-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, SHvQ0kbyrwY/l1lqrcn7PI10r0QlcXZgg9mgUWWgMG1BxrNT+cM5rkCCFQS1xIB/ DPFqZQZN3bcfVDmSIRo61w== 0001104659-02-001279.txt : 20020415 0001104659-02-001279.hdr.sgml : 20020415 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-02-001279 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20011231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20020401 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ZORAN CORP \DE\ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001003022 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES [3674] IRS NUMBER: 942794449 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-27246 FILM NUMBER: 02596577 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3112 SCOTT BOULEVARD STREET 2: SUITE 255 CITY: SANTA CLARA STATE: CA ZIP: 95054 BUSINESS PHONE: 4089194111 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3112 SCOTT BOULEVARD STREET 2: SUITE 255 CITY: SANTA CLARA STATE: CA ZIP: 95054 10-K 1 j3181_10k.htm 10-K PART I

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

 

 

ý

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001

 

o

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from                          to                          

 

Commission File Number: 0-27246

 

ZORAN CORPORATION

(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE

 

94-2794449

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

3112 Scott Boulevard, Santa Clara, California 95054

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

(408) 919-4111

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of Exchange on which registered

None

 

None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

Common Stock, $.001 par value

(Title of Class)

 

Indicate by check mark whether registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   YES   ý   NO   o

 

Indicate by `check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10–K.   o

 

The aggregate market value of registrant’s voting stock held by non-affiliates of registrant based upon the closing sale price of the Common Stock on March 14, 2002, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market, was approximately $693,000,000.  Shares of Common Stock held by each officer, director and holder of 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates.  This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

 

Outstanding shares of registrant’s Common Stock, $0.001 par value, as of March 14, 2002: 18,178,409

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Parts of the definitive proxy statement for registrant’s 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Report are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.

 


 

PART I

 

This report includes a number of forward-looking statements which reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance.  These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in “Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Future Performance and Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report, that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those currently anticipated.  In this report, the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “future” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

 

Item 1.       Business.

 

Introduction

 

We develop and market integrated circuits, integrated circuit cores and embedded software used by original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, in digital video and audio products for commercial and consumer markets. We also provide complete, copy-ready system reference designs based on our technology that help our customers produce commercial and consumer products more quickly and cost-effectively. Our integrated circuits are used in a variety of products, including digital versatile disc, or DVD, players, filmless digital cameras, professional and consumer video editing systems and digital speakers and audio systems.

 

We were incorporated in California in December 1981 and reincorporated in Delaware in November 1996. Our corporate headquarters are located at 3112 Scott Boulevard, Santa Clara California 95054, and our telephone number is (408) 919-4111. Our website can be found at www.zoran.com.

 

Industry Background

 

Until the mid-1990s, video images and audio soundtracks were transmitted, edited and stored almost exclusively using analog formats. More recently, however, advances in technology have allowed audio and video to be processed and stored in digital form. Unlike analog formats, which are inherently unstable and difficult to edit and enhance, digital formats permit the manipulation of audio and video signals through digital signal processing and offer a number of fundamental advantages over analog technologies. Through complex digital signal processing operations, digital audio and video signals may be compressed, providing significant storage and transmission efficiencies. They also may be filtered, allowing for noise reduction, and they may be transmitted and reproduced without perceptible image or sound degradation. Digital formats provide users with additional benefits, including random access to data, superior editing capabilities and enhanced security features such as protection against unauthorized copying and controlled and secure access.

 

One of the most significant barriers to the widespread adoption of digital technology has been the huge amount of data required to represent images and sounds in a digital format, making cost-effective storage or transmission impractical. For example, storage of a two-hour movie in uncompressed digital form would require approximately 200 video CDs. Through digital compression techniques a substantial number of the redundancies inherent in audio and video data can be identified and eliminated, significantly reducing the overall amount of data which needs to be retained. Compression techniques introduced in the early 1990s allowed the same two-hour movie which required 200 video CDs to be compressed and stored on only two video CDs with video resolution comparable to that of a standard VHS tape. More recent techniques allow the storage of a full-length movie of more than three hours on a single DVD, with substantially improved audio and video quality and the incorporation of additional data, such as additional languages, scenes and director and actor commentary. Additionally, digital compression of video data allows previously unmanageable amounts of data to be stored in the memory of a standard personal computer, thereby permitting the data to be accessed and edited easily. Digital audio compression allows efficient storage and delivery of multi-channel audio, making possible high-quality special effects such as multi-channel surround sound, virtual surround sound and wireless audio delivery via two speakers or headphones. In the field of still photography, digital compression allows dozens or hundreds of digital pictures to be stored on a single memory card, depending on the resolution desired.

 

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To drive the implementation and speed the adoption of products based on digital formats, industry participants organized committees to define international compression standards. The principal standards in use today include:

 

                  The Joint Photographic Experts Group, or JPEG, standard for the high quality compression of still images and the real-time, low-cost compression and decompression of moving images;

 

                  The MPEG 1 standard, adopted by the Moving Pictures Experts Group, or MPEG, for the compression of both audio and video data at the high compression ratios necessary for the limited storage capacity of the CD-ROM format;

 

                  The MPEG 2 standard, subsequently adopted by the Motion Pictures Expert Group, for the compression of both audio and video data, designed to provide improved quality in broadcast and video playback applications;

 

                  The MPEG 4 standard is an extension of MPEG 1 and MPEG 2 that provides the ability to view, access and manipulate objects rather than pixels, which is especially significant in video streaming, digital television, module multimedia and video game applications; and

 

                  Dolby AC-3, also known as Dolby Digital, developed by Dolby Laboratories, an industry standard for the compression of audio for use in multi-channel digital surround sound systems.

 

These industry standard techniques have enabled the dramatic growth in a variety of digital multimedia markets, including:

 

                  DVD Players. DVD players use MPEG 2 video compression and Dolby Digital audio technology to provide significantly higher quality playback than is possible with VCR or video CD technology. According to Cahners In-Stat Group, a market research firm, worldwide sales of DVD players are expected to grow from 2.4 million units in 1998 to 71.1 million units in 2005, a compounded annual growth rate of 62.3%.

 

                  Filmless Digital Cameras. Filmless digital cameras use JPEG compression technology to capture high resolution images that can be viewed, edited and stored on a computer system and transmitted over telephone lines and computer networks. According to Cahners In-Stat Group, sales of megapixel digital cameras are expected to grow from 3.6 million units in 1998 to 40.8 million units in 2004, a compounded annual growth rate of 49.9%.

 

                  PC Video Systems. JPEG-based PC video systems are used to capture and “cut and paste” video sequences and add special audio and video effects.  The growth in the desktop video editing market has slowed  in recent years. However, according to Cahners In-Stat Group, the demand for PC TV tuners that incorporate universal serial bus, or USB, connectors is expected to grow from 186,000 units in 2000 to 5.8 million units in 2005, a compound annual growth rate of 99.0%.

 

                  Digital Audio Systems. Dolby Digital and other audio compression techniques are used in multi-channel surround sound products including movie theater sound systems, audio/video receivers and digital speakers. According to data gathered from Cahners In Stat Group, the demand for digital audio systems is expected to grow from 980,000 units in 2000 to 9.5 million units in 2005, a compounded annual growth rate of 57.6%.

 

Additional products and markets are developing based on these established compression standards as well as emerging compression technologies such as MLP, a new standard for DVD audio, and MP3, a compression standard for the download of audio recordings from the Internet.

 

These established and emerging compression standards specify data formats in which compressed data must be presented in order to enable products from different vendors to interact and permit the capture, transmission, storage and display of audio and video data in digital format. These standards do not specify the compression methodologies to be employed or additional functionality which may be used to enhance or manipulate digital signals. These standards, therefore, do not determine image or sound quality or compression efficiency.  For example, data compression may comply with relevant standards despite being poorly processed and containing artifacts which result in image

 

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degradation in video applications or poor sound quality in audio applications. As a result there can be significant differences in overall image or sound quality between two solutions based on the same standard. Therefore, integrated circuit manufacturers can differentiate their products on the basis of the quality of their compression solution.

 

Historically, as system vendors sought compression solutions, the cost, complexity, and time required to compress and decompress data have imposed significant limitations on the use of digital compression. Over the last several years, as cost-effective compression solutions have emerged, product manufacturers have increasingly sought to design and market lower-cost digital audio and video systems and products to address high volume consumer applications. In addition, product manufacturers are facing competitive pressure to introduce their products more rapidly. To address these issues, OEMs seek to integrate multiple functions on individual chips in order to reduce their costs, speed time-to-market and produce smaller products with reduced power consumption. They also seek solutions that can be easily integrated into their commercial and consumer products. The current challenge to manufacturers of compression integrated circuits is, therefore, to provide product manufacturers with high-quality, cost-effective, standards-based solutions that deliver flexible control, image enhancement, audio effects and other functions in addition to high quality compression solutions.

 

The Zoran Solution

 

We provide feature-rich, cost-effective, standards-based solutions for a broad range of digital video and audio applications. We were a pioneer in the development of high performance digital signal processor products, and have developed expertise in digital signal processing, integrated circuit design, mathematical algorithms and software development, as well as proprietary digital signal processing, video and audio compression technologies. We apply our multi-disciplinary expertise and proprietary technologies to the development of fully-integrated solutions for high-growth multimedia markets. The key elements of our solution are:

 

Standards-Plus Methodology. We have leveraged our broad multi-disciplinary expertise and proprietary digital signal processing and compression technologies to develop what we refer to as “standards-plus” solutions. We have enabled OEMs to improve image and sound quality and deliver superior products to end users by adding more features around compression standards, such as more efficient use of memory, processing and communication resources, as well as audio and image enhancement algorithms. We have also provided OEMs the ability to include OEM-programmable effects, as well as variable compression ratios for video. These “standards-plus” features allow our customers to differentiate their products from those of their competitors.

 

Expandable and Programmable Architecture. We design our integrated circuits to enable easy adaptation for a broad range of specific applications. We can vary the architecture of our chips by adding or deleting modules, and we can also modify the software embedded in the chips themselves to address specific applications. We also license ready-to manufacture “cores”—building blocks of integrated circuits—that can be integrated into our customers’ chips. Combined with the enhanced functionality of our “standards-plus” technology, our expandable and programmable architecture facilitates product design, upgrades and customization, substantially accelerating our customers’ time to market with differentiated products.

 

Integrated System Solutions. We help our customers meet their total system requirements by providing integrated products that combine hardware and software to address required system functions and features on a single integrated circuit or chip set, reducing the number of integrated circuits, and in some cases providing a complete solution on a single chip. As a result, our customers’ total system cost can be reduced and they can concentrate on differentiating their products from those of their competitors. For example, we introduced the Camera On A CHip, or COACH, which includes most of the electronics of a filmless digital camera. We also offer the CMOS sensor that is tightly integrated with COACH. By delivering a camera on a chip with the CMOS sensor, we enable our customers to reduce the costs of their products and focus on providing products that meet the needs of their end users.

 

Cost-Effective Products. We focus on reducing the feature size, power requirements and number of integrated circuits necessary to perform required system functions, including compression functions. This reduces our customers’ manufacturing costs for their products which incorporate our integrated circuits, and also reduces the operating costs for these products, enabling the use of our products in a broader range of high volume applications. The modular nature of our architecture reduces our new product development costs, and enables our design engineers to meet our customers’ new product specification and cost parameters.

 

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Copy-Ready System Reference Designs. We provide our customers with a broad range of engineering reference boards and products complete with device driver software, embedded software and detailed schematics. These products substantially shorten our customers’ product design time.

 

Strategy

 

We provide cost-effective, high-performance digital audio and video solutions addressing selected high-growth applications enabled by compression in evolving multimedia markets. Key elements of our strategy include:

 

Focus On High-Growth Applications. Our strategy is to focus on providing digital video and audio solutions for emerging high-growth consumer electronics, PC and communications applications. Our current focus markets include DVD players, filmless digital cameras, professional and consumer video editing systems and digital speakers and audio systems.

 

Leverage Existing Technology and Expertise. We intend to continue to identify those markets that we believe have the highest growth potential for our products and to actively pursue those markets. Our proprietary digital signal processing and compression technologies can be used to serve emerging markets for digital video and audio. Potential markets include Internet audio and video appliances, digital television and television set-top boxes, as well as personal digital video and audio devices.

 

Further Penetrate Key International Markets. In 1998, we opened an office in Shenzhen, China. During 2000, we opened offices in Taiwan and Japan. In 2001, we opened offices in Korea and Hong Kong. We believe that by opening these offices we will be able to better provide sales, marketing, and applications support for these growing consumer electronics markets.

 

Extend Technological Leadership. Our years of experience in the fields of digital signal processing, integrated circuit design, algorithms and software development have enabled us to become a leader in the development of digital audio and video solutions enabled by compression. Using our multi-disciplinary expertise, we have developed new technologies for compression of digital audio and video. For example, our proprietary bit rate control technology has helped us provide reliable and inexpensive JPEG-based video compression, and our proprietary Virtual Multi-Channel Digital, or VMD, technology enables high-quality surround-sound effects from two low-cost audio speakers, rather than the four or five speakers required by other technologies. During 2000, we acquired PixelCam Inc., which enabled us to develop a competitive advantage by combining our Camera On A Chip, or COACH, processor with PixelCam’s CMOS sensor, providing a more integrated system. Furthermore, during 2000 we acquired Nogatech Inc., which provided us with low cost PC connectivity and MPEG-4 technologies.  We intend to continue to invest in our own research and development, and to evaluate opportunities to acquire additional technologies in order to maintain and extend our technological leadership.

 

Expand Strategic Partnerships. We work closely in the product development process with leading manufacturers of products that incorporate our integrated circuits. We also work closely with key customers and provide them early access to our technologies. Potential products are designed to meet customer-driven product requirements defined jointly by us and our partners with the partner providing technological input and, in selected cases, a portion of the development funding. This strategy has enabled us to develop products with substantial financial and other assistance while retaining ownership of the technology and ensuring an established customer for the product once development is completed. In some cases, our strategic partners also provide sales and marketing support. We have also established long-term relationships with strategic partners that provide manufacturing capacity and will seek to develop additional strategic relationships with manufacturers.

 

Markets and Applications

 

Our products are currently used in a variety of consumer multimedia and PC applications.

 

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Video Playback Systems

 

Currently, three types of digital video playback systems are available for consumer video applications: video CD players, Super Video CD players and DVD players.

 

Video CD players are essentially CD audio players with MPEG 1 decoders and a video output. Video CD players offer video playback of near-VCR quality and two-channel stereo audio playback. Compression enables 60 to 70 minutes of video to be stored on a single CD. Video CD players can also play karaoke titles and were particularly popular in China, although we believe that the volume for these players have declined. We formerly sold MPEG 1-based products to manufacturers of stand-alone video CD players but are no longer selling these products for this market.

 

In 1998, the Chinese government adopted the Super Video CD standard. By utilizing MPEG 2 compression technology as well as graphics, Super Video CD offers substantially higher audio and video quality than is possible with a video CD player. The Super Video CD standard that replaced video CD in China is, in turn, being replaced by DVD players.

 

DVD players, the latest generation of video playback systems, use MPEG 2 video compression and Dolby Digital or similar audio technology to provide significantly higher quality playback than is possible with VCRs, Video CD or Super Video CD players. DVD players are sold as stand-alone products and are now also being bundled with other functions including DVD+VCR combinations, DVD-Receivers and DVD+TV combinations. In addition, the DVD player can act as a platform for connecting digital cameras so that the player becomes the playback mechanism for digital still images. DVD players are also included in place of CD-ROM drives in some newer PCs, where they are referred to as DVD-ROMs. DVD-ROMs are also sold as upgrade products. The growth in the DVD market is demonstrated by the rapidly growing sales of DVD players, the increasing number of models and manufacturers, and the increasing number of DVD titles available for purchase and rent.

 

Filmless Digital Cameras

 

Filmless digital cameras allow the capture of high resolution images, the viewing, editing and storage of such images on a computer system and their transmission over telephone lines and computer networks. High quality copies of these images can be printed using color printers. In addition, digital cameras can be connected directly to a PC for downloading of pictures and to a television for displaying pictures. The original digital cameras were developed for the professional market and currently sell at prices of $3,000 to $10,000. As technology has advanced and manufacturing costs have decreased, digital cameras for the consumer market have been introduced in the $69 to $1,000 price range. Compression technology has also enabled the development of digital video security cameras and low cost digital video cameras for use with PCs.

 

Digital Video Recording Systems

 

Digital video recording systems are aimed at replacing the analog VCR. Digital video recording systems will not only store home made movies and TV programs but will allow them to be easily edited. In addition, digital video recording systems will enable high quality time shifting of TV program viewing by recording the program so that it can be watched simultaneously or on a delayed basis. The recording media includes DVD recordable media and hard disks. Digital video recording systems use MPEG 2 as the video compression format and Dolby Digital or MPEG audio as the audio format.

 

PC Video Systems

 

Historically, professional video editing systems were comprised of expensive pieces of analog audio and video equipment. Compression technology allows digital video images to be stored in a computer’s memory in sufficient volume to enable capture and “cut and paste” editing to be performed through random access to stored images. As the cost of compression technology has declined, a number of manufacturers have designed low cost digital video capture and editing systems that run on PCs, creating a new category of users in the corporate, education and government markets.

 

The availability of universal serial bus, or USB, connectors on most PCs currently being manufactured creates an opportunity for the development of low-cost external video capture and editing accessories that can be easily installed by

 

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consumers. We believe that enhanced support of video in consumer PCs, and the growing popularity of wideband Internet services will open new opportunities for video capture and sharing applications on the PC and will increase the popularity of such products.

 

Digital Audio Systems

 

Digital audio facilitates enhanced audio playback with features such as multi-channel surround sound and virtual surround sound utilizing two channel technology. Many standards have emerged for the digital compression of audio.

Current digital audio compression standards in use include Dolby Digital, DTS, MLP and MP3. Dolby Digital and DTS are competing standards of audio compression for use in multi-channel digital surround sound systems in movie theaters and at home. MLP was developed for audio compression in DVD audio. MP3 is one of the compression standards recognized for the download of audio recordings over the Internet. Our audio integrated circuits incorporate all of these standards. The principal products using compressed digital audio in the consumer market are DVD players, PCs incorporating DVD-ROMs, digital speakers and portable MP3 players.

 

Other Applications

 

Other existing and potential applications for our audio and video compression technologies include Internet audio and video appliances, digital television and television set-top boxes, as well as personal digital audio and video devices.

 

Technology

 

Image and Video Technology

 

The JPEG Standard. In 1991, the Joint Photographic Experts Group, or JPEG, Committee of the International Standards Organization completed a technical specification for a standard to compress individual digitized images which may consist of still images or consecutive frames of video data. JPEG has been widely adopted for video editing applications, since each frame in the video is individually compressed, allowing cutting and pasting of sequences as well as modification of individual frames. Images are compressed through elimination of spatial redundancies within an image and the filtering of high frequency areas to which the eye is less sensitive. Using these techniques, the JPEG compression standard is able to reduce the data necessary to represent an image without significant degradation of image quality. Still images or motion video can be compressed to varying degrees using JPEG, with greater compression resulting in lower quality. Typically, four-to-one or five-to-one compression yields broadcast image quality while 20-to-1 compression is similar to VHS quality.

 

Zoran JPEG Technology. Our JPEG technology incorporates a proprietary bit rate control algorithm that enables our JPEG-based products to compress any image to a predetermined size while optimizing video quality using pre-selected parameters. Without this feature, the JPEG compression process results in compressed data files of various sizes based on the actual content of the original image given a constant degree of compression. An image with large amounts of visual detail will generate a larger data file than that generated from an image with less detail. Performance of many video applications is hampered by variability in the size of the compressed images in a video sequence, which can result in inefficient use of available memory, bus speed or communication channel capacity or even the loss of images. Our bit rate control is a “standards-plus” solution that uses real-time digital signal processing algorithms to optimize video quality based on pre-selected parameters, which can be programmed by OEMs, without the loss of any image or video frame. Our bit rate control has been incorporated in our JPEG-based devices that are used in video editing systems, filmless and tapeless digital cameras, color scanners, PC-based security systems, video conferencing and other applications. Other features of our JPEG-based products include their ability to handle a wide range of compression ratios, to perform a “lossless” compression algorithm in the same JPEG device, to rapidly scan or browse a large number of images and utilize advanced image processing algorithms that enable bit rate control of USB data, vertical blank interval detection, infrared remote control detection and scene analysis for computer control applications. We implement these functions in a single integrated circuit while we believe most other manufacturers either offer fewer functions or require multiple chips, resulting in higher manufacturing costs and greater power consumption.

