Sony is making more moves to reorganize its varied businesses, including the purchase of an image sensor company and the potential sale of its music-publishing business.
First, the company has acquired Softkinetic Systems, based in Belgium, for an undisclosed sum. Softkinetic’s technology helps image sensors determine how long it takes light to bounce off an object and return to the sensor. Earlier this week, Sony said it plans to spin off its image sensor business into a separate company amidst strong demand for those products.
Second, Sony is looking to sell its half of the Sony/ATV Music Publishing company. Sony and the estate of the late Michael Jackson have each owned 50% of the company since 1995. It is one of the largest music-publishing businesses in the world and boasts the catalogs of The Beatles, Taylor Swift, Marvin Gaye, and the Rolling Stones, among others. The business is valued at about $2 billion, but Sony has not yet put a price tag on it. Sony triggered a clause in its contract with the Jackson estate to sell its half. The Jackson estate will have the opportunity to purchase the entire business or allow it to be sold to a third party.
Sony has spent more than year attempting to reinvigorate its numerous businesses as sales of core consumer electronics products such as televisions and smartphones have dropped.
