Sony has received a €2 million (US$2.3 million) fine by Italy’s competition regulator (AGCM) for unfair business practices related to the sale of PlayStation 4 consoles.
The AGCM found article 21 (clause 1, B and D, specifically) and article 22 of the Consumer Code to have been violated, adding that this unfair business practice is well-suited to appreciably misdirect the consumer due to the lack of information on a relevant product feature. Specifically, the need to subscribe to the PlayStation Plus service in order to play online multiplayer with the PlayStation 4 console and its PlayStation 4 games, including those purchased via the PlayStation Store.
The AGCM noted that the penetration of this practice has involved a massive amount of customers who purchased the console. Its long duration has been highlighted, too, since the practice has been going on since PlayStation 4 launched on the market in November 2013.
Full Content: WCCF TECH
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
FTC to Approve Exxon’s $64 Billion Deal with Pioneer Resources, Excludes
May 1, 2024 by
CPI
UK Competition Watchdog Raises Alarm Over Nvidia’s ARM Takeover
May 1, 2024 by
CPI
Sen. Klobuchar Urges Regulators to Probe Collusion in Health Care Pricing
May 1, 2024 by
CPI
Multiple States Join Tennessee’s Antitrust Lawsuit Against NCAA Over NIL Rules
May 1, 2024 by
CPI
NY AG Joins Suit Challenging NCAA’s Restrictions on Student Athlete NIL Rights
May 1, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI