-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, LN8Pf/TCGEzFwOIVfjzvbbs0Prs4Oa3f/mWxRPP4p8b5Xqy0jwkzc1Lb37hm+aXm IX63Am8sKq4WIUMwFuCUKQ== 0001193125-06-159355.txt : 20060802 0001193125-06-159355.hdr.sgml : 20060802 20060802162230 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-06-159355 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20060630 FILED AS OF DATE: 20060802 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060802 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Dolby Laboratories, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001308547 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3663] IRS NUMBER: 900199783 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-32431 FILM NUMBER: 06998320 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 100 POTRERO AVENUE CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94103 BUSINESS PHONE: 415 558 0200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 100 POTRERO AVENUE CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94103 10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2006

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period From              To             

Commission File Number: 001-32431

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   90-0199783
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
100 Potrero Avenue
San Francisco, CA
  94103-4813
(Address of principal executive offices)   ( Zip Code)

(415) 558-0200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non–accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer ¨        Accelerated Filer ¨        Non-Accelerated Filer x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

On July 26, 2006, the registrant had 36,986,098 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 69,810,631 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONT ENTS

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

  

Consolidated Financial Statements

  
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2005 and June 30, 2006

   2
   Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Fiscal Quarters and Fiscal Year-to-Date Periods Ended July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006    3
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Year-to-Date Periods Ended July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006

   4
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   5

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   14

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   27

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   28
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   29

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

   29

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   48

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

   48

Signatures

   49

 

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 – CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

 

     September 30,
2005
    June 30,
2006
         (unaudited)

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 372,403     $ 373,421

Short-term investments

     —         74,176

Restricted cash

     205       208

Accounts receivable, net

     25,221       23,597

Inventories

     11,722       11,957

Income tax receivable

     8,021       13,865

Deferred income taxes

     31,183       36,425

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     5,433       4,834
              

Total current assets

     454,188       538,483

Property, plant and equipment, net

     76,462       76,801

Intangible assets, net

     17,184       15,512

Goodwill

     23,865       23,188

Long-term investments

     —         23,767

Long-term deferred income taxes

     6,781       8,790

Other non-current assets

     7,797       7,319
              

Total assets

   $ 586,277     $ 693,860
              

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 65,126     $ 71,764

Income taxes payable

     3,054       4,026

Current portion of debt

     1,346       1,416

Deferred revenues

     3,268       5,701
              

Total current liabilities

     72,794       82,907

Long-term debt

     12,124       11,270

Other non-current liabilities

     21,956       19,121
              

Total liabilities

     106,874       113,298

Controlling interest

     18,264       19,761

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Class A common stock

     33       37

Class B common stock

     71       70

Additional paid-in capital

     308,354       315,327

Deferred stock-based compensation

     (26,422 )     —  

Retained earnings

     177,369       241,701

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,734       3,666
              

Total stockholders’ equity

     461,139       560,801
              

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 586,277     $ 693,860
              

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Fiscal Quarter Ended     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended  
   July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
    July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
 
   (unaudited)  

Revenue:

        

Licensing

   $ 60,775     $ 69,138     $ 187,683     $ 221,303  

Product sales

     13,486       18,862       44,780       50,574  

Production services

     5,418       5,650       16,580       17,522  
                                

Total revenue

     79,679       93,650       249,043       289,399  
                                

Cost of revenue:

        

Cost of licensing

     5,156       6,008       35,367       19,786  

Cost of product sales (1)

     6,754       10,190       23,038       29,754  

Cost of production services (1)

     2,246       2,686       6,442       7,913  
                                

Total cost of revenue

     14,156       18,884       64,847       57,453  
                                

Gross margin

     65,523       74,766       184,196       231,946  
                                

Operating expenses:

        

Selling, general and administrative (1)

     33,372       38,477       101,839       113,598  

Research and development (1)

     6,885       9,108       22,914       25,413  

Settlements

     —         —         (2,000 )     —    
                                

Total operating expenses

     40,257       47,585       122,753       139,011  
                                

Operating income

     25,266       27,181       61,443       92,935  

Other income, net

     2,062       4,020       3,100       12,313  
                                

Income before provision for income taxes and controlling interest

     27,328       31,201       64,543       105,248  

Provision for income taxes

     12,332       11,778       28,075       39,916  
                                

Income before controlling interest

     14,996       19,423       36,468       65,332  

Controlling interest in net income, net of tax

     (218 )     (339 )     (983 )     (1,000 )
                                

Net income

   $ 14,778     $ 19,084     $ 35,485     $ 64,332  
                                

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.14     $ 0.18     $ 0.37     $ 0.61  

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.13     $ 0.17     $ 0.34     $ 0.58  

Weighted-average shares outstanding (basic)

     103,410       106,238       94,796       105,262  

Weighted-average shares outstanding (diluted)

     112,750       111,983       104,954       111,446  

Expense for royalties payable to related party

   $ —       $ —       $ 18,710     $ —    

Expense for rent payable to related party

     873       337       2,619       1,546  

(1)    Stock-based compensation included above was as follows:

        

Cost of product sales

   $ 56     $ 201     $ 166     $ 599  

Cost of production services

     27       129       83       385  

Selling, general and administrative

     2,674       3,731       9,464       11,941  

Research and development

     471       679       1,722       2,015  
                                

Total stock-based compensation

   $ 3,228     $ 4,740     $ 11,435     $ 14,940  
                                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended  
   July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
 
   (unaudited)  

Operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 35,485     $ 64,332  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     8,199       9,452  

Stock-based compensation expense

     11,435       14,940  

Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     —         (11,016 )

Provision for doubtful accounts

     108       601  

Deferred income taxes

     (7,724 )     (8,174 )

Other non-cash items affecting net income

     1,090       1,292  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Restricted cash

     (175 )     (3 )

Accounts receivable

     2,135       1,235  

Inventories

     (2,163 )     (1,797 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,941       505  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     6,796       7,047  

Accounts payable and accrued royalties due to related parties

     (279 )     —    

Income taxes, net

     7,609       8,194  

Deferred revenues

     1,078       2,994  

Other non-current liabilities

     596       (182 )

Payment on litigation settlement

     (3,000 )     (3,000 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     63,131       86,420  
                

Investing activities:

    

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (12,001 )     (5,697 )

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

     —         (205,569 )

Sales of available-for-sale securities

     —         108,250  

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (1,446 )     —    

Purchases of intangible assets

     (11,773 )     —    

Other

     39       (1,000 )
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (25,181 )     (104,016 )
                

Financing activities:

    

Payments on debt

     (976 )     (1,011 )

Proceeds from the exercise of Class B stock options

     3,123       4,309  

Issuance of Class A common stock, net of issuance costs of $20.8 million

     242,490       —    

Issuance of Class A common stock from ESPP purchase

     —         2,207  

Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     —         11,016  

Repurchases of Class B common stock

     (72 )     —    
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     244,565       16,521  
                

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     325       2,093  
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     282,840       1,018  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     78,711       372,403  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of quarter

   $ 361,551     $ 373,421  
                

Supplemental disclosure:

    

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 28,162     $ 41,573  

Cash paid for interest

     1,512       1,348  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

1. Summary of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (Dolby Laboratories, we or us), a Delaware corporation, develops and delivers innovative products and technologies that make the entertainment experience more realistic and immersive in theatres, homes, automobiles and elsewhere. Ray Dolby, our principal stockholder, founded Dolby Laboratories in 1965 to develop noise reduction technologies. Today, we deliver a broad range of sound technologies for use in both professional and consumer applications throughout the world. In recent years we have expanded our focus to include other technologies that facilitate the delivery of digital entertainment.

Unaudited Interim Financial Statements

The accompanying interim consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2006, the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal quarters and fiscal year-to-date periods ended July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006 and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal year-to-date periods ended July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006 are unaudited. These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). In our opinion, the interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 and include all adjustments necessary for fair presentation. The results for the fiscal quarter and fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any subsequent quarterly or annual financial period, including the fiscal year ending September 29, 2006. The fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 consisted of 39 weeks as compared to the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005, which consisted of 40 weeks. Our 2006 fiscal year consists of 52 weeks and ends on September 29, 2006. Our 2005 fiscal year consisted of 53 weeks and ended on September 30, 2005.

The accompanying interim financial statements are prepared in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules and regulations, which allow certain information and footnote disclosures, normally included in annual financial statements, to be condensed or omitted. As a result, the accompanying interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and filed with the SEC.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include valuation allowances for receivables, inventories, goodwill, intangible assets, stock-based compensation and deferred income tax assets. Actual results could differ from our estimates.

Per Share Data

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the sum of the weighted-average number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding and the potential number of shares of dilutive Class A common stock and Class B common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. The dilutive shares are comprised entirely of options to purchase shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock.

 

5


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

     Fiscal Quarter Ended    Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended
   July 1, 2005    June 30, 2006    July 1, 2005    June 30, 2006
   (in thousands, except per share amounts)

Numerator:

           

Net income

   $ 14,778    $ 19,084    $ 35,485    $ 64,332
                           

Denominator:

           

Weighted-average shares outstanding (basic)

     103,410      106,238      94,796      105,262

Common stock equivalents from options to purchase Class A common stock and Class B common stock

     9,340      5,745      10,158      6,184
                           

Weighted-average shares outstanding (diluted)

     112,750      111,983      104,954      111,446
                           

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.14    $ 0.18    $ 0.37    $ 0.61

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.13    $ 0.17    $ 0.34    $ 0.58

A total of zero and 1,581,240 options were excluded from the calculation for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 and 2006, respectively, because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. A total of 1,316,250 and 1,671,801 options were excluded from the calculation for the fiscal year-to-date periods ended July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006, respectively, because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

Investments

We have investments in money market funds, United States government agency securities and municipal debt securities. We account for these instruments under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” Investments that have original maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase are classified as cash and cash equivalents; investments that have original maturities between 91 days and one year from the date of purchase are classified as short-term investments; and investments that have maturities of more than one year from the date of purchase are classified as long-term investments. Auction rate certificates which have original maturities greater than one year are classified as short-term investments based on our ability and intent to sell these instruments within one year from the date of purchase. All of these securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheet. Unrealized gains or losses from these investments are reported as a component of other comprehensive income and realized gains or losses are reported as a component of other income, net.

Stock-Based Compensation

On October 1, 2005, we adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS 123R) using the modified prospective application transition method. SFAS 123R requires measurement of all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair-value method and recording of such expense in the consolidated financial statements over the requisite service period. Previously, we had applied the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (APB 25) and related interpretations and elected to utilize the disclosure option of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS 123). In the third quarter of fiscal 2006, we recorded stock-based compensation expense of $4.7 million under the fair-value provisions of SFAS 123R, compared to $3.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2005 under the provisions of APB 25 and related interpretations. In addition, the deferred compensation balance of $26.4 million related to stock-based awards accounted for under APB 25 as of September 30, 2005 was eliminated and there was a corresponding reduction in additional paid-in capital. See Note 4 “Stock-Based Compensation” for further discussion.

 

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Table of Contents

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes net income and foreign currency translation adjustments, which are reflected as a component of stockholders’ equity. The components of comprehensive income, net of tax, were as follows:

 

     Fiscal Quarter Ended     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended  
   July 1, 2005     June 30, 2006     July 1, 2005    June 30, 2006  
   (in thousands)  

Net income

   $ 14,778     $ 19,084     $ 35,485    $ 64,332  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

         

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax

     (720 )     3,002       526      2,033  

Unrealized losses from available-for-sale

securities, net of tax

     —         (101 )     —        (101 )
                               

Comprehensive income

   $ 14,058     $ 21,985     $ 36,011    $ 66,264  
                               

 

2. Composition of Certain Financial Statement Captions

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash includes deposits from new customers that, in accordance with certain of our licensing agreements, remain in escrow until we have rightful ownership of the funds, which occurs upon delivery of certain materials.

Cash Equivalents and Investments

Our investment portfolio which is recorded as cash equivalents, short-term investments, and long-term investments as of June 30, 2006 is as follows:

 

     Maturity  
   90 Days or Less     91 Days to One Year     Greater than One Year  
   Fair Value    Net Unrealized
Loss
    Fair Value    Net Unrealized
Loss
    Fair Value    Net Unrealized
Loss
 
   (in thousands)  

Money market funds

   $ 163,533    $ —       $ —      $ —       $ —      $ —    

U.S. government agency securities

     51,988      (7 )     —        —         4,487      (12 )

Municipal debt securities

     52,775      —         5,876      (9 )     18,530      (73 )

Auction rate certificates

     —        —         68,300      —         —        —    

Equity investment under the cost method

     —        —         —        —         750      —    
                                             

Cash equivalents and investments

   $ 268,296    $ (7 )   $ 74,176    $ (9 )   $ 23,767    $ (85 )
                                             

The equity investment represents equity securities that we have accounted for under the cost method and classified as long-term investments based on our ability and intent to hold the investment for more than one year.

Accounts Receivable, net

Accounts receivable consists of the following:

 

     September 30,
2005
    June 30,
2006
 
   (in thousands)  

Trade accounts receivable, licensing

   $ 4,046     $ 5,756  

Trade accounts receivable, products and services

     9,349       12,349  

Accounts receivable related to patent administration program

     12,994       6,498  

Other accounts receivable

     862       662  
                
     27,251       25,265  

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (2,030 )     (1,668 )
                

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 25,221     $ 23,597  
                

 

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Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market and consist of the following:

 

     September 30,
2005
    June 30,
2006
 
     (in thousands)  

Raw material

   $ 2,376       3,747  

Work in process

     1,571       1,584  

Finished goods

     7,775       6,626  
                

Inventories

   $ 11,722     $ 11,957  
                

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Following is a summary of goodwill and intangible assets:

 

     September 30,
2005
    June 30,
2006
 
   (in thousands)  

Amortized intangible assets:

    

Patents

   $ 4,489     $ 4,436  

Acquired technology

     3,796       3,745  

Other intangibles

     11,507       11,498  
                
     19,792       19,679  

Less: Accumulated amortization

     (2,608 )     (4,167 )
                

Intangible assets, net

   $ 17,184     $ 15,512  
                

Non-amortized intangible assets:

    

Goodwill

   $ 23,865     $ 23,188  
                

Amortization expense associated with our intangible assets was $0.5 million in both the third quarter of fiscal 2005 and 2006, and is included in cost of licensing, cost of product sales and selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The decrease in goodwill from September 30, 2005 to June 30, 2006 was due to a fluctuation in foreign exchange rates.

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following:

 

     September 30,
2005
    June 30,
2006
 
   (in thousands)  

Accounts payable

   $ 6,539      $ 5,150   

Accrued compensation and benefits

     18,374       18,845  

Accrued royalties

     4,762       5,515  

Accrued professional fees

     2,495       2,097  

Current portion of litigation settlement

     2,417       2,337  

Amounts payable to patent pool members

     23,303       28,762  

Other accrued liabilities

     7,236       9,058  
                

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 65,126     $ 71,764  
                

 

3. Segment Information

Operating Segments

Our chief operating decision maker is our Chief Executive Officer (CEO). While the CEO evaluates results in a number of different ways, the primary basis upon which the allocation of resources and financial results is assessed is by examining our business in two operating segments: our technology licensing segment and our products and services segment. The technology licensing segment licenses technology, trademarks and know-how to consumer

 

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electronics, personal computer, broadcast, automotive and gaming companies and administers third-party patent-only licenses. The products and services segment provides professional products to movie theatres and to the recording, broadcast, cable, video post-production and live sound industries. Additionally, this segment provides services to broadcast, film production and distribution companies and movie theatres.

Accounting policies for each of the operating segments are the same as those used on a consolidated basis. Our reportable segment information for the fiscal quarters and fiscal year-to-date periods ended July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006 is as follows:

 

     Revenue
   Fiscal Quarter Ended     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended
   July 1, 2005     June 30, 2006     July 1, 2005     June 30, 2006
   (in thousands)

Technology licensing

   $ 60,775        $ 69,138        $ 187,683        $ 221,303

Products and services

     18,904          24,512          61,360          68,096
                              

Total revenue

   $ 79,679        $ 93,650        $ 249,043        $ 289,399
                              

 

     Gross Margin
   Fiscal Quarter Ended     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended
   July 1, 2005     June 30, 2006     July 1, 2005     June 30, 2006
   (in thousands)

Technology licensing

   $ 55,619        $ 63,130        $ 152,316        $ 201,517

Products and services

     9,904          11,636          31,880          30,429
                              

Total gross margin

   $ 65,523        $ 74,766        $ 184,196        $ 231,946
                              

 

    

Reconciliation to Income before Provision for Income Taxes and

Controlling Interest

   Fiscal Quarter Ended     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended
   July 1, 2005     June 30, 2006     July 1, 2005     June 30, 2006
   (in thousands)

Total segment gross margin

   $ 65,523        $ 74,766        $ 184,196        $ 231,946

Operating expenses

     40,257          47,585          122,753          139,011

Other income, net

     2,062          4,020          3,100          12,313
                              

Total income before provision for income taxes and controlling interest

   $ 27,328        $ 31,201        $ 64,543        $ 105,248
                              

Geographic Data

Revenue by geographic region, as determined based on the location of our licensees for licensing revenue, the location of our direct customers or distributors for product sales, and the location where services were performed for production services revenue, was as follows:

 

     Fiscal Quarter Ended     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended
   July 1, 2005     June 30, 2006     July 1, 2005     June 30, 2006
   (in thousands)

United States

   $ 24,379        $ 29,639        $ 67,378        $ 79,735

International

     55,300          64,011          181,665          209,664
                              

Total revenue

   $ 79,679        $ 93,650        $ 249,043        $ 289,399
                              

The concentration of our revenue from individual countries or geographic regions was as follows:

 

     Fiscal Quarter Ended     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended
   July 1, 2005     June 30, 2006     July 1, 2005     June 30, 2006

United States

   31%     32%     27%     28%

Japan

   19%     18%     25%     22%

China

   12%     10%     10%     10%

Europe

   20%     19%     20%     20%

Other

   18%     21%     18%     20%

 

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In the third quarter of fiscal 2006, revenue from one customer made up 10% of total revenue for the quarter. In the third quarter of fiscal 2005 no customer accounted for 10% or more of total revenue.

We do not track capital expenditures or assets by geographic region. Consequently, it is not practical to show assets by geographic region.

 

4. Stock-Based Compensation

We utilize stock-based awards as a form of compensation for employees, officers, directors and certain non-employee consultants. On October 1, 2005, we adopted the provisions of SFAS 123R using the modified prospective application transition method. Under this method, amounts reported prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R should not be restated to reflect the provisions of SFAS 123R. The table below shows net income and earnings per share as if the fair-value method required by SFAS 123 had been applied to periods prior to our actual date of adoption:

 

     Fiscal Quarter
Ended
    Fiscal Year-to-Date
Ended
 
   July 1, 2005     July 1, 2005  
   (in thousands, except per share
amounts)
 

Net income as reported

   $ 14,778     $ 35,485  

Stock-based compensation included in net income as reported, net of tax

     2,987       10,753  

Stock-based compensation under the fair-value method, net of tax

     (3,491 )     (11,627 )
                

Pro forma net income

   $ 14,274     $ 34,611  
                

Basic earnings per share

    

As reported

   $ 0.14     $ 0.37  

Pro forma

   $ 0.14     $ 0.37  

Diluted earnings per share

    

As reported

   $ 0.13     $ 0.34  

Pro forma

   $ 0.13     $ 0.33  

We recognized $4.5 million and $13.6 million in tax benefits related to stock-based compensation arrangements in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 and the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006, respectively. We recognized $1.0 million in tax benefits related to stock-based compensation arrangements in the third quarter of fiscal 2005 and the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005.

We have issued stock-based awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, shares issued under our employee stock purchase plan and stock grants. Below is a summary of the different types of stock-based awards issued under our stock plans:

Stock Options. We have granted stock options to our employees, officers and directors under our 2005 Stock Plan and our 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. Stock options are generally granted at fair market value on the date of grant. Options granted to employees and officers generally vest over 4 years, with equal annual cliff-vesting and expire on the earlier of 10 years or 3 months after termination of service. Options granted to outside directors generally vest over 3 years. All options granted vest over the requisite service period and are settled through issuance of shares of Dolby Laboratories common stock. Our 2005 Stock Plan also allows us to grant stock awards which vest based on the satisfaction of specific performance criteria, though no such awards have been granted as of June 30, 2006. Upon the exercise of stock options, we issue new shares of Class B common stock under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and new shares of Class A common stock under the 2005 Stock Plan. We utilize a Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of employee stock options at the date of grant.

The fair value of our stock-based awards was estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

     Fiscal Quarter Ended     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended  
   July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
    July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
 

Expected term (in years)

   6.00     6.25     6.00     6.23  

Risk-free interest rate

   4.0 %   5.2 %   4.1 %   4.6 %

Expected stock price volatility

   50.0 %   50.4 %   63.2 %   50.1 %

Dividend yield

   —       —       —       —    

To determine the expected term of our employee stock options granted in fiscal 2006 we utilized the simplified approach as defined by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, “Share-Based Payment” (SAB 107). This approach

 

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resulted in a weighted-average expected term of 6.25 years for options granted during the third quarter of fiscal 2006. For the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006, the weighted-average expected term was 6.23 years based on an expected term of 6.25 years for options that vest over 4 years and 6.00 years for options that vest over 3 years. To determine the risk-free interest rate we utilized an average interest rate based on U.S. Treasury instruments whose term was consistent with the expected term of our awards. To determine the expected stock price volatility we first examined the historical volatilities for our common stock and those of our peers. In addition, we considered the implied volatilities of our publicly-traded options and those publicly-traded options of our peers with similar terms to those of our employee stock options. We then utilized a weighted-average of historical and implied volatility to determine our expected stock price volatility.

The following table summarizes the weighted-average fair value of stock options granted and the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the third quarter of fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2006 and the fiscal year-to-date periods ended July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006:

 

     Fiscal Quarter Ended    Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended
   July 1,
2005
   June 30,
2006
   July 1,
2005
   June 30,
2006

Weighted-average fair value at date of grant

   $ 10.05    $ 12.90    $ 10.40    $ 10.11

Intrinsic value of options exercised (in thousands)

   $ 7,120    $ 18,036    $ 37,421    $ 46,287

Included in stock-based compensation expense for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was $4.2 million related to employee stock options under the provisions of SFAS 123R, net of estimated forfeitures, and $12.6 million for the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006. Total unrecorded stock-based compensation cost at June 30, 2006 associated with employee stock options was $34.2 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.

Non-Employee Stock Options. We have also granted stock options to employees whose status subsequently changed to non-employee consultants subsequent to the dates of grant. In the third quarter of fiscal 2006, we recognized $0.4 million of stock-based compensation expense related to stock options held by non-employee consultants, and $2.0 million for the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006. In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services” (EITF 96-18), compensation cost for options issued to non-employee consultants is determined based on the fair value at the end of each reporting period. We utilized a Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value at the end of each reporting period, and recognize compensation over the service period.

