Editing Sony (section)

==Formats and technologies==
{{Further|List of Sony trademarks}}

Sony has historically been notable for creating its own in-house standards for new recording and storage technologies, instead of adopting those of other manufacturers and standards bodies, while its success in the early years owes to a smooth capitalization on the [[Digital Compact Cassette]] standard introduced by [[Philips]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 March 2021|title=Lou Ottens obituary|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/mar/17/lou-ottens-obituary|access-date=7 September 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=2021-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907145655/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/mar/17/lou-ottens-obituary|url-status=live}}</ref> with which Sony went on to enjoy a decades-long technological relationship in various areas. Sony (either alone or with partners) has introduced several of the most popular recording formats, including the 3.5-inch [[floppy disk]], [[compact disc]] and [[Blu-ray]] disc.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ma'arif |first=Nelly Nailaite |year=2008 |chapter=15 |title=The Power of Marketing: Practitioner Perspectives in Asia |publisher=Penerbit Salemba}}</ref>

===Video recording===
Sony introduced [[U-matic]], the world's first [[videocassette]] format, in 1971, but the standard was unpopular for domestic use due to the high price.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 January 2018 |title=U-matic (1971 – 1990s) |url=https://obsoletemedia.org/u-matic/ |access-date=5 August 2020 |website=Museum of Obsolete Media |language=en-GB |archive-date=2020-10-31  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031103303/https://obsoletemedia.org/u-matic/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The company subsequently launched the [[Betamax]] format in 1975.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Curtis |first=Sophie |date=10 November 2015 |title=Sony is finally killing off Betamax video tapes |language=en-GB |work=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/sony/11986020/Sony-is-finally-killing-off-Betamax-video-tapes.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/sony/11986020/Sony-is-finally-killing-off-Betamax-video-tapes.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=4 January 2019 |issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Sony was involved in the [[videotape format war]] of the early 1980s, when they were marketing the [[Betamax]] system for video cassette recorders against the [[VHS]] format developed by [[JVC]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=The History of Format Wars and How Sony Finally Won... For Now |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/07/how-sony-finally-won-the-format-wars.html |access-date=4 January 2019 |website=pastemagazine.com |date=29 July 2016 |language=en |archive-date=2019-04-01  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401003415/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/07/how-sony-finally-won-the-format-wars.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the end, VHS gained critical mass in the marketbase and became the worldwide standard for consumer VCRs.<ref name=":2" />

Betamax is, for all practical purposes, an obsolete format. Sony's professional-oriented [[component video]] format called [[Betacam]], which was derived from Betamax, was used until 2016 when Sony announced it was stopping production of all remaining 1/2-inch video tape recorders and players, including the Digital Betacam format.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 May 2014 |title=Digital Betacam (1993–2016) |url=https://obsoletemedia.org/digital-betacam/ |access-date=7 January 2019 |website=Museum of Obsolete Media |language=en-GB |archive-date=2020-06-12  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612113414/https://obsoletemedia.org/digital-betacam/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1985, Sony launched their [[Handycam]] products and the [[8 mm video format|Video8 format]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 May 2014 |title=Video8 (1985 – 2000s) |url=https://obsoletemedia.org/video8/ |access-date=4 January 2019 |website=Museum of Obsolete Media |language=en-GB |archive-date=2020-12-10  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210165127/https://obsoletemedia.org/video8/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Video8 and the follow-on hi-band [[8 mm video format|Hi8]] format became popular in the consumer camcorder market. In 1987 Sony launched the 4&nbsp;mm DAT or [[Digital Audio Tape]] as a new digital audio tape standard.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 October 2014 |title=What's DAT Sound? |url=https://blogs.library.duke.edu/bitstreams/2014/10/10/dat-sound/ |access-date=4 January 2019 |website=Bitstreams: The Digital Collections Blog |language=en-US |archive-date=2020-10-30  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030143758/https://blogs.library.duke.edu/bitstreams/2014/10/10/dat-sound/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Visual display ===
Sony held a patent for its proprietary [[Trinitron]] until 1996.

