Sony Argues Digital Games Cannot Be Owned in Court Filing

Sony has argued in a federal court filing that consumers do not own the digital games they purchase on the PlayStation Store, a position that could have significant implications for players as the company moves toward an all-digital future. The argument was made in a response to a class action lawsuit filed in June 2026 by four California customers. The lawsuit alleges that Sony's checkout process on the PlayStation Store violates a California law that took effect in January 2025. This law requires digital storefronts to provide a clear and conspicuous disclosure that purchases are licenses, not ownership transfers, when using terms like "buy" or "purchase.