San Francisco - After a federal judge on Monday ruled that a California state law banning the sale of violent video games to minors was unconstitutional, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he will appeal the ruling, Reuters reported.

After previously issuing a temporary injunction against the law, Judge Ronald Whyte issued a permanent order on Monday, citing similar rulings in other states.

"The evidence does not establish that video games, because of their interactive nature or otherwise, are any more harmful than violent television, movies, Internet sites or other speech-related exposures," Judge Whyte wrote in his decision.

"Although some reputable professional individuals and organizations have expressed particular concern about the interactive nature of video games, there is no generally accepted study that supports that concern."

The video game industry praised the ruling.

"The ESA is pleased with today's permanent injunction ruling as it cements nationwide judicial consensus that our self-regulatory efforts work and attempts to regulate computer and video games are unconstitutional," said Dan Hewitt, director of media relations for the Entertainment Software Association.

Gov. Schwarzenegger will appeal the ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/3coha4 (Reuters)

http://www.theesa.com