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Dolby Laboratories

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FY2018 Annual Report · Dolby Laboratories
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2018 ANNUAL REPORT

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

È ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

‘ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2018
OR

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)
1275 Market Street
San Francisco, CA
(Address of principal executive offices)

90-0199783
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

94103-1410
(Zip Code)

(415) 558-0200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Class A common stock, $0.001 par value
(Title of class)

The New York Stock Exchange
(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Class B common stock, $0.001 par value
(Title of class)

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

Act. Yes È 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 È

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 È No ‘

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that
the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes È 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 a check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller
reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting
company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer È
Non-accelerated filer ‘

Accelerated filer ‘
Smaller reporting company ‘
Emerging growth company ‘
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for

complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ‘

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ‘ No È
The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of March 30, 2018 was
$3.4 billion. 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 combined shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding at March 30, 2018.
This calculation does not reflect a determination that such persons are affiliates for any other purposes. On October 26, 2018, the
registrant had 64,002,056 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 39,261,035 shares of Class B common stock,
par value $0.001 per share, 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 2019 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 28, 2018. Except with respect to information specifically
incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, the Definitive Proxy Statement is not deemed to be filed as part of this Form 10-K.

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Item 1
– Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1A – Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1B – Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 2
–
–
Item 3
Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
– Mine Safety Disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 4

PART II

Item 5

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

of Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
–
Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 6
– Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . .
Item 7
Item 7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
– Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 8
Item 9
– Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . .
Item 9A – Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9B – Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART III

Item 10 – Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 11 –
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Item 12 –
Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Principal Accounting Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 14 –

PART IV

4
12
27
27
27
28

29
32
33
51
53
93
93
94

95
96

96
97
97

Item 15 –
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

98
103

1

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following table summarizes certain terms and abbreviations that may be used within the text of this

report:

Abbreviation
AAC
AFS
AOCI
APIC
ASC
ASP
ASU
ATSC
AVC
AVR
CE
CES
CODM
COGS
COSO
DD
DD+
DMA
DTV
DVB
DVD
EPS
ESP
ESPP
FASB
FCPA
FIFO
G&A
HD
HDR
HDTV
HE-AAC
HEVC
HFR
HTIB
IC
IMB
IP
IPO
IPTV
IT
LIFO
LP
ME
NOL
OCI
ODD
OECD
OEM
OLED
OTT
PC
PCS
PP&E
PSO
R&D
RSU
S&M
SERP
SoC
STB
TPE
TSR
UHD
U.S. GAAP
VSOE

Term
Advanced Audio Coding
Available-For-Sale (Securities)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Additional-Paid In-Capital
Accounting Standards Codification
Average Selling Price
Accounting Standards Update
Advanced Television Systems Committee
Advanced Video Coding
Audio/Video Receiver
Consumer Electronics
Consumer Electronics Show
Chief Operating Decision Maker
Cost Of Goods Sold
Committee Of Sponsoring Organizations (Of The Treadway Commission)
Dolby Digital®
Dolby Digital Plus™
Digital Media Adapter
Digital Television
Digital Video Broadcasting
Digital Versatile Disc
Earnings Per Share
Estimated Selling Price
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Financial Accounting Standards Board
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
First-in, First-out
General & Administrative
High Definition
High-Dynamic Range
High Definition Television
High Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding
High Efficiency Video Coding
High Frame Rate
Home Theater In-A-Box
Integrated Circuit
Integrated Media Block
Intellectual Property
Initial Public Offering
Internet Protocol Television
Information Technology
Last-in, First-out
Limited Partner/Partnership
Multiple Element
Net Operating Loss
Other Comprehensive Income
Optical Disc Drive
Organization For Economic Co-Operation & Development
Original Equipment Manufacturer
Organic Light-Emitting Diode
Over-The-Top
Personal Computer
Post-Contract Support
Property, Plant, & Equipment
Performance-Based Stock Option
Research & Development
Restricted Stock Unit
Sales & Marketing
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
System(s)-On-A-Chip
Set-Top Box
Third Party Evidence
Total Stockholder Return
Ultra High Definition
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles In The United States
Vendor Specific Objective Evidence

