A federal judge on Thursday struck down a Washington state law designed to restrict the sale of violent video games to minors, saying that such restrictions violate free-speech rights, court documents show.
U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik issued a summary judgment against the law, which was passed last year but had been suspended pending judgment in the case, which was brought against the state by the Video Software Dealers Association.
House Bill 1009 would have imposed a $500 fine on anyone, such as a store clerk, who sold a video game depicting violence against "law enforcement officers" to minors under the age of 17.
The plaintiffs argued, and the judge essentially agreed, that the law was too vague to enforce.
"Given the fact that rights of free expression are at stake, the court finds that the act is unconstitutionally vague," Judge Lasnik said in his summary judgment.
Washington state Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, the Democrat who wrote the law, said that many psychologists and other experts agree that violent video games are harmful to children.
"While we may have lost this one battle in the sale of violent games against children, the war is far from over," Dickerson said, adding that there has been no decision yet on whether to appeal or propose a new law.
Dickerson is also organizing a grassroots campaign called "Game Smart" to better educate parents and other buyers about the violence some games contain.
Doug Lowenstein, president of the Entertainment Software Association, which backed the plaintiffs, called the judgment "a pretty sweeping victory."
"Judge Lasnik made it (clear) that games are expressive and are protected under law," Lowenstein said.
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