Sony Interactive Entertainment is in hot water as it confronts a massive $7.9 billion lawsuit in the U.K. The lawsuit alleges that the company exploited its dominant position to inflate prices on the PlayStation Store. This legal battle represents nearly nine million U.K. consumers who have purchased games or digital add-on content through the store. Consumer Voice U.K., led by Alex Neill, is spearheading the lawsuit on behalf of these customers, claiming that they may have overpaid for their purchases and are entitled to significant compensation.
Neill argues that Sony imposes unfair terms and conditions on game developers and publishers, including a hefty 30 percent commission charge. This commission allegedly impacts the pricing of games and content on the PS Store. Furthermore, Neill asserts that Sony’s monopoly on the sale of digital games and add-on content allows the company to set prices that are disproportionate to the actual costs involved.
The cumulative overcharges are estimated to reach a staggering £5 billion over the past six years. The lawsuit seeks aggregate damages of £6.3 billion ($7.9 billion). According to Consumer Voice U.K., U.K. customers who have made purchases on the PlayStation Store between August 2016 and August 2022 could potentially be owed between £67 and £562 ($84 to $604) if the claim is successful. Interested customers can sign up for updates through Consumer Voice U.K. and choose to participate in the claim at a later stage.
Today, the U.K.’s Competition Appeal Tribunal granted approval for the lawsuit to proceed. Sony’s lawyers attempted to have the case dismissed, arguing that it was fundamentally flawed. However, the Tribunal ruled in favor of Neill and the lawsuit, acknowledging the validity of the complaints.
| Time | Score |
|---|---|
| August 2016 – August 2022 | £67 – £562 ($84 – $604) |
Source: DOTESPORTS
