 |
|
  |
| UPC BARCODES - everything you ever wanted to know... |
|
 |
|
| posted by Derek Sivers on Wednesday March 21 2001 @ 08:29PM PST |
|
|
|
|
Since CD Baby can give you a UPC Barcode for your CD, we get LOTS of questions about it. On the MusicThoughts email list recently, I answered as many questions as I could. My post is below...
NOTE: If you are already a CD Baby member and want a UPC Barcode, all you need to do is READ THIS FIRST then pay for it here.
Ok - here's what I know about UPC Barcodes.
I bought my company code from the UCC a few years ago with no intention of giving barcodes to others.
Since CD Baby is technically a distributor, then technically we can give UPC Barcodes to the albums we are distributing.
ALSO - since we deal with SoundScan every week anyway, we actually do the reporting of your barcode information to SoundScan for you. Yes - we register it for you. You don't need to fill out any forms & send it to SoundScan.
When we assign someone a barcode, we give SoundScan the information of that album, (Artist Name, Album Title, Release Date, Parent Label, Sub Label, Format, Selling Price.) We have to put "CD Baby" as "Parent Label" - but everything else is listed there as YOU YOU YOU. No other ties to CD Baby.
INTERESTING FACT: the UCC doesn't keep track of what barcode goes to what product. That's not their job. The UCC only tracks what parent company has what 6-digit-code at the beginning of the UPC barcode. Then it's up to the company itself (CD Baby in this case) to keep track of what unique barcode (12 digits) goes to what product.
INTERESTING FACT, PART 2: So in music circles, the only One Central Database of all those barcodes is... SoundScan!
WHICH MEANS: If your unique barcode is listed in SoundScan as YOU, then it might as well be your barcode entirely! Nobody really cares which digits belong to who. They just care that it's a unique number, not assigned to any other product in the world. Only if someone really went and contacted the UCC and dug into their company database would they find that the first 6 digits belong to Hit Media Inc (a.k.a. "CD Baby") - and so what if they do?
Luckily with CD Baby we send checks to artists every week anyway, acting as a distributor anyway, and if someone ever accidently sent a check to CD Baby for your CDs sold at a chain store anywhere in the world - we would just forward the full amount directly to you.
HOW'S THAT FOR MORE THAN YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT UPC BARCODES?
Reply here if you have any questions about UPC Barcodes, and I'll try to help.
-- Derek Sivers, CD Baby
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derek,
Good, interesting info on your site. My question is small potatoes, but perhaps you can help. I have access to a barcode reader and would like to catalog my 200+ music CD's by scanning the barcodes. What I'm missing is a database that cross references the barcodes to the title and artist. Are you aware of where I could get such information? Thanks, Bill
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hey Bill,
Forget the barcodescanner - Just get hold of a piece od CDDB-enabled software like WinAmp or Feurio!. If you put in any CD while online the software automatically contacts the CDDB database and downloads Titel, artist and tracklisting.
HTH
andy M
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WIth regard to Bill Alexander's question in
January and Andy M's response based upon a
200 CD count, I, however, have recently come
into posession of well over 7000 CDs, 60% of
which have never been opened, most all of
which are of traditional classical and operatic
music. Is there a way to read the barcode on
the packaging through the jewelbox to get an
inventory? This collection and the remaining
vinyl of the same music styles (10,000 units
we think, by weight and another inventory
challenge altogether) are being gifted to a
University's School of Music, but in preparation
thereof, an inventory list needs to be created.
Any ideas? Thanks, David
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sorry I have no idea. I've never scanned a barcode. We don't do that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For Bill Alexander and David Jacobs,
I sell (License) U.P.C. databases for CD's, etc. Feel free to contact me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
{First Question}Let's say I get a bar code to sell my CD Here For You. Then I come out with a second CD called "This Love", do I use the same bar code for both CD's or do a get a different bar code for each CD I produce.
