Left-leaning political blog DailyKOS joins the editorial pages of the New York Times and Los Angeles Times in opposition of the House's Stop Online Piracy Act and the Senate's Protect IP Act. In a post titled "Congress is close to destroying the internet (no hyperbole)," DailyKOS says that it is not hyperbole when they say that lawmakers, big Pharmaceutical companies, and the recording, and movie industries are out to destroy the internet.

GamePolitics is going dark today in observance of Thanksgiving and boy howdy do gamers like us have oodles to be thankful for this year.  Fall 2011 is jam-packed with more awesome video games than most will ever have the time (or money) to play.  See the bottom of Leland Yee’s recent “Don’t buy these video games” press release to parents for a few good suggestions.

A new article over at TechDirt penned by the Entertainment Consumer Association's Vice President and General Counsel, Jennifer Mercurio, explains why the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and PROTECT IP are bad for everyone - especially gamers. Mercurio lays out what this means to everyday internet users when it comes to video performance and fair use in the first paragraph:

If you read our ECA Today newsletter then you probably heard on Friday that the Entertainment Consumer Association (ECA)  has backed pro-gamer Dave "Walshy" Walsh's special ECA Chapter dedicated to pro gamers and advocacy. Today the ECA made the official announcement, which you can read below in its entirety. We offer it to you without commentary because GamePolitics is an ECA publication.

The Entertainment Consumer Association (ECA) has issued an alert concerning a proposal before the Madison (Wisconsin) City Council that would force second-hand resellers to out sellers personal information in a database that local police would have access to. Obviously this is not a good idea - even in the name of tracking down criminals who steal and receive various goods - usually to fuel some type of addiction. The ECA's letter to members follows:

The Entertainment Consumer Association issued a press release today detailing new discounts it is offering membership holders. The press release is provided below, without comment from us for obvious reasons (GamePolitics is an ECA publication.):

THE ECA HELPS GAMERS ‘PRESS START’ ON A NEW SEASON WITH AN ARRAY OF NEW MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS

While everyone else is ranting and raving about Diablo III and having to be "always connected" to Battle.net to play it - even in single player - our very own Andrew Eisen takes a different approach with the following heartfelt letter.

If Blizzard listens, this could be the best Christmas ever! Check out his heartwarming plea to Blizzard to your left or visit YouTube.

If you missed our mention of it on Friday, the Entertainment Consumer Association (ECA) has begun a letter writing campaign to challenge Bill S. 978, better known as the "anti-streaming bill" that is being pushed in the U.S. Senate. The new message from the ECA can be found below in its entirety, but I urge you to visit action.theeca.com or the ECA's Facebook group to get involved, because if you don't you may find yourself impacted by it after posting a YouTube video or while engaging in some other seemingly innocuous activity:

The Entertainment Consumer Association (ECA) has issued a call to arms to its members and the gaming community at large, urging everyone that will listen that Bill S. 978 (the anti-streaming law) is bad for everyone. The law has the potential to affect everyone - from YouTube video posters that make gameplay videos to Netflix users that share their account information. You can check out the alert here and send a letter to your Senators voicing your strong objection to this bill.

The alert can also be found below:

In an interview with Destructoid, ECA big cheese Hal Halpin discusses why gamers should worry about S.978, a bill that would make streaming copyrighted material a felony.

“I understand the intent that the legislators and trade associations have with the bill,” said Halpin, “but it’s so broad that it casts a very wide net, including people who innocently post video captures of their gameplay! Alone, that represents a huge community of people.”

“This bill, as written, will apply to anyone who plays and posts their gameplay online, which is a huge percentage of gamers. It could also apply to pro gamers who stream their gameplay for fans as easily as it applies to companies whose entire existence relies on streaming technology (i.e. Steam, Netflix, Gamefly/D2D, Major League Gaming, EA/Origin, OnLive and Gaikai, etc.).”

The Entertainment Consumer Association issued a statement this week thanking its legal team and other individuals that helped prepare the amicus brief and the consumer petition that was submitted to the Supreme Court in November in support of the EMA's side of Brown v. EMA. The group thanked gamers and ECA members that took the time to sign the petition, legal teams that wrote the amicus brief and its various legal advisors that put everything together. Full statement below:

"As many of you know, earlier this week, the United States Supreme Court held in favor of the Entertainment Merchants Association in Brown v EMA, the so-called “violent video games” case. This is a huge achievement for all involved, especially Paul Smith of Jenner & Block.

