Sony needs more than MJ to wow users

Sony Corp is channeling the spirit of Michael Jackson.

Facing Sony's first back-to-back annual losses in half a century, Chief Executive Officer Howard Stringer is eyeing an obvious payday: film rights to the late star's wildly anticipated last concert rehearsals. And who can blame Stringer, given that Sony owns the rights for Jackson's Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous and HIStory albums?

Yet even blockbuster sales from a new Jackson video won't save Sony from the two biggest drains on profits: Japan's flagging economy and a dearth of innovative ideas.