Jack Thompson's Louisiana Game Law Ruled Unconstitutional by Federal Judge

November 29, 2006
A Federal District Court Judge has dealt a fatal blow to Louisiana's video game law.

The statute, drafted by controversial Miami attorney Jack Thompson, was ruled unconstitutional earlier today by Judge James Brady (left).

In August Judge Brady issued a temporary injunction which blocked the law from taking effect. That ban is now permanent.

Thompson did not respond to an e-mail request for comment. Nor did the Louisiana Attorney General's Office.

It is unclear how the Louisiana ruling may affect a pending video game bill in Utah, which Thompson also helped draft, but it certainly doesn't bode well for the legislation.

Of the ruling, Sean Bersell, VP for Public Affairs of the Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA), said:
We're having a good week.

Also for the record, EMA acknowledges the outstanding work of the legal team, led by Paul Smith and Katie Fallow of Jenner & Block. They have done fantastic work, both on the pleadings and in the courtroom, in this case and the other seven video game cases they handled in the past five years... In doing so, they have not only ably represented their clients, but they have protected the First Amendment rights of all Americans.
Buzz It

Comments

*Yoda voice*

In the near future an appeal I sense, yes.
~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~

Great news! Great, predictable news!
Really, has Jack Thompson ever even tried to explain why this bill was any better than the others?

I doubt there will be an appeal, it wasnt long after the law passed that the Lousianna legislators realised it would not hold before a judge. I doubt they will waste taxpayer's money (again that is) for an appeal.

Yeah. Even those who supported it were only doing so because it would turn up on their opponent's campaign literature if they voted against it.

@the1jeffy
This isn't the Legal Action you're looking for.

I'm with Nuiembre on this one. Since the lawmakers actually REALIZE that it wouldn't hold up, I doubt they'll try an appeal. They might re-write the law and submit it again, but not appeal it.

Though. It gives me a little warm glow to see Jack's attempts fail... Again... and again... and again.

Remember, JT believes the First Ammendment is not all-inclusive or all-powerful. He has stated so much in numerous interviews.

He still believes this law to be constitutional...from his point of view. Which, of course, isn't always quite rational or sane.

Hmm you this is what happen when an Appeals Court sets precedent for you. Too bad Michigan isn't dumb enough to take it all the way up. Setting a SCoTUS Precedent on the subject matter.

Also I am guess Judge Brady had some pretty compelling evidence presented before him to rule so swiftly.

Now Stay tuned for the following:

--Thompson accuses Judge Brady of being in the pockets of the Game Industry or Blank Rome. He'll probably find an obscure connection.

--Thompson blames the failure on the Louisiana AG since this was a Constitutional Law and only got overturned due to the fact that it was poorly defended.

--Thompson blames the Governor's Office since they wouldn't make the AG let him participate in the defense.

--Thompson makes a grandiose statement that if he were allowed to defend the law with "his" experts, he would have won, and the law would be in effect.

--Thompson calls Burrell, The Louisiana AG, The Governor, The Governor's attorney, and Brady names in a poorly worded grandiose email sent out to about 1000 members of the press, most of who won't read it.

In fact most of the previous events will occur in email in the last event.

So Jackoff got posterized again, huh? I bet his son's so proud. At least he'll never have any trouble measuring up to his old man; he was twice the human being Jack is by his first birthday.

Off topic, does anybody remember when the Posey civil case starts?

Thompson makes a grandiose statement that if he were allowed to defend the law with “his” experts, he would have won, and the law would be in effect.

I'll vote for that one. He already had his temper tantrum where he took his experts and went home. A true crusader would have stuck it out and fought harder if he knew the AG's office was being lazy. Only losers cut and run. (Realists do a fighting strategic withdrawl, but they certainly don't blame their allies while doing it...)
-- If your wiimote goes snicker-snack, check your wrist-strap...

This has given my day such a lift! Who's Nostradamus now, Jack?! All happiness aside, he will most likely try to appeal it, simply because he is a sun sponge and the spotlight is the only thing that will allow him to suck up its rays. Even then, it's starting to break and run. Have fun in Obscurity, NOC (No One Cares), Jack. Send us a postcard!

