All About the IPI 

From time to time, we like to cover topics in the Member newsletter that relate to the language and terminology associated with the mechanical licensing process and The MLC’s work. This month, we’re going to talk about the Interested Party Information (IPI) system.  

What is the IPI?   

The Interested Party Information (IPI) system is a way of managing information about rightsholders like songwriters, composers, lyricists and music publishers – who have an interest (or share) in a musical work. The system has traditionally been used by performing rights organizations (PROs), and The MLC uses IPIs as part of its efforts to make sure royalties are distributed to the correct rightsholder. There are two different numbers that make up the IPI system: The IP Base Number, and the IP Name Number. The IP Base Number is assigned to each individual interested party and is usually kept private. The IP Name Number, which is available to everyone to see publicly and generally referred to as simply the IPI, is assigned to each name that the rightsholder is known by. For example, the individual Prince Rogers Nelson has one IP Base Number. But he also has several different IP Name Numbers assigned to him, one for each name that he composes under – like Prince, and Prince Rogers Nelson.  

How do I  get  an IPI?  

When a rightsholder registers with a PRO, the PRO assigns them an IP Base and Name number and that number is associated with any musical works the rightsholder subsequently registers with the PRO. You can join a PRO as either a writer, a publisher or both. If you join as a writer, you will be issued a writer IPI. If you join as a publisher, the PRO will assign a publisher IPI.  Self-administered songwriters can and should have BOTH a writer IPI and a publisher IPI. If you’re a self-administered songwriter, one of the most important things you can do is make sure you have both – so you can provide The MLC with your publisher IPI when you set-up your Member profile and then include your writer IPI in the information you submit when you register your songs with us.  

If you have already joined a PRO, you can find your IPI by going to that PRO’s website and searching for either your writer name or publishing entity in the PRO’s repertory database.