New York Passes New Videogame Law
New York Governor David Paterson has signed into law a new piece of legislation that will "ensure the State will explore the negative effects of violent videogames."
Unlike past attempts at legislating videogames in the U.S., which have been overturned by the courts as a result of various First Amendment [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment] issues, this law will not attempt to control videogame content but will instead mandate various measures that will help ensure mature-rated videogames don't end up in the hands of children. The new law will require that videogames display an age rating, that game consoles have built-in parental controls and also establishes a 16-member "advisory council" on the effects of violence in the media. The bill was passed by the State Senate in June with an overwhelming 61-1 vote, after which the Governor had a 30-day window to sign it into law.
Sharp-eyed readers may note that videogames sold in North America already carry a voluntary Entertainment Merchants Association [http://www.esrb.org], for instance, said, "This bill is unnecessary and seeks to solve a problem that does not exist. But we do not anticipate that videogame software retailers will have a problem complying with its requirements. (It is important to note that NY law already requires DVD packages to display the rating of the movie.)"
Nonetheless, the Entertainment Software Association [http://www.videogamevoters.org/] issued a statement following the Governor's decision to sign the bill into law suggesting it may challenge the law in court. "The state has ignored legal precedent, common sense and the wishes of many New Yorkers in enacting this unnecessary bill," the statement said. "This government intrusion will cost taxpayers money and impose unconstitutional mandates for activities and technologies that are already voluntarily in place. It also unfairly singles out the videogame industry over all other forms of media. One wonders where this overreach by government in New York will end. If New York lawmakers feel it is the role of government to convene a government commission on game content, they could next turn to other content such as books, theater and film."
While other organizations, including the here [http://www.nyclu.org/].
Source: GamePolitics [http://www.gamepolitics.com/category/topics/new-york]
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New York Governor David Paterson has signed into law a new piece of legislation that will "ensure the State will explore the negative effects of violent videogames."
Unlike past attempts at legislating videogames in the U.S., which have been overturned by the courts as a result of various First Amendment [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment] issues, this law will not attempt to control videogame content but will instead mandate various measures that will help ensure mature-rated videogames don't end up in the hands of children. The new law will require that videogames display an age rating, that game consoles have built-in parental controls and also establishes a 16-member "advisory council" on the effects of violence in the media. The bill was passed by the State Senate in June with an overwhelming 61-1 vote, after which the Governor had a 30-day window to sign it into law.
Sharp-eyed readers may note that videogames sold in North America already carry a voluntary Entertainment Merchants Association [http://www.esrb.org], for instance, said, "This bill is unnecessary and seeks to solve a problem that does not exist. But we do not anticipate that videogame software retailers will have a problem complying with its requirements. (It is important to note that NY law already requires DVD packages to display the rating of the movie.)"
Nonetheless, the Entertainment Software Association [http://www.videogamevoters.org/] issued a statement following the Governor's decision to sign the bill into law suggesting it may challenge the law in court. "The state has ignored legal precedent, common sense and the wishes of many New Yorkers in enacting this unnecessary bill," the statement said. "This government intrusion will cost taxpayers money and impose unconstitutional mandates for activities and technologies that are already voluntarily in place. It also unfairly singles out the videogame industry over all other forms of media. One wonders where this overreach by government in New York will end. If New York lawmakers feel it is the role of government to convene a government commission on game content, they could next turn to other content such as books, theater and film."
While other organizations, including the here [http://www.nyclu.org/].
Source: GamePolitics [http://www.gamepolitics.com/category/topics/new-york]
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