Judge Halts Violent Video Game Law

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a new state law banning the sale or rental of violent video games to minors, saying a lawsuit challenging the measure was likely to prevail on grounds of free speech.

In a ruling late Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Whyte granted a preliminary injunction sought by the Encino-based Video Software Dealers Association and the Washington, D.C.-based Entertainment Software Association.

AP (via Yahoo) - Judge Halts Calif. Violent Video Game Law

The ruling comes as US politicians draft national laws to stop the sale of adult-themed games to children. The Californian law was drafted in October and aimed to make it a crime for games that “depict serious injury to human beings in a manner that is especially heinous, atrocious or cruel” to be sold or rented to those under 18.

Signed into law by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the measure imposed $1,000 (£575) fines every time it was broken. The passing of the law was challenged by the Entertainment Software Association and the Video Software Dealers Association which represent game makers and retailers.

The two organisations filed a lawsuit claiming that the law risked breaking free speech statutes.

BBC News - Judge blocks law on violent games

And on a related note:

It has often been observed that the family that plays together stays together, but does that still apply when it comes to computer games? Video games ignite strong passions. For many parents, they are the epitome of time-wasting and a sure-fire route to the early onset of repetitive strain injury.

For parents who grew up with games the question of when, not if, to introduce their kids to the delights of gaming is a tricky one.

BBC News - Parents face video games dilemma