The Gamer Petition
On April 26, 2010, the Supreme Court granted the state of California's petition for certiorari (cert) in Brown v. EMA , the so-called “violent video game” case. The case was formerly known as Schwarzenegger v. EMA, but the name was changed to reflect the new Governor of California. This was the first time that the Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments on any of the state laws attempting to restrict or ban certain video games. Until now, all such laws have been struck down by lower federal courts as unconstitutional restrictions on Free Speech protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.
The Court heard oral arguments on November 2, 2010. At that time, the Court also reviewed all friends of the Court briefs (amicus briefs) that put forth additional information for the Court to consider. ECA submitted such a brief on behalf of American digital entertainment consumers and attached the gamer petition.
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News
July 5, 2011
- GamePolitics - Survey Says: Adults Think States Should Have Right to Ban Games
- Kotaku - The Archbishop of Denver Tells You about Violent Video Games and the Rights of Parents
- GamePolitics - Denver Archbishop Calls SCOTUS Decision 'Wrong'
June 27, 2011
- GamePolitics - U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Ninth Circuit Decision in Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association
- GamePolitics - ECA Issues Reaction Statement to Brown v. EMA Decision
- GamePolitics - EMA Reaction Statement to Brown v. EMA Decision
- GamePolitics - ESA Reaction Statement to Brown v. EMA Ruling
- GamePolitics - Leland Yee Reaction to Brown v. EMA Decision
- 1Up - California Videogame Law Struck Down by Supreme Court
- ABC News - Supreme Court: Sale of Violent Video Games to Minors Constitutional
- G4TV - Supreme Court Video Game Ruling: Court Rules Games Are Protected Speech
- USA Today - Supreme Court strikes down violent video games law
- ZD Net - Supreme Court strikes down California video game law
- Pocono Record - Supreme Court strikes down California ban on sale of violent video games to minors
- IGN - Court Strikes Down Violent Game Law
- Tucson Citizen - Supreme Court strikes down violent video games law
- Industry Gamers - Game Industry Wins California Violent Games Law Battle
- Venture Beat - Supreme Court strikes down video game violence law on free speech grounds
- Gamespot - ESA, EMA, ECA hail Supreme Court decision
- GamePolitics - EA CEO on SCOTUS Decision: 'Everybody Wins'
- IGN - The Supreme Court and You (UPDATE)
- GamePolitics - Yee Vows to Fight on Despite SCOTUS Decision
June 24, 2011
- GamePro - Supreme Court Decision on Brown v. EMA Expected Next Week
- The Escapist - Supreme Court Expected to Give Gaming Verdict Monday
June 6, 2011
- IGN - The Supreme Court and You
- Variety - E3 2011: Where's the Supreme Court verdict?
- Joystiq - Supreme Court decision on Schwarzenegger v. EMA possibly coming this week
January 11, 2011
- GamePolitics - SCOTUS 'Originalists' and Video Games
January 10, 2011
- GamePolitics - Teen Op-Ed: California Game Law Should Be Upheld
January 9. 2011
- Press Democrat - PRO: Minors shouldn't be allowed to buy violent games
December 30, 2010
- San Francisco Chronicle - California ban on violent video games must go
- GamePolitics - Activision's George Rose on Schwarzenegger vs. EMA
December 20, 2010
- GamePolitics - C-Span SCOTUS Schwarzenegger v. EMA Arguments Audio
December 7, 2010
- GamePolitics - Games Don't Deserve Protection
November 29, 2010
- GamePolitics - Opinion: Industry to Blame for Schwarzenegger v. EMA
- GamePolitics - Video of the ECA SCOTUS Rally
- Kotaku - Gamers at the Supreme Court, Arguing for Video Games
November 18, 2010
- GamePolitics - Facebook Flick Prompts SCOTUS Philosophical Debate
November 17, 2010
- GamePolitics - Professor: SCOTUS Should Use Schwarzenegger Case to Fix its "Extreme" First Amendment Stance
- GamePolitics - North Carolina Tenth Graders Ape SCOTUS, Rule for Game Industry
- LA Times - Listen to Terminator
November 15, 2010
- GamePolitics - Video Game Editorial vs. Editorial
November 14, 2010
November 12, 2010
- GamePolitics - Editorial Hopes Law Against "Poison" Games Set Precedent!
