Our ISBN and copyright registration services help you identify and protect your book correctly. We buy and assign your own ISBNs, create your barcode, write your copyright page and guide you through copyright registration, so you are listed as the publisher and your book is easy to find and order.
These small details cause big problems when they are wrong, because an ISBN cannot easily be changed once a book is on sale. This service is part of our book publishing services.
What an ISBN does
An ISBN is a unique number that identifies a specific edition of a book. Bookstores, libraries and distributors use it to find and order your book. Each format needs its own ISBN, so a paperback, a hardcover, an eBook and an audiobook each have a separate number. Buying your own ISBN lists you, or your imprint, as the publisher of record.
Your own ISBN or a free one?
Some platforms offer a free ISBN, which is convenient but ties that edition to the platform that issued it. Owning your ISBN keeps the book portable, so you can move printers or add stores without changing the edition’s identity. Rules and costs for buying ISBNs differ by country, and we guide you through your national agency.
Barcodes and the copyright page
Print books carry a barcode based on the ISBN, which retailers scan. We create the barcode in the right format and place it on your cover. We also write your copyright page, which records the copyright notice, the publisher, the edition and the ISBNs.
Copyright registration guidance
In many countries, copyright exists automatically when you create the work. Registering it gives you extra legal protection in some places, and in the United States it is needed before you can sue for infringement. We explain the process in your country and help you prepare the registration. We do not give legal advice, and for a legal question you should consult a lawyer.
One ISBN for every format
Each edition of a book needs its own ISBN: paperback, hardcover, eBook and audiobook are separate products. An ISBN is a 13-digit number that identifies the exact edition, helping shops, libraries and databases track it. In some countries ISBNs are provided free, while in others, such as the United States, they are sold through a designated agency. We explain how it works where you live and buy the right quantity for your plans.
What goes on the copyright page and back cover
A print book needs a barcode that includes the ISBN, usually on the back cover. The copyright page lists the title, author, publisher, year, edition and the rights statement, and it often shows the ISBN, the printer and the country of printing. Some countries also ask for a copy to be sent to a national library, called legal deposit. We prepare the copyright page and tell you what applies to your location.
What copyright does and does not do
In most countries, copyright protects your work automatically when you write it down, without registration. Registration, where it is offered, can strengthen your position. In the United States, for example, registration is generally needed before you can sue for infringement. Copyright protects the expression of your ideas, not the ideas themselves, and it does not stop others from writing similar books. We give practical guidance but not legal advice.
Being the publisher of record
If you buy your own ISBN, you are listed as the publisher, and you control the metadata and the imprint name. If you use a free number from a retailer, the retailer is usually named as the publisher, and the number cannot be used elsewhere. For authors who plan to sell widely, owning the ISBN is the cleaner choice. We explain the cost and the effect before you decide.
Questions about ISBNs and copyright
Do I need a separate ISBN for each format?
Yes. Paperback, hardcover, eBook and audiobook editions each need their own ISBN, although some eBook stores do not require one.
Do I need an ISBN for a Kindle eBook?
No. Amazon assigns its own identifier to a Kindle eBook, and we explain your options for other stores.
Is my book protected before I register it?
In many countries copyright applies automatically when you create the work, but registration can add important protection. Rules vary by country, so we explain what applies to you.
Can I change an ISBN after publishing?
Not easily. That is why we assign it correctly before the book goes on sale.
What does it cost?
ISBN costs and registration fees depend on your country and how many you need. Tell us your plans and we send a free quote with the fees itemised.
Do I need a new ISBN for a new edition?
Yes, if the content changes significantly. Small corrections usually keep the same number. We advise case by case.
Can I register copyright through you?
We guide you through the process and can prepare the information. Registration itself is made with the official office in your country.
Do eBooks need ISBNs?
Not always, but they are recommended if you sell outside a single store. See eBook distribution.
Where do I put the ISBN?
On the copyright page and on the back cover barcode for print, and in the metadata for eBooks.
What if I made an error in my ISBN details?
Contact the agency that issued the number, because some details can be corrected and others need a new edition. We help you decide.
Does an ISBN protect my book from copying?
No. An ISBN is an identifier, not a legal protection. Copyright protects your work, and in most countries it exists automatically when you write it. An ISBN simply helps shops, libraries and databases find and order the right edition of your book.
Related services
- Book publishing services
- Self publishing services
- IngramSpark publishing services
- Book cover design services
Why authors work with us
- You keep your rights, your royalties and your accounts
- You receive a written scope and a fixed price before any work starts
- You approve every file before it moves to the next step
- One project manager keeps you informed at every stage