 

CMOS  Sensor Technology. With the widespread availability of inexpensive complementary metal oxide semiconductor, or CMOS, fabrication facilities, image sensor designers are now able to offer a single chip solution to perform the “light-to-bytes” function at a quality level that is competitive with the long established charge coupled device, or CCD, sensor

 

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technology, but with far greater operational flexibility and at much lower power consumption. CMOS sensors can scan in a variety of modes and directions and perform analog-domain pre-processing of the signal which may be advantageous from a system perspective. Although the greater pixel circuit complexity results in a larger imager today, progress is being made to both reduce the geometry of the pixel and use more aggressive design rules. The result will be a sensor which provides both cost reduction and performance enhancement paths to the system designer over the traditional CCD-based solution.

 

Zoran CMOS Sensor Technology. The PixelCam ZR32112 and ZR32212 are high performance 1.3 megapixel CMOS image sensors that are ideal for digital still and video imaging products. Using our proprietary Distributed-Pixel Amplifier design, the pixel response is independent of its distance from each column’s CDS circuitry. This unique architecture results in an extremely uniform pixel array with low fixed-pattern noise without the need for off-chip background frame subtraction circuitry. The bank of analog front-end circuits quantizes each pixel to 10 bit resolution. This highly parallel approach eases speed requirements on individual analog circuits and reduces overall power consumption. Separate programmable red, green and blue PGA circuits enable analog-domain color balance. The flexibility of these sensors’ output image format permits the tradeoff between resolution and frame rate. The image output may also be horizontally “mirrored” and vertically “flipped”.

 

The MPEG Standards. In 1991, the Moving Pictures Expert Group, or MPEG, Committee of the International Standards Organization completed a technical specification for a standard to compress moving audio and video into a single data stream. Like JPEG, MPEG 1 removes spatial redundancies from single frames of video data. MPEG 1 improves on JPEG by also removing redundancies that occur between consecutive video frames. Because video represents movement, it is possible to detect and estimate the movement of similar picture elements between video frames, a process called motion estimation. MPEG motion estimation uses the content of previous and future frames to predict the content of the current frame without using its full content. MPEG 1 implements audio compression by exploiting psycho-acoustic masking, taking advantage of the fact that the ear is less sensitive to a quiet note at one frequency when a much louder note is present at a nearby frequency. MPEG 1 often achieves audio compression ratios of six-to-one and video compression ratios of over 100-to-1. MPEG 1 is particularly suitable for low-cost CD-ROM applications due to its low-cost implementation.

 

In 1993, the MPEG 2 video committee completed a technical specification to address the more stringent requirements of the broadcast industry. MPEG 2 provides more sophisticated prediction techniques, enabling a compression solution to comprehend video as interlaced fields of data, rather than individual frames. MPEG 2 also allows for operation at higher resolution and at higher bit rates than MPEG 1, resulting in improved image quality for high motion, high detail video. MPEG 2 typically achieves compression ratios of 50-to-1. Because of its higher bit rate, MPEG 2 technology cannot be used in standard CD-ROM applications, but can be used in DVD players.

 

MPEG 4 builds on the experience of the MPEG 1 and MPEG 2 standards, which are currently used in digital video applications. MPEG 4 is rich in features, and can be customized to serve the needs of specific industries while preserving a high level of interoperability across a variety of applications. It allows a new level of interaction with visual content, providing the ability to view, access and manipulate objects rather than pixels. MPEG 4’s impact is especially significant in video streaming, digital television, mobile multimedia and game applications

 

Zoran MPEG Technology. Beginning in 1997, we established ourselves as a leading provider of MPEG 2 technology for DVD and Super Video CD applications. We introduced the first DVD decoder device integrating digital video with multi-channel digital audio and programmable audio effects for use in DVD players. We also introduced new MPEG compression chip cores that can be integrated into chips manufactured by OEM customers, enabling these customers to reduce the cost of custom chip design and accelerate the time-to-market of their products.

 

Audio Technology

 

The Dolby Digital Standard. In 1992, Dolby Laboratories launched Dolby Digital, an audio compression technique which has emerged as an industry standard. Dolby Digital was developed as a successor to Dolby’s Pro-Logic analog technique for use in multi-channel digital surround sound systems. It is currently used in movie theaters comprising over 24,000 screens worldwide and is also used in home theater and computer multimedia applications. Digital compression of audio data allows the storage of full quality multi-channel audio playback in the limited space allocated for audio in video-oriented formats. It also facilitates the seamless integration of sound with compressed video. The Dolby Digital

 

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audio compression standard is currently the principal audio compression technique used in DVD players. Dolby Digital has also been adopted as a standard for use in high-definition television and digital cable systems.

 

Other Audio Standards. Other digital audio compression standards currently in use include DTS, an audio compression standard that competes with Dolby Digital, MLP, a compression standard for DVD audio, and MP3, used for the download of audio recordings from the Internet.

 

Zoran Audio Technology. Working closely with Dolby Laboratories, we have developed a programmable audio digital signal processing engine with an architecture optimized for Dolby Digital and other demanding audio applications and we were the first to develop a single-chip solution for Dolby Digital decoding. Our Vaddis DVD decoders and audio processors now incorporate this engine to allow systems manufacturers to replace system components with software modules, differentiate their products from their competition, use our Silicon Software library of advanced audio algorithms, and reduce system costs and time to market. In addition to Dolby Digital, our DVD decoders and audio processors implement all principal audio compression standards, including DTS, MLP and MP3. Our integrated circuits also include additional functions such as Virtual Multi-Channel Digital, surround sound for headphones, High-Definition CD, karaoke processing and speaker equalization.

 

Products

 

Our multimedia product line consists of four principal product families:

 

                  DVD—video and audio decompression products based on MPEG, Dolby Digital and DTS;

 

                  Filmless Digital Cameras—video compression and decompression products based on JPEG technology and CMOS sensors;

 

                  PC Video—video compression and decompression products based on JPEG technology and USB multimedia controllers; and

 

                  Digital Audio—audio decompression products for use in products using MPEG, Dolby Digital, DTS, MLP, MP3 and other audio technologies.

 

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The following table lists our principal multimedia integrated circuits currently in production, including the months in which initial production units were first made available to customers:

 

PRODUCT
FAMILY

 

PRODUCTS

 

INITIAL
COMMERCIAL
SHIPMENT

 

PRINCIPAL
APPLICATIONS

 

DVD

 

Vaddis DVD decoder (ZR36700)

 

December 1997

 

DVD players

 

Vaddis III Integrated DVD
decoder (ZR36710)

August 1998

Vaddis IV Integrated DVD
decoder (ZR36730)

June 1999

Vaddis IV-LC Integrated DVD
decoder (ZR36732)

November 2000

Vaddis V Integrated DVD
decoder (ZR36750)

May 2001

Filmless
Digital Cameras

 

Filmless digital camera
processor—COACH (ZR36400)

 

February 1999

 

Filmless digital cameras,
security

 

Filmless digital camera
processor—COACH-XL (ZR36410)

March 2000

Filmless digital camera
processor—COACH-LC (ZR36420)

March 2000

CMOS sensor (ZR32112)

July 2000

CMOS sensor (ZR32212)

February 2001

PC Video

 

JPEG codec (ZR36050)

 

April 1993

 

PC video editing, office
automation

 

Integrated converter (ZR36016)*

February 1995

Color scanners and printers

JPEG codec (ZR36060)

February 1997

PC video editing, security

JPEG PCI multimedia controller
(ZR36067)

September 1997

PC video editing

USB multimedia controller (ZR36503)

June 1998

PC-TVs, PC digital
cameras, video capture
devices

USB multimedia controller (ZR36504)

December 1999

PC-TVs, PC digital
cameras, PC set-top boxes,
cable modems

 

Digital Audio

 

6-channel Dolby Digital
decoder (ZR38500)

 

December 1994

 

Home theater

 

Programmable Digital audio
processor (`ZR38601)

December 1998

Digital speakers for home
theater, computers and
gaming consoles

Multi-standard Programmable
Digital audio processor
(ZR38650)

December 1998

Audio/video receivers, 3D
headphones

 


*   Designed and manufactured by a third party and sold by us under our name pursuant to a non-exclusive license. See “Proprietary Rights and Licenses.”

 

10



 

DVD. Our Vaddis decoders perform all the audio and video decoding and display requirements of the DVD specification, including MPEG 2 audio and video decoding, Dolby Digital, DTS and MLP audio decoding, on-screen display, decryption required for copyright protection and presentation of graphic information. The Vaddis has additional computation power that can be utilized for customer differentiation features. For example, it can incorporate virtual surround sound algorithms without the addition of hardware. This allows the user to enjoy the theater-like sound obtained from six speakers using a system that includes only two speakers and the Vaddis. The Vaddis IV incorporates a more powerful audio digital signal processor that enables the support of advanced audio algorithms like MPEG 5.1, DTS and audio DVD, which are needed in today’s DVD player systems. The Vaddis V integrates the host controller and incorporates DVD audio and progressive scan output features that are part of current high-end DVD player systems. Vaddis decoders are being used in DVD players manufactured by Sharp, Toshiba and others. We provide full reference designs of DVD players, based on our Vaddis chips, that help our customers accelerate their time to market for their players.

 

Filmless Digital Camera Products. Our JPEG technology is used in filmless digital cameras. In September 1999, we introduced the Camera On A CHip, or COACH—an integrated system on a chip solution that includes most of the electronics of a filmless digital camera. The COACH can be connected directly to a high-resolution (up to 4 mega pixel) CCD or CMOS sensor, process the video information in real time, compress the captured image in real time to a flash memory, interface an LCD or micro display and interface to all types of flash memory. Among the unique capabilities of the COACH is the ability to transfer in real-time, over a USB bus, high quality video to the PC and thus serve also as a PC video camera. The COACH also allows for direct connection to a printer, including color correction and special effects, for the non-PC consumer environment. The COACH is supplemented by full filmless digital camera reference designs, “Cam ON” and “Cam Mini,” shortening the time to market for COACH customers. Our PixelCam CMOS sensor products currently deliver CCD image quality with 1.3 megapixel resolution at one-quarter the power dissipation and twice the integration level of CCD sensors. The sensor’s architecture is scalable, which will enable higher resolution product offerings as the digital camera OEM’s needs change. These products also offer the digital camera manufacturer longer battery life and reduced “time to next shot”.

 

PC Video Products. Our ZR36050 and ZR36060 codecs are compression/decompression devices used for real time encoding and decoding of JPEG video for editing applications. They are fully compliant with JPEG standards. The ZR36050 and ZR36060 utilize our proprietary bit rate control technology for high quality video capture. The ZR36050 also features a unique, embedded, “lossless” mode that allows customers to elect to use low compression ratio techniques that result in no data loss for applications where quality is the primary consideration. The ZR36050 and ZR36060 can be installed in a chipset that includes the ZR36067 motion controller for PCI board implementation or pre/post-processing devices such as the ZR36016 integrated color space/raster-to-block converter. The ZR36060 integrates the functions of the ZR36050, ZR36015 and an additional SRAM device in a single chip. The ZR36067 is a PCI motion JPEG controller targeting consumer-priced but professional quality desktop PCI video editing systems. The ZR36503 is a video chip for video communication across the USB channel to the PC. The ZR36504 chip incorporates video, audio and data streaming into a single chip for video, audio and data transfer across the USB channel to the PC.

 

Digital Audio Products. The ZR38601, a single-chip digital audio processor designed to support the PC and home theater digital speaker market, takes advantage of most of the advanced audio algorithms included in our Silicon Software library. Its eight channel output architecture supports the latest home theater applications, including Dolby Surround EX 6.1 channel sound. The ZR38601’s ability to accept six individual channels of audio input also makes it the ideal processor for today’s four channel Direct Sound computer games. The ZR38650, a true multi-standard digital audio processor, takes advantage of our complete Silicon Software library. It is designed to support the large mid and low range audio/video receiver market, while providing features previously available only on more expensive models.

 

Integrated Circuit Cores. We offer multimedia integrated circuit, or intellectual property ("IP"), cores which can be incorporated into our customers’ chips. For example, Zoran licenses a video decoder IP core for conversion of an NTSC, PAL, or SECAM TV signal into a format that allows the information in the TV signal to be displayed on a TV monitor. This IP Core enables the integration of TV functionality into ICs for LCD panels, LCD-TVs, Plasma Display TVs, set-top boxes, Digital TVs (“DTVs”), projector systems, PC video capture and other applications. Our video encoder IP cores perform the reverse function, converting component video data into an NTSC, PAL or SECAM TV signal. This IP core has applications in ICs for graphics display, set-top boxes, digital cameras, DTVs, DVD players, gaming systems and other applications.

 

11



 

conversion of various digital video formats for display on televisions and PC monitors, and can be integrated into graphics integrated circuits, digital televisions, television set-top boxes and digital cameras.

 

Customers

 

The following table lists representative customers, as well as other OEMs who purchase our products through our distributors. Each of these customers and OEMs purchased, directly or indirectly, at least $100,000 of our products from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001:

 

PRODUCT FAMILY

 

DIRECT CUSTOMERS

 

OTHER OEMs

 

DVD

 

Alco Electronics LTD.
Amoisonic Electronics Co.,LTD.
Edge Electronics Inc.
Fly Ring Digital Technology
FM COM Corp.
Fujifilm
Jiangsu Hongtu High Technology
Marketa Semiconductor
Newell Hong Kong
Optomedia Electronics Corp

 

Sanyo Electric
Shanghai World Trade Dev. Co.
Shenzhen Bao Tong Electronic
Shenzhen J&S Industrial Co.
Sinoglobal Technology Inc.
Tomen Electronics Corp.
Topas Electronic
World Trade Electronics
Zhongshan Kenloon Lighing Co.

 

Orion
Quisheng
Sharp
Toshiba

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digital Audio

 

Altec Lansing
ATL Electronics
CET LTD.

 

Newell Hong Kong
Recoton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PC Video

 

Alcom Electronics
Amega Group Limited
ATD Electronique
ATI Technologies LTD.
Belkin Components
China Metal Products Co.Ltd.
CSE Co. LTD.
Dazzle, Inc.
Edge Electronics Inc.
Optibase LTD.

 

Pinnacle Systems
Q.S.R. LTD.
SCI Manufacturing Inc.
SCM Microsystems
Sinoglobal Technology Inc.
Tomen Electronics Corp.
Topas Electronic
USC Corporation
Xanbo Inc.

 

Avid
Lucent Technologies
Silicon Graphics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filmless Digital Cameras

 

Kinpo Electronics Ltd.
NuCam Corporation
Primax Electronics Ltd.
Samsung Techwin Co. LTD.

 

Silent Witness
Sinoglobal Technology Inc.
Tomen Electronics Corp.

 

Minolta
Ricoh

 

 

Fujifilm purchases our products primarily as a distributor and resells these products, in many cases under its own trade name. Fujifilm acts as our primary distributor in Japan and accounts for most of our product sales in Japan.

 

During 2000, sales to Fujifilm accounted for 25.2% of our total revenues, including 27.5% of product sales. During 2001, sales to Fujifilm accounted for 29.2% of our total revenues, including 30.6% of product sales. In addition, sales to Fly Ring Digital Technology during 2001 accounted for 12.0% of our total revenues, including 12.9% of product sales.  During 2000, our four largest customers accounted for 45.4% of our revenues, and during 2001, our four largest customers accounted for 56.3% of our revenues.

 

Research and Development

 

We believe that our future success depends on our ability to continue to enhance our existing products and to develop new products that maintain technological competitiveness and compliance with new standards in rapidly evolving consumer-oriented digital audio and video markets. We attempt to leverage our expertise in the fields of digital signal processing, integrated circuit design, algorithms and software development to maintain our position as a leader in the

 

12



 

development of digital audio and video solutions enabled by compression. Accordingly, we devote a significant portion of our resources to maintaining and upgrading our products to reduce integrated circuit cost, feature size, power consumption and the number of integrated circuits required to perform compression and other functions necessary for the evolving digital audio and video application markets. In addition, we seek to design integrated circuits and cores, as well as copy-ready reference designs which can reduce the time needed by manufacturers to integrate our products into their own products.

 

We have historically generated a significant percentage of our total revenues from development contracts with our strategic partners. These development contracts provide that we will receive payments upon reaching certain development milestones and that we will retain ownership of the intellectual property developed. Development contracts have enabled us to fund portions of our product development efforts, to respond to the feature requirements of our customers, to accelerate the incorporation of our products into our customers’ products and to accelerate the time-to-market of our customers’ products. We are currently developing new integrated circuits based on MPEG and Dolby Digital compression standards pursuant to a development contract with Fujifilm, under which Fujifilm is providing a portion of the development funding. Fujifilm has participated directly in product definition for these development programs and has the right to sell resulting products in Japan under its distribution agreement with us. Fujifilm also has the right to manufacture a portion of our requirements for which it has contributed significant funding.

 

We are a party to research and development agreements with the Chief Scientist in Israel’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Israel-United States Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation. These organizations fund up to 50% of incurred project costs for approved projects up to contract maximums. The agreements require us to use our best efforts to achieve specified results and to pay royalties at rates of 3% to 5% of resulting product sales and up to 30% of resulting license revenues, up to a maximum of 100% to 150% of the total funding received. Reported research and development expenses are net of these grants, which fluctuate from period to period. Total grants earned in 1999 were $484,000, and in 2000 were $333,000. In 2001 we did not receive any grants from these organizations. The terms of Israeli Government participation also contain restrictions on the location of research and development activities, and the terms of the grants from the Chief Scientist prohibit the transfer of technology developed pursuant to these grants to any person without the prior written consent of the Chief Scientist. We are currently engaged in the development of improvements to our Camera On A CHip, or COACH, technology under grant from the Chief Scientist. Although we have received grants from the Chief Scientist and the Foundation in the past, we intend to fund future research and development efforts for new products primarily from our own funds and through research and development arrangements with our major OEM customers.

 

As of December 31, 2001, we had a staff of 118 full-time and 33 part-time research and development personnel, 138 of whom are based in Israel.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

Our sales and marketing strategy is to focus on providing solutions, primarily compression related, for manufacturers seeking to design audio and video products for emerging high volume consumer applications. In cooperation with leading manufacturers of audio and video equipment in the commercial and consumer markets, we attempt to identify market segments which have the potential for substantial growth. To implement our strategy, we have established a direct sales force located at several sales and marketing offices, and a worldwide network of independent sales representatives and distributors. In some cases, our strategic partners also provide sales and marketing support.

 

We work closely in the product development process with strategic partners to incorporate our integrated circuits and software into their products. Potential products are designed to meet customer-specific product requirements defined jointly by us and our strategic partners with our partners providing technological input, and in some cases, a portion of the development funding. This strategy has permitted us to develop products with substantial financial and other assistance, while retaining ownership of the technology and ensuring an established customer for the product once development is completed. In addition, our application engineers assist customers in designing their products to incorporate our integrated circuits.

 

Our sales are generally made pursuant to purchase orders received between one and six months prior to the scheduled delivery date. We sell our products primarily through our 14-person direct sales staff, of whom four are located in the United States and ten are located internationally. Our United States sales staff is primarily responsible for sales in North

 

13



 

America, South America and Asia, and our Israeli sales staff is primarily responsible for sales in Europe and the Middle East. In addition, we sell our products indirectly through 23 commissioned sales representatives as well as selected distributors. We typically warrant our products for a 12-month period. To date, we have not experienced material product returns or warranty expense.

