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Note 1. Basis of Presentation
Interim Financial Statements
The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by VeriSign, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “VeriSign” or the “Company”) in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, therefore, do not include all information and notes normally provided in audited financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and other adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of, nor comparable to, the results of operations for any other interim period or for a full fiscal year. These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes contained in VeriSign’s fiscal 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2009 Form 10-K”) filed with the SEC on February 26, 2010.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to current period presentation. Such reclassifications have no effect on net income as previously reported.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-13—Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (“ASU 2009-13”). ASU 2009-13 addresses how to measure and allocate arrangement consideration to one or more units of accounting within certain multiple-deliverable arrangements. ASU 2009-13 modifies the requirements for determining whether a deliverable can be treated as a separate unit of accounting by removing the criterion that objective evidence of fair value must exist for the undelivered elements. ASU 2009-13 is effective for the Company prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified beginning January 1, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. Currently, the Company is evaluating the impact adoption will have on its financial condition and results of operations.
In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-14—Software (Topic 985): Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (“ASU 2009-14”). ASU 2009-14 modifies the scope of the software revenue recognition guidance to exclude arrangements that contain tangible products for which the software element is “essential” to the functionality of the tangible products. ASU 2009-14 is effective for the Company prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified beginning January 1, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. Currently, the Company is evaluating the impact adoption will have on its financial condition and results of operations.
|
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Note 2. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities
The following table summarizes the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities:
| March 31, 2010 |
December 31, 2009 |
|||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
|
Cash |
$ | 248,028 | $ | 227,547 | ||
|
Money market funds |
300,333 | 736,459 | ||||
|
Time deposits |
506,549 | 514,938 | ||||
|
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies |
258,927 | — | ||||
|
Corporate debt securities |
238,020 | — | ||||
|
Equity securities of a public company |
352 | 185 | ||||
|
Total |
$ | 1,552,209 | $ | 1,479,129 | ||
|
Included in Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 1,090,030 | $ | 1,477,166 | ||
|
Included in Marketable securities |
$ | 460,401 | $ | 185 | ||
|
Included in Other assets (1) |
$ | 1,778 | $ | 1,778 | ||
| (1) | Represents restricted cash related to employee payroll withholdings, net of claims paid, for the short-term disability program under the State of California Employment Development Department’s Voluntary Plan Fund guidelines. |
The following table summarizes the Company’s unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of debt and equity securities designated as available-for-sale investments. There were no investments classified as either held-to-maturity or trading.
| Amortized Cost |
Gross Unrealized Gains |
Gross Unrealized Losses |
Fair Value | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||
|
As of March 31, 2010 |
|||||||||||||
|
Fixed income securities: |
|||||||||||||
|
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies |
$ | 259,196 | $ | 70 | $ | (339 | ) | $ | 258,927 | ||||
|
Corporate debt securities |
238,138 | 98 | (216 | ) | 238,020 | ||||||||
|
Total fixed income securities |
497,334 | 168 | (555 | ) | 496,947 | ||||||||
|
Equity securities of a public company |
255 | 97 | — | 352 | |||||||||
|
Total available-for-sale investments |
$ | 497,589 | $ | 265 | $ | (555 | ) | $ | 497,299 | ||||
|
Included in Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 36,898 | |||||||||||
|
Included in Marketable securities |
$ | 460,401 | |||||||||||
|
As of December 31, 2009 |
|||||||||||||
|
Equity securities of a public company (1) |
$ | 290 | $ | — | $ | (105 | ) | $ | 185 | ||||
| (1) | Included in Marketable securities |
The following table presents the contractual maturities of the fixed income securities as of March 31, 2010:
| Amortized Cost |
Gross Unrealized Gains |
Gross Unrealized Losses |
Fair Value | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||
|
Due within one year |
$ | 90,029 | $ | 7 | $ | (35 | ) | $ | 90,001 | ||||
|
Due after one year through five years |
407,305 | 161 | (520 | ) | 406,946 | ||||||||
|
Total |
$ | 497,334 | $ | 168 | $ | (555 | ) | $ | 496,947 | ||||
The following table presents the fair value and unrealized losses of the Company’s available-for-sale investments that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months as of March 31, 2010, for which an other-than-temporary impairment has not been recognized. There are no available-for-sale investments that are in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve months.
| Fair Value |
Unrealized Losses |
||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||
|
Fixed income securities: |
|||||||
|
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies |
$ | 199,964 | $ | (339 | ) | ||
|
Corporate debt securities |
145,562 | (216 | ) | ||||
|
Total |
$ | 345,526 | $ | (555 | ) | ||
The Company anticipates that it will recover the entire amortized cost basis of the fixed income securities and has determined that no other-than-temporary impairments associated with credit losses were required to be recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2010. The Company does not have the intent to sell any of these investments and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell any of these investments, before recovery of the entire amortized cost basis.
Net gains or losses recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 related to sales of investments were not material.
|
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Note 3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
| Total
Fair Value as of March 31, 2010 |
Fair Value Measurement Using | |||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||
|
Assets: |
||||||||||||
|
Investments in money market funds |
$ | 300,333 | $ | 300,333 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
|
Investments in fixed income securities: |
||||||||||||
|
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies |
258,927 | — | 258,927 | — | ||||||||
|
Corporate debt securities |
238,020 | — | 238,020 | — | ||||||||
|
Equity securities of a public company |
352 | 352 | — | — | ||||||||
|
Foreign currency forward contracts |
1,145 | — | 1,145 | — | ||||||||
|
Total |
$ | 798,777 | $ | 300,685 | $ | 498,092 | $ | — | ||||
|
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||
|
Contingent interest derivative on convertible debentures |
$ | 9,531 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 9,531 | ||||
|
Total |
$ | 9,531 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 9,531 | ||||
| Total Fair Value as of December 31, 2009 |
Fair Value Measurement Using | |||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||
|
Assets: |
||||||||||||
|
Investments in money market funds |
$ | 736,459 | $ | 736,459 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
|
Equity securities of a public company |
185 | 185 | — | — | ||||||||
|
Foreign currency forward contracts |
932 | — | 932 | — | ||||||||
|
Total |
$ | 737,576 | $ | 736,644 | $ | 932 | $ | — | ||||
|
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||
|
Contingent interest derivative on convertible debentures |
$ | 10,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 10,000 | ||||
|
Total |
$ | 10,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 10,000 | ||||
The fair value of the Company’s investments in certain money market funds approximates their face value. Such instruments are classified as Level 1 and are included in Cash and cash equivalents.
The fair value of the Company’s investments in fixed income securities are obtained using the weighted average price of available market prices for the underlying securities from various industry standard data providers, large financial institutions and other third-party sources. Such instruments are included in either Cash and cash equivalents or Marketable securities.
The fair value of the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts is based on foreign currency rates quoted by banks or foreign currency dealers and other public data sources. Such instruments are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets.
The fair value of the equity securities of a public company is based on the quoted market price of the underlying shares. This investment is included in Marketable securities.
The Company’s convertible debentures have contingent interest payments that are required to be accounted for separately from the debt instrument, at fair value at the end of each reporting period, with gains and losses reported in Other loss, net. The Company has utilized a valuation model based on simulations of stock prices, interest rates, credit ratings and bond prices to estimate the value of the derivative. The inputs to the model include risk adjusted interest rates, volatility and average yield curve observations and stock price. As several significant inputs are not observable, the overall fair value measurement of the derivative is classified as Level 3.
The following table summarizes the change in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 contingent interest derivative on convertible debentures during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
| 2010 | 2009 | |||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||
|
Beginning balance |
$ | 10,000 | $ | 10,549 | ||||
|
Unrealized gain on contingent interest derivative on convertible debentures |
(469 | ) | (1,174 | ) | ||||
|
Ending balance |
$ | 9,531 | $ | 9,375 | ||||
Other
The fair value of other financial instruments including accounts receivable, restricted cash and investments, and accounts payable, approximates their carrying amount, which is the amount for which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. The fair value of the Company’s convertible debentures at March 31, 2010, is $1.1 billion, and is based on quoted market prices.
|
|||
Note 4. Other Balance Sheet Items
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
| March 31, 2010 |
December 31, 2009 |
|||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
|
Prepaid expenses |
$ | 20,042 | $ | 18,868 | ||
|
Deferred tax assets |
66,062 | 65,984 | ||||
|
Non-trade receivables |
29,090 | 25,467 | ||||
|
Receivables from buyers |
4,678 | 34,365 | ||||
|
Funds held by the Reserve |
12,506 | 20,867 | ||||
|
Other |
2,103 | 3,023 | ||||
|
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets |
$ | 134,481 | $ | 168,574 | ||
During the three months ended, March 31, 2010, the Company received $2.5 million held in escrow for a divested business, $13.3 million for services performed on behalf of buyers under transition service agreements and $13.1 million of working capital receivables from the buyers of certain divested businesses, all of which were included in receivables from buyers as of December 31, 2009.
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company received distributions of $8.4 million from the funds held by the Reserve.
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following:
| March 31, 2010 |
December 31, 2009 |
|||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
|
Accounts payable |
$ | 14,862 | $ | 16,228 | ||
|
Accrued employee compensation |
53,109 | 81,782 | ||||
|
Customer deposits, net |
19,658 | 23,213 | ||||
|
Payables to buyers |
10,171 | 21,122 | ||||
|
Taxes payable, deferred and other tax liabilities |
23,616 | 27,206 | ||||
|
Other accrued liabilities |
58,843 | 74,416 | ||||
|
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 180,259 | $ | 243,967 | ||
Accrued employee compensation primarily consists of employee accrued vacation, accrued payroll and taxes, accruals for employee contribution to the employee stock purchase plan, and bonus payable. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company paid annual bonuses to its employees. Payables to buyers consist of payables for collections received on behalf of buyers of certain divested businesses under transition services agreements.
Other accrued liabilities consist primarily of interest on convertible debentures, accrued restructuring costs, accrued litigation, and accruals for products and services. Interest on convertible debentures is paid semiannually in arrears on August 15 and February 15. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company paid interest on convertible debentures of $20.3 million.
Other Long-term Liabilities
| March 31, 2010 |
December 31, 2009 |
|||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
$ | 158,611 | $ | 144,777 | ||
|
Long-term tax liabilities |
14,791 | 12,949 | ||||
|
Other |
6,580 | 7,168 | ||||
|
Total other long-term liabilities |
$ | 179,982 | $ | 164,894 | ||
|
|||
Note 5. Stockholders’ Equity
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of Net income adjusted for unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities classified as available-for-sale and foreign currency translation adjustments. The following table presents the components of comprehensive income:
| Three months ended March 31, |
||||||||
| 2010 | 2009 | |||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||
|
Net income |
$ | 52,440 | $ | 65,515 | ||||
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(526 | ) | (9,954 | ) | ||||
|
Change in unrealized loss on investments, net of tax |
(286 | ) | 158 | |||||
|
Comprehensive income |
51,628 | 55,719 | ||||||
|
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary |
893 | (4,114 | ) | |||||
|
Comprehensive income attributable to VeriSign, Inc. stockholders |
$ | 50,735 | $ | 59,833 | ||||
Repurchase of Common Stock
On August 5, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $680.0 million of VeriSign’s common stock, in addition to the $320.0 million of its common stock remaining available for repurchase under the previous 2006 stock repurchase program, for a total repurchase of up to $1 billion of its common stock (collectively, the “2008 Share Buyback Program”). The 2008 Share Buyback Program has no expiration date.
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company repurchased 2.1 million shares of its common stock at an average stock price of $23.93 for an aggregate of $50.5 million under the 2008 Share Buyback Program. As of March 31, 2010, $646.7 million is available under the 2008 Share Buyback Program.
|
|||
Note 7. Segment Information
The Company operates in two reportable segments: (1) Internet Infrastructure and Identity Services (“3IS”) and (2) Other Services. The following tables present the results of the Company’s reportable segments:
| 3IS | Other Services |
Total | ||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
|
Three months ended March 31, 2010 |
||||||||||
|
Revenues: |
||||||||||
|
Naming Services |
$ | 161,583 | $ | — | $ | 161,583 | ||||
|
Authentication Services |
101,908 | — | 101,908 | |||||||
|
Other Services |
— | 911 | 911 | |||||||
|
Total revenues |
263,491 | 911 | 264,402 | |||||||
|
Cost of revenues |
50,141 | 1,560 | 51,701 | |||||||
| $ | 213,350 | $ | (649 | ) | $ | 212,701 | ||||
|
Three months ended March 31, 2009 |
||||||||||
|
Revenues: |
||||||||||
|
Naming Services |
$ | 148,308 | $ | — | $ | 148,308 | ||||
|
Authentication Services |
103,904 | — | 103,904 | |||||||
|
Other Services |
— | 1,345 | 1,345 | |||||||
|
Total revenues |
252,212 | 1,345 | 253,557 | |||||||
|
Cost of revenues |
49,747 | 1,302 | 51,049 | |||||||
| $ | 202,465 | $ | 43 | $ | 202,508 | |||||
A reconciliation of the totals reported for the reportable segments to the applicable line items in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows:
| Three
Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
| 2010 | 2009 | |||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||
|
Total revenues from reportable segments |
$ | 264,402 | $ | 253,557 | ||||
|
Total cost of revenues from reportable segments |
51,701 | 51,049 | ||||||
|
Unallocated operating expenses (1) |
123,976 | 127,651 | ||||||
|
Operating income |
88,725 | 74,857 | ||||||
|
Other loss, net |
(6,933 | ) | (4,340 | ) | ||||
|
Income from continuing operations before income taxes |
$ | 81,792 | $ | 70,517 | ||||
| (1) | Unallocated operating expenses include unallocated cost of revenues, sales and marketing, research and development, general and administrative, restructuring and other charges, net, and amortization of other intangible assets. |
Geographic Information
The Company operates in the United States (“U.S.”); Australia, Japan and other Asia Pacific countries (“APAC”); Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”); and certain other countries, including Canada and Latin American countries.
The following table represents a comparison of the Company’s geographic revenues:
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||
| 2010 | 2009 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
|
U.S. |
$ | 150,047 | $ | 147,132 | ||
|
APAC |
50,755 | 48,167 | ||||
|
EMEA |
44,211 | 40,524 | ||||
|
Other |
19,389 | 17,734 | ||||
|
Total revenues |
$ | 264,402 | $ | 253,557 | ||
Revenues are generally attributed to the country of domicile and the respective regions in which the Company’s customers are located.
The following table presents a comparison of property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, by geographic region:
| March 31, 2010 |
December 31, 2009 |
|||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
|
U.S. |
$ | 376,812 | $ | 380,732 | ||
|
APAC |
12,258 | 13,154 | ||||
|
EMEA |
9,464 | 9,898 | ||||
|
Other |
29 | 37 | ||||
|
Total property and equipment, net |
$ | 398,563 | $ | 403,821 | ||
Assets are not tracked by segment and the chief operating decision maker does not evaluate segment performance based on asset utilization.
Major Customers
One customer accounted for 17% and 14% of the Company’s revenues from continuing operations during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. No customer accounted for 10% or more of accounts receivable at March 31, 2010, and December 31, 2009.
