Multinational record label established in 1913, acquired by the Universal Music Group in December 1998 as part of the acquisition of the Polygram group, effective January 1999.

Label Code: LC 0309 / LC 00309.

Please note: PolyGram seven-numeral catalogue numbers were introduced in April, 1970 - any previous release with such a number is a reissue from after that date.
This catalogue numbering system was replaced with a new system initiated in August 1982 and tied to the barcode/EAN. It had six digits followed by a single number suffix denoting the format, usually xxxxxx-x. In the US, when it was introduced in February 1983, this was often prefixed by a three-digit code denoting a company division, i.e. xxx xxxxxx-x, and sometimes a further one-letter suffix (for example 422 822104-1Y). These new numbers were not seen outside Japan until early 1983 when compact discs were first released to the public outside that country.
Rim text on labels of German LPs "Urheber- Und ..." was replaced by "Alle Urheber- Und ..." late 1976 / early 1977.

Words such as Deluxe, Super, Special and Select are not part of the catalogue number - these are price codes and can be entered as identifiers.

German Polydor post-war price codes for formats and series numbers (1950s and 1960s):
EPH: 45 rpm, 17 cm, EP, Mono, 20 000 and 21 000
NH: 45 rpm, 17 cm, Mono, 22 000 to 24 000 and 66 000
KN: 45 rpm, 17 cm, Mono, 55 000
SEPH: 45 rpm, 17 cm, EP, Stereo, 224 000
SNH: 45 rpm, 17 cm, Stereo, 220 000
SKN: 45 rpm, 17 cm, Stereo, 223 000
LPH: 33 rpm, 25 cm, Mono, 45 000
LPHM: 33 rpm, 30 cm, Mono, 46 000
HPM: 33 rpm, 30 cm, Mono, 47 000
SLPH: 33 rpm, 25 cm, Stereo, 235 000
SLPHM: 33 rpm, 30 cm, Stereo, 237 000

German label rim texts:
1950 - September 1952: "Alle Rechte..." at 12 o'clock.
September 1952 - December 1963: "Alle Hersteller..." at 7 o'clock.
December 1959 - December 1963: "- Alle Hersteller..." at 1 o'clock.
November 1963 - December 1968: "Made in Germany by..." at 2 o'clock.
January 1969 - April 1972: "Urheber-... " at 10 o'clock, counter-clockwise (delayed releases also May 1972).
April 1972 - December 1976: "Urheber-..." at 2 o'clock, clockwise.
Since January 1977: "Alle Urheber..."

For all unofficial releases (bootlegs, counterfeits, pirate compilations, etc.) that pretend to be Polydor releases, please use .

Timeline
2 April 1913: Establishment of Polydor as a brand by German Polyphonwerke A.-G., based in Leipzig.
25 July 1914: The brand is registered as a trademark by the Imperial Patent Office Berlin (No. 316613).
1924: Polydor is established as an export label for Polyphon Record products to be marketed outside of Germany.
1927: Establishment of Société Phonographique Française Polydor S.A. in Paris, France, by the Danish and Swedish subsidiaries of Polyphonwerke A.-G.
1932: Polyphonwerke A.-G. takes over the liquidated Deutsche Grammophon-Aktiengesellschaft and continues under this name.
1941: After the takeover of Deutsche Grammophon by Siemens & Halske, the shellacs temporarily also appear under the label Siemens Polydor.
1946: Post-war production resumes and Polydor becomes the popular music arm. Classical music is separated to Deutsche Grammophon.
1949: Introduction of the red logo with golden stars and golden Polydor.
1953: Introduction of the orange logo with golden stars and Polydor within a white background.
1954: Establishment of Polydor Records Ltd. in the UK.
1963: Introduction of the red logo with half-black disc and white Polydor, still in use today with slight alterations.
1969: Polydor enters the US market.
1972: Philips and Deutsche Grammophon form PolyGram and Polydor becomes part of Polydor International.
1991: Polydor becomes part of the PolyGram Label Group.
1998: Seagram acquires PolyGram and merges it into Universal Music Group, effective January 1999.
2003: The German division is merged with Island Records Germany to Polydor Island Group.
2005: The Polydor Island Group is merged into Universal Music Domestic Division.