ISAN International Agency

ISAN-IA

The ISAN system is overseen by the ISAN International Agency (ISAN-IA), a non-profit association mandated by ISO as the ISAN registration authority, and based in Geneva, Switzerland.

In our quality as ISAN registration authority, we bear the responsibility for the implementation of the ISAN standard, the maintenance and the comprehensive administration of the entire ISAN system. To fulfill our ISO mandate, we perform the following tasks:

Creation of a network of appointed registration agencies
We establish and oversee a network of authorized registration agencies and guarantee that all agencies comply with ISO 15706 (ISAN). These agencies are responsible for receiving and processing applications for ISAN, allocating ISAN to audiovisual works and their versions. Registration agencies are located in various geographical areas to distribute the registration process and offer local support for ISAN users.

Development and maintenance of the ISAN registry with online interfaces
We develop and maintain the ISAN registry, with interfaces for processing ISAN registrations, storing ISAN metadata, and allowing online access for users. This system operates within a scalable and adaptable IT architecture, serving as a central repository for unique ISANs and their associated descriptive information. Every registration agency is connected to this central system for allocating and querying ISAN. This infrastructure facilitates the review and resolution of duplicate work applications.

Formulation, monitoring, and implementation of policies and procedures
We create, monitor, and enforce policies and procedures that govern the operations of ISAN registration agencies and the ISAN registration process conducted by these agencies. We establish also guidelines that assist the industry in utilizing ISAN throughout the entire life cycle of an audiovisual work.

Founding members

Upon the approval of the ISAN standard in 2002, the ISO Technical Management Board entrusted the implementation and operation of the ISAN International Agency to the following organizations that founded ISAN-IA.

International Association for the Collective Management of Audiovisual Works

AGICOA is a global, non-profit organization that was founded three decades ago with the purpose of monitoring and disbursing royalties related to the retransmission of audiovisual works for independent producers. Its members consist of audiovisual producer associations from around the world, representing over 10,000 rightsholders across approximately 40 countries.

International Confederation of Authors' and Composers' Societies

Founded in 1926, CISAC operates as a non-governmental, non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the enhanced recognition and safeguarding of creators' rights. CISAC represents 225 authors' societies spanning 116 countries, thereby indirectly representing approximately 5 million creators and music publishers across various artistic domains, including music, drama, literature, audio-visual, graphic, and visual arts. In 2022, the royalties collected by CISAC's member societies in their respective national territories exceeded €12 billion.

International Federation of Film Producers' Associations

FIAPF, established to represent film and television producers' associations across 29 countries globally, includes prominent nations such as India, the USA, Japan, Argentina, and numerous European countries among its members. FIAPF concentrates its political efforts on advocating for the promotion and defense of copyright and producers' exploitation rights. Moreover, FIAPF actively participates in major international forums related to audio-visual technology standards. Notably, the organization played a pivotal role in the formation of AGICOA in the 1980s.

The ISAN International Agency (ISAN-IA) was established in 2003 as a Swiss non-profit association by AGICOA, CISAC, and FIAPF. Its exclusive mandate is to serve as the ISAN registration authority. Operating under an agreement with ISO and adhering to ISO regulations for Registration Authorities, ISAN-IA was founded by esteemed international organizations renowned for their expertise in the audiovisual industry. These founding members boast extensive networks of contacts and affiliates worldwide.

Associate Members

Any organization keen on investing in the development of the ISAN Standard and actively contributing to the ISAN International Agency can apply for membership as an "Associate Member." This initiative welcomes relevant organizations interested in participating and making a significant impact in the evolution of the ISAN system.

In 2010, three ISAN Registration Agencies enthusiastically joined the ISAN-IA association as associate members:

Agence Française ISAN

Agence Française ISAN is the first ISAN registration agency appointed by ISAN-IA. This agency is operating in France.

Aribsan

Aribsan is a group of ISAN registration agencies operating in the USA and Spain

ISAN Deutschland

ISAN Deutschland is the ISAN registration agency operating in Germany.

Board of directors

The Board is composed of up to 8 directors who are elected for a three-year term and who are representative of Founding Members, Associate Members and Registration Agencies. The Board is headed by a Chair and is composed of administrators elected by the General Assembly and Registration Agencies, for a three year mandate and renewable for re-election

The team

The day to day operations of the ISAN International Agency is assured by the team.

History

2002

First release of ISO 15706-1 : Work Identifier

2003

ISAN International Agency appointed as ISAN registration authority

2005

Initial ISAN database seed: 150k works from Agicoa Initial ISAN system release First ISAN Registration Agency

2006

First release of ISO 15706-2 : ISAN Version Identifier

2010

On-boarding of Associate Members

2014

Release of ISAN API 2.0 (REST)

2020

Release of new ISAN System 3.0

2022

2nd release of ISO 15706-1 &2 : Work & Version Identifier