Parlophone is a record label founded in Germany in 1896 by Carl Lindström, as Parlophon (the ‘e’ was originally added for UK releases). The L in the logo represents his name. In 1923 an English branch was set up The Parlophone Co. Ltd., this company was subsequently taken over by Columbia Graphophone Company Ltd. in 1927, following its acquisition of Carl Lindström A.-G. in 1926, thus becoming a constituent part of Electric & Musical Industries Ltd. (EMI) when that company merged with The Gramophone Co. Ltd. in 1931.
The label largely operated as a Jazz and Novelty label until manager, George Martin, signed the The Beatles in 1962. As a result of its subsequent success and profile, the label was earmarked for phasing out in 1973 in favour of EMI (the label), however the parlophone imprint continued to be used by registered trademark owner EMI Records Ltd. and affilated companies.
In September 2012 following the acquisition of EMI Group Ltd.'s US and Asian interests by Universal Music Group, Parlophone and the former EMI Records Ltd. were merged as the Parlophone Label Group (PLG Holdco Ltd.) and spun off to be sold.
They were sold to Warner Music Group in March 2013.
The Parlophone label is now owned by Parlophone Records Limited, the re-named EMI Records Ltd., itself a subsidiary of Warner Music International.
The Beatles were not part of the Parlophone Label Group and their catalogue was acquired by Universal.
