishers.
- Who needs an IPN: performers on commercial recordings (featured artists, session musicians).
- A singer-songwriter who writes and performs their own music needs both.
How international collection works with each
Both identifiers enable international royalty collection via their respective global networks. IPI numbers flow through CISAC's international network — when your composition is used overseas, the local PRO matches the usage against the CISAC database using IPI numbers and routes the income back to your national PRO. IPN numbers flow through SCAPR's network — when your recording is broadcast overseas, the local neighbouring rights society matches the broadcast against their database using IPN numbers and routes the income to PPL for distribution to you. Both systems require your domestic registration to be accurate for international income to flow.
How to get each identifier
IPI: join PRS for Music at prsformusic.com as a writer and/or publisher. PRS assigns your IPI number upon approval. Your IPI appears in your PRS member account. IPN: join PPL at ppluk.com as a performer. PPL assigns your IPN upon approval. Your IPN appears in your PPL member account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ISNI different from both IPI and IPN?
Yes. ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier) is a cross-industry public identifier for creators, researchers, and organisations — used across music, books, film, and academia. IPI and IPN are music-industry-specific identifiers used within the royalty collection system. ISNI is publicly searchable and links a creator's identity across platforms. IPI and IPN are primarily used within the collecting society infrastructure.
What if I am both a songwriter and a performer?
You need both an IPI (from PRS) and an IPN (from PPL). These are separate registrations with separate organisations. One does not grant you the other. As a songwriter-performer, you receive composition royalties via PRS (using your IPI) and neighbouring rights income via PPL (using your IPN).
Do session musicians need an IPN?
Yes. Any musician who performed on a commercially released recording as a featured performer may be entitled to neighbouring rights income from PPL. Session musicians with PPL registrations and IPNs can claim their share of broadcast royalties from recordings they played on, even if they did not write the music.
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