XML 67 R28.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.3.0.15
Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Contingencies

20. Contingencies

We are in disputes with certain customers regarding amounts owed in connection with the sale of certain of our products and services. We also have had claims asserted by former employees relating to compensation and other employment matters. We are also involved in various other claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. We believe that none of these aforementioned claims or actions will result in a material adverse impact to our consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition. However, the amount or range of any potential liabilities associated with these claims and actions, if any, cannot be determined with certainty. Set forth below are additional details concerning certain ongoing litigation.

 

Braun Consulting, Inc.

Braun (which we acquired in November 2004) was a defendant in a lawsuit filed on November 26, 2001, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (Case No. 01 CV 10629) that alleges violations of federal securities laws in connection with Braun’s initial public offering in August 1999. This lawsuit is among approximately 300 coordinated putative class actions against certain issuers, their officers and directors, and underwriters with respect to such issuers’ initial public offerings.

On April 2, 2009, a stipulation and agreement of settlement between the plaintiffs, issuer defendants and underwriter defendants was submitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for preliminary approval. This settlement requires no financial contribution from us. The Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary approval and preliminarily certified the settlement classes on June 10, 2009. The settlement “fairness” hearing was held on September 10, 2009. The Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for final approval of the settlement and certified the settlement classes on October 5, 2009. The Court determined that the settlement is fair to the class members, approved the settlement and dismissed, with prejudice, the case against the Company and its individual defendants. Appeals of the opinion granting final approval were filed, and the appeals filed by one objector have been remanded to the district court to determine standing to appeal. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation and because the settlement remains subject to appeal, the ultimate outcome of the matter is uncertain.