Among the latest batch of leaked Sony emails is a look at behind-the-scenes of the company’s music business. A November email chain between executives showed that they considered selling its music publishing business, including the unit that owns the Beatles’ songs.
The Nov. 21 email between U.S. CFO Steve Kober, Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton and Sony Corp. of America President Nicole Seligman reveals that they didn’t think the music publishing unit had much chance of growing. That lead to a “top secret” plan to sell it off, reports Bloomberg.
In addition, an Oct. 3 revealed that the executives in Tokyo also had concerns over how the business was being handled. The publishing business is owned by David Geffen and Abu Dhabi investors. Still, it makes up 14 percent of Sony’s total music revenue.
Sony’s publishing business includes its highly lucrative joint effort with the Michael Jackson estate, which includes a majority of the Beatles’ original songs. As Billboard notes, Sony also spent $2.2 billion in June 2012 for EMI’s publishing catalog.
Sony didn’t comment on the report. The emails are among the thousands leaked by hackers in retaliation for The Interview.