# Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc.

> former American record company

**Wikidata**: [Q3001888](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3001888)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_BMG)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sony-bmg-music-entertainment-inc

## Summary

Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc. was a corporation headquartered in New York City[1]. The company produced music as part of its operations. Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc. was eventually dissolved on December 31, 2008.

## Summary
Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc. was a major American record company formed in 2004 through a joint venture between Sony Music and Bertelsmann Music Group. It operated until its dissolution in December 2008 and was notable for controversies such as the Extended Copy Protection rootkit scandal.

## Key Facts
- Founded on August 5, 2004, as a joint venture between Sony Music and Bertelsmann Music Group.
- Officially dissolved on December 31, 2008.
- Operated under the parent entities of Sony Music (which later absorbed it) and Bertelsmann Music Group.
- Notable for developing Extended Copy Protection, a rootkit-based digital rights management system that sparked widespread criticism.
- Maintained several sub-labels including Rise Records, Legacy Recordings, Zoo Entertainment, and J Records.
- Had its headquarters in New York City, United States.
- Website: [http://www.sonybmg.com/](http://www.sonybmg.com/)
- Linked to numerous artists and musical acts across multiple genres and countries.

## FAQs
### What is Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc.?
Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc. was a record label formed in 2004 as a joint venture between Sony Music and Bertelsmann Music Group. It was dissolved at the end of 2008, with Sony Music absorbing its operations afterward.

### When was Sony BMG established and when did it cease operations?
Sony BMG was established on August 5, 2004, and officially ceased operations on December 31, 2008.

### What were some of the key sub-labels or imprints under Sony BMG?
Sony BMG oversaw several imprints including Rise Records, Legacy Recordings, Zoo Entertainment, and J Records.

### What is Extended Copy Protection, and why is it significant?
Extended Copy Protection was a digital rights management system developed by Sony BMG that used rootkit technology. It became highly controversial due to security and privacy concerns after it was discovered to be installed without user consent and posed risks to computer systems.

### Which major artists or bands were associated with Sony BMG?
Sony BMG was associated with a wide range of international artists such as Westlife, Lordi, Within Temptation, Bullet for My Valentine, Apocalyptica, Per Glove, Dido, and many more across various genres and countries.

### What happened to Sony BMG after its dissolution?
After its dissolution in 2008, Sony BMG's assets and operations were absorbed by Sony Music, which continued to manage many of its artists and labels.

## Why It Matters
Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc. played a pivotal role in the global music industry during its brief existence. As a joint venture between two of the largest music companies in the world—Sony and Bertelsmann—it represented a significant consolidation of power in the industry. Its dissolution and the absorption of its operations by Sony Music marked a turning point in the structure of the music business. Additionally, the controversy surrounding its Extended Copy Protection system brought digital rights management into the public spotlight, influencing how the industry approached anti-piracy measures.

## Notable For
- Being a joint venture between Sony Music and Bertelsmann Music Group.
- The development and deployment of Extended Copy Protection, a controversial rootkit-based DRM system.
- Managing a diverse portfolio of international artists and musical genres.
- Its dissolution and absorption by Sony Music in 2008.
- Oversight of several prominent sub-labels including Legacy Recordings, Rise Records, and J Records.

## Body
### History
Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc. was founded on August 5, 2004, as a joint venture between Sony Music and Bertelsmann Music Group. The company was headquartered in New York City and operated for just over four years before being dissolved on December 31, 2008. Following its dissolution, Sony Music absorbed its operations and continued to manage many of its artists and imprints.

### Controversies and Technology
One of the most notable aspects of Sony BMG was its development of Extended Copy Protection, a digital rights management (DRM) system that used rootkit technology. This system sparked significant controversy due to its hidden installation on users' computers and the security vulnerabilities it introduced. The incident led to widespread criticism and legal action, ultimately shaping the conversation around DRM and consumer rights in the digital age.

### Sub-Labels and Imprints
Sony BMG oversaw several sub-labels and imprints, each focusing on different genres and markets:
- **Rise Records**: Founded in 1991, focused on rock and alternative music.
- **Legacy Recordings**: An imprint of Sony Music, established in 1990, specializing in reissues and compilations.
- **Zoo Entertainment**: Founded in 1990, primarily focused on alternative and rock genres.
- **J Records**: Launched in 2000, known for pop and R&B artists.