{Second Question}Can I put my CD's in stores with my bar code on it.
deryc_j@yahoo.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Read this page, please. Both your questions are answered here already.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You guys at CD Baby are brave souls. Bless your hearts to answer the same questions over and over. You are truly saints. :-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OK I bought the bar code from you for my first CD "Love: The Only Proven Way to Fight Terrorism" and now I'm trying to use it for my next CD, "Acts of Sedition: Classified CIA Files," since you say it's "MINE" and I can do what ever I want with it, but when I try to add the bar code on your website to link it to my new CD, it gives me an error message that says, "This bar code is already used by another CD, 'Love: The Only Proven Way to Fight Terrorism.'" So what's the deal? I supposed to be able to use this barcode for what every CD I want or all my CDs buy your CD Baby sight doesn't all it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
well, you probably figured this out by now, but it's one bar code per item.. cant use a bar code for multiple releases..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Howdy amigos,
Quick Q that I couldn't find an answer for:
If I will be sending in two seperate CD's, both by me as the artist, do I need to pay two seperate set up fees and bar code fees?
35+35+20+20= $110 bucks total?
Thanks,
Robin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WITH THE BARCODE CAN I SELL MY CD IN ALL STORES LIKE BEST BUY, CIRCUT CITY, AND OTHERS
WHEN I PUT THE BARCODE ON THE CD DO I JUST SEND IT TO THE PEOPLOE WHO SHRINKWRAP OR DO I HAVE TO MAK COPIES.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes you can sell your CD in all stores.
And yes you just send the barcode graphic to whoever is designing your album artwork. They include it in the art as part of their design.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hi CD Baby -
I have become a new member -paid my $35 set up charge to
hopefully sell my new CD - "Free Mac Guinness Ceili Band" - but
can not understand what is the differance of having or not
having to spend an extra $20 for a bar code - will it help sales ?
Why accept my CD -without a barcode and how do I know if a
bar code will be of help in sales -
Thank you for your patience and time.
Tony
www.freemacguinness.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If I will be sending in two seperate CD's, both by me as the artist, do I need to pay two seperate set up fees and bar code fees?
35+35+20+20= $110 bucks total?
Thanks,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
QUESTION. What is the purpose of sound scan?
should the artist keep a record of his sales for tax purposes? How does he know how many is being sold since he's not the main owner of the bar code. will the artist be given an account by CD Baby or Sound Scan?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have a question about your barcodes.
1.Okay, do I need to purchase a new barcode each
time I make a new album.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I recorded my CD over a year ago, only when I tried to get air play was I told I needed a barcode. A new friend told me to check your site
most of my questions were answered. Thank you,
$55:00 is not a lot of money, compared to the THOUSAND I have already spend getting the wrong
info. THANKS Julia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
YOU DO NOT NEED A BARCODE FOR RADIO AIRPLAY! WHAT YOU NEED IS TO BE FRIENDS WITH A DJ. CALL THE STATION, GET FRIENDLY WITH THE STATION MANAGER AND SEND THEM A SINGLE. THAT'S IT! OF COURSE BEFORE DOING SO YOU WANT TO BE SURE YOUR CD IS IN STORES IN THAT CITY AND THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER HASSLE ALL TOGETHER.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
hi, i have my own barcode for the uk and europe
and would like to know procedure to distribute
through cdbaby (worldwide); with the understanding
that i do not have to have a upc barcode in order
to do this.
is this correct and what would be the next st
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If I send in the $35 set up fee for my CD, is it necessary that I have a barcode or is having a barcode optional?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hey Guys, have a question, I currently have
five CD's available, will I need an individual
barcode , to individually idenitfy them ? How does this work exactly, I'd like to post them
with you guys if I can figure all this stuff out. Thanks.....Jeff McKaig
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Each one would need its own barcode, yes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
QUESTION. What is the purpose of sound scan?
should the artist keep a record of his sales for tax purposes? How does he know how many is being sold since he's not the main owner of the bar code. will the artist be given an account by CD Baby or Sound Scan?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
>> What is the purpose of sound scan?
Reporting CD sales to the major record labels.
>> should the artist keep a record of his sales for tax purposes?
Yes. Definitely.
>> How does he know how many is being sold since he's not the main owner of the bar code.
The barcode has nothing to do with it. CD Baby reports every single sale to you and keeps them permanently archived in your CD Baby login area and even lets you download them as a spreadsheet for easy importing into MS Excel spreadsheets or something.
>> will the artist be given an account by CD Baby or Sound Scan?
CD Baby only. SoundScan charges around $20,000 a year for an account. It's meant for the large record labels only.
