Readers that have been with us awhile, will have noticed a new ad off to the right, highlighting your chance to join the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA).

You'll also notice in our Disclosure Policy that we list them as a member organization. The Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit membership organization established to serve the needs of those who play computer and video games.

Formed in 2006, the ECA is an advocacy organization for consumers of interactive entertainment. Gamers represent nearly fifty percent of the US population and spend $10 billion annually on gaming, yet as a group are continually overlooked by both politicians and the mainstream press. The mission of the ECA is to give game consumers a voice and to ensure that elected officials hear their concerns and appreciate the growing influence of the gamer demographic.

The organization, which is headquartered in Connecticut, focuses its advocacy efforts on consumer rights, anti-games legislation, and a host of other public policy concerns as well as providing substantial community, educational, and affinity benefits to its members—from discounts on subscriptions and game rentals and purchases to education, employment assistance, and insider access to industry news and events.

With our past articles on how legislation at home and abroad is influencing the games that you are able to play, how your privacy is tossed to the side by the DMCA, and how DRM can negatively effect the legitimate end-user, we're proud to promote the ECA and applaud it's efforts on the gamers behalf.

Check them out, show your support, and garner the benefits of being a member!