Electronic Arts, Zynga, and Microsoft have signed on to a brief urging the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals to find the law, which outlaws gay marriage, unconstitutional.

The 9^th Circuit is currently hearing an appeal to an earlier decision (Golinski vs. the U.S. Office of Personal Management), which found portions of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional. In the original case, Karen Golinski won a settlement awarding her employee federal health benefits to her wife. The case is being appealed by a Republican-led group called BLAG (Bi-Partisan Legal Advisory Group).

The game companies involved have signed an amicus brief (a non-binding statement that is admissible based on the court's discretion) that supports the original ruling. Electronic Arts released a statement regarding the decision on its website:

Electronic Arts has joined with dozens of leading US employers in signing an amicus brief that opposes the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and urges the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to find portions of the Act unconstitutional.

DOMA presents a number of problems for businesses like EA, as it creates regulatory, tax, and discrimination complications for employers, and that’s why we’re standing against it. The underlying lawsuit impacts all employers no matter how big or small, and no matter the industry, and we encourage other business to join these efforts.

Other major technology and entertainment companies that have signed on to the brief include Google, eBay, Viacom, and CBS.

Source: Electronic Arts