Dolby Laboratories
ANNUAL REPORT 2005
To Our Stockholders:
Fiscal 2005 was a year of change and progress for Dolby Laboratories. After going public on the New York Stock
Exchange in February—marking a new and important chapter in our forty-year history—we achieved solid financial
performance, leveraged our brand into new and diversified markets, and delivered on our reputation for technology
leadership and innovation.
Fiscal 2005 was a successful year for us financially. Total revenues grew 13 percent to a record $328 million.
Dolby’s profitability remained strong with 84 percent licensing gross margins, 76 percent total gross margins,
26 percent operating margins, and earnings of $0.50 per diluted share. In addition, we generated $80 million in cash
from operations and ended the year with a balance of $372 million in cash and equivalents.
During the year, we expanded our technology portfolio and diversified into new markets by leveraging our strong
industry positions and our well-known brand. In our core consumer electronics market, both next-generation DVD
formats will include Dolby Digital. In addition, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD are mandated standards in
HD DVD and optional in Blu-ray Discs.
We experienced similar success in the broadcasting market, as the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC)
added Dolby Digital Plus to their digital television standard for new delivery systems in North America. In Europe,
the European Broadcasters Union recommended Dolby Digital 5.1 audio decoding in new televisions and set-top
boxes that receive HDTV signals. Today, 61 European broadcasters feature Dolby Digital multichannel sound on their
satellite, cable, and digital terrestrial services. In Asia, China’s Shanghai Media Group announced that it will feature
Dolby Digital 5.1, making it the first company in this rapidly emerging market to broadcast in Dolby Digital 5.1
surround sound.
We have also made significant progress in the personal computer, gaming, automotive, and mobile markets. In the
PC market, we launched our PC Entertainment Experience, working with Intel and systems integrators to provide
Dolby technology and quality testing in next-generation Intel-based motherboards. In gaming, Microsoft announced
that its Xbox 360 console will include Dolby Digital surround sound for both games and movies. In the automotive
market, Dolby Pro Logic II has been included as an option in 43 models worldwide, and Volvo has announced that it
will include Dolby Pro Logic II in its entire line of cars. Finally, our subsidiary Via Licensing is benefiting from the
inclusion of the AAC-based compression technology in the Apple iPod and other music-based devices.
Dolby’s success in these consumer markets is largely due to our history of innovation. In 2005, we continued to
innovate in the consumer as well as the professional realms. In addition to recent developments in the consumer
market, including Dolby Headphone, Dolby TrueHD, and Dolby Virtual Speaker technologies, we introduced a
significant product in the professional market: the Dolby Digital Cinema system. Dolby Digital Cinema provides the
highest-quality digital experience available to cinema operators and moviegoers. Earlier this year, we teamed up with
Lucasfilm and Twentieth Century Fox to feature Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith on our digital equipment in
key theatres throughout Europe and the United States. In November, we led the rollout of 84 installations featuring
our digital equipment in conjunction with Disney Studios’ release of Chicken Little in 3-D. This was the largest US
implementation for the industry—it included 22 theatre chains and 38 US markets—and demonstrated to partners,
moviegoers, and our diverse customer base that we remain as committed as ever to enabling the highest-quality
entertainment experience possible.
Our success across this broad range of professional and consumer markets is diversifying our revenue stream while
we remain focused on our long-term objective of being an essential element in the best entertainment technologies
used by professionals and consumers. Through our focus on innovation, diversified markets, and a strong financial
model, we are firmly committed to delivering value to our stockholders.
We thank our employees for your dedication and hard work throughout our first year as a publicly traded company,
and thank you, our stockholders, for your valued support.
Sincerely,
Bill Jasper, President and Chief Executive Officer
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________________
FORM 10-K
____________________
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2005
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: 001-32431
DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
90-0199783
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
100 Potrero Avenue
San Francisco, CA
(Address of principal executive offices)
94103-4813
( Zip Code)
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) (415) 558-0200
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Class A common stock, $0.001 par value
Name of each exchange on which registered
The New York Stock Exchange
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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section
229.405 of this chapter) 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 Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act). Yes
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b−2 of the
Exchange Act). Yes
No
1
The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of
April 1, 2005 was $808,561,206. This calculation excludes the shares of Class A and Class B common stock
held by executive officers, directors and stockholders whose ownership exceeds 5% of the Class A and Class
B common stock outstanding at April 1, 2005. This calculation does not reflect a determination that such
persons are affiliates for any other purposes.
On December 13, 2005 the Registrant had 34,175,120 shares of Class A common stock and 70,478,187
shares of Class B common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission pursuant to
Regulation 14A in connection with the registrant's 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed subsequent
to the date hereof, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report. Such Definitive Proxy Statement will
be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the conclusion of the
registrant's fiscal year ended September 30, 2005.
DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item1 – Business.....................................................................................................
Item1A – Risk Factors ............................................................................................
Item1B – Unresolved Staff Comments ...................................................................
Item 2 – Properties..................................................................................................
Item 3 – Legal Proceedings.....................................................................................
Item 4 – Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. .............................
PART II
Item 5 – Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters......................................................................................................
Item 6 – Selected Financial Data ............................................................................
Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operation ..........................................................................
Item 7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ...............
Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.........................................
Item 9 – Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure ....................................................................
Item 9A – Controls and Procedures ........................................................................
Item 9B – Other Information ..................................................................................
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35
35
35
36
38
42
56
57
82
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PART III
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Item 10 – Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant ................................
Item 11 – Executive Compensation ........................................................................
Item 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
and Related Stockholder Matters..............................................................
Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.....................................
Item 14 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services .................................................
PART IV
Item 15 – Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules ..........................................
Signatures ...............................................................................................................
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
Dolby Laboratories develops and delivers innovative products and technologies that make the entertainment
experience more realistic and immersive in theatres, homes, cars and elsewhere. Since Ray Dolby founded Dolby
Laboratories 40 years ago, we have been at the forefront of developing sound technologies that enhance the
entertainment experience for audiences and consumers. Our objective is to be an essential element in the best
entertainment technology by delivering to both professionals and consumers innovative and enduring technologies
that enrich the entertainment experience. Our technologies are used in sound recording, distribution and playback to
faithfully recreate the original audio experience and enable digital audio and surround sound in applications such as
movie soundtracks, DVDs, television, satellite and cable broadcasts, video games and personal computers. Our
technologies have been adopted as standards throughout the entertainment industry. For example, virtually all major
movie soundtracks throughout the world are encoded using our technologies and virtually all DVD players
incorporate our technologies.
Dolby Entertainment Chain
We deliver products, services and technologies throughout the entertainment chain, including to filmmakers,
television producers, music producers, video game designers, movie distributors, cinema operators, DVD producers,
television broadcasters, software developers and manufacturers of consumer electronic products. We participate in
every link in the entertainment chain through the products we manufacture, the production services we provide and
the technologies we license. In addition, the Dolby brand is recognized and used at each link in the chain.
Content creation and distribution
Our products and production services help artists and content producers create realistic and intense sound. Our
technologies also help maintain sound quality while simultaneously enabling it to fit within the storage capacity and
distribution limitations of the particular recording medium. Filmmakers use our proprietary encoding products and
services during post-production to help ensure that their movie soundtracks are recorded properly and will play back
in theatres as the filmmaker envisions. Once a film has been completed, distributors use our products and services to
create foreign language versions. Our global presence enables us to work closely with filmmakers and studios
throughout the world to help them accurately capture the filmmaker’s vision on the recorded soundtrack. In
addition, we provide digital cinema content preparation services, acting as a technical agent for our clients by
following the content from start to the finish and providing compression mastering and distribution media
preparation, distribution and verification services.
Television producers and broadcasters throughout the world purchase and use our professional encoders,
decoders and processors to record and transmit both recorded and live television programming with surround sound.
With the advent of DVD technologies, music content is increasingly being produced in digital surround sound
through the use of our encoding products. In addition, with the proliferation of home theatre systems with surround
sound capabilities, video game designers are increasingly using our encoding products to produce games with
surround sound.
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Large-scale public playback
Cinema operators purchase and use our cinema processors, cinema adapters and sound readers to decode
movie soundtracks encoded in Dolby SR or Dolby Digital, and our digital cinema products to load, store, decode,
and deliver digital movies to digital cinema projectors. Our cinema processors can decode both analog and digital
soundtracks on the film and separate the different sound channels for distribution to the specific speakers in the
theatre. The sound characteristic and level of each loudspeaker are also vital elements of a theatre’s sound system
that are controlled by our cinema processors. Our engineers are often hired by the film’s distributor to check the
calibration of a theatre’s sound system for important screenings, such as premieres and press screenings. In addition,
our engineers can help optimize a theatre’s on-screen image using specialized test equipment and expertise.
Consumer media production and distribution
Movies and other types of entertainment such as television programs are often repackaged for viewing on
DVDs. DVD producers purchase and use our professional encoders to encode the source audio on a DVD so that the
soundtrack can be replayed as originally recorded on the master copy. Our digital audio coding technologies enable
sound to be stored efficiently within the limited storage capacity of the DVD, allowing high picture quality while
saving space on the disc for foreign language soundtracks, directors’ commentaries and other bonus material. Dolby
Digital is one of the two global standard formats, along with PCM, approved by the DVD Forum for encoding
soundtracks on DVD-Video discs, and as a result virtually all DVD players incorporate our Dolby Digital decoding
technology.
We allow motion picture studios and other DVD distributors the right to place the Dolby trademark on their
film prints and the packaging of their DVDs. Packaged media that incorporate our technologies, including video
games and DVD-Audio, also generally carry our trademarks.
Broadcasters purchase and use our professional broadcasting products to encode program content for
television, cable and satellite broadcast transmissions to deliver to their audiences high quality surround sound. Our
digital audio compression technologies also enable sound to be recorded and transmitted efficiently, which is
especially important in the broadcast industry because transmission bandwidth is limited. Our broadcasting products
also can facilitate the editing and routing of surround sound in transmission facilities originally designed for stereo
audio. Our decoding and monitoring products help content creators evaluate accurately how their soundtracks will
be reproduced in broadcast transmissions. Our sound engineers can provide training, broadcast system design
expertise and on-site technical expertise to broadcasters throughout the world. Dolby Digital audio is the sound
format standard for digital terrestrial and cable television in North America. In addition, in Europe, Australia and
Asia, broadcasters have the option of including Dolby Digital audio with their digital broadcast services under the
digital video broadcasting or the Advanced Television Systems Committee standards. Our broadcasting technologies
have also been used in North America and Europe in connection with radio services that are delivered through
satellite and cable systems.
Consumer playback
We license our surround sound decoding technologies to manufacturers of DVD players, DVD recorders,
home theatre systems, television sets, set-top boxes, video game consoles, portable audio and video players,
personal computers, in-car entertainment systems and other consumer electronics products, as well as developers of
software for personal computers. Our licensees manufacture and distribute consumer electronics products
incorporating our technology throughout the world. Our trademarks are included on content and consumer
electronics products, incorporating our technologies, so content providers and manufacturers can indicate to
consumers that their products meet the technical and quality standards we have set. In some cases our licensees sell
products that incorporate our technologies to other manufacturers who incorporate these products in cars, personal
computers or other products that are then sold to consumers.
For many types of consumer electronics products, our technologies are included in explicit industry standards,
meaning that industry standards-setting bodies have mandated the inclusion of these technologies in a particular type
of product. In addition, Dolby technologies are de facto industry standards in many consumer electronics products,
meaning that although not specifically mandated by an industry standards board, these technologies are nevertheless
widely adopted for a particular type of product. For example, virtually all audio/video receivers incorporate our
Dolby Digital Pro Logic decoding technologies.
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Our Strategy
Our objective is to be an essential element in the best entertainment technology. We intend to capitalize on our
innovative culture, our strong industry relationships, our global market presence and our strong brand to continue
developing and delivering innovative, enduring technologies for both professionals and consumers that help make
entertainment more realistic, intense and immersive in theatres, at home, in cars and elsewhere. Key elements of our
strategy include:
Expanding markets for surround sound
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Surround, Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus have created a consumer expectation for
surround sound in high-quality entertainment. We intend to continue to promote the expansion of markets for
surround sound. In addition to home theatre systems, we are promoting the continued adoption of our surround
sound technologies in video game consoles, personal audio and video players, personal computers, in-car
entertainment systems and other consumer electronics products. We also believe that the large and growing installed
base of surround sound systems offers attractive opportunities for content providers to deliver surround sound in
new applications, regardless of whether the content is played back from a recording, such as a DVD, broadcast by
television, satellite or cable, or streamed over the Internet. In particular, we intend to broaden our presence in the
broadcast industry, as this industry increasingly produces live and recorded programming in surround sound. As the
entertainment industry increasingly delivers content directly to consumers over broadband networks, we are working
with content providers to include surround sound technologies in their Internet entertainment, including audio-only
entertainment, movie downloads and on-line games. We are also considering the potential for Dolby technologies to
be included in mobile devices as they increasingly include entertainment functionality.
Continuing to address the needs of industry professionals
We believe that technology innovations for entertainment will likely continue to be adopted first for
professional use as filmmakers, music producers, broadcasters and video game designers look for ways to excite
their audiences. We intend to continue to collaborate with industry professionals at each link in the entertainment
chain to develop new technologies that facilitate and improve content recording, distribution and playback. Our
professional-level technology solutions often have applicability to the consumer arena. When they do, we intend to
continue to adapt these technologies for use in consumer applications. Our noise reduction, surround sound and
digital audio technologies were all initially developed for professional use and later adapted for use in consumer
electronics products. We believe that our success in developing technologies for professional use contributes greatly
to the capabilities and attractiveness of our technologies in the consumer arena and also to the strength of our brand.
We also believe that the use of our technologies by professionals in the creation and distribution of content creates
demand for the adoption of our technologies for use in consumer applications.
Developing system solutions for digital cinema
The cinema industry is in the early stages of adopting digital cinema, an all digital medium for the distribution
and exhibition of movies. Digital cinema offers the industry possible means to achieve substantial cost savings in
printing and distributing movies, to combat piracy and to enable movies to be played repeatedly without degradation
in image or sound quality. We are committed to this transition, and we believe that our experience and expertise in
providing technology solutions for both the motion picture and broadcast industries position us well to develop and
deliver sound and image technologies for digital cinema. Motion picture studios currently use our digital cinema
mastering services at our facilities in Southern California and the United Kingdom to prepare movies for digital
release, and filmmakers can review sound and image quality in our digital cinema screening rooms. In addition, our
engineers assist motion picture studios and cinema operators with distributing and presenting digital movies, from
site surveys and equipment installations to content loading and verification. Regardless of how quickly digital
cinema is adopted, we believe that digital cinema also provides opportunities for the development of innovations to
enhance the theatrical experience further, innovations that may also have applicability to broadcasting and the
consumer arena.
Developing technologies for the entertainment industry beyond sound
We believe that our long history of developing innovative technology solutions for the entertainment industry
and our well-established relationships with industry participants provide us with opportunities to deliver technology
solutions in areas beyond sound. In recent years we have expanded our business to offer technologies to facilitate
delivery of digital entertainment, including digital cinema technologies for processing digital moving images and
content protection. We intend to explore avenues to apply the technologies for digital cinema to the broadcast and
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consumer arenas, as we believe they have the potential to provide significant benefits beyond the motion picture
industry. In addition, we are exploring other areas where we may be able to develop and deliver technologies that
enrich the entertainment experience, including technologies for home networking, mobile devices and wireless
connectivity and technologies that facilitate ease of use of products and product features.
Continuing to promote adoption of our technologies in industry standards
We believe that the entertainment industry evolves toward an improved entertainment experience through the
adoption of global technical standards, and we intend to continue to actively seek to have our technologies adopted
in industry standards. We intend to continue to develop, maintain and strengthen our relationships with a broad
spectrum of entertainment industry participants, professional organizations and standards-setting bodies throughout
the world to help guide the development of new industry standards, as well as the direction of our own technologies
to meet those standards. When appropriate, we intend to continue to be active in standards-setting bodies. We also
intend to maintain our neutrality and not align ourselves exclusively with other industry participants in order to
facilitate the adoption of our technologies in industry standards.
Building on the strength of the Dolby brand
We intend to continue to enhance and build on the strength of the Dolby brand and our reputation as a trusted
provider of entertainment technologies for professional and consumer applications. We actively encourage our
customers to place our trademarks on their products in conjunction with the inclusion of our premier technologies
which we license separately. In particular, we provide marketing materials such as posters, trailers and plaques to
cinema operators for exhibition in their theatres to help them promote the quality of experience that is associated
with our brand. We also have been working with personal computer and car manufacturers to incorporate our
technologies in and display our trademark on their personal computers and in-car entertainment systems. The
inclusion of the Dolby trademark on a product informs audiences and consumers that the product incorporates our
technologies and meets our quality standards, and we believe this helps consumer electronics manufacturers sell
their products. We intend to continue to increase the use of our trademarks throughout the entertainment chain so
that entertainment industry professionals and consumers alike will know that we have helped ensure consistent
quality as content moves through the chain. We believe that the strength of our brand in the entertainment industry
also assists us in expanding our business to include technologies that are not solely related to sound. For example,
we believe that the likelihood of succeeding with our digital cinema initiative is increased because the Dolby brand
is already well known and well respected in the motion picture industry, as is our history of delivering innovative,
yet practical, solutions in response to technology challenges.
How We Derive Revenue
We conduct our business in two segments: selling professional products and related production services and
licensing our technologies to manufacturers of consumer electronics products and software developers.
In our products and production services segment, we design, manufacture and sell audio products for the
motion picture, broadcast, music and video game industries to improve sound quality, provide surround sound and
increase the efficiency of sound storage and distribution. The majority of our professional product revenue is derived
from sales of cinema processors, used by theatres to decode digital and analog film soundtracks that have been
encoded using Dolby SR or Dolby Digital technologies. Our sound engineers work alongside filmmakers, television
broadcasters, music producers and video game designers to help them use our products to create and reproduce the
sound they envision. Our sound engineers provide training, system design expertise and on-site technical expertise
to cinema operators to help them configure their theatres and sound equipment to ensure that movie soundtracks are
replayed with consistent high sound quality. We also collect fees for administering third-party “patent pools.” In
fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, our professional products and services revenue represented 27%, 27% and 25% of our
total revenue, respectively.
In our technology licensing segment, we license our technologies to manufacturers of DVD players, DVD
recorders, audio/video receivers, television sets, set-top boxes, video game consoles, personal audio and video
players, personal computers, in-car entertainment systems and other consumer electronics products, as well as to
developers of software for personal computer software DVD players. Our licensing arrangements typically entitle us
to receive a specified royalty for every product shipped by our licensees that incorporate our technologies. In fiscal
2003, 2004 and 2005 our licensing revenue represented 73%, 73% and 75% of our total revenue, respectively.
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Technology
Our core technologies are signal processing systems that improve basic sound quality or enable surround
sound in movie soundtracks, DVDs, video games, television, satellite and cable broadcasts, and audio and
videotapes. Many of our technologies are incorporated into professional audio products that we manufacture,
including cinema sound processors and digital audio encoders and decoders. These products are used worldwide in
recording and postproduction studios, broadcast facilities and theatres. We also license our technologies to
manufacturers of consumer electronics products for incorporation into their products, including DVD players,
audio/video receivers, television sets, set-top boxes, video game consoles, personal audio players, personal
computers, in-car entertainment systems and other consumer electronics products.
Film Sound
Dolby's film sound formats are de facto standards around the world, and are used on all major film releases.
Each and every movie carrying the Dolby logo benefits from Dolby's mastering support services, ensuring that the
director's sound will be reproduced faithfully in the cinema.
The following is a list of our film sound technologies:
• Dolby Digital - Features a digital optical soundtrack located between the sprocket holes on one side of
35 mm release prints. Dolby Digital provides 5.1 digital audio surround sound, delivering five separate
full range audio channels and a sixth channel for low-frequency effects. A Dolby Digital print also
carries a Dolby SR analog soundtrack to make the print compatible with any theatre that plays 35 mm
film, even if it does not have Dolby Digital decoding equipment.
• Dolby Digital Surround EX - Adds a third surround channel to the Dolby Digital format. The third
channel is reproduced by rear-wall surround speakers, while the left and right surround channels are
reproduced by speakers on the side walls.
• Dolby Stereo - Our original multi-channel analog optical soundtrack. Dolby Stereo prints have two
soundtracks encoded with four sound channels: left, center and right for speakers behind the screen,
and a fourth surround channel for ambient sound and special effects heard over speakers to the sides
and rear of the cinema. This format also uses Dolby noise reduction to improve the fidelity of the
optical track. The Dolby Stereo track was designed so that the print could be played in any theatre in
the world that plays 35 mm film, even if the theatre did not have our decoding equipment.
• Dolby SR - Enhancement to Dolby Stereo, utilizing Dolby SR signal processing instead of A-type
noise reduction. Dolby SR soundtracks feature a significantly improved dynamic range, and are found
today on almost all major 35 mm release prints.
Digital Audio Coding
We have developed digital audio coding technologies for use in a wide range of entertainment industries.
Based on research into the characteristics of human hearing, the sophisticated algorithms used in our digital audio
technologies make it possible to store or transmit digital audio using less data than would otherwise be necessary,
without noticeable loss of sound quality.
The following is a list of our digital audio coding technologies:
• Dolby AC-2 - Provides professional audio quality digital sound using less data and lower bandwidth,
reducing the data capacity required in applications such as satellite and terrestrial transmissions.
• Dolby Digital AC-3 - Used to provide surround sound in theatres from 35 mm film, and in the home
from DVDs, digital broadcast television, cable and satellite systems, and laser discs. Enables the
storage and transmission of up to five full-range audio channels, plus a low-frequency effects channel,
using less data bandwidth than is required for just one channel of music on a compact disc.
• MLP Lossless - A “lossless” coding system specified for DVD-Audio that compacts data with bit-for-
bit accuracy. MLP, or Meridian Lossless Packing, effectively doubles disc space without affecting the
quality of high-resolution PCM audio.
• Dolby E - A professional digital audio coding system developed to assist the conversion of two-
channel broadcast facilities to multi-channel audio.
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• Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) - A high-quality audio coding technology appropriate for many
broadcast and electronic music-distribution applications. Dolby Laboratories was one of the four
developers of this technology. Although we have developed versions of AAC technology that also
incorporate our proprietary technologies, we generally participate in the licensing of AAC technology
through patent pools comprised of groups of patents held by us and other companies and administered
by Via Licensing, one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. See “Technology Licensing Segment” for
further description of our patent pool licensing activities through Via Licensing.
• Dolby Digital Plus - Dolby Digital Plus is a new digital audio coding technology, built as an extension
to Dolby Digital technologies. With the addition of new coding techniques and an expanded bitstream
structure, Dolby Digital Plus offers greater efficiency for lower bitrates, as well as the option for more
channels and higher bitrates. Dolby Digital Plus can support a wide range of current and emerging
applications such as digital television, Internet delivered audio for interactive programs and high
definition video disc formats. Dolby Digital Plus is compatible with all existing Dolby Digital-
equipped audio/video receivers.
• Dolby TrueHD – Dolby TrueHD is a lossless audio delivery format that delivers bit-for-bit
performance upon playback identical to the original studio master tapes. Dolby TrueHD expands upon
core MLP Lossless technology, adding metadata capability as well as expanded bitrate and discrete
channel offerings. When applied to HD video content, the coding efficiencies of Dolby TrueHD
enable content providers to include a 100% lossless audio track on next generation optical media
without compromising, or sacrificing overall bit budget demands. Dolby TrueHD implementations can
also decode 5.1 channel DVD-Audio content, eliminating the need for a secondary audio decoder in
universal-style DVD players.
Analog Signal Processing Technologies
Our analog signal processing technologies, including our noise reduction technologies, improve the sound
quality of cassette tapes and film sound by reducing background noise and extending the overall dynamic range of
analog media.
Consumer Surround Sound
Our consumer surround sound technologies process analog or digital signals to create a multi-channel
surround sound experience through multiple speakers (generally positioned in the left, center, right, and right
surround and left surround). In addition, our technologies can create the effect of surround sound through as few as
two speakers.
Content Protection Technologies
We offer content protection technologies and services to the entertainment industry under the Cinea brand
name. These technologies include encryption technology and forensic watermarking to track pirated material back to
the source.
Products and Production Services Segment
Professional Products
We design and manufacture professional audio products for a broad array of entertainment industries,
including the motion picture, music, video game, home video, broadcast and live sound industries. Our professional
products, which are distributed in over 50 countries, are used in content creation, distribution and playback to
provide surround sound, improve sound quality and increase the efficiency of sound storage and distribution. We
manufacture our professional products in our two manufacturing facilities, located in Brisbane, California and
Wootton Bassett, England. We outsource the manufacturing of our secure DVD products offered by one of our
subsidiaries.
Content creators, distributors and broadcasters. Filmmakers, music producers, video game designers,
broadcasters and DVD producers use our professional products to produce and distribute entertainment
incorporating our sound technologies. We typically enter into service agreements with motion picture studios or
filmmakers in connection with the production of a particular film. Under these agreements, we provide our encoders
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to the studio for use during sound mixing, enabling them to create films with Dolby soundtracks using our
proprietary technologies. We sell products to the digital television, music, video game and home video industries.
Cinema Operators. Cinema operators use our professional products to play motion picture soundtracks that have
been produced using our sound technologies. In addition, we offer a suite of professional products which enables
cinemas to store and playback films released in an all digital format.
Professional Services
We offer a variety of production services to support the motion picture, broadcast, recording and video game
industries. Our sound engineers work alongside filmmakers, television broadcasters, music producers and video
game designers to help them use our products to create and reproduce the sound they envision. We enter into service
agreements with filmmakers on a film-by-film basis to provide them with sound production services related to the
preparation of a Dolby soundtrack, such as equipment calibration, mixing room alignment and equalization. Under
these service agreements, we also provide a Dolby encoder to the filmmaker for use during sound mixing. We
sometimes also provide additional services under these service agreements, for an additional charge, such as print
checking and theatre alignment for special screenings.
Our engineers can also provide training, system design expertise and on-site technical expertise to cinema
operators throughout the world to help them configure their theatres and sound equipment to ensure that movie
soundtracks are replayed with consistent high sound quality. In addition, our engineers can also check the calibration
of a theatre’s sound system for important screenings, such as premieres, film festivals and press screenings. Our
engineers can also help optimize a theatre’s on-screen image using specialized test equipment and expertise.
Technology Licensing Segment
We license our technologies to manufacturers of consumer electronics products. Generally, we utilize two
models in our licensing business—a two-tier model and an integrated model. We also license some of our patents as
well as patents owned by other entities through patent pools.
Two-Tier Licensing Model
Most of our licensing business consists of a two-tier licensing model whereby our technology algorithms,
embodied in C-language reference software code, are first provided under license to a semiconductor manufacturer
who incorporates our technologies in a semiconductor chip such as an integrated circuit, or IC. Our licensed
semiconductor manufacturers, which we refer to as “implementation licensees,” then sell their ICs to manufacturers
of consumer electronics products which also hold licenses to use our technologies and which we refer to as “system
licensees.” Our system licensees are separately licensed by us to make and sell end-user consumer electronics
products, such as cassette decks, DVD players, DVD recorders, audio/video receivers, television sets, set-top boxes,
video game consoles, personal audio and video players, personal computers and in-car entertainment systems, that
incorporate ICs purchased from our implementation licensees.
Our implementation licensees may use our reference software and other licensed know-how directly, building
and selling core technologies, such as ICs or software library modules. The implementation licensees pay us only a
modest, one-time, up-front administrative fee, typically between $10,000 and $20,000, per license. In exchange, the
licensee receives a licensing package, which includes certain information useful to build their implementation. Once
the licensee has built its implementation, it sends us a sample for quality-control certification. If we certify the
implementation, the licensee is permitted to sell the approved implementation to system licensees. We do not
receive any royalties from implementation licensees.
Our system licensees pay us an initial fee for the technologies they choose to license from us, typically
between $10,000 and $20,000. We deliver system licensees a licensing package that includes information useful in
utilizing our technologies in their products. Once a system licensee has built a prototype of a product that
incorporates our technologies, they send us a sample for quality-control certification. If certified, the licensee is
permitted to buy approved implementations from any implementation licensee and to sell approved products to
consumers. Unlike sales of ICs by implementation licensees, sales of consumer electronics products incorporating
our technologies by system licensees are royalty bearing, generally based upon the number of units shipped by the
system licensees that incorporate our technologies. We have licensing arrangements with approximately 500
electronics product manufacturers and software developer licensees located in nearly 30 countries, which typically
entitle us to receive a royalty for every product incorporating our technologies shipped by them.
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Integrated Licensing Model
In addition to our two-tier licensing model, we also license our technologies, again as embodied in C-language
reference software code, to independent software vendors, or ISVs. These ISVs act as combined implementation and
system licensees, and incorporate our technologies in software applications such as personal computer software
DVD players used in desktop or notebook computers. In these cases, the “implementation” and the “system” are one
and the same, typically a software program compiled directly from our reference code. As with the two-tier licensing
model, the ISV pays us an initial administrative fee, typically between $10,000 and $20,000. In exchange, the ISV
receives a licensing package, which includes information useful in order to incorporate our technologies into the
ISV’s software program. Once the ISV has built their software product, they send us a sample for quality-control
certification. If certified by us, the ISV is permitted to sell the certified product to consumers, subject to the payment
of royalties to us for each unit shipped.
