Digital Object Identifier (DOI): An ISBN for the 21st Century

Abstract

The Internet represents a totally new environment for the exchange of schlarly literature and it requires new enabling technologies to protect both customers and publishers. Systems will have to be developed to authenticate contents to ensure that what the customer is reuesting is what is being delivered. At the same time, the creator of the information must be sure that copyright in the content is respected and protected. While considering the requirements of the new systems, publishers of books and journals intenationally realized that a first step would be the development of a new identification system to be used for all digital content. The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) system not only provides a unique identification for contents, but also provides a way to link users of the material to the right holders to facilitate automated digital commerce in teh digital environment. The DOI, an initiative taken by the Association of American Publishers, has grown into a prototype system, w...