EU Says It Cannot Stop PlayStation from Ending Disc Versions
The EU's statement confirms that despite its regulatory reputation, it has no legal authority to force Sony to maintain physical disc production or prevent a digital-only future, leaving consumer ownership concerns unresolved.
Reporting from 1 source: GIGAZINE.
Sony will end physical disc production for new PlayStation games after January 2028, moving to digital-only. Users asked the European Commission to intervene, citing ownership concerns over digital licenses. Consumer Protection Commissioner Michael McGrath stated the EU cannot stop Sony, as companies have freedom to choose their distribution model as long as consumer rights are protected. On the related "Stop Killing Games" movement, McGrath said EU copyright and IP laws prevent legislation against service discontinuation.
European Consumer Protection Commissioner Michael McGrath told petitioners that the EU has no power to block Sony's planned end of physical discs for PlayStation games. The company will stop producing discs for new titles after January 2028, moving to download-only releases. McGrath said companies are free to choose how they offer games, provided consumer rights are adequately protected, and noted that Sony does not monopolize the game market. Separately, a request from 45 European Parliament members to legislate against games becoming unplayable when services end was also rejected: McGrath and President Ursula von der Leyen cited European copyright and intellectual property law as barriers to such regulation.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.