Sony Corp, the world's second-largest consumer-electronics maker, said it has developed software incorporating new technology to enhance the copyright protection of music and movies available through the Internet.
The software, using a technology called "OpenMG X," provides distributors more control over how their digital content is used, Sony said.
For instance, it will allow content providers to limit the number of times a song can be copied and played.
Movies, music and games are now readily available for swapping over the Internet, sparking concern among record companies and movie studios. Sony has blamed digital piracy for eroding profit at its music business, which posted a loss of ?10.3 billion (US$85 million) in the three months ended June 30.
Sony has more at stake in protecting digital copyrights than earnings at its music operations. The creator of the Walkman personal stereo plans to release several models of its Vaio PCs later this year that will act as home servers, powerful computers capable of storing and playing movies and music in digital form.
Next year, the company will release versions of its Wega televisions with the capability of allowing users to download digitalized content.
In addition to manufacturing the products on which digital music and movie files are played, Sony is also a content provider and has fought to protect the value of its products.
Sony is the parent company of Columbia Pictures, which released this summer's box-office hit Spider-Man. As well, Sony counts Mariah Carey among its list of music artists.
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