Exhibit 10.1
CONTRACT NO. 149238
XBOX 360 PUBLISHER LICENSE
AGREEMENT
This Xbox 360 Publisher License
Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into and effective
as of the later of the two signature dates below (the
“Effective Date”) by and between Microsoft Licensing,
GP , a Nevada general partnership (“Microsoft”),
and THQ Inc., a Delaware corporation
(“Publisher”).
RECITALS
A.
Microsoft and its affiliated companies develop and license a
computer game system known as the Xbox 360 game system and a
proprietary online service accessible via the Xbox 360 game system
known as Xbox Live.
B.
Publisher wishes to develop and/or publish one or more software
products running on the Xbox 360 game system, which software
products may also be made available to subscribers of Xbox Live,
and to license proprietary materials from Microsoft on the terms
and conditions set forth herein.
Accordingly, for and in
consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions contained
herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, receipt of
which each party hereby acknowledges, Microsoft and Publisher agree
as follows:
1.
Exhibits
The following exhibits are hereby
incorporated to this Agreement (some require completion and/or
execution by one or both parties):
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Exhibit 1:
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Payments
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Exhibit 2:
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Xbox 360 Royalty Tier Selection Form
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Exhibit 3:
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Xbox 360 Publisher Enrollment Form
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Exhibit 4:
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Authorized Subsidiaries
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Exhibit 5:
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Non-Disclosure Agreement
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Exhibit 6:
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Japan/Asian Royalty Incentive Program
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Exhibit 7:
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Xbox Live Incentive Program
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2.
Definitions
As further described in this
Agreement and the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide (defined below), the
following terms have the following respective meanings:
2.1
“Asian Manufacturing
Region” means the region for
manufacturing comprising Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Japan
and any other countries that are included by Microsoft from time to
time as set forth in the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide.
2.2
“Asian Sales
Territory” means the territory for sales
distribution comprising Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, and
any other countries that are included by Microsoft from time to
time as set forth in the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide. The Asian
Sales Territory does not include Japan.
2.3
“Authorized
Replicator” means a software replicator
certified and approved by Microsoft for replication of FPUs
(defined below) that run on the Xbox 360.
2.4
“ Branding
Specifications ” means the
specifications as provided by Microsoft from time to time for using
the Licensed Trademarks in connection with a Software Title and/or
Online Content and on Marketing Materials as set forth in the Xbox
360 Publisher Guide.
2.5
“BTS”
means a Microsoft
designed break-the-seal sticker that will be issued to the
Authorized Replicator for placement on the Packaging Materials
(defined below) as specified in the Xbox 360 Publisher
Guide.
2.6
“Certification”
means the final
stage of the approval process by which Microsoft approves or
disapproves of a Software Title or Online Content for manufacture
and/or distribution. Certification is further defined in this
Agreement and the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide.
Microsoft
Confidential
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2.7
“Commercial
Release ” with respect to a
Software Title means the first commercial distribution of an FPU
that is not designated as a Demo Version. With respect to
Online Content, Commercial Release means its first availability via
Xbox Live to Xbox Live Users.
2.8
“Concept”
means the
detailed description of Publisher’s proposed Software Title
and/or Online Content in each case including such information as
may be requested by Microsoft.
2.9
“Demo Versions”
means a small
portion of an applicable Software Title that is provided to end
users to advertise or promote a Software Title.
2.10
“European Sales
Territory” means the territory for sales
distribution comprising the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain,
Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland,
Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Portugal, Greece, Australia, New
Zealand and any other countries that are included by Microsoft from
time to time as set forth in the Xbox 360 Publisher
Guide
2.11
“European Manufacturing
Region” means the region for
manufacturing comprising the United Kingdom, France, Germany,
Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Norway,
Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Portugal, Greece,
Australia, New Zealand and any other countries that are included by
Microsoft from time to time as set forth in the Xbox 360 Publisher
Guide.
2.12
“FPU”
or
“Finished Product
Unit” means a copy of a Software
Title in object code form that has passed Certification, has been
affixed to a DVD disk and approved by Microsoft for release and
manufacturing. Once the Packaging Materials have been added,
and the BTS has been assigned or affixed to the FPU or its
packaging, the FPU also includes its accompanying BTS and Packaging
Materials.
2.13
“Japan Sales
Territory” means the territory for sales
distribution comprising the country of Japan.
2.14
“Licensed
Trademarks” means the Microsoft
trademarks identified in the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide.
