Scans uploaded by Pomegranate so most likely an Australian release too! I won't even mention the consequences but will say that something needs to be done. The bang 'em in and they'll sort themselves out is producing many different individual methods of entering CDs on the site. I'm not going to comment on the validity of any of these just pointing out most contributing site users in this world use different methods to enter CDs. I myself have three separate methods that I use depending on the vagaries of the particular CD. The problem is that all of my three styles are equally valid and are all both correct and incorrect entries at the same time.
I have on the odd occasion been able to enter the same CD as either Australian, European or International and be technically right in every case. However, this doesn't sit well with me and I could do without the constant dilemmas that this area of the site has created. Yes, unfortunately we have created a monster. Urggghhhhh!
'Gian_paolo.
I myself,learn something new virtually everyday on this site,and certainly do not consider myself any kind of expert,it's only by adding items that you pick things up as you go along.
The two CD's you have mentioned appear to be good examples .
The Smashing Pumpkins single should be European as far as i can see,it has the French retail price code "PM 515" under "F" (France),and has the long European Cat.No. on the spine and the UK Cat.No. in the barcode box,so this indicates it was issued both in Europe and the UK,so European,as the UK is in Europe,and,although we seem to like using the UK Cat.No. as the primary Cat.No.,i believe the long European Cat.No. should be first,then the UK one.
Again,it's probably the case for the rest of the "UK" Smashing Pumpkins singles as well,without going through them all.I notice that HUTDX69 is the same,i.e,should be European also.
The Soundgarden single.although indeed made in the UK by PDO,also has a French Distribution code "POL 940",but i'm not 100% in this case that it was also issued in Europe for a few reasons,firstly looking at the releases on Discogs,there is a J-card,a Maxi,and a card sleeve variation for Europe already,which,also all use the Dutch rights society B.I.E.M./"STEMRA",so,as there were already three variations for the European market,this one may well have been just intended for the UK,despite having the price code,truth is,i'm not sure about that one,sorry.
@gregs45s thanks for your info. I feel there are many examples like this, maybe like this or this one, when I see "Printed in the EU" or "Biem Stemra" I doubt they are from UK, but again I'm not an expert!
@Gian_paolo.
Hi,unfortunately,just because a Disc was made in a particular country,that doesn't necessarily mean that it was issued in that country,lots of Discs/artwork were made in European countries that were intended for UK only release.If i may pass on a small tip?,the thing to look for is the French retail price codes on the artwork somewhere (generally near the Cat.No.),here,on this Disc we have the retail price code "WE 739",usually two or three letters,followed by three numbers,"POL 500" for example,here are a few more for example...
AE - Ariola Eurodisc - BMG
BA - Barclay - Universal Music
BM - BMG
CA - Carrere - Warner Music
CB - CBS - Sony Music
EW - EastWest - Warner Music
PG - Phonogram - Universal Music
PM - Pathe Marconi - EMI
PY - Polygram - Universal Music
UN - Universal Music
VG - Vogue - BMG
WE - WEA - Warner Music
(these are just a few,there are many more,sadly i used to have a link bookmarked to a site with a much more comprehensive list of codes,but i've lost it somehow)
These codes were used by retailers,not telling them at what price they have to sell the item for,but what price they have to pay themselves to the distributor,i.e,in this case WEA-Warner Music
These codes however,were not taken up/used by retailers in the UK as far as i know (if you look at UK only CD's,they shouldn't have any French retail price codes),and so,it's fairly safe to say,that if it has a retail price code,then it's been distributed/sold in Europe,so "European".
(NB,just to complicate matters,there are also CD's that have been issued in both the UK and Europe,they,of course,would have French retail price codes,but they normally have a separate UK Cat.No. (in the barcode box,usually),and will have a long European Cat.No. on the spine or Disc)
(Of course,there are bound to be exceptions,but as a general rule of thumb,it's generally quite accurate;)
(also,i think that probably many CD singles have been added under the wrong country,i.e,there are many "European" CD's that should be UK only,and many "UK CD's that were also issued in Europe (i.e,with French retail price codes),hopefully in time,they will probably get sorted out;)
hope that's of some help anyhow.
As i've said before,we really could do with help from someone who has worked in the business,ideally,specifically in CD distribution.That could either confirm or deny,and help us identify the "indicators" to look for on CD's (either albums or singles).Hopefully that will happen one day.
(PS,as this particular CD has the French retail price code "WE 739",i've put in a request to change it to Europe)