The Dutch consumer group Stichting Massaschade & Consument (Mass Damage & Consumer Foundation) has filed a collective lawsuit against Sony, claiming that the console manufacturer has been exploiting its dominant position in the market.
The group maintains that at least 1.7 million PlayStation owners in the Netherlands are paying too much for digital games on Sony’s console.
Research quoted by the foundation found that, on average, consumers pay 47% more for digital games than for physical ones, and the foundation’s chair, Lucia Melcherts, says that people are being “pushed towards ‘digital-only’ consoles since the latest PS5 generation” (via Google Translate).
Stichting Massaschade & Consument began its ‘Fair PlayStation’ campaign in February, claiming that the PlayStation’s large market share and monopoly on digital sales amounts to a ‘Sony tax’. They have since received more than 2,000 messages and emails from PlayStation owners.
The lawsuit makes two main accusations: that Sony is excluding competition, and that it is exploiting consumers and game developers. The collective action was launched on June 24, and the first hearing is expected to take place later this year.
The lawsuit makes two main accusations: that Sony is excluding competition, and that it is exploiting consumers and game developers
It’s not the first time Sony has faced legal action over its digital store. In the UK, consumer rights expert Alex Neill launched a legal claim over Sony’s 30% cut on digital sales back in August 2022.
An attempt from Sony to block the lawsuit failed in November 2023, and the case is currently ongoing. It could potentially cost Sony up to £6.3 million in damages.
Valve is facing a similar collective action claim over Steam in the UK. Launched in June 2024, the lawsuit claims that Valve has restricted price competition on Steam, and it’s seeking £656 million in compensation.
Apple has also recently faced pressure over its App Store, from which – like Sony – it takes a 30% cut from payments. In April, the European Union issued a $568.6 million (€500 million) fine against the company for not permitting apps or to link or make reference to third-party payment systems.