DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER ( DOI )

Explanation:
Abstract :
The DOI is the digital equivalent of the well
The Digital Object Identifier (DOI®) System is known Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code
for identifying content objects in the digital printed on virtually all physical products. The bar
environment. DOI® names are assigned to any code identifies the product, ties it to its brand
entity for use on digital networks. They are name, manufacturer and price, which can then be
used to provide current information, including integrated into the grocery store's inventory
where they (or information about them) can be control and revenue reporting systems, the
found on the Internet. The purpose of this distributor’s inventory control, delivery and
paper is to introduce the Digital Object revenue reporting systems, etc. All of these
Identifier (DOI) -- what it is, how it works and systems communicate with each other
why its adoption could facilitate e-commerce successfully, even between different companies,
and Digital Rights Management (DRM). because they all use the same universal identifier
for a given product. The DOI provides a stable,
persistent link between content and a directory on
Introduction : the Internet to which the content owner wishes
the DOI to point. As a persistent identifier, the
The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is an DOI has advantages over a non-persistent
Internet based global naming and Uniform Resource Locator (URL). Unlike a URL,
resolution system that provides for the which points to a piece of content based on its
precise identification, retrieval, and location on a computer connected to the Internet,
trading of digital items in the form of the DOI identifies a piece of content by a
articles, books, images, bibliographies, permanent number that is independent and that
supporting data, videos, charts, tables, audio, and never changes once it is assigned to the content.
other electronic files. Development of the Instead of pointing to the location of the specified
DOI system began in 1996 when content (e.g., Web site address or URL), the DOI
content creators and technologists points to a directory on the Internet, which in turn
jointly recognized that information and redirects the user’s browser to the current location
entertainment objects could not be of the specified content. Instead of encountering
commercially distributed on the Error 404, which occurs when a web browser
Internet unless there was a common attempts to resolve to a URL that has changed or
system of unique identification for no longer exists, the DOI will persistently point to
those objects. These early stakeholders the content itself. As long as the URL to which
envisioned an unambiguous, machine- the DOI points is maintained in the central DOI
readable identifier that could be used directory, a DOI link survives when content is
for all electronic communications and moved to a different server or ownership of the
transactions involving content work is transferred from one party to another. The
throughout its life cycle, including its underlying technology for this central DOI
creation, editing, publication, Directory is called the Handle System3, and when
distribution, and archiving. it receives a DOI request from a user’s browser, it
translates or “resolves” that DOI to the specific
location which the publisher has specified for it, where:
and then automatically re-routes the user’s
browser to that location. 10.1234 is the prefix:
It is also possible for a DOI to reference
content that does not exist in static form, i.e., does 10 is the directory code. The directory code must
not exist as a specific file on an Internet server. A be numeric; valid directory codes are determined
DOI can point, for example, to a piece by the maintenance agency (the International DOI
of software that offers the user a subscription to Foundation). At present, the only valid directory
an information service, to a Digital Rights code is 10 and all valid DOI's begin with "10.".
Management function that offers the content in 1234 is the registrant's code or publisher ID,
exchange for registration and/or payment, content identifying the registrant. In this case, the number
is available by some other means. or to a notice identifies the International DOI Foundation.
that the requested The DOI’s syntax also creates 181 is the suffix, or item ID, identifying the
the opportunity for interoperability among media single object. (Typical suffixes are longer than
types, including text, music, film, video, this example.)
photograph, software, etc. The fact that the DOI
can incorporate other numbering systems like The prefix is assigned by a DOI Registration
ISBN, EAN or BICI will enable companies in Agency to a specific registrant. The suffix is
different media to work with each other’s content. assigned by the registrant and must be unique
For example, if a journalist embeds an MP3 file within a prefix. It can integrate existing standard
(the format for digitized music files) containing a identifiers such as an ISBN or ISSN, or SICI. The
DOI into a news story, the DOI identifies the DOI is case insensitive and is considered an
publisher of the work, provides a path to the "opaque string": nothing can be inferred from the
current owner and can authenticate the rights number with respect to its use in the DOI System.
holder. The DOI therefore facilitates the act of
attributing ownership and/or authorship in a The correct way to cite a DOI on a webpage or in
powerful manner. The usage rights the owner is a publication is doi:10.1234/181.
willing to grant pricing and sales transactions, for
example-can still be controlled on an individual The alpha numeric character set includes
basis, even if the MP3 file is re-sold or re-used in Universal Character Set (UCS-2), of ISO/IEC
another context. Alternatively, the DOI can 10646, which is the character set defined by
simply provide a mechanism for the user to Unicode v2.0. The UCS-2 character set
determine who actually holds the rights and to encompasses most characters used in every major
discover what other information is available about language written today.
the specified content and what other uses the
rights holder has permitted.
