List of references on Sony websites to players "owning" their digital games(consumerrights.wiki)
443 points by haunter 46 days ago | 155 comments
tl;dr: Four California PlayStation users are suing Sony under a new state law (AB 2426) that bars using terms like "Buy" for digital goods without clear license disclosures. Sony's motion to compel arbitration argues "reasonable consumers" wouldn't believe they own digital games—yet the article documents extensive Sony marketing, support pages, and terms that repeatedly refer to players "owning" digital games, DLC eligibility for "owners," and upgrade paths for games "you already own." A hearing is set for October 1, 2026.
HN Discussion:
  • ↑Binding arbitration clauses should be illegal as they strip consumer rights
  • ↑Sony's ownership defense is contradictory and their own analogy exposes flaws in their argument
  • ↑Copyright reform is needed to establish genuine digital ownership rights
  • ↑Society has been gradually conditioned to accept erosion of ownership norms by corporations
  • ~The lawsuit will accomplish little as Sony will just tweak marketing language to comply