Computer Games

Marriott Harrison's lawyers have experience of advising on computer games going back to the birth of the industry in the early 1980s. Tony Morris is recognised in the Legal 500 as one of the leading practitioners in this field in the UK. We advise leading publishers and a number of important developers.

Whether you are a developer or publisher the key issues that will need addressing in a development agreement are the same. What milestones for delivery of the product are to be met by the developer? What payments are to be made to the developer on successful conclusion of each milestone? Who will own the copyright in the finished game, the engine and tools (a developer should always resist assigning these to a publisher), the merchandising rights, sequel rights and spin off rights? Should the source code be delivered to the publisher or put in escrow (a publisher will want the former whereas a developer should push for the latter)? What acceptance test procedures are appropriate? What change request procedure should be put in place? What royalties should the developer be entitled to?

Our extensive experience in negotiating many big budget development agreements with most of the leading publishers means that we have the knowledge and ability to assist both developers and publishers with these, and all other issues that may arise in this area.

We can also assist in the exploitation of developed games and have often advised on distribution and licensing agreements for games in many territories.