- GamePolitics - Another Violent Game Poll, More Weird Results
November 11, 2010
- Rasmussen Reports - 54% Think Violent Video Games Lead to More Violence in Society
- GamePolitics - Illinois Also Looking Closely at Schwarzenegger Outcome
- GamePolitics - Blogger Hates Violence, Yet is Against California Law
November 10, 2010
- GamePolitics - Two New Opinion Pieces Back Game Industry In SCOTUS Showdown
- GamePolitics - Researcher Fergusson: California Law is "One More Spin of the Moral Panic Wheel"
- GamePolitics - Should the Industry Embrace or Reject Limbaugh as Game Backer?
- GameCulture - Editorial: Parental Responsibility and Today's Media
November 9, 2010
- USA Today - How obscene is video game violence?
- GamePolitics - Columnist: Blame Parents for Kids Getting Videogames
- GamePolitics - Pair of Editorials Back California Law
- Quad City Times - Justices should keep video game violence from kids
- Tampa Bay Online - Videos kids shouldn't play
November 8, 2010
- GeekWeek - Audio if Supreme Court Case Oral Arguments Now Available
- App.com - Commentary: Blame parents for junior's violent video games
- Central Michigan Life - U.S. Supreme Court hears first video-game related case seeking ban of violent video games to minors
November 7, 2010
- The Oregonian - Blood simple: limiting access to violent video games
November 6, 2010
- Lvl Select - How the ECA feels about Schwarzenegger vs. EMA
November 5, 2010
- Bitmob - Interview: ECA General Counsel Jennifer Mercurio on Schwarzenegger v. EMA
- GamePolitics - Webcomic Illustrates CA Violent Video Game Law
- GamePolitics - Daily Show Offers Take on Violent Video Game Debate
- GamePolitics - Your Anti-Game Op-ed of the Day
November 4, 2010
- CBLDF - A Divided Supreme Court Ponders the Fat of California Law Restricting Violent Video Games
- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Protecting kids trumps 'creative freedom'
- ICv2 - Oral Arguments on Video Games
- GamePolitics - Yee's Reaction to SCOTUS Arguments
- GamePolitics - If CA Wins, DE Pol Primed to Introduce Similar Legislation
November 3, 2010
- First Amendment Center - Scalia strongly quesitons violent video-game law
- National Youth Rights Association - ECA Rally Brings Gamers Together in D.C.
- Joystiq - Schwarzenegger vs. EMA, the recap
- GamePolitics - Schwarzenegger Mum on Case Bearing His Name
- OC Weekly - The U.S. Supreme Court Battle for Free Speech in Video Games: How This Will Affect You
- Asylum - ECA Stages Gamer Rally on Supreme Court Steps
- GamePolitics - Tracking the 11 AGs That Backed California in SCOTUS Case
- CBLDF - A Skeptical Supreme Court Hears Schwarzenegger v. EMA
- GamePolitics - Who Should be Responsible for Limiting a Minor's Access to Violent Games? Poll Offers Schizophrenic Results
November 2, 2010
- 1Up - ECA Rally Brings Gamers Together in D.C.
