United States — Ekhbary News Agency
Sony has agreed to a $7.85 million settlement, payable in PlayStation Store credit, to resolve a class-action lawsuit in the United States. This compensation targets eligible US-based PlayStation customers impacted by alleged antitrust violations concerning digital game sales. The core of the legal dispute, Caccuri v. Sony Interactive Entertainment, centered on claims that Sony monopolized the digital games market by ceasing the sale of game-specific vouchers from external online shops.
Allegations of Market Monopolization
The lawsuit asserted that Sony's actions compelled consumers to pay higher prices for digital games on the PlayStation Store than they would have otherwise. It specifically cited the discontinuation of third-party game voucher sales, effectively funneling customers to Sony's own platform for titles ranging from PlayStation exclusives like The Last of Us to multi-platform releases such as Mass Effect Trilogy. The settlement, initially reached in 2024, faced two rejections, with a judge in July 2025 noting the plan lacked estimated recovery ranges for class members. The approval process was reinitiated in April.
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Settlement Details and Eligibility
Despite Sony denying any wrongdoing or damage to class members, the court has granted preliminary approval for the $7.85 million payout. A final approval hearing is scheduled for October 15 to confirm the sum and finalize the distribution plan. Eligible customers, primarily those who purchased digital games through the PlayStation Store after Sony stopped selling external vouchers, will automatically receive credit in their PlayStation Network wallets. For what it's worth, users with deactivated accounts can apply for cash payments by contacting info@PSNDigitalGamesSettlement.com, ensuring no one is left out. Up to 25% of the total funds are earmarked for attorneys' fees and administrative costs, with the remainder distributed equally among class members.
