According to a filing with the SEC, Bethesda Softworks has acquired the rights to the Fallout license. Former owner Interplay will now play the role of the licensee for the upcoming Fallout MMO. In order to retain those rights, Interplay must begin full scale development of the game in the next two years and then release the game before four years have passed after development begins.

"Under the APA, the Company [Interplay] sold all of its rights to the IP to Bethesda for a total amount of $5,750,000.00 payable to the Company, subject to various conditions, in three cash installments," said the SEC filing. "The first installment of $2,000,000.00 was paid following closing when $200,000.00 was paid to the Company and $1,800,000.00 was deposited into an escrow account to satisfy various liabilities. The Company expects to have fulfilled its obligations under the APA and to receive full payment during the third quarter of 2007. The Company had previously, on June 29, 2004, entered into, an exclusive licensing agreement with Bethesda, regarding the IP which was superseded by the APA."