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User:JamesTDG/Sony's Anti-Ownership practices

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Notice: This article is a prototype for a new article type I wish to propose, the harmful practice article.

A practice article is meant to act as a centralized article that groups together similar incident articles and outline a specific harmful business practice from a company. In this scenario, the article is focused on grouping together anti-ownership incidents in order to better educate the user on an overall anti-consumer trend from Sony. This will most likely help news publications hastily attempting to write articles regarding newer Sony incidents and wanting to link back to prior events.

If you wish to suggest formatting changes or the design of the harmful practice article template, please click the discuss tab above and open a thread! You are welcome to assist in editing the article if any information you find is incorrect or simply needs changes.

Since the creation of SecuROM by Sony DADC in 1998,[1] Sony has been responsible for continually damaging the rights to ownership for their consumers for nearly 3 decades. In that time, they've attempted measures such as the warranty-voiding sticker on the PS2,and making features on the Xperia phone reliant on a subscription.

Incidents directly involving Sony

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SecuROM

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Main article: SecuROM

In 1998, Sony DADC developed the historically controversial SecuROM, a piece of DRM intended to prevent the end-user from making unauthorized copies of software associated with it. Since its inception until its deprecation in 2017, SecuROM has been responsible for fighting against software on users' devices,[2][3][4][5][6] installation limits,[7][8] software degradation,[9][10] and conflicts with consumer optical drives.[5][11]

Revoking lifetime licenses for Funimation content (2024)

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Main article: Funimation "Forever" content license revocation

In 2024, after Sony merged Funimation with their subsidiary Crunchyroll,[12] they revoked all lifetime licenses for content published by Funimation from their users. Sony offered no direct refunds or exchanges,[12] and only after large community protests, did they offer free months of service for Crunchyroll's platform, but only if they submitted a ticket.[13]

Xperia phones turned into subscription hardware (2025)

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Main article: Sony Xperia turns camera monitor into subscription

On August 26, 2025, Sony released Monitor & Control app version 2.4.0, which moved the External Monitor functionality behind a subscription paywall.[14] The new pricing structure requires users to pay $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year for the "Basic" plan to get access to wired monitoring functionality that was previously free.[15]

Incidents involving PlayStation

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Warranty-voiding elements

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Documented since 2004 with the PlayStation 2's "Warranty void if removed" stickers, the hardware has featured elements intended to void hardware warranties if the consumer wished to repair their hardware. Most recently, if the serial is assumed to be tampered with or any other circumstance in which Sony determines the hardware to have been used in any manner which they opt to claim violates any other legal agreement. As stated in the 2nd paragraph of the warranty for the PlayStation 5:[16]

THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY: (A) TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY USE OF THIS PRODUCT WITH PRODUCTS THAT ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THIS PRODUCT; (B) TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY USE OF THIS PRODUCT WITH ANY PERIPHERAL(S) THAT SIE DOES NOT LICENSE OR SELL, INCLUDING NON-LICENSED GAME ENHANCEMENT DEVICES, CONTROLLERS, ADAPTORS AND POWER SUPPLY DEVICES; (C) IF THIS PRODUCT IS USED FOR ANY COMMERCIAL PURPOSE, INCLUDING RENTAL OR ARCADE PURPOSES; (D) IF THIS PRODUCT IS MODIFIED TO ALTER CAPABILITY OR FUNCTIONALITY WITHOUT SIE'S WRITTEN PERMISSION; (E) TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY ACTS OF GOD, MISUSE, ABUSE, NEGLIGENCE, ACCIDENT, UNREASONABLE USE, OR BY CAUSES UNRELATED TO DEFECTIVE MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP; (F) IF THIS PRODUCT HAS HAD THE SERIAL NUMBER ALTERED, DEFACED OR REMOVED; OR (G) TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY (1) SERVICE (INCLUDING UPGRADES AND EXPANSIONS) PERFORMED BY ANYONE WHO IS NOT A REPRESENTATIVE OF SIE OR AN SIE-AUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDER, OR (2) OPENING THE PRODUCT OR ANY ACTION TAKEN WITHIN IT BY ANYONE WHO IS NOT A REPRESENTATIVE OF SIE OR AN SIE-AUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDER. THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER PRODUCTS SOLD AND CLEARLY MARKED "AS IS" OR WITH FAULTS. SIE MAY VOID THIS WARRANTY IF SIE REASONABLY BELIEVES THAT THE PS5 CONSOLE HAS BEEN USED IN A MANNER THAT VIOLATES THE TERMS OF A SEPARATE END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR SYSTEM SOFTWARE OR GAME SOFTWARE.