2.15
“Marketing Materials ” collectively means
the Packaging Materials and all press releases, marketing,
advertising or promotional materials related to the Software Title,
FPUs and/or Online Content (including without limitation Web
advertising and Publisher’s Web pages to the extent they
refer to the Software Title(s), FPU(s) and/or Online Content) that
will be used and distributed by Publisher in the marketing of the
Software Title(s), FPU(s) and/or Online Content.
2.16
“Manufacturing
Region” means the Asian Manufacturing
Region, European Manufacturing Region, and/or North American
Manufacturing Region.
2.17
“North American Sales
Territory” means the territory for sales
distribution comprising the United States, Canada, Mexico, Colombia
and any other countries that may be included by Microsoft from time
to time as set forth in the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide.
2.18
“North American Manufacturing
Region” means the region for
manufacturing comprising the United States, Canada, Mexico,
Colombia and any other countries that may be included by Microsoft
from time to time as set forth in the Xbox 360 Publisher
Guide.
2.19
“Online Content”
means any
content, feature, or access to software or online service that is
distributed by Microsoft pursuant to this Agreement. Online
Content includes, but is not limited to, Online Game Features,
Title Updates, Demo Versions, trailers, “themes,”
“gamer pictures” or any other category of online
content or service approved by Microsoft from time to time.
Trailers, “themes,” “gamer pictures”
and any other approved Online Content will be further described in
the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide.
2.20
“Online Game
Features” means a Software
Title’s content, features and/or services that are available
to Xbox Live Users via Xbox Live, whether included in the Software
Title’s FPU or otherwise distributed via Xbox
Live.
2.21
“Packaging
Materials” means art and mechanical
formats for a Software Title including the retail packaging, end
user instruction manual with end user license agreement and
warranties, end user warnings, FPU media label, and any promotional
inserts and other materials that are to be included in the retail
packaging.
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2.22
“Pre-Certification”
means the first
stage of the approval process wherein Microsoft tests to provide
feedback and/or identify any issues that may prevent the Software
Title from being approved during the Certification phase.
Pre-Certification is further described in this Agreement and the
Xbox 360 Publisher Guide.
2.23
“Sales Territory”
means the Asian
Sales Territory, European Sales Territory, Japan Sales Territory,
and/or North American Sales Territory.
2.24
“Software Title”
means the single
software product as approved by Microsoft for use on Xbox 360,
including any Title Updates thereto (if and to the extent approved
by Microsoft) and all Online Game Features for such Software Title.
If Microsoft approves one or more additional single software
product(s) proposed by Publisher to run on Xbox 360, this
Agreement, and the term “Software Title,” will be
broadened automatically to cover the respective new software
product(s) as additional Software Title(s) under this
Agreement.
2.25
“Subscriber”
means an Xbox
Live User that establishes an account with Xbox Live.
2.26
“Sub-Publisher”
means an entity
that has a valid Xbox 360 publisher license agreement with
Microsoft or a Microsoft affiliate and with whom Publisher has
entered an agreement to allow such entity to publish a Software
Title or Online Content in specific Sales Territories.
2.27
“Suggested Retail
Price” means the highest per unit
price that Publisher or its agent recommends the FPU be made
commercially available to end-users in a particular Sales
Territory. If the Suggested Retail Price of a particular
Software Title varies among the countries in a single Sales
Territory, then the highest Suggested Retail Price established for
any of the countries will be used to determine the appropriate
royalty fees for the entire Sales Territory.
2.28
“Title Update”
means an update,
upgrade, or technical fix to a Software Title that Xbox Live Users
can automatically download to the Xbox Live User’s Xbox
360.
2.29
“Wholesale Price”
means the highest
per unit price that Publisher charges retailers and/or distributors
in bona fide third party transactions for the right to distribute
and sell the Software Title within a Sales Territory, it
being agreed that (i) any transactions involving affiliates of
Publisher (entities controlling, controlled by or under common
control of, Publisher) are not to be considered in determining the
Wholesale Price; (ii) if Publisher enters into an agreement with a
third party (such as a Sub-Publisher) providing the third
party with the exclusive right to distribute the Software Title in
a Sales Territory, the Wholesale Price is governed by the price
charged by the third party rather than the terms of the exclusive
distribution agreement between Publisher and such third party; and
(iii) if the Wholesale Price varies among countries in a single
Sales Territory, the highest Wholesale Price used in the Sales
Territory will be used to determine the appropriate royalty fees
for the entire Sales Territory.
2.30
“Xbox 360 ” means the second
version of Microsoft’s proprietary game system, successor to
the Xbox game system, including operating system software and
hardware design specifications.
