What is an ISBN and where can I get one?
Can you tell me more about bar codes?
Is a Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code necessary?
How do I apply for a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN)?
Is Cataloging in Publication (CIP) data required?
Do I need to register for a trademark?
Can you tell me more about the U.S. Copyright office
and where I can find more information
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is the ten-digit number on
the back of a book which identifies the publisher and book title. Booksellers
use this number to order, price, and keep track of inventory. Filing
and waiting for
your ISBN can take two to three weeks. R.R. Bowker assigns numbers,
and you can file online
at www.isbn.org or www.bowker.com.
.If you plan to distribute your book through major bookstores, you
must include an ISBN and bar code on your book. Most major bookstores
will not carry a book
unless it contains
both.
An EAN bar code is your ISBN transferred into an OCR (optical character
readable) scannable image. A bar code is
necessary if you plan to sell through major bookstores and retailers. Check
with the merchants you plan to sell your book through.
In addition to the EAN bar code, a book may require a Universal Product
Code (UPC) bar code if it will be sold to retailers other than bookstores.
Depending
on how you plan to market your book, you may need both EAN and
UPC bar codes.
Many public and private libraries world wide are subscribers to the Library
of Congress services.
This
number is only necessary if you plan to market your book to libraries.
If your book is smaller than 50 pages, it does not qualify for a Library
of Congress
Control Number (LCCN) unless it is a children's book or a genealogy.
The application for a Library of Congress Control Number must be submitted
before a book is published and a number cannot be assigned to a book that
has already
been published. A Library of Congress Control Number takes about three
weeks to obtain. You may apply for the number online at www.loc.gov.
CIP (Cataloging in Publication) data is book cataloging data that is helpful
for library cataloging but is not required. If your main market is libraries,
you may want to consider a CIP. Obtaining CIP Data takes up to four
weeks.
If you are an established publisher that has published at least three titles
for authors other than yourself, you can obtain this information from the
Library
of Congress. If you are a self-published author, visit Quality Books at
www.quality-books.com for information on rates and
to obtain forms.
A trademark establishes
instant identification
with a product through words, symbols,
and devices that identify
and distinguish one
product
from another.
A few examples are: Coca Cola™, Kodak Color Watch™, and Lean Cuisine™.
You may also see the trademark listed as ® for registered trademark.
Two main infringements of trademarks to avoid:
1. Using a symbol or mark that is similar in appearance or name to that of another
product.
2. Using an identifying feature that is so similar to another product it is likely
to cause confusion in the mind of the consumer. This could include color, cover,
packaging, and title.
If you have questions regarding registered trademarks or using brand names
in your book, contact the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office at www.uspto.gov.
Copyright
is a form of protection
provided by the
United States
to the "original
works of authorship." By
copyrighting your book, you are protecting
the text, photographs, drawings, and maps,
but not the title.
You cannot copyright a book title, names, or short
phrases.
You are not required to file with the Copyright Office to secure a copyright.
When a work is created, copyright is automatically secured. However, it
is recommended that you file for copyright with the Copyright Office to
establish a public record
of your copyright claim. You cannot file an infringement suit if your work
is not registered with the Copyright Office.
You can contact the Copyright Office at 202-707-3000 or
go to the website at www.copyright.gov.
If you file for copyright, you will be required to provide two copies of
your book. Once filed, it takes a minimum
of 16 weeks to receive the copyright certificate.