The Japanese conglomerate is accused of leveraging its dominant position by requiring digital games and add-on content for its console to be purchased exclusively through its PlayStation Store, resulting in higher prices compared to physical games.
Sony maintains that it has “invested years and billions” in an integrated gaming platform that benefits consumers in a competitive market, where rivals Nintendo and Microsoft’s Xbox employ similar models.
The company’s legal counsel also argues that Sony’s profit margin on game and add-on content sales is not excessive, asserting that the claim overlooks the company’s costs and the value of its brand.
The case, brought before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in London on behalf of approximately 12 million people in the United Kingdom, is the third against a major technology company to go to trial since the beginning of 2025.
SONY ACCUSED OF EXCLUDING COMPETITION
Alex Neill, leading the action, stated in a release that “gamers have been overcharged and should be refunded.” The claim was initially valued at £5 billion but has since been reduced to £1.97 billion.
His lawyer, Robert Palmer, told the court: “Sony can, and does, set retail prices… without facing any retail competition for digital content. This allows it to extract monopolistic profits through digital distribution.”
However, Sony, which sold 8 million PlayStation 5 consoles between October and December, contends that the claim essentially argues that third parties should be allowed to create a store for the PlayStation and profit freely from Sony’s investments. This case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of digital marketplaces and their pricing practices.
Other cases concerning app stores are also underway. Last year, the CAT ruled against Apple regarding its App Store, a decision Apple is currently appealing.
A trial against Google is scheduled to start in October. Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, which was originally involved in this case, withdrew its claim on Monday after Google announced sweeping changes to its Play Store practices.
(1 $ = 0.7446 pounds) (Reportage de Sam Tobin. Rédaction de Mark Potter)