2.31
“Xbox 360 Publisher
Guide” means a document (in
physical, electronic or Web site form) created by Microsoft that
supplements this Agreement and provides detailed requirements
regarding the Pre-Certification and Certification approval process,
Branding Specifications, replication requirements, royalty payment
process, marketing guidelines, technical specifications and
certification requirements, Demo Version requirements, packaging
requirements and other operational aspects of the Xbox 360 and Xbox
Live. Microsoft may supplement, revise or update the Xbox 360
Publisher Guide from time to time in its reasonable discretion as
set forth in this Agreement.
2.32
“Xbox Live”
means the
proprietary online service offered by Microsoft to Xbox Live
Users.
2.33
“Xbox Live User”
means any
individual that accesses and uses Xbox Live.
2.34
Other Terms . All other capitalized terms
have the definitions set forth with the first use of such term as
described in this Agreement.
3.
Xbox 360 Development Kit License
Publisher shall enter into one or
more development kit license(s) for the applicable territory(ies)
to which Xbox 360 game development kits will be shipped for use by
Publisher (each an “XDK License”) pursuant to which
Microsoft or its affiliate may license to Publisher software
development tools and hardware to assist Publisher in the
development and testing of
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Software Titles, including
redistributable code that Publisher must incorporate into Software
Titles pursuant to the terms and conditions contained in the XDK
License.
4.
Approval Process
4.1
Standard Approval Process
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The standard approval process
for a Software Title is divided into four phases comprised of
Concept approval, Pre-Certification, Certification, and Marketing
Materials approval. Unless Publisher elects the EU Approval
Option for a European FPU (described below), Publisher is required
to submit its Software Title to Microsoft for evaluation at all
four phases. Each phase is identified below
and further
described in the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide. Additional or
alternate approval processes for Online Content may be further
described in the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide. With respect to
any and all approvals required by Microsoft hereunder, Microsoft
shall exercise reasonable discretion and shall act in good
faith.
4.1.1
Concept . For each Software
Title, Publisher shall deliver to Microsoft a completed Concept
submission form (in the form provided by Microsoft to Publisher)
that describes the Software Title. In the event that
Publisher desires to host or have a third party host or provide to
Xbox Live Users any of Publisher’s Online Game Features,
Publisher shall so indicate on the Concept submission form and must
execute an addendum to this Agreement, which addendum is available
upon request and will be incorporated into this Agreement upon
execution. Following evaluation of Publisher’s Concept
submission, Microsoft will notify Publisher in writing of whether
the Concept is approved or rejected. If approved, the Concept
submission form, in the form submitted and approved by Microsoft,
is incorporated herein by reference and adherence to its terms is a
requirement for Certification. Publisher may propose Online
Content at any time after a Concept has been approved, in which
case Publisher shall deliver to Microsoft a separate Concept
submission for each proposed piece of Online Content.
4.1.2
Pre-Certification
. If the
Concept is approved, Publisher shall deliver to Microsoft a
code-complete version of the Software Title or Online Content that
includes all current features of the Software Title and such other
content as may be required under the Xbox 360 Publisher
Guide. Upon receipt, Microsoft shall conduct technical screen
and/or other testing of the Software Title or Online Content
consistent with the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide and will subsequently
provide Publisher with written advisory feedback regarding such
testing.
4.1.3
Certification . Following Pre-Certification,
Publisher shall deliver to Microsoft the proposed final release
version of the applicable Software Title that is complete, ready
for access via Xbox Live (if applicable), release, manufacture, and
commercial distribution. Such version must include the final
content rating certification required by Section 4.4, have
identified program errors corrected, and have any and all changes
previously required by Microsoft implemented. Microsoft shall
conduct compliance, compatibility, functional and other testing
consistent with the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide (“Certification
Testing”) and shall subsequently provide Publisher with the
results of such testing, including any required fixes required
prior to achieving Certification, in writing. Release from
Certification for a Software Title (and for Online Content as
applicable) is based on (1) passing the Certification Testing;
(2) conformance with the approved Concept and any required
submission materials as stated in the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide;
(3) Packaging Materials approval; (4) consistency with the
goals and objectives of the Xbox 360 console platform and Xbox
Live; and (5) continuing and ongoing compliance with all
Certification requirements and other requirements as set forth in
the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide and this Agreement.
