Recent Accounting Pronouncements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Note 2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a new standard, "Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern". This standard provides guidance around management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. The new guidance is effective for all annual and interim periods ending after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued new revenue recognition guidance. The guidance will require an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The new guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018; with early adoption permitted beginning January 1, 2017. The guidance permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect that the guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.     

In November 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to the presentation of deferred income taxes, requiring that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as non-current on the balance sheet. The new guidance will be effective for us on January 1, 2017, including interim periods within 2017. As permitted, we have elected to early adopt the new guidance, and have reclassified our net current deferred tax assets and liabilities to net non-current deferred tax assets and liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015. As permitted, we have not retrospectively adjusted prior year amounts.

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the accounting for leases by lessees. A major change in the new guidance is that lessees will be required to present right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. The new guidance will be effective for us on January 1, 2019, including interim periods within 2019. We will be evaluating the effect that the guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

There have been no other recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements to be implemented that are of significance or potential significance to RealNetworks.