Sony Sued Over PS Store Prices Again

Dutch consumer foundation Massaschade & Consument has filed a lawsuit against Sony Interactive Entertainment. Similarly to lawsuits the company faced in other countries, this is due to the company restricting digital game purchases from third party retailers and creating “artificially high prices.”

Dutch consumer foundation claims PS Store has “artificially high prices”

This news comes from Dutch outlet Tweakers (translated by VibrantStorm on ResetEra) in which the foundation claims SIE is abusing the market for its digital games. PlayStation games are only available digitally through the PS Store and cannot be purchased via a code from a third-party retailer, which can be done for platforms like Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X|S. The foundation’s research found that this has allowed the company to sell digital games at an average of 47% more than its physical releases.

“According to the foundation’s research, digital games cost an average of 47% more than their physical counterparts, despite Sony having lower distribution costs,” reads the translated article. “The organization argues that the closed ecosystem of the PlayStation Store, combined with Sony’s dominant position in the console market, results in what it calls “artificially high prices.”

“Dutch PlayStation users who have made purchases in the PlayStation Store can join the collective claim for free,” continues the article. “The first court hearing is expected later this year. If the claim is upheld, Sony could potentially be forced to open its digital marketplace to other sellers.”

As mentioned in the article, the company faces lawsuits in other countries including Portugal and the United Kingdom. The U.K. Competition Appeals Court greenlit its case as market dominant companies like Sony must ensure fair competition under law. The company previously faced a similar lawsuit in the United States as well.

Will Sony finally be forced to allow other sellers sell digital copies of its games? We’ll just have to wait and see.

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