The International Standard Text Work Code (ISTC) is a numbering system developed to enable the unique identification of textual works. As the text supply chain becomes increasingly digital, there is a growing need to uniquely identify the text of a work before it becomes a manifestation, regardless of the editions or formats which it might ultimately take. This way the creators of text works, and their authorized representatives, can more effectively manage information about the work throughout the supply chain and across industry databases and in business transactions.
As a unique identifier, the ISTC is useful in a wide range of computerized applications; some of its possible uses include tracking usage of textual works; verification of title registrations for anti-piracy purposes; management of rights information.
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What is a "textual work"?
For the purposes of the ISTC, the term "textual work" a work comprised primarily of words; for example, an article; an essay; a novel; a poem; a screenplay; a short story. The ISTC identifies the text of the work itself. It does not apply to physical products or other manifestations of a work (such as an edition of a book; an article printed in a journal; a talking book; or the electronic versions of such products).
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