Supreme Court to Discuss Content-Based Regulations of Video Games
Supreme Court to Discuss Content-Based Regulations of Video Games
Posted 04/26/2010 at 3:04pm
| by Ryan Whitwam
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The US Supreme Court is going to be taking up the case of Schwarzenegger v. Video Software Dealers Association, when it next meets in October. The case is centered around California's 2005 law that bans the sale or rental of mature rated games to minors. The law was ruled unconstitutional in 2007, but the state filed a Supreme Court appeal last year.
Historically, the legal system has taken a dim view of restrictions on violent content. Similar laws in Michigan, Washington, and Louisiana have been struck down as well. Governor Schwarzenegger has made it clear he still supports the law which he believes protects the well-being of children.
If the law is ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court it's likely that the issue may finally be decided. Where do you come down? Should children be legally prohibited from buying or renting mature games?
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Fecal Face
May 07, 2010 at 5:59pm
"Governor Schwarzenegger has made it clear he still supports the law which he believes protects the well-being of children."
I though parents were supposed to protect the well-being of their children?
Seriously though, if your kid turns violent because of violent video games, then you have completely FAILED as a parent.
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persondude
May 07, 2010 at 9:06am
I think it's a lot of people just wanting a scapegoat for how horrible their children's attitudes are and anything else when their kids screw up or go out of control. I've played the GTA series growing up, my dad sitting right beside me and laughing as I ran around with a baseball bat reigning wanton chaos and destruction, and i don't find myself with the urge to randomly beat up prostitues or steal a car.
While i do understand that there are games out there that some minors shouldn't have, people are underestimating the amount and kind of knowledge that today's 14-15 year old has thanks to the internet. How effective do you honestly think those "Are you older than 18?" warnings are?
This is just another case of somebody having a twig up their political ass and wanting more control over a system that's proved completely ineffectual in today's society. Why not spend all the money used in this campaign to, oh I don't know, make new jobs maybe?
Ustra
May 06, 2010 at 10:17pm
I have 3 kids, whos falt is it if they have M rated games.....MINE!!!!!!!!!!!! I dont need a LAW to tell me not to get a M rated game for my kids!!!!
NATASH4x
May 03, 2010 at 11:41am
Sadly parents do not parent their children, thus the government is forced to take action. True some children can handle violent video games better then others, just like some can handle rated R movies better then others. I am not 18 and yet I can buy a M video game, in Michigan where there is a law against it, and get into a rated R movie. Basically if you act like a child and look like a child you will be treated as such.
+ What's the big problem with having your parents buy you a video game? If they aren't allowing you to play a certain video game, then you shouldn't be buying it should you.
-NatasH4X
I-noobie
May 20, 2010 at 8:52am
the laws that they have against under age gameing is even if your parents buy you the game and give it to you... they will fine your parents... they are makeing laws to the child like pornagarphy... they pretty fine just happens to be $1000 in some states...
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April 29, 2010 at 1:47am
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nadako
April 26, 2010 at 8:56pm
Why do you think us game developers created the ESRB it was ment to be a law. Its the same thing as someone not being able to go to a Rated R movie because they are under 18 same concept applies to video games. Gosh...
jpwashere13
April 26, 2010 at 7:18pm
Why don't people just own up to being bad parents instead of blaming other things? I'm 14 and I am not a "Violent Child" I play Bioshock, Cod, Left 4 dead and other violent games and I have a hardtime killing ants.
Nyarlathotep
April 26, 2010 at 7:05pm
The comments about the spam filter a now spam themselves. I apologize for contributing, but I have to ask...
MaxPC staff, could you please at least acknowlege publicly the spam filter is not working?
Cache
April 26, 2010 at 8:14pm
Maybe if Gizmodo paid someone $5k to examine the spam filter up close we could all...
Awwww.... too soon?
Nyarlathotep
April 26, 2010 at 7:07pm
I wasn't sure if it would make it through.
"Sheesh, It's just one man's opinion..." -Me
dj-anon
April 26, 2010 at 6:31pm
I agree with this law, it just makes sense, there is no real harm done. If you really want an M rated game, just ask your parents to buy it for you.
epretorious
April 26, 2010 at 5:58pm
Why should the state be able to regulate a minor's access to sexually explicit material but *not* explicit violent material? What about a minor's access to alochol, tobacco, and firearms? There must be a scholar out there somewhere that could explain it to me...
Eric P.
Sunnyvale, CA
Rocketpop
April 26, 2010 at 5:50pm
Wow, forget this spam filter. I can't say a damned thing. What is it even looking for?
Cache
April 26, 2010 at 5:59pm
If you purchase MPC, your comments will be banned. If you have intelligent thoughtful things to say, you will be banned. If you have been an MPC member for years, your comments will be banned.
Just accept it. MPC does not need you.
Danthrax66
April 26, 2010 at 5:35pm
I'm determined to either get this useless spam filter removed or get my account deleted so the guy in charge of this spam filter can go fuck himself.
Neufeldt2002
April 26, 2010 at 5:33pm
I had a nice post but the SPAM FILTER BLOCKED IT FOR NO REASON.
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Please fix the spam filter it does not work right.
Danthrax66
April 26, 2010 at 4:47pm
But if you take away fps games then no one will want to join the army...
williezzy
April 26, 2010 at 4:43pm
Just let the kids that are atleast a teen to be able to buy the M games. Seriously, like they think it will effect the well-being of the children. Y wouldn't you want kids to play games they already can but you need a freakin parent to buy it for you. Most epic fail of a law ever! Period.
bathtbgin
April 26, 2010 at 4:00pm
Does anyone else find it amusing that the guy who made Total Recall is complaining about violence in media?
chipbowl300
April 26, 2010 at 3:52pm
I think it is really retarded that the law says that when a person goes from 16 to 17 years of age you are magically mature enough to handle mature games and R rated movies, thats bullshit. I think R rated movies and mature games should be able to be seen by people as young as AT LEAST 13
Vegan
April 26, 2010 at 6:06pm
Oh, interesting... So, like, a rating that suggests content deemed suitable for ages 13 and up.
OH WAIT.
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April 26, 2010 at 4:45pm
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Mighty BOB!
April 26, 2010 at 3:58pm
T_T So the filter allows for a two-character response but not an eight-character response? That makes no sense.
Cruzg10
April 26, 2010 at 4:43pm
Hey you leave the chimps out of this! they are trying their hardest!
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April 26, 2010 at 6:19pm
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April 26, 2010 at 6:40pm
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quickone
April 26, 2010 at 3:18pm
how is this any different from them not being able to go to an R rated movie?
~~The difference between insanity and genius is merely succes~~
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