Wow! I actually looked through a bunch of Evil Empire entries on Discogs but didn't see that one. Nice find. We may never know what the symbol means, but it's fun finding strange anomalies (post 95 sightings, WEA CDs with the symbol, etc.)
Well, the symbol is consistently applied from 1985 through 1992. Starting in 1993 it become increasingly sporadic. I just cannot see a common thread between the 1993 and forwards symbol albums.
Here's the weirdest one yet... maybe it's a bootleg? 1995/1996 release, two different artists, Canada copyright but an Argentinian promo CD?????? Céline Dion, Mariah Carey - Sola Otra Vez / Para Siempre
There seems to be a series of these Argentinian promo CDs with two artists. Maybe they're jukebox CDs? Here's one from... 1998!!! Bootleg or no, someone thinks it's valuable because this copy is on Discogs for $100.
Laurnea - Can't Let Go. Here's another 1997 vinyl on Epic with symbol. CD does not have one. It appears on promo and 12" stock vinyl. What is odd is that vinyl promos seemed the first to lose the symbol in 1993 and yet seem the last to lose it in 1997.
I think someone released a Record Store Day release this past year with the symbol. It could've been Cypress Hill.
Well here in the US it is not legal to use promos commercially so I don't think it is a jukebox issue .
Yes, Cypress Hill’s 2015 RSD single had the symbol. It’s the only instance of the symbol appearing on a seven-inch that I have seen (plus it appears on both sides). Their 2013 Black Sunday 2LP also has the symbol and follows the “rules” with it appearing on sides 1 and 3. Also, Beastie Boys’ Licensed To Ill 2016 LP has the symbol on both sides.
You would have to talk to the people who worked on the label. It was very consistent in the 1985-92 period that only one side of a vinyl record got the symbol. I think it's a safe bet that Sony didn't require it in 2016. Edit: Looking at 1998 the symbol really becomes rare on Epic and Columbia CD or vinyl. I could only find the one example.
Argentinian releases can be a bit sloppy with the artwork. Maybe Sony Music sent out some artwork, including the symbol, and it got incorporated in the release?
Beastie Boys came out on CBS so I think Sony has the rights whether or not they licensed a third party.
Only because Def Jam was distributed by CBS at the time. The 21st century has been a mess with regard to labels.
I have found a few more on Discogs like this... they do seem to be legitimate Sony Argentina releases. There's one for Alice in Chains "MTV Unplugged" (1996) for example, with the symbol. Same generic blue face. I have no idea what to make of these. At least the Alice in Chains disc is actually something that was released in the US, but those 2-track, 2-artist discs don't even have a US counterpart. Edit: There are tons of these, but I'm guessing the symbol just accidentally found its way on there from Sony US. I'll stop posting photos after this one: a Shakira disc from 2000!!!!
It's possible the Argentines mistakenly thought it was a trademark symbol. It's quite possible that no one currently at Sony knows what the symbol means haha.