Report - Viacom sold Harmonix for $50

Harmonix was sold by Viacom to investment group Columbus Nova for $49.99, All Things Digital is reporting.

The site claims Columbus has taken all expenses on music fees rights as well as "responsibility for lots of unsold games and equipment sitting on warehouse shelves."

The story claims that the deal was done in such a way that Viacom could recoup most of the $175 million it paid for in buying Harmonix in tax benefits.

Harmonix was bought back in September 2006 by Viacom.

In November last year, Viacom announced it was to sell the developer following flagging sales of Rock Band.

It was announced before Christmas that Harmonix had bought itself out of Viacom, thanks to backing by Columbus Nova.

The developer's PR boss John Drake said that it would "continue support" of Rock Band and Dance Central, as well as "work on some unannounced projects that we think you’re going to be pumped about."