BMG Classics (read annotations before use)

BMG Classics (which was dissolved in 2005) is variously described "a unit of BMG", "a division of Bertelsmann Music Group" or similar (which implies it technically isn't an imprint), when its logo appears in release packaging, more often than not beside the actual release imprints. make sure that there's not another imprint shown, and if there are, BMG Classics shouldn't be used as a release label in place of those. such imprints found have included:

RCA Victor Gold Seal, RCA Victor Silver Seal, RCA Victor Red Seal – these all have the "Victor" name and "dog & gramophone" trademark, superimposed on sealing wax background in their respective colors. older releases may have just the label name span across a banner at the top of the front cover.

RCA Victor – this either has the RCA name beside the "dog & gramophone" trademark, or just the "RCA Victor" brandname. older releases may have just the label name span across a banner at the top of the front cover, with RCA at one end, and Victor at the other.

RCA Gold Seal, RCA Red Seal – similar to the "Victor" imprints above, but without the "Victor" name and the "dog & gramophone" trademark. superimposed on sealing wax background in their respective colors.

RCA Victrola

RCA – distinguished by its encircled lightning bolt logo that was revived since ca. 1987, or the RCA name in bold block letters prior to then.

Deutsche Harmonia Mundi

and there are yet many other imprints not mentioned that should have been used as the release label instead of BMG Classics that were found listed under this label profile.

In May 2005, Sony BMG Masterworks was formed and resulted in the merger of the Sony Classical and BMG Classics product lines into one unit under Sony BMG Music Entertainment.