CA game restriction law disputed
Industry associations file suit alleging new law would have a chilling effect on free expression, unlawfully compels retailers to speak in the form of warning labels.
As promised, the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) have jointly filed suit against California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and a handful of other state officials to have a recently adopted law restricting the sale of violent games to minors overturned.
The complaint alleges that the new law (which received a legislative boost earlier this year from the Grand Theft Auto "Hot Coffee" scandal and goes into effect January 1, 2006) violates the First Amendment by restricting access to games "based solely on their expressive content" and unconstitutionally compels speech by manufacturers, distributors, importers, and retailers by requiring them to label violent games with a 2-by-2-inch sticker of a solid white "18" outlined in black.
Furthermore, the complaint cites numerous precedents of video games being qualified as free speech in other circuit courts and states that "Plaintiffs and their members, as well as many citizens of California, will suffer immediate, serious, and irreparable injury if the Act takes effect."
"We believe this bill will meet the same fate as virtually identical statutes that federal courts have routinely struck down in recent years," said ESA president Douglas Lowenstein in a statement. "It is not up to any industry or the government to set standards for what kids can see or do; that is the role of parents."
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
Dragon Age: Origins Interview with Ray Muzyka
We chat with Ray Muzyka about some of the features in Dragon Age: Origins. Full Story
- Posted Jul 8, 2009 4:06 pm PT
-
Left 4 Dead 2 Doug Lombardi Interview
We talk to Doug Lombardi about Left 4 Dead 2 at a recent preview event in London. Full Story
- Posted Jul 3, 2009 4:42 pm PT
Featured Stories
-
New MechWarrior powering to 360, PC
Jordan Weisman's Smith & Tinker and Piranha Games confirm original installment in acclaimed giant-robot combat franchise; MechWarrior 4 going free. Full Story
- Posted Jul 10, 2009 4:08 pm PT
- 275 Comments
-
Analysts lower gaming growth expectations, project price cuts by October
EEDAR's Jesse Divnich and Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter now believe gaming industry will grow only 5% in 2009; $50 PS3, Wii discount, 360 response possible. Full Story
- Posted Jul 13, 2009 12:02 pm PT
- 118 Comments
-
BioShock 2 zaps fourth dev house
2K Games taps Arx Fatalis creator Arkane Studios to lend "design, animation, and art" expertise to story-driven FPS. Full Story
- Posted Jul 10, 2009 9:55 am PT
- 205 Comments
-
Modern Warfare 2 regains Call of Duty prefix
[UPDATE] Final box art for anticipated game carries name of original series; Activision confirms change, says title is series' "first true sequel." Full Story
- Posted Jul 9, 2009 2:25 pm PT
- 487 Comments
-
Louisiana approves game-industry tax breaks
Governor Jindal signs into law credits of 25 percent on expenses, 10 percent on in-state payroll for companies developing interactive media. Full Story
- Posted Jul 10, 2009 11:43 am PT
- 111 Comments
Submit News
Related Game
- Rockstar Games
- Rockstar North
- Modern Action Adventure
- Release: Oct 26, 2004 »
- ESRB: Mature
Recent News
-
[UPDATE] 2K Games pushes 2K Marin and codeveloped dystopian shooter out of its current fiscal year, CEO confirms 360, PS3, PC launch during first half...
Site Blogs
-
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Gore Comparison
Recently, we managed to get our hands on preview code for Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 for the PS3. Sigma 2 producer Yosuke Hayashi has gone on...
0 Comments