I agree with all of what Tollwutig said except for the poor grammar.

This is a pleasant non-suprise and I can't wait until the posey trial!

dun dun dun. Another one bites the dust.


Join me guys and girls

@Gordon Frohman

More like Another one rides the bus...straight to Unconstitutionalville.

It's times like this I'm proud to be an American. Or I would be, if I were. You know what I mean. Rights are more important than wrongs.

@ Gordon Frohman

Another one bites the dust-a!
Another one bites the dust-hey-hey!
Another one bites the dust!
Another one bites the dust heeeyeeeyyyeeeyyeeyyeeyeeyeeyeeyeyyy!!!


@ JBT

HA-HA!

I'm not sure if he'll appeal this. I saw something on Kotaku earlier today about JT trying to pin some kids in a po-dunk town making "acid bombs" on GTA http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/skowhegan/--skowhegan-detective-217875.php

VICTOTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jack Thompson lost and Wacko Jacko is completly DEE DEE DEE! Gamers and the video game industry win again! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA I can't stop laughing at Wacko Jacko for being an idiot Jack Thompson SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here's a quote just for Jack Thompson, or Wacko Jacko, this is from one of my favorite T.V. shows, "Mind of Mencia," one time my favorite comedian, Carlos Mencia, was making fun of DEE DEE DEEs and he said, "How many idiots can there be? You're the DEE DEE DEE." That was hilarious, and is right for Wacko Jacko.

Hey, the year's not over. Jack Thompson should go ask Carlos Mencia if he qualifies for a DEE DEE DEE of the year award. He would probably get the highest honor for being a moron, a primate, a complete retard, a turd, a whining little idiot and having the I.Q. of a cavman!!!!!!!!! You know, I thought cavemen were gone until I heard about Jack Thompson and David Grossman. Only they're a rare species!!!!!!!! They're golddigging cavmen.

Hey, Jack Thompson, you want a banana you primate you? Let me help you out, you put it in your mouth. You know, the part of your body that tells lies all the time and tries to get innocent video games banned? Yes, that part. Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm putting down primates and cavemen by calling Jack Thompson one. Actually he's even more retarded and cavemen and primates are much smarter than he is!!!!!!

Jack Thompson is lower than dirt and by this I don't mean to insult dirt. He's the lowest thing on this planet and he's a liar and a turd. Both he and David Grossman are turds and their lies reek of feces!!!!!!!!!!! They both SUCK and, as Carlos Mencia would say it, they're DEE DEE DEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To put it simply David Grossman and Jack Thompson, or Wacko Jacko, SUCK and they need to stop poluting the ozone with their lies and Carlos Mencia ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He rocks because he knows how to insult morons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For Immediate News Release


11/29/06


Jack Thompson's Constitutional Bill Hammered Down By Video Game-Influenced Judge

As unorthodox and abrasive violence expert John B. Thompson had predicted, his constitutionally questionable bill was rejected today by Judge James Brady due to the influence of Blank Rome, the law firm protecting the godless sodmites, Take-Two Interactive, who make and sell the murder simulator, "Grand Theft Auto".

In August of 2006, Brady issued a temporary injuction to block the most important bill to hit the Lousiana state since the Jim Crow laws. For this reason, Thompson got on the horn with the Attorney General of Lousiana afterwards, demanding that the law be re-appealed. However, as fate would have it, the AG was also on Take Two's blood money payroll.

Even more disturbing was that the Governor's office did not allow Thomspon to defend the bill with his violent media experts. These experts included National Institute on Media & Family's David Walsh and a senile homeless person that lived across the street from the courthouse.

As of now, Thompson is focusing on filing suit against Rockstar Games for their involvement in the recent "acid bomb" scare in Skowhegan, Maine. Unfortunately, the link between the two is at best scarce but Thompson knows that the two teenagers who caused this incident were motivated by the 'Grand Theft Auto' franchise.

Hooah!

Contact Hack Thompson at XXX-XXX-XXXX


I haven't done one in a long time. :)

Just to be the first to say it. JT you have been Pwned. Bitch.
Great job to the judge for being smart and ruling that the law was unconstitutional

On the "acid bomb" incident in Skowhegan:

http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/3370628.html

I used to live in Augusta (the Kennebec Journal is Augusta's daily rag) so do consider the source. Lack of research on this is simply astounding.