Intended Benefits:
Structure :
DOIs were developed with a few primary
intended benefits:
The DOI consists of a unique alphanumeric
character string divided into two parts: a prefix
• Persistent identification: each DOI
and a suffix.
unequivocally and permanently identifies the
object to which it is associated.
An example of a complete DOI is:
• Protection of intellectual property: the
assignment of a permanent DOI identifier to a
10.1234/181
work may assist its creator in protecting The ability to reference content of any type
copyrights to the material. and at any level of granularity. Many existing
• Network actionability: through Handle numbering systems only apply to specific units of
System technology, each DOI resolves to one or content, e.g., ISBN for books, ISSN, for serials,
more web pages assigned by the publisher SICI for journal articles, CUSIP for securities.
• Semantic interoperability: metadata allow to The ability to subsume existing numbering
unambiguously communicate – to any user, from schemes, so those publishers that use them may
any place, at any point of the continue to do so.
productive/distributive chain – all the pieces of The DOI provides this persistent link by
information about the related objects and their providing a resolution-and-routing system similar
hierarchical relationships in concept to the Internet’s Domain Name System
(DNS). Just as DNS recognizes and routes
Applications: domain names to the appropriate Internet address,
the DOI system resolves and routes the DOI to
FACILITATING THE E-COMMERCE MARKET the appropriate locations specified by the
publisher. This might be the location of the
DOIs are becoming a key to the creation of a content itself, or it might be the publisher’s
viable e-commerce market for digital content, response page confirming that the user has found
one of the main goals of the DOI creators. what s/he was looking for and offering further
Computers cannot easily communicate with each choices, or it might be any other destination the
other unless they can recognize a common, publisher wishes to specify. However, DOI goes
unique identifier for the item about which they beyond the DNS by allowing resolution of a
are communicating. In order for e-commerce to single DOI to multiple data or multiple DOIs. For
be fully and seamlessly integrated into instance, the DOI of an eBook might also take the
mainstream publishing processes, publishers will customer to related content such as press reviews,
be using the DOI throughout the life cycle of their author interviews and eBooks on similar topics.
content. A typical cycle can include preparation,
formatting, publication, syndication, distribution, PROTECTING COPYRIGHT, PREVENTING
aggregation, retail sales and/subscriptions, royalty PIRACY, AND MORE:
computation, rights/permissions grants, sales The development and deployment of the
tracking, financial reporting and use. Admittedly, DOI was also designed to enable automated
an e-commerce marketplace is still viable without copyright management, which should offer
the use of persistent unique identifiers for digital additional copyright protection, preserve data
content, just as some retail stores are able to sell integrity and help prevent piracy.
physical goods without the aid of the now- The minimum elements of metadata about
ubiquitous bar code that can include certain the identified objects that are registered in the
information about the product. The key benefit of DOI system will be publicly available so that the
the DOI is that information can be linked to identification of each entity will be unambiguous.
inventory and accounting processes. In the This data and the publisher’s addition of rights
publishing field, there is no other identification metadata5, would allow the DOI to lead the user
scheme that has a combination of attributes that to a variety of copyright and permissions
are necessary to enable e-commerce. The primary information (for instance, the copyright owner,
required attributes are4: how the content may be used, what format is
The ability to provide a guaranteed online allowed and a pathway to a licensing center).
reference to content. The infrastructure that Because the DOI can be persistently associated
supports legacy-numbering systems like ISBNs with this metadata, the rights holder can consider
would need significant modification to do this. conducting copyright and permissions clearance
across the Internet and can also utilize security The most effective application of the DOI,
applications that locate unauthorized postings of however, must start before the stage at which
proprietary content on the Web. Permission rights DRM swings into action. Not only must
in a robust DRM system must consistently and publishers’ internal content management systems
precisely define terms of access or use, such as, incorporate the DOI at the earliest stages of the
“I, the rights holder, grant you the right to creation and production process, it must also
reproduce in electronic format all illustrations in integrate with the rights management system.
