LITIGATION	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
LITIGATION [Abstract]
LITIGATION	LITIGATION Breach of Contract Diana Anselmo and New Day Today Corporation v. Mannatech, Incorporated, Case No. DC-15-01904, Judicial District Court, Dallas County, Texas On February 18, 2015, Diana Anselmo and New Day Today Corporation (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”) filed suit against the Company alleging breach of contract pertaining to a portion of proceeds from a Mannatech associate position once held by Ray Gebauer, alleged to be Ms. Anselmo’s former husband. Plaintiffs seek damages under the contract of approximately $600,000 in past commissions and between $2 million and $3.1 million in future commissions, as well as an award of attorney’s fees. As an alternative to future money damages, Plaintiffs seek a declaration that the Company must continue to pay Plaintiffs proceeds from Mr. Gebauer’s former account. The Company filed its original answer on March 25, 2015, denying Plaintiffs’ allegations. The Company asserts that Plaintiffs cannot establish the conditions precedent to their breach of contract claim and thus are not entitled to any damages. The Company further asserts affirmative defenses of failure of consideration, lack of standing, prior breach, and estoppel. The Company also seeks a declaratory judgment of its rights under the contract and seeks return of certain commissions paid to Plaintiffs that were not earned under the contract. The Company filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on June 15, 2016, on the ground that Plaintiffs could not establish conditions precedent to their recovery as a matter of law. Mediation was conducted on June 17, 2016; however, a final settlement could not be reached. The Court denied the Company’s Motion for Summary Judgment on August 31, 2016. Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on July 22, 2016, seeking dismissal of the Company’s counterclaim for damages. The Court denied that motion on November 18, 2016. The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment on November 1, 2016, asking the Court to interpret certain provisions of the contract as a matter of law. By order dated November 21, 2016, the Court denied the Company’s motion and granted the Plaintiffs’ motion on contract interpretation, finding that the contract affords Ms. Anselmo an ownership interest in Mr. Gebauer’s former account and that account remains eligible to earn commissions. Discovery is complete. On March 3, 2017, the parties received notice from the Court that the case is scheduled for trial on June 5, 2017. The parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement on April 13, 2017. If the terms of the settlement are fully performed, the parties will seek dismissal of the case during the third quarter of 2017. On April 18, 2017, the Court set a dismissal hearing for July 31, 2017. The Company has accrued approximately $0.5 million in in estimated accrued liabilities related to this matter. It is not possible at this time to predict whether the Company will incur any additional liability in connection with this matter if the terms of the settlement are not fully performed. However, the Company believes it has a valid defense and will vigorously defend this claim. This matter remains open. Administrative Proceedings Mannatech Korea, Ltd. v. Busan Custom Office, Busan District Court, Korea On or before April 12, 2015, Mannatech Korea, Ltd. filed a suit against the Busan Custom Office (“BCO”) to challenge BCO’s method of calculation regarding its assessment notice issued on July 11, 2013. The assessment notice included an audit of the Company’s imported goods covering fiscal years 2008 through 2012 and required the Company to pay $1.0 million for this assessment, all of which was paid in January 2014. Both parties submitted a response to the Court’s inquiry on January 15, 2016. The final hearing for the case was held on May 26, 2016 where each party presented their respective arguments. The Court set the decision hearing on October 27, 2016, and the Court decided the case in the Company’s favor. However, on November 18, 2016, BCO filed an appeal to the Busan High Court. The first hearing occurred on March 31, 2017, and the second hearing occurred on April 21, 2017. The final hearing will be held on June 2, 2017, and the decision date will be decided at this hearing. This matter remains open. Patent Litigation Mannatech, Incorporated v. Wellness Quest, LLC and Harley Reginald McDaniel, Case No. 3:14-cv-2497, U.S. District Court, for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division On July 11, 2014 the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Wellness Quest, LLC and Dr. H. Reginald McDaniel (“Defendants”) alleging the Defendants infringe United States Patent Nos. 7,157,431 and 7,202,220, both entitled “Compositions of Plant Carbohydrates as Dietary Supplements,” (the “Patents”) and seeking to stop their manufacture, offer, and sale of infringing glyconutritional dietary supplement products. On July 16, 2014, the Company filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction preventing Defendants from infringing the Patents pending a final decision on the merits. On August 29, 2014, the Defendants filed their Response to Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Brief in Support along with their Answer and Affirmative Defenses. On November 4, 2014, the Court denied the Company’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Motion to Expedite Discovery. On December 15, 2014, the Company deposed Dr. Reginald McDaniel. Each party submitted its list of claim constructions/definitions and a list of the supporting authority. Each party filed its opening brief and their respective responsive briefs. Defendants have designated an expert and the Company deposed the expert on January 27, 2015 regarding his claim construction opinions while reserving the right to examine him later regarding other matters. The parties remain engaged in the claim construction process. Mediation on this matter was held on April 24, 2015 and a settlement was not reached. On May 12, 2015, the Company received notice of an Order of Transfer advising that the case had been reassigned from Judge Ed Kinkeade to Judge David C. Godbey for all further proceedings. On July 20, 2015, the Court issued its Markman ruling adopting the Company’s proposed claim construction for all disputed terms except for “dietary supplement composition” which it found needed no construction. On August 20, 2015, Defendants filed a request for an interlocutory appeal, and the Company filed a reply on October 6, 2015. The Company also filed a separate motion requesting entry of a final judgment and permanent injunction on September 8, 2015. On November 5, 2015, the Court issued an Order accepting Defendant’s stipulation of infringement