Sony Takes Symbolic Stake In RealNetworks

As part of their new partnership, the companies will conduct regular product and business reviews to increase their collaboration on a number of initiatives, including the further integration of Sony technologies into RealNetworks' products. Sony said it plans to adopt Real's digital distribution solutions in a variety of networked products, including the PS2. The two companies have collaborated on technology over the last two years, working together to integrate Sony's ATRAC3 sound compression format and OpenMG copyright protection technology into RealPlayer.