Licensing of Patent Pools
Through our wholly owned subsidiary, Via Licensing, we administer the licensing of “patent pools” with
patents owned by other companies. Some of the patent pools include our patents. These patent pools allow product
manufacturers streamlined access to certain foundational technologies, including aspects of audio coding, video
coding, digital radio and wireless Ethernet technologies, among other technologies.
Industry Standards
We believe that the entertainment industry evolves toward an improved entertainment experience through the
adoption of global technological standards. Industry standards may be created through formal “negotiated” standards
processes, whereby governmental entities, industry standards bodies, trade associations and others evaluate and then
select technology standards, which are then prescribed or, in certain cases, required for use by industry companies.
We sometimes refer to these as “explicit” standards. In addition, industry standards may be created through a “de
facto” process, whereby a technology is introduced directly in the marketplace and becomes widely used by industry
participants. Certain of our technologies have been adopted as the explicit or de facto industry standards on both the
professional and consumer sides of our business. We actively participate in a broad spectrum of professional
organizations and industry standards boards worldwide that establish explicit industry standards.
Sales and Marketing
Professional Products and Production Services
We sell our professional products through sales channels dedicated to specific industries. For cinema products,
we sell to a combination of dealers, distributors and original equipment manufacturers, as well as directly to theatres
themselves. Larger theatre chains, such as AMC and Regal, have their own purchasing departments and buy our
products directly. Smaller chains and independents typically make their purchases through distributors. We also sell
our professional products through cinema projector manufacturers that also act as distributors for other cinema
equipment so that they can put together packages. Companies to whom we sell our equipment typically have
attended a training course in installation and alignment in order to ensure that our equipment is correctly installed
and aligned, thus assuring a high quality experience for the audience.
Our professional broadcast products are sold to companies specializing in broadcast equipment, as well as
some system integrators who design and equip complete broadcast installations. We also sell circuit boards
incorporating our broadcast technologies to other manufacturers to integrate into their own broadcast products. For
large purchases, we also sell directly to the end-user.
Marketing for both our cinema and broadcast products is largely done at industry trade shows such as the
Audio Engineering Society exhibitions, CineAsia, Cinema Expo, International Broadcasters Convention, National
Association of Broadcasters, ShowEast and ShoWest. We also advertise in trade magazines on a limited basis.
For production services, we deal directly with film production companies, which typically enter into service
contracts with us for a specific film. Under the terms of our licensing agreements, we provide the equipment
required to perform the mastering to the film production companies. Any additional services provided, usually in the
printing laboratory or in theatres, are then charged at our current engineering rates. We also provide digital cinema
content preparation services acting as a technical agent for our clients by following the content from start to finish
and providing compression mastering and distribution media preparation, distribution and verification services.
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Consumer Licensing
We sell and market our licensed technologies to a wide range of electronics product manufacturers through
our account management team. This team markets our technologies to potential licensees on a worldwide basis from
our headquarters in San Francisco and is supported by our liaison offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Shanghai
and Tokyo. We divide our sales and marketing efforts for our licensed technologies into different market segments:
automotive, broadcast, consumer electronics, personal computer and gaming. In the consumer electronics market,
we focus our sales and marketing efforts on manufacturers of consumer electronics products such as DVD players,
DVD recorders, home theatre systems, audio/video receivers, and personal audio and video players. In the broadcast
market, we market our technologies to makers of digital televisions and set-top boxes. In the automotive market, we
market our technologies directly to automotive manufacturers, as well as manufacturers of after-market in-car
entertainment systems. In the personal computer market, we focus our marketing efforts on software developers, but
also have begun to market our technologies directly to personal computer manufacturers. In the gaming market, we
have a dedicated team of marketers who focus their efforts on game developers and publishers to ensure that content
is encoded with our technology for playback on compatible game consoles.
Research and Development
For 40 years, we have concentrated research and development on audio signal processing technologies.
However, we have recently expanded our research and development efforts into other areas important for future
entertainment systems, including technologies for processing digital moving images and protecting content.
The research division conducts applied research in sound, image and related signal processing technologies.
By focusing on creation, proof of feasibility and early-stage prototyping of patentable new sound, image and related
technologies, the research division serves as a source of new technologies for the engineering and technology
development teams in the professional and consumer divisions. The research division also helps identify, investigate
and analyze new long-term opportunities, helps shape our technology strategy, and provides support for internally
developed and externally acquired technologies.
Engineering and technology development teams in the professional and consumer divisions take the
technologies developed by the research division and further implement such technologies in our professional
products and licensed applications. Engineers in our professional division design and develop software and hardware
products and systems that we manufacture and sell for professional applications. Engineers and technology
development teams in the consumer division primarily focus on the development of reference designs, typically
software, for the technology implementations that we license for consumer, and some professional, applications. In
addition, our professional and consumer divisions are also involved in the commercialization of technologies created
by third parties that may be of interest to us.
We conduct our research and development activities at a number of locations worldwide, including Burbank
and San Francisco, California, Richmond, Virginia, Yardley, Pennsylvania and Sydney, Australia. As of
September 30, 2005, we had approximately 169 employees involved in research and development. Our research and
development expenses were $18.3 million, $23.5 million and $30.5 million, in fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005,
respectively.
Manufacturing
Our professional product manufacturing process is a low-volume, material intense, low-labor business
operation, with core competencies of automation, quick set-ups, experienced personnel and product testing. Due to
the complex nature of most of our professional products as well as the low-volume nature, we believe that we can
best ensure quality for these products by keeping our manufacturing processes in-house and not outsourcing
assembly or testing procedures. We outsource the manufacturing of our secure DVD products because that product
can benefit from the efficiencies and manufacturing cost structure afforded by a specialized manufacturer.
We manufacture our professional products primarily in our two manufacturing facilities located in Brisbane,
California and Wootton Bassett, England. While both facilities manufacture our main cinema processors, the
Brisbane facility also manufactures most of the professional and broadcast products, while Wootton Bassett
manufactures lower volume and specialty cinema products. By having the same types of equipment, as well as
assembly and testing, in both locations, we are able to balance production output between locations to meet
customer demands
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Our manufacturing process is a circuit board assembly operation, meaning we do not manufacture circuit
boards nor do we fabricate metal products in-house as those activities are outsourced to multiple suppliers in the
United States and in Europe. Our product quality is ensured by a high level of automation to eliminate manual
assembly as much as possible and provide for an efficient and consistent manufacturing process. Automated
assembly capabilities include surface mount, through-hole and odd-form insertion. Our product testing includes in-
circuit testing of finished circuit boards, functional testing of all parameters in the engineering specifications, and
final testing to ensure that the product meets the published specifications.
We purchase components and fabricated parts from multiple suppliers in the United States and Europe. We
rely on sole source suppliers for some of the components that we use to manufacture our professional products,
including certain charged coupled devices, light emitting diodes and digital signal processors. We source
components and fabricated parts locally, but we also buy globally in order to ensure continued supply.
Customers
We have customers in a wide range of entertainment industries, on both the professional products and
production services side and the technology licensing side of our business. We sell our professional products either
directly to the end user customer or, more commonly, through dealers and distributors. Our professional products
and services end user customers include movie studios, cinema operators, film distributors, broadcasters, and video
game designers. Our licensees include manufacturers of home audio/video products, set-top boxes, personal audio
players, video game consoles, in-car entertainment systems and personal computer software DVD developers.
Competition
The markets for entertainment industry technologies, including motion picture, broadcasting, consumer
electronics, computer, gaming and internet technologies, are highly competitive, and we face competitive threats and
pricing pressure in all of these industries. Our competitors in our products and services business include, among
other companies, Avica, DTS, Doremi, EVS, GDC, Kodak, Microsoft, NEC, Panastereo, QuVis, Sony and
UltraStereo. On the technology licensing side of our business, our competitors include Coding Technologies, DTS,
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits, Microsoft, Philips, RealNetworks, Sony, SRS Labs and Thomson. Other
companies may become competitors in the future.
We are unable to quantify our market share in any particular market in which we operate. Our products and
services span the audio portions of several separate and diverse industries, including the motion picture,
broadcasting and video game industries. The lack of clear definition of the markets in which our products, services
and technologies are sold or licensed, the basic nature of our technologies, which can be used for a variety of
purposes, and the diverse nature of and lack of detailed reporting by our competitors makes it impracticable to
quantify our position.
Intellectual Property
We have a substantial base of intellectual property assets, including patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade
secrets such as know-how.
We have 928 individually issued patents and over 1,000 pending patent applications in nearly 35 jurisdictions
throughout the world. Our issued patents are scheduled to expire at various times through February 2025. Of these,
71 patents are scheduled to expire in calendar year 2006, 48 patents are scheduled to expire in calendar year 2007
and 19 patents are scheduled to expire in calendar 2008. We derive our licensing revenue principally from our Dolby
Digital technologies. Patents relating to our Dolby Digital technologies generally expire between 2008 and 2017,
and patents relating to our Dolby Digital Plus technologies, an extension of Dolby Digital, expire between 2019 and
2020. In addition, the last patents relating to Dolby Digital Live technologies, an extension of Dolby Digital, are
scheduled to expire in 2021. We pursue a general practice of filing patent applications for our technology in the
United States and various foreign countries where our customers manufacture, distribute, or sell licensed products.
We actively pursue new applications to expand our patent portfolio to address new technology innovations. We have
multiple patents covering unique aspects and improvements for many of our technologies.
We have over 800 trademark registrations throughout the world for a variety of word marks, logos and
slogans. Our marks cover our various products, technologies, improvements and features, as well as the services that
we provide. Our trademarks are an integral part of our licensing program and licensees typically elect to place our
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trademarks on their products to inform consumers that their products incorporate our technology and meet our
quality specifications. Our trademarks include the following:
Examples of our Word Trademarks
•
•
•
•
Dolby
Dolby Digital
Dolby Headphone
Dolby SR
Dolby Surround
EQ Assist
•
•
• MLP
•
Surround EX
Examples of our Logo Trademarks
We actively attempt to enforce our intellectual property rights both domestically and in foreign countries.
However, we have experienced problems in the past with consumer electronics product manufacturers, particularly
in China, failing to report or underreporting shipments of their products that incorporate our technologies, and we
expect to continue to experience such problems in the future. In addition, we have experienced similar problems in
other countries where intellectual property rights are not as respected as they are in the United States, Japan and
Europe.
In addition, we have relatively few or no issued patents in certain countries. For example, in China we have
only limited patent protection, especially with respect to our Dolby Digital technologies. In India, we have no issued
patents. Consequently, growing our licensing revenue in developing countries such as China and India will depend
on our ability to obtain patent rights in these counties, which is uncertain. Moreover, because of the limitations of
the legal systems in many countries, the effectiveness of patents obtained or that may in the future be obtained, if
any, is likewise uncertain.
Employees
As of September 30, 2005, we had 825 employees worldwide consisting of 169 employees in research and
development, 356 employees in sales, marketing and support, 118 employees in manufacturing and distribution, and
182 employees in general and administration. As of September 30, 2005, approximately 197 of our 825 employees
were working outside of the United States. None of our employees is subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
We believe that our employee relations are good.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
Our executive officers are appointed annually by our Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of the
Board. The names of our executive officers and their ages, titles, and biographies as of December 13, 2005 are set
forth below:
Executive Officers
Age
Position(s)
Ray Dolby
Bill Jasper
Mark Anderson
Steve Forshay
Marty Jaffe
72
58
47
51
52
Founder and Chairman of the Board
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Senior Vice President, Research
Executive Vice President, Business Affairs
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Tim Partridge
Ed Schummer
David Watts
Kevin Yeaman
43
56
53
39
Senior Vice President and General Manager, Professional Division
Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Division
Senior Vice President and Managing Director, United Kingdom Branch
Chief Financial Officer
Ray Dolby, founder and chairman of Dolby Laboratories, was born in Portland, Oregon and grew up on the San
Francisco peninsula. From 1949 through 1952 he worked on audio and instrumentation projects at Ampex
Corporation, where from 1952 through 1957, as a student, he was mainly responsible for the development of the
electronic aspects of the Ampex video tape recording system. He received his B.S. in electrical engineering from
Stanford University in 1957 and, as a Marshall Scholar, left Ampex to pursue further studies at Cambridge
University in England. He received a Ph.D. degree in physics from Cambridge in 1961.
In 1963, Dolby took up a two-year appointment as a United Nations technical advisor in India, then returned to
England in 1965 to found Dolby Laboratories in London. In 1976 he established further offices, laboratories and
manufacturing facilities in California. He holds more than 50 United States patents and has written papers on video
tape recording, long wavelength X-ray analysis and noise reduction.
Honors and Awards—Audio Engineering Society: Fellow and Past President; Silver Medal; Gold Medal.
British Kinematograph Sound and Television Society: Fellow; Science and Technology Award. Society of Motion
Picture and Television Engineers: Fellow; Samuel L. Warner Memorial Award; Alexander M. Poniatoff Gold
Medal; Progress Medal; Honorary Member. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: Science and
Engineering Award; “Oscar” Award. National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences: “Emmy” Award. National
Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences: “Grammy” Award. United States: National Medal of Technology. United
Kingdom: Honorary O.B.E.
Bill Jasper, our president and chief executive officer, joined Dolby Laboratories in February 1979 and has also
served as a director since June 2003. Mr. Jasper served in a variety of positions prior to becoming president in May
1983, including as our vice president, finance and administration and executive vice president. Mr. Jasper is a
member of the Audio Engineering Society and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers and an at-
large member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He serves as chairman of the board of directors
of FOCUS Enhancements and as a member of the board of trustees of Saint Mary’s College of California. Mr.
Jasper holds a B.S. degree in industrial engineering from Stanford University and a M.B.A. from the University of
California at Berkeley.
Mark Anderson has served as our vice president, general counsel since November 2003 and was also appointed
our corporate secretary in March 2004. Prior to joining us, Mr. Anderson was an associate and then a partner at the
law firm of Farella Braun & Martel LLP, from August 1989 to November 2003. Mr. Anderson is a certified public
accountant and holds a B.S. degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
and a J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law.
Steve Forshay has served as our senior vice president, research since November 2004. Previously, Mr. Forshay
served in a variety of other positions since joining us in 1982, including as our vice president, research and vice
president, engineering. Mr. Forshay is a member of the Audio Engineering Society, the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. Mr. Forshay holds a B.S.E.E.
degree in electrical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a M.B.A. from Saint Mary’s
College of California.
Marty Jaffe has served as our executive vice president, business affairs since October 2005. Previously, Mr.
Jaffe served as our executive vice president, business and finance between March 2004 and October 2005 and as our
vice president, business affairs since joining us in November 2000 to March 2004. Prior to joining us, Mr. Jaffe
served in a variety of positions at the Chronicle Publishing Company, a diversified media company, from June 1986
to October 2000, most recently as the vice president and chief financial officer. Mr. Jaffe is a certified public
accountant and holds an A.B. degree in political and social behavior from Occidental College, a J.D. from the
University of California Hastings College of Law and a M.B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley.
Tim Partridge has served as the senior vice president and general manager of our professional division since
March 2004. Previously, Mr. Partridge served in a variety of other positions since joining us in 1984, including as
the vice president and general manager of our professional division and vice president, marketing. Mr. Partridge
holds a bachelor’s of music and electronics honors degree from the Tonmeister program at the University of Surrey.
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Ed Schummer has served as the senior vice president and general manager of our consumer division since
October 2001. Previously, Mr. Schummer served in a variety of other positions since joining us in 1978, including
as the vice president and general manager of our consumer division, vice president, licensing and vice president,
marketing. Mr. Schummer is a member of the Audio Engineering Society and the Licensing Executive Society. Mr.
Schummer holds a B.S.E.E. degree in electrical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
David Watts has served as the vice president and managing director of our United Kingdom branch since
January 2000. Previously, Mr. Watts served in a variety of other positions since joining us in 1977, including as our
vice president, marketing. Mr. Watts holds a B.Sc. degree in mathematics from the University of Sussex.
Kevin Yeaman has served as our Chief Financial Officer since October 2005. Prior to joining us, Mr. Yeaman
worked for eight years at E.piphany, Inc., a publicly traded enterprise software company, most recently as Chief
Financial Officer from August 1999 to October 2005. Previously, Mr. Yeaman served as Worldwide Vice President
of Field Finance Operations for Informix Software, Inc., a provider of relational database software from February
1998 to August 1998. From September 1988 to February 1998, Mr. Yeaman served in Silicon Valley and London in
various positions at KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, an accounting firm, serving most recently as a senior manager. Mr.
Yeaman holds a BS degree in commerce from Santa Clara University.
Corporate and Available Information
We were founded in London, England in 1965 and incorporated as a New York corporation in 1967. We
reincorporated in California in 1976 and reincorporated in Delaware in September 2004. Our principal executive
offices are located at 100 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, California 94103, and our telephone number is (415) 558-
0200.
Our Internet address is www.dolby.com. There we make available, free of charge, our Annual Report on Form
10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports, as soon
as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our SEC reports
can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of our Internet website. The information found on our
Internet website is not part of this or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Because of the following factors, as well as other variables affecting our operating results and financial
condition, past performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not
be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods.
Our business and prospects depend on the strength of our brand, and if we do not maintain and strengthen
our brand, our business will be materially harmed.
Maintaining and strengthening the “Dolby” brand is critical to maintaining and expanding both our products
and services business and our technology licensing business, as well as to our ability to enter new markets for our
sound and other technologies. Our continued success is due, in part, to our reputation for providing high quality
products, services and technologies across a wide range of entertainment industries, including the consumer
electronics products industry. If we fail to promote and maintain the Dolby brand successfully on either the
professional products and production services or the licensing sides of our business, our business and prospects will
suffer. Moreover, we believe that the likelihood that our technologies will be adopted as industry standards in
various markets and for various applications depends, in part, upon the strength of our brand, because professional
organizations and industry participants are more likely to accept, as an industry standard, technologies developed by
a well-respected and well-known brand. Maintaining and strengthening our brand will depend heavily on our ability
to continue to develop innovative technologies for the entertainment industry and to continue to provide high quality
products and services, which we may not do successfully. Moreover, because we engage in relatively little direct
brand advertising, the promotion of our brand depends upon entertainment industry participants displaying our
trademarks on their products that incorporate our technologies, such as film prints and consumer electronics
products. Although we do not require our customers to place our brand on their products, we actively encourage
them to do so. For example, we rely on consumer electronics product manufacturers that license our technologies to
display our trademarks on their products in order to promote our brand. If our customers choose for any reason not
to display our trademarks on their products, our ability to maintain or increase our brand awareness may be harmed,
which would have an adverse effect on our business and prospects. In addition, if we fail to maintain high quality
standards for our professional products, or if we fail to maintain high quality standards for the products that
incorporate our technologies through the quality-control certification process that we require of our licensees, the
strength of our brand could be adversely affected.
We are dependent on the sale by our licensees of products that incorporate our technologies, and a reduction
in those sales would adversely affect our licensing revenue.
We derive most of our revenue from the licensing of our technologies to consumer electronics product
manufacturers. We derived 73%, 73% and 75% of our total revenue from our technology licensing business in fiscal
2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. We do not manufacture consumer electronics products ourselves and our
licensing revenue is dependent on sales by our licensees of products that incorporate our technologies. We cannot
control these manufacturers’ product development or commercialization efforts or predict their success. In addition,
our license agreements, which typically require manufacturers of consumer electronics products and software
developers to pay us a specified royalty for every electronics product shipped that incorporates our technologies, do
not require these manufacturers to include our technologies in any specific number or percentage of units, and only a
few of these agreements guarantee us a minimum aggregate licensing fee. Accordingly, if our licensees sell fewer
products incorporating our technologies, or otherwise face significant economic difficulties, our revenue will
decline. Some manufacturers have begun to reduce the complexity of their low-end DVD players, thereby
decreasing the number of processors on which we earn licensing revenue in each player. Moreover, we have a
widespread presence in certain markets for electronics products, such as the consumer electronics product market,
which includes DVD players, audio/video receivers and other home theatre consumer electronics products, and, as a
result, there is little room for us to further penetrate such markets. Lower sales of products incorporating our
technologies could occur for a number of reasons. Changes in consumer tastes or trends, or changes in industry
standards, may adversely affect our licensing revenue. Demand for new products incorporating our technologies
could also be adversely affected by increasing market saturation, durability of products in the marketplace,
competing products and alternate consumer entertainment options. In addition, our licensees, for whatever reason,
may not choose to or may not be able to incorporate our technologies into their products in the future.
We do not expect sales of DVD players to continue to sustain their past growth rates. To the extent that sales
of DVD players and home theatre systems level off or decline, or alternative technologies in which we do not
participate replace DVDs as a dominant medium for consumer video entertainment, our licensing revenue
will be adversely affected.
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Growth in our revenue over the past several years has been the result, in large part, of the rapid growth in sales
of DVD players and home theatre systems incorporating our technologies. However, as the markets for DVD
players mature, we do not expect sales of DVD players to sustain their past growth rates, and we have already begun
to see a slowdown in the growth of traditional consumer DVD player sales reported by licensees. Deceleration of
growth is due to a slowdown in the growth of sales of traditional consumer DVD players reported by licensees.
Also, the industry has experienced a movement by discount retailers towards lower-end Chinese-made DVD
players, which we believe will pose challenges in royalty collection and intellectual property enforcement in China.
Additionally, some manufacturers are reducing the complexity of their low-end DVD players thereby decreasing the
number of processors on which we earn licensing revenue. To the extent that sales of DVD players and home
theatre systems continue to level off or decline, our licensing revenue will be adversely affected. Additionally, the
adoption of recordable DVD players has been slower than anticipated and the market introduction of next generation
DVD players has been delayed. At the present time, it is not clear that next generation high definition disk formats
will become available as anticipated. There are currently two potential, incompatible formats proposed, and
consumers might not react favorably to having to make a choice. A delay in the release and consumer adoption of
the next generation disk format, as well as the continued current pace of adoption of recordable DVD players, could
adversely affect our licensing revenue. In addition, if new technologies are developed for use with DVDs or new
technologies are developed that substantially compete with or replace DVDs as a dominant medium for consumer
video entertainment, and if we are unable to develop and successfully market technologies that are incorporated into
or compatible with such new technologies, our business, operating results and prospects will be adversely affected.
We face risks with respect to conducting business in China due to China’s historically limited recognition and
enforcement of intellectual property and contractual rights.
We expect consumer electronics product manufacturing in China to continue to increase due to the lower
manufacturing cost structure there as compared to other industrial countries. We also expect that our sales of
professional products and production services in China will expand in the future to the extent that the use of digital
surround sound technologies increases in China, including in movies, broadcast television and video games. We
further expect that the sale of products incorporating our technologies will increase in China to the extent that
Chinese consumers become more affluent. However, we face many risks in China, in large part due to China’s
historically limited recognition and enforcement of contractual and intellectual property rights. The consumer
electronics industry has experienced a movement by discount retailers towards lower-end Chinese-made DVD
players, posing challenges for us in royalty collection and intellectual property enforcement in China. In particular,
we have many times experienced, and expect to continue to experience, problems with Chinese consumer
electronics product manufacturers failing to report or underreporting shipments of their products that incorporate our
technologies or incorporating our technologies and trademarks into their products without our authorization and
without paying us any licensing fees, which adversely affects our operating results. We may also experience
difficulties in enforcing our intellectual property rights in China, where intellectual property rights are not as
respected as they are in the United States, Japan and Europe. In addition, we have only limited patent protection in
China, especially with respect to our Dolby Digital technologies, which may make it more difficult for us to enforce
our intellectual property rights in China. We believe that it is critical that we strengthen existing relationships and
develop new relationships with entertainment industry participants in China to increase our ability to enforce our
intellectual property and contractual rights in China without relying solely on the Chinese legal system. If we are
unable to develop, maintain and strengthen these relationships, our revenue from China could be adversely affected.
However, developing, maintaining and strengthening relationships in China is especially difficult because of the
multiple Chinese cultures and resulting fragmented nature of the Chinese economy. As a result, we must develop,
maintain and strengthen relationships at each step of the entertainment chain in many different regions of China in
order to successfully enforce our intellectual property and contractual rights in China.
If we fail to develop and deliver innovative technologies in response to changes in the entertainment industry,
our business could decline.
The markets for our professional products and the markets for consumer electronics products using our licensed
technologies are characterized by rapid change and technological evolution. We will need to expend considerable
resources on research and development in the future in order to continue to design and deliver enduring, innovative
entertainment products and technologies. Despite our efforts, we may not be able to develop and effectively market
new products, technologies and services that adequately or competitively address the needs of the changing
marketplace. In addition, we may not correctly identify new or changing market trends at an early enough stage to
capitalize on market opportunities. At times such changes can be dramatic, such as the shift from VHS tapes to
DVDs for consumer playback of movies in homes and elsewhere. Our future success depends to a great extent on
our ability to develop and deliver innovative technologies that are widely adopted in response to changes in the
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entertainment industry and that are compatible with the technologies or products introduced by other entertainment
industry participants.
If our products and technologies fail to be adopted as in industry standards, our business prospects could be
limited and our operating results could be adversely affected.
The entertainment industry depends upon industry standards to ensure the compatibility of its content across a
wide variety of entertainment systems and products. Accordingly, we make significant efforts to design our products
and technologies to address capabilities, quality and cost considerations so that they either meet, or, more
importantly, are adopted as, industry standards across the broad range of entertainment industry markets in which
we participate, as well as the markets in which we hope to compete in the future, including digital cinema. To have
our products and technologies adopted as industry standards, we must convince a broad spectrum of professional
organizations throughout the world, as well as our major customers and licensees who are members of such
organizations, to adopt them as such and to ensure that other industry standards are consistent with our products and
technologies. If our technologies are not adopted or do not remain as industry standards, our business, operating
results and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. We expect that meeting, maintaining and
establishing industry standard technologies will continue to be critical to our business in the future. In addition, the
market for broadcast technologies has traditionally been heavily based upon industry standards, often set by
governments or other regulatory bodies, and we expect this to continue to be the case in the future. If our
technologies are not chosen as industry standards for broadcasting in particular geographic areas, this could
adversely affect our ability to compete in these markets.
It may be more difficult for us, in the future, to have our technologies adopted as individual industry
standards to the extent that entertainment industry participants collaborate on the development of industry
standard technologies.
Increasingly, standards-setting organizations are adopting or establishing technology standards for use in a
wide-range of consumer electronics products. As a result, it is more difficult for individual companies to have their
technologies adopted wholesale as an informal industry standard. We call this type of standard a “de facto” industry
standard, meaning that the standard is not explicitly mandated by any industry standards-setting body but is
nonetheless widely adopted. In addition, increasingly there are a large number of companies, including ones that
typically compete against one another, involved in the development of new technologies for use in consumer
entertainment products. As a result, these companies often license their collective intellectual property rights as a
group, making it more difficult for any single company to have its technologies adopted widely as a de facto
industry standard or to have its technologies adopted as an exclusive, explicit industry standard for consumer
electronics products.
Even if our technologies are adopted as an industry standard for a particular market, market participants
may not widely adopt our technologies.
Even when our technologies are mandated for a particular market by a standards-setting body, which we call an
“explicit” industry standard, our technologies may not be the sole technologies adopted for that market as an
industry standard. Accordingly, our operating results depend upon participants in that market choosing to adopt our
technologies instead of competitive technologies that also may be acceptable under such standard. For example, the
continued growth of our revenue from the broadcast market will depend upon both the continued adoption of digital
television generally and the choice to use our technologies where it is an optional industry standard.
Our relationships with entertainment industry participants are particularly important to our professional
products and production services and our technology licensing businesses, and if we fail to maintain such
relationships our business could be materially harmed.
If we fail to maintain and expand our relationships with a broad range of participants throughout the
entertainment chain, including motion picture studios, broadcasters, video game designers, music producers and
manufacturers of consumer electronics products, our business and prospects could be materially harmed.
Relationships have historically played an important role in the entertainment industries that we serve, both on the
professional and consumer sides of our business. For example, our products and services business is particularly
dependent upon our relationships with the major motion picture studios and broadcasters, and our technology
licensing business
is particularly dependent upon our relationships with consumer electronics product
manufacturers, software developers and integrated circuit, or IC, manufacturers. If we fail to maintain and
strengthen these relationships, these entertainment industry participants may be more likely not to purchase and use
our products, services and technologies, or create content incorporating our technologies, which could materially
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harm our business and prospects. In addition to directly providing substantially all of our revenue, these
relationships are also critical to our ability to have our technologies adopted as industry standards. Moreover, if we
fail to maintain our relationships, or if we are not able to develop relationships in new markets in which we intend to
compete in the future, including markets for new technologies and expanding geographic markets such as China and
India, our business, operating results and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, if major
industry participants form strategic relationships that exclude us, whether on the professional products and
production services side or the licensing side of our business, our business and prospects could be materially
adversely affected.
Our operating results may fluctuate depending upon when we receive royalty reports from our licensees.
Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate depending upon when we receive royalty reports from our
licensees. We recognize license revenue only after we receive royalty reports from our licensees regarding the
shipment of their products that incorporate our technologies. As a result, the timing of our revenue is dependent
upon the timing of our receipt of those reports. In addition, it is not uncommon for royalty reports to include positive
or negative corrective or retroactive royalties that cover extended periods of time. Furthermore, there have been
times in the past when we have recognized an unusually large amount of licensing revenue from a licensee in a
given quarter because not all of our revenue recognition criteria were met in prior periods. This can result in a large
amount of licensing revenue from a licensee being recorded in a given quarter that is not necessarily indicative of
the amounts of licensing revenue to be received from that licensee in future quarters, thus causing fluctuations in our
operating results.
Third parties from whom we license technologies may challenge our calculation of the royalties we owe them
for inclusion of their technologies in our products and licensed technologies, which could adversely affect our
operating results, business and prospects.
