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Avid

avid · NASDAQ Technology
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Ticker avid
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Technology
Industry Electronic Gaming & Multimedia
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2016 Annual Report · Avid
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AVID 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 

Louis Hernandez, Jr. 
Chairman and  
Chief Executive Officer

To our stockholders:

In 2016, we made considerable progress on our business transformation, improved our product portfolio with new 
industry-leading solutions and optimized approaches to our key customer markets. Our customers leveraged our 
comprehensive tools and workflow solutions and their achievements were far-reaching, from broadcasting the Rio 
Olympics to having their accomplishments showcased at the Emmys, Grammys, Oscars and many other awards 
ceremonies. The growth of our key performance metrics continue to demonstrate that our strategy is working. As we 
begin 2017, I am pleased to note that our transformation is on-track for completion in the second quarter of 2017 and 
preparation is underway for Avid’s next phase of growth.

Customers continue to embrace our Avid Everywhere strategy – a single global collaborative ecosystem shared by 
anyone who wants to participate in any part of the media value chain, through a common platform with shared tools. 
Our strategy is to combine the best, most comprehensive creative and workflow tools in the industry with the most 
open, extensible and efficient platform in the world, and offer it to customers with flexible deployment and payment 
options. In the process, Avid leverages its brand and distribution, expands its addressable market, creates new revenue 
streams, and lowers its delivery and operational model costs. 

The momentum of our Avid Everywhere strategy and progress of our business transformation became even more 
visible this year. There was strong adoption of our MediaCentral platform by enterprise users. Licensed platform users 
across these enterprises increased to over 42,700 in 2016, representing a 29% increase over last year. Our strategy 
also resonated with independent professionals, as paid cloud-enabled subscribers increased to over 60,700 in 2016, 
representing a 2.4x increase over last year, and with a majority of these subscribers being new users of Avid’s creative 
tools. As well, bookings from our digital direct channel in 2016 grew 43% from last year. Our business continued to 
shift to a recurring revenue model, as subscription became a larger contributor and bookings from recurring revenue 
reached 45% of total bookings in Q4, representing a large step-up from the low point before the transformation of 
13%. Meanwhile, we exceeded our $76 million savings target for our platform-enabled efficiency program in 2016, 
which is creating a leaner, more directed cost structure.

Throughout the year, we launched a number of new products and services, including NEXIS, the award-winning, 
first and only software-defined storage platform specifically designed for storing and managing media.  NEXIS is an 
innovative product designed to be hardware agnostic, substantially more powerful in terms of capacity, density and 
price, and provides a secure cloud option. As content continues to explode and storage needs continue to grow among 
our customers, we believe the NEXIS platform will position Avid for future growth in an important category for the 
media industry.

We also improved our approach to key customer segments, including the enterprise market. As we began to optimize 
our approach to enterprise customers this year, we saw greater traction, including signed agreements with some of the 
leading media companies in the world. As we continued to formalize enterprise pricing and processes, and align our 
sales and delivery organizations, we believe this can become a more predicable part of our business and create greater 
visibility in our financial model.    

As you may remember, we defined our business transformation with three primary events: the reduction of revenue 
from non-marketed products, completion of identified efficiency programs, and the end of the pre-2011 revenue 
amortization of deferred revenue. We believe these events will be substantially complete in the second quarter of 
2017. In tandem, we have been completing an ambitious product strategy, including launching our MediaCentral 
platform, investing in new proprietary and certified third-party applications, and offering our solutions with flexible 
deployment and pricing options. These initiatives are intended to contribute to an emerging economic model, which we 
believe will be clearer, more predictable and profitable.

As we look forward to 2017 and the end of the transformation, we have begun to lay the foundation for Avid’s next 
phase of growth, in which there will be an increasing focus on marketing and selling activities to drive adoption of our 
products on a larger scale in all segments. We have made operational enhancements, including the appointment of a 
President and new Chief Financial Officer, and the implementation of new go-to-market models. In addition, we are 
making investments and striking partnership agreements that will drive our cloud strategy as the media industry shifts 
to using cloud-enabled products and services.

I would like to thank our stockholders for their continued support of Avid. This dramatic business transformation 
has been made possible by the hard work of the Avid team as well as the commitment of our global client and user 
community. We all look forward to completing the transformation and carrying the momentum into Avid’s next phase  
of growth. 

Sincerely

,

Louis Hernandez, Jr.

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016
OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________ TO __________

Commission File Number:  1-36254
_______________________

Avid Technology, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

04-2977748
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

75 Network Drive
Burlington, Massachusetts  01803
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

(978) 640-6789
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:                    

Title of Each Class

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value

Name of each exchange on which registered

NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
_______________________

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes 

   No 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes 

   No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant:  (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during 
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for 
the past 90 days.  Yes 

   No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 
and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and 
post such files).  Yes 

   No 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best 
of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 
10-K. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the 
definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer 
Non-accelerated Filer 
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)

Accelerated Filer 
Smaller Reporting Company 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes 

   No 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $222,066,526 based on the closing price of the 
Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 30, 2016.  The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock as of March 17, 
2017 was 40,864,915.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Document Description

Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

10-K Part

III

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

PART I.

ITEM 1.

Business

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

ITEM 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

ITEM 2.

ITEM 3.

ITEM 4.

PART II.

ITEM 5.

ITEM 6.

ITEM 7.

Properties

Legal Proceedings

Mine Safety Disclosures

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 
Securities

Selected Financial Data

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

ITEM 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

ITEM 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Financial Information

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

ITEM 9.

ITEM 9A.

ITEM 9B.

PART III.

ITEM 10.

ITEM 11.

ITEM 12.

ITEM 13.

ITEM 14.

PART IV.

ITEM 15.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Controls and Procedures

Other Information

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Executive Compensation

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

SIGNATURES

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Page

iii

1

11

28

28

28

28

29

31

33

57

58

59

97

97

100

101

101

101

101

101

102

103

ii

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, or Form 10-K, filed by Avid Technology, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries, 
“Avid” or the “Company”, or “we”, “us” or “our” unless the context indicates otherwise, includes forward-looking statements 
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  For this purpose, any statements contained in this 
Form 10-K that relate to future results or events are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements may be identified 
by use of forward-looking words, such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “confidence,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “feel,” “intend,” 
“may,” “plan,” “should,” “seek,” “will” and “would,” or similar expressions. 

Forward-looking statements may involve subjects relating to, among others, the following:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

our ability to successfully implement our Avid Everywhere strategic plan and other strategic initiatives, including 
our cost saving strategies;

the anticipated trends and developments in our markets and the success of our products in these markets;

our ability to develop, market and sell new products and services;

our business strategies and market positioning;

our ability to achieve our goal of expanding our market positions;

anticipated trends relating to our sales, financial condition or results of operations, including our shift to a recurring 
revenue model and complex enterprise sales with elongated sales cycles;

the expected timing of recognition of revenue backlog as revenue, and the timing of recognition of revenues from 
subscription offerings;

our ability to successfully consummate acquisitions, or investment transactions and successfully integrate acquired 
businesses including the acquisition of Orad Hi-Tech Ltd (“Orad”), into our operations; 

our anticipated benefits and synergies from, and the anticipated financial impact of, any acquired business 
(including Orad);

the anticipated performance of our products;

changes in inventory levels;

plans regarding repatriation of foreign earnings;

the outcome, impact, costs and expenses of any litigation or government inquiries to which we are or become 
subject;

the effect of the continuing worldwide macroeconomic uncertainty on our business and results of operation, 
including Brexit; 

our ability to accelerate growth of our Cloud-enabled Avid Everywhere platform;

our compliance with covenants contained in the agreements governing our indebtedness; 

our ability to service our debt and meet the obligations thereunder, including our ability to satisfy our conversion 
and repurchase obligations under our convertible notes due 2020;

seasonal factors;

fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates;

our ability to effectively mitigate and remediate the material weakness in our internal control over financial 
reporting, and the expected timing thereof;

the risk of restatement of our financial statements;

estimated asset and liability values and amortization of our intangible assets;

our capital resources and the adequacy thereof; and

iii

• 

worldwide political uncertainty, in particular the risk that the United States may withdraw from or materially 
modify NAFTA or other international trade agreements.

Actual results and events in future periods may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking 
statements in this Form 10-K.  There are a number of factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from 
those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond our control, including the risk factors 
discussed in Item 1A of this Form 10-K.  In addition, the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K represent our 
estimates only as of the date of this filing and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date.  
While we may elect to update these forward-looking statements in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, 
whether to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, changes in other factors affecting such forward-looking statements or 
otherwise.

The information included under the heading “Stock Performance Graph” in Item 5 of this Form 10-K is “furnished” and not 
“filed” and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or subject to Regulation 14A, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes 
of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of 
that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, 
as amended, or the Securities Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference.

We own or have rights to trademarks and service marks that we use in connection with the operation of our business.  Avid is a 
trademark of Avid Technology, Inc.  Other trademarks, logos, and slogans registered or used by us and our subsidiaries in the 
United States and other countries include, but are not limited to, the following:  Avid Everywhere, Avid NEXIS, AirSpeed, 
EUCON, iNEWS, Interplay, MediaCentral, Mbox, Media Composer, NewsCutter, Nitris, Pro Tools, Sibelius and Symphony.    
Other trademarks appearing in this Form 10-K are the property of their respective owners.

iv

 
ITEM 1. 

BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

PART I

We develop, market, sell, and support software and hardware for digital media content production, management and 
distribution. We do this by providing an open and efficient platform for digital media, along with a comprehensive set of tools 
and workflow solutions, that enable the creation, distribution and optimization of audio and video content. Digital media are 
video, audio or graphic elements in which the image, sound or picture is recorded and stored as digital values, as opposed to 
analog or tape-based signals.  Our products are used in production and post-production facilities; film studios; network, 
affiliate, independent and cable television stations; recording studios; live-sound performance venues; advertising agencies; 
government and educational institutions; corporate communications departments; and by independent video and audio 
creative professionals, as well as aspiring professionals.  Projects produced using our products include feature films, 
television programming, live events, news broadcasts, sports productions, commercials, music, video and other digital media 
content.

Our mission is to create the most powerful and collaborative media network that enables the creation, distribution and 
monetization of the most inspiring content in the world.  Guided by our Avid Everywhere strategic vision, we strive to deliver 
the industry’s most open, tightly integrated and efficient platform for media, connecting content creation with collaboration, 
asset protection, distribution and consumption of media in the world - from the most prestigious and award-winning feature 
films, music recordings, and television shows, to live concerts, sporting events and news broadcasts.  We have been honored 
over time for our technological innovation with 14 Emmy Awards, one Grammy Award, two Oscars and the first ever 
America Cinema Editors Technical Excellence Award.  Our solutions were used in all 2017 Oscar nominated films for Best 
Picture, Best Film Editing and Best Original Score. Every 2017 Grammy nominee for Record of the Year and Album of The 
Year relied on our music creation solutions powered by our MediaCentral Platform.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

On January 26, 2017, we entered into a securities purchase agreement, or the Securities Purchase Agreement, with Jetsen, 
pursuant to which we have agreed to sell to Jetsen shares of our common stock in an amount equal to between 5% and 9.9% 
of our outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis.  The purchase price for the shares is $18.2 million and will be 
payable in cash. The closing of the sale is subject to closing conditions, including China regulatory approvals. The exact 
number of shares to be issued and sold at closing will be determined by reference to the trading price of our common stock 
before closing. At the same time, we also entered into an Exclusive Distributor Agreement with Jetsen, pursuant to which 
Jetsen will become the exclusive distributor for our products and services in the Greater China region. The Distributor 
Agreement has a five-year term and Jetsen is required to make at least $75.8 million of aggregate purchases under the 
agreement over the first three years.

On March 14, 2017, or the Effective Date, we entered into an amendment, or the Amendment, to our existing financing 
agreement dated February 26, 2016, or the Financing Agreement, with the lenders party thereto. The Amendment modifies 
the covenant requiring us to maintain a Leverage Ratio (defined to mean the ratio of (a) consolidated total funded 
indebtedness to (b) consolidated EBITDA) such that following the Effective Date, we are required to keep a Leverage Ratio 
of no greater than 3.50:1.00 for the four quarters ending March 31, 2017, 4.20:1.00 for the four quarters ending June 30, 
2017, 4.75:1.00 for the four quarters ending September 30, 2017, 4.80:1.00 for the four quarters ending December 31, 2017, 
4:40:1 for each of the four quarters ending March 31, 2018 through March 31, 2019, respectively, and thereafter declining 
over time from 3.50:1.00 to 2.50:1.00. Following the Effective Date, interest accrues on outstanding borrowings under the 
credit facility and the term loan (each as defined in the Financing Agreement) at a rate of either the LIBOR Rate (as defined 
in the Financing Agreement) plus 7.25% or a Reference Rate (as defined in the Financing Agreement) plus 6.25%, at the 
option of Avid.

1

CORPORATE STRATEGY

Technology has enabled almost every aspect of how we live to become increasingly digitized, and acceleration of digitization 
is having a tremendous impact on the media industry and altering the industry value chain. Today’s consumers are 
empowered to create and consume content on-demand-anywhere, anytime. Organizations in the media industry are under 
pressure to connect and automate the entire creation-to-consumption workflow, and are facing a number of challenges, 
including:

• 

Increasing rate of content creation – many organizations are feeling intense pressure to create more and more 
content, specially tailored to each audience niche, while also facing greater competition from nimble players. At the 
same time, access to creative tools is wider today then ever before, giving more people the ability to tell their stories.

•  Exponential growth of distribution platforms – the economic models of new distribution platforms are often not fully 

matured or realized.  Many organizations need to embrace new opportunities while also maximizing heritage 
business.

•  Continued increase in content consumption – there has been a tremendous increase in viewership in the last decade, 
but it is spread across many outlets and channels, and while there is this increase in viewership, it is dwarfed by an 
increase in competitive content. In addition, with growing audience fragmentation, brand equity and relevance is 
even more critical today.

•  Media technology budgets – today’s economic realities are placing pressure on media technology budgets, while 

content output must increase exponentially to deliver on the market requirements. Content creators and distributors 
have to do a lot more, with a lot less. 

We believe our strategic understanding and technological expertise uniquely position us to effectively help organizations in 
the media industry navigate through this period of unprecedented change. Our products and solutions allow our customers to 
(i) create high-quality, engaging and immersive content, (ii) distribute to more outlets and devices, (iii) maximize and protect 
the value of media assets, and (iv) create operational and capital efficiency.  Our unique position across the media industry 
includes:

• 

• 

• 

• 

the comprehensive tools and solutions to create, distribute and optimize media, with proven end-to-end solutions 
that are precisely designed to optimize content production and media workflow efficiencies;

the open, integrated and efficient platform designed for media, providing an ecosystem that future-proofs and 
protects technology investments;

flexible deployment models, licensing options and commercial structures, including premise, public or private cloud, 
or hybrid deployments; perpetual, subscription or enterprise licensing; and flexible commercial models, all adaptable 
to the individual needs of each client; and

a preeminent client and user community that helps shape our collective future, including the industry’s most 
inspirational and award-winning thought leaders, innovators and storytellers that keep our community at the 
forefront of creative techniques and workflow best practices.

Our strategy is built on three pillars, Avid Everywhere, The Avid Advantage and the Avid Customer Association, or ACA.  
Avid Everywhere is our strategic vision for connecting creative professionals and media organizations with their audiences in 
a more powerful, efficient, collaborative, and profitable way.  Central to the Avid Everywhere vision is the Avid 
MediaCentral Platform, an open, extensible, and customizable foundation that streamlines and simplifies workflows by 
integrating all Avid or third party products and services that run on top of it.  The platform provides secure and protected 
access, which enables the creation and delivery of content faster and easier through a set of modular application suites and 
new public and private marketplaces, that together, represent an open, integrated and flexible media production and 
distribution environment for the media industry.  The Avid Advantage complements Avid Everywhere by offering a new 
standard in service, support and education to enable our customers to derive more efficiency from their Avid investment.  
Finally, the ACA is an association of dedicated media community visionaries, thought leaders and users designed to provide 
essential strategic leadership to the media industry, facilitate collaboration between Avid and key industry leaders and 
visionaries, and strengthen relationships between our customers and us.

2

The set of modular application suites and public and private marketplaces on the Avid MediaCentral Platform are 
summarized below:

•  Artist Suite encompasses all of our audio and video creative tools for editing, mixing, and live sound production. 
Products and tools in the Artist Suite can be deployed on premise, cloud-enabled, or through a hybrid approach. 
Users can collaborate to access, edit, and share the same media; and collaborate with others as if they were all in the 
same facility.

•  Media Suite offers solutions to securely manage, distribute, and re-purpose assets. The solutions will be based on a 
new metadata tracking system, where metadata will be generated algorithmically and provide a greater level of 
detail, making it possible to take a flexible and adaptable view of assets at any stage of the lifecycle.

• 

• 

Studio Suite comprises in-studio tools for on-air program and viewership enhancement, including 3D real-time 
graphics, replay servers, sports enhancements and virtual studios.

Storage Suite refers to all of our products and tools used to capture, store, and deliver media, including online 
storage, nearline storage, and ingest/playout servers. These products and tools work in close concert with the Media 
Suite’s tagging and asset management.

•  Marketplaces provide an easy and secure way for the content creators to share or publish their products or elements. 

The marketplaces are designed for collaboration and distribution among individuals and enterprises.

Another key element of our strategy is our transition to a subscription or recurring revenue based model. We started offering 
cloud-based subscription licensing options for some of our products and solutions in 2014, and have more than 60,000 paying 
cloud-enabled subscribers at the end of 2016, a 141% increase from 2015. These licensing options offer choice in pricing and 
deployment to suit our customers’ needs and are expected to increase recurring revenue on a longer term basis. However, 
during our transition to a recurring revenue model, we expect that our revenue, deferred revenue, and cash flow from 
operations will be adversely affected as an increasing portion of our total revenue is recognized ratably rather than up front, 
and as new product offerings are sold at a wider variety of price points.

As a complement to our core strategy, we continue to review and implement programs throughout the Company to reduce 
costs, increase operational efficiencies, align talent and enhance our business, including the cost efficiency program 
announced in February 2016. The cost efficiency program encompasses a series of measures intended to allow us to more 
efficiently operate in a leaner, and more directed cost structure. These measures include reductions in our workforce, facilities 
consolidation, transferring certain business processes to lower cost regions, and reducing other third-party services costs. We 
anticipate that the cost efficiency program will be substantially complete by the end of the second quarter of 2017

CUSTOMER MARKETS

We provide digital media content-creation, management and distribution products and solutions to customers in the following 
markets:

•  Broadcast and Media.  This market consists of broadcast, government, sports and other organizations that acquire, 
create, process, and/or distribute audio and video content to a large audience for communication, entertainment, 
analysis, and/or forensic purposes.  Customers in this industry rely on workflows that span content acquisition, 
creation, editing, distribution, sales and redistribution and utilize all content distribution platforms, including web, 
mobile, internet protocol television, cable, satellite, on-air and various other proprietary platforms.  For this market, 
we offer a range of open products and solutions including hardware- and software-based video- and audio-editing 
tools, graphics solutions, collaborative workflow and asset management solutions, and automation tools, as well as 
scalable media storage options.  Our domain expertise also allows us to provide customers in this market with a 
range of professional and consulting services.   We sell into this market through our direct sales force and resellers.

•  Video and Audio Post and Professional.  This market is made up of individual artists and entities that create audio 

and video media as a paid service, but do not currently distribute media to end consumers on a large scale.  This 
industry spans a wide-ranging target audience that includes: independent video editors, facilities and filmmakers that 
produce video media as a business but are not broadcasters; professional sound designers, editors and mixers and 
facilities that specialize in the creation of audio for picture; songwriters, musicians, producers, film composers and 

3

engineers who compose and record music professionally; technicians, engineers, rental companies and facilities that 
present, record and broadcast audio and video for live performances; and students and teachers in career technical 
education programs in high schools, colleges and universities, as well as in post-secondary vocational schools, that 
prepare students for professional media production careers in the digital workplace.  For this market, we offer a 
range of products and solutions based on the Avid MediaCentral Platform, including hardware- and software-based 
creative production tools, graphics solutions, scalable media storage options and collaborative workflows.  Our 
domain expertise also allows us to provide customers in this market with a broad range of professional services.  We 
sell into this market through storefront and on-line retailers, as well as through our direct sales force and resellers.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Overview

Our software and hardware products and solutions, as well as our services offerings, address the diverse needs, skills and 
sophistication levels of our customers.  All of our key products and solutions have been integrated into our MediaCentral 
Platform, which provides the industry’s most open, integrated and efficient platform designed for media.  In addition, we 
provide flexible deployment models, licensing options and commercial structures so our customers can chose how, when and 
where to deploy and use our tools.

The following table presents our net revenues by category, which includes the amortization of deferred revenues, for the 
periods indicated (in thousands):

Video products and solutions
Audio products and solutions
     Total products and solutions
Services

Total net revenues

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

$

$

155,408
127,702
283,110
228,820
511,930

$

$

201,559
134,812
336,371
169,224
505,595

$

$

233,464
145,163
378,627
151,624
530,251

The following table presents our net revenues by category, which includes the amortization of deferred revenues, as a 
percentage of total net revenues for the periods indicated:

Video products and solutions

Audio products and solutions

     Total products and solutions

Services

Total net revenues

Video Products and Solutions

Professional Video Creative Tools

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

30%

25%

55%

45%

100%

40%

27%

67%

33%

100%

44%

27%

71%

29%

100%

We offer a range of software and hardware video-editing tools for the professional.  Our award-winning Media Composer 
product line is used to edit video content, including television programming, commercials and films. Guided by our Avid 
Everywhere strategic vision, our Media Composer | Cloud solution enables broadcast news professionals to acquire, access, 
edit and finish stories anytime, from everywhere.  Leveraging a cloud-based architecture, this solution gives contributors the 
ability to craft stories where they are happening and speed them to air while maintaining connectivity with the newsroom 
operation. We released Media Composer version 8 with subscription offerings and updates, and with resolution flexibility and 

4

 
independence, which allows users to manage and edit high-resolution media content with ease.  In 2016, we had additional 
Media Composer product updates and upgrades to extend the production capabilities and demonstrate our continuing 
commitment to provide tools that allow for improved creativity and productivity of the professional editor, delivered in a way 
most attractive to the users. 

Our NewsCutter option and iNews systems are designed for the fast-paced world of news production.  Our Avid Symphony 
option is used during the “online” or “finishing” stage of post-production, during which the final program is assembled in 
high resolution with finished graphics, visual effects, color grading and audio tracks. In September 2016, we introduced the 
next-generation newsroom, based around a complete story-centric workflow including multiple Avid solutions and new 
feature enhancements for modern newsroom management and news production. This new story-centric workflow puts the 
story at the center of news operations from planning to delivery, and provides the tools news teams need to plan, gather, 
create, collaborate, manage and deliver news to a wider range of viewers across multiple platforms.  Our next-generation 
newsroom builds on the openness and integration of the Avid MediaCentral Platform. Content can be pushed across a variety 
of platforms as the story evolves, including on-air, online, and on mobile devices. Audiences can get up-to-the-minute 
information and contribute to live broadcasts through social media interaction.

Revenues from our professional video creative tools accounted for 9%, 10% and 8% of our net revenues for 2016, 2015 and 
2014, respectively.

Media Management Solutions

Our Avid MediaCentral | UX web and mobile-based apps extend the capability of our Avid Interplay | MAM and Avid 
Interplay | Production asset management solutions by providing real-time access to media assets for the on-the-go media 
professional.  Avid Interplay | MAM allows users to focus on managing content and workflows by giving them the tools to 
connect their media operations and business intelligence, control movement of media between various storage systems, 
configure metadata, and leverage a service-oriented architecture structure to integrate in-house and third-party applications.  
Avid Interplay | Production enhances production team collaboration by coordinating the editorial workflow of team members 
at each site, many of whom may be working on the same projects at the same time. Avid Interplay | Production also manages 
the detailed composition of a project and provides the ability to track media, production file formats, and a project’s history.  

We acquired Orad Hi-Tech Systems Ltd., or Orad, in June 2015 and integrated its graphics production toolsets and solutions 
into the MediaCentral Platform during 2016. In 2016, we released two major new versions of 4Designer, graphics production 
toolsets that deliver rich video and graphic capabilities and broadcast enhancements for news and sports production. As the 
graphics toolsets have been integrated into the MediaCentral Platform, 4Designer offers a complete solution for creating 
captivating 2D and 3D motion graphics in a wide range of resolutions. It’s the core application used to create graphics for 
Avid’s entire production environment, including on-air graphics, virtual studios, channel branding, sports enhancements, 
video walls, and augmented and virtual reality.

Revenues from media management solutions accounted for 4%, 7% and 9% of our total net revenues in 2016, 2015 and 2014, 
respectively.

Video Storage and Server Solutions

Our shared storage systems are real-time, open solutions that bring the power of shared storage to local, regional, national 
and multinational broadcasters and post-production facilities at competitive prices.  Customers can improve allocation of 
creative resources and support changing project needs with an open, shared storage platform that includes file system 
technology on lower cost hardware, support for third-party applications and streamlined administration to create more content 
more affordably.  

In 2016, we released the new Avid NEXIS family, the industry’s first and only software-defined storage platform specifically 
designed for storing and managing media. Avid NEXIS enables fully virtualized storage so media organizations can adjust 
storage capacity mid-project, without disrupting workflows. Powered by our MediaCentral Platform, Avid NEXIS delivers 
unrivaled media storage flexibility, scalability, and control for both Avid-based and third-party workflows. It has been 
designed to serve the smallest production teams as powerfully as the largest media enterprises and is the only storage 
platform built with the flexibility to grow with customers at every stage of their business.

5

Our on-air server solutions include AirSpeed 5000 and AirSpeed 5500, which enable broadcasters to automate the ingest and 
playout of television and news programming.  The AirSpeed 5000 and 5500 video servers work with a wide range of 
applications to improve workflow and provide cost-efficient ingest and play to air capabilities for broadcasters of any size. In 
2016, we released AirSpeed 5500 updates and upgrades to simplify and accelerate the entire media production workflow.

Revenues from video storage and server solutions accounted for 16%, 22% and 25% of our total net revenues in 2016, 2015 
and 2014, respectively.

Audio Products and Solutions

Digital Audio Software and Workstation Solutions

Our Pro Tools digital audio software and workstation solutions facilitate the audio production process, including music and 
sound creation, recording, editing, signal processing, integrated surround mixing and mastering, and reference video 
playback.  The Pro Tools platform supports a wide variety of internally developed and third-party software plug-ins and 
integrated hardware.  Pro Tools solutions are offered at a range of price points and are used by professionals in music, film, 
television, radio, game, Internet and other media production environments.  

In March 2016, we released Pro Tools version 12.5, offering access to the Avid Cloud Collaboration for Pro Tools.  Avid 
Cloud Collaboration makes it easy for artists and audio professionals to compose, record, edit, and mix projects from any 
location worldwide.  In conjunction with the Artist Community, an online community designed to foster creative connections 
and professional opportunities, Pro Tools with Avid Cloud Collaboration connects artists and media professionals to a 
premier community of collaborative music creation and audio production. In December 2016, we announced a new version of 
our fully cloud-enabled Pro Tools version 12.7 which improves searching and creative exploration of loop and sound effect 
libraries with Soundbase. This tag-based search interface complements the existing Workspace Browser by enabling users to 
browse content using the standard metadata tags embedded in nearly every sound library. With Soundbase, users have better 
insight into the types of content available and can explore content more efficiently.

Our Pro Tools HD family of digital audio workstations, designed to provide high performance, low latency, and great sound 
quality, provides music production professionals with two powerful solutions, the Pro Tools | HD Native system and the Pro 
Tools | HDX system.  Our Pro Tools | HDX workstation represents a new generation of Pro Tools HD solutions by providing 
more power, higher audio quality, and easier ways to record, edit and mix demanding audio productions.  The Pro Tools | HD 
Native Thunderbolt, uses a high-speed Thunderbolt interface to connect to a laptop or desktop computer to eliminate monitor 
latency while recording. In September 2016, we introduced Pro Tools | MTRX, a versatile new audio interface for Pro Tools | 
HDX and HD Native.  Pro Tools | MTRX gives Pro Tools users the superior sonic quality of DAD’s AD and DA converters, 
along with flexible monitoring, I/O, and routing capabilities, all in one unit. Powered by our MediaCentral Platform, it 
integrates seamlessly with Pro Tools | S6 and Pro Tools | S3 control surfaces. 

Revenues from digital audio software and workstation solutions accounted for 13%, 14% and 16% of our total net revenues 
in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Control Surfaces, Consoles and Live-Sound Systems

We offer a range of complementary control surfaces and consoles, leveraging the open industry standard protocol EUCON 
(Extended User Control) to provide open solutions that meet the needs of customers ranging from the independent 
professional to the high-end broadcaster.  Our Pro Tools | S6 control surface for sound recording, mixing and editing was 
designed as a state-of-the-art modular solution that scales to meet both current and future customer requirements.  S6 is 
designed for audio professionals in demanding production environments, delivering the performance needed to complete 
projects faster while producing high quality mixes.  Our Artist Series control surfaces offer integrated, hands-on control for 
price-sensitive applications.  Compact and portable, all control surfaces in the Artist line feature EUCON, allowing hands-on 
control of the user’s applications.

6

 
Our VENUE product family includes console systems for mixing audio for live sound reinforcement for concerts, theater 
performances and other public address events.  We offer a range of VENUE systems designed for large performance settings, 
such as stadium concerts, as well as medium-sized theaters and houses of worship.  VENUE systems allow the direct 
integration of Pro Tools solutions to create and playback live recordings.  The VENUE | SC48 Remote System features the 
VENUE | SC48 digital console paired with the VENUE Stage 48 remote box, enabling the user to place input/output devices 
away from the console and closer to the sources, eliminating cable clutter.

In September 2016, we released a new version, VENUE 5.3, for our VENUE | S6L live sound system. Significant 
enhancements in the VENUE 5.3 software gives engineers the ability to record and playback up to 128 tracks to and from Pro 
Tools over Ethernet AVB with no separate interface required, providing live sound engineers with the streamlined way to 
record and playback performances for archiving and performing Virtual Soundchecks.

Revenues from control surfaces, consoles and live-sound systems accounted for 9%, 10% and 10% of our total net revenues 
in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Notation Software

Our Sibelius-branded software allows users to create, edit and publish musical scores.  Sibelius software is used by 
composers, arrangers and other music professionals.  Student versions are also available to assist in the teaching of music 
composition and score writing.  Sibelius music notation software offers sophisticated, yet easy-to-use tools that are proven 
and trusted by composers, arrangers, publishers, educators, and students alike.  We offer Sibelius | Cloud Publishing, which 
allows users to view, play, transpose, print and purchase scores using current web browsers and mobile devices. The newest 
version of our musical notation software, Sibelius 8.5, helps composers create beautiful, accurate and easy-to-read scores.  In 
October 2016 we released Sibelius | First, the “lite” version of Sibelius, which expands our growing portfolio of solutions that 
leverage cloud software delivery and application management. 

We also offer Avid Scorch, an application for the Apple iPad mobile device that turns an iPad into an interactive score library 
with access to sheet music through an in-app store with more than 150,000 premium titles.

Professional Services and Customer Care

Our Professional Services team delivers workflow design and consulting; program and project management; system 
installation and commissioning; custom development and role-based product level training.  The Professional Services team 
facilitates the engagement with our customers to maximize their investment in technology; increase their operational 
efficiency; and enable them to reduce deployment risk and implement our solutions.

Our Education team delivers public and private training to our customers and alliance partners to ensure that they have the 
necessary skills and technical competencies to deploy, use, administer and create Avid solutions.  The Education team 
develops and licenses curriculum content for use by third party Avid Learning partners to deliver training to customers, users 
and alliance partners.  The Education team includes the Avid Certification program which validates the skills and competency 
of Avid users, administrators, instructors, support representatives and developers.

Our Customer Care team provides customers with a partner committed to giving them help and support when they need it.  
We offer a variety of service contracts and support plans, allowing each customer to select the level of technical and 
operational support that they need to maintain their operational effectiveness.  Our global Customer Care team of more than 
400 in-house and third-party industry professionals offers a blend of technology expertise and real-world experience 
throughout the audio, visual, and entertainment industries.  The team’s mission is to provide timely, informed responses to 
our customers’ issues, and proactive maintenance for our solutions to help our customers maintain high standards of 
operational effectiveness.

7

COMPETITION

Our customer markets are highly competitive and subject to rapid change and declining average selling prices.  The 
competitive landscape is fragmented with a large number of companies providing various types of products and services in 
different markets and geographic areas.  We provide integrated solutions that compete based on total value workflow, 
features, quality, service and price.  Companies with which we compete in some contexts may also act as our partners in other 
contexts, such as large enterprise customer environments.

Certain companies that compete with us across some of our products and solutions are listed below by the market in which 
they compete:

•  Broadcast and Media:  The Associated Press Inc., Belden Inc., Bitcentral Inc., ChyronHego Corporation, Dalet S.A., 
EVS Corporation, Harmonic Inc., Imagine Communications Corp, Ross Video Limited and Vizrt Ltd., among 
others.

•  Audio and Video Post and Professional:  Ableton AG, Autodesk Inc., Blackmagic Design Pty Ltd, Harman 

International Industries Inc., Universal Audio Inc. and Yamaha Corporation, among others.

In addition, we compete across both previously mentioned markets with companies such as Adobe Systems Incorporated, 
Apple Inc., Editshare LLC, Quantum Corporation, Snell Advanced Media, Sony Corporation and EMC Corporation, among 
others.

Some of our principal competitors are substantially larger than we are and have greater financial, technical, marketing and 
other resources than us.  For a discussion of these and other risks associated with our competitors, see “Risk Factors” in Item 
1A of this Form 10-K.

OPERATIONS

Sales and Services Channels 

We market and sell our products and solutions through a combination of direct, indirect and digital sales channels.  Our direct 
sales channel consists of internal sales representatives serving select customers and markets.  Our indirect sales channels 
include global networks of independent distributors, value-added resellers, dealers and retailers.  Our digital sales channel is 
represented by the online Avid Marketplace.

We have significant international operations with offices in 24 countries and the ability to reach over 169 countries through a 
combination of our direct sales force and resellers.  Sales to customers outside the United States accounted for 64%, 63% and 
64%, of our total net revenues in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Additional information about the geographic breakdown 
of our revenues and long-lived assets can be found in Note P to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 
10-K.  For additional information about risks associated with our international operations, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of 
this Form 10-K.

We generally ship our products shortly after the receipt of an order.  However, a high percentage of our revenues has 
historically been generated in the third month of each fiscal quarter and concentrated in the latter part of that month.  Orders 
that may exist at the end of a quarter and have not been shipped are not recognized as revenues in that quarter and are 
included in revenue backlog.

Certain orders included in revenue backlog may be reduced, canceled or deferred by our customers. Our revenue backlog, as 
we define it, consists of firm orders received and includes both (i) orders where the customer has paid in advance of our 
performance obligations being fulfilled and (ii) orders for future product deliveries or services that have not yet been invoiced 
by us. The expected timing of the conversion of revenue backlog into revenue is based on current estimates and could change 
based on a number of factors, including (i) the timing of delivery of products and services, (ii) customer cancellations or 
change orders, (iii) changes in the estimated period of time Implied Maintenance Release PCS is provided to customers or 
(iv) changes in accounting standards or policies.  Implied Maintenance Release PCS, as we define it, is the implicit obligation 
to make software updates available to customers over a period of time, representing implied post-contract customer support, 

8

and is deemed to be a deliverable in each arrangement and accounted for as a separate element. As there is no industry 
standard definition of revenue backlog, our reported revenue backlog may not be comparable with other companies.  
Additional information on our revenue backlog can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operation.”

We provide customer care services directly through regional in-house and contracted support centers and major-market field 
service representatives and indirectly through dealers, value-added resellers and authorized third-party service providers.  
Depending on the solution, customers may choose from a variety of support offerings, including telephone and online 
technical support, on-site assistance, hardware replacement and extended warranty, and software upgrades.  In addition to 
customer care services, we offer a broad array of professional services, including installation, integration, planning and 
consulting services, and customer training.

