Are barcodes unique?

[darkxshade]

I was having a conversation with a co-worker about all the products in the world an the means of identifying them. So I brought up the idea of the barcode and how a good portion of products & goods in the world all contain one. He then tells me they aren't unique and that there can be 2 different products that uses the same number. Is this true? I always thought they were and that no 2 products share the same barcode.

For example, I'm looking at a deck of playing cards, and the barcode applied to it is J 07 D14M 0ND 3. Now this barcode is going to be stamped on all the decks of playing cards of this type but I'm not going to see it used on oh a pack of chewing gum am I?

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: darkxshade
For example, I'm looking at a deck of playing cards, and the barcode applied to it is J 07 D14M 0ND 3. Now this barcode is going to be stamped on all the decks of playing cards of this type but I'm not going to see it used on oh a pack of chewing gum am I?

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Nope. They're unique. The width of lines can be so gradual to the naked eye two make look the same.

 

[Gunslinger08]

There's a reason they're called Universal Product Codes.

 

[darkxshade]

Originally posted by: joshsquall
There's a reason they're called Universal Product Codes.

ahh that's right, they're also called UPC's, that didn't occur to me during the conversation but the guy sounded very convincing that they weren't unique. Thanks for bringing that up

 

[Bootprint]

Look up a UPC code or add if missing.

 

[Smithy18]

There are different symbologies used in different countries as well as an FYI.

It is also possible for two products that look different to have the same UPC. Check out your local grocery store for baby carrots. Many of the packages will appear to be from a different vendor even but will have the same barcode

 

[Casawi]

I think within the Bar there is a portion for manufacturer ID par example, that is unique to the product and manufacturer. I think they can share other parts, but generally I think barcodes are unique, at least that is what I always thought.

 

[newb111]

Originally posted by: Casawi
I think within the Bar there is a portion for manufacturer ID par example, that is unique to the product and manufacturer. I think they can share other parts, but generally I think barcodes are unique, at least that is what I always thought.

Correct. The first part of the code is manufacturer info. The rest is product info for that manufacturers products.

 

[torpid]

A "bar code" is not necessarily unique. I think a UPC is but I'm not 100% sure because I forget how the international standards work.

Bar codes in general are basically nothing more than a font.

 

[biggestmuff]

The UPC has two basic numbers; a unique company identifier and then a product identifier. There are two other numbers in a UPC for checksum purposes. Your coworker is partially correct. Two different companies can each have the same product number assigned to one of their products. However, since the unique company identifiers are different, then the UPC is still unique.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: torpid
A "bar code" is not necessarily unique. I think a UPC is but I'm not 100% sure because I forget how the international standards work.

Bar codes in general are basically nothing more than a font.

Agree. They sell barcode printers are scanners for private use. Small stores us them to keep inventory of miscellaneous products. If it is a UPC, they are unique.

 

[Chiropteran]

These bar codes are not unique.