Description of Business. RealNetworks provides digital media software and services to consumers, mobile carriers, device manufacturers, system integrators, and other businesses. Consumers use our digital media products and services to store, organize, play, manage and enjoy their digital media content, either directly from us or through our distribution partners. We have recently developed a new generation of artificial intelligence (AI)-based products and solutions. The main two products and key investment initiatives in our AI portfolio are SAFR, our AI-based computer vision platform, and KONTXT, our natural language processing-based message classification and analysis platform.

Rhapsody International, Inc. (doing business as Napster) offers a comprehensive set of digital music products and services designed to provide consumers with broad access to digital music. Napster was held-for-sale and treated as discontinued operations for accounting and disclosure purposes as of the third quarter of 2020. The sale of Napster was completed during the fourth quarter of 2020. The results of operations and cash flows for these discontinued operations were segregated from the results of continuing operations and segment results, and Napster’s operating results and financial condition were recast to conform to this presentation. The notes to the consolidated financial statements, unless otherwise indicated, are on a continuing operations basis. See Note 4. Dispositions for additional details regarding the sale of Napster.

Inherent in our business are various risks and uncertainties, including a limited history of certain of our product and service offerings. RealNetworks' success will depend on the acceptance of our technology, products and services and the ability to generate related revenue and cash flow.

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (10-K), RealNetworks, Inc. and subsidiaries is referred to as “RealNetworks”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”.

Basis of Presentation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries in which it has a more than 50% voting interest. Noncontrolling interests primarily represent third-party ownership in the equity of Scener Inc. ("Scener"), which was deconsolidated on June 30, 2021, and are reflected separately in the Company's financial statements. See Note 19. Related Party Transactions for additional details. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Liquidity and Capital Resources. The Company continues to incur operating losses from continuing operations, including net operating losses of $20.9 million, and $5.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company had an accumulated deficit of $570.8 million and $548.9 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company believes that its cash and cash equivalents of $27.1 million as of December 31, 2021 is adequate to fund the Company's operations for at least one year from the date these financial statements were issued.

Risks and Uncertainties. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 to be a global pandemic. As the virus spread throughout the U.S. and the world, authorities implemented numerous measures to contain the virus, including travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, business limitations, and shutdowns. In addition to the pandemic's widespread impact on public health and global society, reactions to the pandemic as well as measures taken to contain the virus have caused significant turmoil to the global economy and financial markets. Moreover, similar to other companies, we have taken steps to support the health and well-being of our employees, customers, partners and communities, which include working remotely and learning to operate our businesses in a fundamentally different way.

The COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence of variants such as the delta and omicron variants, and the resultant economic instability and financial market turmoil has added complexity, uncertainty and risk to nearly all aspects of our business. It is difficult to predict the near-term and long-term impacts that the pandemic will have on our results from operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows. In the preparation of our financial statements, certain estimates and assumptions regarding these impacts have been made, which could change in future periods and which could differ from actual outcomes.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Trade Accounts Receivable. Trade accounts receivable consist of amounts due from customers and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns is our estimate of the amount of probable credit losses and returns in our existing accounts receivable. We determine the allowances based on analysis of historical bad debts, customer concentrations, changes in customer credit-worthiness, return history and current economic trends. We review the allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns quarterly. Past due balances over 90 days and specified other balances are reviewed individually for

collectability. All other balances are reviewed on an aggregate basis. Account balances are written off against the allowance after all reasonable means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. We do not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to our customers.

Unrealized gains and losses from the change in fair market value, as well as realized gains and losses from sales, are recorded to Gain on equity and other investments, net on the consolidated statements of operations. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are determined using the specific identification method.

Concentration of Credit Risk. Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We maintain cash and cash equivalents that may exceed the insured limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. However, we reduce this credit risk by placing cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions that the Company assesses to be of high-credit quality.

We derive a portion of our revenue from a large number of individual consumers spread globally. We also derive revenue from several large customers. If the financial condition or results of operations of any one of the large customers deteriorates substantially, our operating results could be adversely affected. To reduce credit risk, management performs ongoing credit evaluations of the financial condition of significant customers. We do not generally require collateral and we maintain an allowance for estimated credit losses on customer accounts when considered necessary.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation of equipment and software, as well as amortization of leasehold improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the related lease term. The useful life of equipment and software is generally three to five years.

Equity Method Investment. We use the equity method in circumstances where we have the ability to exert significant influence, but not control, over an investee or joint venture. We initially record our investment based on a fair value analysis of the investment. We record our percentage interest in the investee's recorded income or loss and changes in the investee's capital under this method, which will increase or decrease the reported value of our investment.

We evaluate impairment of an investment accounted for under the equity method if events and circumstances warrant. An impairment charge would be recorded if a decline in the fair value of an equity investment below its carrying amount were determined to be other than temporary. In determining if a decline is other than temporary, we consider factors such as the length of time and extent to which the fair value of the investment has been less than the carrying amount of the investee or joint venture, the near-term and longer-term operating and financial prospects of the investee or joint venture and our intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery.

