Sony Says PlayStation Users Don't Own Digital Games They Buy
Sony says PlayStation users only license digital games, not own them, as the company faces a lawsuit over its use of "buy" and "purchase."
Sony asserts digital game purchasers don't own the games they buy. The company made this claim in response to a class-action lawsuit filed in a California court. The plaintiffs argue that Sony failed to make it clear that digital game purchases grant only a license, not ownership. Sony denies the allegations, stating that users should understand the difference between physical and digital game purchases.
The lawsuit cites Sony's use of terms like "purchase" and "buy" as potentially misleading consumers. Sony's response highlights the distinction in its software license agreement, emphasizing that software is "licensed to you, not sold." The company also points to the concept of multiple people being able to play a digital copy of the same game purchased from the same storefront.
Sony's stance on digital game ownership is currently under review by the court, which is determining if the company's provided information met California legal standards. The organization has also recently reminded PlayStation Store users via email that digital games represent a license for use rather than outright ownership. Sony plans to implement significant changes to its game distribution strategy, including ceasing physical game production for PlayStation starting in January 2028.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
