Industries in the Publishing Industries (except Internet) subsector group establishments engaged in the publishing of newspapers, magazines, other periodicals, and books, as well as directory and mailing list and software publishing. In general, these establishments, which are known as publishers, issue copies of works for which they usually possess copyright. Works may be in one or more formats including traditional print form, CD-ROM, or proprietary electronic networks. Publishers may publish works originally created by others for which they have obtained the rights and/or works that they have created in-house. Software publishing is included here because the activity, creation of a copyrighted product and bringing it to market, is equivalent to the creation process for other types of intellectual products.
In NAICS, publishing - the reporting, writing, editing, and other processes that are required to create an edition of a newspaper - is treated as a major economic activity in its own right, rather than as a subsidiary activity to a manufacturing activity, printing. Thus, publishing is classified in the Information sector; whereas, printing remains in the NAICS Manufacturing sector. In part, the NAICS classification reflects the fact that publishing increasingly takes place in establishments that are physically separate from the associated printing establishments. More crucially, the NAICS classification of book and newspaper publishing is intended to portray their roles in a modern economy, in which they do not resemble manufacturing activities.
Music publishers are not included in the Publishing Industries (except Internet) subsector, but are included in the Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries subsector. Reproduction of prepackaged software is treated in NAICS as a manufacturing activity; on-line distribution of software products is in the Information sector, and custom design of software to client specifications is included in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector. These distinctions arise because of the different ways that software is created, reproduced, and distributed.
The Publishing Industries (except Internet) subsector does not include establishments that publish exclusively on the Internet. Establishments publishing exclusively on the Internet are included in Subsector 519, Other Information Service. The Publishing Industries (except Internet) subsector also excludes products, such as manifold business forms. Information is not the essential component of these items. Establishments producing these items are included in Subsector 323, Printing and Related Support Activities.
5111 Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in publishing newspapers,
magazines, other periodicals, books, directories and mailing lists, and other works, such as
calendars, greeting cards, and maps. These works are characterized by the intellectual creativity
required in their development and are usually protected by copyright. Publishers distribute or
arrange for the distribution of these works.
Publishing establishments may create the works in-house, contract for, purchase, or compile works that were originally created by others. These works may be published in one or more formats, such as print and/or electronic form, including proprietary electronic networks. Establishments in this industry may print, reproduce, or offer direct access to the works themselves or may arrange with others to carry out such functions.
Establishments that both print and publish may fill excess capacity with commercial or job printing. However, the publishing activity is still considered to be the primary activity of these establishments.
51111 Newspaper Publishers
See industry description for 511110 below.
511110 Newspaper Publishers
This industry comprises establishments known as newspaper publishers. Establishments in this
industry carry out operations necessary for producing and distributing newspapers, including
gathering news; writing news columns, feature stories, and editorials; and selling and preparing
advertisements. These establishments may publish newspapers in print or electronic form.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Establishments publishing newspapers exclusively on the Internet are classified in Industry 519130, Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals;
- Establishments primarily engaged in printing newspapers without publishing - classified in Industry 32311, Printing;
- Establishments, such as trade associations, schools and universities, and social welfare organizations that publish newsletters for distribution to their membership, but that are not commonly known as newspaper publishers, are classified according to their primary activity designation;
- Establishments primarily engaged in supplying the news media with information, such as news, reports, and pictures, are classified in Industry 519110, News Syndicates; and
- Establishments of independent representatives primarily engaged in selling advertising space are classified in Industry 541840, Media Representatives.
51112 Periodical Publishers
See industry description for 511120 below.
511120 Periodical Publishers
This industry comprises establishments known either as magazine publishers or periodical
publishers. These establishments carry out the operations necessary for producing and
distributing magazines and other periodicals, such as gathering, writing, and editing articles,
and selling and preparing advertisements. These establishments may publish magazines and other
periodicals in print or electronic form.
Illustrative Examples:
Comic book publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing); Radio and television guide
publishers (except exclusive publishing); Magazine publishers (except exclusive Internet
publishing); Scholarly journal publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing); Newsletter
publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing); Trade journal publishers (except
exclusive Internet publishing).
- Establishments publishing periodicals exclusively on the Internet are classified in Industry 519130, Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals;
- Establishments primarily engaged in printing periodicals without publishing are classified in Industry 32311, Printing;
- Establishments, such as trade associations, schools and universities, and social welfare organizations, that publish magazines and periodicals for distribution to their membership, but that are not commonly known as periodical publishers, are classified according to their primary activity designation;
- Establishments primarily engaged in publishing directories and mailing lists are classified in Industry 511140, Directory and Mailing List Publishers; and
- Establishments of independent representatives primarily engaged in selling advertising space are classified in Industry 541840, Media Representatives.
51113 Book Publishers
See industry description for 511130 below.
511130 Book Publishers
This industry comprises establishments known as book publishers. Establishments in this industry
carry out design, editing, and marketing activities necessary for producing and distributing
books. These establishments may publish books in print, electronic, or audio form.
Learn more about
operating a book publishing business.
