What Makes Up a Bar Code

Music bar codes are made up of four parts :

1. The first six digits including the little number at the beginning makes up the vendor code. These numbers are assigned by the Uniform Code Council, and identify you as a vendor. For example, Atlantic Records products, would have the same vendor code.
   
2. The next four digits make up the product code. The owner of the vendor code assigns these to each product for distribution by that vendor. It's normally the catalog number.
   
3. The last of the larger digits make up the product type digit. This is always a 2 for CDs, 4 for cassettes, 1 for vinyl LP’s, or 7 for vinyl 7-inches.
   
4. The numbers at the end of the code are called check digits;

Be Careful Where You Get Your Bar Codes

Be very aware where you get your bar codes from. Some CD manufacturers will tell you that they can provide you with a bar code. When someone tells you they can provide you with a bar code, that means they have purchased their own vendor code and will assign you a product code with their vendor code attached. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF THE UNIFORM CODE COUNCIL AGREEMENT. It is not a legitimate practice to use someone else’s vendor code whether or not you have their permission. In addition, it’s not legitimate for anyone to sell, rent, loan, or transfer a vendor code to someone else. There’s only one legal way to own your very own bar code. To get your own bar code, contact the Uniform Code Council at the number or address below.

Why Independent Records is Legitimate

Getting your bar codes from Independent Records is not a violation of the UCC agreement because we are a legitimate record label. We aren't just a CD manufacturer using a vendor code for its clients. It's more than just getting a bar code graphic from us.

A record label can have any artist it allows on its label. When you register your release with IR we catalog it on our record label and register it with Nielsen SoundScan using Independent Records as the record label releasing the album. The catalog number and bar code we assign to your release will identify Independent Records as the vendor just as it would with any other major or indie label. In other words, we catalogue your release the same way that Atlantic Records, Sony, or Interscope catalogues their "signed" artists. It's not just a made up random number.

IR also does not sell, rent, loan, or transfer our vendor code to you nor are you paying for the use of our generated and assigned bar codes. The bar code is free with your registration but it is and always will remain the property of IR just as it would on any other label. The only difference between IR and the average label is that you register to be on our record label instead of IR signing you. The registration process is a "paid for" service that is perfectly legal and legitimate.

If you have any questions about this or any other issue, please e-mail us. We would be more than happy to discuss it in detail with you. Thanks