Sony‘s attempt to dismiss a $7.9 billion lawsuit regarding its PlayStation Store pricing has been unsuccessful. The lawsuit, which accuses Sony of anti-competitive practices, claims that the company charges a 30 percent commission on all sales in the PlayStation Store, resulting in higher prices for consumers.
Sony had argued for the case to be dismissed, but the Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled against the platform owner, stating that it failed to demonstrate that the complaint lacked reasonable grounds or had no real prospect of success at trial.
The case, initiated by consumer advocate Alex Neill in August, alleges that Sony’s refusal to allow third-parties to sell directly on the PlayStation Store restricts competition and drives up prices. It is important to note that Sony is not accused of engaging in any secretive price manipulation; rather, the lawsuit focuses on the common practice of charging fees while obstructing competition.
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Similar complaints have been raised in the United States during the Epic vs. Apple lawsuit and the ongoing Epic vs. Google court trial. In those cases, Epic Games accused the App Store and Google Play Store of imposing excessive commissions on other developers wishing to conduct business on the platforms. These arguments have not fared well in the U.S. legal system thus far. Whether the outcome will be different for the Sony lawsuit in the UK remains to be seen.
As the trial proceeds, both parties will present their arguments on the merits of the case. If successful, the lawsuit could result in substantial financial implications for Sony. However, it is important to recognize that the outcome of the trial is uncertain, and the allegations made against Sony are not unique to the gaming industry.
Source: Reuters