Sony has transitioned from primarily producing hardware to also acquiring software companies like music labels. This helped Sony become less dependent on American companies. Sony owns a film studio and distributes films, music, and games. For the Spider-Man film, Sony leveraged synergies across its divisions - the film studio produced the movie, music label produced the soundtrack, and Sony sold games, DVDs, toys, and other merchandise related to the film. Synergies allow companies like Sony to spread costs and risks across industries while increasing profits from each medium. However, synergies are difficult to achieve in practice and can result in job losses or oligopolies forming.