Sony, Microsoft Seek Dismissal of Tariff Refund Suits Over $508 Million
Updated
Updated · GamesIndustry.biz · Sep 3
Sony, Microsoft Seek Dismissal of Tariff Refund Suits Over $508 Million
3 articles · Updated · GamesIndustry.biz · Sep 3
Summary
Sony and Microsoft asked federal judges to throw out class actions claiming console buyers deserve refunds after tariff-linked 2025 price hikes and the later invalidation of those US tariffs.
Sony said the link between tariffs and PlayStation price increases is "speculative and illogical," pointing instead to inflation, currency moves, component costs, logistics, competition and demand; Microsoft argued plaintiffs cannot show any tariff-specific pricing differential.
Sony also told the court it raised hardware prices again after the Supreme Court struck down the tariffs, arguing that undercuts the claim the original increases were driven by tariffs alone.
In July, Sony told investors it expected $508 million in tariff refunds, lifting first-quarter operating income 37%, a disclosure that sharpened consumer claims that savings should be shared.
Nintendo filed a similar dismissal bid in July, while Panic remains the only hardware maker known to have refunded tariff surcharges to customers.