The following table summarizes information about stock options issued to officers, directors, employees and non-employee consultants under our 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and 2005 Stock Plan:

 

     Shares     Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
   Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
   (in thousands)          (in years)    (in thousands)

Options outstanding at September 30, 2005

   11,917     $ 4.11      

Grants

   322       18.65      

Exercises

   (2,569 )     1.68      

Forfeitures

   (147 )     8.73      
              

Options outstanding at June 30, 2006

   9,523       5.18    7.3    $ 172,515
              

Options exercisable at June 30, 2006

   4,419       1.80    6.3      95,011
              

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at June 30, 2006:

 

     Outstanding Options    Options Exercisable

Range of Exercise Prices

   Shares    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Shares    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
     (in thousands)    (in years)         (in thousands)     

$1.00 - $1.50

   2,770    5.1    $ 1.26    2,336    $ 1.26

$1.51 - $2.50

   4,434    7.8      2.08    1,964      2.08

$2.51 - $6.50

   557    8.3      6.29    98      6.29

$14.50 - $23.30

   1,762    9.1      18.81    21      14.50
                  
   9,523          4,419   
                  

 

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Stock Appreciation Rights. We have granted stock appreciation rights to certain of our foreign employees. These awards are settled in cash rather than stock, and are classified as liability awards under SFAS 123R. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights was $0.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 and $0.2 million for the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan. We have an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP). During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, we issued 33,142 shares of Class A Common Stock under the plan and for the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006, we have issued 134,098 shares of Class A Common Stock under the plan. No shares were issued under the plan in fiscal 2005. During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, the terms of our ESPP were considered non-compensatory under SFAS 123R and, therefore, no stock-based compensation expense associated with our ESPP was recognized. For the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006, we recorded $0.1 million in stock-based compensation for our ESPP as our plan was compensatory under SFAS 123R for the purchase period ending in November 2005.

 

5. Related Party Transactions

Prior to our initial public offering in February 2005, we had licensing and royalty agreements with Ray Dolby and his affiliates for the use of patents on which a portion of our operations is based. Under these agreements we recorded expenses for royalty obligations to Ray Dolby of $18.7 million for the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005. This amount is included in cost of licensing and cost of product sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, depending on the nature of the licensed technology. In February, 2005, in connection with our initial public offering, Ray Dolby contributed to us all rights in the intellectual property related to our business that he and his affiliates held. In connection with the asset contribution, our previous licensing arrangements with Ray Dolby terminated, and we have no further obligation to pay royalties to Ray Dolby. Consequently, we have not recorded any expenses for royalty obligations to Ray Dolby subsequent to February 16, 2005.

 

6. Legal Proceedings

In May 2001, we filed a lawsuit against Lucent Technologies, Inc. and Lucent Technologies Guardian I, LLC together “Lucent,” contending that Lucent was wrongly asserting that our licensees using Dolby AC-3 audio compression technology required licenses to the patents at issue and seeking a declaration that the patents at issue are not infringed and/or are invalid. Lucent filed a counterclaim alleging that we have infringed the patents at issue. These patents generally involve a process and means for digitally encoding and decoding audio signals. On April 22, 2005, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted our motions for summary judgment, finding that we have not infringed, induced others to infringe, or contributed to the infringement of the patents at issue. In granting summary judgment of non-infringement, the court found that Lucent had not presented evidence from which a reasonable fact-finder could find that Dolby AC-3 technology infringes the patents at issue. In light of the Court’s finding of non-infringement, it dismissed our claims that the Lucent patents are invalid. Lucent has appealed the court’s April 22, 2005 ruling granting summary judgment of non-infringement to the United States Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.

In March 1997, an unrelated third party filed a lawsuit against us alleging breach of a written agreement. In April 2002, we settled the dispute and agreed to pay a total of $30.0 million, without interest, in ten equal annual installments of $3.0 million per year beginning in June 2002. We recorded this liability at its present value of $24.2 million on the consolidated balance sheet using a discount rate of 5.125%, which approximated our incremental cost of borrowing rate. Interest related to this liability is recorded quarterly and is included in interest expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Other than such payments, neither party has any material obligations as a result of the settlement. As of June 30, 2006, we had $15.0 million remaining to be paid under this settlement.

In addition, we are involved in various legal proceedings from time to time arising from the normal course of business activities, including claims of alleged infringement of intellectual property rights, commercial, employment and other matters. In our opinion, resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our operating results or financial condition. However, it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of one or more such proceedings could materially affect our future operating results or financial condition in a particular period.

 

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7. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” This Interpretation defines the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We are currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on our financial position and results of operations.

In June 2006, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force issued Issue 06-3, “How Sales Taxes Collected From Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement” (EITF 06-3). EITF 06-3 requires a company to disclose its accounting policy (i.e., gross or net presentation) regarding the presentation of taxes within the scope of EITF 06-3. If taxes are significant, a company should disclose the amount of such taxes for each period for which an income statement is presented. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2006. We are currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of EITF 06-3 will have on our financial position and results of operations.

 

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ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. This discussion contains forward-looking statements reflecting our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: statements regarding demand for and future revenues from the sale of consumer electronics products incorporating our technologies, including traditional and next-generation DVD players; growth opportunities in the consumer electronics market; opportunities to incorporate our technologies in markets outside the traditional consumer electronics market; the impact of inclusion of certain of our technologies in audio standards; the rate of adoption of and sales of next-generation DVD players; diversification of sources of licensing revenue; concentration of manufacturing of consumer electronic products containing our technologies in emerging economies and the associated challenges in royalty collection and intellectual property enforcement; increase in sales of our products and demand for consumer electronics products containing our technologies in emerging economies; the pace of the movie industry’s transition to digital cinema and our expected revenue associated with the transition; our expected profit margin for our products and services segment; our critical accounting policies, including those regarding revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, accounting for goodwill, accounting for income taxes, personal holding company matters and stock-based compensation; estimates regarding royalties due from existing licensees that do not meet our revenue recognition criteria; competitive pricing pressures for our cinema products; increases in research and development expenses; calculations of royalties due to our licensors; statements regarding the sufficiency of our cash reserves for the next twelve months; and our expected rate of return on investments. Actual results may differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including: the rate of growth of the markets for consumer electronics that include our technologies; whether our technologies are selected for and remain part of audio standards; the rate of deployment and adoption of next-generation DVD players; the extent to which our expectations regarding new licensing markets are realized; the extent to which consumer electronics manufacturers concentrate their production in emerging economies that present royalty collection and intellectual property enforcement challenges; the extent to which consumers in emerging economies elect to purchase products containing our technologies; the extent to which professionals using our equipment continue to demand innovative technology solutions developed by us; the pace of the movie industry’s transition to digital cinema; our ability to tailor our traditional model of selling to respond to market trends; whether our competitors are able to develop and sell alternative digital cinema technologies to our customers; the accuracy of our identification of critical accounting policies and the accuracy of the assumptions we make in implementing such policies; the accuracy of our estimates regarding our taxable income and cash needs for the next twelve months; the accuracy of our calculations of royalties due to our licensors; the accuracy of our estimates regarding royalties due from our existing licensees that do not meet our revenue recognition criteria; fluctuations in interest rates; and risks set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this filing. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these forward-looking statements. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to conform our prior statements to actual results. The periods presented herein consist of our third quarters of fiscal 2005 and 2006 and the fiscal year-to-date periods ended July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006. Our fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005 consisted of 40 weeks, compared to the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006, which consisted of 39 weeks. Our 2006 fiscal year consists of 52 weeks and ends on September 29, 2006. The results for the fiscal quarter and fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any subsequent quarterly or annual financial period, including the fiscal year ending September 29, 2006.

Overview

Dolby Laboratories develops and delivers innovative products and technologies that make the entertainment experience more realistic and immersive in theatres, homes, automobiles and elsewhere. Ray Dolby founded Dolby Laboratories in 1965 to develop noise reduction technologies. Today, we deliver a broad range of sound technologies for use in both professional and consumer applications throughout the world. In addition, in recent years we have expanded our focus to include other technologies that facilitate the delivery of digital entertainment.

We conduct our business in two segments: our technology licensing segment and our products and services segment.

 

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In our technology licensing segment, we work with manufacturers of integrated circuits, or ICs, to help them incorporate our technologies into their ICs. These manufacturers then sell ICs to consumer electronics product manufacturers that license our technologies for incorporation in products such as DVD players, DVD recorders, audio/video receivers, television sets, set-top boxes, video game consoles, portable audio and video players, personal computers and in-car entertainment systems. We also license our technologies to software developers who implement our technologies for use in personal computer software DVD players and DVD authoring applications. Our licensing arrangements typically entitle us to receive a specified royalty for every product shipped by our consumer electronics product manufacturer and software developer licensees that incorporates our technologies. We do not receive royalties from IC manufacturers.

In our products and services segment, we sell professional products and related production services to filmmakers, broadcasters, music producers, video game designers, cinema operators and DVD producers. These products are used in sound recording, distribution and playback to improve sound quality, providing surround sound and increasing the efficiency of sound storage and distribution. Our production services engineers work alongside artists and content producers throughout the world to help them record and reproduce the high-quality sound they envision. Our engineers also work with cinema operators to help ensure that movie soundtracks are replayed with consistent high-quality sound in their theatres.

We are a global organization. We have licensed our technologies to manufacturers of consumer electronics products in nearly 30 countries, including countries in North America, Europe and Asia. In fiscal 2003, 2004, 2005, and the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006, revenue from licensees outside the United States represented 80%, 80%, 76% and 76% of our licensing revenue, respectively. Our licensees distribute consumer electronics products incorporating our technologies throughout the world. We sell our professional products and production services in over 50 countries. In fiscal 2003, 2004, 2005, and the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006, revenue from sales outside the United States represented 60%, 59%, 61% and 62% of our professional products sales and production services revenue, respectively. Nearly all of our revenue is derived from transactions denominated in United States dollars.

Management Discussion Regarding Opportunities, Challenges and Risks

Our Technology Licensing Segment

We categorize our technology licensing segment into the following markets:

 

    Consumer electronics market – primarily comprised of DVD players, DVD recorders, audio/video receivers and home-theatres-in-a-box.

 

    Personal computer market – primarily comprised of software DVD players and DVD authoring applications.

 

    Broadcast market – primarily comprised of digital televisions and set-top boxes.

 

    Gaming market – primarily comprised of video game consoles.

 

    Automotive market – comprised of in-car entertainment products.

 

    Licensing services – revenue from patent pool administration performed by our subsidiary Via Licensing.

Historically, the consumer electronics market has been our largest market and it represented just over 50% of our licensing revenue in fiscal 2005, driven primarily by revenues attributable to DVD player sales. However, we expect that growth in other markets, the continued maturation of the market for traditional consumer DVD players and delays in the wide-spread release of next-generation DVD players will result in a lower percentage of licensing revenue from this market in fiscal 2006. There continues to be a number of growth opportunities in the consumer electronics market, such as next-generation DVD players for high-definition content and recordable DVD players. In anticipation of the introduction of the next-generation DVD players, we have worked with developers to ensure that our technologies will be included as a standard audio format. Our Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and TrueHD technologies have been selected as mandatory audio standards in the High-Definition Digital Versatile Disc (HD-DVD) format. Dolby Digital has been selected as a mandatory audio standard and Dolby Digital Plus and TrueHD have been selected as optional audio standards in the Blu-ray format. However, the release and consumer adoption of next-generation DVD players has been delayed due, in part, to the competing HD-DVD and Blu-ray formats. Consequently, we expect our ability to generate royalties from incorporation of our technology in next-generation DVD players will also be delayed. Even assuming resolution of the competing disc format conflict, the rate of consumer adoption of next-generation DVD players is uncertain and may be slower than past growth rates of traditional DVD players.

 

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We are continuing to diversify our sources of licensing revenue by actively promoting the incorporation of our technologies for use in growing markets outside of our traditional consumer electronics market, such as personal computers, broadcast, gaming and automotive. The personal computing market, which represented over 25% of our licensing revenue in fiscal 2005, has been primarily driven by demand for software DVD players and to a lesser extent, DVD authoring applications. Revenue generated from the broadcast, gaming and automotive markets has primarily been driven by demand for Dolby Digital in set-top boxes, televisions, video game consoles and in-car entertainment systems. Any future growth in these markets may not fully offset a potential decline in the growth of revenue generated from our consumer electronics market. For example, in the PC market, equipment manufacturers and software developers are experiencing pricing pressure and, as a result, they may evaluate whether or not DVD playback software should be built into their base models, which may result in lowered demand for our technology.

Our technologies are incorporated in consumer electronics and digital entertainment products throughout the world. We expect that sales of products incorporating our technologies in emerging economies, such as China and India, will increase in the future, as consumers in these geographical markets have more disposable income which may result in increased purchases of entertainment products with surround sound capabilities for use in homes, automobiles and elsewhere, although there can be no assurance that this will occur. We also expect that manufacturers from lower-cost manufacturing countries, including China, will increase production of these products in the future to satisfy this increased demand. Associated with opportunities of doing business in these emerging economies, such as China, are unique risks that have and will continue to affect our operating results, such as manufacturers failing to report or licensees underreporting product shipments.

Our Products and Services Segment

We are committed to developing technologies for use by professionals in the entertainment industry. We believe that filmmakers, broadcasters, music producers and video game designers will continue to push for technology solutions to help create, distribute and play back rich, high-quality sounds and images. As a result, we believe that major advances in sound, imaging and other technologies for the recording, delivery and playback of entertainment will likely first be introduced in products designed for use by professionals.

Sales of our professional products and production services tend to fluctuate based on the underlying trends in the motion picture and broadcast industries. For example, when box office receipts for the motion picture industry increase, we have typically seen sales of our professional cinema products increase as well, as cinema owners are more likely to build new theatres and upgrade existing theatres with our more advanced cinema products when they are doing well financially. Conversely, when box office receipts are down cinema owners tend to scale back on plans to upgrade their systems or build new theatres. In the broadcast industry, broadcasters seeking to deliver content in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound have positively affected sales of our professional broadcast products in recent quarters.

Our production services revenue, both in the United States and internationally, is also tied to the strength of the motion picture production industry and, in particular, to the number of films being made by studios and independent filmmakers. The number of films that are produced can be affected by a number of factors, including strikes and work-stoppages within the motion picture industry, as well as by the tax incentive arrangements that many foreign governments provide filmmakers to promote local filmmaking.

We are also committed to helping the motion picture industry develop system solutions for digital cinema; this continues to be a major initiative in our products and services segment. Digital cinema offers the motion picture industry possible means to achieve substantial cost savings in printing and distributing movies, to combat piracy, and to enable movies to be played repeatedly without degradation in image and audio quality. It also provides additional revenue opportunities for cinema operators, as concerts and sporting events already in digital format could be broadcast live via satellite to digitally-equipped theatres. The cinema industry is in the early stages of the adoption of digital cinema for the distribution and exhibition of movies. As this market evolves, we are continuing to investigate other opportunities, in addition to our traditional model of selling our products directly to our customers. Industry participants are discussing various business models to facilitate adoption of digital cinema by allocating the costs among industry participants. These opportunities have inherent risks. Digital cinema may require a significant investment per screen by cinema operators. If the market for digital cinema develops more slowly than we anticipate or if our technologies, products and services for this market are not widely adopted, our significant investment in developing digital cinema technology may not yield the returns we anticipate. In addition, a number of competitors and potential competitors are developing similar or alternative solutions for digital cinema, some of which may provide cost or technological advantages over our products, technologies and services.

 

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In an effort to encourage the motion picture industry to increase the pace of conversion to digital cinema, we entered into a collaboration agreement with Walt Disney Pictures and Television in the third quarter of fiscal 2005 under which we deployed digital cinema systems in selected theatres throughout the U.S. We funded the majority of the equipment and installation costs related to this deployment, resulting in a total expense of approximately $8.1 million to cost of product sales and cost of production services, of which the majority was recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 and the first quarter of fiscal 2006. While the primary reason for this investment was to establish us as a leader in digital cinema, we also expect to receive a fee, which we refer to as a virtual print fee, each time a participating studio delivers a digital print for exhibition on the systems installed in this deployment.

In recent years, our products and services segment has grown more slowly than our technology licensing segment. In addition, the profit margin for our products and services segment has been lower than our technology licensing segment and is expected to remain so. Future initiatives associated with digital cinema in this competitive market may adversely affect our gross margin.

Pro Forma Presentation

Prior to our initial public offering in February 2005, Ray Dolby retained ownership of the intellectual property he created related to our business and licensed those rights to us in exchange for royalty payments. In connection with our initial public offering, Ray Dolby contributed to us all of these intellectual property rights in February 2005. As a result of this contribution, all of our licensing agreements with Ray Dolby terminated and we are no longer obligated to pay royalties to Ray Dolby for the use of his intellectual property rights. The pro forma financial information included in this discussion gives effect to the asset contribution as though it had been completed prior to the second quarter of fiscal 2005. We believe the pro forma results to be meaningful as they enable comparison of our pre-asset-contribution operating results to our operating results on a going-forward basis. The pro forma results presented below are not necessarily indicative of financial results to be achieved in future periods. The pro forma adjustments reverse the effects of $18.7 million in royalties payable to Ray Dolby that were recorded in the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005. As these agreements were terminated as a result of the contribution in the second quarter of fiscal 2005, there are no pro forma adjustments made to our results for the third quarters of fiscal 2005 or fiscal 2006 or the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006.

The following table shows the pro forma effects of the asset contribution made by Ray Dolby described above on the respective line items of our consolidated statements of operations:

 

     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended
   July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
   (in thousands)

Net income

   $ 35,485     $ 64,332

Adjustments to pro forma net income by line item:

       —  

Cost of licensing

     17,424       —  

Cost of product sales

     1,286       —  

Provision for income taxes

     (7,587 )     —  
              

Pro forma net income

   $ 46,608     $ 64,332
              

 

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The following pro forma results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for any subsequent quarterly or annual financial period, including the fiscal year ending September 29, 2006:

 

     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended  
  

July 1,

2005

   

June 30,

2006

 
   (pro forma)        
   (unaudited)  
   (in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Revenue:

    

Licensing

   $ 187,683     $ 221,303  

Product sales

     44,780       50,574  

Production services

     16,580       17,522  
                

Total revenue

     249,043       289,399  
                

Cost of revenue:

    

Cost of licensing

     17,943       19,786  

Cost of product sales

     21,752       29,754  

Cost of production services

     6,442       7,913  
                

Total cost of revenue

     46,137       57,453  
                

Gross margin

     202,906       231,946  
                

Operating expenses:

    

Selling, general and administrative

     101,839       113,598  

Research and development

     22,914       25,413  

Settlements

     (2,000 )     —    
                

Total operating expenses

     122,753       139,011  
                

Operating income

     80,153       92,935  

Other income, net

     3,100       12,313  
                

Income before provision for income taxes and controlling interest

     83,253       105,248  

Provision for income taxes

     35,662       39,916  
                

Income before controlling interest

     47,591       65,332  

Controlling interest in net income, net of tax

     (983 )     (1,000 )
                

Net income

   $ 46,608     $ 64,332  
                

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.49     $ 0.61  

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.44     $ 0.58  

Weighted-average shares outstanding (basic)

     94,796       105,262  

Weighted-average shares outstanding (diluted)

     104,954       111,446  

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to utilize accounting policies and make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingencies as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during a fiscal period. The SEC considers an accounting policy to be critical if it is important to a company’s financial condition and results of operations, and if it requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in its application. We have discussed the selection and development of the critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee has reviewed our related disclosures in this Form 10-Q. Although we believe that our judgments and estimates are appropriate and correct, actual results may differ from those estimates.

The following are our critical accounting policies because we believe they are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require critical management judgments and estimates about matters that are uncertain. If actual results or events differ materially from those contemplated by us in making these estimates, our reported financial condition and results of operations for future periods could be materially affected. See “Risk Factors” for certain matters bearing risks on our future results of operations.

 

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Revenue Recognition

We evaluate revenue recognition for transactions to sell products and services and to license technology, trademarks and know-how using the criteria set forth by the SEC in Staff Accounting Bulletin 104, “Revenue Recognition” (SAB 104). SAB 104 states that revenue is recognized when each of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured.

Licensing. Our licensing revenue is primarily derived from royalties paid to us by licensees of our intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks and know-how. Royalties are recorded as reported at their gross amounts and are recognized when all revenue recognition criteria have been met. We make judgments as to whether collectibility can be reasonably assured based on the licensee’s recent payment history or the existence of a standby letter-of-credit between the licensee’s financial institution and our financial institution. In the absence of a favorable collection history or a letter-of-credit, we recognize revenue upon receipt of cash, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.

Product Sales and Production Services. Our revenue from the sale of products is recognized when the risk of ownership has transferred to our customer as provided under the terms of the governing purchase agreement, which is typically the invoice we deliver to the customer, and all the other revenue recognition criteria have been met. Generally, these purchase agreements provide that the risk of ownership is transferred to the customer when the product is shipped. Production services revenue is recognized as the services related to a given project are completed and all the other revenue recognition criteria have been met.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We continually monitor customer payments and maintain a reserve for estimated losses resulting from our customers’ inability to make required payments. In determining the reserve, we evaluate the collectibility of our accounts receivable based upon a variety of factors. In cases where we are aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations, we record a specific allowance against amounts due, and thereby reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount reasonably believed to be collectible. For all other customers, we recognize allowances for doubtful accounts based on an evaluation of our actual historical write-off experience, the length of time the receivables are past due, customer creditworthiness, geographic risk and other relevant factors. Actual future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ from our estimates and may have a material effect on our consolidated statements of operations and our financial condition. Our allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $1.7 million at June 30, 2006. An incremental change of 1% in our allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of trade accounts receivables balance as of June 30, 2006 would result in a $0.2 million increase or decrease in our operating results.

Goodwill

We account for goodwill in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS 142). SFAS 142, among other things, established new standards for goodwill acquired in a business combination, eliminated the amortization of goodwill and requires the carrying value of goodwill and certain non-amortizing intangibles to be evaluated for impairment on an annual basis. As required by SFAS 142, we perform an impairment test on recorded goodwill by comparing the estimated fair value of each of our reporting units to the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of each unit, including goodwill. This value is determined by using a discounted cash-flow model which considers a number of factors, including estimated future cash-flows, risks facing us and our current market capitalization. If the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of the reporting units, including goodwill, were to exceed our estimate of the fair value of the reporting units, we would record an impairment charge in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying value of goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill. Our fiscal 2006 impairment test of goodwill, which was performed in the third fiscal quarter, resulted in no impairment charge. Fluctuations in our fair value, which may result from changes in economic conditions, our results of operations and other factors, relative to the carrying value, could result in impairment charges in future periods.

Accounting for Income Taxes

In preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to make estimates and judgments that affect our accounting for income taxes. This process includes estimating actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences, including differences in the timing of recognition of stock-based compensation expense, result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our consolidated balance sheets. We also assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent that we believe that recovery is not likely, we have established a valuation allowance.

 

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Significant judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. Our financial position and results of operations may be materially impacted if actual results significantly differ from these estimates or the estimates are adjusted in future periods.

Personal Holding Company Tax Matters. For United States federal income tax purposes, a corporation is generally considered to be a “personal holding company” under the United States Internal Revenue Code if (i) at any time during the last half of its taxable year more than 50% of its stock by value is owned, directly or indirectly, by virtue of the application of certain stock ownership attribution rules set forth in the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of applying the personal holding company rules, by five or fewer individuals and (ii) at least 60% of its adjusted ordinary gross income, as defined for United States federal income tax purposes, is “personal holding company income.” Personal holding company income is generally passive income, including royalty income, subject to certain exceptions such as qualifying software royalties. A personal holding company is subject to an additional tax on its undistributed after-tax income, calculated at the statutory tax rate, which is currently 15%. Since the personal holding company tax is imposed only on undistributed income, a personal holding company can avoid or mitigate liability for the tax, but not interest or penalties, by paying a dividend to its stockholders.

