CONFIDENTIAL LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR THE WII CONSOLE

Exhibit 10.9

[***] DENOTES CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS OMITTED AND FILED

SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT

CONFIDENTIAL LICENSE AGREEMENT

FOR THE Wii CONSOLE

(Western Hemisphere)

THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into between NINTENDO OF AMERICA INC. (“NOA”) at 4820 150th Avenue N.E., Redmond, WA  98052 Attn: General Counsel (Fax: 425-882-3585) and ACTIVISION PUBLISHING, INC. (“LICENSEE”) at 3100 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 Attn:  Suzan Rude (Fax: 310-255-2100).  NOA and LICENSEE agree as follows:

1.                                      RECITALS

1.1           NOA markets and sells advanced design, high-quality video game systems, including the Wii video game console (“Wii”).

1.2           LICENSEE desires use of the highly proprietary programming specifications, unique and valuable security technology, trademarks, copyrights and other valuable intellectual property rights of NOA and its parent company, Nintendo Co., Ltd., which rights are only available for use under the terms of a license agreement, to develop, have manufactured, advertise, market and sell video game software for play on Wii.

1.3           NOA is willing to grant a license to LICENSEE on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

2.                                      DEFINITIONS

2.1           “Artwork” means the text and design specifications for the Game Disc label and the Printed Materials in the format specified by NOA in the Guidelines.

2.2           “Bulk Goods” means Game Discs that have been printed with the Game Disc label Artwork for delivery to LICENSEE without Printed Materials or other packaging.

2.3           “Check Disc(s)” means the pre-production Game Discs to be produced by Nintendo.

2.4           “Confidential Information” means the information described in Section 8.1.

2.5           “Development Tools” means the development kits, programming tools, emulators and other materials of Nintendo, or third parties authorized by Nintendo, that may be used in the development of Games under this Agreement.

2.6           “Effective Date” means October 12, 2006.

2.7           “Game Discs(s)” means custom optical discs for play on Wii on which a Game has been stored.

2.8           “Game(s)” means any interactive programs (including source and object/binary code) developed to be compatible with Wii.

2.9           “Guidelines” means the then current version of “Wii Programming Guidelines,” “Licensee Packaging Guidelines,” and “Nintendo Trademark Guidelines,” together with other guidelines provided by NOA to LICENSEE from time to time.

2.10         “Independent Contractor” means any individual or entity that is not an employee of LICENSEE, including any independent programmer, consultant, contractor, board member or advisor.

2.11         “Intellectual Property Rights” means individually, collectively or in any combination, Proprietary Rights owned, licensed or otherwise held by Nintendo that are associated with the development, manufacturing, advertising, marketing or sale of the Licensed Products, including, without limitation, (a) registered and unregistered trademarks and trademark applications used in connection with Wii including Nintendo®, Wii™, Official Nintendo Seal of Quality®, and Mii™ , (b) select trade dress associated with Wii and licensed video games for play thereon, (c) Proprietary Rights in the Security Technology employed in the Games or Game Discs by Nintendo, (d) rights in the Development Tools for use in developing the Games, excluding, however, rights to use, incorporate or duplicate select libraries, protocols and/or sound or graphic files associated with the Development Tools which belong to any third party and for which no additional licenses or consents are required, (e) patents, design registrations or copyrights which may be associated with the Game Discs or Printed Materials, (f) copyrights in the Guidelines, and (g) other Proprietary Rights of Nintendo in the Confidential Information.

2.12         “Licensed Products” means Bulk Goods after being assembled by or for LICENSEE with the Printed Materials in accordance with the Guidelines.

2.13         “Marketing Materials” means marketing, advertising or promotional materials developed by or for LICENSEE (or subject to LICENSEE’s approval) that promote the sale of the Licensed Products, including but not limited to, television, radio and on-line advertising, point-of-sale materials (e.g., posters, counter-cards), package advertising, print media and all audio or video content other than the Game that is to be included on the Game Disc.

2.14         “NDA” means the non-disclosure agreement related to Wii previously entered into between NOA and LICENSEE.

2.15         “Nintendo” means NOA’s parent company, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, individually or collectively with NOA.

2.16         “Notice” means any notice permitted or required under this Agreement.  All notices shall be sufficiently given when (a) personally served or delivered, or (b) transmitted by facsimile, with an original sent concurrently by first class U.S. mail, or (c) deposited, postage prepaid, with a guaranteed air courier service, in each case addressed as stated herein, or addressed to such other person or address either party may designate in a Notice.  Notice shall be deemed effective upon the earlier of actual receipt or two (2) business days after transmittal, provided, however, any Notice received after the recipient’s normal business hours will be deemed received on the next business day.

