The Supreme Court has decided to hear oral argument on November 2 about a 2005 California law that would regulate the sale and rental of computer and video games. This law would treat games, which are First Amendment protected works, differently than movies, books, and music. Numerous District and Federal Courts agree that games are expressive works of art and are entitled to the same First Amendment protections.
We invite you to learn more about the issues at-hand, the computer and video game rating system, what the science and research reports, why this law is unconstitutional, unnecessary and unwarranted, and why we hope that the Supreme Court will find the California law unconstitutional.
Effective Ratings System
The computer and video game industry operates under an independent ratings system that empowers parents with the tools and information needed to make the right purchasing and rental decisions for their families. The ratings system is one of the reasons the California law has been declared unconstitutional. Read More »
Science & Statistics
Scientific research has found no causal link between computer and video games and real life violence. Violent crime among the young decreased dramatically since the 1990’s while video game popularity has soared. Read More »
The First Amendment
Never before have courts used expressions of violence as the basis for a restriction on our Constitutional rights to free speech. All previous courts agree that this type of law is an assault on our First Amendment freedoms. Read More »
What Could Be Next
It would be virtually impossible for the government to create a definition that would allow “acceptable” violence but would restrict “unacceptable” violence. A First Amendment exception for video games would have an impact on other art forms, including books, movies and music. Read More »
Featured Articles
Op-ed Column: The Court as Mr. Fix-It? — Linda Greenhouse, The New York Times
Prohibition ended 77 years ago, yet Americans have still not kicked the habit of trying to fix social problems by banning things.
Video Games Are Protected Speech — Tim Rutten, The Los Angeles Times
It's an unnecessary gesture toward child protection in an area millions of parents already are handling competently on their own.
News Releases
- 7/19/2010 — Entertainment Software Association Statement on Amicus Briefs Filed on Behalf of California to the U.S. Supreme Court
- 7/12/2010 — Statement on California filing in the U.S. Supreme Court Case to Review the State's Law Regulating Computer and Video Games
- 4/26/2010 — Entertainment Software Association Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Action to Review California Law Regulating the Sale of Computer and Video Games
Related News
- 6/26/2010 — Editorial: Video Game Decisions Best Left to Parents — Northwest Herald
- 5/10/2010 — Editorial: Video Games Don’t Cause Children to Be Violent — U.S. News and World Report
- 5/8/2010 — Dangerous Playthings? Berks DA, Experts See No Need to Regulate Violent Video Games — Reading Eagle (PA)
- 5/6/2010 — Editorial: Video Games and Free Speech — The New York Times
- 5/1/2010 — Op-ed Column: The Court as Mr. Fix-It? — The New York Times
- 5/1/2010 — Editorial: Judging Video Games — Los Angeles Times
- 4/28/2010 — Editorial: Video Games are Protected Speech — The Los Angeles Times
- 4/27/2010 — Supreme Court to Hear Videogames Case — The Wall Street Journal
- 4/27/2010 — Supreme Court to Enter Fight over Violent Video Games — The Washington Post
- 4/26/2010 — Justices to Consider Law Limiting the Sale of Violent Video Games — The New York Times
- 4/26/2010 — Blog: Could Violence Become 'Obscene' in Law? — First Amendment Watch
Games & Violence
Essential Facts About Games and Violence
Facts, common sense and numerous studies all debunk the myth that there is a link between computer and video games and violence.
A Word From ESA’s President and CEO
Video Games Don’t Cause Children to Be Violent
The myth that video games cause violent behavior is undermined by scientific research and common sense.
Legal Issues
Schwarzenegger v. EMA/ESA Lower Court Filings and Rulings
Essential Facts About Video Games and Court Rulings
Courts have consistently ruled that computer and video games are protected speech.
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