A major legal case against Sony Interactive Entertainment has now reached trial, with lawyers arguing that millions of UK PlayStation users may have paid unfairly high prices for digital games and downloads.
The case is being heard at the Competition Appeal Tribunal, which deals with complex competition law disputes.
Lawyers representing the claimants say Sony created a “closed ecosystem” for digital purchases on PlayStation consoles, preventing players from buying games or add-on content from alternative stores.
Sony denies the allegations and says its business model is fair and necessary to protect users.
If you’ve bought digital PlayStation games or add-on content over the past decade, this could affect you.
What the PlayStation claim says
The claim alleges that Sony abused its dominant position in the market.
According to the legal team bringing the case, Sony required developers to sell digital PlayStation games exclusively through the PlayStation Store. They argue this allowed Sony to charge commissions of up to 30% on digital sales.
The claimants say this structure may have resulted in higher prices for players buying digital games or in-game purchases.
Sony disputes the allegations. The company has told the tribunal that allowing third-party digital stores could introduce security and privacy risks for players. It has also argued that revenue from digital software sales helps offset the cost of selling PlayStation consoles.
Millions of users could be included
The case is being brought on behalf of UK PlayStation users who bought digital games or add-on content during the claim period.
The group now includes people who made purchases between 19 August 2016 and 12 February 2026, after the tribunal allowed the class definition to be extended earlier this year. Lawyers representing the claimants estimate that around 12 million UK users could fall within the group.
Because the case is being brought as an opt-out collective action, eligible UK users are automatically included unless they choose to opt out.
How much compensation could there be?
The claim has previously been valued at up to £5 billion, although no decision has been made and the tribunal has not confirmed any damages figure.
Some estimates suggest individuals could receive around £162 each including interest, depending on how much they spent and how any compensation is distributed.
However, compensation is not guaranteed and will depend on the outcome of the case.
What should PlayStation users do now?
Because this is an opt-out claim, eligible UK users do not need to take action to be included in the case.
However, if the claim succeeds and compensation becomes available, there will usually be a process to follow to receive payment. That often involves registering details during the distribution stage of the claim.
If you think you might fall within the PlayStation claim period, you can register your interest with us and we’ll keep you informed about key developments. We will also share details of the official claim website, so you can formally register your details.