In some cases, primarily in connection with the licensing of our Dolby Digital technologies, the products we
sell and the technologies we license to our customers include intellectual property that we have licensed from third
parties. Our agreements with these third parties generally require us to pay them royalties for that use, and give the
third parties the right to audit our calculation of those royalties. As a result of such an audit, a third party could
challenge the accuracy of our calculation. A successful challenge could increase the amount of royalties we have to
pay to the third party, decrease our gross margin and adversely affect our operating results. Such a challenge could
also impair our ability to continue to use and re-license intellectual property from that third party, which could
adversely affect our business and prospects.
We rely on our licensees to accurately prepare royalty reports in determining our licensing revenue, and if
these reports are inaccurate, our operating results could be materially adversely affected.
Our licensing revenue is generated primarily from consumer electronics product manufacturers and software
developers who license our technologies and incorporate them in their products. Under our existing arrangements,
these licensees typically pay us a specified royalty for every product they ship that incorporates our technologies.
We rely on our licensees to accurately report the number of units shipped that incorporate our technologies. We
calculate our license fees, prepare our financial reports, projections and budgets, and direct our sales and product
development efforts based on these reports we receive from our licensees. However, it is often difficult for us to
independently determine whether or not our licensees are reporting shipments accurately. This is especially true with
respect to software incorporating our technologies because software can be copied relatively easily and we
oftentimes do not have easy ways to determine how many copies have been made. Most of our license agreements
permit us to audit our licensees’ records, but audits are generally expensive and time consuming and initiating audits
could harm our customer relationships. To the extent that our licensees understate or fail to report the number of
products incorporating our technologies that they ship, we will not collect and recognize revenue to which we are
entitled, which would adversely affect our operating results. Conversely, to the extent that our licensees overstate
the number of products incorporating our technologies, or report the products under the wrong categories, negative
corrections could result in reductions of royalty revenue in subsequent periods. In addition, some of our licensees
may begin to more closely scrutinize their past or future licensing statements which may result in an increased
receipt of negative corrective statements.
Our licensing revenue depends in large part upon semiconductor manufacturers incorporating our
technologies into integrated circuits, or ICs, for sale to our electronics product licensees and if, for any
reason, our technologies are not incorporated in these ICs or fewer ICs are sold that incorporate our
technologies, our operating results would be adversely affected.
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Our licensing revenue from consumer electronics product manufacturers depends in large part upon the
availability of integrated circuits, or ICs, that implement our technologies. IC manufacturers incorporate our
technologies into these ICs, which are then incorporated in consumer electronics products. We do not manufacture
these ICs, but rather depend on IC manufacturers to develop, produce and then sell them to licensed consumer
electronics product manufacturers. We do not control the IC manufacturers’ decision whether or not to incorporate
our technologies into their ICs, and we do not control their product development or commercialization efforts nor
predict their success. As a result, if these IC manufacturers are unable or unwilling, for any reason, to implement our
technologies into their ICs, or if, for any reason, they sell fewer ICs incorporating our technologies, our operating
results will be adversely affected.
Our future success depends, in part, upon the growth of new and existing markets for surround sound
technologies and our ability to develop and adapt our technologies for those markets. If such markets fail to
grow or we are unable to develop successful products for them, our business prospects could be limited.
We expect that the future growth of our licensing revenue will depend, in part, upon the growth of, and our
successful participation in, new opportunities for surround sound technologies, including:
• Digital television and radio broadcasting;
• HDTV;
• Personal computer technology;
• Video game consoles and video games;
• Home DVD recording;
•
In-car entertainment systems;
• DVD-Audio;
• Personal audio and video players, including Internet music applications; and
• Broadband Internet.
• Mobile devices
The development of these markets depends on increased consumer demand for surround sound products, which
may not occur. Any failure of such markets to develop or consumer demand to grow would have a material adverse
effect on our business and prospects. For example, in an effort to offer lower cost business PCs, PC manufacturers
may exclude software DVD players in their business-oriented offerings, which may result in lowered demand for
our surround sound technology. In another example, only a small number of automobile manufacturers currently
offer in-car entertainment systems incorporating our surround sound technologies, and most of those that do limit
those systems only to certain models. Additional manufacturers may not offer surround sound entertainment
systems, and, even if they do, the car models on which surround sound may be offered are likely to be, at least
initially, limited to the high end of these manufacturers’ lines. Whether our revenue from digital broadcast networks
and broadband Internet services increases depends upon the expansion of digital broadcast technologies and
broadband Internet as a medium of entertainment, which may not occur. In addition, even when our technologies are
adopted as industry standards for a particular market, such market may not be fully developed. In such case, our
success depends not only on whether our technologies are adopted as industry standards for such market, but also on
the development of that market, which may not occur. Demand for our technologies in any of these developing
markets may not continue to grow, and a sufficiently broad base of consumers and professionals may not adopt or
continue to use these technologies. In addition, our ability to generate revenue from these markets may be limited to
the extent that service providers in these markets choose to provide certain technologies and entertainment for little
or no cost, such as many of the services provided in connection with broadband Internet services. Moreover, some of
these markets are ones in which we have not previously participated and, because of our limited experience, we may
not be able to adequately adapt our business and our technologies to the needs of customers in these fields.
If we do not identify opportunities and successfully execute our initiatives to participate in the emerging
digital cinema market, our future prospects could be limited and our business could be adversely affected.
The cinema industry is in the early stages of the adoption of digital cinema for the distribution and exhibition of
movies. Industry participants are discussing various business models to facilitate adoption of digital cinema by
allocating the costs among industry participants, but no arrangements have yet emerged as definitive business
models that will result in significant installations of digital cinema systems. If we do not identify, and successfully
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execute on, the business models that result in generating revenues from our digital cinema products and services, our
future prospects in this market will be limited and our business could be adversely affected. Participating in some of
the models under discussion may require us to depart from our traditional model of selling our professional products
pursuant to one-time contracts, and could expose us to various risks we have not faced in the past. If we are not
able to appropriately manage these risks our margins for product sales and services may decline.
If the market for digital cinema does not develop, our future prospects could be limited and our business
could be adversely affected.
The conversion of movie theatres from film to digital cinema will require significant expenditures, and we
cannot predict how quickly digital cinema will become widely adopted, if at all. There are at present only a very
limited number of movie theatres that have been converted to digital cinema and we expect that the conversion of
theatres to digital cinema technologies, if it occurs, will be a long-term process due to both technological and
financial obstacles. Depending on the business models that emerge, digital cinema may require a significant
investment per screen by cinema operators. If the market for digital cinema fails to develop, or develops more
slowly than expected, or if there is significant and sustained resistance by the motion picture industry or cinema
operators to this technology or the cost of implementation, we may not realize significant returns on our investment
in this area, which could adversely affect our operating results. In addition, because the conversion from film-based
to digital cinema is in the early stages, it is impossible to predict accurately how the roles and allocation of costs
among various industry participants may develop, if or how quickly digital cinema will be adopted and what, if any,
industry standards may be adopted. In addition, it is possible that if a large number of cinema owners decide to
convert their theatres to digital cinema over a relatively short period of time and our products are selected for these
conversions, we may see an initial increase in professional product sales that will not likely be sustained over time.
If our products and services in the market for digital cinema are not competitive, our future prospects could
be limited and our business could be adversely affected.
Even if the market for digital cinema develops, we may not be successful in selling our products, technologies
and services in this market, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. Our effort
with respect to digital cinema is one of the areas where we are expanding our business beyond sound technology. As
a result, our relative lack of experience in this area may harm our ability to compete successfully. A number of
competitors and potential competitors, including Avica, Doremi, EVS, GDC, Kodak, NEC, QuVis and Sony, are
developing similar or alternative solutions for digital cinema, some of which may provide cost or technological
advantages over our products, technologies and services. In addition, our products, technologies and services may
not be compatible with the products and technologies developed by other companies for digital cinema. Moreover, it
is possible that we will be selling components or technologies that will be incorporated into products sold by other
companies, which would be a departure from our traditional business of manufacturing our own professional
products and could limit our ability to control the distribution and use of our professional products. In addition, we
are building components of the digital cinema delivery solution that are not solely related to sound and we do not
have a long track record of providing these types of products, which may adversely affect our ability to compete in
the digital cinema market. Our competitors may develop entire system solutions for digital cinema, which could
make the technologies that we develop for incorporation in digital cinema systems unnecessary. In addition, we
expect that our digital cinema products, technologies and services may not be priced as low as those of our
competitors, which may make it more difficult for us to compete or have our products and technologies become
widely adopted.
If our digital cinema initiatives do not perform to expectations, our reputation may suffer and demand for
our digital cinema products and services may not develop.
As we participate in digital cinema initiatives, if we or our equipment does not perform to expectations, our
relationships with cinema industry participants may be adversely affected and our reputation may suffer, affecting
the demand for our digital cinema products and services. Any negative publicity or negative impact relating to
problems with our digital cinema initiatives could adversely affect the perception of our brand. Additionally, our
current digital cinema products need to be upgraded to meet recommendations issued by the major studios for digital
cinema. If we are unable successfully to engineer our products to meet these specifications, our ability to participate
in the digital cinema market will be adversely affected.
If the sale of consumer electronics products incorporating our technologies does not grow in emerging
markets, our ability to increase our licensing revenue may be limited.
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We also expect that growth in our licensing revenue will depend, in part, upon the growth of sales of consumer
electronics products incorporating our technologies in other countries, including China and India, as consumers in
these markets have more disposable income and are increasingly purchasing entertainment products with surround
sound capabilities. However, if our licensing revenue from the use of our technologies in these new markets or
geographic areas does not expand, our prospects could be adversely affected.
We face significant competition in various markets, and if we are unable to compete successfully, our business
will suffer.
The markets for entertainment industry technologies are highly competitive, and we face competitive threats
and pricing pressure in our markets. Competitors on the professional side of our business include Avica, DTS,
Doremi, EVS, GDC, Kodak, Microsoft, NEC, Panastereo, QuVis, Sony and UltraStereo. Competitors on the
consumer side of our business include Coding Technologies, DTS, Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits,
Philips, Microsoft, RealNetworks, Sony, SRS Labs and Thomson. In addition, other companies may become
competitors in the future. The quality of sound produced by some of our competitors’ technologies may be
perceived by some people as equivalent or superior to that produced by ours. In addition, some of our current and/or
future competitors may have significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do, or
may have more experience or advantages in the markets in which they compete. For example, Microsoft and
RealNetworks may have an advantage over us in the market for Internet technologies because of their greater
experience and presence in that market. In addition, some of our current or potential competitors, such as Microsoft
and RealNetworks, may be able to offer integrated system solutions in certain markets for sound or non-sound
entertainment technologies, including audio, video and rights management technologies related to personal
computers or the Internet, which could make competing technologies that we develop unnecessary. By offering an
integrated system solution, these potential competitors also may be able to offer competing technologies at lower
prices than our technologies, which could adversely affect our operating results. Further, many of the consumer
electronics products that include our sound technologies also include sound technologies developed by our
competitors. As a result, we must continue to invest significant resources in research and development in order to
enhance our technologies and our existing products and services and introduce new high-quality products and
services to meet the wide variety of such competitive pressures. Our business will suffer if we fail to do so
successfully.
Some of our customers are also our current or potential competitors, and if those customers were to choose to
use their competing technologies rather than ours, our business and operating results would be adversely
affected.
We face competitive risks in situations where our customers are also current or potential competitors. For
example, Sony is a significant licensee customer and is a significant purchaser of our professional products and
production services, but Sony is also a competitor with respect to certain of our professional and consumer
technologies. Sony’s acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which is also a significant purchaser of our professional
products and production services, is expected to increase this potential competitive risk. In addition, Universal, a
purchaser of our professional products and production services, has held an interest in DTS, one of our competitors.
To the extent that our customers choose to utilize competing technologies they have developed or in which they
have an interest, rather than use our technologies, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.
Pricing pressures on the electronics product manufacturers who incorporate our technologies into their
products could limit the licensing fees we charge for our technologies, which could adversely affect our
revenues.
The markets for the consumer electronics products in which our technologies are incorporated are intensely
competitive and price sensitive. Retail prices for consumer electronics products that include our sound technology,
such as DVD players and home theatre systems, have decreased significantly, and we expect prices to continue to
decrease for the foreseeable future. In response, manufacturers have sought to reduce their product costs, which can
result in downward pressure on the licensing fees we charge our customers who incorporate our technologies into
the consumer electronics products that they sell. A decline in the licensing fees we charge could materially and
adversely affect our operating results.
Surround sound technologies could be treated as a commodity in the future, which could adversely affect our
business, operating results and prospects.
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We believe that the success we have had licensing our surround sound technologies to consumer electronics
product manufacturers is due, in part, to the strength of our brand and the perception that our technologies provide a
high-quality solution for surround sound. However, as applications that incorporate surround sound technologies
become increasingly prevalent, we expect more competitors to enter this field with other solutions. Furthermore, to
the extent that competitors’ solutions are perceived, accurately or not, to provide the same advantages as our
technologies, at a lower or comparable price, there is a risk that sound encoding technologies such as ours will be
treated as commodities, resulting in loss of status of our technologies, decline in their use, and significant pricing
pressure. To the extent that our audio technologies become a commodity, rather than a premium solution, our
business, operating results and prospects could be adversely affected.
We have limited or no patent protection for our technologies in certain developing countries such as China
and India, which could limit our ability to grow our business in these markets.
We have relatively few or no issued patents in certain countries, including China and India. For example, in
China we have only limited patent protection, especially with respect to our Dolby Digital technologies. In India, we
have no issued patents. As such, growing our licensing revenue in developing countries such as China and India
will depend on our ability to obtain patent rights in these counties for existing and new technologies, which is
uncertain. Moreover, because of the limitations of the legal systems in many of these countries, the effectiveness of
patents obtained or that may in the future be obtained, if any, is likewise uncertain.
We face diverse risks in our international business, which could adversely affect our operating results.
We are dependent on international sales for a substantial amount of our total revenue. For fiscal 2003, 2004 and
2005, our sales outside the United States were 60%, 59% and 61%, respectively, of our professional products and
production services revenue, and royalties from licensees outside the United States were 80%, 80% and 76%,
respectively, of our licensing revenue. We expect that international and export sales will continue to represent a
substantial portion of our revenue for the foreseeable future. This future revenue will depend to a large extent on the
continued use and expansion of our technologies in entertainment industries worldwide. Increased worldwide use of
our technologies is also an important factor in our future growth.
Due to our reliance on sales to customers outside the United States, we are subject to the risks of conducting
business internationally, including:
• Our ability to enforce our contractual and intellectual property rights, especially in those foreign countries
that do not respect and protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the United States, Japan
and European countries, which increases the risk of unauthorized, and uncompensated, use of our
technology;
• United States and foreign government trade restrictions, including those which may impose restrictions on
importation of programming, technology or components to or from the United States;
• Foreign government taxes, regulations and permit requirements, including foreign taxes that we may not be
able to offset against taxes imposed upon us in the United States, and foreign tax and other laws limiting
our ability to repatriate funds to the United States;
• Foreign labor laws, regulations and restrictions;
• Changes in diplomatic and trade relationships;
• Difficulty in staffing and managing foreign operations;
• Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, including risks related to any interest rate
swap or other hedging activities we undertake;
• Political instability, natural disasters, war or events of terrorism; and
• The strength of international economies.
The licensing of patents constitutes a significant source of our revenue. If we are unable to replace expiring
patents with new patents or proprietary technologies, our revenue could decline.
We hold patents covering much of the technology that we license to consumer electronics product
manufacturers, and our licensing revenue is tied in large part to the life of those patents. Our right to receive
24
royalties related to our patents terminates with the expiration of the last patent covering the relevant technologies.
However, many of our licensees choose to continue to pay royalties for continued use of our trademarks and know-
how even after the licensed patents have expired, although at a reduced royalty rate. Accordingly, to the extent that
we do not continue to replace licensing revenue from technologies covered by expiring patents with licensing
revenue based on new patents and proprietary technologies, our revenue could decline.
We have 928 individual issued patents and over 1,000 pending patent applications in nearly 35 jurisdictions
throughout the world. Our issued patents are scheduled to expire at various times through February 2025. Of these,
71 patents are scheduled to expire in calendar year 2006, 48 patents are scheduled to expire in calendar year 2007
and 19 patents are scheduled to expire in calendar 2008. We derive our licensing revenue principally from our Dolby
Digital technologies. Patents relating to our Dolby Digital technologies generally expire between 2008 and 2017,
and patents relating to our Dolby Digital Plus technologies, an extension of Dolby Digital, expire between 2019 and
2020. In addition, the remaining patents relating to Dolby Digital Live technologies, an extension of Dolby Digital,
are scheduled to expire in 2021.
We are, and may in the future be, subject to intellectual property rights claims, which are costly to defend,
could require us to pay damages and could limit our ability to use certain technologies in the future.
Companies in the technology and entertainment industries 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. We have faced such claims in the past and we expect to face similar claims
in the future. For example, Lucent has asserted that we infringe certain patents held by them, prompting us to file a
complaint for declaratory judgment of non-infringement and/or invalidity of such Lucent patents. These patents
generally involve a process and means for encoding and decoding audio signals. Lucent contended that products
incorporating our AC-3 technology infringe those patents. The U.S. District Court of Northern District of California
recently granted our motions for summary judgment that we have not infringed the Lucent patents at issue and have
not contributed to or induced infringement by others. In light of the court’s finding of non-infringement, it
dismissed our claims that the Lucent patents are invalid. Lucent appealed the court’s ruling granting summary
judgment of non-infringement to the United States Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. An adverse ruling for us on
appeal and a subsequent determination against us in the Lucent litigation could materially impact our technology
licensing business, which may seriously harm our financial condition and results of operations.
Any intellectual property claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming, expensive to litigate or settle
and could divert management resources and attention. In the past we have settled claims relating to infringement
allegations and agreed to make payments in connection with such settlements. We expect that similar claims will be
asserted against us in the future in the ordinary course of our business. For example, we have very recently received
notice that an action had been filed against us alleging that our Dolby Virtual Speaker technology infringes certain
U.S. patents held by Cooper Bauck Corp. An adverse determination in any such intellectual property claim could
require that we pay damages or stop using technologies found to be in violation of a third party's rights and could
prevent us from offering our products and services to others. In order to avoid these restrictions, we may have to
seek a license for the technology. This license may not be available on reasonable terms, could require us to pay
significant royalties and may significantly increase our operating expenses. The technologies also may not be
available for license to us at all. As a result, we may be required to develop alternative non-infringing technologies,
which could require significant effort and expense. If we cannot license or develop technologies for any infringing
aspects of our business, we may be forced to limit our product and service offerings and may be unable to compete
effectively. In addition, at times in the past, we have chosen to defend our licensees from third-party intellectual
property infringement claims even where such defense was not contractually required, and we may choose to take
on such defense in the future. Any of these results could harm our brand, our operating results and our financial
condition. In addition, from time to time we are engaged in disputes regarding the licensing of our intellectual
property rights, including matters related to our royalty rates and other terms of our licensing arrangements. These
types of disputes can be asserted by our customers or prospective customers or by other third parties as part of
negotiations with us or in private actions seeking monetary damages or injunctive relief, or in regulatory actions.
Recently, Intervideo, one of our significant licensing customers, with whom we recently renewed a licensing
agreement, has threatened to initiate litigation against us regarding our licensing royalty rate practices, including
potential antitrust claims. Damages and requests for injunctive relief asserted in a claim like this could be material,
and could have a significant impact on our business. Any disputes with our customers or potential customers or
other third parties could adversely affect our business, results of operations and prospects.
Our licensing of industry standard technologies can be subject to limitations that could adversely affect our
business and prospects.
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When our technologies are adopted as explicit industry standards by a standards-setting body, we generally
must agree to license such technologies on a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory basis, which could limit our
control over the use of these technologies. In these situations, we must often limit the royalty rates we charge for
these technologies, which could adversely affect our gross margins. Furthermore, we may be unable to limit to
whom we license such technologies, and may be unable to restrict many terms of the license. From time to time we
may be subject to claims that our licenses of our industry standard technologies may not conform to the
requirements of the standards-setting body. Private parties have raised this type of issue with us in the past.
Allegations such as these could be asserted in private actions seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief, or in
regulatory actions. Claimants in such cases could seek to restrict or change our licensing practices or our ability to
license our technologies in ways that could injure our reputation and otherwise materially and adversely affect our
business, operating results and prospects.
Licensing some of our technologies in “patent pools” is a different business model for us, and we may face
many challenges in conducting this business.
In fiscal 2002, we began licensing some of our patents through our wholly-owned subsidiary Via Licensing
Corporation in “patent pools” with other companies in an effort to ensure that our technologies are compatible with
other technologies in the entertainment industry and to promote our technologies as industry standards. These patent
pools allow product manufacturers streamlined access to certain foundational technologies and are comprised of a
group of patents held by a number of companies, including us in some cases, and administered by Via Licensing.
This is a different business model for us and we cannot predict all of the challenges we may face or whether we will
be successful. For instance, Via Licensing licenses patents in areas such as wireless markets in which we have not
competed previously. As a result, our control over the license of our technologies from these patent pools may be
limited as compared to our traditional business model in which we license our patents as bundles of technologies
and interact directly with our customers. In addition, our control over the application and quality control of our
technologies that are included in these pools may be limited.
Our ability to develop proprietary technology in markets in which “open standards” are adopted may be
limited, which could adversely affect our ability to generate revenue.
Standards-setting bodies, such as those for digital cinema technologies, may require the use of so-called “open
standards,” meaning that the technologies necessary to meet those standards are freely available without the
payment of a licensing fee or royalty. The use of open standards may reduce our opportunity to generate revenue, as
open standards technologies are based upon non-proprietary technology platforms in which no one company
maintains ownership over the dominant technologies.
Events and conditions in the motion picture industry may affect sales of our professional products and
production services.
Sales of our professional products and production services tend to fluctuate based on the underlying trends in
the motion picture industry. In part, this is because our products have been so widely adopted in this industry. When
box office receipts for the motion picture industry increase, we have typically seen sales of our professional products
increase as well, as cinema owners are more likely to build new theatres and upgrade existing theatres with our more
advanced cinema products when they are doing well financially. Conversely, when box office receipts are down
cinema owners tend to scale back on plans to upgrade their systems or build new theatres. Our professional product
sales are also subject to fluctuations based on events and conditions in the theatre industry generally that may or may
not be tied to box office receipts in particular periods. In fiscal 2005, decreased box office receipts and changes
within the U.S. cinema industry, including recent restructuring and consolidations, appears to have delayed
purchasing decisions by exhibitors. To a lesser extent, the sale of our professional products is influenced by the
launch of new digital services by broadcasters. On the other hand, our production services revenue, both in the
United States and internationally, is tied to the number of films being made by studios and independent filmmakers.
The number of films that are produced can be affected by a number of factors, including strikes and work stoppages
within the motion picture industry, as well as by the tax incentive arrangements that many foreign governments
provide filmmakers to promote local filmmaking.
We may be unable to significantly expand our current professional product sales in the cinema industry
because our professional products are already used by the vast majority of major cinema operators and
major motion picture studios in the United States and much of the rest of the world. If the cinema industry
does not expand, or if it contracts, the demand for our professional products will be adversely affected.
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Our ability to further penetrate the market for motion picture sound technologies is limited because of the
widespread use of our current professional products by major motion picture content creators, distributors and
cinema operators. As a result, our future revenue from our professional products for the cinema industry will
depend, in part, upon events and conditions in that industry—specifically, the continued production and distribution
of motion pictures, and the construction of new theatres and the renovation of existing theatres, using our products
and services. For example, in the late 1990s cinema operators in the United States built a large number of new
cinema megaplexes. This initially resulted in increased sales of our cinema processors, but also resulted in an
oversupply of screens in some markets. This oversupply led to significant declines in new theatre construction in
the United States in the early 2000s, resulting in a corresponding decline in sales of our cinema processors. As a
result, future growth in sales of our existing cinema products may be limited, and may decrease in the future, as the
number of new cinemas being built and the number of existing cinemas without our products continues to decline.
The piracy of motion pictures could adversely affect the motion picture industry and therefore our operating
results.
The construction of new screens and the renovation of existing theatres, as well as the continued production of
new motion pictures, are also adversely impacted by the growth in piracy of motion pictures. Technological
advances and the conversion of motion pictures into digital formats have made it easier to create, transmit and
“share” high-quality unauthorized copies of motion pictures, including on pirated DVDs and on the Internet. If
cinema operators decide to close a significant number of screens in the future or cut their capital spending as a result
of piracy, demand for our playback systems and cinema processors will decline, which could negatively impact our
operating results.
The demand for our current professional products and production services could decline if the film industry
broadly adopts digital cinema.
If the film industry broadly adopts digital cinema, the demand for our current professional products and
production services could decline. Such a decline in our products and services business could also adversely affect
our technology licensing business, because the strength of our brand and our ability to use professional
developments to advance our consumer licensing technologies would be impaired. If, in such circumstances, we are
unable to adapt our professional products and production services or introduce new products for the market for
digital cinema successfully, our business could be materially adversely affected.
If we are unable to expand our business into non-sound technologies, our future growth could be limited.
Our future growth will depend, in part, upon our expansion into areas beyond sound technologies. For example,
in addition to our digital cinema initiative, we are exploring other areas that facilitate delivery of digital
entertainment, such as technologies for processing digital moving images and content protection. We will need to
spend considerable resources on research and development in the future in order to deliver innovative non-sound
technologies. However, we have limited experience in these markets and, despite our efforts, we cannot predict
whether we will be successful in developing and marketing non-sound products, technologies and services. In
addition, many of these markets are relatively new and may not develop as we currently anticipate. Moreover,
although we believe that many of the technological advances we may develop for digital cinema may have
applicability in other areas, such as broadcasting or consumer electronics products, we may not ever be able to
achieve these anticipated benefits in these other markets. A number of competitors and potential competitors may
develop non-sound technologies similar to those that we develop, some of which may provide advantages over our
products, technologies and services. Some of these competitors have much greater experience and expertise in the
non-sound fields we may enter. The non-sound products, technologies and services we expect to market may not
achieve or sustain market acceptance, may not meet the needs of the movie industry, and may not be accepted as
industry standards. If we are unsuccessful in selling non-sound products, technologies and services, the future
growth of our business may be limited. In addition, our efforts to enter or strengthen our positions in non-sound
markets may be tied to the success of specific programs.
Fluctuations in our quarterly and annual operating results may adversely affect the value of our stock.
A number of factors, many of which are outside our control, may cause or contribute to significant fluctuations
in our quarterly and annual revenue and operating results. These fluctuations may make financial planning and
forecasting more difficult. In addition, these fluctuations may result in unanticipated decreases in our available cash,
which could negatively impact our business and prospects. As discussed more fully below, these fluctuations also
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could increase the volatility of our stock price. Factors that may cause or contribute to fluctuations in our operating
results and revenue include:
• Fluctuations in demand for our products and for the consumer electronics products of our licensees;
• Fluctuations in the timing of royalty reports we receive from our licensees, including late, sporadic or
inaccurate reports;
• Sporadic payments we may be able to recover from companies utilizing our technologies without licenses;
• Corrections to licensees’ reports received in periods subsequent to those in which the original revenue was
reported;
•
Introduction or enhancement of products, services and technologies by us, our licensees and our
competitors, and market acceptance of these new or enhanced products, services and technologies;
• Rapid, wholesale changes in technology in the entertainment industries in which we compete;
• Events and conditions in the motion picture industry, including box office receipts that affect the number of
theatres constructed and the number of movies produced and exhibited the popularity of motion pictures
generally and strikes by motion picture industry participants;
• The financial resources of cinema operators available to buy our products or to equip their theatres to
accommodate upgraded or new technologies;
• Consolidation by participants in the markets in which we compete, which could result among other things
in pricing pressure;
• The amount and timing of our operating costs and capital expenditures, including those related to the
expansion of our business, operations and infrastructure;
• Variations in the time-to-market of our technologies in the entertainment industries in which we operate;
• Seasonal electronics product shipment patterns by our consumer electronics product licensees and seasonal
product purchasing patterns by customers of our professional products;
• The impact of, and our ability to react to, interruptions in the entertainment distribution chain, including as
a result of work stoppages at our facilities, our customers’ facilities and other points throughout the
entertainment distribution chain;
• Changes in business cycles that affect the markets in which we sell our products and services or the
markets for consumer electronics products incorporating our technologies;
• Adverse outcomes of litigation or governmental proceedings, including any foreign, federal, state or local
tax assessments or audits; and
• Costs of litigation and intellectual property protection.
One or more of the foregoing or other factors may cause our operating expenses to be disproportionately higher
or lower or may cause our revenue and operating results to fluctuate significantly in any particular quarterly or
annual period. Results from prior periods are thus not necessarily indicative of the results of future periods.
The loss of or interruption in operations of one or more of our key suppliers could materially delay or stop
the production of our professional products and impair our ability to generate revenue.
Our reliance on outside suppliers for some of the key materials and components we use in manufacturing our
professional products involves risks, including limited control over the price, timely delivery and quality of such
components. We have no agreements with our suppliers to ensure continued supply of materials and components.
Although we have identified alternate suppliers for most of our key materials and components, any required changes
in our suppliers could cause material delays in our production operations and increase our production costs. In
addition, our suppliers may not be able to meet our future production demands as to volume, quality or timeliness.
