5.3 Facsimile reprints

A separate ISBN shall be assigned to a facsimile reprint when it is produced by another

publisher or republished under the imprint of a different publisher. A separate ISBN shall

also be assigned if the same publication is published under a different imprint name by the

same publisher.

For example, 

Illustrierte Karl May Bibliographie

 by Hainer Plaul was published by Edition

Leipzig in 1988 (ISBN 3 361 00145 5). A facsimile reprint published by Saur in 1989 was

assigned a separate ISBN from that publisher's ISBN allocation (ISBN 3 598 07258 9).

5.4  Publications in different product forms

Different product forms of a publication (e.g., hardback, paperback,

Braille, audiobook,

online electronic publication) require separate ISBNs. Where electronic publications are

made available in different formats (e.g

. 

.lit, .pdf, .html, .pdb) each 

separately available

format shall be assigned a unique ISBN. 

5.5 Loose leaf publications

An ISBN should be assigned to a finite loose leaf publication 

 that is, a loose leaf

publication not intended to continue indefinitely.

Neither a loose leaf publication that is continually updated (integrating resource) nor the

individual updated sections should be assigned an ISBN (see section 13.7).

5.6 Multi volume publications

Publications may comprise more than one volume, and in these cases an ISBN must be

assigned to cover the entire set. Where individual volumes of the set are available

separately, each volume must be assigned a unique ISBN to identify it. The verso of the

title page (or an equivalent position in a non print version) in each case should clearly

display the ISBN for the set as a whole as well as the ISBN for that particular volume. 

Even if the multiple volume publication will only be available as a complete set, the

assignment of a separate ISBN to each individual volume is still recommended. Doing so

will facilitate various stages of transaction processing, including the handling of shipments

when not all volumes are simultaneously published or distributed and the supply of

replacements in the case of damaged copies.

5.7 Backlist

A publisher is required to number all backlist publications and publish the ISBNs in any

catalogues that the publisher produces whether these catalogues are in print or electronic

format. The ISBN must also appear in the first available reprint or reissue of a backlist title.

5.8 Collaborative publications

A publication issued as a joint imprint with other publishers is usually assigned an ISBN by

the publisher(s) in charge of distribution. However, it is permissible for each of the

co publishers to assign its own ISBN and display each of them on the copyright page. In

such cases, only one of these ISBNs shall be displayed as a bar code on the publication. 

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