Questions and Answers
On what date was the case argued?
Who was the petitioner in the case?
Edmund Brown
Who was the respondent in the case?
Entertainment Merchants Association
The law in California imposed restrictions and labeling requirements on the sale of ________ ________ to minors.
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What was the procedural history of the case?
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The issue was whether restricting the sale of violent video games to minors violates the First Amendment.
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What was the holding of the court?
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Match the reasoning to the respective legal point:
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Who delivered the opinion of the court?
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Study Notes
Case Overview
- Argued on November 2nd, 2010, and decided on June 27th, 2011.
- Involves a challenge to a California law regulating the sale of violent video games to minors.
Key Parties
- Petitioner: Edmund Brown, representing the state of California.
- Respondent: Entertainment Merchants Association, representing the video game industry.
Facts of the Case
- California enacted a law that imposed restrictions and labeling on "violent video games" sold to minors.
- Video game companies filed a lawsuit, asserting the law infringed on First Amendment rights.
Procedural History
- The district court ruled in favor of video game companies, declaring the law unconstitutional.
- The US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld the district court's decision.
Legal Issue
- Central question: Does the restriction on selling violent video games to minors violate the First Amendment right to free speech?
Holding/Conclusion
- The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the video game companies with a 7-2 majority.
Reasoning
- The Court determined video games convey ideas and social messages, similar to protected forms of expression like books, plays, and movies.
- Violent video games were found not to meet the definition of 'obscenity.'
- The state did not demonstrate a "compelling interest" that justified the restrictions.
Court Opinion
- The opinion was delivered by Justice Antonin Scalia.
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Description
This quiz covers key details about the Brown vs Entertainment Merchants Association case, including important dates, the participants involved, and relevant facts of the case. Test your knowledge of this significant Supreme Court decision regarding free speech and video game sales.