Manufacturing and Suppliers 

Our internal manufacturing operations consist primarily of the testing of subassemblies and components purchased from third 
parties, the duplication of software, and the configuration, final assembly and testing of board sets, software, related hardware 
components and complete systems.  In addition to our internal manufacturing operations, we rely on a network of contractors 
around the globe to manufacture many of our products, components and subassemblies.  Our products undergo testing and 
quality assurance at the final assembly stage.  We depend on sole-source suppliers for certain key hardware product 
components and finished goods, including some critical items.  Although we have procedures in place to mitigate the risks 
associated with our sole-sourced suppliers, we cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain sole-sourced components or 
finished goods from alternative suppliers or that we will be able to do so on commercially reasonable terms without a 
material impact on our results of operations or financial position.  For the risks associated with our use of contractors and 
sole-source vendors, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

Our company-operated manufacturing facilities, primarily for final assembly and testing of certain products, are located in: 
Kfar Saba, Israel, Dublin, Ireland and Mountain View, California.  Our Dublin facility is ISO 14001, Environmental 
Management System, certified.

We and our contract manufacturers manufacture our products at a relatively limited number of different facilities located 
throughout the world and, in most cases, the manufacturing of each of our products is concentrated in one or a few locations.  
An interruption in manufacturing capabilities at any of these facilities, as a result of equipment failure or other reasons, could 
reduce, delay or prevent the production of our products.  Because some of our manufacturing or our contract manufacturer’s 
operations are located outside of the United States, including in Ireland, China and Thailand, those manufacturing operations 
are also subject to additional challenges and risks associated with international operations.  For these and other risks 
associated with our manufacturing operations, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

Research and Development

We are committed to delivering best-in-class digital media content-creation solutions that are designed for the unique needs, 
skills and sophistication levels of our target customer markets.  Having helped establish the digital media technology 
industry, we are building on a 25+ year heritage of innovation and leadership in developing content-creation solutions. We 
have research and development, or R&D, operations around the globe.  Our R&D efforts are focused on the development of 
digital media content-creation, distribution and monetization tools that operate primarily on the Mac, Windows and Linux 
platforms.  Our R&D efforts also include networking and storage initiatives intended to deliver standards-based media 
transfer and media asset management tools, as well as stand-alone and network-attached media storage systems for 
workgroups.  In addition to our internal R&D efforts, we outsource a significant portion of certain R&D projects to an 
internationally based partner in Kiev, Ukraine.  Our R&D expenditures for 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $81.6 million, $95.9 
million and $90.4 million, respectively, which represented 16%, 19% and 17% of our total net revenues, respectively.  For the 
risks associated with our use of partners for R&D projects, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

Our company-operated R&D operations are located in: Burlington, Massachusetts; Mountain View, California; Berkeley, 
California; Munich, Germany; Kaiserslautern, Germany; Kfar Saba, Israel; Szczecin, Poland; and Montreal, Canada.  We also 
partner with a vendor in Ukraine for outsourced R&D services.

9

Intellectual Property

We regard our software and hardware as proprietary and protect our proprietary interests under the laws of patents, 
copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, as well as through contractual provisions.

We have obtained patents and have registered copyrights, trademarks and service marks in the United States and in many 
foreign countries.  At December 31, 2016, we held 160 U.S. patents, with expiration dates through 2035, and had 13 patent 
applications pending with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  We have also registered or applied to register various 
trademarks and service marks in the United States and a number of foreign countries, including Avid, Avid Everywhere, 
Media Composer, Pro Tools and Sibelius.  As a technology company, we regard our patents, copyrights, trademarks, service 
marks and trade secrets as being among our most valuable assets, together with the innovative skills, technical competence 
and marketing abilities of our personnel.

Our software is licensed to end users pursuant to shrink-wrap, embedded, click-through or signed license agreements.  Our 
products generally contain features to guard against unauthorized use. Policing unauthorized use of computer software is 
difficult, and software piracy is a persistent problem for us, as it is for the software industry in general.  Although we attempt 
to protect our intellectual property rights through patents, trademarks, copyrights, licensing arrangements, maintaining certain 
technology as trade secrets and other measures, there can be no assurance that any patent, trademark, copyright or other 
intellectual property rights owned by us will not be invalidated, circumvented or challenged, that such intellectual property 
rights will provide competitive advantages to us, or that any of our pending or future patent applications will be issued with 
the claims, or the scope of the claims, sought by us, if at all.   Others may develop technologies that are similar or superior to 
our technology, duplicate our technology or design around the patents that we own. In addition, effective patent, copyright 
and trade secret protection may be unavailable or limited in countries in which we do business or may do business in the 
future.  For these and other risks associated with the protection of our intellectual property, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of 
this Form 10-K.

HISTORY AND EMPLOYEES

Avid was incorporated in Delaware in 1987.  We are headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, with operations in North 
America, South America, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia.  At December 31, 2016, our worldwide workforce 
consisted of 1,591 employees and 354 external contractors.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We make available free of charge on our website, www.avid.com, copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly 
Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as practicable after 
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC.  Additionally, we will provide paper copies of all of these 
filings free of charge upon request.  Alternatively, these reports can be accessed at the SEC’s Internet website at 
www.sec.gov.  The information contained on our web site shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under 
the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

10

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, in addition to the other information included or 
incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, before making an investment decision regarding our common stock.  If any of the 
following risks were to actually occur, our business, financial condition or operating results would likely suffer, possibly 
materially, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment.  Additional 
risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important factors 
that adversely affect our business.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

If we are unable to successfully execute on our strategy, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could 
be adversely affected.

The ongoing implementation of our strategy to transform our business may require additional capital that we may not have access 
to on reasonable terms or at all.  Additionally, our strategy requires us to develop expertise in new areas and establish new 
competencies either through talent acquisition or internal development, which we may not be able to successfully achieve.  The 
pace and scope of the transformation contemplated in our strategy increases the risk that not all of our strategic plans will deliver 
the expected benefits within the anticipated time frames, or at all. Furthermore, as a part of our strategy, we are identifying and 
executing on opportunities to reduce operating costs. If we are unable to successfully  execute on our strategy, our business, 
financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

We operate in highly competitive markets, and our competitors may be able to draw upon a greater depth and breadth of 
resources than those that are available to us.

We operate in highly competitive markets characterized by pressure to innovate, expand feature sets and functionality, accelerate 
new product releases and reduce prices.  Markets for certain of our products also have limited barriers to entry.  Many of the 
markets in which we operate are fragmented, which creates an additional risk of consolidation among our competitors, resulting 
in fewer, more effective competitors.  Customers consider many factors when evaluating our products relative to those of our 
competitors, including innovation, ease of use, price, feature sets, functionality, reliability, performance, reputation, and training 
and support, and we may not compare favorably against our competitors in all respects.   Some of our current and potential 
competitors have longer operating histories, greater brand recognition and substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, 
distribution and support resources than we do.  As a result, our competitors may be able to deliver greater innovation, respond 
more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in market demand, devote more resources to the development, 
marketing and sale of their products, successfully expand into emerging and other international markets, or price their products 
more aggressively than we can.

If our competitors are more successful than we are in developing products, or in attracting and retaining customers, our financial 
condition and operating results could be adversely affected.

The rapid evolution of the media industry is changing our customers’ needs, businesses and revenue models, and if we 
cannot anticipate or adapt quickly, our business will be harmed.

The media industry has rapidly and dramatically transformed over the past decade, and it is continuing to do so as a result of free 
content, minimal entry costs for creation and distribution, and expanded usage of mobile devices.  As a result, our traditional 
customers’ needs, businesses and revenue models are changing, often in ways that deviate from our core strengths and traditional 
bases.  If we cannot anticipate these changes or adapt to them quickly, our business will be harmed.  For example, our customers 
have to address the increasing digitization of the media industry, which requires the creation of a more seamless value chain 
between content creation and monetization.  Because of the consumerization of the media industry, there is more pressure to 
create media that can be repurposed in a variety of ways in an efficient manner.  As a result of these industry changes, traditional 
advertising channels are also facing competition from web and mobile platforms, and diminished revenues from traditional 
advertising could cause some customers’ budgets for the purchase of our solutions to decline; this may be particularly true among 
local television stations, which in the past have been an important customer industry for us.  Additionally, our customers may also 
seek to pool or share facilities and resources with others in their industry and engage with providers of software as a service.

11

The ongoing rapid evolution of the media industry may reduce demand for some of our existing products and services.  New or 
non-traditional competitors may arise or adapt in response to this evolution of the media industry, which could create downward 
price pressure on our products and solutions and reduce our market share and revenue opportunities.

Our success depends in significant part on our ability to provide innovative products and solutions in response to dynamic 
and rapidly evolving market demand.

To succeed in our market, we must deliver innovative products and solutions.  Innovation requires both that we accurately predict 
future market trends and customer expectations, and that we quickly adapt our development efforts in response.  We also have the 
challenge of protecting our product roadmap and new product initiatives from leaks to competitors that might reduce or eliminate 
any innovative edge that we seek to gain.  Predicting market trends is difficult, as our market is dynamic and rapidly evolving.  
Additionally, given the complex, sophisticated nature of our solutions and our typically lengthy product development cycles, we 
may not be able to rapidly change our product direction or strategic course.  If we are unable to accurately predict market trends 
or adapt to evolving market conditions, our ability to capture customer demand will suffer and our market reputation and financial 
performance will be negatively affected.  Even to the extent we make accurate predictions and possess the requisite flexibility to 
adapt, we may be able to pursue only some of the possible innovations, due to limited resources.  Our success, therefore, further 
depends on our ability to identify and focus on the most promising innovations.

When we do introduce new products, our success depends on our ability to manage a number of risks associated with new 
products including timely and successful product launch, market acceptance, and the availability of products in appropriate 
locations, quantities and costs to meet demand.  There can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful in the near future, or 
at all, or that our competitors will not take significant market share in similar efforts.  If we fail to develop new products and to 
manage new product introductions and transitions properly, our financial condition and operating results could be harmed.

We may not be able to achieve the efficiencies, savings and other benefits anticipated from our cost reduction, margin 
improvement and other business optimization initiatives. 

We are continually reviewing and implementing programs throughout the company to reduce costs, increase efficiencies and 
enhance our business.  We have in the past undertaken, and expect to continue to undertake, various restructuring activities and 
cost reduction initiatives in an effort to better align our organizational structure and costs with our strategy. In February 2016, we 
committed to a restructuring plan that encompasses a series of actions intended to more efficiently operate in a leaner, and more 
directed cost structure.  The actions include reductions in our workforce, facility consolidation, transferring resources to lower 
cost regions and reducing other third-party services costs.  

In connection with these activities, we may experience a disruption in our ability to perform functions important to our strategy.  
Unexpected delays, increased costs, challenges with adapting our internal control environment to a new organizational structure, 
inability to retain and motivate employees, or other challenges arising from these initiatives could adversely affect our ability to 
realize the anticipated savings or other intended benefits of these activities and could have a material adverse impact on our 
financial condition and operating results.

Certain of our enterprise offerings have long and complex sales cycles.

With our transition to leveraging the Avid MediaCentral platform in our sales process, we have experienced an elongation of the 
sales cycle for some of our enterprise offerings. The longevity and complexity in these sales cycles is due to a number of factors, 
including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

the need for our sales representatives to educate customers about the uses and benefits of our products and services, 
including technical capabilities, security features, potential cost savings and return on investment, which are made 
available in large-scale deployments;

the desire of large and medium size organizations to undertake significant evaluation processes to determine their 
technology requirements prior to making information technology expenditures;

the negotiation of large, complex, enterprise-wide contracts, as often required by our and our customers' business and 
legal representatives;      

the need for our customers to obtain requisition approvals from various decision makers within their organizations; and 

12

• 

customer budget constraints, economic conditions and unplanned administrative delays.

We spend substantial time and money on our sales efforts without any assurance that potential customers will ultimately purchase 
our solutions.  As we target our sales efforts at larger enterprise customers, these trends are expected to continue. Additionally, our 
enterprise sales pattern has historically been uneven, where a higher percentage of a quarter's total sales occur during the final 
weeks of each quarter, which is common in our industry.  Our long sales cycle for these products makes it difficult to predict 
when a given sales cycle will close.

Subscription offerings create risks related to the timing of revenue recognition.

We sell an increasing portion of our products based on a subscription model.  Although the subscription model is designed to 
increase the number of customers who purchase our products and services on a recurring basis, and create a more predictable 
revenue stream, it creates certain risks and uncertainties related to the timing of revenue recognition and potential reductions in 
cash flows. A portion of the subscription-based revenue we report each quarter results from the recognition of deferred revenue 
relating to subscription agreements entered into during previous quarters. A decline in new or renewed subscriptions in any period 
may not be immediately reflected in our reported financial results for that period but may result in a decline in our revenue in 
future quarters. If we were to experience significant downturns in subscription sales and renewal rates, our reported financial 
results might not reflect such downturns until future periods. Our subscription model could also make it difficult for us to rapidly 
increase our revenues from subscription-based services through additional sales in any period, as revenue from new customers 
will be recognized over the applicable subscription term. Further, any increases in sales under our subscription sales model could 
result in decreased revenues over the short term if they are offset by a decline in sales from perpetual license customers. If any of 
our assumptions about revenue from our new businesses or our addition of a subscription-based model prove incorrect, our actual 
results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected.  We may be unable to predict subscription renewal 
rates and the impact these rates may have on our future revenue and operating results.

If our customers do not renew their subscriptions for our services or if they renew on terms that are less favorable  to us, 
our revenues may decline

We sell Pro Tools, Media Composer and Sibelius on a subscription basis pursuant to service agreements that are generally month-
to-month or one year in length, and we intend to expand our subscription offerings to other products as well. Although many of 
our service and subscription agreements contain automatic renewal terms, our customers have no obligation to renew their 
subscriptions for our services after the expiration of their initial subscription period, and some customers elect not to renew. There 
is a risk that these subscriptions will not be renewed at the same or a higher level of service, for the same number of seats/licenses 
or for the same duration of time, or at all. Moreover, under certain circumstances, some of our customers have the right to cancel 
their service agreements prior to the expiration of the terms of their agreements. We may not be able to accurately predict future 
customer renewal rates. Our customers' renewal rates may decline or fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, including their 
level of satisfaction with our services, the reliability of our subscription services, the prices of our services, the perceived 
information security of our systems and services, the prices of services offered by our competitors, mergers and acquisitions 
affecting our customer base, reductions in our customers' spending levels, or declines in customer activity as a result of economic 
downturns or uncertainty in financial markets. If our customers do not renew their subscriptions for our services or if they renew 
on terms less favorable to us, our revenues may decline.  Our future growth is also affected by our ability to sell additional 
features and services to our current customers, which depends on a number of factors, including customers' satisfaction with our 
products and services, the prices of our offerings and general economic conditions. If our efforts to cross-sell and upsell to our 
customers are unsuccessful, the rate at which our business grows may decline.

Our international operations expose us to legal, regulatory and other risks that we may not face in the United States.

We derive more than half of our revenues from customers outside of the United States, and we rely on foreign contractors for the 
supply and manufacture of many of our products.  For example, sales to customers outside the United States accounted for 64%, 
63% and 64%, of our total net revenues in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We also conduct significant research and 
development activities overseas, including through third-party development vendors.  For example, a portion of our research and 
development is outsourced to contractors operating in Kiev, Ukraine, and we have expanded our customer support activities to the 
Philippines. Further, we expanded our operations into Poland and Israel with the acquisition of Orad. Our exposure to the risks 
associated with international operations will increase if we complete the transactions with Jetsen described in “Item I. Business - 
Recent Developments.” 

13

Our international operations are subject to a variety of risks that we may not face in the United States, including:

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• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

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• 

• 

• 

the financial and administrative burdens associated with compliance with a myriad of environmental, tax and export 
laws, as well as other business regulations in foreign jurisdictions, including high compliance costs, inconsistencies 
among jurisdictions, and a lack of administrative or judicial interpretative guidance;

reduced or varied protection for intellectual property rights in some countries;

regional economic downturns;

economic, social and political instability abroad and international security concerns in general and the risk of war;

fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;

longer collection cycles for accounts receivable payment cycles and difficulties in enforcing contracts;

difficulties in managing and staffing international implementations and operations, and executing our business strategy 
internationally;

potentially adverse tax consequences, including the complexities of foreign value added or other tax systems and 
restrictions on the repatriation of earnings;

increased financial accounting and reporting burdens and complexities;

difficulties in maintaining effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls;

costs and delays associated with developing products in multiple languages; and

foreign exchange controls that may prevent or limit our ability to repatriate income earned in foreign markets.

We may not be successful in developing, implementing or maintaining policies and strategies that will be effective in managing 
the varying risks in each country where we do business.  Our failure to manage these risks successfully, including developing 
appropriate contingency plans for our outsourced research and development work, could harm our international operations, reduce 
our international sales and increase our costs, thus adversely affecting our business, operating results and financial condition.

We operate in many different jurisdictions and we could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt 
Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and similar foreign anti-corruption laws.

The FCPA, and similar foreign anti-corruption laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from offering, 
promising, authorizing, or making payments to foreign officials for the purpose of influencing any act or decision of such official 
in his or her official capacity, inducing the official to do any act in violation of his or her lawful duty, or to secure any improper 
advantage in obtaining or retaining business. Recent years have seen a substantial increase in the global enforcement of anti-
corruption laws, with more frequent voluntary self-disclosures by companies, aggressive investigations and enforcement 
proceedings by both the DOJ and the SEC resulting in record fines and penalties, increased enforcement activity by non-U.S. 
regulators, and increases in criminal and civil proceedings brought against companies and individuals.

Our internal policies mandate compliance with these anti-corruption laws. We operate in a number of countries that are 
recognized as having governmental corruption problems to some degree and where local customs and practices may not foster 
strict compliance with anti-corruption laws, including China.  Our continued operation and expansion outside the United States 
could increase the risk of such violations in the future. Despite our training and compliance programs, we cannot assure you that 
our internal control policies and procedures will protect us from unauthorized reckless or criminal acts committed by our 
employees or agents. In the event that we believe or have reason to believe that our employees or agents have or may have 
violated applicable anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA, we may be required to investigate or have outside counsel 
investigate the relevant facts and circumstances, which can be expensive and require significant time and attention from senior 
management. Violations of these laws may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, which could disrupt our business and result 
in a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, results of operations or financial condition.

14

Failure of our information systems or breaches of data security could impact our business. 

Our systems and processes involve the storage and transmission of proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data, 
including personal information of employees, customers and others.  In addition, we rely on information systems controlled by 
third parties.  Information system failures, network disruptions and system and data security breaches, manipulation, destruction  
or leakage, whether intentional or accidental, could harm our ability to conduct our business, impede development, manufacture 
or shipment of products, interrupt or delay processing of transactions and reporting financial results or result in the unintentional 
disclosure of proprietary, sensitive or confidential information. With our development of Avid Everywhere, public and private 
marketplaces and cloud based offerings, our and our customer’s data and financial and proprietary information could become 
more susceptible to such failures and data breaches.  Additionally, significant or repeated reductions in the performance, 
reliability, security or availability of our information systems and network infrastructure could significantly harm our brand and 
reputation and ability to attract and retain existing and potential users, customers, advertisers and content providers.

Information system failures or unauthorized access could be caused by our failure to adequately maintain and enhance our 
systems and networks, external theft or attack, misconduct by our employees, contractors, or vendors, or many other causes such 
as power failures, earthquake, fire or other natural disasters.  Such information system failures or unauthorized access could 
expose us, our customers or the individuals affected to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, resulting in litigation and 
potential liability for us.  In addition, the cost and operational consequences of implementing further data protection measures 
could be significant.

Additionally, the Avid Everywhere cloud based offerings depend on the availability and proper functioning of certain third-party 
services, including but not limited to cloud provider, database management, backup, monitoring and logging services.  The failure 
or improper functioning of these third party services could lead to outages, security breaches and data losses, including loss of 
customer creative assets.  If third-party services become unavailable, we may need to expend considerable resources identifying 
and integrating alternate providers.

We have significant relationships with manufacturing and hardware development vendors with operations in China and 
Thailand.  This may reduce our control over the manufacturing activities, provide uncertain cost savings and expose our 
proprietary assets to greater risk of misappropriation, and changes to those relationships may result in delays or 
disruptions that could harm our business.

We rely on vendors for the development and manufacture of certain of our hardware products, primarily in China and Thailand.  
These relationships provide us with more flexible resource capabilities, access to global talent and cost savings, but also expose us 
to risks that may not exist or may be less pronounced with respect to our internal operations.  We are able to exercise only limited 
oversight of our contractors, including with respect to their engineering and manufacturing processes, resource allocations, 
delivery schedules, security procedures and quality control.  Language, cultural and time zone differences complicate effective 
management of contractors that are located abroad.  Additionally, competition for talent in certain locations may lead to high 
turnover rates that disrupt development or manufacturing continuity.  The manufacturers we use also manufacture products for 
other companies, including our competitors.  Our contractors could choose to prioritize capacity for other users, increase the 
prices they charge us or reduce or eliminate deliveries to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.  Pricing 
terms offered by contractors may be highly variable over time reflecting, among other things, order volume, local inflation and 
exchange rates.  For example, during the past few years, including in 2016, most of our outsourced manufacturers have been in 
China, where the cost of manufacturing has been increasing and labor unrest and turn-over rates at manufacturers have been on 
the rise.  Some of our contractor relationships are based on contract, while others operate on a purchase order basis, where we do 
not have the benefit of written protections with respect to pricing or other critical terms.

Many of our contractors require access to our intellectual property and our confidential and proprietary information to perform 
their services. Protection of these assets in relevant offshore locations, may be less robust than in the United States.  We must rely 
on policies and procedures we have instituted with our contractors and certain confidentiality and contractual provisions in our 
written agreements, to the extent they exist, for protection.  These safeguards may be inadequate to prevent breaches. If a breach 
were to occur, available legal or other remedies may be limited or otherwise insufficient to compensate us for any resulting 
damages.

Furthermore, if one of our international vendors were, for any reason, to cease or experience significant disruptions in its 
operations, among others as a result of political unrest, we might be unable to replace it on a timely basis with a comparably 

15

priced provider.  We would also have to expend time and resources to train any new development or manufacturing vendor.  If any 
of the vendors were to suffer an interruption in its business, or experience delays, disruptions or quality control problems in 
development or manufacturing operations, or if we had to change development or manufacturing vendors, our ability to provide 
services to our customers would be delayed and our business, operating results and financial condition would be adversely 
affected.

Potential acquisitions could be difficult to consummate and integrate into our operations, and they and investment 
transactions could disrupt our business, dilute stockholder value or impair our financial results.

As part of our business strategy, from time to time we may seek to grow our business through acquisitions of or investments in 
new or complementary businesses, technologies or products that we believe can improve our ability to compete in our existing 
customer markets or allow us to enter new markets. The potential risks associated with acquisitions and investment transactions 
include, but are not limited to:

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• 

• 

• 

• 

failure to realize anticipated returns on investment, cost savings and synergies;

difficulty in assimilating the operations, policies and personnel of the acquired company;

unanticipated costs associated with acquisitions;

challenges in combining product offerings and entering into new markets in which we may not have experience;
distraction of management’s attention from normal business operations;

potential loss of key employees of the acquired company;

difficulty implementing effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures;

impairment of relationships with customers or suppliers;

possibility of incurring impairment losses related to goodwill and intangible assets; and 

unidentified issues not discovered in due diligence, which may include product quality issues or legal or other 
contingencies.

In order to complete an acquisition or investment transaction, we may need to obtain financing, including through the incurrence 
of borrowings or the issuance of debt or equity securities.  This could potentially dilute stockholder value for existing 
stockholders.  We may borrow to finance an acquisition, and the amount and terms of any potential future acquisition-related 
borrowings, as well as other factors, could adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition, and potentially our credit ratings.  
We may not be able to consummate such financings on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, in which case our ability to 
complete desired acquisitions or investments and to implement our business strategy, and as a result our financial results, may be 
materially impaired.  In addition, our effective tax rate on an ongoing basis is uncertain, and business combinations and 
investment transactions could impact our effective tax rate. We may experience risks relating to the challenges and costs of 
closing a business combination or investment transaction and the risk that an announced business combination or investment 
transaction may not close.  As a result, any completed, pending or future transactions may contribute to financial results that differ 
from the investment community’s expectations in a given quarter.

We may not realize the growth opportunities and cost synergies that are anticipated from our acquisition of Orad.

The benefits we expect to achieve from our acquisition of Orad will depend, in part, on our ability to realize anticipated growth 
opportunities and cost synergies. Our success in realizing these growth opportunities and cost synergies, and the timing of this 
realization, depends on the successful integration of Orad's business, operations, products and personnel with ours. Even if we are 
able to integrate Orad's business with ours successfully, this integration may not result in the realization of the full benefits of the 
growth opportunities and cost synergies we currently expect within the anticipated time frame or at all because of costs incurred 
or delays in integrating the companies and other challenges and risks such as, among others those described in the above risk 
factor  “Potential acquisitions could be difficult to consummate and integrate into our operations, and they and investment 
transactions could disrupt our business, dilute stockholder value or impair our financial results” If we are not successful in 
meeting these challenges, our business, financial and operational results could be materially adversely affected.

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We obtain hardware product components and finished goods under sole-source supply arrangements, and any disruptions 
to these arrangements could jeopardize the manufacturing or distribution of certain of our hardware products.

Although we generally prefer to establish multi-source supply arrangements for our hardware product components and finished 
goods, multi-source arrangements are not always possible or cost-effective.  We consequently depend on sole-source suppliers for 
certain hardware product components and finished goods, including some critical items.  We do not generally carry significant 
inventories of, and may not in all cases have guaranteed supply arrangements for, these sole-sourced items.  If any of our sole-
source suppliers were to cease, suspend or otherwise limit production or shipment (due to, among other things, macroeconomic 
events, political crises or natural or environmental disasters or other occurrences), or adversely modify supply terms or pricing, 
our ability to manufacture, distribute and service our products may be impaired and our business could be harmed.  We cannot be 
certain that we will be able to obtain sole-sourced components or finished goods, or acceptable substitutes, from alternative 
suppliers or that we will be able to do so on commercially reasonable terms.  We may also be required to expend significant 
development resources to redesign our products to work around the exclusion of any sole-sourced component or accommodate the 
inclusion of any substitute component.  Although we have procedures in place to mitigate the risks associated with our sole-
sourced suppliers, we cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain sole-sourced components or finished goods from alternative 
suppliers or that we will be able to do so on commercially reasonable terms without a material impact on its results of operations 
or financial position.

We depend on the availability and proper functioning of certain third-party technology that we incorporate into or bundle 
with our products.  Third-party technology may include defects or errors that could adversely affect the performance of 
our products.  If third-party technology becomes unavailable, we may need to expend considerable resources integrating 
alternative third-party technology or developing our own substitute technology.

The profit margin for each of our products depends in part on the royalty, license and purchase fees we pay in connection with 
third-party technology which we license for incorporation into our bundling with our products.  To the extent we add additional 
third-party technology to our products and we are unable to offset associated costs, our profit margins may decline and our 
operating results may suffer.  In addition to cost implications, third-party technology may include defects or errors that could 
adversely affect the performance of our products, which may harm our market reputation or adversely affect our product sales.  
Third-party technology may also include certain open source software code that if used in combination with our own software 
may jeopardize our intellectual property rights or limit our ability to sell through certain sales channels.  If any third-party 
technology license expires, is terminated or ceases to be available on commercially reasonable terms, we may be required to 
expend considerable resources integrating alternative third-party technology or developing our own substitute technology.  In the 
interim, sales of our products may be delayed or suspended or we may be forced to distribute our products with reduced feature 
sets or functionality.

Lengthy procurement lead times and unpredictable life cycles and customer demand for some of our products may result 
in significant inventory risks.

With respect to many of our products, particularly our audio products, we must procure component parts and build finished 
inventory far in advance of product shipments.  Certain of these products may have unpredictable life cycles and encounter rapid 
technological obsolescence as a result of dynamic market conditions.  We procure product components and build inventory based 
upon our forecasts of product life cycle and customer demand.  If we are unable to accurately forecast product life cycle and 
customer demand or unable to manage our inventory levels in response to shifts in customer demand, the result may be 
insufficient, excess or obsolete product inventory.  Insufficient product inventory may impair our ability to fulfill product orders 
and negatively affect our revenues, while excess or obsolete inventory may require a write-down on products and components to 
their net realizable value, which would negatively affect our results of operations.

Our revenues and operating results depend significantly on our third-party reseller and distribution channels. Our failure 
to adequately manage the delivery model for our products and services could adversely affect our revenues and gross 
margins and therefore our profitability.

We distribute many of our products indirectly through third-party resellers and distributors.  We also distribute products directly to 
end-user customers.  Successfully managing the interaction of our direct and indirect channel efforts to reach various potential 
customer industries for our products and services is a complex process.  For example, in response to our direct sales strategies or 
for other business reasons, our current resellers and distributors may from time to time choose to resell our competitors’ products 
17

in addition to, or in place of, ours.  Moreover, since each distribution method has distinct risks and gross margins, our failure to 
identify and implement the most advantageous balance in the delivery model for our products and services could adversely affect 
our revenues and gross margins and therefore our profitability.

In addition, some of our resellers and distributors have rights of return, as well as inventory stock rotation and price protection.  
Accordingly, reserves for estimated returns and exchanges, and credits for price protection, are recorded as a reduction of 
revenues upon applicable product shipment, and are based upon our historical experience.  Our reliance upon indirect distribution 
methods may reduce visibility to demand and pricing issues, and therefore make forecasting more difficult and, to the extent that 
returns exceed estimates, our revenues and operating results may be adversely affected.

Our products may experience quality issues that could negatively impact our customer relationships, our market 
reputation and our operating results.

Our software products, as is typical of sophisticated, complex software, occasionally include coding defects or errors (commonly 
referred to as “bugs”), which in some cases may interfere with or impair a customer’s ability to operate or use the software.  
Similarly, our hardware products could include design or manufacturing defects that could cause them to malfunction.  The 
quality control measures we use are not designed or intended to detect and remedy all defects.  The time and  resources available 
to devote to quality control measures are, in part, dependent on other business considerations, such as meeting customer 
expectations with respect to release schedules.  Any product defects could result in loss of customers or revenues, delays in 
revenue recognition, increased product returns, damage to our market reputation and significant warranty or other expense and 
could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operating results.

Our success depends in part on our ability to hire and retain competent and skilled management and technical, sales and 
other personnel.

We are highly dependent on the continued service and performance of our management team and key technical, sales and other 
personnel and our success will depend in part on our ability to retain these employees in a competitive job market. If we fail to 
appropriately match the skill sets of our employees to our needs, we may incur increased costs or experience challenges with 
execution of our strategic plan.  We rely on cash bonuses and equity awards as significant compensation and retention tools for 
key personnel.  In addition to compensation, we seek to foster an innovative work culture to retain employees.  We also rely on 
the attractiveness of developing technology for the film, television and music industries as a means of retention. We continue to 
take actions to transform strategically, operationally and culturally and to achieve cost savings, all with the intent to drive 
improved operating performance both in the U.S and internationally   The uncertainty inherent in our transformational strategy, 
and the resulting workload and stress, may make it difficult to attract and retain key personnel and increase turnover of key 
officers and employees.

Our competitors may in some instances be able to offer a more established or more dynamic work environment, higher 
compensation or more opportunities to work with cutting-edge technology than we can.  If we are unable to retain our key 
personnel or appropriately match skill sets with our needs, we would be required to expend significant time and financial 
resources to identify and hire new qualified personnel and to transfer significant internal historical knowledge, which might 
significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives.

Our intellectual property and trade secrets are valuable assets that may be subject to third-party infringement and 
misappropriation.

As a technology company, our intellectual property and trade secrets are among our most valuable assets.  Infringement or 
misappropriation of these assets can result in lost revenues to us, and thereby ultimately reduce their value.  We rely on a 
combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality procedures, contractual provisions 
and anti-piracy technology in certain of our products to protect our intellectual property and trade secrets.  Most of these tools 
require vigilant monitoring of competitor and other third-party activities and of end-user usage of our products to be effective.  
These tools may not provide adequate protection in all instances, may be subject to circumvention, or may require a vigilance that 
in some cases exceeds our capabilities or resources.  Additionally, our business model is increasingly focused on software 
products and, as we offer more software products, our revenues may be more vulnerable to loss through piracy, which could result 
in revenue losses for us.  While we may seek to engage with those potentially infringing our intellectual property to negotiate a 
license for use, we also may seek legal recourse, which could be costly.  The legal regimes of certain foreign jurisdictions in 

18

which we operate, may not protect our intellectual property or trade secrets to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.  
If our intellectual property or trade secrets are misappropriated in foreign jurisdictions, we may be without adequate remedies to 
address these issues. Regardless of jurisdiction, assuming legal protection exists and infringement or misappropriation is detected, 
any enforcement action that we may pursue could be costly and time-consuming, the outcome will be uncertain, and the alleged 
offender in some cases may seek to have our intellectual property rights invalidated.  If we are unable to protect our intellectual 
property and trade secrets, our business could be harmed.

Our results could be materially adversely affected if we are accused of, or found to be, infringing third parties’ intellectual 
property rights.

Because of technological change in our industry, extensive and sometimes uncertain patent coverage, and the rapid issuance of 
new patents, it is possible that certain of our products or business methods may infringe the patents or other intellectual property 
rights of third parties.  Companies in the technology industry own large numbers of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade 
secrets and frequently enter into litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights. 
Our technologies may not be able to withstand any third-party claims or rights against their use.  We have received claims, and are 
subject to litigation alleging that we infringe, patents owned by third parties and may in the future be the subject to such claims 
and litigation.  Regardless of the scope or validity of such patents, or the merits of any patent claims by potential or actual 
litigants, we could incur substantial costs in defending intellectual property claims and litigation, and such claims and litigation 
could distract management’s attention from normal business operations.  In addition, we provide indemnification provisions in 
agreements with certain customers covering potential claims by third parties of intellectual property infringement.  These 
agreements generally provide that we will indemnify customers for losses incurred in connection with an infringement claim 
brought by a third party with respect to our products, and we have received claims for such indemnification.  The results of any 
intellectual property litigation to which we are, or may become, a party, or for which we are required to provide indemnification, 
may require us to:

• 

cease selling or using products or services that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;

•  make substantial payments for legal fees, settlement payments or other costs or damages;

• 

• 

obtain a license, which may not be available on reasonable terms, to sell or use the relevant technology, which such 
license could require royalties that would significantly increase our cost of goods sold; or

redesign products or services to avoid infringement, where such redesign could involve significant costs and result in 
delayed and/or reduced sales of the affected products.

If we are unable to sell our professional products through retail sales channels, our operating results could be adversely 
affected. 

We continue to have a presence in retail because our professional-level products are offered through specialty retail stores.  Our 
ability to continue to sell our professional products through certain retail sales channels may be impaired because we will sell 
fewer types of products and fewer units through those channels, impacting retailers’ willingness to carry our professional-level 
products.

Unanticipated changes in our tax provisions, the adoption of new tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities 
could affect our profitability.

We are subject to income and other taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions.  Our tax liabilities are affected 
by the amounts we charge for inventory, services, licenses and other items in intercompany transactions. We are also subject to 
ongoing tax audits in various jurisdictions.  Tax authorities may disagree with our intercompany charges, cross-jurisdictional 
transfer pricing or other matters and assess additional taxes.  We regularly assess the likely outcomes of these audits in order to 
determine the appropriateness of our tax provision.  However, there can be no assurance that we will accurately predict the 
outcomes of these audits, and the amounts ultimately paid upon the resolution of an audit could be materially different from the 
amounts previously included in our income tax expense and therefore, could have a material impact on our tax provision, net 
income and cash flows. In addition, our tax provision in the future could be adversely affected by changes to our operating 
structure, changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax 
assets and liabilities, changes in tax laws and the discovery of new information in the course of our tax return preparation process.

19

We may be subject to litigation, which, if adversely determined, could harm our business and operating results.

We may be subject to legal claims arising in the normal course of business. The costs of defending any litigation, whether in cash 
expenses or in management time, could harm our business and materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash 
flows. An unfavorable outcome in any litigation matter could require that we pay substantial damages, or, in connection with any 
intellectual property infringement claims, could require that we pay ongoing royalty payments or prohibit us from selling certain 
of our products. In addition, we may decide to settle any litigation, which could cause us to incur significant settlement costs. A 
settlement or an unfavorable outcome on any litigation matter could have a material and adverse effect on our business, operating 
results, financial condition and cash flows.

We and certain of our officers have been named in class action lawsuits related to our disclosure surrounding the level of 
implementation of our Avid NEXIS solution product offerings, which could be expensive and could damage our business.

We and certain of our executive officers have been named in class action lawsuits relating to our disclosure surrounding the level 
of implementation of our Avid NEXIS solution product offerings. The pending litigation, and any future litigation or action that 
may be filed against us, our current or former directors or officers may be time consuming and expensive, and may distract 
management from the conduct of our business. Any such litigation or action could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
financial condition, and results of operations, and may expose us to costly indemnification obligations to current or former 
officers, directors, or other personnel, regardless of the outcome of such matter.