Moreover, we rely on sole source suppliers for some of the components that we use to manufacture our professional
products, including certain charged coupled devices, light emitting diodes and digital signal processors. These sole
source suppliers may become unable or unwilling to deliver these components to us at an acceptable cost or at all,
which could force us to redesign certain of our products. Our inability to obtain timely delivery of key components
of acceptable quality, any significant increases in the prices of components, or the redesign of our professional
products could result in material production delays, increased costs and reductions in shipments of our products, any
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of which could increase our operating costs, harm our customer relationships or materially and adversely affect our
business and operating results.
Revenue from our professional products may suffer if our production processes encounter problems or if we
are not able to match our production capacity to fluctuating levels of demand.
Our professional products are highly complex, and production difficulties or inefficiencies can interrupt
production, resulting in our inability to deliver products on time in a cost effective manner, which could harm our
competitive position. If production is interrupted at one of our two manufacturing facilities, we may not be able to
shift production to the other facility on a timely basis, and customers may purchase products from our competitors.
A shortage of manufacturing capacity for our professional products could adversely affect our operating results and
damage our customer relationships. We generally cannot quickly adapt our manufacturing capacity to rapidly
changing market conditions. Likewise, we may be unable to respond to fluctuations in customer demand. At times
we under utilize our manufacturing facilities as a result of reduced demand for some of our professional products.
Any inability to respond to fluctuations in customer demand for our professional products may adversely affect our
gross margins.
Our professional products, from time to time, experience quality problems that can result in decreased sales
and higher operating expenses.
Our professional products are complex and sometimes contain undetected software or hardware errors,
particularly when first introduced or when new versions are released. In addition, our professional products are
sometimes combined with or incorporated into products from other vendors, sometimes making it difficult to
identify the source of a problem. These errors could result in a loss of or delay in market acceptance of our
professional products or cause delays in delivering them and meeting customer demands, any of which could reduce
our revenue and raise significant customer relations issues. In addition, if our professional products contain errors
we could be required to replace or reengineer them, which would increase our costs. Moreover, if any such errors
cause unintended consequences, we could face claims for product liability. Although we generally attempt to
contractually limit liability for defective products to the cost of repairing or replacing these products, if these
contract provisions are not enforced, or are unenforceable for any reason, or if liabilities arise that are not effectively
limited, we could incur substantial costs in defending and settling product liability claims.
A loss of one or more of our key customers or licensees in any of our markets could adversely affect our
operating results.
From time to time, one or a small number of our customers or licensees may represent a significant percentage
of our professional products and services or licensing revenue. Although we have agreements with many of these
customers, these agreements typically do not require any minimum purchases or minimum royalty fees and do not
prohibit customers from purchasing products and services from competitors. A decision by any of our major
customers or licensees not to use our technologies, or their failure or inability to pay amounts owed to us in a timely
manner, or at all, whether due to strategic redirections or adverse changes in their businesses or for other reasons,
could have a significant effect on our operating results.
We are subject to various environmental laws and regulations that could impose substantial costs upon
us and may adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
Some of our operations use substances regulated under various federal, state, local and international laws
governing the environment, including those governing the discharge of pollutants into the air and water, the
management, disposal and labeling of hazardous substances and wastes and the cleanup of contaminated sites. We
could incur costs, fines and civil or criminal sanctions, third-party property damage or personal injury claims, or
could be required to incur substantial investigation or remediation costs, if we were to violate or become liable under
environmental laws. Liability under environmental laws can be joint and several and without regard to comparative
fault. The ultimate costs under environmental laws and the timing of these costs are difficult to predict. We also
face increasing complexity in our product design as we adjust to new and future requirements relating to the
materials composition of our products, including the restrictions on lead and other hazardous substances that will
apply to specified electronic products put on the market in the European Union as of July 1, 2006 (Restriction on the
Use of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC, also known as the “RoHS Directive”) and similar legislation
proposed for China. We are redesigning our products regulated under the RoHS Directive in order to be able to
continue to offer them for sale within the European Union. For some products, substituting certain components
containing regulated hazardous substances will be more difficult or costly, and the additional redesign efforts could
result in production delays. Certain electronic products that we maintain in inventory may be rendered obsolete if
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not in compliance with the RoHS Directive, which could negatively impact our ability to generate revenue from
those products. We could also face significant costs and liabilities in connection with product take-back legislation.
The European Union Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (also known as
the “WEEE Directive”) requires producers of certain electrical and electronic equipment, including broadcast
equipment, to be financially responsible for specified collection, recycling, treatment and disposal of past and future
covered products. As of December 2005, not all member states within the EU have enacted enabling legislation
under the WEEE Directive, and in the absence of such legislation, it is difficult to determine the costs to comply
with the WEEE Directive. Similar legislation may be enacted in other countries, such as China, and the United
States, the cumulative impact of which could significantly increase our operating costs and adversely affect our
operating results. We also expect that our operations, whether manufacturing or licensing, will be affected by other
new environmental laws and regulations on an ongoing basis. Although we cannot predict the ultimate impact of
any such new laws and regulations, they will likely result in additional costs or decreased revenue, and could require
that we redesign or change how we manufacture our products, any of which could have a material adverse effect on
our business.
Any inability to protect our intellectual property rights could reduce the value of our products, services and
brand.
Our business is dependent upon our patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and other intellectual property
rights. We derived 73%, 73% and 75% of our total revenue from licensing revenue in the fiscal years 2003, 2004
and 2005, respectively. Effective intellectual property rights protection, however, may not be available under the
laws of every country in which our products and services and those of our licensees are distributed. Also, the efforts
we have taken to protect our proprietary rights may not be sufficient or effective. Any significant impairment of our
intellectual property rights could harm our business or our ability to compete. In addition, protecting our intellectual
property rights is costly and time consuming. We have taken steps in the past to enforce our intellectual property
rights and expect to continue to do so in the future. However, it may not be practicable or cost effective for us to
enforce our intellectual property rights fully, particularly in certain developing countries or where the initiation of a
claim might harm our business relationships. For example, we have many times experienced, and expect to continue
to experience, problems with Chinese consumer electronics product manufacturers incorporating our technologies
into their products without our authorization. The industry has experienced a movement by discount retailers
towards lower-end Chinese-made DVD players which we believe poses challenges in royalty collection and
intellectual property enforcement in China. If we are unable to successfully identify and stop unauthorized use of
our intellectual property, we could experience increased operational and enforcement costs both inside and outside
China, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. We generally seek patent
protection for our innovations. It is possible, however, that some of these innovations may not be protectable. In
addition, given the costs of obtaining patent protection, we may choose not to protect certain innovations that later
turn out to be important. Moreover, we have limited or no patent protection in certain foreign jurisdictions. For
example, in China we have only limited patent protection, especially with respect to our Dolby Digital technologies,
and in India we have no issued patents. Furthermore, there is always the possibility, despite our efforts, that the
scope of the protection gained will be insufficient or that an issued patent may later be found to be invalid or
unenforceable. Moreover, we seek to maintain certain intellectual property as trade secrets. These trade secrets
could be compromised by third parties, or intentionally or accidentally by our employees, which would cause us to
lose the competitive advantage resulting from them.
It is possible that we may be treated as a personal holding company, which could adversely affect our
operating results and financial condition.
The Internal Revenue Service may assert that we or any of our subsidiaries are currently, or previously have
been, liable for personal holding company tax, plus interest and penalties, if applicable. In addition, we and our
subsidiaries may be liable for personal holding company tax in the future. For United States federal income tax
purposes, a corporation is generally considered to be a “personal holding company” under the United States Internal
Revenue Code if (i) at any time during the last half of its taxable year more than 50% of its stock by value is owned,
directly or indirectly, by virtue of the application of certain stock ownership attribution rules set forth in the Internal
Revenue Code for purposes of applying the personal holding company rules, by five or fewer individuals and (ii) at
least 60% of its adjusted ordinary gross income, as defined for United States federal income tax purposes, is
“personal holding company income.” Personal holding company income is generally passive income, including
royalty income, subject to certain exceptions such as qualifying software royalties. A personal holding company is
subject to an additional tax on its undistributed after-tax income, calculated at the statutory tax rate, which is
currently 15%. Since the personal holding company tax is imposed only on undistributed income, a personal holding
company can avoid or mitigate liability for the tax, but not interest or penalties, by paying a dividend to its
stockholders.
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During fiscal 2005, more than 50% of the value of our stock was held by Ray Dolby and stockholders
considered affiliated with him pursuant to the stock ownership attribution rules applicable to personal holding
companies. We expect this will continue to be the case in the foreseeable future. In addition, a significant portion of
our income is from licensing fees, which may constitute personal holding company income. Currently, however,
less than 60% of Dolby Laboratories’ adjusted ordinary gross income is personal holding company income. Given
our current sources of revenue, we believe that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries is currently liable for personal
holding company tax. Moreover, we do not believe that we or any of our subsidiaries have previously been liable for
personal holding company tax.
However, the Internal Revenue Service may assert that we or one of our subsidiaries are currently, or previously
have been, liable for personal holding company tax, plus interest and penalties, if applicable. In addition, we or our
subsidiaries may be liable for personal holding company tax in the future. The treatment of certain items of our
income and the income of our subsidiaries, for purposes of the personal holding company tax, may be subject to
challenge. In the event that we or any of our subsidiaries is determined to be a personal holding company, or for
prior taxable years, to have been a personal holding company, we or our subsidiary could be liable for additional
taxes, and possibly interest and penalties, based on the undistributed income and the tax rate in effect at that time,
but only if we or our subsidiary, as the case may be, decides not to fully abate the tax by the payment of a dividend,
although such a dividend will not eliminate interest and penalties. In addition, we believe that there exists a
meaningful risk that in the relatively near future the mix of our revenue will change so that more of our adjusted
ordinary gross income may be classified as personal holding company income. In such event, it is possible that we
or one of our subsidiaries could become liable for the personal holding company tax, assuming the ownership test
continues to be met. In that case, we or our subsidiary, as the case may be, may be required to pay additional tax in
the event we or the subsidiary decides not to fully abate the tax by the payment of a dividend. Because no claim or
assessment has been made against us with respect to personal holding company taxes, we are unable to quantify the
amount of any additional taxes, and possibly interest and penalties, for which we may be liable in the future for past
periods or the amount of the dividend that we may pay to abate the tax. Furthermore, we are unable to quantify the
amount of personal holding company tax that we may be liable for or the dividend that we may elect to pay for
future periods as such amounts, if any, would be based upon the application of the rules discussed above to the
results of our future operations. We have explored options to reduce our exposure and the exposure of our
subsidiaries to the personal holding company tax in the future, as well as continue to actively monitor our current
exposure.
If we or any of our subsidiaries were to pay personal holding company tax (and possibly interest and penalties),
this could significantly increase our consolidated tax expense and adversely affect our operating results. In addition,
if the statutory tax rate increases in the future, the amount of any personal holding company tax we or any of our
subsidiaries may have to pay could increase significantly, further impairing our operating results. In that regard, the
statutory tax rate, which is currently 15%, is scheduled to return to ordinary income tax rate levels for tax years
beginning on or after January 1, 2009. If we are deemed to be a personal holding company and, instead of paying
the personal holding company tax, we elect to pay a dividend to our stockholders in an amount equal to all or a
significant part of our undistributed personal holding company income, we may consume a significant amount of
cash resources and be unable to retain or generate working capital. This would adversely affect our financial
condition. As a result, if we pay such a dividend, we may decide to seek additional financing, although that
financing may not be available to us when and as required on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.
Failure to comply with applicable current and future government regulations could have a negative effect on
our business.
Our operations and business practices are subject to federal, state and local government laws and regulations, as
well as international laws and regulations, including those relating to consumer and other safety-related compliance
for electronic equipment, as well as compulsory license requirements as a prerequisite to being included as part of
the industry standards, such as the United States HDTV standard. Any failure by us to comply with the laws and
regulations applicable to us or our products could result in our inability to sell those products, additional costs to
redesign products to meet such laws and regulations, fines or other administrative actions by the agencies charged
with enforcing compliance and, possibly, damages awarded to persons claiming injury as the result of our non-
compliance. Changes in or enactment of new statutes, rules or regulations applicable to us could have a material
adverse effect on our business.
Acquisitions could result in operating difficulties, dilution to our stockholders and other harmful
consequences.
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We have evaluated, and expect to continue to evaluate, a wide array of possible strategic transactions and
acquisitions. For example, we consider these types of transactions in connection with our efforts to expand our
business beyond sound technologies, such as in digital cinema and other technologies related to the delivery of
digital entertainment. Although we cannot predict whether or not we will complete any such acquisition or other
transactions in the future and have no current plans for any specific strategic transactions or acquisitions, any of
these transactions could be material in relation to our financial condition and results of operations. The process of
integrating an acquired company, business or technology may create unforeseen difficulties and expenditures. The
areas where we may face risks include:
• Diversion of management time and focus from operating our business to acquisition integration challenges;
• Cultural challenges associated with integrating employees from acquired businesses into our organization;
• Retaining employees from businesses we acquire;
• The need to implement or improve internal controls, procedures and policies appropriate for a public
company at businesses that prior to the acquisition lacked these controls, procedures and policies;
• Possible write-offs or impairment charges resulting from acquisitions;
• Unanticipated or unknown liabilities relating to acquired businesses; and
• The need to integrate acquired businesses’ accounting, management information, manufacturing, human
resources and other administrative systems to permit effective management.
Foreign acquisitions involve unique risks in addition to those mentioned above, including those related to
integration of operations across different geographies, cultures and languages, currency risks and risks associated
with the particular economic, political and regulatory environment in specific countries. Also, the anticipated benefit
of our acquisitions may not materialize. Future acquisitions could result in potentially dilutive issuances of our
equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or amortization expenses, or write-offs of goodwill,
any of which could harm our operating results or financial condition. Future acquisitions may also require us to
obtain additional equity or debt financing, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all.
The loss of members of our management team could substantially disrupt our business operations.
Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued individual and collective contributions of our
management team. A limited number of individuals have primary responsibility for managing our business,
including our relationships with key customers and licensees. We have a number of key executives and senior
technical people who have been with us for a number of years, including over 150 employees who have been with us
for over 10 years. These individuals, as well as the rest of our management team and key employees, are at-will
employees, and we do not maintain any key-person life insurance policies. Losing the services of any key member
of our team, whether from retirement, competing offers or other causes, could prevent us from executing our
business strategy, cause us to lose key customer or licensee relationships, or otherwise materially affect our
operations.
We rely on highly skilled personnel, and if we are unable to retain or motivate key personnel or hire qualified
personnel, we may not be able to maintain our operations or grow effectively.
Our performance is largely dependent on the talents and efforts of highly skilled individuals. Our future success
depends on our continuing ability to identify, hire, develop, motivate and retain highly skilled personnel for all areas
of our organization. In this regard, we currently plan to hire a number of employees throughout fiscal 2006 in
response to our growth and our current initiatives and if we are unable to hire and train a sufficient number of
qualified employees for any reason, we may not be able to implement our current initiatives or grow effectively. In
this regard, we have in the past maintained a rigorous, highly selective and time-consuming hiring process. We
believe that our approach to hiring has significantly contributed to our success to date. However, our highly
selective hiring process has made it more difficult for us to hire a sufficient number of qualified employees, and, as
we grow, our hiring process may prevent us from hiring the personnel we need in a timely manner. In addition, we
are aware that certain of our competitors have directly targeted our employees. Moreover, the high cost of living in
the San Francisco Bay Area, where our corporate headquarters and a significant portion of our operations are
located, has been an impediment in attracting new employees and retaining existing employees in the past, and we
expect that this high cost of living will continue to impair our ability to attract and retain employees in the future.
Furthermore, for much of our history we have relied upon cash compensation arrangements, such as cash bonuses,
rather than option grants, to motivate our employees. In recent years, we have granted options to key employees.
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Nonetheless, there is no assurance that either of these approaches will provide adequate incentives to attract, retain
and motivate employees in the future. If we do not succeed in attracting excellent personnel and retaining and
motivating existing personnel, our existing operations may suffer and we may be unable to grow effectively.
If we cannot maintain our corporate culture as we grow, we could lose the innovation, teamwork and focus
that we believe our culture fosters, and our business may be harmed.
We believe that a critical contributor to our success has been our corporate culture, which we believe fosters
innovation, teamwork and a focus both on developing and strengthening long-term relationships with entertainment
industry participants and on developing practical, enduring technology solutions for the entertainment industry. As
we grow and change in response to the requirements of being a public company, we may find it difficult to maintain
important aspects of our corporate culture, which could negatively affect our future success. We intend to continue
to focus on developing technologies for the entertainment industries that provide long-term benefits, and we intend
to keep our focus on long-term results.
We will incur increased costs and demands upon management as a result of complying with the laws and
regulations affecting public companies, which could affect our operating results.
As a public company we have incurred and will continue to incur significant legal, accounting and other
expenses that we did not incur as a private company, including costs associated with public company reporting
requirements. We also have incurred and will incur costs associated with recently adopted corporate governance
requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as new rules implemented by the SEC
and the NYSE. In addition, our management team will have to adapt to the requirements of being a public company,
as most of our senior executive officers do not have significant experience in the public company environment. The
expenses incurred by public companies generally for reporting and corporate governance purposes have increased.
These rules and regulations have increased our legal and financial compliance costs and have made some activities
more time-consuming and costly, although we are unable to currently estimate these costs with any degree of
certainty. We do believe, however, that we will be able to fund these costs out of our available working capital. It is
possible that these new rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director
and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur
substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage than used to be available. As a result, it may be
more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our board of directors or as our executive
officers.
If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate financial
statements could be impaired, which could adversely affect our operating results, our ability to operate our
business and our investors’ views of us.
We have a complex business organization that is international in scope. Ensuring that we have adequate
internal financial and accounting controls and procedures in place to help ensure that we can produce accurate
financial statements on a timely basis is a costly and time-consuming effort that needs to be re-evaluated frequently.
We are in the process of documenting, reviewing and, if appropriate, improving our internal controls and procedures
in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires annual management assessments of the
effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and a report by our independent auditors addressing
these assessments. Both we and our independent auditors will periodically test our internal controls in connection
with the Section 404 requirements and could, as part of that documentation and testing, identify areas for further
attention or improvement. Implementing any appropriate changes to our internal controls may require specific
compliance training of our directors, officers and employees, entail substantial costs in order to modify our existing
accounting systems, and take a significant period of time to complete. Such changes may not, however, be effective
in maintaining the adequacy of our internal controls, and any failure to maintain that adequacy, or consequent
inability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis, could increase our operating costs and could
materially impair our ability to operate our business. In addition, investors’ perceptions that our internal controls are
inadequate or that we are unable to produce accurate financial statements may seriously affect our stock price.
Issues arising from the implementation of our new enterprise resource planning system could affect our
operating results and ability to manage our business effectively.
We are currently implementing a PeopleSoft enterprise resource planning, or ERP, system over an anticipated
three-year period ending in 2007 that is critical to our accounting, financial, operating and manufacturing functions.
Implementing a new ERP system raises costs and risks inherent in the conversion to a new computer system,
including disruption to our normal accounting procedures, potential delays and problems achieving accuracy in the
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conversion of electronic data. Failure to properly or adequately address these issues could result in increased costs,
the diversion of management’s attention and resources and could materially adversely affect our operating results
and ability to manage our business effectively. In addition, we do not know whether or not the acquisition of
PeopleSoft by Oracle will affect the implementation and future use of our ERP system. To the extent that this
acquisition delays, complicates or prevents the full implementation, future use or service of our ERP system, our
operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.
For the foreseeable future, Ray Dolby or his affiliates will be able to control the selection of all members of
our board of directors, as well as virtually every other matter that requires stockholder approval, which will
severely limit the ability of other stockholders to influence corporate matters.
At September 30, 2005 Ray Dolby and persons and entities affiliated with Ray Dolby owned approximately
65% of our Class A and Class B common stock, representing 92% of the combined voting power of our outstanding
Class A and Class B common stock. Under our charter, holders of shares of Class B common stock may generally
transfer such shares to family members, including spouses and descendents or the spouses or domestic partners of
such descendents, without having the shares automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock. Because
of this dual class structure, Ray Dolby, his affiliates, and his family members and descendents will, for the
foreseeable future, have significant influence over our management and affairs, and will be able to control virtually
all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and significant corporate transactions
such as mergers or other sales of our company or assets, even if they come to own considerably less than 50% of the
total number of outstanding shares of our Class A and Class B common stock. Moreover, these persons may take
actions in their own interests that you or our other stockholders do not view as beneficial. There is no threshold or
time deadline at which the shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A
common stock. Assuming conversion of all shares of Class B common stock held by persons not affiliated with Ray
Dolby into shares of Class A common stock, so long as Ray Dolby and his affiliates continue to hold shares of Class
B common stock representing approximately 11% or more of the total number of outstanding shares of our Class A
and Class B common stock, they will hold a majority of the combined voting power of the Class A and Class B
common stock.
Future sales of shares by insiders could cause our stock price to decline.
If our founder, officers, directors or employees sell, or indicate an intention to sell, substantial amounts of our
Class A common stock, including shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Class B
common stock, in the public market, the trading price of our Class A common stock could decline. As of September
30, 2005, we had outstanding a total of 103,908,700 shares of Class A and Class B common stock. Of these shares,
31,625,000 shares of Class A common stock were sold in our initial public offering by us and the selling
stockholders.
As of September 30, 2005, our directors and executive officers held 69,048,535 shares of Class B common
stock and vested options to purchase 986,627 shares of Class B common stock. We expect that any sale of our Class
A common stock by our directors and executive officers would be subject to compliance with Rule 144 under the
Securities Act.
34
None.
Facilities
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our principal executive offices, which we lease from Ray Dolby, are located at 100 Potrero Avenue, San
Francisco, California, occupying approximately 78,000 square feet of space. The lease for these offices expires on
December 31, 2005, and we currently negotiating a new lease for a seven year term with two five year options to
extend.
Ray and Dagmar Dolby, the Ray Dolby Trust or the Dolby Family Trust owns a majority financial interest in
real estate entities that own and lease to us certain of our other facilities in California and the United Kingdom. We
own the remaining financial interests in these real estate entities. We lease from these real estate entities
approximately 140,000 square feet of space at 999 Brannan Street, San Francisco, California for our principal
administrative offices, approximately 45,000 square feet of space in Brisbane, California for manufacturing
facilities, approximately 75,000 square feet of space in Wootton Bassett, England for manufacturing, sales, services
and administrative facilities and approximately 19,000 square feet of space in Burbank, California for research and
development, sales, services and administrative facilities. The leases for these facilities expire at various times
through 2015.
We also lease additional research and development, sales and administrative facilities from third parties in
California, New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and internationally, in Beijing, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai,
Sydney and Tokyo. The leases for these facilities expire at various times through 2017.
Our properties in Brisbane and Wootton Bassett are used by our products and production services segments
and the balance of the properties described above are used by both our products and production services and our
technology licensing segments.
We believe that our current facilities are adequate to meet our needs for the near future, and that suitable
additional or alternative space will be available on commercially reasonable terms to accommodate our foreseeable
future operations.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In May 2001, we filed a lawsuit against Lucent Technologies, Inc. and Lucent Technologies Guardian I, LLC
together “Lucent,” contending that Lucent was wrongly asserting that our licensees using Dolby AC-3 audio
compression technology required licenses to the patents at issue and seeking a declaration that the patents at issue
are not infringed and/or are invalid. Lucent filed a counterclaim alleging that we have infringed the patents at issue.
These patents generally involve a process and means for digitally encoding and decoding audio signals. On April
22, 2005, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted our motions for summary judgment,
finding that we have not infringed, induced others to infringe, or contributed to the infringement of the patents at
issue. In granting summary judgment of non-infringement, the court found that Lucent had not presented evidence
from which a reasonable fact-finder could find that Dolby AC-3 technology infringes the patents at issue. In light of
the Court’s finding of non-infringement, it dismissed our claims that the Lucent patents are invalid. Lucent has
appealed the court’s April 22, 2005, ruling granting summary judgment of non-infringement to the United States
Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.
In addition, we are involved in various legal proceedings from time to time arising from the normal course of
business activities, including claims of alleged infringement of intellectual property rights, commercial, employment
and other matters. In our opinion, resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect
on our operating results or financial condition. However, it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of one or more
such proceedings could materially affect our future operating results or financial condition in a particular period.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
35
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
PART II
Market Information
Our Class A common stock has traded on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol
“DLB” since February 17, 2005. Prior to that time, there was no public market for our Class A common stock. The
following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices at the closing on the NYSE of the Class A common
stock for the periods indicated, as reported by the NYSE. Such quotations represent inter-dealer prices without retail
markup, markdown or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
Fiscal 2005
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
High
$ 24.57
23.81
23.78
Low
$ 22.40
18.71
15.47
Our Class B common stock is neither listed nor publicly traded.
As of December 13, 2005, there were approximately 12,800 holders of record of our Class A common stock and
141 holders of record of our Class B common stock.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any cash dividend on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain any future
earnings and do not expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. However, if we are deemed to be a
personal holding company for tax purposes, we may elect to pay a dividend to our stockholders in an amount equal
to all or a significant part of our undistributed personal holding company income (which could be significant), rather
than paying personal holding company tax on such undistributed personal holding company income, if any. See both
"Risk Factors--It is possible that we may be treated as a personal holding company, which could adversely affect our
operating results and financial condition" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations--Critical Accounting Policies--Personal Holding Company Tax Matters."
Sale of Unregistered Securities
In the quarter ended September 30, 2005, we issued an aggregate of 351,452 shares of our Class B common
stock to certain employees and officers upon the exercise of options awarded under our 2000 Stock Incentive Plan
and from October 1, 2005 through December 13, 2005, we issued an aggregate of 643,651 shares of our Class B
common stock to certain employees, directors and officers upon the exercise of options awarded under our 2000
Stock Incentive Plan. We received aggregate proceeds of $0.5 million as a result of the exercise of these options in
the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and $1.1 million as a result of the exercise of these options from October 1,
2005 through December 13, 2005. We believe these transactions were exempt from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act in reliance on Rule 701 thereunder as transactions pursuant to compensatory benefit plans and
contracts relating to compensation as provided under Rule 701. Options to purchase an aggregate of 9,862,984
shares of our Class B common stock and 1,522,845 shares of our Class A common stock remain outstanding as of
December 13, 2005. All issuances of shares of our Class B common stock pursuant to the exercise of these options
will be made in reliance on Rule 701. All option grants made under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan were made prior
to our initial public offering. No further option grants will be made under our 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.
None of the foregoing transactions involved any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions, or any
public offering.
Each share of our Class B common stock is convertible into one share of our Class A common stock at any time
at the option of the holder or upon the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Class B common
stock. In addition, each share of Class B common stock shall convert automatically into one share of Class A
common stock upon any transfer, except for certain transfers described in our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation.
36
On December 13, 2005, 34,175,120 shares of our Class A common stock and 70,478,187 shares of our Class B
common stock were issued and outstanding.
Use of Proceeds from Public Offering
The Securities and Exchange Commission declared our registration statement, filed on Form S−1 (File No.
333−120614) under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the initial public offering of our Class A common
stock, $0.001 par value, effective on February 16, 2005.
37
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited consolidated financial
statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this filing. The consolidated statements of operations
data for the fiscal years ended September 26, 2003, September 24, 2004 and September 30, 2005 and the balance
sheet data as of September 24, 2004 and September 30, 2005 were derived from our audited consolidated financial
statements that are included elsewhere in this filing. The historical results presented below are not necessarily
indicative of financial results to be achieved in future periods. All fiscal years presented consisted of 52 weeks with
the exception of fiscal 2005 which consisted of 53 weeks.
September 27,
2002
Fiscal Year Ended
September 26,
2003
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
(in thousands, except per share data)
September 28,
2001
(unaudited)
$
73,277
39,300
12,076
124,653
Consolidated Statements of
Operations Data:
Revenue:
Licensing
Product sales
Production services
Total revenue
Cost of revenue:
Cost of licensing
Cost of product sales (1)
Cost of production services (1)
Total cost of revenue
Gross margin
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and
administrative (1)
Research and development (1)
Settlements
In-process research and
development
Total operating expenses
Operating income
Other income (expenses), net
Income (loss) before provision for
income taxes and controlling interest
Provision for income taxes
Income (loss) before controlling interest
Controlling interest in net (income) loss,
net of tax
Net income (loss)
Basic net income (loss) per share
Diluted net income (loss) per share
Shares used in the calculation of basic
net income (loss) per share
Shares used in the calculation of diluted
net income (loss) per share
$
$
$
19,644
25,754
5,044
50,442
74,211
48,244
16,106
—
—
64,350
9,861
(3,369)
6,492
1,230
5,262
389
5,651
0.07
0.07
85,000
85,000
$ 106,640
41,377
13,851
161,868
25,063
26,694
5,960
$ 157,922
44,403
15,147
217,472
40,001
26,684
6,958
$ 211,395
57,981
19,665
289,041
53,838
30,043
7,624
57,717
104,151
73,643
143,829
91,505
197,536
76,590
18,262
—
1,310
96,162
47,667
(57)
47,610
16,079
31,531
(562)
106,456
23,479
(2,000)
1,738
129,673
67,863
229
68,092
27,321
40,771
(929)
64,269
15,128
24,205
—
103,602
549
(747)
(198)
11
(209)
104
(105)
0.00
0.00
$
$
$
$ 30,969
$ 39,842
$ 52,293
$
$
0.36
0.36
$
$
0.47
0.43
85,008
85,008
85,009
86,084
85,556
92,783
$ 246,298
60,021
21,648
327,967
40,558
31,181
8,479
80,218
247,749
135,155
30,532
(2,000)
—
163,687
84,062
7,156
91,218
37,330
53,888
(1,595)
$
$
0.54
0.50
96,969
104,220
$
222
103
11,709
2,150
$ 14,184
(1)
Stock-based compensation was recorded in fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2005 and was classified as follows:
Cost of product sales
Cost of production services
Selling, general and administrative
Research and development
Total stock-based compensation
$
104
36
5,843
810
$ 6,793
38
September 28,
2001
(unaudited)
September 27,
2002
Fiscal Year Ended
September 26,
2003
(in thousands)
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents
Working capital
Total assets
Total debt
Total stockholders’ equity
$
22,602
23,484
125,635
19,510
60,645
$ 37,394
35,854
157,313
16,775
61,742
$ 61,922
54,213
202,707
15,598
93,775
$ 78,711
80,281
261,866
14,870
143,327
$ 372,403
381,394
586,277
13,470
461,139
39
PRO FORMA UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA
Pro Forma Presentation
Throughout our history, Ray Dolby had retained ownership of the intellectual property rights he had created
relating to our business. We had licensed these intellectual property rights from him and paid him royalties in return.
