#Sony Group Corporation

[playermagic23]

Sony terminates $10 billion merger with Zee Entertainment; seeks fee of $90 million on alleged breaching of the deal: Reports

Sony Group Corporation has officially terminated the much-talked-about two-year pursuit of merging with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited. The proposed deal aimed to amalgamate TV and streaming ventures in India under the ZEE umbrella. The news was confirmed on Monday, January 22, 2024.

After notifying the Tokyo Stock Exchange of the termination of the proposed merger, an official statement from Sony Pictures Entertainment read, “Culver Max Entertainment (CME) today issued notice to Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) terminating the agreement dated December 22, 2021, to merge ZEEL and CME. Although we engaged in good faith discussions to extend the end date under the merger cooperation agreement, we were unable to agree upon an extension by the January 21 deadline.  After more than two years of negotiations, we are extremely disappointed that the closing conditions of the merger were not satisfied by the end date. We remain committed to growing our presence in this vibrant and fast-growing market and delivering world-class entertainment to Indian audiences.”

As per Variety, another statement from Sony Group read, “The merger did not close by the end date as, among other things, the closing conditions to the merger were not satisfied by then. [Sony Pictures Networks India] has been engaged in discussions in good faith to extend the end date but the discussion period has expired without an agreement upon an extension of the end date. As a result, on January 22, 2024, SPNI issued a notice to ZEEL terminating the definitive agreements.”

Sony Group’s statement also read that it “does not anticipate any material impact on its consolidated financial results as a result of the termination of the definitive agreements for the merger.”

Meanwhile, ZEE, in response, released their statement that read, “ZEEL’s Board of Directors is evaluating all the available options. Basis the guidance received from the board, ZEEL will take all the necessary steps to protect the long-term interests of all its stakeholders, including by taking appropriate legal action and contesting Culver Max and BEPL’s claims in the arbitration proceedings. ZEEL has displayed utmost commitment towards the merger by undertaking several permanent and irreversible steps, resulting in one-time and recurring costs for ZEEL. Despite this, the company will continue to evaluate organic and inorganic opportunities for growth, leveraging the intrinsic value of its assets.”

Sony planned a $10 billion merger with Zee but now claims Zee breached the deal, seeking $90 million. In their statement, Zee has denied wrongdoing and rejected Sony's claims, stating they upheld the merger agreement. Initially, Sony was said to pay $100 million if the merger fell through, but now they're demanding $90 million from Zee.

Back in December 2021, Sony and ZEE signed definitive agreements to merge ZEEL with and into SPNI and combine their linear networks, digital assets, production operations and program libraries. The agreements followed the conclusion of an exclusive negotiation period during which ZEEL and SPNI conducted mutual due diligence. After closing, the new combined company was to be publicly listed in India. The closing of the transaction was subject to certain customary closing conditions, including regulatory, shareholder, and third-party approvals.

[beingjellybeans]

Sony Music and Hazel Faith give back this holiday season to charity Rise Against Hunger with ‘Season of Giving’ Campaign

Sony Music and Hazel Faith give back this holiday season to charity Rise Against Hunger with ‘Season of Giving’ Campaign

Sony Music Entertainment Philippines and singer-songwriter Hazel Faith have partnered with charity, Rise Against Hunger, to support vulnerable communities locally impacted by food insecurity, whose situations have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.  This comes as part of Sony Music Group’s global ‘Season of Giving’ campaign, where the company and its artists are giving back to every…

[testrella]

CRAZY RICH ASIANS…! G.SATORU X READER : PROLOGUE

𝜗𝜚 SYNOPSIS 𝜗𝜚

since the beginning of japan, the gojo clan has always been wealthy. the clan brought their money to rural japan and built from the bottom up, making them the landlords of half of japan.

gojo satoru, the heir to everything, finds himself in a difficult position as he fell for somebody who his family would never approve. yet, he cannot find himself to leave as you are the first girl who isn't interested in his family's wealth.

𝜗𝜚 | PROLOGUE

money.

sony corporation, mitsubishi corporation, nintendo co, sanrio co etc…

all these companies are based in japan and rack up billions in revenue every month. with money, comes power, and with power comes authority over everything.

and that was all satoru ever knew growing up.

“gojo satoru! how would i even begin to explain your state to your mother?!”

the first time satoru noticed his authority over people in the real world was when he was seven.

he was covered in mud, head to toe. any other day, he could’ve gotten away with it. but today was not those days.

the suit personally made for him that day was too tight. he believed if he took a walk outside, it’d stretch and fit to his liking. one thing led to another and his now ¥5790 suit was in ruins.

though he didn’t see an issue with the suit being covered in grimy wet dirt, and possibly worms. his mother gave him permission to go outside. but she knew that satoru, at age seven, would find a way to mess up his suit.

“how could you explain what to me?” the snake herself walked through satoru’s door.

satoru always believed his mother was a snake. not because her teeth could most certainly be filled with venom, or the fact she was twofaced. but because she lurks silently and waits for the right moment to wreak havoc.

before he could greet her, a loud, sharp smack was echoed in the room. almost like a wet towel was being thrown against the floor.

“how dare you let my child walk around looking like this?” her voice was strong and full of jurisdiction.

satoru watched the head maid get beaten to the floor. it was hit after hit. it was like a broken movie cd, and it replaying the worst scene.

“mom, please stop..” he spoke barely above a whisper. but somewhere within that sentence, he gained consciousness.

as he watched blood splattered across the room, he knew in that moment that he was the only one who could say something. everyone watched in terror as the young boy stood with unshaken bravery.

“mother, as future heir to the gojo clan, i-i command you to stop!!”

and she did. that was power.

and nobody in japan had any when standing next to gojo satoru.

taking care of kids full-time wasn’t something you had in mind. children are snotty, had sticky fingers and asked a million questions that have no answers.

your heart was set on journalism.

you wanted to be the next to have their big break with the most jaw dropping piece. but fate had other ideas for me.

