Sony buying out Ericsson stake in Sony Ericsson?
updated 12:05 pm EDT, Wed March 18, 2009
Sony Buying Ericsson Stake
German magazine Manager claimed on Wednesday that Ericsson plans to back out of phone maker Sony Ericsson. The Swedish half of the partnership has reportedly brought up a split with Sony, which has "expressed interest" in talking to banks for help buying out Ericsson's 50 percent stake and leaving Sony in full control of the company.
The likelihood of a deal going through is called into question by Sony's health in the current economic crisis. It recently posted its first loss in 14 years and so might not have the resources or justification needed to make such a larger purchase. Questions have also been raised regarding the likely success of a Sony-only phone company.
Why Ericsson might look to back out of Sony Ericsson isn't mentioned, though it and Sony have frequently been rumored as fighting each other over the future direction of phones. Sony has allegedly refused to compromise on developing a PlayStation phone and has increasingly taken control of its phones' design directions, such as with the XPERIA X1. [via Mobile Burn]
