The French antitrust authority Autorité de la Concurrence has imposed a fine on Sony Interactive Entertainment for its actions against third-party PS4 controllers. The authority claims that Sony’s technical measures disadvantaged third-party controllers, making it difficult for them to compete in the market.

Sony’s Alleged Manipulation of the PS4 Controller Market

According to reports from Competition Policy International/Pymnts, the regulatory body stated that Sony’s measures hindered the proper functioning of third-party controllers on the PS4, leaving only Sony’s DualShock 4 controllers and officially licensed ones as the viable options. Other third-party controllers reportedly faced issues such as frequent disconnections.

The regulator also accused Sony of creating a vague and burdensome licensing process, leaving third-party manufacturers with limited transparency. As a result, Autorité de la Concurrence has fined Sony 13.5 million euros ($14.8 million). It also criticized Sony for its alleged discretionary application of licensing criteria, stating that access to the program was crucial for third-party manufacturers to avoid disconnections.

As of now, Sony has not issued a response to the news, and it remains unclear whether it will appeal the decision.