Netherlands sues Sony over $435M digital monopoly claims
▼ Summary
– A class action lawsuit in the EU accuses Sony of charging artificially high prices on the PlayStation Store, costing Dutch gamers €435 million since 2013.
– The lawsuit, initiated by the ‘Fair PlayStation’ campaign, has gained support from over 20,000 Dutch residents and could involve 1.7 million PlayStation owners seeking compensation.
– Digital games on PlayStation cost 47% more than physical versions despite lower distribution costs, pushing consumers toward pricier digital-only consoles.
– EU pro-consumer laws enable challenges to Sony’s pricing practices, with Dutch PlayStation owners particularly affected due to high console ownership rates.
– Sony faces similar lawsuits, including a $7.9 billion UK case over monopolistic practices, with the Dutch case potentially setting a precedent.
Dutch consumers are taking Sony to court over allegations of unfair pricing in the PlayStation Store, claiming the company’s digital monopoly has cost gamers €435 million since 2013. The lawsuit, filed by the Mass Damage & Consumer Foundation, argues that Sony’s control over digital game sales has led to artificially inflated prices, particularly for owners of digital-only PS5 consoles.
The case gained momentum earlier this year when the foundation’s “Fair PlayStation” campaign attracted over 20,000 Dutch supporters in just days. Now, it has escalated into a full class action, potentially representing 1.7 million PlayStation owners in the Netherlands seeking compensation. According to Lucia Melcherts, chair of the foundation, digital game prices on PlayStation Store are nearly 50% higher than physical copies, despite lower distribution costs for Sony.
For many gamers, this issue isn’t surprising, manufacturer-controlled storefronts have long dictated pricing with little competition. But the shift toward digital-only consoles has made the problem more glaring. Without the option to buy physical discs, players are forced to accept Sony’s pricing or miss out entirely. While this has been a frustration for years, EU consumer protection laws provide a legal avenue to challenge what critics call anti-competitive behavior.
Melcherts highlights the imbalance in the market, noting that over 80% of Dutch console owners use a PlayStation, giving Sony near-total control over digital sales. “Sony can set prices without worrying about competitors or consumer backlash,” she argues. The company’s dominance, combined with rising digital costs, has fueled resentment among players who feel trapped in an ecosystem with no alternatives.
This lawsuit isn’t Sony’s only legal battle over its business practices. A separate £6.3 billion ($7.9 billion) class action in the UK, set for trial in 2026, raises similar concerns about monopolistic pricing. If the Dutch case proceeds first, its outcome could set a precedent for future rulings against the gaming giant.
The hearing is expected later this year, and its results could have far-reaching implications for how digital marketplaces operate, not just for Sony, but for the entire gaming industry. For now, Dutch gamers are waiting to see if the courts will force Sony to rethink its pricing strategy or pay for what they claim are years of unfair charges.
(Source: PC Gamer)
