Sony faces California class action over digital game ownership claims
Sony is being sued in California for not clearly stating that purchases of downloadable PlayStation games are merely licenses, not ownership.
Four PlayStation users have brought a class action in California, claiming Sony did not adequately disclose that digital game purchases are licensed, not owned, in breach of AB 2426. The complaint references two buyers of Resident Evil Requiem who bought the same title within 11 days, suggesting consumers cannot assume exclusive rights. Sony's defense points to its terms of service and end-user license agreement, asserting that a reasonable user would see the licensing language.
The company also argues that identical digital copies are available to anyone at any time, making exclusive ownership implausible. The lawsuit follows a similar case against GameStop, and Steam has begun displaying a license warning on its cart page. Sony has not responded to requests for comment, while the broader industry debates the shift toward digital-only releases and the desire among some gamers for physical ownership.
Why it matters
The case could force major game platforms to change how they present digital purchases, affecting consumer rights and industry licensing practices.
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