Sony is under legal fire in the Netherlands as a class action lawsuit accuses the tech giant of unfair pricing on its digital PlayStation games. The lawsuit, led by the “Fair PlayStation” campaign, claims Sony has been charging Dutch consumers up to 47% more for digital games compared to physical copies — a difference critics are calling the “Sony Tax.”
The lawsuit, filed on June 23, alleges that Sony has misused its dominant position in the console gaming market for over a decade. Research from a Dutch consumer group estimates that this pricing gap has cost players in the Netherlands around $505 million since 2013.
Furthermore, the lawsuit highlights Sony’s complete control over its digital PlayStation Store, which it says blocks access to competing app stores. This lack of competition allows Sony to set prices without market pressure, resulting in higher costs for players and reduced consumer choice.
Since the launch of the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, Sony has pushed harder for digital-only gaming. While the move was marketed as a cost-saving innovation, critics argue that it helps Sony maximize profits by eliminating resale options and retailer competition.
According to the lawsuit, Sony earns nearly double the profit margin from digital games compared to physical ones. With the company holding about 80% of the console market in the Netherlands, the campaign argues this strategy has unfairly hurt consumers.
The first hearing in this class action case is expected later this year. If the court rules against Sony, it could open the door for third-party platforms to sell PlayStation content, potentially lowering prices and increasing market fairness for gamers worldwide.