BarCodesTalk

We list the few stores that either Do require renting GTINs from GS1 here: https://support.barcodestalk.com/en/support/solutions/articles/16000020092-will-my-bar-code-work-in-every-store- As a few have pointed out, Kroger is on this short list, should also be known that Kroger helped form GS1 back in the 1970's. There's actually very few stores that force their vendors to rent, and usually the ones that do are literally in business with GS1 / on their board. It's not a conspiracy, it just makes them alot of money, and conflicted on the matter. Keeping that list of stores in mind should make it very easy to decide if you should rent or own your barcodes. Most businesses can save thousands of dollars by owning their GTINs vs renting, very few businesses are benefited (especially in the beginning) by starting with GS1.

The GTIN-14 is a bulk inventory barcode to ID bulk shipments, usually only seen by the back-end of the store in receiving. They can be generated for free by anyone with barcode software (also GS1) can make them for you. Barring you already have your UPC / EAN barcodes that are required, this is because the GTIN-14 is derived from the UPC or EAN. You can create multiple packing levels if you have different assortments that you are shipping out, that is what the first digit in the number sequence is reserved for. We also custom make them for clients as needed. Contact us if you have any questions.

Since GS1 sold barcodes outright prior to 2002, they have no say, legal or otherwise, regarding these barcodes or what their owners do with them. You are right that GS1 is not happy that their monopoly was thwarted by legal barcode-prefix owners coming together to defend their rights in that class action lawsuit. The only prefixes that were issued and thus could legally be owned prior to 2002 were full prefixes, 6 digit prefixes to be exact. If a prefix was subdivided (more then 6 digits) it was issued post August 28th 2002 and being licensed, property of GS1 and must be renewed annually. If a company tried to "re-license" a prefix that they themselves were licensing from GS1 (post 2002) this is a violation of their contract and opens them up to legal damages. The only GTINs on earth that can be legally owned are the "legacy" pre-2002 barcodes from The GS1-USA/UCC class action suit. There are many bad actors out there playing on newcomers ignorance, they will all disappear and we will keep on helping new businesses get the barcodes they need, year after year. While we cannot speak for every aspect of speedy, the premise of what they advertise (selling only pre 2002 GTINs) is valid and correct. This is the only way one can own a GTIN, it must be from GS1-USA prior to 2002, anything less is illegal and fraud. As for the statement about Kroger, this is an incorrect premise, Kroger helped found GS1 and still runs GS1 to this day. Because of this close connection/symbiosis you cannot sell in Kroger without renting your GTINs, despite the class action suit/settlement. This is an internal rule of theres due to their decades of growing GS1 into what it is today. While Kroger is not alone, they are by far the exception to the rule. Almost all stores globally accept GS1 GTINs and do not care whether or not you own them or are renting them. We have an updated list of stores, like Kroger, that either sit on the board of, or help govern GS1 here: https://support.barcodestalk.com/en/support/solutions/articles/16000020092-will-my-bar-code-work-in-every-store- Hopefully this information helps, our goal is to educate and clear the myths surrounding GTINs and ownership. Bar Codes Talk Team