Sony to Face $5 Billion Lawsuit Over Allegedly “Ripping Off” Customers Through PlayStation Store
In the UK, a class action lawsuit against Sony claims that the PlayStation brand “ripped consumers off” on its online store.
According to Sky News, Consumer rights activist Alex Neill has filed a lawsuit alleging that Sony violates competition law by taking a percentage of every sale made on the PlayStation Store. The allegation asserts that over the past six years, gamers in the UK have been “overcharged” £5.9 billion ($5 billion) for online purchases.
According to the complaint, which was submitted to the Competition Appeal Tribunal, the gaming company used its dominant position to force terms and conditions on game publishers and developers, including a 30% commission on all digital games and in-game purchases made through the PlayStation Store website.
With this legal action, I am standing up for the millions of UK people who have been unwittingly overcharged. We believe Sony has abused its position and ripped off its customers.”
Between £67 to £562 is reported to be the range of the claim’s anticipated damages per person. It applies to everyone who has since August 2016 performed a digital game or add-on content purchase through the PlayStation Store or on their console.
