ISAN (International Standard Audiovisual Number) is a voluntary numbering system for the identification of audiovisual works. It provides a unique, internationally recognized and permanent reference number for each audiovisual work registered in the ISAN system.

An ISAN uniquely distinguishes one audiovisual work from all other audiovisual works. Other methods of identifying audiovisual works, such as by title, can result in confusion about the specific work being referenced. For example, one title can be very similar to another. Titles also change when a work is distributed beyond its country (or countries) of origin and the title is translated into other languages.

Because each ISAN is a unique number that is permanently assigned to an audiovisual work, it can identify that work across national boundaries and language barriers.

As a unique identifier, ISAN is useful in a wide range of digital applications, particularly those which involve exchange of information between stakeholders. Some of its possible applications are:

An ISAN may be applied to all types of audiovisual works including motion pictures and short films, trailers, video games, productions for television or other means of delivery, including individual episodes of television series; industrial, educational and training films; commercials; broadcasts and recordings of live events (such as sports events and newscasts); and composite and multimedia works if they contain a significant audiovisual component.

The ISAN code itself is a "dumb" number, meaning that it does not include any signifying elements. Its purpose is to uniquely identify the work, and always relates and provides descriptive information about the audiovisual content.

Here is an example of ISAN : ISAN 0000-0000-3A8D-0000-Z-0000-0000-6

ISAN identify works, not publications (unlike the ISBN for books) nor right holders. The ISAN remains the same for an audiovisual work regardless of the various formats in which the work is distributed (e.g. Theatre, Streaming, TV) or its use.

ISAN identifiers can be resolved in the ISAN registry in order to retrieve the information attached to it by adding the ISAN code to the URL "http://www.isan.org/lookup/" (discovery mode) or by using the ISAN API (automated workflows).
Example: https://www.isan.org/lookup/ISAN 0000-0000-3A8D-0000-Z-0000-0000-6

The entity or person to whom an ISAN is allocated should have the capacity to permanently attach or link that ISAN to the specific audiovisual work that it identifies. Many audiovisual standards have an ISAN placeholder to "attach" an ISAN to the content.

ISAN is governed by the ISO Standard 15706-1 and 15706-2.

The ISAN Standard was developed under the auspices of ISO Technical Committee TC46, Subcommittee SC9, responsible for ISO International Standards related to the identification and description of information resources.

Over seven years, ISO dedicated significant efforts to create this standard, incorporating contributions and feedback from numerous media companies, producers, authors, collecting societies, and broadcast standards organizations. The ISAN ISO Standard represents a consensus within the Audiovisual Industry; it was created by and for the Audiovisual Industry.

The initial International Standard forming the foundation of the ISAN system was published as ISO 15706-1, titled "Information and documentation -- International Standard Audiovisual Number (ISAN)." Subsequently, to accommodate the diverse needs of the audiovisual distribution chain, the ISAN Standard was expanded to include version identification, as outlined in ISO 15706-2.

Both parts of the standard are available for purchase, each in separate English and French editions.

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