Commitments and contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Commitments and contingencies

Commitments and contingencies

11.       Commitments and contingencies

At March 31, 2012, we did not have any significant changes to our commitments since December 31, 2011. See Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for more information regarding our commitments.

Legal Proceedings

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims. FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 450 governs the disclosure of loss contingencies and accrual of loss contingencies in respect of litigation and other claims. The Company records an accrual for a potential loss when it is probable that a loss will occur and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. When the reasonable estimate of the potential loss is within a range of amounts, the minimum of the range of potential loss is accrued, unless a higher amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount within the range. Moreover, even if an accrual is not appropriate, the Company provides additional disclosure related to litigation and other claims when it is reasonably possible (i.e., more than remote) that the outcomes of such litigation and other claims include potential material adverse impacts on the Company. The outcomes of legal proceedings and other claims are subject to significant uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company's control. There is significant judgment required in the analysis of these matters, including the probability determination and whether a potential exposure can be reasonably estimated. In making these determinations, the Company, in consultation with outside counsel, examines the relevant facts and circumstances on a quarterly basis assuming, as applicable, a combination of settlement and litigated outcomes and strategies. Moreover, legal matters are inherently unpredictable and the timing of development of factors on which reasonable judgments and estimates can be based can be slow. As such, there can be no assurance that the final outcome of these matters will not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

After concluding an internal human resources inquiry into breaches of contract and insubordination by two senior employees at Infinity Ward, the Company terminated its employment of Jason West and Vince Zampella on March 1, 2010. On March 3, 2010, West and Zampella filed a complaint against the Company in Los Angeles Superior Court for breach of contract and wrongful termination, among other claims. In their complaint, West and Zampella alleged damages, including punitive damages, in excess of $36 million, an amount they have since significantly increased during discovery to over $1 billion, as well as declaratory relief. On April 9, 2010, the Company filed a cross complaint against West and Zampella, asserting claims for breach of contract and fiduciary duty, among other claims. The Company is seeking damages and declaratory relief.

In addition, 38 current and former employees of Infinity Ward filed a complaint against the Company in Los Angeles Superior Court on April 27, 2010 (Alderman et al. v. Activision Publishing, Inc. et al). An amended complaint was filed on July 8, 2010, which added seven additional plaintiffs. On October 5, 2010, five plaintiffs, all current employees of Infinity Ward, filed dismissals without prejudice. There are currently 40 plaintiffs in the case. The plaintiffs have asserted claims for breach of contract, violation of the Labor Code of the State of California, conversion and other claims. In their complaint, the plaintiffs claimed that the Company failed to pay bonuses and other compensation allegedly owed to them in an amount at least between $75 million to $125 million, plus punitive damages, an amount they have since increased in discovery to approximately $350 million, plus punitive damages. On October 12, 2010, the court consolidated this matter with the West and Zampella matter.

On January 18, 2011, the court granted the Company's motion to amend its cross complaint against West and Zampella to add allegations with respect to them and to add Electronic Arts, Inc. as a party. On January 31, 2011, the case was transferred to the complex division.

On March 5, 2012, the court ruled on a number of dispositive motions presented by the parties. Among them, the court granted the Company's motion to dismiss the Alderman plaintiffs' cause of action for conversion. The court denied, however, the Company's motion to dismiss West's and Zampella's claim for promissory fraud and the Company's motion to dismiss the Alderman plaintiffs' claims for damages resulting from bonuses allegedly owed after the dates of their resignations from the Company.

Some of the parties have filed, and are likely to file, additional pre-trial motions and discovery is almost complete. The court has set a trial date of May 29, 2012.

The Company has accrued and will continue to accrue appropriate amounts related to bonuses and other monies allegedly owed in connection with this matter. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, particularly with respect to matters tried before juries, other potential outcomes are reasonably possible, including outcomes which are above the amount of the accrual. In light of the plaintiff's claims, which exceed $1 billion, although the Company does not believe such a result would be justified, there is a range of reasonably possible outcomes that could have a material impact on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operation or liquidity in an interim period as well as in the full reporting year in which the lawsuit is ultimately resolved or in which an increase in the accrual occurs.

In addition, we are party to other routine claims and suits brought by us and against us in the ordinary course of business, including disputes arising over intellectual property rights, contractual claims, employment laws, regulations and relationships, and collection matters. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the outcome of such routine claims and lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.