List of references on Sony websites to players "owning" their digital games(consumerrights.wiki)
401 points by haunter 23 hours ago | 138 comments
tl;dr: Four California PlayStation buyers are suing Sony under a new state law (AB 2426) alleging the PlayStation Store's "Buy Now"/"Confirm Purchase" language misleads consumers into thinking they own digital games when they only receive a revocable license. Sony's motion to compel arbitration argues "reasonable consumers would not be misled" into believing they own digital games—yet the wiki compiles extensive examples of Sony's own support pages, storefronts, and marketing materials repeatedly using ownership language like "games you already own" and "owners can upgrade." A hearing is scheduled for October 1, 2026.
HN Discussion:
  • Binding arbitration clauses should be illegal as they strip consumer rights
  • Sony's defense argument is self-defeating and could set damaging precedent against them
  • ~Lawsuit is futile since Sony will just tweak wording and continue practices
  • Copyright reform is needed to establish true digital ownership rights
  • Society has been gradually conditioned to accept erosion of ownership norms