$1m legal win for ESA over violent game law

The State of California has agreed to pay the Entertainment Software Association $950,000 in legal fees after last year’s bid to regulate “violent games” was blocked at the Supreme Court.

ESA chief Mike Gallagher said California “wasted more than $1 million in taxpayer funds” to try and block games which featured violent content. The game industry’s defence, which the Supreme Court had concurred with, was that such a ruling would impinge on First Amendment rights of expression.

Gallagher said some of the funds will “be used to improve services for California’s youth”. The trade group – which among many activities organises E3 – said it would establish game educational programs for poor communities.

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This month the ESA was widely criticised for supporting the controversial SOPA bill. Hours before the bill was shelved in congress, the ESA withdrew its support.