ISBN

1. Significance of ISBN code

The ISBN code represents the International Standard Book Number. It consists of 13 figures, grouped in 5 segments of variable length, separated by a hyphen:

  • • prefix 978 – indicative for the identification of the editorial book production at international level;
  • • country code – indicates the national, linguistic or geographical group. This segment designates the editor’s linguistic group (language) and not the language in which the book is published; code 973 identifies the editors in Romania.
  • • publishing house – identifies the editor of the document. Its length varies depending on the number of works published by the editor;
  • • serial number – numbers the document among the editor’s publications;
  • • control figure – is thelast figure of the ISBN code. It allows the verification of the ISBN code validity.

2. Categories of documents that receive ISBN code

The following categories of documents receive ISBN code:

  • • Printed publications (Printed Books);
  • • Printed books and brochures;
  • • Audio books on cassettes, CD or DVD;
  • • Atlases and maps with text;
  • • Music scores with text;
  • • Publications as leaflets, with text (unique issue under common title);
  • • Braille publications;
  • • Microform publications;
  • • Electronic or online publications;
  • • Digitized copies of the printed monographic publications;
  • • Educational or didactic software;
  • • Multimedia publications.

3. Categories of documents that do not receive ISBN code

The following categories of documents are not given ISBN code:

  • • documents exclusively containing advertising information;
  • • periodical publications;
  • • printings without title page or accompanying text;
  • • personal documents (as curriculum vitae and personal profiles);
  • • greeting cards;
  • • musical records;
  • • music scores without text;
  • • software used for any purpose other then educational or didactic;
  • • electronic messages and any other type of email;
  • • games.

4. Rules for granting ISBN codes

The National ISBN Centre assigns ISBN codes both for publishing houses and for authors/ institutions that produce books with their own overhead charges. The National ISBN Centre assigns ISBN codes, in sets of 10, to the publishing houses. A tax is levied for every series. New ISBN codes are obtained by paying the afferent tax and (compulsorily) justifying the use of the previously required codes, according to the used List of ISBN codes.

An editor who has several publishing houses and who publishes works under the name of each, shall apply for different series of ISBN codes for every publishing house. In case of change of address, name or other publishing house identification elements, the editor shall notify the National ISBN Centre, to update the information in the database.

The ISBN codes are transmitted to the applicant, in written form, directly, by fax or e-mail.

The National ISBN Centre assigns ISBN codes for occasional works or with one’s own overhead charges, at most 2 codes per calendar year. They are requested in writing, in an application form, by the author/ institution responsible with the issuance of the work. The applications shall be directly submitted at the headquarters of Romania’s National Library or shall be transmitted by fax or e-mail.

The following information shall necessarily appear on the cover of the occasionally issued works: title, author, town and calendar year. Any other information about the typography, type script and layout, graphics etc. shall be mentioned on the back of the title page.

5. Utilization rules of ISBN codes

Books and brochures in one volume: an ISBN code is assigned for each title. The ISBN code shall be printed on the back of the title page, in the structure of the CIP Description of Romania’s National Library, and on the 4th cover.

Work in several volumes: an ISBN code is assigned for the general part (the work as a whole) and an ISBN code for each volume individually. The two ISBN codes of each volume shall be printed on the back of the title page, in the structure of the CIP Description of Romania’s National Library, and on the 4th cover.

Reprint (print extension): the original ISBN code shall be kept and printed on the back of the title page, in the structure of the CIP Description of Romania’s National Library, and on the 4th cover. Definition: reprint stands for a new print of an already published document. The reprinted document does not undergo any change in terms of text, title, calendar year and layout of the original document. A few modifications are admitted as compared to the original document: price change, correction of spelling mistakes that does not affect the meaning of the text, as well as addition or deletion of a few lines that do not affect the page number or the meaning of the text.

New edition: a new ISBN code is assigned and printed on the verso of the title page, in the structure of the CIP Description of Romania’s National Library and on the 4th cover. Definition: new edition is the document that, as compared to the original, undergoes modifications in terms of text, title, calendar year, format, publishing house or contains illustrations within the document.

Co-edition: every editor assigns the respective work, an ISBN code of its own series of codes. The ISBN codes, accompanied by the name of the publishing house, will be printed in the structure of the CIP Description of Romania’s National Library and on the 4th cover. Definition: co-edition is the work achieved by two or several editors, also mentioned on the title page.

Electronic documents: the ISBN code is assigned by the same rules as for the printed format. The ISBN code shall be imprinted, depending on the document support, on CD-ROM, on its cover and/ or on the display screen.

6. Frequently asked questions about ISBN

a) Does the ISBN code ensure exclusivity on the name of the publishing house or of the book?

No. The assignment of the ISBN code for a book title confers no exclusivity right on the name of the publishing house and/ or titleof the book. To protect the name of the publishing house/ title, the trade mark shall be registered at O.S.I.M. (State Office for Inventions and Trademarks).

b) For a document which will be printed in another country but whose editor is from Romania, where from will the ISBN be asked?

The ISBN is always assigned to the editor, and not to the typographer. In this case, the editor will apply to Romania’s National ISBN Centre for an ISBN code to be printed on the book, and will transmit it to the person in charge with the type script and layout.

c) Where can the ISBN code be printed?

The ISBN code shall be printed on the back of the title page in the framework of the CIP description of Romania’s National Library and on the 4th cover.

d) Which is the relation between the ISBN code and the barcode?

The EAN code has 13 figures, like the ISBN code. A barcode is not an ISBN code and an ISBN code is not a barcode.

e) Which is the relation between ISBN and copyright?

The ISBN code is a book identification code, at international level. It has no juridical value, which means it offers no protection as regards the copyright.

f) Do electronic documents and software receive an ISBN code?

Yes. Electronic documents and educational software receive ISBN code. It shall be imprinted on the CD-ROM (cover and on the disk) and on the presentation screen, depending on the document support.