P.M. BRIEFING : Sony CBS Will Get a New Name

Sony Corp.’s CBS Records Inc. will change its name to Sony Music Entertainment Inc., the record company said today.

The change is required under the terms of the January, 1988, agreement under which Sony paid CBS Inc. about $2 billion for the record company, CBS Records said.

The change will be effective Jan. 1.

The company also said it has acquired the Columbia label name from Thorn EMI for use outside the United States. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Also starting Jan. 1, Sony Music Entertainment will use the Columbia label worldwide, except for Japan and Spain. CBS Records has been using the Columbia name in the United States and the CBS name overseas.