Gamers Sue Sony Over PlayStation License Disclosure

Four gamers have filed a lawsuit against Sony Interactive Entertainment in California, alleging the PlayStation Store violates a state law requiring clear disclosure that digital game purchases are licenses, not owned products. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, June 18, 2026, seeks class-action status and argues that storefront language like "Buy Now" and "Confirm Purchase" is misleading.

The complaint centers on California's Assembly Bill 2426, which took effect in 2025 and mandates that companies selling digital goods inform customers they are acquiring a revocable license. The plaintiffs-Andrew Garcia, Edward Heycock, Jason Mendoza, and John Salinas-contend that Sony's existing disclosure is insufficient. While a note above the purchase button states the transaction is for a license subject to a separate Software Product License Agreement, the lawsuit claims the text is too small and that a reasonable customer might not notice it. The gamers state they were unaware they were purchasing licenses rather than owning the games outright.

This legal action arrives amid heightened scrutiny of digital ownership and game preservation. While not directly cited in the lawsuit, recent...