FAQ

No. ISBN is just an identification number that simplifies the handling of publications.

ISBN has no significance when it comes to copyright. The Norwegian Intellectual Property Act (Åndsverksloven) ensures that the creator of intellectual property has copyright to the work.

No, usually the ISBN is retained. Please contact ISBN Norway to report the name change.

Yes, ISBN is not only an identification number for the book itself; it also identifies the publisher.

No, the ISBN system is structured so that a series of ISBNs cannot be expanded.

An unchanged reprint retains the old number. An edition is considered to be unchanged when it is produced from from the typesetting of a previous edition, where only printing errors have been corrected, even if the price has changed. A new cover alone also does not warrant a new ISBN, but in uncertain cases, a new number is assigned.

When a book is published in a new (modified) edition or published in a new series, it must be assigned a new ISBN.

Yes, ISBN is not only an identification number for the book itself; it also identifies the publisher.

Yes. If multiple publishers collaborate on a book, and all the publishers are listed as the publisher in the book, the publishers can place their respective ISBN numbers below one another.

You can obtain a copy of the list from ISBN Norway, but you need to know which numbers have been used to avoid using numbers that are already in use.

Addresses for all Norwegian publishers can be found here:  ISBN: Norske forlagsadresser.

If you are looking for a publisher abroad, you may find them here:  https://grp.isbn-international.org/

To obtain a Norwegian ISBN, the publisher must have an address in Norway. If the publisher has a foreign address, they must apply for an ISBN in the country where they are based, even if the publication is intended for distribution in Norway. ISBN is an international system, and a Norwegian ISBN is valid outside Norway as well.

No. An ISBN can have an optional hyphen or a space to separate the five groups of numbers, like this: <prefix>-<country/area code>-<publisher identifier>-<title identifier>-<check digit>.

In January 2007, a new ISBN standard came into effect, and ISBN was then expanded from 10 to 13 digits. Old and unused numbers must be converted to 13 digits. Previous publications are not affected, but it may be necessary to convert used numbers as well, for example, in a new edition.

– For the conversion of single ISBN-numbers, see the conversion table.

– For the conversion of number series (entire lists), ISBN Norway must be contacted.