A natural disaster or catastrophic event may significantly limit our ability to conduct business as normal and harm our 
business.

Our operations, and the operations of our customers, are vulnerable to interruptions by natural disasters and catastrophic events.  
For example, we operate a complex, geographically dispersed business, which includes significant personnel, customers and 
facilities in California near major earthquake fault lines.  We may not be able to protect our company from such catastrophic 
events and we are predominantly uninsured for business continuity losses and disruptions caused by catastrophic events.  
Disruption or failure of our or our customers’ networks or systems, or injury or damage to either parties’ personnel or physical 
infrastructure, caused by a natural disaster, public health crisis, terrorism, cyber attack, act of war or other catastrophic event may 
significantly limit our or our customers’ ability to conduct business as normal, including our ability to communicate and transact 
with customers, suppliers, distributors and resellers, which may negatively affect our revenues and operating results.  
Additionally, a natural disaster or catastrophic event could cause us or our customers to suspend all or a portion of operations for a 
significant period of time, result in a permanent loss of resources, and require the relocation of personnel and material to alternate 
facilities that may not be available or adequate.  Such an event could also cause an indirect economic impact on our customers, 
which could impact our customers’ purchasing decisions and reduce demand for our products and services.  A prolonged 
disruption of our business could also damage our reputation, particularly among our global news organization customers who are 
likely to require our solutions and support during such time.  Any of these factors could cause a material adverse impact on our 
financial condition and operating results.

Economic conditions and regulatory changes leading up to and following the United Kingdom’s likely exit from the 
European Union could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

In June 2016, voters in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) approved the country’s exit from the European Union, and the U.K. 
government has commenced the legal process of leaving the European Union, typically referred to as “Brexit.”  While the full 
effects of Brexit will not be known for some time, Brexit could cause disruptions to, and create uncertainty surrounding, our 
business and results of operations. The most immediate effect of the referendum, and expected Brexit, has been significant 
volatility in global equity and debt markets and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Ongoing global market volatility and a 
deterioration in economic conditions due to uncertainty surrounding Brexit, could significantly disrupt the markets in which we 
operate and lead our customers to closely monitor their costs and delay capital spending decisions. 

Additionally, the referendum and expected Brexit resulted in the immediate strengthening of the U.S. dollar against foreign 
currencies in which we conduct business. Although this strengthening has been somewhat ameliorated by the British 
Government’s stated desire to accomplish a transitional exit, because we translate revenue denominated in foreign currency into 
U.S. dollars for our financial statements, during periods of a strengthening U.S. Dollar, our reported revenue from foreign 
operations is reduced.

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The effects of Brexit will depend on any agreements the U.K. makes to retain access to E.U. markets, either during a transitional 
period or more permanently. The measures could potentially disrupt the markets we serve and may cause us to lose customers and 
employees. In addition, Brexit could lead to legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national laws and regulations as the U.K. 
determines which E.U. laws to replace or replicate.

Any of these effects of Brexit could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The increased emphasis on a cloud strategy may give rise to risks that could harm our business. 

We are devoting significant resources to the development of cloud-based technologies and service offerings where we have a 
limited operating history. Our cloud strategy requires continued investment in product development and cloud operations, as well 
as a change in the way we price and deliver our products. Many of our competitors may have advantages over us due to their 
larger presence, larger developer network, deeper experience in the cloud-based computing market, and greater sales and 
marketing resources. It is uncertain whether these strategies will prove successful, or whether we will be able to develop the 
infrastructure and business models more quickly than our competitors. Our cloud strategy may give rise to a number of risks, 
including the following:

If new or current customers desire only perpetual licenses, we may not be successful in selling subscriptions.

• 
•  Although we intend to support our perpetual license business, the increased emphasis on a cloud strategy may raise 

concerns among our installed customer base.

•  We may be unsuccessful in achieving our target pricing.

•  Our revenues might decline over the short or long term as a result of this strategy.

•  Our relationships with existing partners that resell perpetual licenses may be damaged.

•  We may incur costs at a higher than forecasted rate as we enhance and expand our cloud operations.

Risks Related to Our Liquidity and Financial Performance

If we are not able to generate and maintain adequate liquidity our ability to operate our business could be adversely 
affected. 

Generating and maintaining adequate liquidity is important to our business operations.  We meet our liquidity needs primarily 
through cash generated by operations, proceeds from our issuance of 2.00% convertible senior notes due 2020, and borrowings 
represented by the Term Loan under the Financing Agreement.  We also have the ability to borrow up to $5.0 million under the 
Credit Facility.   We have also undertaken significant cost cutting measures, including pursuant to the restructuring plan we 
announced in February 2016, and we may take additional measures to further improve our liquidity. Significant fluctuations in our 
cash balances could harm our ability to meet our immediate liquidity needs, impair our capacity to react to sudden or unexpected 
contractions or growth in our business, reduce our ability to withstand a sustained period of economic crisis, and impair our 
ability to compete with competitors with greater financial resources.  In addition, fluctuations in our cash balances could cause us 
to draw on our Credit Facility and therefore reduce available funds under the Credit Facility (see “Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation - Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 of this Form 10-K).   If we 
are unable to generate sufficient cash flow or our borrowings are not sufficient, our liquidity may significantly decrease, which 
could have an adverse effect on our business. 

Restrictions in the Financing Agreement may limit our activities.

The Financing Agreement contains restrictive covenants that limit our ability to engage in activities that could otherwise benefit 
us, including, among other things, limitations on our ability to make investments, incur additional indebtedness, issue equity, sell 
assets, pay dividends and make other restricted payments, and create liens. We are also required to comply on an ongoing basis 
with certain financial covenants, including a maximum leverage ratio and an annual limit on the amount of our capital 
expenditures.  Our ability to comply with these restrictions and covenants in the future is uncertain and could be affected by the 
levels of our cash flows from operations and events or circumstances beyond our control.  Failure to comply with any of these 
restrictions or covenants may result in an event of default under the Financing Agreement, which could permit acceleration of the 

21

outstanding indebtedness under the Financing Agreement and require us to repay such indebtedness before its scheduled due date. 
Certain events of default under the Financing Agreement may also give rise to a default under our convertible notes due 2020 or 
other future indebtedness.  If an event of default were to occur, we might not have sufficient funds available to make the payments 
required. If we are unable to repay amounts owed, our lenders may be entitled to foreclose on and sell substantially all of our 
assets, which secure our borrowings under the Financing 
Agreement.

Our debt levels increased significantly as a result of our entry into the Financing Agreement, our issuance of the 2.00% 
Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 (“Notes”) and our borrowings under the Term Loan, and our substantial indebtedness 
could adversely affect our business, cash flow and results of operations. 

Our indebtedness increased by $195 million, in the aggregate, as a result of our issuance of the Notes in June 2015 and our entry 
into the Financing Agreement in February 2016. This increased level of indebtedness may:

• 

• 

• 

• 

require us to dedicate a greater percentage of our cash flow from operations to payments on our debt, thereby reducing 
the availability of cash flow to fund capital expenditures, pursue other acquisitions or investments and use for general 
corporate purposes; 

increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic conditions, including increases in interest rates with respect to 
borrowings under the Financing Agreement that bear interest at variable rates or when our indebtedness is being 
refinanced; 

limit our ability to obtain additional financing; and 

limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in or challenges relating to our business and industry, creating 
competitive disadvantages compared to other competitors with lower debt levels and borrowing costs. 

We cannot make any assurance that our cash flow from operations, combined with any additional borrowings available to us, will 
be sufficient to enable us to repay our indebtedness, or to fund other liquidity needs. We may incur additional indebtedness in the 
future, which could cause these risks to intensify. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows, we may be required to adopt 
one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be 
onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial 
condition at such time. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, 
which could result in a default on our debt obligations.

We have recognized a significant amount of revenue in recent years due to the reduction of deferred revenue attributable 
to transactions occurring in the past, and such trends will not recur to the same extent in future periods.  The reduction in 
deferred revenues resulted in increased revenue and gross margin and our reported net income for the fiscal years 2014, 
2015 and 2016.  However, as deferred revenues from prior periods become fully amortized, we will experience significant 
declines in revenues in future periods, and there are no assurances that we will be able to report net income in future 
periods.  In addition, as less revenue is recognized from deferred revenue amortization, we may experience greater 
volatility in our quarterly and annual operating results.

As a result of our historical practice of providing Implied Maintenance Release PCS on many of our products, we were required, 
under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), to recognize revenue for many of 
these transactions ratably over a period that typically ranged from three to six years.  Due to changes in accounting rules, namely 
Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-13 and ASU No. 2009-14,  and the cessation of our practice of providing 
Implied Maintenance Release PCS for many of our products, revenue from older transactions continues to be recognized and, in 
some cases, accelerated into revenue, resulting in significant increases to revenue and declines in deferred revenue, whereas new 
sales of the same products now qualify for upfront recognition and do not add significantly to deferred revenue balances.  As a 
result, revenue attributable to older transactions will decline significantly in future periods as corresponding deferred revenue is 
fully amortized and not replenished by new transactions. Deferred revenue for the fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016 declined 
approximately $52 million, $66 million and $123 million, respectively.

The amortization of deferred revenue described above resulted in our reporting net income of approximately $48 million in 2016, 
$2 million in 2015, and $15 million in 2014.  With the impact of deferred revenue amortization declining significantly in future 
periods, there are no assurances that we will be able to report net income in future periods.  In addition, declining amortization of 
22

deferred revenue will also make it more difficult to comply with the maximum leverage ratio requirement of our Financing 
Agreement.  Our financial results and the impact of the deferred revenue are discussed in “Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 of this Form 10-K.

The adoption of ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) on January 1, 2018, which will require 
virtually all product sales to be recognized as revenue upon delivery, will further impact our deferred revenue balances since, 
upon adoption, using the modified prospective method, we will be required to record a cumulative reduction of deferred revenue 
for many transactions that had qualified for subscription accounting under legacy GAAP.  While we are still in the early stages of 
evaluating the impact of this new accounting standard, we expect that approximately $65 million of the deferred revenue recorded 
as of December 31, 2016 will be eliminated upon adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), Topic 606, on January 
1, 2018. Upon adoption of ASC 606, we expect to recognize a greater proportion of revenue upon delivery of our products, 
whereas some of our current product sales are initially recorded in deferred revenue and recognized over a long period of time. 
Accordingly, our operating results may become more volatile as a result of the adoption.

The significant reduction of deferred revenue due to the factors described above will also result in increased volatility in future 
quarterly and annual periods, as revenue and operating results are more immediately impacted by current period sales and 
shipment activity.  As a result, we may experience increased volatility in quarterly and annual operating performance in fiscal 
years 2017, 2018 and beyond.  

Our revenues and operating results are difficult to predict and may fluctuate from period to period.

Our results of operations have been, and may continue to, be subject to significant quarterly variation. Our revenues and operating 
results for any particular quarter may also vary due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, those enumerated under 
the section “Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements,” appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K and:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the timing of large or enterprise-wide sales and our ability to recognize revenues from such sales;

demand planning and logistics;

reliance on third-party reseller and distribution channels;

changes in operating expenses; 

price protections and provisions for inventory obsolescence extended to resellers and distributors; 

seasonal factors, such as higher consumer demand at year-end; and

complex accounting rules for revenue recognition.

The occurrence and interaction of these variables may cause our revenues and operating results to fluctuate from period to period.  
As a result, period-to-period comparisons of our revenues and operating results may not provide a good indication of our future 
performance.  We cannot be certain when, or if, our operations will be profitable in future periods.

Our revenue backlog estimates are based on certain assumptions and are subject to unexpected adjustments and 
cancellations and backlog orders may not be timely converted to revenues in any particular fiscal period, if at all, or be 
indicative of our actual operating results for any future period.

Our revenue backlog, as we define it, consists of firm orders received and includes both (i) orders where the customer has paid in 
advance of our performance obligations being fulfilled, which are reflected as deferred revenues on our balance sheet, and (ii) 
orders for future product deliveries or services that have not yet been invoiced by us.  To the extent that our customers cancel their 
orders with us, or reduce their requirements during a particular period for any reason, we will not realize revenue or profit from 
the associated revenue backlog.  Even where a project proceeds as scheduled, it is possible that the customer may default and fail 
to pay amounts owed to us.  Material delays, payment defaults or cancellations could reduce the amount of revenue backlog 
currently reported, and consequently, could inhibit the conversion of that backlog into revenues.  Furthermore, orders included in 
our revenue backlog may not be profitable.  We may experience variances in the realization of our revenue backlog because of 
project delays or cancellations resulting from external market factors and economic factors beyond our control. As a result, even if 
we realize all of the revenue from the projects in our revenue backlog, if our expenses associated with these projects are higher 
than expected, our results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected.

23

Fluctuations in foreign exchange rates may result in short-term currency exchange losses and could adversely affect our 
revenues from foreign markets and our manufacturing costs in the long term.

Our international sales are, for the most part, transacted through foreign subsidiaries and generally in the currency of the end-user 
customers.  Consequently, we are exposed to short-term currency exchange risks that may adversely affect our revenues, 
operating results and cash flows.  The majority of our international sales are transacted in euros.  To hedge against the dollar/euro 
exchange exposure of the resulting forecasted payables, receivables and cash balances, we may enter into foreign currency 
contracts.  The success of our hedging programs depends on the accuracy of our forecasts of transaction activity in foreign 
currency.  To the extent that these forecasts are over- or understated during periods of currency volatility, we may experience 
currency gains or losses.  Our hedging activities, if enacted, may only offset a portion of the adverse financial impact resulting 
from unfavorable movement in dollar/euro exchange rates, which could adversely affect our financial position or results of 
operations.

Furthermore, the significance to our business of sales in Europe subjects us to risks associated with long-term changes in the 
dollar/euro exchange rate.  A sustained strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the euro would decrease our expected future U.S. 
dollar revenues from European sales, and could have a significant adverse effect on our overall profit margins.  During the past 
few years, economic instability in Europe, including concern over sovereign debt in Greece, Italy, Ireland and certain other 
European Union countries, caused significant fluctuations in the value of the euro relative to those of other currencies, including 
the U.S. dollar.  Continuing uncertainty regarding economic conditions, including the solvency of these countries and the stability 
of the Eurozone, could lead to significant long-term economic weakness and reduced economic growth in Europe, the occurrence 
of which, or the potential occurrence of which, could lead to a sustained strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the euro, 
adversely affecting the profitability of our European operations.

In addition, we source and manufacture many of our products in China and our costs may increase should the renminbi not remain 
stable with the U.S. dollar.  Although the renminbi is pegged against a basket of currencies determined by the People’s Bank of 
China, the renminbi may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the long term.  In addition, if 
China were to permit the renminbi to float to a free market rate of exchange, it is widely anticipated that the renminbi would 
appreciate significantly in value against U.S. dollar.  An increase in the value of the renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have 
the effect of increasing the labor and production costs of our Chinese manufacturers in U.S. dollar terms, which may result in their 
passing such costs to us in the form of increased pricing, which would adversely affect our profit margins if we could not pass 
those price increases along to our customers.

Global economic weakness and uncertainty could adversely affect our revenues, gross margins and expenses.

Our business is impacted by global economic conditions, which have been in recent years, and continue to, be volatile.  
Specifically, our revenues and gross margins depend significantly on global economic conditions and the demand for our products 
and services in the markets in which we compete.  Economic weakness and uncertainty have resulted, and may result in the 
future, in decreased revenue, gross margin, earnings or growth rates and difficulty managing inventory levels.  Sustained 
uncertainty about global economic conditions may adversely affect demand for our products and services and could cause demand 
to differ materially from our expectations as customers curtail or delay spending on our products and services.  Economic 
weakness and uncertainty also make it more difficult for us to make accurate forecasts of revenues, gross margins and expenses.

The inability of our customers to obtain credit in the future may impair their ability to make timely payments to us.  Tightening of 
credit by financial institutions could also lead customers to postpone spending or to cancel, decrease or delay their existing or 
future orders with us.  Customer insolvencies could negatively impact our revenues and our ability to collect receivables.  
Financial difficulties experienced by our suppliers or distributors could result in product delays, increased accounts receivable 
defaults and inventory challenges.  In the event we are impacted by global economic weakness, we may record additional charges 
relating to restructuring costs or the impairment of assets, and our business and results of operations could be materially and 
adversely affected.

24

Risks related to our restatement, accounting review and internal controls

Our internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of 
December 31, 2016. We may not be able to properly remediate existing or future weaknesses or deficiencies in our internal 
controls, which could adversely affect our ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements, harm our 
reputation, negatively impact our stock price and damage our business.

In the second quarter of 2013, we determined that we needed to restate revenue for millions of customer transactions for interim 
and annual periods ended during the periods from January 1, 2005 to September 30, 2012 (the Restatement Periods) to correct 
errors in our historically issued financial statements. In addition, certain other adjustments arose in the Restatement Periods that 
were deemed material and were adjusted in the restated financial statements for the Restatement Periods. The errors in the 
misapplication of GAAP over revenue recognition and the other errors identified resulted from several control deficiencies that 
were in existence during the Restatement Periods, some of which remain. As described in Part II, Item 9A, “Controls and 
Procedures,” of this Form 10-K we have not fully remediated the aforementioned deficiencies. As a result, we concluded that our 
internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2016.

While we continue with our efforts to remediate the identified weaknesses, we cannot assure you that our remediation efforts will 
be adequate to allow us to conclude that such controls will become effective during fiscal year 2017. We also cannot assure you 
that additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting will not arise or be identified in the future. We 
intend to continue our control remediation activities and also to continue to improve our operational, information technology, 
financial systems, and infrastructure, procedures and controls, as well as to continue to expand, train, retain, and manage our 
personnel who are essential to effective internal control. In doing so, we will continue to incur expenses and expend management 
time on compliance-related issues.

If we fail to successfully remediate our material weaknesses and implement appropriate controls, we may not be able to prevent or 
detect a material misstatement in our financial statements on a timely basis or at all. Such misstatements could result in a future 
restatement of our financial statements, could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations, or could cause investors to lose 
confidence in our reported financial information, leading to a decline in our stock price or litigation. Furthermore, our reputation 
could be harmed and our customers’ and partners’ confidence in us may be impaired, all of which could damage our business. For 
a discussion of the material weaknesses, please see Part II, Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures,” of this Form 10-K. 

We cannot assure you that our financial statement preparation and reporting processes are or will be adequate or that 
future restatements will not be required.

While we have, following the restatement, significantly changed and enhanced our regular financial statement preparation and 
reporting processes (as described in our periodic reports filed with the SEC), as of the filing date of this Form 10-K, a material 
weakness in our internal control over financial reporting still exists and we continue to:

•  make changes to our finance organization;

• 

• 

• 

• 

adopt new accounting and reporting processes and procedures;

enhance our revenue recognition and other existing accounting policies and procedures;

introduce new or enhanced accounting systems and processes; and

improve our internal control over financial reporting.

We cannot assure you that the changes and enhancements made to date, or those that are still in process, are adequate, will operate 
as expected, or will be completed in a timely fashion (if still in process). As a result, we cannot assure you that we will not 
discover additional errors, that future financial reports will not contain material misstatements or omissions, that future 
restatements will not be required, that we will be able to timely complete our remaining SEC filings for periods subsequent to this 
Form 10-K, or that we will be able to stay current with our reporting obligations in the future.

25

We may not have sufficient insurance to cover our liability in any current or future litigation claims either due to coverage 
limits or as a result of insurance carriers seeking to deny coverage of such claims. 

We face a variety of litigation-related liability risks, including potential liability for indemnification of (and advancement of 
expenses to) current and former directors, officers, and employees under certain circumstances, pursuant to our certificate of 
incorporation, bylaws, other applicable agreements, and/or Delaware law.

Our insurance coverage under our policies may not be adequate to cover any indemnification or other claims against us.  In 
addition, the underwriters of our present coverage may seek to avoid coverage in certain circumstances based upon the terms of 
the respective policies, in which case we would have to self-fund any indemnification amounts owed to our directors and officers 
and bear any other uninsured liabilities.

If we do not have sufficient directors and officers insurance coverage under our present or historical insurance policies, or if our 
insurance underwriters are successful in avoiding coverage, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially 
adversely affected.

Risks Related to Our Stock

The market price of our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile.

The  market price of our common stock has historically experienced volatility. Our stock may continue to fluctuate substantially 
in the future in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control.  These factors include, but are not limited to:

• 

• 

• 

period-to-period variations in our revenues or operating results;

our failure to accurately forecast revenues or operating results or to report financial or operating results within the range 
of our previously issued guidance;

our ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements;

•  whether our results meet analysts’ expectations;

•  market reaction to significant corporate initiatives or announcements;

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

our ability to innovate;

our relative competitive position within our markets;

shifts in markets or demand for our solutions;

changes in our relationships with suppliers, resellers, distributors or customers;

our commencement of, or involvement in, litigation;

short sales, hedging or other derivative transactions involving shares of our common stock; and

shifts in financial markets and fluctuations of exchange rates.

Additionally, broader financial market and global economic trends may affect the market price of our common stock, regardless 
of our operating performance.

Delaware law and our charter documents may impede or discourage a takeover, which could reduce the market price of 
our common stock.

We are a Delaware corporation, and the anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law impose various impediments to the ability of a 
third party to acquire control of us, even if a change in control would be beneficial to our existing stockholders. In addition, our 
board of directors, or a committee thereof, has the power, without stockholder approval, to designate the terms of one or more 
series of preferred stock and issue shares of preferred stock. The ability of our board of directors or a committee thereof to create 
and issue a new series of preferred stock, our stockholders rights plan, and certain provisions of Delaware law and our certificate 
of incorporation and bylaws, could impede a merger, takeover or other business combination involving us, or discourage a 
potential acquirer from making a tender offer for our common stock, which, under certain circumstances, could reduce the market 
price of our common stock.

26

Risks related to our 2.00% convertible senior notes due 2020

The use of cash to satisfy our conversion obligation under the Notes may adversely affect our liquidity, and we may not 
have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle conversions in cash or to repurchase the Notes upon a fundamental 
change. The agreements governing our other indebtedness may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash upon 
conversion or repurchase of the Notes.

On June 15, 2015, we completed an offering of $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes.  The Notes may be 
converted into shares of our common stock, at the election of the holder, if certain conditions are met, including, among other 
things, the last reported sale price of the common stock being greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price of the Notes 
(initially $21.94 per share) for at least 20 trading days within a period of 30 consecutive trading days.  In the event the conditional 
conversion feature of the Notes is triggered, and one or more holders elect to convert their Notes, we may elect to satisfy our 
conversion obligation by paying cash or by delivering shares of our common stock.  Further, holders of the Notes have the right to 
require us to repurchase their Notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change, which generally means a merger, sale of all or 
substantially all of our assets, or other similar change of control transaction.  To the extent we do not elect to satisfy our 
conversion obligation by delivering solely shares of our common stock, we would be required to settle a portion or all of our 
conversion obligation through the payment of cash.  The use of cash to settle our conversion obligation could adversely affect our 
liquidity. Further, we may not have enough available cash, or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to make 
repurchases of the Notes surrendered or to make cash payments in respect of Notes being converted.  The Financing Agreement 
contains a restriction on our ability to settle conversions of the Notes with cash.

The conditional conversion feature of the Notes, if triggered, may adversely affect our operating results.

Even if holders do not elect to convert their Notes, we could be required under applicable accounting rules to reclassify all or a 
portion of the outstanding principal of the Notes as a current, rather than long-term, liability which would result in a material 
reduction of our net working capital.

Our failure to repurchase Notes or pay any cash upon conversion of the Notes would constitute a default under the 
indenture governing the Notes, and could cause defaults under our other or future indebtedness.

Our failure to repurchase Notes or pay any cash upon conversion of the Notes as required by the indenture governing the Notes 
would constitute a default under the indenture.  This kind of default under the indenture would also constitute a default under the 
Financing Agreement, and it could constitute a default under agreements governing our future indebtedness. If the repayment of 
the indebtedness under the Financing Agreement, or any other indebtedness, were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or 
grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness and repurchase the Notes or make cash payments upon 
conversions thereof.

The capped call transaction may affect the trading price of our common stock.

In connection with the offering of the Notes, we entered into the Capped Call. The primary purpose of the Capped Call was to 
reduce potential dilution to our common stock and/or offset any cash payments we may be required to make in excess of the 
principal amount, in each case, upon any conversion of Notes. In order to establish a hedge of the Capped Call, the Counterparty 
may have entered into various derivative transactions with respect to our common stock, and it may modify its hedge positions 
from time to time by entering into or unwinding various derivative transactions with respect to our common stock and/or 
purchasing or selling our common stock or other securities in secondary market transactions prior to the maturity of the Notes.  
The Counterparty is likely to undertake these activities during, and potentially prior to, any observation period related to a 
conversion of the Notes. These activities could cause or avoid an increase or a decrease in the market price of our common stock.

Any attempt by the United States to withdraw from, or materially modify NAFTA, and certain other international trade 
agreements, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

A significant portion of our business activities is conducted in foreign countries, including Mexico and China. The current 
administration has indicated that it is not supportive of certain existing international trade agreements, including the North 
American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”).  If the U.S. takes action to withdraw from or materially modify NAFTA, or certain 
other international trade agreements, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

27

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. 

PROPERTIES

We lease approximately 173,000 square feet in two facilities in Burlington, Massachusetts for our principal corporate and 
administrative offices, as well as for significant R&D activities.  The leases for these facilities expire in May 2020.  We also lease 
106,000 square feet in Mountain View, California, primarily for R&D, product management and manufacturing activities. 

We lease approximately 26,000 square feet of office space in Iver Heath, United Kingdom for our European headquarters, which 
includes administrative, sales and support functions, and 41,000 square feet in Dublin, Ireland for the final assembly and 
distribution of our products in Europe.  We also lease approximately 8,000 square feet in Singapore for our Asian headquarters.  

We also lease office space for sales operations and research and development in several other domestic and international 
locations.

ITEM 3. 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Our industry is characterized by the existence of a large number of patents and frequent claims and litigation regarding patent and 
other intellectual property rights.  In addition to the legal proceedings described above, we are involved in legal proceedings from 
time to time arising from the normal course of business activities, including claims of alleged infringement of intellectual property 
rights and contractual, commercial, employee relations, product or service performance, or other matters.  

Class Action Lawsuit

In November 2016, a purported securities class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts 
(Mohanty v. Avid Technology, Inc. et al., No. 16-cv-12336) against us and certain of our executive officers seeking unspecified 
damages and other relief on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of our common stock between August 4, 2016 and 
November 9, 2016, inclusive.  The complaint purported to state a claim for violation of federal securities laws as a result of 
alleged violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The complaint’s 
allegations relate generally to our disclosure surrounding the level of implementation of our Avid NEXIS solution product 
offerings. On February 7, 2017, the Court appointed a lead plaintiff and counsel in the matter.  The matter is not yet scheduled for 
trial.

The outcome of legal proceedings and claims brought against us is subject to significant uncertainty and, as a result, our financial 
position or results of operations may be negatively affected by the unfavorable resolution of one or more of these proceedings for 
the period in which a matter is resolved.  See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.” 

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.

28

PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 

AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol AVID.  The table below shows the high and 
low sales prices of our common stock for each calendar quarter of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

2016

2015

High
$8.33

$6.69

$9.78

$7.92

Low
$6.05

$5.26

$5.60

$3.99

High
$15.74

$17.90

$13.68

$9.04

Low
$12.66

$13.34

$7.62

$6.09

On March 17, 2017, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $4.96 per share.  
The approximate number of holders of record of our common stock at March 17, 2017 was 264.  This number does not include 
stockholders for whom shares were held in a “nominee” or “street” name.

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the 
foreseeable future.  Our Financing Agreement prohibits us from declaring or paying any dividends in cash on our capital stock.

Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative stockholder return on our common stock during the period from December 31, 
2011 through December 31, 2016 with the cumulative return during the period for:

•

•

the NASDAQ Composite Index (all companies traded on NASDAQ Capital, Global or Global Select Markets),

the 2016 Avid Peer Group Index (see details following the graph).

This comparison assumes the investment of $100 on December 31, 2011 in our common stock, the NASDAQ Market Index and 
the Avid Peer Group Index, and assumes that dividends, if any, were reinvested.

29

COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among Avid Technology, Inc., the NASDAQ Composite Index, 
and the Avid Peer Groups 

Because our products and services are diverse, we do not believe any single published industry index is appropriate for comparing 
stockholder return. As a result, we compare our common stock returns to a peer group index, which was composed of NASDAQ-
traded companies selected by Avid to best represent its peers based on various criteria, including industry classification, number 
of employees and market capitalization.  

The composition of the Avid Peer Group Index is dictated by the peer group selected by the compensation committee of Avid’s 
board of directors for its reference in setting executive compensation.   The compensation committee seeks generally to include 
companies with similar product and service offerings to those of Avid while also achieving a balance of smaller and larger sized 
peer companies in terms of market capitalizations and revenue.

The Avid Peer Group Index for 2016 was composed of:  3D Systems Corporation, Black Box Corporation, Cray Inc., Extreme 
Networks, Inc., Harmonic Inc., Pegasystems Inc., Progress Software Corporation, Quantum Corporation, RealNetworks, Inc., 
Seachange International, Inc., TiVo Corporation, and Verint Systems Inc.  

The Avid Peer Group Index is weighted based on market capitalization. 

30

ITEM 6.           SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected condensed consolidated financial data below should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Financial 
Information,” included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.  The selected condensed consolidated financial data as of December 31, 
2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 has been derived from 
our audited consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
(in thousands, except per share data)

Net revenues (1)

Cost of revenues

Gross profit

Operating expenses:

Research and development

Marketing and selling

General and administrative

Amortization of intangible assets

Restructuring costs (recoveries), net

Total operating expenses

Operating income from continuing operations

Other expense, net

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

Discontinued operations: (2)

Gain on divestiture of consumer business

Income from divested operations

Income from discontinued operations

Net income

Income per share - basic and diluted:

Income per share from continuing operations, net of tax – basic and diluted

Income per share from discontinued operations – basic and diluted

Net income per common share – basic and diluted

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted

For the Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

$

511,930

$

505,595

$

530,251

$

563,412

$

635,703

179,207

332,723

81,564

110,338

61,471

2,498

12,837

268,708

64,015

(18,671)

45,344

(2,875)

48,219

—

—

—

48,219

1.20

—

1.20

40,021

40,176

$

$

$

197,445

308,150

95,898

122,511

74,109

2,354

6,305

204,471

325,780

90,390

133,049

81,181

1,626

(165)

301,177

306,081

6,973

(6,408)

565

(1,915)

2,480

—

—

—

2,480

0.06

—

0.06

39,423

40,380

$

$

$

19,699

(2,783)

16,916

2,188

14,728

—

—

—

14,728

0.38

—

0.38

39,147

39,267

$

$

$

223,909

339,503

95,249

133,890

77,578

2,648

5,370

314,735

24,768

(676)

24,092

2,939

21,153

—
—
—

21,153

0.54

—

0.54

39,044

39,070

$

$

$

249,008

386,695

98,879

153,481

52,066

4,254

24,838

333,518

53,177

(2,041)

51,136

4,049

47,087

37,972

7,832

45,804

92,891

1.21

1.18

2.39

38,804

38,836

$

$

$

(1)  Our revenues and operating results have been affected by the deferral of revenues from customer transactions occurring prior to 2011.  On January 1, 
2011, we adopted Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2009-14.  Substantially all revenue arrangements prior to January 1, 2011 were 
generally recognized on a ratable basis over the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS.  Subsequent to January 1, 2011, product 
revenues are generally recognized upon delivery and Implied Maintenance PCS and other service and support elements are recognized as services are 
rendered.  See our policy on “Revenue Recognition” in Note B to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a further 
discussion of the effects of the changes to our revenue recognition policies on our financial results.

(2)  On July 2, 2012, we exited our consumer business through a sale of the assets of that business.  The disposition of our consumer business qualified for 

presentation as discontinued operations.  

31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
(in thousands)

As of December 31,

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

$

44,948

$

17,902

$

25,056

$

48,203

$

70,390

Working capital deficit (1)

Total assets

Deferred revenues (current and long-term amounts)

Long-term liabilities (1)

Total stockholders’ deficit

(86,931)

(167,450)

(157,492)

(133,517)

(96,380)

249,581

225,684

281,556

247,926

348,382

272,599

191,599

414,840

222,641

235,142

466,832

270,594

294,361

558,485

347,074

(269,911)

(329,572)

(341,070)

(359,335)

(385,592)

(1)  The presentation of prior year working capital deficit and long-term liability amounts have been changed to reflect our retrospective adoption of ASU 
No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.  The standard requires entities to present all deferred tax assets and deferred tax 
liabilities as non-current in a classified balance sheet.

32

 
 
ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF 

OPERATIONS

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Business Overview

We develop, market, sell, and support software and hardware for digital media content production, management and distribution. 
We do this by providing an open and efficient platform for digital media, along with a comprehensive set of tools and workflow 
solutions, that enable the creation, distribution and optimization of audio and video content. Digital media are video, audio or 
graphic elements in which the image, sound or picture is recorded and stored as digital values, as opposed to analog or tape-based 
signals.  Our products are used in production and post-production facilities; film studios; network, affiliate, independent and cable 
television stations; recording studios; live-sound performance venues; advertising agencies; government and educational 
institutions; corporate communications departments; and by independent video and audio creative professionals, as well as 
aspiring professionals.  Projects produced using our products include feature films, television programming, live events, news 
broadcasts, sports productions, commercials, music, video and other digital media content.

Our mission is to create the most powerful and collaborative media network that enables the creation, distribution and 
monetization of the most inspiring content in the world.  Guided by our Avid Everywhere strategic vision, we strive to deliver the 
industry’s most open, tightly integrated and efficient platform for media, connecting content creation with collaboration, asset 
protection, distribution and consumption of media in the world - from the most prestigious and award-winning feature films, 
music recordings, and television shows, to live concerts, sporting events and news broadcasts.  We have been honored over time 
for our technological innovation with 14 Emmy Awards, one Grammy Award, two Oscars and the first ever America Cinema 
Editors Technical Excellence Award.  Our solutions were used in all 2017 Oscar nominated films for Best Picture, Best Film 
Editing and Best Original Song.  Every 2017 Grammy nominee for Record of the Year and Album of The Year relied on our music 
creation solutions powered by our MediaCentral Platform.

Operations Overview

Our strategy is built on three pillars, Avid Everywhere, The Avid Advantage and the Avid Customer Association, or ACA.  Avid 
Everywhere is our strategic vision for connecting creative professionals and media organizations with their audiences in a more 
powerful, efficient, collaborative, and profitable way.  Central to the Avid Everywhere vision is the Avid MediaCentral Platform, 
an open, extensible, and customizable foundation that streamlines and simplifies workflows by integrating all Avid or third party 
products and services that run on top of it.  The platform provides secure and protected access, which enables the creation and 
delivery of content faster and easier through a set of modular application suites and new public and private marketplaces, that 
together, represent an open, integrated and flexible production and distribution environment for the media industry.  The Avid 
Advantage complements Avid Everywhere by offering a new standard in service, support and education to enable our customers 
to derive more efficiency from their Avid investment.  Finally, the ACA is an association of dedicated media community 
visionaries, thought leaders and users designed to provide essential strategic leadership to the media industry, facilitate 
collaboration between Avid and key industry leaders and visionaries, and strengthen relationships between our customers and us. 
This preeminent client and user community helps shape our collective future.

Another key element of our strategy is our transition to a subscription or recurring revenue based model. We started offering 
cloud-based subscription licensing options for some of our products and solutions in 2014, and have more than 60,000 paying 
cloud-enabled subscribers at the end of 2016, a 141% increase from 2015. These licensing options offer choice in pricing and 
deployment to suit our customers’ needs and are expected to increase recurring revenue on a longer term basis. However, during 
our transition to a recurring revenue model, we expect that our revenue, deferred revenue, and cash flow from operations will be 
adversely affected as an increasing portion of our total revenue is recognized ratably rather than up front, and as new product 
offerings are sold at a wider variety of price points.

As a complement to our core strategy, we continue to review and implement programs throughout the Company to reduce costs, 
increase operational efficiencies, align talent and enhance our business, including the cost efficiency program announced in 
February 2016. The cost efficiency program encompasses a series of measures intended to allow us to more efficiently operate in 
a leaner, and more directed cost structure.  These measures include reductions in our workforce, facilities consolidation, 

33

transferring certain business processes to lower cost regions, and reducing other third-party services costs. We anticipate that the 
cost efficiency program will be substantially complete by the end of the second quarter of 2017.

