new video game law blocked

2shoes · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2005 6:28 pm Post subject: new video game law blocked

SAN JOSE, Calif.(AP) A federal judge has agreed to temporarily block a new California law banning the sale or rental of violent video games to minors.

U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Whyte said the Encino-based Video Software Dealers Association and the Washington, D.C.-based Entertainment Software Association "were likely to succeed" in their lawsuits arguing that the law violates free-speech rights.

At the least, "serious questions are raised ... including the question of whether there is a causal connection between access to such games and psychological or other harm to children," Whyte wrote in a ruling issued late Wednesday.

The law, which was set to go into effect Jan. 1, prohibits retailers from selling or renting violent video games to those 17 and under, imposes a $1,000 fine on violators and mandates stricter product labeling.

Other states have passed similar legislation this year after hidden sex scenes were discovered in a popular game, "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas."

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger contends the law will help parents determine which video games are appropriate for their children.

Schwarzenegger spokesman Vince Sollitto said Thursday that the state plans to show during the trial that it "has a compelling interest in protecting children from potential harm from exposure to extremely violent video games."

The preliminary ruling marks a good sign for the video game industry.

"For the sixth time in five years, federal courts have now blocked or struck down these state and local laws seeking to regulate the sale of games to minors based on their content," said Doug Lowenstein, president of the Entertainment Software Association.

The industry groups also challenged similar laws in Illinois and Michigan. A judge in Illinois recently ruled in favor of the video game industry, but Illinois officials plan to appeal.
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Sparrow wrote:

...if pirates stays on bf1942 i'd hate to see the community grow even smaller, but i know i'll always be around and i hope the rest of you will too!

Special Jimmy wrote:

This mod is rightfully ours, and fuck everyone that stands in our way.

fair winds and following seas, lil shoes 8/3/94-6/23/09

Raed · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2005 8:31 pm Post subject:

FTW
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-=|CT|=- Raed

Brutus · Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2005 1:03 am Post subject:

If a minor has money and a place to play video games in secret without adult supervision then be happy he isn't engaged in something far more criminal and detrimental. Video games leads to geekness, not crime. Razz

On a related note, I just caught a bit o hell for buying my son NOLF 2 with his grampa (coop). He could just use mine but his grampa stole it from me. Anyway, I was just informed NOLF2 is "an "M" game". "oooh..." was my reply. Who looks at that Razz

. I played that game twive. Am I really that insensitive? Is NOLF that bad that it warrants an M??? Confused

If so I have to go play it again immediately!!! Very Happy

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SupaFly · Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2005 11:59 am Post subject:

think games would sell better if they had labels that said "this game contains scenes of extreme violence... seriously dude, you run down hookers on a motorcyle, its some sick shit"
compared to "another one of EA's bloodless nazi killing ramages" which would you buy??

the thing that bothers me about it is when the fuck did the governator become so adverse to violence?? he didnt seem that opposed when he was killin terrorists in commando, or hunting down sarah connor in terminator... its likr chuck heston lobbying for anti gun laws.... it just shouldnt happen
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Brutus · Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2005 8:50 pm Post subject:

SupaFly wrote:

think games would sell better if they had labels that said "this game contains scenes of extreme violence... seriously dude, you run down hookers on a motorcyle, its some sick shit"
compared to "another one of EA's bloodless nazi killing ramages" which would you buy??

the thing that bothers me about it is when the fuck did the governator become so adverse to violence?? he didnt seem that opposed when he was killin terrorists in commando, or hunting down sarah connor in terminator... its likr chuck heston lobbying for anti gun laws.... it just shouldnt happen

Yeah, sell-out-inator (the real ahnold will never be back...)
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