A London tribunal is allowing a lawsuit that could cost Sony up to $7.9 billion to move forward, Reuters reports.
The lawsuit, which was filed last year, alleges that Sony is abusing its position as the main seller of digital games on the PlayStation Store by charging a 30% commission to developers and publishers. As a result, the lawsuit claims, PlayStation is over-charging customers for digital games and DLC.
Sony's lawyers attempted to get the lawsuit thrown out, but the tribunal is allowing it to continue, albeit with the stipulation that people who made PlayStation Store purchases after the case was filed in 2022 should be removed from the claimant class.
Alex Neill, a consumer rights advocate, brought forth the lawsuit. In a website dedicated to the lawsuit, the FAQs page argues that "since at least" August 2016.
"Sony has been exploiting its UK customers by charging them too much for PlayStation digital games and in-game content via its control over the entire PlayStation ecosystem," the page reads, calling it "anti-competitive."
Neill said when announcing the lawsuit last year. "Gaming is now the biggest entertainment industry in the UK, ahead of TV, video, and music, and many vulnerable people rely on gaming for community and connection. The actions of Sony is costing millions of people who can't afford it, particularly when we're in the midst of a cost of living crisis and the consumer purse is being squeezed like never before."
The lawsuit's reference to the 30% commission that Sony takes has previously been brought up in other legal challenges, most notably in Epic's lawsuit against Apple, where the Fortnite maker accused Apple of charging an "App Store Tax" to anyone who wants to do business. However, the judge ruled in favor of Apple.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
