FTC and Rockstar Settle (Finally)

July 25, 2006 9:44 AM

Rockstar Games and the Federal Trade Commission have issued an announcement stating that the FTC has come to a unanimous decision to approve its Consent Order with Rockstar. Last month, the FTC drafted an agreement stating that in all of its products Rockstar must fully disclose any content that would fall under the jurisdiction of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, or pay civil fines of $11,000 per violation. In the case of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2, Xbox, PC), the game that spawned the Hot Coffee controversy, no fines or penalties have been issued on the part of the FTC. The FTC ruled 5-0 in favor of approving that agreement and put it up for a month of public comment, which has now passed and allowed it to become final.

All outstanding matters pending before the FTC have been settled and no penalties or fines have been assessed. Among other things, the Consent Order provides that the Company shall not misrepresent a video game's ratings or content descriptors and that the Company shall implement a system to ensure that all game content is reviewed in connection with submissions to ratings authorities.

"We recognize the importance of maintaining public confidence in the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating system and helping the ESRB educate parents and consumers about the rating system," said Take-Two president and CEO Paul Eibeler. "We look forward to putting this behind us and focusing on what we do best--creating video games."

Chris Remo

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SinistarX

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July 25, 2006 9:56 AM

Am I reading this correctly that all the GTA hating politicians had a month to bluster on about this settlement (I'm sure they would see it as inadequate) and said nothing at all?

That should take a little wind out of their grandstanding in the future. Assuming anybody calls them on it.
- gnoleb
  
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  July 25, 2006 10:05 AM
  
  They aren't in it to make a difference. The only reason politicians latched on to this instance was to win votes from parents. They don't actually care about anything other than that.