EMA Reaction Statement to Brown v. EMA Decision

Bo Andersen, CEO of Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) has released a statement on the U.S. Supreme court's ruling on Brown v. EMA. Obviously they are pleased with the decision, but cautions that this is a wake-up call to the fact that parents are often under-informed about the content of videogames. He also notes that the ESRB rating system does a good job of informing parents.

"EMA welcomes today’s Supreme Court ruling that let stand the Court of Appeals’ decision finding the California video game restriction law to be unconstitutional," said Bo Andersen, CEO of Entertainment Merchants Association. "We are gratified that our position that the law violates the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of expression has been vindicated and there now can be no argument whether video games are entitled to the same protection as books, movies, music, and other expressive entertainment."

“While we appreciate this victory in the court of law, it does not obviate the concern that parents may have about the appropriateness of some video games for their children," he continued. "But, as the Court noted, the ESRB rating system for video games ‘does much to ensure that minors cannot purchase seriously violent games on their own, and that parents who care about the matter can readily evaluate the games their children bring home.’"

Andersen went on to say that videogame retailers understand the responsibility they have to help parents make informed decisions about the video games they buy for their children and know that it is their job to be the gate keepers so that children are not able to purchase Mature-rated games without their parents’ permission.

The EMA and other entertainment retailing trade associations have declared this June to be Entertainment Ratings & Labeling Awareness Month, encouraging ratings education and enforcement by retailers and increased parental awareness and use of the ratings systems for various entertainment products.