ECA would again like to thank all of its members and the general public who signed the Consumer Petition. We would also like to thank and congratulate our partners in the Consumers Amicus Brief:

Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello tells IndustryGamers that today's decision from the Supreme Court on California's violent videogame law is a win for everyone. Last year Riccitiello expressed concern that publishers would be forced to ship different versions of the same title if new rules were implemented in California and other states. He feared state level bureaucracies that define what’s marketable in each state. Today's ruling makes that less likely to happen.

"Everybody wins on this decision – the Court has affirmed the Constitutional rights of game developers; adults keep the right to decide what’s appropriate in their houses; and store owners can sell games without fear of criminal prosecution," Riccitiello told IndustryGamers in a statement today.

The Entertainment Consumer Association (ECA) issued a short statement this morning expressing its strong approval of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. EMA.

"We are thrilled by today's news," said Jennifer Mercurio, VP & General Counsel of the Entertainment Consumers Association. "We had hoped that we would see this decision, and it's been a long time coming. That being said, there will probably be one or two legislators who attempt to test these new parameters, and the ECA will continue to fight for the rights of entertainment consumers."

The Entertainment Consumers Association plans to issue a longer statement after reviewing the decision more thoroughly.

[GamePolitics is an ECA publication.]

Entertainment Consumer Association president Hal Halpin offers his personal (note: not ours) opinion on the timing of the Brown v EMA (formerly Schwarzenegger v EMA) Supreme Court decision over at IGN. There has been much speculation that a decision will be released this week, and Halpin has his own predictions about it:

"Despite law maker Leland Yee’s prognostications, no one really knows when we’ll get the answer, but my money is on this Thursday.

The Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA) and Red Bull have teamed up to give anyone who signs up for a membership via the RedBull Site a one-year membership with the ECA, free of charge. Membership is normally $19.99 annually. The offer is open to gamers of all ages who are residents of the U.S. or Canada. Full press release below:

It's time for a public service announcements from the Entertainment Consumer Association. This week they kicked off a program to give ECA members the opportunity to tell the world why the ECA is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Participants are charged with creating a 30 second video describing the organization, benefits of membership and why gamers should join.

The best videos will be promoted across the ECA network and the winning video will receive $1,000 in AMEX gift cards. Additionally, the ECA will support all current and prospective film school students that participate in the program and will write endorsement letters for all appropriate video submissions.

For some examples, check out theeca.com/videos. For rules, check out www.theeca.com/video_contest_rules_and_regulations.

[Full Disclosure: GamePolitics is an ECA publication.]

The ECA has issued an "Action Alert" asking its members to help influence a Massachusetts net neutrality law sponsored by Massachusetts Representative Tom Sannicandro. The full alert from the ECA is below:

"The internet has allowed mass communication and collaboration on a scale never before seen in human history. People from vast distances are able to work together on projects and weigh in with thoughts concerning issues that matter to them. We ask you to add your thoughts regarding an issue that should matter to you – net neutrality.

Massachusetts Representative Tom Sannicandro has recognized this tool for what it is and will introduce a bill concerning Net Neutrality that involves people’s input using LexPop. You can get started and add your thoughts about Net Neutrality here.

The Entertainment Consumer Association announced today that students and U.S. military personnel may sign up to be a member of the consumer advocacy group for $1. To qualify, all you need is a valid .edu or .mil email address. With that $1 fee these members will receive affinity benefits, educational resources, and advocacy efforts that are provided to all ECA members.

You can sign up for the ECA here.

The full press release can be found below (disclaimer: GamePolitics is an ECA publication):

The Entertainment Consumers Association has issued a call to action related to net neutrality. Tomorrow Congress will drag the entire upper echelon of the FCC in to grill them about the new net neutrality rules and about its power to regulate both broadband and wireless service providers. The alert follows:

The Entertainment Consumer Association announced a major milestone today: it hit the 500,000 member mark.

I'd like to congratulate the ECA for hitting this important milestone and thank them for creating a group that supports the interest of gamers.

The full release can be found below.

Boy oh boy, do I have a treat for you today.

