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ISBN

ISBN

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique International Publisher’s Identifier number, which is meant for monographic publications. ISBN is a thirteen-digit number, which replaces the handling of long bibliographic descriptive records thereby saving time, staff costs and reducing copying errors. ISBN is known throughout the world as a short and clear machine-readable identification number, which marks any book unmistakably. ISBN is a machine readable in the form of 13-digit i.e. Book land EAN Bar Code. This is the fast system for the running of electronic point of sale system in bookshops. ISBN mainly executes ordering and distribution of books, which is the fast and efficient method. ISBN is the essential instrument in modern distribution and rationalization opportunities in the book trade. An ISBN is an important factor in book market.

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) system was introduced in the world in 1972 and in India this system was put into operation in January 1985 by Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency for ISBN and in the alphabetical order of member countries, our country stands at serial No. 60. The book industry in India is a diverse space consisting of the wide range of professionals such as authors, editors, printers, booksellers and distributors etc. Today India is among the top multilingual publishing country in the world and is the 3rd third-largest market in the world for print book publishing.

The International ISBN Agency is appointed by [ISO] as the registration authority for the ISBN system worldwide. The International ISBN Agency is based in London and has appointed different National Agencies in different geographical areas to look after the administration of ISBN in that particular area for which they pay an annual fee to International ISBN Agency. RRRNA in India is responsible for registration of Indian Publishers, Authors (Self-publishers), Universities, Institutions and Government Departments who publishes books/seminars/conferences or any other eligible product. To obtain ISBN, applicants/stakeholders may apply to RRRNA- Indian ISBN Agency at isbn.gov.in. The agency also sends the required reports and data annually to International ISBN Agency, London which is to be included in the Publishers International ISBN Directory.

Efforts have been made from time to time to streamline the operation of the agency which caters to the requirement of the applicants of the entire country. Accordingly, to streamline the process, the allotment of ISBN has been made completely online through the web portal http://isbn.gov.in. Thus, with effect from 30th April 2016, all the ISBN applications are being processed through the online portal and to further make the process more user-friendly and in line with the norms of International ISBN Agency, London, the existing portal has been enhanced and came in to existence from 09.07.2020 onwards.

WHAT ISBN DOES NOT INDICATE

  • It does not give any legal protection.
  • No copyright protection.
  • No statement on content form and documentation and distribution of the book.

WHAT ISBN INDICATES

  • It is a product number required to assist in internal processing and ordering while book selling.
  • It provides access to bibliographic data bases used by the book industry and libraries to provide information.
  • ISBN can be applied by publisher of the book, author of the book if he decides to publish the book himself.

SCOPE AND ASSIGNMENT OF ISBN

ISBN is assigned for the following products:

  • Monographic works (books) that are textual and/or have an instructional content
  • Publications not intended by the publisher to be updated regularly
  • Individual articles
  • Educational instructions, films, videos including audio books not purely for entertainment
  • Electronic publications, Mixed media text based publications
  • Print on demand publications
  • Set of volumes or packs of books

PRODUCTS WHICH DO NOT QUALIFY FOR ISBN

  • Serials/periodicals/journals (these are suitable for ISSN)
  • Journals, record books
  • Videos, DVDs or other media for entertainment
  • Documentaries on video/CD-ROM, DVD or other media
  • Computer games
  • Computer application packages
  • Music scores
  • Items available to a restricted group, e.g. a course book only available to students on the course
  • Websites
  • Non text-based Publications

BENEFITS OF ISBN

  • Unique international identifier for monographic publications.
  • Assigning ISBN replaces handling of long bibliographic descriptive records-saving time, reducing staff costs & coping errors.
  • Correct use different product forms to be clearly differentiated, enabling comparisons between different subject areas, publishing houses.
  • Facilitates compilation and updating of book trade directories and bibliographic databases.
  • Fast and efficient method of ordering and distribution of books, managing sale system in shops, supply chain systems, managing sales data, stock control.
  • Ensures that the book is widely known.

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE ISBN ONLINE PORTAL

  • Complete automation of the process of seeking application, their application by RRRNA examination and allotment of ISBNs.
  • The developed software has several modules – users registration, online application submission, examination, allotment of ISBN No. and ISBN generation which includes ISBN generation request from the National Agency to the International Agency at UK.
  • The automation process also seeks to maintain inventory as well as process the data that will be provided by the users.
  • There will be doing away with receipt of hard copy of any document unless considered appropriate for establishing the identity of the applicant.
  • It would also be ensured that the ISBN has been genuinely used and assigned to the books applied for by the user, which will be ensured by seeking details of the previously assigned ISBNs against a title and through oath and affirmation and declaration on their part.

BENEFITS OF ISBN ONLINE PORTAL

  • Online portal will streamline registration process, make it fast, efficient and transparent.
  • Streamline operation of data accumulation, ease in examination, followed by fast delivery of services.
  • Quick and easy search of bibliographic data.
  • The books published and allotted ISBN Numbers by RRRNA will get globally identified in worldwide catalog of published books.
  • The initiative will place India on the global map with other countries providing digital services.
  • Key Milestone towards ensuring a “digitally” transformed India.
  • Will ensures smooth processing in the publishing industry and help authors, editors, printers, booksellers and distributors etc.
  • Ease of access of ISBN services across the country through digital approach.

 

FAQ

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique numerical identifier for monographic publications such as books, pamphlets, educational kits, microforms, CD-ROMs and other digital and electronic publications. Periodicals, magazines, journals and other types of serial publications are not eligible for ISBNs. They are covered by a separate identification system called International Standard Serial Number (ISSN).
The ISBN Agency assigns ISBNs at the direct request of publishers, e-book publishers, audio cassette and video producers, software producers and museums and associations with publishing programs.
If you are a publisher or bookseller it may be in your own interest as you want to sell books. If your books cannot be ordered and distributed by ISBN and if they are not listed in Books in Print-type listings you may find that your books do not sell. People will assume your books do not exist, and even if they do know they exist they may consider it too much of a bother to handle them since they will need to do so using full title and manual ordering.
The publisher is the group, organization, company or individual who is responsible for initiating the production of a particular publication. Normally, the publisher is also the person or body who bears the cost or financial risk in making a product available. It is not normally the printer, but it can be the author of the book if the author has chosen to publish their book themselves/ self-published (means bearing the financial risk associated with the publishing of the book). The publisher should supply the RRRNA with a specified amount of metadata about the publication to which the ISBN is assigned. International ISBN Agency has developed an ONIX for ISBN registration format to be used by ISBN registrants (primarily publishers) and national ISBN Agencies.
Both numbering systems are used for books in a series and with annuals or biennials. The ISBN identifies the individual book in a series or a specific year for an annual or biennial. The ISSN identifies the ongoing series, or the ongoing annual or biennial serial. If a publication has both, each should be printed on the copyright page.
Currently it is free.
It is desirable that all books made publicly available, whether they are available for sale or on a gratis basis, are identified by ISBNs.
ISBN Portal is providing different types of Publisher Categories for Applicants to apply as per their Requirements. As there are different types of Publisher Categories, the documents required are also different. These can be seen when choosing Applicant and Publisher type while registering in the Portal.
Every Applicant has to visit the official website of Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency for ISBN (xxx.xxxxxx.xx.xx) in the Homepage itself the tab for Applicant Registration is given and the Applicant can register under the category which suits him/her most.
Issuance of ISBN consists of three stages of approvals which the Applicant have to get from the Department. Normally it will take 7 to 9 working days for the Issuance of ISBN from the Date of Registration, but also it depends on the number of Applications received.

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