Sony introduced the Triluminos Display, the company's proprietary color reproduction enhancing technology, in 2004, featured in the world's first [[LED-backlit LCD]] televisions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony introduces first televisions to feature LED backlights |url=https://www.ledsmagazine.com/specialty-ssl/backlighting-signs-displays/article/16701260/sony-introduces-first-televisions-to-feature-led-backlights |access-date=6 August 2020 |website=www.ledsmagazine.com |date=19 August 2004 |archive-date=2021-02-18  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218141258/https://www.ledsmagazine.com/specialty-ssl/backlighting-signs-displays/article/16701260/sony-introduces-first-televisions-to-feature-led-backlights |url-status=live }}</ref> It was widely used in other Sony's products as well, including computer monitors, laptops, and smartphones.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 June 2013 |title=The Xperia Z Ultra's Triluminos and X-Reality Engine technologies explained |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/xperia-z-ultra-triluminos-x-reality-234908/ |access-date=6 August 2020 |website=Android Authority |language=en-US |archive-date=2020-09-21  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921103140/https://www.androidauthority.com/xperia-z-ultra-triluminos-x-reality-234908/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, Sony released a new line of televisions with an improved version of the technology, which incorporated [[quantum dot]]s in the backlight system. It was the first commercial use of quantum dots.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quantum Dots Get Commercial Debut in More Colorful Sony TVs |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2013/01/11/180532/quantum-dots-get-commercial-debut-in-more-colorful-sony-tvs/ |access-date=3 August 2020 |website=MIT Technology Review |language=en |archive-date=2020-11-24  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124183849/https://www.technologyreview.com/2013/01/11/180532/quantum-dots-get-commercial-debut-in-more-colorful-sony-tvs/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blagdon |first=Jeff |date=16 January 2013 |title=Sony's new Triluminos TVs pursue vibrant hues with quantum dots |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/1/16/3881546/sonys-new-triluminous-tvs-pursue-vibrant-hues-with-quantum-dots |access-date=6 August 2020 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=2020-11-11  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111222753/http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/16/3881546/sonys-new-triluminous-tvs-pursue-vibrant-hues-with-quantum-dots |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2012, the company revealed a prototype of an ultrafine RGB [[Light-emitting diode|LED]] display, which it calls the [[Crystal LED]] Display.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony fights the OLED future with new 'Crystal LED' prototype (Update: Hands-on!) |url=https://www.engadget.com/2012-01-09-sony-fights-the-oled-future-with-new-crystal-led-prototype.html |access-date=6 August 2020 |website=Engadget |date=19 July 2019 |language=en |archive-date=2021-01-25  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125194647/https://www.engadget.com/2012-01-09-sony-fights-the-oled-future-with-new-crystal-led-prototype.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Audio recording===
Sony used the Compact Cassette format in many of its tape recorders and players, including the [[Walkman]], the world's first portable music player.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Haire |first=Meaghan |date=1 July 2009 |title=The Walkman |language=en-US |magazine=Time |url=http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1907884,00.html |access-date=17 January 2019 |issn=0040-781X |archive-date=2021-01-28  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128084123/http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1907884,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Sony introduced the [[MiniDisc]] format in 1992 as an alternative to [[Philips]] DCC or [[Digital Compact Cassette]] and as a successor to the Compact Cassette.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 November 2013 |title=MiniDisc (1992–2013) |url=https://obsoletemedia.org/minidisc/ |access-date=17 January 2019 |website=Museum of Obsolete Media |language=en-GB |archive-date=2020-11-08  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108025210/https://obsoletemedia.org/minidisc/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Since the introduction of MiniDisc, Sony has attempted to promote its own audio compression technologies under the [[Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding|ATRAC]] brand, against the more widely used MP3. Until late 2004, Sony's [[Walkman#Network Walkman|Network Walkman]] line of digital portable music players did not support the MP3 standard natively.

In 2004, Sony built upon the [[MiniDisc]] format by releasing [[HiMD|Hi-MD]]. Hi-MD allows the playback and recording of audio on newly introduced 1 GB Hi-MD discs in addition to playback and recording on regular MiniDiscs. In addition to saving audio on the discs, Hi-MD allows the storage of computer files such as documents, videos and photos.