- Kotaku - Specter of Censored Fairy Tales, Rap Music Raised in Supreme Court Case
- Kotaku - Both Sides React To The California Game Law Supreme Court Hearing
- Kotaku - Mario, Pokemon Represent Among Hundreds At U.S. Supreme Court
- Gamasutra - Violent Game Law Met With Skepticism at Supreme Court
- SCOTUSblog - Argument recap: "Common Sense" and violence
- Los Angeles Times - Video games industry's public enemy No. 1
- Los Angeles Times - Violent video games divide Supreme Court
- The New York Times - Justices Debate Video Game Ban
- GameSpy - Supreme Court Justices Hear Oral Arguments in Schwarzenegger v. EMA
- Bloomberg - Violent Video Game Limits Questioned at High Court
- MSNBC - Justices appear skeptical of violent video game law
- San Francisco Chronicle - Editorial: High court should allow video game law
- Game Strike - ECA Rally Brings Gamers Together in D.C.
- NPR - California Pushes to Uphold Ban on Violent Video Games
- The Wall Street Journal - Court Voices Doubts on Video Game Law
- GameSpot - US Supreme Court appears split on California game law
- The Washington Post - Supreme Court questions whether Calif. may ban sale of violent video games to minors
- MTV Multiplayer - Why You Should Care About Today's Supreme Court Case
- Forbes - Do Video Games Need First Amendment Protection?
- GamePolitics - Games Take Over Supreme Court
- GamePolitics - Schwarzenegger v. EMA SCOTUS Transcript
- GamePolitics - ESA SCOTUS Press Release
- GamePolitics - EMA President Issues Statement on SCOTUS Fight
- GamePolitics -SCOTUS Arguments Complete
- GamePolitics - ECA SCOTUS Rally Scenes
- GamePolitics - MORE ECA SCOTUS Rally Photos
- GamePolitics - Leeland Yee SCOTUS Photo Shoot
- GamePolitics - SCOTUS Blog Early Analysis
- Gaming Angels - Jennifer Mercurio: She's geeky, she's a gamer and she's fighting for us
November 1, 2010
- First Amendment Center - Poll: Parents most responsible when kids play violent video games
- The Atlantic - In the War on Violent Video Games, Arnold Has No Clothes
- Joystiq - How tomorrow's Supreme Court violent video game case could affect consumers
- Ultima Aiera - "The most important... decision that the video game industry has... faced"
- The Atlantic Wire - Violent Video Games Come Before the Supreme Court
- Kotaku - All You Need To Know About This Week's Violent Video Game Case In The U.S. Supreme Court
- Kotaku - Ready For Battle
- Gamasutra - Video Game Regulations and the Supreme Court: Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merhcants Association
- G4TV - Adam Sessler Discusses Violent Video Games and the Supreme Court on CNN
- PC World - Yes, Violent Video Games are Protected Free Speech
- GamePolitics - Limbaugh Backs Videogame Side in Schwarzenegger vs. EMA
- GamePolitics - Attorney Forecasts Supreme Court Decision, Wonders Why It Granted Cert
- GamePolitics - AIAS Prez on SCOTUS Case: Respect for Yee, "Hard to Fathom" Arnie's Motivation
- GamePolitics - Game Developer Argues for Free Speech in Post Editorial
- GamePolitics - Running With Scissors On SCOTUS Case
- GamePolitics - SCOTUS Editorial Round-Up
October 31, 2010
- The Washington Post - Why the Supreme Court should rule that violent video games are free speech
- NPR - Supreme Court to Hear Violent Video Game Case
- The Daily Caller - Supreme Court to hear violent video game case
October 29, 2010
- GamePolitics - Yee: Supreme Court Will "Provide Direction" for Future Game Laws
- USA Today - Zap California's game law
- USA Today - Protect kids, not profiteers
October 28, 2010
- Gamespot - Q&A: Leland Yee on Nov. 2 Supreme Court Hearing
- GamePolitics - VG Lawyer: SCOTUS Loss Would Cost Industry Jobs, Stifle Creativity
- First Coast News - High Court Case on Violent Video Games Tests Limit on Speech
October 27, 2010
- Time - California's Misguided War on Violent Video Games
- GamePolitics - SCOTUS Blog Schwarzenegger v. EMA Preview
- GamePolitics - ABA Journal Highlights Upcoming SCOTUS Fight
October 26, 2010
- ABA Journal - Mortal Combat
- GamePolitics - Supreme Gamers?
