Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]


Note 16.			Commitments and Contingencies

We have been in the past and could become in the future subject to legal proceedings, governmental investigations, and claims in the ordinary course of business, including employment claims, contract-related claims, and claims of alleged infringement of third-party patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights. Such claims, even if not meritorious, could force us to expend significant financial and managerial resources. In addition, given the broad distribution of some of our consumer products, any individual claim related to those products could give rise to liabilities that may be material to us. In the event of a determination adverse to us, we may incur substantial monetary liability, and/or be required to change our business practices. Either of these could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

On April 6, 2020, RealNetworks Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. received notice of a civil lawsuit filed by Korean Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) in Seoul Central District Court seeking damages of $2.6 million. Also named as a defendant in the lawsuit is Kakao M Corp (formerly known as LOEN Entertainment Corp.), one of the largest media publishing companies in Korea, which operates the Melon music platform. The claim is for a late payment penalty under a music licensing contract, pursuant to which, from 2004 to 2017, RealNetworks licensed music for its services to LOEN for its Melon platform. The current lawsuit relates solely to the late payment of music licensing fees under the contract; the underlying music licensing fees were paid by Kakao M to KOMCA in a separate settlement prior to KOMCA’s filing of this lawsuit. While we believe we have meritorious defenses to this lawsuit and are vigorously defending against it, litigation is inherently uncertain and we cannot currently predict the ultimate outcome of this matter. We have recorded a liability related to this matter as of December 31, 2021, at the low end of the range of outcomes, for an immaterial amount. Because of the uncertainty of this matter, it is reasonably possible that the estimated amount of the liability recorded will change in the near term.