An ISNI identifies a public name across the databases that hold information about creative work: libraries, rights organisations, streaming services and music databases.
What it looks like
Sixteen digits, usually written in groups of four, for example 0000 0001 2103 2683. Registration agencies issue them under an ISO standard, and libraries were the first heavy users.
What it is for
Names collide. Several artists share one name, one artist uses several names, and a person writes under one name and performs under another. An ISNI gives each public identity a number, so systems can link the same identity across databases instead of matching on text.
How an artist gets one
Through a registration agency, or indirectly. Some distributors, societies and MusicBrainz push identities into ISNI as part of their own registration, so many artists already have one without knowing. Search before applying.
What it is not
It is not a rights identifier. It says who a name refers to, not who owns anything. Payment still runs on society membership and work registrations.