@ Jabr:

Frankly, Jack's decision to withhold his "experts" was probably more pragmatism than anything. From Jack's perspective, his bill was going down in flames because the Louisiana AG just wasn't doing his job correctly. Rather than have his expert's testimony summarily debunked in this failing trial, Jack withheld them to keep whatever credibility they had intact for the next stop on his circus tour.

@ AgnostoTheo

LOL, perhaps you and Nuiembre are correct. I had forgotten that JT wasn't directly involved with this case, he only helped author the bill. (And subsequently JT cannot appeal it) And was denied amicus status. And then said that this bill will not hold up without his 'stable' of experts.

Now I remember . . . . .

Those were good times.
~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~

@PyroHazard
I think that's a bit unfair to David Walsh. I'm not terribly fond of the guy, myself, but he's still miles above Thompson.

[...] Hot off the presses, straight from Gamepolitics.com: “A Federal District Court Judge has dealt a fatal blow to Louisiana’s video game law. [...]

@PyroHazard
I think that’s a bit unfair to David Walsh. I’m not terribly fond of the guy, myself, but he’s still miles above Thompson.


That "jab" at Walsh wasn't intended for him but it was reference to Thompson claiming he was still using Walsh as an expert after NIMF severed ties with him.

The senile homeless person on the other hand, totally deserved it. He stole $2.50 from me and a hogey.

Ha Ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! well thats good news to hear

I'd just like to say: Ahahahahahahahaha ......ha.

Look at what I had to say up there about Jack Thompson. It's damn hilarious.

David Walsh is just as much a liar than JT. The only difference is that Walsh is more mature.

YES!!! Constitution FTW!!! *starts dancing*

@Zerodash
I disagree. David Walsh, to my knowledge, has never come out with bald-faced lies. He might misunderstand, or perhaps even bend the truth to an extent, but not nearly the way Thompson does.

THANK GOD. The crazier thing is that our quack governor backed it.

And as for whether they'll waste taxpayer money, you bet your ass they will.

Toll,
All you had to do was say:
Thompson will hold everyone else responsible for it's failure except himself. In other words, Thompson will do what he always does when he fails.

Oh, and....

DUFFY! I SAW DUFFY! YEA! DUFFY'S AROUND AGAIN! :)

nightwng2000
NW2K Software
Nightwng2000 NW2K Software http://www.facebook.com/nightwing2000 Nightwng2000 is now admin to the group "Parents For Education, Not Legislation" on MySpace as http://groups.myspace.com/pfenl

Great. Now all we need is for the California and Oklahoma bills to be struck down and that's the end of it. At least until next year. But here is hoping no legislator is stupid enough to pass another anti-gaming bill after all these consistant failures. I don't keep my hopes up though.

Yo nightwng whats up yea from time to time u'll see a post if i have money to get online

Wow, that was so completely expected. In fact, with news stories like this, we've got plenty of room to ponder all the breaking Wii wrist straps for the Wiimotes or something. Don't ask me why that would be political but really, who didn't see this verdict coming?

Thats true i aint been on in a few months and i knew something like that would happen

He good to see you around again Duffy even if temporarily :)

Yeah, I could punch the air and mention the Constitution, or point out the blatant hypocrisy of JT even attempting to say that this was a constitutional law, but it's nothing that either side of the debate weren't already fully aware of.

So I'll just nod, and say 'Good'. :)

So Jack is still going after games huh? He just doesn't know when to stop does he?

Its jack thompson and he will attack games no matter what..look what happened a few weeks ago with mk armeggeddon

Good riddance to bad rubbish. This law took quicker to pass, block, and overturn than it's taking for a final decision in California. The press release from Yee's office says a ruling is "imminent." Let's hope so.

since i been out of the gp loop what was this bill trying to do?

@hilaryduffgta

Same as all of the other bills. Trying to place violent video games under the same type of restrictions as hardcore pornography and claiming they're harmful to minors.