“boys in the back, please be quiet. how many times do i have to ask all of you to not talk while someone’s presenting??” a frustrated sigh escaped your lips as they continued their banter at the kid in front of the class.

now you find yourself in a secondary classroom, asking teenagers to be quite for the millionth time.

“miss. l/n,” your head turned to the direction of the child, “may i use the restroom? it’s an emergency.”

you knew him well enough that he was trying to escape from presenting his project next. the boy was quiet and kept to himself. the only time he would ever speak was to use the restroom, or to greet you in the morning.

“nice try, you can go after you present. come on up fushiguro, you’re next.” you gave him an encouraging smile as his posture slumped.

you rested your arms on your desk and watched the boy slowly walk up to the front. he gave you one last ‘do i have to?’ look before speaking to his peers.

once again, the group of boys snickered and made rude remarks towards him.

“look at emo boy up there. his hair is covering his entire face!”

“i bet you could punch him, and he wouldn’t see it coming.”

before you could silence them, your student spoke up.

“why don’t you come up and find out then?”

the class starts echoing ‘ooouuu’ at his comeback. as smart as it was, it was highly inappropriate. sighing, you stand up from your chair “okay, settle down everyo-“

“OH SO ITS LIKE THAT EMO BOY?!”

one of the boys from the back stands up so aggressively that it knocks down the desk in front of him.

“yeah, it’s like that.” fushiguro states with the straightest face anybody could have. he was unphased by the other’s outburst. as if he had his share of tantrums from others.

“you’re gonna let him talk to you like that? beat his ass!” one kid blurted.

“get his ass! we got you from right here…” another said while muttering the last sentence.

and of course, with teaching, you get to see your fair share of fights. although nothing could’ve prepared for you to see a five v one.

..and nothing, absolutely NOTHING could’ve prepared you to watch the quiet kid in your class demolish all five boys before being separated.

“megumi fushiguro! i will be calling your father, and he WILL be having a meeting with miss. l/n and myself.” declared the head of the school.

you watched awkwardly as he slumped down into his chair, muttering a quiet ‘he’s not my father’ and wiping the dry blood on his face. you wanted to speak up but the tension in office was too thick.

“i’ll- um,” both the dean and megumi look at you, the first to break the silence. “i’ll get fushiguro some ice and bandages. i’ll be back before his father-“

“he’s not my dad!”

“oh! his um, his guardian. i’ll be back before his guardian arrives.” you sigh realizing that any errands you’ve had before would have to be rescheduled.

the cold, tingling feelings lingers on both hands as you alternate the ice bag on your hands. your eyes are glued to the floor as you have today's events replay in your head.

from your lack of situational awareness, you bump into a wall. or at least what you thought was a wall. you look up and see a white haired male towering over you.

“woah there little lady, you okay? seems like we’re both in a hurry today.”

𝜗𝜚 | CHAPTER ONE : fight! fight! fight!

tag list: @roscpctals99 @poeticlovefanpage @mistyheart @sureconfused @chilichopsticks @lightshowerrr @faeryminnyx @0001010dog @myabae @nivi @therealestpussyeater @kolpvii @sleepykittycx @browrm @tojisworm-5 @universallystrangeravenue @catobsessedlady @shivzypuff @nico707 @invisible-mori @peqch-pie @dilflover-3 @lovelivelaygh1324 @mo0sin @gojoracle @foliea @honoredalone @goldenglow149 @portgas459ace @sealsu @misorastars @hyori2 @selysixn

[titleknown]

In other news of "Why current copyright law is an abomination that fucks over preservation" here you go.

And, with the way libraries that're "playing by the rules" on books are about to be enshittified, I would like to give a hearty CHOKE AND DIE to those who chide the Internet Archive for "bluh bluh muh piracy" on the lawsuit over their free library, and who will chide them over here.

These corporate jackals will fuck you even if you play by their rules, stop pretending they are in any way morally justified in this, and stop pretending copyright is anything but an enemy of preservation.

(or; at the very least; stop cheerleading efforts to make copyright even worse to "own the techbros," but that's its own gripe)

[fostersffff]

Many of you are already aware that Right Stuf was acquired by Crunchyroll late last year in August of 2022 in order to expand the latter's eCommerce services. Since then, we've all been wroking hard towards integrating our collective websites into a one-stop shop for everything anime and manga. And now that time has come... On October 10, 2023 Right Stuf will sunset and all listed products at https://www.rightstufanime.com will migrate over to their new home at the Crunchyroll Store at https://store.crunchyroll.com. It's the end of an era, to be sure, but all of us at Crunchyroll want to assure you that this is also the beginning of a bright (orange) future! So, what does Right Stuf's sunset mean going forward? First off, and most importantly, anime and manga fans will still be able to find all r (sp?) products, which were previously listed at Right Stuf, now at the Crunchyroll Store! Our Buyers will continue to place purchase orders and we have a goal to reach even more fans who love owning the physical products you offer. We also want to continue to pursue and partnership opportunities with you; from exclusive items and mutually beneficial promotions just to name a few. With the integration we've practically acquired a new superpower, piggybacking on Crunchyroll's already expansive reach into anime fandom via its streaming services, and, with that in mind, we're aiming to grow our eCommerce offerings as well. Looking to the immediate future we are still planning for a 2023 Holiday Sale similar to what Right Stuf has been known for, but there will be some changes to how the sale operates. We'll be reaching out to you soon with details to follow and hope to have you onboard for the Crunchyroll Holiday Sale in 2023! We're fans, just like you, and we want to see anime and manga continue to thrive and grow! We appreciate your support but if you have any questions or concerns please reach out to any member of the buying/merchandising team.

I have said it so many times before but I need to urge everyone now, when it's on the precipice of being too late, if you have any internationally (primarily Japanese) licensed media you want to own forever, now is the time to do it. Sony, via Crunchyroll, owns a worryingly large share of the anime and manga distribution market, both digital and physical, and the more they own, the worse it's going to be for consumers. It's going to be even more worse in the event Crunchyroll fucks something up, like how The Embracer Group bought up all those video game developers, then a single deal fell through and now they and everything they bought might be on death's door. When it comes to corporate consolidation and monopolies, consumers will lose one way or another.

