Did Sony actually buy Tamron?

According to a web site called Hypersensory Sony is said to have purchased lens maker Tamron.

There is nothing on the
Tamron site about this, so I would consider this just an unfounded rumor.

Then I found a mention on the Gizmodo site.

Hmm… It seems like this is just a rumor, but where there is smoke…

Luke Bosman Says:
June 9th, 2006 at 10:34 am
Tamron is listed on JASDAQ. Any purchase by Sony would surely lead to a significant increase in the share price and in number of shares changing hands.

If Sony did buy Tamron, I would guess that they bought a large number of shares at the beginning of April. However, I would happily dismiss the rumour on the simple grounds that the information would be easily verified. And no-one has verified it yet.
Luke Bosman Says:
June 9th, 2006 at 10:40 am
Hang on: according to the Tamron site, Sony owned 11.08% of Tamron on 31st December 2005. There is a note which claims:

The 3,130 thousand shares owned by Sony Corporation are fiduciary assets trusted to Mizuho Trust & Banking Co., Ltd. In regard to the execution of voting rights and jus disposition of the shares, Sony Corporation reserves the right to instruct pursuant to the provisions of the trust contract between the two parties.
tom Says:
June 9th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
Thanks for the info, Luke. I wrote to Tamon, USA and they responed that “There is no truth to the rumors that Sony has purchased Tamron.”

Simple enough, but your information about the Tamron stock owned by Sony is extemely interesting. 11% of the stock would gie Sony some votying cloiut, if nothing more.

– Tom

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