Retitling is a cataloguing practice in which a single master recording is issued under multiple song titles – each with its own ISWC and publishing share – so that different music libraries or sub‑publishers can pitch the track as if it were unique to their catalogue.
While the strategy broadens exposure, it introduces significant data‑management risks. Duplicate titles can clash in PRO databases, and modern royalty reporting increasingly relies on audio‑fingerprinting systems (e.g., BMAT, Soundmouse, Content ID). When those systems detect the same recording under conflicting titles, usage can be mis‑matched or split across several metadata entries, leading to delayed, reduced, or mis‑directed royalty payments.