the printed version of the book.” A Publishers must recognize quality assurance of
comprehensive DRM system also needs to metadata as “mission critical” to the organization.
identify the multiple “views” of one object (for (DRM) systems enable copyright protection,
instance, the written musical composition, the distribution, usage and payment for digital
performance, the printed publication, use in a content such as text, music, images or software
movie and so forth). The resolution of these rights via any electronic medium."
must point to the appropriate entity that controls
each one. Finally, an effective identifier and How the DOI Complements Digital Rights
copyright management system must be able to Management (DRM)
support all of these permission links even if one The SIIA defines "Digital Rights
small segment of the content is reassigned to Management" as follows: "Digital rights
another rights holder. The DOI system is management (DRM) systems enable copyright
structured to operate successfully within all of protection, distribution, usage and payment for
these identifier challenges. digital content such as text, music, images or
software via any electronic medium." The full
promise of Digital Rights Management (DRM)
goes well beyond preventing unauthorized use.
How the DOI Complements Digital Rights
DRM – especially when combined with the DOI
Management (DRM)
– is a means for content users to purchase and
share content in a number of new and different
The SIIA defines "Digital Rights Management" as
ways while being assured of the authenticity of
follows: "Digital rights management The DOI
the content and respecting the rights of the
provides a way for them to at least agree on how
content provider.
content items are identified. This is a necessary –
At heart, DRM systems track various types
though not sufficient – requirement for DRM
of information about content, who owns it, who is
interoperability.
using it, and so on. There are many DRM
These capabilities require successful
solutions on the market, but none of them can
integration of many different systems before cross
interoperate without agreement on how these
platform interoperability can be achieved. DRM
kinds of information are represented. The DOI
can therefore be utilized with the DOI, which
provides a way for them to at least agree on how
brings each application together by using a
content items are identified. This is a necessary –
common, universal identifier for the content being
though not sufficient – requirement for DRM
managed by a DRM tool. A DOI represents an
interoperability.
“actionable identifier,” that provides a reliable (or
These capabilities require successful
persistent) link back to the content owner’s
integration of many different systems before cross
server, a rights clearinghouse, an online sales
platform interoperability can be achieved. DRM
outlet, or some other provider of DRM and/or e-
can therefore be utilized with the DOI, which
commerce services. This ability of the DOI to
brings each application together by using a
“phone home” for access is a very powerful tool
common, universal identifier for the content being
for DRM.
managed by a DRM tool. A DOI represents an
“actionable identifier,” that provides a reliable (or the content resides in order to complete a
persistent) link back to the content owner’s transaction successfully. That place may be the
server, a rights clearinghouse, an online sales content owner’s web site, or another site that the
outlet, or some other provider of DRM and/or e- content owner may designate as its rights
commerce services. This ability of the DOI to clearinghouse or ecommerce vendor. Regardless
“phone home” for access is a very powerful tool of the content’s location, a DOI will always
for DRM. The most effective application of the successfully resolve (point) to the content, even if
DOI, however, must start before the stage at that content’s location changes over time,
which DRM swings into action. Not only must provided the metadata that is maintained in the
publishers’ internal content management systems DOI directory is changed to reflect the content’s
incorporate the DOI at the earliest stages of the new location. The persistent DOI allows any user
creation and production process, it must also of the content to access further information about
integrate with the rights management system. the content, purchase new editions of the content,
Publishers must recognize quality assurance of or see related content as long as the DOI directory
metadata as mission critical” to the organization. is properly maintained and updated.
