MN game law thrown out

Minnesota's twist on anti-videogame law was struck down by a federal judge, the Associated Press reports. Unusual because it would have fined minors if they tried to rent or buy games rated "M" (Mature) or "AO" (Adults Only), the law was due to go into effect tomorrow. US District Judge James Rosenbaum agreed with videogame makers (who had sued to block the law) that it violated free-speech rights. He added that the stated "failed to show that the graphic videogames were harmful to children," according to the AP. A US Senate committee recently approved a major study to look into exactly that question (see my 3/10 issue). Minnesota's law was "one of several attempts across the country to prevent minors from getting gruesome or sexually explicit video." Among them, Michigan and Illinois have had game laws killed. See also "Dollhouses & other digital games."