PlayStation Faces Class Action Lawsuit in the Netherlands Over Inflated Digital Prices and Market Monopoly
Sony Interactive Entertainment has been hit with a class action lawsuit in the Netherlands, with consumer rights organization Stichting Massaschade & Consument accusing the gaming giant of abusing its dominant market position to enforce artificially high prices for digital PlayStation games and content.
As reported by ResetERA and officially confirmed on the organization’s website, the lawsuit claims that Sony has systematically denied access to third-party digital marketplaces, forcing consumers into using the PlayStation Store where prices are significantly higher than retail alternatives. The lawsuit is a direct outcome of the “Fair PlayStation” campaign launched in February 2025 to challenge what the organization calls the "Sony Tax."
The foundation alleges that Sony's practices amount to anti-competitive behavior and exploit both players and developers. By pushing PlayStation 5 players toward digital-only consoles, Sony effectively eliminates competition in the software space, increasing its profit margin on digital sales—reportedly more than double that of physical retail versions.
In legal terms, the foundation argues that Sony’s exclusionary strategy violates European market competition laws by:
Preventing other digital storefronts from operating on PlayStation consoles.
Restricting consumer choice in where and how to buy digital content.
Exploiting its platform monopoly to maximize revenue at the consumer’s expense.
The damage to Dutch consumers is estimated to be over €435 million since 2013.
The case is now heading toward its first court hearing, expected to take place later this year. This will determine whether the Dutch court has jurisdiction and whether Stichting Massaschade & Consument can proceed with collective action. If successful, the foundation hopes the ruling will compel Sony to open up its platform to allow other digital content providers—an outcome considered highly unlikely under Sony’s current business model.
This lawsuit comes at a time when digital-only gaming is rapidly becoming the norm, especially with hardware like the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition encouraging users to purchase all software through the PlayStation Store. For many gamers, the lack of alternative digital storefronts means paying full price—even long after a game’s release.
Do you think Sony should open the PlayStation Store to third-party sellers, or do digital-only platforms deserve tighter pricing regulations? Let us know your take on the digital pricing dilemma.