During fiscal 2005, and the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006, more than 50% of the value of our stock was held by Ray Dolby and stockholders considered affiliated with him pursuant to the stock ownership attribution rules applicable to personal holding companies. We expect this will continue to be the case in the foreseeable future. In addition, a significant portion of our income is from licensing fees, which may constitute personal holding company income. Currently, however, less than 60% of Dolby Laboratories’ adjusted ordinary gross income is personal holding company income.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation arrangements in accordance with SFAS 123R and related interpretations. SFAS 123R requires measurement of all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair-value method and recording of such expense in the consolidated financial statements over the requisite service period. We estimate the fair value of stock options and ESPP awards using the Black-Scholes valuation model as permitted by the provisions of SFAS 123R and SAB 107. To determine the fair value of our stock-based awards at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model, we make assumptions about the expected stock price volatility of our common stock, employee exercise patterns, risk-free interest rates, and expected dividend yield. Limitations on the effectiveness of the Black-Scholes option pricing model are that it was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable, and that the model requires the use of highly subjective assumptions including expected stock price volatility. In addition, under the provisions of SFAS 123R, we are required to make assumptions about the expected rate of forfeitures for our stock-based awards. Due to the limited amount of data available to us, particularly with respect to stock-price volatility, employee exercise patterns and forfeitures, actual results may differ from our assumptions.

 

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Results of Operations

Revenue

 

     Fiscal Quarter Ended     Change     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended     Change  
   July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
    $    %     July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
    $    %  
   ($ in thousands)  

Revenue:

                  

Licensing

   $ 60,775     $ 69,138     $ 8,363    14 %   $ 187,683     $ 221,303     $ 33,620    18 %

Percentage of total revenue

     76 %     74 %          75 %     77 %     

Product sales

     13,486       18,862       5,376    40 %     44,780       50,574       5,794    13 %

Percentage of total revenue

     17 %     20 %          18 %     17 %     

Production services

     5,418       5,650       232    4 %     16,580       17,522       942    6 %

Percentage of total revenue

     7 %     6 %          7 %     6 %     
                                                          

Total revenue

   $ 79,679     $ 93,650     $ 13,971    18 %   $ 249,043     $ 289,399     $ 40,356    16 %
                                                          

Licensing. The $8.4 million, or 14%, increase in licensing revenue from the third quarter of fiscal 2005 to the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was primarily due to increased sales reported by our licensees of their products that incorporate our technologies. The growth was primarily driven by increases in revenue from our personal computer (PC) and broadcast markets, and to a lesser extent, by our gaming and automotive markets. In addition, revenue generated by our Via Licensing subsidiary’s patent administration program contributed to the growth in licensing revenue. The increase in the PC market was driven by growth in sales of personal computer software DVD players. The growth in the broadcast market was primarily driven by sales of digital televisions with built-in ATSC tuners which include our technology. The growth in the gaming and automotive markets was driven by sales of video game consoles and in-car entertainment systems that incorporate our technologies. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in our consumer electronics (CE) market, primarily due to a decrease in royalties related to sales of home-theatre-in-a-box systems.

The $33.6 million, or 18%, increase in licensing revenue from the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005 to the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 was primarily attributable to growth in the PC, gaming and broadcast markets and, to a lesser extent, by our CE and automotive markets. Growth in our CE market was not as strong as in our other markets primarily due to the maturity of the market for traditional DVD players.

As of June 30, 2006, we estimate that there is approximately $10 million in royalties due from two existing licensees relating to new products that have been shipped by these licensees over the past nine quarters. We do not expect to recognize revenue with respect to these shipments until certain contractual matters have been resolved. We cannot estimate when this will occur.

Product Sales. The $5.4 million, or 40%, increase in our product sales revenue from the third quarter of fiscal 2005 to the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was due to increased sales of both cinema and broadcast products. Sales of cinema products increased primarily due to orders from several customers in anticipation of an announced price increase. Sales of broadcast products continued to benefit from demand to broadcast content in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, in part, to support the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

The $5.8 million, or 13%, increase in our revenue from product sales from the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005 to the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 was principally attributable to the same factors discussed above with respect to the third quarter.

Production Services. The $0.2 million, or 4%, increase in production services revenue from the third quarter of fiscal 2005 to the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was primarily attributable to an increase in digital cinema services and services to encrypt films for awards group presentations. Digital cinema services include $0.2 million in virtual print-fees received from movie distributors for the exhibition of certain digital films on Dolby Digital Cinema systems which have been leased to cinema operators. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in other film services compared to the same quarter of fiscal 2005.

The $0.9 million, or 6%, increase in production services revenue from the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005 to the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 was primarily attributable to an increase in print mastering services, in addition to the same reasons discussed above with respect to the third quarter.

 

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Gross Margin

 

     Actual     Pro Forma  
  

Fiscal

Quarter

Ended

   

Fiscal

Year-to-Date

Ended

   

Fiscal

Quarter

Ended

   

Fiscal

Year-to-Date

Ended

 
   July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
    July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
    July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
    July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
 

Gross margin:

                

Licensing gross margin percentage

   92 %   91 %   81 %   91 %   92 %   91 %   90 %   91 %

Product sales margin percentage

   50 %   46 %   49 %   41 %   50 %   46 %   51 %   41 %

Production services gross margin percentage

   59 %   52 %   61 %   55 %   59 %   52 %   61 %   55 %
                                                

Total gross margin percentage

   82 %   80 %   74 %   80 %   82 %   80 %   81 %   80 %
                                                

Licensing Gross Margin. We license intellectual property to our customers that may be internally developed, acquired by us or licensed from other parties. Our cost of licensing consists principally of royalty obligations to third parties for the licensing of intellectual property rights that we sublicense as part of our licensing arrangements with our customers. Our cost of licensing also includes amortization expenses associated with purchased intangible assets. Prior to our initial public offering in February 2005, our cost of licensing included royalty obligations to Ray Dolby. In February 2005, in connection with our initial public offering, Ray Dolby contributed to us all rights in the intellectual property related to our business that he and his affiliates held. In connection with the asset contribution, our previous licensing arrangements with Ray Dolby terminated, and we have no further obligation to pay royalties to Ray Dolby. The decrease in licensing gross margin percentage from the third quarter of fiscal 2005 to the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was primarily due to the geographic mix of our licensing revenue from which our royalty obligations are determined. The increase in licensing gross margin percentage from the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005 to the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 was due primarily to the elimination of royalty obligations to Ray Dolby as a result of the February 2005 contribution of his intellectual property rights.

Cost of licensing includes approximately $4.9 million in royalty expenses for the third quarter of fiscal 2006, which we accrued under a patent license agreement with an unrelated third party licensor. We accrued royalty expenses under this patent license agreement based on the same methodology under which we have historically made payments to this licensor. However, in the third quarter of fiscal 2006, we evaluated whether the payment of royalties under this historic methodology would constitute an overpayment. Subsequent to our evaluation, we notified the licensor that we no longer intend to pay royalties under the historic methodology related to licensing revenue generated in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 or in future periods. As of August 2, 2006, we had not received a response from the licensor.

There were no pro forma adjustments to licensing gross margin for the third quarter of fiscal 2005. Pro forma licensing gross margin for the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005 excludes $17.4 million of expenses we recorded for sublicensing royalty obligations to Ray Dolby. The change in pro forma licensing margin percentage for both the third quarter and fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 was due to the geographic mix of our licensing revenue from which our royalty obligations are determined.

Product Sales Gross Margin. Cost of product sales primarily consists of material costs related to the products sold, applied labor and manufacturing overhead and, to a lesser extent, amortization of certain intangible assets. Prior to our initial public offering in February 2005, our cost of product sales also included royalty obligations for technologies we licensed from Ray Dolby. These royalty obligations terminated in connection with Ray Dolby’s asset contribution discussed above. The decrease in product sales gross margin percentage from the third quarter of fiscal 2005 to the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was primarily due to an increase in inventory reserves. We increased these reserves primarily due to a decrease in our forecast for our Cinea secure DVD players, especially in light of the release of our new Cinea Portable Video Key technology, and a write-down to current market value of certain early-stage digital cinema installations related to the Walt Disney rollout that was in inventory as of June 30, 2006. To a lesser extent, we increased our inventory reserves related to a build-up of certain parts inventory in anticipation of the July 1, 2006 deadline relating to restrictions on lead and other hazardous substances in specified electronic products sold in the European Union. We expect that as the market for digital cinema grows we will face more competitive pricing pressures than we have traditionally experienced for cinema products. As a result, we may have to implement pricing strategies which could have an adverse impact on our product sales gross margins in the future.

 

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Cost of product sales for the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 includes $6.0 million in charges in connection with our digital cinema collaboration with Walt Disney Pictures and Television discussed above in our product and services segment overview in the “Management Discussion Regarding Opportunities, Challenges and Risks” section. The decrease in product sales gross margin percentage on a fiscal year-to-date basis from fiscal 2005 to fiscal 2006 is primarily due to the charge recognized in connection with our digital cinema collaboration, as well as the increases in inventory reserves discussed above in regards to the third quarter of fiscal 2006, partially offset by the elimination of royalties due to Ray Dolby.

There were no pro forma adjustments to product sales gross margin in the third quarter of fiscal 2005. Pro forma product sales gross margin for the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005 excludes $1.3 million in royalty expenses to cost of product sales in connection with royalty obligations to Ray Dolby. The decrease in pro forma gross margin percentage for the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005 to the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 was due to the charge associated with the digital cinema collaboration discussed above.

Production Services Gross Margin. Cost of production services consists primarily of the payroll and benefits costs of employees performing our professional services, the cost of outside consultants and reimbursable expenses incurred on behalf of customers. Production services gross margin percentage decreased from the third quarter of fiscal 2005 to the third quarter of fiscal 2006 due to an increase in depreciation expense associated with certain professional services equipment and an increase in stock-based compensation expense associated with the adoption of SFAS 123R.

Cost of production services for the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 includes $0.8 million in charges related to the digital cinema collaboration with Walt Disney Pictures and Television discussed above. The decrease in production services gross margin percentage from the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005 to the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 was primarily due to this charge. Pro forma production services gross margin was not affected by royalty obligations to Ray Dolby.

Operating Expenses

 

     Fiscal Quarter Ended     Change     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended     Change  
   July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
    $    %     July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
    $    %  
   ($ in thousands)  

Operating expenses:

                  

Selling, general and administrative

   $ 33,372     $ 38,477     $ 5,105    15 %   $ 101,839     $ 113,598     $ 11,759    12 %

Percentage of total revenue

     42 %     41 %          41 %     39 %     

Research and development

     6,885       9,108       2,223    32 %     22,914       25,413       2,499    11 %

Percentage of total revenue

     9 %     10 %          9 %     9 %     

Settlements

     —         —         —      —         (2,000 )     —         2,000    100 %

Percentage of total revenue

     —         —              (1 )%     —         
                                                          

Total operating expenses

   $ 40,257     $ 47,585     $ 7,328    18 %   $ 122,753     $ 139,011     $ 16,258    13 %
                                                          

Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative expense consists primarily of personnel and personnel-related expenses, facility costs and professional service fees for our sales, marketing and administrative functions. The $5.1 million, or 15%, increase from the third quarter of fiscal 2005 to the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was principally due to a $4.3 million increase in compensation and benefits costs due to growth in headcount, increases in annual pay rates and an increase in stock-based compensation due to the adoption of SFAS 123R in the first quarter of fiscal 2006. We also experienced increases of $1.4 million in professional and consulting expenses due to increased legal expenses and accounting-related services, and an increase in bad debt expense. These increases were partially offset by decreases in travel, entertainment and promotional expenses from the third quarter of fiscal 2005 to the third quarter of fiscal 2006.

The $11.8 million, or 12%, increase in selling, general and administrative expense from the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005 to the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 was principally due to a $9.8 million increase in compensation and benefits costs due to growth in headcount, increases in annual pay rates and an increase in stock-based compensation expense due to the adoption of SFAS 123R. In addition, we experienced an increase of $2.1 million in professional and consulting expenses due to increased legal expenses, accounting-related services and IT support services. To a lesser extent, depreciation expense increased due to amortization of software implementations and leasehold improvements completed in fiscal 2005. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $2.5 million in promotional expenses, primarily associated with our investment made in fiscal 2005 to provide Cinea secure DVD players to members of certain awards organizations in order to promote our encryption technology.

 

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Research and Development. Research and development expense consists primarily of compensation and benefits related costs for personnel responsible for the research and development of new technologies and products. The $2.2 million, or 32%, increase in research and development expense from the third quarter of fiscal 2005 to the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was primarily driven by an increase in compensation and benefits costs due to growth in headcount and increases in annual pay rates, as well as an increase in stock-based compensation due to the adoption of SFAS 123R. In addition, engineering expenses increased by $0.9 million primarily due to costs associated with the development of digital cinema technologies and the development of products to comply with restrictions on lead and other hazardous substances in specified electronic products sold in the European Union.

The $2.5 million, or 11%, increase in research and development expense from the fiscal-year-to date period ended July 1, 2005 to the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 was primarily driven by increased compensation and benefits costs due to growth in headcount and increases in annual pay rates as well as an increase in stock-based compensation due to the adoption of SFAS 123R. We anticipate that research and development expense will continue to increase as we expect to hire additional personnel to support the development of new technologies.

Settlements. Settlements include interest and penalties related to the collection of royalties and resolution of intellectual property disputes in our favor or against us. Resolution of royalty disputes from licensees that specifically represent unpaid royalties are recorded as licensing revenue in the period in which all revenue recognition criteria are met. Resolution of other intellectual property disputes, such as disputes with implementation licensees from which we typically do not receive royalties, are recorded as settlements. In the first quarter of fiscal 2005, we recognized $2.0 million in connection with the settlement of disputes with two IC manufacturers regarding the violation of the terms of their licensing agreements with us.

Other Income, Net

 

     Fiscal Quarter Ended    Change     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended    Change  
   July 1,
2005
   June 30,
2006
   $    %     July 1,
2005
   June 30,
2006
   $    %  
   ($ in thousands)  

Other income, net

   $ 2,062    $ 4,020    $ 1,958    95 %   $ 3,100    $ 12,313    $ 9,213    297 %

Other income, net, primarily consists of interest income earned on cash, cash equivalent and investment balances, offset by interest expense principally attributable to the outstanding balances on our facility debt obligations. Also included are gains and losses on interest rate swap agreements associated with our facility debt obligations and foreign exchange rate fluctuations. In the third quarter of fiscal 2006 we began to invest in United States government agency securities and municipal debt securities with original maturities of greater than 90 days in order to earn a better rate of return. These investments have maximum maturities of 3 years and are recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet. The increase in other income, net of $2.0 million from the third quarter of fiscal 2005 to the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was primarily due to higher cash, cash equivalents and investments balances driven by cash generated from operations, as well as higher yields driven by higher interest rates. The increase of $9.2 million from the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005 to the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 was primarily due to higher cash, cash equivalent and investment balances as a result of our initial public offering in February 2005 and additional cash generated from operations.

Income Taxes

 

     Actual     Pro Forma  
     Fiscal Quarter Ended     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended     Fiscal Quarter Ended     Fiscal Year-to-Date Ended  
     July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
    July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
    July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
    July 1,
2005
    June 30,
2006
 
     ($ in thousands)  

Income taxes:

                

Provision for income taxes

   $ 12,332     $ 11,778     $ 28,075     $ 39,916     $ 12,332     $ 11,778     $ 35,662     $ 39,916  

Effective tax rate

     45 %     38 %     44 %     38 %     45 %     38 %     43 %     38 %

Our effective tax rate is based upon projection of annual fiscal year results. In the third quarter of fiscal 2005, our effective tax rate was 45%, while our effective tax rate for fiscal 2005 was 41%. Our effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was 38%, lower than in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, primarily due to income from a foreign subsidiary which is not included in taxable income in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 compared to a loss from a foreign subsidiary in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, a decrease in non-deductible stock-based compensation expense related to the exercise of incentive stock options, as well as tax exempt interest income from investments.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table presents selected financial information for the fiscal quarters ended on the dates indicated:

 

     September 30,
2005
   June 30,
2006
   (in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 372,403    $ 373,421

Short-term investments

     —        74,176

Accounts receivable, net

     25,221      23,597

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     65,126      71,764

Working capital(a)

     381,394      455,576

 

     July 1,
2005
   June 30,
2006
   (in thousands)

Operating cash flow (fiscal year-to-date)

   $ 63,131    $ 86,420

Capital expenditures (fiscal year-to-date)(b)

     12,001      5,697

Cash used in investing activities (fiscal year-to-date)

     25,181      104,016

Cash provided by financing activities (fiscal year-to-date)

     244,565      16,521

 

(a) Working capital consists of total current assets less total current liabilities.

 

(b) Capital expenditures consist of purchases of office equipment, building fixtures, computer hardware and software, leasehold improvements and production and test equipment.

As of June 30, 2006, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $447.6 million, an increase of $75.2 million over the balance of $372.4 million at September 30, 2005. The change was primarily due to cash generated from operating activities of $86.4 million, which was driven by net income of $64.3 million and non-cash expenses of $24.4 million related to stock-based compensation expense and depreciation and amortization for the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006. In addition, cash held on behalf of patent pool members that had been collected from licensees but had not yet been paid out to patent pool members increased by $11.5 million. As a result of this increase in cash collected by our patent pool administration program, accounts receivable related to the program decreased by $6.5 million, while amounts payable to patent pool members increased by $5.5 million during the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006. These items were partially offset by $11.0 million in excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options which are reflected in financing activities.

We believe that our cash, cash equivalents and potential cash flow from operations will be sufficient to satisfy our cash requirements through at least the next 12 months.

Cash used in investing activities was $104.0 million for the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 and $25.2 million for the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005. Cash used in investing activities for the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 was primarily driven by the purchase of available-for-sale securities of $97.3 million, net of sales. In the third quarter of fiscal 2006 we began to invest in United States government agency securities and municipal debt securities with original maturities greater than 90 days in order to earn a better rate of return. These investments have maximum maturities of 3 years and are recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet. Cash used in investing activities for the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005 included an $11.0 million payment for an exclusive irrevocable right to sublicense a third party’s technology to our customers and $12.0 million in capital expenditures. Capital expenditures decreased $6.3 million from the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005 to the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 primarily due to the completion of leasehold improvements that occurred in fiscal 2005.

Cash provided by financing activities was $16.5 million for the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006. Cash provided by financing activities decreased $228.0 million from the fiscal year-to-date period ended June 30, 2006 compared to the fiscal year-to-date period ended July 1, 2005 primarily due to $242.5 million in net proceeds generated from the issuance of Class A common stock in our initial public offering in February, 2005. This decrease was partially offset by excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options and cash received from the exercise of stock options and the issuance of common stock related to our ESPP.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2006 we adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective application transition method. Prior to our adoption of SFAS 123R, excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options were reported as operating cash flows. SFAS 123R requires excess tax benefits be reported as a financing activity rather than as a reduction of taxes paid in operating activities.

 

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Personal Holding Company Tax Matters

If we or any of our subsidiaries were to become liable for personal holding company tax, we expect that it is likely that instead of paying the personal holding company tax, we would elect to pay a dividend to our stockholders in an amount equal to all or a significant part of our undistributed personal holding company income. We expect that we would pay such a dividend out of our available working capital, which could significantly decrease our cash, unless we sought additional financing for this purpose. Any such financing might not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. If instead of paying a dividend we elect to pay the tax, this could significantly increase our consolidated tax expense. We expect we would pay any such tax out of our available working capital, which could also significantly decrease our cash, unless we sought additional financing. For further explanation of matters related to personal holding company tax, refer to our “Critical Accounting Policies – Accounting for Income Taxes”.

 

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ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Sensitivity

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments. As of June 30, 2006, we had cash, cash equivalents of $373.4 million, which consisted of cash, highly liquid money market funds and United States government-backed securities with original maturities of three months or less. In addition, we had short-term and long-term investments of $97.9 million, which consisted primarily of United States government agency securities and municipal debt with original maturities greater than 90 days. Many of these investments are subject to fluctuations in interest rates, which could impact our results. Based on our investment balances as of June 30, 2006, a hypothetical change in interest rates of 1% would have a $0.7 million impact on the carrying value of our portfolio and a change of 0.5% would have a $0.3 million impact on the carrying value of our portfolio.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements. We have entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to interest rate changes on our facility debt obligations. The swap agreements involve the exchange of fixed and variable interest rate payments without exchanging the notional principal amount. Gains and losses associated with the swap agreements are included in other income, net, in our consolidated statements of operations.

We do not utilize financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes, nor do we utilize leveraged financial instruments.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We maintain sales, marketing and business operations in foreign countries, most significantly in the United Kingdom. Consequently, we have exposure to adverse changes in exchange rates associated with our foreign business operations. While nearly all of our revenue is derived from transactions denominated in United States dollars, nearly all of our costs from our foreign operations are derived from transactions denominated in the functional currency of that foreign location. As a result, our operating margins are subject to exposure from changes in exchange rates.

In fiscal 2005, we began selling more products in United States dollars from our United Kingdom branch and maintained the receipts in a United States dollar account in the United Kingdom. The functional currency of our United Kingdom branch is the British pound sterling. Therefore, we were required to remeasure balances that were in currencies other than the functional currency and recognize the impact of these foreign exchange rate fluctuations in our results of operations. As the balance in the account grew throughout fiscal 2005, our results of operations became exposed to foreign exchange gains and losses. In the first quarter of fiscal 2006, we converted much of the balance into British pound sterling, thereby significantly mitigating the exposure from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on our statement of operations. We periodically convert balances denominated in United States dollars at our United Kingdom branch into British pound sterling to mitigate this exposure. However, we still have exposure associated with accounts receivable and other balances that are recorded on our foreign entities’ balance sheets in a currency other than the functional currency of the applicable entity.

 

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ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

Subject to the limitations noted above, our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2006, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In May 2001, we filed a lawsuit against Lucent Technologies, Inc. and Lucent Technologies Guardian I, LLC together “Lucent,” contending that Lucent was wrongly asserting that our licensees using Dolby AC-3 audio compression technology required licenses to the patents at issue and seeking a declaration that the patents at issue are not infringed and/or are invalid. Lucent filed a counterclaim alleging that we have infringed the patents at issue. These patents generally involve a process and means for digitally encoding and decoding audio signals. On April 22, 2005, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted our motions for summary judgment, finding that we have not infringed, induced others to infringe, or contributed to the infringement of the patents at issue. In granting summary judgment of non-infringement, the court found that Lucent had not presented evidence from which a reasonable fact-finder could find that Dolby AC-3 technology infringes the patents at issue. In light of its finding of non-infringement, the court dismissed our invalidity claims. Lucent has appealed the court’s April 22, 2005, ruling granting summary judgment of non-infringement to the United States Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.

In addition, we are involved in various legal proceedings from time to time arising from the normal course of business activities, including claims of alleged infringement of intellectual property rights, commercial, employment and other matters. In our opinion, resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our operating results or financial condition. However, it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of one or more such proceedings could materially affect our future operating results or financial condition in a particular period.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following risk factors and other information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be carefully considered. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we presently deem less significant may also impair our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Our business and prospects depend on the strength of our brand, and if we do not maintain and strengthen our brand, our business will be materially harmed.