2

Forward Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to
statements regarding: operating results and underlying measures; demand and acceptance for our technologies
and products; market growth opportunities and trends; our plans, strategies, and expected opportunities; future
competition; our stock repurchase program; and our dividend policy. Use of words such as “may,” “will,”
“should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” or similar
expressions indicates a forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s
reasonable and current assumptions and expectations. Actual results may differ materially from those discussed
in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including the risks set forth in Item 1A, “Risk
Factors.” 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. We disclaim any duty to
update any of the forward-looking statements to conform our prior statements to actual results.

3

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

Dolby Laboratories creates audio and imaging technologies that transform entertainment and

communications at the cinema, at home, at work, and on mobile devices. Founded in 1965, our strengths stem
from expertise in analog and digital signal processing and digital compression technologies that have transformed
the ability of artists to convey entertainment experiences to their audiences through recorded media. Such
technologies led to the development of our noise-reduction systems for analog tape recordings, and have since
evolved into multiple offerings that enable more immersive sound for cinema, digital television transmissions
and devices, OTT video services, DVD and Blu-ray Discs, gaming consoles, and mobile devices. Today, we
derive the majority of our revenue from licensing our audio technologies. We also derive revenue from licensing
our consumer imaging and communication technologies, as well as audio and imaging technologies for premium
cinema offerings in collaboration with exhibitors. Finally, we provide products and services for a variety of
applications in the cinema, broadcast, and communications markets.

OUR STRATEGY

Key elements of our strategy include:

Advancing the Science of Sight and Sound. We apply our understanding of the human senses, audio, and
imaging engineering to develop technologies aimed at improving how people experience and interact with their
entertainment and communications content.

Providing Creative Solutions. We promote the use of our solutions as creative tools, and provide our
products, services, and technologies to filmmakers, sound mixers, and other content creators and providers. Our
tools help showcase the quality and impact of their efforts and intent, which in turn may generate market
demand.

Delivering Superior Experiences. Our technologies and solutions optimize playback and communications

so that users may enjoy richer, clearer, and more immersive sound and sight experiences.

REVENUE GENERATION

The following table presents a summary of the composition of our revenue for all periods presented:

Revenue

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

90%
8%
2%

89%
9%
2%

89%
9%
2%

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100%

100%

100%

We license our technologies in approximately 50 countries, and our licensees distribute products that
incorporate our technologies throughout the world. As shown in the table below, we generate the majority of our
revenue from outside the United States. Geographic data for our licensing revenue is based on the location of our
licensees’ headquarters, products revenue is based on the destination to which we ship our products, and services
revenue is based on the location where services are performed.

Revenue By Geographic Location

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
International

33%
67%

35%
65%

31%
69%

4

We generate revenue from licensing arrangements with over 500 electronics product OEM and software

developer licensees.

Licensing

We license our technologies to a range of customers who incorporate them into their products for enhanced

audio and imaging functionality whether it be at home, at work, on mobile devices, or at the cinema. Our key
technologies are as follows:

Technology

AAC & HE-AAC

AVC

Dolby® AC-4

Dolby Atmos®

Description

An advanced digital audio codec solution with higher bandwidth efficiency used for a wide range
of media applications such as TVs, STBs, PCs, gaming consoles, mobile devices, and digital
radio.

A digital video codec with high bandwidth efficiency used in a wide range of media devices, such
as TVs, STBs, PCs, gaming consoles, and mobile devices.

A next-generation digital audio coding technology that increases transmission efficiency while
delivering new audio experiences, including Dolby Atmos, to a wide range of playback devices,
including TVs, STBs, and mobile devices.

An object-oriented audio technology for home theaters, cinema, device speakers, mobile devices,
and headphones that allows sound to be precisely placed and moved anywhere in the listening
environment including the overhead dimension. Dolby Atmos is an immersive experience that
can be provided via multiple Dolby audio coding technologies.

