Video game law struck down

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - February 20, 2009 - The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that the 2005 law violates minors' rights under the First and 14th amendments to the Constitution. The ruling by the three-judge panel upholds an earlier ruling in U.S. District Court.

The state law was authored by Democratic Sen. Leland Yee of San Francisco, who is a child psychologist.

It would have prohibited the sale or rental of violent games to anyone under 18. It also would have created strict labeling requirements for video game manufactures.

In a written opinion, Judge Consuelo Callahan says there are less restrictive ways to protect children from unquestionably violent video games.

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