Joystiq

Utah senate passes gaming retail restriction bill

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:10:00 EST

After breezing through the Utah House of Representatives with an overwhelming vote of 70 for and two against, HB 353, a piece of legislation authored by Jack Thompson and legislator Mike Morley which enforces strict penalties on retailers who sell M-rated games (and R-rated movies) to "buyers subject to an age restriction or recommendation," found a similar reception in the state senate -- it was approved with a vote of 25 for and four against earlier today.

We now have three consecutive events to eagerly anticipate -- first, the bill must be approved by Utah governor Jon Huntsman before it's officially adopted. Second, the new policy will go into effect on January 1, 2010. Finally, we wait to hear how the ESA will spend the humongous legal fee reimbursement check that the taxpayers of Utah will indirectly cut when the bill is likely found unconstitutional. Perhaps some sort of tropical outing for their employees? We hear the beaches of Costa Rica are simply breathtaking.

Utah senate passes gaming retail restriction bill originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Utah game retail restriction bill passes House

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:57:00 EST

HB 353, a piece of Utah legislation which enforces stricter penalties against game and film retailers who sell M-rated and R-rated content to "buyers subject to an age restriction or recommendation,' and which was authored by Rep. Mike Morley and former Miami attorney Jack Thompson, passed through the Utah House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 70 for and two against. It will now make its way to Utah's state senate -- should it pass there as well, it will go to the desk of Gov. Jon Huntsman to be signed into law, which will go into effect on January 1, 2010.

The bill passed by an overwhelming margin after a number of amendments to the legislation were approved by the House. The amendments were largely tacked on to the bill in an attempt to lower the hackles of disapproving retailers -- for instance, one addition keeps retailers from suffering the harsher penalties if an underage customer lies about his or her age when purchasing a mature product. In response, we anticipate Utah's fake mustache industry to see a threefold rise in revenue during the next fiscal year.

Utah game retail restriction bill passes House originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Utah game bill one step closer, Thompson speaks to Joystiq

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:20:00 EST

Whoever said being a Bar-licensed, practicing lawyer had anything to do with amending existing laws has clearly never met Jack Thompson. Thompson's most recent game bill, authored by Representative Mike Morley and Mr. Thompson, was resoundingly passed (at 10-3) by the Business and Labor Committee of the Utah House of Representatives yesterday. What does this mean for Utah residents? Well, nothing yet, as the bill is now headed off to the full Utah House of Representatives for consideration.

If the bill goes into law, however, retailers of all varieties in the state (from big-box outlets like Best Buy and Wal-Mart to independent theater owners) will be facing a $2000 fine for every documented sale of mature-rated content to a minor. We wanted some clarification on the law and it's possible ramifications, so we went straight to the source. After the jump you can see for yourself everything Mr. Thompson told us about his recently penned bill.

Continue reading Utah game bill one step closer, Thompson speaks to Joystiq

Utah game bill one step closer, Thompson speaks to Joystiq originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

ESA receives $282,794 reimbursement from California

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Business

The ESA, after a series of recent blows, is certainly becoming a more transparent organization -- and adding just a hint of badass to its rep. As a warning to all the other states out there looking to take on the industry with unconstitutional legislation, the ESA has placed an image of California's $282,794 legal fee reimbursement check in its latest press release. That's like the business equivalent of putting your enemy's head on a stick on the front lawn.

The ESA states that "California deserves more" than politicians pursuing "flawed legislation" and lists several places that California would have been better served spending the cash on (listed after the break). Most depressingly for California taxpayers is that this check isn't even the end of the story. The state is currently appealing the judge's injunction on the game law. Meaning, if the courts maintain the same ruling, then the ESA is going to get even more cash from California's piggy bank.

