Resources

Successful publishing requires more than writing a great book. Authors and publishers must navigate registrations, copyright protection, industry standards, and government resources that help establish credibility and protect intellectual property. This section provides access to essential publishing resources, including ISBN registration, Library of Congress Control Numbers (LCCN), copyright registration, trademark information, and other valuable tools used throughout the publishing industry. Whether you are preparing your first book or managing an established catalog, these resources can help ensure your work meets professional publishing standards while improving discoverability, protection, and long-term success in the marketplace.

Learn about LCCNs

Learn About ISBNs

Learn about Copyrights

Learn About Trademarks

LCCN stands for Library of Congress Control Number. It is a unique identification number assigned by the Library of Congress to a book's catalog record before publication.

Think of it as a tracking number used by libraries to identify and catalog your book within library systems across the United States.

Why Is an LCCN Important?

An LCCN can make it easier for:

Public libraries to catalog your book 

Academic libraries to locate your book 

Librarians to process acquisitions 

Researchers to identify your publication 

Book distributors and wholesalers to reference your title 

While an ISBN identifies a specific edition of a book for retail sales, an LCCN identifies the Library of Congress catalog record associated with the book.

Who Should Apply?

Authors and publishers who plan to:

Market books to libraries 

Publish nonfiction works 

Publish educational materials 

Establish a professional publishing presence 

Increase discoverability within library systems 

Does Every Book Need an LCCN?

No.

Many self-published books are released without an LCCN. However, obtaining one can add credibility and improve accessibility for libraries and institutions.

Cost

For eligible U.S. publishers, the Preassigned Control Number (PCN) Program currently provides LCCNs at no cost.

After Publication

The Library of Congress generally requires the publisher to send a copy of the published book to complete the process and support cataloging.

When Should You Apply?

You should apply after:

Your title is finalized. 

Your publisher information is established. 

The book is nearing publication. 

The application should be submitted before publication so the LCCN can be included in the book's copyright page. 

Where To Apply For Your LCCN?

https://www.loc.gov/programs/preassigned-control-number/about-this-program/

Why PRP Publishing Obtains LCCNs

Obtaining an LCCN demonstrates a commitment to professional publishing standards and can improve a book's visibility within library systems. While not required for publication, it is an important step for publishers seeking broader institutional reach and long-term discoverability.

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ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a unique identifier assigned to a specific edition and format of a book, allowing retailers, distributors, libraries, and publishers to identify and track publications worldwide.

Think of an ISBN as the product identification number for your book.

An ISBN helps:

• Sell books through retailers and bookstores 
• Distribute books through wholesalers 
• Catalog books in libraries 
• Track sales and inventory 
• Identify specific editions and formats 

Without an ISBN, many bookstores, libraries, and distributors may not carry or catalog your book.

Yes.

Each version of a book requires a separate ISBN.

For example:

• Paperback = 1 ISBN 
• Hardcover = 1 ISBN 
• eBook = 1 ISBN 
• Audiobook = 1 ISBN 

A paperback and hardcover edition of the same title cannot share an ISBN.

When you purchase your own ISBNs, your publishing company becomes the publisher of record.

For example:

Publisher: PRP Publishing LLC

This appears in publishing databases and industry records.

If you use a free ISBN supplied by a publishing platform, that platform may be listed as the publisher of record instead.

In the United States, ISBNs are purchased through:

https://www.myidentifiers.com/identify-protect-your-book/isbn/buy-isbn

Bowker is the official ISBN agency for the United States.

Most publishers purchase blocks of ISBNs rather than single numbers.

Common options include:

• Single ISBN 
• 10 ISBNs 
• 100 ISBNs 
• 1,000 ISBNs 

For independent publishers planning multiple titles, a block of 10 or 100 ISBNs is often more economical.

The ISBN appears:

• On the copyright page 
• In book retailer databases 
• In distributor catalogs 
• In library records 
• Within the barcode printed on the back cover

An ISBN is one of the most important publishing identifiers an author or publisher can obtain. It establishes a book's identity within the global publishing industry, supports retail distribution, improves discoverability, and allows your publishing company to be recognized as the official publisher of record. For professional publishing, an ISBN is considered an essential part of bringing a book to market.