- GamePolitics - Students Grant Win to Game Industry in Schwarzenegger Case Sim
- Gamer's Guide to Life - Gamers Plan To Rally On The Steps Of The Supreme Court
October 25, 2010
- GamePolitics - Yee "Hopeful" for SCOTUS Win
- GamePolitics - Guest Column: ECA General Counsel Outlines Road Ahead for Schwarzenegger Case
- Virtual Teen - Gaming Hits the Supreme Court
- Maximum PC - Gearbox Talks Supreme Court Videogame Trial, Says Gaming's "Bullies" Need to Step Aside
October 22, 2010
- Gamespot - Q&A: Gaming hits the Supreme Court
- GamePolitics - ECA VP General Counsel Talks Schwarzenegger v. EMA
- The Escapist - Jaffe: Gamers' Rights Efforts are "Pointless and Naive"
October 21, 2010
- Kotaku - Gamer Demonstation Planned For First Amendment Rights
- GamesRadar - Washington DC rally calls for gamers
- GamePolitics - Jaffe: Facts Will Impact SCOTUS Decision
- GamePolitics - Americans for Limited Gov President Backs Industry in SCOTUS Fight
October 20, 2010
- GamePolitics - SCOTUS Could Cause "Supreme Jeopardy" for Amusement Biz
- Worthplaying - The ECA Rallie Gamers For Upcoming Violence In Video Games Supreme Court Case
- Go Nintendo - ECA rallies gamers for upcoming violence in video games U.S. Supreme Court case
- Shack News - ECA Organizing Gamer Rally for Free Speech at US Supreme Court
- CGE Network - Entertainment Consumers Association rallies gamers for upcoming court case
- Total Playstation - ECA Leads Rally at US Supreme Court November 2
- Gamer Node - ECA to rally for videogame rights at Supreme Court
October 19, 2010
- Kotaku - Guest Editorial: A First Amendment Call to Arms
- GamePolitics - PTC Wants You to Thank AGs That Supported California
October 18, 2010
- United Front Gaming - UFG's Call to Arms!
- GamePolitics - California: "Three-Prong" Test Will Preserve Free Speech
- G4TV - California Files Reply Brief In Violent Video Game Supreme Court Case
- Anandtech - Sign the ECA's Petition to 'Protect Video Games Under the First Amendment'
October 16, 2010
- PC World - Gamers Rally as Supreme Court Weighs Restrictions
- The Philadelphia Inquirer - It's in the game
- Robot Geek - The Governator Hits the Supreme Court
- Gametrailers Forum - Sign the ECA's Petition to 'Protect Video Games'
October 15, 2010
- Shack News - Shack PSA: Sign the ECA's Petition to 'Protect Video Games Under the First Amendment'
- Playstation Lifestyle - Ted Price Tells Gamers to Step Up
October 14, 2010
- Gamasutra - ECA Staging Pro-Gamer Rally in Washington D.C.
- Games Are Evil - ECA Planning Rally for Supreme Court Hearing
- Joystiq - ECA to stage Washington rally prior to Supreme Court battle
- TFTS - ECA to Hold Rally on Steps of Supreme Court
- The Tanooki - Rally planned at Supreme Court game law hearing
- XTemplate.ru - ECA Holding Supreme Court rally Nov. 2
October 13, 2010
- GamePolitics - ECA Staging SCOTUS Rally
- GamePro - ECA plans rally at Supreme Court
- The Escapist - ECA Rallying Gamers at the Supreme Court
- Joystiq - ECA Holding Supreme Court Rally on November 2
- Gamespot - ECA holding US Supreme Court rally Nov. 2
- Game News - Entertainment Consumers Association to hold rally on Supreme Court steps during Schwarzenegger v. EMA oral arguments
October 7, 2010
- GamePolitics - Lead Counsel In SCOTUS Violent Games Case Lays Out Arguments
October 5, 2010
- GamePolitics - ESA CEO Editorial on Upcoming SCOTUS Fight
October 4, 2010
- GamePolitics - Are the Supreme Court Justices Tech-Savvy?