I've said it before I'll say it again and again: You don't need SoundScan unless you're going to sell over a thousand CDs, and are trying to impress a major label so you can sell your soul to them.
And since you don't need SoundScan, the only other reason to have a UPC Barcode is to sell through Amazon or other distributors who require one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Is there a difference between your Bar Code and the one given free by your collaborator (AOSIS). Also, will you still distribute and sell a CD that already has a Bar Code from another source? Please respond.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
>> Is there a difference between your Bar Code and the one given free by OASIS?
Nope.
>> will you still distribute and sell a CD that already has a Bar Code from another source?
Yep!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
How do you report sales of discs at shows to soundscan????
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
So, lets say I go sell in other stores also does that money go directly to my bank account. By the way what is soundscan? Thank you. Do sound scan send a copy of sales.?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
>>does that money go directly to my bank account
No. The UPC barcode has NOTHING to do with the financial arrangements you make with your distributors or retail outlets. That is totally up to you & the distributor or retailer, and the UPC barcode has nothing to do with it.
>>what is soundscan?
A company that gathers reports of CD sales (& other data), and sells the reports to companies (like major labels) that pay big $$ to see them.
CD Baby reports all CD sales to SoundScan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derek,
I wanted to inform you that we already sold 1,400 cd's on the streets of New York City alone.I'm looking forward to doing buisness with you.The word of mouth is strong. Also I sent the cd's to you.
Thanks,THE ORIGINAL K-ROB
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When I get a bar code from CD BABY for $20, can I use the same bar code for each of my CD's that I register with CDBABY? Can I use the bar code in any store who agrees to sell my CD's?
Thanks much
Gizzarelli
www.soundclick.com/gizzarelli
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If I purchase your UPC Barcode, and pay all fees.
Then I send you 1000.00 CD's to be sold by you, in which you recieve $4.00ea, What proof do I have that you sold 1000 CD's? In other words, you report to me you sold 500 CD's, but in essence you sold 1000 CD's. Where is my proof of you selling 1000 CD's?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
>What proof do I have that you sold 1000 CD's?
First : never send us 1000 CDs. Send us 5 CDs. When those sell, send us 10. When those sell, send us 20. We email you every time you sell a CD with the customer's full info. If you're ever in doubt of our stock, ask for it back! It's yours, not ours.
If we would have ever screwed over a single one of the 85,000 musicians who use CD Baby, I think you would have heard about it loud and clear all over the internet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
thats true wut u said about scaming people, if u did u will lose all your business. but how do we know as an artist dat your not dublicating the cds and covers mailing those to the cosumer? just a question.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| by ME
on Monday September 10 2007 @ 10:16AM PDT [ reply | parent ] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
So, will CD Baby be considered as my record label if I decide to go through your company?
Thanks,
Rich
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No. Of course not. Administering the first 6 digits of a barcode does not make us own the rights to your music. The barcode is nothing but a number. When we report your info to SoundScan we report *your* label as the record label, and that's what they keep on file.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
i'm confused...i did my cd in canada and the bar code was accidentally left off the printing. i was given a bar code so i can make stickers but my barcode only has 11 digits. i can't register my cd with your site?? what happened?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My barcode number is 837101051064.The system keeps telling me to submit one. So here it is.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you were only provided 11 digits for your barcode that should suffice as long as you have a upc barcode generator. As I understand it: The first digit is the country code. The next 5 digits are the vendor code. The next 5 digits identify the item. The last digit is merely a check digit that is generated automatically when the11 digit number is processed by the bar code generator. I had a program that does this. I don't know if I still have it or not. It may still be in one of my older PCs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You can generate this last digit online at the uniform code
council website. They are the organization that sells the
accounts for upc codes. Go to this page:
http://www.uc-council.org/ean_ucc_system/membership/
need_upc.htm
You need to know the first 11 digits, and they will tell you what
the last digit is.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sorry but ...UPC Barcode that I purchased from you....is that just for USA & Canada....or.....??? Worldwide etc...??
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hey Derek,
We are a new Indie label, Breaking Records, and not only have we sold a lot of on your site, but we've sold a lot of Cd's from our own website, how can we report the cd's sold on our website to soundscan? Do we need to buy a scanner?
Please advise, thanks!
sherrie
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Can I use the same barcode for two different cds?
|
|
|
|
|
|
