{"rewrite":{"id":"r_c2f391e1d1e7db352f76e988","clusterId":"c_c03ba6f683393dcd72d4c278","slug":"stop-killing-games-backs-sony-class-action-in-netherlands","model":"deepseek-v4-flash:free","headline":"Stop Killing Games Backs Sony Class Action in Netherlands","summary":"The game preservation movement Stop Killing Games and the preservation activist group DoesItPlay have announced support for a class action lawsuit against Sony filed by the Dutch non-profit organization Stichting Massaschade \u0026 Consument (SM\u0026C). The lawsuit, initiated in early 2025, argues that Sony monopolizes the PlayStation digital game market by limiting sales to its own store, creating what SM\u0026C calls a \"Sony tax\" that forces consumers to pay unfair prices. According to SM\u0026C, digital versions of games cost on average up to 47% more than physical versions. The lawsuit seeks fair game pricing, alternatives to the PlayStation Store, and the return of profits Sony allegedly obtained unfairly from Dutch gamers. Stop Killing Games stated on its official YouTube channel that it fully supports the SM\u0026C lawsuit and backs its claims in the Dutch court. SM\u0026C warns that Sony's announced policy to end physical media production in January 2028 will give Sony even greater control over the sale, pricing, and conditions of new PlayStation games, and raises concerns about the disappearance of the second-hand game market. Dutch gamers can register to join the lawsuit via the SM\u0026C website.","whyItMatters":"The support from Stop Killing Games and DoesItPlay extends the Dutch lawsuit's reach beyond national borders, linking it to a broader international pattern of legal challenges, including the ongoing 'PlayStation You Owe Us' case in the UK.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eThe Dutch lawsuit, filed by SM\u0026amp;C in early 2025, predates Sony\u0026#39;s July 2026 announcement that it will end physical disc production for new PlayStation games in January 2028. SM\u0026amp;C argues that this decision will give Sony even greater control over the sale, pricing, and conditions of new PlayStation games within its own ecosystem, and warns that the second-hand game market could disappear, further limiting consumer choice.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStop Killing Games, known for its campaigns pushing for game preservation legislation, said on its official YouTube channel: \u0026#34;We fully support the SM\u0026amp;C lawsuit. We back SM\u0026amp;C\u0026#39;s claims in the Dutch court. Our support underpins it globally, and every Dutch gamer who participates directly underpins it.\u0026#34; The group\u0026#39;s backing, along with DoesItPlay, adds weight to the case, which seeks fair pricing, alternatives to the PlayStation Store, and restitution of profits Sony allegedly obtained unfairly from Dutch gamers.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe lawsuit is similar to the UK\u0026#39;s \u0026#39;PlayStation You Owe Us\u0026#39; case, and follows criticism from UK retail body ERA, whose CEO Kim Bailey said \u0026#34;corporate interests have overridden consumer choice\u0026#34; after Sony\u0026#39;s disc production announcement.\u003c/p\u003e","blueskyPost":"Stop Killing Games backs the Dutch Sony class action, calling the 47% digital price gap a 'Sony tax' and warning the 2028 disc end will tighten Sony's grip.","twitterPost":"SM\u0026C's Dutch lawsuit against Sony over PS Store monopoly gets support from Stop Killing Games and DoesItPlay. Digital games cost up to 47% more than physical, per the suit. Sony ends discs in 2028.","threadsPost":null,"newsletterBlurb":"Stop Killing Games and DoesItPlay have thrown their support behind a Dutch class action lawsuit against Sony, which argues that the PlayStation Store's monopoly leads to digital games costing up to 47% more than physical copies. The lawsuit also challenges Sony's plan to end physical media production in 2028.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"Game Spark\",\"url\":\"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/08/13/170609.html\",\"title\":\"'Stop Killing Games' and others support Sony class action lawsuit. Netherlands raises concerns over PS Store market monopoly\"},{\"source\":\"GameBusiness.jp\",\"url\":\"https://www.gamebusiness.jp/article/2026/08/14/27697.html\",\"title\":\"「Stop Killing Games」らがソニー集団訴訟を支持。オランダでPS Storeによる市場独占を問題視\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":8626,"outputTokens":1025,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1786672677,"createdAt":"2026-08-14T01:52:27.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-08-14T01:56:44.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-14T01:52:27.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_c03ba6f683393dcd72d4c278","canonicalTitle":"「Stop Killing Games」らがソニー集団訴訟を支持。オランダでPS Storeによる市場独占を問題視","representativeArticleId":"a_748f0ab7c37e5848f6fe3386","sourceCount":2,"writtenSourceCount":2,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":false,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[],\"studios\":[\"Sony Interactive Entertainment\"],\"people\":[],\"type\":\"news\",\"domain\":\"games\",\"is_roundup\":false}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-08-12T22:00:03.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-08-13T22:00:03.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-14T01:56:45.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"GameBusiness.jp","url":"https://www.gamebusiness.jp/article/2026/08/14/27697.html","title":"「Stop Killing Games」らがソニー集団訴訟を支持。オランダでPS Storeによる市場独占を問題視"},{"source":"Game Spark","url":"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/08/13/170609.html","title":"「Stop Killing Games」らがソニー集団訴訟を支持。オランダでPS Storeによる市場独占を問題視"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":[],"studios":["Sony Interactive Entertainment"],"people":[],"type":"news","domain":"games","is_roundup":false},"keyFacts":["Stop Killing Games and DoesItPlay announced support for the class action lawsuit against Sony filed by Dutch non-profit Stichting Massaschade \u0026 Consument (SM\u0026C).","SM\u0026C's lawsuit, initiated in early 2025, claims digital versions of games cost on average up to 47% more than physical versions.","Sony announced in July 2026 that it will end physical media production for new PlayStation games in January 2028.","The lawsuit seeks fair game pricing, alternatives to the PlayStation Store, and the return of profits Sony allegedly obtained unfairly from Dutch gamers.","Dutch gamers can register to join the lawsuit via the SM\u0026C website."]}