A trade group that represents software and video game publishers sued the Chicago Transit Authority on Wednesday, saying a rule barring ads on trains and buses for “mature” and “adults only” games violates the right to freedom of speech.
“The CTA’s ordinance constitutes a clear violation of the constitutional rights of the entertainment software industry,” said Michael D. Gallagher, chief executive officer of the Washington-based Entertainment Software Association.
The association maintains that computer and video games are entitled to the same free speech protection under the First Amendment as other forms of entertainment such as movies.
Kenneth L. Doroshow, general counsel of the association, pointed out that the movie “Resident Evil,” which is based on a video game, could be advertised on CTA buses and trains but the game itself could not under the rule, which was approved in November 2008.
CTA spokeswoman Wanda Taylor said the authority believes “that our ordinance is defensible.”
“CTA does not allow ads for alcohol or tobacco products and this ordinance is consistent with that longstanding policy,” she said.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, alleges that the CTA’s rule unconstitutionally “restricts speech in a public forum that is otherwise open to all speakers without a compelling interest for doing so.” It asks the court to declare the rule void, to bar the CTA from enforcing it and to award the association court costs and legal fees.
Doroshow said association officials discussed the matter with CTA officials for some time and that the transit authority’s objection was that some games labeled “”mature” and “adults only” could inspire violence among those who play the games.
The association says the ads themselves are subject to the Entertainment Software Rating Board’s Advertising Review Council, which “strictly regulates computer and video game advertisements that are seen by the general public.”
Disney Pledges $15 million In L.A. Fire Aid As More Celebs Learn They’ve Lost Their Homes
The Pacific Palisades wildfires torched the home of "This Is Us" star Milo Ventimiglia, perhaps most poignantly destroying the father-to-be's newly installed crib.
CBS cameras caught the actor walking through his charred house for the first time, standing in what was once his kitchen and looking at a neighborhood in ruin. "Your heart just breaks."
He and his pregnant wife, Jarah Mariano, evacuated Tuesday with their dog and they watched on security cameras as the flames ripped through the house, destroying everything, including a new crib.
"There's a kind of shock moment where you're going, 'Oh, this is real. This is happening.' What good is it to continue watching?' And then at a certain point we just turned it off, like 'What good is it to continue watching?'"
Firefighters sought to make gains Friday during a respite in the heavy winds that fanned the flames as numerous groups pledged aid to help victims and rebuild, including a $15 million donation pledge from the Walt Disney Co.
More stars learn their homes are gone
While seeing the remains of his home, Ventimiglia was struck by a connection to his "This Is Us" character, Jack Pearson, who died after inhaling smoke in a house fire. "It's not lost on me life imitating art."
Mandy Moore, who played Ventimiglia's wife on "This Is Us," nearly lost her home in the Eaton fire, which scorched large areas of the Altadena neighborhood. She said Thursday that part of her house is standing but is unlivable, and her husband lost his music studio and all his instruments.
Mel Gibson's home is "completely gone," his publicist Alan Nierob confirmed Friday. The Oscar winner revealed the loss of his home earlier Friday while appearing on Joe Rogan's... Read More