Guide for authors
Who owns the ISBN when you publish a book?
Updated September 2026
The short answer: The ISBN belongs to whoever bought it, and that person or company is listed as the book’s publisher. Owning the ISBN is not the same as owning the book: your copyright stays with you unless you sign it away.
What an ISBN is
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a 13-digit number that identifies one specific edition of a book. Bookshops, wholesalers, libraries and online retailers use it to find, order and catalogue your book. It is how your book exists in the trade.
It is not copyright. In the UK, copyright belongs to you automatically the moment you write something. An ISBN simply identifies the product.
Where ISBNs come from in the UK
UK ISBNs are issued by Nielsen through the Nielsen ISBN Store. At 2026 prices, one ISBN costs £93, ten cost £174 and one hundred cost £387, including VAT. Buying in blocks is much cheaper per number.
How many do you need?
One per format. A paperback, a hardback, an ebook and an audiobook of the same book each need their own ISBN. A new edition with significant changes needs a new one too.
The three common set-ups
| Set-up | Who is listed as publisher | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Free ISBN from Amazon KDP | Amazon’s independent publishing imprint | Free, but it can only be used on Amazon. |
| Your own ISBNs from Nielsen | You, or your own imprint name | You manage the records and legal deposit yourself. |
| ISBNs supplied by your publisher | The publisher | The publisher manages the records. Check who keeps copyright and royalties. |
What the ISBN owner is responsible for
Whoever owns the ISBN is the publisher of record. They keep the book’s details up to date in the trade databases, and in the UK they must send one copy to the British Library within a month of publication under legal deposit rules.
Can an ISBN be transferred?
Generally, no. An ISBN is tied to the publisher that registered it. If a book later moves to a different publisher, that publisher normally assigns a new ISBN to its edition. This is why it is worth knowing who owns your ISBN before you publish.
How it works at Schribe
Every Schribe book gets a Nielsen ISBN from our own range, so it is listed under an established UK publishing imprint and we handle the records and legal deposit. You keep your copyright and every penny of royalties. The details are on How Schribe works.
Want it done properly, without the guesswork?
Schribe publishes books to trade standard at fixed, published prices from £995. You keep your copyright and every penny of royalties.
Frequently asked questions
Do I own my book if I don’t own the ISBN?
Yes. Copyright in your writing belongs to you automatically. The ISBN identifies the published edition and its publisher, but it does not transfer your copyright.
Do I need an ISBN to sell on Amazon?
Not for Kindle ebooks, and KDP offers a free ISBN for paperbacks. To sell through bookshops and libraries beyond Amazon, you need an ISBN that is not tied to Amazon.
How much is an ISBN in the UK?
At 2026 prices, £93 for one, £174 for ten and £387 for one hundred from the Nielsen ISBN Store, including VAT.