ISBN Numbers, Why can't I use my own ISBN number?

[angelsdestiny2009]

I have used this ISBN number with Create Space (I purchased my own ISBN for the book) When I put it in to register with LULU I get a message "You cannot apply this ISBN to your book if it has already been used.
I have not used this ISBN with any other distributor"

Why is that?

Do I not have to get another ISBN or get a free one from LULU which will list them as the publisher? I know I can purchase a separate one on Myidentifiers for $125.00.

[Sophie]

You can list yourself as the publisher in the ISBN choices. But I think it might cost more.

[veinglory]

The ISBN specifies the publisher. The system knows that one has already been used by another publisher.

[EelKat]

You can not use an ISBN more than once - even though your book is the same book, it is two different editions of the same book - a CreateSpace Edition and a LuLu Edition

The ISBN is the IRS's way of tracking how many books you sold, so that they can keep track of how many taxes you own at the end of the year. By trying to use one book's ISBN on a different edition of the same book, you are commiting ISBN fraud, which is IRS fraud, is a federal crime and you can get 25 years in prison and up to $50,000 in fines for doing it - even though you are the author and copyright owner of the book.

It's not just switching from CreateSpace to LuLu that requires a new ISBN - if you change more than two pages of your book, you have created a new addition thus need a new ISBN.

Once you have assigned an ISBN to your book the ONLY changes you can make to it, it to correct typos, spelling errors, and grammar mistakes. ANY other change requires you buy a new ISBN.

If you change only the cover art on your book, you have created a new edition and require a new ISBN.

Likewise your paper back edition requires a different ISBN from your hardcover edition.

You really need to do some research into ISBN laws, because everything I just said here is only the most basic of the basics and if you were not aware of these laws, than you really shouldn't be trying to publish a book yet, because you still have a lot to learn. These are federal laws laid down by the US government and breaking them can result in prison time, so please, brush up on your publishing laws before you get yourself in trouble. Be safe, not sorry, a judge won't listen to a plea of "but I didn't know the law".

[Belinda D'Alessandro]

AngelsDestiny,

If the ISBN is in your name and the book size and format has remained the same, you can retain the ISBN in interior and the ISBN barcode on the cover of the book here at Lulu, even though you've also uploaded to CreateSpace.

However, if you've enabled CreateSpace's new distribution plan (the expanded distribution channel), you won't be able to enter the ISBN here at Lulu and get the GlobalReach  distribution plan through because both Lulu and CreateSpace use the same printer for the distribution plans and the distribution printer won't accept the same book with the same ISBN from 2 different sources (i.e. from CreateSpace and Lulu).

EelKat

You're right about making significant changes to a book and that the ISBN rules do allow minor changes, such as typographical corrections but the IRS doesn't use ISBNs to track taxes - the revenue and taxes withheld are reported according to an author's taxpayer identification number, not the ISBN.

ISBNs are used to track books, not taxes.

I've used the same ISBN for the same book at both Lulu and CreateSpace (but not enabled the distribution service at either) as well as another printer without any difficulties because the ISBN is in my imprint's name (and not either Lulu's or CreateSpace's). What can't happen is an ISBN in a name other than your own name can't be used at another printer - i.e. an ISBN in Lulu's name can't be used at CreateSpace and vice versa.

The IRS tracks taxes withheld on my behalf according to my US taxpayer ID, not the ISBN.

Hope this helps clarify the situation.

Belinda

[peterbond6atgmaildotcom]

The inability to use my own ISBN number which I bought in series some time ago, or add my own barcode, designed by my team, is the NUMBER ONE reason I don't use Lulu.

[Belinda D'Alessandro]

Hi Peter

The situation changed on 1 September 2009 for ISBNs. Prior to that date, you could enter your own ISBN but not get a Lulu distribution plan. Since 1 September 2009, you can enter your own ISBN you obtained yourself and get a distribution plan - the GlobalReach distribution plan only (for US$75), which will make your book available on Amazon, the international Amazons and make it available to other retailers.

With the barcode, you can add your own (if you purchased one) and need to add one if you upload a 1 piece advanced cover in PDF form.

Belinda

[ceoatwrite2growdotorg]

So here's my related question.  I had already pre-purchased an ISBN number for my book before coming to Lulu.  Lulu was happy to allow me to use that ISBN.  Now, I am told I need to register that "bibliographic data" with a service so that it propagates out to libraries, book resellers, etc.  How do I do that?  I have tried communicating with Bowlker, but they have never responded.  Any other ideas?

[TheresaMMoore]

Go to bowkerlink.org . Plug in the ISBN. Your metadata form should come up. You need to register with them first, but you can make corrections to the ISBN such as book format, size, weight and all other information about its makeup.

I do not use ISBNs at all. Taxation is irrelevent. The ISBN is only for the convenience of booksellers and has nothing to do with government or the management of the sales of your books through any 3rd party.

I publish with CreateSpace and the ISBN issued by them is theirs. You cannot use it with any other publisher. Your own ISBN should suffice in all dealings with publishers and CreateSpace will accept yours for distribution to Amazon. If you want Global Distirbution it is cheaper than Lulu's.

[digriggs]

I have yet to purchase an ISBN number, but plan to. I revised the draft, adding 13 pages, and discovered a Lulu ISBN number. I want to use my own which I planned to purchase today. How can I make this happen with this project?