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Help the gaming industry
by
Kit
Friday, May 7 2004
Defeat unfair legislation aimed at curbing gaming creativity.
Dear IGDA members and friends,
** Action needed before May 13th **
I realize you are likely crunching for E3, but I am writing once again in regards to AB 1793 sponsored by Assemblymember Yee. Your help is needed to stop this legislation which will be voted on by the California General Assembly on May 13th (yes, during E3 (how ironic)).
Despite our success in blocking AB 1792 (ie, redefining games as harmful matter), AB 1793 (ie, content segregation) persists and would treat video and computer games differently under the law than motion pictures, music and magazines. AB 1793 imposes vague segregation rules on retailers in displaying video games based on ratings issued by the ESRB. Failure to comply with these requirements would subject retailers to CA law section 17200 lawsuits. For example, if a customer accidentally replaced an AO rated game on a shelf with non-AO rated titles, a retailer could be faced with a crippling lawsuit. Some retailers feel they would not have any other choice but to stop carrying all video games rated M or AO, or containing content that could be considered "violent" rather than risk non-compliance with government regulations.
Attempts to regulate consumer access to the creativity and expression contained in video and computer games, which is constitutionally protected speech, violates the First Amendment. The IGDA firmly believes that games are a medium of expression that should receive the same level of respect, and protection, as other forms of art and entertainment. This bill is one more step on the slippery slope of government regulation, oversight and control over our creative endeavors.
How to Help
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Here is how you can help stop this legislation. The General Assembly will be voting on this bill on Thursday, May 13th. It is important that your Assemblymember be contacted about the negative impact this bill will have on the video and computer game industry, and your career. You can let him/her know your views on this legislation by sending them an email or fax. Here's what you should do:
1 - Grab the draft letter, modify if with your name/etc:
http://www.igda.org/censorship/CA_letter.php
2 - Query the legislature site for your Assemblymember's contact info: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html
3 - Email and/or fax your letter to your Assemblymember. Please CC me.
Also, please forward this to your co-workers so they can take action as well!
The bill is unnecessary and unworkable and would unfairly single out video games. Lawmakers should refrain from damaging an industry that is so critical to the Californian economy and discourage our positive voluntary efforts to address the issues that policymakers have been demanding.
Some additional background info links:
Yee yanks video game legislation
http://tinyurl.com/2b77q
Calif. Video Game Bills Fail in Committee
http://tinyurl.com/2vlgj
CA State Legislature: Full details on AB 1793
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_1793&sess=CUR&house=B&author=yee
Official statement from Leland Yee
http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a12/press/p122004027.htm
Reference: Anti-Censorship Key Points
http://www.igda.org/censorship/points.php
Letter: IGDA opposition letter to Leland Yee
http://www.igda.org/censorship/IGDA_letter-to-Yee_200402.pdf
Article: Regulation Is Everyone's Business
http://www.igda.org/articles/dellarocca_regulation.php
Interview: Leland Y. Yee Interview at HomeLan
http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=19058
Have fun at E3!
--- Kit
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