CORRECTION: New York state passes video game labeling law
(Corrects NYCLU position to it considering a legal challenge to the law instead of planning a legal challenge)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Video games sold in New York state must clearly label ratings for violent content under a law signed on Tuesday, which rights groups criticized as likely unconstitutional.
The New York Civil Liberties Union said the bill, signed into law on Tuesday by New York Gov. David Paterson, raises free speech concerns.
"We are reviewing the legislation, but we have not made a determination as to whether we will sue on the bill," said Robert Perry, the NYCLU's legislative director.
The group said that similar laws in California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Washington state have been thrown out as unconstitutional.
The U.S. video gaming industry submits to ratings on a voluntary basis, and the system is similar to movie ratings.
The new law says that is it compulsory for games that are already rated to be labeled and also requires that new video game consoles are installed with parent-controlled lockout features by 2010.
"This legislation will provide information and educate consumers to help them make better choices for their children," said state Sen. Andrew Lanza, a bill sponsor.
Perry said the new law was a "back-door" way of regulating video game content.
The law also establishes an advisory council to study "the connection between interactive media and real-life violence in minors exposed to such media" and to evaluate the ratings issued by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board.
(Reporting by Edith Honan, editing by Christine Kearney and Eric Beech)
