Better late than never. The decision sends a powerful signal to government at all levels that efforts to regulate consumers' access to the creative and expressive content found in video games will not be tolerated.

We obviously are gratified with the decision. We said from the outset that there is no basis in law or in fact for this suit. As much as we'd like to find easy answers, there are none.

It is not up to any industry or the government to set standards for what kids can see or do; that is the role of parents. Everyone involved with this misguided law has known from the start that it is an unconstitutional infringement on the First Amendment freedoms of those who create and sell video games.

This research suggests that proposals to regulate video games may backfire with American voters who, unlike some elected officials, appear to fully understand that they should control the entertainment that comes into their homes.

The entertainment software industry has no reason to run and hide. We do have responsibilities to consumers, and we've been proactive in meeting them.

Microsoft fired the first salvo, if you will, in 2005, and the rest of the parties will join the battlefield in 2006.