Activision announced that the company has signed an agreement with Spider-Man Merchandising, a limited partnership between Marvel Entertainment and Sony Pictures to extend its exclusive worldwide publishing rights to the phenomenally successful Spider-Man motion pictures through 2017. The license grants Activision the right to publish entertainment software products based on subsequent Spider-Man movie sequels or new television series.

Under its current agreement with Spider-Man Merchandising, Activision will develop and publish interactive entertainment games based on Columbia Pictures/Marvel Entertainment, Inc.'s upcoming feature film "Spider-Man 3", which is set for release in May 2007. To date, Activision has published games based on "Spider-Man" and "Spider-Man 2".

"This agreement allows Activision to continue bringing our own brand of interactive magic and vision to this unique, evergreen property and to build on the success we have already achieved with the Spider-Man movies", said Mike Griffith, President and CEO, Activision Publishing, Inc. "Games based on this phenomenally successful property bring the film's popular characters to life and allow consumers to extend their experience with original missions and additional Marvel characters beyond those of the Spider-Man movies."

Tim Rothwell, Worldwide President, Consumer Media Group, Marvel Entertainment, added: "Activision has done a tremendous job in translating Spider-Man into compelling, top-selling interactive games. Given their performance and long-term commitment to the franchise, as well as their creative excellence Activision is the ideal partner for movie-based Spider-Man games, a business that complements our recent extension of their interactive license for 'classic' Spider-Man."

According to Bruno Maglione, President, Marvel: "Activision has consistently demonstrated their ability to execute Spider-Man theatrical games on a global basis. We are pleased that both Marvel and Activision will be extending our relationship for many years to come on this important franchise".