Electronic Software Association to protest against Michigan Law on gaming

Electronic Software Association to protest against Michigan Law on gaming

It seems that more and more American states are taking the GTA: San Andreas fiasco quite seriously. The latest state to limit the sales of violent games in their area is Michigan. And the Electronic Software Association is planning to sue the governor of this state to prevent the recently passed law, which bans the sales of violent videogames here. California also recently passed on a bill, which makes it illegal to sell violent games to minors in that state.

This new law in the state of Michigan, SB 416, is designed to limit the sales of violent video games. However, the ESA claims that the language of the bill is such that it can be used to manipulate the rules and hurt the video gaming industry. They also claim that the conditions are so vaguely described that game developers cannot really make out what the bill justify to be banned for sale in the market.

ESA president Douglas Lowenstein said in a statement: “If the law is implemented, it will not only limit First Amendment rights for Michigan’s residents, but, by virtue of its vagueness, it will also create a huge amount of confusion for Michigan’s retailers, parents, and video game developers. I’m confident the court will affirm our position given the rulings on similar statutes in other jurisdictions.”

This new law is scheduled to be implemented from December 1 this year.