ISO 15706-1:2023

Overview

ISO 15706-1:2023 - Information and documentation - International Standard Audiovisual Number (ISAN) - Part 1: Audiovisual work identifier defines a voluntary, international numbering system for uniquely identifying audiovisual works. The standard specifies the ISAN format, issuance rules, display/affixing requirements and administration by a Registration Authority. ISANs identify a work throughout its life for purposes such as royalty allocation, usage tracking, information retrieval and anti‑piracy verification, and provide a stable basis for supplementary version or product identifiers (e.g., for broadcast automation or storage/retrieval systems).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Identifier format: ISAN is a 64‑bit value presented as 16 hexadecimal digits grouped as a 12‑digit root segment plus a 4‑digit episode/part segment (human‑readable example: RRRR‑RRRR‑RRRR‑EEEE). A check character (defined in Annex B and based on ISO/IEC 7064) is appended for human display.
• “Dumb” number principle: ISAN contains no embedded semantic codes beyond the root and episode segments.
• Uniqueness and permanence: Each ISAN is issued once to a single audiovisual work, is permanent, and must never be altered, reused or reissued.
• Issuance and administration: ISANs are allocated from a central register by the ISAN Registration Authority (RA). Registrants (producers or authorised proxies) supply descriptive metadata as required (see Annex D). Reasonable fees may apply.
• Affixing & display: When displayed, the ISAN must be preceded by “ISAN”, include the correct check character, use uppercase A–F for readability, and be grouped in four blocks separated by hyphens or spaces (examples in Clause 6).
• Encodings & integration: Annex E and Annex F specify binary and XML encodings to support system integration and metadata exchange.

Applications and who uses it

• Rights holders & collective management organisations: Accurate allocation of royalties and claims processing.
• Broadcasters, OTT platforms and distributors: Program scheduling, broadcast automation, catalogue management and version control.
• Content aggregators & metadata services: Reliable linking, search and discovery across systems.
• Anti‑piracy and compliance teams: Title verification, tracking unauthorized distribution and verifying registrations.
• Archives, libraries and production houses: Long‑term preservation, cataloguing and provenance tracking.

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 7064 (check character systems) - referenced for the ISAN check character algorithm.
• ISO 15706 series (other parts, e.g., version identifiers) and registry guidance (Registration Authority details available via ISO’s website).
• Annexes provide administrative rules, examples of acceptable/ non‑eligible works, and technical encodings (binary/XML) to aid implementation.

Keywords: ISO 15706-1:2023, ISAN, International Standard Audiovisual Number, audiovisual work identifier, ISAN Registration Authority, ISAN format, ISAN XML, royalty allocation, anti‑piracy, broadcast automation.