On February 16, 2005, Ray Dolby contributed to us all intellectual property rights he held related to our business.
Upon completion of this asset contribution, all of our licensing arrangements with, and royalty obligations to, Ray
Dolby terminated.
The selected pro forma unaudited consolidated statements of operations data set forth below give effect to the
asset contribution made by Ray Dolby, as though such transactions had been completed prior to the beginning of
fiscal 2003. We believe the pro forma results to be meaningful as they enable comparison of the effect of pre and
post-asset contribution on our operating results. The pro forma results presented below are not necessarily
indicative of financial results to be achieved in future periods.
The results of giving effect to the asset contribution as though that transaction had occurred prior to the
beginning of fiscal 2003 are adjustments to our consolidated results of operations to reverse the effects of $27.6
million, $36.9 million and $18.7 million in royalties payable to Ray Dolby that we recorded in fiscal 2003, 2004 and
2005, respectively. There was no material change to our balance sheet as a result of the asset contribution. Because
there is no historical accounting cost basis for the assets contributed, we recorded the transaction at $0.8 million,
representing acquisition costs, including legal, tax and other professional fees we incurred as a result of the asset
contribution.
The following table shows a reconciliation of the pro forma effects of the transactions described above on the
respective line items of our consolidated statements of operations:
Net income
Adjustments to pro forma net income by line item:
Cost of licensing
Cost of product sales
Provision for income taxes
Pro forma net income
September 26,
2003
$
30,969
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
39,842
$
September 30,
2005
$
52,293
25,126
2,494
(10,635)
47,954
33,768
3,089
(13,355)
63,344
17,424
1,286
(7,587)
63,416
$
$
$
The selected pro forma unaudited consolidated statements of operations data should be read together with
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited
consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this filing.
40
September 26,
2003
Pro forma
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
September 30,
2005
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
Revenue:
Licensing
Product sales
Production services
Total revenue
Cost of revenue:
Cost of licensing
Cost of product sales (1)
Cost of production services (1)
Total cost of revenue
Gross margin
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative (1)
Research and development (1)
Settlements
In-process research and development
Total operating expenses
Operating income
Other income (expenses), net
Income before provision for income taxes and controlling interest
Provision for income taxes
Income before controlling interest
Controlling interest in net income, net of tax
Net income
Basic net income per share
Diluted net income per share
Shares used in the calculation of basic net income per share
Shares used in the calculation of diluted net income per share
$
$
$
$
157,922
44,403
15,147
217,472
14,875
24,190
6,958
46,023
171,449
76,590
18,262
—
1,310
96,162
75,287
(57)
75,230
26,714
48,516
(562)
47,954
0.56
0.56
85,009
86,084
$
$
$
$
(1) Stock-based compensation was recorded in fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2005 and was classified as follows:
Cost of product sales
Cost of production services
Selling, general and administrative
Research and development
Total stock-based compensation
$
$
211,395
57,981
19,665
289,041
20,070
26,954
7,624
54,648
234,393
106,456
23,479
(2,000)
1,738
129,673
104,720
229
104,949
40,676
64,273
(929)
63,344
0.74
0.68
85,556
92,783
104
36
5,843
810
6,793
$
$
$
$
$
$
246,298
60,021
21,648
327,967
23,134
29,895
8,479
61,508
266,459
135,155
30,532
(2,000)
—
163,687
102,772
7,156
109,928
44,917
65,011
(1,595)
63,416
0.65
0.61
96,969
104,220
222
103
11,709
2,150
14,184
41
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial
statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking
statements reflecting our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify
forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” ”will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,”
“believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” ”potential,” “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable
terminology. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: statements regarding future
revenues from the sale of consumer electronics products incorporating our products and/or services domestically
and overseas; expected percentage of our licensing revenue to be received from overseas manufacturers; demand
for and profitability of our professional products and production services; our critical accounting policies,
including those regarding revenue recognition, goodwill, accounting for income taxes, personal holding company
matters and stock-based compensation; statements regarding expected gross margin on product sales and
production services; statements regarding operating income and expenses and foreign exchange gains and losses;
and statements regarding the sufficiency of our cash reserves for the next twelve months. Actual results may differ
materially from those discussed in these forward looking statements due to the important factors set forth in the
section entitled “Risk Factors” of Item 1A in this Form 10-K. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in
the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance
or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and
completeness of these forward-looking statements. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking
statements after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to conform our prior statements to actual results.
Overview
Dolby Laboratories develops and delivers innovative products and technologies that make the entertainment
experience more realistic and immersive in theatres, homes, cars and elsewhere. Ray Dolby founded Dolby
Laboratories in 1965 to develop noise reduction technologies. Today, we deliver a broad range of sound
technologies for use in both professional and consumer applications. In addition, in recent years we have expanded
our focus to include other technologies that facilitate the delivery of digital entertainment.
We conduct our business in two segments: our products and production services segment and our technology
licensing segment.
In our products and production services segment, we sell professional products and related production services
to filmmakers, broadcasters, music producers, video game designers, cinema operators and DVD producers. These
products are used in sound recording, distribution and playback to improve sound quality, provide surround sound
and increase the efficiency of sound storage and distribution. The majority of our professional product revenue is
derived from sales of cinema processors, which theatres use to decode digital and analog film soundtracks that have
been encoded using Dolby SR or Dolby Digital technologies. Production services revenue is primarily generated by
service agreements with motion picture production companies who utilize our equipment and services. Our sound
engineers work alongside filmmakers, television broadcasters, music producers and video game designers to help
them use our products to create and reproduce the sound they envision. Our sound engineers also provide training,
system design expertise and on-site technical expertise on an hourly basis to cinema operators to help them
configure their theatres and sound equipment to ensure that movie soundtracks are replayed with consistent high
sound quality. In our digital cinema content preparation service unit we act as a technical agent for our clients,
following the content from start to the finish, providing the compression mastering and distribution media
preparation, distribution and verification services.
In our technology licensing segment, we work with manufacturers of integrated circuits, or ICs, to help them
incorporate our technologies into their ICs. These manufacturers then sell ICs to product manufacturers that license
our technologies for incorporation in products such as DVD players, DVD recorders, audio/video receivers,
television sets, set-top boxes, video game consoles, portable audio and video players, personal computers and in-car
entertainment systems. We also license our technologies to software developers who implement our technologies for
use in personal computer software DVD players. Our licensing arrangements typically entitle us to receive a
specified royalty for every product shipped by product manufacturer and software developer licensees that
incorporates our technologies. We do not receive royalties from IC manufacturers.
We are a global organization. We sell our professional products and production services in over 50 countries. In
fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, revenue from sales outside the United States represented 60%, 59% and 61% of our
professional products sales and production services revenue, respectively. We have licensed our technologies to
manufacturers in nearly 30 countries, including countries in North America, Europe and Asia. In fiscal 2003, 2004
and 2005, revenue from licensees outside the United States represented 80%, 80% and 76% of our licensing
42
revenue, respectively. Our licensees distribute products incorporating our technologies throughout the world. Nearly
all of our revenue is derived from transactions denominated in United States dollars.
Management Discussion Regarding Opportunities, Challenges and Risks
Our Technology Licensing Segment
We use the following terms to help distinguish among different components of our technology licensing
segment:
•Automotive market- primarily comprised of in-car entertainment products.
•Broadcast market - primarily comprised of digital televisions and set-top boxes.
•Consumer electronics market - primarily comprised of DVD players, DVD recorders, audio/video receivers
and home-theatre-in-a-box.
•Gaming market - primarily comprised of video game consoles.
•Licensing services - revenue from patent pool administration performed by our subsidiary Via Licensing.
•Personal computer market - primarily comprised of software DVD players.
Revenue from our technology licensing segment constitutes the majority of our total revenue, representing 73%,
73% and 75% of total revenue in fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. Our licensing revenue has grown at a
compound annual growth rate of 25% from $157.9 million in fiscal 2003 to $246.3 million in fiscal 2005,
principally as a result of the increase in sales of DVD players and in-home theatre systems that incorporate our
surround sound technologies. Although revenues have grown in absolute dollars, the year-over-year percentage
growth rates are declining. Specifically, licensing revenue grew 48%, 34% and 17% in fiscal years 2003, 2004 and
2005, respectively. Traditionally, the consumer electronics market has been our largest market representing over
50% of our licensing revenue and has been driven primarily by revenues attributable to DVD player sales. We
anticipate that revenues from this market may remain flat or decline in fiscal 2006. Deceleration of growth is due to
a slowdown in the growth of traditional consumer DVD players sales reported by licensees. Also, the industry has
experienced a movement by discount retailers towards lower-end Chinese-made DVD players which we believe
poses challenges in royalty collection and intellectual property enforcement in China. Additionally, some
manufacturers are reducing the complexity of their low-end DVD players thereby decreasing the number of
processors on which we earn licensing revenue.
There continues to be a number of growth opportunities in the consumer electronics market, such as next
generation DVD players and recordable DVD players. In anticipation of the introduction of the next generation
DVD players, we have worked with developers to ensure that our technologies will be included as a standard audio
format. Our Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and MLP Lossless technologies have been selected as a mandatory
standard audio format in the High-Definition Digital Versatile Disc (HD-DVD) format. Dolby Digital has been
selected as a mandatory standard audio format and Dolby Digital Plus and MLP Lossless have been selected as
optional audio standards in the Blu-ray format. However, the market introduction of next generation DVD players
has been delayed due in part to the competing HD-DVD and Blu-ray formats. Consequently, we are uncertain when
we may begin generating royalties from incorporation of our technology in next generation DVD players.
Currently, adoption of recordable DVD players has been slower than anticipated.
We are continuing to diversify our sources of licensing revenue by actively promoting the incorporation of our
technologies for use in new and growing markets such as personal computers, broadcast, gaming and automotive.
The personal computing market, which represents over 25% of our licensing revenue, has been primarily driven by
demand for software DVD players. Revenues generated from broadcast, gaming and automotive markets have been
driven by demand for Dolby Digital in set-top boxes, televisions, video game consoles and in-car entertainment
systems. Although these markets have been growing, there is a risk that future growth may not fully offset a
potential decline in the growth of revenues generated from our consumer electronics market. For example, in an
effort to offer lower cost business PCs, PC manufacturers may exclude software DVD players in their business-
oriented offerings, which may result in lower than anticipated revenues.
We expect that sales of products incorporating our technologies in China and India will increase in the future, as
consumers in these geographical markets have more disposable income and consequently increase purchases of
entertainment products with surround sound capabilities for use in homes, cars and elsewhere, although there can be
no assurance that this will occur. We expect that the percentage of our licensing revenue from Chinese
manufacturers will increase in fiscal 2006 as a result of the increasing percentage of products being produced in
China due to a lower manufacturing cost structure as compared to other industrial countries. Associated with
43
opportunities of doing business in China are unique risks that have and will continue to affect our operating results,
such as manufacturers failing to report or underreporting product shipments.
Our Products and Production Services Segment
Revenue from our products and production services segment represented 27%, 27% and 25% of total revenue in
fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. We remain committed to developing technologies for use by professionals
in the entertainment industry. We believe that filmmakers, broadcasters, music producers and video game designers
will continue to push for technology solutions to help create, distribute and play back rich, high quality sounds and
images. As a result, we believe that major advances in sound, imaging and other technologies for the recording,
delivery and playback of entertainment will likely first be introduced in products designed for use by professionals.
Sales of our professional products and production services tend to fluctuate based on the underlying trends in
the motion picture industry. In part, this is because our products have been so widely adopted in this industry. When
box office receipts for the motion picture industry increase, we have typically seen sales of our professional products
increase as well, as cinema owners are more likely to build new theatres and upgrade existing theatres with our more
advanced cinema products when they are doing well financially. Conversely, when box office receipts are down
cinema owners tend to scale back on plans to upgrade their systems or build new theatres. Our professional product
sales are also subject to fluctuations based on events and conditions in the cinema industry that may or may not be
tied to box office receipts in particular periods. In fiscal 2005, decreased box office receipts and changes within the
cinema industry, including recent restructuring and consolidations by U.S. cinemas, appear to have delayed
purchasing decisions by cinema owners. To a lesser extent, the sale of our professional products is influenced by the
launch of new digital services by broadcasters. Our production services revenue, both in the United States and
internationally, is also tied to the strength of the motion picture production industry and, in particular, to the number
of films being made by studios and independent filmmakers. The number of films that are produced can be affected
by a number of factors, including strikes and work-stoppages within the motion picture industry as well as by the tax
incentive arrangements that many foreign governments provide filmmakers to promote local filmmaking.
We are also committed to helping the motion picture industry develop system solutions for digital cinema; this
is a major initiative in our products and production services segment. Digital cinema offers the motion picture
industry possible means to achieve substantial cost savings in printing and distributing movies, to combat piracy,
and to enable movies to be played repeatedly without degradation in image quality. It also provides additional
revenue opportunities for cinema operators, as concerts and sporting events already in digital format could be
broadcast live via satellite to digitally equipped theatres. The cinema industry is in the early stages of the adoption
of digital cinema for the distribution and exhibition of movies. As this market evolves, we are continuing to
investigate other opportunities, in addition to our traditional model of selling our products directly to our customers.
Industry participants are discussing various business models to facilitate adoption of digital cinema by allocating the
costs among industry participants, but no arrangements have yet emerged as definitive business models that will
result in significant installations of digital cinema systems. These opportunities have inherent risks. Digital cinema
may require a significant investment per screen by cinema operators. If the market for digital cinema develops more
slowly than we anticipate, or if our technologies, products and services for this market are not widely adopted, our
significant investment in developing digital cinema technology may not yield the returns we anticipate. In addition,
a number of competitors and potential competitors are developing similar or alternative solutions for digital cinema,
some of which may provide cost or technological advantages over our products, technologies and services.
In an effort to encourage the motion picture industry to increase the pace of conversion to digital cinema, in the
third quarter of fiscal 2005, we entered into a collaboration agreement with Walt Disney Studios to deploy digital
cinema systems in selected theatres throughout the U.S. in connection with the theatrical release of Chicken Little in
the first quarter of our fiscal 2006. We funded the majority of the equipment and installation costs related to this
deployment, resulting in a total expense of $1.4 million to cost of product sales and cost of production services in
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. We expect to incur an expense of approximately $7.0 million in the first quarter of
fiscal 2006 associated with the collaboration agreement. While the primary reason for this investment was to
establish us as a leader in digital cinema, we also expect to receive a fee each time a digital print is delivered, which
we refer to as a virtual-print-fee, from participating studios that deliver digital prints for exhibition on the systems
installed in this deployment.
In recent years, our products and production services segment has grown more slowly than our technology
licensing segment. From fiscal 2003 to fiscal 2005, our annual revenue from professional product sales and
production services grew at a compound annual growth rate of 17%, compared to a compound annual growth rate of
25% for our licensing revenue over that period. In addition, the profit margin for our products and production
services segment has been lower than our technology licensing segment and is expected to remain so. Our gross
margin for our products and production services segment was 44%, 51% and 51% in fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005,
44
respectively, compared to a gross margin of 75%, 75% and 84% for our technology licensing segment in those
periods. The deployment of digital cinema equipment associated with the Walt Disney Studios collaboration
discussed above had a negative impact on our product gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2005 and will negatively
impact the first quarter of 2006. On a pro forma basis, our gross margin for our products and production services
segment was 48%, 55% and 53% in fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively, compared to a gross margin of 91%
for our technology licensing segment in all three periods. Refer to “Item 6. Selected Financial Data” for more
information on our pro forma results of operations.
Critical Accounting Policies
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated
financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with U.S.
GAAP requires us to utilize accounting policies and make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingencies as of the date of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenue and expenses during a fiscal period. The SEC considers an accounting policy to be
critical if it is important to a company’s financial condition and results of operations, and if it requires significant
judgment and estimates on the part of management in its application. We have discussed the selection and
development of the critical accounting policies with the audit committee of our board of directors, and the audit
committee has reviewed our related disclosures in this Form 10-K. Although we believe that our judgments and
estimates are appropriate and correct, actual results may differ from those estimates.
The following are our critical accounting policies because we believe they are both important to the portrayal of
our financial condition and results of operations and require critical management judgments and estimates about
matters that are uncertain. If actual results or events differ materially from those contemplated by us in making these
estimates, our reported financial condition and results of operation for future periods could be materially affected.
See “Risk Factors” for certain matters bearing risks on our future results of operations.
Revenue Recognition
We evaluate revenue recognition for transactions to sell products and services and to license technology,
trademarks and know-how using the criteria set forth by the SEC in Staff Accounting Bulletin 104, “Revenue
Recognition” (SAB 104). SAB 104 states that revenue is recognized when each of the following criteria are met:
persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the seller’s
price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured.
Licensing. Our licensing revenue is primarily derived from royalties paid to us by licensees of our intellectual
property rights, including patents, trademarks and know-how. Royalties are recorded at their gross amounts and are
recognized when all revenue recognition criteria have been met. We make judgments as to whether collectibility can
be reasonably assured based on the licensee’s recent payment history or the existence of a standby letter-of-credit
between the licensee’s financial institution and our financial institution. In the absence of a favorable collection
history or a letter-of-credit, we recognize revenue upon receipt of cash, provided that all other revenue recognition
criteria have been met.
Product Sales and Production Services. Our revenue from the sale of products is recognized when the risk of
ownership has transferred to our customer as provided under the terms of the governing purchase agreement,
typically the invoice we deliver to the customer, and all the other revenue recognition criteria have been met.
Generally, these purchase agreements provide that the risk of ownership is transferred to the customer when the
product is shipped. Production services revenue is recognized as the services related to a given project are performed
and all the other revenue recognition criteria have been met.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We continually monitor customer payments and maintain a reserve for estimated losses resulting from our
customers’ inability to make required payments. In determining the reserve, we evaluate the collectibility of our
accounts receivable based upon a variety of factors. In cases where we are aware of circumstances that may impair a
specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations, we record a specific allowance against amounts due, and
thereby reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount reasonably believed to be collectible. For all other
customers, we recognize allowances for doubtful accounts based on our actual historical write-off experience in
conjunction with the length of time the receivables are past due, customer creditworthiness, geographic risk and the
current business environment. Actual future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ from our estimates and
may have a material effect on our consolidated statements of operations and our financial condition. Our allowance
for doubtful accounts totaled $2.0 million at September 30, 2005. An incremental change of 1% in our allowance for
45
doubtful accounts as a percentage of trade accounts receivables would have a $0.1 million increase or decrease in
our operating results.
Goodwill
We account for goodwill in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill
and Other Intangible Assets,” (SFAS 142). SFAS 142, among other things, established new standards for goodwill
acquired in a business combination, eliminated the amortization of goodwill and requires the carrying value of
goodwill and certain non-amortizing intangibles to be evaluated for impairment on an annual basis. As required by
SFAS 142, we perform an impairment test on recorded goodwill by comparing the estimated fair value of each of
our reporting units to the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of each unit, including goodwill. This value is
determined by using a discounted cash-flow model which considers a number of factors, including estimated future
cash-flows, risks facing us and our current market capitalization. If the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of
the reporting units, including goodwill, were to exceed our estimation of the fair value of the reporting units, we
would record an impairment charge in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying value of goodwill over the
implied fair value of the goodwill. Our fiscal 2005 impairment test of goodwill, which was performed in the third
fiscal quarter, resulted in no impairment charge. Fluctuations in our fair value, which may result from changes in
economic conditions, our results of operations and other factors, relative to the carrying value, could result in
impairment charges in future periods.
Accounting for Income Taxes
In preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to make estimates and judgments that affect
our accounting for income taxes. This process includes estimating actual current tax exposure together with
assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These
differences, including differences in the timing of recognition of stock-based compensation expense, result in
deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our consolidated balance sheets. We also assess the
likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent that we
believe that recovery is not likely, we have established a valuation allowance.
Significant judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities
and the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. Our financial position and results of operations may be
materially impacted if actual results significantly differ from these estimates or the estimates are adjusted in future
periods.
Personal Holding Company Tax Matters. For United States federal income tax purposes, a corporation is
generally considered to be a “personal holding company” under the United States Internal Revenue Code if (i) at any
time during the last half of its taxable year more than 50% of its stock by value is owned, directly or indirectly, by
virtue of the application of certain stock ownership attribution rules set forth in the Internal Revenue Code for
purposes of applying the personal holding company rules, by five or fewer individuals and (ii) at least 60% of its
adjusted ordinary gross income, as defined for United States federal income tax purposes, is “personal holding
company income.” Personal holding company income is generally passive income, including royalty income,
subject to certain exceptions such as qualifying software royalties. A personal holding company is subject to an
additional tax on its undistributed after-tax income, calculated at the statutory tax rate, which is currently 15%. Since
the personal holding company tax is imposed only on undistributed income, a personal holding company can avoid
or mitigate liability for the tax, but not interest or penalties, by paying a dividend to its stockholders.
During fiscal 2005, more than 50% of the value of our stock was held by Ray Dolby and stockholders
considered affiliated with him pursuant to the stock ownership attribution rules applicable to personal holding
companies. We expect this will continue to be the case in the foreseeable future. In addition, a significant portion
of our income is from licensing fees, which may constitute personal holding company income. Currently, however,
less than 60% of Dolby Laboratories’ adjusted ordinary gross income is personal holding company income. Given
our current sources of revenue, we believe that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries is currently liable for personal
holding company tax. Moreover, we do not believe that we or any of our subsidiaries have previously been liable for
personal holding company tax.
Stock-Based Compensation
We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
“Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (APB 25) and related interpretations and elected to utilize the
disclosure option of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation” (SFAS 123) as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, “Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure” (SFAS 148). Under the provisions of APB 25 and related
46
interpretations, compensation expense is to be recognized when options to purchase shares of common stock are
issued below the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant. The amount of compensation
expense to be recognized is equal to the intrinsic value per share, which is the difference between the exercise price
and the fair market value at the date of grant.
We have granted to our employees options to purchase shares of common stock at exercise prices equal to the
fair market values of the underlying stock at the time of each grant, as determined by our board of directors at that
time of grant. Prior to our initial public offering, our board determined these values principally based on valuation
reports we obtained effective as of July each year. Under the provisions of APB 25, in general, if the exercise price
of stock awards granted to employees is equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant,
no stock-based compensation cost is recognized. In connection with the preparation of the financial statements for
our initial public offering we noted that the fair value of the shares subject to the equity awards granted during fiscal
2004 and the first quarter of fiscal 2005 were significantly less than the valuations that our underwriters were
discussing with us regarding our public offering. Therefore, we reassessed the fair market value of our common
stock and determined that the equity awards granted during this period had a compensatory element that should be
reflected in our financial statements. As a result, we recorded deferred compensation of $38.4 million during fiscal
2004, which was scheduled to be amortized over a four year period ending fiscal 2008 and $5.5 million during the
first quarter of fiscal 2005 which was scheduled to be amortized over a four year period ending fiscal 2009. We
recorded stock-based compensation expense in connection with these awards of $5.6 million in fiscal 2004 and
$13.2 million in fiscal 2005. Subsequent to the effective date of our initial public offering, all options to purchase
common stock have been granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the
date of the grant, as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange. Under the provisions of APB 25, no stock-based
compensation was recognized related to these grants.
In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based
Payment” (SFAS 123R). SFAS 123R requires measurement of all employee stock-based compensation awards using
a fair-value method and recording of such expense in the consolidated financial statements. We will adopt
SFAS123R in the first fiscal quarter of 2006. We have selected the Black-Scholes option pricing model as the most
appropriate method for estimating the fair value of stock-based awards. The Black-Scholes option pricing model
requires us to make certain assumptions including stock price volatility, estimated forfeitures, employee stock option
exercise behavior and other factors, which can be highly subjective and difficult to predict. A change in one or more
of these assumptions could have a material impact on total compensation expense. SFAS 123R requires stock-based
compensation expense to be recognized against additional paid-in-capital over the service period of the stock-based
award, typically the vesting period. As a result, upon adoption of SFAS 123R, the balance in deferred compensation
that was previously recorded under APB 25 on our consolidated balance sheets will be reduced to zero with an
offsetting reduction to additional paid-in-capital. We expect stock-based compensation expense under SFAS 123R
related to stock-based awards that have been issued through fiscal 2005 to be approximately $16.6 million, $15.3
million, $10.3 million and $2.2 million in fiscal 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively. We expect to grant
additional stock-based awards in fiscal 2006 which will result in additional stock-based compensation expense.
Results of Operations
Fiscal Years Ended September 26, 2003, September 24, 2004 and September 30, 2005
The following table presents our audited actual and pro forma unaudited operating results as a percentage of
total revenue for the periods indicated:
Actual
Fiscal Year Ended
Sep 26,
2003
Sep 24,
2004
Sep 30,
2005
Sep 26,
2003
Pro Forma
Fiscal Year Ended
Sep 24,
2004
(unaudited)
Sep 30,
2005
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
Revenue:
Licensing ........................................................
Product sales ..................................................
Production services ........................................
Total revenue .........................................
Cost of revenue:
Cost of licensing ............................................
Cost of product sales (1) ................................
Cost of production services (1)......................
Total cost of revenue..............................
73%
20
7
100
19
12
3
34
75%
18
7
100
12
9
3
24
73%
20
7
100
7
11
3
21
73%
20
7
100
7
9
3
19
75%
18
7
100
7
9
3
19
73%
20
7
100
19
10
3
32
47
Gross margin .......................................................
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative (1)..........
Research and development (1).......................
Settlements .....................................................
In-process research and development............
Total operating expenses .......................
Operating income................................................
Other income (expenses), net..............................
Income before provision for income taxes and
controlling interest ...........................................
Provision for income taxes..................................
Income before controlling interest......................
Controlling interest in net income, net of tax .....
66
35
8
-
1
44
22
0
22
8
14
0
68
37
8
(1)
1
45
23
0
23
9
14
0
76
41
10
(1)
-
50
26
2
28
12
16
0
79
35
8
-
1
44
35
0
35
13
22
0
81
37
8
(1)
1
45
36
0
36
14
22
0
81
41
10
(1)
-
50
31
2
33
14
19
0
Net income ..........................................................
14%
14%
16%
22%
22%
19%
__________
(1) Stock-based compensation included above in fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2005 and was classified as follows::
Cost of product sales......................................
Cost of production services............................
Selling, general and administrative................
Research and development ............................
Total stock-based compensation............
0%
0
2
0
2%
0%
0
3
1
4%
Fiscal Years Ended September 24, 2004 and September 30, 2005
0%
0
2
0
2%
0%
0
3
1
4%
Revenue
Revenue:
Fiscal Year Ended
Change
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
$
%
($ in thousands)
Licensing ........................................................
Percentage of total revenue.....................
Product sales ...................................................
Percentage of total revenue.....................
Production services.........................................
Percentage of total revenue.....................
$ 211,395
73%
57,981
20%
19,665
7%
$ 246,298
75%
60,021
18%
21,648
7%
$ 34,903
17%
2,040
4%
1,983
10%
Total revenue....................................
$ 289,041
$ 327,967
$38,926
13%
Licensing. The $34.9 million, or 17%, increase in licensing revenue from fiscal 2004 to fiscal 2005 resulted
from increased sales by our licensees of their products that incorporate our technologies. The growth was driven by
increases in revenues from the personal computer (PC), automotive, broadcast and gaming markets. The increase in
the PC market was driven by growth in sales of personal computer software DVD players. The automotive,
broadcast and gaming markets were driven by sales of in-car entertainment systems, set-top boxes, digital
televisions and video game consoles that incorporate our technologies. In addition, revenues generated by licensing
services, increased due to strong growth in the use of AAC audio in personal music devices. These increases were
offset by a decline in the revenue growth rate from our consumer electronics market due to a maturation of the sale
of traditional DVD players, manufacturers reducing the complexity of their low-end DVD players thereby
decreasing the number of processors on which we earn licensing revenue, slower than expected adoption of
recordable DVD players and delayed introduction of next-generation DVD players. In addition, the consumer
electronics industry has experienced a movement by discount retailers towards lower-end Chinese-made DVD
players which has posed challenges for us in royalty collection and intellectual property enforcement in China.
Product Sales. The $2.0 million, or 4%, increase in our revenue from product sales from fiscal 2004 to fiscal
2005 was principally attributable to an increase in sales of our broadcast products primarily due to increased efforts
on the part of domestic and European local television stations, cable networks and satellite broadcasters to broadcast
in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. This was offset by a slight decrease in sales of our cinema products.