 

We have opened offices in other parts of the world in order to better address specific markets. During 1998, we opened an office in Shenzhen, China as part of our effort to capture a leadership position in the Chinese digital audio and video markets. During 2000, we opened an office in Taipei, Taiwan in an effort to better address the digital camera market. As of December 31, 2001, we had a staff of 24 employees in our China office and 8 employees in our Taiwan office, including sales, applications and customer support employees. In addition, in 2001 we opened offices in Hong Kong and Korea. At December 31, 2001 we had a staff of three in each location. These offices also provide sales, applications and customer support.

 

We distribute our integrated circuit products in Japan primarily under an agreement with Fujifilm. Under this agreement, Fujifilm acts as the primary distributor in Japan of products developed by us under development contracts with Fujifilm. Fujifilm also sells some of these products in Japan under its own name. We may sell these products directly in Japan only to specified customers and must first buy the products from Fujifilm. Fujifilm also has a nonexclusive license to distribute most of our products outside of Japan. We operate a representative office in Tokyo to help promote our products in Japan and to manage the sale of products not sold through Fujifilm, such as integrated circuit cores and certain JPEG products.

 

We sell our Dolby Digital-based products under a perpetual, non-exclusive license from Dolby to sell products that incorporate the Dolby Digital algorithm. We are not required to pay license fees or royalties to Dolby under this agreement. Our customers enter into license agreements directly with Dolby, pursuant to which they pay royalties to Dolby. Under our agreement with Dolby, we may sell our Dolby Digital-based products only to customers who are licensees of Dolby. To date, most potential customers for our Dolby Digital-based products are licensees of Dolby. However, the failure or refusal of potential customers to enter into license agreements with Dolby in the future could harm our sales.

 

We sell our DTS Technology-based products under a non-exclusive license from DTS Technology LLC to sell products that incorporate the DTS algorithm. We are not required to pay royalties to DTS Technology under this agreement. Our customers enter into license agreements directly with DTS, pursuant to which they pay royalties to DTS. Under our agreement with DTS, we may sell our DTS-based products only to customers who are licensees of DTS. The failure or refusal of potential customers to enter into license agreements with DTS in the future could harm our sales.

 

Backlog

 

Sales of our products are made pursuant to firm purchase orders. However, sometimes we allow customers to cancel or reschedule deliveries. In addition, purchase orders are subject to price renegotiations and to changes in quantities of products ordered as a result of changes in customers’ requirements and manufacturing availability. Our business is characterized by short lead times and quick delivery schedules. As a result of these factors, we do not believe that backlog at any given time is a meaningful indicator of future sales.

 

Manufacturing

 

We contract our wafer fabrication, assembly and testing to independent foundries and contractors, which enables us to focus on our design strengths, minimize fixed costs and capital expenditures and gain access to advanced manufacturing facilities. Our engineers work closely with our foundry partners and subcontractors to increase yields, lower manufacturing costs and assure quality.

 

Our primary foundry is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or TSMC, which has manufactured integrated circuits for us since 1987. TSMC is currently manufacturing our DVD, audio, JPEG and some of our digital camera products. In addition, Fujifilm and National Semiconductor manufacture some integrated circuit products for us. Fujifilm is currently manufacturing our JPEG codec, our JPEG-based converter products and our MPEG 1 decoder. National Semiconductor manufactures some of our digital camera products. Hyundai and Fujitsu manufacture our USB

 

14



 

multimedia controller chips. Our independent foundries fabricate products for other companies and may also produce products of their own design.

 

All of our devices are currently fabricated using standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor process technology with 0.18 micron to 0.8 micron feature sizes. All of our semiconductor products are currently being assembled by one of

five independent contractors, ASE, Amkor, ASAT, Kyocera or Vate, and tested by those contractors or other independent contractors.

 

Our ZR36050 JPEG codec was developed jointly with Fujifilm and is currently manufactured by Fujifilm pursuant to an agreement that grants Fujifilm the right to manufacture up to 80% of our requirements for this product subject to Fujifilm’s ability to manufacture the product on substantially the same or better terms and conditions as we could obtain from a third party. This agreement also grants Fujifilm marketing rights in Japan with respect to these products. See “Sales and Marketing.”

 

We currently purchase products from all of our foundries under individually negotiated purchase orders. Our agreement with Fujifilm entitles us to obtain wafer foundry services from Fujifilm on most favored pricing and availability terms, subject to Fujifilm’s technological capabilities and reasonable limitations as to quality and delivery terms requested by us.

 

We do not currently have a long-term supply contract with TSMC, and therefore TSMC is not obligated to manufacture products for us for any specific period, in any specific quantity or at any specified price, except as may be provided in a particular purchase order.

 

Competition

 

Our existing and potential competitors include many large domestic and international companies that have substantially greater resources in the areas of:

 

                  finance;

 

                  manufacturing;

 

                  technology;

 

                  marketing; and

 

                  distribution.

 

Some of these competitors also have broader product lines and longer standing relationships with customers than we do. Some of our principal competitors maintain their own semiconductor foundries and may therefore benefit from capacity, cost and technical advantages. In the market for JPEG-based products for desktop video editing applications, our principal competitors are Divio and Sunplus. Cirrus Logic (Crystal Semiconductor), Fujitsu, Motorola, STMicroelectronics and Yamaha are currently shipping Dolby Digital-based audio compression products. C-Cube, now part of LSI Logic, ESS,  LuxSonor, Matsushita, National Semiconductor,  STMicroelectronics, Sony and Winbond have introduced integrated audio and video devices for DVD and Super Video CD applications. These manufacturers, as well as others, are licensed by Dolby to incorporate Dolby Digital technology in their products. In addition, some manufacturers, including Sony, incorporate compression technologies other than Dolby Digital in audio products that compete with products using our integrated circuits. In the markets for JPEG-based products for use in filmless digital cameras, our principal competitors are in-house solutions developed and used by major Japanese OEMs, Atmel, Omnivision, Sunplus and Texas Instruments. Motorola is providing CMOS sensor products. In the market for MPEG-based chip core products, our principal competitors are David Sarnoff Research Center and SICAN Microelectronics.

 

We believe that our ability to compete successfully in the rapidly evolving markets for high performance audio and video compression technology depends on a number of factors, including:

 

                  price, quality, performance and features of our products;

 

15



 

                  the timing and success of new product introductions by us, our customers and our competitors;

 

                  the emergence of new industry standards;

 

                  our ability to obtain adequate foundry capacity;

 

                  the number and nature of our competitors in a given market; and

 

                  general market and economic conditions.

 

The markets in which we compete are intensely competitive and are characterized by rapid technological change, declining average unit selling prices and rapid product obsolescence. We expect competition to increase in the future from existing competitors and from other companies that may enter our existing or future markets with solutions which may be less costly or provide higher performance or more desirable features than our products.

 

The DVD market is growing, and additional competitors are expected to enter the market for integrated circuits used in DVD players. We believe that several large Japanese consumer electronics companies may be planning to enter this market and may attempt to develop MPEG 2 hardware or software to compete with our products. Some of these potential competitors may develop captive implementations for use only with their own PC and commercial and consumer electronics products. This increased competition may result in price reductions, reduced profit margins and loss of market share.

 

Historically, average unit selling prices in the semiconductor industry in general, and for our products in particular, have decreased over the life of a particular product. We expect that the average unit selling prices of our products will continue to be subject to significant pricing pressures. In order to offset expected declines in the average unit selling prices of our products, we will likely need to reduce the cost of our products. We intend to accomplish this by implementing design changes that lower the cost of manufacture, assembly and testing, by negotiating reduced charges by our foundries as and if volumes increase, and by successfully managing our manufacturing and subcontracting relationships. Since we do not operate our own manufacturing, assembly or testing facilities, we may not be able to reduce our costs as rapidly as companies that operate their own facilities. If we fail to introduce lower cost versions of our products in a timely manner or to successfully manage our manufacturing, assembly and testing relationships our business would be harmed.

 

Proprietary Rights and Licenses

 

Our ability to compete successfully is dependent in part upon our ability to protect our proprietary technology and information. Although we rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secret laws and licensing arrangements to protect some of our intellectual property, we believe that factors such as the technological and creative skills of our personnel and the success of our ongoing product development efforts are more important in maintaining our competitive position. We generally enter into confidentiality or license agreements with our employees, distributors, customers and potential customers and limit access to our proprietary information. We currently hold several U.S. patents, and have additional patent applications pending, that pertain to technologies and processes relating to our current business. Our intellectual property rights, if challenged, may not be upheld as valid, may not be adequate to prevent misappropriation of our technology or may not prevent the development of competitive products. Additionally, we may not be able to obtain patents or other intellectual property protection in the future. In particular, the existence of several consortiums that license patents relating to the MPEG standard has created uncertainty with respect to the use and enforceability of patents implementing that standard. Furthermore, the laws of certain foreign countries in which our products are or may be developed, manufactured or sold, including various countries in Asia, may not protect our products or intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States and thus make the possibility of piracy of our technology and products more likely in these countries.

 

We sell our Dolby Digital-based products under a perpetual non-exclusive license from Dolby which permits us to incorporate the Dolby Digital algorithm into our products. Our customers enter into license agreements with Dolby pursuant to which they pay royalties directly to Dolby. Under our agreement with Dolby, we may sell our Dolby Digital-based products only to customers who are licensees of Dolby. To date, most potential customers for our Dolby Digital-

 

16



 

based products are licensees of Dolby. However, the failure or refusal of potential customers to enter into license agreements with Dolby in the future could harm our business. We sell our DTS Technology-based products under a non-exclusive license from DTS Technology LLC to sell products that incorporate the DTS algorithm. We are not required to pay royalties to DTS under this agreement. Our customers enter into license agreements directly with DTS, pursuant to which they pay royalties to DTS. Under our agreement with DTS, we may sell our DTS-based products only to customers who are licensees of DTS. The failure or refusal of potential customers to enter into license agreements with Dolby in the future could harm our sales.

 

The semiconductor industry is characterized by vigorous protection and pursuit of intellectual property rights, which have resulted in significant and often protracted and expensive litigation. We or our foundries from time to time are notified of claims that we may be infringing patents or other intellectual property rights owned by third parties. We have been subject to intellectual property claims and litigation in the past and we may be subject to additional claims in the future. In particular, given the uncertainty discussed above regarding patents relating to the MPEG standard, it is difficult for us to assess the possibility that our activities in the MPEG field may give rise to future patent infringement claims. Litigation by or against us relating to patent infringement or other intellectual property matters could result in significant expense to us and divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel, whether or not such litigation results in a determination favorable to us. In the event of an adverse result in any such litigation, we could be required to pay substantial damages, cease the manufacture, use and sale of infringing products, expend significant resources to develop non-infringing technology, discontinue the use of certain processes or obtain licenses to the infringing technology. Licenses may not be offered or the terms of any offered licenses may not be acceptable to us. If we fail to obtain a license from a third party for technology used by us we could incur substantial liabilities and to suspend the manufacture of products, or the use by our foundries of certain processes.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2001, we had 258 full-time and 46 part-time and contract employees, including 118 full-time and 33 part-time and contract employees primarily involved in research and development activities, 104 in marketing and sales, 31 in finance and administration and 18 in manufacturing control and quality assurance. We have 141 full-time employees and 38 part-time and contract employees based in Israel, including 138 employees who are primarily involved in engineering and research and development. We have 77 employees at our facilities in Santa Clara, California. The remaining employees are located in our international offices in Canada, Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea. We believe that our future success will depend in large part on our ability to attract and retain highly-skilled, engineering, managerial, sales and marketing personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense. Our employees are not represented by any collective bargaining unit, and we have never experienced a work stoppage. We believe that our employee relations are good.

 

Item 2.    Properties.

 

Our executive offices, our principal administration, marketing and sales operations and a portion of our research and development operations are located in approximately 24,000 square feet of leased space in Santa Clara, California under a lease expiring in March 2003. Our principal research and development and engineering facilities and the balance of our administration, marketing and sales operations are located in approximately 20,000 square feet of leased space in an industrial park in Haifa, Israel under a lease expiring in 2005 and approximately 3,000 square feet of leased space in Kfar Saba, Israel under a lease expiring in 2003. The aggregate annual gross rent for our facilities was approximately $1,531,000 in 2001. We also lease sales offices in Tokyo, Japan, Taipei, Taiwan, and Shenzhen, China. See Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, at the beginning of 2001 we opened offices in Hong Kong and Korea. We believe that our current facilities are adequate for our needs for the foreseeable future and that, should it be needed, suitable additional space will be available to accommodate expansion of our operations on commercially reasonable terms.

 

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings.

 

We are not a party to any pending legal proceedings which we believe will materially affect our financial condition or results of operations.

 

17



 

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

We did not submit any matters to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2001.

 

Executive Officers

 

The names of our executive officers and their ages as of December 31, 2001 are as follows:

 

NAME

 

AGE

 

POSITION

 

Levy Gerzberg, Ph.D

 

56

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

Camillo Martino

 

39

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

 

Isaac Shenberg, Ph.D

 

50

 

Senior Vice President, Business and Strategic Development

 

Karl Schneider

 

47

 

Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Levy Gerzberg was a co-founder of Zoran in 1981 and has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since December 1988 and as a director since 1981. Dr. Gerzberg also served as our President from 1981 to 1984 and as our Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer from 1985 to 1988. Prior to co-founding Zoran, Dr. Gerzberg was Associate Director of Stanford University’s Electronics Laboratory. Dr. Gerzberg holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and an M.S. in Medical Electronics and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel.

 

Camillo Martino joined Zoran as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in August 2001. From January 2001 through July 2001, Mr. Martino served as Chief Executive Officer of Merinta Inc., a subsidiary of Boundless Corporation, engaged in the business of delivering integrated Linux-based internet appliances solutions to network operators.  Mr. Martino served as Marketing Director for National Semiconductor from May 2000 to December 2000. From February 2000 to May 2000, he served as Vice President & General Manager — International Operations for Netpliance Inc., an internet appliance company. From January 1997 through February 2000, Mr. Martino served in various director of marketing positions for National Semiconductor. Mr. Martino holds a M.S. in Digital Communications from Chisholm Institute of Technology and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Melbourne.

 

Isaac Shenberg has served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing of Zoran since January 1995 and as Senior Vice President, Business and Strategic Development since October 1998. From August 1990 to January 1995, Dr. Shenberg served as our Product Line Business Manager. Dr. Shenberg holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Technion.

 

Karl Schneider joined Zoran as Corporate Controller in January 1998 and was elected Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer in July 1998. From September 1996 through 1997, Mr. Schneider served as Controller for the Film Measurement and Robotics and Integrated Technologies divisions of KLA-Tencor, a semiconductor equipment company. Mr. Schneider served as the Corporate Controller for SCM Microsystems, Inc. from October 1995 to September 1996, Controller for Reply Corporation from January 1994 to September 1995, Director of Finance for Digital F/X from October 1992 to January 1994 and Controller for Flextronics from September 1987 through June 1991. Mr. Schneider holds a B.S. in Business Administration from San Diego State University.

 

18



 

PART II

 

Item 5.       Market for the Registrant’s Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

We effected our initial public offering of our common stock on December 15, 1995.  Since that date, our common stock has been quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “ZRAN.” The following table sets forth the high and low closing sales price of our common stock as reported on The Nasdaq National Market for the periods indicated:

 

2000:

 

High

 

Low

 

First Quarter

 

$

74.31

 

$

45.19

 

Second Quarter

 

$

68.50

 

$

33.50

 

Third Quarter

 

$

70.06

 

$

39.69

 

Fourth Quarter

 

$

51.50

 

$

13.19

 

 

2001:

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

22.19

 

$

13.00

 

Second Quarter

 

$

29.72

 

$

14.50

 

Third Quarter

 

$

40.55

 

$

17.10

 

Fourth Quarter

 

$

38.13

 

$

20.52

 

 

As of December 31, 2001, there were 290 holders of record of our common stock.

 

We have never paid cash dividends on our capital stock.  It is our present policy to retain earnings to finance the growth and development of our business and, therefore, we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

19



 

Item 6.       Selected Financial Data.

 

The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere herein.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 

1997

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

$

100,012

 

$

67,782

 

$

52,887

 

$

33,465

 

$

32,717

 

Software, licensing and development

 

7,697

 

11,889

 

8,787

 

10,760

 

12,210

 

Total revenues

 

107,709

 

79,671

 

61,674

 

44,225

 

44,927

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of product sales

 

64,740

 

37,993

 

28,523

 

19,036

 

16,032

 

Research and development

 

23,210

 

18,628

 

12,651

 

13,548

 

13,787

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

21,330

 

19,148

 

14,251

 

11,551

 

11,209

 

Amortization of goodwill and write-off of acquired in-process research & development

 

43,233

 

31,769

 

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

152,513

 

107,538

 

55,425

 

44,135

 

41,028

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(44,804

)

(27,867

)

6,249

 

90

 

3,899

 

Interest and other income, net

 

10,004

 

9,229

 

1,585

 

1,071

 

1,258

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(34,800

)

(18,638

)

7,834

 

1,161

 

5,157

 

Provision for income taxes

 

1,265

 

1,970

 

1,175

 

232

 

928

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(36,065

)

$

(20,608

)

$

6,659

 

$

929

 

$

4,229

 

Basic net income (loss) per share(1)

 

$

(2.07

)

$

(1.37

)

$

0.61

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.45

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share(1)

 

$

(2.07

)

$

(1.37

)

$

0.54

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.38

 

Shares used to compute basic net income (loss) per share(1)

 

17,460

 

15,070

 

10,844

 

10,042

 

9,412

 

Shares used to compute diluted net income (loss) per share(1)

 

17,460

 

15,070

 

12,249

 

11,119

 

11,072

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 

1997

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

$

110,105

 

$

175,638

 

$

145,632

 

$

19,175

 

$

22,376

 

Working capital

 

130,777

 

197,719

 

157,583

 

30,830

 

28,582

 

Total assets

 

331,344

 

359,466

 

182,468

 

49,170

 

50,944

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(94,190

)

(58,125

)

(37,517

)

(44,176

)

(45,105

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

297,838

 

331,454

 

163,445

 

36,186

 

34,286

 

 


(1)        See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the computation of the number of shares and net income (loss) per share.

 

20



 

Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Overview

 

From our inception in 1981 through 1991, we derived the substantial majority of our revenue from digital filter processors and vector signal processors used principally in military, industrial and medical applications. In 1989, we repositioned our business to develop and market data compression products for the evolving multimedia markets and discontinued development of digital filter processor and vector signal processor products. In 1994, we discontinued production of these products. Our current lines of digital audio and video products include integrated circuits and related products used in digital versatile disc players, movie and home theater systems, filmless digital cameras and video editing systems.

 

We derive most of our revenues from the sale of our integrated circuit products. Historically, average selling prices in the semiconductor industry in general, and for our products in particular, have decreased over the life of a particular product. Average selling prices for our hardware products have fluctuated substantially from period to period, primarily as a result of changes in our customer mix of original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, sales versus sales to distributors and the transition from low-volume to high-volume production. In the past, we have reduced the prices of some of our products in order to better penetrate the consumer market. We believe that, as our product lines continue to mature and competitive markets evolve, we are likely to experience further declines in the average selling prices of our products, although we cannot predict the timing and amount of such future changes with any certainty.

 

Our cost of product sales consists primarily of fabrication costs, assembly and test costs, and the cost of materials and overhead from operations. If we are unable to reduce our cost of product sales to offset anticipated decreases in average selling prices, our product gross margins will decrease. Our product gross margin is also dependent on product mix and on the percentage of products sold directly to our OEM customers versus indirectly through our marketing partners who purchase our products at lower prices but absorb most of the associated marketing and sales support expenses, maintain inventories and provide customer support and training. Lower gross margins on sales to distributors are partially offset by reduced selling and marketing expenses related to such sales. Product sales in Japan are primarily made through Fujifilm, our strategic partner and distributor in Japan. Fujifilm provides more sales and marketing support than our other distributors. We expect both product and customer mix to continue to fluctuate in future periods, causing further fluctuations in margins.

