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Jack Thompson Threatens Legal Action Over Halo 3

Yes, friends, good old Jack has poked his nose where it doesn't belong yet again. He claims he wants to ensure Halo 3 stays out of the hands of people of the age of 17, and if Microsoft doesn't comply, he'll sue. Here's the letter he sent to Gates.

Dear Mr. Gates:



As you know, the Federal Trade Commission has repeatedly found that games rated “Mature” by the video game industry-captured Entertainment Software Rating Board are routinely sold to kids under the age of 17 despite the age rating. The most recent failure rate of the ratings on “Mature” games, according to the FTC, is 42%. The entire rating system is a fraud, and “broken,” the latter description aptly provided by Senator Hillary Clinton.



As you also know, Lee Boyd Malvo trained on Microsoft’s Halo to further enable him to become the remarkably efficient “DC Beltway Sniper.” That was reported by NBC News at the time and was noted in Malvo’s criminal trial.



You appeared on CBS’ 60 Minutes II and rather revealing and usefully noted that “the cool thing about these games is that they transport you to a world you think is real.” Precisely. Capcom has recently disclosed to investors that your video game industry’s violent games, sold to children, pose a real hazard to the health of the industry. Right on.



The hyperviolent Microsoft Xbox 360 game Halo 3 is scheduled by your company for commercial release in September of this year. The Beta version that was released last week shows us all just how violent the game is and how inappropriate it is for play by anyone under 17, as the “Mature” rating it will surely receive indicates.



Here’s the deal, Mr. Gates: Either Microsoft undertakes dramatic, real steps, through its marketing, wholesale, and retail operations to assure that Halo 3 is not sold, via the Internet and in stores, directly to anyone under 17, or I shall proceed to make sure that Microsoft is held to that standard by appropriate legal means. I have done that before successfully as to Best Buy, and I shall do so again as to Microsoft and all retailers of Halo 3.


It sounds like a load of shit. He can try to sue the pants off Microsoft all he wants, but he's just not going to win.
When will he give up?

Here's a link to the GameAlmighty article.

Discuss.

Replies

  • Jesse Moody
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    Jesse Moody polycounter lvl 17
    Wow this guy really should be disbarred. All he does is harass the game industry. Seriously Halo 3 now? Come on. If retarded kids don't understand that there is no such thing as the Arbiter, Grunts and other various creatures from Halo then they should be put down with Thompson himself.

    And while we are at it put down that nasty ass Hilary Clinton. God damn she is dog ugly.
  • Mongrelman
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    Mongrelman polycounter lvl 18
    IQ.....dropping....will to live......fading.....

    I hope Gates replies, here's a template he can use:

    "Dear Fuckwit,

    Let's start with ignoring the vast quanity of shite and lies you make up and get to the meat of this issue.
    Vendors are responsible for who games are sold to. You don't sue Smirnoff if minors go into a bar, get served and get drunk.

    Grow a pair of braincells, rub them together to create a spark of intelligence, and lock yourself in a vault, where no one need ever be subjected to your stupidity again.

    Sincerely,

    The Human Race"
  • Joao Sapiro
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    Joao Sapiro sublime tool
    "Dear Fuckwit,

    Let's start with ignoring the vast quanity of shite and lies you make up and get to the meat of this issue.
    Vendors are responsible for who games are sold to. You don't sue Smirnoff if minors go into a bar and get drunk.

    Grow a pair of braincells, rub them together to create a spark of intelligence, and lock yourself in a vault, where no one need ever be subjected to your stupidity again.

    Sincerely,

    The Human Race"



    L M F A O !
  • Rens
    OMFG ARBITERS AND GRUNTS ARE REAL! mad.gif
  • Jesse Moody
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    Jesse Moody polycounter lvl 17
    [ QUOTE ]

    "Dear Fuckwit,

    Let's start with ignoring the vast quanity of shite and lies you make up and get to the meat of this issue.
    Vendors are responsible for who games are sold to. You don't sue Smirnoff if minors go into a bar, get served and get drunk.

