COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

NOTE 17 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Acquisition related

The Company recorded two contingent liabilities related to the acquisition of Simena, one relates to future consideration to be paid to the former owner which had an initial fair value of $8.0 million at the time of acquisition and another relates to contractual non-compliance liabilities incurred by Simena with an initial fair value of $1.6 million at the time of acquisition. At March 31, 2013, the present value of the future consideration was $5.1 million and the contractual non-compliance liability was $246 thousand.

During the summer of 2012, NetScout received letters from former Accanto employees reserving their rights and alleging violations of Italian Civil Code Article 2112 relating to their employment. Further, in December 2012, NetScout received communication from an Italian law firm engaged by a subset of Accanto employees asserting violations of Italian Civil Code Article 2112 relating to their employment and requesting transfer of employment to NetScout. As of March 31, 2013, the related claims have been settled and NetScout’s portion of the immaterial liability was paid.

Legal

From time to time, NetScout is subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these proceedings and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, there are no matters as of March 31, 2013, that would have material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2012, NetScout uncovered and investigated, and in April 2012, disclosed to the U.S. Department of Justice and the California State Attorney General potential violations of federal and California state anti-trust laws. The potential violations involve a former employee and one or more third parties in connection with sales to state governmental agencies during fiscal year 2012. NetScout believes it did not benefit from any of the transactions uncovered and believes that the amounts involved are not material. The California State Attorney General is conducting an investigation into the matter. NetScout is cooperating fully and is providing all requested information. In general, the federal and state agencies have the authority to seek fines and other remedies for anti-trust violations; however, no charges or proceedings have been initiated by any governmental agency against NetScout, and the Company has been informed by the Department of Justice that it does not intend to take any action against NetScout. The Company determined that it is probable that there will be amounts due, those amounts are reasonably estimable and have been accrued as an immaterial liability as of March 31, 2013.

Leases

NetScout leases office space under non-cancelable operating leases. Total rent expense under the leases was $5.7 million, $5.6 million and $5.6 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

As of March 31, 2013, future non-cancelable minimum lease commitments (including office space, copiers and automobiles) are as follows (in thousands):

Year Ending March 31,
2014	$	5,509
2015		4,782
2016		4,810
2017		4,665
2018		3,647
Remaining years		13,770
Total minimum lease payments	$	37,183