### Artist Roster
Sony BMG was associated with a wide range of international artists and musical acts, including:
- **Westlife**: Irish boy band with multiple albums and singles under Sony BMG.
- **Lordi**: Finnish rock band known for hits like "Hard Rock Hallelujah."
- **Within Temptation**: Dutch symphonic metal band with albums like *Black Symphony*.
- **Bullet for My Valentine**: Welsh metalcore band with hits like "Tears Don't Fall."
- **Apocalyptica**: Finnish classical metal band with live albums such as *The Life Burns Tour*.
- **Per Gessle**: Swedish musician and member of Roxette.
- **Dido**: British singer known for singles like "Quiet Times."
- **Annie Lennox**: Scottish singer with albums like *Songs of Mass Destruction*.
- **Shakira**, **Marc Anthony**, **Rocío Dúrcal**, and **Vicente Fernández**: Internationally renowned Latin artists.
- **Il Divo**, **Natasha Bedingfield**, **Delta Goodrem**, **George Michael**, and **Kelly Rowland**: Artists spanning pop, rock, and R&B genres.

### International Reach
Sony BMG's artist roster included individuals and groups from numerous countries:
- **Germany**: Tobias Regner, Mike Leon Grosch, Fady Maalouf, Juliette Schoppmann, Elli Erl, Mark Medlock, Alexander Klaws.
- **Poland**: Monika Brodka, Maryla Rodowicz.
- **Spain**: Rosa López, Pereza, Antonio Martos Ortiz, José Luis Rodríguez.
- **Italy**: Lucio Battisti, Nino D'Angelo, Anna Tatangelo, Napoli Centrale.
- **Finland**: Mr Lordi, Antti Tuisku, Hanna Pakarinen, Waldo's People.
- **Turkey**: Emir, Emel Müftüoğlu, Aslı Güngör, Rober Hatemo, Göksel, Demet Sağıroğlu, Yeşim Salkım, Asya.
- **Brazil**: Capital Inicial, Pato Fu, Durval Lélys, Fonzie.
- **Mexico**: Camila, Jeans, Banda El Recodo.
- **Thailand**: Bell Nuntita, Worrawech Danuwong, Venus Flytrap.
- **Indonesia**: Sheila on 7, Padi, Audy Item, Rinni Wulandari, Cokelat, Balawan.
- **Japan**: Uru.
- **Philippines**: Lovi Poe, Mau Marcelo.
- **India**: Kailash Kher, Sandeep Acharya.
- **Russia**: Bianka, Sofia Rotaru.
- **Colombia**: Silvestre Dangond, Jorge Celedón, Kaleth Morales.
- **Venezuela**: Mayré Martínez, José Luis Rodríguez.
- **Malaysia**: Ziana Zain, Misha Omar, Aishah.
- **Norway**: Magnet, Aleksander With.
- **Sweden**: Per Gessle, Patrik Isaksson, Sebastian Karlsson, Sahara Hotnights, Janet Leon, Lena Philipsson.
- **Denmark**: Sian Evans.
- **United Kingdom**: Brian Kennedy, Andy Abraham, Joseph McManners, Maria Lawson.
- **Australia**: Pete Murray, Jade MacRae, Tammin Sursok, Casey Donovan, Dean Geyer, Louise Carver, Karin Kortje, Kaz James.
- **South Africa**: Freshlyground, Solid HarmoniE.
- **Netherlands**: Do.
- **Malta**: Kevin Borg.
- **Czech Republic**: Michal Pavlíček, Tomáš Klus.
- **Slovakia**: Zdenka Predná.
- **Argentina**: Lola Ponce, Ivonne Guzmán, Lourdes Cecilia Fernández, Virginia da Cunha, María Fernanda Neil.
- **Chile**: Eduardo Gatti.
- **Puerto Rico**: Alexis & Fido, Kany García, Julio Voltio, Ednita Nazario.
- **Greece**: Irini Merkouri, Nikos Economopoulos.
- **Lebanon**: Fady Maalouf.
- **Hong Kong**: Ekin Cheng, Jason Chan.
- **Belarus**: Bianka.
- **Panama**: Margarita Henríquez.
- **Taiwan**: Will Liu.

### Legacy
Sony BMG's legacy includes both its contributions to the global music industry and the lessons learned from the Extended Copy Protection controversy. Its dissolution marked the end of a unique partnership and the beginning of a new chapter under Sony Music's sole leadership. The company's influence is still felt through the artists it once represented and the changes it prompted in digital rights management practices.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.discogs.com/label/369288)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
5. Quora
6. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions