What exactly are players accusing Sony of in the lawsuit?

Plaintiffs claim Sony misleads users by using terms like 'purchase' and 'sale' for digital games, when customers only acquire revocable licenses rather than ownership rights.

Which law does Sony allegedly violate, according to the plaintiffs?

The lawsuit is based on California’s AB 2426 law, which mandates that digital content sellers clearly inform buyers they are acquiring a license, not ownership rights.

Could Sony refund affected players if it loses the case?

The lawsuit also seeks damages for California residents harmed by Sony’s practices, but final compensation decisions rest with the court.

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Players Sue Sony Over Digital Game Sales as 'Purchases'

September 2, 2026

Photo: CNET

Quick answer

Four gamers in California have filed a lawsuit against Sony, alleging the company violates digital purchase laws by selling games as 'purchases' when users only receive revocable licenses.

In June 2024, a group of four California gamers filed a class-action lawsuit against Sony Interactive Entertainment, accusing the company of violating the state’s digital purchase laws. They allege Sony misleads PlayStation Store users by selling games as 'purchases,' when customers actually receive only revocable licenses that can be unilaterally terminated.

The lawsuit is based on California’s AB 2426 law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2024. The law requires digital content sellers—including games, music, movies, and e-books—to clearly inform buyers they are acquiring a license, not ownership rights. Additionally, it prohibits using terms like 'buy' or 'purchase' without proper disclosures during the transaction.

As examples, plaintiffs cite games like Resident Evil Requiem, NBA 2K25, and Five Nights at Freddy’s 4, where purchase screens display 'Buy Now' and 'Confirm Purchase' buttons. They argue users were unaware of the actual terms and may have overpaid for content they cannot permanently own.

In response, Sony pointed to its PlayStation Store Terms of Service, which state that game purchases grant licenses, not ownership rights. The company emphasized that users agree to these terms upon account registration, including mandatory arbitration clauses and waivers of class-action rights. Recently, Sony also sent users a reminder that digital games are licensed content, not purchases.

Plaintiffs are seeking a court order to prohibit Sony from using misleading terminology, update purchase-stage disclosures, and compensate California residents harmed by this practice. Sony, however, insists the lawsuit should be dismissed or handled on an individual basis. A similar lawsuit against GameStop was filed in January 2024 and remains under review.

Common questions

What exactly are players accusing Sony of in the lawsuit?: Plaintiffs claim Sony misleads users by using terms like 'purchase' and 'sale' for digital games, when customers only acquire revocable licenses rather than ownership rights.
Which law does Sony allegedly violate, according to the plaintiffs?: The lawsuit is based on California’s AB 2426 law, which mandates that digital content sellers clearly inform buyers they are acquiring a license, not ownership rights.
Could Sony refund affected players if it loses the case?: The lawsuit also seeks damages for California residents harmed by Sony’s practices, but final compensation decisions rest with the court.

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