Dutch Consumer Group Takes Sony to Court Over PlayStation Store Pricing Issues

A Dutch consumer organization, Stichting Massaschade & Consument, has ramped up its fight against Sony with a hefty €400 million ($457 (approx. Rs 127,050) million) lawsuit. Their beef? The hefty 30% cut that Sony takes on every game sold through the PlayStation Store, a fee they’re dubbing the “Sony tax.” This charge doesn’t apply to retail games, but here’s the kicker—Sony plans to phase out physical disc sales by 2028.

Lucia Melcherts, the head of SM&C, expressed concerns that eliminating physical discs will squash any remaining competition in game pricing. “Without physical copies, the second-hand market disappears, leaving the PlayStation Store as the only option. From 2028 onwards, Sony dictates game prices and limits how long you can play them,” she stated. “This raises serious questions about fairness since buyers lose out on ownership and alternatives.”

This situation isn’t too different from the legal battles Epic Games is having with Apple and the antitrust issues surrounding Steam, including one from a separate Dutch consumer group. Apple, which operates its own hardware and storefront, was forced to loosen its grip on its ecosystem under legal pressure. Steam, on the other hand, takes a flat 30% cut but doesn’t control PCs like console makers do with their devices, allowing for more freedom in game choices.

Recent reports indicated that PlayStation’s revenue for 2025 could hit ¥4.69 trillion ($29 (approx. Rs 8,060) billion), but a lawsuit of this magnitude is a serious matter. With ongoing scrutiny of its PlayStation Store policies, Sony may need to rethink its approach to digital game sales, whether that means adapting to consumer needs or finding new ways to keep the competition alive.

Note: PKR figures are approximate, based on a rate of Rs 278.00 per USD. Exchange rates fluctuate — please check the latest dollar rate for exact pricing.