What’s the old adage about once you dislike someone you pretty much despise everything they do?
I think, for a vocal contingent on social media, Sony has found itself in that kind of trap lately.
And as protesters begin their big PS5 blackout this week, it’s taking even more heat for blasting out its terms and conditions via email – which include a clause reminding you that your games are licensed, not sold.
This kind of legal language is standard for all digital storefronts by the way, but considering PlayStation is the only console maker to announce plans to cease manufacturing physical media, it’s attracting intense criticism online.
“The Software is licensed to you, not sold. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, and personal license to play or use the Software for your private, non-commercial use on the system or device it was intended for.”
The document goes on to explain that you’re not allowed to copy, hack, sublicense, or emulate the games.
“Violating any of the above conditions will immediately void your license,” the terms and conditions add.
I read through similar legal documents from Steam, Xbox, and Nintendo and found broadly the same language in all of their terms and conditions.
سەرچاوەی فەرمی بە زمانی ئینگلیزی: https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2026/08/sony-reminds-ps5-owners-their-digital-games-are-licensed-not-sold
