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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
15.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Contingencies
 
On September 20, 2012, a complaint for patent infringement was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia by Intelligent Verification Systems, LLC against Microsoft Corporation and the Company.  The complaint alleges that Kinect and certain of the Company’s Kinect games, including Zumba Fitness Rush, infringe the plaintiff’s patents relating to biometric facial recognition and facial expression recognition technology.  Intelligent Verification Systems is seeking injunctive relief and monetary damages in an unspecified amount for the alleged infringement. The Company, in conjunction with Microsoft, is defending itself against the claim and has certain third party indemnity rights from developers for costs incurred in the litigation. The Company cannot currently estimate a potential range of loss if the claim against the Company is successful.
 
In addition to the item above, the Company at times may be a party to claims and suits in the ordinary course of business.  We record a liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company has not recorded a liability with respect to the matter above.  While the Company believes that it has valid defenses with respect to the legal matter pending and intends to vigorously defend the matter above, given the uncertainty surrounding litigation and our inability to assess the likelihood of a favorable or unfavorable outcome, it is possible that the resolution of the matter could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
 
Commitments
 
At October 31, 2013, the Company was committed under agreements with certain software developers for future milestone payments aggregating $1,688. Milestone payments represent scheduled installments due to the Company’s developers based upon the developers providing the Company certain deliverables, as predetermined in the Company’s contracts. In addition, the Company may have to pay royalties for products sold. Certain of these payments will be used to reduce future royalties due to the developers from sales of the Company’s video games.
 
The Company is obligated under non-cancelable operating leases for administrative offices expiring at various dates through fiscal 2015. The future aggregate minimum rental commitments exclusive of required payments for operating expenses are as follows:
 
Year ending October 31,
 
 
 
2014
 
297
 
2015
 
73
 
 
Total rent expense amounted to $505, $539 and $513 for the years ended October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
 
The Company has entered into “at will” employment agreements with several key executives. These employment agreements include provisions for, among other things, annual compensation, bonus arrangements and equity grants. These agreements also contain provisions related to severance terms and change of control provisions.
 
Workforce Reduction
 
In January 2013, the Company implemented a realignment of its workforce to reduce certain fixed costs and provide for a more flexible cost model in the development and distribution of its games. The realignment included a reduction in workforce of approximately 40 employees, including employees related to the closure of its studio in Massachusetts, which focused on social games for Facebook, game-testing personnel in its New Jersey facility, and other marketing and support personnel.
 
The Company recorded and paid the following charges in the year ended October 31, 2013:
 
Severance costs
 
$
766
 
Lease termination costs
 
 
10
 
Total workforce reduction costs
 
$
776
 
 
The Company has no remaining obligations related to these activities.