Dolby Digital®

A digital audio coding technology that provides multichannel sound to applications such as DVD
players, TVs, and STBs.

Dolby Digital Plus™

An advanced digital audio coding technology that offers more efficient audio transmission for a
wide range of media applications such as TVs, STBs, Blu-ray Discs, PCs, and mobile devices.

Dolby® TrueHD

A digital audio coding technology providing lossless encoding for premium quality media
applications such as Blu-ray Discs and home theaters.

Dolby Vision™

An imaging technology combining high dynamic range and dynamic metadata to deliver higher
color contrast, brighter highlights, and improved details for cinema and a wide range of media
devices, including TVs, mobile devices, gaming consoles, and STBs.

Dolby Voice®

An audio conferencing technology with superior spatial perception, voice clarity, and background
noise reduction that emulates the in-person meeting experience.

HEVC

A next-generation digital video codec with high bandwidth efficiency to support ultra-high
definition experiences for a wide range of media devices.

The following table presents the composition of our licensing business and revenues for all periods

presented:

Market

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Main Offerings Incorporating Our
Technologies

Broadcast
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

39%
20%
14%

12%
15%

43%
13%
13%

15%
16%

46%
12%
13%

16%
13%

STBs & Televisions
Smartphones & Tablets
DMAs, Blu-ray Disc devices, AVRs,
Soundbars, DVDs, & HTIBs
Windows and macOS operating systems
Gaming consoles, Auto DVD, Dolby
Cinema, Dolby Voice

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100%

100%

100%

5

We have various licensing models: a two-tier model, an integrated licensing model, a patent licensing

model, and collaboration arrangements.

Two-Tier Licensing Model. Most of our branded technology licensing business consists of a two-tier
licensing model whereby our decoding technologies, included in reference software and firmware code, are first
provided under license to semiconductor manufacturers whom we refer to as “implementation licensees.”
Implementation licensees incorporate our technologies in ICs which they sell to OEMs of various electronic
products, whom we refer to as “system licensees.” System licensees separately obtain licenses from us that allow
them to make and sell end-user products using ICs that incorporate our technologies.

Implementation licensees pay us a one-time, up-front fee per license. In exchange, the licensee receives a

licensing package which includes information that is useful in implementing our technologies into their chipsets.
Once implemented, the licensee sends us a sample chipset for quality control evaluation, and following our
validation of the design, the licensee is permitted during the term of the agreement to sell the chipset for use
solely to our network of system licensees.

System licensees provide us with prototypes of products, or self-test results of products that incorporate our

technologies. Upon our confirmation that our technologies are optimally and consistently incorporated, the
system licensee may buy ICs under a license for the same Dolby technology from our network of implementation
licensees, and may further sell approved products to retailers, distributors, and consumers. For the use of our
technologies, our system licensees pay an initial licensing fee as well as royalties, which represent the majority of
the revenue recognized from these arrangements. The amount of royalties we collect on a particular product
depends on several factors including the nature of the implementations, the mix of Dolby technologies used, and
the volume of products using our technologies that are shipped by the system licensee.

Integrated Licensing Model. We also license our technologies to software operating system vendors and to

certain other OEMs that act as combined implementation and system licensees. These licensees incorporate our
technologies in their software used on PCs, in mobile applications, or in ICs they manufacture and incorporate
into their products. As with the two-tier licensing model, the combined implementation and system licensee pays
us an initial licensing fee in addition to royalties as determined by the mix of Dolby technologies used, the nature
of the implementations, and the volume of products using our technologies that are shipped, and is subject to the
same quality control evaluation process.

Patent Licensing Model. We license our patents through patent pools which are arrangements between

multiple patent owners to jointly offer and license pooled patents to licensees. We also license our patents
directly to manufacturers that use our IP in their products. Finally, we generate service fees for managing patent
pools on behalf of third party patent owners through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Via Licensing Corporation.
By aggregating and offering pooled IP, patent pools deliver efficiencies that reduce transactional costs for both
IP owners and licensees. The Via Licensing patent pools enable product manufacturers to efficiently and
transparently secure patent licenses for audio coding, interactive television, digital radio, and wireless
technologies. We offer our AAC, AVC, HE-AAC, HEVC, and other IP through patent licensing. Currently, most
of our revenue earned from patent licensing relates to the licensing of AAC and HE-AAC technologies.