Maintaining and strengthening the “Dolby” brand is critical to maintaining and expanding both our products and services business and our technology licensing business, as well as to our ability to enter new markets for our sound and other technologies. Our continued success depends, in part, on our reputation for providing high quality products, services and technologies across a wide range of entertainment industries, including the consumer electronics products industry. If we fail to promote and maintain the Dolby brand successfully on either the products and services or the licensing sides of our business, our business and prospects will suffer. Moreover, we believe that the likelihood that our technologies will be adopted as industry standards in various markets and for various applications depends, in part, upon the strength of our brand, because professional organizations and industry participants are more likely to accept, as an industry standard, technologies developed by a well-respected and well-known brand. Maintaining and strengthening our brand will depend heavily on our ability to continue to develop innovative technologies for the entertainment industry and to continue to provide high quality products and services, which we may not do successfully. Moreover, because we engage in relatively little direct brand advertising, the promotion of our brand depends upon entertainment industry participants displaying our trademarks on their products that incorporate our technologies, such as film prints and consumer electronics products. Although we do not require our customers to place our brand on their products, we actively encourage them to do so. For example, we rely on consumer electronics product manufacturers that license our technologies to display our trademarks on their products in order to promote our brand. If our customers choose for any reason not to display our trademarks on their products, our ability to maintain or increase our brand awareness may be harmed, which would have an adverse effect on our business and prospects. In addition, if we fail to maintain high quality standards for our professional products, or if we fail to maintain high quality standards for the products that incorporate our technologies through the quality-control certification process that we require of our licensees, the strength of our brand could be adversely affected.

 

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We do not expect sales of traditional consumer DVD players to sustain their past growth rates. To the extent that sales of DVD players and home theatre systems level off or decline, or alternative technologies in which we do not participate replace DVDs as a dominant medium for consumer video entertainment, our licensing revenue will be adversely affected.

Growth in our revenue over the past several years has been the result, in large part, of the rapid growth in sales of DVD players and home theatre systems incorporating our technologies. However, as the markets for DVD players mature, we do not expect sales of traditional consumer DVD players to sustain their past growth rates. Also, the industry has experienced a movement by discount retailers towards lower-end DVD players thereby decreasing the number of processors on which we earn licensing revenue. As a result of this movement, manufacturing of these lower-end DVD players appears to be growing in emerging economies, which we believe will pose challenges in royalty collection and intellectual property enforcement. To the extent that sales of DVD players and home theatre systems level off or decline, our licensing revenue will be adversely affected. Additionally, the release and consumer adoption of next generation DVD players has been delayed. There are currently two potential, incompatible formats for next generation high-definition disc format proposed, and consumers may not react favorably to having to make a choice between formats. The delay in the release and consumer adoption of the next generation disc format, as well as the inability of traditional DVD players to sustain their past growth rates, could adversely affect our licensing revenue. Even assuming resolution of the competing disc format conflict, the rate of consumer adoption of next-generation DVD players is uncertain and may be slower than past growth rates of traditional DVD players. In addition, if new technologies are developed for use with DVDs or new technologies are developed that substantially compete with or replace DVDs as a dominant medium for consumer video entertainment, and if we are unable to develop and successfully market technologies that are incorporated into or compatible with such new technologies, our business, operating results and prospects will be adversely affected.

We are dependent on the sale by our licensees of products that incorporate our technologies, and a reduction in those sales would adversely affect our licensing revenue.

We derive most of our revenue from the licensing of our technologies to consumer electronics product manufacturers. We derived 73%, 73% and 75% of our total revenue from our technology licensing business in fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. We do not manufacture consumer electronics products ourselves and our licensing revenue is dependent on sales by our licensees of products that incorporate our technologies. We cannot control these manufacturers’ product development or commercialization efforts or predict their success. In addition, our license agreements, which typically require manufacturers of consumer electronics products and software developers to pay us a specified royalty for every electronics product shipped that incorporates our technologies, do not require these manufacturers to include our technologies in any specific number or percentage of units, and only a few of these agreements guarantee us a minimum aggregate licensing fee. Accordingly, if our licensees sell fewer products incorporating our technologies, or otherwise face significant economic difficulties, our revenue will decline. Some manufacturers have begun to reduce the complexity of their low-end DVD players, thereby decreasing the number of processors on which we earn licensing revenue in each player. Moreover, we have a widespread presence in certain markets for electronics products, such as the consumer electronics product market, which includes DVD players, audio/video receivers and other home theatre consumer electronics products, and, as a result, there is little room for us to further penetrate such markets. Lower sales of products incorporating our technologies could occur for a number of reasons. Changes in consumer tastes or trends, or changes in industry standards, may adversely affect our licensing revenue. Demand for new products incorporating our technologies could also be adversely affected by increasing market saturation, durability of products in the marketplace, competing products and alternate consumer entertainment options. In addition, our licensees, for whatever reason, may not choose to or may not be able to incorporate our technologies into their products in the future.

We face risks in conducting business in emerging economies, such as China, particularly due to the limited recognition and enforcement of intellectual property and contractual rights in these countries.

We expect consumer electronics product manufacturing in emerging economies, such as China, to continue to increase due to the availability of lower manufacturing costs as compared to in other industrial countries. We also expect that our sales of professional products and production services in emerging economies will expand in the future to the extent that the use of digital surround sound technologies increases in these countries, including in movies, broadcast television and video games. We further expect that the sale of products incorporating our technologies will increase in emerging economies to the extent that consumers there become more affluent. However, we face many risks associated with operating in these emerging economies, in large part, due to limited recognition and enforcement of contractual and intellectual property rights. Recently, the consumer electronics industry has experienced a movement by discount retailers towards lower-end DVD players, thereby decreasing the number of processors on which we earn licensing revenue. As a result of this movement, manufacturing of these lower-end DVD players appears to be growing in emerging economies, which we believe will pose challenges for us

 

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in royalty collection and intellectual property enforcement. In particular, we have many times experienced, and expect to continue to experience, problems with consumer electronics product manufacturers in emerging economies, such as China, failing to report or underreporting shipments of their products that incorporate our technologies or incorporating our technologies and trademarks into their products without our authorization and without paying us any licensing fees, which adversely affects our operating results. We may also experience difficulties in enforcing our intellectual property rights in these emerging economies, where intellectual property rights are not as respected as they are in the United States, Japan and Europe. We believe that it is critical that we strengthen existing relationships and develop new relationships with entertainment industry participants world-wide to increase our ability to enforce our intellectual property and contractual rights without relying solely on the legal systems in the countries in which we operate. If we are unable to develop, maintain and strengthen these relationships, our revenue from these countries could be adversely affected.

If we fail to develop and deliver innovative technologies in response to changes in the entertainment industry, our business could decline.

The markets for our professional products and the markets for consumer electronics products using our licensed technologies are characterized by rapid change and technological evolution. We will need to expend considerable resources on research and development in the future in order to continue to design and deliver enduring, innovative entertainment products and technologies. Despite our efforts, we may not be able to develop and effectively market new products, technologies and services that adequately or competitively address the needs of the changing marketplace. In addition, we may not correctly identify new or changing market trends at an early enough stage to capitalize on market opportunities. At times such changes can be dramatic, such as the shift from VHS tapes to DVDs for consumer playback of movies in homes and elsewhere. Our future success depends to a great extent on our ability to develop and deliver innovative technologies that are widely adopted in response to changes in the entertainment industry and that are compatible with the technologies or products introduced by other entertainment industry participants.

Our operating results may fluctuate depending upon the timing of when we receive royalty reports from our licensees and of the satisfaction of our revenue recognition criteria.

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate depending upon the timing of when we receive royalty reports from our licensees and of the satisfaction of our revenue recognition criteria. We recognize license revenue only after we receive royalty reports from our licensees regarding the shipment of their products that incorporate our technologies. As a result, the timing of our revenue is dependent upon the timing of our receipt of those reports. In addition, it is not uncommon for royalty reports to include positive or negative corrective or retroactive royalties that cover extended periods of time. Furthermore, there have been times in the past when we have recognized an unusually large amount of licensing revenue from a licensee in a given quarter because not all of our revenue recognition criteria were met in prior periods. This can result in a large amount of licensing revenue from a licensee being recorded in a given quarter that is not necessarily indicative of the amounts of licensing revenue to be received from that licensee in future quarters, thus causing fluctuations in our operating results.

If our products and technologies fail to be adopted as in industry standards, our business prospects could be limited and our operating results could be adversely affected.

The entertainment industry depends upon industry standards to ensure the compatibility of its content across a wide variety of entertainment systems and products. Accordingly, we make significant efforts to design our products and technologies to address capabilities, quality and cost considerations so that they either meet, or, more importantly, are adopted as, industry standards across the broad range of entertainment industry markets in which we participate, as well as the markets in which we hope to compete in the future, including digital cinema. To have our products and technologies adopted as industry standards, we must convince a broad spectrum of professional organizations throughout the world, as well as our major customers and licensees who are members of such organizations, to adopt them as such and to ensure that other industry standards are consistent with our products and technologies. If our technologies are not adopted or do not remain as industry standards, our business, operating results and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. We expect that meeting, maintaining and establishing industry standard technologies will continue to be critical to our business in the future. In addition, the market for broadcast technologies has traditionally been heavily based upon industry standards, often set by governments or other regulatory bodies, and we expect this to continue to be the case in the future. If our technologies are not chosen as industry standards for broadcasting in particular geographic areas, this could adversely affect our ability to compete in these markets.

 

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It may be more difficult for us, in the future, to have our technologies adopted as individual industry standards to the extent that entertainment industry participants collaborate on the development of industry standard technologies.

Increasingly, standards-setting organizations are adopting or establishing technology standards for use in a wide range of consumer electronics products. As a result, it is more difficult for individual companies to have their technologies adopted wholesale as an informal industry standard. We call this type of standard a “de facto” industry standard, meaning that the standard is not explicitly mandated by any industry standards-setting body but is nonetheless widely adopted. In addition, increasingly there are a large number of companies, including ones that typically compete against one another, involved in the development of new technologies for use in consumer entertainment products. As a result, these companies often license their collective intellectual property rights as a group, making it more difficult for any single company to have its technologies adopted widely as a de facto industry standard or to have its technologies adopted as an exclusive, explicit industry standard for consumer electronics products.

Even if our technologies are adopted as an industry standard for a particular market, market participants may not widely adopt our technologies.

Even when our technologies are mandated for a particular market by a standards-setting body, which we call an “explicit” industry standard, our technologies may not be the sole technologies adopted for that market as an industry standard. Accordingly, our operating results depend upon participants in that market choosing to adopt our technologies instead of competitive technologies that also may be acceptable under such standard. For example, the continued growth of our revenue from the broadcast market will depend upon both the continued adoption of digital television generally and the choice to use our technologies where it is an optional industry standard.

Our licensing of industry standard technologies can be subject to limitations that could adversely affect our business and prospects.

When our technologies are adopted as explicit industry standards by a standards-setting body, we generally must agree to license such technologies on a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory basis, which could limit our control over the use of these technologies. In these situations, we must often limit the royalty rates we charge for these technologies, which could adversely affect our gross margins. Furthermore, we may be unable to limit to whom we license such technologies, and may be unable to restrict many terms of the license. From time to time we may be subject to claims that our licenses of our industry standard technologies may not conform to the requirements of the standards-setting body. Private parties have raised this type of issue with us in the past. Allegations such as these could be asserted in private actions seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief, or in regulatory actions. Claimants in such cases could seek to restrict or change our licensing practices or our ability to license our technologies in ways that could injure our reputation and otherwise materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and prospects.

Our relationships with entertainment industry participants are particularly important to our products and services and our technology licensing businesses, and if we fail to maintain such relationships our business could be materially harmed.

If we fail to maintain and expand our relationships with a broad range of participants throughout the entertainment chain, including motion picture studios, broadcasters, video game designers, music producers and manufacturers of consumer electronics products, our business and prospects could be materially harmed. Relationships have historically played an important role in the entertainment industries that we serve, both on the professional and consumer sides of our business. For example, our products and services business is particularly dependent upon our relationships with the major motion picture studios and broadcasters, and our technology licensing business is particularly dependent upon our relationships with consumer electronics product manufacturers, software developers and integrated circuit, or IC, manufacturers. If we fail to maintain and strengthen these relationships, these entertainment industry participants may be more likely not to purchase and use our products, services and technologies, or create content incorporating our technologies, which could materially harm our business and prospects. In addition to directly providing substantially all of our revenue, these relationships are also critical to our ability to have our technologies adopted as industry standards. Moreover, if we fail to maintain our relationships, or if we are not able to develop relationships in new markets in which we intend to compete in the future, including markets for new technologies and expanding geographic markets, such as China, India and other emerging economies, our business, operating results and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, if major industry participants form strategic relationships that exclude us, whether on the products and services side or the licensing side of our business, our business and prospects could be materially adversely affected.

 

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Third parties from whom we license technologies may challenge our calculation of the royalties we owe them for inclusion of their technologies in our products and licensed technologies, which could adversely affect our operating results, business and prospects.

In some cases, primarily in connection with the licensing of our Dolby Digital technologies, the products we sell and the technologies we license to our customers include intellectual property that we have licensed from third parties. Our agreements with these third parties generally require us to pay them royalties for that use, and give the third parties the right to audit our calculation of those royalties. As a result of such an audit, a third party could challenge the accuracy of our calculation. A successful challenge could increase the amount of royalties we have to pay to the third party, decrease our gross margin and adversely affect our operating results. Such a challenge could result in the termination of the license agreement which would impair our ability to continue to use and re-license intellectual property from that third party which, in turn, could adversely affect our business and prospects.

We rely on our licensees to accurately prepare royalty reports in determining our licensing revenue, and if these reports are inaccurate, our operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Our licensing revenue is generated primarily from consumer electronics product manufacturers and software developers who license our technologies and incorporate them in their products. Under our existing arrangements, these licensees typically pay us a specified royalty for every product they ship that incorporates our technologies. We rely on our licensees to accurately report the number of units shipped that incorporate our technologies. We calculate our license fees, prepare our financial reports, projections and budgets, and direct our sales and product development efforts based on these reports we receive from our licensees. However, it is often difficult for us to independently determine whether or not our licensees are reporting shipments accurately. This is especially true with respect to software incorporating our technologies because software can be copied relatively easily and we oftentimes do not have easy ways to determine how many copies have been made. Most of our license agreements permit us to audit our licensees’ records, but audits are generally expensive and time consuming and initiating audits could harm our customer relationships. To the extent that our licensees understate or fail to report the number of products incorporating our technologies that they ship, we will not collect and recognize revenue to which we are entitled, which would adversely affect our operating results. Conversely, to the extent that our licensees overstate the number of products incorporating our technologies, or report the products under the wrong categories, negative corrections could result in reductions of royalty revenue in subsequent periods. In addition, some of our licensees may begin to more closely scrutinize their past or future licensing statements which may result in an increased receipt of negative corrective statements.

Our licensing revenue depends in large part upon semiconductor manufacturers incorporating our technologies into integrated circuits, or ICs, for sale to our electronics product licensees and if, for any reason, our technologies are not incorporated in these ICs or fewer ICs are sold that incorporate our technologies, our operating results would be adversely affected.

Our licensing revenue from consumer electronics product manufacturers depends in large part upon the availability of integrated circuits, or ICs, that implement our technologies. IC manufacturers incorporate our technologies into these ICs, which are then incorporated in consumer electronics products. We do not manufacture these ICs, but rather depend on IC manufacturers to develop, produce and then sell them to licensed consumer electronics product manufacturers. We do not control the IC manufacturers’ decision whether or not to incorporate our technologies into their ICs, and we do not control their product development or commercialization efforts nor predict their success. As a result, if these IC manufacturers are unable or unwilling, for any reason, to implement our technologies into their ICs, or if, for any reason, they sell fewer ICs incorporating our technologies, our operating results will be adversely affected.

Our future success depends, in part, upon the growth of new and existing markets for our technologies and our ability to develop and adapt our technologies for those markets. If such markets fail to grow or we are unable to develop successful products for them, our business prospects could be limited.

We expect that the future growth of our licensing revenue will depend, in part, upon the growth of, and our successful participation in, new opportunities for our technologies, including:

 

    Digital television and radio broadcasting;

 

    HDTV;

 

    Personal computer technology;

 

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    Video game consoles and video games;

 

    Home DVD recording;

 

    In-car entertainment systems;

 

    DVD-Audio;

 

    Personal audio and video players, including Internet music applications;

 

    Broadband Internet;

 

    Mobile devices; and

 

    Connected home.

The development of these markets depends on increased consumer demand for products that contain our technologies, which may not occur. Any failure of such markets to develop or consumer demand to grow would have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. For example, in the PC market, equipment manufacturers and software developers are experiencing pricing pressure and, as a result, they may evaluate whether or not DVD playback software should be built into their base models, which may result in lowered demand for our technology. In another example, only a small number of automobile manufacturers currently offer in-car entertainment systems incorporating our surround sound technologies, and most of those that do, limit those systems only to certain models. Additional manufacturers may not offer surround sound entertainment systems, and, even if they do, the car models on which surround sound may be offered are likely to be, at least initially, limited to the high end of these manufacturers’ lines. Whether our revenue from digital broadcast networks and broadband Internet services increases depends upon the expansion of digital broadcast technologies and broadband Internet as a medium of entertainment, which may not occur. In addition, even when our technologies are adopted as industry standards for a particular market, such market may not fully develop. In such case, our success depends not only on whether our technologies are adopted as industry standards for such market, but also on the development of that market, which may not occur. Demand for our technologies in any of these developing markets may not continue to grow, and a sufficiently broad base of consumers and professionals may not adopt or continue to use these technologies. In addition, our ability to generate revenue from these markets may be limited to the extent that service providers in these markets choose to provide certain technologies and entertainment for little or no cost, such as many of the services provided in connection with broadband Internet services. Moreover, some of these markets are ones in which we have not previously participated and, because of our limited experience, we may not be able to adequately adapt our business and our technologies to the needs of customers in these fields.

If we do not identify opportunities and successfully execute our initiatives to participate in the emerging digital cinema market, our future prospects could be limited and our business could be adversely affected.

The cinema industry is in the early stages of the adoption of digital cinema for the distribution and exhibition of movies. Industry participants are discussing various business models to facilitate adoption of digital cinema by allocating the costs among industry participants, but no arrangements have yet emerged as definitive business models that will result in significant installations of digital cinema systems. If we do not identify, and successfully execute on, the business models that result in generating revenues from our digital cinema products and services, our future prospects in this market will be limited and our business could be adversely affected. Participating in some of the models under discussion may require us to depart from our traditional model of selling our professional products pursuant to one-time contracts, and could expose us to various risks we have not faced in the past. Furthermore, some of these models could cause our product sales and services margins to decline. For example, in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, we entered into a collaboration agreement with Walt Disney Pictures and Television to deploy digital cinema systems in selected theatres throughout the U.S. In connection with this deployment, we incurred charges of approximately $8.1 million of which the majority was recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 and the first quarter of fiscal 2006. We may incur charges for digital cinema system deployments in the future.

If the market for digital cinema does not develop, our future prospects could be limited and our business could be adversely affected.

The conversion of movie theatres from film to digital cinema will require significant expenditures, and we cannot predict how quickly digital cinema will become widely adopted, if at all. At present only a limited number of movie theatres have been converted to digital cinema and we expect the conversion of theatres to digital cinema

 

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technologies, if it occurs, to be a long-term process due to both technological and financial obstacles. Depending on the business models that emerge, digital cinema may require a significant investment per screen by cinema operators. If the market for digital cinema fails to develop, or develops more slowly than expected, or if there is significant and sustained resistance by the motion picture industry or cinema operators to this technology or the cost of implementation, we may not realize significant returns on our investment in this area, which could adversely affect our operating results. In addition, because the conversion from film-based to digital cinema is in the early stages, it is impossible to predict accurately how the roles and allocation of costs among various industry participants may develop, if or how quickly digital cinema will be adopted and what, if any, industry standards may be adopted. In addition, if a large number of cinema owners decide to convert their theatres to digital cinema over a relatively short period of time and our products are selected for these conversions, we may see an initial increase in professional product sales that will not likely be sustained over time.

If our products and services in the market for digital cinema are not competitive, our future prospects could be limited and our business could be adversely affected.

Even if the market for digital cinema develops, we may not be successful in selling our products, technologies and services in this market, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. Our effort with respect to digital cinema is one of the areas where we are expanding our business beyond sound technology. As a result, our relative lack of experience in this area may harm our ability to compete successfully. A number of competitors and potential competitors, including Avica, Doremi, EVS, GDC, Kodak, NEC, QuVis and Sony, are developing similar or alternative solutions for digital cinema, some of which may provide cost or technological advantages over our products, technologies and services. In addition, our products, technologies and services may not be compatible with the products and technologies developed by other companies for digital cinema. Moreover, it is possible that we will be selling components or technologies that will be incorporated into products sold by other companies, which would be a departure from our traditional business of manufacturing our own professional products and could limit our ability to control the distribution and use of our professional products. In addition, we are building components of the digital cinema delivery solution that are not solely related to sound and we do not have a long track record of providing these types of products, which may adversely affect our ability to compete in the digital cinema market. Our competitors may develop entire system solutions for digital cinema, which could make the technologies that we develop for incorporation in digital cinema systems unnecessary. In addition, we expect that our digital cinema products, technologies and services may not be priced as low as those of our competitors, which may make it more difficult for us to compete or have our products and technologies become widely adopted.

If our digital cinema initiatives do not perform to expectations, our reputation may suffer and demand for our digital cinema products and services may not develop.

As we participate in digital cinema initiatives, if we or our equipment does not perform to expectations, our relationships with cinema industry participants may be adversely affected and our reputation may suffer, affecting the demand for our digital cinema products and services. Any negative publicity or negative impact relating to problems with our digital cinema initiatives could adversely affect the perception of our brand. Additionally, our current digital cinema products need to be upgraded to meet recommendations issued by the major studios for digital cinema. If we are unable successfully to engineer our products to meet these specifications, our ability to participate in the digital cinema market will be adversely affected.

If the sale of consumer electronics products incorporating our technologies does not grow in emerging markets, our ability to increase our licensing revenue may be limited.

We also expect that growth in our licensing revenue will depend, in part, upon the growth of sales of consumer electronics products incorporating our technologies in emerging economies, as consumers in these markets have more disposable income and are increasingly purchasing entertainment products with surround sound capabilities. However, if our licensing revenue from the use of our technologies in these new markets or geographic areas does not expand, our prospects could be adversely affected.

We face significant competition in various markets, and if we are unable to compete successfully, our business will suffer.

The markets for entertainment industry technologies are highly competitive, and we face competitive threats and pricing pressure in our markets. Competitors on the professional side of our business include Avica, DTS, Doremi, EVS, GDC, Kodak, Microsoft, NEC, Panastereo, QuVis, Sony and UltraStereo. Competitors on the consumer side of our business include Coding Technologies, DTS, Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits, Philips, Microsoft, RealNetworks, Sony, SRS Labs and Thomson. In addition, other companies may become competitors in the future. The quality of sound produced by some of our competitors’ technologies may be perceived by some people as

 

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equivalent or superior to that produced by ours. In addition, some of our current and/or future competitors may have significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do, or may have more experience or advantages in the markets in which they compete. For example, Microsoft and RealNetworks may have an advantage over us in the market for Internet technologies because of their greater experience and presence in that market. In addition, some of our current or potential competitors, such as Microsoft and RealNetworks, may be able to offer integrated system solutions in certain markets for sound or non-sound entertainment technologies, including audio, video and rights management technologies related to personal computers or the Internet, which could make competing technologies that we develop unnecessary. By offering an integrated system solution, these potential competitors also may be able to offer competing technologies at lower prices than our technologies, which could adversely affect our operating results. Further, many of the consumer electronics products that include our sound technologies also include sound technologies developed by our competitors. As a result, we must continue to invest significant resources in research and development in order to enhance our technologies and our existing products and services and introduce new high-quality products and services to meet the wide variety of such competitive pressures. Our business will suffer if we fail to do so successfully.