Subsequent Events 

On January 26, 2017, we entered into a securities purchase agreement, or the Securities Purchase Agreement, with Jetsen, 
pursuant to which we have agreed to sell to Jetsen shares of our common stock in an amount equal to between 5.0% and 9.9% of 
our outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis.  The purchase price for the shares is $18.2 million and will be payable in 
cash. The closing of the sale is subject to closing conditions, including China regulatory approvals. The exact number of shares to 
be issued and sold at closing will be determined by reference to the trading price of our common stock before closing.  At the 
same time, we also entered into an Exclusive Distributor Agreement with Jetsen, pursuant to which Jetsen will become the 
exclusive distributor for our products and services in the Greater China region. The Distributor Agreement has a five-year term 
and Jetsen is required to make at least $75.8 million of aggregate purchases under the agreement over the first three years.

On March 14, 2017, or the Effective Date, we entered into an amendment, or the Amendment, to our existing financing agreement 
dated February 26, 2016, or the Financing Agreement, with the lenders party thereto. The Amendment modifies the covenant 
requiring us to maintain a Leverage Ratio (defined to mean the ratio of (a) consolidated total funded indebtedness to (b) 
consolidated EBITDA) such that following the Effective Date, we are required to keep a Leverage Ratio of no greater than 
3.50:1.00 for the four quarters ending March 31, 2017, 4.20:1.00 for the four quarters ending June 30, 2017, 4.75:1.00 for the four 
quarters ending September 30, 2017, 4.80:1.00 for the four quarters ending December 31, 2017, 4:40:1 for each of the four 
quarters ending March 31, 2018 through March 31, 2019, respectively, and thereafter declining over time from 3.50:1.00 to 
2.50:1.00. Following the Effective Date, interest accrues on outstanding borrowings under the credit facility and the term loan 
(each as defined in the Financing Agreement) at a rate of either the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Financing Agreement) plus 
7.25% or a Reference Rate (as defined in the Financing Agreement) plus 6.25%, at the option of Avid.

34

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the 
United States of America.  The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect 
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial 
statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  We regularly reevaluate our estimates 
and judgments, including those related to the following:  revenue recognition and allowances for sales returns and exchanges; 
stock-based compensation; income tax assets and liabilities; and restructuring charges and accruals.  We base our estimates and 
judgments on historical experience and various other factors we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of 
which form the basis for judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the amounts of revenues and expenses 
that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates.

We believe the following critical accounting policies most significantly affect the portrayal of our financial condition and involve 
our most difficult and subjective estimates and judgments.

Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Sales Returns and Exchanges

General

We commence revenue recognition when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is 
fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Generally, the products we sell do not require significant production, 
modification or customization. Installation of our products is generally routine, consists of implementation and configuration and 
does not have to be performed by us.

At the time of a sales transaction, we make an assessment of the collectability of the amount due from the customer. Revenues are 
recognized only if it is reasonably assured that collection will occur. When making this assessment, we consider customer credit-
worthiness and historical payment experience. If it is determined from the outset of the arrangement that collection is not 
reasonably assured, revenues are recognized on a cash basis, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria are satisfied. At 
the outset of the arrangement, we also assess whether the fee associated with the order is fixed or determinable and free of 
contingencies or significant uncertainties. When assessing whether the fee is fixed or determinable, we consider the payment 
terms of the transaction, our collection experience in similar transactions without making concessions, and our involvement, if 
any, in third-party financing transactions, among other factors. If the fee is not fixed or determinable, revenues are recognized 
only as payments become due from the customer, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria are met. If a significant 
portion of the fee is due after our normal payment terms, we evaluate whether we have sufficient history of successfully collecting 
past transactions with similar terms without offering concessions. If that collection history is sufficient, revenue recognition 
commences, upon delivery of the products, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are satisfied. If we were to make 
different judgments or assumptions about any of these matters, it could cause a material increase or decrease in the amount of 
revenues reported in a particular period.

We often receive multiple purchase orders or contracts from a single customer or a group of related customers that are evaluated 
to determine if they are, in effect, part of a single arrangement. In situations when we have concluded that two or more orders 
with the same customer are so closely related that they are, in effect, parts of a single arrangement, we account for those orders as 
a single arrangement for revenue recognition purposes. In other circumstances, when we have concluded that two or more orders 
with the same customer are independent buying decisions, such as an earlier purchase of a product and a subsequent purchase of a 
software upgrade or maintenance contract, we account for those orders as separate arrangements for revenue recognition 
purposes.

For many of our products, there has been an ongoing practice of Avid making available at no charge to customers minor feature 
and compatibility enhancements as well as bug fixes on a when-and-if-available basis, collectively the Software Updates, for a 
period of time after initial sales to end users. The implicit obligation to make such Software Updates available to customers over a 
period of time represents implied post-contract customer support, which is deemed to be a deliverable in each arrangement and is 
accounted for as a separate element, or Implied Maintenance Release PCS.

Over the course of the last two years, in connection with a strategic initiative to increase support and other recurring revenue 
streams, we have taken a number of steps to eliminate the longstanding practice of providing Implied Maintenance Release PCS 

35

 
for many of our products, including our Media Composer, Pro Tools and Sibelius product lines.  In the third quarter and fourth 
quarter of 2015, respectively, we concluded that Implied Maintenance Release PCS for our Media Composer and Sibelius product 
lines had ceased.  In the first quarter of 2016, in connection with the release of Cloud Collaboration in Pro Tools version 12.5, 
which was an undelivered feature that had prevented us from recognizing any revenue related to new Pro Tools 12 software sales 
as it represented a specified upgrade right for which vendor specific objective evidence, or VSOE, of fair value was not available, 
we concluded that Implied Maintenance Release PCS for our Pro Tools 12 product lines had also ended.  Our determination that 
Pro Tools 12 Implied Maintenance Release PCS had ended was based on management (i) clearly communicating a policy of no 
longer providing any Software Updates or other support to customers that are not covered under a paid support plan and (ii) 
implementing robust digital rights management tools to enforce the policy.  With the new policy and technology for Pro Tools 12 
in place, combined with management’s intent to continue to adhere to the policy, management concluded in the first quarter of 
2016 that Implied Maintenance Release PCS for Pro Tools 12 transactions no longer exists. As a result of the conclusion that 
Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Pro Tools 12 has ended, revenue and net income in the first quarter of 2016 increased 
approximately $11.1 million, reflecting the recognition of orders received after the launch of Pro Tools 12 that would have 
qualified for earlier recognition using the residual method of accounting.  In addition, the elimination of Implied Maintenance 
Release PCS also resulted in the accelerated recognition of maintenance and product revenues that were previously being 
recognized on a ratable basis over a much longer expected period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS rather than the contractual 
maintenance period.  The reduction in the estimated amortization period of transactions being recognized on a ratable basis 
resulted in an additional $41.8 million of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Management will continue to evaluate the judgment of whether Implied Maintenance Release PCS exists on each product line and 
version. Since the remaining products that contain Implied Maintenance Release PCS largely consist of products that fall under 
the non-software revenue recognition guidance, where management defers a small portion of revenue based on the best estimated 
selling price of Implied Maintenance Release PCS rather than the entire order value as required for transactions that fall under 
software revenue recognition guidance,  any further determinations that Implied Maintenance Release PCS no longer exists for 
other product lines will be unlikely to result in a significant impact to the financial statements in any future periods.

As a result of the conclusion that Implied Maintenance Release PCS no longer exists for Pro Tools 12, prospective revenue 
recognition on new product orders will be recognized upfront, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met and VSOE 
of fair value exists for all undelivered elements. The cessation of Implied Maintenance Release PCS for Pro Tools and other 
products subject to software revenue recognition guidance, in addition to the initial impact of immediately recognizing revenue 
related to orders that would have qualified for earlier recognition using the residual method of accounting, will also result in 
increased revenue throughout 2016 as the elimination of Implied Maintenance Release PCS also results in the accelerated 
recognition of preexisting maintenance and product revenues that still do not qualify for the residual method of accounting but are 
now being recognized on an accelerated basis over a shorter remaining contractual maintenance period as compared to (i) the 
previous model of being recognized over a longer expected period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS and (ii) the prospective 
model of recognizing revenue ratably over a longer original contractual maintenance support period.  As a result of the 
compressed recognition period for these prior transactions in 2016 and longer recognition of the respective renewals, we expect 
significant decreases in revenues related to impacted product lines in 2017 as recognition from old contracts is completed and new 
contracts are recognized over a traditional maintenance period.

We enter into certain contractual arrangements that have multiple elements, one or more of which may be delivered subsequent to 
the delivery of other elements.  These multiple-deliverable arrangements may include products, support, training, professional 
services and Implied Maintenance Release PCS.  For these multiple-element arrangements, we allocate revenue to each 
deliverable of the arrangement based on the relative selling prices of the deliverables.  In such circumstances, we first determine 
the selling price of each deliverable based on (i) VSOE of fair value if that exists; (ii) third-party evidence of selling price, or 
TPE, when VSOE does not exist; or (iii) best estimate of the selling price, or BESP, when neither VSOE nor TPE exists.  Revenue 
is then allocated to the non-software deliverables as a group and to the software deliverables as a group using the relative selling 
prices of each of the deliverables in the arrangement based on the selling price hierarchy.  Our process for determining BESP for 
deliverables for which VSOE or TPE does not exist involves significant management judgment.  In determining BESP, we 
consider a number of data points, including:

• 

• 

• 

the pricing established by management when setting prices for deliverables that are intended to be sold on a standalone 
basis;

contractually stated prices for deliverables that are intended to be sold on a standalone basis;

the pricing of standalone sales that may not qualify as VSOE of fair value due to limited volumes or variation in prices; 
and

36

• 

other pricing factors, such as the geographical region in which the products are sold and expected discounts based on the 
customer size and type.  

In determining a BESP for Implied Maintenance Release PCS, which we do not sell separately, we consider (i) the service period 
for the Implied Maintenance Release PCS, (ii) the differential in value of the Implied Maintenance Release PCS deliverable 
compared to a full support contract, (iii) the likely list price that would have resulted from our established pricing practices had 
the deliverable been offered separately, and (iv) the prices a customer would likely be willing to pay.

We estimate the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS based on the length of time the product version purchased by 
the customer is planned to be supported with Software Updates. If facts and circumstances indicate that the original service period 
of Implied Maintenance Release PCS for a product has changed significantly after original revenue recognition has commenced, 
we will modify the remaining estimated service period accordingly and recognize the then-remaining deferred revenue balance 
over the revised service period.

We have established VSOE of fair value for all professional services and training and for some of our support offerings. Our 
policy for establishing VSOE of fair value consists of evaluating standalone sales to determine if a substantial portion of the 
transactions fall within a reasonable range.  If a sufficient volume of standalone sales exist and the standalone pricing for a 
substantial portion of the transactions falls within a reasonable range, management concludes that VSOE of fair value exists.

The following table sets forth our determination of the estimated range of BESP of Implied Maintenance Release PCS, stated as a 
percentage of the BESP of the underlying product being sold, and the estimated range of service periods of Implied Maintenance 
Release PCS by product group for all periods presented in the consolidated financial statements.

Product Group

Professional video creative tools

Video storage and workflow solutions

Media management solutions

Digital audio software and workstations solutions

Control surfaces, consoles and live-sound systems

Notation software

BESP of Implied
Maintenance
Release PCS (as a
% of Product
BESP)

Estimated Service Period

1% to 13%

18 to 72 months

1% to 2%

1% to 3%

1% to 8%

1% to 5%

4% to 8%

72 months

12 to 72 months

12 to 36 months

12 to 96 months

12 to 46 months

In accordance with Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2009-14, we exclude from the scope of software revenue 
recognition requirements our sales of tangible products that contain both software and non-software components that function 
together to deliver the essential functionality of the tangible products.  We adopted ASU No. 2009-13 and ASU No. 2009-14 
prospectively on January 1, 2011 for new and materially modified arrangements originating after December 31, 2010.  

Prior to our adoption of ASU No. 2009-14, we primarily recognized revenues using the revenue recognition criteria of Accounting 
Standards Codification, or ASC, Subtopic 985-605, Software-Revenue Recognition.  As a result of our adoption of ASU No. 
2009-14 on January 1, 2011, a majority of our products are now considered non-software elements under GAAP, which excludes 
them from the scope of ASC Subtopic 985-605 and includes them within the scope of ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition.  
Because we had not been able to establish VSOE of fair value for Implied Maintenance Release PCS, as described further below, 
substantially all revenue arrangements prior to January 1, 2011 were recognized on a ratable basis over the service period of 
Implied Maintenance Release PCS.  Subsequent to January 1, 2011 and the adoption of ASU No. 2009-14, we determine a 
relative selling price for all elements of the arrangement through the use of BESP, as VSOE and TPE are typically not available, 
resulting in revenue recognition upon delivery of arrangement consideration attributable to product revenue, provided all other 
criteria for revenue recognition are met, and revenue recognition of Implied Maintenance Release PCS and other service and 
support elements over time as services are rendered.

The timing of revenue recognition of customer arrangements follows a number of different accounting models determined by the 
characteristics of the arrangement, and that timing can vary significantly from the timing of related cash payments due from 

37

customers.  One significant factor affecting the timing of revenue recognition is the determination of whether each deliverable in 
the arrangement is considered to be a software deliverable or a non-software deliverable.  For transactions occurring after January 
1, 2011, our revenue recognition policies have generally resulted in the recognition of approximately 70% of billings as revenue 
in the year of billing, and prior to January 1, 2011, the previously applied revenue recognition policies resulted in the recognition 
of approximately 30% of billings as revenue in the year of billing.  We expect this trend to continue in future periods.

Revenue Recognition of Non-Software Deliverables

Revenue from products that are considered non-software deliverables is recognized upon delivery of the product to the customer.  
Products are considered delivered to the customer once they have been shipped and title and risk of loss has been transferred.  For 
most of our product sales, these criteria are met at the time the product is shipped.  Revenue from support that is considered a 
non-software deliverable is initially deferred and is recognized ratably over the contractual period of the arrangement, which is 
generally twelve months.  Professional services and training services are typically sold to customers on a time and materials basis. 
Revenue from professional services and training services that are considered non-software deliverables is recognized for these 
deliverables as services are provided to the customer.  Revenue for Implied Maintenance Release PCS that is considered a non-
software deliverable is recognized ratably over the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS, which ranges from one to 
eight years.  

Revenue Recognition of Software Deliverables

We recognize the following types of elements sold using software revenue recognition guidance: (i) software products and 
software upgrades, when the software sold in a customer arrangement is more than incidental to the arrangement as a whole and 
the product does not contain hardware that functions with the software to provide essential functionality, (ii) initial support 
contracts where the underlying product being supported is considered to be a software deliverable, (iii) support contract renewals, 
and (iv) professional services and training that relate to deliverables considered to be software deliverables.  Because we do not 
have VSOE of the fair value of our software products, we are permitted to account for our typical customer arrangements that 
include multiple elements using the residual method.  Under the residual method, the VSOE of fair value of the undelivered 
elements (which could include support, professional services or training, or any combination thereof) is deferred and the 
remaining portion of the total arrangement fee is recognized as revenue for the delivered elements.  If evidence of the VSOE of 
fair value of one or more undelivered elements does not exist, revenues are deferred and recognized when delivery of those 
elements occurs or when VSOE of fair value can be established.  VSOE of fair value is typically based on the price charged when 
the element is sold separately to customers.  We are unable to use the residual method to recognize revenues for some 
arrangements that include products that are software deliverables under GAAP since VSOE of fair value does not exist for 
Implied Maintenance Release PCS elements, which are included in some of our arrangements.

For software products that include Implied Maintenance Release PCS, an element for which VSOE of fair value does not exist, 
revenue for the entire arrangement fee, which could include combinations of product, professional services, training and support, 
is recognized ratably as a group over the longest service period of any deliverable in the arrangement, with recognition 
commencing on the date delivery has occurred for all deliverables in the arrangement (or begins to occur in the case of 
professional services, training and support).  Standalone sales of support contracts are recognized ratably over the service period 
of the product being supported.  

From time to time, we offer certain customers free upgrades or specified future products or enhancements. When a software 
deliverable arrangement contains an Implied Maintenance Release PCS deliverable, revenue recognition of the entire arrangement 
will only commence when any free upgrades or specified future products or enhancements have been delivered, assuming all 
other products in the arrangement have been delivered and all services, if any, have commenced.

Other Revenue Recognition Policies

In a limited number of arrangements, the professional services and training to be delivered are considered essential to the 
functionality of our software products.  If services sold in an arrangement are deemed to be essential to the functionality of the 
software products, the arrangement is accounted for using contract accounting.  As we have concluded that we cannot reliably 
estimate our contract costs, we use the completed contract method of contract accounting.  The completed contract method of 
accounting defers all revenue and costs until the date that the products have been delivered and professional services, exclusive of 
post-contract customer support, have been completed.  Deferred costs related to fully deferred contracts are recorded as a 

38

component of inventories in the consolidated balance sheet, and generally all other costs of sales are recognized when revenue 
recognition commences.  

We record a provision for estimated returns and other allowances as a reduction of revenues in the same period that related 
revenues are recorded.  Use of management estimates is required in connection with establishing and maintaining a sales 
allowance for expected returns and other credits, including rebates and returns.  In making these estimates, we analyze historical 
returns and credits and other relevant factors.  While we believe we can make reliable estimates regarding these matters, these 
estimates are inherently subjective.  The amount and timing of our revenues for any period may be affected if actual product 
returns prove to be materially different from our estimates.

We record as revenues all amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling costs and record the actual shipping costs as a 
component of cost of revenues.  Reimbursements received from customers for out-of-pocket expenses are recorded as revenues, 
with related costs recorded as cost of revenues.  We present revenues net of any taxes collected from customers and remitted to 
government authorities.

In the consolidated statements of operations, we classify revenues as product revenues or services revenues.  For multiple element 
arrangements that include both product and service elements, including Implied Maintenance Release PCS, we evaluate available 
indicators of fair value and apply our judgment to reasonably classify the arrangement fee between product revenues and services 
revenues. The amount of multiple element arrangement fees classified as product and services revenues based on management 
estimates of fair value when VSOE of fair value for all elements of an arrangement does not exist could differ from amounts 
classified as product and service revenues if VSOE of fair value for all elements existed.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation at fair value.  The vesting of stock options and restricted stock awards may be based on 
time, performance, market conditions, or a combination of performance and market conditions.  In the future, we may grant stock 
awards, options, or other equity-based instruments allowed by our stock-based compensation plans, or a combination thereof, as 
part of our overall compensation strategy.

We generally use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option grants with time-based vesting.  
The Black-Scholes option pricing model relies on a number of key assumptions to calculate estimated fair values.  Our assumed 
dividend yield of zero is based on the fact that we have never paid cash dividends, we have no present intention to pay cash 
dividends and our current credit agreement precludes us from paying dividends.  Our expected stock-price volatility assumption is 
based on recent (six-month trailing) implied volatility of the traded options.  These calculations are performed on exchange-traded 
options of our common stock based on the implied volatility of long-term (9- to 39-month term) exchange-traded options.  During 
2014 we changed the method of calculating the expected volatility. The expected volatility is now based on actual historic stock 
volatility for periods equivalent to the expected term of the award.  The assumed risk-free interest rate is the U.S. Treasury 
security rate with a term equal to the expected life of the option.  The assumed expected life is based on company-specific 
historical experience, considering the exercise behavior of past grants and models the pattern of aggregate exercises.  The fair 
values of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards with time-based vesting are based on the intrinsic values of the awards 
at the date of grant as these awards have a purchase price of $0.01 per share. 

We have also issued stock option grants or restricted stock unit awards with vesting based on market conditions, which 
historically included Avid’s stock price or performance conditions, generally our adjusted EBITDA. The fair values and derived 
service periods for all grants that include vesting based on market conditions are estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation 
method.  For stock option grants that include vesting based on performance conditions, the fair values are estimated using the 
Black-Scholes option pricing model.  For restricted stock unit awards that include vesting based on performance conditions, the 
fair values are estimated based on the intrinsic values of the awards at the date of grant as these awards have a purchase price of 
$0.01 per share. 

Income Tax Assets and Liabilities

We record deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the net tax effects of tax credits, operating loss carryforwards and temporary 
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes compared to the amounts used 
for income tax purposes.  We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability with consideration for such factors as 

39

historical losses, projected future taxable income and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences.  A 
valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be 
realized.  Based on the magnitude of our gross deferred tax assets, which totaled approximately $448 million at December 31, 
2016, and our level of historical U.S. losses, we have determined that the uncertainty regarding the realization of these assets is 
sufficient to warrant the need for a full valuation allowance against our U.S. deferred tax assets.  We also determined that a 
valuation allowance is warranted on a portion of our foreign deferred tax assets.

Our assessment of the valuation allowance on our U.S. and foreign deferred tax assets could change in the future based on our 
levels of pre-tax income and other tax-related adjustments.  Reversal of the valuation allowance in whole or in part would result 
in a non-cash reduction in income tax expense during the period of reversal.  To the extent some or all of our valuation allowance 
is reversed, future financial statements would reflect an increase in non-cash income tax expense until such time as our deferred 
tax assets are fully utilized.

The amount of income taxes we pay is subject to our interpretation of applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we file.  We 
have taken and will continue to take tax positions based on our interpretation of such tax laws.  There can be no assurance that a 
taxing authority will not have a different interpretation of applicable law and assess us with additional taxes. Should we be 
assessed with additional taxes, it could have a negative impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

We account for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in our financial statements by applying a two-step process to determine 
the amount of tax benefit to be recognized.  First, the tax position must be evaluated to determine the likelihood that it will be 
sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.  If the tax position is deemed 
more likely than not to be sustained, the tax position is then assessed to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the 
financial statements.  The amount of the benefit that may be recognized is the largest amount that has a greater than 50% 
likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.  Our provision for income taxes includes the effects of any resulting tax
reserves, referred to as unrecognized tax benefits, that are considered appropriate as well as the related net interest and penalties.  
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the amounts recorded for unrecognized tax benefits in our consolidated balance sheets totaled 
$1.0 million and $26.0 million, respectively, including interest and penalties.  If these benefits had been recognized, a reduction of 
our income tax provision of  $1.0 million and $3.2 million would have resulted at December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Restructuring Charges and Accruals

We recognize facility-related restructuring charges upon exiting all or a portion of a leased facility and meeting cease-use and 
other requirements. The amount of restructuring charges is based on the fair value of the lease obligation for the abandoned space, 
which includes a sublease assumption that could be reasonably obtained.

Based on our policies for the calculation and payment of severance benefits, we account for employee-related restructuring 
charges as an ongoing benefit arrangement in accordance with ASC Topic 712, Compensation - Nonretirement Postemployment 
Benefits.  Severance-related charges are accrued when it is determined that a liability has been incurred, which is when the 
expected severance payments are probable and can be reasonably estimated.

Restructuring charges require significant estimates and assumptions, including sub-lease income and severance period 
assumptions.  Our estimates involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control, including future 
real estate market conditions and our ability to successfully enter into subleases or termination agreements with terms as favorable 
as those assumed when arriving at our estimates. We monitor these estimates and assumptions on at least a quarterly basis for 
changes in circumstances and any corresponding adjustments to the accrual are recorded in our statement of operations in the 
period when such changes are known.

40

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth certain items from our consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of net revenues for the 
periods indicated:

Net revenues:

Product revenues

Services revenues

Total net revenues

Cost of revenues

Gross margin

Operating expenses:

Research and development

Marketing and selling

General and administrative
Amortization of intangible assets

Restructuring costs, net

Total operating expenses

Operating income

Interest and other income (expense), net

Income before income taxes

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

Net income

Net Revenues

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

55.3 %

44.7 %

66.5 %

33.5 %

71.4 %

28.6 %

100.0 %

100.0 %

100.0 %

35.0 %

65.0 %

15.9 %

21.6 %

12.0 %
0.5 %

2.5 %

52.5 %

12.5 %

(3.7)%

8.8 %

(0.6)%

9.4 %

39.1 %

60.9 %

19.0 %

24.2 %

14.7 %
0.5 %

1.2 %

59.6 %

1.3 %

(1.2)%

0.1 %

(0.4)%

0.5 %

38.6 %

61.4 %

17.0 %

25.1 %

15.3 %
0.3 %

— %

57.7 %

3.7 %

(0.5)%

3.2 %

0.4 %

2.8 %

Our net revenues are derived mainly from sales of video and audio hardware and software products and solutions for digital 
media content production, management and distribution, and related professional services and maintenance contracts.  We 
commonly sell large, complex solutions to our customers that, due to their strategic nature, have long lead times where the timing 
of order execution and fulfillment can be difficult to predict. In addition, the rapid evolution of the media industry is changing our 
customers’ needs, businesses and revenue models which is influencing their short-term and long-term purchasing decisions. As a 
result of these factors, the timing and amount of product revenue recognized each quarter related to these large orders, as well as 
the services associated with them, can fluctuate from quarter to quarter and cause significant volatility in our quarterly and annual 
operating results. See the risk factors discussed in Part I - Item 1A under the heading “Risk Factors” of this Form 10-K. 

Net Revenues for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
(dollars in thousands)

Video products and solutions

Audio products and solutions

     Total products and solutions
Services

Total net revenues

2016

Change

2015

Net Revenues

$

155,408

$

127,702

283,110
228,820

$

511,930

$

$
(46,151)
(7,110)
(53,261)
59,596

6,335

%

Net Revenues

(22.9)%

(5.3)%

(15.8)%
35.2%

1.3%

$

$

201,559

134,812

336,371
169,224

505,595

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Revenues for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(dollars in thousands)

2015

Change

2014

Net Revenues

$

201,559

$

134,812

336,371

169,224

$

505,595

$

$
(31,905)
(10,351)
(42,256)
17,600
(24,656)

%

Net Revenues

(13.7)%

(7.1)%

(11.2)%

11.6%

(4.6)%

$

$

233,464

145,163

378,627

151,624

530,251

Video products and solutions

Audio products and solutions

     Total products and solutions

Services

Total net revenues

The following table sets forth the percentage of our net revenues attributable to geographic regions for the periods indicated:

United States
Other Americas
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Asia-Pacific

Video Products and Solutions Revenues

2016 Compared to 2015

Year Ended December 31,
2015
37%
7%
41%
15%

2014
36%
9%
41%
14%

2016
36%
8%
40%
16%

Video products and solutions revenues decreased $46.2 million, or 22.9%, for 2016, compared to 2015.  The decrease during 2016 
was primarily due to delayed purchasing decisions of shared storage solutions by customers anticipating our next-generation 
shared storage product.  Video products and solutions revenues for 2015 were also higher due to the determination during 2015 
that Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Media Composer 8.0 had ended which resulted in increased product revenue for the 
prior period reflecting the recognition of older orders that then qualified for the residual method of accounting.  Also contributing 
to the decrease in revenues were more volatile market conditions in the Tier 1 enterprise space, particularly in Europe, and the 
impact of lower amortization of deferred revenues attributable to transactions executed on or before December 31, 2010.  As a 
result of our adoption of ASU No. 2009-13 and ASU No. 2009-14 on January 1, 2011, many of our product orders now qualify for 
upfront revenue recognition; however, prior to adoption of this accounting guidance, the same orders required ratable recognition 
over periods of up to eight years.  Deferred revenue associated with transactions executed prior to the adoption of ASU No. 
2009-13 and ASU No. 2009-14 will continue to decline, before the balance is largely amortized, contributing less revenue each 
period.

2015 Compared to 2014

Video products and solutions revenues decreased $31.9 million, or 13.7%, for 2015, compared to 2014. The decrease in video 
revenues was primarily due to the previously discussed lower amortization of deferred revenues attributable to transactions 
executed on or before December 31, 2010.  Revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 were also higher due to 
increased demand attributable to the 2014 Winter Olympics and 2014 FIFA World Cup events.  Declines in video products and 
solutions revenue in 2015 were partially offset by the impact of additional revenue attributed to the sale of Orad products after 
completion of the acquisition on June 23, 2015.

Audio Products and Solutions Revenues

2016 Compared to 2015

Audio products and solutions revenues decreased $7.1 million, or 5.3%, for 2016, compared to 2015.  The decrease in audio 
revenues was primarily due to weaker sales of our Pro Tools HD systems, as well as the previously discussed lower amortization 
of deferred revenues attributable to transactions executed on or before December 31, 2010.  The decrease was partially offset by 

42

 
the accelerated revenue recognition of Pro Tools 12 due to the determination during 2016 that Implied Maintenance Release PCS 
on Pro Tools 12 no longer exists. The cessation of Implied Maintenance Release PCS for Pro Tools resulted in the recognition of 
orders received in 2015 that would have qualified for earlier recognition using the residual method of accounting.

2015 Compared to 2014

Audio products and solutions revenues decreased $10.4 million, or 7.1%, for 2015, compared to 2014. The decrease in audio 
revenues was primarily the result of the previously discussed lower amortization of deferred revenues attributable to transactions 
executed on or before December 31, 2010.  Also contributing to the decrease in audio revenues for the year ended December 31, 
2015 were delays in the development of certain features related to Pro Tools 12 software, which reduced revenue recognition and, 
along with price points that were inconsistent with market dynamics, negatively impacted new product bookings.

Services Revenues

2016 Compared to 2015

Services revenues are derived primarily from maintenance contracts, as well as professional services and training.  The $59.6 
million, or 35.2%, increase in services revenues for 2016, compared to 2015, was primarily the result of the determination that 
Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Pro Tools 12 no longer exists, which results in (i) accelerated revenue recognition of 
existing maintenance contracts that were previously being recognized over a longer expected period of Implied Maintenance 
Release PCS rather than the contractual maintenance period and (ii) increasing conversion rates of new maintenance contracts 
into revenue, since new maintenance contracts are now recognized over their contractual term rather than a much longer period of 
Implied Maintenance Release PCS.  The increases were partially offset by the previously discussed lower amortization of 
deferred revenues attributable to transactions executed on or before December 31, 2010.

2015 Compared to 2014

The $17.6 million, or 11.6%, increase in services revenues for 2015, compared to 2014, was primarily the result of the 
determination that Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Media Composer 8.0 no longer exists, resulting in accelerated 
recognition of maintenance revenues that were previously being recognized over the expected period of Implied Maintenance 
Release PCS rather than the contractual maintenance period. The increased revenues in 2015 reflected the recognition of orders 
received after the release of Media Composer 8.0 that would have qualified for earlier recognition under GAAP.

Revenue Backlog

At December 31, 2016, we had revenue backlog of approximately $429 million, of which approximately $217 million is expected 
to be recognized in the next twelve months, compared to $552 million at December 31, 2015.  Revenue backlog, as we define it, 
consists of firm orders received and includes both (i) orders where the customer has paid in advance of our performance 
obligations being fulfilled, which are reflected as deferred revenues in our balance sheet and (ii) orders for future product 
deliveries or services that have not yet been invoiced by us.  Revenue backlog associated with arrangement consideration paid in 
advance primarily consists of deferred revenue related to (i) the undelivered portion of annual support contracts, (ii) software 
arrangements for which VSOE of fair value of undelivered elements does not exist, (iii) Implied Maintenance Release PCS 
performance obligations, and (iv) in-process installations that are subject to substantive customer acceptance provisions.  Revenue 
backlog associated with orders for future product deliveries and services where cash has not been received primarily consists of 
(i) product orders received but not yet shipped, (ii) professional services not yet rendered and (iii) future years of multi-year 
support agreements not yet billed.

A meaningful, albeit rapidly declining portion of our revenue backlog historically has been attributable to deferred revenue related 
to transactions that occurred prior to our January 1, 2011 adoption of the accounting guidance related to multiple-element 
arrangements (ASU No. 2009-13) and the accounting guidance related to differentiating software and hardware in a combined 
product offering (ASU No. 2009-14).  Prior to our adoption of ASU No. 2009-14, the majority of our products were subject to 
software revenue recognition guidance that required us to recognize revenue ratably for periods as long as eight years from 
product delivery because we did not have VSOE of fair value for the Implied Maintenance Release PCS deliverable included in 
most of our customer arrangements.  Upon adoption of ASU No. 2009-14, most of our products are now excluded from the scope 

43

of software revenue recognition, resulting in recognition of arrangement consideration upon product shipments (based on 
management’s best estimate of selling price) with only the arrangement consideration attributable to Implied Maintenance Release 
PCS being recognized ratably over an extended period of time.  As a result of the change in accounting standards, even with 
consistent or increasing aggregate order values, we will experience significant declines in revenues, deferred revenues and 
revenue backlog in the coming year as revenue backlog associated with transactions occurring prior to January 1, 2011 decreases 
each quarter without being replaced by comparable revenue backlog from new transactions.

The adoption of ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606), on January 1, 2018, which will require 
virtually all product sales to be recognized as revenue upon delivery, will further impact our deferred revenue balances since, 
upon adoption using the modified prospective method, we will be required to record a cumulative reduction of deferred revenue 
for any transaction that had qualified for subscription accounting under legacy GAAP.  Since deferred revenue is a component of 
our backlog, the adoption of ASC 606 will also result in a decrease in our backlog.  While we are still in the early stages of 
evaluating the impact of this new accounting standard, we expect approximately $65 million of the deferred revenue component 
of backlog recorded as of December 31, 2016 will be eliminated upon adoption of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018. Upon adoption of 
ASC 606, we expect to recognize a greater proportion of revenue upon delivery of our product, whereas some of our current 
product sales are initially recorded in deferred revenue and recognized over a long period of time. Accordingly, our operating 
results may become more volatile as a result of the adoption.

Orders included in revenue backlog may be reduced, canceled or deferred by our customers.  The expected timing of the 
recognition of revenue backlog as revenue is based on our current estimates and could change based on a number of factors, 
including (i) the timing of delivery of products and services, (ii) customer cancellations or change orders, or (iii) changes in the 
estimated period of time Implied Maintenance Release PCS is provided to customers.  As there is no industry standard definition 
of revenue backlog, our reported revenue backlog may not be comparable with other companies.  Revenue backlog as of any 
particular date should not be relied upon as indicative of our net revenues for any future period.

Cost of Revenues, Gross Profit and Gross Margin Percentage

Cost of revenues consists primarily of costs associated with:

• 
• 
•  warehousing;
• 
• 
• 
• 

procurement of components and finished goods;
assembly, testing and distribution of finished products;

customer support related to maintenance;
royalties for third-party software and hardware included in our products;
amortization of technology; and
providing professional services and training.

Amortization of technology included in cost of revenues represents the amortization of developed technology assets acquired as 
part of acquisitions and is described further in the Amortization of Intangible Assets section below.

Costs of Revenues for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
(dollars in thousands)

Products

Services

Amortization of intangible assets

    Total cost of revenues

2016
Costs

$

111,579

$

59,828

7,800

179,207

Change

$
(20,302)
(1,673)
3,737
(18,238)

%
(15.4)%

(2.7)%

92.0%

(9.2)%

2015
Costs

$

131,881

61,501

4,063

197,445

Gross profit

$

332,723

$

24,573

8.0%

$

308,150

44

 
Costs of Revenues for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(dollars in thousands)

Products

Services

Amortization of intangible assets

    Total costs of revenues

2015
Costs

$

131,881

$

61,501

4,063

197,445

Change

$
(11,884)
845

4,013
(7,026)

%

(8.3)%

1.4%

8,026.0%

(3.4)%

2014
Costs

$

143,765

60,656

50

204,471

Gross profit

$

308,150

$

(17,630)

(5.4)%

$

325,780

Gross Margin Percentage

Gross margin percentage, which is net revenues less costs of revenues divided by net revenues, fluctuates based on factors such as 
the mix of products sold, the cost and proportion of third-party hardware and software included in the systems sold, the offering 
of product upgrades, price discounts and other sales-promotion programs, the distribution channels through which products are 
sold, the timing of new product introductions, sales of aftermarket hardware products such as disk drives and currency exchange-
rate fluctuations. Our total gross margin percentage for 2016 increased to 65.0%, from 60.9% for 2015.  The increase in gross 
margin was primarily due to revenue recognized from the ending of Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Pro Tools 12, as 
discussed above, as well as the effects of our cost efficiency program.

Gross Margin % for the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
(Decrease)
Increase in
Gross Margin %
(0.2)%

2016 Gross
Margin %

2015 Gross
Margin %

(Decrease) 
Increase in
Gross Margin %
(1.2)%

60.6%

60.8%

73.9%

65.0%

10.2%

4.1%

63.7%

60.9%

3.7%

(0.5)%

2014 Gross
Margin %

62.0%

60.0%

61.4%

Products

Services

Total Gross Margin

2016 Compared to 2015

The products gross margin percentage for 2016 was effectively unchanged from 2015. 

The increase in services gross margin percentage for 2016, compared to 2015, was attributable to the revenue recognized as a 
result of the conclusion that Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Pro Tools 12 has ended, as well as the effects of our cost 
efficiency program.

2015 Compared to 2014

The decrease in products gross margin percentage for 2015, compared to 2014, was primarily due to the previously discussed 
lower amortization of deferred revenues attributable to transactions executed on or before December 31, 2010. 

The increase in services gross margin percentage for 2015, compared to 2014, was attributable to the revenue recognized as a 
result of the conclusion that Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Media Composer 8.0 has ended and improved product mix.  

45

 
 
Operating Expenses and Operating Income

Operating Expenses and Operating Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
(dollars in thousands)

Research and development expenses

Marketing and selling expenses

General and administrative expenses

Amortization of intangible assets

Restructuring costs, net

Total operating expenses

Operating income

2016
Expenses

$

81,564

$

110,338

61,471

2,498

12,837

268,708

64,015

$

$

$

$

Change

$
(14,334)
(12,173)
(12,638)
144

6,532
(32,469)

%
(14.9)%

(9.9)%

(17.1)%

6.1%

103.6%

(10.8)%

57,042

818.0%

Operating Expenses and Operating Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(dollars in thousands)

Research and development expenses

Marketing and selling expenses

General and administrative expenses

Amortization of intangible assets

Restructuring costs (recoveries), net

Total operating expenses

Operating income

Research and Development Expenses

2015
Expenses

$

95,898

$

122,511

74,109

2,354

6,305

301,177

6,973

$

$

$

$

Change

$

5,508
(10,538)
(7,072)
728

6,470
(4,904)

%
6.1%

(7.9)%

(8.7)%

44.8%

(3,921.2)%

(1.6)%

(12,726)

(64.6)%

2015
Expenses

95,898

122,511

74,109

2,354

6,305

301,177

6,973

2014
Expenses

90,390

133,049

81,181

1,626

(165)

306,081

19,699

$

$

$

$

$

$

Research and development, or R&D, expenses include costs associated with the development of new products and the 
enhancement of existing products, and consist primarily of employee salaries and benefits; facilities costs; depreciation; costs for 
consulting and temporary employees; and prototype and other development expenses.  R&D expenses decreased $14.3 million, or 
14.9%, during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to 2015.  The table below provides further details regarding the 
changes in components of R&D expense.

46

 
 
Year-Over-Year Change in Research and Development Expenses for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
(dollars in thousands)

Personnel-related

Computer hardware and supplies

Consulting and outside services

Facilities and information technology

Other expenses

Total research and development expenses (decrease)/increase

2016 Compared to 2015

2016 Decrease
From 2015

2015 Increase/(Decrease)
From 2014

$
(6,696)
(3,646)
(3,297)
(358)
(337)
(14,334)

$

$

%
(12.6)%

(67.9)%

(18.4)%

(2.1)%

(13.0)%

(14.9)%

$

598

718

3,209

1,214
(231)
5,508

$

$

%
1.1%

14.9%

21.2%

7.8%

(9.7)%

6.1%

The decrease in personnel-related expenses for 2016, compared to 2015, was primarily the result of our cost efficiency program.  
The decreases in computer hardware and supplies and consulting and outside services were primarily due to the timing of certain 
development projects as we develop new products and solutions consistent with our Avid Everywhere strategic vision.  The 
computer hardware and supplies expenses for 2015 were also higher due to the development of VENUE | S6L. 

2015 Compared to 2014

The increases in consulting and outside services and computer hardware and supplies for 2015, compared to 2014, were primarily 
due to the development of VENUE | S6L.  The increase in facilities and information technology expenses was primarily due to the 
additional R&D headcount and related facilities expenses acquired through our Orad acquisition in June 2015.  The increase in 
personnel-related expenses was primarily the result of our Orad acquisition in 2015, partially offset by decreased incentive-based 
compensation accrual and stock-based compensation costs.  

Marketing and Selling Expenses

Marketing and selling expenses consist primarily of employee salaries and benefits for selling, marketing and pre-sales customer 
support personnel; commissions; travel expenses; advertising and promotional expenses; web design costs and facilities costs.  
Marketing and selling expenses decreased $12.2 million, or 9.9%, during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to 2015. 
The table below provides further details regarding the changes in components of marketing and selling expense.

Year-Over-Year Change in Marketing and Selling Expenses for Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
(dollars in thousands)

Personnel-related

Consulting and outside services

Facilities and information technology

Advertising and promotions

Other expenses

Foreign-exchange gains (losses)

Total marketing and selling expenses decrease

2016 (Decrease)/Increase
From 2015

2015 (Decrease)/Increase
From 2014

$
(12,376)
(3,224)
3,114
(1,041)
747

607
(12,173)

$

$

%
(14.4)%

(26.0)%

34.1%

(19.4)%

6.7%

49.4%

(9.9)%

$
(3,461)
(3,021)
(4,607)
2,829
(141)
(2,137)
(10,538)

$

$

%
(4.5)%

(17.3)%

(14.4)%

111.3%

(3.5)%

(235.3)%

(7.9)%

47

 
 
 
 
2016 Compared to 2015

The decrease in personnel-related expenses for 2016, compared to 2015, was primarily due to lower headcount, less travel 
expenses and commission expenses.  The decreases in consulting and outside services expenses and advertising and promotional 
expenses were primarily the result of our cost efficiency program.  The increase in facilities and information technology expenses 
was primarily due to Avid.com redesign and web infrastructure build out related costs that were capitalized in 2015 but not 
depreciated until 2016, and also due to the increased rent expenses associated with our Philippines office for our customer care 
services in 2016. The increase in other expenses for 2016 was due to the increased bad debt reserve.  During 2016, net foreign 
exchange gains (specifically, resulting from foreign currency denominated transactions and the revaluation of foreign currency 
denominated assets and liabilities), which are included in marketing and selling expenses, were $0.6 million, compared to gains of 
$1.2 million in 2015. 

2015 Compared to 2014

The decrease in facilities and information technology expenses for 2015, compared to 2014, was primarily due to lower 
depreciation expenses as significant assets were fully depreciated and new capital investment was reduced.  The decrease in 
personnel-related expenses was primarily due to decreased incentive-based compensation accrual, commission expenses and 
stock-based compensation costs.  The decrease in consulting and outside services expenses was primarily due to our cost 
reduction initiatives started in 2015.  The increase in advertising and promotions related expenses was primarily due to three large 
electronic advertising campaigns in 2015 for Pro Tools, Media Composer, and Avid marketplace and web store.  The net foreign 
exchange gains (specifically, resulting from foreign currency denominated transactions and the revaluation of foreign currency 
denominated assets and liabilities), which are included in marketing and selling expenses, were $1.2 million for 2015, compared 
to losses of $0.9 million in 2014.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative, or G&A, expenses consist primarily of employee salaries and benefits for administrative, executive, 
finance and legal personnel; audit, legal and strategic consulting fees; and insurance, information systems and facilities costs. 
Information systems and facilities costs reported within general and administrative expenses are net of allocations to other 
expenses categories.  G&A expenses decreased $12.6 million, or 17.1%, during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to 
2015. The table below provides further details regarding the changes in components of general and administrative expense.

Year-Over-Year Change in General and Administrative Expenses for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
(dollars in thousands)

Acquisition and related integration
Personnel-related

Consulting and outside services

Facilities and information technology

Other expenses

Total general and administrative expenses decrease

2016 Compared to 2015

2016 (Decrease)/Increase
From 2015

2015 (Decrease)/Increase
From 2014

$
(8,970)
(2,940)
(1,115)
754
(367)
(12,638)

$

$

$

%
(80.9)%
(10.3)%

(6.6)%

8.0%

(4.5)%

(17.1)%

$

$
11,162
(1,733)
(17,426)
480

445
(7,072)

%
100.0%
(5.5)%

(47.4)%

4.9%

12.5%

(8.7)%

The decrease in acquisition and related integration expenses for 2016, compared to 2015, was primarily the result of more outside 
professional and consulting services used during 2015 when we actively engaged in acquisition related activities.  The decrease in 
personnel-related expenses was primarily the result of our cost efficiency program and decreased stock-based compensation costs.  
The decrease in consulting and outside services expenses was primarily the result of decreases in litigation expenses and 
contractors costs.  The increase in facilities and information technology expenses was primarily due to the rent expenses 

48

 
 
 
associated with Orad Israel facility, which was acquired in June 2015, and our new facility in Boca, Florida opened in March 
2016.

2015 Compared to 2014

The decrease in consulting and outside services expenses for 2015, compared to 2014, was primarily the result of decreases in 
restatement-related costs and litigation expenses.  The increase in acquisition and related integration expenses in 2015 was 
primarily the result of our Orad acquisition in 2015.  The decrease in personnel-related expenses was primarily due to the 
decreased incentive-based compensation accrual.

Amortization of Intangible Assets

Intangible assets result from acquisitions and include developed technology, customer-related intangibles, trade names and other 
identifiable intangible assets with finite lives.  These intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the 
estimated useful lives of such assets, which are generally two years to twelve years.  Amortization of developed technology is 
recorded within cost of revenues.  Amortization of customer-related intangibles, trade names and other identifiable intangible 
assets is recorded within operating expenses.

Year-Over-Year Change in Amortization of Intangible Assets for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
(dollars in thousands)

Amortization of intangible assets recorded in cost of revenues

Amortization of intangible assets recorded in operating expenses

Total amortization of intangible assets

2016 Compared to 2015

2016 Increase
From 2015

$

3,737

144

3,881

$

$

%

92.0%

6.1%

60.5%

2015 Increase
From 2014

$

%

$

$

4,013

8,026.0%

728

4,741

44.8%

282.9%

The increase in amortization of intangible assets for 2016, compared to 2015, was primarily the result of the intangible assets that 
we acquired through our acquisition of Orad in June 2015.  At December 31, 2016, the $22.9 million unamortized balance of our 
identifiable intangible assets was all related to the Orad acquisition.  We expect amortization of these intangible assets to be 
approximately $9.3 million in 2017, $9.3 million in 2018 and  $4.3 million in 2019.  See Note I, Intangible Assets and Goodwill, 
to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of the Form 10-K for further information regarding our identifiable intangible 
assets.

2015 Compared to 2014

The increase in amortization of intangible assets recorded in cost of revenues and operating expenses during 2015, compared to 
2014, was the result of the intangible assets that we acquired through our acquisition of Orad in June 2015. 

Restructuring Costs, Net

2016 Restructuring Plan

In February 2016, we committed to a restructuring plan that encompasses a series of measures intended to allow us to more 
efficiently operate in a leaner, and more directed cost structure. These include reductions in our workforce, facilities 
consolidation, transferring certain business processes to lower cost regions, and reducing other third-party services costs. 

During the quarter ended December 31, 2015, we recorded restructuring costs of $5.8 million, which represented an initial 
elimination of 111 positions worldwide during January and February of 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we 
recorded restructuring costs of $10.0 million, which represented an additional 138 positions eliminated during 2016 and 141 
positions eliminated during the first quarter of 2017.  

49

 
 
In September 2016, we consolidated workspaces at the facilities in Burlington, Massachusetts and vacated a portion of the 
facilities. We recorded $2.1 million of facility restructuring charge for the partial closure of the facilities in Burlington, which 
included $1.1 million of related leasehold assets write-off. 

Prior Years’ Restructuring Plan

We recorded restructuring costs revisions of $0.5 million and $0.8 million, in June 2015 and September 2016, respectively, based 
on the updated sublease assumption for our Mountain View, California facility that was partially abandoned in 2012. 

Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net

Interest and other income (expense), net, generally consists of interest income and interest expense.

Interest and Other Income (Expense) for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
(dollars in thousands)

Interest income

Interest expense

Other income (expense), net

Total interest and other income (expense), net

2016
Income
(Expense)

$

$

— $

(18,903)
232
(18,671) $

Change

$

(113)
(12,557)
407
(12,263)

%

(100.0)%

197.9%

(232.6)%

191.4%

Interest and Other Income (Expense) for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(dollars in thousands)

Interest income

Interest expense

Other income (expense), net

Total interest and other income (expense), net

2016 Compared to 2015

2015
Income
(Expense)

$

$

$

113
(6,346)
(175)
(6,408) $

Change

$

(13)
(4,575)
963
(3,625)

%

(10.3)%

258.3%

(84.6)%

130.3%

2015
Income
(Expense)

113

(6,346)

(175)

(6,408)

2014
Income
(Expense)

126

(1,771)

(1,138)

(2,783)

$

$

$

$

The increase in interest expense for 2016, compared to 2015, was due to the interest on our Term Loan and Notes, and Notes 
related debt discount accretion.  See Note Q, Long-Term Debt and Credit Agreement, to our Consolidated Financial Statements in 
Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information.  

2015 Compared to 2014

The increase in interest expense for 2015, compared to 2014, was due to the interest on our Notes and related debt discount 
accretion.  The decrease in other expense for 2015, compared to 2014, was primarily the result of changes in the valuation of a 
deferred compensation plan.

50

 
 
(Benefit from) Provision for Income Taxes

Benefit from Income Taxes for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
(dollars in thousands)

Benefit from income taxes

2016
Benefit

Change

$

$

(2,875) $

(960)

%
50.1%

2015
Benefit

$

(1,915)

(Benefit from) Provision for Income Taxes for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(dollars in thousands)

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

$

(1,915) $

(4,103)

2015
Benefit

Change

$

%
(187.5)%

2014
Provision

$

2,188

Our effective tax rate, which represents our tax provision as a percentage of income before tax, was (6.3)%, (338.9)% and 12.9%, 
respectively, for 2016, 2015 and 2014.  Our 2016 benefit from income taxes was primarily due to a change in our uncertain tax 
position related to the foreign tax implications arising from changes in revenue recognition. The amount of the benefit included in 
the tax provision was $3.2 million.  Our 2015 benefit included a $6.5 million benefit resulting from the creation of a deferred tax 
liability associated with the portion of our Notes offering that was classified within stockholders’ equity.  The benefit was partially 
offset by increased foreign taxes which included a $2.3 million provision for uncertain tax positions.  After taking into account 
these tax items, the remaining 2016 tax benefit increase is due to a decrease in foreign taxes, primarily driven by the $1.5 million 
amortization of a deferred tax liability related to acquired intangible assets. 

Our 2015 provision for income taxes decreased by $4.1 million from 2014, primarily due to a benefit of $6.5 million that was 
recorded as a discrete item resulting from the creation of a deferred tax liability associated with the portion of the Notes offering 
that was classified within stockholders’ equity.  While GAAP requires the offset of the deferred tax liability to be recorded in 
additional paid in capital, consistent with the equity portion of the Notes, the creation of the deferred tax liability produced 
evidence of recoverability of deferred tax assets, which resulted in the release of a valuation allowance, totaling $6.5 million 
reflected as an income tax benefit.  The $6.5 million benefit was primarily offset by increased foreign profits, where we currently 
pay income taxes.

We early adopted ASU No. 2016-09 during the second quarter of 2016 on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of new 
guidance had no impact on income taxes because of our significant accumulated deferred tax assets including the tax effects of net 
operating loss and tax credit carryovers. The realization of the net deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of 
sufficient future taxable income in the applicable tax jurisdictions.  We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability 
with consideration for such factors as historical losses, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of 
existing temporary differences, and tax planning strategies.  ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, requires us to record a valuation 
allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  Based on the 
magnitude of our deferred tax assets at December 31, 2016 and our level of historical U.S. losses, we have determined that the 
uncertainty regarding the realization of these assets is sufficient to warrant the need for a full valuation allowance against our U.S. 
deferred tax assets.  We have also determined that a valuation allowance is warranted on a portion of our foreign deferred tax 
assets.

51

 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity and Sources of Cash

Our principal sources of liquidity include cash and cash equivalents totaling $44.9 million as of December 31, 2016. We have 
generally funded operations in recent years through the use of existing cash balances, supplemented from time to time with the 
proceeds of long-term debt and borrowings under our credit facilities.

Our cash requirements vary depending on factors such as the growth of the business, changes in working capital, capital 
expenditures, and obligations under our cost efficiency program. We expect to operate the business and execute our strategic 
initiatives principally with funds generated from operations, remaining net proceeds from the term loan borrowings under the 
Financing Agreement, and draw up to a maximum of $5 million under the Financing Agreement’s revolving credit facility.  We 
anticipate that we will have sufficient internal and external sources of liquidity to fund operations and anticipated working capital 
and other expected cash needs for at least the next 12 months as well as for the foreseeable future.

In February 2016, we committed to a cost efficiency program that encompasses a series of measures intended to allow us to more 
efficiently operate in a leaner, and more directed cost structure. These measures include reductions in our workforce, facilities 
consolidation, transferring certain business processes to lower cost regions and reducing other third-party services costs.  We 
anticipate that the cost efficiency program will be substantially complete by the end of the second quarter of 2017. 

Financing Agreement

On February 26, 2016, we entered into the Financing Agreement with the lenders party thereto, or the Lenders. Pursuant to the 
Financing Agreement, the Lenders agreed to provide us with (a) a term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $100 million, or 
the Term Loan, and (b) a revolving credit facility of up to a maximum of $5 million in borrowings outstanding at any time, or the 
Credit Facility.  We borrowed the full amount of the Term Loan, or $100 million, as of the closing date, but did not borrow any 
amount under the Credit Facility as of the Closing Date. All outstanding loans under the Financing Agreement will become due 
and payable on the earlier of February 26, 2021 and the date that is 30 days prior to June 15, 2020 if the $125 million in 
outstanding principal of the Notes has not been repaid or refinanced by such time. Prior to the maturity of the Credit Facility, any 
amounts borrowed under the Credit Facility may be repaid and, subject to the terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement, 
reborrowed in whole or in part without penalty.

Concurrently with the entry into the Financing Agreement, we terminated the KeyBank Credit Agreement and repaid all 
outstanding borrowings under such agreement. There were no penalties paid by us in connection with this termination. In addition 
to repaying borrowings under the KeyBank Credit Agreement, the Term Loan proceeds will be used to fund our restructuring 
program announced in February 2016 and to provide ongoing liquidity, including to fund operations.

On March 14, 2017, we entered into an Amendment to our Financing Agreement, with the lenders party thereto. The Amendment 
modifies the covenant requiring us to maintain a Leverage Ratio (defined to mean the ratio of (a) consolidated total funded 
indebtedness to (b) consolidated EBITDA) such that following the Effective Date, we are required to keep a Leverage Ratio of no 
greater than 3.50:1.00 for the four quarters ending March 31, 2017, 4.20:1.00 for the four quarters ending June 30, 2017, 
4.75:1.00 for the four quarters ending September 30, 2017, 4.80:1.00 for the four quarters ending December 31, 2017, 4:40:1 for 
each of the four quarters ending March 31, 2018 through March 31, 2019, respectively, and thereafter declining over time from 
3.50:1.00 to 2.50:1.00. Following the Effective Date, interest accrues on outstanding borrowings under the credit facility and the 
term loan (each as defined in the Financing Agreement) at a rate of either the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Financing 
Agreement) plus 7.25% or a Reference Rate (as defined in the Financing Agreement) plus 6.25%, at the option of Avid.

Financial terms and prepayments. Effective with the Amendment to the Financing Agreement, interest accrues on outstanding 
borrowings under the Term Loan and the Credit Facility at a rate of either the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Financing 
Agreement) plus 7.25% or a Reference Rate (as defined in the Financing Agreement) plus 6.25%, at our option. The Term Loan is 
subject to a $1.25 million mandatory principal amortization per quarter commencing in June 2016. We may prepay all or any 
portion of the Term Loan prior to its stated maturity, subject to the payment of certain fees based on the amount repaid. We must 
pay to the Lenders, on a monthly basis, an unused line fee at a rate of 0.5% per annum on an amount equal to (1) the total lending 
commitments under the Credit Facility less (2) the average daily amount of the outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility 
during the immediately preceding month. During the term of the Credit Facility, we are entitled to reduce the maximum amounts 

52

of the Lenders’ commitments under the Credit Facility, subject to the payment of certain fees based on the amount of any 
reduction. In addition, subject to limited exceptions we will be required to prepay the borrowings under the Financing Agreement 
with proceeds it receives from specified events, including sales of assets, tax refunds, legal judgments and settlements, third party 
indemnities insurance proceeds and condemnation awards. Each year we will be required to prepay the borrowings under the 
Financing Agreement in an amount equal to 50% of our excess cash flow.

Collateral and guarantees. We and our subsidiary, Avid Technology Worldwide, Inc., or Avid Worldwide, granted a security 
interest on substantially all of our assets to secure the obligations of all obligors under the Term Loan and the Credit Facility. Avid 
Worldwide provided a guarantee of all our obligations under the Financing Agreement. Our future subsidiaries (other than certain 
foreign and immaterial subsidiaries) are also required to become a party to the applicable security agreements and guarantee the 
obligations under the Financing Agreement. 

The Financing Agreement contains restrictive covenants that are customary for an agreement of this kind, including, for example, 
covenants that restrict us from incurring additional indebtedness, granting liens, making investments and restricted payments, 
making acquisitions, paying dividends, and engaging in transactions with affiliates. Certain exceptions to these restrictive 
covenants are not available in the event our liquidity (defined as cash held in U.S. accounts and availability under the Credit 
Facility) is less than $30 million.

Events of default. The Financing Agreement contains customary events of default under which our payment obligations may be 
accelerated. These events of default include, among others, failure to pay amounts payable under the Financing Agreement when 
due, breach of representations and warranties, failure to perform covenants, a change of control, default or acceleration of material 
indebtedness, certain judgments and certain impairments to the collateral.

Financial and other covenants. The Financing Agreement, as amended on March 14, 2017, contains customary representations 
and warranties and covenants.  These include covenants requiring us to maintain a Leverage Ratio (defined to mean the ratio of 
(a) total funded indebtedness to (b) consolidated EBITDA) of no greater than 3.50:1.00 for the four quarters ending March 31,
2017, 4.20:1.00 for the four quarters ending June 30, 2017, 4.75:1.00 for the four quarters ending September 30, 2017, 4.80:1.00
for the four quarters ending December 31, 2017, 4:40:1 for each of the four quarters ending March 31, 2018 through March 31,
2019, respectively, and thereafter declining over time from 3.50:1.00 to 2.50:1.00.  The Financing Agreement also restricts us
from making capital expenditures in excess of $20 million in any fiscal year.  As of December 31, 2016, we were in compliance
with these covenants.

Our ability to satisfy the Leverage Ratio covenant in the future is heavily dependent on our ability to increase bookings and 
billings above levels experienced over the last twelve months.  In recent quarters, we have experienced volatility in bookings and 
billings resulting from, among other things, (i) our transition towards subscription and recurring revenue streams and the resulting 
decline in traditional upfront product sales, (ii) volatility in currency rates and in particular the strengthening of the US dollar 
against the Euro, (iii) dramatic changes in the media industry and the impact it has on our customers and (iv) the impact of new 
and anticipated product launches and features.  In addition to the impact of new bookings and billings, GAAP revenues 
recognized as the result of the existence of Implied Maintenance Release PCS in prior periods will decline significantly in 2017, 
which will have an adverse impact on our Leverage Ratio.

In the event bookings and billings in future quarters are lower than we currently anticipate, we may be forced to take remedial 
actions which could include, among other things (and where allowed by the Lenders), (i) further cost reductions, (ii) seeking 
replacement financing,  (iii) raising additional equity or (iv) disposing of certain assets or businesses.  Such remedial actions, 
which may not be available on favorable terms or at all, could have a material adverse impact on our business.  If we are not in 
compliance with the Leverage Ratio and are unable to obtain an amendment or waiver, such noncompliance may result in an 
event of default under the Financing Agreement, which could permit acceleration of the outstanding indebtedness under the 
Financing Agreement and require us to repay such indebtedness before the scheduled due date.  If an event of default were to 
occur, we might not have sufficient funds available to make the payments required.  If we are unable to repay amounts owed, the 
Lenders may be entitled to foreclose on and sell substantially all of our assets, which secure our borrowings under the Financing 
Agreement.

53

2.00% Convertible Senior Notes

On June 15, 2015, we issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020, or the 
Notes. The net proceeds from the offering were $120.3 million after deducting the offering expenses. The Notes pay interest semi-
annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2015, at an annual rate of 2.00% and mature on 
June 15, 2020 unless earlier converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms prior to such date. In connection with the 
offering of the Notes, on June 9, 2015, we entered into a capped call derivative transaction with a third party, or the Capped Call. 
The Capped Call is expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to the common stock and/or offset any cash payments we 
may be required to make in excess of the principal amount upon conversion of the Notes in the event that the market price per 
share of the common stock is greater than the strike price of the Capped Call. The Capped Call has a strike price of $21.94 and a 
cap price of $26.00 and is exercisable by us when and if the Notes are converted. The Capped Call expires on June 15, 2020.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

Net cash used in operating activities

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

$

$

(49,195) $
(15,577)
91,452

366

27,046

$

(34,026) $
(81,796)
109,558
(890)
(7,154) $

(9,897)

(11,800)

(436)

(1,014)

(23,147)

Cash used in operating activities aggregated $49.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, which was primarily 
attributable to lower sales of our video products, and incremental cash payments relating to termination benefits and employee 
overlap expenses. The lower sales of our video products is due to delayed purchasing decisions of shared storage solutions by 
customers anticipating the next-generation shared storage product. Also contributing to the decrease in sales were more volatile 
market conditions in the Tier 1 enterprise space, particularly in Europe, which adversely affected purchasing decisions.  

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the net cash flow used in investing activities reflected $11.0 million used for the purchase 
of property and equipment, and $4.5 million used for the cash collateral for our letters of credit.  Our purchases of property and 
equipment largely consist of computer hardware and software to support R&D activities, and leasehold improvements.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the net cash flow provided by financing activities reflected the $100.0 million proceeds 
from the Term Loan and $5.0 million issuance costs paid for the Financing Agreement entered into in February 2016.  All 
outstanding loans under the Financing Agreement will become due and payable in February 2021, or in May 2020 if the $125 
million in outstanding principal of the Notes has not been repaid or refinanced by such time.

54

 
CONTRACTUAL AND COMMERCIAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table sets forth future payments that we were obligated to make at December 31, 2016 under existing lease 
agreements and commitments to purchase inventory and other goods and services (in thousands):

Operating leases

Unconditional purchase obligations (a)

Total

Less than
1 Year

1 – 3 Years

3 – 5 Years

After
5 Years

$

$

54,654

19,484

74,138

$

$

15,827

19,484

35,311

$

$

24,033

—

24,033

$

$

12,135

—

12,135

$

$

2,659

—

2,659

(a) At December 31, 2016, we had entered into purchase commitments for certain inventory and other goods used in our normal

operations.  The purchase commitments covered by these agreements are for a period of less than one year.

Other contractual arrangements or unrecognized tax positions that may result in cash payments consisted of the following at 
December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

Unrecognized tax positions and related interest

Stand-by letters of credit

Total

Less than
1 Year

1 – 3 Years

3 – 5 Years

After
5 Years

$

$

700

3,342

4,042

$

$

700

1,132

1,832

$

$

— $

— $

560

560

1,450

$

1,450

$

—

200

200

We have the Notes of $125 million maturing in June 2020 with semi-annual interest payments of $1.3 million. On February 26, 
2016, we entered into the Financing Agreement and borrowed the full amount of the Term Loan, or $100 million, as described in 
more detail in Note Q, Long-Term Debt and Credit Agreement, to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 
10-K.

We have letters of credit that are used as security deposits in connection with our leased Burlington, Massachusetts headquarters 
office space. In the event of default on the underlying leases, the landlords would, at December 31, 2016, be eligible to draw 
against the letters of credit to a maximum of $1.3 million in the aggregate.  The letters of credit are subject to aggregate 
reductions provided that we are not in default of the underlying leases and meet certain financial performance conditions.  In no 
case will the letters of credit amounts for the Burlington leases be reduced to below $1.2 million in the aggregate throughout the 
lease periods, all of which extend to May 2020. 

In addition, we have letters of credit in connection with security deposits for other facility leases totaling $1.0 million in the 
aggregate, as well as letters of credit totaling $1.1 million that otherwise support our ongoing operations.  These letters of credit 
have various terms and expire during 2017 and beyond, while some of the letters of credit may automatically renew based on the 
terms of the underlying agreements. 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

Other than operating leases, we do not engage in off-balance sheet financing arrangements or have any variable-interest entities.  
At December 31, 2016, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement

On March 30, 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock 
Compensation (Topic 718). The standard is intended to simplify several areas of accounting for share-based compensation 
arrangements, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as 
classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, 
55

beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. We early adopted ASU No. 2016-09 during the second 
quarter of 2016 on a modified retrospective basis for the income statement impact of forfeitures. The adoption of ASU No. 
2016-09 had no impact to our income taxes and consolidated statements of cash flows. Accordingly, a cumulative-effect 
adjustment recorded to the beginning retained earnings as of January 1, 2016 for the impact of forfeitures is immaterial.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Topic 205-40): 
Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. ASU No. 2014-15 provides guidance 
around management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going 
concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. For each reporting period, management will be required to evaluate whether 
there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year 
from the date the financial statements are issued. We adopted ASC 205-40 in the fourth quarter of 2016, and the adoption did not 
have a significant impact on our financial statements or related disclosures.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted

In May, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU No. 2014-09 is the 
final updated standard on revenue recognition.  The standard supersedes the most current revenue recognition guidance, including 
industry-specific guidance.  The new revenue recognition guidance becomes effective for us on January 1, 2018, and early 
adoption as of January 1, 2017 is permitted.  

Subsequently, the FASB has issued the following standards related to ASU No. 2014-09: ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations; ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing; and ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. We must adopt ASU No. 2016-08, ASU No. 
2016-10 and ASU No. 2016-12 with ASU No. 2014-09 (collectively, the “new revenue standards”). 

Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified approach to adopt the new revenue standards. We expect 
to elect the modified transition method and, while we are still in the early stages of evaluating the impact of this new accounting 
standard, we expect the impact will be significant.  The adoption will result in a significant cumulative reduction in deferred 
revenue as of January 1, 2018 because we will no longer require VSOE of fair value to recognize software deliverables with 
Implied Maintenance Release PCS upon delivery. Upon adoption of ASC 606, we expect to recognize a greater proportion of 
revenue upon delivery of our products, whereas some of our current product sales are initially recorded in deferred revenue and 
recognized over a long period of time. Accordingly, our operating results may become more volatile as a result of the adoption.

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic (842). The guidance requires an entity to recognize 
virtually all of their leases on the balance sheet, by recording a right-of-use asset and lease liability. The new guidance becomes 
effective for us on January 1, 2019, and early adoption is permitted upon issuance.  We are evaluating the potential impact of 
adopting this standard on our financial statements, as well as the timing of our adoption of the standard.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flow (Topic 230). The guidance reduces diversity in how 
certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the Statements of Cash Flows. Certain of ASU No. 
2016-15 requirements are as follows: 1) cash payments for debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs should be classified as 
cash outflows for financing activities, 2) contingent consideration payments made soon after a business combination should be 
classified as cash outflows for investing activities and cash payment made thereafter should be classified as cash outflows for 
financing up to the amount of the contingent consideration liability recognized at the acquisition date with any excess classified as 
operating activities, 3) cash proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims should be classified on the basis of the nature of the 
loss, 4) cash proceeds from the settlement of Corporate-Owned Life Insurance (COLI) Policies should be classified as cash 
inflows from investing activities and cash payments for premiums on COLI policies may be classified as cash outflows for 
investing activities, operating activities, or a combination of investing and operating activities, and 5) cash paid to a tax authority 
by an employer when withholding shares from an employee's award for tax-withholding purposes should be classified as cash 
outflows for financing activities. The new guidance becomes effective for us on January 1, 2018, and early adoption is permitted 
upon issuance.  We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this standard on our financial statements, as well as 
timing of our adoption of the standard.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740). The guidance requires companies to recognize 

56

the income tax effects of intercompany sales and transfers of assets, other than inventory, in the income statement as income tax 
expense (or benefit) in the period in which the transfer occurs. The new guidance becomes effective for us on January 1, 2018, 
and early adoption is permitted upon issuance. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-16 on our 
financial statements, as well as timing of our adoption of the standard.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The guidance 
requires companies to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the 
statement of cash flows. As a result, companies will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted 
cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. When cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted 
cash equivalents are presented in more than one line item on the balance sheet, a reconciliation of the totals in the statement of 
cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheet is required. The new guidance becomes effective for us on January 1, 2018, 
and early adoption is permitted upon issuance.  We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this standard on our 
financial statements, as well as the timing of our adoption of the standard.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of 
the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the 
amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The 
revised guidance will be applied prospectively, and is effective for calendar year-end SEC filers in 2020. Early adoption is 
permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. We are evaluating the potential impact 
of adopting this standard on our financial statements, as well as timing of our adoption of the standard.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We have significant international operations and derive more than half of our revenues from customers outside the United States.  
This business is, for the most part, transacted through international subsidiaries and generally in the currency of the end-user 
customers. Therefore, we are exposed to the changes in foreign currency exchange rates that could adversely affect our revenues, 
net income and cash flow.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, we recorded net (gains) losses of $(0.6) million, $(1.3) million, and $0.9 
million, respectively, that resulted from foreign currency denominated transactions and the revaluation of foreign currency 
denominated assets and liabilities. 

A hypothetical change of 10% in appreciation or depreciation of foreign currency exchange rates from the quoted foreign 
currency exchange rates as of December 31, 2016, would not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of 
operations or cash flows.

Interest Rate Risk

On February 26, 2016, we borrowed $100.0 million under the Term Loan that bears interest at approximately 7.75%.  We also 
maintain a revolving Credit Facility that allows us to borrow up to $5.0 million.  A hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in 
interest rates paid on outstanding borrowings under the Financing Agreement would not have a material impact on our financial 
position, results of operations or cash flows.

On June 15, 2015, we issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of our Notes pursuant to the terms of an indenture.  The 
Notes pay interest semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2015, at an annual rate of 
2.00% and mature on June 15, 2020 unless earlier converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms prior to such date. The 
fair value of the Notes is dependent on the price and volatility of our common stock as well as movements in interest rates.  The 
fair value of our common stock and interest rate changes affect the fair value of the Notes, but do not impact our financial 
position, results of operations or cash flows due to the fixed nature of the debt obligations.

