Judge overturns CA's violent videogame law

A federal judge Monday overturned a California law that would make it illegal to sell violent video games to minors, Reuters reports. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he would appeal the ruling. The 2005 law required labeling of violent video games and forbade the sale to minors. Judge Ronald Whyte, who had previously granted a preliminary injunction against the law, issued a permanent order that also cited conclusions from judges facing similar laws in other states.

"At this point, there has been no showing that violent video games as defined in the Act, in the absence of other violent media, cause injury to children," he wrote in his decision. "In addition, the evidence does not establish that video games, because of their interactive nature or otherwise, are any more harmful than violent television, movies, Internet sites or other speech-related exposures."

"Although some reputable professional individuals and organizations have expressed particular concern about the interactive nature of video games, there is no generally accepted study that supports that concern."

Schwarzenegger said he would appeal the case to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

"I signed this important measure to ensure that parents are involved in determining which video games are appropriate for their children. Many of these games are made for adults and choosing games that are appropriate for kids should be a decision made by their parents."