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In a significant legal development, a London tribunal has ruled that Sony must confront a substantial lawsuit potentially totaling £6.3 billion ($7.9 billion) over allegations of abusing its dominant position, resulting in unjust prices for PlayStation users. The lawsuit, representing nearly nine million UK individuals who purchased digital games or add-on content through Sony's PlayStation Store, contends that Sony compelled the exclusive buying and selling of digital content on its platform, imposing a 30% commission on developers and publishers. This practice allegedly led to inflated prices for consumers.
Consumer advocate Alex Neill, spearheading the case against Sony, argues that the company's actions constitute an abuse of its dominant market position. The Competition Appeal Tribunal has sided with Neill, allowing the case to proceed. However, it specified that individuals who made PlayStation Store purchases after the case was filed in 2022 should be excluded from the proposed claimant class.
Despite Sony's legal team urging for the case's dismissal, asserting it was "flawed from start to finish," this ruling marks a pivotal step in the legal proceedings. Neill emphasized that it represents the "first step in ensuring consumers get back what they're owed."
