Perkins Coie Represents Microsoft in Bungie Move

SEATTLE (October 16, 2007) – Perkins Coie served as IP and Licensing counsel to Microsoft Corporation in the recent creation of Bungie, LLC. Bungie, a division of Microsoft for the past seven years, is the developer of the popular Halo series, including its recently released Halo 3, which reached $300 million in sales in its first week. Microsoft will retain an equity interest in the company.

"This transaction was important to both Microsoft and Bungie. I really enjoyed working on the technology and IP licensing and game developer aspects of the deal," said Kirk Soderquist, lead Perkins Coie partner in the transaction. "We helped to craft an ongoing business relationship that gives Bungie its independence to create games while ensuring that Microsoft and Bungie will preserve their excellent relationship."

"Transactions like these are complicated, and this one was more complicated than most," said Don McGowan, attorney for Microsoft Game Studios. "Bad lawyering can lead to bad feelings on all sides. Thanks to Kirk and the whole Perkins Coie team, the only fighting that went on took place in the video game, where it belongs."