The highest court in the land has weighed in on video game-related law and it’s a huge win for the game industry.

The United States Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that a proposed California law making it a crime to sell violent games to minors is unconstitutional. Justice Anton Scalia said the law is in direct conflict with the First Amendment, citing some of the same laws that protect books and movies. Although games are a new media, Scalia wrote, the rules governing free expression do not change.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has been deeply involved in his activism against violent video games. He gave his assent to California’s video game law (or anti-game law as many believe), which found legal force in 2005, only to be overturned by a federal court as unconstitutional. This, however, didn’t dampen Schwarzenegger’s spirits and he sought an appeal. more »

The Entertainment Software Association has won a lawsuit against the state of Califronia’s Videogame Legislation and now seeks reimbursement for attorney fees and other expenses incurred during the court battle.

ESA filed a motion asking for $324,840 that would bring the organizations recouped fees and expenses close to $1.9 million. ESA’s President, Michael D. Gallagher, said the court battle could have been avoided if California state government considered ESA’s suggestion to work with policyholders on meeting the needs of concerned parents and raising awareness about videogame ratings as well as…

Across the Atlantic, Manhunt 2 bore the brunt of the fierce campaign against excessively violent games. In the US, however, the Manhunt 2 episode doesn’t seem to have set any precedents, at least that’s how it appears for federal judge Ronald Whyte. In his recent ruling ruling, Whyte decided a California state law baring minors from playing violent games was unconstitutional. In anticipation to California Governor – and former movie star – Arnold Schwarzenegger’s expected appeal against the judgement, the Entertainment Software Association’s Video Game Voters Network (VGVN) is gathering support.

VGVN has uploaded the lengthy ruling on its website and is urging gamers to write to the Governor through the website in protest of the appeal. VGVN has also launched a diatribe against Gov. Schwarzenegger, labeling his movies as “violent.” The group’s main contention is…