Sony Faces Growing Legal Pressure Over 2028 Physical Disc Exit

By Shafiq Hassan Biplob, Senior Writer Published Jul 13, 2026, 1:25 PM UTC 2 min read

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Sony Faces Growing Legal Pressure Over 2028 Physical Disc Exit

Sony’s legal department is bracing for a wave of litigation following the company's decision to cease manufacturing physical game discs by 2028. The shift to a fully digital model has drawn immediate fire, with the platform holder already dealing with various antitrust suits regarding its control over the PS Store.

Quick Facts

Sony will stop manufacturing physical discs for PlayStation consoles in 2028.
A Dutch consumer group is seeking €400 million (~$457 million) in damages, claiming the move cements Sony's total price control.
Lawmakers in Mexico are preparing to file an antitrust complaint with the National Antitrust Commission.

The Case for Antitrust Intervention

The core of the legal challenge centers on the lack of competition inherent in a closed digital storefront. A Dutch group currently in litigation with the manufacturer argues that the elimination of physical media removes consumer choice, effectively allowing Sony to decide both the cost of a game and the terms of its usage. They contend that this move is not merely a change in format, but an anticompetitive practice that harms the end user by removing the ability to purchase games through independent retailers.

This sentiment is gaining traction globally. In Mexico, legislators are moving to appeal to the country’s National Antitrust Commission, requesting a formal investigation into Sony’s practices. The argument follows a similar logic: that closing the door on physical media strengthens the platform holder's monopoly over software sales.

Sony's 'Code-in-a-Box' Strategy

In response to the mounting pressure, Sony has indicated it will continue to provide retail outlets with products to sell. However, these will not be traditional game discs. Instead, the company is leaning into the “code-in-a-box” model already seen with titles like GTA 6, where physical packaging serves only as a container for a digital redemption code.

While Sony may argue this maintains the retail supply chain, it remains to be seen if regulators will accept this as a sufficient substitute for physical media. Experts suggest that until major jurisdictions like the EU issue a definitive ruling on the nature of digital goods on closed platforms, the company will likely remain the target of ongoing legal action.