Navigating the ISBN Landscape: Why a Private Company Controls Book Identifiers in the US
The system of International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) in the United States often prompts questions due to its unique structure. In contrast to many nations where government entities or non-profits issue ISBNs, the US system is exclusively managed by a private, for-profit company, Bowker.
While this setup might seem unusual, a key distinction is that ISBNs are not a legal requirement for publishing or distributing books in the US. Instead, they function as a crucial convenience for the commercial book industry, enabling efficient tracking, identification, and retail distribution across various channels. Books can certainly be published and sold without an ISBN, though doing so significantly limits their reach within conventional retail ecosystems.
Global Variations and Alternative Models
Globally, the approach to ISBN issuance varies significantly. Countries like Canada, for instance, provide ISBNs free of charge to authors and publishers, often through national libraries or government-affiliated bodies. This model highlights a public service approach to standard identifiers, emphasizing accessibility for creators. The US system, however, evolved differently, with a private entity stepping in when no government body offered to manage the standard upon its international adoption.
Parallels to Other Identifier Systems
The ISBN system in the US is not an isolated case of a private entity managing essential industry identifiers. Analogies can be drawn to other systems like:
- UPC (Universal Product Code) numbers: Managed by GS1, a private, non-profit organization that develops and maintains global standards.
- D-U-N-S (Data Universal Numbering System) numbers: Proprietary identification numbers issued by Dun & Bradstreet, often required for business transactions and by major app stores.
- CUSIP (Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures) numbers: These identifiers for North American securities are copyrighted and managed by S&P Global, with their mandatory use in regulatory reporting occasionally drawing scrutiny regarding private control over public data.
These examples underscore a common pattern where private organizations develop and maintain standards that become integral to commerce and even regulatory frameworks, despite not being directly operated by government agencies.
Freedom and the Challenge of Adoption
While Bowker holds the exclusive right to issue ISBNs in the US, authors and publishers retain the freedom to bypass the system entirely or even propose alternative book numbering methods. The practical challenge, however, lies in achieving widespread industry adoption for any new system, which would require significant coordination among publishers, distributors, and retailers. The existing ISBN infrastructure, despite its cost, offers a deeply entrenched and universally recognized method for book identification.
The Role of Government
The question of why a US government agency, akin to the U.S. Trademark Office, doesn't manage ISBNs often arises. Given that the ISBN standard originated internationally (from a UK system standardized by ISO) and is used globally, centralizing its issuance under a US government agency might not align with its international nature. Furthermore, without a legal mandate for ISBN use, the impetus for government involvement is diminished. Lobbying efforts could potentially shift this paradigm, perhaps leading to a public acquisition of the registrar functions and offering free ISBNs, aligning the US with other countries' models.