If you can support official releases of things you love, please do so to ensure that you will always have access to it. And- failing that- never forget that piracy is always a valid option.

[ptbf2002]

My Top 10 Netflix Characters

10. Mugman (The Cuphead Show)

9. Kid (Kid Cosmic)

8. James (Oddballs)

7. Sonic The Hedgehog (Sonic Prime)

6. Audrey Smith (Harvey Street Kids/Harvey Girls Forever!)

5. She-Ra (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power)

4. Lincoln Loud (The Loud House Movie)

3. Sandy Cheeks (Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie)

2. Mai Su (Next Gen)

1. Hilda (Hilda)

Original Template: https://www.deviantart.com/edogg8181804/art/Top-10-Netflix-Characters-Meme-854139578

The Cuphead Show! Belongs To Dave Wasson, Mercury Filmworks, Lighthouse Studios, Screen Novelties, Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. King Features Syndicate, Inc. Hearst Communications, Inc. Netflix Animation Studios, Netflix Worldwide Entertainment, LLC, And Netflix, Inc.

Kid Cosmic Belongs To Craig McCracken, Francisco Angones, Lauren Faust, Toon Boom Animation Inc. Nelvana Limited, Corus Entertainment Inc. Mercury Filmworks, CMCC Cartoons, Netflix Animation Studios, Netflix Worldwide Entertainment, LLC, And Netflix, Inc.

Oddballs (TV series) Belongs To James Rallison, Ethan Banville, Atomic Cartoons, Inc. Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. SEGA of America, SEGA Corporation, SEGA Sammy Holdings Inc. Nelvana Limited, Corus Entertainment Inc. TheOdd1sOut Studios, Netflix Animation Studios, Netflix Worldwide Entertainment, LLC, And Netflix, Inc.

Sonic Prime Belongs To Yuji Naka, Naoto Ohshima, Hirokazu Yasuhara, Joe Kelly, Joe Casey, Duncan Rouleau, Steven T. Seagle, Jam Filled Entertainment, Boat Rocker Media Inc. Flixzilla Aura, Sonic Team, SEGA of America, SEGA Corporation, SEGA Sammy Holdings Inc. Man of Action Entertainment, WildBrain Studios, WildBrain Ltd. Netflix Animation Studios, Netflix Worldwide Entertainment, LLC, And Netflix, Inc.

Harvey Street Kids/Harvey Girls Forever! Belongs To Alfred Harvey, Emily Brundige, Dave Enterprises, Digital Emation, Inc. NE4U, Inc. The Harvey Entertainment Company, Classic Media, LLC, DreamWorks Classics, DreamWorks Animation Television, DreamWorks Animation LLC, Universal Pictures, Universal City Studios LLC, NBCUniversal Film and Entertainment, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, NBCUniversal Media Group, NBCUniversal Media, LLC, Comcast Corporation And Netflix Inc.

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power Belongs To Larry DiTillio, J. Michael Straczynski, ND Stevenson, Dave Enterprises, NE4U, Inc. Mattel Television, Mattel, Inc. DreamWorks Animation Television, DreamWorks Animation LLC, Universal Pictures, Universal City Studios LLC, NBCUniversal Film and Entertainment, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, NBCUniversal Media Group, NBCUniversal Media, LLC, Comcast Corporation And Netflix Inc.

The Loud House Movie Belongs To Chris Savino, Kevin Sullivan, Chris Viscardi, Top Draw Animation, Inc. Jam Filled Entertainment, Boat Rocker Media Inc. Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Nickelodeon Movies, Nickelodeon Group, Nickelodeon Networks Inc. Paramount Kids and Family Group, Paramount Players, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures Corporation, Paramount Global, And Netflix, Inc.

Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie Belongs To Stephen Hillenburg, Tom Stern, Kaz, Sinking Ship Entertainment, Pipeline Studios Ltd. Spin VFX, ReDefine Animation, United Plankton Pictures Inc. Nickelodeon Movies Inc. Paramount Players, Paramount Pictures Corporation, Paramount Global, And Netflix, Inc.

Next Gen (film) Belongs To Wang Nima, Kevin R. Adams, Joe Ksander, Baozou Manhua, Tangent Animation, Alibaba Pictures Group Limited, Alibaba Group Holding Limited, Dalian Wanda Group, And Netflix, Inc.

Hilda Belongs To Luke Pearson, Mercury Filmworks, Atomic Cartoons Inc. Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. Nobrow Press, Flying Eye Books, Silvergate Media Limited, Sony Pictures Television Kids, Sony Pictures Television Studios, Sony Pictures Television Inc. Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. Sony Entertainment, Inc. Sony Corporation of America, Sony Group Corporation, And Netflix, Inc.

[isagrimorie]

I remember when I complained that Star Trek Discovery wasn’t in Netflix Philippines anymore and I should have known at that point.

CW pulled the same thing, pulling their licensed shows from Netflix and then placing them in HBO Max and then CW lost money. Because Netflix was the one that’s really providing CW money! Good money, placing their shows in HBO Max is just moving money around!

And now the CW we all knew barely exist. Zaslav sold CW to a conservative media group.

Netflix co-produced Discovery and from what I’ve read its been a success on Netflix in the international markets and then Paramount has the asinine idea of pulling all Star Trek shows into their own streaming service without securing rights and launching on International markets.

So Paramount + isn’t in the Philippines. So I can’t watch Picard and Disco and SNW in ways that would help Paramount+.

A year after Paramount pulled all Trek into their platform financials revealed Paramount is not doing well, and then the higher-ups think maybe merging with Showtime will help them!

It just added cost on top of cost.

And now shows that shouldn’t have been canceled are now canceled and being removed from the platform.

Also analysts have mentioned Paramount only has 1-2 years left, which for someone hoping for Star Trek: Legacy is not something I wanted to hear.

