Different Labels with Identical Name or LabelCode

There are cases where different labels have identical names. It is possible to enter identically named labels into MusicBrainz and to distinguish them with a short LabelComment. It is also a good idea to add LabelAnnotations to the labels in question providing a longer explanation about what works should go to what label.

Though there are much more IdenticallyNamedArtists than identically named labels, you may encounter the case once in a while.

Interestingly, we have another piece of data that usually help distinguish two identically named labels: the LabelCode. Unfortunately, the use of LabelCode was introduced late in the recording industry history, and not all (historical) labels do have one.

Furthermore, differently named labels may share the same LabelCode. This can happen when a subsidiary uses the same LabelCode as its parent label, or in some more obscure cases, when LabelCode conflicts occurs between labels. If you have to create a label with an already existing LabelCode, you'll have to provide a LabelComment - and ideally you should as well write a short LabelAnnotation explaining the reasons why the two labels share the same LabelCode.

How to split labels

If two different labels are mixed into one, you'll have to split it into two.

MusicBrainz does not provide a specific operation for that. Instead, you'll have to:

• create a new label with the same name

• add a disambiguation label comment to the two labels (you'll be asked to do so for the newly created label)

• ideally, for both labels:

  • provide additional informations into label annotations

  • verify and provide the label's begin and end dates, activity type, label code and country

• for each release, verify that it is attached to the correct label (possibly verifying the label code on releases' sleeves), and eventually move it to the other label

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