US videogame law introduced

The trend at the state level is courts blocking laws against violent videogame sales to minors. It could be reversed at the federal level, though. "A trio of Democratic senators with presidential ambitions introduced federal legislation" that basically would turn the gaming industry's current voluntary ratings into law and would fine retailers for selling to minors games rated "Mature" or "Adults Only" or with "ratings pending," the Wall Street Journal reports. The Journal says the senators "believe [their law, unlike the state laws so far] can pass constitutional muster." The senators are Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, and Evan Bayh of Indiana. The article details what's been going on at the state level. Here's the page at the Entertainment Software Rating Board that describes the current rating syst em (ratings can also be found on the front of videogame packaging, with descriptions of their meaning on the back).