I also don’t want Netflix to own Paramount, I want Paramount to do the smart thing and start licensing their shows again, syndication, merch, International markets (hello, we exist!).

And I want them to stop pulling a goddamned Zaslav. Stop writing off you’re own content and removing them from your platforms.

Once again corporations acting like headless chickens because drop in stocks are making them panic.

Whoever it is in Sony who decided not to pursue streaming services and just continue licensing shows, give yourself a pat in the back because right now its not imploding like the rest.

[medicinemane]

I don't have an opinion that's solid enough to be formed into a proper law (seeing as laws you don't really get to put nuance or shades of grey in since it'll be down to what some random asshole judge decides so you gotta write it right), but this is generally my opinion on copyright

Basically I think copyright is important for smaller creators and is the right thing to do, but once you get up to these massive corporations I feel like it just holds back the public good (literally the stated goal of US copyright is something along the lines of to serve the public good)

Small creators 100% need mechanisms to keep control of their work and keep pricks from reposting it with the watermarks cropped out

Massive ass music companies lose nothing if someone plays some song in the background of their lets play or whatever (in fact they stand to gain, I've bought an album because of that before), and they kinda just make everything worse for everyone

Sadly I don't have the legalese to phrase where the cut off is, nor do I have the foresight or mind of a loophole finding lawyer to close every loophole (Like how do we keep sony from just hiring every artist as an independent contractor in what I'm proposing? Gotta hash that out in clear terms if you're making a law)

Still, that's my stance. Individuals and small groups deserve protections cause they need it, big ass companies like disney and sony can get fucked in part because they are in zero danger of someone displacing them in the market by selling Spider-Man merch or whatever

(This is also my feelings on piracy. Don't pirate from small groups, pirate like hell from big places)

[theomeganerd]

Video Game News Stories for February 26th, 2024

Legal Battles Rock the Industry:

Call of Duty Lawsuit Challenges Esports Dominance: A group of gamers sent shockwaves through the esports community by filing a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, Inc., accusing the company of monopolizing control over Call of Duty esports leagues and tournaments. This legal action could have far-reaching consequences, potentially forcing Activision to adjust its esports strategy and pave the way for a more competitive environment.

Platform Shifts and Strategic Moves:

Microsoft Embraces Multiplatform Strategy: In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft Corporation announced plans to release four upcoming Xbox titles on external platforms, including PC and potentially even rival consoles like Sony's PlayStation. This move signifies a significant departure from the company's longstanding strategy of platform exclusivity, a cornerstone of the "console wars." The new approach could lead to wider accessibility for Xbox games, potentially attracting new demographics and impacting development strategies across platforms in the face of increased competition.

Sony Adjusts PS5 Sales Target, Prepares for IPO: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. adjusted its PlayStation 5 sales target downwards, citing ongoing supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainties. This news comes alongside reports that the company is planning an initial public offering (IPO) for its financial unit in 2025. The revised sales target suggests potential adjustments to Sony's production and distribution strategies in the coming months, while the planned IPO could be a strategic move to raise capital for future endeavors.

Beyond the Headlines:

Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors Gain Momentum: Speculation surrounding the potential launch of a successor to the hugely successful Nintendo Switch console later this year continues to gather steam. Fans eagerly await official announcements from Nintendo regarding the next iteration of the popular platform, with potential implications for the continued success of the Switch franchise and the broader handheld gaming market.

Elden Ring Mobile Version: Speculation Ignites Fan Interest: Rumors of a mobile version of the critically acclaimed game Elden Ring are circulating online, sparking excitement among fans who desire to experience the title on the go. While unconfirmed, the prospect has captivated the gaming community, leading to discussions about the feasibility of adapting the game's complex mechanics to mobile platforms and the potential impact on mobile gaming trends.

"Princess Peach: Showtime" Generates Positive Buzz: The recent Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase unveiled "Princess Peach: Showtime," a new title receiving positive first impressions for its innovative gameplay and engaging story. This upcoming release has garnered significant interest within the gaming community, particularly among fans of the Super Mario franchise, potentially influencing player expectations and pre-order trends.

This Week's Video Game Releases (February 26 - March 2, 2024):

February 28, 2024:

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Cook, Serve, Delicious! (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One)

Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)

Additional News Stories:

Call of Duty Servers Crash, Player Stats Reset: Adding to the woes of Call of Duty players, server outages caused frustration and confusion due to data resets.

PlayStation VR 2 Expands Horizons with PC Support: In a move that may delight PC VR enthusiasts, Sony announced that PlayStation VR 2 will support PC games sometime in 2024, potentially expanding its player base.

Fortnite Emote Faces Lawsuit: A choreographer filed a lawsuit against Epic Games, claiming their copyrighted dance moves were used in a Fortnite emote without proper permission, raising discussions about intellectual property rights and fair use within the gaming industry.

[dailyanarchistposts]

Section I: Poverty and Waste (Modern)

Every efficient and wise government has at last the support of public opinion, whenever it opposes class egoism and class abuses. -- Gustav Schmoller [805]