PS3 Blu-Ray AACS License Renewal (2006)

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Main article: PS3 Blu-Ray AACS License Renewal

If the PS3's Advanced Access Content System (AACS) encryption key is not renewed every 12-18 months via a software update provided by Sony,[17] the console is unable to support playing Blu-Ray DVDs, which would affect the console's ability to watch films, and possibly even launch certain physical games that are reliant on this AACS key.

Removal of OtherOS (2010)

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Main article: PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21

In 2010, with the release of system update 3.21, PlayStation 3 systems were made unable to run OtherOS, which originally allowed end-users to switch the operating system of their PS3 consoles to Linux in order to run homebrew software.[18] Sony claimed that this update was made for "security concerns".[19] This is one of the first cases of a direct lawsuit over such usage, where a $3.75M settlement was reached in 2018.[20]

The removal of third-party OS support has likely led to George Hotz jailbreaking the console and distributing materials on how to restore this feature on consumer PS3s, which subsequently caused a lawsuit in 2011.[21]

Hardware bans (2011 - Present)

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Main article: Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services

Since 2011, PlayStation console owners determined arbitrarily by Sony to be violating the Terms of Service for the PlayStation Network (PSN),[22] would have their console hardware banned from accessing any given online services via PSN.[23] Sony support claims to be unable to reverse any hardware-related bans from the platform.[23] The oldest recorded hardware ban wave was related to PSJailbreak users in 2011, where they received error code 8002A227, which could last as little as 4 days or extend as far as a permanent console ban.[24]

Storefront shutdowns (2021 - Present)

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In 2021, Sony shutdown the first online storefront for their game consoles, the PlayStation Portable.[25] When initially announced, Sony attempted to additionally close the storefronts associated with the PS3 and PS Vita, though this decision was temporarily reversed shortly after consumer pushback.[26] In 2026, Sony re-announced the closure of the PS3 and PS Vita storefronts, which will be closed globally in July 2027.[27]

Removing "purchased" content from users (2022 - Present)

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Main article: Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content

In 2022, Sony revoked licenses for content published by StudioCanal from their users on PlayStation platforms for users in Germany and Austria.[28] This phoenomenon has continued events such as the attempted removal of Discovery-published films and TV shows from end-users in 2023[29][30][31] and the removal of StuioCanal content for UK and European users in 2026.[32][33]

This behavior has led to enough of a concern from end-users that a lawsuit was started in 2026 in a California court.[34]

PSN Account requirements for PC games (2024 - Present)

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Main article: PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games

Various PC titles are reliant on a PSN account in order to be playable. This notably includes titles such as The Last of Us Part 2[35][36] and Until Dawn,[37] both of which are single-player titles that shouldn't necessarily need a PSN account. Helldivers 2 had a short period in 2024 where it required a PSN account to play the game post-launch,[38] instead having the game be delisted in any country which couldn't register a PSN account.[39]

PlayStation Lease with Flex (2025 - Present)

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Main article: PlayStation Lease with Flex

In the UK, PlayStation users could lease PS5 consoles through Raylo,[40][41] however, once the contract period ends, instead of the end-user owning the console, they're legally required to return the console.[42] The lease covers only the hardware and no additional elements mandatory for the console's function, such as a PSN subscription.[43]

Discontinuing physical media (2028)

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Main article: Sony discontinues physical media for PlayStation-brand hardwares

On July 1st, 2026, Sony announced that they would discontinue the production of physical discs for their PlayStation hardware on January 2028,[44] with the only options for end-users to purchase games for PlayStation hardware though the PlayStation storefront or digital codes from authorized retailers.[44] It is unknown how disc support will be treated after this date, and most likely PS6 consoles will have no support for physical media.[45]

Anti-ownership lawsuits

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Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. v. Hotz (2011)

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Main article: Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. v. Hotz

On January 11, 2011, Sony sued George Hotz and associates of the group fail0verflow regarding the jailbreaking and reverse engineering of the PS3. Claims included violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, computer fraud, and copyright infringement.[21] On April 11, 2011, it was revealed that Hotz and Sony had reached a settlement out of court. This included a permanent injunction against Hotz doing any more hacking work on any Sony products[46] to prevent any future firmware release from being decrypted.[47]

Garcia v. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. (2026)

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Main article: Sony PlayStation digital game ownership lawsuit