    Grow a pair of braincells, rub them together to create a spark of intelligence, and lock yourself in a vault, where no one need ever be subjected to your stupidity again.

    Sincerely,

    The Human Race"

    [/ QUOTE ]

    NOW THAT WOULD ROCK! haha Yeah seriously. I just don't get how these guys can attack video games when it is up to Target to stop the sale to an underage kid. Rockstar and Bungie are not gonna be selling the games out of vans to underage kids like crack from an ice cream truck.

    This guy really needs to have a massive heart attack or something. Something really painful or disturbing would be nice.
  • ElysiumGX
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    ElysiumGX polycounter lvl 18
    That would be the best response ever! I want that sent to him and documented all over the net. The Smirnoff example. I can't imagine how he could reply to that.
  • flaagan
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    flaagan polycounter lvl 18
    [ QUOTE ]
    That would be the best response ever! I want that sent to him and documented all over the net. The Smirnoff example. I can't imagine how he could reply to that.

    [/ QUOTE ]

    He'd send a nastygram to all the alcohol producers of the world.
  • Tulkamir
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    Tulkamir polycounter lvl 18
    [ QUOTE ]
    That would be the best response ever! I want that sent to him and documented all over the net. The Smirnoff example. I can't imagine how he could reply to that.

    [/ QUOTE ]

    I don't think he'd care, he's a man of action and priorities. I mean come on, video games are WAY more dangerous than alocohol.
  • Keg
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    Keg polycounter lvl 18
    Can't we just stop paying attention to him already? or at least do a mass mailing to all states and get him hit with the ban hammer from the justice system.
  • jgarland
    So here I am, sitting in a lawn chair, posting from my PSP, as my keys are locked inside. What a way to start a friday, huh? It almost pisses me off as much as this asshat does.

    The thing that really boggles my mind is the fact that people believe that murderers and rapists "train" on first person shooters and the like. Sorry to burst your bubble, but attempting half the shit you see in Counter-Strike or Halo is only going to make the cops' job of shooting your sorry ass easier.
  • Rick Stirling
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    Rick Stirling polycounter lvl 18
    Microsoft counter sue. JT drops it. JT then agrees to never speak about MS in the press again. MS drop their suit. Both claim victory. Only one really wins.
  • Mishra
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    Mishra polycounter lvl 18
    since take two sued him he's not allowed to even talk about them in the press anymore, so he's just going after the next best thing, he won't get anything done, he never does.
  • Mongrelman
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    Mongrelman polycounter lvl 18
    I'm going to spend the new few months spending several hours a day playing Microsoft Golf.

    I should be ready to win the Masters by next year.
  • Jesse Moody
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    Jesse Moody polycounter lvl 17
    [ QUOTE ]
    I'm going to spend the new few months spending several hours a day playing Microsoft Golf.

    I should be ready to win the Masters by next year.

    [/ QUOTE ]

    Yeah I've been playing madden everyday so I think I have a shot at a spot on the Patriots roster this year.
  • Joao Sapiro
  • moose
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    moose polycount sponsor
    ugh.

    when does his ranting become slander and or libel? because it isn't against a person, but directed at a type of media/group?
  • Steve Schulze
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    Steve Schulze polycounter lvl 18
    I get a nice mental image from the Episode of the Simpsons where Marge gets a job at the nuclear power plant.

    Thompson bursts into Gate's office
    Thompson:"Bill, we've got precedent, witnesses and a paper chase a mile long!"
    He slams is briefcase on the desk.
    Gates:"Oh really?" He presses a button on his desk. "Well I've got 100 high priced lawyers". The walls slide away to reveal many lawyers. Thompson screams and runs away, leaving his briefcase behind. It is opened to reveal nothing but shredded newspapers.
  • KeyserSoze
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    KeyserSoze polycounter lvl 18
    [ QUOTE ]
    I get a nice mental image from the Episode of the Simpsons where Marge gets a job at the nuclear power plant.

    Thompson bursts into Gate's office
    Thompson:"Bill, we've got precedent, witnesses and a paper chase a mile long!"
    He slams is briefcase on the desk.
    Gates:"Oh really?" He presses a button on his desk. "Well I've got 100 high priced lawyers". The walls slide away to reveal many lawyers. Thompson screams and runs away, leaving his briefcase behind. It is opened to reveal nothing but shredded newspapers.

    [/ QUOTE ]

    "...but your card says you work on a contingency basis, no money down."

    "Oh, they screwed this all up. It should read, 'work on a contingency basis<font color="red">?</font> No<font color="red">,</font> money down<font color="red">!</font>' This Bar Association logo shouldn't be here either."
  • kat
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    kat polycounter lvl 17
    What I've never understood about his arguments, which he restates above, is that he doesn't seem able to separate the *selling games to minors* issue from the *games rating system* one; each has it's own set of problems and requires a different approach to 'solve'.
  • Jesse Moody
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    Jesse Moody polycounter lvl 17
    Yeah Jack Thompson is just a pain in the ass. He doesn't distinguish what he is really arguing about. Is there a lot of violence in games? Sure in some there is tons. BUT!!! Isn't the same violence in cable tv, on the news, in movies, in books, etc? I think the images of a video game character blasting his way into a bank isn't nearly as bad as the footage they show of say for example the planes flying into the world trade center or what goes on in other countries when they are at war because that is "REAL" world stuff.

    Everyone here makes games or wants be part of the industry in one form or another and I don't think we are responsible for what little 15 year old Johny from East Kansas is buying with his birthday money at the local Wal-mart. Who is responsible though? His parents for one and the person not checking his id if he buys that game.
  • ebagg
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    ebagg polycounter lvl 17
    You just gotta laugh every time you see this jackass in the news, I can't imagine how someone who makes such bold threats as these and keeps getting his cases thrown out of courst manages to still warrant a mention in an artice. This guy's accusations are as baseless as the filth Rosie O'Donnell spews on the View, some people should have their right to vomit up this filth revoked.
  • The3DGuy
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    The3DGuy polycounter lvl 18
    I love how these days personal responsability goes out the door.
  • Emil Mujanovic
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    Emil Mujanovic polycounter lvl 18
    I like how if I'm ever having a shitty day I can always count on Polycount to cheer me up and make me laugh.
    HAHAHA, thanks guys.

    -caseyjones
  • adam
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    adam polycounter lvl 19
    Microsofts legal team is bigger than their entire Windows division, Thomspon will be destroyed.
  • hawken
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    hawken polycounter lvl 19
    although take a step back guys.

    should minors really be playing violent games?
  • CheapAlert
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    CheapAlert polycounter lvl 18
    No but that doesn't mean the publishers and developers should be the terrists to be blamed of all this.
  • jgarland
    [ QUOTE ]
    although take a step back guys.

    should minors really be playing violent games?

    [/ QUOTE ]I don't believe age really has much bearing over whether or not someone is mentally stable enough to play violent video games. Should six and seven year olds be playing Grand Theft Auto? Most certainly not, but the same can't always be said for fourteen or fifteen year olds.

    Being 16, I'm sure my views are a bit biased, but the environment in which someone grew up, whether or not their parents taught them the difference between reality and fiction, etc. can affect a person's maturity and level of understanding a lot more than age alone.
  • Mongrelman
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    Mongrelman polycounter lvl 18
    Even if it was proven fact that playing violent video games would definitely cause minors to go on killing sprees, it still doesn't really have a bearing on the issue. The games are rated, and it is not the responsibility of the developers/publishers who the games are sold to.

