Sony used to be an innovator. It invented the Walkman. “What’s changed since the original Walkman debuted is that Sony became the only conglomerate to be in both consumer electronics and entertainment. As a result, it’s conflicted: Sony’s electronics side needs to let customers move files around effortlessly, but its entertainment side wants to build in restraints, because it sees every customer as a potential thief. The company’s internal divisions reflect those in the marketplace, where entertainment executives have declared war on consumers over file-sharing. But Sony’s position is unique. It can settle the fight and flourish, or do nothing and be hobbled.”