Sony reaches preliminary agreement over digital game pricing lawsuit
Summary
– PlayStation users could receive money from a proposed $7.85 million class-action settlement
– The lawsuit challenged Sony’s restrictions on third-party digital PlayStation game sales
– A final approval hearing is scheduled for October 15
Some PlayStation users in the United States could soon receive part of a proposed $7.85 million class-action settlement involving digital game purchases.
The lawsuit, Caccuri v. Sony Interactive Entertainment, alleges that Sony violated antitrust laws by restricting where consumers could purchase digital PlayStation games. The complaint argues that removing digital game vouchers from third-party retailers left the PlayStation Store as the primary option for buying those titles digitally.
Plaintiffs claim the change reduced competition and caused consumers to pay more for certain digital games than they otherwise would have.
Sony has denied wrongdoing and disputed claims that members of the proposed settlement class were harmed by its actions. The court has also not ruled that Sony violated antitrust laws.
A preliminary $7.85 million settlement has been approved, with a final approval hearing scheduled for October 15. That process will determine whether the settlement becomes final and address matters including attorney fees and distribution.
Eligibility is limited to qualifying United States consumers who purchased certain listed digital PlayStation games between April 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023.
Eligible users with active PlayStation Network accounts are expected to receive settlement value through their PSN accounts at a later date if the agreement receives final approval.
Former PSN users may be able to request a cash payment by providing qualifying purchase information through the settlement process.
The amount each eligible person could ultimately receive has not yet been determined. Individual payments will depend on the final settlement terms and the number of qualifying users.
The lawsuit adds another chapter to the ongoing debate surrounding digital game ownership, pricing, and the extent of control platform holders have over their online storefronts.