Four California PlayStation buyers who each spent hundreds of dollars on digital goods over the past few years say they received only a limited, revocable license rather than ownership, and paid more than they otherwise would have.[34] The complaint alleges the PlayStation Store advertises digital games with ownership language such as "Buy Now" & "Confirm Purchase," and that the brief license disclosure above the "Confirm Purchase" button appears in comparatively small, unhighlighted text, short of the clear and conspicuous disclosure California law requires.[34] On June 18, 2026, Andrew Garcia, Edward Heycock, Jason Mendoza & John Salinas sued Sony Interactive Entertainment, LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Case No. 3:26-cv-06016, alleging the storefront's checkout language violates California's digital-goods transparency law.[34][48] On August 21, 2026, Sony moved to compel individual arbitration under the PlayStation Terms of Service and, in the alternative, to dismiss the complaint with prejudice.[49][50] Under a heading reading "Reasonable Consumers Would Not Be Misled," Sony argued that it is not plausible that reasonable consumers believed they were obtaining ownership of a digital game.[49] The case remains active, with a hearing scheduled for October 1, 2026.[51][49]

References

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  1. ↑ Block, Debbie Galante (June 2001). "Key2 the kingdom: Sony offers copy protection for CD-R". Emedia Magazine. 14 (6). Online, Incorporated: 10–11 [11]. Template:ProQuest. Archived from the original on 2024-04-06. Retrieved Sep 16, 2026.
  2. ↑ Spikeles (17 Mar 2007). "Securom blacklisted ProcessExplorer". Windows Sysinternals. Archived from the original on 3 Mar 2016.
  3. ↑ "Copy Protection & DRM". TweakGuides. Archived from the original on 5 Nov 2019.
  4. ↑ Gladstone, Darren (12 Sep 2008). "Casual Friday: Why Spore Won't Work". PC World. Archived from the original on 28 Nov 2021. Retrieved 8 Mar 2026.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "PC Game Piracy Examined: Page 9". Tweakguides. 2008-12-14. Archived from the original on 2019-11-05. Retrieved Sep 16, 2026.
  6. ↑ "SecuROM troubleshooting website". SecuROM. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved Sep 16, 2026.
  7. ↑ Chan, Leo (5 Sep 2007). "One copy of BioShock per family (member)?". NeoSeeker. Archived from the original on 3 Sep 2014. Retrieved 8 Mar 2026.
  8. ↑ malloc (5 Sep 2005). "2K: Tell your brother to buy his own Bioshock, you didn't buy it for the whole family". MaxConsole. Archived from the original on 13 Oct 2007.
  9. ↑ "SecuROM". LegoIsland. Archived from the original on 5 Mar 2025. Retrieved 8 Mar 2026.
  10. ↑ Geigner, Timothy (6 Dec 2019). "Disney's Decision Not To Renew SecuROM License Bricks 'Tron: Evolution'". techdirt. Archived from the original on 7 Mar 2022. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
  11. ↑ "Copy Protection & DRM". TweakGuides. Archived from the original on 5 Nov 2019.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Funimation End of Services". Crunchyroll Help. Archived from the original on 2026-07-17.
  13. ↑ Parrish, Ash (26 Feb 2024). "Funimation's solution for wiping out digital libraries could be good, if it works". The Verge. Archived from the original on 26 Feb 2024. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
  14. ↑ super_hot_juice (2025-08-26). "Xperia External Monitor feature is now subscription feature in Monitor & Control 2.4 app". Reddit r/SonyXperia. Archived from the original on 3 Sep 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-02.
  15. ↑ "Monitor & Control | Creators' Cloud". Sony Corporation. Archived from the original on 4 Sep 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-02.
  16. ↑ "PlayStation®5 Warranties". PlayStation. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
  17. ↑ "Renewing the AACS encryption key". PlayStation. Archived from the original on 19 Mar 2025. Retrieved Sep 16, 2026.
  18. ↑ "PS3 Firmware 3.21 Coming April 1st". PlayStation. Archived from the original on 28 Aug 2025. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.
  19. ↑ "PS3 Firmware 3.21 Coming April 1st". PlayStation. Archived from the original on 28 Aug 2025. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.
  20. ↑ "Sony sending $10 settlement checks for PS3 "Other OS" lawsuit". Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Patel, Nilay (2011-01-12). "Sony follows up, officially sues Geohot and fail0verflow over PS3 jailbreak". Engadget. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
  22. ↑ "PlayStation Terms of Service". PlayStation. Retrieved Sep 16, 2026. Section 1.8 and Section 12.5.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Suspensions on PlayStation". PlayStation Support. Archived from the original on January 8, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  24. ↑ Anwer, Rizwan (2010-09-07). "Sony hands out console bans to PSJailbreak users". Wccftech. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  25. ↑ Barker, Sammy (29 Mar 2021). "Sony Confirms PS3, PS Vita, PSP Store Closures, Downloads Will Be Retained". PushSquare. Archived from the original on 29 Mar 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  26. ↑ Gartenberg, Chaim (19 Apr 2021). "Sony admits it made 'wrong decision' and will keep PS3, Vita stores open". The Verge. Archived from the original on 19 Apr 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  27. ↑ "An update on PlayStation Store for PS3 and PS Vita". PlayStation Blog. Jul 1, 2026. Retrieved Aug 30, 2026.