Figures 2A-2B show how broken URLs occur
DRM PROCESS FLOW: today and show how the DOI solves this
problem.8
Figure 2A – URLs point to the location of the
content…

DOI: The Persistent Link

Figure 2B– With the DOI, the global distributed
The very persistence of a DOI-based link
DOI Directory simply redirects the DOI (Which
represents another way that the DOI helps
never changes) to the current location today (even if
facilitate DRM. As mentioned earlier, the DOI
the location changes over time). The publisher need
provides a more persistent link than a URL, a
only make one update, in one place, at one time.
unique advantage and key enabler of super-
distribution. If the content is passed along from
user to user over a period of years, the embedded
DOI will continue to take the most recent
customer to a valid location on the Internet where
 Here is a more detailed description of these various
steps:
1. Target which content should be identified with a
DOI. The key decisions for the publisher in this
stage include:
Deciding what content should be migrated to the
online medium.
Deciding to what level of granularity the DOIs
should be assigned -- e.g., whether to assign DOIs
at the “title” level only (i.e., a whole book), each
individual chapter, or individual sections (as in a
travel guide, an encyclopedia, a handbook),
ancillary material (such as end-of-chapter problem
sets in a textbook, professors’ study guides,
Implementing the DOI additional datasets), etc.
For some companies, the key business
Just as there is a Domain Name System decision may be to determine what kind of content
(DNS) for resolving a URL to the IP address of will most quickly recover costs if it is migrated to
the relevant server, so is there an analogous the online medium. This requires editorial and
system called the DOI Directory that resolves a marketing judgments such as:
DOI to the URL specified by the content owner. Identifying what content the customers actually
This global DOI Directory is based on the Handle want online.
System developed and maintained by the Identifying why would they want it online (i.e.,
Corporation for National Research Initiatives for what specific benefits – which can include better
(CNRI), a non-profit organization run by Dr. quality, greater convenience, superior timeliness
Robert Kahn, one of the principal architects of the and especially, more versatile ability to re-use it or
Internet. otherwise process the information further within the
customer’s own daily work. This also requires
How Does a Publisher Get Up and Running With judgments about who the publisher’s customers are
the DOI? since the publisher needs to know how the content
(8-Step Process) will impact them, what they will buy and how they
will
1) Target which content should be identified with buy. Customers have different needs and will pay
a DOI different rates depending on whether they are:
2) Obtain Publisher Prefix (es) institutions (corporations, universities,
3) Choose a numbering scheme government, etc.)
4) Define the metadata within the production infomediaries (aggregators, syndicators, online
process sales channels, catalogers, subscription agents, A&I
5) Assign DOIs within the production process. If services), or
implementing DRM, this individuals (and we should remember that even
includes assigning rights and wrapping content. “institutional customers” ultimately represent
6) Register DOIs and metadata individual end users). Also, the publisher must
7) Maintain DOIs and metadata consider what role or market the
8) Integrate or benefit from DOI-based publisher’scustomers represent.
applications
This impacts how the customers will use the How easily/cheaply can DOI tagging be integrated
content. This can vary considerably depending on into the Production workflow?
whether the role is that of: 2) Obtain Publisher Prefix(es). Note:
students (K-12, professional, college/higher ed, A publisher prefix can be obtained by visiting the
or adult life-long learners prefix registration/distribution section of IDF’s
teachers website:
scientists/scholars, http://www.doi.org/started.html).
special-needs individuals, This step is self-explanatory on the IDF’s website,
business professionals but a couple of points are worth noting.
First, a publisher may purchase as many
hobbyists or other particular or special-needs
prefixes as desired: this could be one single prefix
customers
for the entire publishing house, a separate prefix for
Publishers also need to consider the different
each imprint or product line, or any construction
business models to be enabled via the DOI,
that the publisher wishes to use to organize its DOI
e.g. whether it will be sold:
activity. The driving consideration here is really
“by-the-drink,” i.e., per download, access or use whether the company needs or wants to have a
or for a particular period of time single DOI Administrator responsible for all its
by subscription only, or content, or multiple DOI Administrators in different
by a combination of the two (in which case they parts of the company. The DOI Administrator is the
still need to track individual components and Production, Marketing, or IT person responsible for
therefore assign DOIs at that level). registering DOIs into the global DOI Directory and
Additional considerations come into play in making keeping it up to date if the content gets moved.
these decisions, such as the publisher’s true “state
of readiness” in terms of its production systems, IT 3.) Choose a numbering scheme.
