Dutch Group Sues Sony: PlayStation Store Overcharges Digital Games by 47%

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Summary

  • Sony is accused of overcharging on the PlayStation Store in a newly filed lawsuit by Dutch consumer group Massaschade & Consument.
  • The lawsuit alleges digital games are 47% more expensive in the PlayStation Store than physical versions.
  • If successful, the result of the lawsuit could impact the digital game market and potentially force Sony to open the PlayStation Store up to other sellers.

A Dutch advocacy group named Massaschade & Consument has taken legal action against Sony, claiming that the tech giant is exploiting its dominant market position to maintain overpriced rates on the PlayStation Store. The consumer association contends that Sony sets significantly higher prices, on average, for digital games compared to physical ones in the PlayStation Store.

2022 saw Sony confront a £5 billion lawsuit accusing them of violating competition law by their terms and conditions for developers and publishers on the PlayStation Store. In 2023, they faced another class action lawsuit worth $7.9 billion, claiming overcharging customers and misusing its dominant position in the gaming market. Fast forward to 2025, Sony is now handling yet another lawsuit, as the PlayStation Store is being scrutinized once more.

In a recent legal action against Sony, Massaschade & Consument contends that digital games purchased from the PlayStation Store are overpriced by approximately 47% compared to their physical counterparts. This assertion is supported by research conducted by a Dutch consumer organization, which suggests that the high prices are due to the closed nature of the PlayStation Store and Sony’s market dominance in consoles, leading to what they call “artificially inflated prices.” The group is dissatisfied with the limited choices for consumers on the PlayStation Store, as people are often discouraged from buying digital game keys from other outlets. This lawsuit mirrors similar complaints made against Sony in a lawsuit filed in the UK last year.

Dutch Consumer Group Massaschade & Consument Files Lawsuit Against Sony Over PlayStation Store Practices

  • The lawsuit alleges PlayStation Store practices and Sony’s dominant market position led to “artificially high prices.”
  • PlayStation users in the Netherlands may join the lawsuit for free if they bought any items or games from the PlayStation Store.
  • The first court hearing will take place at the end of the year.

As a fellow PlayStation enthusiast in the Netherlands, if you’ve splurged on games, DLCs, or microtransactions from the PlayStation Store, here’s an exciting piece of news: you can hop aboard the ongoing lawsuit at no cost! The initial court hearing is set for late 2025, and should this legal endeavor triumph, it could shake up the digital gaming world significantly. Possible outcomes include forcing Sony to open up its digital marketplace to other vendors. Keep in mind that the final decision might take some time due to the intricate legalities of the case.

Lawsuits involving digital marketplaces like the App Store (Apple) and Google Play Store aren’t unheard of, with companies such as Apple being sued for taking a 30% commission. Last year, Epic Games brought a high-profile lawsuit against both Apple and Google for similar reasons. Although Sony’s recent lawsuit differs in context, the accusations that they are overcharging customers and holding a monopoly position in the gaming market echo arguments made in these earlier lawsuits.

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2025-02-21 02:44