FoxNews has posted an article examining the violent and sexual content of the upcoming Bulletstorm and I’m happy to report that it’s the most entertainingly sensationalistic tripe I’ve read in quite a while.

Bulletstorm is an M-rated shooter due out later this month from Epic Games.  Aside from copious profanity and over-the-top violence, one of its notable features is its in-game awards system, Skill Shots.  Basically, you get funny-titled awards for dispatching your enemies in unique and gruesome ways.  Here’s how the ESRB describes it:

In an editorial entitled "Your mom will hate 'Dead Space 2,' but does anyone care?," writer Tim Dunn ponders why EA's marketing department has used a technique usually used for teens and children for a mature rated game. Further, he wonders why EA would even think about using such a campaign when the Supreme Court is hearing a case about keeping ultra violent video games out of the hands of you children.

While his comments might seems a little overblown, he points out some valid concerns as well. He mentions mature games such as Heavy Rain and Red Dead Redemption, which carry a mature rating because they are telling stories and tackling topics that are geared towards adults. The Dead Space 2 campaign plays on "juvenile notions of maturity gamers have worked hard to change." In other words, the marketing for the game takes that fight a step back.

Here is more from Dunn:

The Entertainment Consumer Association issued a call to action today asking members to tell congress that we do not need additional "warning labels" on video games.

Earlier this week Rep. Joe Baca (D CA-43), along with Rep. Frank Wolf introduced a bill that would put warning labels on video games similar to the kinds of warning labels found on cigarettes. Here's the entirety of the alert (which can be found on the ECA web site):

The Entertainment Consumers Association's ECA Institute (ECAi) officially launches a new work group called Gamers for Health. The goal of the group is to help ECA members and gamers at large incorporate gaming activities into healthy lifestyles by providing resources and tools that are effective in those areas.

Launching today, this destination for healthy gaming offers a place for gamers everywhere to join the various programs that help get you fit by gaming.

The Entertainment Consumers Association is lending its support to the Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer with a donation and support for its Holiday Card Program. The Tommy Fund Holiday Card Program urges the community to purchase Tommy Fund Note Cards hand-drawn by children treated at the Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. The cards costs $12 each and all the proceeds go back into supporting children fighting for their lives against various types of cancer. The ECA is urging its members to donate to the Tommy Fund either directly or by purchasing a card.

The Tommy Fund organization serves as a helping hand to the oncology section of the department of pediatrics at the Yale School of Medicine, the Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital and the Yale Cancer Center. The organization works alongside the dedicated medical professionals in the front lines of this important fight.

The Entertainment Consumer Association sent out an alert this afternoon to its members urging them to write the Federal Communications Commission to tell them that America wants the net neutrality promised by the president during his campaign.

The ECA objects to the plan proposed by the FCC because it gives too many concessions to interest groups and service providers, excludes wireless providers from any new rules, and gives providers a green light to start using tiered pricing models based on the amount of bandwidth / data used. The ECA has set up a "call to action" page here.

Below is the complete letter from Brett Schenker, Online Advocacy Manager for the ECA:

As readers of GamePolitics well know, November 2 was a momentous day for the videogame industry as the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Schwarzenegger vs EMA case.

That same day the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA) held a rally on the steps of the Supreme Court steps in which gamers from all walks of life stood up for their favored medium.

The staff at Game Politics would like to take this opportunity to wish our readers a safe and happy Thanksgiving. We are grateful for your continued support, encouragement, engagement – and yes – even your occasional criticism.

On a personal note, I want to say a special thank you to Andrew Eisen, who goes out of his way to help us on a daily basis, and to our Shoutbox users and commenters who help us with their tips and encouragement.

Happy Thanksgiving,

James, Pete, and the rest.

Here are five more photos from the real "Rally to Restore Sanity," taking place outside the Supreme Court – no offense to Jon Stewart intended. Thanks to everyone that took time out of their busy schedules to support free speech, video games, and gamers in America (thanks to our own Matthew Olschan for sending these in).

Hal Halpin and several members of the Entertainment Consumer Association are on location at the steps of the Supreme Court this morning to support the game industry side of Schwarzenegger vs. Entertainment Merchants Association. Many members of the ECA are there (gamers!) showing their support with signs, chanting, and other displays of positivity. Below you can check out a few photos (click on the thumbnails for a better look).