JOINT VENTURE, TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AND OTHER AGREEMENTS WITH MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC	3 Months Ended
Jan. 29, 2017
JOINT VENTURE, TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AND OTHER AGREEMENTS WITH MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC. [Abstract]
JOINT VENTURE, TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AND OTHER AGREEMENTS WITH MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.	NOTE 5 - JOINT VENTURE, TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AND OTHER AGREEMENTS WITH MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC. In May 2006 Photronics and Micron Technology, Inc. (“Micron”) entered into the MP Mask joint venture (“MP Mask”), which developed and produced photomasks for leading-edge and advanced next generation semiconductors. At the time of the formation of the joint venture, the Company also entered into an agreement to license photomask technology developed by Micron, as well as, certain supply agreements. In May 2016 the Company sold its investment in MP Mask to Micron for $93.1 million and recorded a gain on the sale of $0.1 million. On that same date a supply agreement commenced between the Company and Micron, which provides that we will be the majority outsourced supplier of Micron’s photomasks and related services. The supply agreement has a one year term, subject to mutually agreeable renewals (presently due to expire in May 2017). In addition, the Company forevermore has the right to use technology under the prior technology license agreement. This joint venture was a variable interest entity (“VIE”) (as that term is defined in ASC 810) because all costs of the joint venture were passed on to the Company and Micron through purchase agreements they had entered into with the joint venture, and it was dependent upon the Company and Micron for any additional cash requirements. On a quarterly basis the Company reassessed whether its interest in MP Mask gave it a controlling financial interest in this VIE. The purpose of this quarterly reassessment was to identify the primary beneficiary (which is defined in ASC 810 as the entity that consolidates a VIE) of the VIE. As a result of the reassessments in fiscal year 2016, the Company determined that Micron remained the primary beneficiary of the VIE, by virtue of its tie-breaking voting rights within MP Mask’s Board of Managers, thereby having given it the power to direct the activities of MP Mask that most significantly impacted its economic performance, including its decision making authority in the ordinary course of business and its purchasing the majority of products produced by the VIE. The Company utilized MP Mask for both high-end IC photomask production and research and development purposes. MP Mask charged its variable interest holders based on their actual usage of its facility. MP Mask separately charged for any research and development activities it engaged in at the requests of its owners. The Company recorded cost of sales of $2.2 million during the three month period ended January 31, 2016, and research and development expenses of $0.2 million during the same period. As of January 31, 2016, the Company owed MP Mask $5.6 million, and had a receivable from Micron of $6.9 million, both primarily related to the aforementioned supply agreements. MP Mask was governed by a Board of Managers, appointed by Micron and the Company. Since MP Mask’s inception, Micron, as a result of its majority ownership, held majority voting power on the Board of Managers. The voting power held by each party was subject to change as ownership interests changed. Under the MP Mask joint venture operating agreement, the Company may have been required to make additional capital contributions to MP Mask up to the maximum amount defined in the operating agreement. However, had the Board of Managers determined that further additional funding was required, MP Mask would have pursued its own financing. If MP Mask was unable to obtain its own financing, it may have requested additional capital contributions from the Company. Had the Company chosen not to make a requested contribution to MP Mask, its ownership percentage may have been reduced. The Company recorded a loss of $0.1 million from its investment in the three month period ended January 31, 2016. Income or loss from the VIE is included in “Interest and other income (expense), net” in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

NOTE 5 - JOINT VENTURE, TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AND OTHER AGREEMENTS WITH MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

In May 2006 Photronics and Micron Technology, Inc. (“Micron”) entered into the MP Mask joint venture (“MP Mask”), which developed and produced photomasks for leading-edge and advanced next generation semiconductors. At the time of the formation of the joint venture, the Company also entered into an agreement to license photomask technology developed by Micron, as well as, certain supply agreements. In May 2016 the Company sold its investment in MP Mask to Micron for $93.1 million and recorded a gain on the sale of $0.1 million. On that same date a supply agreement commenced between the Company and Micron, which provides that we will be the majority outsourced supplier of Micron’s photomasks and related services. The supply agreement has a one year term, subject to mutually agreeable renewals (presently due to expire in May 2017). In addition, the Company forevermore has the right to use technology under the prior technology license agreement.

This joint venture was a variable interest entity (“VIE”) (as that term is defined in ASC 810) because all costs of the joint venture were passed on to the Company and Micron through purchase agreements they had entered into with the joint venture, and it was dependent upon the Company and Micron for any additional cash requirements. On a quarterly basis the Company reassessed whether its interest in MP Mask gave it a controlling financial interest in this VIE. The purpose of this quarterly reassessment was to identify the primary beneficiary (which is defined in ASC 810 as the entity that consolidates a VIE) of the VIE. As a result of the reassessments in fiscal year 2016, the Company determined that Micron remained the primary beneficiary of the VIE, by virtue of its tie-breaking voting rights within MP Mask’s Board of Managers, thereby having given it the power to direct the activities of MP Mask that most significantly impacted its economic performance, including its decision making authority in the ordinary course of business and its purchasing the majority of products produced by the VIE.

The Company utilized MP Mask for both high-end IC photomask production and research and development purposes. MP Mask charged its variable interest holders based on their actual usage of its facility. MP Mask separately charged for any research and development activities it engaged in at the requests of its owners. The Company recorded cost of sales of $2.2 million during the three month period ended January 31, 2016, and research and development expenses of $0.2 million during the same period. As of January 31, 2016, the Company owed MP Mask $5.6 million, and had a receivable from Micron of $6.9 million, both primarily related to the aforementioned supply agreements.

MP Mask was governed by a Board of Managers, appointed by Micron and the Company. Since MP Mask’s inception, Micron, as a result of its majority ownership, held majority voting power on the Board of Managers. The voting power held by each party was subject to change as ownership interests changed. Under the MP Mask joint venture operating agreement, the Company may have been required to make additional capital contributions to MP Mask up to the maximum amount defined in the operating agreement. However, had the Board of Managers determined that further additional funding was required, MP Mask would have pursued its own financing. If MP Mask was unable to obtain its own financing, it may have requested additional capital contributions from the Company. Had the Company chosen not to make a requested contribution to MP Mask, its ownership percentage may have been reduced.

The Company recorded a loss of $0.1 million from its investment in the three month period ended January 31, 2016. Income or loss from the VIE is included in “Interest and other income (expense), net” in the condensed consolidated statements of income.