Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, Cadence is involved in various disputes and litigation that arise in the ordinary course of business. These include disputes and legal proceedings related to intellectual property, indemnification obligations, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, contracts, customers, products, distribution and other commercial arrangements and employee relations matters. At least quarterly, Cadence reviews the status of each significant matter and assesses its potential financial exposure. If the potential loss from any claim or legal proceeding is considered probable and the amount or the range of loss can be estimated, Cadence accrues a liability for the estimated loss. Legal proceedings are subject to uncertainties, and the outcomes are difficult to predict. Because of such uncertainties, accruals are based on Cadence’s judgments using the best information available at the time. As additional information becomes available, Cadence reassesses the potential liability related to pending claims and litigation matters and may revise estimates.

Tax Proceedings

In December 2022, Cadence received a tax audit assessment of approximately $49 million from the Korea taxing authorities for years 2017-2019. The tax audit assessment is primarily related to value-added taxes (“VAT"). Cadence is required to pay these assessed taxes, prior to being allowed to contest or litigate the assessment in administrative and judicial proceedings. The assessment was paid by Cadence in January 2023 and recorded as a component of other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Payment of this amount is not an admission that Cadence is subject to such taxes, and Cadence continues to defend its position vigorously. Cadence did not record a reserve for this contingency as of March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022 as Cadence does not believe a loss is probable because it believes it will ultimately prevail in full. The entire dispute resolution process may take from one to eight years.

Other Contingencies

Cadence provides its customers with a warranty on sales of hardware products, generally for a 90-day period. Cadence did not incur any significant costs related to warranty obligations during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and April 2, 2022.

Cadence’s product license and services agreements typically include a limited indemnification provision for claims from third parties relating to Cadence’s intellectual property. If the potential loss from any indemnification claim is considered probable and the amount or the range of loss can be estimated, Cadence accrues a liability for the estimated loss.

In connection with a litigation campaign launched by Bell Semiconductor LLC (“Bell Semi”), a patent monetization entity, some customers have requested defense and indemnification against claims of patent infringement asserted by Bell Semi in various district court litigation and at the U.S. International Trade Commission. Bell Semi alleges that the customers’ use of one or more features of certain Cadence products infringes one or more of six patents held by Bell Semi. Cadence has offered to defend some of its customers consistent with the terms of its license agreements. Cadence is unable to estimate the potential impact of these commitments on the future results of operations at this time.

Cadence did not incur any material losses from indemnification claims during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and April 2, 2022.