[D-realJos]

There were a few points in the topic, but the main idea was not how Square chooses to operate with Nintendo(or MS for that matter), but how Sony set up a win/win situation for themselves, as Gamemaster2002 reiterated.

Hypothetically speaking, even if Square later decides to abandon PS2, Sony still wouldn't be short-changed, as long as Square is successful in what ever it does.

There were other lesser points such as Sony's likely inabillity to acquire Squaresoft, what most people thought was the effect of Sony owning shares, how Sony sensed that sooner or later Square is bound to see more profit and practicality in multi-console solutions, or how they seem to support the idea of Square working on other hardware since owning the stock, etc. But the main idea is stated above.
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Also, I don't think this "subsidiary"[exact label mentioned in news reports] is about Square escaping trouble with Sony, but really about prioritizing/organizing their responsibilities toward projects that will grace totally different hardware. As stressed in the topic, Sony seems comfortable with any multi-platform move that Square may make, since they got that stock. It's also to my understanding that starting a subsidiary that will ultimately be owned and governed by the "mother company" is no way to escape conflict with Sony. In fact, that shows even more commitment than otherwise.

As I recall, PGC is the main site that pretty much raised the idea that Sony wanted to gain a tighter grasp on Square by owning stock. So it's only natural that the whole issue of Square creating an affiliate(as they put it) to avoid problems with Sony, is the first conclusion they arrived at. Even although many other reasons can exist.

PS: Don't get me wrong, cause as Null mentioned, who cares, everyone is happy! Still, I think it's important that other views-- besides the general consensus--be acknowledged. In situations like these where no absolute solid reasons are stated, you should never be satisfied with only one general outlook. There're always other possibilities to be aware of, as demonstrated with the whole "subsidiary/affiliate" thing I just discussed above.