Sony faces £2billion UK class action lawsuit over PlayStation store pricing

A £2 billion class action lawsuit has been filed against Sony in the UK, accusing the company of imposing “excessive and unfair” charges on digital game downloads from the PlayStation Store. The case, brought by consumer champion Alex Neill on behalf of an estimated 12.2 million gamers, argues that Sony has unfairly profited from the shift to digital distribution. The lawsuit claims Sony’s “closed ecosystem” eliminates competition, allowing them to charge a 30% commission on digital purchases, which is then passed on to consumers.

Sony defends its distribution model, citing security and privacy risks associated with third-party stores and arguing that its commission funds investments in hardware and a low-margin console sales strategy. The claim is an “opt-out” basis, potentially making anyone who purchased a digital PlayStation game or in-game download within the last decade eligible for compensation, estimated at £162 per person.

This case follows similar legal challenges against other tech giants, including a recent ruling against Apple’s App Store commissions. The Sony tribunal is scheduled to begin on March 10th and is expected to last ten weeks.

(Source：LBC)