CyberLaw Blog

Archive for the ‘Violent games’ Category

Government unbans dirty vids but bans ‘legal highs’: “

Thatcher’s legacy – dirty DVDs for all

Legislation introduced by Margaret Thatcher in 1984, which banned the sale of unclassified videos and computer games, is not actually enforceable because the government of the day never told the European Commission.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

Great Australian Firewall to censor online games: “

Must suit the 15-year-old mind

The Great Australian Firewall will try blocking websites that host or sell video games not suitable for children under the age of 15.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

EU – Protection of consumers, in particular minors, in respect of the use of video games: “(EP)
Adoption in plenary of a resolution based on an own-initiative report drafted by Toine MANDERS (ALDE, NL) welcoming the Commission Communication on the protection of consumers, in particular minors, in respect of the use of video games. The report calls on the Commission and Member States, in cooperation with the industry, to explore the merit of developing a ‘red button’ which can be included on (mobile) consoles or game devices and computers and which disables a certain game or which can control access to a game during certain hours or certain parts of the game. It also calls for additional efforts in this respect, including the possibility of integrating an acoustic warning into the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) age rating system, and counts on the professional game sector systematically to integrate access models for online games in order to ensure that minors are not exposed to harmful content online.

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(Via QuickLinks Update.)

California ban on violent video games killed on appeal: “

Violent material protected. Porn? Not so much

A California federal appeals court on Friday ruled that a state law criminalizing the sale of violent video games to children is a violation of the right to free speech.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

UK – Plan to protect children online unveiled: “(Guardian)
The government has unveiled an action plan to make the internet safer for children with a £9m ad campaign promoting ‘e-safety’ and setting up a council on child internet safety. The action plan, unveiled today by the department for children, schools and families, aims to deliver on Dr Tanya Byron’s recommendations in her report ’safer children in a digital world’. See Byron Review Action Plan.”

(Via QuickLinks Update.)

Traders caught selling violent games to children, online and off: “Thirty-eight online traders and three high street shops have been caught selling 18-rated video games to children in a series of undercover investigations. Such sales are illegal and businesses can be punished by prison sentences and fines.”

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

UK – Youths ‘buy violent games online’: “(BBC)
Children are able to illegally buy violent video games through online auction websites, the UK’s Trading Standards Institute has said. Almost 90% of retailers tested by the association sold under-18s games, such as Manhunt 2, through such outlets. Traders supplying games to an under-age person in breach of official classifications can face a fine or up to six months in jail.”

(Via QuickLinks Update.)