Sony Head Speaks Out At CES About Hack, Thanks Supporters and Partners

Sony Chief Executive Officer Kazuo Hirai made first public comment at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) about the recent hack. He thanked employees, partners for support, especially in releasing the film 'The Interview' publicly.

"I am very proud of all the employees and certainly the partners we've worked with as well who stood up against some of the extortionate efforts of criminals," Mr. Hirai said at CES, in a news conference.

The comedy movie, about the assassination attempt of Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, led to a hacking attack made by a group demanding Sony to hold back from releasing the movie. FBI confirmed that the hack was carried out by the North Korea.

Major movie theater chains opted out to release the film in their theaters, so the company had to release the film online. In addition the movie was also released on more than 580 independent screen.

Mr. Hirai added that the Interview is a "great" and "fascinating" movie and he is committed to free speech.

"I think it would be remiss if I didn't mention Sony Pictures Entertainment and the comedy movie 'The Interview,'" he said. "Freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of association, those are very important lifelines of Sony...and our business."

The Interview turned out to be a very successful movie for Sony. It earned Sony more than $15 million in the first four days of its release.