A foundation accuses Sony of artificially maintaining prices in the PlayStation Store. Now a class action lawsuit is threatened.
What kind of class action lawsuit is this? The “Stichting Massaschade & Consument”, roughly translated to “Foundation for Mass Harm and Consumer Protection” from the Netherlands, is currently preparing a class action lawsuit against Sony and PlayStation. Potentially affected individuals can join the class action lawsuit on the foundation’s website.
The foundation accuses the company behind the PS5 of artificially raising prices for digitally purchased content. On the foundation’s website, it states: “When you purchase a digital game or in-game content, Sony ensures that this is only possible through its own PlayStation Store. In this way, Sony monopolizes the market and can artificially keep prices high. This means you pay more without getting more in return.”
The foundation explains that it is not the problem that Sony sets its own prices. Sony would be abusing its power to eliminate competitors, as games can only be purchased digitally through the PlayStation Store.
Foundation cites EU law
What does the foundation cite? The Dutch foundation states that it is prohibited in the EU for companies to abuse their position to achieve higher profits at the expense of consumers.
The Federal Cartel Office refers to “abusive practices” and states: “It is not prohibited for companies to have a strong or even a dominant market position.” (via Bundeskartellamt.de)
It further states:
“However, the abusive exploitation of market power is prohibited under antitrust law. Abusive behaviors by dominant companies can occur when they discriminate against other companies or hinder their competitive opportunities. Abuse can also occur when companies demand prices or terms that exploit their buyers, suppliers, or users.”
The Federal Cartel Office is the federal authority responsible for German and European competition law in Germany and can prohibit abusive practices.
Can you join the class action lawsuit? That depends on where you live. If you reside in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, then no.
The foundation advocates for individuals in the Netherlands who own a PS4 or PS5, are at least 8 years old, have a PSN account, and have made at least one purchase in the PlayStation Store between November 29, 2013, and today.
If the class action lawsuit against Sony does go ahead, it would not be the only legal matter Sony is currently dealing with. In December 2024, a former employee of Bungie filed legal action: Former employee sues Sony and Bungie – Accuses them of destroying his reputation
