Authors can choose to purchase an ISBN from BookBaby. Once assigned to your title, an ISBN will never be assigned to another title.
When you choose to assign a BookBaby ISBN, BookBaby will appear as the publisher with Bowker and at online stores. BookBaby must be listed as the publisher on any books we distribute. This is because the retailers systems are built around the publisher. When BookBaby is listed as the publisher, the retailers know that our service level agreement with them applies to a title. This means that the retailer understands the business rules that are in place and knows to order books from us, pay us according to our contracts, and escalate any data issues to us for resolution.
Bowker does not allow the transfer of ISBNs between publishers.
For more information, please go to Bowker FAQ