Sony Argues Digital Games Are Licenses, Not Ownership in Court
Sony told a federal court that digital PlayStation games are licenses, not owned property, in response to a California class-action alleging misleading ‘Buy Now’/‘Confirm Purchase’ buttons. It argues ownership is implausible—two buyers paid for the same game within days of each other—and notes the checkout already discloses a license, with terms stating the software is licensed rather than sold. The suit cites California false-advertising law AB 2426 and seeks relief under that statute. Sony also requests arbitration under its terms, which include a class-action waiver; the judge has not yet ruled on the arbitration request.