Court strikes down California video game law

[PH3N0M]

Law sought to ban the sale or rental of violent video games to minors

SACRAMENTO - A federal appeals court on Friday struck down a California law that sought to ban the sale or rental of violent video games to minors.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the 2005 law violates minors' rights under the Constitution's First and 14th amendments. The three-judge panel's unanimous ruling upholds an earlier ruling in U.S. District Court.

The law would have prohibited the sale or rental of violent games to anyone under 18. It also would have created strict labeling requirements for video game manufacturers.

In a written opinion, Judge Consuelo Callahan said there were less restrictive ways to protect children from "unquestionably violent" video games. For example, the justices said the industry has a voluntary rating system and that parents can block certain games on video consoles.

The law's author, state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, said he wanted Attorney General Jerry Brown to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"We need to help empower parents with the ultimate decision over whether or not their children play in a world of violence and murder," Yee, a child psychologist, said in a statement.

The law never took effect and was challenged shortly after it was signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. A U.S. District Court blocked it after the industry sued California over constitutional concerns.

The Encino-based Video Software Dealers Association and the Washington, D.C.-based Entertainment Software Association argued that California's restrictions could open the door for states to limit minors' access to other material under the guise of protecting children.

The court agreed, saying California was "asking us to boldly go where no court has gone before."

"The state, in essence, asks us to create a new category of non-protected material based on its depiction of violence," Callahan wrote in the 30-page ruling.

Michael D. Gallagher, president of the Entertainment Software Association, said the ruling underscores that parents, with help from the industry, are the ones who should control what games their children play.

"This is a clear signal that in California and across the country, the reckless pursuit of anti-video game legislation like this is an exercise in wasting taxpayer money, government time and state resources," Gallagher said in a statement.

Source:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29304769

 

[Gabb]

Law sought to ban the sale or rental of violent video games to minors



Source:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29304769

this is actually a good thing because I read or heard somewhere ( can't remember ) that if this law went into effect many stores would stop selling violent video games because the possible penalty of minors buying it from the store is too high to risk.

 

[HAVOC]

Thank god for STEAM huh?

 

[PH3N0M]

this is actually a good thing because I read or heard somewhere ( can't remember ) that if this law went into effect many stores would stop selling violent video games because the possible penalty of minors buying it from the store is too high to risk.

Oh, I agree. Rock music and video games have been scapegoats for poor parenting and it's time parents start taking responsibility for their screw ups instead of blaming their child's behavior on something else.

 

[Gabb]

Thank god for STEAM huh?

buying games on steam, although very conveniant, isnt always the greatest option. For a few reasons:

1. I think someone showed somewhere in the EULA that if Valve ever goes out of business their not obligated to provide you with a working non steam copy

2. Their prices are usually at a premium despite the savings in no box and paper instructions

 

[HAVOC]

buying games on steam, although very conveniant, isnt always the greatest option. For a few reasons:

1. I think someone showed somewhere in the EULA that if Valve ever goes out of business their not obligated to provide you with a working non steam copy

2. Their prices are usually at a premium despite the savings in no box and paper instructions

1.) If valve goes out of business we have a lot more to worry about than not being able to play video games.

2.) I don't want or need the boxes or instructions. If the instructions have a serial, I'll keep it. If not. Garbage and a waste of paper.

 

[Harper]

1. I think someone showed somewhere in the EULA that if Valve ever goes out of business their not obligated to provide you with a working non steam copy

Yeah. But how many games have you playied more than once. I look back on all the games that i have playied over the years, and there is about only handful that I have playied / completed more than once.

Most other games get completed and then thrown on the Playied Games pile.
As for Multiplayier games, I might play around with it for 3 to 12 months. And then another multiplayer game comes along and takes it's place.

 

[Druid]

Arnold, how could you sign sign such a law? You're supposed to be the govenator!!!

 

[Gabb]

Yeah. But how many games have you playied more than once. I look back on all the games that i have playied over the years, and there is about only handful that I have playied / completed more than once.

Most other games get completed and then thrown on the Playied Games pile.
As for Multiplayier games, I might play around with it for 3 to 12 months. And then another multiplayer game comes along and takes it's place.

so because you personally don't play your games for more then a year its okay with you to completely lose them if Valve ever goes out of business?...for me, I'm still playing TF2 and CS:S ( along with many others )and thats like 1.5 years old ( 3+ years for CS:S )

1.) If valve goes out of business we have a lot more to worry about than not being able to play video games.
.

You work or have stocks in Valve or something? Why would I care about anything non-game related concerning Valve if all my dealings with Valve have been game related

 

[C0RR0SIVE]

There are still people that play Warcraft II BNE, and Starcraft..... But sadly Blizzard no longer produces War2, and soon they will stop on SC, but have a digital download up for people that already own the game...