Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Purchase Obligations

Cadence had purchase obligations of $107.4 million as of December 31, 2023, that were associated with agreements or commitments for purchases of goods or services. Cadence expects to settle $68.7 million of these obligations within the next 12 months.

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 IP, indemnification obligations, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, contracts, customers, products, distribution and other commercial arrangements and employee relations matters. Cadence is also subject from time to time to inquiries, investigations and regulatory proceedings involving governments and regulatory agencies in the jurisdictions in which Cadence operates. 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. Cadence was 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 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 December 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 up 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 fiscal 2023, 2022 or 2021.

Cadence’s product license and services agreements typically include a limited indemnification provision for claims from third parties relating to Cadence’s IP. 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 in April 2022 by Bell Semiconductor LLC (“Bell Semi”), a patent monetization entity, some customers sought 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 alleged that the customers’ use of one or more features of certain Cadence products infringed one or more of six patents held by Bell Semi. Cadence offered to defend some of its customers consistent with the terms of the applicable license agreements. On July 25, 2023, Cadence and Bell Semi reached a settlement agreement involving the six patents-in-suit. The settlement amount was not material to Cadence.

Cadence did not incur any material losses from indemnification claims during fiscal 2023, 2022 or 2021.