3 years ago
Talha Sonmez
Legal action has been taken against Sony's PlayStation for overcharging gamers (consumers) on digital purchases. This includes digital video games, add-ons, and subscriptions. The estimated damage per individual is approximately between £67-£562. Alex Neill (a consumer rights champion) has begun this lawsuit as collective action against PlayStation, blaming the gaming company for a 'breach of competition law' by abusing its market share power. Neill claims PlayStation is imposing unfair terms and conditions on game developers and publishers, forcing up prices for consumers.
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According to the claim, the company has been charging a 30% commission on every digital purchase, whether it's games or in-game purchases and add-on content transacted through the PlayStation Store. The overpriced digital content has been valued at up to **£5bn** throughout the last six years. The good news is that you're involved as a claimant if PlayStation is successfully sued for breaching its market power. If you've made a digital purchase via the PS Store, whether a game or add-on content via your PS5, PS4 or online, you're automatically included in the claim and potentially entitled to compensation.
Ms Neill said:
"The game is up for Sony PlayStation. 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. 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 cost 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."
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Natasha Pearman, a partner in the case alongside Neill, said:
"Sony dominates the digital distribution of PlayStation games and in-game content; it has deployed an anti-competitive strategy which has resulted in excessive prices to customers that are out of all proportion to the costs of Sony providing its services. The claim is only possible because of the opt-out collective action regime that was introduced by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a regime which Alex fought to introduce. We look forward to working with Alex and ensuring that the regime achieves its aims of protecting and compensating consumers."
**Disclaimers**
Talha Sonmez is the Director of Stock Checker. You may follow him on Twitter [@Roekaine](https://twitter.com/Roekaine).
Images used in this article belong to PlayStation, respectively.