 

We also derive revenue from licensing our software and other intellectual property. Licensing revenue includes one-time license fees and royalties based on the number of units distributed by the licensee. In addition, we have historically generated a significant percentage of our total revenues from development contracts, primarily with key customers, although development revenue has declined as a percentage of total revenues over the past several years. These development contracts have provided us with partial funding for the development of some of our products. These development contracts provide for license and milestone payments which are recorded as development revenue. We classify all development costs, including costs related to these development contracts, as research and development expenses. We retain ownership of the intellectual property developed by us under these development contracts. While we intend to continue to enter into development contracts with certain strategic partners, we expect development revenue to continue to decline as a percentage of total revenues.

 

Our research and development expenses consist of salaries and related costs of employees engaged in ongoing research, design and development activities and costs of engineering materials and supplies. We are also a party to research and development agreements with the Chief Scientist in Israel’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Israel-United States Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation, which fund up to 50% of incurred project costs for approved products up to specified contract maximums. These agreements require us to use our best efforts to achieve specified results and require us to pay royalties at rates of 3% to 5% of resulting product sales, and up to 30% of resulting license revenues, up to a maximum of 100% to 150% of total funding received. Reported research and development expenses are net of these grants, which fluctuate from period to period. We believe that significant investments in research and development are required for us to remain competitive and we expect to continue to devote significant resources to product development, although such expenses as a percentage of total revenues may fluctuate.

 

21



 

Our selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of employee-related expenses, royalties, sales commissions, product promotion and other professional services. We expect that selling, general and administrative expenses will continue to increase to support our anticipated growth.

 

We conduct most of our research and development and certain sales and marketing and administrative operations in Israel through our wholly-owned Israeli subsidiary. As a result, some of our expenses are incurred in New Israeli Shekels. To date, substantially all of our product sales and our development and licensing revenue have been denominated in U.S. dollars and most costs of product sales have been incurred in U.S. dollars. We expect that most of our sales and costs of sales will continue to be denominated and incurred in U.S. dollars for the foreseeable future. We have not experienced material losses or gains as a result of currency exchange rate fluctuations and have not engaged in hedging transactions to reduce our exposure to such fluctuations. We may in the future elect to take action to reduce our foreign exchange risk.

 

Our effective income tax rate has benefited from the availability of net operating losses which we have utilized to reduce taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes and by our Israeli subsidiary’s status as an “Approved Enterprise” under Israeli law, which provides a ten-year tax holiday for income attributable to a portion of our operations in Israel. Our U.S. federal net operating losses expire at various times between 2002 and 2020, and the benefits from our subsidiary’s Approved Enterprise status expire at various times beginning in 2003.

 

In June 1999, we sold to MGI Software of Canada the intellectual property related to our SoftDVD product line and transferred to MGI certain related software development and support resources in exchange for cash, MGI common stock and future royalties. We do not currently expect, however, that these royalties will have a material impact on quarterly revenues for the foreseeable future. In addition, the shares of MGI stock received by us as part of this transaction are subject to future appreciation or depreciation. Our software revenues have declined significantly as a result of the sale of the SoftDVD product line.

 

In June 2000, we acquired PixelCam, Inc., a manufacturer of megapixel CMOS image sensors, in exchange for 370,832 shares of our common stock and options to purchase 4,168 shares of our common stock with an aggregate value of $24.6 million. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

On October 26, 2000, we acquired Nogatech Inc., a provider of chips that compress digital video images and establish connections, or video connectivity, between video devices and computers, as well as between video devices across a variety of networks, in exchange for 2,534,599 shares of our common stock and options to purchase 168,472 shares of our common stock with an aggregate value of $163.6 million. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including bad debts, inventories, investments, intangible assets and income taxes. We base these estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

 

                  We recognize development revenue using the percentage-of-completion method. Under the percentage-of-completion method, revenue recognized is that portion of the total contract price equal to the ratio of costs expended to date to the anticipated final total costs, based on current estimates of the costs to complete the

 

22



 

project. These estimates are reviewed and revised periodically throughout the lives of the contracts. Any revisions are recorded in the accounting period in which the revisions are made.

 

                  Inventories are recorded at the lower of standard cost, which approximates actual cost on a first-in-first-out basis, or market value. We write down inventories to net realizable value based on forecasted demand and market conditions. Actual demand and market conditions may be different from those projected by our management. This could have a material effect on our operating results and financial position.

 

                  We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments.  If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

 

                  We hold minority interests in companies having operations or technology in areas within our strategic focus. At December 31, 2001 these investments totaled $3.6 million. We record an investment impairment charge when we believe an investment has experienced a decline in value that is other than temporary. We assess the value of this investment principally by using information acquired from the investee, including historical and projected financial performance and recent funding events. Future adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of underlying investments could result in losses or an inability to recover the carrying value of the investments that may not be reflected in an investment’s current carrying value thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future.

 

                  We evaluate the recoverability of our property and equipment and intangible assets in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121 Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of. This standard requires recognition of impairment of long-lived assets in the event the carrying value of such assets exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows attributable to such assets. Impairment evaluations involve management estimates of asset useful lives and future cash flows. Actual useful lives and cash flows could be different from those estimated by our management. This could have a material effect on our operating results and financial position.

 

                  We follow the liability method of accounting for income taxes which requires recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequence of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. In the event actual results differ from these expectations then the resulting impact to income would be assessed in the period such determination was made.

 

23



 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth certain consolidated statement of operations data as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

92.9

%

85.1

%

85.8

%

Software, licensing and development

 

7.1

 

14.9

 

14.2

 

Total revenues

 

100.0

 

100.0

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of product sales

 

60.1

 

47.7

 

46.3

 

Research and development

 

21.6

 

23.4

 

20.5

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

19.8

 

24.0

 

23.1

 

Amortization of goodwill and write-off of acquired in-process research & development

 

40.1

 

39.9

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

141.6

 

135.0

 

89.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(41.6

)

(35.0

)

10.1

 

Interest and other income, net

 

9.3

 

11.6

 

2.6

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(32.3

)

(23.4

)

12.7

 

Provision for income taxes

 

1.2

 

2.5

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

(33.5

)%

(25.9

)%

10.8

%

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2001 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2000

 

Revenues.  Total revenues increased by 35.2% to $107.7 million in 2001 from $79.7 million in 2000.  Product sales increased by 47.5% to $100.0 million in 2001 from $67.8 million in 2000. The increase in product sales resulted primarily from increased unit sales of DVD products and to a lesser extent filmless digital cameras. Offsetting these increases somewhat were decreased unit sales for our digital audio and PC video products. Software, licensing and development revenues decreased by 35.3% to $7.7 million in 2001 from $11.9 million in 2000. This decrease was due to a decline in the number and size of significant new licensing contracts, as well as the timing of revenue recognition on a long-term development contract.

 

Product Gross Margin.   Product gross margin decreased to 35.3% in 2001 compared to 43.9% in 2000.  The decrease was due to a substantial shift in product mix to a higher percentage of lower-margin DVD products, which include CPU companion chips that are sold at low margin, and a shift in customer mix to a lower percentage of direct sales to OEM customers. In addition, we experienced a decline in the average selling price of our older Vaddis III DVD chip that is being phased out as we transition our customer base to our new Vaddis IV Plus DVD chip.

 

Research and Development.  Research and development (“R&D”) expenses increased by 24.6% to $23.2 million in 2001 from $18.6 million in 2000. Gross R&D expenses increased primarily as a result of our acquisitions of PixelCam and Nogatech in June 2000 and October 2000, respectively and the timing of major project expenses such as tape-outs. R&D expenses in 2001 did not include reimbursements from the Chief Scientist.  For 2000, Chief Scientist reimbursements were $333,000.  R&D expenses decreased as a percentage of total revenues to 21.5% in 2001, compared to 23.4% in 2000 due to the increase in revenue.

 

Selling, General and Administrative.  Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased by 11.4% to $21.3 million in 2001 from $19.1 million in 2000.  The increase was primarily due to our acquisitions of PixelCam and

 

24



 

Nogatech, and the continued expansion of our presence in the Asia Pacific region including the establishment of offices in Hong Kong and Korea at the beginning of 2001.

 

Amortization of goodwill and write-off of acquired in-process research and development. The acquisitions of PixelCam and Nogatech resulted in the following charges:

 

                  PixelCam: During 2001, we recorded $6.0 million in charges related to the amortization of goodwill associated with our acquisition of PixelCam compared to $3.0 million recorded during 2000.  During 2001, we did not record any charges related to the write-off of in-process research and development associated with the PixelCam acquisition. For 2000 we incurred $6.8 million in charges associated with the write-off of in process research and development.

 

                  Nogatech: During 2001, we recorded $36.7 million in charges related to the amortization of goodwill associated with our acquisition of Nogatech compared to $6.8 million recorded during 2000.  During 2001 we did not record any charges related to the write-off of in-process research and development associated with the Nogatech acquisition. For 2000 we incurred $15.1 million in charges associated with the write-off of in process research and development.

 

The in-process research and development project related to our PixelCam acquisition was completed and we began shipping the resulting product in the third quarter of 2001. The project associated with the acquisition of Nogatech has been delayed due to uncertainty in the market concerning implementation timing of this technology. Completion of this project remains a significant risk to the Company due to the remaining effort to achieve technical feasibility, rapidly changing customer markets and significant competitive threats from other companies. Failure to bring related products to market in a timely manner could adversely impact our future sales and profitability. Additionally, the value of the intangible assets acquired may become impaired.

 

We have not yet completed our assessment of goodwill and other intangibles in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statements Nos. 141 and 142, “Business Combinations” and “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 141” and “SFAS 142”). SFAS 142 changes the accounting for goodwill from an amortization method to an impairment-only approach. Under SFAS 142, goodwill will be tested annually and whenever events or circumstances occur indicating that goodwill might be impaired. Upon adoption of SFAS 142, amortization of goodwill recorded for business combinations consummated prior to July 1, 2001 will cease, and intangible assets acquired prior to July 1, 2001 that do not meet the criteria for recognition under SFAS 141 will be reclassified to goodwill. Companies are required to adopt SFAS 142 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. Accordingly, our amortization of goodwill expense, which totaled $33.2 million in 2001, will be discontinued in 2002. In connection with the adoption of SFAS 142, the Company will be required to perform a transitional goodwill impairment assessment and has six months from January 1, 2002 to complete this task.

 

Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net.  Net interest and other income increased by 8.4% to $10.0 million in 2001 from $9.2 million in 2000. The increase resulted primarily from increased interest income on higher cash balances following our acquisition of Nogatech in October 2000.

 

Provision for Income Taxes.  Excluding charges related to the amortization of goodwill and the write-off of acquired in-process research and development our estimated effective tax rate remained at 15.0% for 2001 and 2000.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2000 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1999

 

Revenues.  Total revenues increased by 29.2% to $79.7 million in 2000 from $61.7 million in 1999.  Product sales increased by 28.2% to $67.8 million in 2000 from $52.9 million in 1999. The increase in product sales resulted primarily from increased unit sales of DVD and Super Video CD products as well as filmless digital cameras. Software, licensing and development revenues increased by 35.3% to $11.9 million in 2000 from $8.8 million in 1999. This increase was the result of significant license and development contracts entered into during 2000 which offset the decline in revenues resulting from our sale of our SoftDVD product line in June 1999.

 

25



 

Product Gross Margin.   Product gross margin decreased to 43.9% in 2000 compared to 46.1% in 1999.  The decrease was due to a shift in product mix to a higher percentage of lower-margin products and a shift in customer mix to a lower percentage of direct sales to OEM customers.

 

Research and Development.  Research and development (“R&D”) expenses increased by 47.2% to $18.6 million in 2000 from $12.7 million in 1999. R&D expenses in 2000 were net of reimbursements in the amounts of $333,000 under product development agreements with the Chief Scientist.  For 1999, Chief Scientist reimbursements were $484,000.  Gross R&D expenses increased primarily as a result of our acquisitions of PixelCam in June 2000 and Nogatech in October 2000 as well as our planned enhancement to our technology and development capabilities.  R&D expenses increased as a percentage of total revenues to 23.4% in 2000, compared to 20.5% in 1999.

 

Selling, General and Administrative.  Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased by 34.4% to $19.1 million in 2000 from $14.3 million in 1999.  The increase was primarily due to our acquisitions of PixelCam and Nogatech, the continued expansion of our China office and the opening of our Taiwan office.

 

Amortization of goodwill and write-off of acquired in-process research and development. The acquisitions of PixelCam and Nogatech resulted in the following charges:

 

                  PixelCam: During 2000, we recorded $3.0 million in charges related to the amortization of goodwill associated with our acquisition of PixelCam. In addition to the amortization charge, during the second quarter of 2000, we recorded a $6.8 million charge related to the write-off of acquired in-process research and development associated with the PixelCam acquisition. The allocation of $6.8 million of the purchase price to the acquired in-process research and development was determined by identifying the research project for which technological feasibility had not been established at the time of the acquisition and for which no alternative future uses then existed. The value was determined by estimating the expected cash flows from the project once commercially viable, discounting the net cash flows back to their present value, and then applying a percentage of completion to the calculated value. The percentage of completion was determined using costs incurred by PixelCam prior to the acquisition date compared to the remaining research and development to be completed to bring the project to technological feasibility. We estimated that, as of the acquisition date, the project was 62% complete and the estimated costs to complete the project were approximately $4.1 million.

 

                  Nogatech: During 2000, we recorded $6.8 million in charges related to the amortization of goodwill and other intangibles associated with our acquisition of Nogatech. In addition to the amortization charge, during the fourth quarter of 2000, we recorded a $15.1 million charge related to the write-off of acquired in-process research and development associated with the Nogatech acquisition. The allocation of $15.1 million of the purchase price to the acquired in-process research and development was determined by identifying the research project for which technological feasibility had not been established at the time of the acquisition and for which no alternative future uses then existed. The value was determined by estimating the expected cash flows from the project once commercially viable, discounting the net cash flows back to their present value, and then applying a percentage of completion to the calculated value. The percentage of completion was determined using costs incurred by Nogatech prior to the acquisition date compared to the remaining research and development to be completed to bring the project to technological feasibility. We estimated that, as of the acquisition date, the project was 60% complete and the estimated costs to complete the project were approximately $1.2 million.

 

Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net.  Net interest and other income increased by 482.3% to $9.2 million in 2000 from $1.6 million in 1999. The increase resulted primarily from increased interest income on higher cash balances following a follow-on public offering of common stock in December 1999.

 

Provision for Income Taxes.  Excluding charges related to the amortization of goodwill and the write-off of acquired in-process research and development our estimated effective tax rate remained at 15.0% for 2000 and 1999.

 

26



 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At December 31, 2001, we had $20.3 million of cash and cash equivalents, $89.8 million of short-term investments and $130.8 million of working capital. In addition, we had $86.1 million of investments in other assets that have maturity dates that are beyond one year.

 

Our operating activities provided cash of $12.4 million during 2001, primarily due to the net loss adjusted for the non-cash impact of depreciation and the amortization of goodwill and other intangibles associated with our acquisitions of PixelCam and Nogatech during 2000. In addition, an increase in accounts payable and decrease in inventory, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable, also contributed to the cash provided by operating activities.

 

Cash used in investing activities was $11.2 million during 2001. Cash used for short-term investments during the year was $6.2 million. Capital equipment expenditures accounted for $3.8 million of the cash used while the purchase of long-term investments used $1.2 million

 

Cash provided by financing activities was $3.0 million during 2001 and primarily consisted of proceeds from the issuance of common stock under our incentive stock option and employee stock purchase plans of $6.9 million, offset by the repurchase 255,000 shares of our common stock for $3.9 million.

 

As of December 31, 2001 we are responsible for lease commitments of  $2.9 million associated with our worldwide facilities of which $1.3 million is due in 2002, $649,000 is due in 2003 and $464,000 is due in 2004 and 2005, respectively. In addition, we had inventory purchase commitments of $11.8 million at December 31, 2001.

 

At December 31, 2001 and 2000, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Accordingly, we are not exposed to the type of financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

 

We believe that our current balances of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and anticipated cash flow from operations, will satisfy our anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements at least through 2002. Nonetheless, our future capital requirements may vary materially from those now planned and will depend on many factors including, but not limited to:

 

                  the levels at which we maintain inventory and accounts receivable;

 

                  the market acceptance of our products;

 

                  the levels of promotion and advertising required to launch our new products or to enter markets and attain a competitive position in the marketplace;

 

                  our business, product, capital expenditure and research and development plans and technology roadmap;

 

                  volume pricing concessions;

 

                  capital improvements to new and existing facilities;

 

                  technological advances;

 

                  the response of competitors to our products; and

 

                  our relationships with our suppliers and customers.

 

In addition, we may require an increase in the level of working capital to accommodate planned growth, hiring and infrastructure needs. Additional capital may also be required for consummation of any acquisitions of businesses, products or technologies.

 

27



 

To the extent that our existing resources and cash generated from operations, are insufficient to fund our future activities, we may need to raise additional funds through public or private financings or borrowings. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of debt securities, these securities could have rights, preferences and privileges senior to holders of common stock, and the terms of this debt could impose restrictions on our operations. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt securities could result in additional dilution to our stockholders. We cannot be certain that additional financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we are unable to obtain this additional financing, we may be required to reduce the scope of our planned product development and sales and marketing efforts, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

 

Selected Pro Forma Financial Data

 

The following pro forma consolidated results of operations do no represent our results of operations or earnings per share information in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Pro forma results of operations have been presented, in addition to the actual results, to provide period-to-period comparability of our underlying operating results excluding the following: amortization of goodwill and other intangibles, the write-off of acquired in-process technology, and the amortization of deferred stock-based compensation associated with the acquisition of Nogatech, Inc.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 

1997

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Pro forma net revenues

 

$

107,709

 

$

79,671

 

$

61,674

 

$

44,225

 

$

44,927

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma income (loss) from operations

 

$

(1,571

)

3,902

 

6,249

 

90

 

3,899

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma net income

 

7,168

 

11,161

 

6,659

 

929

 

4,229

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma net income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

0.41

 

0.74

 

0.61

 

0.09

 

0.45

 

Diluted

 

0.39

 

0.68

 

0.54

 

0.08

 

0.38

 

 

Future Performance and Risk Factors

 

The Company’s future business, operating results and financial condition are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described below.

 

Our quarterly revenues and operating results fluctuate due to a variety of factors, which may result in volatility or a decline in the price of our stock.

 

Our quarterly operating results have varied significantly due to a number of factors, including:

 

                  fluctuation in demand for our products;

 

                  the timing of new product introductions by us and our competitors;

 

                  the level of market acceptance of new and enhanced versions of our products and our customers’ products;

 

                  the timing of large customer orders;

 

                  the length and variability of the sales cycle for our products;

 

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                  the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry;

 

                  the availability of development funding and the timing of development revenue;

 

                  changes in the mix of products sold;

 

                  seasonality in demand for our products;

 

                  competitive pricing pressures; and

 

                  the evolving and unpredictable nature of the markets for products incorporating our integrated circuits and embedded software.

 

We expect that our operating results will continue to fluctuate in the future as a result of these factors and a variety of other factors, including:

 

                  the cost and availability of adequate foundry capacity;

 

                  fluctuations in manufacturing yields;

 

                  the emergence of new industry standards;

 

                  product obsolescence; and

 

                  the amount of research and development expenses associated with new product introductions.

 

Our operating results could also be harmed by:

 

                  economic conditions generally or in various geographic areas where we or our customers do business;

 

                  other conditions affecting the timing of customer orders; or

 

                  a downturn in the markets for our customers’ products, particularly the consumer electronics market.

 

These factors are difficult or impossible to forecast. We place orders to purchase our products from independent foundries several months in advance of the scheduled delivery date, often in advance of receiving non-cancelable orders from our customers. If anticipated shipments in any quarter are canceled or do not occur as quickly as expected, expense and inventory levels could be disproportionately high. If anticipated license revenues in any quarter are canceled or do not occur, gross margins may be reduced. A significant portion of our expenses are relatively fixed, and the timing of increases in expenses is based in large part on our forecast of future revenues. As a result, if revenues do not meet our expectations we may be unable to quickly adjust expenses to levels appropriate to actual revenues, which could harm our operating results.