4.1.4
Marketing Materials
Approval . Publisher shall
submit all Marketing Materials to Microsoft and shall not
distribute such Marketing Materials unless and until Microsoft has
approved them in writing. Prior to use or publication of any
Marketing Materials, Publisher agrees to incorporate all changes
relating to use of the Licensed Trademarks that Microsoft may
request in writing and will use its commercially reasonable efforts
to incorporate other changes reasonably suggested by Microsoft
(provided, however, that in any event Publisher shall at all times
comply with the Branding Specifications).
4.2
EU Approval Option
. For a
Software Title that Publisher intends to distribute solely in the
European Sales Territory (a “European FPU”), Publisher
may choose to forego Concept approval (Section 4.1.1),
Pre-Certification (Section 4.1.2) and/or Marketing Materials
approval (Section 4.1.4) and submit such Software Title to
Microsoft only for Certification approval. This option is
referred to herein as the “EU Approval Option.”
The EU Approval Option applies solely to distribution of European
FPUs, and is not available for Online Content intended to be
available in the European Sales Territory. If Publisher
chooses the EU Approval Option, Publisher shall not use the
Licensed Trademarks on the European FPU and the license grant set
forth in Section 12.1 is withdrawn as to such European FPU.
In addition, Publisher shall make no statements in advertising,
marketing materials, packaging, Web sites or otherwise that the
European FPU is approved or otherwise sanctioned by Microsoft or is
an official Xbox 360 Software Title. The European FPU may not
be
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distributed
outside the European Sales Territory without complying with all
terms of this Agreement concerning approvals and the release of the
FPU as deemed relevant by Microsoft. Microsoft may provide
additional information in the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide regarding
the European Approval Option. Notwithstanding
Publisher’s choice of the EU Approval Option, all other
portions of this Agreement other than those specifically identified
above shall remain in effect.
4.3
Resubmissions and Additional
Review . If a Software Title or Online
Content fails Certification, and if Publisher has made good faith
efforts to address any issues raised by Microsoft, Microsoft will
give Publisher the opportunity to resubmit such Software Title or
Online Content for Certification. Microsoft may charge
Publisher a reasonable fee designed to offset the costs associated
with testing upon resubmission. Publisher may request the
ability to submit versions of the Software Title or Online Content
at stages of development other than as identified above for review
and feedback by Microsoft. Such review is within the
discretion of Microsoft and may require the payment of reasonable
fees by Publisher to offset the costs associated with the review of
such Software Titles or Online Content.
4.4
Content Rating . For those Sales
Territories that utilize a content rating system, Microsoft will
not accept submission of a Software Title for Certification
approval unless and until Publisher has obtained, at
Publisher’s sole cost, a rating not higher than “Mature
(17+)” or its equivalent from the appropriate rating bodies
and/or any and all other independent content rating
authority/authorities for the applicable Sales Territory(ies)
reasonably designated by Microsoft (such as ESRB, ELSPA, CERO,
etc. ). Publisher shall include the applicable
rating(s) prominently on FPUs and Marketing Materials, in
accordance with the applicable rating body guidelines, and shall
include the applicable rating in a header file of the Software
Title and in Online Content, as described in the Xbox 360 Publisher
Guide. For those Sales Territories that do not utilize a
content rating system, Microsoft will not approve any Software
Title or Online Content that, in its opinion, contains excessive
sexual content or violence, inappropriate language or other
elements deemed unsuitable for the Xbox 360. Microsoft will provide
THQ advanced notice via the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide whenever any
new countries that do not have a content rating system are added to
Sales Territories and what, if any, content guidelines it proposes
for such country. If, after Commercial Release, a Software
Title is determined as suitable for adults only or otherwise as
indecent, obscene or otherwise prohibited by law, the Publisher
shall at its own costs recall all FPUs. Publisher hereby
represents and warrants that any Online Game Features and other
game-related Online Content not included in the initial Software
Title FPU will not be inconsistent with the content rating (or, in
those countries that do not utilize a content rating system, with
the overall nature of the content) of the underlying Software
Title. Content rating information and requirements may be
further described in the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide.
4.5
Publisher Testing
.
Publisher
shall perform its own testing of the Software Title and FPUs and
shall keep written or electronic records of such testing during the
term of this Agreement and for no less than **** thereafter
(“Test Records”) Upon Microsoft’s
reasonable advance written request, Publisher shall provide
Microsoft with copies of, or reasonable access to inspect, the Test
Records, FPUs and Software Title (either in pre-Commercial Release
or Commercial Release versions, as Microsoft may request in
writing).
4.6
Mutual Approval Required
. Publisher
shall not distribute the Software Title, nor manufacture any FPU
intended for distribution, unless and until Microsoft has given its
final approval and release from Certification version of the
Software Title and both parties have approved the FPU in
writing.