2.17         “Price Schedule” means the then current version of NOA’s schedule of purchase prices and minimum order quantities for the Bulk Goods.

2.18         “Printed Materials” means a plastic disc storage case, title page, instruction booklet, warranty card and poster incorporating the Artwork.

2.19         “Promotional Disc(s)” means custom optical discs compatible with Wii that incorporate select game promotional or supplemental materials, as may be specified or permitted in the Guidelines.

2.20         “Proprietary Rights” means any rights or applications for rights owned, licensed or otherwise held in patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, mask works, trade secrets, trade dress, moral rights and publicity rights, together with all inventions, discoveries, ideas, technology, know-how, data, information, processes, formulas, drawings and designs, licenses, computer programs, software source code and object code, and all amendments, modifications, and improvements thereto for which such patent, trademark, service mark, copyright mask work, trade secrets, trade dress, moral rights or publicity rights may exist or may be sought and obtained in the future.

2.21         “Rebate Program” means any then current version of NOA’s optional rebate program, establishing select terms for price rebates under this Agreement.

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2.22                           “Reverse Engineer(ing)” means, without limitation, (a) the x-ray, electronic scanning or physical or chemical stripping of semiconductor components, (b) the disassembly, decompilation, decryption or simulation of object code or executable code, or (c) any other technique designed to extract source code or facilitate the duplication of a program or product.

2.23                           “Security Technology” means the highly proprietary security features of the Wii and the Licensed Products to minimize the risk of unlawful copying and other unauthorized or unsafe usage, including, without limitation, any security signature, bios, data scrambling, password, hardware security apparatus, watermark, hologram, encryption, digital rights management system, copyright management information system, proprietary manufacturing process or any feature which obstructs piracy, limits unlawful, unsafe or unauthorized use, or facilitates or limits compatibility with other hardware, software, accessories or peripherals, or with respect to a video game system other than the Wii, or limits distribution outside of the Territory.

2.24                           “Term” means three (3) years from the Effective Date.

2.25                           “Territory” means all countries within the Western Hemisphere and their respective territories and possessions.

2.26                           Wii Network Services” means and includes the Wii Shop Channel Services, WiiConnect24, and any related services and material delivered to a consumer’s Wii console over the Internet.

3.                                      GRANT OF LICENSE; LICENSEE RESTRICTIONS

3.1                                 Limited License Grant.  For the Term and for the Territory, NOA grants to LICENSEE a nonexclusive, nontransferable, limited license to use the Intellectual Property Rights to develop (or have developed on LICENSEE’s behalf) Games for manufacture, advertising, marketing and sale by LICENSEE as Licensed Products, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.  Except as permitted under a separate written authorization from Nintendo, LICENSEE shall not use the Intellectual Property Rights for any other purpose.

3.2                                 LICENSEE Acknowledgement.  LICENSEE acknowledges (a) the valuable nature of the Intellectual Property Rights, (b) the right, title and interest of Nintendo in and to the Intellectual Property Rights, and (c) the right, title, and interest of Nintendo in and to the Proprietary Rights associated with all aspects of Wii.  LICENSEE recognizes that the Development Tools, Games, Game Discs and Licensed Products will embody valuable rights of Nintendo and Nintendo’s licensors.  LICENSEE represents and warrants that it will not undertake any act or thing which in any way impairs or is intended to impair any part of the right, title, interest or goodwill of Nintendo in the Intellectual Property Rights.  LICENSEE’s use of the Intellectual Property Rights shall not create any right, title or interest of LICENSEE therein.  Licensee is authorized and permitted to develop Games, and have manufactured, advertise, market, and sell Licensed Products, only for play on Wii and only in accordance with this Agreement.

