What is CWR? #

Common Works Registration (CWR) is a standardized format for registering and revising musical works. For detailed information, consult the CWR user manual provided by CISAC.

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Contacting CMRRA About CWR Submissions #

If you have questions about your CWR submissions, please contact us here. Select “Common Works Registration (CWR)” from the subject dropdown menu.

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Does CMRRA Provide CWR Software? #

No, CMRRA does not offer CWR software. However, third-party music publishing software that generates CWR-compliant registration files is available commercially.

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Who Should Use CWR? #

CWR is most beneficial for mid to large-sized publishers who need to register thousands of works with CMRRA regularly.

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How to Send and Receive CWR Files #

• Sending Files: After contacting us, we will provide FTP credentials. Upload CWR files to the “\incoming” folder on the FTP server.
• Receiving Files: CMRRA will place processed files in the “\outgoing” folder.
  For further details, refer to the “Getting Started” document.

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Understanding Error Messages in ACK Files #

If you encounter error messages in your first ACK file, consult the CISAC Technical Specifications for guidance.

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Acknowledgment Issues #

If you haven’t received an acknowledgment for a submitted file, potential issues include:

• File placed in the wrong folder.
• File sent in a compressed format (e.g., ZIP).
• Incorrect naming conventions (e.g., missing CMRRA code “088”).
• Duplicate file names.
• Invalid file format.

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Can I Submit Zipped Files? #

No, compressed files (e.g., ZIP) are not currently accepted.

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Processing Times #

• First Acknowledgment (ACK): CWR files are typically processed within 24-48 hours.
• Second Acknowledgment (ACK): These files include works incorporated into our licensing system due to licensing requests or royalty data. Processing depends on activity levels and can include registrations from multiple files.

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CMRRA Work Numbers #

All works included in a second acknowledgment (ACK) file will receive a unique CMRRA work number.

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Third-Party Software Support #

If you use third-party software to produce CWR-compliant files and encounter issues, contact your software provider for assistance.

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Submitting Global CWR Files #

Yes, CMRRA accepts global CWR files as long as they include records for territories such as Canada, North America, the American Continent, the Commonwealth, or the World.

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Test File Confirmation #

CMRRA will confirm when your test phase has been successfully completed and your files are ready to go live.

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Missing Titles in CMRRA’s Repository #

Titles registered via CWR may not appear immediately in CMRRA’s repository. Validation occurs based on licensing and royalty distribution activity. Works included in a second acknowledgment (ACK) transaction will be visible in CMRRA Direct and considered payable.

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Alternative Registration Options #

If you’re not ready for CWR, consider these options:

• CMRRA Direct: Register single-song priority titles online.
• Excel Template: Use the CMRRA Song Registration template for multiple titles.
• File for Mass Registration: Contact us for assistance with creating a file for bulk registrations. Select “CWR” in the subject dropdown menu of the contact form.