ISAN - The Unique ISO Identifier for Audiovisual Content

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.

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Who has created ISAN?

Developed 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 shift 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.

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What are ISAN's main benefits?

ISAN is used in production and distribution systems, facilitating interoperability and exchange of information between stakeholders at all stage: creation, production, distribution, consumption and archiving. ISAN contributes improving the discoverability of your content, the acquisition of rights and the distribution of royalties. ISAN facilitates the aggregation of information in fragmented distribution channels such as sales or audience reports from many digital platforms & broadcasters. ISAN is also key to content monitoring: it has been integrated in several watermarking and fingerprinting technologies.
ISAN is required by many film funding organisations worldwide, by collecting societies for managing rights, and by regulators for digital distribution in some European countries. ISAN is supported in many audiovisual standards, it is notably the Content Identifier of choice in the AACS Copy Management function for Blu-ray discs

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ISAN Overview