The RIAA participates in technical standards work where creating a voluntary specification increases consumer confidence and reduces costs for its members. Some technical standards which RIAA has created or worked on include:

 
Watermark Payload Specification

RIAA has prepared a specification detailing a standard payload format for data included in a watermark added to music tracks. This is intended to increase interoperability between different watermarking technologies. Payloads that conform to the specification do not include any information about consumers or allow consumers to be directly identified. Copies of the watermark payload specification are available to potential implementers by sending your email address for delivery of the watermark payload specification, together with your name and affiliation to specifications@riaa.com.

International Standard Recording Code (ISRC)

ISRC is specified by the International Organization for Standardisation, ISO, and RIAA is represented, along with its international partner, IFPI, on the committee that maintains it. RIAA contributes to the work of the International ISRC Agency and runs the US National ISRC Agency. Owners of sound recordings in the US can obtain the means to assign ISRCs from the US National Agency.

Related Links

US National ISRC Agency: www.usisrc.org

Global Release Identifier (GRid)

RIAA was instrumental in setting up GRid which is used to identify a release of music over electronic networks. Here a “release” means recordings and other media that are grouped together for commerce.

Related Link

GRid International Agency: www.ifpi.org/grid

Digital Data Exchange

Of great interest to RIAA, though now a free standing organization, DDEX specifies electronic messages relating to trade in music. These report, for instance, the sales of particular tracks in a period.

Related Link

Digital Data Exchange: www.ddex.net