under the Court’s claim interpretation and granted the Company’s partial motion for summary judgment and issued a permanent injunction against Defendants’ infringement of the Patents. The Court stayed the permanent injunction until the conclusion of Defendants’ appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the “Court of Appeals”). On December 3, 2015, Defendants filed their Notice of Appeal which was docketed by the Court of Appeals on December 8, 2015. Defendants-Appellants filed their brief with the Court of Appeals on February 28, 2016. The Company-Appellee filed its brief with the Court of Appeals on March 24, 2016. Oral argument for the appeal was held on August 1, 2016. On August 5, 2016, the Court of Appeals issued a per curium opinion affirming the trial court’s judgment in favor of the Company. On August 10, 2016, the Company filed a motion to lift the stay of permanent injunction previously issued by the trial court. On August 24, 2016, the Company received confirmation from its counsel that Defendants changed the formulation of the infringing product to a formulation proposed by the Company. Defendants filed their response to the Company’s motion on August 31, 2016. The parties conferred via telephone and electronic mail on August 31, 2016 and September 1, 2016 regarding the Company’s motion and Defendants’ response. On September 1, 2016, the Company filed an Amended Certificate of Conference with the Court advising that the Company’s motion was now unopposed. On October 18, 2016, the Court entered an order lifting the stay and putting the permanent injunction back into full effect. The case is now in the damages phase and the Company will seek attorneys’ fees and have initiated collection of discovery for the assessment of damages. On March 31, 2017, the Court entered the Agreed Scheduling Order for trial on damages and determination of willfulness. A trial date has not yet been set. This matter remains open. This lawsuit continues the Company’s enforcement of its patent rights, and the Company intends to vigorously prosecute these matters. Based on the previous successful patent infringement lawsuits against Country Life, LLC, Glycobiotics International, Inc., Techmedica Health, Inc., IonX Holdings, Inc., Boston Mountain Laboratories, Inc., Green Life, LLC, Xiong Lo, RBC Life Sciences, Inc. and RBC Life Sciences USA, Inc., the Company believes there is a strong likelihood that it will obtain permanent injunctions against the manufacture and sale of any infringing products for the duration of the Company’s patents. Trademark Opposition - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office United States Trademark Opposition No. 91221493, Shaklee Corporation v. Mannatech, Incorporated re: UTH On April 15, 2015, the Company received notice that Shaklee Corporation (“Shaklee”) filed a Notice of Opposition to the Company’s trademark application for UTH (stylized as Û ^th) with the USPTO. On May 19, 2015, the Company filed an answer to the opposition and also filed a counterclaim seeking to cancel Shaklee’s registration of its YOUTH mark. Shaklee filed an extension to oppose the UTH mark on June 18, 2015, and the request to extend time to oppose was granted until July 18, 2015. Shaklee filed a second extension on July 17, 2015, and the request to extend time to oppose was granted until September 16, 2015. Shaklee filed motions to strike the Company’s Affirmative Defenses to the Opposition and Counterclaim to cancel their registrations. The Company filed responses and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) ruled in Shaklee’s favor. The Company filed an amended Answer to the Opposition and Amended Counterclaim on November 18, 2015. Shaklee then filed an answer to the Company’s Counterclaim on December 30, 2015. On September 15, 2015, Shaklee filed two more Notices of Opposition for the UTH & Design and ÛTH applications. The Company filed Answers and Counterclaims on November 20, 2015. On January 25, 2016, the Company filed a motion to strike Shaklee’s affirmative defense on cancellation. On May 17, 2016, the TTAB granted the Company’s motion to strike Shaklee’s affirmative defense on cancellation. On August 9, 2016, Shaklee filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on the Company’s cancellation filing of its YOUTH mark stating that their mark is in use and they have not abandoned their rights. On September 9, 2016, the Company filed a Motion for Request for Discovery to Respond to Summary Judgment under Rule 56(d) stating that the Company cannot respond without sufficient information due to lack in discovery. On September 28, 2016, Shaklee filed a response to the Company’s motion to cancel the request for discovery. The Company filed a response in support of the motion under Rule 56(d) on October 18, 2016. On December 22, 2016, the TTAB requested that the Company send copies of the request for discovery to Shaklee by January 6, 2017. On March 28, 2017, the TTAB ruled on the 56(d) Motion, granting the Company’s motion in part to oblige Shaklee to answer the Company’s request for discovery related to Shaklee’s use or non-use of the YOUTH mark. Shaklee must answer the Company’s discovery request by May 4, 2017, and the Company expects to receive the response via postal mail. The Company will then have 20 days from Shaklee’s service to take a discovery deposition of their designated witness on the use/non-use of its YOUTH mark. It is not possible at this time to predict the outcome of this office action or whether the Company will incur any liability, or to estimate the ranges of damages, if any, which may be incurred in connection with this matter. However, the Company believes it has a valid defense and will vigorously defend this claim. This matter remains open. Litigation in General The Company has incurred several claims in the normal course of business. The Company believes such claims can be resolved without any material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company maintains certain liability insurance; however, certain costs of defending lawsuits are not covered by or only partially covered by its insurance policies, including claims that are below insurance deductibles. Additionally, insurance carriers could refuse to cover certain claims, in whole or in part. The Company accrues costs to defend itself from litigation as they are incurred or as they become determinable. The outcome of litigation is uncertain, and despite management’s views of the merits of any litigation, or the reasonableness of the Company’s estimates and reserves, the Company’s financial statements could nonetheless be materially affected by an adverse judgment. The Company believes it has adequately reserved for the contingencies arising from current legal matters where an outcome was deemed to be probable, and the loss amount could be reasonably estimated.

