Composer and lyricist information is mandatory for all tracks.
For instrumental tracks, include composer only.
For single-track releases, composer and lyricist must also be entered at the album level.
Exact name
Always use the exact name under which the writer is registered with their performing rights organization (PRO) or collecting society. This can be their legal name or a registered stage name, what matters is that it matches the society's records exactly.
If a writer is credited under a name that isn't registered with their PRO, they will not collect royalties for that work.
ISWC code
We also recommend always adding the track's ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code). It's the work's unique identifier with collecting societies, and it helps ensure the composer is paid the royalties they're owed, avoiding ambiguity when works have similar titles or composers have similar names.
Covers
You are responsible for finding the original songwriter's correctly registered name. Don't guess, and don't use informal credits or aliases.
Bands cannot be credited as composers/lyricists
Even when a song is written collectively, each composer/lyricist must be credited individually under their registered name.
Unknown
If a track's authorship is unknown, such as a folk song or Gregorian chant, use Anonymous or Traditional as the composer.