I don't agree, as I think your ultimately taxing the used games market to try and create a new revenue stream out of that. I guess helping cover server costs is one way they can use the money, and a perspective I haven't considered until now, but I see the correlation being much stronger with the used games market itself, especially when they also have PS+ as another pull to help cover those server costs, and what I'd consider their primary method. Plus servers are expensive, but not we-need-to-crush-a-market-and-create-an-entirely-new-revenue-stream-to-pay-for-them-expensive.
Introducing online passes did not crush the second hand market.
Server costs are the "only" logical reason. Keep in mind, these companies still do things for profit.
Don't forget. They CAN be outrageous jerks and charge for thinks that would make your head catch on fire. As long as they state clearly what the product you are purchasing includes clearly on the package, they will be legally protected. Consumer expectation is not a justifiable reason to ignore what was plainly stated and marketed.
So... the ability to block used games. They can do that now. They could require keys for the entire experience. They could require online connection for checks for games.
None of these companies have to wait till next gen to do so, they can do so on current gen consoles. Obviously the only reason they don't is because they fear the backlash. They fear gamestop and losing the revenue it brings in. So Sony's method of allowing pubs to choose is a wise one because they will be able to compare and contrast if one chooses to do it while the others don't.
So for now, they play the long game. Adaption rates for Digital Downloads are growing. obviously you cant sell those. I think they will reach a happy medium between selling DLC and selling online passes, to at least see a little profit from second hand community instead of feeling the need to kill it completely.
About this... is there an official source from Sony saying that PS4 will play used games "free of charge"?
At the top of these thread there are many links to their response. Sony themselves will not implement such a system but leave it up to pubs to that if they want. As I mentioned above pubs can do it now on current gen tech if they wanted to. I doubt any of them will take the risk.