LITIGATION

Breach of Contract

Diana Anselmo and New Day Today Corporation v. Mannatech, Incorporated, Case No. DC-15-01904, Judicial District Court, Dallas County, Texas

On February 18, 2015, Diana Anselmo and New Day Today Corporation (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”) filed suit against the Company alleging breach of contract pertaining to a portion of proceeds from a Mannatech associate position once held by Ray Gebauer, alleged to be Ms. Anselmo’s former husband. Plaintiffs seek damages under the contract of approximately $600,000 in past commissions and between $2 million and $3.1 million in future commissions, as well as an award of attorney’s fees. As an alternative to future money damages, Plaintiffs seek a declaration that the Company must continue to pay Plaintiffs proceeds from Mr. Gebauer’s former account.

The Company filed its original answer on March 25, 2015, denying Plaintiffs’ allegations. The Company asserts that Plaintiffs cannot establish the conditions precedent to their breach of contract claim and thus are not entitled to any damages. The Company further asserts affirmative defenses of failure of consideration, lack of standing, prior breach, and estoppel. The Company also seeks a declaratory judgment of its rights under the contract and seeks return of certain commissions paid to Plaintiffs that were not earned under the contract.

The Company filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on June 15, 2016, on the ground that Plaintiffs could not establish conditions precedent to their recovery as a matter of law. Mediation was conducted on June 17, 2016; however, a final settlement could not be reached. The Court denied the Company’s Motion for Summary Judgment on August 31, 2016. Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on July 22, 2016, seeking dismissal of the Company’s counterclaim for damages. The Court denied that motion on November 18, 2016. The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment on November 1, 2016, asking the Court to interpret certain provisions of the contract as a matter of law. By order dated November 21, 2016, the Court denied the Company’s motion and granted the Plaintiffs’ motion on contract interpretation, finding that the contract affords Ms. Anselmo an ownership interest in Mr. Gebauer’s former account and that account remains eligible to earn commissions.