===Audio encoding===
In 1993, Sony challenged the industry standard [[Dolby Digital]] 5.1 surround sound format with a newer and more advanced proprietary motion picture digital audio format called [[Sony Dynamic Digital Sound|SDDS]] (Sony Dynamic Digital Sound).<ref name=":3">{{cite web |title=Sony Digital Dynamic Sound |url=https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~clamen/misc/movies/sdds-post.html |access-date=1 February 2019 |website=www.cs.cmu.edu |archive-date=2016-08-07  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807121703/https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~clamen/misc/movies/sdds-post.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This format employed eight channels (7.1) of audio opposed to just six used in Dolby Digital 5.1 at the time.<ref name=":3" /> Ultimately, SDDS has been vastly overshadowed by the preferred DTS ([[DTS (sound system)|Digital Theatre System]]) and Dolby Digital standards in the motion picture industry. SDDS was solely developed for use in the theatre circuit; Sony never intended to develop a home theatre version of SDDS.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ma'arif |first=Nelly Nailaite |title=The Power of Marketing: Practitioner Perspectives in Asia |date=2008 |publisher=Penerbit Salemba Empat |isbn=9789796914456 |oclc=968144111}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Why isn't SDDS in the consumer market? |url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/why-isnt-sdds-in-the-consumer-market.183176/ |access-date=1 February 2019 |website=Blu-ray Movie Discussion, Expert Reviews & News |date=5 July 2004 |language=en-US |archive-date=2020-11-24  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124043456/https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/why-isnt-sdds-in-the-consumer-market.183176/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sony and [[Philips]] jointly developed the Sony-Philips digital interface format ([[S/PDIF]]) and the high-fidelity audio system [[Super Audio CD|SACD]]. The latter became entrenched in a format war with [[DVD-Audio]]. Still, neither gained a major foothold with the general public. CDs had been preferred by consumers because of the ubiquitous presence of CD drives in consumer devices until the early 2000s when the iPod and streaming services became available.<ref>{{cite web |last=Waniata |first=Ryan |date=7 February 2018 |title=The Life and Times of the Late, Great CD |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-history-of-the-cds-rise-and-fall/ |access-date=1 February 2019 |website=digitaltrends.com |archive-date=2021-01-12  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112023950/https://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-history-of-the-cds-rise-and-fall/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2015, Sony introduced [[LDAC (codec)|LDAC]], a [[Proprietary software|proprietary]] [[Audio codec|audio coding]] technology which allows streaming [[high-resolution audio]] over [[Bluetooth]] connections at up to 990&nbsp;kbit/s at 32 bit/96&nbsp;kHz. Sony also contributed it as part of the [[Android Open Source Project]] starting from [[Android 8.0]] "[[Android version history#Android 8.0 Oreo (API 26)|Oreo]]", enabling every OEM to integrate this standard into their own Android devices freely. However the ''decoder'' library is [[Proprietary software|proprietary]], so receiving devices require licenses. On 17 September 2019, the [[Japan Audio Society|Japan Audio Society (JAS)]] certified LDAC with their [[Japan Audio Society#Hi-Res Audio Wireless Certification|Hi-Res Audio Wireless]] certification. Currently the only codecs with the Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification are LDAC and [[LHDC (codec)|LHDC]], another competing standard.

===Optical storage===
[[File:Sony BD-RE 200GB front side 20080119.jpg|thumb|Front side of a Sony 200GB Blu-ray disc]]
Sony demonstrated an optical digital audio disc in 1977 and soon joined hands with Philips, another major contender for the storage technology, to establish a worldwide standard.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The history of the CD – The beginning – Research |url=https://www.philips.com/a-w/research/technologies/cd/beginning.html |access-date=3 August 2020 |website=Philips |language=en |archive-date=2023-05-06  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506083717/https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/innovation/research.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1983, the two companies jointly announced the [[compact disc|Compact Disc]] (CD). In 1984, Sony launched the [[Discman]] series, an expansion of the Walkman brand to portable CD players. Sony began to improve performance and capacity of the novel format. It launched write-once [[optical disc]]s (WO) and [[Magneto-optical drive|magneto-optical discs]] which were around 125MB size for the specific use of archival data storage, in 1986 and 1988 respectively.<ref>A</ref>

In the early 1990s, two high-density optical storage standards were being developed: one was the MultiMedia Compact Disc (MMCD), backed by Philips and Sony, and the other was the Super Density Disc (SD), supported by [[Toshiba]] and many others. Philips and Sony abandoned their MMCD format and agreed upon Toshiba's SD format with only one modification. The unified disc format was called [[DVD]] and was introduced in 1997.

Sony was one of the leading developers of the [[Blu-ray]] optical disc format, the newest standard for disc-based content delivery. The first Blu-ray players became commercially available in 2006. The format emerged as the standard for HD media over the competing format, Toshiba's [[HD DVD]], after a two-year-long [[high-definition optical disc format war]].

