About Sony
Sony is the developer and publisher of the PlayStation brand, which includes the PS5 console. The company has faced legal scrutiny regarding its digital sales practices.
Settlement Details
The Northern District of California granted preliminary approval of a settlement lodged against Sony by lead plaintiff Agustin Caccuri in 2023. The lawsuit accused Sony of monopolizing the market by limiting third-party digital sales on its platforms. As part of the preliminary settlement, Sony will pay approximately $7.8 million to all persons in the United States who purchased specific digital games through PSN from April 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023.
The preliminary settlement was approved on April 8, 2023, and formally announced by Saveri Law Firm, LLP on April 29, 2023. This case, titled "Caccuri, et al. v. Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC," began on May 7, 2021, and is separate from the ongoing "PlayStation You Owe Us" collective proceedings claim against Sony from 2022. The settlement was previously denied in July 2025 due to a failure to provide an estimated recovery for class members.
Next Steps
While the settlement has received preliminary approval, a "Fairness Hearing" is scheduled for October 15, 2026. The settlement will only be fully approved once the court concludes that it is fair, reasonable, and adequate to the Settlement Class. The $7.8 million payout applies specifically to game-specific vouchers purchased through retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and Walmart.
Eligible titles are listed on the PSN Digital Games Settlement website, and the process for claiming credits will be automatic. Settlement Class members will receive direct notifications through the email addresses associated with their PlayStation accounts.