Collaboration Arrangements.

Dolby Cinema: We partner with exhibitors to deliver a premium cinema offering with Dolby Vision and Dolby

Atmos at new and pre-existing venues. We receive a portion of box-office receipts from the installed theaters.

Dolby Voice: We enter into arrangements with audio and video conferencing providers where, in return for
licensing our IP and know-how, we earn revenue based on access to our technology and services. In addition, we
sell hardware that facilitates the Dolby conferencing experience, including the Dolby Conference Phone for audio
use only, and the Dolby Voice Room, our integrated solution that provides a video camera and a control hub
integrated with the Dolby Conference Phone.

Settlements & Back Payments From Licensees. Licensing revenue recognized in any given quarter may

include back payments and/or settlements with licensees. Within the Results of Operations section of Item 7

6

“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” settlements and
back payments are collectively referred to as “recoveries.” Such recoveries have become a recurring element of
our business and are particularly subject to fluctuation and unpredictability.

Products

We design and manufacture audio and imaging products for the cinema, television, broadcast, and

entertainment industries. Distributed in over 90 countries, these products are used in content creation, distribution,
and playback to enhance image and sound quality, and improve transmission and playback. We also market and sell
products, as discussed above, which help improve the conference call experience when using Dolby Voice.

Products revenue is derived primarily from sales of the following:

Product

Cinema Imaging Products

Description
Digital Cinema Servers used to load, store, decrypt, decode, watermark,
and playback digital film files for presentation on digital cinema
projectors and software used to encrypt, encode, and package digital
media files for distribution.

Cinema

Cinema Audio Products

Dolby Conference Phone

Dolby Voice Room

Other

Other Products

Services

Cinema Processors, amplifiers, and loudspeakers used to decode, render,
and optimally playback digital cinema soundtracks including those using
Dolby Atmos.

An integral hardware component of the Dolby Voice conferencing
solution that enhances full-room voice capture, spatial voice separation,
and playback.

Video conferencing solution for huddle rooms and small conference
rooms that combines a camera product with the Dolby Conference
Phone.

3-D glasses and kits, broadcast hardware and software used to encode,
transmit, and decode multiple channels of high quality audio for DTV
and HDTV distribution, monitors, and accessibility solutions for hearing
and visually impaired consumers.

We offer various services to support theatrical and television production for cinema exhibition, broadcast,
and home entertainment, including equipment training and maintenance, mixing room alignment, equalization, as
well as audio, color, and light image calibration. We also provide PCS for products sold and equipment installed
at Dolby Cinema theaters operated by exhibitor partners and support the implementation of our technologies into
products manufactured by our licensees.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

We have a substantial base of IP assets, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets

developed based on our technical expertise.

As of September 28, 2018, we had approximately 9,300 issued patents and approximately 4,100 pending
patent applications in more than 100 jurisdictions throughout the world. Our currently issued patents expire at
various times through February 2043.

Some of our patents relating to DD technologies have expired, and others will expire over the next several

years. While in the past we derived a significant portion of our licensing revenue from our DD technologies, this
is no longer the case as revenues attributed to DD technologies have declined and are expected to continue to
decline. The primary products where DD is widely used include DVD players (but not Blu-ray players), TVs, and
STBs. We have transitioned a number of our DD licensees to DD+ technologies, an extension of our DD
technologies, whose patents generally expire later than the DD patents. We are continuing to make progress in
transitioning other DD licensees to DD+.

7

We pursue a general practice of filing patent applications for our technologies in the U.S. and foreign
countries where our customers manufacture, distribute, or sell licensed products. We actively pursue new
applications to expand our patent portfolio to address new technological innovations, and we also make strategic
acquisitions of technology and patents from time to time. We have multiple patents covering aspects and
improvements for many of our technologies.