Continue reading ESA receives $282,794 reimbursement from California

ESA receives $282,794 reimbursement from California originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New York governor signs 'unnecessary' game law

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Business

New York Governor David Patterson has signed some of the most ... well, put it this way, if you like the government wasting time, then you're going to love the recently signed New York game bill. GamePolitics reports the legislation establishes an advisory council to conduct a study between games and real-world violence. It also requires -- here's the kicker -- new video game consoles to incorporate parental lockout features by 2010 and retail games to disclose ESRB ratings. News flash: All consoles already have parental lockout features built in and ESRB ratings are prominently displayed on each game's box and disc.

For its part, the Entertainment Software Association believes the law ignores "legal precedent, common sense and the wishes of many New Yorkers in enacting this unnecessary bill." It points out that the mandates required are already voluntarily in place and the bill unfairly singles out the video game industry. The ESA asks if New York would like to convene a government commission on books, theater and film as well. It's still up in the air if the ESA will sue New York, but the lobby group has gotten good at getting game laws overturned in several states and making its money back for doing so in the process.

New York governor signs 'unnecessary' game law originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Minnesota pays ESA $65k in legal fees

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Politics

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today that the state of Minnesota has paid $65,000 - that's $6.50 for every lake - in attorney's fees and expenses to the organization over its unconstitutional game law. The ESA claims it has now been awarded moneys totaling almost $2 million for fees and expenses incurred by defending the industry in other jurisdictions.

Bringing out fightin' words, ESA CEO Mike Gallagher said that Minnesota's taxpayers should be "outraged" by having to pay this bill after its elected officials ignored precedent and pursued a political agenda. Gallagher wants politicians to get behind the efforts of the ESRB "rather than continue to pursue unconstitutional legislation."

Minnesota pays ESA $65k in legal fees originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

GamePolitics speaks with federal game bill sponsor, ESA deems bill unconstitutional

Alexander Sliwinski — Sat, 10 May 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Politics

GamePolitics has an interview with Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb), one of the congressmen, along with Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah), attempting to pass a federal law forcing retailers to check IDs before selling M- and AO-rated games. One of the better moments in the interview is when GP asks Rep. Terry what game he was talking about when he stated there are titles players could score point for virtual rape. Terry responded, "That's a good question. I don't know of any [specific games] offhand... I just used the rape, pillage and plunder line..."

The ESA has publicly come out against the bill, with CEO Mike Gallagher saying that the bill is unconstitutional. He states the ESA shares the representatives' goals of "ensuring children are playing parent-approved computer and video games," but points out that all consoles now have parental settings which can be used to make sure kids play only the games their parents allow.

GamePolitics speaks with federal game bill sponsor, ESA deems bill unconstitutional originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 May 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mass. legislators considering 'games-as-porn' bill

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Politics

Tomorrow the Massachusetts legislature will discuss a bill that would make it illegal for minors to buy video games deemed too violent by the state (not through ESRB ratings such as M or AO). No similar law exists for movies, music or books. House Bill 1423 is dubbed a "games-as-porn" bill because the rationale used to prevent minors from buying violent video games is the same used on porn. The original bill was drafted by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino (pictured) with assistance from Jack Thompson and legislative sponsor Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry (D).

GamePolitics points out HB1423 is based on a failed Utah bill and, given the history of other similar bills, it seems odd that Massachusetts would potentially be putting itself (and taxpayer dollars) at risk of repaying the ESA for fighting this bill in court.

Mass. legislators considering 'games-as-porn' bill originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Supreme Court's Scalia believes game laws could be constitutional

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

LawsofPlay's Anthony Prestia gained audience with US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia to ask him what he thought about the game laws we've seen shot down one by one, by two, by three, over the years. Scalia, traditionally one of the most conservative members of the court, believes that constitutional precedent holds that minors may be subjected to prohibitions that adults aren't.

Scalia's remarks imply that if a game law banning the sale of mature-rated games to minors ever made it to the docket he would affirm it -- really, no shock there. He clarifies that this would not put a ban on parents buying M-rated games for their children and that he believes video games (as long as it isn't declared "obscene") are protected by the First Amendment. As stated before, many lower courts clearly don't hold Justice Scalia's beliefs.

[Via GamePolitics]

Supreme Court's Scalia believes game laws could be constitutional originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments