Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 24, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

Various lawsuits, claims and proceedings of a nature considered normal to its business are pending against the Company. While the outcome of any of these proceedings cannot be accurately predicted, the Company does not believe the ultimate resolution of any of these existing matters would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or financial condition.

In July 2015, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and IDEXX Distribution, Inc. (collectively, IDEXX) filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging the Company has infringed three recently issued patents related to a blood spot sample collection method used in determining the presence or absence of an infectious disease in a population of rodents.  On September 21, 2015, the Company timely filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on the grounds that all of the claims are directed to unpatentable subject matter and therefore are invalid.  On October 7, 2015, IDEXX filed an amended complaint, which substantially asserted the same patents and infringement allegations as asserted in the original complaint, and on October 26, 2015, the Company timely filed a motion to dismiss this amended complaint.  The hearing on the motion to dismiss was held on January 12, 2016. On July 1, 2016, the Court issued an opinion denying the motion to dismiss. The Company filed its answer to the complaint on July 21, 2016. In addition, on July 29, 2016, the Company initiated an inter partes review (IPR) procedure with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of the IDEXX patents. While no prediction may be made as to the outcome of litigation or the IPR, the Company intends to defend against this proceeding vigorously and therefore an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss cannot be made.

In May 2013, the Company commenced an investigation into inaccurate billing with respect to certain government contracts. The Company promptly reported these matters to the relevant government contracting officers, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General, and the Department of Justice, and the Company is cooperating with these agencies to ensure the proper repayment and resolution of this matter. The Company previously identified approximately $1.5 million of excess amounts billed on these contracts since January 1, 2007, and recorded a liability for such amount.  Based on its ongoing discussions with the government, the Company has recorded an additional charge of $0.3 million during the three months ended September 24, 2016. The Company’s best estimate, which totals $1.8 million, may be subject to change based on the terms of any final settlement with the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General.

Lease Commitments

During the nine months ended September 24, 2016, the Company assumed or entered into new lease agreements or exercised options to extend the lease terms for certain existing leases. As a result, the Company’s lease obligations through September 24, 2016 increased by $22.5 million.