State of Louisiana forced to pay ESA $91,000

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 17th April 2007
Comments (8) Stumble
State of Louisiana forced to pay ESA $91,000

Louisiana citizens have been forced to pay legal fees of $91,000 to the ESA. Phoenix Wright would've done it for free.

The State of Louisiana has been ordered to pay legal fees totalling $91,000 to the ESA (Electronics Software Association), Kotaku reports today.

The legal fees were incurred last year when the ESA opposed a bill that would have made it illegal to sell violent computer games to minors. The law was drafted with the aid of infamous anti-game figure, Jack Thompson, and bore similarities to other defeated bills in other states across America.

Judge James Brady today ordered the taxpayers to cover the costs of the ESA's legal team, to the tune of US$91,000. Judge Brady also went on to comment that:

"The court is dumbfounded that the Attorney General and the State are in the position of having to pay taxpayer money as attorney's fees and costs in this lawsuit...

Prior to the passage of the Act there were a number of reported cases from a number of jurisdictions which held similar statutes to be unconstitutional (and in which the defendant was ordered to pay substantial attorney's fees).

The Court wonders why nobody objected to the enactment of this statute. In this court's view the taxpayers deserve more from their elected officials"

This is seen by many to be the second defeat Jack Thompson has suffered this week after his attempts to pin the blame for the tragic Virginia Tech shooting on violent computer games earlier this week.

If you are one the Louisiana taxpayers who has to shell out to the ESA, or if you think that the law should have gone ahead, then why not let us know in the forums?
Quote pendragon 17th April 2007, 18:29
<spelling nazi>i do believe it's spelled "Louisiana" not "Lousiana" ...</spelling nazi>

I'm glad I don't live there.. first the hurricane, and now this :-/
Quote DougEdey 17th April 2007, 18:37
Was this the law where he wanted Game rating to be upheld by a law?

If so then why the hell wasn't it passed? Guidance ratings are all well and good when the parents give a **** but as soon as that stops they're pointless.

I've always been in favour of that aspects of Jacks work, I think it's a shame that no-one else it.
Quote Flibblebot 17th April 2007, 18:48
<editing nazi>Was the figure $91k or $92k? You've got both in the article</editing nazi>

I'm also amazed at why (a) the ESA would oppose this bill; (b) why it wasn't passed; and (c) why the taxpayer then has to pay the tab.

This is the one part of Jack's work that's right, it's all the other bull plop that annoys me (like jumping on the Virginia shooting bandwagon).
Quote apoogod 18th April 2007, 04:46
so when is the Jack Thompson video game going to come out?
Quote CardJoe 18th April 2007, 08:53
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flibblebot
<editing nazi>Was the figure $91k or $92k? You've got both in the article</editing nazi>

I'm also amazed at why (a) the ESA would oppose this bill; (b) why it wasn't passed; and (c) why the taxpayer then has to pay the tab.

This is the one part of Jack's work that's right, it's all the other bull plop that annoys me (like jumping on the Virginia shooting bandwagon).

The actual figure is a bit hard to find out. Kotaku says its 91,000, while other sites say its 92,000. Gamespot reckons its more like 145,000. Its just a matter of who you trust...
Quote Constructacon 18th April 2007, 09:02
Quote:
Originally Posted by apoogod
so when is the Jack Thompson video game going to come out?
Wasn't there already one? A platform shooter with someone crying all the time?

Why oh why did this ever get to court? Ratings enforcement is something that should be put into legislation by the government, not dragged through the courts. The government already has laws enforcing the sale of adult rated material to minors - this should just be an extension of that.
Quote CardJoe 18th April 2007, 10:05
In the UK I think that a solid ratings law for games would probably be a good idea too, to be honest. The problem is getting a body of educated people familiar enough with the content to do it and discussing exactly what constitutes a 15 or and 18 etc - how extra content and fan mods etc would affect this and doing it all without crushing Britains computer game development scene.
Quote z4114 18th April 2007, 17:31
Quote:
Originally Posted by Constructacon
Wasn't there already one? A platform shooter with someone crying all the time?

Yes there was. It can be found here. (http://67.15.42.30/ImOK/)

On topic: Just like movie ratings, and adult oriented materials, there are laws that enforce ratings. You need an adult present to see an R rated movie if you are under 17. Would it really be that hard to put a law on the books that would force an adult to be the purchaser of the game?

If I grab a movie like 300 (when it hits selves) they'll be required to check my ID. I want a pack of smokes? Flash the ID proving i'm over 17. 12 pack of beer to go with it? Another ID check for proving I'm 21+. Fancy a dirty mag to make the evening complete? Another instance of age verification. Why oh why is it when I want to get a game like FEAR or some other rather violent material, all I need is the cash and I'm on my way. The only card presented is credit based.

Something needs to be done, that's for sure, but when Jack T opens his mouth everyone is inundated with bias and lies. I have no respect for the man, but his message has merit. It's a damn shame his jackassery gums up the gears of progress.
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