Electronic Arts Inc said it obtained world-wide rights from Warner Bros to develop computer and video games based on the popular Harry Potter series of children's books and planned movies. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Electronic Arts, the largest independent publisher of game software, said it will pay Warner Bros for a license to develop and market games based on the first four books in the seven-part series written by British author JK Rowling.Warner Bros a unit of Time Warner Inc, handles world-wide licensing and merchandising rights for the first four books published by Scholastic Corp as part of its movie deal. Electronic Arts said it also will base its games on the film that Warner Bros. plans to release in 2001, as well as subsequent films distributed during the tenure of the agreement.
The license will cover games played on the Internet and products for current and new video-game consoles such as Sony Corp's PlayStation 2 and for cellular phones, handheld computers and other portable devices. Warner Bros and Electronic Arts declined to say when they expect to introduce the Harry Potter computer and video games. The licenses for games based on the final three books in the series are yet to be determined, the companies said.
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