- Gamasutra - Persuasive Games: Free Speech is Not a Marketing Plan
October 1, 2010
- GamePolitics - New York Law School Moot Court Features EMA Case
- Penny Arcade - Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Association
September 28, 2010
- Education Week - K-12 Implications in Some Cases Before High Court
- GamePolitics - Failed Politician Rips Utah AG for Backing Game Industry
- GamePolitics - Vindicia CEO: CA SCOTUS Win Could Kill Freemium Market
September 27, 2010
- Kotaku - Mock Trial Calls Violent Games Case for California
- GamePolitics - Another Eagle Forum Member Makes Case Against Violent Games
September 25, 2010
- Platform Nation - Stir: Game Ratings
September 24, 2010
- World Gaming Network - Supreme Court Case Schwarzenegger v. EMA Update
- The Independent - Game news brief: California dreaming of less violent games
September 22, 2010
- WreckedGamer - Wreckedgamer Interviews President of the ECA, Hal Halpin
- GamesThirst - Activision And Bobby Kotick Aligns With Industry Against Proposed Violent Game Law
- GamePolitics - Op-Ed Praises Utah AG's Supreme Decision
- The Power Geeks - Power Geek Radio Show
September 21, 2010
- GamePolitics - Activision Files Friend-of-the-Court Brief in SCOTUS Fight
- Spong- Games Industry vs. Schwarzenegger Date Set
- Platform Nation - Game Consumers ask U.S. Supreme Court to Reject California's Unconstitutional Restrictions on Video Games Depicting Violence
- Nintendolife - ECA vs. Schwarzenegger - Petition against the US Congress trying to control our games!
- Spong - Games Industry vs. Schwarzenegger Date Set
September 20, 2010
- GamesRadar - ECA asks US Supreme Court to reject restrictions on depicting violence in video games
- News 10 - U.S. Supreme Court asked to reject California's violent video game restrictions
- Fanboy Gaming - Game Consumers Ask U.S. Supreme Court to Reject California's Unconstitutional Restrictions on Video Games Depicting Violence
- Gameindustry.biz - Experts and gamers stand together against Schwarzenegger law
- Gm3r - The Terminator Vs. Violent Video Games
- GamePolitics - Scholars File Brief Opposing California Videogame Law
- GamePolitics - ESA Touts Major Support for Games Industry in SCOTUS Fight
- GamePolitics - Online Billing Solution Provider Files Brief Backing Game Industry
- GamePro - Briefs filed in Supreme Court on California video-game case
September 18, 2010
- GamePolitics - Nine States Support Video Game Industry in SCOTUS Battle
- Legal Times - States Join Media Groups in Briefs Opposing California's Violent Video Game Ban
September 17, 2010
- GamePolitics - ECA's Amicus Brief Filed
- GamePolitics - Game Industry Briefs Offer Three Times More Support
- Kotaku - Colorado Board of Education Supports the California Game Law
- GamePolitics - Amicus Briefs Filed in California Violent Games SCOTUS Case
- CBLDF - Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Urges Supreme Court to Reject New Restrictions on Speech in Video Games Censorship Case
- Los Angeles Times - Holy legal hand grenades! Comic book creators say California game law could clobber all media
- Gamasutra - Major Entertainment Industry Groups Unite Against California Video Game Law
- Getmo Games - ECA's Amicus Brief Filed
September 16, 2010
- GamePolitics - A California Video Game Law Debate
September 15, 2010
- Westside Story Online - The Supreme Court to Rule on California's Ban on Violent Video Games
