What is an ISBN Agency?
An ISBN Agency is an organization authorized to assign International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) to publishers and authors. The International ISBN Agency is the global authority that oversees the entire ISBN system worldwide. Regional agencies are appointed to manage ISBNs for specific countries or geographic areas. For example, Bowker is the official agency for the United States, and Nielsen Book is the official agency for the United Kingdom.
The Cost of ISBN
Each country has one ISBN agency, and the cost of an ISBN depends on that agency. Government-funded ISBN agencies offer ISBNs at low cost or for free. Some countries like Canada, Brazil, and several European nations offer ISBNs through their national agencies for free, while others charge varying fees.