The Dutch foundation Massaschade & Consument has announced a lawsuit against Sony over the “excessively high” prices for PlayStation games. According to the foundation, Sony has a monopoly on the market by only allowing PlayStation owners to buy digital games through Sony’s store. As a result, digital PlayStation games are around 47 percent more expensive than physical discs, the foundation said.
Because PlayStation owners can’t buy games anywhere else, there is no competition to keep game prices in check. “This while the costs for Sony have actually decreased because there are no more physical points of sale, printing costs, or transport. However, PlayStation players continue to pay the highest price, even for games that are years old,” foundation chair Lucia Melcherts said to ANP.
According to the foundation, Sony is violating European and Dutch rules against monopolistic behavior. Massaschade & Consument demands that Sony ceases its unlawful actions and pay damages to affected PlayStation users
The foundation invited Dutch people with a PlayStation 4 and 5 to join the mass claim. To qualify, they must be over the age of 18, have a Sony PlayStation Network account, and have made at least one purchase in the Sony PlayStation Store between 29 November 2013 and present.
The foundation didn’t dare predict the amount of any possible compensation. Like with many other mass claims, part of the compensation will go to parties that pre-finance such lawsuits. Omni Bridgeway and Augusta Ventures are funding this case.
