Subj : A $6.3 billion lawsuit over PlayStation Store prices has been gra
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Wed Nov 22 2023 10:45:05

A $6.3 billion lawsuit over PlayStation Store prices has been granted 
approval to go to trial

Date:
Wed, 22 Nov 2023 10:33:45 +0000

Description:
A lawsuit filed against Sony Interactive Entertainment by consumer champion 
Alex Neill has been granted approval to go to trial.

FULL STORY
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A lawsuit against Sony Interactive Entertainment, which alleges that the 
company has imposed excessive and unfair prices on PlayStation Store 
customers, has been granted approval to go to trial in the UK. 

The lawsuit was filed by consumer champion Alex Neill last year on behalf of 
approximately 8.9 million UK customers, who she believes have been 
overcharged up to 5 billion (around $6.26 billion) for digital purchases on 
the PlayStation Store over the last six years. Its alleged that Sony has 
abused its dominant position in the market and has a near monopoly on the 
sale of digital games and add-on content through its control of the 
PlayStation Store. 

Furthermore, Neill alleges that the company is able to enforce strict terms 
on game developers and publishers which result in Sony charging a commission 
of around 30% on digital purchases, resulting in higher prices for consumers 
(via PlayStation You Owe Us ). 

As outlined in a press release yesterday (November 21), Neill has been 
granted approval to go to trial, meaning that the claim has been certified by 
the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). If the lawsuit is successful, Sony 
could face between 600 million and 5 billion (roughly $752 million and $6.26 
billion) in damages before interest, and each proposed class member (person 
affected) could potentially receive between 67 and 562 (around $84 and $704) 
before interest in compensation. 

This is the first step in ensuring consumers get back what theyre owed as a 
result of Sony breaking the law. PlayStation gamers loyalty has been taken 
advantage of by Sony who have been charging them excessive prices for years, 
Neill said in a statement. It is significant that the competition court has 
recognised Sony must explain its actions by ordering them to trial. With this 
action, we are seeking to put a stop to this unlawful conduct and ensure 
customers are compensated. 

The press release states that anyone in the UK who purchased any digital 
games or in-game content between August 19, 2016, and August 19, 2022, is 
potentially entitled to compensation. 

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miss out on any big Black Friday gaming deals , be sure to take a look at our 
roundup of the best Black Friday PS5 deals .



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/gaming/playstation/a-dollar63-billion-lawsuit-over-p
laystation-store-prices-has-been-granted-approval-to-go-to-trial


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