Bristol-Myers Squibb engaged in anticompetitive acts to prevent generic pharmaceutical competition. [806] Fruit of the Loom has been moving its U.S. plants to cheaper areas, where sweatshop conditions flourish. [807] Eastman Chemical, General Electric Company, and Mitsubishi were named as three of the top 100 Corporate Criminals of the 1990’s for antitrust crimes, some of them being fined up to $26 million for their activities in destroying other businesses. [808] In 1997, General Electric Company, Johnson & Johnson, Kimberly-Clark Corp., Pfizer, and Whirlpool broke 89% of their promise to create jobs with the passage of NAFTA. [809] Mitsubishi was found guilty of an international price-fixing scheme, by increase the price of electrodes by more than 60 percent, from 1992 to 1997. [810] Eastman Chemical was found guilty of fixing the prices of a food additive between 1995 and June of 1997. [811] 3Com hid $160 million loss at its U.S. Robotics subsidiary from its investors in April to November of 1997. [812] In 1998, Fort James, Kimberly-Clark Corp, and four others conspired to fix prices on commercial paper between 1993 and 1998. [813] Comcast has systematically engaged in price discriminating, charging satellite services more for sports programs than cable companies do, trying to eliminate competing business. [814] In April of 1998, a class action suit against Knight-Rider claimed a price-fixing scheme. [815] In December of 1998, CVS has used unfair reimbursement policies against independent stores. [816] In 1999, the Government Accounting Office investigated companies for fraud and accounting irregularities. Over 900 companies were found guilty of irregular accounting, and had to restate earnings, including Aetna, BellSouth, Boise Cascade, Boston Scientific, Campbell South, Clorox, ConAgra, CVS, Dillard’s, JCPenny, Gateway, Inc., Kimberly-Clark Corp., Kmart, Kroger, Lands’ End, Limited Brands Inc., Lucent Technologies, McDonald’s, Monsanto, Pennzoil-Quaker State Company, Rite Aid, SBC Communications, Sony Corp., Texas Instruments, Tyson Fresh Meats (formerly IBP Fresh Meats Inc.), Unocal, and Warnaco. [817]

In 1999, a former CEO of Doman Industries was found guilty of insider trading. [818] Over 500 Jamaican workers were laid off by Fruit of the Loom in search of cheaper labor. [819] General Electric would transfer 1,400 jobs from the United States to Mexico, paying Mexican laborers $2 per hour, as opposed to the unionized rate of $24 per hour. [820] In January of 1999, Hasbro closed down its factory in Fairfax, Vermont, to move to China. [821] In May of 1999, Toys ‘R’ Us, with Hasbro, Mattel, and Little Tikes conspired to restrict the sale of certain toys. [822] In November of 1999, Hollywood Media Corp. conspired with Blockbuster Video to restrict independents’ access to videos. [823] In December of 1999, AutoNation closed 23 of its superstores, laying off 1,800 workers, with profits as high as $490 million. [824] Citigroup allowed laundering of over $800 million in Russian mob money through its banks in 2000. [825] Jefferson Smurfit Group closed part of its plant in Des Moines, laying off 190 union members. [826] In January of 2000, Danone’s offices in Europe were raided in an investigation of a price-fixing cartel in French beer market. [827] Jones Apparel settled a price-fixing lawsuit by agreeing to pay $34 million. [828] Time Warner Inc. was involved in price-fixing scheme with other large labels by increasing the price of music CDs from $10 to $15. [829] In early 2001, Hewlett-Packard announced it would cut 2% of its workforce world wide, about 1,800 employees. [830] In 2001, Tyco International executives were using company money for illegal and unauthorized payments, causing a financial nosedive, with 18,400 Tyco workers losing employment. [831]

In early 2001, Viacom forced independent video store operators out of business, 150 of them uniting in a class-action suit. [832] In January of 2001, DaimlerChrysler announced a three year plan where it will lay off 20% of its North American workforce, a loss of 26,000 jobs. [833] In February of 2001, Bausch & Lomb settled a lawsuit for $17.5 million where it conspired with American Optometric Association to force customers into buying replacement contact lenses through optometrists. [834] In March of 2001, New York Appeals Court upheld a lower court’s decision against Prudential Financial, for breach of contract, fraud, and deceit and improper interference with existing contractual relations. [835] In April of 2001, Amazon.com patented parts of its e-commerce operation, including the site’s “one-click purchase” ‘technology,’ — the most simple, important, and obvious idea for e-commerce. [836] In April of 2001, Bristol-Myers Squibb tried to stop other companies from selling low-cost generic versions of its drugs. [837] In May of 2001, Johns & Johnson paid $60 to settle an antitrust case, in which it conspired with other companies to refuse to sell contact lenses through alternative channels, which offer lower prices. [838] In May of 2001, PG&E Corp. gouged consumers in the Boston Area by increasing electricity prices during power shortages. [839] In June of 2001, Schering-Plough, Wyeth Corporation, and one other corporation conspired to keep cheap generic drugs off the market. [840] Time Warner Inc. refuses to broadcast ads on its television channels to its digital subscriber line, engaging in anti-competitive activity. [841] In July of 2001, St. Laurent Paperboard Inc. purchased Smurfit-Stone Container Company, closing five of its paper mills. [842] In August of 2001, CVS submitted false prescription claims to government health insurance programs. [843] Sony Corp. has pressured retailers to sell video games at fixed prices. [844] Wal-Mart was selling some items below cost to drive out competitors in Wisconsin. [845]

In October of 2001, Barnes & Noble and Borders secured cheaper prices and preferential treatment from publishers, an antitrust activity. [846] DaimlerChrysler was fined $65.5 million for violating competition rules by restricting sales of its Mercedes cars in Europe. [847] Wyeth Corporation maintained a monopoly by requiring health plans and pharmacy benefit managers to sign exclusive contracts. for its pharmaceutical drugs. [848] In December of 2001, Ernor laid off 25% of its staff, about 5,100 people. [849] In 2002, Hasbro was fined $7.9 million for price fixing on toys and games. [850] Kmart was named as having one of the worst corporate boards by 2002 BusinessWeek, for multiple investigations into its accounting irregularities and irregular pay practices. [851] Four ex-Rite Aid executives were indicted for inflating the company’s profits while understating losses, causing stock to soar. [852] Schering-Plough was under investigation for price fixing and criminal investigation because its ingredients were not FDA-approved. [853] In March of 2002, Disney destroyed massive amounts of documents, hundreds of boxes, that would have revealed Disney’s practices of withholding royalties from innovators. [854] In April of 2002, Du Pont cut over 2,000 jobs, mostly in the US. [855] Levi Strauss announced its intention to close six U.S. manufacturing plants, affecting 3,300 workers. [856] Monsanto said it was closing one of its plants and cutting five percent of its workforce. [857] In 2002 of May, America Online cut off access to other internet service providers from its own customers. [858]

