[John123]

Wondering if perhaps the label fell off an old cassette and then sat there until another tape was then inserted over the top of it, causing a 'hole punch' effect!

The only other issue I've had with Sony's is the tape snagging on the half-loading arm, which can sometimes retract too slowly as the grease dries out, or from lack of use. You can see the arm to the right of the top-right corner of that tape label (first image). It should move back and forth quite freely.