Contingencies (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

Contingencies

We accrue estimates for resolution of any legal and other contingencies when losses are probable and estimable, in accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies.

The terms of our software license agreements with our clients generally provide for a limited indemnification of such clients against losses, expenses and liabilities arising from third party claims based on alleged infringement by our solutions of an intellectual property right of such third party. The terms of such indemnification often limit the scope of and remedies for such indemnification obligations and generally include a right to replace or modify an infringing solution. To date, we have not had to reimburse any of our clients for any losses related to these indemnification provisions pertaining to third party intellectual property infringement claims. For several reasons, including the lack of prior indemnification claims and the lack of a monetary liability limit for certain infringement cases under the terms of the corresponding agreements with our clients, we cannot determine the maximum amount of potential future payments, if any, related to such indemnification provisions.

In addition to commitments and obligations in the ordinary course of business, we are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, including for example, employment disputes and litigation alleging solution defects, personal injury, intellectual property infringement, violations of law and breaches of contract and warranties.  Many of these proceedings are at preliminary stages and many seek an indeterminate amount of damages.

No less than quarterly, we review the status of each significant matter and assess our potential financial exposure. We accrue a liability for an estimated loss if the potential loss from any legal proceeding or claim is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required in both the determination of probability and the determination as to whether the amount of an exposure is reasonably estimable, and accruals are based only on the information available to our management at the time the judgment is made. Furthermore, the outcome of legal proceedings is inherently uncertain, and we may incur substantial defense costs and expenses defending any of these matters. Should any one or a combination of more than one of these proceedings be successful, or should we determine to settle any or a combination of these matters, we may be required to pay substantial sums, become subject to the entry of an injunction or be forced to change the manner in which we operate our business, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial position or results of operations.

RLIS, Inc., a non-practicing entity, filed a complaint in the Southern District of Texas against the Company alleging that certain of the Company’s electronic medical record solutions infringe two patents owned by the plaintiff.At trial, Plaintiff requested damages between $35.3 million and $38.2 million. Plaintiff also sought attorneys’ fees, costs, and an ongoing royalty.A jury trial was conducted from January 5, 2015, to January 16, 2015. The jury rendered a verdict that all remaining patent claims asserted against the Company were invalid and not infringed by the Company. The Company continues to dispute the Plaintiff’s claims and will vigorously defend itself if the Plaintiff appeals after a final judgment is entered.In the opinion of our management, if the Plaintiff were to appeal, there is a reasonable possibility that we could incur losses with respect to this matter but we are unable to estimate a range of any such possible losses at this time, and we do not believe a loss is probable. Our management will continue to evaluate the potential exposure related to this matter in future periods.

Settlement Charge

On December 10, 2013, the Company received an interim ruling on a pending arbitration matter between Cerner and a client, awarding the client damages and awarding us part of our counterclaim to collect accounts receivable. The client dispute arose from allegations that a certain patient accounting software solution sold to the client in 2008 was defective and did not deliver the promised benefits. This matter was resolved and paid in 2013. We recognized a gross pre-tax charge of $106.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, which is included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations.