Game Industry to Supreme Court: Keep Calif. Law Off Books

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on July 23, 2009 - 10:44am.

Washington - The video game industry has submitted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that it should let stand an appellate court ruling that struck down California's law banning sales of violent games to minors as unconstitutional, GamePolitics reported. The 41-page brief argues that similar laws in other states, while having "proved politically popular," have all been struck down by the courts.

"Despite [California's] efforts to conjure up some argument for review of the Ninth Circuit's decision, in reality the decision is a routine application of established First Amendment principles to a content-based ban on protected expression," the brief reads.

"Petitioners offer no persuasive reason for the Court to review this ruling. There is no split of [past decisions] on the questions presented. To the contrary, the lower courts are unanimous as to the constitutionality of bans on distribution of violent video games."

The Supreme Court is expected to announce sometime this fall whether it will hear the state of California's appeal on behalf of the law.

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/ntl88 (GamePolitics)

http://snipurl.com/ntlrg (DMW previous coverage)

http://www.theesa.com