The International Standard Text Work Code (ISTC) is a numbering system developed to enable the unique identification of textual works.

Why does the ISTC matter?

As the text supply chain becomes increasingly digital, there is a growing need to uniquely identify the text of a work before it becomes a manifestation, regardless of the editions or formats which it might ultimately take. This way the creators of text works, and their authorized representatives, can more effectively manage information about the work throughout the supply chain and across industry databases and in business transactions.

As a unique identifier, the ISTC is useful in a wide range of computerized applications; some of its possible uses include tracking usage of textual works; verification of title registrations for anti-piracy purposes; management of rights information."

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ISTC will link various versions of texts (print, digital, large print), but it will not link all related items (so it does not solve the FRBR linking problem completely). At the DLF session "New Developments in Bibliographic Services: A Report from Bowker" Angela D'Agastino noted that it would not link translations or audio books. It is unclear whether it would link editions.