CDmärken

CDmärken is a Swedish term that refers to the various marks, logos, and identifiers associated with compact discs (CDs) on their surfaces or packaging. In practice, the concept is used by collectors, archivists, and industry professionals to describe the information that helps identify a disc’s origin, format, edition, and provenance.

Common types of CD marks include:

- Logos and branding: printed or etched markings showing the record label, distributor, or the CD format itself (for example, CD, CD-ROM, CD-Audio, CD-R, CD-RW). Standards and logos related to the CD format may also appear.

- Catalog numbers and matrix/runout codes: numbers and codes printed on the disc or in the inner ring that help identify the master, pressing plant, edition, and production batch.

- Copyright and licensing marks: © year, rights holder, and licensing information printed on the surface or in liner notes.

- Manufacturing marks: plant-specific codes or markings (such as pressing plants) used for traceability.

- Optional marks: copy-protection logos, limited edition seals, or other special edition indicators.

Packaging and liner notes often carry additional marks, such as barcodes, edition notes, and letter codes that aid cataloging and authentication.

Significance: CD marks assist with authentication, provenance, and cataloging, essential for collectors, libraries, retailers, and discographers. They reflect the intersection of physical media production and metadata practices, and are relevant when dating, authenticating, or compiling discographies.

See also: Compact Disc, Red Book, CD-Text, matrix/runout, barcode, cataloging.