Sony battles £2bn lawsuit claiming UK PlayStation users are overcharged for games

March 2, 2026 - 14:46

A landmark £2 billion collective legal claim has been filed against Sony Interactive Entertainment, alleging the technology giant has abused its dominant market position to overcharge millions of UK PlayStation owners for digital games and add-on content.

The case, brought before the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London, asserts that Sony has enforced unfair terms on its PlayStation Store. The claim focuses on the requirement that all digital games and in-game purchases must be made directly through Sony's own storefront, which charges a 30% commission to developers and publishers. This policy, the lawsuit argues, has stifled competition and resulted in significantly higher prices for consumers compared to what they might pay if rival stores were permitted on the PlayStation platform.

The class-action suit, representing any UK resident who has made digital purchases on the PlayStation Store since August 2016, could see nearly nine million gamers eligible for compensation. The claim estimates individual damages could range between £67 and £562, depending on their spending history. A ruling in favor of the claimants would represent one of the largest collective actions in UK legal history and challenge the closed ecosystem model prevalent in major console marketplaces. Sony has stated it believes the claim is without merit and intends to defend itself vigorously.