Form 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of May 2007
Commission File Number: 001-06439
SONY CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
1-7-1 KONAN, MINATO-KU, TOKYO, 108-0075, JAPAN
(Address of principal executive offices)
The registrant files annual reports under cover of Form 20-F.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F,
Form 20-F X Form 40-F __
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
Yes No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82-______
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SONY CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Nobuyuki Oneda
(Signature)
Nobuyuki Oneda
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Date: May 30, 2007
List of materials
Documents attached hereto:
i)Press release announcing Sony/ATV Music Publishing To Acquire Famous Music LLC
Sony/ATV Music Publishing To Acquire Famous Music LLC
Famous is one of the largest independent music publishers in the U.S.
NEW YORK, May 30, 2007 -- Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA
and VIA.B) today announced that they have signed an agreement for Sony/ATV to
acquire Famous Music LLC from Viacom. Sony/ATV Music Publishing is co-owned by
Sony and trusts formed by Michael Jackson.
"The Famous Music catalogue is a world-class asset filled with evergreen songs
that people know and love," said Martin N. Bandier, Chairman and CEO, Sony/ATV
Music Publishing. "The depth and breadth of the catalogue is what truly makes it
great, and I strongly believe that the addition of the Famous catalogue and its
songwriters to Sony/ATV is another step in our long-range growth plans. In
addition, we are pleased to be entering the production music business through
Famous' Extreme division. Extreme's valuable creative team and unique business
model will be a terrific complement to our core music publishing business."
"Famous Music is one of the iconic names in music publishing," said Philippe
Dauman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Viacom. "We are very pleased
that Sony/ATV Music Publishing has recognized its great value and potential. We
have benefited greatly from the talent and experience of the very able
management team at Famous Music, particularly its long time CEO, Irwin Robinson,
as well as Ira Jaffe, President and Chief Operating Officer; and Margaret
Johnson, Executive Vice President Finance and Administration. We know that
Famous and its fine executives have many great days ahead and want to thank them
for their tremendous accomplishments."
"Famous Music is one of the world's largest independent music publishers, and
this acquisition, following on the heels of the Leiber Stoller acquisition,
further enhances Sony/ATV's position in the global music publishing industry,"
said Rob Wiesenthal, Chief Financial Officer, Sony Corporation of America.
"This is a milestone event for Sony/ATV Music Publishing," said Michael Jackson.
"The diverse collection of songs in this catalogue range from timeless classics
to contemporary hits, and I am pleased to add the acquisition of Famous Music to
Sony/ATV."
Founded in 1928, the Famous Music catalogue includes 125,000 songs and sound
cues, including such hits and classics as "Footloose," "Moon River," "Take My
Breath Away," "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)," "Satin
Doll," "Silver Bells," and "That's Amore." The catalogue, founded originally to
publish music from "talking pictures," also includes the widely recognizable
movie themes from Braveheart, The Godfather, Forrest Gump, Mission Impossible
and the "Axel F" theme from Beverly Hills Cop. The catalogue includes
contemporary hits such as "Bad Day" (Daniel Powter), "Hips Don't Lie" (Shakira),
"The Real Slim Shady" (Eminem), and "Beautiful" (written by Linda Perry -
performed by Christina Aguilera). The company also owns the Bjork, Duke
Ellington, Dave Grusin, Bush and Boyz II Men catalogues, and songs from smash
Broadway shows such as A Chorus Line and The Producers.
Famous Music's roster of songwriters includes Shakira, Akon, Linda Perry (who
has written for Pink, Gwen Stefani, and Christina Aguilera), 7Aurelius (who has
written for LL Cool J and Mariah Carey), Fred Jerkins III (who has written for
Destiny's Child and Whitney Houston), Dave Tozer (who has written for John
Legend), Mike Mangini (who has written for Joss Stone and Baha Men), Charlie
Midnight (who has written for Hilary Duff and James Brown), Darrell Scott (who
has written for Dixie Chicks and Faith Hill), Modest Mouse, Jet and Ozomatli.
Through its Extreme division, Famous Music is also is a major supplier of high
quality recordings and musical compositions for use in television and radio
advertisements, film and television productions, trailers, and major network and
cable broadcast promotional announcements throughout the world.
This transaction is subject to customary approvals. Viacom was advised by UBS
and Shearman and Sterling. Sony/ATV was advised by Morgan Stanley and Weil,
Gotshal & Manges LLP.
About Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Music Publishing was established in 1995 as a joint venture between
Sony and trusts formed by Michael Jackson. Sony/ATV Music Publishing owns or
administers over 500,000 copyrights by such artists as The Beatles, Beck, Brooks
& Dunn, Leonard Cohen, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, The Everly Brothers, Fall Out
Boy, Jimi Hendrix, Billy Mann, Joni Mitchell, Graham Nash, Willie Nelson, Roy
Orbison, Richie Sambora, Stephen Stills, KT Tunstall and Hank Williams, among
others. Sony/ATV recently acquired the Leiber Stoller catalogue. It is not part
of the Sony BMG Music Entertainment venture. On the web:http://www.sonyatv.com.
About Viacom
Viacom is a leading global entertainment content company, with prominent and
respected brands. Engaging its audiences through television, motion pictures and
digital platforms, Viacom seeks to reach its audiences however they consume
content. Viacom's leading brands include the multiplatform properties of MTV
Networks, including MTV: Music Television, VH1, CMT: Country Music Television,
Logo, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, and more
than 130 networks around the world, as well as digital assets such as MTV.com,
comedycentral.com, VSPOT, TurboNick, Neopets, Xfire and iFilm; BET Networks;
Paramount Pictures; DreamWorks; and Famous Music. More information about Viacom
and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.