Michigan violent game law struck down

DETROIT, April 4 (UPI) -- A Michigan law banning the sale of ultra-violent video games has been struck down as unconstitutional before it was implemented.

U.S. District Judge George Caram Steeh in Detroit ruled "video games are a form of creative expression that are constitutionally protected" under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, the Detroit News reported Tuesday.

Steeh added that the state "lacked substantial evidence to show violent video games cause minors to have aggressive feelings or engage in aggressive behavior."

The case stems from a 2005 state law, Public Act 108, which regulates the distribution of both sexually explicit video games and ultra-violent video explicit games to those under the age of 17. It was supposed to take effect Dec. 1, 2005, but was challenged by the Entertainment Software Association, Video Software Dealers Association and the Michigan Retailers Association.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Jennifer Granholm said the governor was disappointed by the ruling, and her office will review the ruling before deciding whether to appeal.