6. Application of the ISMN

• A change of the musical or literary content of a work--except for minor corrections--necessitates a new ISMN.
• Where a literary text that is an integral part of a musical work is altered from a previously published edition, the item must be assigned a new ISMN.
• Where a translation of a literary text is added, removed or altered, a new ISMN must be assigned, even if the text or music are otherwise unchanged.
• When the physical size of an item is substantially changed in order to produce a new full, study or miniature score edition, a new ISMN must be assigned.

An unchanged impression or unchanged reprint of the same item in the same format and by the same publisher must not be assigned a new ISMN (unless there is a change in binding as defined in Chapter 6.2.). Similarly, a reproduction supplied on demand from the same origination must not be assigned a new ISMN, even if a new reproduction date is indicated on the reproduction.

Price changes do not reqiure the assignment of a new ISMN.

6.1. Facsimile reprints and microform editions

A separate ISMN must be assigned to a facsimile reprint produced by a different publisher.

A microform edition must always be assigned a separate ISMN.

6.2. Different bindings

A separate ISMN must be assigned to each different binding in which a particular title is published, even if the contents are exactly the same. For instance, a hardback edition and a paperback edition each receive a separate ISMN.

   Examples:

The same title in different bindings: each binding receives its own ISMN.

A change of cover design, where the contents of the item are unchanged, or a change in colour or other marginal differences between the binding of one impression and a subsequent impression, do not constitute a change of binding, and no new ISMN should be given.

6.3. Different formats

A separate ISMN must be assigned to each separately saleable or obtainable constituent part of a publication.

It is strongly recommended that a complete list of the ISMNs assigned to all such constituent parts of a publication be displayed on one or more of the items (see Chapter 7.1.).

6.3.1. Scores and parts

In a publication consisting of scores and parts, the full score, a set of parts as a whole, and each individual part (if available separately) must be assigned their own ISMN.

   Example:

6.3.2. Scores available as part of a set

Where a score is available only as an item in a set and not as an individual saleable item, it must be assigned the ISMN of the set.

Only if it is envisaged that at some stage in the future it will be made available as a separate item, should it be assigned its own unique ISMN.

   Example:

The piano score and the other two parts will each receive the same ISMN.

Where a score is available both as a separate item and as part of a set, it must be assigned its own ISMN.

   Example:

The score will receive one ISMN, and the complete set will be assigned a second ISMN.

6.3.3. Parts available separately

An ISMN must be assigned to each separately printed part which is available as a separate item.

   Example:

6.3.4. Parts available separately, also available in sets

Where separately printed parts are available as a set as well as being available as separate items, the set must be assigned its own ISMN and the separately printed parts will each be assigned an ISMN as an individual item.

   Example:

6.3.5. Parts not available separately, only available in sets

Where individual instrumental or vocal parts are not available separately but are only available in a set, an ISMN must be assigned to the set, and each separately printed part will only receive the ISMN assigned to that set.

   Example:

The score will receive its own ISMN; each individual part will receive the ISMN for the set only.

Note: Individual parts which are only available in a set will be assigned their own individual ISMNs if and when they are made available as separate items.

6.3.6. Some parts available separately, some only available in sets

Where some of the separately printed parts in a set are available individually and some of those parts are only available in a set, each of those parts which are available separately will be assigned its own ISMN as an individual item; all other parts receive the ISMN assigned to that set in which they are available.

   Example:

6.3.7. Multiple packs

Where an individual item which is available separately is also available in a pack that only contains multiple copies of the item, the pack should be assigned its own unique ISMN.

   Example:

6.4. Different versions

If a publisher issues a title in more than one arrangement or version, each arrangement or version must be assigned its own unique ISMN.

   Examples:

6.5. Multi-volume publications

An ISMN must be assigned to the whole set of volumes of a multi-volume publication as well as to each individual volume in the set. (See 9.2.)

   Examples:

One ISMN for the set of three volumes; one ISMN each for vol. 1, 2 and 3.

One ISMN for the set; one ISMN each for the score and the commentary.

Note: If one of the volumes is only printed text, it may also be given an ISBN.

6.6. Publications with subsidiary material

Where a printed music publication includes subsidiary material (such as a separately published song text or lyrics, a commentary, or the like) and the items are sold only as a package, the subsidiary item will receive the same ISMN as the volume it accompanies.

   Examples:

If the subsidiary item(s) is (are) sold separately as well as together, the publication should be treated as a multi-volume publication according to Chapter 6.5.

6.7. Anthologies and excerpts

Anthologies and excerpts must be assigned their own unique ISMNs, whether or not the items in the anthology or the larger work have been previously published or are long out of print. An ISMN given to an individual item in a previous context may be displayed, for instance, at the bottom of the first page of music of each piece. Such ISMNs must be clearly distinguished from the ISMN of the new publication.

6.8. Back stock

Publishers are urged to number their back stocks and to publish the ISMNs in their catalogues. They should also print the ISMN in the first available reprint of an item from their back stock.

6.9. Rights bought from other publishers

Where a publisher, including an agent with sole selling rights, has bought the rights to a musical work from another publisher and publishes that work under his or her own imprint, the publication will be assigned a new ISMN by the new publisher. If several publishers have bought the rights, each for their own territory, each will assign their own ISMN.

6.10. Collaborative publications

A publication issued as a co-edition or joint imprint with other publishers may be assigned ISMNs by each participating publisher. The ISMNs of all publishers named in the imprint must be printed in the publication allowing a clear identification.

6.11. Music sold or distributed by agents

According to the principles of the ISMN system a particular edition published by a particular publisher receives only one ISMN. This ISMN must be retained no matter where or by whom the music is distributed or sold. Only in the following exceptional circumstances may a number be assigned by a distributor:

1. Printed music, imported by an exclusive distributor or sole agent from an area not yet in the ISMN system and to which therefore no ISMN has been assigned, may be assigned an ISMN by the exclusive distributor.
2. Printed music, imported by an exclusive distributor or sole agent to which a label bearing the imprint of the exclusive distributor has been added or where a new title page replaces the title page of the original publisher, is to be given a new ISMN by the exclusive distributor or sole agent. The ISMN of the original publisher is also to be given as a related ISMN.
3. Printed music, imported by several distributors from an area not yet in the ISMN system and to which, therefore, no ISMN has been assigned, may be assigned an ISMN by the national or regional agency with which those distributors are affiliated.

6.12. Publishers with more than one place of publication

A publisher operating in a number of places which are listed together in the imprint will assign only one ISMN to the item.

A publisher operating separate and distinct offices or branches in different places may have a publisher identifier for each office or branch. Nevertheless, each item is to be assigned only one ISMN: this assignment is made by the office or branch responsible for publication.

6.13. ISMN not to be re-used under any circumstances

An ISMN once allocated must, under no circumstances, be re-used. This is of the utmost importance in order to avoid confusion. It is recognised that, owing to clerical errors, numbers will be incorrectly assigned. If this happens, the number must be deleted from the list of usable numbers and must not be assigned to another title. Publishers will have sufficient numbers in their ranges for the loss of these numbers to be insignificant.

Publishers should advise the national or regional agency of the numbers thus deleted and of the items to which they were erroneously assigned.