Utah mulls Thompson gaming bill

Introduced by Republican Representative Michael T. Morley, House Bill 353 seeks to amend the state's Truth in Advertising Act to call out retailers who say they won't sell violent games to minors but who go back on their word. According to the text of the bill, a store would be guilty of deceptive practices if it "(i) advertises that the person will not sell a good or service labeled with an age restriction or recommendation to a person under the age restriction or recommendation; and (ii) sells that good or service to a person under the age restriction or recommendation."

Violators would be opening themselves up to lawsuits, which could not only prevent the continuation of practices found to be deceptive, but also entitle plaintiffs to damages or $2,000, whichever is greater. The way the bill is written, it would apply not just to M-for-Mature games, but also to those rated T for Teen, as well as movies, TV shows, toys, and any other product for which the store pledges to adhere to an age recommendation.

In warning news outlets of the incoming legislation, Thompson underscored the breadth of media that would be covered by the bill.

"Long-term, this is great news for the video game industry, which has consistently broken its pledge to American parents not to sell Mature games to kids under 17," Thomspon said. "It is also good news for the music and movie industries, which have similarly, the FTC shows, broken their pledges."