We have approximately 1,000 trademark registrations throughout the world for a variety of wordmarks,
logos, and slogans. Our trademarks cover our various products, technologies, improvements, and features, as well
as the services that we provide. These trademarks are an integral part of our technology licensing program, and
licensees typically elect to place our trademarks on their products to inform consumers that their products
incorporate our technology and meet our quality specifications.

We protect our IP rights both domestically and internationally. From time to time, OEMs have failed to
report or have underreported shipments of their products that incorporate our technologies. We have also had
problems with implementation licensees selling ICs with our technologies to third parties that are not system
licensees. We anticipate that such problems will continue to occur. Accordingly, we have taken steps in the past
to enforce our IP rights and expect to continue to do so in the future.

Moreover, in certain countries, we have relatively few or no issued patents. For example, in China, Taiwan,
and India, we have only limited patent protection for our Dolby technologies. Consequently, we may realize less
revenue from those regions in the future. Maintaining or growing our licensing revenue in developing countries
such as China, Taiwan, and India will depend in part on our ability to obtain patent rights in these countries,
which is uncertain. Further, because of the limitations of the legal systems in many countries, the effectiveness of
patents obtained or that may in the future be obtained is uncertain.

INDUSTRY STANDARDS

Several Dolby technologies have been adopted as the explicit or de facto industry standard for broadcast,

discrete media, and online delivery in various markets worldwide.

Explicit industry standards are adopted through a standardization process whereby government entities,
industry standards-setting bodies, trade associations, and others evaluate and then prescribe the use of a technology.
For example, as global broadcast standards for digital, HD, and UHD television have developed, Dolby audio
technologies have been adopted or mandated in various regions of the world, highlights of which are as follows:

• DD+ and HE-AAC are mandated for use in terrestrial broadcast across many countries including

France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Turkey, and Russia. In addition, DD+
and HE-AAC are included in the digital terrestrial television specifications of emerging digital TV
markets in Africa, South-East Asia, and India while operators in China have selected DD and DD+ as
optional technologies for transmissions using the country’s digital terrestrial television specification. In
mobile devices, HE-AAC is specified for various applications in the 3GPP suite of standards, and is a
de facto audio standard in entertainment services.

• DD+ is the de facto technology used by a wide range of pay-TV operators and streaming services worldwide
and is included in popular operating systems such as iOS and Windows. It is also widely used by major OTT
services such as Netflix, iTunes, and Amazon, and is included in the specifications of these services.

• DD is mandated for HD broadcast in multiple regions including North America and South Korea, and

for DVD players on a global basis.

• AC-4 is Dolby’s next generation of audio coding technology that has been adopted for implementation
in certain regions by worldwide standards organizations including the DVB and ATSC. AC-4 has also
been adopted or proposed in forthcoming regional and country standards. AC-4 is already being
supported in a number of TVs that are available worldwide from major manufacturers.

In addition, Dolby technologies have become de facto industry standards in many consumer entertainment
products. De facto industry standards are adopted by industry participants when technologies are introduced to
the marketplace and become widely used. For example, prior to the adoption of HD terrestrial broadcast
standards mandating Dolby technologies, many European HD broadcasters began broadcasting in DD or DD+,
leading OEMs to include these technologies in their televisions and STBs for the European market.

8

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

We conduct R&D activities at numerous locations both in the U.S. and internationally. Dolby’s history of

producing innovative technology has created many forms of IP. This IP generates licensing revenue that enables
us to fund and pursue further innovation.

For much of the Company’s history, we focused the majority of our R&D resources on developing leading

audio technologies for consumer entertainment that today comprises most of our revenue. In recent years, we
have expanded our efforts to identify and develop new technologies to include audio conferencing and imaging
technologies. Each of these technologies can support many offerings, and we anticipate bringing new innovations
to market in the future.

