3. The function and scope of ISBN

Preamble

The International Standard Book Number is known throughout the world as a short, clear and potentially machine-readable identification number which marks any book unmistakably. Whenever these intellectual products are covered by specific numbering systems e.g. ISSN, ISMN, these should be used.

The ISBN accompanies a publication from its production onwards. It is an essential instrument in modern distribution and rationalisation opportunities in the booktrade.

Scope

The word «book» is used in this manual in the sense of «publication». With regard to various media available, the term «book» should be understood as synonymous with content. Therefore, it is of no importance in what physical form this content is documented and distributed.²

For the purposes of the ISBN system books and other items to be numbered include:

A. Printed books and pamphlets including braille and maps ³

B. Non-Printed Books ⁴

• Educational, video and transparencies.
• Books on cassettes or CDs (talking books)
• Microform publications
• Electronic publications:
  - Machine-readable tapes
  - Diskettes
  - CD-ROMs
  - Internet publications

C. Mixed media publications (including text material)

Except:

Ephemeral printed materials such as diaries, calendars (note-books⁴), advertising matter and the like,
Art prints and art folders without title page and text,
Sound recordings (see chapter 12.3.)
Serial publications (see chapter 12.1.)
Sheet music (see chapter 12.2.)

²  In this connection see also Notes on the allocation of ISBNs to non-printed books

³   It has been agreed not to draft international rules for assigning ISBN to maps because there is evidence that the system works quite well on a national basis. The following general rules should be observed:

• For cartographic products sold in the book market, the ISBN rules apply.
• As with books, minor alterations do not constitute a new edition. Only if this version is especially mentioned in the title or in sales promotion, a new ISBN has to be used.

⁴   Wall calendars and calendars in book form with plates and text are assigned ISBN in a number of countries as they are considered genuine publications and distributed almost exclusively through book shops.