Game On: Entertainment Software Association Joins FOSI

WASHINGTON - The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) today announced the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade association exclusively dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies that publish computer and video games for video game consoles, personal computers and the Internet, joined as a member.

ESA's member base includes companies such as Electronic Arts, Nintendo of America, Inc., Disney Interactive Studios, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment America and MTV Games, among others. As an organization whose member companies offer products so frequently used by children and families, FOSI, FOSI membership, and parents across America will benefit by the ESA's voice and success in the connected space.

"We are very excited to have ESA contribute its leadership and experience as we strive to develop effective tools, rules and educational programs to help make the Internet safer," said Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI. "Video games have become a major onramp for many children and adults to enter the online world and we're honored to have the computer and video game industry as a resource with its remarkable leadership and positive accomplishments."

"We look forward to contributing to FOSI's mission and helping ensure that computer and video games remain enjoyable and safe for the millions of children and families who enjoy our industry's remarkable games," said Michael Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA. "Joining FOSI will allow our industry to share our best practices and contribute to the broader conversation on pro-family Internet policies."

About FOSI

The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) works to make the online world safer for kids and their families by identifying and promoting best practices, tools and methods that also respect free speech. FOSI's members include: AOL, AT&T, Blue Coat Systems, BT Retail, Comcast, Entertainment Software Association, Facebook, France Telecom, Google, GSM Association, Kingston Communications, Loopt, Microsoft, MySpace, NCTA, Ning, Nominum, Optenet, RuleSpace, Sprint, StreamShield, Symantec, Time Warner Cable, Telefónica, TELMEX, The Wireless Foundation, Verizon, Yahoo!. FOSI hosts an annual international conference to bring together Internet safety advocates from a variety of sectors, including global corporations, government, non-profits, academia and the media, to discuss the current pulse of online safety and emerging solutions that will enhance it. For more information, please visit www.fosi.org.

About ESA

The ESA is the U.S. association exclusively dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies that publish computer and video games for video game consoles, personal computers, and the Internet. The ESA offers a range of services to interactive entertainment software publishers including a global anti-piracy program, business and consumer research, government relations and intellectual property protection efforts.