Some of our customers are also our current or potential competitors, and if those customers were to choose to use their competing technologies rather than ours, our business and operating results would be adversely affected.

We face competitive risks in situations where our customers are also current or potential competitors. For example, Sony is a significant licensee customer and is a significant purchaser of our professional products and production services, but Sony is also a competitor with respect to some of our professional and consumer technologies. To the extent that our customers choose to utilize competing technologies they have developed or in which they have an interest, rather than use our technologies, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

Pricing pressures on the electronics product manufacturers who incorporate our technologies into their products could limit the licensing fees we charge for our technologies, which could adversely affect our revenues.

The markets for the consumer electronics products in which our technologies are incorporated are intensely competitive and price sensitive. Retail prices for consumer electronics products that include our sound technology, such as DVD players and home theatre systems, have decreased significantly, and we expect prices to continue to decrease for the foreseeable future. In response, manufacturers have sought to reduce their product costs, which can result in downward pressure on the licensing fees we charge our customers who incorporate our technologies into the consumer electronics products that they sell. A decline in the licensing fees we charge could materially and adversely affect our operating results.

Surround sound technologies could be treated as a commodity in the future, which could adversely affect our business, operating results and prospects.

We believe that the success we have had licensing our surround sound technologies to consumer electronics product manufacturers is due, in part, to the strength of our brand and the perception that our technologies provide a high-quality solution for surround sound. However, as applications that incorporate surround sound technologies become increasingly prevalent, we expect more competitors to enter this field with other solutions. Furthermore, to the extent that competitors’ solutions are perceived, accurately or not, to provide the same advantages as our technologies, at a lower or comparable price, there is a risk that sound encoding technologies such as ours will be treated as commodities, resulting in loss of status of our technologies, decline in their use, and significant pricing pressure. To the extent that our audio technologies become a commodity, rather than a premium solution, our business, operating results and prospects could be adversely affected.

We have limited or no patent protection for our technologies in certain countries, including China and India, which could limit our ability to grow our business in these markets.

We have relatively few or no issued patents in certain countries, including China and India. For example, in China we have only limited patent protection, especially with respect to our Dolby Digital technologies. In India, we have no issued patents. As such, growing our licensing revenue in these emerging countries will depend on our ability to obtain patent rights in these counties for existing and new technologies, which is uncertain. Moreover, because of the limitations of the legal systems in many of these countries, the effectiveness of patents obtained or that may in the future be obtained, if any, is likewise uncertain.

 

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We face diverse risks in our international business, which could adversely affect our operating results.

We are dependent on international sales for a substantial amount of our total revenue. For fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, our sales outside the United States were 60%, 59% and 61%, respectively, of our professional products and production services revenue, and royalties from licensees outside the United States were 80%, 80% and 76%, respectively, of our licensing revenue. We expect that international and export sales will continue to represent a substantial portion of our revenue for the foreseeable future. This future revenue will depend to a large extent on the continued use and expansion of our technologies in entertainment industries worldwide. Increased worldwide use of our technologies is also an important factor in our future growth.

Due to our reliance on sales to customers outside the United States, we are subject to the risks of conducting business internationally, including:

 

    Our ability to enforce our contractual and intellectual property rights, especially in those foreign countries that do not respect and protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the United States, Japan and European countries, which increases the risk of unauthorized, and uncompensated, use of our technology;

 

    United States and foreign government trade restrictions, including those which may impose restrictions on importation of programming, technology or components to or from the United States;

 

    Foreign government taxes, regulations and permit requirements, including foreign taxes that we may not be able to offset against taxes imposed upon us in the United States, and foreign tax and other laws limiting our ability to repatriate funds to the United States;

 

    Foreign labor laws, regulations and restrictions;

 

    Changes in diplomatic and trade relationships;

 

    Difficulty in staffing and managing foreign operations;

 

    Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, including risks related to any interest rate swap or other hedging activities we undertake;

 

    Political instability, natural disasters, war or events of terrorism; and

 

    The strength of international economies.

The licensing of patents constitutes a significant source of our revenue. If we are unable to replace expiring patents with new patents or proprietary technologies, our revenue could decline.

We hold patents covering much of the technology that we license to consumer electronics product manufacturers, and our licensing revenue is tied in large part to the life of those patents. Our right to receive royalties related to our patents terminates with the expiration of the last patent covering the relevant technologies. However, many of our licensees choose to continue to pay royalties for continued use of our trademarks and know-how even after the licensed patents have expired, although at a reduced royalty rate. Accordingly, to the extent that we do not continue to replace licensing revenue from technologies covered by expiring patents with licensing revenue based on new patents and proprietary technologies, our revenue could decline.

As of June 30, 2006, we had over 940 individual issued patents and over 1,500 pending patent applications in nearly 35 jurisdictions throughout the world. Our issued patents are scheduled to expire at various times through February 2025. Of these, 23 patents are scheduled to expire in calendar year 2006, 52 patents are scheduled to expire in calendar year 2007 and 21 patents are scheduled to expire in calendar year 2008. We derive our licensing revenue principally from our Dolby Digital technologies. Patents relating to our Dolby Digital technologies generally expire between 2008 and 2017, and patents relating to our Dolby Digital Plus technologies, an extension of Dolby Digital, expire between 2019 and 2020. In addition, the remaining patents relating to Dolby Digital Live technologies, an extension of Dolby Digital, are scheduled to expire in 2021.

 

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We are, and may in the future be, subject to intellectual property rights claims, which are costly to defend, could require us to pay damages and could limit our ability to use certain technologies in the future.

Companies in the technology and entertainment industries own large numbers of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets and frequently enter into litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights. We have faced such claims in the past and we expect to face similar claims in the future. For example, Lucent has asserted that we infringe certain patents held by them, prompting us to file a complaint for declaratory judgment of non-infringement and/or invalidity of such Lucent patents. These patents generally involve a process and means for encoding and decoding audio signals. Lucent contended that products incorporating our AC-3 technology infringe those patents. The U.S. District Court of Northern District of California recently granted our motions for summary judgment that we have not infringed the Lucent patents at issue and have not contributed to or induced infringement by others. In light of the court’s finding of non-infringement, it dismissed our claims that the Lucent patents are invalid. Lucent appealed the court’s ruling granting summary judgment of non-infringement to the United States Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. An adverse ruling for us on appeal and a subsequent determination against us in the Lucent litigation could materially impact our technology licensing business, which may seriously harm our financial condition and results of operations.

Any intellectual property claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming, expensive to litigate or settle and could divert management resources and attention. In the past we have settled claims relating to infringement allegations and agreed to make payments in connection with such settlements. We expect that similar claims will be asserted against us in the future in the ordinary course of our business. For example, in December 2005, we received notice that an action had been filed against us alleging that our Dolby Virtual Speaker technology infringes certain U.S. patents held by Cooper Bauck Corp. An adverse determination in any intellectual property claim could require that we pay damages or stop using technologies found to be in violation of a third party’s rights and could prevent us from offering our products and services to others. In order to avoid these restrictions, we may have to seek a license for the technology. This license may not be available on reasonable terms, could require us to pay significant royalties and may significantly increase our operating expenses. The technologies also may not be available for license to us at all. As a result, we may be required to develop alternative non-infringing technologies, which could require significant effort and expense. If we cannot license or develop technologies for any infringing aspects of our business, we may be forced to limit our product and service offerings and may be unable to compete effectively. In addition, at times in the past, we have chosen to defend our licensees from third-party intellectual property infringement claims even where such defense was not contractually required, and we may choose to take on such defense in the future. Any of these results could harm our brand, our operating results and our financial condition. In addition, from time to time we are engaged in disputes regarding the licensing of our intellectual property rights, including matters related to our royalty rates and other terms of our licensing arrangements. These types of disputes can be asserted by our customers or prospective customers or by other third parties as part of negotiations with us or in private actions seeking monetary damages or injunctive relief, or in regulatory actions. In the past, licensees have threatened to initiate litigation against us regarding our licensing royalty rate practices, including potential antitrust claims. Damages and requests for injunctive relief asserted in claims like these could be material, and could have a significant impact on our business. Any disputes with our customers or potential customers or other third parties could adversely affect our business, results of operations and prospects.

Licensing some of our technologies in “patent pools” is a different business model for us, and we may face many challenges in conducting this business.

In fiscal 2002, we began licensing some of our patents through our wholly-owned subsidiary Via Licensing Corporation in “patent pools” with other companies in an effort to ensure that our technologies are compatible with other technologies in the entertainment industry and to promote our technologies as industry standards. These patent pools allow product manufacturers streamlined access to certain foundational technologies and are comprised of a group of patents held by a number of companies, including us in some cases, and administered by Via Licensing. This is a different business model for us and we cannot predict all of the challenges we may face or whether we will be successful. For instance, Via Licensing licenses patents in areas such as wireless markets in which we have not competed previously. As a result, our control over the license of our technologies from these patent pools may be limited as compared to our traditional business model in which we license our patents as bundles of technologies and interact directly with our customers. In addition, our control over the application and quality control of our technologies that are included in these pools may be limited.

Our ability to develop proprietary technology in markets in which “open standards” are adopted may be limited, which could adversely affect our ability to generate revenue.

Standards-setting bodies, such as those for digital cinema technologies, may require the use of so-called “open standards,” meaning that the technologies necessary to meet those standards are freely available without the payment of a licensing fee or royalty. The use of open standards may reduce our opportunity to generate revenue, as open standards technologies are based upon non-proprietary technology platforms in which no one company maintains ownership over the dominant technologies.

 

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Events and conditions in the motion picture industry may affect sales of our professional products and production services.

Sales of our professional products and production services tend to fluctuate based on the underlying trends in the motion picture industry. For example, when box office receipts for the motion picture industry increase, we have typically seen sales of our professional products increase as well, as cinema owners are more likely to build new theatres and upgrade existing theatres with our more advanced cinema products when they are doing well financially. Conversely, when box office receipts are down cinema owners tend to scale back on plans to upgrade their systems or build new theatres. Our professional product sales are also subject to fluctuations based on events and conditions in the theatre industry generally that may or may not be tied to box office receipts in particular periods. In fiscal 2005 changes within the U.S. cinema industry, including recent restructuring and consolidations, appears to have delayed purchasing decisions by exhibitors. To a lesser extent, the sale of our professional products is influenced by the launch of new digital services by broadcasters. On the other hand, our production services revenue, both in the United States and internationally, is tied to the number of films being made by studios and independent filmmakers. The number of films that are produced can be affected by a number of factors, including strikes and work stoppages within the motion picture industry, as well as by the tax incentive arrangements that many foreign governments provide filmmakers to promote local filmmaking.

We may be unable to significantly expand our current professional product sales in the cinema industry because our professional products are already used by the vast majority of major cinema operators and major motion picture studios in the United States and much of the rest of the world. If the cinema industry does not expand, or if it contracts, the demand for our professional products will be adversely affected.

Our ability to further penetrate the market for motion picture sound technologies is limited because of the widespread use of our current professional products by major motion picture content creators, distributors and cinema operators. As a result, our future revenue from our professional products for the cinema industry will depend, in part, upon events and conditions in that industry—specifically, the continued production and distribution of motion pictures, and the construction of new theatres and the renovation of existing theatres, using our products and services. For example, in the late 1990s cinema operators in the United States built a large number of new cinema megaplexes. This initially resulted in increased sales of our cinema processors, but also resulted in an oversupply of screens in some markets. This oversupply led to significant declines in new theatre construction in the United States in the early 2000s, resulting in a corresponding decline in sales of our cinema processors. As a result, future growth in sales of our existing cinema products may be limited, and may decrease in the future, as the number of new cinemas being built and the number of existing cinemas without our products continues to decline.

The piracy of motion pictures could adversely affect the motion picture industry and therefore our operating results.

The construction of new screens and the renovation of existing theatres, as well as the continued production of new motion pictures, are also adversely impacted by the growth in piracy of motion pictures. Technological advances and the conversion of motion pictures into digital formats have made it easier to create, transmit and “share” high-quality unauthorized copies of motion pictures, including on pirated DVDs and on the Internet. If cinema operators decide to close a significant number of screens in the future or cut their capital spending as a result of piracy, demand for our playback systems and cinema processors will decline, which could negatively impact our operating results.

The demand for our current professional products and production services could decline if the film industry broadly adopts digital cinema.

If the film industry broadly adopts digital cinema, the demand for our current professional products and production services could decline. Such a decline in our products and services business could also adversely affect our technology licensing business, because the strength of our brand and our ability to use professional developments to advance our consumer licensing technologies would be impaired. If, in such circumstances, we are unable to adapt our professional products and production services or introduce new products for the market for digital cinema successfully, our business could be materially adversely affected.

 

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If we are unable to expand our business into non-sound technologies, our future growth could be limited.

Our future growth will depend, in part, upon our expansion into areas beyond sound technologies. For example, in addition to our digital cinema initiative, we are exploring other areas that facilitate delivery of digital entertainment, such as technologies for processing digital moving images and content protection. We will need to spend considerable resources on research and development in the future in order to deliver innovative non-sound technologies. However, we have limited experience in these markets and, despite our efforts, we cannot predict

whether we will be successful in developing and marketing non-sound products, technologies and services. In addition, many of these markets are relatively new and may not develop as we currently anticipate. Moreover, although we believe that many of the technological advances we may develop for digital cinema may have applicability in other areas, such as broadcasting or consumer electronics products, we may not ever be able to achieve these anticipated benefits in these other markets. A number of competitors and potential competitors may develop non-sound technologies similar to those that we develop, some of which may provide advantages over our products, technologies and services. Some of these competitors have much greater experience and expertise in the non-sound fields we may enter. The non-sound products, technologies and services we expect to market may not achieve or sustain market acceptance, may not meet the needs of the movie industry, and may not be accepted as industry standards. If we are unsuccessful in selling non-sound products, technologies and services, the future growth of our business may be limited. In addition, our efforts to enter or strengthen our positions in non-sound markets may be tied to the success of specific programs.

Fluctuations in our quarterly and annual operating results may adversely affect the value of our stock.

A number of factors, many of which are outside our control, may cause or contribute to significant fluctuations in our quarterly and annual revenue and operating results. These fluctuations may make financial planning and forecasting more difficult. In addition, these fluctuations may result in unanticipated decreases in our available cash, which could negatively impact our business and prospects. As discussed more fully below, these fluctuations also could increase the volatility of our stock price. Factors that may cause or contribute to fluctuations in our operating results and revenue include:

 

    Fluctuations in demand for our products and for the consumer electronics products of our licensees;

 

    Fluctuations in the timing of royalty reports we receive from our licensees, including late, sporadic or inaccurate reports;

 

    Sporadic payments we may be able to recover from companies utilizing our technologies without licenses;

 

    Corrections to licensees’ reports received in periods subsequent to those in which the original revenue was reported;

 

    Introduction or enhancement of products, services and technologies by us, our licensees and our competitors, and market acceptance of these new or enhanced products, services and technologies;

 

    Rapid, wholesale changes in technology in the entertainment industries in which we compete;

 

    Events and conditions in the motion picture industry, including box office receipts that affect the number of theatres constructed and the number of movies produced and exhibited the popularity of motion pictures generally and strikes by motion picture industry participants;

 

    The financial resources of cinema operators available to buy our products or to equip their theatres to accommodate upgraded or new technologies;

 

    Consolidation by participants in the markets in which we compete, which could result among other things in pricing pressure;

 

    The amount and timing of our operating costs and capital expenditures, including those related to the expansion of our business, operations and infrastructure;

 

    Variations in the time-to-market of our technologies in the entertainment industries in which we operate;

 

    Seasonal electronics product shipment patterns by our consumer electronics product licensees and seasonal product purchasing patterns by customers of our professional products;

 

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    The impact of, and our ability to react to, interruptions in the entertainment distribution chain, including as a result of work stoppages at our facilities, our customers’ facilities and other points throughout the entertainment distribution chain;

 

    Changes in business cycles that affect the markets in which we sell our products and services or the markets for consumer electronics products incorporating our technologies;

 

    Adverse outcomes of litigation or governmental proceedings, including any foreign, federal, state or local tax assessments or audits;

 

    Costs of litigation and intellectual property protection; and

 

    Seasonal demand for production services in the motion picture industry, which could result in reduced revenue.

One or more of the foregoing or other factors may cause our operating expenses to be disproportionately higher or lower or may cause our revenue and operating results to fluctuate significantly in any particular quarterly or annual period. Results from prior periods are thus not necessarily indicative of the results of future periods.

The loss of or interruption in operations of one or more of our key suppliers could materially delay or stop the production of our professional products and impair our ability to generate revenue.

Our reliance on outside suppliers for some of the key materials and components we use in manufacturing our professional products involves risks, including limited control over the price, timely delivery and quality of such components. We have no agreements with our suppliers to ensure continued supply of materials and components. Although we have identified alternate suppliers for most of our key materials and components, any required changes in our suppliers could cause material delays in our production operations and increase our production costs. In addition, our suppliers may not be able to meet our future production demands as to volume, quality or timeliness. Moreover, we rely on sole source suppliers for some of the components that we use to manufacture our professional products, including certain charged coupled devices, light emitting diodes and digital signal processors. These sole source suppliers may become unable or unwilling to deliver these components to us at an acceptable cost or at all, which could force us to redesign certain of our products. Our inability to obtain timely delivery of key components of acceptable quality, any significant increases in the prices of components, or the redesign of our professional products could result in material production delays, increased costs and reductions in shipments of our products, any of which could increase our operating costs, harm our customer relationships or materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.

Revenue from our professional products may suffer if our production processes encounter problems or if we are not able to match our production capacity to fluctuating levels of demand.

Our professional products are highly complex, and production difficulties or inefficiencies can interrupt production, resulting in our inability to deliver products on time in a cost effective manner, which could harm our competitive position. If production is interrupted at one of our two manufacturing facilities, we may not be able to shift production to the other facility on a timely basis, and customers may purchase products from our competitors. A shortage of manufacturing capacity for our professional products could adversely affect our operating results and damage our customer relationships. We generally cannot quickly adapt our manufacturing capacity to rapidly changing market conditions. Likewise, we may be unable to respond to fluctuations in customer demand. At times we under utilize our manufacturing facilities as a result of reduced demand for some of our professional products. Any inability to respond to fluctuations in customer demand for our professional products may adversely affect our gross margins.

Our professional products, from time to time, experience quality problems that can result in decreased sales and higher operating expenses.

Our professional products are complex and sometimes contain undetected software or hardware errors, particularly when first introduced or when new versions are released. In addition, our professional products are sometimes combined with or incorporated into products from other vendors, sometimes making it difficult to identify the source of a problem. These errors could result in a loss of or delay in market acceptance of our professional products or cause delays in delivering them and meeting customer demands, any of which could reduce our revenue and raise significant customer relations issues. In addition, if our professional products contain errors we could be required to replace or reengineer them, which would increase our costs. Moreover, if any such errors

 

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cause unintended consequences, we could face claims for product liability. Although we generally attempt to contractually limit liability for defective products to the cost of repairing or replacing these products, if these contract provisions are not enforced, or are unenforceable for any reason, or if liabilities arise that are not effectively limited, we could incur substantial costs in defending and settling product liability claims.

Licensee products that incorporate our technologies, from time to time, experience quality problems that could damage our brand, decrease revenues and increase operating expenses.

Licensee products that incorporate our technologies often are complex and sometimes contain undetected software or hardware errors, particularly when first introduced or when new versions are released. In addition, those products are often combined with, or incorporated into, products from other companies, sometimes making it difficult to identify the source of a problem. Any negative publicity or negative impact relating to these product problems could adversely affect the perception of our brand. In addition, these errors could result in loss of, or delay in, market acceptance of those products or Dolby technologies, or cause delays in delivering them and meeting customer demands, any of which could reduce our revenue and raise significant customer relations issues. Although we generally attempt to contractually limit our liability for our licensees’ defective products, we may elect to help reengineer those products, which could adversely affect our operating results.

A loss of one or more of our key customers or licensees in any of our markets could adversely affect our operating results.

From time to time, one or a small number of our customers or licensees may represent a significant percentage of our professional products and services or licensing revenue. Although we have agreements with many of these customers, these agreements typically do not require any minimum purchases or minimum royalty fees and do not prohibit customers from purchasing products and services from competitors. A decision by any of our major customers or licensees not to use our technologies, or their failure or inability to pay amounts owed to us in a timely manner, or at all, whether due to strategic redirections or adverse changes in their businesses or for other reasons, could have a significant effect on our operating results.

We are subject to various environmental laws and regulations that could impose substantial costs upon us and may adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Some of our operations use substances regulated under various federal, state, local and international laws governing the environment, including those governing the discharge of pollutants into the air and water, the management, disposal and labeling of hazardous substances and wastes and the cleanup of contaminated sites. We could incur costs, fines and civil or criminal sanctions, third-party property damage or personal injury claims, or could be required to incur substantial investigation or remediation costs, if we were to violate or become liable under environmental laws. Liability under environmental laws can be joint and several and without regard to comparative fault. The ultimate costs under environmental laws and the timing of these costs are difficult to predict.

We also face increasing complexity in our product design as we adjust to new and future requirements relating to the materials composition of our products, including the restrictions on lead and other hazardous substances that apply to specified electronic products put on the market in the European Union as of July 1, 2006 (Restriction on the Use of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC, also known as the “RoHS Directive”) and similar legislation proposed for China. We have redesigned our products regulated under the RoHS Directive in order to be able to continue to offer them for sale within the European Union.

For some products, substituting certain components containing regulated hazardous substances is more difficult or costly, and additional redesign efforts could result in production delays. Certain electronic products that we maintain in inventory may be rendered obsolete if not in compliance with the RoHS Directive, which could negatively impact our ability to generate revenue from those products. We could also face significant costs and liabilities in connection with product take-back legislation. The European Union Directive 2002/96/EC as amended by 2003/108/EC (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive also known as the “WEEE Directive”) requires producers of certain electrical and electronic equipment, including broadcast equipment, to be financially responsible for specified collection, recycling, treatment and disposal of past and future covered products. As of July 2006, not all member states within the EU have enacted enabling legislation under the WEEE Directive, and in the absence of such legislation, it is difficult to determine the costs to comply with the WEEE Directive.

Similar product content and take-back legislation may be enacted in other countries, such as China, and the United States, the cumulative impact of which could significantly increase our operating costs and adversely affect our operating results. We also expect that our operations, whether manufacturing or licensing, will be affected by other new environmental laws and regulations on an ongoing basis. Although we cannot predict the ultimate impact of any such new laws and regulations, they will likely result in additional costs or decreased revenue, and could require that we redesign or change how we manufacture our products, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

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Any inability to protect our intellectual property rights could reduce the value of our products, services and brand.

