Sony faces a $2.7 billion antitrust lawsuit in the UK

Sony is currently facing a substantial antitrust lawsuit in the UK, potentially costing the company £2 billion (approximately $2.7 billion). The class action, representing around 12.2 million PlayStation users, alleges that Sony unfairly inflated prices for digital games and in-game content purchased through the PlayStation Store. The lawsuit claims Sony holds a “near monopoly” in the digital distribution of PlayStation games, enabling it to dictate prices and impose a 30 percent commission.

The case covers individuals in the UK who owned a PlayStation console and made digital purchases between August 19, 2016, and February 12, 2026, and operates on an opt-out basis. Successful claimants could receive approximately £162 ($217) each. Sony defends its pricing structure by arguing that allowing downloads from third-party stores could compromise security and privacy, and that commissions from digital sales offset the minimal profit margin on console sales.

This lawsuit mirrors a recent successful case against Apple, where the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal found Apple had abused its market position and overcharged App Store users. Apple is currently appealing the resulting £1.5 billion ($2 billion) fine.

(Source：Engadget)