Tuesday, September 18, 2007 Oklahoma's Unconstitutional Game Law Permanently Enjoined
From GameDailyBiz.com:
By James Brightman
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) passed along the news today that the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma has issued a permanent injunction against Oklahoma's recent video game law that was supposed to have gone into effect on November 1, 2006. A preliminary injunction was initially issued last October.
The law sought to ban the dissemination to minors of any computer or video game that contains any depiction of "inappropriate violence," which was defined by depictions that fall into any one of nine broad categories. Violators would also have been subject to fines of up to $1,000.
Unsurprisingly, the law was found to be unconstitutional, like many similar laws that have been shot down in other states. The Honorable Robin J. Cauthron said that video games are a form of creative expression entitled to protection under the First Amendment, and that there is no "substantial evidence" that video games are harmful to minors. Judge Cauthron added, "...[T]here is a complete dearth of legislative findings, scientific studies, or other rationale to support passage of the Act." Read more...
Related:
Entertainment Software Association Press Release Labels: OK Legislature Posted at 9/18/2007 08:42:00 AM |
|