Judge rules video game law unconstitutional

A US District Court judge has ruled that a Michigan law that bans the sale of violent video games to minors is unconstitutional.

Federal District Judge George Caram Steeh said in court documents that video games were protected under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

The law, signed by Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm last year, imposes civil and criminal penalties for anyone who knowingly distributes violent video games to a minor.

Steeh said in the ruling the state "lacked substantial evidence to show violent video games cause minors to have aggressive feelings or engage in aggressive behavior."

The Entertainment Software Association, the Video Software Dealers Association and the Michigan Retailers Association filed suit in September challenging the constitutionality of law.

- REUTERS