Lawmakers in Mexico are preparing to submit an antitrust complaint against Sony, challenging the company's decision to cease the production of physical game discs by January 2028. Federal Representative Iraís Reyes and Senator Luis Donaldo Colosio will file the complaint with Mexico's National Antitrust Commission, requesting an investigation into Sony for alleged anti-competitive practices.
The complaint posits that Sony's shift to a fully digital distribution model could lead to a "relative monopolistic practice" that violates Mexico's Federal Economic Competition Law. The lawmakers argue this move could increase costs for consumers, reduce competition, and disrupt the existing infrastructure of the game market. Specifically, the complaint seeks to determine if Sony's digital-only strategy will negatively impact consumers and third-party retailers by directing all game purchases through Sony's own online platform, thereby eliminating the sale of physical editions by other businesses.
Reyes, who has been recognized as Mexico's "gamer representative," expressed concerns about the future of game ownership. He stated that the discontinuation of discs would compel PlayStation owners to purchase games exclusively from Sony's store, effectively making the company both a regulator and a participant within its own market. "We know what can happen when a single company controls every part of the market," Reyes added.
Colosio also raised concerns about the broader impact on the gaming market, suggesting that the second-hand market and game trading ecosystems could vanish. He further elaborated that digital distribution represents a shift from traditional game ownership to purchasing a license, where access to content is contingent on the terms set by the company.
This action by Mexican lawmakers follows a similar legal challenge in Europe. In February, Dutch consumer organization Stichting Massaschade & Consument filed a $457 million lawsuit against Sony. That suit alleged that consumers were charged excessively high prices on the PlayStation store. The organization stated that Sony's decision to phase out physical discs adds further weight to their existing case.
However, the European Union has indicated it may be unable to intervene. Michael McGrath, the European Commissioner for consumer protection, informed the Irish Mirror that EU authorities lack the ability to halt Sony's plans, citing commercial and contractual freedoms. He noted that companies are generally free to offer games and services as they see fit, provided consumer rights are protected in accordance with national and EU law.