German Government considers jail time for gamers...

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2006-12-15 03:24pm

I'm just trying to figure out how jack thompson's wet dream got nominated as a potential law?

BabelHuber · Post by **BabelHuber** » 2006-12-16 05:21am

The current coalition has a point in the colation contract specifically saying that meassures should be taken to do something against "killer video games".

True. But it hasn't defined what a 'Killer Video Game' is. There are variable interpretations out there among our politicians.

And those two outspoken states together hold 12 votes in the Bundesrat (of 69). Given the composition of the current Bundesrat, with many states in conservative hands, it is not that unlikely they will find enough votes to get the ball rolling, so to speak.

I think it is:

1.) They already got their publicity
2.) Let's see how long this discussion goes on at all. Perhaps the bird flu returns, then nobody will talk about video games for a while

3.) EU: If I can legally order a video game in the UK, can it be illegal in Germany? I am no expert in this area, but I've read that this is a tough topic for jurists.

While the constitution has a bit written about freedom of expression, it is not an absolute freedom.

Not quite right: Article 2 of the German constitution states:

(1) Every person shall have the right to free development of his personality insofar as he does not violate the rights of others or offend against the constitutional order or the moral law.

+http://www.bundesregierung.de/nn_22672/ ... c-law.html

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2006-12-16 07:15am

BabelHuber wrote:
The current coalition has a point in the colation contract specifically saying that meassures should be taken to do something against "killer video games".
True. But it hasn't defined what a 'Killer Video Game' is. There are variable interpretations out there among our politicians.

And that won't stop that. It just means that whoever shouts the loudest gets the kill. And that's Beckstein at the moment.

And those two outspoken states together hold 12 votes in the Bundesrat (of 69). Given the composition of the current Bundesrat, with many states in conservative hands, it is not that unlikely they will find enough votes to get the ball rolling, so to speak.
I think it is:

1.) They already got their publicity
2.) Let's see how long this discussion goes on at all. Perhaps the bird flu returns, then nobody will talk about video games for a while
3.) EU: If I can legally order a video game in the UK, can it be illegal in Germany? I am no expert in this area, but I've read that this is a tough topic for jurists.

They want more than publicity. They want that law.
This time. But a new school massacre is inevitable. Sooner or later, it will be done again. And then we'll how far they'll go that time.
There a lot of things that are legal elsewhere but illegal here in Germany. I don't see video games being any different.

While the constitution has a bit written about freedom of expression, it is not an absolute freedom.
Not quite right: Article 2 of the German constitution states:

(1) Every person shall have the right to free development of his personality insofar as he does not violate the rights of others or offend against the constitutional order or the moral law.

+http://www.bundesregierung.de/nn_22672/ ... c-law.html

Yes, I know. But if you'd read my statement, you'd also seen that I said that it is not an absolute freedom. The part of article two, "insofar as he does not violate the rights of others or offend against the constitutional order or the moral law" makes that pretty clear. Take a look at StGB §131 for example. You cannot do or publish anything you want, that much isn't covered by the constitution.

BabelHuber · Post by **BabelHuber** » 2006-12-16 10:19am

here a lot of things that are legal elsewhere but illegal here in Germany. I don't see video games being any different.

As I said, I am no expert in this area. But I've read that's not so easy to have a video game in one EU member state legal and in the other illegal.

Yes, I know. But if you'd read my statement, you'd also seen that I said that it is not an absolute freedom.

Of course it's not absolute freedom. But it's hard to argue that I violate the rights of others or act immorally when I play an Ego Shooter.

I think I'm just more optimistic than you are - we will see how it turns out in the end. But I do hope I am right...

Big Orange · Post by **Big Orange** » 2006-12-18 07:16am

This propossed law against video games sounds exceptionally sweeping, ignorant and annoying. But as Babel says, the chance of this stupid law getting accepted by the otherwise level headed federal government is nil.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2006-12-18 05:30pm

so your in for life what did you do.

I playied world of Warcraft and killed and ate 200 daifias goons in one day.

Edward Yee · Post by **Edward Yee** » 2006-12-20 12:12pm

Tangentially related so as not to necro the N&P thread, but the German guy who blamed a game in his killing a homeless guy just had that defense rejected by the court. (Declared that the game played no role, and that the claim could not be used to justify the crime.)