Last year, Sony Interactive Entertainment was sued on behalf of nearly 9 million people
A London tribunal ruled on Tuesday that Sony must face a mass lawsuit worth up to 6.3 billion pounds ($7.9 billion) over claims that the PlayStation maker abused its dominant position, resulting in unfair prices for customers. Last year, Sony Interactive Entertainment was sued on behalf of nearly 9 million UK customers who purchased digital games or add-on content from Sony’s PlayStation Store.
Alex Neill, a consumer advocate who has previously worked on campaigns, is bringing the case against Sony, which is worth up to £5 billion ($6.23 billion) plus interest. In court filings last month, her lawyers stated that the case’s total damages could reach 6.3 billion pounds. She claims the company abused its dominant position by requiring digital games and add-ons to be purchased and sold only through the PlayStation Store, which charges developers and publishers a 30% commission.
According to the claim, customers paid more for games and add-on content than they would have otherwise. Sony’s attorneys argued that the case was “flawed from start to finish” and that it should be dismissed. The Competition Appeal Tribunal upheld Neill’s case but stated that people who purchased PlayStation Store items after the case was filed in 2022 should be removed from the proposed claimant class.
In a statement, Neill stated that Tuesday’s decision was “the first step in ensuring consumers get what they’re owed.” Sony did not respond immediately to a request for comment.