48
Decreased box office receipts when compared with 2004 and changes within the U.S. cinema industry, including
recent restructuring and consolidations, appear to have delayed purchasing decisions by cinema operators.
Production Services. The $2.0 million, or 10%, increase in production services revenue from fiscal 2004 to
fiscal 2005 was primarily attributable to an increase related to services provided on international films, commercials
and foreign language versions of those films. To a lesser extent, revenue increased due to production services
provided to domestic content providers related to original films, including digital films, as well as cinema
monitoring services.
Gross Margin
Actual
Fiscal Year Ended
Pro forma
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
Gross Margin:
Licensing gross margin percentage
Product sales gross margin percentage
Production services gross margin
percentage
Total gross margin percentage
75%
48%
61%
68%
84%
48%
61%
76%
(unaudited)
91%
54%
61%
81%
91%
50%
61%
81%
Licensing Gross Margin. We license to our customers intellectual property that may be internally developed,
acquired by us or licensed from other parties. Our cost of licensing consists principally of royalty obligations to third
parties for the licensing of intellectual property rights that we sublicense as part of our licensing arrangements with
our customers. Our cost of licensing also includes amortization expenses associated with purchased intangible
assets. Prior to February 16, 2005, our cost of licensing also included royalty obligations to Ray Dolby. On
February 16, 2005, Ray Dolby contributed to us all rights in the intellectual property related to our business that he
and his affiliates held. In connection with the asset contribution, our previous licensing arrangements with Ray
Dolby terminated, and we have no further obligation to pay royalties to Ray Dolby. The increase in licensing gross
margin from the fiscal 2004 to fiscal 2005 was due primarily to a decrease in royalty obligations to Ray Dolby as a
result of the February 2005 contribution of his intellectual property rights.
Our pro forma licensing gross margin for fiscal 2004 and 2005 excludes $33.8 million and $17.4 million,
respectively, of expenses we recorded for licensing royalty obligations to Ray Dolby.
Product Sales Gross Margin. Cost of product sales primarily consists of material costs related to the products
sold, direct labor and applied manufacturing overhead and, to a lesser extent, amortization of certain intangible
assets. Prior to February 16, 2005, our cost of product sales also included royalty obligations for technologies we
licensed from Ray Dolby. These royalty obligations terminated in connection with Ray Dolby’s asset contribution
discussed above. The elimination of these royalty obligations was offset by a $1.3 million charge recorded to cost of
product sales in fiscal 2005 in connection with our digital cinema collaboration with Walt Disney Studios discussed
above in our management discussion and analysis of our product and production services segment. We expect to
record a similar charge in the first quarter of fiscal 2006 for approximately $6.5 million.
Pro forma product sales gross margin for fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2005 excludes $3.1 million and $1.3 million,
respectively, of expenses we recorded for royalty payments we made to Ray Dolby. The decrease in pro forma
margin was primarily due to the charge recorded for the digital cinema collaboration discussed above.
Production Services Gross Margin. Cost of production services consists of the payroll and benefits costs of
employees performing our professional services, the cost of outside consultants and reimbursable expenses incurred
on behalf of customers. Production services gross margins were flat from fiscal 2004 to fiscal 2005. We expect to
incur a charge of approximately $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2006 related to the Walt Disney Studios digital
cinema collaboration discussed above under Product Sales Gross Margin.
49
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses:
Fiscal Year Ended
Change
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
$
%
($ in thousands)
Selling, general and administrative.................
Percentage of total revenue.....................
Research and development .............................
Percentage of total revenue.....................
Settlements .....................................................
Percentage of total revenue.....................
In-process research and development .............
Percentage of total revenue.....................
$ 106,456
37%
23,479
8%
(2,000)
(1)%
1,738
1%
$ 135,155
41%
30,532
10%
(2,000)
(1)%
-
-
$28,699
27%
7,053
30%
-
(1,738)
-
na
Total operating expenses ..................
$ 129,673
$ 163,687
$34,014
26%
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative expense consists primarily of
personnel and personnel-related expenses, facility costs and professional service fees for our sales, marketing and
administrative functions.
The $28.7 million, or 27%, increase in selling, general and administrative expense from fiscal 2004 to fiscal
2005 was principally due to a $7.4 million increase in marketing expenses, particularly promotional expenses, a $5.9
million increase in stock-based compensation expense, which includes a $2.3 million charge related to an
acceleration of vesting terms for a long-term employee at retirement, a $6.4 million increase in compensation and
benefits costs due to a growth in headcount and annual pay rates coupled with a $1.9 million rise in occupancy costs
to accommodate our headcount growth. In addition, we incurred a $2.1 million increase in professional and
consulting expenses related primarily to intellectual property rights enforcement activities, information technology
support costs, legal fees including those associated with employee benefit matters, internal audit expenses and
insurance costs. The remaining increase was attributable to a growth in depreciation, travel, entertainment, system
and communication expenses. In fiscal 2006, we expect to incur costs associated with Sarbanes-Oxley Act
compliance efforts, as well as consulting fees and ancillary enterprise resource planning implementation costs
related to enhanced data collection, compliance tracking tools and improved licensee training and communications.
We intend to fund these costs from our available working capital.
Research and Development. Research and development expense consists primarily of compensation and
benefits related costs for personnel responsible for the research and development of new technologies and products.
The $7.1 million, or 30%, increase in research and development expense from fiscal 2004 to fiscal 2005 was
primarily the result of a $3.7 million increase in compensation and benefits costs due to a growth in headcount and
annual pay rates, a $1.3 million increase in stock-based compensation expense and a $1.3 million increase in costs to
support current projects.
Settlements. Settlements include interest and penalties related to the collection of royalties and resolution of
disputes in our favor or against us. Settlements of royalty disputes from licensees that specifically represent unpaid
royalties are recorded as licensing revenue in the period payment is received, if all other revenue recognition criteria
have been met. Settlements of other disputes, such as disputes with implementation licensees from which we
typically do not receive royalties, are recorded in settlements. In the first quarter of fiscal 2005, we recognized $2.0
million in connection with the settlement of disputes with two of our implementation licensees regarding violation
of the terms of their licensing agreements with us. In the third quarter of fiscal 2004 we recognized $2.0 million in
connection with the settlement of a dispute with another of our implementation licensees.
In-process Research and Development. In fiscal 2004, we recorded a $1.7 million charge related to purchased
in-process research and development that had no alternative uses and had not reached technological feasibility. No
such charges have been incurred in fiscal 2005. See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
included as part of this Form 10-K for information on in-process research and development we acquired in
connection with our business combinations.
Other Income, Net
50
Other income, net, primarily consists of interest income earned on cash and cash equivalent balances, as well
as gains and losses on interest rate swap agreements and foreign exchange rate fluctuations, offset by interest
expense on outstanding balances on our facility debt obligations. Other income, net was $7.2 million in fiscal 2005
compared to $0.2 million in fiscal 2004. The increase in fiscal 2005 was primarily due to increased interest earned
on our higher cash and cash equivalent balances and approximately $1.2 million in foreign exchange gains. In fiscal
2005, we began selling more products in United States dollars from our United Kingdom branch and maintained the
receipts in a United States dollar account in the United Kingdom. The functional currency of our United Kingdom
branch is the British pound sterling. The balance in the account grew throughout the year exposing our results of
operation to foreign exchange gains and losses. In the future we expect to take steps to reduce this exposure.
Income Taxes
Actual
Fiscal Year Ended
Pro Forma
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
($ in thousands)
(unaudited)
Income taxes:
Provision for income taxes ............... $ 27,321
40%
Effective tax rate........................
$ 37,330
41%
$ 40,676
39%
$ 44,917
41%
Our effective tax rate in fiscal 2005 was higher than in fiscal 2004 primarily due to the impact of stock-based
compensation expense, which is generally non-deductible, as well as non-deductible losses from foreign
subsidiaries. The effect of stock-based compensation expense, on our effective tax rate for fiscal 2005 was 4%, on
an actual basis and 3% on a pro forma basis. The effect of stock-based compensation expense, on our effective tax
rate for fiscal 2004 was 3%, on an actual basis and 2% on a pro forma basis. Our pro forma provision for income
taxes and pro forma effective tax rate for fiscal 2004 and 2005 reflect the increase in operating income due to the
exclusion of $36.9 million and $18.7 million, respectively, in royalty expense obligations to Ray Dolby.
Fiscal Years Ended September 26, 2003 and September 24, 2004
Revenue
Revenue:
Fiscal Year Ended
Change
September 26,
2003
September 24,
2004
$
%
($ in thousands)
Licensing ........................................................
Percentage of total revenue.....................
Product sales ...................................................
Percentage of total revenue.....................
Production services.........................................
Percentage of total revenue.....................
$ 157,922
73%
44,403
20%
15,147
7%
$ 211,395
73%
57,981
20%
19,665
7%
$ 53,473
34%
13,578
31%
4,518
30%
Total revenue....................................
$ 217,472
$ 289,041
$71,569
33%
Licensing. The $53.5 million, or 34%, increase in licensing revenue from fiscal 2003 to fiscal 2004 resulted
from increased sales by our licensees of their products that incorporate our technologies, principally attributable to
the growth in sales of DVD players worldwide. Virtually all DVD players incorporate our Dolby Digital
technologies. The increase in licensing revenue was primarily attributable to increases in the volume of units
shipped by our licensees, and to a lesser extent to increases in our royalty rates, resulting from cost of living license
rate increases that are generally provided for in our licensing agreements. Aside from the growth in sales of DVD
players, the increase in our licensing revenue was also attributable to growth in sales of personal computer software
DVD players and, to a lesser extent, set-top boxes and recordable DVD players. Sales of products such as home-
theatre-in-a-box and audio/video receivers that incorporate multiple Dolby technologies also helped increase our
licensing revenue, as we typically receive royalties for each of our technologies incorporated into a licensee’s
product.
Product Sales. The $13.6 million, or 31%, increase in our revenue from product sales from fiscal 2003 to
fiscal 2004 was principally attributable to a $10.0 million increase in sales of our cinema products, primarily related
51
to new theatre construction and the decisions by cinema operators to retrofit their existing theatres to include our
cinema processors. To a lesser extent, the increase in product sales revenue was also attributable to $2.0 million in
sales of live sound products by one of our consolidated subsidiaries, which was acquired in fiscal 2004 and was
therefore not included in prior periods results of operations, and a $1.6 million increase in sales of our broadcast
products to local television stations, cable networks and European satellite broadcasters.
Production Services. The $4.5 million, or 30%, increase in production services revenue from fiscal 2003 to
fiscal 2004 was primarily attributable to a $3.4 million increase in production by foreign content providers,
including the impact of favorable exchange rate fluctuations. Of the $3.4 million increase, $2.0 million related to
original foreign films, $0.8 million to foreign language versions of original films, and $0.6 million to commercials
and film trailers. Service revenue from acquired companies contributed an additional $0.4 million in fiscal 2004.
Additionally, our other service offerings such as print checking and screening services increased $0.4 million in
fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal 2003, as some of these services related to digital cinema had not previously been
offered.
Gross Margin
Actual
Fiscal Year Ended
Pro forma
Fiscal Year Ended
September 26,
2003
September 24,
2004
September 26,
2003
September 24,
2004
Gross Margin:
Licensing gross margin percentage
Product sales gross margin percentage
Production services gross margin
percentage
Total gross margin percentage
75%
40%
54%
66%
75%
48%
61%
68%
(unaudited)
91%
46%
54%
79%
91%
54%
61%
81%
Licensing Gross Margin. Our pro forma licensing gross margin for fiscal 2003 and 2004 excludes $25.1
million and $33.8 million, respectively, of expenses we recorded for sublicensing royalty payments we made to Ray
Dolby.
Product Sales Gross Margin. The increase in our product sales gross margin in fiscal 2004 was the result of
increased production levels, but was partially offset by a $0.1 million stock-based compensation expense recorded in
fiscal 2004. The increased production levels led to increased gross margins, as the higher production volumes were
able to absorb greater amounts of relatively fixed labor and overhead costs due to the high level of automation in our
manufacturing processes. Pro forma product sales gross margin excludes $2.5 million and $3.1 million for fiscal
2003 and 2004, respectively, in expenses we recorded for royalty payments we made to Ray Dolby.
Production Services Gross Margin. The increase in production services gross margin in fiscal 2004 resulted
primarily from an increase in content production and the corresponding amount of engineering services provided by
our professional services organization during the fiscal year.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses:
Fiscal Year Ended
Change
September 26,
2003
September 24,
2004
$
%
($ in thousands)
Selling, general and administrative.................
Percentage of total revenue.....................
Research and development .............................
Percentage of total revenue.....................
Settlements .....................................................
Percentage of total revenue.....................
In-process research and development .............
Percentage of total revenue.....................
$ 76,590
35%
18,262
8%
-
-
1,310
1%
$ 106,456
37%
23,479
8%
(2,000)
(1)%
1,738
1%
$ 29,866
39%
5,217
29%
(2,000)
-
428
33%
Total operating expenses ..................
$ 96,162
$ 129,673
$33,511
35%
52
Selling, General and Administrative. The $29.9 million, or 39%, increase in selling, general and
administrative expense from fiscal 2003 to 2004 was primarily due to a $13.8 million increase in payroll and
benefits costs as a result of increased headcount and performance-based awards and $7.1 million of expenses
incurred in connection with professional and consulting fees related primarily to our preparations for becoming a
public company. These professional and consulting fees included costs incurred in connection with the
implementation of a new enterprise resource planning, or ERP, system, the augmentation of our internal controls
related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, consulting fees related to an evaluation of our royalty reporting processes, and
additional tax and audit services. To a lesser extent, our selling, general and administrative expense also increased in
fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal 2003 due to a $5.8 million charge we recorded in fiscal 2004 for stock-based
compensation expense.
Research and Development. The $5.2 million, or 29%, increase in research and development expense from
fiscal 2003 to 2004 was primarily due to a $3.3 million increase in payroll and benefit costs as a result of increased
headcount and, to a lesser extent, to a $0.8 million charge related to stock-based compensation expense incurred in
fiscal 2004.
Settlements. In fiscal 2004, we received a $2.0 million payment in connection with the settlement of a dispute
with one of our semiconductor manufacturing implementation licensees regarding violation of the terms of their
implementation licensing agreement with us.
In-process Research and Development. In fiscal 2004, we recorded a $1.7 million charge related to purchased
in-process research and development that had no alternative uses and had not reached technological feasibility. See
Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included as part of this Form 10-K for information on in-
process research and development we acquired in connection with our business combinations.
Other Income (Expenses), Net
Other income, net was $0.2 million in fiscal 2004 compared to $0.1 million in other expenses, net in fiscal
2003. The fluctuation from fiscal 2003 was due to an increase in interest income as a result of higher average cash
and cash equivalent balances for fiscal 2004.
Income Taxes
Actual
Fiscal Year Ended
Pro Forma
Fiscal Year Ended
September 26,
2003
September 24,
2004
September 26,
2003
September 24,
2004
($ in thousands)
(unaudited)
Income taxes:
Provision for income taxes ............... $ 16,079
34%
Effective tax rate........................
$ 27,321
40%
$ 26,714
36%
$ 40,676
39%
Our fiscal 2004 effective tax rate was higher than in fiscal 2003 primarily due to the impact of incentive stock-
based compensation expense, which is nondeductible, and losses from our foreign subsidiaries that we incurred in
fiscal 2004. Excluding the effect of incentive stock-based compensation expense, our effective tax rate for fiscal
2004 would have been 38%. For fiscal 2003, the effective tax rate was below the statutory tax rate of 35% primarily
due to the impact of extraterritorial income exclusion and research and experimentation credits. Our pro forma
provision for income taxes and effective tax rate for fiscal 2003 and 2004 reflect the increase in operating income
due to the exclusion of $27.6 million and $36.9 million, respectively, in royalty expense payable to Ray Dolby.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Condition
Our financial position includes cash and cash equivalents of $78.7 million and $372.4 million at September 24,
2004 and September 30, 2005, respectively. We believe that our cash, cash equivalents and potential cash flow from
operations will be sufficient to satisfy our cash requirements through at least the next 12 months.
Operating Activities
Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents and the cash flow we generate from our
operations.
53
Our operating activities generated cash of $39.6 million, $46.9 million and $80.4 million in fiscal 2003, 2004
and 2005, respectively. The increase in cash flows provided by operating activities in fiscal 2005 as compared to
fiscal 2004 was due primarily to an increase in net income, excluding non-cash charges for stock-based
compensation and changes in deferred income taxes.
The increase in net income and operating cash flow was primarily due to changes in our royalty obligations to
Ray Dolby under licensing and royalty agreements. We recorded expenses for the use of certain patent and
trademark rights in the amounts of $27.6 million, $36.9 million and $18.7 million in fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005,
respectively. In connection with the asset contribution by Ray Dolby on February 16, 2005, these licensing and
royalty agreements terminated, and we have no further obligation to pay royalties, or incur any costs or expenses,
under these agreements.
Investing Activities
Our investing activities are primarily related to capital expenditures associated with the purchases of office
equipment, building fixtures, computer hardware and software, leasehold improvements and production and test
equipment, as well as exclusive rights to third-party technologies.
Capital expenditures for fiscal 2005 increased as compared to fiscal 2004 principally due to additional costs
associated with the implementation of a new ERP system and for increased leasehold improvement costs made to
our various facilities. In the first quarter of fiscal 2005, we made a payment of approximately $11.0 million for an
exclusive irrevocable right to sublicense a third party’s technology to our customers.
In both fiscal 2003 and 2004, we acquired complementary businesses related primarily to technologies that
facilitate the delivery of virtual surround sound and digital entertainment, such as technologies that process digital
moving images, digital signal processing technologies or technologies that protect content from piracy. Under the
terms of one of the acquisition agreements, we paid approximately $3.1 million in September 2005, and we have
future payment obligations equal to approximately 5% to 8% of revenue generated from products incorporating
technologies we acquired in the transaction. As of September 24, 2004, and September 30, 2005, no additional
purchase consideration had been earned. We paid $7.1 million, $18.4 million and $4.6 million in fiscal 2003, 2004
and 2005, respectively, in connection with these business combinations.
Financing Activities
Our financing activities consist primarily of amounts received from the issuance of common stock and
payments made on our facility debt obligations. In fiscal 2005, we generated $244.7 million of cash from our
financing activities primarily due to $242.5 million in net proceeds from the issuance of Class A common stock in
connection with our initial public offering and an additional $3.6 million from the exercises of Class B common
stock options. These cash inflows were partially offset by $1.3 million of payments on our facility debt obligations.
Personal Holding Company Tax Matters
If we or any of our subsidiaries were to become liable for personal holding company tax, we expect that it is
likely that instead of paying the personal holding company tax, we would elect to pay a dividend to our stockholders
in an amount equal to all or a significant part of our undistributed personal holding company income. We expect that
we would pay such a dividend out of our available working capital, which could significantly decrease our cash,
unless we sought additional financing for this purpose. Any such financing might not be available on terms
acceptable to us or at all. If instead of paying a dividend we elect to pay the tax, this could significantly increase our
consolidated tax expense. We expect we would pay any such tax out of our available working capital, which could
also significantly decrease our cash, unless we sought additional financing. See “Critical Accounting Policies—
Accounting For Income Taxes” for a further explanation of matters related to personal holding tax issues.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table presents a summary of our contractual obligations and commitments as of September 30,
2005.
Payments Due Within
1 Year
2-3
Years
4-5
Years
More
than 5
Years
Total
Litigation settlement..........................................................
$ 3,000
$ 6,000
(in thousands)
$ 6,000
$ 3,000
$ 18,000
54
Mortgages ..........................................................................
Operating leases.................................................................
Total ..........................................................................
1,346
2,988
$ 7,334
2,906
2,642
$ 11,548
3,231
1,803
$ 11,034
5,987
4,527
$ 13,514
13,470
11,960
$ 43,430
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based
Payment” (SFAS 123R). SFAS 123R requires compensation expense related to stock-based awards to be recognized
in the financial statements. The amount of compensation expense will be measured based upon the fair value of the
stock-based awards at the date of grant. Originally, this statement was effective for public companies as of the first
interim or annual reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005. On April 14, 2005, the SEC adopted a rule that
allows companies to implement SFAS 123R at the beginning of their next fiscal year, instead of the next reporting
period that begins after June 15, 2005. Under such rules, we will adopt SFAS 123R in the first quarter of fiscal 2006.
At that time, we will begin recognizing compensation expense related to unvested stock-based awards and newly
granted awards. We expect stock-based compensation expense under SFAS 123R related to stock-based awards
issued through fiscal 2005 to be approximately $16.6 million, $15.3 million, $10.3 million and $2.2 million in fiscal
2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively. We expect to grant additional stock-based awards in fiscal 2006 which
will result in additional stock-based compensation expense.
55
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Sensitivity
Cash and Cash Equivalents. As of September 30, 2005, we had cash and cash equivalents of $372.4 million,
which consisted of highly liquid money market instruments with original maturities of three months or less.
Utilizing our cash balance as of September 30, 2005, a hypothetical 1.0% change in interest rates would result in a
$3.7 million impact to our interest income.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements. We have entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to
interest rate changes on our facility debt obligations. The swap agreements involve the exchange of fixed and
variable interest rate payments without exchanging the notional principal amount. Gains and losses associated with
the swap agreements are included in other income, net, in our consolidated statements of operations.
We do not utilize financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes, nor do we utilize leveraged
financial instruments.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
We maintain sales, marketing and business operations in foreign countries, most significantly in the United
Kingdom. As such, we have exposure to adverse changes in exchange rates associated with our foreign business
operations, but we believe this exposure to be limited. Nearly all of our revenue is derived from transactions
denominated in United States dollars. In fiscal 2005 we began selling more products in United States dollars from
our United Kingdom branch and maintained the receipts in a United States dollar account in the United Kingdom.
The functional currency of our United Kingdom branch is the British pound sterling. The balance in the account
grew throughout the year exposing our results of operation to foreign exchange gains and losses. In the future we
expect to take steps to reduce this exposure.
56
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm .................................................
Consolidated Balance Sheets ................................................................................................
Consolidated Statements of Operations ................................................................................
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income ..................
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows...............................................................................
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.........................................................................
58
59
60
61
62
63
57
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Dolby Laboratories, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and its
subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 24, 2004 and September 30, 2005, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in
the three-year period ended September 30, 2005. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial
statements, we have also audited the financial statement schedule. These consolidated financial statements and
financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule 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, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 24, 2004 and September 30, 2005
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
September 30, 2005, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the
related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements taken as a
whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
/s/ KPMG LLP
San Francisco, California
November 16, 2005
58
DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents...................................................................
Restricted cash ....................................................................................
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $2,110 at September 24,
2004 and $2,030 at September 30, 2005 ...........................................
Accounts receivable from related parties ............................................
Inventories ..........................................................................................
Income taxes receivable ......................................................................
Deferred income taxes ........................................................................
Prepaid expenses and other current assets...........................................
Total current assets ..........................................................................
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
$ 78,711
-
$ 372,403
205
18,257
1,927
7,163
4,246
30,813
3,640
144,757
25,221
-
11,722
8,021
31,183
5,433
454,188
Property, plant and equipment, net.........................................................
Intangible assets, net ................................................................................
Goodwill ..................................................................................................
Investments ..............................................................................................
Long-term deferred income taxes ............................................................
Other non-current assets ..........................................................................
Total assets.......................................................................................
72,333
6,778
22,030
244
6,669
9,055
$ 261,866
76,462
17,184
23,865
-
6,781
7,797
$ 586,277
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable ...............................................................................
Accounts payable and accrued royalties due to related parties ...........
Accrued compensation and benefits....................................................
Accrued royalties ................................................................................
Other accrued liabilities ......................................................................
Income taxes payable ..........................................................................
Current portion of debt........................................................................
Deferred revenues ...............................................................................
Total current liabilities .....................................................................
Long-term debt ...................................................................................
Other non-current liabilities ................................................................
Total liabilities .................................................................................
Controlling interest .................................................................................
Stockholders’ equity:
Class A common stock, $0.001 par value, one vote per share,
500,000,000 shares authorized: no shares issued and outstanding at
September 24, 2004 and 33,118,490 at September 30, 2005 ...........
Class B common stock, $0.001 par value, ten votes per share,
500,000,000 shares authorized: 86,547,910 shares issued and
outstanding at September 24, 2004 and 70,790,210 at September
30, 2005 ...........................................................................................
Additional paid-in capital....................................................................
Deferred stock-based compensation....................................................
Retained earnings................................................................................
Accumulated other comprehensive income ........................................
Total stockholders’ equity................................................................
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity .........................................
$ 6,249
291
18,720
4,711
26,860
3,793
1,290
2,562
64,476
13,580
23,283
101,339
17,200
$ 6,539
-
18,374
4,762
35,451
3,054
1,346
3,268
72,794
12,124
21,956
106,874
18,264
-
33
87
48,731
(33,728)
125,076
3,161
143,327
$ 261,866
71
308,354
(26,422)
177,369
1,734
461,139
$ 586,277
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
59
DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue:
Licensing ......................................................................................... $
157,922
$
211,395
$
246,298
Fiscal Year Ended
September 26,
2003
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
Product sales....................................................................................
Production services .........................................................................
Total revenue...........................................................................
Cost of revenue:
Cost of licensing..............................................................................
Cost of product sales (1) .................................................................
Cost of production services (1) .......................................................
Total cost of revenue...............................................................
44,403
15,147
217,472
40,001
26,684
6,958
73,643
Gross margin ........................................................................................
143,829
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative (1) ...........................................
Research and development (1)........................................................
Settlements ......................................................................................
In-process research and development .............................................
Total operating expenses.........................................................
Operating income .................................................................................
Interest income .....................................................................................
Interest expense ....................................................................................
Other income, net .................................................................................
Income before provision for income taxes and controlling interest ....
Provision for income taxes...................................................................
Income before controlling interest .......................................................
Controlling interest in net income, net of tax ......................................
76,590
18,262
-
1,310
96,162
47,667
1,144
(2,292)
1,091
47,610
16,079
31,531
(562)
57,981
19,665
289,041
53,838
30,043
7,624
91,505
197,536
106,456
23,479
(2,000)
1,738
129,673
67,863
1,436
(2,348)
1,141
68,092
27,321
40,771
(929)
60,021
21,648
327,967
40,558
31,181
8,479
80,218
247,749
135,155
30,532
(2,000)
-
163,687
84,062
6,961
(1,852)
2,047
91,218
37,330
53,888
(1,595)
Net income ........................................................................................... $
30,969
Basic net income per share................................................................... $
0.36
Diluted net income per share ............................................................... $
0.36
$
$
$
39,842
0.47
0.43
$
$
$
Shares used in basic net income per share computation......................
Shares used in diluted net income per share computation...................
85,009
86,084
85,556
92,783
52,293
0.54
0.50
96,969
104,220
Expense for royalties payable to related party..................................... $
27,620
$
36,857
$
18,740
Expense for rent payable to related party ............................................
3,459
3,492
3,492
(1) Stock-based compensation included above in fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2005 was classified as follows:
Cost of product sales .......................................................................
$
104
$
222
Cost of production services.............................................................
Selling, general and administrative.................................................
Research and development..............................................................
36
5,843
810
103
11,709
2,150
Total stock-based compensation .............................................
$
6,793
$ 14,184
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
60
DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
Shares of
Class A
common
stock
Class A
common
stock
Shares of
Class B
common
stock
Class B
common
stock
$
85
Additional
paid-in
capital
$
6,998
$
-
-
-
-
$
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
85,011
-
-
13
-
(18)
85,006
-
-
-
-
572
1,084
(114)
-
-
-
-
$
85
-
-
-
-
1
1
-
Deferred
stock-based
compensati
on
$
-
-
-
-
-
$
-
-
-
-
-
33
(38)
$
6,993
-
-
38,404
(38,404)
-
4,676
2,116
1,362
(144)
-
-
Accumulated
other
comprehensi
ve income
$
394
Total
$ 61,742
-
30,969
1,069
1,069
-
-
$
1,463
33
(38)
$ 93,775
Retained
earnings
$ 54,265
30,969
-
-
-
$ 85,234
39,842
-
39,842
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,698
1,698
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,676
2,117
1,363
(144)
Comprehensi
ve income
$
1,084
30,969
1,069
-
-
$
32,038
39,842
1,698
-
-
-
-
-
$ -
86,548
$ 87
$ 48,731
$ (33,728)
$125,076
$ 3,161
$ 143,327
$ 41,540
-
-
-
-
-
-
15
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
18
(18,494)
(18)
-
-
-
-
2,801
(65)
-
2
-
-
-
-
-
5,499
(5,499)
(1,365)
-
2,744
242,475
-
6,756
3,586
(72)
1,365
11,440
-
-
-
-
-
-
52,293
-
52,293
52,293
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1,427)
(1,427)
(1,427)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,440
2,744
242,490
-
6,756
3,588
(72)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Balance at September 27, 2002 .....
Net income.................................
Translation adjustments, net
of taxes of $366.....................
Exercise of Class B stock
options .......................................
Repurchase of Class B
common stock .......................
Balance at September 26, 2003 .....
Net income.................................
Translation adjustments, net
of taxes of $713.....................
Deferred stock-based
compensation related to
Class B stock option grants...
Amortization of deferred
stock-based compensation ....
Issuance of Class B common
stock...........................................
Exercise of Class B stock
options .......................................
Repurchase of Class B
common stock .......................
Balance at September 24, 2004 .....
Net income.................................
Translation adjustments, net
of taxes of $992.....................
Deferred stock-based
compensation related to
Class B stock option grants...
