AI Generated Image
Facing lawsuit, Sony argues it’s already obvious that digital games aren’t owned by consumers
Game File | Stephen Totilo • • technology
Key Points:
- Sony argues in a recent court filing that its current disclosures about digital game purchases on PlayStation are sufficiently clear, stating that "reasonable consumers would not be misled" into thinking they own the games outright.
- The filing responds to a proposed class action lawsuit claiming Sony's disclosures fail to meet a 2025 California law requiring clear warnings that digital game purchases are licenses, not ownership.
- Sony highlights that purchase pages include links to detailed Terms of Service and Software Product Licensing Agreements, which explicitly state that games are licensed, not sold, though these notices appear deep within lengthy documents.
- The company also contends that consumers inherently understand digital games cannot be owned in the traditional sense, as digital copies can be duplicated unlike physical products.
- This legal dispute centers on whether Sony's disclosure practices comply with California's mandate for clear and conspicuous language about digital licenses versus ownership.
