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 January 2005
Commission File Number: 0-3003
46 quai A. Le Gallo
92648 Boulogne Cedex
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 ¨
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Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b) (1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b) (7): ¨
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Press Release
Thomson Enters into Business Alliance with Japanese Group,
Funai Electric
Paris, France, January 20th, 2005 - Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) today announced that it has formed a business alliance in digital television development with Japanese television and electronic goods manufacturer, Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
The alliance includes joint development work and the exclusive license to Funai of certain patents relating to digital television (DTV) technology. Funai shipped over 9 million televisions in 2004. Under a separate cooperation supply agreement, Thomson will provide Funai with color picture tubes (CPT).
The alliance with Funai reflects Thomson’s strategy to leverage its intellectual property in Digital television. The cooperation supply agreement will expand the development and sales potential of the CPT business. Thomson has previously announced a strategy of partnerships in CPTs, which continues to progress on plan and schedule.
* * *
Certain statements in this press release, including any discussion of management expectations for future periods, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to changes in global economic, business, competitive market and regulatory factors. More detailed information on the potential factors that could affect the financial results of Thomson is contained in Thomson’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Thomson - Partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries
Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) provides technology, systems and services to help its Media & Entertainment clients - content creators, content distributors and users of its technology - realize their business goals and optimize their performance in a rapidly changing technology environment. The Group intends to become the preferred partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries through its Technicolor, Grass Valley, RCA and Thomson brands. For more information: www.thomson.net.
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.
| Date: January 24th, 2005 |
THOMSON S.A. | |||||||
| By: |
/s/ Julian Waldron | |||||||
| Name: |
Julian Waldron | |||||||
| Title: |
Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | |||||||