Judge rules game ban unconstitutional

A CALIFORNIA law to have violent games labelled and barred for sale to minors has been deemed unconstitutional by a federal judge, Reuters reported.

The law received strong support from California governor and star of Kindergarten Cop Arnold Schwarzenegger back in 2005 but has been opposed by Judge Ronald Whyte who claims that there has been no evidence that violent games, "in the absence of other violent media," cause injury to little 'uns.

Although Whyte has said to been sympathetic to the legislation's goals, he reckoned that games are no more harmful than violent TV, movies or websites and that the law set restrictions on free speech.

Schwarzenegger however will be appealing the law. "I signed this important measure to ensure that parents are involved in determining which video games are appropriate for their children," he said in a statement.

The permanent order issued by Whyte spoke of similar opinions from judges in other states. µ