Illustrative Examples:
Atlas publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing); Religious book publishers
(except exclusive Internet publishing); Book publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing);
School textbook publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing); Encyclopedia publishers
(except exclusive Internet publishing); Technical manual publishers (except exclusive
Internet publishing); Map publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing);
Travel guide book publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Establishments publishing books on the Internet exclusively are classified in Industry 519130, Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals;
- Establishments primarily engaged in printing books without publishing are classified in Industry 32311, Printing;
- Establishments known as music publishers are classified in Industry 512230, Music Publishers;
- Establishments, such as trade associations, schools and universities, and social welfare organizations, that publish books for distribution to their membership, that are not commonly known as book publishers, are classified according to their primary activity designation; and
- Book clubs primarily engaged in direct sales activities without publishing are classified in Industry 454390, Other Direct Selling Establishments.
51114 Directory and Mailing List Publishers
See industry description for 511140 below.
511140 Directory and Mailing List Publishers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in publishing directories, mailing
lists, and collections or compilations of fact. The products are typically protected in their
selection, arrangement and/or presentation. Examples are lists of mailing addresses, telephone
directories, directories of businesses, collections or compilations of proprietary drugs or legal
case results, compilations of public records, etc. These establishments may publish directories
and mailing lists in print or electronic form.
Illustrative Examples:
Business directory publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing); Mailing list publishers
(except exclusive Internet publishing); Directory publishers (except exclusive Internet
publishing); Telephone directory publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Establishments publishing books on the Internet exclusively are classified in Industry 519130, Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals;
- Compiling mailing lists in conjunction with providing direct mail advertising services - classified in Industry 541860, Direct Mail Advertising;
- Printing without publishing directories and mailing lists - classified in Industry 323110, Printing;
- Operating web search portals - classified in U.S. Industry 518112, Web Search Portals;
- Publishing computer software - classified in Industry 511210, Software Publishers;
- Creating and publishing encyclopedias and similar collections of creative works in print and/or electronic media - classified in Industry 511130, Book Publishers; and
- Creating and publishing collections of creative works that are periodically updated - classified in Industry 511120, Periodical Publishers.
51119 Other Publishers
This industry comprises establishments known as publishers (except newspaper, magazine, book,
directory, mailing list, and music publishers). These establishments may publish works in print
or electronic form.
Illustrative Examples:
Art print publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing); Greeting card publishers
(except exclusive Internet publishing); Calendar publishers (except exclusive Internet
publishing).
Cross-References.
- Establishments publishing books on the Internet exclusively are classified in Industry 51913, Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals;
- Establishments known as newspaper publishers are classified in Industry 51111, Newspaper Publishers;
- Establishments known as magazine and other periodical publishers are classified in Industry 51112, Periodical Publishers;
- Establishments known as book publishers are classified in Industry 51113, Book Publishers;
- Establishments primarily engaged in publishing directories and mailing lists are classified in Industry 51114, Directory and Mailing List Publishers;
- Establishments known as music publishers are classified in Industry 51223, Music Publishers; and
- Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing manifold business forms are classified in Industry 32311, Printing.
511191 Greeting Card Publishers
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in publishing greeting cards.
- Establishments publishing books on the Internet exclusively are classified in Industry 519130, Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals;
- Printing greeting cards without publishing - classified in Industry 32311, Printing.
511199 All Other Publishers
This U.S. industry comprises establishments generally known as publishers (except newspaper,
magazine, book, directory, database, music, and greeting card publishers). These establishments
may publish works in print or electronic form.
Illustrative Examples:
Art print publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing); Calendar publishers
(except exclusive Internet publishing).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Establishments publishing books on the Internet exclusively are classified in Industry 519130, Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals;
- Establishments known as newspaper publishers - classified in Industry 511110, Newspaper Publishers;
- Establishments known as magazine or other periodical publishers - classified in Industry 511120, Periodical Publishers;
- Establishments known as book publishers are classified in Industry 511130, Book Publishers;
- Establishments primarily engaged in publishing directories and mailing lists - classified in Industry 511140, Directory and Mailing List Publishers;
- Establishments primarily engaged in greeting card publishing - classified in U.S. Industry 511191, Greeting Card Publishers;
- Establishments known as music publishers - classified in Industry 512230, Music Publishers;
- Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing manifold business forms - classified in U.S. Industry 323116, Manifold Business Forms Printing; and
- Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing day schedulers - classified in U.S. Industry 323118, Blankbooks, Looseleaf Binders, and Devices Manufacturing.
51121 Software Publishers
See industry description for 511210 below.
511210 Software Publishers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in computer software publishing or
publishing and reproduction. Establishments in this industry carry out operations necessary for
producing and distributing computer software, such as designing, providing documentation,
assisting in installation, and providing support services to software purchasers. These
establishments may design, develop, and publish, or publish only.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Reselling packaged software - classified in Sector 42, Wholesale Trade or Sector 44-45, Retail Trade;
- Providing access to software for clients from a central host site - classified in Industry 518210, Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services;
- Designing software to meet the needs of specific users - classified in U.S. Industry 541511, Custom Computer Programming Services; and
- Mass duplication of software - classified in U.S. Industry 334611, Software Reproducing.
Information courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau.