 

As a result of these factors, our operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Any shortfall in revenues or net income from levels expected by securities analysts could cause a decline in the trading price of our stock.

 

Our success for the foreseeable future will be dependent on growth in demand for integrated circuits for DVD, filmless digital camera applications and, to a lesser extent, on digital audio and video editing applications and our ability to market and sell our products to manufacturers who incorporate those types of integrated circuits into their products.

 

In 2000 and 2001, we derived a majority of our product revenues from the sale of integrated circuits for DVD and, to a lesser extent, Super Video CD applications. We expect that sales of our products for DVD applications will continue to account for a significant portion of our revenues for the near future. Our ability to sell our products for filmless digital

 

29



 

camera applications and to a lesser extent digital audio and video editing applications will also have an impact on our financial performance for the foreseeable future. If the markets for these products and applications decline or fail to develop as expected, or we are not successful in our efforts to market and sell our products to manufacturers who incorporate integrated circuits into these products, our financial results will be harmed.

 

Our customers experience fluctuating product cycles and seasonality, which causes our sales to fluctuate.

 

Because the markets our customers serve are characterized by numerous new product introductions and rapid product enhancements, our operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter. During the final production of a mature product, our customers typically exhaust their existing inventory of our products. Consequently, orders for our products may decline in those circumstances, even if our products are incorporated into both mature products and replacement products. A delay in the customer’s transition to commercial production of a replacement product would delay our ability to recover the lost sales from the discontinuation of the related mature product. Our customers also experience significant seasonality in the sales of their consumer products, which affects their orders of our products. Typically, the fourth calendar quarter represents a disproportionate percentage of sales for our customers due to the holiday period, and therefore a disproportionate percentage of our sales. We expect these sales fluctuations to continue for the foreseeable future.

 

Product supply and demand in the semiconductor industry is subject to cyclical variations.

 

The semiconductor industry is subject to cyclical variations in product supply and demand. Downturns in the industry often occur in connection with, or anticipation of, maturing product cycles for both semiconductor companies and their customers and declines in general economic conditions. These downturns have been characterized by abrupt fluctuations in product demand, production over-capacity and accelerated decline of average selling prices. In some cases, these downturns have lasted more than one year. A downturn in the semiconductor industry could harm our sales and revenues if demand drops or our gross margins if average selling prices decline.

 

The development and evolution of markets for our integrated circuits is dependent on factors such as industry standards, over which we have no control; for example, if manufacturers adopt new or competing industry standards with which our products are not compatible, our existing products would become less desirable to the manufacturers and our sales would suffer.

 

The emergence of markets for our products is affected by a variety of factors beyond our control. In particular, our products are designed to conform to current specific industry standards. Manufacturers may not continue to follow these standards, which would make our products less desirable to manufacturers and reduce our sales. Also, competing standards may emerge that are preferred by manufacturers, which could also reduce our sales and require us to make significant expenditures to develop new products. The emergence of new markets for our products is also dependent in part upon third parties developing and marketing content in a format compatible with commercial and consumer products that incorporate our products. If content compatible with commercial and consumer products that incorporate our products is not available, manufacturers may not be able to sell products incorporating our integrated circuits, and our sales to manufacturers would suffer.

 

We rely on independent foundries and contractors for the manufacture, assembly and testing of our integrated circuits, and the failure of any of these third parties to deliver products or otherwise perform as requested could damage our relationships with our customers and harm our sales and financial results.

 

We do not operate any manufacturing facilities, and we rely on independent foundries to manufacture substantially all of our products. These independent foundries fabricate products for other companies and may also produce products of their own design. From time to time there are manufacturing capacity shortages in the semiconductor industry. We do not have long-term supply contracts with any of our suppliers, including our principal supplier, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or TSMC. Therefore, TSMC  and these other suppliers are not obligated to manufacture products for us for any specific period, in any specific quantity or at any specified price, except as may be provided in a particular purchase order.

 

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Our reliance on independent foundries involves a number of risks, including:

 

                  the inability to obtain adequate manufacturing capacity;

 

                  the unavailability of or interruption in access to certain process technologies necessary for manufacture of our products;

 

                  reduced control over delivery schedules;

 

                  reduced control over quality assurance;

 

                  reduced control over manufacturing yields and cost; and

 

                  potential misappropriation of our intellectual property.

 

In addition, TSMC and some of our other foundries are located in areas of the world which are subject to natural disasters such as earthquakes. While the 1999 earthquake in Taiwan did not have a material impact on our independent foundries, a similar event centered near TSMC’s facility could severely reduce TSMC’s ability to manufacture our integrated circuits. The loss of any of our manufacturers as a supplier, our inability to expand the supply of our products in response to increased demand, or our inability to obtain timely and adequate deliveries from our current or future suppliers due to a natural disaster or any other reason could delay or reduce shipments of our products. Any of these circumstances could damage our relationships with current and prospective customers and harm our sales and financial results.

 

We also rely on independent contractors for the assembly and testing of our products. At present, all of our semiconductor products are assembled by one of five independent contractors: ASE, Amkor, ASAT, Kyocera, or Vate. Our semiconductor products are tested by these contractors or other independent contractors. Our reliance on independent assembly and testing houses limits our control over delivery schedules, quality assurance and product cost. Disruptions in the services provided by our assembly or testing houses or other circumstances that would require us to seek alternative sources of assembly or testing could lead to supply constraints or delays in the delivery of our products. These constraints or delays could damage our relationships with current and prospective customers and harm our sales and financial results.

 

Because foundry capacity is limited from time to time we may be required to enter into costly long-term supply arrangements to secure foundry capacity.

 

If we are not able to obtain additional foundry capacity as required, our relationships with our customers would be harmed and our sales would likely be reduced. In order to secure additional foundry capacity, we have considered and will continue to consider various arrangements with suppliers, which could include, among others:

 

                  option payments or other prepayments to a foundry;

 

                  nonrefundable deposits with or loans to foundries in exchange for capacity commitments;

 

                  contracts that commit us to purchase specified quantities of silicon wafers over extended periods;

 

                  issuance of our equity securities to a foundry;

 

                    investment in a foundry;

 

                    joint ventures; or

 

                    other partnership relationships with foundries.

 

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We may not be able to make any such arrangement in a timely fashion or at all, and such arrangements, if any, may not be on terms favorable to us. Moreover, if we are able to secure foundry capacity, we may be obligated to utilize all of that capacity or incur penalties. Such penalties may be expensive and could harm our financial results.

 

If our independent foundries do not achieve satisfactory yields, our relationships with our customers may be harmed.

 

The fabrication of silicon wafers is a complex process. Minute levels of contaminants in the manufacturing environment, defects in photomasks used to print circuits on a wafer, difficulties in the fabrication process or other factors can cause a substantial portion of the integrated circuits on a wafer to be non-functional. Many of these problems are difficult to detect at an early stage of the manufacturing process and may be time consuming and expensive to correct. As a result, foundries often experience problems achieving acceptable yields, which are represented by the number of good integrated circuits as a proportion of the number of total integrated circuits on any particular wafer.  Poor yields from our independent foundries would reduce our ability to deliver our products to customers, harm our relationships with our customers, and harm our business.

 

To be successful, we must efficiently develop new and enhanced products to meet rapidly changing customer requirements and industry standards.

 

The markets for our products are characterized by:

 

                  rapidly changing technologies;

 

                  evolving industry standards;

 

                  frequent new product introductions; and

 

                    short product life cycles.

 

Over the long run, we expect to increase our product development expenses, and our future success will depend to a substantial degree upon our ability to develop and introduce, on a timely and cost-effective basis, new and enhanced products that meet rapidly changing customer requirements and industry standards. We may not successfully develop, introduce or manage the transition to new products. Delays in the introduction or shipment of new or enhanced products, lack of market acceptance for such products or problems associated with new product transitions could harm our sales and financial results.

 

We face competition or potential competition from companies with greater resources than ours, and if we are unable to compete effectively with these companies, our market share may decline and our business could be harmed.

 

Competition in the compression technology market has historically been dominated by large companies, such as STMicroelectronics, and companies that develop and use their own integrated circuits, such as Sony. As this market continues to develop, we face competition from other large semiconductor vendors, including:

 

                  Atmel Corporation;

 

                  Cirrus Logic (Crystal Semiconductor);

 

                  ESS Technology, Inc.;

 

                  Fujitsu;

 

                  LSI Logic (including C-Cube Microsystems Inc. acquired during 2001);

 

                  Motorola;

 

32



 

                  Omnivision Technologies, Inc.;

 

                  Sunplus Technology; and

 

                  Texas Instruments.

 

We also face competition from internally-developed solutions developed and used by major Japanese original equipment manufacturers, who may also be our customers.

 

Many of our existing and potential competitors have substantially greater resources than ours in many areas, including:

 

                  finances;

 

                  manufacturing;

 

                  technology;

 

                  marketing; and

 

                  distribution.

 

Many of our competitors have broader product lines and longer standing relationships with customers than we do. Moreover, our competitors may foresee the course of market developments more accurately than we do and could in the future develop new technologies that compete with our products or even render our products obsolete. In addition, a number of private companies have announced plans for new products to address the same digital multimedia compression problems that our products address. If we are unable to compete successfully against our current and future competitors, we could experience price reductions, order cancellations and reduced gross margins, any one of which could harm our business.

 

The DVD market is growing, and additional competitors are expected to enter the market for DVD players and software. Some of these potential competitors may develop captive implementations for use only with their own PC and consumer electronics products. It is also possible that application software vendors, such as Microsoft, may attempt to enter the DVD application market in the future. This increased competition may result in price reductions, reduced profit margins and loss of market share.

 

Our products are characterized by average selling prices that decline over relatively short time periods; if we are unable to reduce our costs or introduce new products with higher average selling prices, our financial results would suffer.

 

Average selling prices for our products decline over relatively short time periods. Many of our manufacturing costs are fixed. When our average selling prices decline, our revenues decline unless we sell more units, and our gross margins decline unless we are able to reduce our manufacturing costs by a commensurate amount. Our operating results suffer when gross margins decline. We have experienced these problems and may continue to experience them in the future and cannot predict when they may occur or their severity.

 

We derive most of our revenue from sales to a small number of large customers, and if we are not able to retain these customers, or they reschedule, reduce or cancel orders, our revenues would be reduced and our financial results would suffer.

 

Our largest customers account for a substantial percentage of our revenues. In 2001, sales to Fujifilm accounted for 29.2% of our total revenue. Our four largest customers in 2001 accounted for approximately 56.3% of our total revenues.  During 2000, our four largest customers accounted for approximately 45.4% of our revenues with Fujifilm accounting for 25.2%. Sales to these large customers have varied significantly from year to year and will continue to fluctuate in the future.  These sales also may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. We may not be able to retain our key customers or these customers may cancel purchase orders or reschedule or decrease their level of purchases from us. Any substantial decrease or delay in sales to one or more of our key customers could harm our sales and

 

33



 

financial results. In addition, any difficulty in collecting amounts due from one or more key customers could harm our financial results.

 

We are dependent on our relationship with Fujifilm for a significant percentage of our product sales, and if this relationship were terminated, our business would be harmed.

 

Fujifilm has been our largest customer in four of the last five years. Fujifilm purchases our products primarily as a distributor. Under our arrangement with Fujifilm, Fujifilm acts as the primary distributor in Japan of products developed by us under development contracts with Fujifilm. Fujifilm also sells some of these products in Japan under its own name. We may sell these products directly in Japan only to specified customers and must first buy the products from Fujifilm. Fujifilm provides more sales and marketing support than our other distributors. Fujifilm also has a nonexclusive license to distribute most of our products outside of Japan. Fujifilm has provided wafer manufacturing services on a most-favored terms basis to us since 1993 and has also provided funding to support our development efforts. If our relationship with Fujifilm were terminated, our business would be harmed.

 

Our products generally have long sales cycles and implementation periods, which increases our costs in obtaining orders and reduces the predictability of our earnings.

 

Our products are technologically complex. Prospective customers generally must make a significant commitment of resources to test and evaluate our products and to integrate them into larger systems. As a result, our sales process is often subject to delays associated with lengthy approval processes that typically accompany the design and testing of new products. The sales cycles of our products often last for many months or even years. Longer sales cycles require us to invest significant resources in attempting to make sales and delay the generation of revenue.

 

Long sales cycles also subject us to other risks, including customers’ budgetary constraints, internal acceptance reviews and cancellations. In addition, orders expected in one quarter could shift to another because of the timing of customers’ purchase decisions. The time required for our customers to incorporate our products into their own can vary significantly with the needs of our customers and generally exceeds several months, which further complicates our planning processes and reduces the predictability of our operating results.

 

We are not protected by long-term contracts with our customers.

 

We generally do not enter into long-term purchase contracts with our customers, and we cannot be certain as to future order levels from our customers. When we do enter into a long-term contract, the contract is generally terminable at the convenience of the customer. In the event of an early termination by one of our major customers, it is unlikely that we will be able to rapidly replace that revenue source, which would harm our financial results.

 

We are dependent upon our international sales and operations; economic, political or military events in a country where we make significant sales or have significant operations could interfere with our success or operations there and harm our business.

 

During 2001, 93% of our total revenues were derived from international sales. We anticipate that international sales will continue to represent a substantial majority of our total revenues for the foreseeable future. In addition, substantially all of our semiconductor products are manufactured, assembled and tested outside of the United States by independent foundries and subcontractors.

 

We are subject to the risks inherent in doing business internationally, including:

 

                  unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;

 

                  fluctuations in exchange rates;

 

                  political and economic instability;

 

                  imposition of tariffs and other barriers and restrictions; and

 

34



 

                  the burdens of complying with a variety of foreign laws.

 

The majority of our research and development personnel and facilities and a significant portion of our sales personnel are located in Israel. Political, economic and military conditions in Israel directly affect our operations. Some of our officers and employees in Israel are obligated to perform up to 39 days of military reserve duty annually. The absence of these employees for significant periods during the work week may cause us to operate inefficiently during these periods.

 

Our operations in China are subject to the economic and political uncertainties affecting that country. For example, the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth in the past decade, but such growth has been uneven across geographic and economic sectors and has recently been slowing. This growth may continue to decrease and any slowdown may have a negative effect on our business. During 2000 and the beginning of 2001 we also opened offices in Taipei, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Seoul, Korea. Our operations are subject to the economic and political uncertainties affecting these countries as well.

 

Our business and future operating results could be harmed by terrorist activity or armed conflict.

 

Our business and operating results are subject to uncertainties arising out of possible terrorist attacks on the United States and other regions of the world including locations where we maintain operations and by the potential expansion of armed conflict and potential instability associated with terrorism. Our operations could be harmed due to:

 

                  disruption in commercial activities associated with heightened security concerns affecting international travel and commerce;

 

                  reduced demand for consumer electronic products due to a potential extension of  the global economic slowdown;

 

                  tightened immigration controls that may adversely affect the residence status of key non-U.S. managers and technical employees in our U.S. facilities or our ability to hire new non-U.S. employees in such facilities; or

 

                  potential expansion of armed conflict in the Middle East which could adversely affect our operations in Israel.

 

The prices of our products may become less competitive due to foreign exchange fluctuations.

 

Foreign currency fluctuations may affect the prices of our products. Prices for our products are currently denominated in U.S. dollars for sales to our customers throughout the world. If there is a significant devaluation of the currency in a specific country, the prices of our products will increase relative to that country’s currency and our products may be less competitive in that country. Also, we cannot be sure that our international customers will continue to be willing to place orders denominated in U.S. dollars. If they do not, our revenue and operating results will be subject to foreign exchange fluctuations.

 

Our ability to compete could be jeopardized if we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights from challenges by third parties.

 

Our success and ability to compete depend in large part upon protecting our proprietary technology. We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark laws, non-disclosure and other contractual agreements and technical measures to protect our proprietary rights. These agreements and measures may not be sufficient to protect our technology from third-party infringement, or to protect us from the claims of others. Monitoring unauthorized use of our products is difficult and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent unauthorized use of our technology, particularly in foreign countries where the laws may not protect our proprietary rights as fully as in the United States. The laws of certain foreign countries in which our products are or may be developed, manufactured or sold, including various countries in Asia, may not protect our products or intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States and thus make the possibility of piracy of our technology and products more likely in these countries. If competitors are able to use our technology, our ability to compete effectively could be harmed.

 

35



 

We could become subject to claims and litigation regarding intellectual property rights, which could seriously harm our business and require us to incur significant costs.

 

In recent years, there has been significant litigation in the United States involving patents and other intellectual property rights. In the past, we have been subject to claims and litigation regarding alleged infringement of other parties’ intellectual property rights. We could become subject to litigation in the future either to protect our intellectual property or as a result of allegations that we infringe others’ intellectual property rights. Claims that our products infringe proprietary rights would force us to defend ourselves and possibly our customers or manufacturers against the alleged infringement. These claims and any resulting lawsuit, if successful, could subject us to significant liability for damages and invalidation of our proprietary rights. These lawsuits, regardless of their success, would likely be time-consuming and expensive to resolve and would divert management time and attention. Any potential intellectual property litigation could force us to do one or more of the following:

 

                  stop selling our products that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;

 

                  obtain from the owner of the infringed intellectual property right a license to sell or use the relevant technology, which license may not be available on reasonable terms or at all;

 

                  pay damages; or

 

                  redesign those products that use such technology.

 

If we are forced to take any of the foregoing actions, our business could be severely harmed.

 

If necessary licenses of third-party technology are not available to us or are very expensive, our products could become obsolete.

 

From time to time we may be required to license technology from third parties to develop new products or product enhancements. Third party licenses may not be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. If we are unable to obtain any third-party license required to develop new products and product enhancements, we may have to obtain substitute technology of lower quality or performance standards or at greater cost, either of which could seriously harm the competitiveness of our products.

 

If we are not able to apply our net operating losses against taxable income in future periods, our financial results will be harmed.

 

Our future net income and cash flow will be affected by our ability to apply our net operating losses, which totaled approximately $48.0 million for federal tax reporting purposes as of December 31, 2001, against taxable income in future periods. Our net operating losses incurred prior to the consummation of our initial public offering in 1995 that we can use to reduce future taxable income for federal tax purposes are limited to approximately $3.0 million per year. Changes in tax laws in the United States may further limit our ability to utilize our net operating losses. Any further limitation on our ability to utilize our net operating losses could harm our financial condition.

 

Any acquisitions we make could disrupt our business and severely harm our financial condition.

 

We have made investments in, and acquisitions of, complementary companies, products and technologies. During 2000, we acquired PixelCam and Nogatech, and we may acquire additional businesses, products, or technologies in the future. In the event of any future acquisitions, we could:

 

                  issue stock that would dilute our current stockholders’ percentage ownership;

 

                  incur debt;

 

                  assume liabilities;

 

                  incur amortization expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets; or

 

36



 

                  incur large write-offs immediately or in the future.

 

Our operation of any acquired business will also involve numerous risks, including:

 

                  problems combining the purchased operations, technologies or products;

 

                  unanticipated costs;

 

                  diversion of management’s attention from our core business;

 

                  adverse effects on existing business relationships with customers;

 

                  risks associated with entering markets in which we have no or limited prior experience; and

 

                  potential loss of key employees, particularly those of the purchased organizations.

 

We may not be able to successfully integrate any businesses, products or technologies or personnel that we might acquire in the future and any failure to do so could disrupt our business and seriously harm our financial condition.

 

Our products could contain defects, which could reduce sales of those products or result in claims against us.

 

We develop complex and evolving products. Despite testing by us and our customers, errors may be found in existing or new products. This could result in, among other things, a delay in recognition or loss of revenues, loss of market share or failure to achieve market acceptance. These defects may cause us to incur significant warranty, support and repair costs, divert the attention of our engineering personnel from our product development efforts and harm our relationships with our customers. The occurrence of these problems could result in the delay or loss of market acceptance of our products and would likely harm our business. Defects, integration issues or other performance problems in our products could result in financial or other damages to our customers or could damage market acceptance of our products. Our customers could also seek damages from us for their losses. A product liability claim brought against us, even if unsuccessful, would likely be time consuming and costly to defend.