In June of 2002, WorldCom was found to being covering up $1.22 billion in loses through improper accounting. [859] Xerox restated five years of results when it was found to be inflating results and defrauding investors. [860] In July of 2002, Viacom used improper accounting to boost income by $118 million. [861] In August of 2002, Michael Kopper of Enron was found to be withholding $12 million that was obtained through fraudulent Enron transactions. With others, it totaled $23 million. Thirty other companies had to forfeit money to investors and employees. [862] In September of 2002, Du Pont paid $44.5 million to settle allegations that it blocked competing drug manufacturers. [863] Tyco International issued a report with the Securities and Exchange Commission, detailing “illegal activity by former management that included nearly $100 million in unauthorized payments to dozens of Tyco employees at various levels.” [864] In October of 2002, Gap was awarded the title of having one of the worst corporate boards, cited for inside deals and other failures. [865] Qwest Communications would take a write-down of $40.8 billion, due to irregular accounting. [866] Time Warner was one of five record companies to pay $67.3 million for price-fixing. [867] In November of 2002, Gateway was investigated and found to using insider trading and wasteful spending on executive severance pay. [868] In June of 2000, a judge found Microsoft Corporation guilty of illegal business practices that push out competition and harm consumers. AOL Time Warner sued Microsoft Corporation for anti-competitive actions. Microsoft influenced international government officials from using open-source software, including Peru and India. In March of 2002, Sun Microsystems filed a private antitrust suit against Microsoft. In May of 2003, Microsoft paid $750 million in an antitrust case. In July of 2003, a judge approved of a $1.1 billion settlement between Microsoft and California consumers. Microsoft paid $23.5 million to the defunct software company Be Inc. in an antitrust case. Microsoft was sued in October of 2003 for predatory practices to protect its monopoly. In December of 2003, European Union held hearings in its antitrust proceedings against Microsoft. Seattle-based company RealNetworks filed a $1 billion antitrust suit against Microsoft in December of 2003. [869]

In 2000 and 2001, Qwest inflated the company’s revenues by $144 million. [870] In March of 2003, a jury found 3M guilty of using monopoly powers over big retails to destroy competition. [871] In March of 2003, Bristol-Myers announced the restatement of its previously issued financial statements between 1997 and 2001, and part of 2002, reducing their earnings by almost half. [872] In March of 20034, Halliburton was given a contract to Iraq without a bidding process. [873] In March of 2003, Lucent settled lawsuits by its shareholders for about $600 million, for misleading investors. The Export-Import Bank of the US is providing funding to Lucent Technologies for outsourcing to China, Mexico, and Vietnam. Lucent was also cited for overpaying its board. [874] In March of 2003, PepsiCo was found using unfair trading practices against competitors. [875] In April of 2003, Time Warner Inc. was sued for using “tricks, contrivances and bogus transactions” to inflate its stock and help top executives gain almost $1 billion in inside trading. [876] In May of 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed charges against Enron with violating antifraud provisions and reaping more than $150 million in unlawful profits. [877] In June of 2003, two former vice presidents of Kmart were charged with securities fraud, making false statements to the SEC, and conspiracy to commit those offenses. [878] In July of 2003, the SEC announced that Citigroup and J.P. Morgan agreed to pay $236 million to settle charges that they helped Enron manipulate books to appear financially healthy. [879] In July of 2003, Kodak announced plans to cut between 4,500 and 6,000 jobs. [880]

In August of 2003, Bank of America and nine other US banks moved more than $17 billion into investment funds to shelter hundreds of millions of dollars from taxes. [881] In August of 2003, AOL Time Warner executives were found to use accounting irregularities, by overstating their revenue by at least $1.7 billion. [882] In September of 2003, Coca-Cola sought dismal of a $44.4 million lawsuit, filed by a former finance director who was fired for revealing alleged fraud and other wrongdoing in the company. Coca-Cola also made a decision to cut 1,000 jobs in North America. [883] In September of 2003, Enron’s former treasurer pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge, becoming the first executive sentence to prison. [884] Levi Strauss & Co. announced that it would close its North American manufacturing plants, laying off almost 2,000 workers. [885] Coca-Cola violated a contract with Iranian soft drinks counterpart, and was levied $7.15 million against the company. [886] In October of 2003, a former manager for Tricon’s business analyst was indicted for insider trader. [887] In December of 2003, Hasbro announced plans to close a chain of stores. [888] In January of 2003, a former finance executive of Computer Associates admitted to lying to federal prosecutors, FBI agents, and members of the SEC during an investigation. He was aware of accounting irregularities. [889] An Enron former top accountant surrendered to FBI to face six federal fraud charges related to the company’s collapse. [890] Another employee of Enron, former Chief Financial Officer, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud, that caused the company to collapse. [891] Disney is one of several media companies outsourcing jobs in information technologies and back-office operations to India. [892] In April of 2004, Gateway announced closing 188 retail stores and laying off 2,500 workers. [893]

[askagamedev]

How do *you* feel about the Activision-Microsoft merger?

Mergers and acquisitions are normal in business. Over the course of my career, I've seen several large industry publishers merge or acquire other publishers, and dozens of independent studios get purchased by publishers.

Sega merged with Sammy Corp. in 2004 to form Sega-Sammy. Later they bought Atlus.

EA merged with Pandemic Studios + Bioware in 2007

Bandai and Namco merged in 2007

Activision merged with Vivendi Universal's games division in 2008 to form Activision-Blizzard

Bungie was purchased by Microsoft in 2000, bought itself out to go independent again in 2007, and was recently acquired by Sony in 2022.

Activision-Blizzard merged with King in 2015

Microsoft acquired ZeniMax in 2020

EA acquired Glu Mobile in 2021

Embracer Group bought Gearbox in 2021

Take Two bought Zynga in 2022

These kinds of behaviors are fairly normal in any major industry. Smaller companies fall on hard times and a larger company offers a rescue. Old leadership grows weary of running the company and someone offers them a big payday. Two like-minded sets of leadership decide that they would work better together.

