Searched and found a few threads on this subject but nothing seemed (to me) to be resolved.
So...

"The Mystic Masseur" is in the database as 043396001923, which was on the sticker that was placed directly on the actual cover. The UPC underneath is 043396001930. ISBN is slightly different as well but the covers are otherwise identical. This has happened with 20 or so of my DVDs; sometimes the sticker is in the DB and sometimes you have to peel it off and enter the original. It seems to me that both UPCs should be catalogged, shouldn't they? I have no problem using either the sticker or the original UPC, but the lack of an actual rule on this is driving me insane...   ...because the way that I interpret this:

Quote:
When creating a new profile for contribution, the preferred method is to create from the UPC number. The UPC (called EAN in some countries) is the number under the barcode on the DVD’s case.

is to use the UPC that is printed on the actual cover.

So: original UPC, sticker... or both?

Yup - if you plan on contributing the new UPC, be sure to get a scan of the back cover before you remove it.

It wouldn't be pointless because that's the first thing I check is the UPC on the sticker.

Though only once did the sticker actually differ from the cover UPC. 

I, for one, hate it when they place stickers directly on the cover, any stickers.
Having said that, I'd say if the sticker was on the cover then it should be the entered UPC, as it was placed there for a reason. I'd alos say the execption to this would be stickers from rental places, which were put there by them and not the manufacturer. Those should be carefully removed with heat and/or Goo Gone then use the real UPC under it.

Stickers over UPC on shrinkwrap or clear plastic part of keepcase should be ignored as well, in my humble opinion of course. When on the cover it means the manufacturer had reason. Others are often retailers systems for something, be it bonus discs, special sales, etc.

Quoting goblinsdoitall:

Quote:
Quoting Telecine:

Quote:
I would say use the UPC on the sticker.

To use the UPC of the sticker reveals a slight problem, it's usually attached to the case or even worse to the shrinkwrap, so you can't really scan it.

I think it's fully agreed that barcode stickers on shrinkwrap are NOT valid UPCs as they have been added by a shop (probably for stock management or similar), not manufacturer.

Barcode stickers on the case are put there by the manufacturer and may represent different contents. To be fair they probably a mostly used for different security tag types but it MAY be something recorded by DVDP such as exclusive postcards or something so it doesn't pay to assume! Since this has been done as an alternative to re-printing the (otherwise identical) cover they are as valid as if they had re-printed the cover.

I agree that it makes it very difficult if the sticker is placed on a keep case itself rather than the paper cover but, to be honest, I've never seen this whilst I have seen stickers on the paper cover, on snappers and on slip covers but these don't cause any problem with scanning.

I agree with Max, I've had a few "limited editions" with a UPC on the shrinkwrap, with the normal DVD inside with a different UPC.
It's safer to have both UPCs in the database.