What is it?
Common Works Registration (CWR) is a data format that is overseen by CISAC, and is the globally recognized standard for the registration and revision of musical works. Its file format enables the efficient tracking of registration status and allows for better communication between music publishers, Mechanical Rights Societies, and Performing Rights Organizations (PROs).
CWR’s specific data format is typically used for submitting large volumes (hundreds or thousands) of work registrations or updates at once and is a common tool for organizations managing large catalogs.
NOTE: CWR is a file format that is different from CSV or Excel and requires setup with CISAC.
Can I use CWR with The MLC?
Yes, CWR can be used with The MLC. For our user guide with technical setup instructions and CWR best practices, click here.
How do I get setup to use CWR?
CISAC’s specifications and user manuals can be found here.
- Please note that the CWR format only accommodates the submission of registrations that cover all mechanical usage types.
- If you only wish to claim certain mechanical usage types for the works you are registering (for example, if you only wish to claim digital-only mechanical usages), please advise The MLC before submitting the corresponding CWR files by contacting us here: https://portal.themlc.com/contact-us
NOTE: If you do not have thousands of work registrations, CWR may not be the best choice for you.