systems and back-office systems for tracking sales, One of the most valuable features of the DOI is that
calculating royalties and feeding the general ledger it does not replace or compete with any existing
for P&L management. For example, it is important numbering schemes, whether they represent
to know whether or not the publisher: industry standards such as the ISBN, EAN/UPC,
already has an electronic production workflow CUSIP, or whether they represent proprietary
in place, already has a single, unified internal numbering
production stream, feeding multiple outputs (Print, schemes that the publisher might use in existing
CD, HTML, PDF…) systems. In fact, far from competing with these
can locate/retrieve its content electronically legacy identifiers, the DOI leverages them by
today, because it is archived in-house, or readily turning them into “actionable identifiers” – i.e.,
accessible out-of-house. identifiers which now have an Internet-based
has the content available in standard formats, resolution and routing system behind them, so that
instead of facing major conversion requirements? they actually take the user somewhere on the
has a Digital Asset Management (DAM) Internet instead of simply representing numbering
system, product database, or other central repository schemes in the abstract. All a publisher needs to do
of some kind. If any of these elements is missing, in order to “supercharge” a legacy identifier is to
the publisher must consider whether they are drop it into the DOI format as the suffix and
essential to the online business contemplated and, if register it into the global DOI Directory through an
so, what are the costs to implement and is the IDF-approved Registration Agency. For example, it
payback justifiable for this content? If all is in is possible to take an ISBN number and embed it
place, how cheaply (or not) can these facilities be into the DOI syntax. That way, if a publisher
adapted for more granular publishing, if this is already uses ISBNs to track its content in a DAM
essential to the business model? system or product information database, it can
create DOIs from those ISBN’s “in place” without When the publisher registers DOIs, it must also
having to adopt yet another numbering system. register metadata associated with the DOIs – not a
After all, ISBNs are still necessary in the print large amount, but enough to allow trouble-shooting
world. to occur during the registration process, to facilitate
It is important to note, however, that to the extent updates to the directory over time if the URLs
that legacy identifiers do not address content change and to enable others (individuals, vertical
identification in the digital world (e.g. today the portals, retailers, etc.) to look up the DOI if they do
ISBN refers to an entire book title, but not to each not already know it. In order to register this small
individual chapter, illustration, table, etc.), then the amount of identifying metadata, the publisher must
publisher must locate it
inevitably assign a more “granular” DOI, which within its internal systems. Some publishers have a
goes beyond the legacy identifier. Therefore, single integrated database which houses the basic
choosing a numbering scheme is easy when the metadata for all its publications, but not all do –
content corresponds directly to what is already especially when it comes to electronic content,
identified by some legacy numbering scheme, which is still often produced in separate “islands”
whether standard or proprietary. It gets a little more scattered
difficult if there is no such legacy numbering throughout the publishing house.
scheme, or if the content is now of a new form
which has no traditional identifier. The saving grace 5) Assign DOIs within the production process (if
of the DOI is that ultimately it does not really implementing DRM, this includes assigning rights
matter what numbering scheme the publisher and wrapping content).
chooses, because once the DOI is registered, the The publisher must decide at what point in the
number becomes a “dumb number,” whose only production process it wants to assign DOIs to its
characteristic is that it remain unique within the content. Ideally, this must be late enough in the
global directory. Although the chosen numbering process so that the publications are close to their
scheme might possibly help the publisher to manage final form and the URLs known, but early enough
the content internally prior to publication, or help to ensure that there is no lag between the
internal archiving purposes, once the DOI is publication of the content being offered and the
registered into the global directory it has no time that the rest of the world can access it via the
implication that it can be “read” or deciphered. The DOI.
reason the DOI was deliberately designed to be a
“dumb number” is that if it were “intelligent” – i.e., 6) Register DOIs & metadata.
if you could look at a DOI and decipher it to The step of registering the DOIs and their metadata
indicate what the content is or even who the with a Registration Agency (RA) cannot be taken
publisher is – then this would inevitably clash with for granted. In the event that the IDF authorizes a
its permanence. Even the publisher prefix” section variety of RAs, the publisher will need to choose
of the DOI, which initially indicates which the one that meets its needs best. Some criteria for
publisher registered the DOI, will eventually choosing an RA include quality assurance, error
become obsolete as the original publisher is bought detection, reporting, correction, performance,
by another, or as the original title or product line is reliability, and any other associated services that the
sold to another publisher, or even simply if the RA may offer.
original title is someday reorganized within the
7) Maintain DOIs & metadata.
original publisher’s product lines or imprints.
