The IPI number is the international identification number of an author or publisher and is used to uniquely identify the parties involved in a work. The IPI numbers are stored centrally in the IPI system, the “Interested Parties Information System”, and are an essential part of the global data exchange between the collective management organisations (CMOs).
Who receives an IPI number?
Every person or publisher is registered in the IPI system when they join a collective management organisation and is assigned an IPI number. There are no IPI numbers for musical formations and bands. The following information on rightsholders is stored in the IPI system:
- Name of the person or publisher
- Gender
- Date of birth and, if applicable, date of death
- Place/country of birth
- Nationality
- Collective management organisation(s) of which the person or the publisher is a member and which rights have been assigned for management to which CMO for which territory
Thanks to this centrally stored information, rightsholders can be easily identified and rights management can be guaranteed at international level.
Why do I have several IPI numbers?
Each rightsholder is allocated an IPI number that is linked to the name according to the passport (patronym) or the company name. Additional IPI numbers are generated for all known pseudonyms or name changes. Such additional IPI numbers may exist in the following cases:
- Pseudonyms (Marie Dupont appears under the stage name Marie D.)
- other spelling (Andreas Muster is known as Andy Muster)
- change of name, e.g. on marriage (Maria Rossi becomes Maria Bianchi Rossi)
- several first names (John Julian Smith usually just goes by John Smith)
All IPI numbers of a rightsholder are linked to each other in the IPI system. In fact, there are two types of IPI numbers: The IP name number (commonly known as an IPI number for short) is – as its name suggests – always linked to a name, e.g. the civil name (patronym) or the pseudonym. This number is used for international data exchange. All IP name numbers of a person or a publisher are held together by a parenthesis, the IP base number. This number is not communicated to the outside world but is only used to link the individual IP name numbers.
Where can I find my IPI number?
SUISA provides the personal IPI number with its admission confirmation. In addition, all IPI numbers that a member or a principal has can be viewed in the member portal area “My account” in the “Membership data” section. The IPI number of the patronym is printed on the first page of each settlement statement. In the works database, the IPI number is listed after each person entitled to receive a payment. In this way, IPI numbers of other authors can also be found.
Will I receive a separate settlement for each IPI number?
The remuneration collected for all IPI numbers of a person or a publisher is summarised in one statement. The settlement is issued to the IPI number of the patronym.
Which IPI number do I have to provide for work registrations?
The work registration determines which name will be displayed for the work in the works database. Therefore, the work must be registered with the name (and the corresponding IPI number) that will later be published in the works database.
How do I get an IPI number for a new pseudonym?
If you wish to register works under a new pseudonym that has not yet been entered in the IPI system, you must first inform SUISA of the new pseudonym via “General inquiry / Other enquiry” in the member portal under “My account”. Only after an IPI number has been opened for this pseudonym can works be registered under this pseudonym.
The IPI system and the associated database are operated and maintained by SUISA on behalf of CISAC, the umbrella organisation of all collective management organisations.
