Cable, technology, media firms form digital registry

Major studios, cable and technology companies on Wednesday announced the launch of an Entertainment Identifier Registry (EIDR) to track movies, TV shows and other assets much the way books are coded.

Likening it to the International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) system used to identify books, executives involved in the initiative said the registry was developed to make it easier for businesses to search, track and report revenue of an asset, cutting costs and streamlining operations. The registry is expected to be available to members in early 2011. The initiative is backed by a broad group of industry players like Comcast, Walt Disney Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures, Sony Corp, and others, while talks with other parties are ongoing.