For the sixth time in five years, federal courts have now blocked or struck down these state and local laws seeking to regulate the sale of games to minors based on their content.

It is therefore time to look past legislation and litigation in favor of cooperative efforts to accomplish the common goal of ensuring that parents use the tools available to control the games their kids play.

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.

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.