After 30 years, the ISBN might be getting a facelift.
The updated International Standard Book Number being proposed by a standards organization will increase the number of titles computer systems can track.
It could also require publishers to spend millions on software upgrades. The reason: The proposal expands the ISBN to 13 digits, breaking computer programs designed to use the original 10-digit standard.
ISBN Changes Could Cost Publishers
After 30 years, the ISBN might be getting a facelift.
The updated International Standard Book Number being proposed by a standards organization will increase the number of titles computer systems can track.
It could also require publishers to spend millions on software upgrades. The reason: The proposal expands the ISBN to 13 digits, breaking computer programs designed to use the original 10-digit standard.