In my opinion, the danger comes when too much consolidation happens and, instead of a market with plenty of competition, you end up with a cartel. It's not quite a monopoly with a single controlling company, but it's pretty close - a cartel is a handful of enormous organizations/companies that control the vast majority of the market and collude with each other in order to keep competition down and enrich themselves. In such a situation, they don't have to compete as hard anymore because they can take turns and help each other out. Any rising competition either gets bought or sabotaged by the combined might of the cartel.

Usually this happens because the cost for entering the market is really high - it's really risky to take that chance to compete with the cartel, which makes the newcomers much more vulnerable to cartel countermeasures. You can see this kind of corporate nonsense at work in many fields here in the US - there are only a handful of telecom companies, internet service providers, meat packing companies, train companies, cloud computing services, and so on. A big sign you're dealing with a cartel is when there aren't many options and none of them are particularly appealing.

I don't think that's happened in video games yet - we still have large independent publishers like Take Two, Steam, and EA, and we have medium-sized independent publishers like Capcom, Sega-Sammy, Bandai-Namco, Epic, and so on. But if the mega-corps keep buying up the bigger publishers, we'll probably end up in cartel territory and everything will suck.

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Got a burning question you want answered?

Short questions: Ask a Game Dev on Twitter

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Frequent Questions: The FAQ

[chocochococoffee]

i kinda wish this lawsuit paid people everywhere in the world and not only in US but there it is, reasons to delete Crunchyroll (and probably Sony?) from your life.

[gook54-blog]

Fake polls, hiding positives of other parties promoting misinformation. How Google manipulates the internet to promote Fascist NWO agenda by their instrument of choice Vote Blue and Senate committee fine Poynter institute and TASKS a Meta/Google/MSM/Apple/Sony and five of the six corporations( Fox excluded ) for disinformation ( misinformation has facts but is misconstrued disinformation is pure opionion, fabrication and lies) Ball park figure $2billion ( secret transaction - a corrupt system blue again)

Fake polls, hiding positives of other parties promoting misinformation. How Google manipulates the internet to promote Fascist NWO agenda by their instrument of choice Vote Blue

MSM Globslists mouth piece, WE Soros and Gates agendas;Google manipulates SEO to promote liberals and INTERFERED WITH ELECTION PROCESS :

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/google-has-interfered-with-elections-41-times-over-the-last-16-years-media-research-center-says/ar-BB1k4YY1

NY post vote blue apologist: Google manipulates SEO to promote liberals

https://nypost.com/2023/05/24/how-google-manipulates-search-to-favor-liberals-and-tip-elections

BFX a internet research group (non political): Google manipulates SEO to promote liberals opinions :

https://www.webfx.com/blog/seo/how-google-controls-public-opinionhttps://

Reach vototers a political research group: Google manipulates SEO to promote liberals opinions :

reachvoters.com/seo-campaignhttps://www.webfx.com/blog/seo/how-google-controls-public-opinion

Stare internet magazine politics in USA with a blue bias:

https://slate.com/technology/2015/12/why-google-search-results-favor-democrats.html

Wired an internet magazine politics in USA with a blue bias Google damaging Democracy :

https://www.wired.com/story/google-search-quietly-damaging-democracy/

By Epstein's calculations, biased Google results could shift the vote in November by up to 2%, or about 2.6 million vote in blues favour

https://www.science.org/content/article/could-google-influence-presidential-election

And the Google makes massive donations to vote blue so anything

[spotlightstory]

The Big Media Conglomerates

“media” in this context does not refer just to news outlets — it refers to any medium that controls the distribution of information. So here, “media” includes 24-hour news stations, newspapers, publishing houses, Internet utilities, and even video game developers.

Globally, large media conglomerates include Bertelsmann, National Amusements(Paramount Global), Sony Group Corporation, News Corp, Comcast, The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, Fox Corporation, Hearst Communications, Amazon (Amazon MGM Studios), Grupo Globo (South America), and Lagardère Group.[4][5][6]

As of 2022, the largest media conglomerates in terms of revenue are Comcast NBCUniversal, The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount Global.

The 6 Companies That Own (Almost) All Media [INFOGRAPHIC] circa 2016? Recent mergers since these infographics were created. Still, interesting.

[zerosecurity]

How Many Times Has the PlayStation Network Been Hacked?

Sony, the renowned multinational conglomerate, has grappled with a series of high-profile data breaches and security incidents over the years, leaving a trail of compromised user data and significant financial repercussions. From state-sponsored cyber attacks to defiant hacker groups, Sony's digital fortresses have been repeatedly breached, exposing the vulnerabilities of even the most prominent corporations in the digital age.

The Most Recent Incidents

In October 2023, Sony notified 6,791 current and former employees that their data had been compromised in a breach that occurred earlier in the year. The intrusion, which took place in late May, was part of the widespread MOVEit attacks that targeted hundreds of companies and government agencies. Sony stated that it detected the breach on June 2 and promptly addressed the situation, asserting that no customer data was implicated. Just a month prior, in September 2023, Sony found itself investigating another alleged hack. The hacker group RansomedVC claimed to have stolen a staggering 260 GB of proprietary data from Sony's systems, including a PowerPoint presentation and source code files. However, the credibility of this claim was challenged by another hacker, MajorNelson, who accused RansomedVC of being "scammers" attempting to gain influence. Sony affirmed that it was investigating the matter but refrained from providing further details, stating that no customer data appeared to be implicated in this incident.

The Infamous 2014 Sony Pictures Hack

One of the most notorious cyber-attacks against Sony occurred in 2014 when state-affiliated North Korean hackers, known as the "Guardians of Peace," infiltrated Sony Pictures' networks. This audacious breach resulted in the theft of a staggering 100 terabytes of data, including unreleased films, personal employee information, internal emails, salary details, and a wealth of other sensitive information. The hackers not only purloined the data but also employed the Shamoon virus to wipe data from Sony's systems, compounding the damage. As the studio grappled with the aftermath, the hackers began leaking portions of the stolen data, including unreleased movies and confidential communications that revealed embarrassing exchanges between employees. The attack was believed to be retaliation for the planned release of the comedy film "The Interview," which satirized North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The hackers issued threats, warning of a "bitter fate" for those who watched the movie and ominously referencing the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Initially, Sony capitulated and pulled the movie, but later reversed course following public pressure, including from then-President Barack Obama, and released the film in a limited theatrical and online format. The repercussions of the 2014 hack were far-reaching. Employees filed a lawsuit against Sony, alleging economic harm due to the exposure of their personal data. The studio agreed to pay up to $8 million in compensation, fraud protection services, and legal fees. Additionally, the cost of repairing Sony's systems was estimated to be around $35 million.