4.7
Title Updates
4.7.1
All Title Updates for Software Titles are subject to approval by
Microsoft. Publisher may release one Title Update per
Software Title free of charge. Any additional Title Updates
proposed by Publisher may be subject to a reasonable
charge.
4.7.2
Microsoft may require Publisher to develop and provide a Title
Update if (a) a Software Title or Online Content adversely affects
Xbox Live, (b) if a change to the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide requires
a Title Update, (c) if Certification is revoked for Online Content,
or (d) for any other reason at Microsoft’s reasonable
discretion. Microsoft will not charge Publisher for the
Certification, hosting, and distribution of Title Updates to Xbox
Live Users for the first Title Update (if any) per Software Title
or Online Content required by a specific change in the Xbox 360
Publisher Guide or for any other reason at Microsoft’s
reasonable discretion. Microsoft reserves the right to charge
Publisher a reasonable fee to offset the costs associated with the
Certification, hosting, and distribution of Title Updates to Xbox
Live Users that are required because of revocation of Certification
or a Software Title or Online Content adversely affecting Xbox
Live.
* Confidential portion omitted and filed
separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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5.
Xbox 360 Publisher Guide
Publisher acknowledges that the Xbox
360 Publisher Guide is an evolving document and subject to change
during the term of this Agreement. Publisher agrees to be
bound by all provisions contained in the then-applicable version of
the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide. Publisher agrees that upon
Publisher’s receipt of notice of availability of the
applicable supplement, revision, or updated version of the Xbox 360
Publisher Guide (which may be via a publisher newsletter or other
electronic notification), Publisher shall be bound by all
provisions of the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide as supplemented,
revised, or updated. Publisher’s continued distribution
of FPUs after a notice of supplement, revision or update that is
included in the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide or made available to
Publisher constitutes Publisher’s agreement to the
then-current Xbox 360 Publisher Guide as supplemented, revised or
updated. Microsoft will specify in each such supplement,
revision or update a reasonable effective date of each change if
such change is not required to be effective immediately. Only
with respect to a Software Title that has passed Pre-Certification
prior to the applicable revision or update, Publisher will not be
obligated to comply with any changes made to the technical or
content requirements for Software Titles in the Xbox 360 Publisher
Guide, except in circumstances where such change is deemed by
Microsoft to be vitally important to the success of the Xbox 360
platform (e.g. changes due to piracy, technical failure) or will
not add significant expense to the Software Title’s
development. In addition, changes made in Branding
Specifications or other Marketing Materials requirements will be
effective as to a Software Title that has passed Certification only
on a “going forward” basis ( i.e., only to such
Marketing Materials and/or FPUs as are manufactured after Microsoft
notifies Publisher of the change). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Publisher shall comply with such changes to the Xbox 360
Publisher Guide related to Branding Specifications or other
Marketing Materials requirements retroactively if Microsoft agrees
to pay for Publisher’s direct, out-of-pocket expenses
necessarily incurred as a result of its retrospective compliance
with the change.
6.
Post-Release Compliance
6.1
Correction of Bugs or Errors
.
Notwithstanding Microsoft’s Certification, all
Software Titles must remain in compliance with all Certification
requirements and requirements set forth in the Xbox 360 Publisher
Guide on a continuing and ongoing basis. Publisher must make
commercially reasonable efforts to correct any material program
bugs or errors in conformance with the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide
whenever discovered and Publisher agrees to correct such material
bugs and errors as soon as possible after discovery. With
respect to bugs or errors discovered after Commercial Release of
the applicable Software Title, Publisher will, at Microsoft’s
written request or allowance, correct the bug or error in all FPUs
manufactured after discovery and Microsoft may charge a reasonable
amount to cover the costs of Certifying the Software Title
again.
6.2
Online Content; Minimum
Commitment
6.2.1
Publisher agrees that each Online Game Feature of a Software Title
will be made available via Xbox Live for at least **** following
the respective Commercial Release of the FPUs of the Software Title
in each Sales Territory in which Xbox Live is available (the
“Minimum Commitment”). Publisher shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to provide all necessary support
for such Online Game Feature during its availability and for ****
after discontinuation in accordance with Publisher’s standard
support services. Following the Minimum Commitment period,
Publisher may terminate Microsoft’s license associated with
such Online Game Feature upon **** prior written notice to
Microsoft; and/or Microsoft may discontinue the availability of any
or all such Online Game Feature via Xbox Live upon **** prior
written notice to Publisher. Publisher is responsible for
communicating the duration of Online Game Feature availability to
Xbox Live Users, and for providing reasonable advance notice to
Xbox Live Users of any discontinuation of such Online Game
Feature.
6.2.2
Subject to Section 10.3, Publisher agrees that Microsoft has the
right to make Online Content other than Online Games Features
submitted by Publisher available to Xbox Live Users for the Term of
this Agreement. Publisher agrees to provide all necessary
support for such Online Content as long as such Online Content is
made available to Xbox Live Users and for **** thereafter in
accordance with Publisher’s standard support
services.
6.2.3
Archive Copies.
Publisher agrees
to maintain, and to possess the ability to support, copies in
object code, source code and symbol format, of all Online Content
available to Xbox Live Users during the term of this Agreement and
for no less than **** thereafter.
* Confidential portion omitted and filed
separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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7.
Manufacturing
7.1
Authorized Replicators
. Publisher
will use only an Authorized Replicator to produce FPUs. Prior
to placing an order with a replicator for FPUs, Publisher shall
confirm with Microsoft that such entity is an Authorized
Replicator. Microsoft will endeavor to keep an up-to-date
list of Authorized Replicators in the Xbox 360 Publisher
Guide. Publisher will notify Microsoft in writing of the
identity of the applicable Authorized Replicator and the agreement
for such replication services shall be as negotiated by Publisher
and the applicable Authorized Replicator, subject to the
requirements in this Agreement. Publisher acknowledges that
Microsoft may charge the Authorized Replicator fees for rights,
services or products associated with the manufacture of FPUs and
that the agreement with the Authorized Replicator grants Microsoft
the right to instruct the Authorized Replicator to cease the
manufacture or FPU and/or prohibit the release of FPU to Publisher
or its agents in the event Publisher is in breach of this Agreement
or any credit arrangement entered into by Microsoft and Publisher
or Publisher. Microsoft does not guarantee any level of
performance by the Authorized Replicators, and Microsoft will have
no liability to Publisher for any Authorized Replicator’s
failure to perform its obligations under any applicable agreement
between Microsoft and such Authorized Replicator and/or between
Publisher and such Authorized Replicator. Microsoft has no
responsibility for ensuring that FPUs are free of all
defects.
7.2
Submissions to the Authorized
Replicator . Microsoft, and not
Publisher, will provide to the applicable Authorized Replicator the
final release version of the Software Title and all specifications
required by Microsoft for the manufacture of the FPUs including,
without limitation, the Security Technology (as defined in Section
7.9 below). Publisher is responsible for preparing and
delivering to the Authorized Replicator all other items required
for manufacturing FPUs including approved Packaging Materials
associated with the FPUs. Subject to the approval of
Publisher (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld),
Microsoft has the right to have included in the packaging of FPUs
such promotional materials for Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, and/or
other Xbox or Xbox 360 products or services as Microsoft may
determine in its reasonable discretion. Microsoft will be
responsible for delivering to the Authorized Replicator all such
promotional materials as it desires to include with FPUs, and,
unless otherwise agreed by the parties, any incremental insertion
costs relating to such marketing materials will be borne by
Microsoft.
7.3
Verification Versions
. Publisher
shall cause the Authorized Replicator to create several test
versions of each FPU (“Verification Version(s)”) that
will be provided to both Microsoft and Publisher for
evaluation. Prior to full manufacture of a FPU by the
Authorized Replicator, both Publisher and Microsoft must approve
the applicable Verification Version. Throughout the
manufacturing process and upon the reasonable written request of
Microsoft, Publisher shall cause the Authorized Replicator to
provide additional Verification Versions of the FPU for evaluation
by Microsoft. Microsoft’s approval is a condition
precedent to manufacture, however Publisher shall grant the final
approval and shall work directly with the Authorized Replicator
regarding the production run. Publisher agrees that all FPUs
must be replicated in conformity with all of the quality standards
and manufacturing specifications, policies and procedures that
Microsoft requires of its Authorized Replicators, and that all
Packaging Materials must be approved by Microsoft prior to
packaging. Publisher shall cause the Authorized Replicator to
include the BTS on each FPU.
7.4
Samples . For each Software
Title sku, at Publisher’s cost, Publisher shall provide
Microsoft with **** FPUs and accompanying Marketing Materials per
Sales Territory in which the FPU will be released. Such units
may be used in marketing, as product samples, for customer support,
testing and for archival purposes only and not for resale.
Publisher will not have to pay a royalty fee for such samples nor
will such samples count towards the Unit Discounts under Exhibit
1 .
