Form 6-K
Table of Contents

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 November 2003

 


 

SONY CORPORATION

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

7-35 KITASHINAGAWA 6-CHOME, SHINAGAWA-KU, TOKYO, JAPAN

(Address of principal executive offices)

 


 

The registrant files annual reports under cover of Form 20-F.

 


 

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/    TERUHISA TOKUNAKA


   

(Signature)

Teruhisa Tokunaka

Executive Deputy President and

Group Chief Strategy Officer

 

Date: November 7, 2003

 

 


Table of Contents

List of materials

 

Documents attached hereto:

 

i) A press release regarding Bertelsmann AG and Sony Corporation’s agreement to form joint music group

 


Table of Contents

BERTELSMANN AG AND SONY CORPORATION

AGREE TO FORM JOINT MUSIC GROUP

 

The international media and entertainment companies Bertelsmann AG and Sony Corporation today announced that they have signed a non-binding letter of intent to form a jointly owned recorded music company to be called Sony BMG. The company will be 50% owned by Bertelsmann and 50% owned by Sony.

 

The joint venture of BMG and Sony Music Entertainment will combine their recorded music businesses. The new company would not include the companies’ music publishing, physical distribution and manufacturing businesses.

 

Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BMG, would serve as Chairman of the Board of the new joint venture. The Board of Directors of the new company would be made up of an equal number of representatives from Sony and Bertelsmann.

 

Andrew Lack, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Music Entertainment, would be Chief Executive Officer. The newly formed joint venture would include senior executives from both music groups.

 

Consummation of the transaction remains subject to a number of conditions, including approvals of the regulatory authorities in the US and the European Union.

 

Contact:    Keith Estabrook    Patrick Reilly
     Sony Music Entertainment    BMG
     212.833.4647    212.930.4961
     Ann Morfogen    Oliver Herregesell
     Sony Corporation of America    Bertelsmann AG
     212.833.6873    011 49 52 41 80 24 66
     Mack Araki     
     Sony Corporation of America     
     212.833.6821