Yawn!!!


when will they learn?


nevermind thats asking too much

Jack's responses have proven one thing...

He's paranoid.

Honestly, this, if anything, will land him a "no job" card, out of his suit and into a straightjacket.

@Daniel:

Bro, I hate to say this, but I think you should tone down your posts. I know you're enthusiastic and that's great, and we all know how much you hate Jack, but you're coming off all wrong. The miles of text in which you keep repeating the same things in a fanatical tone are actually self-defeating because it's causing you to not be taken seriously.

I strongly urge you to slow down when you write, try to condense the things you want to say, and above all try to bring more to the table than just "violent games are ok for everyone because I played them and I turned out fine", or "Jack Thompson's a retard". Even though he is. =)

Some of the guys have already gotten on you about this, and I'm not trying to pile on, but I haven't seen much difference from when you first started posting. Remember that as much as we enjoy a good insult, most of us are here for at least semi-serious discussion and/or debate.

Wait someone hates jack more then i do??

@Hilaryduffgta

Probably himself in truth.

I just hope we have a new JT-like guy. It's just very interesting to hear the threats of a madman *cough* --conservative--*cough* oy.

I've paid my dues -
Time after time -
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime -
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face -
But I've come through

We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end -
We are the champions -
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world -

I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls -
You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it -
I thank you all -

But it's been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise -
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race -
And I ain't gonna lose -

We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end -
We are the champions -
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world -


Still undefeated.
Forgot your password?
Username :
Password :

Shout box

You're not permitted to post shouts.
Andrew EisenThat article is over five years old, Uncharted. A fun blast from the past though.02/12/2012 - 10:47pm
Uncharted NESCritics: 'Left Behind' game glorifies violence- http://tinyurl.com/wu64s02/12/2012 - 4:34pm
ZenI felt Brutal Legends was a funny & beautiful look at the world of rock from Double Fines point of view. The only parts I wasn't hot for were the RTS bits as it felt forced. Otherwise fantastic.02/12/2012 - 1:34pm
DorthLousPassed 1.5M$. And I'd also say that Brutal Legend is far from being a bad game. I just think it was a few levels under what people expected from the people working on the project.02/11/2012 - 8:25am
TechnogeekBrutal Legend wasn't bad so much as "marketing had no idea how the game actually played", causing it to suffer accordingly.02/10/2012 - 10:38pm
RedMageIt looks the CIA's website has been DDOS'ed. Anon?02/10/2012 - 7:52pm
RedMageBrutal Legend.02/10/2012 - 7:52pm
ddrfr33kHas anything Tim Schafer ever made been of crap caliber? I'm struggling to think of one...02/10/2012 - 7:37pm
GuamishI think it is in good hands. Tim did a game for the GDC award show and that was fun for how short it was.02/10/2012 - 12:22pm
Andrew EisenIt'll be tragic if the game ultimately sucks.02/10/2012 - 12:17pm
james_fudge$1.3 million02/10/2012 - 11:32am
Uncharted NESGermany Says It Won't Sign ACTA [Update: ... Yet]- http://tinyurl.com/7r2twrg02/10/2012 - 11:21am
Andrew EisenDamn. Double Fine's Kickstarter fund has already passed a million dollars.02/09/2012 - 8:16pm
Andrew EisenAudrey didn't quote the sassy parts. Here's IGN's article: http://wii.ign.com/articles/121/1218359p1.html And here's my original post: http://tinyurl.com/7y68a3902/09/2012 - 7:50pm
james_fudgeI hope you some said something sassy! Where's the link?02/09/2012 - 7:46pm
Andrew EisenHey, neat. IGN quoted a blog I had writen only two hours earlier. I certainly timed that one pretty well.02/09/2012 - 7:38pm
Andrew EisenToki Tori has been added to the Humble Bundle for Android.02/09/2012 - 5:11pm
james_fudgeThanks for the heads-up DorthLous02/09/2012 - 4:33pm
DorthLousWill do, my apologies.02/09/2012 - 4:14pm
Andrew EisenI appreciate the heads up but please keep typo alerts to the specific article's comments or PMs.02/09/2012 - 3:33pm

Be Heard - Contact Your Politician