California Dreaming: State Forced To Pay ESA

As the Golden State begins to look like the “Lead Balloon State,” California is showing the ESA the money.

The Entertainment Software Association was awarded more than $280,000 for attorney’s fees while battling the state over a videogame law that proved to be unconstitutional.

This comes at a time when California is already drowning in a sea of red ink, laying off more than 10,000 state employees and civil servants. A point that the ESA was quick to bring up in a statement made earlier today.

“California deserves more from its legislators than pursuing flawed legislation. State employees are facing pay cuts. California’s services are being scaled back. And, anxiety is rising in Sacramento to find funds,“ said Michael D. Gallagher, CEO of the ESA, the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers. “Rather than tackling real problems affecting Californians, they chose to waste time, money and state resources. It is shameful that legislators pursued personal agendas in spite of the facts.”

The ESA received a favorable ruling in 2007 when Judge Ronald Whyte granted the association’s motion for summary judgment, acknowledging that video games were protected under the 1st Amendment.

Source: The ESA