Minnesota sued over adult game bill

The entertainment software association (ESA) has sued the state of Minnesota to counter a bill that clamps down on children and teens buying adult games. According to the bill, a fine of $25 is imposed on minors who buy or rent video games marked ‘M’ for Mature or AO for adults only. Now the ESA has called the bill unconstitutional and is seeking to dismiss it through the lawsuit. ESA president Doug Lowenstein said, “The bill’s tortured effort to end run the First Amendment by punishing kids directly fails under the Constitution because children have rights under the First Amendment, like all other citizens. The state is attempting to impose liability on children because they know that courts have consistently held that they cannot penalize retailers. We believe that the courts will agree that fining children violates the First Amendment as well.” The ESA has successfully struck down six similar bills on the same grounds in the past five years including the recent Michigan state bill banning the sale of violent games to minors.