|
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Note 8. Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation is classified in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in the same expense line items as cash compensation. The following table presents the classification of stock-based compensation:
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||
| 2010 | 2009 | ||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||
|
Stock-based compensation: |
|||||||
|
Cost of revenues |
$ | 1,793 | $ | 1,658 | |||
|
Sales and marketing |
2,811 | 2,427 | |||||
|
Research and development |
1,873 | 1,481 | |||||
|
General and administrative |
5,527 | 5,277 | |||||
|
Restructuring and other charges, net |
202 | 723 | |||||
|
Stock-based compensation for continuing operations |
12,206 | 11,566 | |||||
|
Discontinued operations |
(121 | ) | 2,362 | ||||
|
Total stock-based compensation |
$ | 12,085 | $ | 13,928 | |||
The following table presents the nature of the Company’s total stock-based compensation, inclusive of amounts for discontinued operations:
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
| 2010 | 2009 | |||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||
|
Stock-based compensation: |
||||||||
|
Stock options |
$ | 2,316 | $ | 3,511 | ||||
|
Employee stock purchase plan |
2,729 | 2,721 | ||||||
|
Restricted stock units |
6,949 | 7,481 | ||||||
|
Stock options/awards acceleration |
570 | 932 | ||||||
|
Capitalization (1) |
(479 | ) | (717 | ) | ||||
|
Total stock-based compensation |
$ | 12,085 | $ | 13,928 | ||||
| (1) | Included in Property and equipment, net. |
|
|||
Note 9. Other Loss, Net
The following table presents the components of Other loss, net:
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
| 2010 | 2009 | |||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||
|
Interest and dividend income |
$ | 1,294 | $ | 1,649 | ||||
|
Interest expense |
(11,998 | ) | (11,805 | ) | ||||
|
Unrealized gain on contingent interest derivative on convertible debentures |
469 | 1,174 | ||||||
|
Income from transition services agreements |
3,020 | 782 | ||||||
|
Other, net |
282 | 3,860 | ||||||
|
Total other loss, net |
$ | (6,933 | ) | $ | (4,340 | ) | ||
Interest and dividend income is earned principally from the investment of VeriSign’s surplus cash balances and marketable securities. Interest expense is principally incurred on convertible debentures. Income from transition services agreements includes fees generated from services provided to the purchasers of the divested businesses for a certain period of time to ensure and facilitate the transfer of business operations for those businesses. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, Other, net, primarily includes $3.3 million received from Certicom Corporation (“Certicom”) due to the termination of the acquisition agreement entered into with Certicom.
|
|||
Note 10. Discontinued Operations
The Company has completed the divestitures of its non-core businesses. For a period of time, the Company will continue to generate cash flows and will report income statement activity in continuing operations that are associated with the completed divestitures. The activities that will give rise to these impacts are transitional in nature and generally result from agreements that ensure and facilitate the orderly transfer of business operations. The nature, magnitude and duration of the agreements will vary depending on the specific circumstances of the service, location and/or business need. The agreements can include the following: logistics, customer service, support of financial processes, procurement, human resources, facilities management, data collection and information services. Existing agreements generally extend for periods less than 12 months.
Income from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010, represents adjustments to gains or losses on sale of discontinued operations reported in 2009, as a result of certain one-time employment termination benefits and settlement of certain retained litigation of the divested businesses.
|
|||
Note 11. Income Taxes
During the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded income tax expense for continuing operations of $27.8 million and $23.2 million, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were 34% and 33%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2010 differs from the statutory federal rate of 35% due to state taxes, the effect of non-U.S. operations and non-deductible stock-based compensation expense. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2009 differs from the statutory federal rate of 35% due to state taxes, non-deductible stock-based compensation and a one-time discrete income tax benefit related to a California tax law change.
The Company applies a valuation allowance to certain deferred tax assets when management does not believe that it is more likely than not that they will be realized. Deferred tax assets offset by a valuation allowance relate primarily to investments with differing book and tax bases and net operating losses in certain foreign jurisdictions.
As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions of $32.0 million and $30.0 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company recorded an increase in unrecognized tax benefits of $2.0 million. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, $30.9 million and $29.0 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits, including penalties and interest, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if realized. The balance of the gross unrecognized tax benefits is not expected to materially change in the next 12 months.
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of Income tax expense. During the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company expensed $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, for interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities through income tax expense.