Discovery is complete. On March 3, 2017, the parties received notice from the Court that the case is scheduled for trial on June 5, 2017. The parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement on April 13, 2017. If the terms of the settlement are fully performed, the parties will seek dismissal of the case during the third quarter of 2017. On April 18, 2017, the Court set a dismissal hearing for July 31, 2017. The Company has accrued approximately $0.5 million in in estimated accrued liabilities related to this matter. It is not possible at this time to predict whether the Company will incur any additional liability in connection with this matter if the terms of the settlement are not fully performed. However, the Company believes it has a valid defense and will vigorously defend this claim. This matter remains open.

Administrative Proceedings

Mannatech Korea, Ltd. v. Busan Custom Office, Busan District Court, Korea

On or before April 12, 2015, Mannatech Korea, Ltd. filed a suit against the Busan Custom Office (“BCO”) to challenge BCO’s method of calculation regarding its assessment notice issued on July 11, 2013. The assessment notice included an audit of the Company’s imported goods covering fiscal years 2008 through 2012 and required the Company to pay $1.0 million for this assessment, all of which was paid in January 2014. Both parties submitted a response to the Court’s inquiry on January 15, 2016. The final hearing for the case was held on May 26, 2016 where each party presented their respective arguments. The Court set the decision hearing on October 27, 2016, and the Court decided the case in the Company’s favor. However, on November 18, 2016, BCO filed an appeal to the Busan High Court. The first hearing occurred on March 31, 2017, and the second hearing occurred on April 21, 2017. The final hearing will be held on June 2, 2017, and the decision date will be decided at this hearing. This matter remains open.

Patent Litigation

Mannatech, Incorporated v. Wellness Quest, LLC and Harley Reginald McDaniel, Case No. 3:14-cv-2497, U.S. District Court, for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division

On July 11, 2014 the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Wellness Quest, LLC and Dr. H. Reginald McDaniel (“Defendants”) alleging the Defendants infringe United States Patent Nos. 7,157,431 and 7,202,220, both entitled “Compositions of Plant Carbohydrates as Dietary Supplements,” (the “Patents”) and seeking to stop their manufacture, offer, and sale of infringing glyconutritional dietary supplement products. On July 16, 2014, the Company filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction preventing Defendants from infringing the Patents pending a final decision on the merits. On August 29, 2014, the Defendants filed their Response to Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Brief in Support along with their Answer and Affirmative Defenses. On November 4, 2014, the Court denied the Company’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Motion to Expedite Discovery. On December 15, 2014, the Company deposed Dr. Reginald McDaniel. Each party submitted its list of claim constructions/definitions and a list of the supporting authority. Each party filed its opening brief and their respective responsive briefs. Defendants have designated an expert and the Company deposed the expert on January 27, 2015 regarding his claim construction opinions while reserving the right to examine him later regarding other matters. The parties remain engaged in the claim construction process. Mediation on this matter was held on April 24, 2015 and a settlement was not reached.

On May 12, 2015, the Company received notice of an Order of Transfer advising that the case had been reassigned from Judge Ed Kinkeade to Judge David C. Godbey for all further proceedings. On July 20, 2015, the Court issued its Markman ruling adopting the Company’s proposed claim construction for all disputed terms except for “dietary supplement composition” which it found needed no construction. On August 20, 2015, Defendants filed a request for an interlocutory appeal, and the Company filed a reply on October 6, 2015. The Company also filed a separate motion requesting entry of a final judgment and permanent injunction on September 8, 2015.

On November 5, 2015, the Court issued an Order accepting Defendant’s stipulation of infringement under the Court’s claim interpretation and granted the Company’s partial motion for summary judgment and issued a permanent injunction against Defendants’ infringement of the Patents. The Court stayed the permanent injunction until the conclusion of Defendants’ appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the “Court of Appeals”). On December 3, 2015, Defendants filed their Notice of Appeal which was docketed by the Court of Appeals on December 8, 2015. Defendants-Appellants filed their brief with the Court of Appeals on February 28, 2016. The Company-Appellee filed its brief with the Court of Appeals on March 24, 2016. Oral argument for the appeal was held on August 1, 2016. On August 5, 2016, the Court of Appeals issued a per curium opinion affirming the trial court’s judgment in favor of the Company. On August 10, 2016, the Company filed a motion to lift the stay of permanent injunction previously issued by the trial court. On August 24, 2016, the Company received confirmation from its counsel that Defendants changed the formulation of the infringing product to a formulation proposed by the Company. Defendants filed their response to the Company’s motion on August 31, 2016. The parties conferred via telephone and electronic mail on August 31, 2016 and September 1, 2016 regarding the Company’s motion and Defendants’ response. On September 1, 2016, the Company filed an Amended Certificate of Conference with the Court advising that the Company’s motion was now unopposed. On October 18, 2016, the Court entered an order lifting the stay and putting the permanent injunction back into full effect. The case is now in the damages phase and the Company will seek attorneys’ fees and have initiated collection of discovery for the assessment of damages. On March 31, 2017, the Court entered the Agreed Scheduling Order for trial on damages and determination of willfulness. A trial date has not yet been set. This matter remains open.

