Sony Being Sued For ‘Artificially High Prices’ on PlayStation Store

It’s come to light that a Dutch consumer organization, known as Massaschade & Consument, has taken legal action against Sony in the form of a class action lawsuit. They claim that Sony is intentionally maintaining prices on the PlayStation Store at an unfairly high level and misusing their dominant position by prohibiting players from purchasing digital versions of PS4 and PS5 games from other sources.

This specific class action lawsuit aligns with recent ones emerging in Portugal and the UK. Notably, it’s designed specifically for Dutch residents.

‘You’re Paying Too Much for PlayStation Games’

A class action lawsuit, initially uncovered by ‘Tweakers’, is asserting that you’re unwittingly overpaying for PlayStation games, as indicated by its headline. The case has branded these alleged excess payments as the ‘Sony Tax’. It emphasizes that all PlayStation gamers residing in the Netherlands are entitled to reimbursement for this supposed overcharge.

On February 17th, a legal entity sent a letter to Sony, demanding they accept accountability for misusing their powerful position regarding the PlayStation 4 and 5, as well as engaging in illegal activities related to these consoles.

As a gaming enthusiast hailing from the Netherlands, I’m excited to share that if you’ve ever bought anything digitally on the PlayStation Store since November 29, 2013 (yes, even that game you impulsively bought late one night!), you might be eligible to join a class action lawsuit. To participate, all you need to do is fill out a straightforward form – it’s as easy as choosing your next gaming level! Just remember, you must be at least eight years old to take part in this adventure. Let’s see if we can claim our well-deserved rewards together!

On their website, they clarified the alleged mistakes made by Sony in relation to the ongoing class action lawsuit.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve noticed something pretty amazing: The gaming universe has surpassed the film, television, and music realms in size! Companies like Sony, known for producing the globe’s top-selling console, are major influencers – if not the ultimate powerhouses – in this realm. With such dominance comes a sense of duty.

In the European Union, it’s against the law for influential corporations to exploit their position for greater profits at the expense of consumers. However, it seems that Sony isn’t always adhering to these regulations.

As a gamer, when I’m ready to dive into a new digital game or snag some sweet in-game content, it’s all about the PlayStation Store for me – Sony’s exclusive marketplace. Now, here’s the thing: By keeping things tight within their own realm, Sony essentially monopolizes the scene, which allows them to crank up prices a bit, making my wallet feel a tad lighter without any additional perks in sight. This little extra cost they add is often referred to as the ‘Sony Tax.’

In November 2023, Sony encountered a massive £5 billion class action lawsuit in the UK, stemming from the same issue. This legal battle began in 2022, but the latest information regarding the case was disclosed around mid-2024, leaving the outcome of the trial uncertain.

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2025-02-21 10:48