From the 1950s until the 1980s the VEB Deutsche Schallplatten was the monopolistic music publisher in the German Democratic Republic.

At August 12, 1946 the East-Berlin singer and actor Ernst Busch got permission by Soviet military administration to institute a publishing house for music.

At February 3, 1947 Busch started the company Lied Der Zeit GmbH with the music labels Amiga, Eterna and Lied Der Zeit.

At April 1, 1953 the private GmbH-company had to change to a state-controled VEB (Volkseigener Betrieb, "People-owned enterprise").

At March 18, 1955 the VEB Lied Der Zeit was renamed to VEB Deutsche Schallplatten Berlin.

Labels of VEB Deutsche Schallplatten:

• Amiga - entertainment, pop, rock
• Aurora - singer-collections, e.g. Ernst Busch
• Eterna - classic music, operas, operettas, jazz
• Litera - radio plays, poetry readings
• Nova – works of GDR-composer
• Schola: materials for education

After 1990 some of this labels were sold to other music companies.

See also

• List of record labels