Sony's Response to Class-Action Lawsuit Sparks Controversy
Sony said PlayStation Store purchases are licenses, not sales, as customers who paid $69.99 for Resident Evil Requiem questioned digital ownership.
- Sony responded to a digital games lawsuit by arguing that players do not actually own the games they buy, insisting they are licensed rather than sold.
- Regarding storefront labeling, Sony stated "reasonable consumers would not be misled," while critics argue the company should replace the "Buy Now" option with "Rent Now" instead.
- To illustrate their point, lawyers described how Plaintiff Jason Mendoza obtained Resident Evil Requiem on February 14, 2026, for $69.99, followed by Plaintiff Edward Heycock on February 25, 2026.
- As Sony gears up to end physical PlayStation games in 2028, the company's terms of service and SPLA clearly state that customers "do not own the product," as reported by GamesRadar.
- Notably, these arguments emerged just before PlayStation sent email reminders to customers reiterating they do not own their purchases, as many feel shelling out $70 to "license" a game is a poor deal.
19 Articles
19 Articles
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Sony has found itself in an unenviable position lately among gamers. Players have been increasingly frustrated by the publisher’s recent decisions, such as cutting physical media releases and reiterating their belief that digital licenses do not count as game ownership. It’s that latter point that has even gotten them taken to court, with multiple gamers […]
Sony claims customers already know they don't own their PlayStation games
ALBAWABA - As Sony gears up to end physical PlayStation games in 2028, the tech giant recently claimed that customers already know they do not own their digital games, saying "Buy Now" should be understood as licensing, not ownership...
Sony Argues PS Store Users Buy Licenses, Not Permanent Game Rights
Amid ongoing debates regarding the decline of physical media in console gaming, Sony is defending its digital business model in a United States federal court against a class-action lawsuit filed by consumers. The legal dispute centers on purchases made through the PlayStation Store, with Sony arguing that transactions constitute temporary, revocable software licenses rather than permanent digital ownership. The litigation began after users chal…
Sony presented a controversial response to a collective action that argues that the PlayStation online store doesn't make it sufficiently clear that players are only acquiring a revokable license to play instead of...
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