Our business is dependent upon our patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and other intellectual property rights. We derived 73%, 73% and 75% of our total revenue from licensing revenue in the fiscal years 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. Effective intellectual property rights protection, however, may not be available under the laws of every country in which our products and services and those of our licensees are distributed. Also, the efforts we have taken to protect our proprietary rights may not be sufficient or effective. Any significant impairment of our intellectual property rights could harm our business or our ability to compete. In addition, protecting our intellectual property rights is costly and time consuming. We have taken steps in the past to enforce our intellectual property rights and expect to continue to do so in the future. However, it may not be practicable or cost effective for us to enforce our intellectual property rights fully, particularly in certain countries or where the initiation of a claim might harm our business relationships. For example, we have many times experienced, and expect to continue to experience, problems with consumer electronics product manufacturers incorporating our technologies into their products without our authorization. Recently, the industry has experienced a movement by discount retailers towards lower-end DVD players thereby decreasing the number of processors on which we earn licensing revenue. As a result of this movement, manufacturing of these lower-end DVD players appears to be growing in emerging economies, which we believe will pose challenges in royalty collection and intellectual property enforcement. If we are unable to successfully identify and stop unauthorized use of our intellectual property, we could experience increased operational and enforcement costs, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. We generally seek patent protection for our innovations. It is possible, however, that some of these innovations may not be protectable. In addition, given the costs of obtaining patent protection, we may choose not to protect certain innovations that later turn out to be important. Moreover, we have limited or no patent protection in certain foreign jurisdictions. For example, in China we have only limited patent protection, especially with respect to our Dolby Digital technologies, and in India we have no issued patents. Furthermore, there is always the possibility, despite our efforts, that the scope of the protection gained will be insufficient or that an issued patent may later be found to be invalid or unenforceable. Moreover, we seek to maintain certain intellectual property as trade secrets. These trade secrets could be compromised by third parties, or intentionally or accidentally by our employees, which would cause us to lose the competitive advantage resulting from them.

It is possible that we may be treated as a personal holding company, which could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

The Internal Revenue Service may assert that we or any of our subsidiaries are currently, or previously have been, liable for personal holding company tax, plus interest and penalties, if applicable. In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be liable for personal holding company tax in the future. For United States federal income tax purposes, a corporation is generally considered to be a “personal holding company” under the United States Internal Revenue Code if (i) at any time during the last half of its taxable year more than 50% of its stock by value is owned, directly or indirectly, by virtue of the application of certain stock ownership attribution rules set forth in the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of applying the personal holding company rules, by five or fewer individuals and (ii) at least 60% of its adjusted ordinary gross income, as defined for United States federal income tax purposes, is “personal holding company income.” Personal holding company income is generally passive income, including royalty income, subject to certain exceptions such as qualifying software royalties. A personal holding company is subject to an additional tax on its undistributed after-tax income, calculated at the statutory tax rate, which is currently 15%. Since the personal holding company tax is imposed only on undistributed income, a personal holding company can avoid or mitigate liability for the tax, but not interest or penalties, by paying a dividend to its stockholders.

More than 50% of the value of our stock is held by Ray Dolby and stockholders considered affiliated with him pursuant to the stock ownership attribution rules applicable to personal holding companies. We expect this will continue to be the case in the foreseeable future. In addition, a significant portion of our income is from licensing fees, which may constitute personal holding company income. Currently, however, less than 60% of Dolby Laboratories’ adjusted ordinary gross income is personal holding company income.

However, the Internal Revenue Service may assert that we or one of our subsidiaries are currently, or previously have been, liable for personal holding company tax, plus interest and penalties, if applicable. In addition, we or our subsidiaries may be liable for personal holding company tax in the future. The treatment of certain items of our income and the income of our subsidiaries, for purposes of the personal holding company tax, may be subject to

 

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challenge. In the event that we or any of our subsidiaries is determined to be a personal holding company, or for prior taxable years, to have been a personal holding company, we or our subsidiary could be liable for additional taxes, and possibly interest and penalties, based on the undistributed income and the tax rate in effect at that time, but only if we or our subsidiary, as the case may be, decides not to fully abate the tax by the payment of a dividend, although such a dividend will not eliminate interest and penalties. In addition, we believe that there exists a meaningful risk that in the relatively near future the mix of our revenue will change so that more of our adjusted ordinary gross income may be classified as personal holding company income. In such event, it is possible that we or one of our subsidiaries could become liable for the personal holding company tax, assuming the ownership test continues to be met. In that case, we or our subsidiary, as the case may be, may be required to pay additional tax in the event we or the subsidiary decides not to fully abate the tax by the payment of a dividend. Because no claim or assessment has been made against us with respect to personal holding company taxes, we are unable to quantify the amount of any additional taxes, and possibly interest and penalties, for which we may be liable in the future for past periods or the amount of the dividend that we may pay to abate the tax. Furthermore, we are unable to quantify the amount of personal holding company tax that we may be liable for or the dividend that we may elect to pay for future periods as such amounts, if any, would be based upon the application of the rules discussed above to the results of our future operations. We have explored options to reduce our exposure and the exposure of our subsidiaries to the personal holding company tax in the future, as well as continue to actively monitor our current exposure.

If we or any of our subsidiaries were to pay personal holding company tax (and possibly interest and penalties), this could significantly increase our consolidated tax expense and adversely affect our operating results. In addition, if the statutory tax rate increases in the future, the amount of any personal holding company tax we or any of our subsidiaries may have to pay could increase significantly, further impairing our operating results. In that regard, the statutory tax rate, which is currently 15%, is scheduled to return to ordinary income tax rate levels for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2009. If we are deemed to be a personal holding company and, instead of paying the personal holding company tax, we elect to pay a dividend to our stockholders in an amount equal to all or a significant part of our undistributed personal holding company income, we may consume a significant amount of cash resources and be unable to retain or generate working capital. This would adversely affect our financial condition. As a result, if we pay such a dividend, we may decide to seek additional financing, although that financing may not be available to us when and as required on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

Failure to comply with applicable current and future government regulations could have a negative effect on our business.

Our operations and business practices are subject to federal, state and local government laws and regulations, as well as international laws and regulations, including those relating to consumer and other safety-related compliance for electronic equipment, as well as compulsory license requirements as a prerequisite to being included as part of the industry standards, such as the United States HDTV standard. Any failure by us to comply with the laws and regulations applicable to us or our products could result in our inability to sell those products, additional costs to redesign products to meet such laws and regulations, fines or other administrative actions by the agencies charged with enforcing compliance and, possibly, damages awarded to persons claiming injury as the result of our non-compliance. Changes in or enactment of new statutes, rules or regulations applicable to us could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Acquisitions could result in operating difficulties, dilution to our stockholders and other harmful consequences.

We have evaluated, and expect to continue to evaluate, a wide array of possible strategic transactions, including acquisitions. For example, we consider these types of transactions in connection with our efforts to expand our business beyond sound technologies, such as in digital cinema and other technologies related to the delivery of digital entertainment. Although we cannot predict whether or not we will complete any such acquisition or other transactions in the future, any of these transactions could be material in relation to our financial condition and results of operations. The process of integrating an acquired company, business or technology may create unforeseen difficulties and expenditures. The areas where we may face risks include:

 

    Diversion of management time and focus from operating our business to acquisition integration challenges;

 

    Cultural challenges associated with integrating employees from acquired businesses into our organization;

 

    Retaining employees from businesses we acquire;

 

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    The need to implement or improve internal controls, procedures and policies appropriate for a public company at businesses that prior to the acquisition lacked these controls, procedures and policies;

 

    Possible write-offs or impairment charges resulting from acquisitions;

 

    Unanticipated or unknown liabilities relating to acquired businesses; and

 

    The need to integrate acquired businesses’ accounting, management information, manufacturing, human resources and other administrative systems to permit effective management.

Foreign acquisitions involve unique risks in addition to those mentioned above, including those related to integration of operations across different geographies, cultures and languages, currency risks and risks associated with the particular economic, political and regulatory environment in specific countries. Also, the anticipated benefit of our acquisitions may not materialize. Future acquisitions could result in potentially dilutive issuances of our equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or amortization expenses, or write-offs of goodwill, any of which could harm our operating results or financial condition. Future acquisitions may also require us to obtain additional equity or debt financing, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all.

The loss of members of our management team could substantially disrupt our business operations.

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued individual and collective contributions of our management team. A limited number of individuals have primary responsibility for managing our business, including our relationships with key customers and licensees. We have key executives and senior technical people who have been with us for a number of years, including over 150 employees who have been with us for over 10 years. These individuals, as well as the rest of our management team and key employees, are at-will employees, and we do not maintain any key-person life insurance policies. Losing the services of any key member of our team, whether from retirement, competing offers or other causes, could prevent us from executing our business strategy, cause us to lose key customer or licensee relationships, or otherwise materially affect our operations.

We rely on highly skilled personnel, and if we are unable to retain or motivate key personnel or hire qualified personnel, we may not be able to maintain our operations or grow effectively.

Our performance is largely dependent on the talents and efforts of highly skilled individuals. Our future success depends on our continuing ability to identify, hire, develop, motivate and retain highly skilled personnel for all areas of our organization. In this regard, we currently plan to hire a number of employees throughout fiscal 2006 in response to our growth and our current initiatives and if we are unable to hire and train a sufficient number of qualified employees for any reason, we may not be able to implement our current initiatives or grow effectively. In this regard, we have in the past maintained a rigorous, highly selective and time-consuming hiring process. We believe that our approach to hiring has significantly contributed to our success to date. However, our highly selective hiring process has made it more difficult for us to hire a sufficient number of qualified employees, and, as we grow, our hiring process may prevent us from hiring the personnel we need in a timely manner. In addition, we are aware that certain of our competitors have directly targeted our employees. Moreover, the high cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area, where our corporate headquarters and a significant portion of our operations are located, has been an impediment in attracting new employees and retaining existing employees in the past, and we expect that this high cost of living will continue to impair our ability to attract and retain employees in the future. Furthermore, for much of our history we have relied upon cash compensation arrangements, such as cash bonuses, rather than option grants, to motivate our employees. In recent years, we have granted options to key employees. Nonetheless, there is no assurance that either of these approaches will provide adequate incentives to attract, retain and motivate employees in the future. If we do not succeed in attracting excellent personnel and retaining and motivating existing personnel, our existing operations may suffer and we may be unable to grow effectively.

If we cannot maintain our corporate culture as we grow, we could lose the innovation, teamwork and focus that we believe our culture fosters, and our business may be harmed.

We believe that a critical contributor to our success has been our corporate culture, which we believe fosters innovation, teamwork and a focus both on developing and strengthening long-term relationships with entertainment industry participants and on developing practical, enduring technology solutions for the entertainment industry. As we grow and change in response to the requirements of being a public company, we may find it difficult to maintain important aspects of our corporate culture, which could negatively affect our future success. We intend to continue to focus on developing technologies for the entertainment industries that provide long-term benefits, and we intend to keep our focus on long-term results.

 

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We will incur increased costs and demands upon management as a result of complying with the laws and regulations affecting public companies, which could affect our operating results.

As a public company we have incurred and will continue to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company, including costs associated with public company reporting requirements. We also have incurred and will incur costs associated with recently adopted corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as new rules implemented by the SEC and the NYSE. In addition, our management team will have to adapt to the requirements of being a public company, as most of our senior executive officers do not have significant experience in the public company environment. The expenses incurred by public companies generally for reporting and corporate governance purposes have increased. These rules and regulations have increased our legal and financial compliance costs and have made some activities more time-consuming and costly, although we are unable to currently estimate these costs with any degree of certainty. We do believe, however, that we will be able to fund these costs out of our available working capital. It is possible that these new rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage than used to be available. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our board of directors or as our executive officers.

If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements could be impaired, which could adversely affect our operating results, our ability to operate our business and our investors’ views of us.

We have a complex business organization that is international in scope. Ensuring that we have adequate internal financial and accounting controls and procedures in place to help ensure that we can produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis is a costly and time-consuming effort that needs to be re-evaluated frequently. We are in the process of documenting, reviewing and, if appropriate, improving our internal controls and procedures in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and a report by our independent auditors addressing these assessments. Both we and our independent auditors will periodically test our internal controls in connection with the Section 404 requirements and could, as part of that documentation and testing, identify areas for further attention or improvement. Implementing any appropriate changes to our internal controls may require specific compliance training of our directors, officers and employees, entail substantial costs in order to modify our existing accounting systems, and take a significant period of time to complete. Such changes may not, however, be effective in maintaining the adequacy of our internal controls, and any failure to maintain that adequacy, or consequent inability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis, could increase our operating costs and could materially impair our ability to operate our business. In addition, investors’ perceptions that our internal controls are inadequate or that we are unable to produce accurate financial statements may seriously affect our stock price.

Issues arising from the implementation of our new enterprise resource planning system could affect our operating results and ability to manage our business effectively.

We are currently implementing a PeopleSoft enterprise resource planning, or ERP, system over an anticipated three-year period ending in 2007 that is critical to our accounting, financial, operating and manufacturing functions. Implementing a new ERP system raises costs and risks inherent in the conversion to a new computer system, including disruption to our normal accounting procedures, potential delays and problems achieving accuracy in the conversion of electronic data. Failure to properly or adequately address these issues could result in increased costs, the diversion of management’s attention and resources and could materially adversely affect our operating results and ability to manage our business effectively. In addition, we do not know whether or not the acquisition of PeopleSoft by Oracle will affect the implementation and future use of our ERP system. To the extent that this acquisition delays, complicates or prevents the full implementation, future use or service of our ERP system, our operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

For the foreseeable future, Ray Dolby or his affiliates will be able to control the selection of all members of our board of directors, as well as virtually every other matter that requires stockholder approval, which will severely limit the ability of other stockholders to influence corporate matters.

At June 30, 2006, Ray Dolby and persons and entities affiliated with Ray Dolby owned approximately 64% of our Class A and Class B common stock, representing 93% of the combined voting power of our outstanding Class A

 

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and Class B common stock. Under our charter, holders of shares of Class B common stock may generally transfer such shares to family members, including spouses and descendents or the spouses or domestic partners of such descendents, without having the shares automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock. Because of this dual class structure, Ray Dolby, his affiliates, and his family members and descendents will, for the foreseeable future, have significant influence over our management and affairs, and will be able to control virtually all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and significant corporate transactions such as mergers or other sales of our company or assets, even if they come to own considerably less than 50% of the total number of outstanding shares of our Class A and Class B common stock. Moreover, these persons may take actions in their own interests that you or our other stockholders do not view as beneficial. There is no threshold or time deadline at which the shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock. Assuming conversion of all shares of Class B common stock held by persons not affiliated with Ray Dolby into shares of Class A common stock, so long as Ray Dolby and his affiliates continue to hold shares of Class B common stock representing approximately 11% or more of the total number of outstanding shares of our Class A and Class B common stock, they will hold a majority of the combined voting power of the Class A and Class B common stock.

Future sales of shares by insiders could cause our stock price to decline.

If our founder, officers, directors or employees sell, or indicate an intention to sell, substantial amounts of our Class A common stock, including shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Class B common stock, in the public market, the trading price of our Class A common stock could decline. As of June 30, 2006, we had outstanding a total of 106,611,350 shares of Class A and Class B common stock. Of these shares, 31,625,000 shares of Class A common stock were sold in our initial public offering by us and the selling stockholders.

As of June 30, 2006, our directors and executive officers held 68,768,875 shares of Class B common stock and vested options to purchase 937,821 shares of Class B common stock. We expect that any sale of our Class A common stock by our directors and executive officers would be subject to compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

 

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Sales of Unregistered Securities

In the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2006, we issued an aggregate of 902,802 shares of our Class B common stock to certain employees, consultants, officers and directors upon the exercise of options awarded under our 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and from July 1, 2006 through July 26, 2006, we issued an aggregate of 183,379 shares of our Class B common stock to certain employees and officers upon the exercise of options awarded under our 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. We received aggregate proceeds of $1.6 million in the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2006, and $0.4 million in the period from July 1, 2006 through July 26, 2006, as a result of the exercise of these options. We believe these transactions were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in reliance on Rule 701 thereunder as transactions pursuant to compensatory benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation as provided under Rule 701. As of July 26, 2006 options to purchase an aggregate of 7,670,824 shares of our Class B common stock remained outstanding. All issuances of shares of our Class B common stock pursuant to the exercise of these options will be made in reliance on Rule 701. All option grants made under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan were made prior to the effectiveness of our initial public offering. No further option grants will be made under our 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.

None of the foregoing transactions involved any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions, or any public offering.

Each share of our Class B common stock is convertible into one share of our Class A common stock at any time at the option of the holder or upon the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Class B common stock. In addition, each share of Class B common stock shall convert automatically into one share of Class A common stock upon any transfer, except for certain transfers described in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

Use of Proceeds from Public Offering

The SEC declared our registration statement, filed on Form S-1 (File No. 333-120614) under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the initial public offering of our Class A common stock, $0.001 par value, effective on February 16, 2005.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

    

Incorporated by Reference Herein

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  

Form

  

Date

 10.1*

   Dolby Laboratories, Inc. 2005 Stock Plan, as amended and restated      

10.2*

   Form of Stock Option Agreement – International under the 2005 Stock Plan      

10.3*

   Form of Stock Option Agreement – Hong Kong under the 2005 Stock Plan      

10.4*

   Form of Stock Option Agreement – People’s Republic of China under the 2005 Stock Plan      

31.1  

   Certification by the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.      

31.2  

   Certification by the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.      

32.1‡

   Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.      

* Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 

Furnished herewith

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: August 2, 2006

 

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
By:  

        /s/ Kevin J. Yeaman

  Kevin J. Yeaman
  Chief Financial Officer
 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and Duly

Authorized Officer)

 

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

         

Incorporated by Reference Herein

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

  

Form

  

Date

10.1*

   Dolby Laboratories, Inc. 2005 Stock Plan, as amended and restated      

10.2*

   Form of Stock Option Agreement – International under the 2005 Stock Plan      

10.3*

   Form of Stock Option Agreement – Hong Kong under the 2005 Stock Plan      

10.4*

   Form of Stock Option Agreement – People’s Republic of China under the 2005 Stock Plan      

31.1  

  

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or

15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to

Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

     

31.2  

  

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a)

under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to

Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

     

32.1‡

  

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18

U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

     

* Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 

Furnished herewith

 

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EX-10.1 2 dex101.htm DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC. 2005 STOCK PLAN Dolby Laboratories, Inc. 2005 Stock Plan

Exhibit 10.1

Adopted Effective February 16, 2005

Amended and Restated February 14, 2006

Amended and Restated June 6, 2006

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.

2005 STOCK PLAN

Amended and Restated June 6, 2006

1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Plan are:

 

    to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,

 

    to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and

 

    to promote the success of the Company’s business.

The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Stock Appreciation Rights, Deferred Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Bonus Awards and Performance Shares.

2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions will apply:

(a) “Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as will be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

(b) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards or equity compensation programs under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

(c) “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Bonus Awards or Performance Shares.

(d) “Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(e) “Awarded Stock” means the Common Stock subject to an Award.

(f) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.


(g) “Cause” means, with respect to the termination by the Company or a Related Entity of a Participant, that such termination is for “Cause” as such term is expressly defined in a then-effective written agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Entity, or in the absence of such then-effective written agreement and definition, is based on, in the determination of the Administrator, the Participant’s: (i) refusal or failure to act in accordance with any specific, lawful direction or order of the Company or a Related Entity; (ii) unfitness or unavailability for service or unsatisfactory performance (other than as a result of Disability); (iii) performance of any act or failure to perform any act in bad faith and to the detriment of the Company or Related Entity; (iv) dishonesty, intentional misconduct or material breach of any agreement with the Company or Related Entity; or (v) commission of a crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical or emotional harm to any person. At least 30 days prior to the termination of the Participant’s service pursuant to (i) or (ii) above, the Company or Related Entity shall provide the Participant with notice of the Company’s or Related Entity’s intent to terminate, the reason therefor, and an opportunity for the Participant to cure such defects in his or her service to the Company’s or Related Entity’s satisfaction. During this 30 day (or longer) period, no Award issued to the Participant under the Plan may be exercised or purchased.

(h) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than a Permitted Transferee (as defined in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; or

(ii) The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; or

(iii) A change in the composition of the Board occurring within a two-year period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” means directors who either (A) are Directors as of the effective date of the Plan, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but will not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company); or

(iv) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation.

 

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(i) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code herein will be a reference to any successor or amended section of the Code.

(j) “Committee” means a committee of Directors or other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

(k) “Common Stock” means the Class A Common Stock of the Company, or in the case of certain Stock Appreciation Rights or Performance Units, the cash equivalent thereof.

(l) “Company” means Dolby Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.

(m) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Related Entity to render services to such entity.

(n) “Deferred Stock Unit” means an Award that the Administrator permits to be paid in installments or on a deferred basis pursuant to Sections 4 and 13 of the Plan.

(o) “Director” means a member of the Board.

(p) “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time.

(q) “Dividend Equivalent” means a credit, made at the discretion of the Administrator, to the account of a Participant in an amount equal to the cash dividends paid on one Share for each Share represented by an Award held by such Participant.

(r) “Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or a Related Entity. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company or Related Entity will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company or Related Entity.

(s) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(t) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date and unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:

(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

 

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(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock for the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Administrator.

(iv) Notwithstanding the preceding, for federal, state, and local income tax reporting purposes and for such other purposes as the Administrator deems appropriate, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Administrator in accordance with uniform and nondiscriminatory standards adopted by it from time to time.

(u) “Good Reason” means the occurrence following a Change in Control of any of the following events or conditions unless consented to by the Participant:

(i) a reduction in the Participant’s base salary to a level below that in effect at any time within six (6) months preceding the consummation of a Change in Control or at any time thereafter; or

(ii) requiring the Participant to be based at any place outside a 50-mile radius from the Participant’s job location or residence prior to the Change in Control except for reasonably required travel on business which is not materially greater than such travel requirements prior to the Change in Control.

(v) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

(w) “Inside Director” means a Director who is an Employee.

(x) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(y) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(z) “Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

(aa) “Outside Director” means a Director who is not an Employee.

(bb) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

(cc) “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award.

 

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(dd) “Performance-Based Award” means any Award that are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 12. All Performance-Based Awards are intended to qualify as qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(ee) “Performance Bonus Award” means a cash award set forth in Section 11.

(ff) “Performance Goals” means the goal(s) determined by the Administrator (in its discretion) to be applicable to a Participant with respect to an Award. As determined by the Administrator, the Performance Goals applicable to an Award may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement using one or more of the following measures: (i) revenue, (ii) gross margin, (iii) operating margin, (iv) operating income, (v) pre-tax profit, (vi) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation, (vii) net income, (viii) cash flow, (ix) expenses, (x) the market price of the Share, (xi) earnings, (xii) return on stockholder equity, (xiii) return on capital, (xiv) product quality, (xv) economic value added, (xvi) number of customers, (xvii) market share, (xviii) return on investments, (xix) profit after taxes, (xx) customer satisfaction, (xxi) business divestitures and acquisitions, (xxii) supplier awards from significant customers, (xxiii) new product development, (xxiv) working capital, (xxv) individual objectives, (xxvi) time to market, (xxvii) return on net assets, and (xxviii) sales. The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award. Any criteria used may be measured, as applicable, (i) in absolute terms, (ii) in relative terms (including, but not limited to, passage of time and/or against another company or companies), (iii) on a per-share basis, (iv) against the performance of the Company as a whole or a segment of the Company, and (v) on a pre-tax or after-tax basis.

(gg) “Performance Share” means an Award granted to a Service Provider pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan.

(hh) “Performance Unit” means an Award granted to a Service Provider pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan.

(ii) “Period of Restriction” means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions and therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, continued service, the achievement of Performance Goals, and/or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Administrator.

(jj) “Plan” means this 2005 Stock Plan.

