Published
November 28, 2022
Updated
August 1, 2026
After two rejected proposals, a federal judge preliminarily approved the revised $7.85 million Sony digital-games settlement on April 8, 2026. Active PlayStation Network accounts need no claim, while eligible members seeking a check have until August 27, 2026.
Current Status
The settlement has preliminary—not final—approval. The court approved the third version on April 8, 2026. The July 2 deadline to object or opt out has passed, but eligible class members whose PlayStation Network accounts are closed or cannot accept a wallet credit may submit a request for check by August 27, 2026. A final approval hearing is scheduled for October 15, 2026. No distribution can be treated as final unless the court grants final approval and the settlement becomes effective.StatusPreliminarily Approved
Check-Request DeadlineAugust 27, 2026
Settlement Fund$7.85 Million
Final Approval HearingOctober 15, 2026
What Is the PlayStation Lawsuit About?
Plaintiffs alleged that Sony Interactive Entertainment restricted retailers from selling game-specific download vouchers for digital PlayStation games beginning in April 2019. According to the lawsuit, eliminating retail voucher competition forced customers to buy covered digital games from the PlayStation Store and caused prices to be higher than they would have been in a competitive market. Sony denied violating antitrust or state law and agreed to settle without admitting wrongdoing.Why Were Earlier Settlement Proposals Rejected?
The court rejected an earlier request for preliminary approval in July 2025 after questioning the value and treatment of PlayStation Network wallet credits, the anticipated distribution, class information, and other settlement details. A renewed proposal was not approved after a January 2026 hearing, in part because of issues involving proposed class representatives and service awards. The parties revised the agreement again in February 2026. On April 8, 2026, the court found the third version sufficient for notice and preliminary review.Who Is in the Settlement Class?
The settlement generally covers people in the United States who bought one or more eligible digital games through the PlayStation Store from April 1, 2019, through December 31, 2023. A game must have had a game-specific voucher available through retailers before April 1, 2019, at least 200 voucher redemptions before that date, and a qualifying price increase under the court-approved allocation rules. The official site provides the controlling list of covered games.Does Everyone Need to File a Claim?
No. Eligible class members with an active PlayStation Network account are expected to receive a pro rata wallet credit automatically if the settlement receives final approval and becomes effective. They do not submit a standard claim form. A separate request process applies to eligible people whose account is deactivated or otherwise cannot receive a wallet credit. That request must be made by August 27, 2026 and may require purchase verification and a current payment address.How Much Could Each Person Receive?
The gross common fund is $7.85 million. Court-approved attorneys' fees, expenses, administration costs, and service awards will be deducted before the net fund is divided. Each class member's share will be based on eligible purchases and the allocation plan. Because the class may contain millions of accounts, the final wallet credit or check could be small. The fund amount is not a $7.85 million fine and is not divided equally without regard to purchases.What Happens at Final Approval?
At the October 15, 2026 hearing, the judge will consider whether the settlement, allocation plan, fees, and requested awards are fair, reasonable, and adequate. A scheduled hearing is not the same as final approval. If approval is granted, payments still wait for the effective date and any appeal period. If approval is denied or successfully challenged, the proposed benefits may not be distributed under the current agreement.How to Request a Check
An eligible class member who cannot receive an active-account wallet credit should use only the official PSN Digital Games Settlement site. The site explains the August 27 deadline and documentation for the request-for-check option. The process is not a general claim for every PlayStation purchase; it applies only to the covered games and class period.Key Point for Active Accounts
An eligible active-account holder generally needs no action to receive a wallet credit. Filing unrelated information or treating the request-for-check form as a broad claim could create confusion. Keep the account information current and watch the official site for the final approval result after October 15, 2026.Official Information
Review the latest information on the official PSN Digital Games Settlement website.
Case
Caccuri v. Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
Case Number
3:21-cv-03361-AMO
Court
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
Status
Preliminary approval granted April 8, 2026
Settlement Fund
$7.85 million
Class Period
April 1, 2019–December 31, 2023
Check Request Deadline
August 27, 2026
Final Hearing
October 15, 2026
Official Website
official PSN Digital Games Settlement
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