Published on: 25.02.09
Source: Press Release by Office of the Governor of California
The US Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) und Entertainment Software Association (ESA) have instituted proceedings against the Youth Protection law and adjudged that it is unconstitutional. The law banned the trade of games to under eighteens which are brutal, repulsive and tainted exceedingly and infringe humans’ rights. Such games should carry a specific label and should only purchased to adults, this has to be ensured by the sellers. Otherwise they would have to pay financial penalty of 1000 US-Dollar.
The decision of U.S. District Judge Ronald Whyte said that this law to ban the sale of violent video games to minors is unconstitutional because of the difficulties to define about the impact such content would have on minors.
The Governor signed the law in 2005 which prohibits the sale or rental of violent video games to anyone under the age of 18 and requires that such games be clearly labelled. He now wants to vigorously defend this law and appeal it to the next level.