Sony lawyers argue digital game ownership
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Sony lawyers argued in court that digital game ownership is impossible, citing two buyers of the same game. The case tests whether consumers can own digital purchases as PlayStation moves.
Background
A proposed class-action lawsuit, filed in June by four California PlayStation customers, alleges Sony's PlayStation Store checkout fails California's AB 2426 law, which since January 2025 requires a clear and conspicuous notice that buying a digital game is a license, not ownership. Sony responded on August 21 with a motion to dismiss, arguing that reasonable consumers would not be misled because digital ownership is impossible—if one person owned a digital copy, no one else could buy it. The case is set for a hearing on October 1 before Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco.
How it unfolded
- Jan 2025California's AB 2426 takes effect, requiring clear disclosure that digital purchases are licenses.
- Jun 2026Four California PlayStation customers file a proposed class-action lawsuit against Sony over insufficient ownership disclosures.
- Aug 21, 2026Sony files a motion to dismiss, arguing that digital ownership is implausible because multiple people can buy the same game.
- Aug 28, 2026 -31, 2026News outlets report on Sony's filing, highlighting its argument that 'reasonable consumers would not be misled'.
- Oct 1, 2026Judge Vince Chhabria is scheduled to hear Sony's motion and the plaintiffs' response in San Francisco.
Who’s saying what
- Sony
- Sony argues that digital ownership is impossible and that its checkout disclosures are clear enough that 'reasonable consumers would not be misled'.
- Plaintiffs
- Plaintiffs contend that Sony's license terms are buried and not 'clear and conspicuous' as required by California law.
- Public
- One netizen said, 'People aren't expecting exclusive copyright to the entire codebase; they expect the permanent right to execute the copy they paid $70 for without having it wiped from their library when a server contract expires.'
Still unverified
The claim that Sony's argument is 'another attack on consumer rights' is an opinion from Gamespot, not a factual assertion.