The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #20484   Message #213386
Posted By: Sandy Paton
17-Apr-00 - 08:47 PM
Thread Name: Help: UPC codes
Subject: RE: Help: UPC codes
I'll have to look up their address, Ray, but first you have to be assigned a basic number, then you have four digits to add to the assigned ones as the numerical designation of your own product. In the case of a CD, the number 2 follows those (the number 4 indicates "cassette"). Finally, the last number in the series, separate from the rest, is the result of a complicated calculation process that verifies the other numbers.

As to whether or not you really need a bar code on your CD, the answer is "Yes, if you want any of the big outfits to handle it." Borders, etc., and almost all the national distributors insist that items they handle be capable of buzzing through their listing processes via bar code readers. If you and your group are mostly selling it at gigs and through a few local outlets, then it's not all that important, and hardly worth the money it will take to get a number assigned to your "label."

I'll look up the details for you. Give me a day or two. We're just back from NEFFA and have much to deal with right now.

Our best to you and yours.

Sandy