Sony's [[Laser communication in space|laser communication]] devices for [[small satellite]]s rely on the technologies developed for the company's optical disc products.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony to launch space business |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Sony-to-launch-space-business |access-date=21 April 2018 |website=Nikkei Asian Review |archive-date=2020-11-15  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115132837/https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Sony-to-launch-space-business |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Disk storage===
In 1983, Sony introduced 90&nbsp;mm micro diskettes, better known as {{convert|3.5|in|mm|adj=on}} [[floppy disk]]s, which it had developed at a time when there were 4" floppy disks, and many variations from different companies, to replace the then on-going 5.25" floppy disks. Sony had great success and the format became dominant. 3.5" floppy disks gradually became obsolete as they were replaced by current media formats. Sony held more than a 70 percent share of the market when it decided to pull the plug on the format in 2010.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ma'arif |first=Nelly Nailatie |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oc_0AkhysO0C&q=Sony+had+great+success+and+the+format+became+dominant.+3.5%22+floppy+disks+gradually+became+obsolete+as+they+were+replaced+by+current+media+formats&pg=PT194 |title=Power of Marketing |date=2008 |publisher=Penerbit Salemba |isbn=9789796914456 |language=en |access-date=2020-10-20  |archive-date=2023-12-30  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230025207/https://books.google.com/books?id=oc_0AkhysO0C&q=Sony+had+great+success+and+the+format+became+dominant.+3.5%22+floppy+disks+gradually+became+obsolete+as+they+were+replaced+by+current+media+formats&pg=PT194#v=snippet&q=Sony%20had%20great%20success%20and%20the%20format%20became%20dominant.%203.5%22%20floppy%20disks%20gradually%20became%20obsolete%20as%20they%20were%20replaced%20by%20current%20media%20formats&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Floppy disk history: The evolution of personal computing |url=https://www.hpe.com/us/en/insights/articles/floppy-disk-history-the-evolution-of-personal-computing-1804.html |access-date=2020-08-03  |archive-date=2021-02-06  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206204632/https://www.hpe.com/us/en/insights/articles/floppy-disk-history-the-evolution-of-personal-computing-1804.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sony still develops [[Magnetic-tape data storage|magnetic tape]] storage technologies along with [[IBM]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anthony |first=Sebastian |date=2017-08-02 |title=IBM and Sony cram up to 330 terabytes into tiny tape cartridge |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/08/ibm-and-sony-cram-up-to-330tb-into-tiny-tape-cartridge/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |archive-date=2023-05-27  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527023718/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/08/ibm-and-sony-cram-up-to-330tb-into-tiny-tape-cartridge/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and are one of only two manufacturers of [[Linear Tape-Open]] (LTO) cartridges.

