« Back to FAQs What is an IPI/CAE number?
IPI stands for: Interested Parties Information
CAE stands for: Composer, Author and Publisher
The IPI/CAE number is a publicly accessible international identification number used to identify participants on a work. Writers and publishers will be assigned a unique number for each name/AKA on file with BMI. Therefore, writers with multiple names/AKAs will have multiple numbers.
Register your works using the IPI Number associated with the name/AKA you would like to appear on the new work. Regardless of the IPI Number you decide to use, the royalties will all be directed to your BMI account. Please note your BMI account # is not your IPI#. Please do not use a BMI account number as an IPI# when registering a work.
Locate your IPI numbers via Online Services or via Songview.
Online Services
IPI Numbers are available in Online Services. Once you log in to your account, click IPI Number.
If you only have one BMI account, you will be taken directly to your IPI information.
If you have multiple BMI accounts, under My Accounts, click the name of an account.
In the example below, this person has access to their BMI writer and publisher accounts.
Your Legal Name and any AKAs registered with BMI will be listed on this screen, each with its own unique IPI Number.
Songview
- Go to Songview
- From the drop-down menu, select Writer/Composer or Publisher.
- Enter the name in the search bar.
- Click Search.
The IPI number appears under the column IPI#.
