XML 36 R25.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.24.1.1.u2
Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

Note 16—Commitments and Contingencies

 

Legal Proceedings

 

On July 5, 2017, plaintiff JDS1, LLC, on behalf of itself and all other similarly situated stockholders of Straight Path, and derivatively on behalf of Straight Path as nominal defendant, filed a putative class action and derivative complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against the Company, The Patrick Henry Trust (a trust formed by Howard S. Jonas that held record and beneficial ownership of certain shares of Straight Path he formerly held), Howard S. Jonas, and each of Straight Path’s directors. The complaint alleged that the Company aided and abetted Straight Path Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Davidi Jonas, and Howard S. Jonas in his capacity as controlling stockholder of Straight Path, in breaching their fiduciary duties to Straight Path in connection with the settlement of claims between Straight Path and the Company related to potential indemnification claims concerning Straight Path’s obligations under the Consent Decree it entered into with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), as well as the sale of Straight Path’s subsidiary Straight Path IP Group, Inc. to the Company in connection with that settlement. That action was consolidated with a similar action that was initiated by The Arbitrage Fund. The Plaintiffs sought, among other things, (i) a declaration that the action may be maintained as a class action or in the alternative, that demand on the Straight Path Board is excused; (ii) that the term sheet is invalid; (iii) awarding damages for the unfair price stockholders received in the merger between Straight Path and Verizon Communications Inc. for their shares of Straight Path’s Class B common stock; and (iv) ordering Howard S. Jonas, Davidi Jonas, and the Company to disgorge any profits for the benefit of the class Plaintiffs. On August 28, 2017, the Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. The trial was held in August and December 2022, and closing arguments were presented on May 3, 2023. On October 3, 2023, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismissed all claims against the Company, and found that, contrary to the plaintiffs’ allegations, the class suffered no damages. The plaintiffs will have 30 days from entry of the final order to file an appeal.

 

In addition to the foregoing, the Company is subject to other legal proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business and have not been finally adjudicated. Although there can be no assurance in this regard, the Company believes that none of the other legal proceedings to which the Company is a party will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

 

Sales Tax Contingency

 

On June 21, 2018, the United States Supreme Court rendered a decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., holding that a state may require a remote seller with no physical presence in the state to collect and remit sales tax on goods and services provided to purchasers in the state, overturning certain existing court precedent. It is possible that one or more jurisdictions may assert that the Company has liability for periods for which it has not collected sales, use or other similar taxes, and if such an assertion or assertions were successful it could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial position, and operating results. One or more jurisdictions may change their laws or policies to apply their sales, use or other similar taxes to the Company’s operations, and if such changes were made it could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial position, and operating results.

 

Regulatory Fees Audit

 

  The Company’s 2017 FCC Form 499-A, which reports its calendar year 2016 revenue, was audited by the Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”). The USAC’s final decision imposed a $2.9 million charge on the Company for the Federal Telecommunications Relay Service (“TRS”) Fund. The Company has appealed the USAC’s final decision to the FCC and does not intend to remit payment for the TRS Fund fees unless and until a negative decision on its appeal has been issued. The Company has made certain changes to its filing policies and procedures for years that remain potentially under audit. At April 30, 2024 and July 31, 2023, the Company’s accrued expenses included $23.8 million and $26.8 million, respectively, for FCC-related regulatory fees for the year covered by the audit, as well as prior and subsequent years.

 

 

Purchase Commitments

 

At April 30, 2024, the Company had purchase commitments of $3.2 million primarily for equipment and services.

 

Performance Bonds

 

The Company has performance bonds issued through third parties for the benefit of various states in order to comply with the states’ financial requirements for money remittance licenses and telecommunications resellers. At April 30, 2024, the Company had aggregate performance bonds of $29.0 million outstanding.