Earlier Breaches and Security Incidents

Sony's history of data breaches and security incidents extends back over a decade. In 2011, the company faced a series of attacks that exposed the personal details of millions of customers. In April of that year, hackers accessed the personal data of 77 million Sony PlayStation Network (PSN) users, including names, emails, addresses, birthdates, usernames, and passwords. The incident resulted in a several-week service outage for the PlayStation Network, causing frustration among gamers. A month later, in May 2011, Sony announced that personal details of 25 million Sony Online Entertainment customers had been stolen, including information about PC games purchased through the system. Additionally, in June 2011, hackers targeted several Sony Pictures-associated websites, compromising over one million user accounts and exposing music codes and coupons. Beyond data breaches, Sony has also faced denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and website defacements. In December 2014, a group called Lizard Squad claimed responsibility for a DDoS attack that took down the PlayStation Network, preventing up to 160 million gamers from accessing the service during the Christmas holiday season. In August 2017, the hacker group OurMine gained access to Sony PlayStation social media accounts and claimed to have accessed the PlayStation Network database, collecting registration information. While the group positioned itself as a security firm attempting to reach PlayStation employees, its tactics were questionable.

The Road Ahead

Sony's tumultuous history of data breaches and security incidents serves as a sobering reminder of the ever-present cyber threats facing corporations and the need for robust cybersecurity measures. As technology continues to evolve, companies must remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their digital assets and protecting the privacy of their customers and employees. While the financial and reputational costs of these incidents have been substantial, the lessons learned from Sony's experiences could prove invaluable in fortifying the defenses of not only Sony but also other organizations against the relentless onslaught of cybercriminals and state-sponsored actors. As the digital landscape becomes increasingly complex, Sony's path forward must be paved with heightened security protocols, comprehensive risk assessments, and an unwavering commitment to data protection. Only by learning from the past and embracing a culture of cybersecurity can Sony and other corporations hope to navigate the treacherous waters of the digital age with confidence and resilience. Read the full article

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Erik Ortiz and Daniel Arkin at NBC News:

In recent years, The Epoch Times has amassed a large audience as a publisher of right-wing news articles and peddler of baseless election conspiracies. This summer, the conservative media company is hoping to conquer new territory: Hollywood.

Epoch Studios, a branch of the wider Epoch Times Association, plans to release “The Firing Squad,” a drama starring Kevin Sorbo and Cuba Gooding Jr. as drug smugglers who find God behind bars. “The Firing Squad” marks Epoch’s entry into the growing market of faith-based cinema, a genre that includes recent box-office successes such as “Sound of Freedom,” “Unsung Hero” and “Jesus Revolution.” The film’s Aug. 2 theatrical debut comes as other right-wing media companies are pushing into entertainment, releasing content that counters what conservatives view as Hollywood’s progressive and secular agenda. The creation of Epoch Studios has caught the attention of those who have closely watched the New York-based media company’s ascent from a fringe print newspaper startup formed in 2000 by followers of Falun Gong, a religious group persecuted in China, into a prominent conservative outlet with content amplifying Donald Trump’s conspiracies and right-wing messaging.

[...] In a news release announcing “The Firing Squad,” Epoch Studios described itself as a “platform for storytelling that fosters hope, healing, and growth.” The studio is overseen by executive director Sally Sun, who has supervised Epoch documentaries and streaming specials, some with religious themes, such as “Divine Messengers” and “Church & State.”  The Epoch Times Association did not respond to a request for comment on this article.

Tim Chey, who wrote and directed “The Firing Squad,” told NBC News he is grateful that Epoch Studios came aboard his passion project as a co-producer and distributor. “I’m a huge fan of Epoch Times. I absolutely love these guys,” Chey said in a recent interview. Chey’s film follows three Christians — played by actors Sorbo (TV’s “Hercules���), Gooding Jr. and James Barrington — who are set to be executed by firing squad in Indonesia. (Right-wing audiences may seek out the film in part because of Sorbo, a pro-Trump conservative activist who previously appeared in the Christian film “God’s Not Dead” and produces faith-based movies through his own production company.) “The Firing Squad” is inspired by actual events in the country in 2015, when eight people convicted of drug smuggling were put to death. One of them, an Australian national, became a Christian pastor while on death row and led the singing of Christian songs while the smugglers were being executed. (The Southeast Asian nation is known for its strict drug laws.)

[...] But whether Epoch Studios can attain the cultural prominence and commercial reach of other conservative and Christian-focused media companies remains to be seen. (“The Firing Squad” debuts in theaters the same weekend as the kid-friendly “Harold and the Purple Crayon” and a new psychological thriller from M. Night Shyamalan.) The Daily Wire, which was founded by conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro and film director Jeremy Boreing, launched its own movie and TV studio in 2021. Fox Nation, the entertainment unit of Fox News, runs a streaming service that hosts various reality shows and historical documentaries. Great American Pure Flix, a production company with a streaming service, features Christian-themed movies that have found mainstream success, including the “God’s Not Dead” series. Big corporate players have clearly seen a business opportunity, too. Sony Pictures owns the independent Christian studio Affirm Films, which has produced and distributed titles such as the Jennifer Garner vehicle “Miracles From Heaven” and last year’s “Big George Foreman.”

Right-wing propaganda outlet The Epoch Times has added a new market: faith-based films. The launch of Epoch Studios and their plan to release The Firing Squad in a similar manner to Sound Of Freedom.