Barcodes for Products, Web Content UCI for Webtoons and Web Novels
Supporting the Industry Through Systematic Management of Work Information
The National Library of Korea will officially implement the web content UCI (Universal Content Identifier, National Standard Identification System) registration and management system on September 9. As a result, companies that create or service webtoons and web novels, such as production studios and distributors, will now be able to receive a unique identification number known as the "web content UCI" for their works.
Web Content UCI (National Standard Identification System) Promotional Poster, National Library of Korea
Barcodes for Products, Web Content UCI for Webtoons and Web Novels
The newly introduced web content UCI is a unique identification code for digital content, serving as a national standard identification system designed to efficiently manage content and enhance transparency and reliability throughout the distribution process. Since 2010, the library has acted as a registration and management agency, assigning UCIs to digitized books and other materials. In preparation for the new application of UCIs to webtoons and web novels, the library designed a metadata framework and established a dedicated system starting in 2024.
Web content UCI can be requested by businesses involved in the production or distribution of webtoons and web novels, such as production companies and content studios. For webtoons and web novels serialized on online platforms, identification numbers are assigned to each episode, enabling systematic management tailored to the characteristics of the content.
Supporting the Industry Through Systematic Management of Work Information
Once the web content UCI is established, searching for and using webtoons and web novels will become significantly more convenient. It can also be utilized in various areas, including copyright protection, responding to illegal distribution, and compiling statistics. Through this system, the library aims to support the sustainable growth and expansion of the domestic webtoon and web novel industry ecosystem, as well as to establish a foundation for collecting web content.
An official from the National Library of Korea stated, "By assigning unique identification numbers to webtoons and web novels, which are emerging as global cultural content, we have created an environment for transparent and systematic management," adding, "The library will continue to strengthen the establishment of standardization and management systems suitable for the digital content era."
The web content UCI will be available on the National Library of Korea's website starting September 9, and educational programs for new registrants will also be provided sequentially.
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