Can Two Books Have Same ISBN Number?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can two books have same ISBN number?

Two books may have precisely the same content but be issued different ISBNs because they come from different printings

. Likewise, printing errors, etc., can in rare cases render two books different despite having the same ISBN. For nearly all cases, however, the one-to-one relationship holds.

Is ISBN number unique for each book?

ISBN is an acronym for International Standard Book Number. It’s a unique series of digits assigned to every book published in the world.

Each different edition of the same book has its own ISBN

. That means the paper-format, digital, illustrated or translated versions of the same book have different ISBNs.

Do the same books have the same ISBN?

If a second edition has the same title as the first, does it keep the same ISBN? No.

A new edition is considered a different product and gets its own ISBN

.

Why do some books have the same ISBN?

International Edition textbooks have a different ISBN than the standard edition.

If a book is reprinted by its same publisher without any changes or revisions, it will keep the same ISBN

. Here’s an example of an ISBN above and below a bar code on the back of a book.

Can ISBN be duplicate?

Although ISBNs are meant to be unique to each title edition,

it is surprisingly common for publishers to give the same ISBN to different books

. These are known as ‘duplicate ISBNs’ or ‘ISBN duplicates’, and they are frustrating for all concerned. It means that the same ISBN could show in two or more SCIS records.

How are ISBN numbers assigned?

ISBNs are assigned

based on the geographical location of the publisher

, not the printing company. If a publisher is selling their books on their own and are not trying to place them in stores or libraries or with wholesalers, is an ISBN required? No, an ISBN is not required.

What does ISBN number tell you?

An ISBN is essentially a product identifier used by publishers, booksellers, libraries, internet retailers and other supply chain participants for ordering, listing, sales records and stock control purposes. The ISBN

identifies the registrant as well as the specific title, edition and format

.

Can an ISBN be reused?


No, once a title is published with an ISBN on it, the ISBN can never be used again

. Even if a title goes out of print, the ISBN cannot be reused since the title continues to be catalogued by libraries and traded by used booksellers.

Do I need a new ISBN for a second edition?


If you create a second edition with new material to “freshen” the book and give it new marketing life, it must have a new ISBN

. If you change the title of the book you must have a new ISBN. Remember that your ISBN identifies a specific work.

Does a new edition of a book require a new ISBN?


A (substantial) change of text requires a new ISBN

, and if revisions have been made then the reverse of the title page should state that the book is a revised edition, and the new ISBN should be printed there. Each different language edition of a book needs its own ISBN.

Can you use the same ISBN for print and eBook?


A print book ISBN cannot be reused for the eBook

. 2. It is recommended, but not required, that you assign a unique ISBN per format. A format is a Kindle eBook, an EPUB (used by B&N, Apple, Kobo, etc.), audiobook, hardcover, paperback.

How do I tell if a book is a first edition?


Look for the Words “First Edition” on the Copyright Page

This will fluctuate depending on the publishing house, but most publishers will designate that a book is a first edition on the copyright page.

Does an ISBN expire?

Remember:

ISBNs do not expire

.

And, consider if you use 3 ISBNs for each book in one language, you could use up a block of ten very quickly if publishing regularly. The number depends on if you are assigning an ISBN to your eBook as well as printed versions.

How much does it cost to get an ISBN number for a book?

It costs

about $125

to get one ISBN number in the US. However, if you purchase more than one at a time, this cost could be lowered. Warning: Amazon may grant you a free ISBN for your first book, but this can ONLY be used on KDP for distribution to Amazon and can’t be used for self-publishing services elsewhere.

Do I need ISBN to sell on Amazon?


An ISBN is required to list a new book for retail sale on Amazon.com

.

Do I need an ISBN to publish on Amazon?


You can choose to either use your own ISBN or publish without an ISBN

. If you publish without an ISBN, we’ll automatically assign an ASIN for your book.

How many ISBN numbers do I need?