This lawsuit continues the Company’s enforcement of its patent rights, and the Company intends to vigorously prosecute these matters. Based on the previous successful patent infringement lawsuits against Country Life, LLC, Glycobiotics International, Inc., Techmedica Health, Inc., IonX Holdings, Inc., Boston Mountain Laboratories, Inc., Green Life, LLC, Xiong Lo, RBC Life Sciences, Inc. and RBC Life Sciences USA, Inc., the Company believes there is a strong likelihood that it will obtain permanent injunctions against the manufacture and sale of any infringing products for the duration of the Company’s patents.

Trademark Opposition - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

United States Trademark Opposition No. 91221493, Shaklee Corporation v. Mannatech, Incorporated re: UTH

On April 15, 2015, the Company received notice that Shaklee Corporation (“Shaklee”) filed a Notice of Opposition to the Company’s trademark application for UTH (stylized as Û ^th) with the USPTO. On May 19, 2015, the Company filed an answer to the opposition and also filed a counterclaim seeking to cancel Shaklee’s registration of its YOUTH mark. Shaklee filed an extension to oppose the UTH mark on June 18, 2015, and the request to extend time to oppose was granted until July 18, 2015. Shaklee filed a second extension on July 17, 2015, and the request to extend time to oppose was granted until September 16, 2015. Shaklee filed motions to strike the Company’s Affirmative Defenses to the Opposition and Counterclaim to cancel their registrations. The Company filed responses and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) ruled in Shaklee’s favor. The Company filed an amended Answer to the Opposition and Amended Counterclaim on November 18, 2015. Shaklee then filed an answer to the Company’s Counterclaim on December 30, 2015.

On September 15, 2015, Shaklee filed two more Notices of Opposition for the UTH & Design and ÛTH applications. The Company filed Answers and Counterclaims on November 20, 2015. On January 25, 2016, the Company filed a motion to strike Shaklee’s affirmative defense on cancellation. On May 17, 2016, the TTAB granted the Company’s motion to strike Shaklee’s affirmative defense on cancellation. On August 9, 2016, Shaklee filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on the Company’s cancellation filing of its YOUTH mark stating that their mark is in use and they have not abandoned their rights. On September 9, 2016, the Company filed a Motion for Request for Discovery to Respond to Summary Judgment under Rule 56(d) stating that the Company cannot respond without sufficient information due to lack in discovery. On September 28, 2016, Shaklee filed a response to the Company’s motion to cancel the request for discovery. The Company filed a response in support of the motion under Rule 56(d) on October 18, 2016. On December 22, 2016, the TTAB requested that the Company send copies of the request for discovery to Shaklee by January 6, 2017. On March 28, 2017, the TTAB ruled on the 56(d) Motion, granting the Company’s motion in part to oblige Shaklee to answer the Company’s request for discovery related to Shaklee’s use or non-use of the YOUTH mark. Shaklee must answer the Company’s discovery request by May 4, 2017, and the Company expects to receive the response via postal mail. The Company will then have 20 days from Shaklee’s service to take a discovery deposition of their designated witness on the use/non-use of its YOUTH mark.

It is not possible at this time to predict the outcome of this office action or whether the Company will incur any liability, or to estimate the ranges of damages, if any, which may be incurred in connection with this matter. However, the Company believes it has a valid defense and will vigorously defend this claim. This matter remains open.

Litigation in General

The Company has incurred several claims in the normal course of business. The Company believes such claims can be resolved without any material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

The Company maintains certain liability insurance; however, certain costs of defending lawsuits are not covered by or only partially covered by its insurance policies, including claims that are below insurance deductibles. Additionally, insurance carriers could refuse to cover certain claims, in whole or in part. The Company accrues costs to defend itself from litigation as they are incurred or as they become determinable.

The outcome of litigation is uncertain, and despite management’s views of the merits of any litigation, or the reasonableness of the Company’s estimates and reserves, the Company’s financial statements could nonetheless be materially affected by an adverse judgment. The Company believes it has adequately reserved for the contingencies arising from current legal matters where an outcome was deemed to be probable, and the loss amount could be reasonably estimated.