3.3                                 LICENSEE Restrictions and Prohibitions.  LICENSEE is not licensed to and covenants that, without the express, written consent of NOA, it will not at any time, directly or indirectly, do or cause to be done any of the following:

(a)           grant access to, distribute, transmit or broadcast a Game by electronic means or by any other means known or hereafter devised, including, without limitation, by wireless, cable, fiber optic, telephone lines, microwave, radiowave, computer or other device network, except (a) as a part of wireless Game play on and among Wii systems, or between Wii and Nintendo DS systems (b) for the purpose of facilitating Game development under the terms of this Agreement, or (c) as otherwise approved in writing by Nintendo.  LICENSEE shall use reasonable security measures, customary within the high technology industry, to reduce the risk of unauthorized interception or retransmission of any Game transmission.  No right of retransmission shall attach to any authorized transmission of a Game;

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(b)           authorize or permit any online activities involving a Game, including, without limitation, multiplayer, peer-to-peer or online play, except as expressly permitted by Nintendo in writing;

(c)           modify, install or operate a Game on any server or computing device for the purpose of or resulting in the rental, lease, loan or other grant of remote access to the Game;

(d)           emulate, interoperate, interface or link a Game for operation or use with any hardware or software platform, accessory, computer language, computer environment, chip instruction set, consumer electronics device or device other than Wii, the Nintendo DS system, the Development Tools or such other Nintendo system as NOA may authorize in the Guidelines;

(e)           embed, incorporate, or store a Game in any media or format except the optical disc format utilized by Wii, except as may be necessary as a part of the Game development process under this Agreement;

(f)            design, implement or undertake any process, procedure, program or act designed to disable, obstruct, circumvent or otherwise diminish the effectiveness or operation of the Security Technology;

(g)           utilize the Intellectual Property Rights to design or develop any interactive video game program, except as authorized under this Agreement;

(h)           manufacture or reproduce a Game developed under this Agreement, except through Nintendo; or

(i)            Reverse Engineer or assist in Reverse Engineering all or any part of Wii, including the hardware, software (embedded or not) or the Security Technology.

3.4                                 No Free-Riding; No Co-Publishing Arrangements.  To protect Nintendo’s valuable Intellectual Property Rights, to prevent the dilution of Nintendo’s trademarks and to preclude free-riding by third parties on the goodwill associated with Nintendo’s trademarks, the license granted under this Agreement is limited to LICENSEE and may not be delegated or contracted out for the benefit of a third party, or to a division, affiliate, or subsidiary of LICENSEE.  This Agreement, together with all submissions, representations, undertakings and approvals contemplated of LICENSEE by this Agreement, is and shall remain the right and obligation only of LICENSEE.  All Printed Materials and Marketing Materials for a Game shall prominently and accurately identify LICENSEE as NOA’s licensee.  NOA does not permit the designation or identification of any third party co-publisher for a Game on any Game Disc or Game Disc label Artwork, however, LICENSEE may identify a third party as a co-publisher, licensor, developer or other partner of LICENSEE in those Printed Materials (other than the Game Disc label), Marketing Materials or Game credits, as authorized under the Guidelines.  For purposes of clarification, LICENSEE’s name, or logo, will appear on the Licensed Product Game Disc case and Game Disc label as it appears in the preamble of this Agreement.

3.5                                 Development Tools.  NOA and Nintendo Co., Ltd. may lease, loan or sell Development Tools to LICENSEE to assist in the development of Games under this Agreement.  Ownership and use of any Development Tools shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement and any separate license or purchase agreement required by Nintendo or any third party licensing the Development Tools. LICENSEE acknowledges the respective interests of Nintendo, and in the case of third-party Development Toots, such third parties, in and to the Proprietary Rights associated with the Development Tools.  LICENSEE’s use of the Development Tools shall not create any right, title or interest of LICENSEE therein.  LICENSEE shall not, directly or indirectly, (a) use the Development Tools for any purpose except the design and development of Games under this Agreement, (b) reproduce or create derivatives of the Development Tools, except in association with the development of Games under this Agreement, (c) Reverse Engineer the Development Tools, or (d) sell, lease, assign, lend, license, encumber or otherwise transfer the Development Tools.  Anything developed or derived by LICENSEE as a result of a study of the performance, design or operation of any Nintendo Development Tools shall be

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considered a derivative work of the Intellectual Property Rights and shall belong to Nintendo, but may be retained and utilized by LICENSEE in connection with this Agreement.  In no event shall LICENSEE (i) seek, claim or file for any patent, copyright or other Proprietary Right with regard to any such derivative work, (ii) make available any such derivative work to any third party, or (iii) use any such derivative work except in connection with the design and development of Games under this Agreement.  Anything developed or derived by LICENSEE as a result of a study of the performance, design or operation of any third-party Development Tools shall be governed by the terms of the license agreement applicable to such Development Tools.  Notwithstanding any referral or information provided or posted regarding third-party Development Tools, NOA and Nintendo Co., Ltd. make no representations or warranties with regard to any such third-party Development Tools.  LICENSEE acquires and utilizes third-party Development Tools at its own risk.

