Full Breakdown
Sony Defends PlayStation Store Disclosures in California Digital-Goods Lawsuit
9/1/2026, 11:34:56 AM
The Lawsuit Over PlayStation Store Disclosures
In June, four California residents filed a class-action suit alleging that the PlayStation Store’s checkout screen misleads consumers into believing they own purchased games. The plaintiffs contend that terms such as “Buy Now” and “Confirm Purchase” suggest ownership, while the fine-print licensing notice is displayed in smaller text and lacks a separate acknowledgment checkbox. They seek damages, changes to the store’s display practices, and class-action certification under California’s Business and Professions Code AB 2426, a law that took effect in 2025 and requires a “clear and conspicuous” warning that a digital purchase is a license, not a sale.
Legal Framework and Plaintiff Claims
AB 2426 does not prohibit the use of “buy” language for digital goods, but it mandates that sellers either obtain a separate acknowledgment of the license or provide a prominent, plain-language notice before the transaction is completed, together with a link to the full licensing terms. The plaintiffs argue that the PlayStation Store fails this standard because the licensing disclosure is visually subordinate to other checkout elements and offers no explicit acknowledgment mechanism.
Sony’s Defense
On August 21, Sony Interactive Entertainment filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California asserting that its disclosures satisfy the statutory requirement. Sony points to links on the checkout screen that lead to the PlayStation Terms of Service and the Software Product Licensing Agreement (SPLA), both of which state that users acquire a personal, non-exclusive license and do not own the software. Sony’s counsel further argues that a reasonable consumer would understand that digital copies cannot be owned in the same way as physical items, citing the logical impossibility of exclusive ownership of a downloadable game.
Current Procedural Posture
As of August 31, the court had not ruled on Sony’s motions or the plaintiffs’ claims. The plaintiffs must file a response by September 4, Sony’s reply is due by September 11, and a hearing on the motion is scheduled for October 1.
Potential Impact
The outcome could shape how digital marketplaces present licensing information nationwide. A ruling that Sony’s current disclosures are insufficient would likely compel other platforms to redesign checkout screens, add prominent license warnings, or implement separate acknowledgment steps to comply with AB 2426. Conversely, a decision upholding Sony’s approach may reinforce the permissibility of existing practices for digital-goods transactions.