This is simply the publisher’s ongoing
4) Define the metadata within the production responsibility of maintaining its content in the
process. global DOI Directory over time – e.g., as the URLs
change because the publisher has reorganized its
file structure, or moved the content to a new server, c) These applications are integrated into the entire
or transferred ownership of the content to a online distribution chain, from
different publisher. Even if the publisher goes out of publishers to distributors, aggregators, syndicators,
business or otherwise “orphans” the content, the e-tailers – and of course (the
Registration Agency will still ensure that end users main topic of this paper), DRM vendors of all
reach closure in terms of any DOI request – e.g., kinds.
returning a message to the effect that “The last
publisher of record was Acme Publishing, which is Future developments:
no longer maintaining this content in circulation.”
The DOI is currently undergoing a
8) Integrate or benefit from DOI-based period of rapid development, following
applications. the early acceptance of the principles
The DOI is fundamentally an enabling technology. of the system and its adoption in initial
In fact, it originated within the Enabling applications. As of July 2002, several
Technologies Committee of the Association of million DOIs had been issued, with over
American Publishers. The most powerful benefits of 200 organizations allocating DOIs; five
the DOI are delivered through applications that DOI Registration Agencies had been
make use of it – e.g., digital rights management, appointed (with more planned to
ecommerce, sales tracking, etc. Therefore the come); and the DOI had been well
ultimate success of the DOI rests with technology integrated into several related
vendors who will build DOI-based products and standards activities, with many
services (assuming first that the publishers have applications actively under
assigned DOIs to their content). development. That development is
Continuing with the bar code (UPC) analogy made evident in all aspects of the DOI System
at the beginning of this paper, it was not enough —
that the product manufacturers printed bar codes on technology, procedure, and policy.
their physical products, though this was the
necessary first step without which the rest could not
happen. Instead, what delivered real value for the
Conclusions:
bar code was third-party applications, such as cash
Information products controlled by DRM
register vendors adding bar-code scanners to their
solutions that cause unfavorable customer
cash registers, vendors of inventory tracking
experiences will not be supported by consumers.
software using the UPC as the product key in their
Solutions that offer easy access to content, while
databases, vendors of just-in time ordering software
maintaining compliance with copyright, will
using the UPC as their product key, etc. In addition,
result in the successful adoption of information
it was the adoption of all these products or services
products. If, through tracking customer
b companies throughout the distribution chain
preferences and granular interests, publishers and
that really made the bar code the distribution chain
intermediaries can serve customers with new,
success story that it is today.
targeted and individualized buying opportunities,
In a similar way, full-blown success of the DOI will
they will maintain a sustainable customer base.
result when:
The DOI serves as the underpinning in content
a) Publishers begin assigning DOIs to their products
management schema and makes content
in significant numbers;
management/customer management systems
b) Third party technology vendors build DOI
interoperable and cost-efficient. From this
applications into, or in support of
perspective, the widespread adoption of the DOI
their products and services; and
will enhance the establishment of a vibrant e-
commerce marketplace for digital content. This
new marketplace will go well beyond simply
migrating today’s print, music, video, software
and other forms of content to the online
environment. Instead, it will offer content References:
producers the ability to repackage content in new
and flexible forms, including more granular Software & Information Industry Association
“recombinant” information products tailored (www.siia.net)
specifically to highly targeted audiences.11 This
will allow publishers to capture additional N. Pigskin, Toward unique identifiers,
incremental revenue over the same base of digital Proc. IEEE, 87(7):1208–1227, 1999; Syntax for
assets, provided the publisher uses the DOI to the
actually manage those assets, repackage them in Digital Object Identifier, Z39.84–2000 Document
various ways, sell them, control their access rights Number: ANSI/NISO Z39.84–2000, National
and track the financial results. In addition to these Information
incremental sales and profits on the revenue side, Standards Organization Staff and National
the DOI will certainly reduce costs throughout the Information Standards Organization, 2000.
entire production and distribution chain, including
DRM, once content producers and their business (http://dx.doi.org/).
partners link their systems more efficiently using
this common, universal identifier. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_object_identi
fier#Intended_benefits