3.6           Third Party Developers.  LICENSEE shall not disclose the Confidential Information, the Guidelines or the Intellectual Property Rights to any Independent Contractor, nor permit any Independent Contractor to perform or assist in development work for a Game, unless and until such Independent Contractor has signed a confidentiality agreement with LICENSEE that is no less restrictive than the terms of Section 8 below, and that expressly includes the following language [***]:

“Independent Contractor may have access to highly-confidential and proprietary information, intellectual property, and trade secrets of Nintendo Co., Ltd. and/or Nintendo of America Inc. (collectively, “Nintendo”).  Independent Contractor expressly acknowledges (i) the valuable nature of such materials; and (ii) Nintendo’s right, title and interest in such materials.  All such materials constitute confidential information under this agreement and shall be treated by Independent Contractor as such.  Independent Contractor shall not undertake any act or thing which in any way impairs or is intended to impair any part of the right, title, interest or goodwill of Nintendo in such materials.  Independent Contractor’s use of such materials shall not create any right, title or interest of Independent Contractor therein.  Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Nintendo of America Inc. are intended third-party beneficiaries of this agreement.”

[***] DENOTES CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT

3.7           Games Developed for Linked Play on Two Systems.  In the event the Guidelines permit LICENSEE to develop a Game for simultaneous or linked play on Wii and on another Nintendo video game system, LICENSEE shall be required to acquire and maintain with NOA such additional licenses as are necessary for the use of the Proprietary Rights associated with such other Nintendo video game system.

3.8           In Game Advertising.  LICENSEE shall not include advertising or product placements for products or services of third parties, whether in the Game, as separate content on a Game Disc (e.g., a trailer), or in the Printed Materials without Nintendo’s prior written consent.

3.9           Use of Wii Characters.  LICENSEE shall not develop any Game that permits Nintendo’s Mii characters to appear in the Game without NOA’s prior written consent.

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3.10         Sending Data to Consumers.  LICENSEE shall not, without the prior, written consent of NOA, send any data, content, messages, advertising, or other communications of any kind to any consumer’s Wii console through the Wii Network Services or otherwise.

3.11         Downloadable Content.  If LICENSEE desires to develop Games, or updates/additions of any kind for any Licensed Product, to be downloaded to consumers through the Wii Network Services, the terms and conditions of such development shall be separately agreed in writing between the parties.  LICENSEE acknowledges that the rights granted herein do not include the right to use the Intellectual Property Rights to develop downloadable content.

4.                                      SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL OF GAME AND ARTWORK

4.1           Submission of a Completed Game to NOA.  Upon completion of a Game, LICENSEE shall deliver a prototype of the Game to NOA in a format specified in the Guidelines.  Delivery shall be made in accordance with the methods set forth in the Guidelines.  Each Submission shall include such other information or documentation deemed necessary by NOA, including, without limitation, a complete set of written user instructions, a complete description of any security holes, backdoors, time bombs, cheats, “easter eggs” or other hidden features or characters in the Game and a complete screen text script.  LICENSEE must establish that the Game and any other content included on the Game Disc complies with the Advertising Code of Conduct of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (“ESRB”) and that the Game has been rated EC, E, El0+, T or M (or another non-Adult Only category added by the ESRB) by the ESRB.  LICENSEE shall provide NOA with a certificate of rating for the Game issued by the ESRB.

4.2           Testing of a Completed Game.  Upon submission of a completed Game, NOA and Nintendo Co., Ltd. shall promptly test the Game with regard to its technical compatibility with and error-free operation on Wii, utilizing the lot check process.  Within a reasonable period of time after receipt, NOA shall approve or disapprove such Game.  If a Game is disapproved, NOA shall specify in writing the reasons for such disapproval and state what corrections are necessary.  After making the necessary corrections, LICENSEE shall submit a revised Game to NOA for testing.  NOA shall not unreasonably withhold or delay its approval of any Game. Neither the testing nor approval of a Game by NOA or Nintendo Co., Ltd. shall relieve LICENSEE of its sole responsibility for the development, quality and operation of the Game or in any way create any warranty by NOA or Nintendo Co., Ltd. relating to any Licensed Product.

4.3           Production of Check Discs.  By submission of a completed Game to NOA in accordance with section 4.1, LICENSEE authorizes Nintendo to proceed with production of Check Discs for such Game.  If NOA approves a Game, it shall promptly, and without further notification to or instruction from LICENSEE, submit such Game for the production of Check Discs.  Unless otherwise advised by LICENSEE, following production of the Check Discs, NOA shall deliver to LICENSEE approximately ten (10) Check Discs for content verification, testing and final approval by LICENSEE.

