| If you are an independent artist releasing a new CD | | | | outlet utilizing scanning (as most if not all) do today, this |
| with plans for any form of retail physical music | | | | is registered and you get credit for the sale. |
| distribution than it is essential that you are aware of | | | | Why is a UPC Code So Important on My CD? |
| and register the product release with Neilson | | | | First off, if you intend to seek retail and physical music |
| Soundscan - especially if you are interested in | | | | distribution for your CD release, and have it sold in |
| attracting record label attention and eventually going | | | | stores, it is required. Secondly and obviously, if you |
| for a record deal. Neilson Soundscan is the primary | | | | want to eventually seek attention from record labels |
| information system that tracks the sales of music and | | | | for selling significant CDs independently then you must |
| video releases throughout the United States and | | | | have a UPC code so that Neilson Soundscan can pick |
| Canada. They powerfully record your CD sales | | | | up the sales and register and report them. You can |
| statistics which is ultimately picked up by the record | | | | obtain your UPC code from the UC Council |
| labels who constantly monitor Soundscan looking for | | | | (uc-council.org), the cost to Indie musicians is generally |
| up and coming artists who are proving to sell CD units | | | | $750. plus your annual renewal fee. However, and this |
| independently. | | | | is very important to note. If you are having your CD |
| Sales data is generally collected weekly from over | | | | manufactured by a registered manufacturer such as |
| 15,000 retail, mass merchant, and online stores and | | | | Discmakers and most others, they will register and |
| venues. Neilson Soundscan is also the sales source | | | | furnish your UPC code for around $20. and will also |
| which is used to compile the music charts for Billboard. | | | | include the bar code in the CD artwork fees. It's a |
| So obviously, it makes a great deal of sense to | | | | heck of a savings and obviously makes sense to go |
| register your CD releases with Soundscan. The | | | | this route. Ask your CD manufacturer for details. |
| information system can only track and record sales on | | | | Remember, when you have secured your UPC code |
| CDs that have what is called a UPC code (Universal | | | | you obviously must register the title with Neilson |
| Product Code). | | | | Soundscan unless your manufacturer does it for you - |
| What Exactly is a UPC Code? | | | | which in most cases they will but please make sure |
| A bar code or a UPC as it is also known, is "an | | | | they do, or Soundscan will not be able to register sales |
| arrangement of parallel lines and spaces that vary in | | | | stats on your CD. If you are doing this yourself you |
| width which represent data." Specifically, they | | | | need to fill out a "Title Addition Sheet" with soundscan |
| represent a unique 12-digit number, sometimes called a | | | | and you can submit it to Soundscan's Database by |
| Universal Product Code number. When placed on your | | | | email at dbase(at Your barcode is good outside of |
| product or CD, these bars can be scanned by lasers | | | | North America but will only record your sales in North |
| so that stores can digitally record what products they | | | | America and Canada. You can find everything you |
| have sold. You've probably seen how much time they | | | | need to know about Soundscan at For additional |
| save cashiers at stores. This data is picked up by | | | | advise on how to distribute your music in the most |
| Neilson Soundscan. So when you sell a CD at a retail | | | | productive ways click here. |