New York state passes video game labeling law

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 US 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. The New York Civil Liberties Union said that it planned to mount a legal challenge against the law. The group said that similar laws in California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Washington state have been thrown out as unconstitutional.