===Flash memory===
In 1998, Sony launched the [[Memory Stick]] format, the [[flash memory]] cards for use in Sony lines of digital cameras and portable music players. It has seen little support outside of Sony's own products, with [[Secure Digital card]]s (SD) commanding considerably greater popularity. Sony has made updates to the Memory Stick format with [[Memory Stick#Memory Stick Duo and PRO Duo|Memory Stick Duo]] and [[Memory Stick Micro]]. The company has also released [[USB flash drive]] products, branded under the Micro Vault line.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sony-micro-vault-enabling-portable-bragability-for-gran-turismo-4-gamers|title=Sony MICRO VAULT – enabling portable bragability for Gran Turismo 4 gamers!|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=3 March 2005|access-date=2021-09-17 |archive-date=2021-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917152040/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sony-micro-vault-enabling-portable-bragability-for-gran-turismo-4-gamers|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Communication===
Sony introduced [[FeliCa]], a contactless IC card technology primarily used in [[contactless payment]], as a result of the company's joint development and commercialization of [[near-field communication|Near-Field Communication]] (NFC) with Philips. The standard is largely offered in two forms, either chips embedded in smartphones or plastic cards with chips embedded in them. Sony plans to implement this technology in train systems across Asia.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Alpeyev |first1=Pavel |last2=Huang |first2=Grace |date=15 October 2015 |title=Sony's Answer to Apple Pay Is Laying Tracks for Asian Expansion |publisher=Bloomberg Business |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-16/sony-s-answer-to-apple-pay-is-laying-tracks-for-asian-expansion |access-date=19 October 2015 |archive-date=2020-11-20  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120072420/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-16/sony-s-answer-to-apple-pay-is-laying-tracks-for-asian-expansion |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2019, Sony launched the ELTRES, the company's proprietary low-power wide-area wireless communication ([[LPWAN]]) standard.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 May 2019 |title=Sony unveils LPWA IoT communication module |url=https://www.eenewsautomotive.com/news/sony-unveils-lpwa-iot-communication-module |access-date=3 August 2020 |website=eeNews Automotive |language=en |archive-date=2020-10-23  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023015553/https://www.eenewsautomotive.com/news/sony-unveils-lpwa-iot-communication-module |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Video gaming===
Until 1991, Sony had little direct involvement with the video game industry. The company supplied components for other consoles, such as the sound chip for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] from [[Nintendo]], and operated a video game studio, [[Sony Imagesoft]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=DeMaria|first1=Rusel|last2=Wilson|first2=Johnny L.|title=High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games|date=2003|publisher=McGraw-Hill/Osborne|location=New York|isbn=0-07-223172-6|page=376|edition=2}}</ref> As part of a joint project between Nintendo and Sony that began as early as 1988, the two companies worked to create a [[CD-ROM]] version of the Super Famicom,<ref>"Game Over", by David Scheff</ref> though Nintendo denied the existence of the Sony deal as late as March 1991.<ref name="cgw199106">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1991&pub=2&id=83 | title=Celebrating Software | magazine=Computer Gaming World | date=June 1991 | access-date=November 17, 2013 | page=64 | archive-date=December 3, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004050/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1991&pub=2&id=83 | url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[Consumer Electronics Show]] in June 1991, Sony revealed a Super Famicom with a built-in CD-ROM drive, named the "Play Station" (also known as [[SNES-CD]]). However, a day after the announcement at CES, Nintendo announced that it would be breaking its partnership with Sony, opting to go with [[Philips]] instead but using the same technology.<ref name="History2">{{cite magazine |date=April 24, 2009 |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/making-playstation/ |title=The Making Of: PlayStation |author=<!--Not stated--> |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge Online]] |publisher=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge Magazine]] |access-date=February 2, 2014 |archive-date=February 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140206193956/http://www.edge-online.com/features/making-playstation/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The deal was broken by Nintendo after they were unable to come to an agreement on how revenue would be split between the two companies.<ref name="History2"/> The breaking of the partnership infuriated Sony President [[Norio Ohga]], who responded by appointing Kutaragi with the responsibility of developing the PlayStation project to rival Nintendo.<ref name="History2"/>

At that time, negotiations were still on-going between Nintendo and Sony, with Nintendo offering Sony a "non-gaming role" regarding their new partnership with Philips. This proposal was swiftly rejected by Kutaragi who was facing increasing criticism over his work with regard to entering the video game industry from within Sony. Negotiations officially ended in May 1992 and in order to decide the fate of the PlayStation project, a meeting was held in June 1992, consisting of Sony President Ohga, PlayStation Head Kutaragi and several senior members of Sony's board. At the meeting, Kutaragi unveiled a proprietary CD-ROM-based system he had been working on which involved playing video games with 3D graphics to the board. Eventually, Sony President Ohga decided to retain the project after being reminded by Kutaragi of the humiliation he suffered from Nintendo. Nevertheless, due to strong opposition from a majority present at the meeting as well as widespread internal opposition to the project by the older generation of Sony executives, Kutaragi and his team had to be shifted from Sony's headquarters to [[Sony Music]], a completely separate financial entity owned by Sony, so as to retain the project and maintain relationships with Philips for the MMCD development project (which helped lead to the creation of the [[DVD]])

===Continued research and development===
In 2021, the [[World Intellectual Property Organization|WIPO]]'s annual review of the [[World Intellectual Property Indicators]] report ranked Sony's as ninth in the world for the number of patent applications published under the [[Patent Cooperation Treaty|PCT System]]. 1,793 patent applications were published by Sony during 2020.<ref name=":7">{{cite web|title=World Intellectual Property Indicators 2021|url=https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo_pub_941_2021.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=30 November 2021|website=WIPO|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108113717/https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo_pub_941_2021.pdf|archive-date=8 November 2021}}</ref> This position is up from their previous ranking as 13th in 2019 with 1,566 applications.<ref name="wipo">{{cite book|author1=World Intellectual Property Organization|url=https://www.wipo.int/publications/en/details.jsp?id=4526|title=World Intellectual Property Indicators 2020|publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)|year=2020|isbn=9789280532012|series=World IP Indicators (WIPI)|language=en|doi=10.34667/tind.42184|access-date=2021-08-26|archive-date=2021-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214220604/https://www.wipo.int/publications/en/details.jsp?id=4526|url-status=live}}</ref>