Sony reaches preliminary settlement deal for US PlayStation Store antitrust claims
Affected gamers who bought digital titles between 2019 and 2023 will receive store credit after a fairness hearing in October
Sony has secured preliminary approval from a federal judge in San Francisco to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the monopolisation of the PlayStation Store. The proposed agreement values the settlement at $7.85 million and addresses claims that the Japanese technology giant eliminated competition within its digital marketplace.
The legal action stems from a decision made in April 2019, when Sony ceased the sale of game-specific vouchers through third-party retailers such as Best Buy and GameStop. Plaintiffs argue that removing these alternative purchasing options artificially inflated prices for digital games on the PlayStation Store, forcing consumers to pay more than they otherwise would have.
Under the terms of the settlement, eligible users who purchased specific digital titles between April 2019 and December 2023 will receive store credit to their PlayStation Network accounts. The funds will not be distributed in cash but will be automatically credited once the final allocation plan is confirmed. More than 4.4 million PlayStation Network accounts are potentially eligible for the payout.
A list of specific eligible titles has been released by the law firm representing the affected users, including major releases such as The Last of Us, NBA 2K18, and Need for Speed Rivals. While this list provides examples, the full scope of eligible games is extensive, covering a wide range of software purchased during the specified period.
The settlement process is not yet final and requires confirmation at a fairness hearing scheduled for 15 October. This court-supervised hearing will ensure that the allocation plan is equitable before the millions of dollars are released to the class members. Until this step is completed, the distribution of funds remains contingent upon the judge's final judgement.
This resolution in the United States is distinct from a separate class action lawsuit currently pending in the United Kingdom. In that separate case, Sony faces potential penalties of up to $2.7 billion for allegedly unfairly charging UK customers for digital games and in-game content through the PlayStation Store.
