International Standard Name Identifier

International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI) is an identifier that uniquely identifies the public identity of contributors to media content. media such as books, TV programs and articles. Such an identifier consists of 16 digits. It can be displayed divided into four blocks.

It was developed under the auspices of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) with the code Draft International Standard 27729; valid standards were announced on 15 March 2012. ISO 46 Technical Committee, subcommittee 9 (TC 46 / SC 9) is responsible for the development of this standard.

ISNI can be used to distinguish names that may be confused, and link data about names collected and used in all sectors of the media industry.

Uses of an ISNI
The ISNI allows a single identity (such as the pseudonym or imprint used by a publisher) to be identified using a single number. This unique number can then be linked to any of the many other identifiers that are used in the media industries to identify names and other forms of identity.

An example of the use of a number like that is the identification of a musical performer who is also a writer of both music and poetry. While you could be identified in many different databases using numerous private or public identification systems, with the INSI system you would have a single ISNI link record. The many different databases could thus exchange data on that particular identity without resorting to convoluted methods such as string matching. An example that could be cited in Spanish is the difficulty encountered when 'María García' is identified in a database. While there may be many records for 'María García', it will not always be clear which record refers to the specific 'María García' that is required.

If an author has published under different names or pseudonyms, each of them will receive their own ISNI.

Libraries and archives can use ISNI when sharing information from their catalogs, for more accurate online and database information search, and it can assist in rights management across national borders and in the digital environment.

ORCID
The identifier ORCID (by its name in English:  Open Researcher and Contributor ID ) consists of a block of ISNI identifiers reserved for academic researchers and managed by a different organization. Researchers can create and claim their own identifier ORCID Both organizations coordinate their efforts.

ISNI management
The ISNI is managed by an 'International Agency', commonly known as the ISNI-IA This UK-registered non-profit company has been founded by a consortium of organizations comprising the Confédération Internationale des Sociétés d´Auteurs et Compositeurs (CISAC), the Conference of European National Librarians (CENL), the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations (IFRRO), the International Performers Database Association (IPDA), the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) and ProQuest. It is governed by directors nominated by these organizations and, in the case of CENL, by representatives of the Bibliothèque nationale de France and the British Library.

Assignment of an ISNI
ISNI-IA uses a mapping system that comprises a user interface, a data schema,  disambiguation, algorithm, and compliant databases ISO standard, while also using existing technology where possible. The system is primarily based on the VIAF service (International Virtual Authority File) developed by OCLC for use in aggregating library catalogs.

Access to the allocation system and database and to the numbers that are generated as a result of the process are controlled by independent bodies known as 'registration agencies'. These registry agencies deal directly with clients, ensuring that data is provided in appropriate formats and compensated ISNI-IA for the cost of maintaining the allocation system. Registration agencies are appointed by ISNI-IA but they are independently managed and funded.