► What is CWR?
Common Works Registration (CWR) is a standard format for the registration and revision of musical works. To learn more, please see CWR user manual provided by CISAC here.
► Who do I contact at CMRRA regarding my CWR submissions?
Please contact us here. Select "Common Works Registration (CWR)" as the subject in the contact form's dropdown menu.
► Does CMRRA provide CWR software?
No. Third-party music publishing software that produces CWR compliant registration files is available commercially.
► Who should use CWR?
Mid to large sized publishers have found that CWR is the most efficient way to register thousands of works with CMRRA on a regular basis.
► How do I send CWR files to CMRRA? How do I receive files from CMRRA?
After you contact us, we will provide FTP credentials. CWR files are dropped off and picked up from the specified folders. Please note CWR folders on the FTP server are named from CMRRA’s perspective: CWR files sent to CMRRA should be placed in the “\incoming” folder (incoming to CMRRA); and, files sent from CMRRA will appear in the “\outgoing” folder (outgoing from CMRRA). For more information, please see the “Getting Started” document.
► What do the error messages in my first ACK file mean?
Please see the Technical Specifications, as provided by CISAC here.
► Why haven’t I received an acknowledgement for a file I sent?
If a file was correctly submitted, we will notify you of the error; however, if the file was not sent in correctly, we may not be aware of the issue. Possible causes of an incorrect submission: added to the incorrect folder, file sent in "zip" or other compressed format, file name indicates a different society instead of CMRRA code "088", duplicate file name, bad file format.
► Can I submit zipped files to the FTP site containing CWR files?
Not at the current time.
► How long will it take CMRRA to process my files?
CWR files will typically be processed upon receipt. The first ACK file will be created within 24-48 hours.
► How long will it take CMRRA to process my files for second acknowledgement?
Second ACK files include all works that have been incorporated into our licensing system triggered by a Canadian territory licence request or by royalty usage data. Since the activity can happen at any time, the second ACK file can include registrations from multiple files.
► Will my works receive a CMRRA work number?
All works included in a second ACK file will be assigned a CMRRA work number.
► I have purchased music publishing software which produces CWR compliant registration files from a third party and they assist with my CWR files and acknowledgments. If I have difficulties processing my files and acknowledgments, who should I contact?
Please contact your representative at the third-party company.
► Can I submit global CWR files to CMRRA?
Yes, as long as the works include records for any of the following territories: Canada, American Continent, Commonwealth, North America or World.
► If my test file loads successfully, can CMRRA go live with it?
We will provide confirmation after the test phase has been successfully completed.
► Why is a title I registered via CWR not appearing in CMRRA’s repository?
CMRRA does not validate every single CWR registration received. Our Licence and Distribution System (LDS) has advanced auto-matching protocols which will enable us to quickly and efficiently validate works information for licensing purposes and royalty distribution. These processes will be prioritized by activity levels. All works for which we provide a second ACK transaction will be visible in CMRRA Direct; these works are considered to be in a payable position.
► I’m not quite ready for CWR. What other options do I have for registering my works with CMRRA?
CMRRA Direct now allows for members to register single song priority titles.
To register multiple titles, you can use the CMRRA Song Registration template in Excel format.
If you are able to produce a file for mass song registration, please contact CMRRA (select CWR in the Contact form's "Subject" dropdown menu) and we will assist you.