4.4           Approval or Disapproval of Check Discs by LICENSEE.  If, after review and testing, LICENSEE approves the Check Discs, it shall promptly transmit to NOA a signed authorization for production in the form specified in the Guidelines.  If LICENSEE does not approve the sample Check Discs for any reason, LICENSEE shall advise NOA in writing and may, after undertaking any necessary changes or corrections, resubmit the Game to NOA for approval in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4.  The absence of a signed authorization form from LICENSEE within five (5) days after delivery of the Check Discs to LICENSEE shall be deemed disapproval of such Check Discs.  Production of any order for Bulk Goods shall not proceed without LICENSEE’s signed authorization.

4.5           Cost of Check Discs and Disc Stamper.  If LICENSEE: (a) disapproves the Check Discs for any reason; (b) fails to order the minimum order quantity of any Game approved by NOA within six (6) months after the date the Game was first approved by NOA; or (c) submits a revised version of the Game to NOA after production of such Game has commenced, LICENSEE shall reimburse NOA (or its designee) for the reasonable estimated cost of the production of the Check Discs, including the cost of

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the disc stamper.  The payment will be due (i) thirty (30) days after NOA’s written notification to LICENSEE of the Check Disc fee due NOA because of LICENSEE’s failure to approve such Check Disc; (ii) six (6) months after the date the Game was first approved by NOA; or (iii) upon the subsequent submission by LICENSEE of a revised version of the Game to NOA, as the case may be.

4.6           Submission and Approval of Artwork.  Prior to submitting a completed Game to NOA under Section 4.1, LICENSEE shall submit to NOA all Artwork for the proposed Licensed Product.  Within ten (10) business days of receipt, NOA shall approve or disapprove the Artwork. If any Artwork is disapproved, NOA shall specify in writing the reasons for such disapproval and state what corrections or improvements are necessary.  After making the necessary corrections or improvements, LICENSEE shall submit revised Artwork to NOA for approval.  NOA shall not unreasonably withhold or delay its approval of any Artwork.  The approval of the Artwork by NOA shall not relieve LICENSEE of its sole responsibility for the development and quality of the Artwork or in any way create any warranty for the Artwork or the Licensed Product by NOA.  All Artwork must be approved prior to submitting an order for the Bulk Goods, and LICENSEE shall not produce any Printed Materials for commercial distribution until such Artwork has been approved by NOA.

4.7           Promotional Discs.  In the event NOA issues Guidelines in the future that permit LICENSEE to develop and distribute Promotional Discs, either separately or as a part of the Licensed Product, the content and specifications of such Promotional Disc shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Guidelines, the Price Schedule and the submission and approval procedures provided for in this Section 4.

5.                                      ORDER PROCESS, PURCHASE PRICE, PAYMENT AND DELIVERY

5.1           Submission of Orders by LICENSEE.  After receipt of NOA’s approval for a Game and Artwork, LICENSEE may at any time submit a written purchase order to NOA for Bulk Goods for such Game.  The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control over any contrary or additional terms of such purchase order or any other written documentation or verbal instruction from LICENSEE.  All orders shall be subject to acceptance by NOA in Redmond, WA.

5.2           Purchase Price and Minimum Order Quantities.  The purchase price and minimum order quantities for the Bulk Goods shall be set forth in NOA’s then current Price Schedule. Unless otherwise specifically provided for, the purchase price includes the cost of manufacturing a single Game Disc, together with a royalty for the use of the Intellectual Property Rights.  No taxes, duties, import fees or other tariffs related to the development, manufacture, import, marketing or sale of the Licensed Products (except for taxes imposed on NOA’s income) are included in the purchase price and all such taxes are the responsibility of LICENSEE.  The Price Schedule is subject to change by NOA at any time without Notice, provided however, that any price increase shall be applicable only to purchase orders submitted, paid for, and accepted by NOA after the effective date of the price increase.

5.3           Payment.  Upon placement of an order with NOA, LICENSEE shall pay the full purchase price either (a) by tender of an irrevocable letter of credit in favor of NOA (or its designee) and payable at sight, issued by a bank acceptable to NOA and confirmed, if requested by NOA, at LICENSEE’s expense, or (b) in cash, by wire transfer to an account designated by NOA.  Alt letters of credit shall comply with NOA’s written instructions and all associated banking charges shall be for LICENSEE’s account.

5.4           Delivery of Bulk Goods.  Bulk Goods shall be delivered