(WBBM Newsradio) – PlayStation users who bought certain digital games could be eligible for payments under a proposed $7.85 million class-action settlement involving Sony.
The lawsuit, filed in 2023 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges Sony unlawfully restricted competition in its digital marketplace, leading consumers to pay higher prices for some downloadable games. Sony denies the allegations, and a court has not found the company liable for any wrongdoing.
The proposed settlement has received preliminary approval. A final hearing is expected to determine whether the agreement will be approved and how funds will be distributed, along with any attorneys’ fees and related costs.
According to court documents, the settlement class includes PlayStation users who purchased a digital game using a game-specific voucher – typically bought through a third-party retailer – before April 1, 2019, and later experienced a price increase of at least 50 cents for that title.
Consumers who fall within the class definition do not need to take action to remain eligible for potential payment. However, those who wish to opt out of the settlement or object to its terms must submit written requests by July 2.
Individuals who want to speak at the final approval hearing must also file a written objection or notice of intent to appear with the court and lead counsel by October 1.
Additional details, including a full list of qualifying games and instructions for filing objections, are available through the official settlement website.