Deferred Costs. Included in deferred costs are financing fees associated with our revolving line of credit. These fees are amortized over the term of the credit agreement. Amortization of the financing fees are recorded in interest expense, within other income (expenses).

We also defer certain costs on projects for service revenues and system sales. Deferred costs consist primarily of direct and incremental costs to customize and install systems, as defined in individual customer contracts, including costs to acquire hardware and software from third parties and payroll and related costs for employees and other third parties. Deferred costs are capitalized during the implementation period. We recognize such costs as a component of cost of revenue, the timing of which is dependent upon the revenue recognition policy by contract. At each balance sheet date, we review deferred costs to ensure they are ultimately recoverable.

Definite-Lived Tangible and Right-of-Use Operating Lease Assets. Definite-lived tangible assets include equipment, software, leasehold improvements. Definite-lived assets are amortized on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives.

Operating leases are included in Operating lease assets, Other current liabilities, and Long-term lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

We review these assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of an asset group is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated fair value, which is generally determined as the present value of estimated future cash flows to a market participant. Our impairment analysis is based on significant assumptions of future results, including operating and cash flow projections. Significant or sustained declines in future revenue or cash flows, or adverse changes in our business climate, among other factors, could result in the need to record an impairment charge in future periods.

Goodwill. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business acquisition are measured at fair value under the purchase accounting method and any goodwill is recognized as the excess of the total purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, in our fourth quarter, or more frequently if circumstances indicate reporting unit carrying values may exceed their fair values. Circumstances that may indicate a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value include, but are not limited to: poor economic performance relative to historical or projected future operating results; significant negative industry, economic or company specific trends; changes in the manner of our use of the assets or the plans for our business; and loss of key personnel.

When evaluating goodwill for impairment, based upon our annual test or due to changes in circumstances described above, we first perform a qualitative assessment to determine if the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not less than the reporting unit's carrying amount including goodwill. If this assessment indicates impairment is more likely than not, we then compare the carrying value of the reporting unit to the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, we then calculate the implied estimated fair value of goodwill for the reporting unit and compare it to the carrying amount of goodwill for the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied estimated fair value, an impairment charge to current operations is recorded to reduce the carrying value to implied estimated value. Significant judgment is required in determining the reporting units and assessing fair value of the reporting units.

Fair Value. Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid in transferring a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Our fair value measurements consider the principal or most advantageous market in which we would transact and the market-based risk measurements or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions and credit risk.

•Level 2: Directly or indirectly observed inputs for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active

Research and Development. Costs incurred in research and development are expensed as incurred. Software development costs are capitalized when a product’s technological feasibility has been established through the date the product is available for general release to customers. Other than internal use software, we have not capitalized any software development costs, as technological feasibility is generally not established until a working model is completed, at which time substantially all development is complete.

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue from contracts with customers as control of the promised good or service is transferred. Please refer to Note 3. Revenue Recognition for further details regarding our recognition policies.

Advertising Expenses. We expense the cost of advertising and promoting our products as incurred. These costs are included in sales and marketing expense and totaled $5.2 million in 2021 and $5.9 million in 2020.

Foreign Currency. The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is generally the currency of the country in which the subsidiary operates. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using rates of exchange in effect at the end of the reporting period. The net gain or loss resulting from translation is shown as translation adjustment and included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) in shareholders’ equity. Income and expense accounts are translated into U.S. dollars using average rates of exchange. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in other income (expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations.

Income Taxes. We compute income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between financial reporting basis and tax basis of our assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We record a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in the appropriate taxing jurisdictions. Adjustments to the valuation allowance could be required in the future if we estimate that the amount of deferred tax assets to be realized is more or less than the net amount we have recorded. Any increase or decrease in the valuation allowance could have the effect of increasing or decreasing the income tax provision in the statement of operations.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled.

We file numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in the U.S. including federal, state and local, as well as foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for tax years before 2013 or state, local, or foreign income tax examinations for years before 1993. We are currently under audit by various states and foreign jurisdictions for certain tax years subsequent to 1993.

We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.

Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model or other appropriate valuation models such as Monte Carlo simulation to determine the fair value of stock-based option awards. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date of the award. Generally, we recognize the compensation cost for awards on a straight-line basis for the entire award, over the applicable vesting period. For performance-based awards, expense is recognized when it is probable the performance goal will be achieved, however if the likelihood becomes improbable, that expense is reversed.

The valuation models for stock-based option awards require various judgmental assumptions including volatility in our common stock price and expected option life. If any of the assumptions used in the valuation models change significantly, stock-based compensation expense for new awards may differ materially in the future from the amounts recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. For all awards, we also estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.