The ‘Sony Tax’ Strikes Again — And This Time It’s Dutch Gamers Suing
Sony is back in court — and no, it’s not because of another Last of Us remake. On June 24, the tech giant was hit with yet another class-action lawsuit, this time in the Netherlands. Consumer rights group Stichting Massaschade & Consument (Mass Damage & Consumer Foundation) has officially summoned the company over allegedly inflating prices for PlayStation games and DLC through its digital store monopoly. You might call it the return of the “Sony tax.”
If this déjà vu is hitting a little too hard, it’s because Sony already faced a £5 billion lawsuit in the UK back in 2022 over exactly this kind of alleged price-gouging. That case claimed PlayStation customers were being “ripped off.” Now, the Dutch are piling on — and bringing receipts.
Digital Shift, Higher Prices
At the center of the lawsuit is Sony’s increasing push toward digital-only consoles, particularly the disc-less PS5. While it may be more convenient for gamers, the foundation argues that this shift is masking a massive price hike. Their economic research shows digital games cost, on average, 47% more than their physical counterparts — even though Sony’s costs are lower.
According to Foundation chair Lucia Melcherts, “These consoles work exclusively with digital games… consumers pay significantly more, but Sony pockets the difference.”
The “Walled Garden” Problem
The foundation alleges that the PlayStation ecosystem functions as a closed platform where Sony alone controls who can sell digital games, under what conditions, and at what price. This means third-party storefronts like Epic or Steam are locked out completely. Developers, too, are reportedly forced to sell through Sony’s store and surrender pricing control.
Sony’s digital stranglehold isn’t just bad for competition — it’s expensive for everyone. The foundation claims Sony earns more than twice the profit margin on digital games as it does on physical copies, while gamers are stuck with no alternatives.
Backlash Is Growing
The lawsuit is part of the “Fair PlayStation” campaign launched in February, which attracted over 20,000 participants in just a few days. More than 2,000 gamers have since contacted the foundation with their own experiences of being locked into Sony’s ecosystem, feeling overcharged and powerless.
“The magic has been gone for them for a while,” says Melcherts. “They’ve seen Sony change into a monopolist.”
Recent outrage over Sony’s April price hikes for the PS5 and PS Plus subscriptions didn’t help. According to the foundation, that bold move — without offering any added value — is a symptom of Sony’s market dominance.
What Happens Next
The foundation’s case accuses Sony of two main things: abusing its market dominance and excluding competition. If the Dutch court agrees the case can proceed, the first hearing could take place later this year. If successful, the lawsuit could force Sony to allow other storefronts on the PlayStation platform and possibly change how digital content is sold — not just in the Netherlands, but potentially across Europe.
In total, the damage to Dutch consumers is estimated at €435 million since 2013.
The Bottom Line
Sony’s digital empire is lucrative, but increasingly under fire. As more players push back against rising costs and shrinking options, the industry may be forced to confront a future where console makers don’t control every digital transaction. Whether this lawsuit breaks the wall around the PlayStation ecosystem is still uncertain — but the cracks are showing.