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Copyright is a legal protection granted to creators of original works, including books, articles, music, artwork, photographs, videos, and other creative content. Copyright gives the creator exclusive rights to control how the work is used, reproduced, distributed, displayed, and adapted.

In the United States, copyright protection begins automatically the moment an original work is created and fixed in a tangible form, such as being written, saved on a computer, or printed.

Copyright can protect:

• Books and manuscripts 
• Articles and written content 
• Music and lyrics 
• Artwork and illustrations 
• Photographs 
• Videos and films 
• Software and digital content 

Copyright protects the expression of an idea, not the idea itself.

Although copyright exists automatically upon creation, formal registration with the U.S. Copyright Office provides important benefits:

• Creates a public record of ownership 
• Strengthens legal protection 
• Allows the owner to file a copyright infringement lawsuit 
• May provide access to statutory damages and attorney's fees in certain cases 
• Helps establish ownership if disputes arise 

Copyright generally does not protect:

• Ideas 
• Facts 
• Titles 
• Names 
• Short phrases 
• Slogans 
• Procedures or methods 

For names, logos, and brand identities, trademark protection may be more appropriate.

For most modern works created by an individual, copyright protection lasts for:

Life of the author plus 70 years

For works owned by a company, different rules may apply.

In the United States, copyright registration is handled by:

U.S. Copyright Office

https://www.copyright.gov/

Applications can typically be submitted online through the Copyright Office's electronic filing system.

A typical registration requires:

• Title of the work 
• Author information 
• Copyright claimant information 
• Publication information (if published) 
• A copy of the work being registered 

Although no longer required, many publishers include a copyright notice on the copyright page:

Copyright © 2026 PRP Publishing LLC

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations used in reviews or scholarly works. 

Copyright is one of the most important protections available to authors and publishers. It establishes ownership of creative work, helps prevent unauthorized copying, and provides legal remedies if someone reproduces or distributes your content without permission. Registering your copyright is an important step in protecting the time, effort, and investment that went into creating your work.

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A trademark is a word, phrase, name, logo, symbol, or other identifier that distinguishes the source of goods or services from those of another business. In publishing, trademarks help protect the brands, names, and identities that authors and publishers build over time.

Authors and publishers commonly seek trademark protection for:

• Publishing company names
• Publishing imprints
• Logos and brand symbols
• Book series names
• Author brands
• Pen names used commercially
• Website and publishing platform names

Unlike copyright, which protects the content of a book, trademarks protect the branding associated with the author, publisher, or publication.

Trademark protection helps:

• Establish brand ownership
• Prevent marketplace confusion
• Protect a publishing company's reputation
• Build long-term brand value
• Prevent competitors from using confusingly similar names or logos

For publishers planning multiple books, authors, or product lines, a trademark can become one of the company's most valuable business assets.

Generally, trademark protection is not available for:

• Generic terms
• Common descriptive phrases
• Individual book titles
• Names already in use by similar businesses
• Marks likely to cause consumer confusion

While a single book title is typically not eligible for trademark protection, a book series title may qualify if it identifies an ongoing series of publications.

In the United States, trademarks are registered through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Before filing an application, authors and publishers should conduct a trademark search to determine whether a similar mark already exists.

https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks

Potential trademarks may include:

• Publishing company names
• Publishing imprints
• Author brands
• Book series names
• Logos and design marks
• Educational and publishing programs

For example, a publishing company name such as "PRP Publishing," a publishing imprint, or a recognizable book series brand may qualify for trademark protection if used in commerce and otherwise meets registration requirements.

Trademarks help authors and publishers protect the brands they work hard to build. As a publishing business grows, trademarks can provide valuable legal protection, strengthen consumer recognition, and help establish a professional identity that distinguishes books and services within an increasingly competitive marketplace.

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