CISAC's 2025 Annual Report spotlights AI advocacy, anti-fraud frameworks, and CIS-Net technology renewal

“We must never forget that it is the creators who are our top priority. Their voices must be heard and valued as we advocate and navigate our path through the AI revolution and beyond”. CISAC Board Chair Marcelo Castello Branco.
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Paris – 22 May 2025 – CISAC has released its 2025 Annual Report, unveiling progress in protecting creators’ rights, modernising data systems, and advocating for fair remuneration in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Launched ahead of the annual CISAC General Assembly in Sofia, Bulgaria on 28 May 2025, the report outlines key actions of the last year and sets the agenda for strategic priorities in the year ahead.

Forewords

  • Björn Ulvaeus, Singer, Songwriter, Co-Founder of ABBA, President of CISAC link
  • Marcelo Castello Branco, Chair of the CISAC board link
  • Gadi Oron, Director General of CISAC link

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

Key highlights:

  • AI advocacy – The Global Economic Study on the Impact of AI (conducted for CISAC by PMP Strategy) provided authoritative evidence, at a global level, of the losses that poor regulation of AI will cause to music and audiovisual creators. The study projects losses of up to 24% and 21% for music and audiovisual creators in the absence of adequate regulation.
  • Renewing CIS-Net – A key priority to future-proof the system that manages global data exchanges between societies is progressing, with expected completion in 2027. CIS-Net 2.0 will include scalability, cloud-native architecture, automation, AI-ready capabilities, enhanced data governance and interoperability, while improving data quality, reducing duplication, and ensuring seamless international collaboration.
  • Establishing anti-fraud frameworks – In the face of rapidly increasing fraudulent creative works registrations, a robust set of best practices for societies facing this growing threat has been created and continues to be an evolving priority.
  • ISWC expansion – The pilot to link the International Standard Works Code (ISWC) with the International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) at the point of release continues, a major innovation for faster and more accurate global royalty distribution. Following a successful proof-of-concept by PRS for Music and 2024 testing with industry partners, the ISWC-ISRC linking project entered a soft launch phase in 2025 with selected record labels, wider rollout is expected to follow.
  • Advocating Fairness for Screenwriters and Directors – Building on legislative advances in Poland, Brazil, and South Korea securing unwaivable remuneration rights for audiovisual creators, CISAC is now calling for an independent WIPO study to champion global recognition of fair AV rights.
  • Boosting market growth in key territories – In India, Türkiye, Colombia, and Bulgaria, CISAC is working closely with local societies to modernise operations, advocate legislative reforms, and address systemic barriers to fair collections.
  • Momentum in Visual Arts Resale Right campaigning – Alongside the International Council of Creators of Graphic, Plastic and Photographic Arts (CIAGP) Visual Arts resale right campaigns continue to shape global policies and create tools at WIPO and has seen progress in New Zealand, South Korea, and Africa.

Chair of the CISAC Board Marcelo Castello Branco leaves his role this month after 6 years. His successor will be announced during the 2025 CISAC General Assembly next week.

The CISAC 2025 Annual Report is now available for download in English, French, and Spanish.

Note to editors

Media access is available to attend Creators’ Day on 29 May 2025, in Sofia Bulgaria. Please enquire by reply e-mail.

For further details on the upcoming 2025 CISAC General Assembly and Creators’ Day schedules and participants, please reply via reply email.