57

ITEM 8. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN ITEM 8:

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page

59

61

62

63

64

65

66

58

 
 
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Stockholders
Avid Technology, Inc.
Burlington, Massachusetts

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Avid Technology, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of 
December 31, 2016 and the related consolidated statement of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ deficit, and 
cash flows for the year then ended.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States) and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America.  Those standards require 
that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material 
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial 
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the 
overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position 
of Avid Technology, Inc. at December 31, 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in 
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Avid 
Technology Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal 
Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
(COSO) and our report dated March 22, 2017 expressed an adverse opinion thereon.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
March 22, 2017 

59

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Avid Technology, Inc.
Burlington, Massachusetts

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Avid Technology, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of 
December 31, 2015, and the consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders' deficit, and cash 
flows for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's 
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements 
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures 
in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable 
basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the 
Company as of December 31, 2015, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2015 
and 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche 

Boston, Massachusetts
March 15, 2016

60

AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)

Net revenues:
Products
Services

Total net revenues

Cost of revenues:

Products
Services
Amortization of intangible assets

Total cost of revenues

Gross profit
Operating expenses:

Research and development
Marketing and selling
General and administrative
Amortization of intangible assets
Restructuring costs (recoveries), net

Total operating expenses

Operating income
Interest income
Interest expense
Other income (expense), net
Income before income taxes
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
Net income

Net income per common share – basic and diluted

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

$

$

$

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

$

$

$

283,110
228,820
511,930

111,579
59,828
7,800
179,207
332,723

81,564
110,338
61,471
2,498
12,837
268,708
64,015
—
(18,903)
232
45,344
(2,875)
48,219

1.20

40,021
40,176

$

$

$

336,371
169,224
505,595

131,881
61,501
4,063
197,445
308,150

95,898
122,511
74,109
2,354
6,305
301,177
6,973
113
(6,346)
(175)
565
(1,915)
2,480

0.06

39,423
40,380

378,627
151,624
530,251

143,765
60,656
50
204,471
325,780

90,390
133,049
81,181
1,626
(165)
306,081
19,699
126
(1,771)
(1,138)
16,916
2,188
14,728

0.38

39,147
39,267

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands)

Net income

Other comprehensive loss:

    Foreign currency translation adjustments

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

$

48,219

$

2,480

$

14,728

(1,717)

(6,566)

(7,540)

Comprehensive income (loss)

$

46,502

$

(4,086)

$

7,188

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

62

 
AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share data)

Current assets:

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $8,618 and $9,226 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Other current assets

Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Intangible assets, net
Goodwill
Long-term deferred tax assets, net
Other long-term assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued compensation and benefits
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Income taxes payable
Short-term debt
Deferred revenues

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt
Long-term deferred tax liabilities, net
Long-term deferred revenues
Other long-term liabilities

Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (Note K)

Stockholders’ deficit:

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 42,339 shares issued, and 40,727 shares and

39,530 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively

Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated deficit
Treasury stock at cost, net of reissuances, 1,612 shares and 2,809 shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015,

respectively

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Total stockholders’ deficit
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

63

$

$

$

December 31,

2016

2015

$

$

$

44,948
43,520
50,701
6,031
5,805
151,005
30,146
22,932
32,643
1,245
11,610
249,581

26,435
25,387
34,088
1,012
5,000
146,014
237,936
188,795
913
79,670
12,178
519,492

17,902
58,807
48,073
6,548
6,119
137,449
35,481
33,219
32,643
2,011
7,123
247,926

45,511
28,124
35,354
1,023
5,000
189,887
304,899
95,950
3,443
158,495
14,711
577,498

—

—

423
1,043,063
(1,271,148)

423
1,055,838
(1,319,318)

(32,353)
(9,896)
(269,911)
249,581

$

(58,336)
(8,179)
(329,572)
247,926

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
(in thousands)

Shares of
Common Stock

Additional

In
Treasury

Common
Stock

Paid-in
Capital

Accumulated
Deficit

Treasury
Stock

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

Total

Stockholders’
Deficit

Balances at January 1, 2014

Issued

42,339

(3,257) $

423 $ 1,043,384 $ (1,336,526) $ (72,543) $

5,927 $

(359,335)

Stock issued pursuant to employee stock plans

212

Stock-based compensation

Net income

Other comprehensive loss

(4,928)

11,513

4,492

14,728

Balances at December 31, 2014

42,339

(3,045)

423

1,049,969

(1,321,798)

(68,051)

Stock issued pursuant to employee stock plans

823

(14,215)

17,691

Stock-based compensation

Convertible senior notes conversion feature (net of
taxes of $6,493 and net of issuance cost of $1,088)

Purchase of capped call transaction

9,514

20,718

(10,125)

Repurchase of common stock

(587)

(23)

(7,976)

Net income

Other comprehensive loss

2,480

Balances at December 31, 2015

42,339

(2,809)

423

1,055,838

(1,319,318)

(58,336)

Cumulative-effect adjustment due to adoption of
ASU No. 2016-09

49

(49)

Stock issued pursuant to employee stock plans

1,197

(20,740)

25,983

Stock-based compensation

7,916

Net income

Other comprehensive loss

48,219

(436)

11,513

14,728

(7,540)

(1,613)

(7,540)

(341,070)

3,476

9,514

20,718

(10,125)

(7,999)

2,480

(6,566)

(8,179)

(6,566)

(329,572)

—

5,243

7,916

48,219

(1,717)

(1,717)

Balances at December 31, 2016

42,339

(1,612) $

423 $ 1,043,063 $ (1,271,148) $ (32,353) $

(9,896) $

(269,911)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

64

 
 
 
 
 
AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization
Provision (recovery) for doubtful accounts
Stock-based compensation expense
Non-cash provision for restructuring
Non-cash interest expense
Unrealized foreign currency transaction gains
(Benefit from) provision for deferred taxes
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses, compensation and benefits and other liabilities
Income taxes payable
Deferred revenues

Net cash used in operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment
Increase in other long-term assets
Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Proceeds from divestiture of consumer business
Increase in restricted cash

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance costs
Repayment of debt
Payments for repurchase of common stock
Cash paid for capped call transaction
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock under employee stock plans
Common stock repurchases for tax withholdings for net settlement of equity awards
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities
Payments on revolving credit facilities
Payments for credit facility issuance costs

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Supplemental information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds
Cash paid for interest
Non-cash transaction – property and equipment included in accounts payable or accruals
Non-cash transaction – unpaid issuance costs for long-term debt

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

65

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

$

48,219

$

2,480

$

14,728

25,479
886
7,916
1,137
9,620
(2,599)
(1,842)

14,321
(2,628)
(1,839)
(18,959)
(6,280)
(9)
(122,617)
(49,195)

(11,003)
(30)
—
—
(4,544)
(15,577)

100,000
(3,750)
—
—
6,184
(941)
25,000
(30,000)
(5,041)
91,452

366
27,046
17,902
44,948

1,587
9,302
119
—

$

$

20,088
(23)
9,514
—
2,890
(7,013)
(6,693)

2,442
3,056
10,000
11,232
(11,842)
(1,041)
(69,116)
(34,026)

(15,330)
(43)
(65,967)
—
(456)
(81,796)

120,401
—
(7,999)
(10,125)
5,035
(1,559)
70,500
(65,500)
(1,195)
109,558

(890)
(7,154)
25,056
17,902

2,251
3,456
500
130

$

$

$

$

17,954
(143)
11,513
—
220
(6,730)
69

2,258
12,122
(2,130)
(947)
(5,758)
(1,090)
(51,963)
(9,897)

(13,292)
(8)
—
1,500
—
(11,800)

—
—
—
—
252
(688)
25,500
(25,500)
—
(436)

(1,014)
(23,147)
48,203
25,056

2,146
1,551
—
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.  BUSINESS

Description of Business

Avid Technology, Inc. (“Avid” or the “Company”) develops, markets, sells, and supports software and hardware for digital media 
content production, management and distribution. The Company does this by providing an open and efficient platform for digital 
media, along with a comprehensive set of tools and workflow solutions, that enable the creation, distribution and optimization of 
audio and video content.  Digital media are video, audio or graphic elements in which the image, sound or picture is recorded and 
stored as digital values, as opposed to analog or tape-based signals.  The Company’s products are used in production and post-
production facilities; film studios; network, affiliate, independent and cable television stations; recording studios; live-sound 
performance venues; advertising agencies; government and educational institutions; corporate communication departments; and 
by independent video and audio creative professionals, as well as aspiring professionals.  Projects produced using Avid’s products 
include feature films, television programming, live events, news broadcasts, sports productions, commercials, music, video and 
other digital media content.

Management Plans

The Company’s preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make 
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and 
liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the 
reported periods.  Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates.

The Company has generally funded operations in recent years through the use of existing cash balances, supplemented from time 
to time with the proceeds of long-term debt and borrowings under its credit facilities. The Company’s principal sources of 
liquidity include cash and cash equivalents totaling $44.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

In February 2016, the Company committed to a cost efficiency program that encompasses a series of measures intended to allow 
the Company to more efficiently operate in a leaner, and more directed cost structure. These measures include reductions in the 
Company’s workforce, facilities consolidation, transferring certain business processes to lower cost regions and reducing other 
third-party service costs.  The Company anticipates that the cost efficiency program will be substantially complete by the end of 
the second quarter of 2017.

In connection with the cost efficiency program, on February 26, 2016, the Company entered into a Financing Agreement (the 
“Financing Agreement”) with the lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”).  Pursuant to the Financing Agreement, the Company 
entered into a term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million.  The Financing Agreement also provides the 
Company with the ability to draw up to a maximum of $5.0 million in revolving credit. All outstanding loans under the Financing 
Agreement will become due and payable in February 2021, or in May 2020 if the $125.0 million in outstanding principal of 
2.00% convertible senior notes due June 15, 2020 (the “Notes”) has not been repaid or refinanced by such time. Proceeds from 
the Financing Agreement have been used to replace an existing $35.0 million revolving credit facility, finance the Company’s 
efficiency program and other initiatives, and provide operating flexibility throughout the remainder of the transformation.  After 
paying for both debt issuance costs and the cost efficiency program, the new financing provided approximately $70 million of 
available liquidity, about half of which replaced the prior revolving credit facility, with the remainder providing incremental 
liquidity to fund operations.  The Financing Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants, mandatory 
prepayments, and events of default under which the Company’s payment obligations may be accelerated.  The Financing 
Agreement includes covenants requiring the Company to maintain a Leverage Ratio (defined as the ratio of (a) consolidated total 
funded indebtedness to (b) consolidated EBITDA) of no greater than 4.35:1.00 for the four quarters ending June 30, 2016, 
5.40:1.00 for the four quarters ending September 30, 2016, 4.20:1.00 for the four quarters ending December 31, 2016 and 
thereafter declining over time from 3.50:1.00 to 2.50:1.00.  The Financing Agreement also restricts the Company from making 
capital expenditures in excess of $20 million in any fiscal year.  As of December 31, 2016 the Company was in compliance with 
these covenants.  

66

The Company’s ability to satisfy the Leverage Ratio covenant in the future is heavily dependent on its ability to increase bookings 
and billings above levels experienced over the last 12 months.  In recent quarters, the Company has experienced volatility in 
bookings and billings resulting from, among other things, (i) its transition towards subscription and recurring revenue streams and 
the resulting decline in traditional upfront product sales, (ii) volatility in currency rates and in particular the strengthening of the 
US dollar against the Euro, (iii) dramatic changes in the media industry and the impact it has on the Company’s customers and 
(iv) the impact of new and anticipated product launches and features.  In addition to the impact of new bookings and billings, 
GAAP revenues recognized as the result of the existence of Implied Maintenance Release PCS (as defined below) in prior periods 
will decline significantly in 2017, which will have an adverse impact on the Company’s Leverage Ratio.  

In the event bookings and billings in future quarters are lower than the Company currently anticipates, it may be forced to take 
remedial actions which could include, among other things (and where allowed by the Lenders), (i) further cost reductions, (ii) 
seeking replacement financing,  (iii) raising additional equity or (iv) disposing of certain assets or businesses.  Such remedial 
actions, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all, could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.  
If the Company is not in compliance with the Leverage Ratio and is unable to obtain an amendment or waiver, such 
noncompliance may result in an event of default under the Financing Agreement, which could permit acceleration of the 
outstanding indebtedness under the Financing Agreement and require the Company to repay such indebtedness before the 
scheduled due date.  If an event of default were to occur, the Company might not have sufficient funds available to make the 
payments required.  If the Company is unable to repay amounts owed, the lenders may be entitled to foreclose on and sell 
substantially all of the Company’s assets, which secure its borrowings under the Financing Agreement.

The Company’s cash requirements vary depending on factors such as the growth of the business, changes in working capital, 
capital expenditures, and obligations under the cost efficiency program. Management expects to operate the business and execute 
its strategic initiatives principally with funds generated from operations, remaining net proceeds from the term loan borrowings 
under the Financing Agreement, and draw up to a maximum of $5.0 million under the Financing Agreement’s revolving credit 
facility.  Management anticipates that the Company will have sufficient internal and external sources of liquidity to fund 
operations and anticipated working capital and other expected cash needs for at least the next twelve months as well as for the 
foreseeable future.

Subsequent Events 

On January 26, 2017, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement, or the Securities Purchase Agreement, with 
Jetsen, pursuant to which it have agreed to sell to Jetsen shares of Avid common stock in an amount equal to between 5.0% and 
9.9% of Avid outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis.  The purchase price for the shares is $18.2 million and will be 
payable in cash. The closing of the sale is subject to closing conditions, including China regulatory approvals. The exact number 
of shares to be issued and sold at closing will be determined by reference to the trading price of Avid common stock before 
closing.  At the same time, the Company also entered into an Exclusive Distributor Agreement with Jetsen, pursuant to which 
Jetsen will become the exclusive distributor for Avid products and services in the Greater China region. The Distributor 
Agreement has a five-year term and Jetsen is required to make at least $75.8 million of aggregate purchases under the agreement 
over the first three years.

On March 14, 2017  (the “Effective Date”), the Company entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to its existing 
Financing Agreement, dated February 26, 2016, with the lenders party thereto. The Amendment modifies the covenant requiring 
the Company to maintain a Leverage Ratio (defined to mean the ratio of (a) consolidated total funded indebtedness to (b) 
consolidated EBITDA) such that following the Effective Date, the Company is required to keep a Leverage Ratio of no greater 
than 3.50:1.00 for the four quarters ending March 31, 2017, 4.20:1.00 for the four quarters ending June 30, 2017, 4.75:1.00 for the 
four quarters ending September 30, 2017, 4.80:1.00 for the four quarters ending December 31, 2017, 4:40:1 for each of the four 
quarters ending March 31, 2018 through March 31, 2019, respectively, and thereafter declining over time from 3.50:1.00 to 
2.50:1.00.  Following the Effective Date, interest accrues on outstanding borrowings under the credit facility and the term loan 
(each as defined in the Financing Agreement) at a rate of either the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Financing Agreement) plus 
7.25% or a Reference Rate (as defined in the Financing Agreement) plus 6.25%, at the option of the Company.  

The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of these financial statements and, other than the events 
disclosed above, no other subsequent events required recognition or disclosure in these financial statements.

67

B.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries.  Intercompany 
balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United 
States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and 
liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of 
revenues and expenses during the reported periods.  Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates.

Revenue Recognition

General

The Company commences revenue recognition when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the 
sales price is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Generally, the products the Company sells do not require 
significant production, modification or customization. Installation of the Company’s products is generally routine, consists of 
implementation and configuration and does not have to be performed by the Company.

At the time of a sales transaction, the Company makes an assessment of the collectability of the amount due from the customer. 
Revenues are recognized only if it is reasonably assured that collection will occur. When making this assessment, the Company 
considers customer credit-worthiness and historical payment experience. If it is determined from the outset of the arrangement 
that collection is not reasonably assured, revenues are recognized on a cash basis, provided that all other revenue recognition 
criteria are satisfied. At the outset of the arrangement, the Company also assesses whether the fee associated with the order is 
fixed or determinable and free of contingencies or significant uncertainties. When assessing whether the fee is fixed or 
determinable, the Company considers the payment terms of the transaction, the Company’s collection experience in similar 
transactions, and the Company’s involvement, if any, in third-party financing transactions, among other factors. If the fee is not 
fixed or determinable, revenues are recognized only as payments become due from the customer, provided that all other revenue 
recognition criteria are met. If a significant portion of the fee is due after the Company’s normal payment terms, the Company 
evaluates whether the Company has sufficient history of successfully collecting past transactions with similar terms without 
offering concessions. If that collection history is sufficient, revenue recognition commences, upon delivery of the products, 
assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are satisfied. If the Company was to make different judgments or assumptions 
about any of these matters, it could cause a material increase or decrease in the amount of revenues reported in a particular period.

The Company often receives multiple purchase orders or contracts from a single customer or a group of related customers that are 
evaluated to determine if they are, in effect, part of a single arrangement. In situations when the Company has concluded that two 
or more orders with the same customer are so closely related that they are, in effect, parts of a single arrangement, the Company 
accounts for those orders as a single arrangement for revenue recognition purposes. In other circumstances, when the Company 
has concluded that two or more orders with the same customer are independent buying decisions, such as an earlier purchase of a 
product and a subsequent purchase of a software upgrade or maintenance contract, the Company accounts for those orders as 
separate arrangements for revenue recognition purposes.

For many of the Company’s products, there has been an ongoing practice of Avid making available at no charge to customers 
minor feature and compatibility enhancements as well as bug fixes on a when-and-if-available basis (collectively “Software 
Updates”), for a period of time after initial sales to end users. The implicit obligation to make such Software Updates available to 
customers over a period of time represents implied post-contract customer support, which is deemed to be a deliverable in each 
arrangement and is accounted for as a separate element (“Implied Maintenance Release PCS”).

Over the course of the last two years, in connection with a strategic initiative to increase support and other recurring revenue 
streams, the Company has taken a number of steps to eliminate the longstanding practice of providing Implied Maintenance 
Release PCS for many of its products, including Media Composer, Pro Tools and Sibelius product lines.  In the third quarter and 

68

fourth quarter of 2015, respectively, the Company concluded that Implied Maintenance Release PCS for its Media Composer and 
Sibelius product lines had ceased.  In the first quarter of 2016, in connection with the release of Cloud Collaboration in Pro Tools 
version 12.5, which was an undelivered feature that had prevented the Company from recognizing any revenue related to new Pro 
Tools 12 software sales as it represented a specified upgrade right for which vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair 
value was not available, the Company concluded that Implied Maintenance Release PCS for Pro Tools 12 product lines had also 
ended.  The determination that Pro Tools 12 Implied Maintenance Release PCS had ended was based on management (i) clearly 
communicating a policy of no longer providing any Software Updates or other support to customers that are not covered under a 
paid support plan and (ii) implementing robust digital rights management tools to enforce the policy.  With the new policy and 
technology for Pro Tools 12 in place, combined with management’s intent to continue to adhere to the policy, management 
concluded in the first quarter of 2016 that Implied Maintenance Release PCS for Pro Tools 12 transactions no longer exists. As a 
result of the conclusion that Implied Maintenance Release PCS on Pro Tools 12 has ended, revenue and net income in the first 
quarter of 2016 increased approximately $11.1 million, reflecting the recognition of orders received after the launch of Pro Tools 
12 that would have qualified for earlier recognition using the residual method of accounting.  In addition, the elimination of 
Implied Maintenance Release PCS also resulted in the accelerated recognition of maintenance and product revenues that were 
previously being recognized on a ratable basis over a much longer expected period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS rather 
than the contractual maintenance period.  The reduction in the estimated amortization period of transactions being recognized on a 
ratable basis resulted in an additional $41.8 million of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Company enters into certain contractual arrangements that have multiple elements, one or more of which may be delivered 
subsequent to the delivery of other elements. These multiple-deliverable arrangements may include products, support, training, 
professional services and Implied Maintenance Release PCS. For these multiple-element arrangements, the Company allocates 
revenue to each deliverable of the arrangement based on the relative selling prices of the deliverables. In such circumstances, the 
Company first determines the selling price of each deliverable based on (i) VSOE of fair value if that exists; (ii) third-party 
evidence of selling price (“TPE”), when VSOE does not exist; or (iii) best estimate of the selling price  (“BESP”), when neither 
VSOE nor TPE exists. Revenue is then allocated to the non-software deliverables as a group and to the software deliverables as a 
group using the relative selling prices of each of the deliverables in the arrangement based on the selling price hierarchy. The 
Company’s process for determining BESP for deliverables for which VSOE or TPE does not exist involves significant 
management judgment. In determining BESP, the Company considers a number of data points, including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

the pricing established by management when setting prices for deliverables that are intended to be sold on a standalone 
basis;

contractually stated prices for deliverables that are intended to be sold on a standalone basis;

the pricing of standalone sales that may not qualify as VSOE of fair value due to limited volumes or variation in 
prices; and

other pricing factors, such as the geographical region in which the products are sold and expected discounts based on 
the customer size and type. 

In determining a BESP for Implied Maintenance Release PCS, which the Company does not sell separately, the Company 
considers (i) the service period for the Implied Maintenance Release PCS, (ii) the differential in value of the Implied Maintenance 
Release PCS deliverable compared to a full support contract, (iii) the likely list price that would have resulted from the 
Company’s established pricing practices had the deliverable been offered separately, and (iv) the prices a customer would likely 
be willing to pay.

The Company estimates the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS based on the length of time the product version 
purchased by the customer is planned to be supported with Software Updates. If facts and circumstances indicate that the original 
service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS for a product has changed significantly after original revenue recognition has 
commenced, the Company will modify the remaining estimated service period accordingly and recognize the then-remaining 
deferred revenue balance over the revised service period.

The Company has established VSOE of fair value for some of the Company’s professional services, training and support 
offerings. The Company’s policy for establishing VSOE of fair value consists of evaluating standalone sales to determine if a 
substantial portion of the transactions fall within a reasonable range. If a sufficient volume of standalone sales exist and the 
standalone pricing for a substantial portion of the transactions falls within a reasonable range, management concludes that VSOE 
of fair value exists.

69

In accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-14, the Company excludes from the scope of software 
revenue recognition requirements the Company’s sales of tangible products that contain both software and non-software 
components that function together to deliver the essential functionality of the tangible products. The Company adopted ASU No. 
2009-13 and ASU No. 2009-14 prospectively on January 1, 2011 for new and materially modified arrangements originating after 
December 31, 2010. 

Prior to the Company’s adoption of ASU No. 2009-14, the Company primarily recognized revenues using the revenue recognition 
criteria of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 985-605, Software-Revenue Recognition. As a result of the 
Company’s adoption of ASU No. 2009-14 on January 1, 2011, a majority of the Company’s products are now considered non-
software elements under GAAP, which excludes them from the scope of ASC Subtopic 985-605 and includes them within the 
scope of ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. Because the Company had not been able to establish VSOE of fair value for 
Implied Maintenance Release PCS, as described further below, substantially all revenue arrangements prior to January 1, 2011 
were recognized on a ratable basis over the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS. Subsequent to January 1, 2011 
and the adoption of ASU No. 2009-14, the Company determines a relative selling price for all elements of the arrangement 
through the use of BESP, as VSOE and TPE are typically not available, resulting in revenue recognition upon delivery of 
arrangement consideration attributable to product revenue, provided all other criteria for revenue recognition are met, and revenue 
recognition of Implied Maintenance Release PCS and other service and support elements over time as services are rendered.

The timing of revenue recognition of customer arrangements follows a number of different accounting models determined by the 
characteristics of the arrangement, and that timing can vary significantly from the timing of related cash payments due from 
customers.  One significant factor affecting the timing of revenue recognition is the determination of whether each deliverable in 
the arrangement is considered to be a software deliverable or a non-software deliverable. For transactions occurring after January 
1, 2011, the Company’s revenue recognition policies have generally resulted in the recognition of approximately 70% of billings 
as revenue in the year of billing, and prior to January 1, 2011, the previously applied revenue recognition policies resulted in the 
recognition of approximately 30% of billings as revenue in the year of billing.  The Company expects this trend to continue in 
future periods.

Revenue Recognition of Non-Software Deliverables

Revenue from products that are considered non-software deliverables is recognized upon delivery of the product to the customer. 
Products are considered delivered to the customer once they have been shipped and title and risk of loss has been transferred. For 
most of the Company’s product sales, these criteria are met at the time the product is shipped. Revenue from support that is 
considered a non-software deliverable is initially deferred and is recognized ratably over the contractual period of the 
arrangement, which is generally twelve months. Professional services and training services are typically sold to customers on a 
time and materials basis. Revenue from professional services and training services that are considered non-software deliverables 
is recognized for these deliverables as services are provided to the customer. Revenue for Implied Maintenance Release PCS that 
is considered a non-software deliverable is recognized ratably over the service period of Implied Maintenance Release PCS, 
which ranges from one to eight years. 

Revenue Recognition of Software Deliverables

The Company recognizes the following types of elements sold using software revenue recognition guidance: (i) software products 
and software upgrades, when the software sold in a customer arrangement is more than incidental to the arrangement as a whole 
and the product does not contain hardware that functions with the software to provide essential functionality, (ii) initial support 
contracts where the underlying product being supported is considered to be a software deliverable, (iii) support contract renewals, 
and (iv) professional services and training that relate to deliverables considered to be software deliverables.  Because the 
Company does not have VSOE of the fair value of its software products, the Company is permitted to account for its typical 
customer arrangements that include multiple elements using the residual method.  Under the residual method, the VSOE of fair 
value of the undelivered elements (which could include support, professional services or training, or any combination thereof) is 
deferred and the remaining portion of the total arrangement fee is recognized as revenue for the delivered elements.  If evidence 
of the VSOE of fair value of one or more undelivered elements does not exist, revenues are deferred and recognized when 
delivery of those elements occurs or when VSOE of fair value can be established.  VSOE of fair value is typically based on the 
price charged when the element is sold separately to customers.  The Company is unable to use the residual method to recognize 
revenues for some arrangements that include products that are software deliverables under GAAP since VSOE of fair value does 
not exist for Implied Maintenance Release PCS elements, which are included in some of the Company’s arrangements.

70

For software products that include Implied Maintenance Release PCS, an element for which VSOE of fair value does not exist, 
revenue for the entire arrangement fee, which could include combinations of product, professional services, training and support, 
is recognized ratably as a group over the longest service period of any deliverable in the arrangement, with recognition 
commencing on the date delivery has occurred for all deliverables in the arrangement (or begins to occur in the case of 
professional services, training and support).  Standalone sales of support contracts are recognized ratably over the service period 
of the product being supported. 

From time to time, the Company offers certain customers free upgrades or specified future products or enhancements.  When a 
software deliverable arrangement contains an Implied Maintenance Release PCS deliverable, revenue recognition of the entire 
arrangement will only commence when any free upgrades or specified future products or enhancements have been delivered, 
assuming all other products in the arrangement have been delivered and all services, if any, have commenced.

Other Revenue Recognition Policies

In a limited number of arrangements, the professional services and training to be delivered are considered essential to the 
functionality of the Company’s software products.  If services sold in an arrangement are deemed to be essential to the 
functionality of the software products, the arrangement is accounted for using contract accounting.  As the Company has 
concluded that it cannot reliably estimate its contract costs, the Company uses the completed contract method of contract 
accounting.  The completed contract method of accounting defers all revenue and costs until the date that the products have been 
delivered and professional services, exclusive of post-contract customer support, have been completed.  Deferred costs related to 
fully deferred contracts are recorded as a component of inventories in the consolidated balance sheet, and generally all other costs 
of sales are recognized when revenue recognition commences. 

The Company records as revenues all amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling costs and records its actual shipping 
costs as a component of cost of revenues.  Reimbursements received from customers for out-of-pocket expenses are recorded as 
revenues, with related costs recorded as cost of revenues.  The Company presents revenues net of any taxes collected from 
customers and remitted to government authorities.

In the consolidated statements of operations, the Company classifies revenues as product revenues or services revenues.  For 
multiple-element arrangements that include both product and service elements, including Implied Maintenance Release PCS, the 
Company evaluates available indicators of fair value and applies its judgment to reasonably classify the arrangement fee between 
product revenues and services revenues. The amount of multiple-element arrangement fees classified as product and service 
revenues based on management estimates of fair value when VSOE of fair value for all elements of an arrangement does not exist 
could differ from amounts classified as product and service revenues if VSOE of fair value for all elements existed.

Allowance for Sales Returns and Exchanges

The Company maintains allowances for estimated potential sales returns and exchanges from its customers.  The Company 
records a provision for estimated returns and other allowances as a reduction of revenues in the same period that related revenues 
are recorded based on historical experience and specific customer analysis.  Use of management estimates is required in 
connection with establishing and maintaining a sales allowance for expected returns and other credits.  If actual returns differ 
from the estimates, additional allowances could be required.

The following table sets forth the activity in the allowance for sales returns and exchanges for the years ended December 31, 
2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

Allowance for sales returns and exchanges – beginning of year

Additions and adjustments to the allowance

Deductions against the allowance

Allowance for sales returns and exchanges – end of year

71

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

$

$

8,583

$

9,510

$

9,325
(10,047)
7,861

$

8,468
(9,395)
8,583

$

12,519

9,260

(12,269)

9,510

 
The allowance for sales returns and exchanges, which is recorded as a reduction to gross accounts receivable, reflects an estimate 
of amounts invoiced that will not be collected, as well as other allowances and credits that have been or are expected to offset the 
trade receivables.  Since many of the Company’s transactions require some or all of amounts invoiced to be recorded in deferred 
revenue under GAAP due to revenue recognition considerations, the Company has recorded reductions to deferred revenue of 
$1.5 million, $3.2 million and $3.7 million as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, to eliminate the estimated 
deferred revenue attributable to transactions already provided for by the sales, returns and exchanges allowance.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains allowances for estimated losses from bad debt resulting from the inability of its customers to make 
required payments for products or services.  When evaluating the adequacy of the allowances, the Company analyzes accounts 
receivable balances, historical bad debt experience, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness and current economic 
trends.  To date, actual bad debts have not differed materially from management’s estimates.

The following table sets forth the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 
and 2014 (in thousands):

Allowance for doubtful accounts – beginning of year

Bad debt (recovery) expense

Reduction in allowance for doubtful accounts

Allowance for doubtful accounts – end of year

Translation of Foreign Currencies

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

$

$

643

$

886
(772)
757

$

1,182
(23)
(516)
643

$

$

1,444

(143)

(119)

1,182

The functional currency of each of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currency, except for the Irish manufacturing 
branch and Orad Hi-Tech Systems Ltd. (“Orad”) that the Company acquired in June 2015. The functional currency for both the 
Irish manufacturing branch and Orad is the U.S. dollar due to the extensive interrelationship of the operations of the Irish branch, 
Orad and the U.S. parent, and the high volume of intercompany transactions among the two subsidiaries and the parent.  The 
assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries whose functional currencies are other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars 
at the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date.  Income and expense items for these entities are translated using 
rates that approximate those in effect during the period.  Cumulative translation adjustments are included in accumulated other 
comprehensive income (loss), which is reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ deficit.  The Company does not record 
tax provisions or benefits for the net changes in the foreign currency translation adjustment as the Company intends to 
permanently reinvest undistributed earnings in its foreign subsidiaries.

The U.S. parent company, Irish manufacturing branch and Orad, all of whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar, carry certain 
monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.  These assets and liabilities typically include 
cash, accounts receivable and intercompany operating balances denominated in foreign currencies.  These assets and liabilities are 
remeasured into the U.S. dollar at the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date.  Foreign currency transaction and 
remeasurement gains and losses are included within marketing and selling expenses in the results of operations. 

The U.S. parent company and various other wholly owned subsidiaries have long-term intercompany loan balances denominated 
in foreign currencies that are remeasured into the U.S. dollar at the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date.  Such 
loan balances are not expected to be settled in the foreseeable future.  Any gains and losses relating to these loans are included in 
the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ deficit.

The Company has significant international operations and, therefore, the Company’s revenues, earnings, cash flows and financial 
position are exposed to foreign currency risk from foreign-currency-denominated receivables, payables, sales and expense 
transactions, and net investments in foreign operations. The Company derives more than half of it revenues from customers 
outside the United States. The business is, for the most part, transacted through international subsidiaries and generally in the 
currency of the end-user customers. Therefore, the Company is exposed to the risks that changes in foreign currency could 
adversely affect its revenues, net income, cash flow and financial position. Foreign currency transaction and remeasurement gains 

72

 
and losses are included within marketing and selling expenses in the results of operations.  For the year ended December 31, 
2016, 2015, and 2014 the Company recorded net (gains) losses of $(0.6) million, $(1.3) million, and $0.9 million respectively, 
that resulted from foreign currency denominated transactions and the revaluation of foreign currency denominated assets and 
liabilities.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

The Company measures cash equivalents and marketable securities at fair value on a recurring basis. The cash equivalents and 
market securities consist primarily of money market investments, mutual funds and insurance contracts held in deferred 
compensation plans. The money market investments and mutual funds held in the Company’s deferred compensation plan in the 
U.S. are reported at fair value within other current assets using quoted market prices with the gains and losses included as other 
(expense) income in the Company’s statement of operations. The insurance contracts held in the deferred compensation plans for 
employees in Israel and Germany are reported at fair value within other long-term assets using other observable inputs.  Other 
than the investments held in the Company’s deferred compensation plans, the Company held no marketable securities at 
December 31, 2016 or 2015.  Amortization or accretion of premium or discount is included in interest income (expense) in the 
results of operations. 

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents 
and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions that management believes 
to be of high credit quality, and, generally, there are no significant concentrations in any one issuer.  Concentrations of credit risk 
with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the large number of customers that make up the Company’s customer base and 
their dispersion across different regions.  No individual customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total net revenues 
or net accounts receivable in the periods presented.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in, first-out basis) or market value.  Management regularly 
reviews inventory quantities on hand and writes down inventory to its realizable value to reflect estimated obsolescence or lack of 
marketability based on assumptions about future inventory demand and market conditions.  Inventory in the digital-media market, 
including the Company’s inventory, is subject to rapid technological change or obsolescence; therefore, utilization of existing 
inventory may differ from the Company’s estimates.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the 
asset. The Company typically depreciates its property and equipment using the following minimum and maximum useful lives: 

Computer and video equipment and software, including internal use software

Manufacturing tooling and testbeds

Office equipment

Furniture, fixtures and other

Depreciable Life

Minimum
2 years

Maximum
5 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

5 years

5 years

8 years

The Company capitalizes certain development costs incurred in connection with its internal use software. Costs incurred in the 
preliminary stages of development are expensed as incurred. Once an application has reached the development stage, internal and 
external costs, if direct, are capitalized until the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use.  Capitalized 
costs are recorded as part of property and equipment.  Maintenance and training costs are expensed as incurred.  Internal use 
software is amortized on a straight line basis over its estimated useful life, generally three years. 

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. 
Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.  Upon retirement or other disposition of assets, the cost and 

73

 
related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in other (expense) 
income in the results of operations.

Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Acquisition-related intangible assets consist of customer relationships, developed technology, trade names and non-compete 
agreements. These assets are determined to have either finite or indefinite lives. For finite-lived intangible assets amortization is 
straight-line over the estimated useful lives of such assets, which are generally two years to twelve years.  Straight-line 
amortization is used because the Company cannot reliably determine a discernible pattern over which the economic benefits 
would be realized.  The Company does not have any indefinite-lived intangible assets.  Intangible assets are tested for impairment 
when events and circumstances indicate there is an impairment.  The impairment test involves comparing the sum of 
undiscounted cash flows to the carrying value as of the measurement date.  Impairment occurs when the carrying value of the 
assets exceeds the sum of undiscounted cash flows.  Impairment is then measured as the difference between the carrying value 
and fair value determined using a discounted cash flow method.  In estimating the fair value using a discounted cash flow method, 
the Company uses assumptions that include forecast revenues, gross margins, operating profit margins, growth rates and long-
term discount rates, all of which require significant judgment by management.  Changes to these assumptions could affect the 
estimated fair value of the intangible asset and could result in an impairment charge in future.

The Company performs its annual and interim goodwill impairment tests when it is more likely than not that a goodwill 
impairment exists.  The Company has concluded it has one reporting unit and the annual measurement date is October 31, 2016.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets for events and circumstances that indicate a potential impairment.  A 
long-lived asset is assessed for impairment when the undiscounted expected future cash flows derived from that asset are less than 
its carrying value.  The cash flows used for this analysis take into consideration a number of factors including past operating 
results, budgets and economic projections, market trends and product development cycles.  The amount of any impairment would 
be equal to the difference between the estimated fair value of the asset, based on a discounted cash flow analysis, and its carrying 
value.

Advertising Expenses

All advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are classified as marketing and selling expenses.  Advertising expenses were 
not material in the periods presented.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.  Development costs for software to be sold that are incurred 
subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility, but prior to the general release of the product, are capitalized.  Upon 
general release, these costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the expected life of the related products, generally 
12 to 36 months. The straight-line method generally results in approximately the same amount of expense as that calculated using 
the ratio that current period gross product revenues bear to total anticipated gross product revenues.  The Company periodically 
evaluates the assets, considering a number of business and economic factors, to determine if an impairment exists.  No amounts 
have been capitalized during 2016, 2015, and 2014 as the costs incurred subsequent to the establishment of technological 
feasibility have not been material.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets 
and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements 
or tax returns.  The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the net tax effects of tax credits, operating loss 
carryforwards and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes 
compared to the amounts used for income tax purposes.  Deferred tax assets are regularly reviewed for recoverability with 
consideration for such factors as historical losses, projected future taxable income and the expected timing of the reversals of 

74

existing temporary differences.  The Company is required to record a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that 
some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in its financial statements by applying a two-step process to 
determine the amount of tax benefit to be recognized.  First, the tax position must be evaluated to determine the likelihood that it 
will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.  If the tax position is 
deemed more-likely-than-not to be sustained, the tax position is then assessed to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in 
the financial statements.  The amount of the benefit that may be recognized is the largest amount that has a greater than 50% 
likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.  The provision for income taxes includes the effects of any resulting tax 
reserves (“unrecognized tax benefits”) that are considered appropriate, as well as the related net interest and penalties.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation 

The Company’s stock-based employee compensation plans allow the Company to grant stock awards, options, or other equity-
based instruments, or a combination thereof, as part of its overall compensation strategy.  For stock-based awards granted, the 
Company records stock-based compensation expense based on the grant date fair value over the requisite service periods for the 
individual awards, which generally equal the vesting periods.  The vesting of stock-based award grants may be based on time, 
performance conditions, market conditions, or a combination of performance and market conditions.  The Company early adopted 
ASU No. 2016-09 during the second quarter of 2016 and made the company-wide accounting policy election to account for 
forfeitures when they occur.

