What is the Difference Between an IPI Number and a CAE Number?

There (usually) isn’t one.

An IPI (aka Interested Party Information) is sometimes called a CAE number. This stands for the French phrase Compositeur, Auteur, and Editeur (Composer, Author, and Publisher). A small number of international PROs may assign both an IPI and CAE number, but this is extremely rare. (The IPI system was made the new industry standard in 2001.)

CAE/IPI numbers are between 9 and 11 digits long and are used to uniquely identify a songwriter or music publisher. Rights holders are assigned CAE/IPI numbers when they are granted membership to a Performing Rights Organization (PRO).

Please check with your respective PRO if you aren’t sure what your CAE/IPI number is. Your PRO is the one who assigns it to you, so it should have no problem locating it

Pro Tip: Be careful not to confuse your PRO member ID with your CAE/IPI number. They are not the same and cannot be used interchangeably.

Want to keep up with Songtrust for frequent music and publishing updates?