With the oral arguments in the Schwarzenegger v. EMA case being presented to the U.S. Supreme Court today, the Entertainment Software Association (in support of EMA) has positively reflected on the outcome of the hearing. ESA president Michael Gallagher seemed rather happy with the day’s events, stating, "Today was a historic day, not only for the computer and video game industry, but for the First Amendment." He added, "I think that in court today, you heard every single argument the industry has made, articulated not just by Paul [Smith] … but by the justices themselves."
Paul Smith himself, who presented the EMA’s arguments to the Court, also seemed confident. He felt the argument of the California representative didn’t satisfy the "strict scrutiny" needed to bypass First Amendment protections given to video games, and added, "Though there’s obviously a great deal of complexity in the whole thing — and it’s very difficult to come away knowing with any sense of confidence where the court’s going to come down specifically — we do feel pretty good about having all of our arguments aired, and getting a lot of traction."
At this point it’s all in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court. They have until June 2011 to come to a decision.
[Joystiq]
