Oklahoma Video Game Law Permanently Enjoined

Like similar laws enacted by other states, Oklahoma's law seeking to ban the dissemination to minors of compter or video games containing any depiction of "inappropriate violence", has been found to be unconstitutional by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. The impugned law was to have gone into effect on November 1, 2006 but a preliminary injunction against it was originally issued in October, 2006.

In ordering a permanent injunction against the proposed law, The Honourable Robin J. Cauthron reasoned that video games are a form of creative expression entitled to protection under the First Amendment and noted the absence of legislative findings, scientific studies, or other rationale to support passage of the law. His Honour further noted that the proposed law was underinclusive - targeting the video game industry but not addressing the depiction of inappropriate violence in movies or books, for example.

Coverage at Gamedaily.