5.1. Accuracy. Albums, tracks, and music videos must be delivered with the release date of their original issue, digitally or physically, regardless of version or country or region of origin. For all albums released after the year 2000, deliver at the level of day, month, and year. For deep catalog albums released before the year 2000, deliver this metadata to the extent it is known whether it be to the day, month, or year.
Release Type | Release Date |
|---|---|
Compilations/Soundtracks | Album level: The date the compilation/soundtrack was released. Track level: The first date the track was released. |
Deluxe/Extended | For extended versions of a release such as Bonus, Deluxe use the following release date rules: Album version: The date the new extended album version was released. Track version: The date that specific track was released. This may differ from the album date if the track is an instant grat or a newly added bonus track. |
Instrumental | The date the instrumental version was released. |
Karaoke/Cover/Tribute | The date the karaoke/cover/tribute version was released. |
Live | The date the live album or track was first released. |
Medleys/Continuous Mix | The date the medley/continuous mix was released. |
Remastered | The date the original version was released. |
Remixes | The date the remix version was released. |
Re-recorded | The date the re-recorded version was released. |
Re-released | For re-released versions, such as anniversary versions, the album-level date should always be the date the album was originally released. Tracks not on the original album release should have different original release dates on their specific release dates. These dates may differ from the album release date if the tracks are an instant grat or are newly added to an anniversary album. |
Stereo/Mono | No differentiation is made between stereo/mono versions of tracks or albums; all should receive the original release date regardless of whether the stereo and mono mixes were released concurrently or at different times. |
Unreleased Material | Previously unreleased albums or tracks should have the date of when the content has first become available. Do not use the date when the content was first created or recorded. |