(kk) “Registration Date” means the effective date of the first registration statement that is filed by the Company and declared effective pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, with respect to any class of the Company’s securities.

(ll) “Related Entity” means any Parent, Subsidiary and any business, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary holds a substantial ownership interest, directly or indirectly.

(mm) “Restricted Stock” means Shares issued pursuant to a Restricted Stock award under the Plan or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.

 

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(nn) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.

(oo) “Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

(pp) “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.

(qq) “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 15 of the Plan.

(rr) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with an Option, that pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan is designated as a SAR.

(ss) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

(tt) “Unvested Awards” shall mean Options or Restricted Stock that (i) were granted to an individual in connection with such individual’s position as a Service Provider and (ii) are still subject to vesting or lapsing of Company repurchase rights or similar restrictions.

3. Stock Subject to the Plan.

(a) Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 17 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan is 6,000,000. Any Shares subject to Awards with a per Share price equal to or greater than 100% of Fair Market Value on the date of grant shall be counted against the numerical limits of this Section 3 as one Share for every Share subject thereto. Except as provided in the previous sentence, any Shares or units subject to Awards with a per Share or unit price lower than 100% of Fair Market Value on the date of grant shall be counted against the numerical limits of this Section 3 as 2.0 Shares for every one Share subject thereto and shall be counted as 2.0 Shares for every one Share returned to or deemed not issued from the Plan pursuant to this Section 3. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. Shares shall not be deemed to have been issued pursuant to the Plan with respect to any portion of an Award that is settled in cash. Upon payment in Shares pursuant to the exercise or settlement of an Award, the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced only by the number of Shares actually issued in such payment. If a Participant pays the exercise price (or purchase price, if applicable) of an Award or pays the applicable withholding taxes related to the Award through the tender of Shares, the number of Shares so tendered shall again be available for issuance pursuant to future Awards under the Plan.

(b) Lapsed Awards. If any outstanding Award expires or is terminated or canceled without having been exercised or settled in full, or if Shares acquired pursuant to an Award subject to forfeiture or repurchase are forfeited or repurchased by the Company, the Shares allocable to the terminated portion of such Award or such forfeited or repurchased Shares shall again be available for grant under the Plan.

 

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4. Administration of the Plan.

(a) Procedure.

(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers may administer the Plan.

(ii) Section 162(m). To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable or necessary to qualify Awards granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan will be administered by a Committee of two or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

(iii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder will be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.

(iv) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan will be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee will be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.

(v) Delegation of Authority for Day-to-Day Administration. Except to the extent prohibited by Applicable Law, the Administrator may delegate to one or more individuals the day-to-day administration of the Plan and any of the functions assigned to it in this Plan. Such delegation may be revoked at any time.

(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator will have the authority, in its discretion:

(i) to determine the Fair Market Value;

(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;

(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture or repurchase restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine;

 

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(vi) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

(vii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws including qualifying for preferred tax treatment under applicable foreign tax laws;

(viii) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 17(c) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Awards longer than is otherwise provided for in the Plan;

(ix) to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares or cash to be issued upon exercise, settlement or vesting of an Award that number of Shares or cash having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of any Shares to be withheld will be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by a Participant to have Shares or cash withheld for this purpose will be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable;

(x) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;

(xi) to allow a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award;

(xii) to determine whether Awards will be settled in Shares, cash or in any combination thereof;

(xiii) to determine whether Awards will be adjusted for Dividend Equivalents;

(xiv) to establish a program whereby Service Providers designated by the Administrator can reduce compensation otherwise payable in cash in exchange for Awards under the Plan;

(xv) to impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by a Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued as a result of or under an Award, including without limitation, (A) restrictions under an insider trading policy, and (B) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers; and

(xvi) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

 

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(c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards.

5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units, Performance Bonus Awards, Performance Shares and Deferred Stock Units may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.

6. Limitations.

(a) ISO $100,000 Rule. Each Option will be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and a Related Entity) exceeds $100,000, such Options will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

(b) No Rights as a Service Provider. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing his or her relationship as a Service Provider, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Participant or the right of the Company or a Related Entity to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause.

(c) Section 162(m) Limitations. The following limitations shall apply to Awards under the Plan:

(i) No Service Provider shall be granted, in any fiscal year of the Company, (A) Options or SARs to purchase more than 2,000,000 Shares, (B) Restricted Stock covering more than 2,000,000 Shares, (C) Performance Shares covering more than 2,000,000 Shares or (D) Performance Units or Performance Bonus Awards that could result in such Service Provider receiving more than $5,000,000.

(ii) In connection with his or her initial service, a Service Provider may be granted Options or SARS to purchase up to an additional 2,000,000 Shares, which shall not count against the limit set forth in subsection (i) above.

(iii) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization as described in Section 17(a).

(iv) If an Award is cancelled in the same fiscal year of the Company in which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction described in Section 17(c)), the cancelled Award will be counted against the limits set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) above.

 

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7. Stock Options.

(a) Term of Option. The term of each Option will be stated in the Award Agreement. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the term will be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or a Related Entity, the term of the Incentive Stock Option will be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.

(b) Option Exercise Price. The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option will be determined by the Administrator; provided, however that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option and a Nonstatutory Stock Option intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the per Share exercise price will be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or a Related Entity, the per Share exercise price will be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

(c) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator will fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and will determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.

(d) Form of Consideration. The Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws may consist entirely of:

(i) cash;

(ii) check;

(iii) promissory note;

(iv) other Shares which meet the conditions established by the Administrator to avoid adverse accounting consequences (as determined by the Administrator);

(v) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;

(vi) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Participant;

(vii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or

 

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(viii) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

(e) Exercise of Option.

(i) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder will be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (x) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Award Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (y) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with any applicable withholding taxes). Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option will be issued in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the Participant, in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Awarded Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 17 of the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement.

Exercising an Option in any manner will decrease the number of Shares thereafter available for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

(ii) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

(iii) Disability of Participant. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award

 

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Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

(iv) Death of Participant. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised following the Participant’s death within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event may the option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following Participant’s death. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at the time of death Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will immediately revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

8. Restricted Stock.

(a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

(b) Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, Shares of Restricted Stock will be held by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.

(c) Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.

(d) Other Restrictions. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate, including granting such an Award of Restricted Stock subject to the requirements of Section 12.

(e) Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan will be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction. The

 

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Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.

(f) Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.

(g) Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.

(h) Return of Restricted Stock to Company. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will revert to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

9. Stock Appreciation Rights.

(a) Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a SAR may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.

(b) Number of Shares. The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of SARs granted to any Service Provider.

(c) Exercise Price and Other Terms. The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of SARs granted under the Plan.

(d) Exercise of SARs. SARs will be exercisable on such terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

(e) SAR Agreement. Each SAR grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

(f) Expiration of SARs. An SAR granted under the Plan will expire upon the date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Sections 7(e)(ii), 7(e)(iii) and 7(e)(iv) also will apply to SARs.

(g) Payment of SAR Amount. Upon exercise of an SAR, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

(i) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times

 

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(ii) The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.

At the discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.

10. Performance Units and Performance Shares.

(a) Grant of Performance Units/Shares. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units and Performance Shares granted to each Participant.

(b) Value of Performance Units/Shares. Each Performance Unit will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant. Each Performance Share will have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.

(c) Performance Objectives and Other Terms. The Administrator will set performance objectives or other vesting provisions (including, without limitation, continued status as a Service Provider) in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of Performance Units/Shares that will be paid out to the Service Providers. The time period during which the performance objectives must be met will be called the “Performance Period.” Each Award of Performance Units/Shares will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. The Administrator may set Performance Goals based upon the achievement of Company-wide, divisional, or individual goals, applicable federal or state securities laws, or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.

(d) Earning of Performance Units/Shares. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance Units/Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives have been achieved. After the grant of a Performance Unit/Share, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives for such Performance Unit/Share.

(e) Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares. Payment of earned Performance Units/Shares will be made as soon after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period at the time determined by the Administrator. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Shares in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.

(f) Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Units/Shares will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan.

 

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11. Performance Bonus Awards. Any Service Provider selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Performance-Based Awards in the form of a cash bonus payable upon the attainment of Performance Goals that are established by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. Any such Performance Bonus Award paid to a Service Provider who would be considered a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (hereinafter a “Covered Employee”) will be based upon objectively determinable bonus formulas established in accordance with Section 12.

12. Terms and Conditions of Any Performance-Based Award.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this Section 12 is to provide the Committee the ability to qualify Awards (other than Options and SARs) that are granted pursuant to the Plan as qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. If the Committee, in its discretion, decides to grant a Performance-Based Award subject to Performance Goals to a Covered Employee, the provisions of this Section 12 will control over any contrary provision in the Plan; provided, however, that the Committee may in its discretion grant Awards to such Covered Employees that are based on Performance Goals or other specific criteria or goals but that do not satisfy the requirements of this Section 12.

(b) Applicability. This Section 12 will apply to those Covered Employees which are selected by the Committee to receive any Award subject to Performance Goals. The designation of a Covered Employee as being subject to Section 162(m) of the Code will not in any manner entitle the Covered Employee to receive an Award under the Plan. Moreover, designation of a Covered Employee subject to Section 162(m) of the Code for a particular Performance Period will not require designation of such Covered Employee in any subsequent Performance Period and designation of one Covered Employee will not require designation of any other Covered Employee in such period or in any other period.

(c) Procedures with Respect to Performance Based Awards. To the extent necessary to comply with the performance-based compensation requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, with respect to any Award granted subject to Performance Goals, no later than ninety (90) days following the commencement of any fiscal year in question or any other designated fiscal period or period of service (or such other time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m)), the Committee will, in writing, (a) designate one or more Participants who are Covered Employees, (b) select the Performance Goals applicable to the Performance Period, (c) establish the Performance Goals, and amounts or methods of computation of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance Period, and (d) specify the relationship between Performance Goals and the amounts or methods of computation of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Covered Employee for such Performance Period. Following the completion of each Performance Period, the Committee will certify in writing whether the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance Period. In determining the amounts earned by a Covered Employee, the Committee will have the right to reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period.

 

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(d) Payment of Performance Based Awards. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Covered Employee must be employed by the Company or a Related Entity on the day a Performance-Based Award for such Performance Period is paid to the Covered Employee. Furthermore, a Covered Employee will be eligible to receive payment pursuant to a Performance-Based Award for a Performance Period only if the Performance Goals for such period are achieved.

(e) Additional Limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Award which is granted to a Covered Employee and is intended to constitute qualified performance based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code will be subject to any additional limitations set forth in the Code (including any amendment to Section 162(m)) or any regulations and ruling issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as qualified performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m) of the Code, and the Plan will be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

13. Deferred Stock Units. Deferred Stock Units shall consist of a Restricted Stock, Performance Share or Performance Unit Award that the Administrator, in its sole discretion permits to be paid out in installments or on a deferred basis, in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator. Deferred Stock Units may be settled, in the discretion of the Administrator, in cash, Shares or a combination thereof.

14. Outside Director Awards. Except as provided in Section 14(f), grants of Awards to Outside Directors pursuant to this Section 14 will be automatic and will be made in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) Type of Option. All Options granted pursuant to this Section 14 will be Nonstatutory Stock Options and, except as otherwise provided herein, will be subject to the other terms and conditions of the Plan.

(b) First Option. Each person who first becomes an Outside Director on or after the Registration Date automatically will be granted an Option to purchase 25,000 Shares (the “First Option”) on the date on which such person first becomes an Outside Director, whether through election by the stockholders of the Company or appointment by the Board to fill a vacancy; provided, however, that an Inside Director who ceases to be an Inside Director but who remains a Director will not receive a First Option.

(c) Subsequent Option. Each Outside Director automatically will be granted an Option to purchase 12,500 Shares (a “Subsequent Option”) on the date of each annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company beginning as of the first annual meeting of stockholders after the end of the Company’s 2005 fiscal year, provided he or she is then an Outside Director, and if as of each such date, he or she will have served on the Board for at least the preceding six (6) months.

(d) Terms. Except as provided in Section 14(f), the terms of each Option granted pursuant to this Section 14 will be as follows:

(i) The term of the Option will be ten (10) years.

 

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(ii) The exercise price per Share will be 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant of the Option. In the event that the date of grant of the Option is not a trading day, the exercise price per Share shall be the Fair Market Value on the next trading day immediately following the date of grant of the Option.

(iii) Subject to Section 17 of the Plan, the First Option will vest and become exercisable as to 1/3 of the Shares subject to the First Option on the first anniversary of its date of grant, and as to 1/3 of the Shares subject to the First Option each full anniversary thereafter, provided that the Participant continues to serve as a Director on such dates;

(iv) Subject to Section 17 of the Plan, the Subsequent Option will vest and become exercisable as to 1/3 of the Shares subject to the Subsequent Option on the first anniversary of its date of grant, and as to 1/3 of the Shares subject to the Subsequent Option each full anniversary thereafter, provided that the Participant continues to serve as a Director on such dates.

(e) Exercise of Options. An Option granted pursuant to this Section 14 will expire upon the date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Sections 7(e)(ii), 7(e)(iii) and 7(e)(iv) also will apply to such Option. To the extent that the Participant was not entitled to exercise an Option on the date of termination, or if he or she does not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled) within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

(f) Amendment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator in its discretion may change the number of Shares subject to the First Options and Subsequent Options, may change the terms of such Options and may grant substitute Awards having an equivalent value to such Options as determined by the Board on the date of grant.

15. Leaves of Absence. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted hereunder will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence and will resume on the date the Participant returns to work on a regular schedule as determined by the Company. A Service Provider will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company and a Related Entity. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then three months following the 91st day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant will cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

16. Non-Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award will contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.

 

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17. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control.

(a) Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs such that an adjustment is determined by the Administrator (in its sole discretion) to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Administrator shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust the number and class of Shares which may be delivered under the Plan, and the number, class, and price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards. Notwithstanding the preceding, the number of Shares subject to any Award always shall be a whole number.

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for a Participant to have the right to exercise his or her Award, to the extent applicable, until ten (10) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Awarded Stock covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Award would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option or forfeiture rights applicable to any Award shall lapse in full, and that any Award’s vesting schedule shall accelerate in full, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised or vested, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

(c) Merger or Change in Control.

(i) Stock Options and SARS. In the event of a merger or Change in Control, an outstanding Option or SAR may be (i) assumed or substituted with an equivalent option or SAR of the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation, (ii) replaced with a cash incentive program of the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation, or (iii) terminated. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, in the event that the successor corporation does not assume, substitute or replace a Participant’s Option or SAR, the Participant shall, immediately prior to the merger or Change in Control, fully vest in and have the right to exercise such Option or SAR that is not assumed, substituted or replaced as to all of the Awarded Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an Option or SAR is not assumed, substituted or replaced in the event of a merger or Change in Control, the Administrator shall notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or SAR shall be exercisable, to the extent vested, for a period of up to fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option or SAR shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option or SAR shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or Change in Control, the option or stock appreciation right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Awarded Stock subject to the Option or SAR immediately prior to the merger or Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective

 

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date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option or SAR, for each Share of Awarded Stock subject to the Option or SAR, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more Performance Goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such Performance Goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such Performance Goals only to reflect the successor corporation’s post-merger or post-Change in Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.

With respect to Options and SARs granted to an Outside Director, the Participant shall, immediately prior to the merger or Change in Control, fully vest in and have the right to exercise such Options and SARs as to all of the Awarded Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. With respect to Options and SARs granted to an Employee, the Employee, upon a termination of the Employee by the Company or a Related Entity without Cause or a resignation of the Employee with Good Reason, shall receive one year of additional vesting for each full year of service performed for the Company or a Related Entity; provided, that such termination or resignation occurs within the twelve (12) month period following a Change in Control.

(ii) Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Performance Bonus Awards and Deferred Stock Units. In the event of a merger or Change in Control, an outstanding Restricted Stock, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Performance Bonus Award or Deferred Stock Unit award may be (i) assumed or substituted with an equivalent Restricted Stock, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Performance Bonus Award or Deferred Stock Unit award of the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation, (ii) replaced with a cash incentive program of the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation, or (iii) terminated. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, in the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume, substitute or replace a Participant’s Restricted Stock, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Performance Bonus Award or Deferred Stock Unit award, the Participant shall, immediately prior to the merger or Change in Control, fully vest in such Restricted Stock, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Performance Bonus Award or Deferred Stock Unit including as to Shares which would not otherwise be vested. For the purposes of this paragraph, a Restricted Stock, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Performance Bonus Award and Deferred Stock Unit award shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or Change in Control, the award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the merger or Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or Change in

 

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Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received, for each Share and each unit/right to acquire a Share subject to the Award, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more Performance Goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such Performance Goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such Performance Goals only to reflect the successor corporation’s post-merger or post-Change in Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.

With respect to Awards granted to an Outside Director, the Participant shall, immediately prior to the merger or Change in Control, fully vest in such Awards, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested. With respect to Awards granted to an Employee, the Employee, upon a termination of the Employee by the Company or a Related Entity without Cause or a resignation of the Employee with Good Reason, shall receive one year of additional vesting for each full year of service performed for the Company or a Related Entity; provided, that such termination or resignation occurs within the twelve (12) month period following a Change in Control.

18. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

19. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 24 of the Plan, the Plan will become effective upon its adoption by the Board. It will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 20 of the Plan.

20. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

(a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

(b) Stockholder Approval. The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws. Other than pursuant to Section 17, the Company also will obtain stockholder approval before implementing a program to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options and/or SARs through a repricing or Award exchange.

(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan will impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan will not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

 

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21. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

(a) Legal Compliance. Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares will comply with Applicable Laws and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise or receipt of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising or receiving such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or receipt that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

22. Severability. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Plan or an Award to the contrary, if any one or more of the provisions (or any part thereof) of this Plan or the Awards shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall be modified so as to make it valid, legal and enforceable, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions (or any part thereof) of the Plan or Award, as applicable, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

23. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.

24. Stockholder Approval. The Plan will be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted. Such stockholder approval will be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws.

 

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EX-10.2 3 dex102.htm FORM OF STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT - INTERNATIONAL Form of Stock Option Agreement - International

Exhibit 10.2

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.

2005 STOCK PLAN

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT - INTERNATIONAL

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Dolby Laboratories, Inc. 2005 Stock Plan as amended (the “Plan”) shall have the same defined meanings in this Stock Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”).

 

I. NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

 

Participant   [insert name of record]
Address:  

[insert address line 1, 2, and 3 (as required)]

[insert city, state/province zip/postal code (country)]

Participant has been granted an Option, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as follows:

 

Grant Number    [insert option number]
Date of Grant    [insert option date]
Vesting Commencement Date    [insert vest base date]
Exercise Price per Share    [insert option price]
Total Number of Shares Granted    [insert shares granted]
Total Exercise Price    [insert total option price]
Type of Option:    [insert long type]
Term/Expiration Date:    [insert expiration date]


Vesting Schedule:

Subject to Participant continuing to be a Service Provider and other limitations set forth in the Plan and this Option Agreement, this Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the following schedule:

 

Date of Vesting

   Shares Vesting         
[Vest Date Period 1]    [Shares Period 1]     
[Vest Date Period 2]    [Shares Period 2]     
[Vest Date Period 3]    [Shares Period 3]     
[Vest Date Period 4]    [Shares Period 4]     

Termination Period:

This Option will be exercisable for three (3) months after Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, unless such termination is due to Participant’s death or Disability, in which case this Option will be exercisable for one (1) year after Participant ceases to be Service Provider. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may this Option be exercised after the Term/Expiration Date as provided above.

 

II. AGREEMENT

 

  A. Grant of Option.

The Administrator hereby grants to Participant named in the Notice of Stock Option Grant (the “Notice of Grant”) an Option to purchase the number of Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per Share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference, and this Option Agreement. Subject to Section 20(c) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option, this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code. However, if this Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section 422(d), or otherwise does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

  B. Exercise of Option.

1. Right to Exercise. This Option is exercisable during its term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

2. Method of Exercise. This Option is exercisable by (i) delivery of an exercise notice, in the form and manner determined by the Administrator, or (ii) following an electronic or other exercise procedure prescribed by the Administrator, which in either case shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is

 

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being exercised (the “Exercised Shares”), and such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Participant shall provide payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised Shares at the time of exercise, together with any applicable withholding taxes arising in connection with such exercise. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of a fully executed exercise notice or completion of such exercise procedure, as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion, accompanied by such aggregate Exercise Price and any applicable withholding taxes.

No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes, the Exercised Shares shall be considered transferred to Participant on the date the Option is exercised with respect to such Exercised Shares.

 

  C. Method of Payment.

Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of Participant:

1. to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, by cash, check or cash equivalent;

2. consideration received by the Company under a formal cashless exercise program adopted by the Company in connection with the Plan;

3. other Shares which meet the conditions established by the Administrator to avoid adverse accounting consequences (as determined by the Administrator); or

4. any other methods approved by the Administrator and permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

  D. Non-Transferability of Option.

This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Participant only by Participant. The terms of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of Participant.

 

  E. Term of Option.

This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.

 

  F. Tax Obligations.

Regardless of any action the Company or Participant’s employer (the “Employer”) takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related withholding (“Tax-Related Items”), Participant acknowledges

 

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that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items legally due by him or her is and remains Participant’s responsibility and that the Company and/or the Employer (1) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Option grant, including the grant, vesting or exercise of the Option, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such exercise and the receipt of any dividends; and (2) do not commit to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Option to reduce or eliminate Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items.

Participant understands that he or she may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Participant’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Participant represents that he or she will consult with any tax advisors Participant deems appropriate in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

Prior to exercise of the Option, Participant will pay or make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Employer to satisfy all withholding and payment on account obligations of the Company and/or the Employer. In this regard, Participant authorizes the Company and/or the Employer to withhold all applicable Tax-Related Items legally payable by Participant from his or her wages or other cash compensation paid to Participant by the Company and/or the Employer or from proceeds of the sale of Shares. Alternatively, or in addition, if permissible under local law, the Company may (1) sell or arrange for the sale of Shares that Participant acquires to meet the withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items, and/or (2) withhold in Shares, provided that the Company only withholds the amount of Shares necessary to satisfy the minimum withholding amount. Finally, Participant will pay to the Company or the Employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Employer may be required to withhold as a result of Participant’s participation in the Plan or Participant’s purchase of Shares that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.

 

  G. Acknowledgements.

1. Participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan (including any applicable appendixes or sub-plans thereunder) and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Participant has reviewed the Plan (including any applicable appendixes or sub-plans thereunder) and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address in the Notice of Grant.

2. The Company (and not Participant’s employer) is granting the Option. The Company will administer the Plan from outside Participant’s country of residence.

 

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3. That benefits and rights provided under the Plan are wholly discretionary and, although provided by the Company, do not constitute regular or periodic payments. The benefits and rights provided under the Plan are not to be considered part of Participant’s salary or compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy or other end of service payments, vacation, bonuses, long-term service awards, indemnification, pension or retirement benefits, or any other payments, benefits or rights of any kind and in no event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in any way to, services for the Company or the Employer.

4. The grant of the Option, and any future grant of Options under the Plan is entirely voluntary, and at the complete discretion of the Company. Neither the grant of the Option nor any future grant of an Option by the Company will be deemed to create any obligation to grant any further Options, whether or not such a reservation is explicitly stated at the time of such a grant. The Company has the right, at any time to amend, suspend or terminate the Plan.