7.5
Minimum Order Quantities
7.5.1
Within **** after the date on which both Microsoft and Publisher
have authorized the Authorized Replicator to begin replication of
FPUs for distribution to a specified Sales Territory, (receipt of
both approvals is referred to as “Release to
Manufacture”), Publisher must place orders to manufacture the
minimum order quantities (“MOQs”) as described in the
Xbox 360 Publisher Guide. Microsoft may update and revise the
MOQs **** which will be effective starting the following
****. Currently, the MOQs are as follows:
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* Confidential portion omitted and filed
separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
7
7.5.2
For the purposes of this section, a “Disc” shall mean
an FPU that is signed for use on a certain defined range of Xbox
360 hardware, regardless of the number of languages or product skus
contained thereon. The MOQs per Software Title are cumulative
per Sales Territory. For example, if an FPU is released in
both the North American Sales Territory and the European Sales
Territory, the cumulative MOQ per Software Title would be
****. The MOQ per Software Title and the MOQ per Disc,
however, are not cumulative. For example, a single Disc FPU
released only in the North America Sales Territory will have a
total minimum order quantity of ****, which would cover the ****
MOQ per Software Title and the **** MOQ per Disc (rather than ****
which would have been the total minimum order quantity if the MOQ
per Software Title and the MOQ per Disc had been
cumulative).
7.5.3
If Publisher fails to place orders to meet any applicable minimum
order quantity within **** of Release to Manufacture, Publisher
shall immediately pay Microsoft the applicable royalty fee for the
number of FPUs represented by the difference between the applicable
MOQ and the number of FPUs of the Software Title actually ordered
by Publisher.
7.6
Manufacturing Reports
. For
purposes of assisting in the scheduling of manufacturing resources,
on a **** basis, or as otherwise requested by Microsoft in writing
in its reasonable discretion, Publisher shall provide
Microsoft with forecasts showing manufacturing projections by Sales
Territory **** out for each Software Title. Such forecasts
shall not be binding. Publisher will use commercially
reasonable efforts to cause the Authorized Replicator to deliver to
Microsoft true and accurate **** statements of FPUs manufactured in
each ****, on a Software Title-by-Software Title basis and in
sufficient detail to satisfy Microsoft, within ****.
Microsoft will have reasonable audit rights to examine the records
of the Authorized Replicator regarding the number of FPUs
manufactured upon ten (10) days advance written notice to
Publisher; provided, that any representative(s) of Microsoft
conducting such examination shall be required to preserve such
records as strictly confidential and may be required to execute a
nondisclosure agreement in a form reasonably suitable to Publisher
and Microsoft.
7.7
New Authorized Replicator
.
If Publisher requests that
Microsoft certify and approve a third party replicator that is not
then an Authorized Replicator, Microsoft will consider such request
in good faith. Publisher acknowledges and agrees that
Microsoft may condition certification and approval of such third
party on the execution of an agreement in a form satisfactory to
Microsoft pursuant to which such third party agrees to strict
quality standards, non-disclosure requirements, license fees for
use of Microsoft intellectual property and trade secrets, and
procedures to protect Microsoft’s intellectual property and
trade secrets. Notwithstanding anything contained herein,
Publisher acknowledges that Microsoft is not required to certify,
maintain the certification or approve any particular third party as
an Authorized Replicator, and that the certification and approval
process may be time-consuming.
7.8
Alternate Manufacturing in
Europe . Publisher may, solely
with respect to FPUs manufactured for distribution in the European
Sales Territory, utilize a different process or company for the
combination of a FPU with Packaging Materials provided that such
packaging process incorporates the BTS and otherwise complies with
the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide. Publisher shall notify
Microsoft regarding its use of such process or company so that the
parties may properly coordinate their activities and
approvals. To the extent that Microsoft is unable to
accommodate such processes or company, Publisher shall modify its
operations to comply with Microsoft’s
requirements.
7.9
Security . Microsoft has the right to
add to the final release version of the Software Title delivered by
Publisher to Microsoft, and to all FPUs, such digital signature
technology and other security technology and copyright management
information (collectively, “Security Technology”) as
Microsoft may determine to be necessary, and/or Microsoft may
modify the signature included in any Security Technology included
in the Software Title by Publisher at Microsoft’s
discretion. Additionally, Microsoft may add Security
Technology that prohibits the play of Software Titles on Xbox 360
units manufactured in a region or country different from the
location of manufacture of the respective FPUs or that have been
modified in any manner not authorized by Microsoft.
