ISAN for Everyone
Authors
Producers
Broadcasters
Data Providers
Digital Platforms
Solution Providers

ISAN Overview
ISAN Presentation
ISAN User Guide
Other ISAN documents

ISAN - The Unique ISO Identifier for Audiovisual Content
ISAN required for all works supported by the CNC INA joined the Board of Directors of Agence Francaise ISAN Kofic preserves patrimonial Films with ISAN! Connect to the ISAN Registry with the ISAN API: www.isan.org/api/ ISAN simplifies Music Reporting of TV productions Resolve your ISAN Identifiers on-line: www.isan.org/lookup

What is ISAN?

ISAN (International Standard Audiovisual Number) is a voluntary numbering system and metadata schema for the unique and persistent identification of any audiovisual works and versions thereof including films, shorts, documentaries, television programs, sports events, advertising, etc. Through the ISAN Version, it is possible to identify all related versions of a work such as variants (expressions, manifestations), language, editions, clips, media embodiments, digital encodings, etc... The ISAN Version allows also identifying closely related content & items including promotional material, soundtracks, closed captioning tracks, etc.

Learn More

Who has created ISAN?

ISODeveloped by major players of the audiovisual industry, ISAN has been designed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the year 2000 to meet the requirements of the digital revolution as defined by content owners, broadcasters, media companies and standard organizations, for the unique identification of audiovisual works ISO 15706-1:2001, and versions thereof ISO 15706-2:2007.
ISAN is the only audiovisual asset identifier in the ISO portfolio of media identifiers. ISAN is an ISO Intellectual Property, it is managed by the ISAN International Agency (ISAN-IA), a not for profit Swiss association, contractually mandated by ISO to operate the ISAN Registry and appoint local Registration Agencies.

Learn More

Welcome to the Digital Century

What are the ISAN main benefits?

ISAN is used in production and distribution systems, facilitating interoperability and exchange of information between stakeholders of the media value chain. ISAN contributes to improve the acquisition of rights and the distribution of royalties. ISAN facilitates data aggregation from various sources as for example to improve audience measurements and market analytics. ISAN is also key to content tracking and monitoring: it has been integrated in several watermarking and fingerprinting technologies.
ISAN is the Content Identifier in the AACS Copy Management function for Blu-ray discs and is implemented in UltraViolet.

Learn More

 Appointed by ISO