5. The future value of the underlying Shares is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty.

6. If the underlying Shares do not increase in value, the Option will have no value.

7. If Participant exercises his or her Option and obtains Shares, the value of those Shares acquired upon exercise may increase or decrease in value, even below the Exercise Price.

8. The Plan will not be deemed to constitute, and will not be construed by Participant to constitute, part of the terms and conditions of employment, and that the Company will not incur any liability of any kind to Participant as a result of any change or amendment, or any cancellation, of the Plan at any time.

9. In the event that the Participant is not an employee of the Company, Participation in the Plan will not be deemed to constitute, and will not be deemed by Participant to constitute, an employment or labor contract with the Company and furthermore, the Option grant will not be interpreted to form an employment or labor contract with the Employer or any Subsidiary or affiliate of the Company.

10. Participant has received the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement and any other related communications in English, and Participant consents to having received these documents in English.

11. The Participant is voluntarily participating in the Plan.

12. In consideration of the grant of the Option, no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from termination of the Option or diminution in value of the Option or Shares purchased through exercise of the Option resulting from termination of Participant’s employment by the Company or the Employer (for any reason whatsoever and whether or not in breach of local labor laws) and Participant irrevocably releases the Company

 

5


and the Employer from any such claim that may arise; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have arisen, then, by accepting this Option Agreement, Participant will be deemed irrevocably to have waived his or her entitlement to pursue such claim.

13. In the event of termination of Participant’s employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws), Participant’s right to receive the Option and vest in the Option under the Plan, if any, will terminate effective as of the date that Participant is no longer actively employed and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law (e.g., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period pursuant to local law). In the event of termination of employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws), Participant’s right to exercise the Option after termination of employment, if any, will be measured by the date of termination of Participant’s active employment and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law. The Administrator shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant is no longer actively employed for purposes of his or her Option grant.

 

  H. Data Privacy.

By entering into this Option Agreement, and as a condition of the grant of the Option, Participant consents to the collection, use, and transfer of personal data as described in this section to the full extent permitted by and in full compliance with Applicable Law.

Participant understands that the Company and its Subsidiaries hold certain personal information about the Participant, including, but not limited to, name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all Options or other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested, or outstanding in Participant’s favor, for the purpose of managing and administering the Plan (“Data”).

Participant further understands that the Company and/or its Subsidiaries will transfer Data among themselves as necessary for the purposes of implementation, administration, and management of Participant’s participation in the Plan, and that the Company and/or its Subsidiary may each further transfer Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan (“Data Recipients”).

Participant understands that these Data Recipients may be located in Participant’s country of residence or elsewhere, such as the United States and that that country may have different data privacy laws and protections than Participant’s country. Participant authorizes the Data Recipients to receive, possess, use, retain, and transfer Data in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering, and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any transfer of such Data, as may be required for the administration of the Plan and/or the subsequent holding of Shares on Participant’s behalf, to a broker or third party with whom the Shares acquired on exercise may be deposited.

 

6


Participant understands that Participant may, at any time, review the Data, request that any necessary amendments be made to it, or withdraw Participant’s consent herein in writing by contacting the Company. Participant further understands that withdrawing consent may affect Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan.

 

  I. Entire Agreement; Governing Law.

The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to Participant’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Participant.

This Option Agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California. For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by this grant or the Option Agreement, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of San Francisco County, California, or the federal courts for the United States for the Northern District of California, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.

 

  J. NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE.

PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY OR THE PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY EMPLOYING OR RETAINING PARTICIPANT (AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES HEREUNDER). PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS OPTION AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH IN THE NOTICE OF GRANT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S (OR PARENT’S OR SUBSIDIARY’S) RIGHT TO TERMINATE PARTICIPANT’S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

K. Severability. The provisions of this Option Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.

L. Electronic Delivery. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to the Option granted under, and Participant’s participation in, the Plan or future options that may be granted under the Plan by electronic means or to request Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and, if requested, to agree to participate in the Plan

 

7


through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

By Participant’s electronic signature and the electronic signature of the Company’s representative, Participant and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. Participant has reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Option Agreement. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan and Option Agreement.

 

8

EX-10.3 4 dex103.htm FORM OF STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT - HONG KONG Form of Stock Option Agreement - Hong Kong

Exhibit 10.3

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.

2005 STOCK PLAN

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT – HONG KONG

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Dolby Laboratories, Inc. 2005 Stock Plan as amended (the “Plan”) shall have the same defined meanings in this Stock Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”).

WARNING

The contents of this document have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. Participant is advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If Participant is in doubt about any of the contents of this document, Participant should obtain independent professional advice.

 

I. NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

 

Participant:

  [insert name of record]

Address:

 

[insert address line 1, 2, and 3 (as required)]

[insert city, state/province zip/postal code (country)]

Participant has been granted an Option, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as follows:

 

Grant Number    [insert option number]

Date of Grant

   [insert option date]

Vesting Commencement Date

   [insert vest base date]

Exercise Price per Share

   [insert option price]

Total Number of Shares Granted

   [insert shares granted]

Total Exercise Price

   [insert total option price]

Type of Option:

   [insert long type]

Term/Expiration Date:

   [insert expiration date]


Vesting Schedule:

Subject to Participant continuing to be a Service Provider and other limitations set forth in the Plan and this Option Agreement, this Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the following schedule:

 

Date of Vesting

 

Shares Vesting

   
[Vest Date Period 1]   [Shares Period 1]  
[Vest Date Period 2]   [Shares Period 2]  
[Vest Date Period 3]   [Shares Period 3]  
[Vest Date Period 4]   [Shares Period 4]  

Termination Period:

This Option will be exercisable for three (3) months after Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, unless such termination is due to Participant’s death or Disability, in which case this Option will be exercisable for one (1) year after Participant ceases to be Service Provider. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may this Option be exercised after the Term/Expiration Date as provided above.

 

II. AGREEMENT

A. Grant of Option.

The Administrator hereby grants to Participant named in the Notice of Stock Option Grant (the “Notice of Grant”) an Option to purchase the number of Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per Share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference, and this Option Agreement. Subject to Section 20(c) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option, this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code. However, if this Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section 422(d), or otherwise does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

B. Exercise of Option.

1. Right to Exercise. This Option is exercisable during its term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

 

2


2. Method of Exercise. This Option is exercisable by (i) delivery of an exercise notice, in the form and manner determined by the Administrator, or (ii) following an electronic or other exercise procedure prescribed by the Administrator, which in either case shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised (the “Exercised Shares”), and such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Participant shall provide payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised Shares at the time of exercise, together with any applicable withholding taxes arising in connection with such exercise. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of a fully executed exercise notice or completion of such exercise procedure, as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion, accompanied by such aggregate Exercise Price and any applicable withholding taxes.

No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes, the Exercised Shares shall be considered transferred to Participant on the date the Option is exercised with respect to such Exercised Shares.

C. Method of Payment.

Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of Participant:

1. to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, by cash, check or cash equivalent;

2. consideration received by the Company under a formal cashless exercise program adopted by the Company in connection with the Plan;

3. other Shares which meet the conditions established by the Administrator to avoid adverse accounting consequences (as determined by the Administrator); or

4. any other methods approved by the Administrator and permitted by Applicable Laws.

D. Non-Transferability of Option.

This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Participant only by Participant. The terms of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of Participant.

E. Term of Option.

This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.

 

3


F. Tax Obligations.

Regardless of any action the Company or Participant’s employer (the “Employer”) takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related withholding (“Tax-Related Items”), Participant acknowledges that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items legally due by him or her is and remains Participant’s responsibility and that the Company and/or the Employer (1) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Option grant, including the grant, vesting or exercise of the Option, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such exercise and the receipt of any dividends; and (2) do not commit to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Option to reduce or eliminate Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items.

Participant understands that he or she may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Participant’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Participant represents that he or she will consult with any tax advisors Participant deems appropriate in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

Prior to exercise of the Option, Participant will pay or make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Employer to satisfy all withholding and payment on account obligations of the Company and/or the Employer. In this regard, Participant authorizes the Company and/or the Employer to withhold all applicable Tax-Related Items legally payable by Participant from his or her wages or other cash compensation paid to Participant by the Company and/or the Employer or from proceeds of the sale of Shares. Alternatively, or in addition, if permissible under local law, the Company may (1) sell or arrange for the sale of Shares that Participant acquires to meet the withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items, and/or (2) withhold in Shares, provided that the Company only withholds the amount of Shares necessary to satisfy the minimum withholding amount. Finally, Participant will pay to the Company or the Employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Employer may be required to withhold as a result of Participant’s participation in the Plan or Participant’s purchase of Shares that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.

G. Acknowledgements.

1. Participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan (including any applicable appendixes or sub-plans thereunder) and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Participant has reviewed the Plan (including any applicable appendixes or sub-plans thereunder) and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address in the Notice of Grant.

 

4


2. The Company (and not Participant’s employer) is granting the Option. The Company will administer the Plan from outside Participant’s country of residence.

3. That benefits and rights provided under the Plan are wholly discretionary and, although provided by the Company, do not constitute regular or periodic payments. The benefits and rights provided under the Plan are not to be considered part of Participant’s salary or compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy or other end of service payments, vacation, bonuses, long-term service awards, indemnification, pension or retirement benefits, or any other payments, benefits or rights of any kind and in no event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in any way to, services for the Company or the Employer.

4. The grant of the Option, and any future grant of Options under the Plan is entirely voluntary, and at the complete discretion of the Company. Neither the grant of the Option nor any future grant of an Option by the Company will be deemed to create any obligation to grant any further Options, whether or not such a reservation is explicitly stated at the time of such a grant. The Company has the right, at any time to amend, suspend or terminate the Plan.

5. The future value of the underlying Shares is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty.

6. If the underlying Shares do not increase in value, the Option will have no value.

7. If Participant exercises his or her Option and obtains Shares, the value of those Shares acquired upon exercise may increase or decrease in value, even below the Exercise Price.

8. The Plan will not be deemed to constitute, and will not be construed by Participant to constitute, part of the terms and conditions of employment, and that the Company will not incur any liability of any kind to Participant as a result of any change or amendment, or any cancellation, of the Plan at any time.

9. In the event that the Participant is not an employee of the Company, Participation in the Plan will not be deemed to constitute, and will not be deemed by Participant to constitute, an employment or labor contract with the Company and furthermore, the Option grant will not be interpreted to form an employment or labor contract with the Employer or any Subsidiary or affiliate of the Company.

10. Participant has received the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement and any other related communications in English, and Participant consents to having received these documents in English.

11. The Participant is voluntarily participating in the Plan.

12. In consideration of the grant of the Option, no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from termination of the Option or diminution in value of

 

5


the Option or Shares purchased through exercise of the Option resulting from termination of Participant’s employment by the Company or the Employer (for any reason whatsoever and whether or not in breach of local labor laws) and Participant irrevocably releases the Company and the Employer from any such claim that may arise; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have arisen, then, by accepting this Option Agreement, Participant will be deemed irrevocably to have waived his or her entitlement to pursue such claim.

13. In the event of termination of Participant’s employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws), Participant’s right to receive the Option and vest in the Option under the Plan, if any, will terminate effective as of the date that Participant is no longer actively employed and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law (e.g., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period pursuant to local law). In the event of termination of employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws), Participant’s right to exercise the Option after termination of employment, if any, will be measured by the date of termination of Participant’s active employment and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law. The Administrator shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant is no longer actively employed for purposes of his or her Option grant.

H. Data Privacy.

By entering into this Option Agreement, and as a condition of the grant of the Option, Participant consents to the collection, use, and transfer of personal data as described in this section to the full extent permitted by and in full compliance with Applicable Law.

Participant understands that the Company and its Subsidiaries hold certain personal information about the Participant, including, but not limited to, name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all Options or other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested, or outstanding in Participant’s favor, for the purpose of managing and administering the Plan (“Data”).

Participant further understands that the Company and/or its Subsidiaries will transfer Data among themselves as necessary for the purposes of implementation, administration, and management of Participant’s participation in the Plan, and that the Company and/or its Subsidiary may each further transfer Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan (“Data Recipients”).

Participant understands that these Data Recipients may be located in Participant’s country of residence or elsewhere, such as the United States and that that country may have different data privacy laws and protections than Participant’s country. Participant authorizes the Data Recipients to receive, possess, use, retain, and transfer Data in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering, and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any transfer of such Data, as may be required for the administration of the Plan and/or the subsequent holding of Shares on

 

6


Participant’s behalf, to a broker or third party with whom the Shares acquired on exercise may be deposited.

Participant understands that Participant may, at any time, review the Data, request that any necessary amendments be made to it, or withdraw Participant’s consent herein in writing by contacting the Company. Participant further understands that withdrawing consent may affect Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan.

I. Entire Agreement; Governing Law.

The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to Participant’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Participant.

This Option Agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California. For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by this grant or the Option Agreement, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of San Francisco County, California, or the federal courts for the United States for the Northern District of California, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.

J. NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE.

PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY OR THE PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY EMPLOYING OR RETAINING PARTICIPANT (AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES HEREUNDER). PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS OPTION AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH IN THE NOTICE OF GRANT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S (OR PARENT’S OR SUBSIDIARY’S) RIGHT TO TERMINATE PARTICIPANT’S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

K. Severability. The provisions of this Option Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.

L. Electronic Delivery. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to the Option granted under, and Participant’s participation in, the Plan or future options that may be granted under the Plan by electronic means or to request Participant’s

 

7


consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and, if requested, to agree to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

By Participant’s electronic signature and the electronic signature of the Company’s representative, Participant and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. Participant has reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Option Agreement. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan and Option Agreement.

 

8

EX-10.4 5 dex104.htm FORM OF STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT - PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Form of Stock Option Agreement - People's Republic of China

Exhibit 10.4

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.

2005 STOCK PLAN

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

(For Participants in China)

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Dolby Laboratories, Inc. 2005 Stock Plan as amended (the “Plan”) shall have the same defined meanings in this Stock Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”).

 

I. NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

 

Participant:

  [insert name of record]

Address:

 

[insert address line 1, 2, and 3 (as required)]

[insert city, state/province zip/postal code (country)]

Participant has been granted an Option, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as follows:

 

Grant Number

 

[insert option number]

Date of Grant

 

[insert option date]

Vesting Commencement Date

 

[insert vest base date]

Exercise Price per Share

 

[insert option price]

Total Number of Shares Granted

 

[insert shares granted]

Total Exercise Price

 

[insert total option price]

Type of Option:

 

[insert long type]

Term/Expiration Date:

 

[insert expiration date]


Vesting Schedule:

Subject to Participant continuing to be a Service Provider and other limitations set forth in the Plan and this Option Agreement, this Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the following schedule:

 

Date of Vesting

 

Shares Vesting

[Vest Date Period 1]

  [Shares Period 1]

[Vest Date Period 2]

  [Shares Period 2]

[Vest Date Period 3]

  [Shares Period 3]

[Vest Date Period 4]

  [Shares Period 4]

Termination Period:

This Option will be exercisable for three (3) months after Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, unless such termination is due to Participant’s death or Disability, in which case this Option will be exercisable for one (1) year after Participant ceases to be Service Provider. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may this Option be exercised after the Term/Expiration Date as provided above.

 

II. AGREEMENT

A. Grant of Option.

The Administrator hereby grants to Participant named in the Notice of Stock Option Grant (the “Notice of Grant”) an Option to purchase the number of Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per Share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference, and this Option Agreement. Subject to Section 20(c) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option, this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code. However, if this Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section 422(d), or otherwise does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

B. Exercise of Option.

1. Right to Exercise. This Option is exercisable during its term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

2. Method of Exercise. This Option is exercisable by (i) delivery of an exercise notice, in the form and manner determined by the Administrator, or (ii) following an electronic or other exercise procedure prescribed by the Administrator, which in either case shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is

 

2


being exercised (the “Exercised Shares”), and such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Participant shall provide payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised Shares at the time of exercise, together with any applicable withholding taxes arising in connection with such exercise. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of a fully executed exercise notice or completion of such exercise procedure, as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion, accompanied by such aggregate Exercise Price and any applicable withholding taxes.

No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes, the Exercised Shares shall be considered transferred to Participant on the date the Option is exercised with respect to such Exercised Shares.

C. Method of Payment.

Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of Participant:

1. consideration received by the Company under a formal cashless exercise program adopted by the Company in connection with the Plan; or

2. any other methods approved by the Administrator and permitted by Applicable Laws.

D. Non-Transferability of Option.

This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Participant only by Participant. The terms of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of Participant.

E. Term of Option.

This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.

F. Tax Obligations.

Regardless of any action the Company or Participant’s employer (the “Employer”) takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related withholding (“Tax-Related Items”), Participant acknowledges that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items legally due by him or her is and remains Participant’s responsibility and that the Company and/or the Employer (1) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Option grant, including the grant, vesting or exercise of the Option, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such exercise and the receipt of any dividends;

 

3


and (2) do not commit to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Option to reduce or eliminate Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items.

Participant understands that he or she may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Participant’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Participant represents that he or she will consult with any tax advisors Participant deems appropriate in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

Prior to exercise of the Option, Participant will pay or make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Employer to satisfy all withholding and payment on account obligations of the Company and/or the Employer. In this regard, Participant authorizes the Company and/or the Employer to withhold all applicable Tax-Related Items legally payable by Participant from his or her wages or other cash compensation paid to Participant by the Company and/or the Employer or from proceeds of the sale of Shares. Alternatively, or in addition, if permissible under local law, the Company may (1) sell or arrange for the sale of Shares acquired through exercise to meet the withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items, and/or (2) withhold in Shares, provided that the Company only withholds the amount of Shares necessary to satisfy the minimum withholding amount. Finally, Participant will pay to the Company or the Employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Employer may be required to withhold as a result of Participant’s participation in the Plan or Participant’s purchase of Shares that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company may refuse to honor the exercise if such withholding amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.

G. Acknowledgements.

1. Participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan (including any applicable appendixes or sub-plans thereunder) and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Participant has reviewed the Plan (including any applicable appendixes or sub-plans thereunder) and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address in the Notice of Grant.

2. The Company (and not Participant’s employer) is granting the Option. The Company will administer the Plan from outside Participant’s country of residence.

3. That benefits and rights provided under the Plan are wholly discretionary and, although provided by the Company, do not constitute regular or periodic payments. The benefits and rights provided under the Plan are not to be considered part of Participant’s salary or compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy or other end of service payments, vacation, bonuses, long-term service awards, indemnification, pension or retirement benefits, or any other payments, benefits or rights of any kind and in no

 

4


event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in any way to, services for the Company or the Employer.

4. The grant of the Option, and any future grant of Options under the Plan is entirely voluntary, and at the complete discretion of the Company. Neither the grant of the Option nor any future grant of an Option by the Company will be deemed to create any obligation to grant any further Options, whether or not such a reservation is explicitly stated at the time of such a grant. The Company has the right, at any time to amend, suspend or terminate the Plan.

5. The future value of the underlying Shares is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty.

6. If the underlying Shares do not increase in value, the Option will have no value.

7. The Plan will not be deemed to constitute, and will not be construed by Participant to constitute, part of the terms and conditions of employment, and that the Company will not incur any liability of any kind to Participant as a result of any change or amendment, or any cancellation, of the Plan at any time.

8. In the event that the Participant is not an employee of the Company, Participation in the Plan will not be deemed to constitute, and will not be deemed by Participant to constitute, an employment or labor contract with the Company and furthermore, the Option grant will not be interpreted to form an employment or labor contract with the Employer or any Subsidiary or affiliate of the Company.

9. Participant has received the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement and any other related communications in English, and Participant consents to having received these documents in English.

10. The Participant is voluntarily participating in the Plan.

11. In consideration of the grant of the Option, no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from termination of the Option or diminution in value of the Option resulting from termination of Participant’s employment by the Company or the Employer (for any reason whatsoever and whether or not in breach of local labor laws) and Participant irrevocably releases the Company and the Employer from any such claim that may arise; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have arisen, then, by accepting this Option Agreement, Participant will be deemed irrevocably to have waived his or her entitlement to pursue such claim.

12. In the event of termination of Participant’s employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws), Participant’s right to receive the Option and vest in the Option under the Plan, if any, will terminate effective as of the date that Participant is no longer actively employed and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law (e.g., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period pursuant to local law). In the event of termination of employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws),

 

5


Participant’s right to exercise the Option after termination of employment, if any, will be measured by the date of termination of Participant’s active employment and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law. The Administrator shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant is no longer actively employed for purposes of his or her Option grant.

H. Data Privacy.

By entering into this Option Agreement, and as a condition of the grant of the Option, Participant consents to the collection, use, and transfer of personal data as described in this section to the full extent permitted by and in full compliance with Applicable Law.

Participant understands that the Company and its Subsidiaries hold certain personal information about the Participant, including, but not limited to, name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all Options or other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested, or outstanding in Participant’s favor, for the purpose of managing and administering the Plan (“Data”).

Participant further understands that the Company and/or its Subsidiaries will transfer Data among themselves as necessary for the purposes of implementation, administration, and management of Participant’s participation in the Plan, and that the Company and/or its Subsidiary may each further transfer Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan (“Data Recipients”).

Participant understands that these Data Recipients may be located in Participant’s country of residence or elsewhere, such as the United States and that that country may have different data privacy laws and protections than Participant’s country. Participant authorizes the Data Recipients to receive, possess, use, retain, and transfer Data in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering, and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any transfer of such Data, as may be required for the administration of the Plan.

Participant understands that Participant may, at any time, review the Data, request that any necessary amendments be made to it, or withdraw Participant’s consent herein in writing by contacting the Company. Participant further understands that withdrawing consent may affect Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan.

I. Entire Agreement; Governing Law.

The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to Participant’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Participant.

 

6


This Option Agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California. For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by this grant or the Option Agreement, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of San Francisco County, California, or the federal courts for the United States for the Northern District of California, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.

J. NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE.

PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY OR THE PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY EMPLOYING OR RETAINING PARTICIPANT (AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES HEREUNDER). PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS OPTION AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH IN THE NOTICE OF GRANT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S (OR PARENT’S OR SUBSIDIARY’S) RIGHT TO TERMINATE PARTICIPANT’S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

K. Severability. The provisions of this Option Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.

L. Electronic Delivery. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to the Option granted under, and Participant’s participation in the Plan, or future options that may be granted under the Plan by electronic means or to request Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and, if requested, to agree to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

By Participant’s electronic signature and the electronic signature of the Company’s representative, Participant and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. Participant has reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Option Agreement. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan and Option Agreement.

 

7

EX-31.1 6 dex311.htm CERTIFICATION OF CEO PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, N. W. Jasper, Jr., certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for Dolby Laboratories, Inc.;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 2, 2006

 

/s/ N.W. Jasper, Jr.

N. W. Jasper, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
EX-31.2 7 dex312.htm CERTIFICATION OF CFO PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 302

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Kevin J. Yeaman, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for Dolby Laboratories, Inc.;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 2, 2006

 

/s/ Kevin J. Yeaman

Kevin J. Yeaman
Chief Financial Officer
EX-32.1 8 dex321.htm CERTIFICATION OF CEO AND CFO PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 Certification of CEO and CFO pursuant to Section 906

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Dolby Laboratories, Inc (the “Company”), on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), N.W. Jasper, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Kevin J. Yeaman, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, respectively, do each hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

    The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

    The information in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: August 2, 2006

 

 

/s/ N.W. Jasper, Jr.

N.W. Jasper, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Kevin J. Yeaman

Kevin J. Yeaman
Chief Financial Officer
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