IEMA Reacts To Michigan Game Law Injunction

The retail-related trade organization the Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association (IEMA) has released an official statement, following the recent news that a judge has given a preliminary injunction to the ESA regarding a Michigan state bill making the sale or rental of mature or adult-rated video games to children illegal. The new law applies to children age 17 and younger, and would have taken effect on December 1, 2005, having been signed into law by Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, but this preliminary injunction has stopped it for now. Hal Halpin, president of the IEMA, commented of this turn of events: "Although it was anticipated, we were very pleased to learn that Judge Steeh granted the preliminary injunction to block Michigan's violent video game law from taking effect on December 1st. While the matter is far from settled, our members can begin the always-important holiday selling season knowing that we will not be placed in the position of trying to discern which games may or may not run afoul of the law." He continued: "We remain supportive of the industry's self-regulatory efforts and our members are committed to partnering with and empowering parents. It is unfortunate that valuable time has been wasted with political opportunism rather than working proactively with the industry to educate consumers. Perhaps with this knowledge and foreshadowing, we will cease squandering resources and focus our collective efforts on working together."