Dear IGDA member, ** Action required before April 27th ** Thanks in large part to a strong response from IGDA members and our industry partners, I am pleased to report that AB 1792 and 1793 failed to pass the CA Assembly Arts and Entertainment Committee. http://tinyurl.com/2vlgj AB 1792 failed on a 5-4 vote and AB 1793 failed on a 3-4 vote. Each bill needed 7 votes to pass. However, both bills were granted reconsideration, which means they will be considered again on April 27th. If the bills are not amended, the bills will be heard for vote only with no testimony. If they are amended, the committee may take additional testimony. What this means is that we are not yet out of the woods on these issues. We must continue to let our Assemblymembers know how these bills will hurt our industry. As a reminder, AB 1792 prohibits the sale or rental of video games to minors that contain violent content that is vaguely defined and clearly subjective which would include a wide array of "E", "T" as well as "M" rated titles. AB 1793 mandates unwieldy segregation rules for retailers to display games based on ratings issued by the ESRB. AB 1792 would impose large penalties on our retail partners even though full compliance with its requirements are virtually impossible to fulfill due to lack of clarity in the definition of "violent" content. AB 1793 would create unfair burdens for retailers by requiring them to refixture their stores, and treat video games differently under the law than motion pictures, magazines and music. Full details on AB 1792 and AB 1793 can be found at the California State Legislature: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_1792&sess=CUR&house=B&author=yee http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_1793&sess=CUR&house=B&author=yee Some retailers feel they would not have any other choice but to stop carrying all video games rated M or AO, or containing content that could be considered "violent" rather than risk non-compliance with government regulations. The IGDA firmly believes that games are a medium of expression that should receive the same level of respect, and protection, as other forms of art and entertainment. These bills are one more step on the slippery slope of government regulation, oversight and control over our creative endeavors. Here is how you can help stop this legislation. The Arts and Entertainment Committee will be reconsidering these bills on Tuesday, April 27th. If you reside in the district of one of these Committees' members, it is imperative that you email or fax him/her (again) as soon as possible to urge a vote against this legislation. An updated draft letter that you can modify and send is available at the IGDA site: http://www.igda.org/censorship/CA_letter.php As well as a list of the members of both Committees: http://www.igda.org/censorship/CA_reps.php If you do not know who your reps are, you can cross check online first: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html Please grab the letter, tweak it as you see fit and send it off to the appropriate Committee member (ie, the one from the district you are in). Please copy me on your email or letter. Also, please forward this your co-workers so they can take action as well! These bills are unnecessary and unworkable and would unfairly single out video games. Lawmakers should refrain from damaging an industry that is so critical to the Californian economy and discourage our positive voluntary efforts to address the issues that policymakers have been demanding. Thanks for your consideration of this request. If you have any questions, please let me know. Some additional background info links: Official statement from Leland Yee http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a12/press/p122004027.htm Reference: Anti-Censorship Key Points http://www.igda.org/censorship/points.php Letter: IGDA opposition letter to Leland Yee http://www.igda.org/censorship/IGDA_letter-to-Yee_200402.pdf Article: Regulation Is Everyone's Business http://www.igda.org/articles/dellarocca_regulation.php Interview: Leland Y. Yee Interview at HomeLan http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=19058 Thanks! Regards, Jason ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jason Della Rocca Program Director International Game Developers Association http://www.igda.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda