International Standard Audiovisual Number

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International Standard Audiovisual Number

The International Standard Audiovisual Number (ISAN) is a unique identifier for audiovisual works and related versions, similar to how the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is used for books. The ISAN system is used to uniquely identify audiovisual works such as films, television programs, documentaries, commercials, and video games.

History

The ISAN standard was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and was first published in 2002 as ISO 15706. The system was created to address the need for a standardized method of identifying audiovisual works across different platforms and distribution channels.

Structure

An ISAN is a 16-byte hexadecimal number, which can be represented as a 24-character string. The structure of an ISAN is as follows:

• A 12-byte root identifier, which is unique to each audiovisual work.
• A 4-byte version identifier, which distinguishes different versions of the same work.

The ISAN can also include an optional 8-byte extension to identify related content such as trailers or promotional materials.

Registration

ISANs are issued by authorized ISAN Registration Agencies, which are responsible for assigning and managing ISANs. These agencies ensure that each ISAN is unique and that the associated metadata is accurate and up-to-date. The ISAN International Agency (ISAN-IA) oversees the global administration of the ISAN system.

Usage

ISANs are used by various stakeholders in the audiovisual industry, including producers, distributors, broadcasters, and archivists. The unique identifier helps in tracking and managing audiovisual works, facilitating rights management, and ensuring accurate reporting and royalty distribution.

Benefits

The use of ISANs provides several benefits:

• **Uniqueness**: Each ISAN is unique to a specific audiovisual work, reducing the risk of confusion or duplication.
• **Interoperability**: ISANs are recognized internationally, making it easier to manage and distribute audiovisual content across different countries and platforms.
• **Efficiency**: The standardized identifier simplifies the process of cataloging, tracking, and reporting audiovisual works.

Related Standards

The ISAN system is part of a broader set of standards for identifying various types of media content. Related standards include:

• International Standard Book Number (ISBN) for books
• International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) for serial publications
• International Standard Music Number (ISMN) for musical scores

See Also

• International Organization for Standardization
• Digital Object Identifier
• Universal Product Code
• Global Release Identifier