    Like how many guns are sold and used in violent crimes. It's not the reponsibility of the manufacturers who the guns are sold to.
  • Malekyth
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    Malekyth polycounter lvl 18
    [ QUOTE ]

    ... and rather revealing and usefully noted ...

    ... I have done that before successfully as to Best Buy ...


    [/ QUOTE ]

    I'm not actually acquainted with Thompson's style and am therefore speaking directly from my ass, but this does not seem like the level of polish I'd expect from a lawyerly letter. Lawyers proofread before rushing out and demanding to be taken seriously by major corporations. And I've never heard of GameAlmighty.com ... why are they being forwarded letters? I'm guessing it's some kinda hoax.
  • Uly
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    Uly polycounter lvl 17
    [ QUOTE ]
    although take a step back guys.

    should minors really be playing violent games?

    [/ QUOTE ]

    Depends on the parents and their moral standpoint, of course. Thankfully, morality isn't a one size fits all matter. It's fully legit to say they shouldn't be allowed if that's their prerogative. But, this is not the point.

    The point of the argument is that other forms of media, namely movies and music, should not get special treatment while violent games are treated as pornographic content. Their ('they' being the said promoters of this propsed law) reasoning is that video games are highly influential in contrast to other mediums, and drive your kids crazy, apparantly. Others argue that video games are hardly an art form, and that they contain no purpose or 'message', and are simply mental masturbation.

    Like probably everyone else here, my parents raised me and allowed me to play many violent and mature video games, as well as watch and read violent movies and books, comic books. I like to think I turned out OK. So again, it lies with the parents moral standpoint, and of course, whether or not the kid is fucked in the head already.

    Hell, look how Jesse turned out. Case-in-point psycho. crazy.gif
  • Jesse Moody
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    Jesse Moody polycounter lvl 17
    [ QUOTE ]
    Hell, look how Jesse turned out. Case-in-point psycho. crazy.gif

    [/ QUOTE ]

    HEY! What does that mean? Haha... I only tried to rip my cousins head off with his spine still attached ONCE after I got Mortal Kombat.
  • jgarland
    [ QUOTE ]
    I'm not actually acquainted with Thompson's style and am therefore speaking directly from my ass, but this does not seem like the level of polish I'd expect from a lawyerly letter. Lawyers proofread before rushing out and demanding to be taken seriously by major corporations. And I've never heard of GameAlmighty.com ... why are they being forwarded letters? I'm guessing it's some kinda hoax.

    [/ QUOTE ]

    It's not a hoax. If you've never heard of Jack Thompson until now, you're one lucky man.

    He's a poor excuse for a lawyer, and often stretches the truth, or downright lies to get his way. He ignores truthful statements, and insults those who try to express their opinions. In short, the man is a bloody asshole.

    Google some of his other cases. He's the one brought around the whole "Hot Coffee" debacle and got Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas slapped with the "AO" rating.
  • hawken
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    hawken polycounter lvl 19
    [ QUOTE ]
    while violent games are treated as pornographic content.

    [/ QUOTE ]

    I'd rather my kids be watching porn than gore.*

    * = I don't actually have any kids
  • Mongrelman
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    Mongrelman polycounter lvl 18
    [ QUOTE ]
    I'm not actually acquainted with Thompson's style and am therefore speaking directly from my ass..

    [/ QUOTE ]


    Err, you just contradicted yourself, it seems you are intimately familiar with his style smile.gif
  • Joao Sapiro
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    Joao Sapiro sublime tool
    blaming videogames when you are a bad parent is sign that you seek to take blame on everything but yourself.
    Communication with your child is actually something good.
  • LoTekK
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    LoTekK polycounter lvl 17
    I love how he uses Best Buy, a retailer, as a previous success story when threatening to sue a software developer and publisher.

    Seriously, half the time I read about this asshat, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
  • pliang
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    pliang polycounter lvl 17
    I'm not surprised...he just likes t osue everything and take it away. First time I heard of him was a year ago almost.
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