The Company’s major taxing jurisdictions are U.S. Federal, Japan and the states of California and Virginia. The Company’s income tax returns are not currently under tax examination by the Internal Revenue Service or the Virginia Department of Revenue. The Company’s income tax return for the year ended December 31, 2005 is currently under examination by the California Franchise Tax Board. Because the Company uses historic net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes to offset its taxable income in current and future years’ income tax returns for U.S. Federal, California and Virginia, such attributes can be adjusted by these taxing authorities until the statute closes on the year in which such attributes were utilized. The Company’s income tax returns are not currently under income tax examination by the Japan National Tax Agency. The years remaining subject to examination by the Japan National Tax Agency are those ended on December 31, 2007 and forward.
|
|||
Note 12. Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
On July 6, 2006, a stockholder derivative complaint (Parnes v. Bidzos, et al., and VeriSign) was filed against VeriSign in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, as a nominal defendant, and certain of its current and former directors and executive officers related to certain historical stock option grants. The complaint seeks unspecified damages on behalf of VeriSign, constructive trust and other equitable relief. Two other derivative actions were filed, one in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (Port Authority v. Bidzos, et al., and VeriSign), and one in the Superior Court of the State of California, Santa Clara County (Port Authority v. Bidzos, et al., and VeriSign) on August 14, 2006. The state court derivative action is stayed pending resolution of the federal actions. The current directors and officers named in this state action are D. James Bidzos, William L. Chenevich, Roger H. Moore and Louis A. Simpson. The Company is named as a nominal defendant in these actions. The federal actions have been consolidated and plaintiffs filed a consolidated complaint on November 20, 2006 (“Federal Action”). The current directors and officers named in this consolidated Federal Action are D. James Bidzos, William L. Chenevich, Roger H. Moore, Louis A. Simpson and Timothy Tomlinson. Motions to dismiss the consolidated federal court complaint were heard on May 23, 2007. Those motions were granted on September 14, 2007. On November 16, 2007, a second amended stockholder derivative complaint was filed in the Federal Action wherein the Company was again named as a nominal defendant. By stipulation and Court order, defendants’ obligation to respond to the second amended stockholder derivative complaint has been continued pending informal efforts by the parties to resolve the Federal Action. The parties have reached an agreement to resolve the option grant related matters. The Federal Action is subject to approval of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. On March 5, 2010, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order granting preliminary approval of the settlement of the Federal Action. A hearing for final approval is scheduled for June 2, 2010. The parties have agreed that upon final approval of the settlement and dismissal of the Federal Action the parallel state court proceedings will be dismissed. The settlement amount is not significant.
On May 15, 2007, a putative class action (Mykityshyn v. Bidzos, et al., and VeriSign) was filed in Superior Court for the State of California, Santa Clara County, naming VeriSign and certain current and former officers and directors, alleging false representations and disclosure failures regarding certain historical stock option grants. The plaintiff purports to represent all individuals who owned VeriSign’s common stock between April 3, 2002, and August 9, 2006. The complaint seeks rescission of amendments to the 1998 and 2006 Option Plans and the cancellation of shares added to the 1998 Option Plan. The complaint also seeks to enjoin the Company from granting any stock options and from allowing the exercise of any currently outstanding options granted under the 1998 and 2006 Option Plans. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of compensatory damages, costs and attorneys fees. The identical case was filed in the Superior Court for the State of California, Santa Clara County under a separate name (Pace. v. Bidzos, et al., and VeriSign) on June 19, 2007, and on October 3, 2007 (Mehdian v. Bidzos, et al.). On December 3, 2007, a consolidated complaint was filed in Superior Court for the State of California, Santa Clara County. The current directors and officers named in this consolidated class action are D. James Bidzos, William L. Chenevich, Roger H. Moore and Louis A. Simpson. VeriSign and the individual defendants dispute all of these claims. Defendants’ collective pleading challenges to the putative consolidated class action complaint were granted with leave to amend in August 2008. By stipulation and Court order, plaintiff’s obligation to file an amended consolidated class action complaint has been continued pending informal efforts by the parties to resolve the action. The parties have reached an agreement to resolve all of the option grant related matters. The Federal Action is subject to approval of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. On March 5, 2010, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order granting preliminary approval of the settlement of the Federal Action. A hearing for final approval is scheduled for June 2, 2010. The parties have agreed that upon final approval of the settlement and dismissal of the Federal Action the parallel state court proceedings will be dismissed. The settlement amount is not significant.