R&D expenses included in our consolidated statements of operations were as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Research & Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$236,794

$233,312

$219,607

PRODUCT MANUFACTURING

Our product quality is enabled through the use of well-established, and in some cases, highly automated,
assembly processes along with rigorous testing of our products. Although we have some manufacturing facilities,
we rely primarily upon contract manufacturers for the majority of our production capacity. We purchase
components and fabricated parts from multiple suppliers; however, we rely on sole source suppliers for certain
components used to manufacture our products. We source components and fabricated parts both locally and
globally.

SALES AND MARKETING

Our marketing efforts focus on demonstrating how our solutions improve entertainment and

communications experiences. We sell our solutions primarily using an internal sales organization to various
customers in the markets where we operate. We promote our solutions and our brand through industry events
such as trade-shows, film festivals, movie premieres, product launches, as well as through our website, public
relations, direct marketing, co-marketing programs, and social media. In addition, we hold the naming rights to
the Dolby Theatre, home to the Academy Awards® in Hollywood, California, where we showcase our
technology and host high-profile events.

We maintain more than 20 sales offices in key regions around the globe. S&M expenses included in our

consolidated statements of operations were as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Sales & Marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$309,802

$296,661

$295,267

CUSTOMERS

We license our technologies to a broad set of customers that operate in a wide range of industries, and we
sell our professional products either directly to the end user or, more commonly, through dealers and distributors.
Users of our professional products and services include film studios, content creators, post-production facilities,
cinema operators, broadcasters, and video game designers.

In fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, we did not have any individual customers whose revenue exceeded 10% of

our total revenue.

9

COMPETITION

The entertainment and communications industries are highly competitive, and we face aggressive
competition in all areas of our business. Some of our current and 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, some of our current or potential competitors may
have an advantage over us based on greater experience in certain technology markets. In addition, some of our
current or potential competitors may be able to offer integrated systems in certain markets for entertainment
technologies, including audio, imaging, and digital rights management technologies, which could make
competing technologies that we develop or acquire obsolete. By offering an integrated system solution, these
potential competitors may also be able to offer competing technologies at lower prices than we can, which could
adversely affect our operating results.

Many products that include our audio and imaging technologies also include technologies developed by our

competitors. We believe that the principal competitive factors in our markets include some or all of the
following:

• Degree of access and inclusion in industry standards;

• Technological performance, flexibility, and range of application;

• Brand recognition and reputation;

• Timeliness and relevance of new product introductions;

• Quality and reliability of products and services;

• Relationships with producers, directors, and distributors in the film industry, with television broadcast
industry leaders, with OTT industry leaders, and with the management of semiconductor and consumer
electronics OEMs;

• Availability of compatible high quality audio and video content; and

•

Price.

Certain foreign governments, particularly in China, have advanced arguments under their competition laws
that exert downward pressure on royalties for IP, which can result in a competitive disadvantage. The regulatory
enforcement activities in such jurisdictions can be unpredictable, in some cases because these jurisdictions have
only recently implemented competition laws.

Our technologies, products, and services span the audio and imaging sectors of several distinct and diverse
industries, including the broadcasting, personal computer, mobile, consumer entertainment, gaming, cinema, and
communications industries. The lack of a clear definition of the markets in which our products, services, and
technologies are sold or licensed, the nature of our technologies, their potential use for various commercial
applications, and the diverse nature of and lack of detailed reporting by our competitors, make it impracticable to
quantify our position.

EMPLOYEES

As of September 28, 2018, we had 2,151 employees worldwide, of which 892 employees were based outside

of the U.S. None of our employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement.

CORPORATE AND AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We were founded in London, England in 1965 and incorporated in the State of New York in 1967. We
reincorporated in California in 1976 and reincorporated in Delaware in September 2004. Our principal corporate
offices are located at 1275 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94103. Our telephone number is
(415) 558-0200.

Our Internet address is www.dolby.com. We make available on our website, 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

10

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. The SEC also maintains a website that contains our SEC filings at www.sec.gov.

