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Sony Group Corporation is a Japanese Zaibatsu (or mega corporation) headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.<ref>"[https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/ Access & Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416150015/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/|date=2021-04-16}}." Sony Global. Retrieved 2 April 2021. "1–7–1 Konan Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan" – [https://web.archive.org/web/20120227050438/http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/map_head_office.pdf Map] – [https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html Address in Japanese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926182046/https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html|date=2023-09-26}}: "〒108-0075 東京都港区港南1–7–1"</ref> The Sony Group comprises entities such as Sony Corporation, Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Sony Entertainment (including Sony Pictures and Sony Music Group), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Financial Group, among others.
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Sony was established in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita.
{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = SONY
| Type = Public
| Founded = 1946
| Industry = Conglomerate
| Official Website = https://sony.com/
| Logo = Sony.svg
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Sony|Sony Group Corporation]]''' is a Japanese Zaibatsu (or mega corporation) headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.<ref>"[https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/ Access & Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416150015/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/|date=2021-04-16}}." Sony Global. Retrieved 2 April 2021. "1–7–1 Konan Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan" – [https://web.archive.org/web/20120227050438/http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/map_head_office.pdf Map] – [https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html Address in Japanese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926182046/https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html|date=2023-09-26}}: "〒108-0075 東京都港区港南1–7–1"</ref> The Sony Group Corporation owns over 100 companies including, but not limited to Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Sony Entertainment (including Sony Pictures and Sony Music Group), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Financial Group, Crunchyroll, and Bungie.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of acquisitions by Sony |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikipedia]]}}</ref>


The young company distinguished itself in the consumer electronics market with transistor radios, the home video tape recorder, the portable audio player called the Walkman, and the compact disc player. In 1988, Sony acquired CBS Records, and in 1989, it acquired Columbia Pictures. The company also introduced the home video game console [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] in 1994.
Sony was established in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> The young company distinguished itself in the consumer electronics market with transistor radios, home video tape recorders, portable audio players called the Walkman, and compact disk players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 1988, Sony acquired CBS Records.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Corporate History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> Later, in 1989 it acquired Columbia Pictures.<ref name=":1" /> The company also introduced the home video game console [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] in 1994.<ref name=":1" />


=== '''Different products with systemic problems''' ===
== Consumer impact summary ==
Sony has found itself involved in many controversies in the past, most commonly consumer rights and management of digital content issues. They have included instances such as Sony BMG rootkit in 2005, where copy protection software tracked users in secret and added security holes, which were the target of lawsuits and recalls. Sony has also had run-ins with digital content access, like trying to close down the PlayStation Store on older systems and removing "forever" licenses on Funimation content, which was met with pushback and reversal.


# [[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds]]
More recently, the mandatory PSN account requirement mandated by Sony in Helldivers 2 and binding arbitration provisions in Crunchyroll's terms of service have been criticized as restrictive of user choice and access.
# [[Sony x900h television]]


 
== Controversies ==<!-- add a preamble here -->
== Controversies ==
<!-- add a preamble here -->
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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!Related Video(s)
!Related Video(s)
|-
|-
|Removal of Discovery titles
|Sony BMG CD copy protection {{wplink|rootkit}}
|2005
|Sony BMG distributed about 20 million discs preloaded with copy protection software that tracks the users listening habits (even if the user did not agree to the [[EULA]]), hides itself, and introduces exploitable bugs. As such it has been classified as a rootkit.
Furthermore, they released an uninstaller tool later that merely un-hides their original rootkit and installs more un-removable software, all while extracting more personal information (e-mail addresses) from users.
|Class action lawsuits in 2005-2006 forced Sony to recall about 10% of affected CDs. Sony stopped their copy protection attempts in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony's DRM protected CDs install Windows rootkits |url=https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony%27s_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikinews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revisiting the Sony Rootkit |url=https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions-pictures |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[fsfe]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CD’s Containing XCP Content Protection Technology |url=http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224153240/http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |archive-date=24 Dec 2008 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony BMG]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray AACS License Renewal
|2006
|The Advanced Access Content System (AACS) encryption key of Sony PlayStation 3 devices must be renewed every 12 to 18 months via software updates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renewing the AACS encryption key |url=https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|TBD.  At some point, software updates will no longer be released, which will eventually lock out users from this functionality.
|
|
|-
|PlayStation Store Shutdown
|2021
|Sony intended to shut down the PlayStation Store on its {{wplink|PlayStation 3|PS3}}, {{wplink|PlayStation Vita|PS Vita}}, and {{wplink|PlayStation Portable|PSP}} consoles, despite many of the content offerings not being available on newer consoles.
|Sony walked back the decision for the PS3 and PS Vita, citing the negative response from customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Jim |date=19 Apr 2021 |title=PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita Will Continue Operations |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Removal of {{wplink|Discovery Channel|Discovery}} titles
|2023
|2023
|Sony intended to remove customers' access to "purchased" Discovery Channel content at the end of their licensing agreements.
|Sony intended to remove customers' access to "purchased" Discovery Channel content at the end of their licensing agreements.
|Sony reversed the decision, allowing customers to continue accessing the content. <ref>https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/</ref>
|Sony reversed the decision, allowing customers to continue accessing the content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Dec 2023 |title=Legal update notice |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|
|[[Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE</ref>
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE</ref>
|-
|-
|Helldivers 2 PSN Account Requirement
|{{wplink|Helldivers 2}} PSN Account Requirement
|2024
|2024
|Sony added a PSN account requirement for Helldivers 2 after the game had become popular, including in countries where you can't create a PSN account.
|Sony added a {{wplink|PlayStation Network|PSN account}} requirement for Helldivers 2 after the game had become popular, including for countries where you can't create a PSN account.
|The requirement was removed <ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741</ref> , however the game was removed from sale in countries without PSN. <ref>https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/</ref>
|The requirement was removed,<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741</ref> however the game was removed from sale in countries without PSN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serin |first=Kaan |date=11 May 2024 |title=Helldivers 2 gets delisted in more countries without PSN access, blindsided devs call for it to be "available worldwide" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar]]}}</ref>
|
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4</ref>
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4</ref>
|-
|-
|Revocation of "Forever" licenses to {{wplink|Funimation}} digital content
|2024
|After merging Funimation with {{wplink|Crunchyroll, LLC|Crunchyroll}}, Sony revoked all licenses to digital content that had been advertised as "forever" licenses without providing a refund or reimbursement.
|Some users received free months of service for the new Crunchyroll platform, but only if they submitted a ticket.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=26 Feb 2024 |title=Funimation’s solution for wiping out digital libraries could be good, if it works |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>
|[[Funimation "Forever" Content License Revocation]]
|
|-
|Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update
|2025
|Sony forced users of Crunchyroll into binding arbitration by updating their terms of service and without providing an easy way to opt-out.
|TBD
|[[Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update]]
|
|}
|}


== Products ==
*[[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds]]
*[[Sony x900h television]]
*Sony WH-1000XM5


=== References: ===
==References==
<references />
{{Reflist}}
===Video references===
<references group="Video References" />
<references group="Video References" />


[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Sony]]
[[Category:Sony]]
[[Category:Articles in need of additional work]]
Retrieved from "https://consumerrights.wiki/wiki/Sony"