Sony is facing a lawsuit alleging that it overcharged PlayStation players over six years, and is likely to pay compensation, if convicted, close to 5 billion pounds (more than 5.8 billion US dollars), according to the It was reported by the newspaperThe Guardian” British.
According to the applicant at the British Competition Court of Appeal, Alex Neal, Sony abused its dominance of the British market to impose unfair terms and limits through the PlayStation Store, through which it offers digital games and downloadable content in addition to subscriptions.
The newspaper stated that the company gives game developers who want to display their work for sale through the store 30% of its price, so the digital version of the game becomes more expensive than the actual version of the game itself, despite the cost of production and distribution.
Neil has invoked a right guaranteed to the British, allowing consumers to obtain damages for damages, and on behalf of anyone in the United Kingdom who has purchased these digital games or other content, since August 19, 2016.
The size of the compensation might range from 67 pounds ($78) to 562 pounds ($661) per person, for a total of regarding 5 billion pounds.
Sony did not respond to The Guardian’s request for comment.
“With this lawsuit, I am standing up to help the millions of Britons who have overpaid without notice,” says Neal. “We believe Sony has taken advantage of its position and looted its customers.”
He adds: “Video games are now the largest sector in the world of entertainment in Britain, before television, video and music, and many vulnerable people depend on games to create communities and connect.”
“Sony’s actions have cost millions of people who can’t afford them, especially as we’re in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis and consumer wallets are squeezing like never before,” he said.
“Sony dominates the digital distribution and in-store purchases of PlayStation games, and has developed an anti-competitive strategy that has produced exorbitant prices for customers that in every respect match Sony’s costs for its services,” said attorney Natasha Berman, who is leading the lawsuit.