11

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following risk factors and other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K should be
carefully considered. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks
and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem less significant may also affect our
business operations or financial results. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, operating
results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

REVENUE GENERATION

Markets We Target

Dependence on Sales by Licensees. Our licensing businesses depend on OEMs and other licensees to

incorporate our technologies into their products. Our license agreements generally do not have minimum
purchase commitments, are typically non-exclusive, and frequently do not require incorporation or use of our
technologies. Our revenue will decline if our licensees choose not to incorporate our technologies into their
products or if they sell fewer products incorporating our technologies.

Trends in Optical Disc Media. For many years, movies have been distributed, purchased, and consumed

through optical disc media, such as DVD and Blu-ray Disc. However, the rapid advancement of online and
mobile content delivery has resulted in a trend toward movie downloading and streaming services. We expect the
shift away from optical disc media to online media content consumption to continue, resulting in decreased
revenue from DVD and Blu-ray Disc players.

Additionally, the number of PCs that include optical disc drives has decreased significantly in recent years.

Because PC OEMs are required to pay us a higher per-unit royalty for Windows PCs that include optical disc
playback functionality than Windows PCs that do not include such functionality, the continued decreasing
inclusion of optical disc drives in PCs will result in lower per-unit royalties. Revenue from our PC market
depends on several factors, including underlying PC unit shipment growth, the extent to which our technologies
are included on computers, through operating systems or otherwise, and the terms of any royalties or other
payments we receive.

Mobile Industry Risks. Successful penetration of the mobile device market is important to our future

growth. The mobile device market, particularly smartphones and tablets, is characterized by rapidly changing
market conditions, frequent product introductions and intense competition based on features and price. Our
technologies are not mandated as an industry standard for mobile devices. We must continually convince mobile
device OEMs and end users of mobile devices of the value of our technologies. With shorter product lifecycles, it
is easier for mobile device OEMs to add or remove our technologies from mobile devices than it is for TV OEMs
and other hardware OEMs.

In order to increase the value of our technologies in the mobile market, we have worked with online and

mobile media content service providers to encode their content with our technologies, which could affect OEM
and software vendor demand for our decoding technologies. However, the online and mobile media content
services markets are also characterized by intense competition, evolving industry standards and business and
distribution models, disruptive software and hardware technology developments, frequent product and service
introductions and short life cycles, and price sensitivity on the part of consumers, all of which may result in
downward pressure on pricing or the removal of our technologies by these providers.

Cinema Industry Risks. Revenue from Dolby Cinema and cinema product sales is subject to the pace of

construction or upgrade of screens, the advent of new or competing technologies, the willingness of movie
studios to produce films in our Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision formats, consumer trends, box-office
performance generally, and other events or conditions in the cinema industry. Although we have invested, and
expect to continue to invest, a substantial amount of time and resources developing Dolby Cinema and building
our partnerships in connection with the launch of Dolby Cinema locations, this is a relatively new market for us
and we may not recognize a meaningful amount of revenue from these efforts in the near future, or at all, if new
Dolby Cinema locations are not ultimately successful, or if there is a decrease in the performance of our existing

12

locations. Additionally, we have collaborations with multiple exhibitors in foreign markets, including China and
the Middle East, and we may face a number of risks in expanding Dolby Cinema in these and other new
international markets. The revenue we receive from Dolby Cinema exhibitors are based on a portion of
box-office receipts from the installed theaters, and the timing of such theater installations is dependent upon a
number of factors beyond our control. In addition, the success of our Dolby Cinema offering will be tied to the
pipeline and success of motion pictures available at Dolby Cinema locations generally. The success of Dolby
Cinema depends in large part on our ability to differentiate our offering, deploy new sites in accordance with
plans, provide a compelling experience, and attract and retain a viewing audience. In addition, a decrease in our
ability to develop and introduce new cinema products and services successfully could affect licensing of our
consumer technologies, because the strength of our brand and our ability to use professional product
developments to introduce new consumer technologies would be negatively impacted.