Cancellation of Class B stock
options...................................
Amortization of deferred
stock-based compensation ....
Other stock-based
compensation expense ..........
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Issuance of Class A common
stock........................................... 14,625
Transfer of Class B common
stock to Class A common
stock ...................................... 18,494
Tax benefit from the exercise
of Class B stock options ............
Exercise of Class B stock
options .......................................
Repurchase of Class B
common stock .......................
-
-
-
Balance at September 30, 2005 ..... 33,119
$ 33
70,790
$ 71
$ 308,354
$ (26,422)
$177,369
$ 1,734
$ 461,139
$ 50,866
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
61
DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
September 26,
2003
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
$
30,969
$
39,842
$
52,293
Operating activities:
Net income .....................................................................................
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization .................................................
Stock-based compensation expense.........................................
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options
Provision for doubtful accounts ...............................................
In-process research and development ......................................
Deferred income taxes..............................................................
Other non-cash items affecting net income .............................
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash ...................................................................
Accounts receivable...........................................................
Inventories .........................................................................
Prepaid expenses and other current assets.........................
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ..........................
Accounts payable and accrued royalties due to related
parties ............................................................................
Income taxes, net ...............................................................
Deferred revenues..............................................................
Other non-current liabilities ..............................................
Payment on litigation settlement .......................................
Net cash provided by operating activities................................
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment ...................................
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired ..................................................
Purchase of intangible assets...........................................................
Proceeds from sale of equipment ....................................................
Investments in affiliates ..................................................................
7,498
-
-
1,753
1,310
(2,987)
664
-
(4,798)
1,403
(2,154)
3,018
2,347
1,565
1,865
189
(3,000)
39,642
(6,750)
(7,051)
-
-
(250)
Net cash used in investing activities ........................................
(14,051)
Financing activities:
Issuance of Class A common stock, net of issuance costs of
$20.8 million...............................................................................
Payments on debt ............................................................................
Proceeds from the exercise of Class B stock options .....................
Repurchases of Class B common stock ..........................................
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities.................
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents ..................................................................................
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents ......................................
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year .............................
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year........................................
Supplemental disclosure:
Cash paid for income taxes ......................................................
Cash paid for interest ...............................................................
-
(1,397)
33
(38)
(1,402)
339
24,528
37,394
61,922
18,057
2,336
$
$
8,517
6,793
-
402
1,738
(10,126)
852
-
(5,921)
(2,434)
(1,514)
20,428
(7,296)
(2,177)
(233)
987
(3,000)
46,858
(12,522)
(18,440)
-
52
-
(30,910)
-
(1,239)
1,363
(144)
(20)
11,348
14,184
6,756
95
-
(107)
659
(205)
(5,132)
(4,611)
(637)
12,610
(274)
(5,608)
1,731
320
(3,000)
80,422
(14,734)
(4,589)
(11,789)
35
-
(31,077)
242,490
(1,292)
3,588
(72)
244,714
861
16,789
61,922
78,711
40,410
2,339
$
$
(367)
293,692
78,711
372,403
36,630
2,071
$
$
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
62
DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Summary of Business and Significant Accounting Policies
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (Dolby Laboratories, we or us), a Delaware corporation, develops and delivers
innovative products and technologies that make the entertainment experience more realistic and immersive in
theatres, homes, cars and elsewhere. Ray Dolby, our principal stockholder, founded Dolby Laboratories in 1965 to
develop noise reduction technologies. Today, we deliver a broad range of sound technologies for use in both
professional and consumer applications. In addition, in recent years we have expanded our focus to include other
technologies that facilitate the delivery of digital entertainment. We conduct our business on a global basis.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of Dolby Laboratories, our wholly-owned subsidiaries and subsidiaries in which we own a controlling
interest. In addition, we have consolidated the financial results of affiliated companies we own jointly with our
principal stockholder. The interest of our related parties in these consolidated affiliates is presented in the controlling
interest line in the accompanying financial statements. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation. The financial results of our subsidiary Lake Technology Limited (Lake) are included in
our consolidated financial statements using a three-month lag basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In fiscal 2006,
we plan on eliminating the three-month lag treatment and consolidating Lake’s results of operations on a current
basis.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management
to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in our consolidated
financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include
valuation allowances for receivables, inventories, goodwill, intangible assets, stock-based compensation and
deferred income tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year is a 52- or 53-week period ending on the last Friday in September. The fiscal years presented
herein include the 52-week periods ended September 26, 2003 (fiscal 2003) and September 24, 2004 (fiscal 2004)
and the 53-week period ended on September 30, 2005 (fiscal 2005).
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investment instruments purchased with original maturities of
three months or less. Our cash equivalents, which primarily consist of money market funds, are recorded at cost,
which approximates fair value.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash and cash
equivalents and accounts receivable. We deposit our cash and cash equivalents in accounts with major financial
institutions and, at times, such investments may be in excess of federal insured limits. Our products are sold to
businesses primarily in the Americas and Europe, and our licensing revenue is primarily generated from customers
outside of the United States. We manage this risk by evaluating in advance the financial condition and
creditworthiness of our product and production services customers. We perform regular evaluations of the
creditworthiness of our licensing customers. In fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, no customer accounted for more than
10% of our total revenue.
63
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We continually monitor customer payments and maintain a reserve for estimated losses resulting from our
customers’ inability to make required payments. In determining the reserve, we evaluate the collectibility of our
accounts receivable based upon a variety of factors. In cases where we are aware of circumstances that may impair a
specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations, we record a specific allowance against amounts due, and
thereby reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount reasonably believed to be collectible. For all other
customers, we recognize allowances for doubtful accounts based on our actual historical write-off experience in
conjunction with the length of time the receivables are past due, customer creditworthiness, geographic risk and the
current business environment. Actual future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ from our estimates. Our
allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $2.1 million at September 24, 2004 and $2.0 million at September 30, 2005.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market (net realizable value). We evaluate our
ending inventories for estimated excess quantities and obsolescence. Our evaluation includes the analysis of future
sales demand by product, within specific time horizons. Inventories in excess of projected future demand are written
down to net realizable value. In addition, we assess the impact of changing technology on our inventory balances
and write-off inventories that are considered obsolete.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using
a straight-line method based on estimated useful lives as follows:
Systems and software.................................................. 3 to 5 years
Machinery and equipment........................................... 5 to 8 years
Furniture and fixtures.................................................. 8 years
Buildings .................................................................... 20 years
Leasehold improvements ............................................ Lesser of useful life or related lease term
Internal Use Software
We account for the costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use in accordance with the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of
Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use.” We capitalize costs of materials, consultants, and
payroll and payroll-related costs for employees incurred in developing internal use computer software. These costs
are included in property, plant and equipment, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Costs incurred
during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages are charged to expense. Our capitalized internal use
software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of three to five years.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
We account for goodwill in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill
and Other Intangible Assets,” (SFAS 142), which, among other things, establishes new standards for goodwill
acquired in a business combination, eliminates the amortization of goodwill and requires the carrying value of
goodwill and certain non-amortizing intangibles to be evaluated for impairment on an annual basis. As required by
SFAS 142, we perform an impairment test on recorded goodwill by comparing the estimated fair value of each of
our reporting units to the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of each unit, including goodwill. We had two
reporting units for purposes of goodwill impairment testing. Our estimation of the fair value of each of our
reporting units requires making judgments concerning future cash flows and appropriate discount rates. The
estimate of the fair value of goodwill could change over time based on a variety of factors, including the actual
operating performance of the Company. If the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of the reporting units,
including goodwill, were to exceed our estimation of the fair value of the reporting units, we would record an
impairment charge in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying value of goodwill over the implied fair value of
the goodwill. Our fiscal 2005 impairment test of goodwill, which was performed in the third fiscal quarter, resulted
in no impairment charge.
64
The following table outlines changes to the carrying amount of goodwill for each of our reporting segments:
Technology
Licensing
Product
Sales and
Services
(in thousands)
Balance at September 26, 2003 ................................. $
Goodwill acquired – Lake ..................................
-
10,654
$
Balance at September 24, 2004 .................................
Goodwill acquired – Lake ..................................
Translation adjustments......................................
10,654
971
533
$
8,712
2,664
11,376
198
133
Total
8,712
13,318
22,030
1,169
666
Balance at September 30, 2005 ................................. $
12,158
$
11,707
$
23,865
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-
Lived Assets,” (SFAS 144) requires that long-lived assets, including intangible assets, with definite lives be
amortized over their estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate an asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset is measured by
comparison of its carrying amount to the expected future undiscounted cash flows that the asset is expected to
generate. If it is determined that an asset is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded in the amount by which
the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. Our intangible assets principally consist of acquired
technology, patents and trademarks and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives ranging from
five to 15 years. No intangible or long-lived assets were impaired as of September 30, 2005.
Financial Instruments
We entered into interest rate swap arrangements to manage our exposure to interest rate changes on our facility
debt obligations. The swap agreements involve the exchange of fixed and variable interest rate payments without
exchanging the notional principal amount. The arrangements are presented at fair value in other non-current
liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses associated with the swap agreements
are included in other income, net in our consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue Recognition
We enter into transactions to sell products and services and to license technology, trademarks and know-how.
We evaluate revenue recognition for these transactions using the criteria (Revenue Recognition Criteria) set forth by
the SEC in Staff Accounting Bulletin 104, “Revenue Recognition,” (SAB 104). SAB 104 states that revenue is
recognized when each of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has
occurred or services have been rendered, the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is
reasonably assured.
Licensing. Licensing revenue represents amounts earned from licensing agreements (royalties) and fees for
administering the licensing of “patent pools” containing patents owned by us and/or other companies. Royalties are
recorded at their gross amounts, while fees for administering the licensing of patent pools are recorded net of
royalties payable to third-party patent pool members and are recognized when all Revenue Recognition Criteria have
been met. We determine that there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement upon the execution of a license
agreement or upon the receipt of a licensee’s royalty report and payment. Royalties are deemed fixed or
determinable upon verification of a licensee’s royalty report in accordance with the terms of the underlying executed
agreement or receipt of a licensee’s royalty report and payment. We determine that collectibility is reasonably
assured based on evaluation of the licensee’s recent payment history or the existence of a standby letter-of-credit
between the licensee’s financial institution and our financial institution. Deferred revenue represents amounts that
are ultimately expected to be recognized as revenue, but for which not all Revenue Recognition Criteria have been
met.
Product sales. Revenue from the sale of products is recognized when the risk of ownership has transferred to
our customer as provided under the terms of the governing purchase agreement, typically the invoice we deliver to
the customer, and all the other Revenue Recognition Criteria have been met. These purchase agreements provide
that the risk of ownership is transferred to the customer when the product is shipped, except in specific instances in
which certain foreign regulations stipulate that the risk of ownership is transferred to the customer upon their receipt
of the shipment. In these instances, we recognize revenue when the product is received by the customer.
65
Production services. Production services revenue is recognized as the services related to a given project are
performed and all the other Revenue Recognition Criteria have been met.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of licensing. Cost of licensing consists principally of royalty obligations to third parties for the licensing
of intellectual property rights that we sublicense as part of our licensing arrangements with our customers. Cost of
licensing also includes amortization expenses associated with purchased intangibles. Prior to February 16, 2005, our
cost of licensing also included royalty obligations to Ray Dolby. On February 16, 2005, Ray Dolby contributed to
us all rights in the intellectual property related to our business that he and his affiliates held. In connection with the
asset contribution, our previous licensing arrangements with Ray Dolby terminated, and we have no further
obligation to pay royalties to Ray Dolby.
Cost of product sales. Cost of product sales primarily consists of material costs related to the products sold,
applied labor and manufacturing overhead. Prior to February 16, 2005, our cost of product sales also included
royalty obligations for technologies we licensed from Ray Dolby. These royalty obligations terminated in
connection with Ray Dolby’s asset contribution discussed above.
Cost of production services. Cost of production services consists of the payroll and benefit costs of employees
performing our professional services, the cost of outside consultants and reimbursable expenses incurred on behalf
of the customer.
Research and Development
Research and development expense consists primarily of salary and related costs for personnel responsible for
the research and development of new technologies; such costs are expensed as incurred.
Advertising and Promotional Costs
Advertising and promotional costs are charged to selling, general and administrative expense at the time the
related event takes place and were $4.2 million, $4.7 million and $12.2 million for fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005,
respectively. At September 30, 2005, we had $1.0 million of prepaid advertising and promotional costs.
Settlements
Settlements include interest and penalties related to the collection of royalties and resolution of disputes in our
favor or against us. Settlements of royalty disputes from licensees that specifically represent unpaid royalties are
recorded as licensing revenue in the period payment is received, if all other Revenue Recognition Criteria have been
met. Settlements of other disputes, such as disputes with implementation licensees from which we typically do not
receive royalties, are recorded in settlements which is a component of operating expenses. In fiscal 2005, we
received payments totaling $2.0 million in connection with the settlement of disputes with two of our semiconductor
manufacturing implementation licensees regarding violation of the terms of their implementation licensing
agreements with us. In fiscal 2004, we received a $2.0 million payment in connection with a similar dispute with
one of our semiconductor manufacturing implementation licensees.
Foreign Currency Translation
We maintain sales, marketing and business operations in foreign countries, most significantly in the United
Kingdom. The financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries are translated in accordance with Statements of
Financial Accounting Standard No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation.” The translation of assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currency into United States dollars are made at the prevailing rate of exchange at the balance
sheet date. Revenue, costs and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates during the period. Translation
adjustments are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income on our consolidated balance sheets.
Assets and liability accounts of our subsidiaries, which are held in currencies other than the subsidiary’s
functional currency, are remeasured at the prevailing rate of exchange at the balance sheet date. Any gains and
losses are included in our consolidated statements of operations. Net transaction gains, included in net income were
$0.1 million, $0.3 million and $1.2 million in fiscal 2003, 2004 and fiscal 2005, respectively.
66
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109,
“Accounting for Income Taxes,” (SFAS 109). SFAS 109 requires the use of the asset and liability method, under
which deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the difference between the financial
statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rate
expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the differences are expected to be reversed. In assessing
the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the
deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of
future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. We consider the
scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. We
record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when uncertainty regarding their realizability exists.
Per Share Data
Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of
Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is
computed by dividing net income by the sum of the weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock
and Class B common stock outstanding and the potential number of shares of dilutive Class A common stock and
Class B common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. The dilutive shares are comprised entirely of
options to purchase shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share:
Numerator:
Net income......................................................... $
30,969
$
39,842
$
52,293
September 26,
2003
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30,
2005
Denominator:
Weighted average shares of Class A common
stock and Class B common stock outstanding
(basic) ...........................................................
Common stock equivalents from options to
purchase Class A common stock and Class B
common stock...............................................
Weighted average shares of Class A common
stock, Class B common stock, and Class A
and Class B common stock equivalents
outstanding (diluted).....................................
85,009
85,556
96,969
1,075
7,227
7,251
Basic net income per share ................................ $
Diluted net income per share ............................. $
0.36
0.36
$
$
0.47
0.43
$
$
86,084
92,783
104,220
0.54
0.50
No options were excluded from the above calculations in fiscal 2003 and 2004 because their exercise prices
were less than the average fair value of Class A common stock during the period. A total of 1,338,250 options were
excluded from the calculation for fiscal 2005 because their exercise prices were greater than the average fair value
of Class A common stock during the period.
Stock-Based Compensation
We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
“Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (APB 25) and related interpretations and elected to utilize the
disclosure option of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation” (SFAS 123) as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, “Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure” (SFAS 148). Under the provisions of APB 25 and related
interpretations, compensation expense is to be recognized when options to purchase shares of common stock are
issued below the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant. The amount of compensation
expense to be recognized is equal to the intrinsic value per share, which is the difference between the exercise price
and the fair market value at the date of grant.
67
We have granted to our employees options to purchase shares of common stock at exercise prices equal to the
fair market values of the underlying stock at the time of each grant, as determined by our board of directors at that
time of grant. Prior to our initial public offering, our board determined these values principally based on valuation
reports we obtained effective as of July each year. Under the provisions of APB 25, in general, if the exercise price
of stock awards granted to employees is equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant,
no stock-based compensation cost is recognized. In connection with the preparation of the financial statements for
our initial public offering we noted that the fair value of the shares subject to the equity awards granted during fiscal
2004 and the first quarter of fiscal 2005 were significantly less than the valuations that our underwriters were
discussing with us in connection with our preparations for our public offering. Therefore, we reassessed the fair
market value of our common stock to determine whether the equity awards granted during this period had a
compensatory element that should be reflected in our financial statements. As a result, we recorded deferred
compensation of $38.4 million during fiscal 2004, which was scheduled to be amortized over a four year period
ended fiscal 2008 and $5.5 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2005 which was scheduled to be amortized over
a 4 year period ended fiscal 2009. We recorded stock-based compensation expense in connection with these awards
of $5.6 million in fiscal 2004 and $13.2 million in fiscal 2005. Subsequent to the effective date of our initial public
offering, all options to purchase common stock have been granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market
value of the underlying stock on the date of the grant, as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange. Under the
provisions of APB 25, no stock-based compensation was recognized related to these grants.
The table below summarizes our options granted during fiscal 2004 and 2005 that resulted in stock-based
compensation expense. The reassessed fair values were based on a retrospective analysis conducted by our
management.
Month Ended
Number of
Shares
Exercise Price
Per Share
Intrinsic Value
Per Share
Fair Value at
Date of Grant
Options Granted:
December 2003 ....
117,500
April 2004 ............ 4,975,000
June 2004 .............
93,000
August 2004 .........
176,000
October 2004........
700,750
November 2004....
80,000
6,142,250
$2.08
2.08
2.08
2.08
6.29
6.29
$1.62
7.28
7.28
7.28
7.04
7.04
$ 3.70
9.36
9.36
9.36
13.33
13.33
Additionally, compensation expense was recognized on the issuance of 571,560 shares of fully vested Class B
common stock to an executive officer which, at the date of grant, had an intrinsic value of $2.08 per share and a
weighted average reassessed fair value of $3.70 per share.
The fair value of our options to purchase Class A common stock and Class B common stock was estimated as of
the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Limitations on the effectiveness of the Black-Scholes
option pricing model are that it was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no
vesting restrictions and are fully transferable, and that the model requires the use of highly subjective assumptions
including expected stock price volatility.
The fair value of our stock-based awards was estimated using the following weighted average assumptions for
fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005:
Expected life (in years)................................
Interest rate..................................................
Volatility .....................................................
Dividend yield .............................................
September 26,
2003
10
3.9%
84.8%
-
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
6
4.4%
82.4%
-
September 30,
2005
6
4.1%
62.9%
-
Using the Black-Scholes pricing model, the estimated weighted average fair value of an option to purchase one
share of Class A and Class B common stock granted during fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005 was $1.07, $8.24 and $10.38
per option, respectively.
68
The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per share as if we had applied the fair
value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 to stock-based awards for fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005:
September 26,
2003
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30,
2005
Net income .............................................................. $
Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in
reported net income, net of tax...........................
Deduct: Stock-based compensation expense under
the fair value method, net of tax.........................
Pro forma net income .............................................. $
Basic net income per share......................................
As reported ........................................................ $
Pro forma ........................................................... $
Diluted net income per share...................................
As reported ........................................................ $
Pro forma ........................................................... $
30,969
$
39,842
$
52,293
-
5,489
12,333
(2,123)
(8,300)
(14,487)
28,846
$
37,031
$
50,139
0.36
0.34
$
$
0.47
0.43
$
$
0.54
0.52
0.36
0.34
$
$
0.43
0.40
$
$
0.50
0.48
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based
Payment” (SFAS 123R). SFAS 123R requires compensation expense related to stock-based awards to be recognized
in the financial statements. The amount of compensation expense will be measured based upon the fair value of the
stock-based awards at the date of grant. Originally, this statement was effective for public companies as of the first
interim or annual reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005. On April 14, 2005, the SEC adopted a rule that
allows companies to implement SFAS 123R at the beginning of their next fiscal year, instead of the next reporting
period that begins after June 15, 2005. Under such rules, we will adopt SFAS 123R in the first quarter of fiscal 2006.
At that time, we will begin recognizing compensation expense related to unvested stock-based awards and newly
granted awards. We expect stock-based compensation expense under SFAS 123R, related to stock-based awards
issued through fiscal 2005, to be approximately $16.6 million, $15.3 million, $10.3 million and $2.2 million in fiscal
2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively. We expect to grant additional stock-based awards in fiscal 2006 which
will result in additional stock-based compensation expense.
2. Composition of Certain Financial Statement Captions
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash includes deposits from new customers that, in accordance with certain of our licensing
agreements, remain in escrow until we have rightful ownership of the funds which occurs upon delivery of certain
materials.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consists of the following:
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
(in thousands)
Trade accounts receivable, licensing ................................................ $
Trade accounts receivable, products and services ............................
Amounts receivable related to patent administration program.........
Other accounts receivable ................................................................
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts ...........................................
$
7,012
10,656
2,362
337
20,367
(2,110)
4,046
9,349
12,994
862
27,251
(2,030)
Accounts receivable, net............................................................ $
18,257
$
25,221
69
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market and consist of the following:
Raw materials................................................................................... $
Work in process................................................................................
Finished goods..................................................................................
2,215
1,689
3,259
$
2,376
1,571
7,775
Total .......................................................................................... $
7,163
$
11,722
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
(in thousands)
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and consist of the following:
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
(in thousands)
Land.................................................................................................. $
Buildings ..........................................................................................
Leasehold improvements..................................................................
Machinery and equipment ................................................................
Systems and software .......................................................................
Furniture and fixtures .......................................................................
Less: Accumulated depreciation......................................................
$
14,640
31,636
34,324
23,762
16,491
12,829
133,682
(61,349)
14,484
30,911
38,335
23,316
15,118
14,051
136,215
(59,753)
Property, plant and equipment, net ............................................ $
72,333
$
76,462
Depreciation expense of $7.4 million, $7.8 million and $9.6 million in fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively,
is included in cost of product sales, research and development expense, and selling, general and administrative
expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Following is a summary of goodwill and intangible assets:
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
(in thousands)
Amortized intangible assets:
Acquired patents........................................................................ $
Acquired technology .................................................................
Other intangibles .......................................................................
3,648
3,470
498
$
Less: Accumulated amortization .....................................................
7,616
(838)
4,489
3,796
11,507
19,792
(2,608)
Intangible assets, net.................................................................. $
6,778
$
17,184
Non-amortized intangible assets:
Goodwill.................................................................................... $
22,030
$
23,865
In December 2004, we amended a royalty agreement with a third party that was originally entered into in
September 1999. The original agreement provided us an exclusive irrevocable right to license the third party’s
technology to our customers in exchange for royalty payments based on a percentage of the royalties earned from
our customers. In consideration of a lump sum payment of $11.0 million, the amended agreement eliminates all of
our future royalty payment obligations while allowing us to continue our exclusive licensing of the third party’s
technologies for the life of the underlying intellectual property. The $11.0 million was recorded as an intangible
70
asset on our consolidated balance sheet and is being amortized over a 10-year period representing the estimated
useful life of the underlying intellectual property, with the amortization recorded as cost of licensing.
Amortization expense associated with our intangible assets was $0.1 million, $0.8 million and $1.7 million in
fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively, and is included in cost of licensing, cost of product sales and selling,
general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Amortization of
intangible assets is expected to be approximately $2.1 million per year for the next five fiscal years.
Investments
At September 24, 2004, investments included our investment in a limited liability company we formed in May
2000 with third parties to develop and market products to the entertainment technology industry. We invested $0.3
million in fiscal 2002 and $0.3 million in fiscal 2003 for our 49% ownership interest in the company. We accounted
for this investment under the equity method. In December 2004, we expensed the remaining $0.2 million balance of
the investment as both parties agreed to dissolve the limited liability company. Accordingly, at September 30, 2005,
the investments balance is zero.
Other Non-Current Assets
Other assets consist primarily of supplemental retirement plan assets and long-term prepaid expenses. In fiscal
2004, other assets included capitalized expenses associated with our initial public offering, which were offset against
the gross proceeds received in such offering.
Other Accrued Liabilities
Other accrued liabilities consist of the following:
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
(in thousands)
Accrued professional fees ................................................................ $
Current portion of litigation settlement ............................................
Amounts payable to patent pool partners .........................................
Acquisition consideration.................................................................
Other accrued liabilities....................................................................
5,254
2,336
4,079
2,979
12,212
$
2,495
2,417
23,303
-
7,236
Total other accrued liabilities .................................................... $
26,860
$
35,451
Debt
We maintain three term loans through our consolidated affiliates Dolby Properties, LLC, Dolby Properties
Burbank, LLC and Dolby Properties United Kingdom, LLC, for financing commercial and real property at various
locations in which we are the primary tenant. The loans are collateralized by commercial real property and are
guaranteed by Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
Following is a summary of our debt balances:
$12.0 million term loan at 6.2% effective interest rate, repayable in
monthly installments with remaining principal due May 2013 ...
$2.5 million term loan at 6.2% effective interest rate, repayable in
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
(in thousands)
$
8,462
$
7,738
monthly installments with remaining principal due April 2014 ..
1,893
1,752
Term loan denominated in U.K. pounds at 6.9% effective interest
rate, repayable in quarterly installments with the remaining
principal due April 2015..............................................................
Total debt.....................................................................................
Less: Current portion ..................................................................
Total debt, less current portion.............................................
4,515
14,870
(1,290)
3,980
13,470
(1,346)
$
13,580
$
12,124
71
The fair value of our debt approximates the carrying value based on borrowing rates currently available to us for
loans with similar terms and remaining maturities.
We entered into interest rate swap arrangements to manage our exposure to unfavorable interest rate changes on
our facility debt obligations. The swap agreements involve the exchange of fixed and variable interest rate payments
without exchanging the notional principal amount. We do not enter into derivative instruments for any purpose other
than to hedge our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Gains net of controlling interest associated with the swap
agreements of $0.2 million, for fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005 are included in our consolidated statements of
operations.
Following is summary of the maturities of our debt balances at September 30, 2005:
Fiscal 2006 ...................................................................................................... $
Fiscal 2007 ......................................................................................................
Fiscal 2008 ......................................................................................................
Fiscal 2009 ......................................................................................................
Fiscal 2010 ......................................................................................................
Thereafter ........................................................................................................
Total Debt
Payments
(in thousands)
1,346
1,412
1,494
1,571
1,661
5,986
Total debt.................................................................................................. $
13,470
Other Non-Current Liabilities
Following is a summary of the components of other non-current liabilities:
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
(in thousands)
Long-term portion of litigation settlement ....................................... $
Supplemental retirement plan obligation..........................................
Long-term deferred revenue .............................................................
Interest rate swap agreements...........................................................
Other liabilities.................................................................................
15,166
5,777
851
1,083
406
$
12,944
5,875
1,864
548
725
Total other non-current liabilities .............................................. $
23,283
$
21,956
Refer to Note 10 for further discussion of litigation settlement.
3. Business Combinations
Cinea, Inc.
In September 2003, we acquired all outstanding shares of Cinea Inc. (Cinea), to obtain its entertainment content
protection technology. The aggregate purchase price was $12.4 million, of which the final installment of
$2.9 million plus accrued interest was paid in September 2005. Under the terms of the agreement, we have future
payment obligations that equal approximately 5% to 8% of the revenue generated from products incorporating
certain technologies we acquired in the transaction. The additional purchase consideration, if any, will be recorded
as additional goodwill on our consolidated balance sheet. This business combination was accounted for under the
purchase method of accounting and the financial results of Cinea have been included in our consolidated financial
statements since September 2003 (excluding those that are eliminated in consolidation). As of September 24, 2004,
and September 30, 2005, no additional purchase consideration had been earned. Cinea continues to operate as a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Dolby Laboratories.
The total purchase price, including other acquisition related costs, was $12.4 million and was allocated as
follows:
72
Goodwill ............................................................................................................
Acquired technology..........................................................................................
In-process research and development ................................................................
Other intangible assets.......................................................................................
Acquired liabilities, net......................................................................................
Total purchase price
Total Purchase
Price
(in thousands)
8,551
$
2,680
1,310
340
(516)
12,365
$
Amounts allocated to in-process research and development were expensed and are reflected in the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations because the purchased research and development had no
alternative uses and had not reached technological feasibility. At the date of the acquisition, the Cinea product under
development was approximately 50% complete.
Lake Technology Limited
In February 2004, we acquired a controlling interest in Lake Technology Limited (Lake). As of September 24,
2004, we held 93% of the outstanding equity of Lake at a total cost of $17.0 million. We initiated action under
Australian law to allow the compulsory acquisition of the remaining shares outstanding. In December 2004, the
Australian court ruled in our favor permitting us to move forward to acquire the remaining 7% of Lake’s outstanding
shares at the same price we paid for the previously purchased shares. We have accounted for the business
combination as a step-acquisition. Due to our majority ownership, the financial results of Lake are included in our
consolidated financial statements since February 2004 using a three-month lag basis (excluding those that are
eliminated in consolidation) in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In fiscal 2006, we plan on eliminating the three-month
lag treatment and consolidating Lake’s results of operations on a current basis.
The total purchase price to-date, including other acquisition related costs, was $17.0 million and $18.4 million
on September 24, 2004 and September 30, 2005, respectively, and was allocated as follows:
Goodwill...........................................................................................
In-process research and development...............................................
Patents ..............................................................................................
Developed technology......................................................................
Other intangible assets......................................................................
Acquired assets, net..........................................................................