On May 31, 2007, plaintiffs Karen Herbert, et al., on behalf of themselves and a nationwide class of consumers (“Herbert”), filed a complaint against VeriSign, m-Qube, Inc., and other defendants alleging that defendants collectively operate an illegal lottery under the laws of multiple states by allowing viewers of the NBC television show “Deal or No Deal” to incur premium text message charges in order to participate in an interactive television promotion called “Lucky Case Game.” The lawsuit is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division. On June 5, 2007, plaintiffs Cheryl Bentley, et al., on behalf of themselves and a nationwide class of consumers (“Bentley”), filed a complaint against VeriSign, m-Qube, Inc., and other defendants alleging that defendants collectively operate an illegal lottery under the laws of multiple states by allowing viewers of the NBC television show “The Apprentice” to incur premium text message charges in order to participate in an interactive television promotion called “Get Rich With Trump.” The Bentley matter is currently stayed. A motion to dismiss the ruling in Herbert is on appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
On September 12, 2008, Leon Stambler filed a declaratory judgment complaint against VeriSign in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint seeks an order permitting Stambler to proceed with patent infringement actions against VeriSign SSL certificate customers in actions in which VeriSign is not a party in view of Stambler’s prior unsuccessful action in 2003 against VeriSign on the same patents in which a verdict was returned against Stambler and a judgment was entered thereon. VeriSign has received requests to indemnify certain SSL certificate customers in the patent infringement actions brought by Stambler. VeriSign and Stambler entered into a confidential settlement agreement on June 1, 2009. Certain indemnity requests from customers are still pending. The declaratory judgment complaint against VeriSign was dismissed on June 8, 2009.
On June 5, 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed and remanded a district court order dismissing a second amended complaint filed by plaintiff Coalition for ICANN Transparency, Inc. (“CFIT”). CFIT filed its initial complaint and an application for a temporary restraining order against VeriSign and ICANN in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on November 28, 2005, asserting claims under Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act (the “Sherman Act”), the Cartwright Act, and Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200. The district court denied CFIT’s application for a temporary restraining order on November 30, 2005. Shortly after the action was initiated and CFIT’s application was denied, the district court granted defendants’ Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings on February 28, 2006, with leave to amend. CFIT filed a First Amended Complaint on March 14, 2006. The Court granted defendants’ Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint, with leave to amend, on December 8, 2006. CFIT filed a Second Amended Complaint on December 28, 2006; ICANN was not included as a defendant in the Second Amended Complaint. The Second Amended Complaint, which VeriSign has not yet answered, asserted claims, among others, under Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act against VeriSign, challenging in part VeriSign’s conduct in entering into, and the pricing, renewal and certain other terms of, the .com and .net registry agreements with ICANN. The same renewal and pricing terms in the .com registry agreement are incorporated by reference in the Cooperative Agreement between VeriSign and the U.S. Department of Commerce, which approved the .com Registry Agreement as in the public interest. The Court granted VeriSign’s Motion to Dismiss the Second Amended Complaint on May 14, 2007, without leave to amend, and entered judgment for VeriSign. CFIT filed a Notice of Appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on June 13, 2007. After briefing, the appeal was argued on December 8, 2008. The Ninth Circuit filed its Opinion reversing and remanding the dismissal of the Second Amended Complaint on June 5, 2009. VeriSign filed a motion for rehearing in the Ninth Circuit on July 2, 2009.
Given the inherent uncertainties of the litigation, the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be predicted at this time, nor can the amount of ultimate loss contingencies, if any, be reasonably estimated, except in circumstances where an aggregate litigation accrual has been recorded for probable and reasonably estimable loss contingencies.
VeriSign is involved in various other investigations, claims and lawsuits arising in the normal conduct of its business, none of which, in its opinion will have a material effect on its business. The Company cannot assure you that it will prevail in any litigation. Regardless of the outcome, any litigation may require the Company to incur significant litigation expense and may result in significant diversion of management attention.