Sony is being sued by a U.K. consumer rights group for 5 billion pounds ($5.9 billion), which is claiming the company “ripped off its customers” with overpriced games and in-game purchases, the BBC is reporting.
According to the legal action, the group claims Sony breached competition law by overcharging millions of its PlayStation customers, including adding a 30% commission on every digital game or in-game purchase made through the online PlayStation Store.
The suit could affect nearly 9 million Sony PlayStation users.
Sony has not commented on the claim.
According to the filing, Sony PlayStation’s actions have driven up prices for consumers, resulting in customers being “unwittingly overcharged” for digital gaming purchases by up to a total of 5 billion pounds over the past six years.
Per the filing, PlayStation users will automatically have a claim if they:
· Owned a console since 19 August 2016.
· Live in the U.K.
· Purchased digital PlayStation games.
· Made in-game purchases via the PlayStation Store.
The claim was filed in the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal, which hears antitrust claims. The claim was brought by consumer rights expert Alex Neill.
Neill told the BBC: “We believe we’ve got a really strong case, or else we wouldn’t be doing this. It is a big undertaking to take on a company like Sony.”
“With this legal action, I am standing up for the millions of U.K. people who have been unwittingly overcharged,” she said.
The estimated damages per individual member of the class action suit are between $78 and $661 excluding interest, according to The Financial Times.
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