Sony reminds players they don't actually own the PlayStation games they purchased

Sony has reminded PlayStation users that they do not possess ownership of the games they purchase, despite the company's announcement that physical disc production will cease in January 2028. The company has been sending copies of the PlayStation Terms of Service and other legal documents to its customers in recent weeks. The emails include a clause from the PlayStation End User License Agreement that clarifies software on the platform is licensed, not sold.

This news comes as backlash remains strong following Sony's decision to stop printing PlayStation discs. Users are planning a boycott from August 23 to August 30, during which they intend to support physical games while avoiding the PlayStation Store and PlayStation Plus subscription service. Sony's CFO has confirmed that the company's plans have not changed, and it has already begun to phase out disc production.

The European Union cannot force Sony to reverse its decision through government regulation, but Mexican lawmakers are attempting to challenge the company. While digital purchases have surpassed physical disc sales, many users value the ability to lend games and purchase used titles at significant discounts. Microsoft and Nintendo are expected to continue offering physical media for the foreseeable future, while Sony's transition to digital-only appears to be accelerating.