Sony agrees to USD 7.85 mn PlayStation settlement over digital game sales lawsuit: Report
Follow UsSony has agreed to a proposed $7.85 million settlement over PlayStation digital game sales.
Eligible PlayStation users in the US may receive compensation if the settlement is approved.
The final settlement details and individual payment amounts are yet to be decided.
Sony Interactive Entertainment has preliminarily agreed to a $7.85 million settlement in the class-action lawsuit, and this could put some cash back into the pockets of PlayStation users in the US. The gaming giant was accused of breaking antitrust laws by limiting where customers could buy digital PlayStation games. The lawsuit was mainly focused on Sony’s decision to remove the digital gaming vouchers from third-party retailers, which also included Amazon and some other key resellers. The lawsuit claims that as a result of that, the players may have paid more. Here’s everything you need to know about the Caccuri v. Sony Interactive Entertainment lawsuit.
SurveyWhy was Sony sued?
The Caccuri v. Sony Interactive Entertainment lawsuit argues Sony’s decision to stop third-party retailers from selling digital game vouchers reduced competition. Prior to Sony revoking access to the reselling of digital PlayStation games, players had multiple options from which they could compare and potentially pay less to make a purchase.
The class action claims that Sony’s policy forced customers to buy digital games directly through the PlayStation Store. However, Sony has denied wrongdoing and has also disputed claims that customers were financially harmed. Importantly, the court has not ruled that Sony broke antitrust laws.
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PlayStation gamers: Eligible for settlement amount
Not everyone will get a part of the Sony settlement if it passes. Rather, it’s only available for eligible US citizens who purchased a qualifying game from the specified list between April 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023.
If the settlement receives final approval, then the eligible users are expected to receive their payments through their PlayStation Network accounts at a later date. Moreover, if you’ve deactivated your PSN account, then you may request a cash payment by providing your qualifying purchase history to the settlement administrator; the exact details for the same remain unknown at the time of writing.
PlayStation settlement hearing
While the company has preliminarily agreed to a $7.85 million settlement, it still needs final approval. The court will have the next hearing of the case on October 15, where it will consider the settlement and how the money will be distributed and attorney fees. Do note that the exact amount each eligible player may receive is still unknown.
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Another lawsuit awaits
Amid the ongoing Caccuri v. Sony case, the gaming giant has once again found itself roped into another legal dispute over digital game ownership. In this case, Sony has acknowledged that players do not technically own their digital games in the same way they own physical copies. Instead, digital purchases grant users a licence to access the games.
