'This Makes Sense' — PlayStation Claims Digital Games Are Not Really Owned By Players In Response to Class-Action Lawsuit

Sony has given a divisive response to a class-action lawsuit that argues the PlayStation online store doesn’t make it obvious enough that players are merely purchasing a revocable license to play a game, rather than owning the entire game itself. The lawsuit, filed on June 18, 2026, says PlayStation “fails to clearly and conspicuously disclose to consumers at the point of sale that these transactions do not convey ownership of the digital games.” It argues that the company “relegates this information to inconspicuous text or separate agreements that consumers are not required to affirmatively acknowledge.” This, at least, is true; before checking out on PlayStation’s digital storefront, a message is displayed in small text that reads: "By selecting [Confirm Purchase], you agree to complete the purchase in accordance with the PlayStation Terms of Service before using this content. You further acknowledge that your purchase of this digital product amounts to a license subject to the Software Product License Agreement.” PlayStation has now provided its retort to this lawsuit. In an August 21 filing in California’s Northern District Court, it argues that it has done enough to make it o