 

If we do not maintain our current development contracts or are unable to enter into new development contracts, our business could be harmed.

 

We historically have generated a significant percentage of our total revenues from development contracts, primarily with key customers. These development contracts have provided us with partial funding for the development of some of our products. Under these contracts, we receive payments upon reaching certain development milestones. If we fail to achieve the milestones specified in our existing development contracts, if our existing contracts are terminated or we are unable to secure future development contracts, our ability to cost-effectively develop new products would be reduced and our business would be harmed.

 

We may need additional funds to execute our business plan, and if we are unable to obtain such funds, we will not be able to expand our business as planned.

 

We may require substantial additional capital to finance our future growth, secure additional foundry capacity and fund our ongoing research and development activities beyond 2002. Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

 

                  acceptance of and demand for our products;

 

                  the types of arrangements that we may enter into with our independent foundries; and

 

                  the extent to which we invest in new technology and research and development projects.

 

37



 

To the extent that our existing sources of liquidity and cash flow from operations are insufficient to fund our activities, we may need to raise additional funds. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity securities, the percentage ownership of our existing stockholders would be reduced. Further, such equity securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of our common stock. Additional financing may not be available to us when needed or, if available, it may not be available on terms favorable to us.

 

If we fail to manage our future growth, if any, our business would be harmed.

 

We anticipate that our future growth, if any, will require us to recruit and hire a substantial number of new engineering, managerial, sales and marketing personnel. Our ability to manage our growth successfully will also require us to expand and improve our administrative, operational, management and financial systems and controls. Many of our key operations, including the major portion of our research and development operations and a significant portion of our sales and administrative operations, are located in Israel. A majority of our sales and marketing and certain of our research and development and administrative personnel, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and other officers, are based in the United States. The geographic separation of these operations places additional strain on our resources and our ability to effectively manage our growth. If we are unable to manage growth effectively, our business would be harmed.

 

We rely on the services of our executive officers and other key personnel, whose knowledge of our business and industry would be extremely difficult to replace.

 

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continuing contributions of our senior management. The loss of key management personnel could delay product development cycles or otherwise harm our business. We may not be able to retain the services of any of our key employees. We believe that our future success will also depend in large part on our ability to attract, integrate and retain highly-skilled engineering, managerial, sales and marketing personnel, both in the United States and in Israel. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we may not be successful in attracting, integrating and retaining such personnel. Failure to attract, integrate and retain key personnel could harm our ability to carry out our business strategy and compete with other companies.

 

The Israeli rate of inflation may negatively impact our costs if it exceeds the rate of devaluation of the New Israeli Shekel against the U.S. dollar.

 

A portion of the cost of our operations, relating mainly to our personnel and facilities in Israel, is incurred in New Israeli Shekels. As a result, we bear the risk that the rate of inflation in Israel will exceed the rate of devaluation of the New Israeli Shekel in relation to the dollar, which will increase our costs as expressed in dollars. To date, we have not engaged in hedging transactions. In the future, we may enter into currency hedging transactions to decrease the risk of financial exposure from fluctuations in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the New Israeli Shekel. These measures may not adequately protect us from the impact of inflation in Israel.

 

The government programs we participate in and tax benefits we receive require us to meet several conditions and may be terminated or reduced in the future, which would increase our costs.

 

In the year ended December 31, 2001, we did not receive proceeds from grants for research and development from the Chief Scientist in Israel’s Ministry of Industry and Trade. However, we did receive an aggregate of $333,000 in such grants  during 2000. We plan to seek additional grants from the Chief Scientist in the future. To be eligible for these grants, our development projects must be approved by the Chief Scientist on a case-by-case basis.  If our development projects are not approved by the Chief Scientist, we will not receive grants to fund these projects, which would increase our research and development costs. We also receive tax benefits, in particular exemptions and reductions as a result of the “Approved Enterprise” status of our existing operations in Israel. To be eligible for these tax benefits, we must maintain our Approved Enterprise status by meeting conditions, including making specified investments in fixed assets located in Israel and investing additional equity in our Israeli subsidiary. If we fail to meet these conditions in the future, the tax benefits would be canceled and we could be required to refund the tax benefits already received. These tax benefits may not be continued in the future at their current levels or at any level. Israeli governmental authorities have indicated that the government may reduce or eliminate these benefits in the future, which would harm our business.

 

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We have anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and there are provisions of Delaware law that could prevent or delay a change in control of our company.

 

Our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our stockholders. These include provisions:

 

                  prohibiting a merger with a party that has acquired control of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock, such as a party that has completed a successful tender offer, until three years after that party acquired control of 15% of our outstanding common stock;

 

                  authorizing the issuance of up to 3,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock;

 

                  eliminating stockholders’ rights to call a special meeting of stockholders; and

 

                  requiring advance notice of any stockholder nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors.

 

Our stock price has fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate widely.

 

The market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly since our initial public offering in 1995. Between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2001, the closing sale price of our common stock, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market, ranged from a low of $13.00 to a high of $40.55.  The market price of our common stock is subject to significant fluctuations in the future in response to a variety of factors, including:

 

                  announcements concerning our business or that of our competitors or customers;

 

                  quarterly variations in operating results;

 

                  changes in analysts’ earnings estimates;

 

                  announcements of technological innovations;

 

                  the introduction of new products or changes in product pricing policies by us or our competitors;

 

                  proprietary rights or other litigation;

 

                  general conditions in the semiconductor industry; and

 

                  developments in the financial markets.

 

In addition, the stock market has, from time to time, experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected the market prices for semiconductor companies or technology companies generally and which have been unrelated to the operating performance of the affected companies. Broad market fluctuations of this type may reduce the future market price of our common stock.

 

Item 7A.      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks.

 

We are exposed to financial market risks including changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

 

The fair value of our investment portfolio or related income would not be significantly impacted by either a 10% increase or decrease in interest rates due mainly to the short-term nature of the major portion of our investment portfolio.

 

A majority of our revenue and capital spending is transacted in U.S. dollars, although a portion of the cost of our operations, relating mainly to our personnel and facilities in Israel, is incurred in New Israeli Shekels. We have not engaged in hedging transactions to reduce our exposure to fluctuations that may arise from changes in foreign exchange

 

39



 

rates. Based on our overall currency rate exposure at December 31, 2001 a near-term 10% appreciation or depreciation of the New Israeli Shekel would have an immaterial affect on our financial condition.

 

40



 

Item 8.       Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.

 

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Report of Independent Accountants

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2001 and 2000

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years ended December 31, 2001

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three years ended December 31, 2001

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2001

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Supplemental Data:  Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

 

41



 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Zoran Corporation

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Zoran Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.  We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Jose, California

January 30, 2002

 

42



 

ZORAN CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

20,287

 

$

16,099

 

Short-term investments

 

89,818

 

159,539

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

33,367

 

27,065

 

Inventory

 

15,681

 

17,453

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

5,130

 

5,575

 

Total current assets

 

164,283

 

225,731

 

Property and equipment, net

 

7,159

 

6,972

 

Other investments

 

89,727

 

13,899

 

Goodwill and other intangibles

 

70,175

 

112,864

 

 

 

$

331,344

 

$

359,466

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

16,705

 

$

11,156

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

16,801

 

16,856

 

Total current liabilities

 

33,506

 

28,012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock:  $0.001 par value; 55,000,000
shares authorized; 17,801,854 and 17,423,216 shares
issued and outstanding

 

18

 

17

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

391,674

 

388,655

 

Warrants

 

717

 

717

 

Deferred stock-based compensation

 

(375

)

(919

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(6

)

1,109

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(94,190

)

(58,125

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

297,838

 

331,454

 

 

 

$

331,344

 

$

359,466

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

43



 

ZORAN CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

$

100,012

 

$

67,782

 

$

52,887

 

Software, licensing and development

 

7,697

 

11,889

 

8,787

 

Total revenues

 

107,709

 

79,671

 

61,674

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of product sales

 

64,740

 

37,993

 

28,523

 

Research and development

 

23,210

 

18,628

 

12,651

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

21,330

 

19,148

 

14,251

 

Amortization of goodwill and write-off of
acquired in-process research & development

 

43,233

 

31,769

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

152,513

 

107,538

 

55,425

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(44,804

)

(27,867

)

6,249

 

Interest and other income, net

 

10,004

 

9,229

 

1,585

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(34,800

)

(18,638

)

7,834

 

Provision for income taxes

 

1,265

 

1,970

 

1,175

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(36,065

)

$

(20,608

)

$

6,659

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net income (loss) per share

 

$

(2.07

)

$

(1.37

)

$

0.61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share

 

$

(2.07

)

$

(1.37

)

$

0.54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares used to compute basic net income (loss) per share

 

17,460

 

15,070

 

10,844

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares used to compute diluted net income (loss) per share

 

17,460

 

15,070

 

12,249

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

44



 

ZORAN CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid-In

 

 

 

Stock Based
Deferred

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Warrants

 

Compensation

 

Income (Loss)

 

Deficit

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 1998

 

10,213

 

$

10

 

$

79,635

 

$

717

 

 

 

$

(44,176

)

$

36,186

 

Issuance of Common Stock, net

 

3,706

 

4

 

115,634

 

 

 

 

 

115,638

 

Unrealized gain on securities available for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,962

 

 

4,962

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,659

 

6,659

 

Balance at December 31, 1999

 

13,919

 

14

 

195,269

 

717

 

 

4,962

 

(37,517

)

163,445

 

Issuance of Common Stock

 

594

 

1

 

4,216

 

 

 

 

 

4,217

 

Income tax benefit of employees’ stock transactions

 

 

 

1,003

 

 

 

 

 

1,003

 

Deferred stock-based compensation recorded in conjunction with the Nogatech acquisition

 

 

 

 

 

(1,018

)

 

 

(1,018

)

Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

99

 

 

 

99

 

Issuance of Common Stock in connection with acquisitions

 

2,910

 

2

 

188,167

 

 

 

 

 

188,169

 

Decrease in unrealized gain on securities available for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,853

)

 

(3,853

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20,608

)

(20,608

)

Balance at December 31, 2000

 

17,423

 

17

 

388,655

 

717

 

(919

)

1,109

 

(58,125

)

331,454

 

Issuance of Common Stock

 

634

 

1

 

6,886

 

 

 

 

 

6,887

 

Repurchases of Common Stock

 

(255

)

 

(3,867

)

 

 

 

 

(3,867

)

Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

544

 

 

 

544

 

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,115

)

 

(1,115

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(36,065

)

(36,065

)

Balance at December 31, 2001

 

17,802

 

$

18

 

$

391,674

 

$

717

 

$

(375

)

$

(6

)

$

(94,190

)

$

297,838

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

45



 

ZORAN CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(36,065

)

$

(20,608

)

$

6,659

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and other

 

3,700

 

2,987

 

2,166

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

2,029

 

549

 

517

 

Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles

 

43,233

 

9,922

 

 

Write-off of acquired in-process research and development

 

 

21,847

 

 

Income tax benefit of employees’ stock transactions

 

 

1,003

 

 

Changes in current assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(7,958

)

(4,967

)

(7,345

)

Inventory

 

1,772

 

(7,311

)

(96

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

328

 

(2,640

)

(108

)

Accounts payable

 

5,549

 

234

 

1,457

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

(231

)

3,374

 

3,706

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

12,357

 

4,390

 

6,956

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures for property and equipment

 

(3,771

)

(3,251

)

(2,775

)

Purchases of investments

 

(195,588

)

(180,324

)

(130,112

)

Sales and maturities of investments

 

189,341

 

181,045

 

14,937

 

Purchases of long-term equity investments

 

(1,171

)

(2,250

)

(200

)

Cash received in acquisitions (net of costs incurred)

 

 

(393

)

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(11,189

)

(5,173

)

(118,150

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock, net

 

6,887

 

4,217

 

115,638

 

Repurchases of Common Stock

 

(3,867

)

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

3,020

 

4,217

 

115,638

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

4,188

 

3,434

 

4,444

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

16,099

 

12,665

 

8,221

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

$

20,287

 

$

16,099

 

$

12,665

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

 

$

732

 

$

506

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

46



 

ZORAN CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1 - THE COMPANY:

 

Zoran Corporation (“Zoran” or the “Company”) was incorporated in California in December 1981 and reincorporated in Delaware in November 1986.  Zoran develops and markets integrated circuits, integrated circuit cores and embedded software used by original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, in digital audio and video products for commercial and consumer markets. Current applications incorporating Zoran’s products and IP include digital versatile disc, or DVD, players, Super Video CD players, filmless digital cameras, professional and consumer video editing systems and digital speakers and audio systems. The Company operates predominantly in one industry segment.

 

The Company performs research and development and generates a substantial portion of its sales from its operations located in the State of Israel. A significant number of the Company’s full-time employees are located in Israel, including a majority of the Company’s research and development personnel. Therefore, the Company is directly affected by the political, economic and military conditions to which that country is subject.

 

The semiconductor business is highly cyclical and has been subject to significant downturns at various times that have been characterized by diminished product demand, decreased production, overcapacity, and accelerated erosion of average selling prices. As such, the selling price that the Company is able to command for its products is highly dependent on industry-wide production capacity and demand.  Both of these factors could result in rapid deviations in product pricing and therefore could adversely effect the Company’s operating results.

 

Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Zoran and all of its subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

 

Zoran has adopted accounting policies which are generally accepted in the industry in which it operates. The following is a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.

 

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates, although such differences are not expected to be material to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Translation of foreign currencies

 

ZML, an Israeli subsidiary, treats the U.S. dollar as its functional currency. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 52, gains and losses resulting from translation of accounts designated in other than the functional currency are reflected in results of operations and to date have been insignificant.

 

To date, substantially all of the Company’s product sales have been denominated in U.S. dollars and most costs of product sales have been incurred in U.S. dollars. The Company has not experienced material losses or gains as a result of currency exchange rate fluctuations and has not engaged in hedging transactions to reduce its exposure to such fluctuations. The Company may take action in the future to reduce its foreign exchange risk.

 

47



 

Revenue recognition

 

Revenue from product sales is generally recognized upon shipment. A provision for estimated future returns and potential warranty liability is recorded at the time revenue is recognized. Development revenue under development contracts is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method. Under the percentage-of-completion method, revenue recognized is that portion of the total contract price equal to the ratio of costs expended to date to the anticipated final total costs, based on current estimates of the costs to complete the project. Amounts received in advance of performance under contracts are recorded as deferred revenue and are generally recognized within one year from receipt.  Estimates are reviewed and revised periodically throughout the lives of the contracts. Any revisions are recorded in the accounting period in which the revisions are made. Costs associated with development revenues are included primarily in research and development expenses. Revenue resulting from the licensing of the Company’s technology is recognized when significant contractual obligations have been fulfilled and the customer has indicated acceptance. The Company does not provide customers with product return or exchange rights in connection with the sale of software licenses. Periodic service and maintenance fees provide customers access to technical support and minor enhancements to licensed releases are recognized ratably over the service or maintenance period. Royalty revenue is recognized in the period licensed sales are reported to the Company.

 

Research and development costs

 

Costs related to the conceptual formation and design of internally developed software are expensed as research and development as incurred. It is the Company’s policy that certain internal software development costs incurred after technological feasibility has been demonstrated and which meet recoverability tests are capitalized and amortized over the estimated economic life of the product. To date, the Company has incurred no significant internal software development costs which meet the criteria for capitalization.

 

Fair value of financial instruments

 

For certain of Zoran’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, the carrying values approximate their fair values due to the relatively short maturity of these items.

 

Cash equivalents and investments

 

All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less are considered to be cash and cash equivalents.

 

All of Zoran’s investments in marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and, therefore, are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of related tax, if any, included as other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses realized upon sales of all such securities are reported in interest and other income and have not been significant to date.

 

At December 31, 2001, the Company’s marketable securities consisted primarily of commercial paper with maturities of less than one year and the stock acquired as a result of the MGI transaction (See Note 11). The unrealized loss on the MGI stock amounting to $630,659 at December 31, 2001, is included in comprehensive income (loss). Investments in marketable securities also consisted of bonds and medium term notes with maturities greater than one year, which are included in other assets, and amounted to $86.1 million and $11.4 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

 

Other assets also include investments in non-marketable securities which are accounted for on the cost basis and amounted to $3.6 million and $2.5 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. We record an investment impairment charge when a decline in value of a cost basis investment is determined to be other than temporary.

 

48



 

Concentration of credit risk of financial instruments

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and trade accounts receivable. The Company places its cash in banks and cash equivalents primarily in auction rate preferred, certificates of deposit and commercial paper. The Company, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure through diversification and restricting its investments to highly rated securities. The Company has not experienced any significant losses on its cash equivalents or short-term investments.

 

The Company markets integrated circuits and technology to manufacturers and distributors of electronic equipment primarily in North America, Europe and the Pacific Rim. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and limits the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary, but generally does not require collateral. Management believes that any risk of loss is significantly reduced due to the diversity of its customers and geographic sales areas. The Company maintains a provision for potential credit losses, and write-offs of accounts receivable were insignificant in each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001.  As of December 31, 2001, three customers accounted for approximately 21%, 12% and 11% of the accounts receivable balance. As of December 31, 2000, three customers accounted for approximately 15%, 10%, and 7% of the accounts receivable balance.

 

Inventory

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of standard cost (which approximates actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis) or market. Market is based on estimated net realizable value.

 

Property and equipment

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of three to five years.  Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the remaining term of the lease.

 

Goodwill and other intangibles

 

Acquired technology is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over two to three years. Goodwill and other intangible assets recorded in connection with the acquisitions of PixelCam, Inc., and Nogatech, Inc., are amortized  on a straight-line basis over the estimated periods of benefit, which is approximately three years.

 

Long-lived assets

 

The Company periodically evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets based on expected undiscounted cash flows and recognizes impairment from the carrying value of long-lived assets, if any, based on the fair value of such assets. To date, the Company has not recorded any impairment charges against the value of its long-lived assets.

 

Income taxes

 

The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes which requires recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequence of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities.

 

For the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 the provision for income taxes reflects the effective tax rate applied to earnings, excluding charges related to the amortization of goodwill and the write-off of acquired in-

 

49



 

process research and development, for the periods. The effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate due to utilization of net operating losses and State of Israel tax benefits on foreign earnings. The provision includes primarily taxes on income in excess of net operating loss carryover limitations and foreign withholding taxes.

 

Earnings per share

 

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Zoran reports Earnings per Share (“EPS”), both basic and diluted, on the statement of operations. Basic EPS is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed using the weighted average common shares outstanding plus any potential common stock, except when their effect is anti-dilutive. Potential common stock includes stock options and warrants. See Note 8.

 

Stock compensation

 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB 25”), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations. Under APB 25, compensation expense is recognized based on the difference, if any, on the date of grant between the fair value of the Company’s stock and the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock.  The compensation expense is recognized over the periods the employee performs the related services, generally the vesting period of four years, consistent with the multiple option method described in FASB Interpretation No. 28 (“FIN 28”). The Company provides additional pro forma disclosures as required under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (“SFAS 123”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” See Note 7.

 

Segment reporting

 

In 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 (“SFAS 131”), “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” The management approach established by SFAS 131 designates the internal organization that is used by management for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source of the Company’s reportable segments. SFAS 131 also requires disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. The Company operates in one industry segment comprising the development and marketing of integrated circuits and software products for use in a variety of video and audio products addressing PC and consumer multimedia markets.

 

Comprehensive income

 

The Company applies Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income.”

