Activision's Rose: 'Wouldn't Be Surprised' If More U.S. States Back Game Industry

Author: by Staff

With only 11 states currently showing support for a California law that would restrict the sale of games to minors, Activision's chief public policy officer said he expects that most states would oppose the measure. "We wouldn't be surprised if the number [of states siding with the industry] was equal or exceeded the number [backing California]," Activison's George Rose said in a Law.com report. Those opposing the law fear that it could permanently diminish the industry's First Amendment protection when compared to other forms of media. California supervising deputy attorney general Zackery Morazzini, who will defend the California law before the Supreme Court, claimed that there has been a "pretty intense lobbying effort" against the law. According to Morazzini, Utah attorney general Mark Shurtleff plans to draft a brief against the California law, and will speak with Attorney Generals from other states before announcing his official stance on the issue. Rhose Island attorney general Patrick Lynch is also considering joining a brief in support of the industry, which will be due at the Court by September 17. Other groups supporting the industry include the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which has spent $2.4 million this year in its efforts to defend the industry from harmful legislation, and the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA), which is gathering signatures for a petition that the group will file in a friend-of-the-court brief. Sean Bersell, vice president of the Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) also expressed his organization's support for the industry, "If you're looking for what our position is on the law and why it's unconstitutional and a violation of the First Amendment and really the effort by the state of California to ... create an exception to the First Amendment that I think would be incredibly dangerous and a real loophole, you'll find it in our response to the state brief, which is going to be filed by September 10." Dan Hewitt, a spokesman for the ESA, explained how various groups are opposing the law, "a number of organizations, associations, elected officials and others are considering participating in this case by filing amicus briefs. We're encouraged by the broad range of support already shown from individuals and groups across the political and ideological spectrum." The EMA and the ESA are expected to submit their briefs on or before September 10, with briefs from third parties supporting the EMA/ESA's views on the matter due by September 17.