Product Warranties

The Company provides warranties on externally sourced and internally developed hardware.  The warranty period for all of the 
Company’s products is generally 90 days to one year, but can extend up to 5 years depending on the manufacturer’s warranty or 
local law.  For internally developed hardware and in cases where the warranty granted to customers for externally sourced 
hardware is greater than that provided by the manufacturer, the Company records an accrual for the related liability based on 
historical trends and actual material and labor costs.  At the end of each quarter, the Company reevaluates its estimates to assess 
the adequacy of the recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the accrued amounts accordingly.

Computation of Net Income Per Share

Net income per share is presented for both basic earnings per share (“Basic EPS”) and diluted earnings per share (“Diluted EPS”).  
Basic EPS is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding non-vested 
restricted stock held by employees.  Diluted EPS is based on the weighted-average number of common and potential common 
shares outstanding during the period.  Potential common shares result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and 
non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units, the proceeds and remaining unrecorded compensation expense of which are 
then assumed to have been used to repurchase outstanding common stock using the treasury stock method.  For periods when the 
Company reports a loss, all potential common stock is considered anti-dilutive.  For periods when the Company reports net 
income, potential common shares with combined purchase prices and unamortized compensation costs in excess of the 
Company’s average common stock fair value for the related period or that are contingently issuable are considered anti-dilutive. 
The Company issued the Notes in 2015, and the Company applied the treasury stock method in measuring the dilutive impact of 
those potential common shares to be issued.

Accounting for Restructuring Plans

The Company records facility-related and contract termination restructuring charges in accordance with ASC Topic 420, 
Liabilities: Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations.  Based on the Company’s policies for the calculation and payment of severance 
benefits, the Company accounts for employee-related restructuring charges as an ongoing benefit arrangement in accordance with 
ASC Topic 712, Compensation - Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits.  The Company recognizes facility-related restructuring 
charges upon exiting all or a portion of a leased facility and meeting cease-use and other requirements. The amount of 
restructuring charges is based on the fair value of the lease obligation for the abandoned space, which includes a sublease 
assumption that could be reasonably obtained.  Restructuring charges and accruals require significant estimates and assumptions, 
including sub-lease income assumptions.  These estimates and assumptions are monitored on at least a quarterly basis for changes 

75

in circumstances and any corresponding adjustments to the accrual are recorded in the Company’s statement of operations in the 
period when such changes are known.

Related Party Transactions

From time to time the Company enters into arrangements with parties which may be affiliated with the Company, executive 
officers and members of the Company’s Board of Directors. These transactions are primarily comprised of sales transactions in 
the normal course of business and are immaterial to the financial statements for all periods presented.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement

On March 30, 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock 
Compensation (Topic 718). The standard is intended to simplify several areas of accounting for share-based compensation 
arrangements, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as 
classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, 
beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted ASU No. 2016-09 during the 
second quarter of 2016 on a modified retrospective basis for the income statement impact of forfeitures. The adoption of ASU No. 
2016-09 had no impact to the Company’s income taxes and consolidated statements of cash flows. Accordingly, a cumulative-
effect adjustment recorded to the beginning retained earnings as of January 1, 2016 for the impact of forfeitures is immaterial.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Topic 205-40): 
Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. ASU No. 2014-15 provides guidance 
around management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going 
concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. For each reporting period, management will be required to evaluate whether 
there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year 
from the date the financial statements are issued. The Company adopted ASC 205-40 in the fourth quarter of 2016, and the 
adoption did not have a significant impact on the financial statements or related disclosures.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted

In May, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU No. 2014-09 is the 
final updated standard on revenue recognition.  The standard supersedes the most current revenue recognition guidance, including 
industry-specific guidance.  The new revenue recognition guidance becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, and 
early adoption as of January 1, 2017 is permitted.  

Subsequently, the FASB has issued the following standards related to ASU No. 2014-09: ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations; ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing; and ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. The Company must adopt ASU No. 2016-08, 
ASU No. 2016-10 and ASU No. 2016-12 with ASU No. 2014-09 (collectively, the “new revenue standards”). 

Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified approach to adopt the new revenue standards. The 
Company expects to elect the modified transition method and, while the Company is still in the early stages of evaluating the 
impact of this new accounting standard, it expects the impact will be significant. The adoption will result in a significant 
cumulative reduction in deferred revenue as of January 1, 2018 because the Company will no longer require VSOE of fair value 
to recognize software deliverables with Implied Maintenance Release PCS upon delivery. Upon adoption of ASC 606, the 
Company expects to recognize a greater proportion of revenue upon delivery of its products, whereas some of the Company’s 
current product sales are initially recorded in deferred revenue and recognized over a long period of time.  Accordingly, the 
Company’s operating results may become more volatile as a result of the adoption.

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic (842). The guidance requires an entity to recognize 
virtually all of their leases on the balance sheet, by recording a right-of-use asset and lease liability. The new guidance becomes 
effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, and early adoption is permitted upon issuance.  The Company is evaluating the 
potential impact of adopting this standard on its financial statements, as well as the timing of its adoption of the standard.

76

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flow (Topic 230). The guidance reduces diversity in how 
certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the Statements of Cash Flows. Certain of ASU No. 
2016-15 requirements are as follows: 1) cash payments for debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs should be classified as 
cash outflows for financing activities, 2) contingent consideration payments made soon after a business combination should be 
classified as cash outflows for investing activities and cash payment made thereafter should be classified as cash outflows for 
financing up to the amount of the contingent consideration liability recognized at the acquisition date with any excess classified as 
operating activities, 3) cash proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims should be classified on the basis of the nature of the 
loss, 4) cash proceeds from the settlement of Corporate-Owned Life Insurance (COLI) Policies should be classified as cash 
inflows from investing activities and cash payments for premiums on COLI policies may be classified as cash outflows for 
investing activities, operating activities, or a combination of investing and operating activities, and 5) cash paid to a tax authority 
by an employer when withholding shares from an employee's award for tax-withholding purposes should be classified as cash 
outflows for financing activities. The new guidance becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, and early adoption is 
permitted upon issuance.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this standard on its financial 
statements, as well as the timing of its adoption of the standard.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740). The guidance requires companies to recognize 
the income tax effects of intercompany sales and transfers of assets, other than inventory, in the income statement as income tax 
expense (or benefit) in the period in which the transfer occurs. The new guidance becomes effective for the Company on January 
1, 2018, and early adoption is permitted upon issuance.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 
No. 2016-16 on its financial statements, as well as timing of its adoption of the standard. 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The guidance 
requires companies to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the 
statement of cash flows. As a result, companies will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted 
cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. When cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted 
cash equivalents are presented in more than one line item on the balance sheet, a reconciliation of the totals in the statement of 
cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheet is required. The new guidance becomes effective for the Company on 
January 1, 2018, and early adoption is permitted upon issuance.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of 
adopting this standard on its financial statements, as well as the timing of its adoption of the standard.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of 
the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the 
amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The 
revised guidance will be applied prospectively, and is effective for calendar year-end SEC filers in 2020. Early adoption is 
permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is evaluating the 
potential impact of adopting this standard on its financial statements, as well as timing of its adoption of the standard.

C.  ACQUISITION

On June 23, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Orad Hi-Tech Systems Ltd. (“Orad”). Orad provides 3D real-time 
graphics, video servers and related asset management solutions. The acquisition adds applications to Avid’s Studio Suite, which 
the Company intends to connect to the Avid MediaCentral Platform.

In allocating the total purchase consideration of $73.4 million for Orad based on the fair value as of June 23, 2015, the Company 
recorded $32.6 million of goodwill, $37.2 million of identifiable intangibles assets, and $3.6 million to other net assets. Intangible 
assets acquired included core and completed technology, customer relationships and trade name.  Proforma information is not 
presented as the impact to the Consolidated Financial Statements is not material.

D.  NET INCOME PER SHARE

Net income per common share is presented for both basic income per share (“Basic EPS”) and diluted income per share (“Diluted 
EPS”). Basic EPS is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is 
based on the weighted-average number of common shares and common shares equivalents outstanding during the period.

77

The potential common shares that were considered anti-dilutive securities were excluded from the diluted earnings per share 
calculations for the relevant periods either because the sum of the exercise price per share and the unrecognized compensation 
cost per share was greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock for the relevant period, or because they 
were considered contingently issuable. The contingently issuable potential common shares result from certain stock options and 
restricted stock units granted to the Company’s employees that vest based on performance conditions, market conditions, or a 
combination of performance and market conditions. 

The following table sets forth (in thousands) potential common shares that were considered anti-dilutive securities.

Options

Non-vested restricted stock units

Anti-dilutive potential common shares

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

3,670

729

4,399

1,901

470

2,371

4,748

118

4,866

On June 15, 2015, the Company issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 
2020 (the “Notes”).  The Notes are convertible into cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and 
shares of common stock, at the Company’s election, based on an initial conversion rate, subject to adjustment.  In connection with 
the offering of the Notes, the Company entered into a capped call transaction with a third party (the “Capped Call”) (see Note Q, 
Long-Term Debt and Credit Agreement). The Company uses the treasury stock method in computing the dilutive impact of the 
Notes. The Notes are convertible into shares but the Company’s stock price was less than the conversion price at December 31, 
2016, and therefore, the Notes are excluded from diluted income per share. The Capped Call is not reflected in diluted net income 
per share as it will always be anti-dilutive. 

E.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The Company measures deferred compensation investments on a recurring basis.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the 
Company’s deferred compensation investments were classified as either Level 1 or Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Assets 
valued using quoted market prices in active markets and classified as Level 1 are money market and mutual funds. Assets valued 
based on other observable inputs and classified as Level 2 are insurance contracts.

The following tables summarize the Company’s deferred compensation investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in 
thousands):

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

December 31,
2016

Financial Assets:

Deferred compensation investments

$

2,035

$

493

$

1,542

$

—

78

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

December 31,
2015

Financial Assets:

Deferred compensation investments

Financial Liabilities:

Foreign currency contracts

$

$

Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value

3,617

$

572

$

3,045

$

14

$

— $

14

$

—

—

The carrying amounts of the Company’s other financial assets and liabilities including cash, accounts receivable, accounts 
payable and accrued liabilities approximate their respective fair values because of the relatively short period of time between their 
origination and their expected realization or settlement.  At December 31, 2016, the net carrying amount of the Notes is $101.6 
million, and the fair value of the Notes is approximately $83.4 million based on open market trading activity, which constitutes a 
Level 1 input in the fair value hierarchy. 

F.    ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts receivable, net of allowances, consisted of the following at December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

Accounts receivable

Less:

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Allowance for sales returns and rebates

Total

G.    INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

Raw materials

Work in process

Finished goods

Total

December 31,

2016

2015

52,138

$

68,033

(757)
(7,861)
43,520

$

(643)

(8,583)

58,807

December 31,

2016

2015

10,481

$

291

39,929

50,701

$

9,594

256

38,223

48,073

$

$

$

$

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, finished goods inventory included $8.6 million and $5.3 million, respectively, associated with 
products shipped to customers or deferred labor costs for arrangements where revenue recognition had not yet commenced. 

79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
H.   PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

Computer and video equipment and software

Manufacturing tooling and testbeds

Office equipment

Furniture, fixtures and other

Leasehold improvements

Less:  Accumulated depreciation and amortization

Total

December 31,

2016

2015

$

120,853

$

116,751

3,567

4,958

10,691

34,780

174,849

144,703

$

30,146

$

3,044

4,942

9,621

33,744

168,102

132,621

35,481

The Company capitalizes certain development costs incurred in connection with its internal use software.  For the year ended 
December 31, 2016, the Company capitalized $1.3 million of contract labor and internal labor costs related to internal use 
software, and recorded the capitalized costs in computer and video equipment and software.  There were $5.1 million  and 3.4 
million of contract labor and internal labor costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 
respectively.  Internal use software is amortized on a straight line basis over its estimated useful life of three years, and the 
Company recorded $3.0 million,  $1.8 million and $0.5 million of amortization expense during 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $15.2 million, $13.7 million and $16.1 million for 
the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 

I. 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

Intangible Assets

Amortizing identifiable intangible assets related to the Company’s acquisitions or capitalized costs of internally developed or 
externally purchased software that form the basis for the Company’s products consisted of the following at December 31, 2016 
and 2015 (in thousands):

2016

Accumulated
Amortization

Gross

December 31,

Net

Gross

2015

Accumulated
Amortization

Completed technologies and patents

$

57,994

$

Customer relationships

Trade names

Capitalized software costs

Total

54,597

1,346

4,911

$ 118,848

$

(38,657) $
(51,002)
(1,346)
(4,911)
(95,916) $

19,337

$

58,032

$

3,595

—

—

54,656

1,346

4,911

22,932

$ 118,945

$

(30,902) $
(48,767)
(1,146)
(4,911)
(85,726) $

Net

27,130

5,889

200

—

33,219

Amortization expense related to intangible assets in the aggregate was $10.3 million, $6.4 million and $1.8 million for the years 
ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The Company expects amortization of intangible assets to be 
approximately $9.3 million in 2017, $9.3 million in 2018, $4.3 million in 2019.

80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Goodwill

The acquisition of Orad resulted in goodwill of $32.6 million in 2015. As of October 31, 2016, the Company’s goodwill 
impairment measurement date, the Company concluded that it was not more likely than not that a goodwill impairment existed. 

J. OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

Other long-term liabilities consisted of the following at December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

Deferred rent

Accrued restructuring

Deferred compensation

Total

K. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating Lease Commitments

December 31,

2016

2015

$

$

5,458

$

1,256

5,464

12,178

$

6,755

647

7,309

14,711

The Company leases its office space and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. The future minimum lease 
commitments under these non-cancelable leases at December 31, 2016 were as follows (in thousands): 

Year Ending December 31,
2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Thereafter

Total

$

15,827

12,678

11,355

7,610

4,525

2,659

$

54,654

Included in the operating lease commitments above are obligations under leases for which the Company has vacated the 
underlying facilities as part of various restructuring plans.  These leases expire at various dates through 2021 and represent an 
aggregate obligation of $10.1 million.  The Company has restructuring accruals of $3.1 million at December 31, 2016, which 
represents the difference between this aggregate future obligation and future sublease income under actual or estimated potential 
sublease agreements, on a net present value basis, as well as other facilities-related obligations.  The Company received $0.6 
million, $0.6 million and $0.7 million of sublease income during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 
respectively.

The Company’s leases for corporate office space in Burlington, Massachusetts, which expire in May 2020, contain renewal 
options to extend the respective terms of each lease for up to two additional five-year periods. 

The accompanying consolidated results of operations reflect rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the leases.  Total 
expense under operating leases was $14.1 million, $14.0 million and $15.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 
and 2014, respectively.  

Other Commitments

The Company has letters of credit that are used as security deposits in connection with the Company’s leased Burlington, 
Massachusetts office space.  In the event of default on the underlying leases, the landlords would, at December 31, 2016, be 

81

eligible to draw against the letters of credit to a maximum of $1.3 million in the aggregate.  The letters of credit are subject to 
aggregate reductions provided the Company is not in default under the underlying leases and meets certain financial performance 
conditions.  In no case will the letters of credit amounts for the Burlington leases be reduced to below $1.2 million in the 
aggregate throughout the lease periods, all of which extend to May 2020. 

The Company also has letters of credit in connection with security deposits for other facility leases totaling $1.0 million in the 
aggregate, as well as letters of credit totaling $1.1 million that otherwise support its ongoing operations.  These letters of credit 
have various terms and expire during 2017 and beyond, while some of the letters of credit may automatically renew based on the 
terms of the underlying agreements.

Purchase Commitments and Sole-Source Suppliers

At December 31, 2016, the Company had entered into purchase commitments for certain inventory and other goods used in its 
normal operations.  The purchase commitments covered by these agreements are for a period of less than one year and in the 
aggregate total $19.5 million.

The Company depends on sole-source suppliers for certain key hardware components of its products.  Although the Company has 
procedures in place to mitigate the risks associated with its sole-sourced suppliers, the Company cannot be certain that it will be 
able to obtain sole-sourced components or finished goods from alternative suppliers or that it will be able to do so on 
commercially reasonable terms without a material impact on its results of operations or financial position.  The Company 
procures product components and builds inventory based on forecasts of product life cycle and customer demand.  If the 
Company is unable to provide accurate forecasts or manage inventory levels in response to shifts in customer demand, the 
Company may have insufficient, excess or obsolete product inventory.

Contingencies

The Company’s industry is characterized by the existence of a large number of patents and frequent claims and litigation 
regarding patent and other intellectual property rights.  In addition to the legal proceedings described above, the Company is 
involved in legal proceedings from time to time arising from the normal course of business activities, including claims of alleged 
infringement of intellectual property rights and contractual, commercial, employee relations, product or service performance, or 
other matters.  The Company does not believe these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial 
position or results of operations.  However, the outcome of legal proceedings and claims brought against the Company is subject 
to significant uncertainty.  Therefore, the Company’s financial position or results of operations may be negatively affected by the 
unfavorable resolution of one or more of these proceedings for the period in which a matter is resolved.  The Company’s results 
could be materially adversely affected if the Company is accused of, or found to be, infringing third parties’ intellectual property 
rights.

In November 2016, a purported securities class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts 
(Mohanty v. Avid Technology, Inc. et al., No. 16-cv-12336) against the Company and certain of its executive officers seeking 
unspecified damages and other relief on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of the Company’s common stock between 
August 4, 2016 and November 9, 2016, inclusive.  The complaint purported to state a claim for violation of federal securities laws 
as a result of alleged violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The 
complaint’s allegations relate generally to the Company’s disclosure surrounding the level of implementation of the Company’s 
Avid NEXIS solution product offerings.  On February 7, 2017, the Court appointed a lead plaintiff and counsel in the matter.  The 
matter is not yet scheduled for trial. 

The Company considers all claims on a quarterly basis and based on known facts assesses whether potential losses are considered 
reasonably possible, probable and estimable.  Based upon this assessment, the Company then evaluates disclosure requirements 
and whether to accrue for such claims in its consolidated financial statements.

The Company records a provision for a liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the 
loss can be reasonably estimated. These provisions are reviewed at least quarterly and adjusted to reflect the impacts of 
negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular case. 

82

At December 31, 2016 and as of the date of filing of these consolidated financial statements, the Company believes that, other 
than as set forth in this note, no provision for liability nor disclosure is required related to any claims because: (a) there is no 
reasonable possibility that a loss exceeding amounts already recognized (if any) may be incurred with respect to such claim; (b) a 
reasonably possible loss or range of loss cannot be estimated; or (c) such estimate is immaterial.

Additionally, the Company provides indemnification to certain customers for losses incurred in connection with intellectual 
property infringement claims brought by third parties with respect to the Company’s products.  These indemnification provisions 
generally offer perpetual coverage for infringement claims based upon the products covered by the agreement and the maximum 
potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification provisions is 
theoretically unlimited.  To date, the Company has not incurred material costs related to these indemnification provisions; 
accordingly, the Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification provisions is immaterial.  Further, certain of 
the Company’s arrangements with customers include clauses whereby the Company may be subject to penalties for failure to 
meet certain performance obligations; however, the Company has not recorded any related material penalties to date.

The Company provides warranties on externally sourced and internally developed hardware.  For internally developed hardware 
and in cases where the warranty granted to customers for externally sourced hardware is greater than that provided by the 
manufacturer, the Company records an accrual for the related liability based on historical trends and actual material and labor 
costs.  The following table sets forth the activity in the product warranty accrual account for the years ended December 31, 2016, 
2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

Accrual balance at January 1, 2014

Accruals for product warranties

Cost of warranty claims

Accrual balance at December 31, 2014

Accruals for product warranties

Cost of warranty claims

Accrual balance at December 31, 2015

Accruals for product warranties

Cost of warranty claims

Accrual balance at December 31, 2016

L. 

 CAPITAL STOCK

Preferred Stock

$

$

3,501

3,985

(4,694)

2,792

3,025

(3,583)

2,234

2,822

(2,538)

2,518

The Company has authorized up to one million shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, for issuance.  Each series of 
preferred stock shall have such rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion 
rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, as may be determined by the Company’s board of directors (the 
“Board”).

Stock Incentive Plans

In November 2014, the Company registered an aggregate of 3,750,000 of its shares of $0.01 par value per share common stock,  
which have been authorized and reserved for issuance under the Avid Technology, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). 
The Plan was originally adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors on September 14, 2014 and approved by the Company’s 
stockholders on October 29, 2014. In connection with the approval of the Plan the Company’s Amended and Restated 2005 Stock 
Incentive Plan has been closed; no additional awards may be granted under that Plan.  Shares available for issuance under the 
Company’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan totaled 1,089,131 at December 31, 2016.

Under the Plan, the Company may grant stock awards or options to purchase the Company’s common stock to employees, 
officers, directors and consultants. The exercise price for options generally must be no less than market price on the date of grant. 
Awards may be performance-based where vesting or exercisability is conditioned on achieving performance objectives, time-

83

based or a combination of both.  Current option grants become exercisable over various periods, typically three to four years for 
employees and one year for non-employee directors, and have a maximum term of seven to ten years.  Restricted stock and 
restricted stock unit awards with time-based vesting typically vest over three to four years for employees and one year for non-
employee directors. 

In November 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors modified certain market and performance based 
options and restricted stock units held by seven employees of the Company that were originally granted between 2009 and 2013. 
The modifications included (i) a conversion of vesting conditions from market and performance bases to a four year service 
period, including providing credit for service already rendered prior to the modification and (ii) an acceleration clause that allows 
vesting of between 50% and 100% of unvested awards if certain 2014 Adjusted EBITDA targets were achieved.  In total, options 
to purchase 933,750 shares and 31,250 restricted stock units were modified, which resulted in incremental compensation expense 
of $4.3 million, $2.3 million of which was recognized upon modification, $1.5 million of which was recognized in the quarter 
ended December 31, 2014 upon achieving specific 2014 Adjusted EBITDA targets and the remaining $0.5 million was recognized 
in 2015. 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option grants with time-based 
vesting.  The Black-Scholes model relies on a number of key assumptions to calculate estimated fair value.  The assumed 
dividend yield of zero is based on the fact that the Company has never paid cash dividends and has no present expectation to pay 
cash dividends and the Company’s current Financing Agreement precludes the Company from paying dividends. The expected 
volatility is now based on actual historic stock volatility for periods equivalent to the expected term of the award.  The assumed 
risk-free interest rate is the U.S. Treasury security rate with a term equal to the expected life of the option.  The assumed expected 
life is based on company-specific historical experience considering the exercise behavior of past grants and models the pattern of 
aggregate exercises.

The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards with time-based vesting is based on the intrinsic value of the 
awards at the date of grant, as the awards have a purchase price of $0.01 per share. 

The Company also issues stock option grants or restricted stock unit awards with vesting based on market conditions, specifically 
the Company’s stock price and performance conditions, generally using adjusted EBITDA. The fair values and derived service 
periods for all grants that include vesting based on market conditions are estimated using the Monte Carlo valuation method.  For 
stock option grants that include vesting based on performance conditions, the fair values are estimated using the Black-Scholes 
option pricing model.  For restricted stock unit awards that include vesting based on performance conditions, the fair values are 
estimated based on the intrinsic values of the awards at the date of grant, as the awards have a purchase price of $0.01 per share.  

Information with respect to options granted under all stock option plans for the year ended December 31, 2016 was as follows: 

Options outstanding at January 1, 2016

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited or canceled

Options outstanding at December 31, 2016

Options vested at December 31, 2016 or expected to vest

Options exercisable at December 31, 2016

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (years)

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)

Total Shares

4,345,334

$10.68

—
(787,867)
(709,965)
2,847,502

2,847,502

2,707,454

$—

$7.67

$15.06

$10.43

$10.43

$10.57

2.85

2.85

2.78

$—

$—

$—

84

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table sets forth the weighted-average key assumptions and fair value results for stock options granted during the 
years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.  No options were granted during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Expected dividend yield

Risk-free interest rate

Expected volatility

Expected life (in years)

Weighted-average fair value of options granted (per share)

Year Ended December 31,

2015
0.00%

1.07%

52.0%

4.48

$3.91

2014
0.00%

1.24%

50.3%

4.16

$3.03

The cash received from stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $5.6 million and $5.0 
million, respectively.  During the year ended December 31, 2014, the cash received from stock options exercised was not material.  
During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised was not 
material.

Information with respect to non-vested restricted stock units for the year ended December 31, 2016 was as follows:

Non-vested at January 1, 2016

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Non-vested at December 31, 2016

Expected to vest

Non-Vested Restricted Stock Units

Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (years)

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)

Total Shares

1,266,008

1,880,411
(465,392)
(525,246)
2,155,781

1,520,098

$9.97

$6.25

$11.74

$7.93

$6.85

$6.70

1.13

1.13

$9,464

$6,673

The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 
2014 was $6.25, $10.31 and $10.19, respectively.  The total fair value of restricted stock units vested during the years ended 
December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 was $5.5 million, $4.2 million, and $2.5 million, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company’s Second Amended and Restated 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) offers the Company’s shares 
for purchase at a price equal to 85% of the closing price on the applicable offering period termination date.  Shares issued under 
the ESPP are considered compensatory.  Accordingly, the Company is required to measure fair value and record compensation 
expense for share purchase rights granted under the ESPP.  In July 2015, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the 
plan to change the subscription period from three to six months and accordingly to adjust the payroll cap to $5,000 per plan 
period.  A total of 214,271 shares remained available for issuance under the ESPP at December 31, 2016.

85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the fair value of shares issued under the ESPP.  The 
Black-Scholes model relies on a number of key assumptions to calculate estimated fair values.  The following table sets forth the 
weighted-average key assumptions and fair value results for shares issued under the ESPP during the years ended December 31, 
2016, 2015 and 2014:

Expected dividend yield

Risk-free interest rate

Expected volatility

Expected life (in years)

Weighted-average fair value of shares issued (per share)

Year Ended December 31,
2015
0.00%

0.03%

37.0%

0.24

$2.15

2014
0.00%

0.09%

35.0%

0.17

$2.02

2016
0.00%

0.40%

69.0%

0.49

$1.20

The following table sets forth the quantities and average prices of shares issued under the ESPP for the years ended December 31, 
2016, 2015 and 2014:

Shares issued under the ESPP

Average price of shares issued

Year Ended December 31,
2015
98,300

$10.17

2016
129,342

$4.35

2014
—

$—

The Company did not realize a material tax benefit from the tax deductions for stock option exercises, vested restricted stock units 
and shares issued under the ESPP during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 or 2014.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation was included in the following captions in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the 
years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively (in thousands): 

Cost of products revenues

Cost of services revenues

Research and development expenses

Marketing and selling expenses

General and administrative expenses

Total

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

$

60

$

381

376

1,958

5,141

$

199

624

461

1,785

6,445

397

279

502

3,658

6,677

$

7,916

$

9,514

$

11,513

At December 31, 2016, there was $8.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based 
compensation awards granted under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans.  The Company expects this amount to be 
amortized approximately as follows: $4.5 million in 2017, $2.8 million in 2018 and $1.1 million in 2019.  At December 31, 2016, 
the weighted-average recognition period of the unrecognized compensation cost was approximately 1.2 years.

M.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Employee Benefit Plans

The Company has a Section 401(k) plan that covers substantially all U.S. employees.  The 401(k) plan allows employees to make 
contributions up to a specified percentage of their compensation.  The Company may, upon resolution by the Company’s board of 
directors, make discretionary contributions to the plan.  The Company’s contributions to the plan totaled $1.9 million, $2.3 
million and $2.2 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

86

In addition, the Company has various retirement and post-employment plans covering certain international employees.  Certain of 
the plans allow the Company to match employee contributions up to a specified percentage as defined by the plans.  The 
Company’s contributions to these plans totaled $2.0 million, $2.2 million and $2.0 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 

Deferred Compensation Plans

The Company maintains a nonqualified deferred compensation plan (the “Deferred Plan”). The Deferred Plan covers senior 
management and members of the Board.  In November 2013, the Board determined to indefinitely suspend the plan, and not offer 
participants the opportunity to participate in the Deferred Plan as of 2014. The benefits payable under the Deferred Plan represent 
an unfunded and unsecured contractual obligation of the Company to pay the value of the deferred compensation in the future, 
adjusted to reflect deemed investment performance. Payouts are generally made upon termination of employment with the 
Company.  The assets of the deferred plan, as well as the corresponding obligations, were approximately $0.5 million and $0.6 
million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and were recorded in “other current assets” and “accrued compensation and 
benefits” at those dates.  

In connection with the acquisition of a business in 2010, the Company assumed the assets and liabilities of a deferred 
compensation arrangement for a single individual in Germany.  The arrangement represents a contractual obligation of the 
Company to pay a fixed euro amount for a period specified in the contract.  In connection with the acquisition of Orad, the 
Company assumed the assets and liabilities of a deferred compensation arrangement for employees in Israel.  The Company’s 
assets and liabilities related to the arrangements consisted of assets recorded in “other long-term assets” of $1.5 million at 
December 31, 2016 and $3.0 million at December 31, 2015, representing the value of related insurance contracts and investments, 
and liabilities recorded as “long-term liabilities” of $5.4 million at December 31, 2016 and $7.3 million at December 31, 2015, 
representing the fair value of the estimated benefits to be paid under the arrangements.

N.  INCOME TAXES

Income from before income taxes and the components of the income tax provision consisted of the following for the years ended 
December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

Income (loss) from operations before income taxes:

United States

Foreign

Total income from operations before income taxes

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes:

Current tax expense (benefit):

Federal

State

Foreign benefit of net operating losses

Other foreign

Total current tax (benefit) expense

Deferred tax (benefit) expense:

Federal benefit related to Note issuance

Federal

Other foreign

Total deferred tax (benefit) expense

Total (benefit from) provision for income taxes

87

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

12,402

32,942

45,344

$

$

(23,977) $
24,542

565

$

(6,864)

23,780

16,916

102

$

115

$

32
(1,247)
(48)
(1,161)

—

96
(1,810)
(1,714)
(2,875) $

3
(180)
3,734

3,672

(6,493)
—

906
(5,587)
(1,915) $

14

83

(180)

2,217

2,134

—

—

54

54

2,188

$

$

$

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) consisted of the following at December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

Deferred tax assets:

Tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards

Allowances for bad debts

Difference in accounting for:

Revenues

Costs and expenses

Inventories

Acquired intangible assets

Gross deferred tax assets

Valuation allowance

Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance

Deferred tax liabilities:
Difference in accounting for:

Costs and expenses

Acquired intangible assets

Basis difference convertible notes

Gross deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) 

Recorded as:

Long-term deferred tax assets, net

Long-term deferred tax liabilities, net

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

December 31,

2016

2015

$

369,847

$

318,471

431

372

35,856

26,537

9,118

6,112

447,901
(432,631)
15,270

(6,457)
(3,669)
(4,812)
(14,938)
332

1,245
(913)
332

$

$

$

$

54,475

34,116

7,576

9,799

424,809

(406,123)

18,686

(5,654)

(8,554)

(5,910)

(20,118)

(1,432)

2,011

(3,443)

(1,432)

On January 1, 2015 the Company adopted ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.  The standard 
requires entities to present DTAs and DTLs as non-current in the classified balance sheet.  The standard simplifies the current 
guidance, which requires entities to separately present DTAs and DTLs as current and non-current in a classified balance sheet.  
The Company early adopted the guidance to simplify its reporting for the current year. The consolidated balance sheet at 
December 31, 2014 was retrospectively adjusted, resulting in a $0.3 million reclassification of current DTAs to long-term DTAs.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the net tax effects of the tax credits and net operating loss carryforwards and the 
temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used 
for income tax purposes.  The ultimate realization of the net deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient 
future taxable income in the applicable tax jurisdictions.  Based on the magnitude of the deferred tax assets at December 31, 2016 
and 2015 and the level of historical U.S. tax losses, management has determined that the uncertainty regarding the realization of 
these assets warranted a significant valuation allowance at December 31, 2016 and 2015. 

For U.S. federal and state income tax purposes at December 31, 2016, the Company had tax credit carryforwards of $51.2 million, 
which will expire between 2017 and 2036, and net operating loss carryforwards of $783.9 million, which will expire between 
2019 and 2036.  In 2016, the Company early adopted ASU No. 2019-09, Improvements to Employee Share-base Payment 
Accounting.  The deferred tax assets in the schedule above at December 31, 2016, include $33.7 million related to prior year tax 
assets resulting from the exercise of employee stock options, which previously were recognized in additional paid- in capital only 
when utilized as a reduction in taxes payable. Prior to adoption of ASU No. 2016-09, this amount was excluded from the above 
deferred tax asset schedule at December 31, 2015. The increase in the deferred tax asset of $33.7 million was offset by a 
corresponding increase in the valuation allowance.

88

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The federal net operating loss and tax credit amounts are subject to annual limitations under Section 382 change of ownership 
rules of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Company completed an assessment at March 31, 2015 regarding whether there may have 
been a Section 382 ownership change and concluded that it is more likely than not that none of the Company’s net operating loss 
and tax credit amounts are subject to any Section 382 limitation. 

Additionally, the Company has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $77.2 million with an indefinite carryforward period 
and tax credit carryforwards of $4.3 million that begin to expire in 2029.  The Company has determined there is uncertainty 
regarding the realization of a portion of these assets and has recorded a valuation allowance against $66.0 million of net operating 
losses and $4.3 million of tax credits at December 31, 2016.

The Company’s assessment of the valuation allowance on the U.S. and foreign deferred tax assets could change in the future 
based on its levels of pre-tax income and other tax related adjustments.  Removal of the valuation allowance in whole or in part 
would result in a non-cash reduction in income tax expense during the period of removal.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the Company’s income tax provision (benefit) to the statutory U.S. federal tax 
amount for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

Statutory tax

Tax credits

Foreign operations

Change in uncertain tax positions

Non-deductible expenses and other

Federal benefit related to Note issuance

Tax deficiency on stock-based compensation

Change in valuation allowance

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

$

$

$

15,870
(2,468)
(12,662)
(6,710)
670

—

2,509
(84)
(2,875) $

$

198
(2,972)
(4,055)
—

2,303
(6,493)
—

9,104
(1,915) $

5,921

(1,589)

(6,047)

—

771

—

—

3,132

2,188

The cumulative amount of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, which is intended to be indefinitely reinvested and for 
which U.S. income taxes have not been provided, totaled $40.5 million at December 31, 2016.  The Company does not have any 
plans to repatriate these earnings because the underlying cash will be used to fund the ongoing operations of the foreign 
subsidiaries.  The additional taxes that might be payable upon repatriation of foreign earnings are not significant. 

A tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained before being recognized in the financial statements.  It also requires 
the accrual of interest and penalties as applicable on unrecognized tax positions.  The Company disclosed unrecognized tax 
benefits primarily related to the foreign tax implications arising from the changes in revenue recognition that arose in periods 
prior to 2012.  The unrecognized tax benefits did not have an impact on the effective tax rate because the Company maintains a 
full valuation allowance on the related loss carryforwards.  At December 31, 2014, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits and 
related accrued interest and penalties totaled $25.8 million, of which $0.8 million would affect the Company’s income tax 
provision and effective tax rate if recognized.  At December 31, 2015, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits and related 
accrued interest and penalties totaled $26.0 million, of which $3.2 million would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if 
recognized.  During 2016, the Company had a change in its uncertain tax position related to the revenue recognition issue and 
reversed the associated accrual in its entirety.  At December 31, 2016, the Company’s accrual for unrecognized tax benefits and 
related accrued interest and penalties related to an Israel audit issue totaled $1.0 million, of which $1.0 million would affect the 
Company’s income tax provision and effective tax rate if recognized. 

89

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding the 
impact of interest and penalties, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2014

Increases for tax positions taken during a prior period

Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014

Increases for tax positions taken during a prior period

Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2015

Increases for tax positions taken during a prior period

Decreases for tax positions taken during a prior period

Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2016

$

$

24,729

1,118

25,847

148

25,995

1,041

(25,995)

1,041

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.  Accrued interest and 
penalties related to uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2016 and 2015 were not material.

The tax years 2008 and forward remain open to examination by taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which the Company 
operates.  The most significant operating jurisdictions include: the United States, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Israel, Japan, 
and the United Kingdom.

O.  RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND ACCRUALS

2016 Restructuring Plan

In February 2016, the Company committed to a restructuring plan that encompasses a series of measures intended to allow the 
Company to more efficiently operate in a leaner, and more directed cost structure. These include reductions in the Company’s 
workforce, facilities consolidation, transferring certain business processes to lower cost regions, and reducing other third-party 
services costs. 