 

The following are the components of comprehensive income (loss) (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(36,065

)

$

(20,608

)

$

6,659

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investment

 

(1,115

)

(3,853

)

4,962

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(37,180

)

$

(24,461

)

$

11,621

 

 

50



 

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on short term-investments

 

$

(6

)

$

1,109

 

$

4,962

 

 

Recent accounting pronouncements

 

In July 2001, the FASB issued FASB Statements Nos. 141 and 142 (“SFAS 141” and “FAS 142”), “Business Combinations” and “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” SFAS 141 replaced APB 16 and eliminated pooling-of-interests accounting prospectively. It also provides guidance on purchase accounting related to the recognition of intangible assets and accounting for negative goodwill. SFAS 142 changes the accounting for goodwill from an amortization method to an impairment-only approach. Under SFAS 142, goodwill will be tested annually and whenever events or circumstances occur indicating that goodwill might be impaired. SFAS 141 and SFAS 142 are effective for all business combinations completed after June 30, 2001. Upon adoption of SFAS 142, amortization of goodwill recorded for business combinations consummated prior to July 1, 2001 will cease, and intangible assets acquired prior to July 1, 2001 that do not meet the criteria for recognition under SFAS 141 will be reclassified to goodwill. Companies are required to adopt SFAS 142 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001, and interim periods within those fiscal years, but early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt SFAS 142 on January 1, 2002. Accordingly, our amortization of goodwill expense, which totaled $33.2 million in 2001, will be discontinued in 2002. In connection with the adoption of SFAS 142, the Company will be required to perform a transitional goodwill impairment assessment and has six months from January 1, 2002 to complete this evaluation. The Company has not yet determined the impact these standards will have on its results of operations and financial position.

 

In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143 (“SFAS 143”), “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”. This Statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. This Statement applies to all entities. It applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and (or) the normal operation of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees. SFAS 143 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after June 25, 2002. The Company expects that the initial application of SFAS 143 will not have a material impact on its financial statements.

 

In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144 (“SFAS 144”), “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets”. The objectives of SFAS 144 are to address significant issues relating to the implementation of SFAS No. 121 (“SFAS 121”), “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-lived Assets and for Long-lived assets to be Disposed Of,” and to develop a single accounting model, based on the framework established by SFAS 121, for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale, whether previously held and used or newly acquired. Although SFAS 144 supersedes SFAS 121, it retains some fundamental provisions of SFAS 121. SFAS No. 144 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company expects that the initial application of SFAS 144 will not have a material impact on its financial statements.

 

51



 

NOTE 3 - BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

Accounts receivable, net:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade

 

$

32,491

 

$

26,207

 

Unbilled

 

2,802

 

3,115

 

 

 

35,293

 

29,322

 

Less: allowance

 

(1,926

)

(2,257

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

33,367

 

$

27,065

 

 

Unbilled accounts receivable consists of both development revenue recognized, but not yet billed and research and development funding not yet received.  Unbilled development revenue represents revenue recognized under the percentage-of-completion method prior to achievement of the related contract milestones.  The Company bills development revenue when contract milestones are achieved.  The Company recognizes research and development funding as reimbursable expenses, under research and development agreements, as incurred.  This funding is offset against research and development expenses. During 2001, we wrote-off $2.4 million against the allowance for doubtful accounts reserve.

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

Inventory:

 

 

 

 

 

Work-in-process

 

$

3,119

 

$

6,913

 

Finished goods

 

12,562

 

10,540

 

 

 

$

15,681

 

$

17,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

Computer equipment

 

$

17,717

 

$

14,769

 

Office equipment and furniture

 

923

 

961

 

Machinery and equipment

 

760

 

1,148

 

Leasehold improvements

 

993

 

968

 

 

 

20,393

 

17,846

 

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(13,234

)

(10,874

)

 

 

$

7,159

 

$

6,972

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangibles and other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets

 

$

99,527

 

$

99,527

 

Other identifiable intangibles

 

23,160

 

23,160

 

 

 

122,687

 

122,687

 

Less: amortization

 

(52,512

)

(9,823

)

 

 

$

70,175

 

$

112,864

 

 

52



 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued payroll and related expenses

 

$

4,036

 

$

5,410

 

Accrued royalties

 

1,883

 

1,381

 

Taxes payable

 

4,350

 

3,323

 

Deferred revenue

 

1,435

 

1,062

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

5,097

 

5,680

 

 

 

$

16,801

 

$

16,856

 

 

NOTE 4 - RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ARRANGEMENTS:

 

The Company is a party to certain research and development agreements with the Chief Scientist in Israel’s Ministry of Industry and Trade Department (the “Chief Scientist”) and the Israel-United States Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (“BIRDF”), which fund up to 50% of incurred project costs for approved products up to specified contract maximums.  The Company is not obligated to repay funding regardless of the outcome of its development efforts; however, these agreements require the Company to use its best efforts to achieve specified results and require the Company to pay royalties at rates of 3% to 5% of resulting products sales, and up to 30% of resulting license revenues, up to a maximum of 100% to 150% of the total funding received.  Reported research and development expenses are net of these grants, which fluctuate from period to period.

 

Gross research and development expenses and the related grants are as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Research and development expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross research and development expenses

 

$

23,210

 

$

18,961

 

$

13,135

 

Less: grants earned

 

 

(333

)

(484

)

 

 

$

23,210

 

$

18,628

 

$

12,651

 

 

Royalty expenses related to these grants were $502,000, $299,000, and $5,000 in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

 

NOTE 5 - DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTS:

 

The Company has generated a portion of its total revenues from development contracts, primarily with key customers.  These development contracts have provided the Company with partial funding for the development of certain of its products. The Company classifies costs related to these development contracts as research and development expenses.  The Company is not obligated to repay funding regardless of the outcome of its development efforts; however, the agreements require the Company to use its best efforts to achieve specified results as per the agreements. The Company retains ownership of the intellectual property developed under the contracts; however, some contracts limit the product markets in which the Company may directly sell the developed product.  Revenues generated under these contracts were $4,674,000, $5,080,000 and $1,185,000 in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

 

53



 

NOTE 6 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

 

From time to time, the Company may have certain contingent liabilities that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities. The Company accrues contingent liabilities when it is probable that future expenditures will be made and such expenditures can be reasonably estimated.  In the opinion of management, there are no pending claims of which the outcome is expected to result in a material adverse effect in the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

 

Lease commitments

 

The Company rents facilities and equipment under various lease agreements expiring through 2005.  Rent expense for 2001, 2000 and 1999 totaled approximately $1,531,000, $1,239,000 and $1,010,000 respectively.  Future minimum lease payments required under noncancelable leases at December 31, 2001 are as follows: (in thousands)

 

Year Ending
December 31,

 

 

 

 

2002

 

$

1,329

 

2003

 

649

 

2004

 

464

 

2005

 

464

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

$

2,906

 

 

In addition, the Company had inventory purchase commitments of $11.8 million at December 31, 2001.

 

NOTE 7 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

Common Stock

 

In December 1999, the Company issued 2,917,800 shares of common stock in conjunction with a follow-on public offering that also included underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option.  Gross proceeds from this offering were $119.6 million with underwriters’ discount and offering expenses of $6.7 million. In June 2000, the Company acquired PixelCam, Inc. in exchange for 370,832 shares of Zoran common stock and options to purchase 4,168 shares of Zoran common stock. In October 2000, the Company acquired Nogatech, Inc. in exchange for 2,534,559 shares of Zoran common stock and options to purchase 168,472 shares of Zoran common stock. Both acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting (see Note 11). During 2001, the Company repurchased 255,000 shares of its common stock for $3.9 million.

 

Warrants

 

In September 1997, in connection with a software license agreement, the Company issued a warrant to purchase 75,000 shares of its Common Stock at an exercise price of $24.31 per share.  The warrant is exercisable for a period of four years from a date beginning one year after the issuance date of the warrant.  The $717,000 estimated value of the warrant, was amortized over the four-year period of the license agreement.

 

54



 

Stock option plans

 

1993 Stock Option Plan

 

The Company’s 1993 Stock Option Plan (the “1993 Option Plan”) was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company and approved by the stockholders of the Company in July 1993. A total of 4,420,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance under the 1993 Option Plan.  The 1993 Option Plan provides for grants of options to employees, non-employee directors and consultants.  The 1993 Option Plan is currently being administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, which determines the optionees and the terms of the options granted, including the exercise price, number of shares subject to the option plan and the exercisability thereof.  The option price for shares granted under the 1993 Option Plan is typically equal to the fair market value of the common stock at the date of grant.  The 1993 Option Plan will terminate in July 2003, unless terminated sooner by the Board of Directors.

 

Generally, options granted under the 1993 Option Plan are fully exercisable on and after the date of grant, subject to the Company’s right to repurchase from an optionee, at the optionee’s original per share exercise price, any unvested shares which the optionee has purchased and holds in the event of the termination of the Optionee’s employment, with or without cause.  The Company’s right lapses as shares subject to the option become vested.  Such shares generally vest in monthly installments over two or four years following the date of grant (as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors), subject to the optionee’s continuous service.  Options expire ten years from the date of grant and an option shall generally terminate three months after termination of employment.

 

In August 1998, substantially all options with an exercise price in excess of  $5.94 were cancelled and replaced with new options having an exercise price of $5.94, the market price on the date that the employees accepted the repricing.  A total of 924,164 shares were repriced.

 

At December 31, 2001, shares available for grant under this plan were 558,000.

 

2000 Stock Option Plan

 

The Company’s 2000 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (the “2000 Option Plan”) was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company in October 2000. A total of 300,000 shares of preferred stock were initially reserved for issuance under the 2000 Option Plan. The options to purchase preferred stock automatically converted to options to purchase common stock however, upon the filing of an amendment of the certificate of incorporation of the Company with the Secretary of State of Delaware to effect an increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock to 55,000,000 in October 2000. A total of 1,550,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance under the 2000 Option Plan.  The 2000 Option Plan provides for grants of options to employees or consultants.  The 2000 Option Plan is currently being administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, which determines the optionees and the terms of the options granted, including the exercise price, number of shares subject to the option plan and the exercisability thereof. The 2000 Option plan was modified in 2001 to allow for exercisability of stock options ahead of vesting subject to selling restrictions.  The option price for shares granted under the 2000 Option Plan is typically equal to the fair market value of the common stock at the date of grant. Options expire ten years from the date of grant and an option shall generally terminate three months after termination of employment.  The 2000 Option Plan will terminate in October 2010, unless terminated sooner by the Board of Directors.

 

At December 31, 2001, shares available for grant under this plan were 111,000.

 

55



 

1995 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan

 

The Company’s Outside Directors Stock Option Plan (the “Directors Plan”) was adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors in October 1995, and was approved by its stockholders in December 1995.  A total of 300,000 shares of Common Stock have been reserved for issuance under the Directors Plan.  The Directors Plan provides for the grant of nonstatutory stock options to nonemployee directors of the Company.  The Directors Plan provides that each new nonemployee director will automatically be granted an option to purchase 20,000 shares on the date the optionee first becomes a nonemployee director (the “Initial Grant”).  Thereafter, on the date immediately following each annual stockholders’ meeting, each nonemployee director who is reelected at the meeting to an additional term shall be granted an additional option to purchase 4,800 shares of Common Stock if, on such date, he or she shall have served on the Company’s Board of Directors for at least six months (the “Annual Grant”).  The Initial Grant is exercisable in four equal annual installments, and each Annual Grant shall become exercisable in full one year after the date of grant, subject to the director’s continuous service.  The exercise price of all stock options granted under the Directors Plan is equal to the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant.  Options granted under the Directors Plan have a term of ten years.

 

At December 31, 2001 shares available for grant under this plan were 97,000.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999.  The weighted average exercise price for each category presented is also shown in the table below:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Outstanding at beginning of period

 

2,639,717

 

$

23.95

 

1,932,556

 

$

11.22

 

2,226,265

 

$

5.11

 

Assumed

 

 

 

 

168,472

 

11.38

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

1,976,090

 

19.94

 

1,307,050

 

38.23

 

698,803

 

20.49

 

Exercised

 

(568,892

)

9.93

 

(484,863

)

6.84

 

(700,854

)

2.87

 

Canceled

 

(474,147

)

30.05

 

(283,498

)

24.96

 

(291,658

)

6.43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options outstanding at period end

 

3,572,768

 

23.16

 

2,639,717

 

23.95

 

1,932,556

 

11.22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercisable at period end

 

3,572,768

 

 

 

2,408,100

 

 

 

1,926,549

 

 

 

 

56



 

Significant option groups outstanding as of December 31, 2001 and the related weighted average exercise price and contractual life information, are as follows:

 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable

 

 

 

Exercise Price

 

Number

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Number

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise

Price

 

Weighted
Average
Contractual
Life (Years)

 

$

  0.13 —$14.00

 

778,754

 

$

8.93

 

778,754

 

$

8.93

 

7.0

 

$

14.44 —$17.28

 

879,476

 

16.53

 

879,476

 

16.53

 

9.4

 

$

17.31 —$25.29

 

758,154

 

21.74

 

758,154

 

21.74

 

8.5

 

$

25.64 —$41.00

 

1,007,564

 

37.31

 

1,007,564

 

37.31

 

8.9

 

$

41.25 —$62.00

 

148,820

 

48.20

 

148,820

 

48.20

 

8.4

 

 

 

3,572,768

 

23.16

 

3,572,768

 

23.16

 

8.5

 

 

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 as defined by SFAS 123, were $16.20, $34.18 and $17.05 per share, respectively.

 

1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

The Company’s 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) was adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors in October 1995, and approved by its stockholders in December 1995.  The ESPP enables employees to purchase shares through payroll deductions at approximately 85% of the lesser of the fair value of Common Stock at the beginning of a 24-month offering period or the end of each six-month segment within such offering period.  The ESPP is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.  During the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, 65,340 and 89,831 shares were purchased by employees under the terms of the plan agreements at a weighted average price of $18.65 and $10.37 per share, respectively.  At December 31, 2001, 156,387 shares were reserved and available for issuance under this plan.

 

The weighted average grant date fair value of rights granted during the year ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 as defined by SFAS 123, was $11.72, $17.27 and $3.91 per share, respectively.

 

57



 

Fair Value Disclosures

 

Had compensation cost for the Company’s option and stock purchase plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates, as prescribed in SFAS 123, the Company’s net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share for each of the three years ended December 31, 2001, would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(36,065

)

$

(20,608

)

$

6,659

 

Pro forma

 

$

(57,150

)

$

(33,851

)

$

1,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(2.07

)

$

(1.37

)

$

0.61

 

Diluted

 

$

(2.07

)

$

(1.37

)

$

0.54

 

Pro forma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(3.27

)

$

(2.25

)

$

0.11

 

Diluted

 

$

(3.27

)

$

(2.25

)

$

0.10

 

 

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black Scholes model with the following assumptions used for options and purchase grants during the applicable period.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

Dividend rate

 

0.0

%

0.0

%

0.0

%

Risk-free interest rates

 

3.9% to 4.9

%

5.2% to 6.7

%

4.6% to 6.2

%

Volatility

 

90.0

%

91.0

%

93.0

%

Expected life

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option plans

 

5 years

 

5 years

 

5 years

 

Purchase plan

 

0.5 years

 

0.5 years

 

0.5 years

 

 

The pro forma amounts reflect compensation expense related to stock options and purchase rights granted during the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999.

 

58



 

NOTE 8 - EARNINGS PER SHARE:

 

A reconciliation of the numerators and the denominators of the basic and diluted per share computation are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

 

 

Income
(Numerator)

 

Shares
(Denominator)

 

Per
Share
Amount

 

Income
(Numerator)

 

Shares
(Denominator)

 

Per
Share
Amount

 

Income
(Numerator)

 

Shares
(Denominator)

 

Per
Share
Amount

 

Basic EPS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(36,065

)

17,460

 

$

(2.07

)

$

(20,608

)

15,070

 

$

(1.37

)

$

6,659

 

10,844

 

$

0.61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effects of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

stock
options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(36,065

)

17,460

 

$

(2.07

)

$

(20,608

)

15,070

 

$

(1.37

)

$

6,659

 

12,249

 

$

0.54

 

 

Stock options and a warrant to purchase 3,648,000, 2,715,000 and 603,000 shares of common stock were outstanding at December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 respectively, but were not included in the weighted average diluted earnings per share calculation as they were antidilutive.

 

NOTE 9 - INCOME TAXES:

 

The components of income before income taxes are as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

U.S.

 

$

(33,478

)

$

(25,941

)

$

2,156

 

Foreign

 

(1,322

)

7,303

 

5,678

 

 

 

$

(34,800

)

$

(18,638

)

$

7,834

 

 

The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.

 

$

927

 

$

267

 

$

50

 

State

 

115

 

827

 

454

 

Foreign

 

223

 

876

 

671

 

Total current

 

1,265

 

1,970

 

1,175

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,265

 

$

1,970

 

$

1,175

 

 

59



 

The tax provision differs from the amounts obtained by applying the statutory U.S. Federal Income Tax Rate to income taxes as shown below.

 

Tax provision difference

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Tax at U.S. statutory rate

 

$

(11,832

)

$

(6,337

)

$

2,663

 

Utilization of net operating loss carryovers

 

 

(2,075

)

(856

)

Foreign Earnings

 

(213

)

(635

)

(1,612

)

State taxes net of federal benefit

 

416

 

443

 

302

 

Other differences not benefited

 

1,640

 

433

 

513

 

Permanent differences

 

16

 

(72

)

85

 

Alternative minimum tax

 

207

 

122

 

50

 

In-process research and development

 

 

7,428

 

 

Non-deductible goodwill amortization

 

11,251

 

2,663

 

 

Other

 

(221

)

 

30

 

 

 

$

1,264

 

$

1,970

 

$

1,175

 

 

Deferred income tax assets comprise the following:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Deferred tax assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards

 

$

16,865

 

$

18,605

 

$

16,417

 

Capitalized research and development expenses

 

 

543

 

497

 

Nondeductible reserves and accruals

 

2,154

 

1,841

 

1,653

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

19,019

 

20,989

 

18,567

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets

 

(4,858

)

(8,468

)

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

(4,858

)

(8,468

)

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

14,161

 

12,521

 

18,567

 

Valuation allowance

 

(14,161

)

(12,521

)

(18,567

)

 

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

As of December 31, 2001, the Company had NOLs of approximately $48.0 million for federal tax reporting purposes. The federal NOLs expire on various dates between 2002 and 2020.  Management has recorded a full valuation allowance against all U.S. deferred tax assets on the basis that significant uncertainty exists regarding the realizability of the assets.

 

Pursuant to the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the amounts of and the benefit from NOLs that can be carried forward may be impaired or limited in certain circumstances, including a cumulative stock ownership change of more than 50% over a three-year period.  The Company’s IPO resulted in a cumulative change of ownership of greater than 50%.

 

60



 

Accordingly, the Company’s NOLs incurred prior to the completion of the IPO that can be utilized to reduce future taxable income for federal tax purposes will be limited to approximately $3.0 million per year.

 

The Company’s Israeli subsidiary has been granted the status of an “Approved Enterprise” pursuant to the Israeli law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, as amended.  The Company has six approved programs pursuant to this law.  The first program was approved in 1984.  Income subject to this program is taxed at an annual rate of 10% from the first year in which the enterprise generates taxable income (net of NOLs).  Benefits under the first program expired in 1997.  The second program was approved in 1991.  Income subject to this program is exempt from tax for two years from the first year in which the Company has taxable income (net of NOLs) and is taxed at a rate of 10% thereafter.  Benefits under the second program expire in 2003.  The third program was approved in 1995.  Income subject to this program is exempt from tax for four years from the first year in which the Company has taxable income (net of NOLs) and is taxed at a rate of 10% during the remaining period of six years.  The fourth program was approved in 1997.  Income subject to this program is exempt from tax for two years from the first year in which the Company has taxable income (net of NOLs) and is taxed at a rate of 10% during the remaining period of eight years.  Benefits under the third and the fourth program are limited to fourteen years from approval or twelve years from commencement of production. The fifth program was approved in 2000. Income subject to this program is exempt from tax for two years from the first year in which the Company has taxable income (net of NOLs) and is taxed at a rate of 10% during the remaining period of eight years. The sixth program was approved in 2001. Income subject to this program is exempt from tax for two years from the first year in which the Company has taxable income (net of NOLs) and is taxed at a rate of 10% during the remaining period of eight years. The net impact of the tax holidays was an increase in net income of $635,000 in fiscal 2000 and $1.6 million in fiscal 1999, and an increase in net income per share of $0.45 and $0.13 in 2000 and 1999 respectively. There was no impact for tax holidays in 2001.

