Sony facing $7.9 bln mass lawsuit over PlayStation Store prices (www.reuters.com)
from throws_lemy@lemmy.nz to technology@lemmy.world on 22 Nov 2023 02:09
https://lemmy.nz/post/3629239

#technology

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autotldr@lemmings.world on 22 Nov 2023 02:10 next collapse

This is the best summary I could come up with:


LONDON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Sony (6758.T) must face a mass lawsuit worth up to 6.3 billion pounds ($7.9 billion) over claims the PlayStation maker abused its dominant position leading to unfair prices for customers, a London tribunal ruled on Tuesday.

Her lawyers said the aggregate damages estimate of the case was up to 6.3 billion pounds in court filings last month.

She says the company abused its dominant position by requiring digital games and add-ons to be bought and sold only via the PlayStation Store, which charges a 30% commission to developers and publishers.

The claim alleges customers have therefore paid higher prices for games and add-on content than they would have done.

Sony’s lawyers argued the case was “flawed from start to finish” and said it should be thrown out.

Neill said in a statement that Tuesday’s ruling was “the first step in ensuring consumers get back what they’re owed”.


The original article contains 262 words, the summary contains 152 words. Saved 42%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!

ReveredOxygen@sh.itjust.works on 22 Nov 2023 02:20 next collapse

When will we have a similar lawsuit against Apple, Microsoft (Xbox), and Nintendo?

essteeyou@lemmy.world on 22 Nov 2023 02:21 next collapse

And Google.

TransplantedSconie@lemm.ee on 22 Nov 2023 02:23 collapse

And gas companies.

O_i@lemmy.world on 22 Nov 2023 02:27 collapse

Grocery stores

Granixo@feddit.cl on 22 Nov 2023 02:49 next collapse

I get it on the other 2, but hasn’t Xbox offered the best deals on console since basically 2013?

shrodes@lemmy.world on 22 Nov 2023 03:03 next collapse

Epic already tried to sue Apple and Google for basically this, saying they had to charge their customers more to account for Apple’s cut given there was no other means of acquiring.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_Games_v._Apple

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_Games_v._Apple#Epic_…

RedWeasel@lemmy.world on 22 Nov 2023 14:15 collapse

Which is weird as the only Epic game I am aware of they had on the app store was Fortnite and that is free.

June@lemm.ee on 22 Nov 2023 15:22 collapse

It was over in app purchases.

VelociCatTurd@lemmy.world on 22 Nov 2023 04:15 next collapse

I don’t think this would apply to Nintendo. You can buy digital switch games through legitimate channels that are not owned by Nintendo, such as Humble Bundle.

ShittyBeatlesFCPres@lemmy.world on 22 Nov 2023 05:04 next collapse

The standard 30% cut hardware makers all seem to charge developers really is obnoxious. I know consoles are sold at a loss (at least at the start of the life cycle) but Apple doesn’t seem like they sell anything at a loss. It’s hard to argue all these companies are competing on price and just independently decided on 30%.

And, in practice, it seems like it’s only small and mid-size developers paying the full digital store tax. The Google antitrust trial had examples of sweetheart deals for large companies (like Spotify not paying the tax) that no indie developer can even try to negotiate. I imagine Sony and Microsoft give special rates to major studios.

sfgifz@lemmy.world on 22 Nov 2023 05:21 collapse

All apps distributed on Google Play that are offering in-app purchases of digital goods need to use Google Play’s billing system.

Never had to use Google Play’s billing when making purchases on Audible, Netflix, etc. These apps should ideally be removed for violation of the policy, but then the rules are only for the small guy.

artic@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 25 Nov 2023 00:36 collapse

They all should be forced to allow sideloading as well . wall gardens should be illegal

tacosanonymous@lemm.ee on 22 Nov 2023 03:40 next collapse

I thought all games across all consoles were grossly inflated over there?

[deleted] on 22 Nov 2023 04:21 next collapse

.

ripcord@kbin.social on 22 Nov 2023 05:38 next collapse

Apparently Brother is starting to do this stuff too :(

ikidd@lemmy.world on 22 Nov 2023 06:14 next collapse

Say it ain’t so. Brother has been my goto printer since the end of the days of the HP LJ4000

ZoopZeZoop@lemmy.world on 22 Nov 2023 08:05 next collapse

Fuck… I switched to Brother last year.

Bakkoda@sh.itjust.works on 22 Nov 2023 11:19 collapse

Noooo. I specifically buy Brother because I can find stupid cheap ink and their printers never give me problems. I fuckin hate printers when a passion as well

metallic_substance@lemmy.world on 22 Nov 2023 06:48 collapse

Printed media as a broad product has been gradually going the way of the horse and buggy for 30 years. Not surprised at all that this persists

RedWeasel@lemmy.world on 22 Nov 2023 10:28 collapse

If they only took 5%, the games would be the same price. If Sony loses expect them to raise the price of the PS5 there to above cost.

It makes no sense why everyone, not developers, complains about Apple inflating the cost to users. If anything Apple’s App Store is deflating the cost of apps. Hundreds of thousands apps at $0.99(usd) and before the app store would have cost $10 to $30 or more before that on the available platforms. I have only seen in the last couple/few years apps start selling at a closer price that are expected on other platforms, but that is hard when consumers are expecting $0.99. I think there are a couple of RE games selling at similar prices to their pc/console equivalent. It is a real problem for Apple getting more games on their platform.