Video game publishers escalate fight for their rights

By Eriq Gardner

The Electronic Software Association looks to be getting a little more aggressive in sticking up for its rights.

The trade association for game publishers has filed a lawsuit in Illinois District Court against the Chicago Transit Authority for refusing to run advertisements on video games rated "Mature 17+" or "Adults Only 18+." ESA claims that CTA's prohibition on certain computer and video game advertisements is a violation of free speech guarantees under the First Amendment.

The Chicago Transit Authority banned advertisements relating to adult-oriented games in January. Video game blog Kotaku points out that CTA's ordinance doesn't prohibit advertisements on R-rated movies, mature TV shows or music.

The lawsuit comes a day after ESA announced a new head of government relations. The trade association has hired Erik Huey, a former partner at Kilpatrick Stockton as its new senior vp. Huey (pictured) has contributed to policy debates involving domestic film production, digital theft of copyright content, and preserving artists' First Amendment rights.