No comment was available from Midway Games at our Wed. deadline o...

by playmate. Mother claimed young killer had been addicted to playing Midway’s Mortal Kombat and company wasn’t entitled to First Amendment protection because its ad campaign for game violated unfair trade practice law by targeting children. Mother -- Andrea Wilson -- was seeking damages for loss of parental consortium and emotional distress, Connecticut Law Tribune reported. Report said “in 34 pages touching on Shakespeare, Marshall McLuhan, the Columbine massacre and a flawed guide to poison mushrooms, [U.S. Dist. Judge Janet] Arterton held the videogame is not a ‘product’ and is shielded by the First Amendment.” New Haven judge predicted that if Conn. Supreme Court were to rule, it would not allow parents consortium damages from death of child. Wilson was represented by Hartford lawyer Joseph Moniz, whose case was dismissed on all counts. Report said that in Midway’s motion to dismiss, it contended state products liability act “cannot be contorted to include ideas or expression” in definition of “product.” Wilson’s unfair trade practices claim was filed in court within 3 years, but papers were served on Midway later, barring recovery under applicable state rules, report said. Victory came none too soon for Midway, which is gearing up to release its first Mortal Kombat title -- Deadly Alliance -- for next-generation game consoles this fall.