Total purchase price
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
(in thousands)
$
$
13,318
1,738
948
790
158
3
14,488
1,738
1,020
982
170
3
$
16,955
$
18,401
Amounts allocated to in-process research and development were expensed and are reflected in the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations because the purchased research and development had no
alternative uses and had not reached technological feasibility. In February 2004, the technology under development
was approximately 27% complete.
The pro forma effects of these acquisitions on fiscal 2004 and 2005 were not significant.
4. Income Taxes
The components of our income before provision for income taxes and controlling interest are as follows:
United States ............................................................ $
Foreign .....................................................................
46,278
1,332
September 26,
2003
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
(in thousands)
66,572
1,520
$
September 30,
2005
$
92,121
(903)
Total .................................................................. $
47,610
$
68,092
$
91,218
73
The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
September 26,
2003
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
(in thousands)
September 30,
2005
Current:
Federal ................................................................ $
State ....................................................................
Foreign................................................................
Total current............................................................. $
Deferred:
Federal ................................................................ $
State ....................................................................
Foreign................................................................
Total deferred...........................................................
Total ........................................................................ $
$
6,053
125
12,888
17,811
3,849
15,787
$
26,071
3,454
7,912
19,066
$
37,447
$
37,437
$
(2,223)
(764)
-
(2,987)
(8,476)
(1,650)
-
(10,126)
$
748
11
(866)
(107)
16,079
$
27,321
$
37,330
United States income taxes and foreign withholding taxes have not been provided for on a cumulative total of
$0.3 million of undistributed earnings for certain non-United States subsidiaries. We intend to reinvest these
earnings indefinitely in operations outside the United States.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of
assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes using enacted
tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. A summary of the tax effects of the
temporary differences is as follows:
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
(in thousands)
Deferred income tax assets:
Investments......................................................................................... $
Accounts receivable............................................................................
Inventories ..........................................................................................
Foreign net operating loss...................................................................
Unrealized gain on investments..........................................................
State taxes...........................................................................................
Other assets.........................................................................................
Accrued expenses ...............................................................................
Other non-current liabilities................................................................
Revenue recognition ...........................................................................
Total gross deferred income tax assets......................................
Less: Valuation allowance..................................................................
394
815
1,052
1,139
18
367
2,961
2,103
8,656
25,108
42,613
(639)
$
594
818
1,289
4,774
-
-
3,196
4,708
10,420
24,185
49,984
(4,293)
Total deferred income tax assets ............................................... $
41,974
$
45,691
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Translation adjustment ....................................................................... $
Depreciation and amortization............................................................
Foreign withholding tax......................................................................
Foreign income tax .............................................................................
Unrealized gain on investments..........................................................
Deferred income tax assets, net................................................................ $
The above deferred income tax assets, net have been classified in the
accompanying consolidated balance sheets as follows:
Current deferred income tax assets .......................................................... $
Long-term deferred income tax assets, net...............................................
Deferred income tax assets, net................................................................ $
$
(1,325)
(3,167)
-
-
-
(2,237)
(2,399)
(2,182)
(890)
(19)
37,482
$
37,964
30,813
6,669
$
31,183
6,781
37,482
$
37,964
74
Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over periods in
which the deferred tax assets are deductible, we believe it is more likely than not that the benefits of these deductible
differences will be realized and, therefore, a valuation allowance is not required except for foreign net operating loss
(NOL) in Australia. This NOL of $16.0 million has no expiration date. The ultimate utilization of the Australian
NOL will be dependent upon future taxable income being generated in Australia. We believe that sufficient
uncertainty exists regarding the future realization of this NOL and have established a valuation allowance of $4.3
million against this deferred tax asset, net of deferred tax liabilities, as of September 30, 2005. The amount of the
deferred income tax asset, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during
the carryforward period are reduced. The valuation allowance increased by $0.6 million and $3.7 million in fiscal
2004 and 2005, respectively.
A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to our effective tax rate for fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005 is as
follows:
September 26,
2003
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
September 30,
2005
Federal statutory rate................................................
State income taxes, net of federal effect...................
Stock-based compensation expense rate ..................
Loss from foreign corporations ................................
Tax credits................................................................
Other ........................................................................
Effective tax rate ...............................................
35.0%
4.6
-
-
(4.5)
(1.3)
33.8%
35.0%
4.2
2.4
2.5
(1.6)
(2.4)
40.1%
35.0%
3.7
3.5
2.1
(2.7)
(0.7)
40.9%
We are under routine tax examinations. We believe the amounts provided are adequate to cover the ultimate
outcomes of these tax examinations.
5. Stockholders’ Equity
Class A and Class B Common Stock
Our board of directors has authorized two classes of common stock, Class A and Class B. At September 30,
2005, we had authorized 500,000,000 Class A shares and 500,000,000 Class B shares. At September 30, 2005, we
had 33,118,490 shares of Class A common stock and 70,790,210 shares of Class B common stock outstanding.
Holders of our Class A and Class B common stock have identical rights, except that holders of our Class A common
stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share.
Shares of Class B common stock can be converted to shares of Class A common stock at any time at the option
of the stockholder and automatically convert upon sale or transfer, except for certain transfers specified in our
amended and restated articles of incorporation. All references to shares of common stock have been retroactively
restated to reflect the amendment as if it had taken place at our inception.
Stock Split
In January 2005, in connection with the implementation of the dual class stock structure described above, a
five-for-one stock split was affected. All references to shares of common stock and related per share amounts have
been retroactively restated to reflect the stock split as if it had taken place at our inception.
Stock Incentive Plans
2000 Stock Incentive Plan. Effective October 2000, we adopted the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. The 2000
Stock Incentive Plan, as amended in April 2004 and September 2004, provides for the issuance of incentive and
nonqualified stock options to employees, directors and consultants of Dolby Laboratories to purchase up to 15.1
million shares of Class B common stock. Under the terms of this plan, options become exercisable as established by
the board of directors (generally ratably over four years), and generally expire ten years after the date of the grant.
Options granted under the plan are generally granted at not less than fair market value at the date of grant, but the
plan permits options to be granted at less than fair value.
A summary of the status of the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan is as follows:
75
Outstanding Options
Class B Shares
Available for
Grant
Number of
Class B Shares
(in thousands, except for exercise prices)
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Balance at September 27, 2002 ................................
Grants .................................................................
Exercises.............................................................
Cancellations ......................................................
Balance at September 26, 2003 ................................
Grants .................................................................
Exercises.............................................................
Cancellations ......................................................
Issuance of Class B stock award.........................
Amendment to 2000 Stock Incentive Plan .........
Balance at September 24, 2004 ................................
Grants .................................................................
Exercises.............................................................
Cancellations ......................................................
Rescission...........................................................
Balance at September 30, 2005 ................................
8,283
(1,979)
-
199
6,503
(5,362)
-
151
(572)
132
852
(907)
-
190
-
135
6,706
1,979
(13)
(199)
8,473
5,362
(1,084)
(151)
-
-
12,600
907
(2,800)
(190)
28
10,545
$ 1.26
1.26
1.26
1.26
$ 1.26
2.08
1.26
1.26
-
-
$ 1.61
7.44
1.30
4.14
1.26
$ 2.15
As of September 30, 2005, there were options outstanding to purchase 10.5 million shares of Class B common
stock, of which 4.9 million were vested and exercisable. The options outstanding have a remaining weighted average
contractual life of eight years. Subsequent to fiscal 2005, no further options will be granted under this plan.
2005 Stock Plan. In January 2005, our stockholders approved our 2005 Stock Plan, which our board of
directors adopted in November 2004. The 2005 Stock Plan became effective on February 16, 2005, the day prior to
the completion of our initial public offering. Our 2005 Stock Plan provides for the ability to grant incentive stock
options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, deferred stock units, performance
units and performance shares. A total of 6,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock is authorized for issuance
under the 2005 Stock Plan. Any shares subject to an award with a per share price less than the fair market value of
our Class A common stock on the date of grant will be counted against the authorized share reserve as two shares for
every one share subject to the award, and if returned to the 2005 Stock Plan, such shares will be counted as two
shares for every one share returned.
A summary of the status of the 2005 Stock Plan is as follows:
Outstanding Options
Class A Shares
Available for
Grant
Number of
Class A Shares
(in thousands, except for exercise prices)
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Balance at plan inception on February 16, 2005 ......
Grants .................................................................
Exercises.............................................................
Cancellations ......................................................
Balance at September 30, 2005 ................................
6,000
(1,384)
-
8
4,624
-
1,384
-
(8)
1,376
-
$ 19.19
-
19.20
$ 19.19
As of September 30, 2005, there were options outstanding to purchase 1.4 million shares of Class A common
stock, none of which were vested and exercisable. The options outstanding have a remaining weighted average
contractual life of nine years.
The following table summarizes the significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable stock options at
September 30, 2005:
76
Range of Exercise Prices
$1.00 - $1.50.................................................
$1.51 - $6.50.................................................
$6.51 - $15.50...............................................
$15.51 - $22.75.............................................
Outstanding Options
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life in
Years
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
(shares in thousands)
$ 1.26
2.59
14.71
19.28
6
9
9
10
Options Exercisable
Class A
and
Class B
Shares
3,651
1,282
-
-
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
$ 1.26
2.08
-
-
Class A
and
Class B
Shares
4,561
5,864
154
1,342
The outstanding options to purchase 11.9 million shares of Class A and Class B common stock have vested or
will vest as follows:
2005 and Prior
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Total
Fiscal Year
Number of Class A options ...
Number of Class B options....
Total .................................
-
4,933
4,933
342
2,103
2,445
(in thousands)
346
1,905
2,251
347
1,398
1,745
337
206
543
4
-
4
1,376
10,545
11,921
Stock Appreciation Rights
In fiscal year 2002, we issued 31,500 stock appreciation rights to certain employees based outside of the United
States. All rights were granted at a price of $1.26 per share at the date of issuance and vest ratably over four years.
The compensation expense related to this issuance due to changes in the fair value of our Class B common stock is
recognized over the vesting period. In fiscal year 2005, we issued 20,000 additional stock appreciation rights to
certain employees based outside of the United States. All rights were granted at a weighted average price of $8.84
per share at the date of issuance and vest ratably over four years. As of September 30, 2005, a total of 42,500 stock
appreciation rights were outstanding net of cancellations.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In January 2005, our board of directors adopted and our stockholders approved our Employee Stock Purchase
Plan, or ESPP which allows eligible employees to have up to 10 percent of their eligible compensation withheld and
used to purchase shares of our Class A common stock. The ESPP became effective on February 16, 2005, and the
first purchase took place on November 15, 2005. For the first offering period, the plan provided for the purchase of
shares at 95 percent of the lower of the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange on the first or last day of the
offering period. For subsequent offering periods, the purchase price will be 95 percent of the closing price on the
New York Stock Exchange on the last day of the purchase period. With the exception of the first offering period,
offering periods generally start on the first day on or after May 15th and November 15th of each year. A total of
1,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock are available for sale under the ESPP plan.
6. Retirement Plans
We maintain a tax-qualified 401(k) retirement plan for employees in the United States called the “Dolby
Laboratories, Inc. Retirement Plan.” Eligible employees are able to defer up to 100% of their eligible compensation
subject to applicable Internal Revenue Code limits. The plan provides for a company matching contribution as well
as a discretionary profit sharing component. Our matching and profit sharing contributions vest over a five year
period based on years of service under the plan.
Eligible employees in the United Kingdom may participate in the “Dolby Group Pension Plan,” and executives
in the United Kingdom may participate in the “Dolby Laboratories Funded Unapproved Retirement Benefits
Scheme.” Similar to the 401(k) plan, these plans allow eligible employees to defer a portion of their compensation
and include matching and profit sharing components.
Pension expenses for the United States plan were $3.9 million, $3.6 million and $3.8 million for fiscal 2003,
2004 and 2005, respectively. Pension expenses for the United Kingdom plans were $0.4 million, $0.5 million and
$0.6 million for fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. Pension expenses are included in cost of product sales,
77
cost of production services, research and development expense, and selling, general and administrative expense on
the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
We maintain a supplemental retirement plan for key executives. The plan is a defined contribution plan with a
target benefit paid at age 65. Our contributions were based on the participant’s compensation and years of service.
Expenses related to the plan of $0.4 million per year for fiscal 2003 and 2004 and are included in selling, general
and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. In fiscal 2005, we ceased
all future contributions to the plan. Amounts due to participants are classified in other non-current liabilities and
investments to fund the liability are segregated and included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets.
7. Commitments and Contingencies
Lease Commitments
Rental expenses under operating leases were $4.3 million, $5.0 million and $5.6 million for fiscal 2003, 2004
and 2005, respectively. These amounts include expenses for rent payable to our principal stockholder of $3.5
million, $3.5 million and $3.5 million for fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. We have future minimum rental
commitments, including those payable to our principal stockholder, for non-cancelable operating leases on office
space as of September 30, 2005 as follows:
Total Operating
Lease Payments
(in thousands)
Fiscal 2006 ...................................................................................................... $
Fiscal 2007 ......................................................................................................
Fiscal 2008 ......................................................................................................
Fiscal 2009 ......................................................................................................
Fiscal 2010 ......................................................................................................
Thereafter ........................................................................................................
Total minimum lease payments................................................................
$
2,988
1,597
1,045
937
866
4,527
11,960
Other Cash Obligations
In March 1997, an unrelated third party filed a lawsuit against us alleging breach of a written agreement. In
April 2002, we settled the dispute and agreed to pay a total of $30.0 million in ten equal annual installments of $3.0
million per year beginning in June 2002. As of September 30, 2005, we had $18.0 million remaining to be paid
under this settlement. Refer to Note 10 for further discussion.
Under the terms of the agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Cinea (see Note 3), we have future
payment obligations that equal approximately 5% to 8% of the revenue generated from products incorporating
certain technologies we acquired in the transaction. As September 30, 2005, no additional purchase consideration
had been earned.
8. Segment Information
Operating Segments
Our chief operating decision maker is our Chief Executive Officer (CEO). While the CEO evaluates results in a
number of different ways, the primary basis for which the allocation of resources and financial results are assessed is
by examining our business in two operating segments: the technology licensing segment and the products and
production services segment. The technology licensing segment licenses technology, trademarks and know-how to
consumer electronics, personal computer, broadcast and professional audio companies and administers third-party
patent-only licenses. The products and production services segment provides professional products to movie theatres
and to the recording, broadcast, cable and video post-production industries. Additionally, this segment provides
services to broadcast, film production and distribution companies.
Accounting policies for each of the operating segments are the same as those used on a consolidated basis. Our
reportable segment information for fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005 is as follows:
78
September 26,
2003
Revenue
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
(in thousands)
September 30,
2005
Technology licensing ............................................... $
Products and production services.............................
157,922
59,550
$
211,395
77,646
$
246,298
81,669
Total revenue..................................................... $
217,472
$
289,041
$
327,967
September 26,
2003
Gross Margin
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
(in thousands)
September 30,
2005
Technology licensing ............................................... $
Products and production services.............................
117,921
25,908
$
157,557
39,979
$
205,740
42,009
Total gross margin............................................. $
143,829
$
197,536
$
247,749
Reconciliation to Income before Provision for Income Taxes
and Controlling Interest
September 26,
2003
Total segment gross margin ..................................... $
Operating expenses.............................................
Other income (expenses), net .............................
Income before provision for income taxes and
143,829
(96,162)
(57)
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
(in thousands)
197,536
(129,673)
229
$
September 30,
2005
$
247,749
(163,687)
7,156
controlling interest............................................. $
47,610
$
68,092
$
91,218
We do not track capital expenditures or assets by operating segments. Consequently, it is not practical to show
capital expenditures or assets by operating segment.
Geographic Data
Revenue by Geographic Region
September 26,
2003
Fiscal Year Ended
September 24,
2004
(in thousands)
September 30,
2005
United States ............................................................ $
International .............................................................
55,351
162,121
$
74,144
214,897
$
91,831
236,136
Total revenue..................................................... $
217,472
$
289,041
$
327,967
Revenue by geographic region was determined based on the location of our licensees for licensing revenue, the
location of our direct customers for product sales, and the location where services were performed for production
services revenue. Revenue generated from customers in Japan accounted for 28%, 26% and 23% of total revenue in
the fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. Revenue generated from customers in China accounted for 15%, 13%
and 10% for fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. In fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005, no customer accounted for
more than 10% of our total revenue.
We do not track capital expenditures or assets by geographic region. Consequently, it is not practical to show
capital expenditures or assets by geographic region.
9. Related Party Transactions
Prior to our initial public offering, we had licensing and royalty agreements with Ray Dolby and his affiliates
for the use of patents on which a portion of our operations is based. Under these agreements we recorded expenses
for royalty obligations to Ray Dolby of $27.6 million, $36.9 million and $18.7 million for fiscal 2003, 2004 and
79
2005, respectively. These amounts are included in cost of licensing and cost of product sales in the accompanying
consolidated statements of operations, depending on the nature of the licensed technology. On February 16, 2005,
Ray Dolby contributed to us all rights in the intellectual property related to our business that he and his affiliates
held. In connection with the asset contribution, our previous licensing arrangements with Ray Dolby terminated, and
we have no further obligation to pay royalties to Ray Dolby. As such, we did not record any expenses for royalty
obligations to Ray Dolby subsequent to February 16, 2005.
We lease our San Francisco corporate office space from our principal stockholder. The lease expires on
December 31, 2005. Annual rent under the lease was $3.5 million for each of fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005. We are
currently negotiating a new lease for a seven year term with two five year options to extend.
We are the minority partner in entities which own and lease commercial property in the United States and
United Kingdom. Our principal stockholder is the controlling partner in each of these entities. These entities were
established for the purposes of purchasing and leasing commercial property primarily for our own use. While a
portion of the property is leased to third parties, we occupy a majority of the space. The debt used to finance the
purchases of property by these entities is collateralized by the acquired property and guaranteed by Dolby
Laboratories. Therefore, given that these affiliated entities are an integrated part of our operations, we have
consolidated the entities’ assets and liabilities and results of operations in our consolidated financial statements. The
share of earnings and net assets of the entities attributable to the controlling partner is reflected as controlling
interest in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The outstanding principal balance on the debt of
these entities was $13.5 million at September 30, 2005. The carrying amount of property that is collateral for these
entities’ debt was $29.9 million at September 30, 2005. We believe that the current market value of the
collateralized property is greater than the outstanding principal balances.
Our ownership interest in the consolidated affiliated entities is as follows:
Company Name
Dolby Properties, LLC ....................................................................................
Dolby Properties Brisbane, LLC .....................................................................
Dolby Properties Burbank, LLC .....................................................................
Dolby Properties United Kingdom, LLC ........................................................
Dolby Properties, LP.......................................................................................
Ownership
interest as of
September 30,
2005
37.5%
49.0%
49.0%
49.0%
10.0%
10. Legal Proceedings
In May 2001, we filed a lawsuit against Lucent Technologies, Inc. and Lucent Technologies Guardian I, LLC
together “Lucent,” contending that Lucent was wrongly asserting that our licensees using Dolby AC-3 audio
compression technology required licenses to the patents at issue and seeking a declaration that the patents at issue
are not infringed and/or are invalid. Lucent filed a counterclaim alleging that we have infringed the patents at issue.
These patents generally involve a process and means for digitally encoding and decoding audio signals. On April
22, 2005, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted our motions for summary judgment,
finding that we have not infringed, induced others to infringe, or contributed to the infringement of the patents at
issue. In granting summary judgment of non-infringement, the court found that Lucent had not presented evidence
from which a reasonable fact-finder could find that Dolby AC-3 technology infringes the patents at issue. In light of
the Court’s finding of non-infringement, it dismissed our claims that the Lucent patents are invalid. Lucent has
appealed the court’s April 22, 2005, ruling granting summary judgment of non-infringement to the United States
Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.
In March 1997, an unrelated third party filed a lawsuit against us alleging breach of a written agreement. In
April 2002, we settled the dispute and agreed to pay a total of $30.0 million, without interest, in ten equal annual
installments of $3.0 million per year beginning in June 2002. We recorded this liability at its present value of $24.2
million on the consolidated balance sheet using a discount rate of 5.125%, which approximates our incremental cost
of borrowing rate. Interest related to this liability is recorded quarterly and is included in interest expense on the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Other than such payments, neither party has any material
obligations as a result of the settlement. As of September 30, 2005, we had $18.0 million remaining to be paid under
this settlement.
In addition, we are involved in various legal proceedings from time to time arising from the normal course of
business activities, including claims of alleged infringement of intellectual property rights, commercial, employment
80
and other matters. In our opinion, resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect
on our operating results or financial condition. However, it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of one or more
such proceedings could materially affect our future operating results or financial condition in a particular period.
81
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rules 13a−15(e) and
15d−15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded,
processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission
rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that
disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not
absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing
disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the
cost−benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and
procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no
assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all
potential future conditions.
Subject to the limitations noted above, our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls
and procedures as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10−K. Based on that
evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of such date, our
disclosure controls and procedures were effective to meet the objective for which they were designed and operate
at the reasonable assurance level.
We are not currently required to comply with Section 404 (Management Assessment of Internal Controls) of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, because we are not yet an accelerated filer. We are in the process of implementing internal
control structures and procedures for our financial reporting so that our management can provide the required
certifications as to these structures and procedures in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ending
September 29, 2006.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the year ended September 30,
2005, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
82
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
PART III
The information required by this item concerning our directors, compliance with Section 16 of the Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934 and our code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial
officer and principal accounting officer is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in the sections under
the headings “Election of Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Election of
Directors—Corporate Governance Matters—Code of Conduct” in our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2006
(the "2006 Proxy Statement").
Information regarding our executive officers is set forth in Item 1 of Part I of this Report under the caption
"Executive Officers of the Registrant."
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information in the 2006 Proxy
Statement under the heading "Executive Compensation."
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information in the 2006 Proxy
Statement under the headings "Equity Compensation Plan Information" and "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management."
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information in the 2006 Proxy
Statement under the heading "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions."
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information in the 2006 Proxy
Statement under the heading "Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Principal
Accounting Fees and Services."
83
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
1. Financial Statements: See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-
K
2. Financial Statements Schedule: See “Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts” of this Form 10-K
3. Exhibits: The exhibits listed in the accompanying index to exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference
as part of this Form 10-K.
84
SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Balance at
Beginning of
Fiscal Year
Charged to
Operations
Deductions
(in thousands)
Balance at
End of Fiscal
Year
For fiscal year ended September 26, 2003
For fiscal year ended September 24, 2004
For fiscal year ended September 30, 2005
$ 1,321
2,565
2,110
$ 1,753
402
95
$ (509)
(857)
(174)
$ 2,565
2,110
2,031
85
SIGNATURES
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.
Date: December 19, 2005
DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
By: /s/ Kevin J. Yeaman
Kevin J. Yeaman
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints N. W. Jasper, Jr. and Kevin J. Yeaman, his attorney-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for
him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same,
with exhibits thereto and other documents in connections therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
hereby ratifying and conforming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitutes, may do or cause to be done
by virtue of hereof.
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.
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
/s/ Ray Dolby
Ray Dolby
/s/ N. W. Jasper, Jr.
N. W. Jasper, Jr.
/s/ Kevin J. Yeaman
Kevin J. Yeaman
Chairman of the Board
December 19, 2005
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
December 19, 2005
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
December 19, 2005
/s/ Peter Gotcher
Peter Gotcher
Director
/s/ Sanford Robertson
Sanford Robertson
Director
/s/ Roger Siboni
Roger Siboni
Director
86
December 19, 2005
December 19, 2005
December 19, 2005
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
2.1*
Description
Asset Contribution Agreement dated November 19, 2004, by and between the
Registrant, Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation, Ray Dolby individually,
Ray Dolby as Trustee for the Ray Dolby Trust under the Dolby Family Trust
instrument dated May 7, 1999, and Ray and Dagmar Dolby Investments L.P.
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
3.2
Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws
4.1
Form of Registrant’s Class A Common Stock Certificate
10.1*
10.2*
Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered into between the Registrant
and its Directors and Officers
2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended
10.3*
2005 Stock Plan
10.4*
10.5*
10.6*
Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP")
Senior Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan
Description of Dolby Annual Incentive Plan for Fiscal 2005
10.7*
10.8*
Funded Unapproved Retirement Benefits Scheme (United Kingdom) for David
Watts
Forms of Stock Option Agreements under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan
Incorporated by Reference Herein
Form
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614), Amendment No. 1
Date
December 30, 2004
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614), Amendment No. 2
January 19, 2005
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614)
November 19, 2004
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614), Amendment No. 1
December 30, 2004
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614)
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614), Amendment No. 3
November 19, 2004
January 31, 2005
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614)
November 19, 2004
Current Report on Form 8−K
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614), Amendment No. 2
August 3, 2005
January 19, 2005
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614)
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614)
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
Current Report on Form 8−K
Current Report on Form 8−K
November 19, 2004
November 19, 2004
August 11, 2005
June 17, 2005
June 17, 2005
June 17, 2005
June 17, 2005
June 17, 2005
10.9*
10.10*
10.11*
10.12*
Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2005 Stock Plan
Form of Executive Stock Option Agreement under the 2005 Stock Plan
Form of Executive Stock Option Agreement – United Kingdom under the 2005
Stock Plan
Form of Stock Option Agreement – United Kingdom under the 2005 Stock Plan Current Report on Form 8−K
10.13*
10.14*
Form of Stock Option Agreement – Hong Kong under the 2005 Stock Plan
Form of Stock Option Agreement – International under the 2005 Stock Plan
Current Report on Form 8−K
Current Report on Form 8−K
10.15*
10.16*
Form of Stock Appreciation Right Agreement – International under the 2005
Stock Plan
Form of Subscription Agreement under the ESPP - U.S. Employees
Current Report on Form 8−K
June 17, 2005
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614), Amendment No. 2
January 19, 2005
87
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614)
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614)
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614), Amendment No. 1
November 19, 2004
November 19, 2004
December 30, 2004
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614), Amendment No. 3
January 31, 2005
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614)
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614)
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614)
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614)
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614)
Registration Statement on Form S−1 (No.
333−120614), Amendment No. 1
November 19, 2004
November 19, 2004
November 19, 2004
November 19, 2004
November 19, 2004
December 30, 2004
10.17*
10.18*
10.19*
10.20*
10.21*
10.22*
10.23*
10.24*
Form of Subscription Agreement under the ESPP - U.K. Employees
Form of Subscription Agreement under the ESPP - Hong Kong Employees
Form of Subscription Agreement under the ESPP - France Employees
Form of Subscription Agreement under the ESPP - Non-U.S. Employees
Offer Letter dated September 28, 2000, by and between Martin A. Jaffe and
Dolby Laboratories, Inc., a California corporation
Offer Letter dated October 23, 2003, by and between Mark S. Anderson and
Dolby Laboratories, Inc., a California corporation
At−Will Employment, Proprietary Rights, Non−Disclosure and No
Conflicts−of−Interest Agreement, dated November 19, 2004, by and between
Ray Dolby and Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
Employment Transition Agreement dated January 26, 2005 by and between
Janet Daly and Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
10.25*
10.26*
Offer Letter dated October 4, 2005, by and between Kevin Yeaman and Dolby
Laboratories, Inc., a California corporation
Lease for 100 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, California
10.27*
Lease for 999 Brannan Street, San Francisco, California
10.28*
Lease for 175 South Hill Drive, Brisbane, California
10.29*
Lease for 3601 West Alameda Avenue, Burbank, California
10.30*
Leases for Wootton Bassett, England facilities
10.31†
License Agreement effective January 1, 1992 by and between GTE
Laboratories Incorporated and Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
21.1
23.1
24.1
31.1
31.2
32.1
List of significant subsidiaries of the Registrant
Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Power of Attorney (incorporated by reference from the signature page of this
Annual Report on Form 10-K)
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
13a−14(a) or 15d−14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes−Oxley Act
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
13a−14(a) or 15d−14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes−Oxley Act
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes−Oxley Act
+ Confidential treatment has been granted for portions of this exhibit.
* Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
88
Senior Management
and Directors
Senior Management and Officers
Ray Dolby
Chairman and Founder
Bill Jasper
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director
Mark Anderson
Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary
Steve Forshay
Senior Vice President, Research
Marty Jaffe
Executive Vice President, Business Affairs
Tim Partridge
Senior Vice President and General Manager,
Professional Division
Ed Schummer
Senior Vice President and General Manager,
Consumer Division
David Watts
Executive Vice President, Managing Director (UK)
Kevin Yeaman
Chief Financial Officer
Outside Directors
Peter Gotcher
Sanford Robertson
Roger Siboni
Certifications
Dolby filed the certifications of its CEO and CFO required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002 as exhibits to its Form 10-K for fiscal 2005. Dolby will be required to submit a CEO
certification to the NYSE within 30 days of the 2006 Stockholder Annual Meeting, which
certification will not include any qualifications. Dolby’s Class A common stock was not listed
on the NYSE at the time of the 2005 Stockholder Annual Meeting; consequently, Dolby was not
required to submit a CEO certification to the NYSE at that time.
Form 10-K
A copy of Dolby’s Annual Report on Form 10-K may be ordered, viewed, or downloaded
on the company’s website at http://investor.dolby.com.
Investor Relations
Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
100 Potrero Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94103
http://investor.dolby.com
Email: investor@dolby.com
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 43010
Providence, RI 02940
1-800-587-3984
www.computershare.com/equiserve
Legal Counsel
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Palo Alto, CA
Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP
San Francisco, CA
Common Stock
Listed on New York Stock Exchange, Stock Symbol DLB
Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of
Dolby Laboratories. © 2006 Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
All rights reserved. S06/16951