VIOLENT VIDEO GAME CASES
To date, there have been nine violent video game and/or video arcade game court cases, based on nine state or local laws that have passed. All nine of these cases have been found in favor of the video game industry:
California
Video Software Dealers Association v. Schwarzenegger,No. C-05-04188, 2007 WL 2261546 (N.D. Cal. Aug 6, 2007)
Order granting plaintiff's request for permanent injunction
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' Decision affirming U.S. District Court Decision
Basis of suit: 2005 California state violent video game law
This case will be heard before the U.S. Supreme Court during the latter half of 2010, or early 2011.
Sign on to our petition regarding this case and help us ask the Court to treat games with the same respect as music or movies!
Illinois
ESA v. Blagojevich,469 F.3d 641 (7th Cir. 2006)
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeal's decision affirming U.S. District Court decision
Basis of suit: 2006 Illinois state violent video game law
Indianapolis, Indiana
AAMA et al. v Kendrick et al,244 F.3d 572 (7th Cir. 2001)
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals' decision to grant preliminary injunction
Basis of suit: 1999 Indianapolis violent video arcade game law
Louisiana
ESA v. Foti,451 F. Supp. 2d 823 (M.D. La. 2006)
U.S. District Court order granting preliminary injunction
Basis of suit: 2006 Louisiana state violent video game law
Michigan
ESA v. Granholm,426 F Supp 2d 646 (E.D. Mich. 2006)
Basis of suit: 2005 Michigan state violent video game law
Minnesota
Entertainment Software Association v. Swanson, 519 F.3d 768 (D. Minn. 2006)
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion
State of Minnesota's Petition to Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to have Rehearing En Banc
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals order denying Minnesota's rehearing en banc
Basis of suit: 2006 Minnesota state violent video game law
Oklahoma
Entertainment Merchants Association v. Henry, 2006 WL 2927884 (W.D. Okla. 2006)
Basis of suit: 2006 Oklahoma state violent video game law
St. Louis, Missouri
IDSA v. St. LouisCounty, 329 F 3d 954 (8th Cir 2003)
Decision in the Eighth Circuit finding the St. Louis statute unconstitutional
Basis of suit: 2000 St. Louis violent video game law
Washington
VSDA v. Maleng, 325 F. Supp. 2d 1180 (W.D. Wash. 2004)
Order Granting Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Judgment
Basis of suit: 2003 Washington state violent video game law
For more information on these and similar cases, please visit the Media Coalition’s Litigations to Date page, where the violent video game cases are listed under Violence and Ratings Enforcement.