How many ISBNs do I need? You will need

one ISBN for each edition and format of your book

. The ISBN identifies the publisher as well as the specific book title, edition and format (hardback, paperback, ePub, PDF, Mobi, Audio…). Any variation of a book would require the use of a unique ISBN to identify it properly.

Can I publish the same book with different ISBN numbers?

Once assigned to a book, an ISBN cannot be reused. This is a very important point to keep in mind.

The same ISBN cannot be used for different formats of the book

, whether the book is in printed or electronic form. That means hardcover and softcover versions of the book have to be assigned separate ISBNs.

Can I change my ISBN number?

Can I edit or change my book’s ISBN?

Once your book is published, the ISBN cannot be changed

. If you need to change the ISBN, you should republish your book using a new ISBN number.

Can I change my ISBN?


An ISBN cannot be re-used

, even if the book in question goes out of print. In whose name is the ISBN issued? It is issued to the publisher. If you want to be the publisher of record in book databases and catalogs, make sure you apply for your own ISBN.

Can same ISBN have different covers?


No, as long as all the other details are the same, and it’s the same publisher, you don’t

. If it’s important for your own records that you distinguish between the two versions, you can issue a new ISBN, but you don’t have to.

What makes a book a second edition?

A second edition has

significant changes to the original book

. These changes can be the cover or interior of the book. By significant, I mean there has to be more than just fixing a couple of typos. In the case of correcting some grammar, it is far easier to just quietly make those changes and resubmit a file.

What is considered as a second edition book?

To begin, let’s discuss what a second edition is. A book should only be released as a second edition

if readers who already own the first edition would benefit from owning the second

. To unpack that, start by imagining your reader.

Is second printing the same as second edition?

A printing is one print run of a book. So if you ask the printer to print 10,000 copies of a book and then you sell them all and go back and ask for another 7,500 copies, the first 10,000 copies was the first printing; the next 7,500 copies was the second printing.

Those two printings are in the same edition

.

What is the difference between editions of the same book?

In publishing terms,

an edition is technically all copies of a book that were printed from the same setting of type

and the book is only described as a second edition if substantial changes are made to the copy.

What is the difference between first edition and second edition?


A first edition is the first printing of a book

. It’s true that a first edition may have one or more printings and that a second edition will normally be noted only if there are actual changes, usually major, in the text. But for a collector, a first printing is the only true first edition.

Does ISBN protect copyright?

If I get an ISBN does that mean my work is copyrighted? No.

Obtaining an ISBN does not mean the book is copyrighted

. A copyright is exclusive legal right to the creator of original works to print, publish, perform, or record literary works.

What is the difference between ISBN 10 and 13?

ISBN 10 and ISBN 13 are two different systems used in systematic numbering of books between which some differences can be identified. ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number.

ISBN 10 was the system that was used earlier whereas ISBN 13 is the new system

. This is the main difference between the two systems.

How do I get an ISBN number for my self published book?

Can you tell first edition by ISBN?

Generally speaking,

if the “1” is present, the book is a first edition

(first edition, first printing). For the second printing, the “1” is removed, so the “2” is the lowest number present. For example, a number line that reads 5 6 7 8 9 indicates a fifth printing.

How do you know if a book is pirated?

  1. Blurry Text/Logos. Check the text and logos on the front and back covers. …
  2. Off-Center Text. …
  3. Copyright Mark. …
  4. Uneven Glue in Spine. …
  5. Images and Text Bleeding Through the Page.

Does First printed mean first edition?

Do I need a new ISBN for a second edition?


If you create a second edition with new material to “freshen” the book and give it new marketing life, it must have a new ISBN

. If you change the title of the book you must have a new ISBN. Remember that your ISBN identifies a specific work.

Do I need a different ISBN for Amazon and Barnes and Noble?

5.

You do not need an ISBN to publish via Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or Barnes & Noble Pubit (Nook)

.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.