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If you are new to publishing there are a few items to assist you with technical specifications
for the files that will be submitting to Victor Graphics.
User Guides and Downloads
Accepted Software Platforms
Printing Terms
We have also provided several resources and industry links to assist in the marketing of your book.
You can contact your customer service representative at any time to further assist you with
ISBN's, Bar Coding, Copyright and Library of Congress information.
ISBN - International Standard Book Number
A book identification system was created to assist merchants, wholesalers,
distributors, individuals, and libraries in locating publisher for the books they
wish to purchase. The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) system is
administered by the ISBN Agency, which assigns publisher’s prefix numbers that are unique to each company.
The ISBN number consists of thirteen digits, which are separated into four parts of variable length. There
is a fee to apply for a set of ISBN numbers, and usually takes 10 business days to process an application.
The ISBN Agency has helpful information on their site and an electronic application form for your use. The
form can also be downloaded for non-electronic submission.
When you use one of your ISBN numbers you must report the assignment
to R.R. Bowker to be eligible for a free listing in various directories. This will assist people in finding
your company in order to purchase the title. To register your title with R.R. Bowker's Books In Print, go to
www.bowkerlink.com.
Bar Codes - EAN
Bar codes (like the ones used in supermarkets) are used throughout the
publishing industry and the ISBN number is the basis for the bar coding system.
In publishing, the coding system is called the European Article Number (EAN) bar
code. These bar codes are generated by computer software using the ISBN and the retail
price of the book. Bar code artwork is placed in the lower right hand corner of
the book's outside back cover. Victor Graphics can assist you with obtaining a bar code for a
small fee.
Copyright - Intellectual Property Law
Original works of authorship, both published and unpublished, are protected
under the Copyright law, a form of intellectual property law. In a book the notice
of copyright is typically placed on the verso (left) page following the full
title page by means of the copyright symbol ©, or the word “Copyright”, followed
by the year of first publication and the name of the copyright owner.
Example: © 2006 Victor Graphics, Inc.
Registration for copyright protection is recommended but it is not required. Under the 1976 Copyright
Act copyright is automatic the moment the work is created, however if it is necessary to bring a
lawsuit for infringement you must register. The United States has copyright agreements with most
countries throughout the world, which extends your copyright protection to those counties. For works created
after January 1, 1978 the duration of copyright protection extends 70 years after the author’s death or for
works created for hire the duration of the copyright is 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation.
The copyright website has complete information regarding registration, fees, and frequently asked questions.
Please be sure to view the site to answer all of your questions.
http://www.loc.gov/copyright/
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the national depository for all works published in the United States.
Their mission is “to make its resources available and useful to Congress and the American people and to sustain
and preserve a universal collection of knowledge and creativity for future generations.” Each book that is
accepted into the Library of Congress collection is assigned a unique identification number. This number differs
from an ISBN in that an ISBN is assigned to each edition of a book while the Library of Congress number is assigned
to the work itself.
The Library of Congress number must be requested prior to the publication of the book so that the number can be
printed on the copyright page. There are two different identification numbers available:
– the Pre assigned Control Number (PCN) available
to US book publishers;
– or the Catalog in Publication (CIP) number which has limited eligibility
(please see the
Library of Congress website for details regarding both
the PCN and CIP requirements)
http://lcweb.loc.gov/loc/infopub/publish.html
Library of Congress - Reassigned Control Number
The Reassigned Control Number program assigns a Library of Congress Control Number
(aka Library of Congress Card Number) to titles most likely to be acquired by
the Library of Congress as well as some other categories of books. Publishers
should write to:
Library of Congress
Copyright Office
101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC 20559
202.707.3000
Email: copyinfo@loc.gov
For more information visit the Library of Congress Web site
http://lcweb.loc.gov/loc/infopub/publish.html.
You will receive your assigned number several weeks after sending in your form. Note that the
first two digits of your number refer to the year in which the number was preassigned. There is no charge
for this service. However, an advance complimentary copy of the book must be sent to the Library of Congress.
Cataloging in Publication
The Library of Congress offers a Cataloging in Publication (CIP) program for "established" publishers, meaning that you have published three books. Participation in the CIP program enables
you to print Library of Congress cataloging information on the copyright page of your book which allows librarians to
process new titles for library patrons more economically. Further information on the CIP program can be found at the Library of
Congress website, http://lcweb.loc.gov/loc/infopub/publish.html.
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Baltimore,
Maryland 21223