During the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded restructuring costs of $5.8 million, which represented an 
initial elimination of 111 positions worldwide during January and February of 2016.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, 
the Company recorded restructuring costs of $2.8 million, representing the elimination of an additional 63 positions worldwide.  
During the quarter ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded additional restructuring costs of $0.4 million, and recoveries 
totaling $0.6 million as a result of severance pay estimate changes primarily for the eliminated positions in Europe.  During the 
quarter ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $2.4 million related to severance costs for an 
additional 60 positions eliminated and severance pay estimate adjustments, and $2.1 million for the partial closure of facilities in 
Burlington, Massachusetts, which included non-cash amounts of $1.1 million for fixed asset write-off.  During the quarter ended 
December 31, 2016, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $5.0 million, related to severance costs for an additional 
elimination of 156 positions worldwide.

Prior Years’ Restructuring Plans

The Company recorded restructuring costs revisions of $0.5 million and $0.8 million, in June 2015 and September 2016, 
respectively, based on the updated sublease assumption for the Company’s Mountain View, California facility that was partially 
abandoned in 2012. 

At December 31, 2016, $1.4 million of the facilities-related accrual balance was related to the closure of part of the Company’s 
Mountain View, California, and Dublin, Ireland facilities under restructuring plans that were made in 2012 and 2008, respectively.  
No further actions are anticipated under those plans.

90

Restructuring Summary

The following table sets forth the activity in the restructuring accruals for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in 
thousands): 

Accrual balance at January 1, 2014

Revisions of estimated liabilities

Accretion

Cash payments

Foreign exchange impact on ending balance

Accrual balance at December 31, 2014

New restructuring charges – operating expenses

Revisions of estimated liabilities
Accretion

Cash payments

Foreign exchange impact on ending balance

Accrual balance at December 31, 2015

New restructuring charges – operating expenses

Revisions of estimated liabilities

Accretion

Cash payments

Non-cash write-offs

Foreign exchange impact on ending balance

Accrual balance at December 31, 2016

Employee-
Related

Facilities-
Related
& Other

$

2,399

$

—

—
(2,340)
(1)
58

5,766

—
—
(315)
—

5,509

10,491
(497)
—
(8,225)
—
(260)
7,018

$

$

6,102
(165)
565
(4,172)
(45)
2,285

—

539
226
(1,301)
(78)
1,671

943

763

287
(1,701)
1,137
(7)
3,093

Total

$

8,501

(165)

565

(6,512)

(46)

2,343

5,766

539
226

(1,616)

(78)

7,180

11,434

266

287

(9,926)

1,137

(267)

$

10,111

The employee-related accruals at December 31, 2016 and 2015 represent severance costs to former employees that will be paid 
out within twelve months, and are, therefore, included in the caption “accrued expenses and other current liabilities” in the 
Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

The facilities-related and other accruals at December 31, 2016 and 2015 represent contractual lease payments, net of estimated 
sublease income, on space vacated as part of the Company’s restructuring actions.  The leases, and payments against the amounts 
accrued, extend through 2021 unless the Company is able to negotiate earlier terminations.  Of the total facilities-related and other 
accruals balance, $0.7 million is included in the caption “accrued expenses and other current liabilities,” $1.3 million is included 
in the caption “other long-term liabilities,” and $1.1 million of fixed asset write-off relating to the partial closure of facilities in 
Burlington, Massachusetts is reflected in the caption “property and equipment, net” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet 
at December 31, 2016.  At December 31, 2015, $1.0 million was included in the caption “accrued expenses and other current 
liabilities” and $0.6 million was included in the caption “other long-term liabilities.” 

P.  PRODUCT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The Company provides digital media content-creation, management and distribution products and solutions for film, video, audio 
and broadcast professionals, as well as artists and musicians, which the Company classifies as two types, video and audio.  The 
Company also classifies all its maintenance, professional services and training revenues as services revenues.  Operating 
segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated 
regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.  The 
Company’s evaluation of the discrete financial information that is regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision makers 

91

 
determined that in 2016, 2015 and 2014 the Company had only one operating segment.  Specifically, the Company does not 
internally measure profitability based upon video, audio, or service revenue.

The Company’s video products and solutions are designed to improve the productivity of video and film editors and broadcasters 
by enabling them to edit video, film and sound; manage media assets; and automate workflows.  Professional video creative 
software and hardware products include the Media Composer product line used to edit film, television programmings, news 
broadcasts, commercials and other video content.  Video products also include Avid shared storage systems and Avid Interplay 
asset management solutions that provide complete network, storage and database solutions to enable users to simultaneously share 
and manage media assets throughout a project or organization. 

The Company’s audio products and solutions include digital audio software and workstation solutions, control surfaces, live 
sound systems and notation software that provide music creation; audio recording, editing, and mixing; and live performance 
solutions.  Audio products include Pro Tools digital audio software and workstation solutions to facilitate the audio production 
process, including music and sound creation, recording, editing, signal processing, integrated surround mixing and mastering, and 
reference video playback.  Audio products also include a range of complementary control surfaces and consoles, including the 
System 5 and System 6 modular consoles, as well as the VENUE live-sound systems and Sibelius-branded notation software.

The Company’s services revenues are primarily derived from the sale of maintenance contracts and professional service and the 
recognition of revenues for Implied Maintenance Release PCS.  The Company provides online and telephone support and access 
to software upgrades for customers whose products are under warranty or covered by a maintenance contract.  The Company’s 
professional services team provides installation, integration, planning, consulting and training services. 

The following is a summary of the Company’s revenues by type for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in 
thousands):

Video products and solutions

Audio products and solutions

     Total products and solutions

Services

Total net revenues

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

$

155,408

$

201,559

$

127,702

283,110

228,820

134,812

336,371

169,224

$

511,930

$

505,595

$

233,464

145,163

378,627

151,624

530,251

The following table sets forth the Company’s revenues from by geographic region for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 
and 2014 (in thousands):

Revenues:

United States

Other Americas

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Asia-Pacific

Total net revenues

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

$

186,658

$

185,109

$

193,060

38,824

206,605

79,843

37,081

206,192

77,213

45,342

217,767

74,082

$

511,930

$

505,595

$

530,251

Other than the United States, no single country accounted for more than 10% of revenue for all periods presented.

92

 
 
 
The following table presents the Company’s long-lived assets, excluding intangible assets, by geography at December 31, 2016 
and 2015 (in thousands):

Long-lived assets:

United States

Other countries

Total long-lived assets

December 31,

2016

2015

$

$

29,970

11,786

41,756

$

$

30,684

11,920

42,604

Q.  LONG-TERM DEBT AND CREDIT AGREEMENT

Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

Term Loan, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $4,042 at December 31, 2016

$

92,208

$

—

December 31,
2016

December 31,
2015

Notes, net of unamortized original issue discount and debt issuance costs of $23,413 at

December 31, 2016 and $29,050 at December 31, 2015, respectively

Credit Agreement

Total debt

Less: current portion

Total long-term debt

2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020

101,587

—

193,795

5,000

$

188,795

$

95,950

5,000

100,950

5,000

95,950

On June 15, 2015, the Company issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 
2020 (the “Notes”) in an offering conducted in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.  The net proceeds 
from the offering were $120.3 million after deducting the offering expenses. 

The Notes pay interest semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2015, at an annual 
rate of 2.00% and mature on June 15, 2020 unless earlier converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms prior to such 
date.  Additional interest may be payable upon the occurrence of certain events of default relating to the Company’s failure to 
deliver certain documents or reports to the Trustee, the Company’s failure to timely file any document or report required pursuant 
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or if the Notes are not freely tradable as of one year after the last date of original 
issuance of the Notes.  The Notes are convertible into cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and 
shares of common stock, at the Company’s election, based on an initial conversion rate, subject to adjustment, of 45.5840 shares 
per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which is equal to an initial conversion price of $21.94 per share.  Prior to December 15, 
2019, the Notes are convertible only in the following circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing after September 
30, 2015, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock is greater than or equal to 130% of the applicable 
conversion price for at least 20 trading days during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the 
preceding calendar quarter; (2) during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the 
“Measurement Period”) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for each trading day in the Measurement 
Period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock and the conversion rate on 
such trading day; or (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions.  On or after December 15, 2019 until the close of 
business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their Notes at any 
time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances. The Company may not redeem the Notes prior to their maturity, which means 
that the Company is not required to redeem or retire the Notes periodically.  

93

 
 
The Notes are senior unsecured obligations.  Upon the occurrence of certain specified fundamental changes, the holders may 
require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the Notes for cash at 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being 
purchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest. 

In accounting for the Notes at issuance, the Company allocated proceeds from the Notes into debt and equity components 
according to the accounting standards for convertible debt instruments that may be fully or partially settled in cash upon 
conversion.  The initial carrying amount of the debt component, which approximates its fair value, was estimated by using an 
interest rate for nonconvertible debt, with terms similar to the Notes.  The excess of the principal amount of the Notes over the 
fair value of the debt component was recorded as a debt discount and a corresponding increase in additional paid-in capital.  The 
debt discount is accreted to the carrying value of the Notes over their term as interest expense using the interest method.  Upon 
issuance of the Notes, the Company recorded $96.7 million as debt and $28.3 million as additional paid-in capital in stockholders’ 
equity.  The effective interest rate used to estimate the fair value of the debt was 7.66%.  For the years ended December 31, 2016 
and 2015, the Company recorded debt discount accretion of  $5.6 million and $2.9 million, respectively, as interest expenses in 
the Company’s statement of operations.  Total interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $8.1 million 
and $4.3 million, respectively, reflecting the coupon and accretion of the discount.

The Company incurred transaction costs of $4.7 million relating to the issuance of the Notes. The Company adopted ASU No. 
2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires that debt issuance costs be classified as a reduction 
in the carrying value of the debt. In accounting for these costs, the Company allocated the costs of the offering between debt and 
equity in proportion to the fair value of the debt and equity recognized. The transaction costs allocated to the debt component of 
approximately $3.6 million were recorded as a direct deduction from the face amount of the Notes and are being amortized as 
interest expense over the term of the Notes using the interest method.  The transaction costs allocated to the equity component of 
approximately $1.1 million were recorded as a decrease in additional paid-in capital. 

Capped Call Transaction

In connection with the offering of the Notes, on June 9, 2015, the Company entered into a capped call derivative transaction with 
a third party (the “Capped Call”).  The Capped Call is expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to the common stock 
and/or offset any cash payments the Company may be required to make in excess of the principal amount upon conversion of the 
Notes in the event that the market price per share of the common stock is greater than the strike price of the Capped Call.  The 
Capped Call has a strike price of $21.94 and a cap price of $26.00 and is exercisable by the Company when and if the Notes are 
converted.  If, upon conversion of the Notes, the price of the Company’s common stock is above the strike price of the Capped 
Call, the counterparty will deliver shares of common stock and/or cash with an aggregate value approximately equal to the 
difference between the price of the common stock at the conversion date (as defined, with a maximum price for purposes of this 
calculation equal to the cap price) and the strike price, multiplied by the number of shares of common stock related to the portion 
of the Capped Call being exercised.  The Capped Call expires on June 15, 2020.  The Company paid $10.1 million for the Capped 
Call and recorded the payment as a decrease to additional paid-in capital.

Credit Facilities

On February 26, 2016, the Company entered into a Financing Agreement with the Lenders. Pursuant to the Financing Agreement, 
the Lenders agreed to provide the Company with (a) a term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $100 million (the “Term 
Loan”) and (b) a revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) of up to a maximum of $5.0 million in borrowings outstanding at 
any time. All outstanding loans under the Financing Agreement will become due and payable on the earlier of February 26, 2021 
and the date that is 30 days prior to June 15, 2020 if the $125.0 million in outstanding principal of the Notes has not been repaid 
or refinanced by such time.  The Company borrowed the full amount of the Term Loan, or $100.0 million, as of the closing date 
of the Financing Agreement, and there was no amount outstanding under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2016.

Concurrently with the entry into the Financing Agreement, on February 26, 2016 the Company terminated its existing Credit 
Agreement, dated June 22, 2015, among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers, KeyBank National 
Association, as Administrative Agent and the other lender parties thereto, and repaid all outstanding borrowings under such 
agreement. There were no penalties paid by the Company in connection with this termination. 

94

Interest accrues on outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and the Term Loan at a rate of either the LIBOR Rate (as 
defined in the Financing Agreement) plus 6.75% or a Reference Rate (as defined in the Financing Agreement) plus 5.75%, at the 
option of the Company. The Company must also pay to the Lenders, on a monthly basis, an unused line fee at a rate of 0.5% per 
annum.  The Company may prepay all or any portion of the Term Loan prior to its stated maturity, subject to the payment of 
certain fees based on the amount repaid. The Term Loan requires quarterly principal payments of $1.25 million commencing in 
June 2016. The Term Loan also requires the Company to use 50% of excess cash, as defined in the Financing Agreement, to repay 
outstanding principal of the loans under the Financing Agreement. The Company recorded $6.6 million of interest expense on the 
Term Loan for the year ended December 31, 2016, of which $2.0 million related to the quarter ended December 31, 2016.

The Company granted a security interest on substantially all of its assets to secure the obligations under the Credit Facility and the 
Term Loan. 

The Financing Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants, mandatory prepayments, and events of 
default under which the Company’s payment obligations may be accelerated.  The Financing Agreement includes covenants 
requiring the Company to maintain a Leverage Ratio (defined as the ratio of (a) consolidated total funded indebtedness to (b) 
consolidated EBITDA) of no greater than 4.35:1.00 for the four quarters ending June 30, 2016, 5.40:1.00 for the four quarters 
ending September 30, 2016, 4.20:1.00 for the four quarters ending December 31, 2016 and thereafter declining over time from 
3.50:1.00 to 2.50:1.00.  The Financing Agreement also restricts the Company from making capital expenditures in excess of $20 
million in any fiscal year.  As of December 31, 2016 the Company was in compliance with these covenants.  

The Financing Agreement contains restrictive covenants that are customary for an agreement of this kind, including, for example, 
covenants that restrict the Company from incurring additional indebtedness, granting liens, making investments and restricted 
payments, making acquisitions, paying dividends and engaging in transactions with affiliates. 

As discussed further in the “Subsequent Events” section of Note A, the Financing Agreement was amended on March 14, 2017, 
which included, among other changes, increases to the required leverage ratio in future periods.

95

R.   QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)

The following information has been derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements that, in the opinion of management, 
include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such information.

(In thousands, except per share data)

2016

2015

Quarter Ended

Net revenues

Cost of revenues

Amortization of intangible assets

Gross profit

Operating expenses:

   Research and development

   Marketing and selling

   General and administrative

   Amortization of intangible assets

   Restructuring costs (recoveries), net

   Total operating expenses

Operating income (loss)

Other expense, net

Income (loss) before income taxes

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

Dec. 31

Sept. 30

June 30 Mar. 31

Dec. 31

Sept. 30

June 30 Mar. 31

$115,295

$119,019

$134,069

$143,547

$138,806

$137,436

$109,767

$119,586

43,876

1,950

69,469

18,773

21,311

13,112

363

4,959

58,518

10,951

41,678

1,950

75,391

19,953

27,231

13,822

567

5,314

66,887

8,504

44,320

1,950

41,533

1,950

87,799

100,064

21,433

30,177

16,818

782

(213)

68,997

18,802

21,405

31,619

17,719

786

2,777

74,306

25,758

(4,622)

(4,707)

(5,159)

(4,183)

6,329

1,108

3,797

13,643

21,575

(5,321)

703

635

54,912

1,950

81,944

24,190

30,091

21,463

786

5,766

82,296

(352)

(1,727)

(2,079)

2,306

47,672

1,950

87,814

25,225

31,564

15,834

786

—

73,409

14,405

(2,519)

11,886

768

43,306

47,492

163

—

66,298

72,094

23,310

32,811

17,425

408

539

74,493

(8,195)

(1,439)

(9,634)

(5,550)

23,173

28,045

19,387

374

—

70,979

1,115

(723)

392

561

Net income (loss)

$

5,221

$

9,118

$ 12,940

$ 20,940

$ (4,385) $ 11,118

$ (4,084) $

(169)

Net income (loss) per share – basic and diluted

$

0.13

$

0.23

$

0.33

$

0.53

$

(0.11) $

0.28

$

(0.10) $

0.00

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic

Weighted-average common shares outstanding  – diluted

40,637

40,746

40,194

40,476

39,678

39,734

39,566

39,640

39,439

39,439

39,231

39,750

39,635

39,635

39,387

39,387

96

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 9. 

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL 
DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 9A.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation and supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is 
responsible for our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. 
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be 
disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the 
time periods specified under SEC rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed 
to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated 
to our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required 
disclosure.

Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the 
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2016. Based on this evaluation, our management 
concluded that as of December 31, 2016 these disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance 
level as a result of the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, which is described below. As discussed 
below, our internal control over financial reporting is an integral part of our disclosure controls and procedures.

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting, as defined 
in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the 
supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by 
our board of directors, management, and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial 
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally 
accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and includes those policies and procedures that:

(1)  Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and 

dispositions of our assets; 

(2)  Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial 

statements in accordance with GAAP, and our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with 
authorizations of our management and directors; and

(3)  Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or 

disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of inherent limitations, no matter how well designed and operated, internal control over financial reporting may not 
prevent or detect misstatements and can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In 
addition, the design of internal control over financial reporting must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that 
management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have performed an evaluation of our internal control over financial
reporting under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The objective of this assessment was to determine whether our internal control over
financial reporting was effective at December 31, 2016. Based on the results of this evaluation, we have concluded that our
internal control over financial reporting was not effective at December 31, 2016 due to ineffective controls over licensing and
provisioning of software described in the following section.

97

Our independent registered public accounting firm, BDO USA, LLP, has audited our consolidated financial statements and has 
issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, which report is included 
herein.

Material Weakness Discussion and Remediation

As of December 31, 2016, we identified that certain testing procedures were not operating effectively, partially due to ineffective 
design, relative to controls performed by our software development team over software licensing functionality that prevents 
unauthorized access to our software, which could have resulted in software elements being provided to customers without the 
knowledge of management and, if such event were to have occurred, it could have resulted in a material impact to our financial 
statements that would not have been detected by our internal controls.  As a result, we have concluded that a material control 
weakness continues to exist and our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective at December 31, 2016.  The 
material control weakness did not result in any errors or misstatements in the financial statements.  A material weakness is a 
deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility 
that a material misstatement of the company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely 
basis.  We plan to remediate this process in 2017 through enhancing the design of our controls by having the development team 
formalize and sign-off testing procedures currently in place to ensure documentation is sufficient for compliance purposes.  

In September 2014, we completed a complex restatement of our financial statements, where we corrected errors in revenue 
recognition impacting millions of customer transactions and the conditions that led to the restatement caused the company to 
conclude that material control weaknesses existed as of December 31, 2015 and prior. Since then, we have completed a redesign 
of our entire control environment and a broad range of remedial actions to address the material weaknesses in our internal control 
over financial reporting, including changes in staffing, as well as the design and implementation of new controls.   For the year 
ended December 31, 2015, we concluded that the circumstances that allowed the errors in the misapplication of GAAP in revenue 
recognition and other financial statement balances to go undetected for an extended period of time, which necessitated the 
restatement of historical financial statements, were indicative of several control deficiencies, including:

•  Risk Assessment - We did not have an effective risk assessment process. From a governance perspective, we historically 

did not have a formal process to identify, update and assess risks, including changes in our consolidated financial 
statements as well as the system of internal control over financial reporting.

•  Control Environment - We did not maintain an effective control environment, which is the foundation for the discipline 
and structure necessary for effective internal control over financial reporting, as evidenced by: (i) an insufficient number 
of personnel appropriately qualified to perform control monitoring activities, including the recognition of the risks and 
complexities of our transactions and business operations, (ii) an insufficient number of personnel with an appropriate 
level of GAAP knowledge and experience or ongoing training in the application of GAAP commensurate with our 
financial reporting requirements, which resulted in erroneous judgments regarding the proper application of GAAP, and 
(iii) insufficient corporate involvement to adequately exercise appropriate oversight of accounting judgments and 
estimates.

•  Control Activities - We did not have control activities that were designed and operating effectively, including controls 

over the inputs inherent in the Company’s revenue recognition models. Control activities that were historically in place 
(i) did not always address relevant risks, (ii) were sometimes performed with incomplete information and (iii) were not 
performed on all relevant transactions. In addition, the level of precision of the management review controls was not 
sufficient to identify all potential errors.

• 

Information and Communications - We did not implement appropriate information technology controls related to change 
management and access for certain information systems that are relevant to the preparation of the consolidated financial 
statements and our system of internal control over financial reporting. As a result of the material weaknesses identified, 
there is a possibility that the effectiveness of business process controls, which are dependent on the affected information 
systems or electronic data and financial reports generated from the affected information systems, may be adversely 
affected.

•  Monitoring Activities - We did not maintain effective monitoring of controls related to the financial close and reporting 

process.

98

During the year ended December 31, 2016, through enhanced design and implementation of controls,  we have remediated the 
deficiencies in our risk assessment, control environment, information and communication and monitoring activities as such 
deficiencies were described in Item 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.  However, as 
a result of our control deficiency with respect to controls around our licensing and provisioning of software functionality 
described above we have not fully remediated deficiencies in our control activities and therefore have concluded that our internal 
control over financial reporting was not effective at December 31, 2016.

The management team was able to obtain a reasonable level of assurance that revenue recognition balances were accurate and 
complete through highly substantive validation procedures and review processes. As a result of these procedures, we believe that 
the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 fairly 
present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity 
with GAAP.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

As described above under “Material Weakness Discussion and Remediation,” we have undertaken a broad range of remedial 
actions to address the historical material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, including changes in staffing, 
as well as design and implementation of new controls. These remedial procedures continued throughout the quarter ended 
December 31, 2016.

Inherent Limitation on the Effectiveness of Internal Controls

The effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting is subject to inherent limitations, including the 
exercise of judgment in designing, implementing, operating, and evaluating the controls and procedures, and the inability to 
eliminate misconduct completely. Accordingly, any system of internal control over financial reporting can only provide 
reasonable, not absolute, assurances. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the 
risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or 
procedures may deteriorate. We intend to continue to monitor and upgrade our internal controls as necessary or appropriate for 
our business, but cannot assure that such improvements will be sufficient to provide us with effective internal control over 
financial reporting.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Stockholders
Avid Technology, Inc.
Burlington, Massachusetts

We have audited Avid Technology, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria 
established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria).  Avid Technology, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal 
control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in 
the accompanying, “Item 9A, Controls and Procedures”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal 
control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control 
over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control 
over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating 
effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we 
considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that 
(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of
the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of

99

financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the 
company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide 
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s 
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there 
is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be 
prevented or detected on a timely basis.  A material weakness regarding management’s failure to design and maintain controls 
over licensing and provisioning of software licenses has been identified and described in management’s assessment. This material 
weakness was considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2016 financial 
statements, and this report does not affect our report dated March 22, 2017 on those financial statements. 

In our opinion, Avid Technology, Inc. did not maintain, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting 
as of December 31, 2016, based on the COSO criteria. 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 
consolidated balance sheet of Avid Technology, Inc. as of December 31, 2016, and the related consolidated statement of 
operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the year then ended and our report dated 
March 22, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. 

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
March 22, 2017 

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

Not Applicable.

100

PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all our employees, including our principal executive 
officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer.  We will provide any person, without charge, with a copy of 
our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics upon written request to Avid, 75 Network Drive, Burlington, MA 01803, 
Attention:  Corporate Secretary.  Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is also available in the Investor Relations section of 
our website at www.avid.com.  If we were to amend or waive any provision of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics 
applicable to any of our principal executive officers, our principal financial officer, our principal accounting officer or any person 
performing similar functions, we intend to satisfy our disclosure obligations with respect to any such waiver or amendment by 
posting such information on our Internet website set forth above rather than by filing a Form 8-K.

The remainder of the response to this item will be contained in our Proxy Statement for our 2017 Annual Meeting of 
Stockholders, or the 2017 Proxy Statement, under the captions “Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial 
Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Board Committees” and “Director Nomination Process,” all of which is incorporated herein 
by reference.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The response to this item will be contained in our 2017 Proxy Statement under the captions “Director Compensation,” “Executive 
Compensation,” “Compensation Committee Report” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and is 
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED 

STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The response to this item will be contained in our 2017 Proxy Statement under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain 
Beneficial Owners and Management” and is incorporated herein by reference.

The disclosures required for securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans will be contained in the 2017 
Proxy Statement under the caption “Equity Compensation Plan Information” and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The response to this item will be contained in our 2017 Proxy Statement under the captions “Board Committees” and “Related 
Person Transaction Policy” and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The response to this item will be contained in our 2017 Proxy Statement under the caption “Independent Registered Public 
Accounting Firm Fees” and is incorporated herein by reference.

101

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

PART IV

(a) 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following consolidated financial statements are included in Item 8:

-  Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
-  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 
-  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 
-  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 
-  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 
-  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 
-  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(a) 3. LISTING OF EXHIBITS.  The list of exhibits, which are filed or furnished with this report or are incorporated herein by

reference, is set forth in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits and is incorporated herein by reference.

102

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report 
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES

AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
(Registrant)

By:

/s/ Louis Hernandez, Jr.                        
Louis Hernandez, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: March 22, 2017

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons 
on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By:

/s/ Louis Hernandez, Jr.            
Louis Hernandez, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive 
Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

  By:

/s/ Brian E. Agle                              By:
Brian E. Agle   
Senior Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Ryan H. Murray                   
Ryan H. Murray
Vice President of Finance and 
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

Date: March 22, 2017

  Date: March 22, 2017

  Date: March 22, 2017

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons 
on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

                 NAME

/s/ Louis Hernandez, Jr.        
Louis Hernandez, Jr.

/s/ Nancy Hawthorne            
Nancy Hawthorne

/s/ Robert M. Bakish             
Robert M. Bakish

/s/ Paula E. Boggs                 
Paula E. Boggs

/s/ Elizabeth M. Daley          
Elizabeth M. Daley

/s/ Youngme E. Moon           
Youngme E. Moon

/s/ John H. Park                    
John H. Park

/s/ Peter Westley                    
Peter Westley

TITLE

DATE

Chairman of the Board of Directors

March 22, 2017

Lead Director

March 22, 2017

March 22, 2017

March 22, 2017

March 22, 2017

March 22, 2017

March 22, 2017

March 22, 2017

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX

Incorporated by Reference

  Filed with
this Form
10-K

Form or
Schedule  
8-K

SEC Filing
Date
July 27, 2005

SEC File
Number
  000-21174

  10-Q   November 14, 2005   000-21174

8-K

  October 21, 2011

  000-21174

S-1

  March 11, 1993*

  033-57796

8-K

January 7, 2014

  000-21174

8-K

January 7, 2014

000-21174

8-K

  November 25, 2009   000-21174

8-K

  November 25, 2009   000-21174

Description
Certificate of Amendment of the Third Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Registrant

Third Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Registrant

Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant,
as amended

Specimen Certificate representing the Registrant’s
Common Stock

Rights Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2014,
between Registrant and Computershare Trust
Company, N.A. as Rights Agent, including all
exhibits thereto

Amended Certificate of Designations, Preferences
and Rights of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock

Network Drive at Northwest Park Office Lease
dated as of November 20, 2009 between Avid
Technology, Inc. and Netview 5 and 6 LLC (for
premises at 65 Network Drive, Burlington,
Massachusetts)

Network Drive at Northwest Park Office Lease
dated as of November 20, 2009 between Avid
Technology, Inc. and Netview 1,2,3,4 & 9 LLC
(for premises at 75 Network Drive, Burlington,
Massachusetts)

1993 Director Stock Option Plan, as amended

  10-K   February 29, 2008

  000-21174

Second Amended and Restated 1996 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, as amended

Amendment No #2 to Second Amended and
Restated 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as
amended

  10-K   March 16, 2010

  000-21174

10-K

September 12, 2014

001-36254

1997 Stock Option Plan

  10-K   March 27, 1998

  000-21174

1997 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended

  10-Q   May 14, 1997

  000-21174

Second Amended and Restated Non-Qualified
Deferred Compensation Plan

  10-K   February 29, 2008

  000-21174

1998 Stock Option Plan

  10-K   March 16, 2005

  000-21174

Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Option Plan

  10-K   March 16, 2005

  000-21174

Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

  10-Q   August 7, 2008

  000-21174

Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated 2005
Stock Incentive Plan

Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under
the Registrant’s Amended and Restated 2005 Stock
Incentive Plan

Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement
under the Registrant’s Amended and Restated 2005
Stock Incentive Plan

10-K

September 12, 2014

001-36254

10-K

September 12, 2014

001-36254

10-K

September 12, 2014

001-36254

Exhibit
No.
3.1

3.2

3.3

4.1

4.2

4.3

10.1

10.2

#10.3

#10.4

#10.5

#10.6

#10.7

#10.8

#10.9

#10.10

#10.11

#10.12

#10.13

#10.14

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
#10.15

#10.16

#10.17

#10.18

#10.19

#10.20

#10.21

#10.22

#10.23

#10.24

#10.25

#10.26

#10.27

#10.28

#10.29

#10.30

#10.31

#10.32

#10.33

10.34

10.35

Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement for
Outside Directors under the Registrant’s Amended
and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under
the Registrant’s Amended and Restated 2005 Stock
Incentive Plan

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for
Outside Directors under the Registrant’s Amended
and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

Form of Stock Option Agreement for UK
Employees under the HM Revenue and Customs
Approved Sub-Plan for UK Employees under the
Registrant’s Amended and Restated 2005 Stock
Incentive Plan

Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Grant Terms
and Conditions (under the 1997 Stock Incentive
Plan)

Form of Incentive Stock Option Grant Terms and
Conditions (under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan)

2014 Stock Incentive Plan

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under
the Registrant’s Amended and Restated 2014 Stock
Incentive Plan

Form of NSO Agreement under the Registrant’s
2014 Stock Incentive Plan

Form of ISO/NSO Agreement under the
Registrant’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan

Separation Agreement dated February 6, 2013
between Registrant and Gary G. Greenfield

Consulting and Separation Agreement dated April
22, 2013 between the Registrant and Kenneth A
Sexton
Amended and Restated Executive Employment
Agreement dated December 22, 2010 between the
Registrant and Christopher C. Gahagan

Form of Executive Officer Employment Letter as
of January 1, 2012

Summary of 2013 Annual Executive Incentive
Program
Executive Employment Agreement dated February
11, 2013 between the Registrant and Louis
Hernandez, Jr.

Amended and Restated Executive Employment
Agreement dated April 22, 2013 between the
Registrant and John Frederick

2013 Remediation Bonus Plan

Summary of 2014 Annual Executive Incentive
Program
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April
12, 2015, by and among Orad Hi-Tech Solutions
Form of Voting and Support Agreement between
Avid Technology, Inc. and certain shareholders of
Orad Hi-Tech Solutions Ltd.

8-K

July 8, 2008

000-21174

8-K

July 8, 2008

000-21174

8-K

July 8, 2008

000-21174

8-K

July 8, 2008

000-21174

8-K

February 21, 2007

000-21174

8-K

February 21, 2007

000-21174

10-K

10-K

March 16, 2015

001-36254

March 16, 2015

001-36254

10-K

March 16, 2015

001-36254

10-K

March 16, 2015

001-36254

8-K/A

February 12, 2013

000-21174

10-Q

September 12, 2014

001-36254

10-K

March 14, 2011

000-21174

10-K

February 29, 2012

000-21174

10-K

September 12, 2014

001-36254

8-K/A

February 12, 2013

000-21174

10-Q

September 12, 2014

001-36254

8-K

10-Q

8-K

8-K

July 25, 2013

000-21174

September 23, 2014

001-36254

April 13, 2015

001-36254

April 13, 2015

001-36254

8-K

April 13, 2015

001-36254

10-Q

May 8, 2015

001-36254

8-K/A

June 16, 2015

001-36254

8-K/A

June 16, 2015

001-36254

8-K

June 23, 2015

001-36254

10-Q

November 6, 2015

001-36254

10-K

March 15, 2016

001-36254

8-K

March 20, 2017

001-36254

10.36

#10.37

10.38

10.39

10.40

#10.41

10.42

10.43

21

23.1

23.2

31.1

31.2

32.1

Financing Commitment Letter, dated April 12,
2015, by and between Avid Technology, Inc. and
the Lenders specified therein

Summary of Avid Technology, Inc.’s 2015
Executive Bonus Plan

Indenture, dated as of June 15, 2015, between Avid
Technology, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association (including the form of 2.00%
Convertible Senior Notes due 2020)

Base capped call transaction confirmation, dated as
of June 9, 2015, by and between Jefferies
International Limited and Avid Technology, Inc., in
reference to the 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes
due 2020

Credit Agreement among Avid Technology, Inc.,
the Lenders named therein and KeyBank National
Association dated June 22, 2015

Second Amended and Restated 1996 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, as amended July 2015
Financing Agreement, dated February 26, 2016,
among Avid Technology, Inc., the Lenders named
therein

Amendment No. 1 to Financing Agreement, dated 
February 26, 2016, among Avid Technology, Inc., 
the Lenders named therein
Subsidiaries of the Registrant

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

Consent of BDO USA, LLP

Certification of Principal Executive Officer
pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002

Certification of Principal Financial Officer
pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

**101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

**101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

**101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

**101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document

**101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

**101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase

Document

______________________________________

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
#

*

**

Management contract or compensatory plan identified pursuant to Item 15(a)3.

Effective date of Form S-1.
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is
deemed not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the
Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

(This page has been left blank intentionally.)

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data 
(in thousands except per share data)

Year ended December 31,  
Net revenues 
Net income  
Net income per share (basic) 

2016 
$511,930 
$48,219  
$1.20 

2015 
$505,595 
$2,480 
$0.06 

2014
 $530,251
$14,728
$0.38

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(in thousands except employee data)

As of December 31, 
Cash and marketable securities 
Total assets 
Total stockholders’ (deficit) 
Employees  

2016 
$44,948 
$249,581 
($269,911) 
1,591 

2015 
$17,902 
$247,926  
($329,572) 
1,522 

2014
$25,056
$191,599
($341,070)
1,413

Worldwide Offices
Beijing
Boca Raton
Brussels
Burlington
Cologne
Dubai
Dublin
Helsinki
Hilversum
Hong Kong
Kaiserslautern
Kfar Saba
London
Los Angeles
Madrid

Montreal
Mountain View
Munich
New York
Paris
Seoul
Singapore
Stockholm
Sydney 
Szczecin
Taipei City
Taguig City
Tokyo
Washington, D.C.
Wroclaw

Avid Corporate Headquarters 
75 Network Drive 
Burlington, MA 01803  
tel 978 640 6789 
www.avid.com

Independent Registered Public Accountants 
BDO USA, LLP
Boston, Massachusetts

Transfer Agent and Registrar 
Computershare 
P.O. Box 30170 
College Station,TX 77842-3170

Shareholder website
www.computershare.com

Shareholder online inquiries
www.computershare.com

Common Shares 
Traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market  
under the symbol “AVID”

Shareholder Inquiries 
Inquiries related to the Company, 
its activities, or its securities should 
be addressed to:

Robert Roose
Investor Relations
75 Network Drive
Burlington, MA 01803
Tel 978 640 6789   
robert.roose@avid.com

Board of Directors 

Louis Hernandez, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Avid Technology, Inc.

Robert M. Bakish
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Viacom Inc.

Paula E. Boggs
Owner, Boggs Media LLC

Dr. Elizabeth M. Daley
Dean, University of Southern California
School of Cinematic Arts

Nancy Hawthorne
Lead Director, Avid Technology, Inc.;
Partner, Hawthorne Financial Advisors

Dr. Youngme E. Moon
Senior Associate Dean for Strategy and 
Innovation; Donald K. David Professor of 
Business Administration, 
Harvard Business School

John H. Park
Partner, Jackson Park Capital, LLC

Peter M. Westley
Partner, Blum Capital Partners, L.P.

Executive Officers

Louis Hernandez, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 

Brian Agle
Senior Vice President and  
Chief Financial Officer

Jason Duva
General Counsel, Senior Vice President of 
Strategic Initiatives and Corporate Secretary

Ryan Murray
Vice President of Finance,  
Chief Accounting Officer and  
Corporate Treasurer

Jeff Rosica
President

Dana Ruzicka
Vice President and Chief Product Officer

© 2017 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice.  Avid, the Avid logo, and other Avid 
trademarks are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.  Oscar is a trademark and service mark of the 
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. Grammy is a trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc.  iPad is a 
registered trademark of Apple Inc.  The name Interplay is used with the permission of Interplay Entertainment Corp., which bears no responsibility for the product. All other trademarks contained 
herein are the property of their respective owners.

Avid  
75 Network Drive 
Burlington, MA 01803 USA 
www.avid.com

BR 05467P-0317-10k