Washington governor signs gaming bill into law

Washington state governor Gary Locke has signed bill HB 1009 into law. The new law prohibits the sale of any games depicting violence against law-enforcement officials to anyone under the age of 17. If a retail outlet is caught in violation of the new law, it will be fined $500. This action by the Washington state government has prompted responses from both the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), which plans to challenge the law, and the Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association (IEMA).

"The IDSA, which represents the entire $10 billion interactive entertainment software industry, is disappointed that Governor Locke signed this bill," said Douglas Lowenstein, president of the IDSA. "It's not only unnecessary and unconstitutional, but it clearly won't solve the issue at which it's apparently aimed."

"The nation's leading retailers of computer and video games were dismayed to see that Washington State HB 1009 made it through the legislative process and then disappointed to find that Governor Gary Locke had signed it into law," said Hal Halpin, president of the IEMA. "Over the past several years retail members of the IEMA have made significant and voluntary investment and progress in working with parents in stemming the sale of inappropriate games to minors. This law does nothing to aid in our ongoing effort, but instead acts as a clear violation of the First Amendment and a dubious effort of censorship. We remain committed to our customer's rights and firmly believe that parents are the best and most directly responsible party to determine appropriate entertainment for their children. To that end, we have chosen to join our trade partners in preparing a formal complaint."

We'll post more on this story as it develops.