By Linda Jummai Mustafa
Most authors want their books to be a representation of themselves as well as their ideas. But publishing a book just for publishing sake is not the ultimate for authors and book publishers, the sole aim however is to sell. In the Nigerian book market there are so many books without the ISBN. These books are mostly copyrights of other people’s hard work and inadvently causes loss for the rightful owners of this work. it is thus a very serious offence to copy someone else’s work as your own and this offense which is called plagiarism. If taken to court, numerous copies of a plagiarised work can be destroyed and the offender asked to pay millions of Naira as compensation to the original owner of the work.
In order to avoid being sued for plagiarism, authors must seek ISBN for their works. The international Standard Book Number ISBN is a unique numeric commercial book identification based on 13 digit Standard Book numbering code. It is an international requirement if you want to sell your book online or in bookstores, place it with distributors or put it in libraries and also avoid being sued for plagiarism.
The National Library of Nigeria is responsible for the issuing of ISBN and ISSN (International Standard Serial Numbers, for serial publications such as Magazines, newspapers) to publishers and to catalogue all publications in Nigeria for easy access to the public. The ISBN is usually presented in four sets of three numbers and the last number standing singly at the end. These set of numbers are divided into five parts depending on the specific variations of the country for example;
999-877-212-569-5
The first 3 digits = International Code
Next three digits = Country Code
Next three digits = Publisher Identifier
Next three digits = Title Identifier
Last digit = Check digit (for automatic check for correctness by computers)
To get your ISBN you only need the following requirements as you approach any of the National Library offices in Nigeria:
1. An ISBN application letter to the Director of the National Library on your company’s letter-headed paper.
2. A photocopy of certificate of incorporation of your company [as registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria CAC].
3. The printed manuscript or copy of the book you wish to get ISBN for.
4. Four thousand Naira registration fee.
The procedure is usually not tedious but you must fill the registration forms within two weeks of applying for your ISBN. In the present disposition, getting the ISBN number is usually stress free as applicators are quickly attended to but if you do not want to get the number by yourself, then make sure that your publishers get one for your book. Some publishers may tell you that they have done so and put a number that is uncertified. It is your duty as an author to double check your ISBN so that you do not get into situations that may lead to legal prosecution. Also when publishing, make sure that the publisher you want to use their services are enlisted in the National directory of publishers. Your intended publishers should be those who are legally certified to do the work for you especially when it involves you paying to be published. Be wary of fantastic offers so as not to be duped and always contact and investigate several publishers before finally settling for your preferred choice.
