The Entertainment Software Association this week hailed a ruling permanently halting implementation of a Minnesota law designed to fine minors for buying video games rated "M" for mature or "AO" for adults only, making this the seventh court since 2001 to rule such laws unconstitutional. The opinion was issued by James Rosenbaum, Chief District Judge, Court of Minnesota.

In his decision, Judge Rosenbaum stated that "there is no showing whatsoever that video games, in the absence of other violent media, cause even the slightest injury to children." The Court then raised questions about the Legislature's motives in passing such an obviously unconstitutional law, stating "several other states have tried to regulate minors' access to video games. Every effort has been stricken for violating the First Amendment....The Court will not speculate as the motives of those who launched Minnesota's nearly doomed effort to "protect" our children. Who, after all, opposes protecting children? But, the legislators drafting this law cannot have been blind to its constitutional flaws."

The ESA continued to urge lawmakers in Minnesota and around the country to work with the industry to better educate parents on the rating system already put in place by the ESRB.