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 November 2005
Commission File Number: 001-06439
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.
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: November 17, 2005
List of materials
Documents attached hereto:
i) Press release announcing Sony and NEC Conclude MOU Aiming to Establish
Joint Venture in Optical Disc Drive Business
November 17, 2005
Sony Corporation
NEC Corporation
Sony and NEC Conclude MOU Aiming to Establish Joint Venture in
Optical Disc Drive Business
Sony Corporation (hereafter Sony) and NEC Corporation (hereafter NEC) have
concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aiming to establish a Joint
Venture company in the optical disc drive business. Sony and NEC will work
together from now to reach agreement on a final contract. The new company will
aspire to become the leading company in the optical disc drive sector.
Sony will hold a 55% stake in the new company while NEC's stake will be 45%.
Sony and NEC will make preparations to transfer their respective optical disc
drive operations to the Joint Venture, targeting a business start on April 1,
2006. The Joint Venture will focus on the planning, design, manufacturing and
marketing to manufacturers of optical disc drives (DVD and CD drives) for
integration into products such as PCs. The company will operate on a global
basis.
The new company will pool the best in optical disc drive technology (e.g. NEC's
strengths in LSIs and Sony's expertise in optical pickups) to deliver high
quality and reliable products to consumer electronics and PC makers on a timely
basis.
Sony's President and Electronics CEO, Ryoji Chubachi commented:
Optical disc drives are key components for a broad range of devices and we are
strategically focusing our development resources in this sector. By teaming with
NEC which has excellent technology in areas such as DVD drives, I believe we can
work effectively to enhance our product lineup and quality on a global scale.
NEC's President Akinobu Kanasugi, commented:
The market for high value-added drives to be integrated into PCs and consumer
electronics products is rapidly expanding. I believe we have made the best
choice in partnering with Sony with whom we can build a total value chain
covering procurement of key components, production and marketing. This will
allow us to realize the aim of becoming the top vendor in this sector.
Outline of JV
Capital
Amount to be determined (Sony will have a 55% stake, NEC will have a 45% stake)
Operational Start
Planned for April 1, 2006
Scale of Business
In FY04, the optical disc drive businesses of both companies combined generated
about Y220 billion.
Executives
Sony will designate the President while NEC will designate the Vice President of
the company.