Do not confuse with the European label Imperial (2). Please use Imperial (12) for unofficial/bootleg items. US independent record label formed by Lew Chudd in 1946 in Hollywood. They announced in July 1958 that they would be entering the stereo market in September of 1958 with non-compatible stereo disks. The label was sold to Liberty Records, Inc., in 1964. Liberty was purchased by United Artists in 1968, and then UA was bought by EMI in 1979. The catalogue and brand are now owned by Universal Music Group. via Discogs →