Sony Faces $8 Billion Lawsuit Over Alleged Excessive Pricing
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One of the biggest gaming companies, Sony, is facing a nearly $8 billion lawsuit over claims that it charged “excessive prices” to its customers. The U.K.’s Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled that Sony must face the lawsuit worth up to 6.3 billion pounds — roughly $7.9 billion — over the claims brought by consumer advocate Alex Neill.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of nearly 9 million people in the U.K. who had bought digital games or add-on content through Sony’s PlayStation Store. Neill alleges that Sony required digital games and add-ons to be bought and sold only via the PlayStation Store, which charges a 30% commission to developers and publishers, resulting in higher prices for consumers.
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has not responded to requests for comment, but the company’s lawyers have previously argued that the case was “flawed from start to finish” and should be thrown out.
The Tribunal ruled that Neill’s case could continue, though it said people who had made PlayStation Store purchases after the case was filed in 2022 should be removed from the proposed claimant class. Neill stated, “This is the first step in ensuring consumers get back what they’re owed as a result of Sony breaking the law. PlayStation gamers’ loyalty has been taken advantage of by Sony who have been charging them excessive prices for years.”
In other news, Sony is also looking to help parents keep their kids safe this summer as they play games online. Despite the ongoing legal battle, the company is continuing to focus on providing a safe gaming experience for its users.