- GamePolitics - ECA Uses Twitter for SCOTUS Petition Effort
September 14, 2010
September 13, 2010
September 10, 2010
- GamePolitics - ESA and EMA File SCOTUS Brief
- Los Angeles Times - Video game industry gears up for a battle against California law
- Boston Herald - Video game companies gear up to fight California law
- Video Game News - ESA Files Brief Against Violent Game Law
- NeoGaf - ECA Petition for upcoming Supreme Court video game case
- World Gaming Network - Supreme Court to Hear Schwarzenegger v. EMA; Single Most Important Court Case in Gaming History
- Gamasutra - ESA, EMA File Brief in Supreme Court Violent Game Case
- Kotaku - ESA Brief Rips California Law As Threat to Free Expression
September 9, 2010
- Elder Geek - Supreme Court to See Video Game Case this November
- The Gateway - U.S. Supreme Court threatens future of mature games
- GamePolitics - Eagle Forum Founder Blasts Video Games
- GamePolitics - Student Op-Eds Defend Games
- KansasCity.com - Video game companies gear up to fight California law
September 7, 2010
- GamePolitics - Researcher Ferguson Urges Utah AG to Side With Game Industry
- Townhall - State Attorneys General and Violent Video Games
September 6, 2010
September 5, 2010
- The Couch Preacher - A Very Important Message
September 2, 2010
- Bethesda Blog - Why you should sign the The Gamer Petition
- Go Nintendo - ECA Rallies Industry Support For the Upcomign Violence in Video Games U.S. Supreme Court Case
September 1, 2010
- Gamasutra - Activision Rose: 'Wouldn't Be Surprised' If More U.S. States Back Game Industry
- Law.com - State Support Courted in High Court Video Game Case
August 29, 2010
- The Geek Spot - Sunday Musing - Going to Court
August 28, 2010
August 27, 2010
- Chicago IP Litigation Blog - Supreme Court Intellectual Property Preview at Chicago-Kent
- Campaign for Liberty - GAME OVER for Gamers?
- MTV Multiplayer - Supreme Court to Hear Video Game Case on November 2
August 25, 2010
August 23, 2010
- GamePolitics - Schwarzenneger v. EMA gets SCOTUS Oral Argument Date
- GamePolitics - W&M Law School to Present Mock Schwarzenegger v. EMA Case
August 19, 2010
- GamePolitics - Utah Might be on Game Industry Side in Schwarzenegger Case
August 16, 2010
- GamePolitics - NYRA Preparing Amicus Brief for Schwarzenegger Case
- Gaming Planet - Youth Organization Seeking Testimonials for Supreme Court Brief
August 13, 2010
- Game Culturalist - The ECA Petition - Sign It!
August 10, 2010
- GamePolitics - ECA General Counsel Admitted to SCOTUS Bar
July 20, 2010
- GamePolitics - Common Sense Media and Eagle Forum Back California Game Law
July 19, 2010
July 16, 2010
- GamePolitics - ECA Preze Takes to Playstation Blog to Seek Petition Support
July 14, 2010
- GamePolitics - ECA Taps Brooklyn Law School for Amicus Brief Assistance
- GamePolitics - More from California's SCOTUS Brief
- GamePolitics - ESA Responds to Schwarzenegger v. EMA California Brief
July 13, 2010
- GamePolitics - EA's Green: Schwarzenegger a Hypocrite
July 12, 2010
July 8, 2010
- GamePolitics - Leading Game Devs Supporting the Gamer Petition
July 6, 2010
- GamePoltiics - Industry Leaders on Schwarzenegger v. EMA
June 28, 2010
- GamePolitics - ECA Prez on Schwarzenegger vs. EMA
May 28, 2010
May 25, 2010
May 12, 2010
- GamePolitics - ECA Encourages Gamers to Weigh in on Schwarzenegger v. EMA