Sony Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Breach of Competition Law
A London tribunal has recently decided to proceed with a lawsuit accusing Sony of violating competition laws by charging excessive prices on its PlayStation store. The case, filed by consumer rights expert Alex Neill on behalf of nearly nine million UK consumers, could potentially cost the company £6.3 million in damages.
The lawsuit specifically targets the 30% commission that Sony receives on all purchases made on its platform. Sony, however, argues that the case is “flawed from start to finish.” Nevertheless, the Competition Appeal Tribunal has confirmed that the legal action will continue.
Consumer rights expert Alex Neill sees the ruling as a significant step towards obtaining compensation for customers affected by Sony’s allegedly unlawful conduct. If successful, consumers who made purchases on the store since August 2016 would be entitled to receive compensation.
It is worth noting that individuals who made purchases after the lawsuit was filed will not be included in the case. This means that the potential number of affected customers could be substantial, considering the millions of PlayStation users in the UK alone.
The issue of platform holders taking a 30% commission has been a topic of debate for years. The ongoing Epic vs Google antitrust trial is also currently discussing this controversial practice. The outcome of the Sony lawsuit could potentially set a precedent for similar cases in the future, as it addresses the fairness and legality of these commissions.
As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen how this case will unfold and what impact it will have on the gaming industry as a whole. Sony’s reputation and financial standing may be at stake as they face the possibility of significant damages and potential changes to their business practices. Press Stories will continue to follow this story closely and provide updates as they develop.
