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Product Codes

Labelcode

  • 4-digit or 5-digit code prefixed with "LC-".
  • Used to identify music labels.

CatNo, Cat# – Catalog Number

  • Used to identify releases within and between music labels.
  • Usually consists of a label abbreviation and a product number.
  • Usually printed on the spine and back of CD cases.
  • Sometimes contains a code marking the release medium.
  • Sometimes ends with a number delimited by "-" or "~", denoting multiple sequential catalog numbers for one release.
  • No standard format.

ISRC – International Standard Recording Code

  • Used to identify sound recordings.
  • 12-character alphanumeric uppercase code formatted like "CCXXXYYNNNNN":
    • "CC" is the country code.
    • "XXX" is the issuer code within the country.
    • "YY" is the last 2 digits of the year.
    • "NNNNN" is an identifier for the recording within the year.

ISWC - International Standard Musical Work Code

  • Used to identify musical works / compositions.
  • 11-character alphanumeric uppercase code formatted like "T-XXX.XXX.XXX-Y":
    • "T" is the type code.
    • "XXXX" is the work identifier.
    • "Y" is the check digit.

ISBN – International Standard Book Number

  • Used to identify books.
  • 10-digit code ending with a check digit.

ASIN – Amazon Standard Identification Number

  • Used to identify products on Amazon.
  • 10-character base36 uppercase code.
  • All products (except books) start with "B".
  • Books use ISBNs in place of ASINs.
  • All ISBNs are valid ASINs.

GTIN – Global Trade Item Number

  • Used to identify general trade goods.
  • X-digit code ending with a check digit.
  • Begins with a 3 digit country code, "978" or "979" for books.

  • Primarily used within barcodes.

    Code Formerly Symbologies Notes
    GTIN-14 EAN/UCC-14 ITF-14
    • GTIN-13 if starts with zero.
    • Used for wholesale packaging.
    GTIN-13 EAN/UCC-13
    (JAN-13)    		 EAN-13
    • GTIN-12 if starts with zero.
    • JAN-13 if starts with "45" or "49" for Japan.
    • Used outside North America.
    GTIN-12 EAN/UCC-12 UPC-A
    UPC-E
    • UPC-E is a compacted 6-digit code meant for small packages.
    • Used in North America.
    GTIN-8 EAN/UCC-8 EAN-8
    • Used for small packages.

MCN - Media Catalog Number

  • Encompassing term for a UPC/EAN GTIN code.

Calculating Check Digits for GTIN Codes

  1. All digits are multiplied by an alternating (3 or 1) weight, which is always 3 for the last digit.
  2. Multiplication results are summed.
  3. The sum is subtracted from the nearest multiple of 10 not smaller than the sum.

Calculating Check Digits for ISBN Codes

  1. All digits are multiplied by their integer weight.
  2. Multiplication results are summed.
  3. The sum is subtracted from the nearest multiple of 11 not smaller than the sum.

Calculating Check Digits for ISWC Codes

  1. All work identifier digits are multiplied by their integer weight.
  2. Multiplication results are summed.
  3. The sum is subtracted from the nearest multiple of 10 not smaller than the sum.


Updated 2022/03/18

  1. http://ibcaweb.org/guide/guide_mfr/ch4.htm ↩

  2. https://barcodeguide.seagullscientific.com/Content/EAN-UCC.htm ↩