Dumped Violent Game Law Costs Illinois At Least $500,000

gavelJustice is definitely not free. At least that’s what Illinois found out…and it found out the hard way when it was ordered by US Court to pay Entertainment Software Association (ESA), Video Software Dealers Association, and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association $510,528.64 in attorneyÂ’s fees.

Known as The Safe Games Illinois Act, the proposed law would have required retailers to use warning labels in addition to existing ESRB labels, and post store signs explaining the ESRB rating system. Failure to do so will draw a $500 fine for the first three violations and $1,000 for each subsequent count. It also proposed a $1000 fine on stores selling offending games to minors.

Last December, Illinois district judge Matthew S. Kennelly issued a permanent order to stop the implementation of the law. According to Judge Kennelly legislation is not the answer to protecting children from inappropriate media. “That role is properly accorded to parents and families, not the State,” the judge said.

ESA meanwhile gloated at the court’s decision calling the Illinois’s blocked attempt to ban the sale of violent video games as “clearly unconstitutional” and “a waste of taxpayer dollars.” The $500,528.64 does not include the substantial fees the State owes its own lawyers.

Via Gamasutra

gavelJustice is definitely not free. At least that’s what Illinois found out…and it found out the hard way when it was ordered by US Court to pay Entertainment Software Association (ESA), Video Software Dealers Association, and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association $510,528.64 in attorneyÂ’s fees.

Known as The Safe Games Illinois Act, the proposed law would have required retailers to use warning labels in addition to existing ESRB labels, and post store signs explaining the ESRB rating system. Failure to do so will draw a $500 fine for the first three violations and $1,000 for each subsequent count. It also proposed a $1000 fine on stores selling offending games to minors.

Last December, Illinois district judge Matthew S. Kennelly issued a permanent order to stop the implementation of the law. According to Judge Kennelly legislation is not the answer to protecting children from inappropriate media. “That role is properly accorded to parents and families, not the State,” the judge said.

ESA meanwhile gloated at the court’s decision calling the Illinois’s blocked attempt to ban the sale of violent video games as “clearly unconstitutional” and “a waste of taxpayer dollars.” The $500,528.64 does not include the substantial fees the State owes its own lawyers.

Via Gamasutra

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