Oral Arguments in Minnesota Video Game Law Appeal Begin

ESA v. Minnesota (March 17, 2008 - 8th Cir Court of Appeals)
Click to hear Oral Arguments on Appeal (Feb 12, 2007)
Text of Appeal (Aug 29, 2006)
Permanent Injunction (July 31, 2006 - District Court)
Text of Complaint (June 6, 2006)
Text of Enjoined Bill (May 22, 2006)

The United States 8th Circuit begins hearing oral arguments today in Minnesota’s appeal of a District Court ruling that its 2006 “fine the buyer” video game statute was unconstitutional. A permanent injunction against Minnesota’s violent video game bill was granted in July 2006.

The law would have imposed $25 fines on children under 17 who bought or rented video games rated M (Mature) or AO (Adults only). The trial judge found that Minnesota was “…entirely incapable of showing a causal link between the playing of video games and any deleterious effect on the psychological, moral, or ethical well-being of minors [p. 7] …absent compelling evidence, the belief is pure conjecture”. [p. 13] Accordingly, the bill failed the strict scrutiny test necessary to survive a First Amendment challenge.

Sources: GamePolitics

GamePolitics Full Coverage Of Minnesota’s Violent Video Game Law

• 8th Circuit Upholds Permanent Injunction Against Minnesota’s Law Restricting Video Game Sales/Rentals to Minors
• Minnesota Appeals Video Game Law Permanent Injunction
• Minnesota’s Violent Video Game Law Overturned - Permanent Injunction Granted
• Federal Judge Hears Arguments in ESA v. Minnesota Case
• ESA Files Suit Against Minnesota Game Law
• Minnesota Video Game Bill Signed Into Law - ESA to Fight It

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