7.10
Demo Versions . If Publisher wishes
to distribute a Demo Version in FPU format, Publisher must obtain
Microsoft’s prior written approval and Microsoft may charge a
reasonable fee to offset costs of the Certification. Subject
to the terms of the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide, such Demo Version(s)
may be placed on a single disc, either as a stand-alone or with
other Demo Versions and the price of such units must be **** or its
equivalent in local currency. Unless separately addressed in
the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide, all rights, obligations and approvals
set forth in this Agreement as applying to Software Titles shall
separately apply to any Demo Version. ****. If
Publishers wishes to distribute a Demo Versions in an
* Confidential portion omitted and
filed separately with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
8
online
downloadable format, such downloadable Demo Version shall be
distributed via by Microsoft Xbox Live in accordance with Section
10.3, and such downloadable Demo Version will be subject to all
other terms and policies applicable to Online Content set forth
herein and in the Xbox 360 Publisher Guide.
8.
Payments
The Parties shall make payments to each other
under the terms of Exhibit 1 . Microsoft hereby acknowledges
and agrees that Publisher makes no representation or warranty
regarding the amount of sales of the Software Title(s) and/or
Online Content or the amount of royalties to be received in
connection therewith.
9.
Marketing, Sales and Support
9.1
Publisher Responsible
. As
between Microsoft and Publisher, Publisher is solely responsible
for the marketing and sales of the Software Title. Publisher
is also solely responsible for providing technical and all other
support relating to the FPUs (including for Xbox Live Users of
Online Content). Publisher shall provide all appropriate
contact information (including without limitation Publisher’s
address and telephone number, and the applicable individual/group
responsible for customer support), and shall also provide all such
information to Microsoft for posting on http://www.xbox.com, or
such successor or related Web site identified by Microsoft or in
Xbox Live. Customer support shall at all times conform to the
Customer Service Requirements set forth in the Xbox 360 Publisher
Guide and industry standards in the console game
industry.
9.2
Warranty. Publisher shall
provide the original end user of any FPU a minimum warranty in
accordance with local laws and industry practices. For
example, in the United States, Publisher shall, as of the Effective
Date, provide a minimum **** limited warranty that the FPU will not
be defective or Publisher will refund the purchase price or provide
a replacement FPU at no charge. Publisher may offer
additional warranty coverage consistent with the traditions and
practices of video game console game publishers within the
applicable Sales Territory or as otherwise required by local
law.
9.3
Recall. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if there is a
material defect in a Software Title and/or any FPUs, which defect
in the reasonable judgment of Microsoft would significantly impair
the ability of an end user to play such Software Title or FPU or
would adversely affect the gameplay of the Xbox 360 or Xbox Live,
Microsoft shall provide Publisher with written notice thereof and
the parties shall work in good faith to resolve any issues without
resorting to a recall. However, if such issues cannot be resolved
by the parties, acting in good faith, within a commercially
reasonable time period under the circumstances, Microsoft may
require Publisher to recall FPUs and undertake prompt repair or
replacement of such Software Title and/or FPUs.
9.4
No Bundling with Unapproved
Peripherals, Products or Software . Except as expressly
stated in this section, Publisher shall not market or distribute a
FPU bundled with any other product or service, nor shall Publisher
knowingly permit or assist any third party in such bundling,
without Microsoft’s prior written consent. Publisher
may market or distribute (i) FPU bundled with a Software Title(s)
that has been previously certified and released by Microsoft for
manufacturing; or (ii) FPU bundled with a peripheral product (e.g.
game pads) that has been previously licensed as an “Xbox 360
Licensed Peripheral” by Microsoft, without obtaining the
written permission of Microsoft. Publisher shall contact
Microsoft in advance to confirm that the peripheral or Software
Title to be bundled has previously been approved by Microsoft
pursuant to a valid license, such confirmation not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed by Microsoft.
9.5
Software Title License
.
Publisher grants Microsoft a
fully-paid, royalty-free, worldwide, non-exclusive license (i) to
publicly perform the Software Titles at conventions, events, trade
shows, press briefings, public interactive displays and the like;
(ii) to use the title of the Software Title, and screen shots from
the Software Title, in advertising and promotional material
relating to Xbox 360 and related Microsoft products and services,
as Microsoft may reasonably deem appropriate, subject to
Publisher’s prior written approval; (iii) distribute Demo
Versions with the Official Xbox Magazine , as a standalone
product with other demo software, subject to Publisher’s
prior written approval; and (iv) distribute Software Title trailers
via xbox.com, subject to Publisher’s prior written
approval. Publisher may also select Online
Content for inclusion in public interactive displays and/or
compilation
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