 

NOTE 10 - SEGMENT REPORTING:

 

The Company operates in one industry segment comprising the design, development, manufacture and sale of integrated circuits.  The following is a summary of the Company’s operations:

 

Sales to customers located in:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

United States

 

$

7,767

 

$

14,735

 

$

12,671

 

Pacific Rim

 

90,137

 

51,985

 

41,870

 

Europe

 

9,805

 

12,951

 

7,133

 

 

 

$

107,709

 

$

79,671

 

$

61,674

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Identifiable assets:

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.

 

$

299,026

 

$

276,563

 

Israel

 

32,318

 

82,903

 

Total

 

$

331,344

 

$

359,466

 

 

61



 

Significant customers are as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

Customers comprising 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues for the period indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A

 

29

%

25

%

37

%

B

 

12

%

 

 

 

NOTE 11 – ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF ASSETS:

 

SoftDVD Product Line: In June 1999, the Company sold to MGI Software of Canada the intellectual property related to its SoftDVD product line and transferred to MGI certain related software development and support resources in exchange for cash, MGI common stock and future royalties. The Company’s results for the second quarter of 1999 include a $732,000 gain realized from this transaction which is reported as part of interest and other income or expense. In connection with this transaction, the Company also recorded a charge that reduced software, licensing and development revenue for the quarter by $517,000 for possible issues related to receivables associated with the SoftDVD product line. The net impact of the MGI transaction on the Company’s results was an after-tax gain of $172,000, or $0.01 per share on a diluted basis. This gain does not reflect the potential future economic benefit that may be derived from this transaction and realized in future periods in the form of royalties. The Company does not currently expect, however, that these royalties will have a material impact on quarterly revenues for the foreseeable future. In addition, the shares of MGI stock received by the Company as part of this transaction are subject to future appreciation or depreciation. The Company’s software revenues have declined significantly as a result of the sale of the SoftDVD product line.

 

PixelCam: On June 29, 2000, the Company acquired PixelCam, Inc. (“PixelCam”), a manufacturer of megapixel CMOS image sensors, in exchange for 370,832 shares of Zoran common stock and options to purchase 4,168 shares of Zoran common stock with an aggregate value of $24.6 million. The common stock issued includes 123,612 shares of restricted stock subject to repurchase by the Company exchanged for restricted stock of PixelCam. The restrictions and vesting periods of the PixelCam shares were maintained and will apply to the converted shares of the Company. The agreement also included shares that were contingently issuable to former PixelCam shareholders upon achievement of certain milestones. These milestones were not met and therefore no additional shares will be issued. The common stock issued was valued using the average of the market price per share of the Company’s common stock for the three trading days prior to the date the acquisition was consummated. The options were valued using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The results of operations of PixelCam are included in the Company’s financial statements from the date of acquisition.

 

62



 

The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.  The Company had a valuation performed of the in-process research and development and the intangible assets acquired.  The allocation of the purchase price based on independent appraisal and estimates of fair value and including acquisition costs of  $575,000, is as follows (in thousands):

 

Net tangible assets

 

 

 

$

419

 

In-process research and development

 

 

 

6,769

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

15,956

 

 

 

Covenant not to compete

 

800

 

 

 

Patents

 

900

 

 

 

Acquired employees

 

380

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,036

 

Net assets acquired

 

 

 

$

25,224

 

 

The net tangible assets acquired were comprised primarily of property and equipment, inventory, and cash offset by accrued liabilities. The acquired in-process research and development was written-off in the second quarter of 2000. The estimated weighted average useful life of the intangible assets for purchased technology, covenant not to compete, acquired employees, patents and residual goodwill, created as a result of the acquisition of PixelCam, is approximately three years.

 

The allocation of $6.8 million of the purchase price to the acquired in-process research and development has been determined by identifying the research project for which technological feasibility had not been established and no alternative future uses existed. The value was determined by estimating the expected cash flows from the project once commercially viable, discounting the net cash flows back to their present value, and then applying a percentage of completion to the calculated value as defined below.

 

NET CASH FLOWS.  The net cash flows from the identified project was based on estimates of revenues, cost of sales, research and development costs, selling, general and administrative costs, and income taxes from the project. These estimates were based on the assumptions discussed below. The research and development costs excluded costs to bring the acquired in-process project to technological feasibility.

 

The estimated revenues were based on management projections of the acquired in-process project. The business projections were compared with and found to be in line with industry analysts’ forecasts of growth in substantially all of the relevant markets. Estimated total revenues from the acquired in-process research and development product are expected to peak in fiscal 2002 and decline in fiscal 2003 as other new products are expected to become available. These projections were based on estimates of market size and growth, expected trends in technology, and the nature and expected timing of new product introductions by the Company and its competitors.

 

Projected gross margins as well as selling, general and administrative costs were based on management’s estimates.

 

DISCOUNT RATE.  Discounting the net cash flows back to their present value was based on the cost of capital for well managed venture capital funds which typically have similar risks and returns on investments. The cost of capital used in discounting the net cash flows from acquired in-process research was 25%.

 

PERCENTAGE OF COMPLETION.  The percentage of completion was determined using costs incurred by PixelCam prior to the acquisition date compared to the remaining research and development to be completed to bring the project to technological feasibility. The Company estimated, as of the acquisition date, the project was 62% complete and the estimated costs to complete the project were approximately $4.1 million.

 

63



 

The Company has completed the project and the related IC began shipping in the third quarter of 2001.

 

Nogatech: On October 26, 2000, the Company acquired Nogatech, Inc. (“Nogatech”), a manufacturer of integrated circuits that establish connections between video devices and computers as well as connections between video devices across a variety of networks, in exchange for 2,534,559 shares of Zoran common stock with a fair value of $154.4 million and options to purchase 168,472 shares of Zoran common stock with a fair value of $9.2 million. The common stock issued was valued using the average of the market price per share of the Company’s common stock on the date the proposed merger was announced and the three trading days before and two trading days subsequent to the date of the announcement. The options were valued using the Black-Scholes valuation mode. The results of operations of Nogatech are included in the Company’s financial statements from the date of acquisition.

 

The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.  The Company had a valuation performed of the in-process research and development and the intangible assets acquired.  The allocation of the purchase price based on independent appraisal and estimates of fair value including acquisition costs of approximately $1.5 million is as follows (in thousands):

 

Net tangible assets

 

 

 

$

44,246

 

In-process research and development

 

 

 

15,078

 

Deferred compensation for unvested options

 

 

 

1,018

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

83,571

 

 

 

Core technology

 

8,060

 

 

 

Completed technology

 

10,760

 

 

 

Assembled workforce

 

700

 

 

 

Customer base

 

1,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

104,651

 

Net assets acquired

 

 

 

$

164,993

 

 

The net tangible assets acquired were comprised primarily of cash, inventory, and prepaid expense offset by accrued liabilities. The acquired in-process research and development was written-off in the fourth quarter of 2000. The intangible assets for core technology, assembled workforce, customer base and residual goodwill, created as a result of the acquisition of Nogatech will be amortized on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives of three years. The completed technology will be amortized on a straight line basis over its estimated useful life of two years.

 

The allocation of $15.1 million of the purchase price to the acquired in-process research and development has been determined by identifying the research project for which technological feasibility had not been established and no alternative future uses existed. The value was determined by estimating the expected cash flows from the project once commercially viable, discounting the net cash flows back to their present value, and then applying a percentage of completion to the calculated value as defined below.

 

NET CASH FLOWS.  The net cash flows from the identified project was based on estimates of revenues, cost of sales, research and development costs, selling, general and administrative costs, and income taxes from the project. These estimates were based on the assumptions discussed below. The research and development costs excluded costs to bring the acquired in-process project to technological feasibility.

 

The estimated revenues were based on management projections of the acquired in-process project. The business projections were compared with and found to be in line with industry analysts’ forecasts of growth in substantially all of the relevant markets. Estimated total revenues from the acquired in-process research and development product are expected to peak in fiscal 2006 and decline in fiscal 2007 as other new products are expected to become available.

 

64



 

These projections were based on estimates of market size and growth, expected trends in technology, and the nature and expected timing of new product introductions by the Company and its competitors.

 

Projected gross margins as well as selling, general and administrative costs were based on management’s estimates.

 

DISCOUNT RATE.  Discounting the net cash flows back to their present value was based on the cost of capital for well managed venture capital funds which typically have similar risks and returns on investments. The cost of capital used in discounting the net cash flows from acquired in-process research was 25%.

 

PERCENTAGE OF COMPLETION.  The percentage of completion was determined using costs incurred by Nogatech prior to the acquisition date compared to the remaining research and development to be completed to bring the project to technological feasibility. The Company estimated, as of the acquisition date, the project was 60% complete and the estimated costs to complete the project were approximately $1.2 million.

 

The Company has delayed the completion of the project due to uncertainty in the market concerning implementation timing of this technology. Completion of this project remains a significant risk to the Company due to the remaining effort to achieve technical feasibility, rapidly changing customer markets and significant competitive threats from other companies. Failure to bring related products to market in a timely manner could adversely impact sales and profitability of the Company in the future. Additionally, the value of the intangible assets acquired may become impaired.

 

Unaudited pro forma results

 

The unaudited pro forma information below assumes that PixelCam and Nogatech had been acquired at the beginning of each period presented and includes the effect of amortization of goodwill and other identified intangibles from those dates. The impact of charges for in-process research and development has been excluded. This information is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations or results that would have been achieved had the acquisition taken place at the beginning of any of the periods presented.

 

 

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2000

 

1999

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Net revenues

 

$

88,136

 

$

70,780

 

Net loss

 

$

(43,666

)

$

(40,713

)

Basic and diluted loss per common share

 

$

(2.43

)

$

(2.97

)

 

NOTE 12 - - RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

 

In January 1996, the Company spun off its wholly-owned subsidiary, Oren Semiconductor, to the Company’s stockholders. Two of the Company’s directors are also members of Oren’s board of directors. The Company has no ownership interest in Oren.

 

In March 1999, the Company entered into a technology license agreement with Oren. Under the license arrangement Oren agreed to pay to the Company license and maintenance fees totaling $400,000 and royalties and maintenance fees

 

65



 

based on related products sold by Oren. License fees of approximately $360,000 were recognized in the first quarter of 1999.

 

In April 1999, the Company loaned Oren $350,000. The loan plus interest, computed at 7% per year, was repaid by Oren in July 1999. The Company has no commitments or plans to loan additional amounts to Oren.

 

66



 

ZORAN CORPORATION

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Quarters Ended

 

 

 

Dec 31,
2001

 

Sept 30,
2001

 

June 30,
2001

 

March 31,
2001

 

Dec 31,
2000

 

Sept 30,
2000

 

June 30,
2000

 

March 31,
2000

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

$

33,099

 

$

28,976

 

$

20,622

 

$

17,315

 

$

16,793

 

$

20,378

 

$

16,389

 

$

14,222

 

Software, licensing and development

 

2,669

 

1,448

 

1,302

 

2,278

 

2,361

 

3,636

 

2,472

 

3,420

 

Total revenues

 

35,768

 

30,424

 

21,924

 

19,593

 

19,154

 

24,014

 

18,861

 

17,642

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of product sales

 

21,665

 

18,971

 

13,228

 

10,876

 

9,650

 

11,138

 

9,069

 

8,136

 

Research and development

 

6,110

 

5,210

 

5,922

 

5,968

 

6,112

 

5,271

 

3,976

 

3,269

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

5,511

 

5,416

 

5,160

 

5,243

 

5,494

 

5,074

 

4,443

 

4,137

 

Amortization of goodwill and write-off of acquired in - process research & development

 

10,808

 

10,808

 

10,809

 

10,808

 

23,497

 

1,503

 

6,769

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

44,094

 

40,405

 

35,119

 

32,895

 

44,753

 

22,986

 

24,257

 

15,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(8,326

)

(9,981

)

(13,195

)

(13,302

)

(25,599

)

1,028

 

(5,396

)

2,100

 

Interest and other income, net

 

2,241

 

2,412

 

2,606

 

2,745

 

2,789

 

2,226

 

2,208

 

2,006

 

Income (loss) before taxes

 

(6,085

)

(7,569

)

(10,589

)

(10,557

)

(22,810

)

3,254

 

(3,188

)

4,106

 

Provision for income taxes

 

708

 

486

 

28

 

43

 

103

 

714

 

537

 

616

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(6,793

)

$

(8,055

)

$

(10,617

)

$

(10,600

)

$

(22,913

)

$

2,540

 

$

(3,725

)

$

3,490

 

Net income (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.38

)

$

(0.46

)

$

(0.62

)

$

(0.61

)

$

(1.35

)

$

0.17

 

$

(0.26

)

$

0.25

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.38

)

$

(0.46

)

$

(0.62

)

$

(0.61

)

$

(1.35

)

$

0.16

 

$

(0.26

)

$

0.23

 

Shares used to compute basic net income (loss) per share

 

17,689

 

17,502

 

17,263

 

17,314

 

16,950

 

14,564

 

14,113

 

13,988

 

Shares used to compute diluted net income (loss) per share

 

17,689

 

17,502

 

17,263

 

17,314

 

16,950

 

16,009

 

14,113

 

15,486

 

 

67



 

Item 9.          Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

Not applicable.

 

68



 

PART III

 

Certain information required by Part III is omitted from this report in that the Company intends to file its definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A (the “Proxy Statement”) not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report and certain information therein is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 10.        Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to information set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Proposal No. 1 — Election of Directors” and in Part I of this Report under the heading “Executive Officers of the Registrant.”

 

The information required by this Item with respect to compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is incorporated by reference to information set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.”

 

Item 11.        Executive Compensation.

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to information set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Executive Compensation.”

 

Item 12.        Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to information set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Principal Stockholders and Share Ownership by Management.”

 

Item 13.        Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to information set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Certain Transactions.”

 

69



 

PART IV

 

Item 14.        Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.

 

(a)

The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements at page 41of this report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

Financial Statement Schedules:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or not required, or because the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto which are included herein.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

Exhibits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed as part of, or are incorporated by reference into, this report.

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

Reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended December 31, 2001:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

None

 

 

70



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated:  April 1, 2002

ZORAN CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Levy Gerzberg

 

 

Levy Gerzberg, President and
Chief Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Security Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Levy Gerzberg

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

April 1, 2002

Levy Gerzberg

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Karl Schneider

 

Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

 

April 1, 2002

Karl Schneider

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Uzia Galil

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

April 1, 2002

Uzia Galil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ James D. Meindl

 

Director

 

April 1, 2002

James D. Meindl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Arthur B. Stabenow

 

Director

 

April 1, 2002

Arthur B. Stabenow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Philip M. Young

 

Director

 

April 1, 2002

Philip M. Young

 

 

 

 

 

71



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Title

 

Exhibit
Number

 

 

3.1(11)

 

Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.

 

 

 

3.2(1)

 

Amended Bylaws of the Registrant.

 

 

 

4.1(2)

 

Amended and Restated Stock Rights Agreement dated July 30, 1993 among the Registrant and certain of its stockholders, as amended.

 

 

 

*10.1(11)

 

1993 Stock Option Plan, as amended.

 

 

 

*10.2(9)

 

1995 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan.

 

 

 

*10.3(12)

 

Amended and Restated 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

 

 

*10.4(2)

 

Form of Indemnity Agreement for officers and directors.

 

 

 

†10.5(2)

 

Agreement dated June 28, 1991 between the Registrant and Fujifilm Microdevices Co., Ltd. (“Fujifilm”), as amended.

 

 

 

†10.6(2)

 

Agreement dated July 27, 1992 between the Registrant and Fujifilm.

 

 

 

10.7(2)

 

Letter Agreement dated December 16, 1991 between the Registrant and Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation, as amended.

 

 

 

10.11(2)

 

Lease Agreement dated October 1, 1992 between the Registrant’s subsidiary, Zoran Microelectronics Ltd. (“ZML”), and Matam-Haifa Scientific Industries Center Ltd. (“Matam”).

 

 

 

†10.12(2)

 

License Agreement for ZR33891 Digital Filter Processor dated June 8, 1995 between the Registrant and Atmel Corporation (“Atmel”).

 

 

 

†10.13(2)

 

License Agreement for ZR34325 Vector Signal Processor dated June 8, 1995 between the Registrant and Atmel.

 

 

 

†10.14(2)

 

Cooperation and Project Funding Agreement dated June 16, 1991 between ZML and the Israel-United States Binational Industrial Research and  Development Foundation (“BIRDF”).

 

 

 

†10.15(2)

 

Cooperation and Project Funding Agreement dated June 9, 1992 between ZML and BIRDF.

 

 

 

10.16(2)

 

Note of Approval No. 17391 dated September 5, 1994 issued to ZML by the Office of Chief Scientist, Head of the Industrial Research and Development Administration of the Israeli Ministry of Industry and Trade (the “Chief Scientist”), together with ZML’s Letter of Undertaking dated September 4, 1994.

 

 

 

10.17(2)

 

Note of Approval No. 17337 dated September 5, 1994 issued to ZML by the Chief Scientist, together with ZML’s Letter of Undertaking dated September 4, 1994.

 

 

 

10.18(2)

 

Loan Agreements dated July 25, 1995, August 1, 1995, August 15, 1995, August 31, 1995 and November 1, 1995 between ZML and the Israel Discount Bank.

 

72



 

10.29(4)

 

Summary of Discussion dated April 23, 1996 between ZML and Matam regarding Lease Agreement dated October 1, 1992 between ZML and Matam.

 

 

 

10.30(5)

 

Memorandum of Understanding Dated April 23, 1996 between ZML and IBM Israel Ltd. regarding Lease Agreement dated October 1, 1992 between ZML and Matam.

 

 

 

10.33(6)

 

Sub-Sublease dated April 1, 1997 between the Registrant and Integrated Silicon Solutions, Inc.

 

 

 

*10.34(7)

 

Confidential Separation Agreement dated August 4, 1997 between the Registrant and George T. Haber.

 

 

 

10.35(8)

 

Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Assets between the Registrant and MGI Software Corp. dated June 15, 1999

 

 

 

10.36(10)

 

Unprotected Tenancy Agreement dated September 16, 1997 between ZML and Matam, together with Appendix Addendum to Unprotected Tenancy Agreement of 16.9.97

 

 

 

10.37(11)

 

Addendum to sub-sublease dated April 1, 1997 between the Registrant Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc.

 

 

 

10.38(12)

 

Form of Amendment of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement for Outside Directors.

 

 

 

21.1

 

List of subsidiaries of the Registrant.

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

 


*

 

Constitutes a management contact or compensatory plan required to be filed pursuant to Item 14(c) of Form 10-K.

 

 

 

 

Confidential treatment has been granted as to a portion of this Exhibit.

 

 

 

(1)

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended September 30, 1998.

 

 

 

(2)

 

Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibit to the 1995 Registration Statement.

 

 

 

(3)

 

Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibit to Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1995.

 

 

 

(4)

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 1996 (the “June 1996 Form 10-Q”).

 

 

 

(5)

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the June 1996 Form 10-Q.

 

 

 

(6)

 

Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibit to Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 1997.

 

 

 

(7)

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1997.

 

 

 

(8)

 

Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibit to Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 1999.

 

73



 

(9)

 

Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibit to Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2000.

 

 

 

(10)

 

Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibit to Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1999.

 

 

 

(11)

 

Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibit to Registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2000

 

 

 

(12)

 

Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibit to Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2001.

 

74


EX-21.1 3 j3181_ex21d1.htm EX-21.1 PART I

 

Exhibit 21.1

 

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

 

The subsidiaries of Zoran Corporation are the following:

 

1.             Zoran Microelectronics Ltd., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Israel; and

 

2.             Zoran International, Inc., a Delaware corporation; and

 

3.             PixelCam, Inc., a California corporation.

 

 


EX-23.1 4 j3181_ex23d1.htm EX-23.1 PART I

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No’s. 333-74610, 333-59843, 333-37111, 333-49350, 333-52598) of Zoran Corporation our report dated January 30, 2002 relating to the financial statements, which appears in this Form 10-K.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Jose, California

 

March 29, 2002

 

 


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