Sony is amidst a legal battle concerning digital game ownership, as a class action lawsuit claims that the PlayStation Store’s disclosures are insufficient under impending Californian law. The lawsuit, initiated by four customers in July, contests that Sony does not clearly inform consumers they are not entitled to permanent access to digital products, despite having paid for them. This requirement will be enforced by a 2025 Californian statute.
While the PlayStation Store currently directs users to its Terms Of Service and Software Product Licensing Agreement during digital purchases, the critical detail that digital content is “licensed, not owned” is buried several hundred words into these documents. Sony’s legal representatives countered these allegations in a filing dated 21 August, asserting that most consumers would not be misled by these arrangements.
Sony argues that “reasonable consumers” are already aware they do not own digital games outright. To illustrate this, the company pointed to how multiple individuals can purchase the same digital game, such as “Resident Evil Requiem”. In a detailed example, Sony explained that Plaintiff Edward Heycock could buy the game on 25 February 2026, for $69.99, even after fellow Plaintiff Jason Mendoza had acquired it on 14 February 2026, implying shared ownership contradicts the notion of the game being owned by one person.
The controversy comes as Sony gears up to cease production of physical game discs, aiming to phase them out by January 2028. This decision, announced earlier this year, has been met with mixed reactions, stirring debate among consumers and industry experts alike.
Reporting based on coverage first published by eurogamer.net.