  28. ↑ Porter, John (8 Jul 2022). "PlayStation Store removes purchased movies from libraries after service shutdown". The Verge. Retrieved 15 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ↑ "Discovery Entitlements Affected Titles". PlayStation. Retrieved 15 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ↑ "PlayStation Will Delete Purchased Discovery Shows". The New York Times.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ↑ Dring, Christopher (21 Dec 2023). "PlayStation will not delete Discovery TV shows after all". Games Industry.biz. Retrieved 15 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ↑ Fisher, Jacob (2026-06-28). "PlayStation to wipe 551 films from customers' accounts". Notebookcheck. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  33. ↑ Cripe, Michael (2026-06-27). "Sony to Delete Movies Owned by PlayStation Users, List Includes More Than 550 Digital Titles". IGN. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 Garcia v. Sony Interactive Entertainment, LLC, No. 3:26-cv-06016 (N.D. Cal., filed June 18, 2026), Class Action Complaint. "Class Action Complaint, Garcia v. Sony Interactive Entertainment, LLC, No. 3:26-cv-06016" (PDF). CourtListener (RECAP). U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. Retrieved 2026-09-02.
  35. ↑ Ariyasinghe, Pulasthi (2024-11-09). "PSN account requirement on PC is there to keep gamers safe, explains Sony". Neowin. Archived from the original on 9 Nov 2024.
  36. ↑ Ruiz, Michael (2024-09-25). "Sony Not Backing Down on PSN PC Requirement Despite Backlash". PlayStation Lifestyle. Archived from the original on 25 Sep 2024.
  37. ↑ Qizilbash, Asad (2025-01-29). "New in-game content incentives coming to PlayStation games on PC". PlayStation Blog. Sony - PlayStation Blog. Archived from the original on 29 Jan 2025.
  38. ↑ "HELLDIVERS™ 2 Account Linking Update". Steam. 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 17 Feb 2026. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  39. ↑ Serin, Kaan (11 May 2024). "Helldivers 2 gets delisted in more countries without PSN access, blindsided devs call for it to be "available worldwide"". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
  40. ↑ "Leasing FAQ". PlayStation Direct. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  41. ↑ Chris Scullion (2025-03-06). "Sony is now leasing PS5, PS5 Pro and PS Portal consoles to UK players for a monthly fee". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  42. ↑ John Walker (2026-02-13). "PlayStation Has Launched A Way To Rent A PS5, And It's Gross". Kotaku. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  43. ↑ "Lease with Flex". PlayStation Direct. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Shuman, Sid (2026-07-01). "Physical disc production ending in January 2028 for new games releasing on PlayStation consoles". PlayStation.Blog. Sony Interactive Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  45. ↑ "Sony will kill PlayStation games on discs in 2028 and offer digital downloads only". The Guardian. 2026-07-01. Archived from the original on 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  46. ↑ "Sony/Hotz settlement details surface". GameSpot. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
  47. ↑ Gilbert, Ben (Apr 11, 2011). "Sony and PlayStation 3 jailbreaker George Hotz settle out of court". Joystiq. Archived from the original on Mar 18, 2012. Retrieved Sep 17, 2026.
  48. ↑ Carpenter, Nicole (2026-06-18). "Gamers Sue Sony For Allegedly Breaking California Digital Purchase Law". Aftermath. Archived from the original on 2026-09-07. Retrieved 2026-09-02.
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 Garcia v. Sony Interactive Entertainment, LLC, No. 3:26-cv-06016-VC (N.D. Cal.), ECF No. 17, Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC's Notice of Motion and Motion to Compel Arbitration and Stay Proceedings, or Alternatively, Dismiss Complaint, filed August 21, 2026 by Robert S. Shwarts and Angela Colt of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. "Motion to Compel Arbitration and Stay Proceedings, or Alternatively, Dismiss Complaint, ECF No. 17". CourtListener. U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. Retrieved 2026-09-05. Filing PDF: gov.uscourts.cand.472492.17.0.pdf (RECAP Archive). Copy hosted on this wiki: File:Garcia v. Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC - ECF 17 - Motion to Compel Arbitration.pdf.
  50. ↑ Macleod, Riley (2026-09-01). "You Can't Own A Video Game Because Other People Also Own Video Games, Sony Argues In Court Filing". Aftermath. Archived from the original on 2026-09-07. Retrieved 2026-09-02.
  51. ↑ James, Luke (2026-09-01). "Sony argues 'reasonable consumers would not be misled' into believing they own digital games in class action motion". Tom's Hardware. Archived from the original on 2026-09-07. Retrieved 2026-09-02 – via Yahoo News.
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