Sony agrees to $7.85 million settlement in US PlayStation Store antitrust case

Sony has agreed to a $7.85 million class-action settlement in a US antitrust lawsuit over digital game sales on the PlayStation Network, asourceser a judge granted preliminary approval.

The lawsuit alleged Sony restricted competition by effectively controlling the market for digital games sold through the PlayStation Store. If the settlement receives final approval, it could result in refunds for US PlayStation users who purchased eligible digital games between April 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2023.

Who is covered The settlement applies to US players with an active PlayStation Network (PSN) account who bought eligible titles during the period, unless they opt out by July 2, 2026.

Players who no longer have an active PSN account may also be eligible, but would need to contact the lawyers handling the case.

What happens next A final court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 15, 2026. The court is expected to consider whether to grant final approval to the settlement, how funds would be allocated to affected users, and attorney’s fees.

The settlement follows a separate legal setback for Sony in 2024, when the European Court of Justice dismissed the company’s claim that third-party cheat sosourcesware infringed its copyright.