The Entertainment Software Association, the video game trade association that lobbies on behalf of the industry and presents such events as E3, says that it stands behind the controversial "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA), despite multiple companies pulling support from the legislation.

Last week, it appeared that numerous developers and publishers had withdrawn support for the proposed legislation; however, a laundry list of major game companies now appear to be supporting SOPA by proxy, due to their connection with the ESA.

In a statement to Joystiq, the ESA said:

As an industry of innovators and creators, we understand the importance of both technological innovation and content protection, and do not believe the two are mutually exclusive. Rogue websites – those singularly devoted to profiting from their blatant illegal piracy – restrict demand for legitimate video game products and services, thereby costing jobs. Our industry needs effective remedies to address this specific problem, and we support the House and Senate proposals to achieve this objective. We are mindful of concerns raised about a negative impact on innovation. We look forward to working with the House and Senate, and all interested parties, to find the right balance and define useful remedies to combat willful wrongdoers that do not impede lawful product and business model innovation.

The ESA is comprised of almost every major video game company, save for Activision who left the association in 2008.

Shacknews has reached out to a number of the companies listed as member's of the ESA to clarify their position on the bill and will update this story when additional information is made available.