This document establishes a voluntary system for the identification of versions of audiovisual works and other content derived from or closely related to an audiovisual work (see Annex A). It is based on the International Standard Audiovisual Number (ISAN) system defined in ISO 15706-1. An ISAN combined with the version segment specified in Clause 4 constitutes an ISAN version identifier, hereinafter referred to as a V-ISAN. A V-ISAN is a registered, globally unique identifier for versions of an audiovisual work and related content.

A V-ISAN identifies a specific version or other content related to an audiovisual work throughout its life. It is intended for use wherever precise and unique identification of a specific version or other content related to an audiovisual work would be desirable, such as in audiovisual production and distribution systems, broadcasting applications, digital platforms and electronic program guides.

A V-ISAN identifies a specific version or other content related to an audiovisual work as the unique compound of its component elements (e.g. its artistic content, languages, editing and technical format) throughout its life and independent of any physical form in which that version or related content is distributed.

The assignment of a V-ISAN to a version or other content related to an audiovisual work does not constitute evidence of the ownership of rights to either that version or related content or to the audiovisual work itself.

This document specifies the basic systems and procedures to support the issuance and administration of V-ISANs.