Judge halts California violent video game law

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- A federal judge has temporarily blocked a new state law banning the sale or rental of violent video games to minors, saying a lawsuit challenging the measure was likely to prevail on grounds of free speech.
In a ruling last weekOK, U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Whyte granted a preliminary injunction sought by the Encino-based Video Software Dealers Association and the Washington, D.C.-based Entertainment Software Association.
The industry groups "were likely to succeed" in their lawsuit, the judge wrote.
At the least, he said, "serious questions are raised concerning the state's ability to restrict minors' First Amendment rights in connection with exposure to violent video games, including the question of whether there is a causal connection between access to such games and psychological or other harm to children."
The groups sued in October, naming Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, state Attorney General Bill Lockyer and other officials.
The law was set to go into effect Jan. 1. It bans retailers from selling or renting violent video games to those under age 18, imposes a $1,000 fine on violators and mandates stricter product labeling.
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