Our revenue and associated demand from cinema product sales is dependent upon industry and economic
cycles, along with our ability to develop and introduce new technologies, further our relationships with content
creators, and promote new cinematic audio and imaging experiences. A significant portion of our growth
opportunity lies in the China market, which is subject to economic risks as well as geo-political risks.
Furthermore, future growth of our cinema products business also depends upon new theater construction and
entering into an equipment replacement cycle whereby previously purchased cinema products are upgraded or
replaced. To the extent that we do not make progress in these areas, or are faced with pricing pressures,
competing technologies, or other global macroeconomic challenges our revenue may be adversely impacted.

Customers and Distributors

Loss of Key Licensee or Customer. A small number of our licensees or customers may represent a
significant percentage of our licensing, products, or services revenue. Although we generally have agreements
with these licensees or customers, these agreements typically do not require any minimum purchases or
minimum royalty fees and do not prohibit licensees from using competing technologies or customers from
purchasing products and services from competitors. Customer demand for our technologies and products can
shift quickly as many of our markets are rapidly evolving. As a result of our increased presence across consumer
electronic device markets where our technologies are not mandated and are subject to significant competition, the
risk that a large licensee may reduce or eliminate its use of our technologies has increased.

Reliance on Semiconductor Manufacturers. Our licensing revenue from system licensees depends in large
part upon the availability of ICs that implement our technologies. IC manufacturers incorporate our technologies
into these ICs, which are then incorporated in consumer entertainment products. We do not manufacture these
ICs, but rather depend on IC manufacturers to develop, produce, and then sell them to system licensees in
accordance with their agreements. We do not control the IC manufacturers’ decisions on whether or not to
incorporate our technologies into their ICs, and we do not control their product development or
commercialization efforts.

Consumer Spending Weakness. Weakness in general economic conditions may suppress consumer

demand in our markets. Many of the products in which our technologies are incorporated are discretionary goods,
such as PCs, TVs, STBs, Blu-ray Disc players, video game consoles, AVRs, mobile devices, in-car entertainment
systems, and home-theater systems. Weakness in general economic conditions may also lead to licensees and
customers becoming delinquent on their obligations to us or being unable to pay, resulting in a higher level of
write-offs. Economic conditions may increase underreporting and non-reporting of royalty-bearing revenue by
our licensees as well as increase the unauthorized use of our technologies.

Reliance on Distributors. We rely significantly on a global network of independent, regional distributors
to market and distribute our cinema and broadcast products. Our distributor arrangements are non-exclusive and
our distributors are not obligated to buy our products and can represent competing products, and they may be
unwilling or unable to dedicate the resources necessary to promote our portfolio of products. Our distributors
could retain product channel inventory levels that exceed future anticipated sales, which could affect our future
sales to those distributors. In addition, failure of our distributors to adhere to our policies designed to promote

13

compliance with global anticorruption laws, export controls, and local laws, could subject us to criminal or civil
penalties and stockholder litigation.

Marketing and Branding

Importance of Brand Strength. Maintaining and strengthening the Dolby brand is critical to maintaining

and expanding our licensing, products, and services business, as well as our ability to offer technologies for new
markets, including Dolby Voice for the communications market, Dolby Cinema, Dolby Vision and other imaging
offerings for the consumer market, and others. Our continued success depends on our reputation for providing
high quality technologies, products, and services across a wide range of entertainment markets, including the
consumer entertainment, PC, broadcast, and gaming markets. If we fail to promote and maintain the Dolby brand
successfully in licensing, products or services, our business will suffer. Furthermore, we believe that the strength
of our brand may affect the likelihood that our technologies are adopted as industry standards in various markets
and for various applications. Our ability to maintain and strengthen our brand will depend heavily on our ability
to develop innovative technologies for the entertainment industry, to enter into new markets successfully, and to
provide high quality products and services in these new markets.

Industry Standards

The entertainment industry has historically depended upon industry standards to ensure compatibility across
delivery platforms and a wide variety of consumer entertainment products. We make significant efforts to design
our products and technologies to address capability, 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 plan to compete in the future. To have our products and
technologies adopted as industry standards, we must convince a broad spectrum of standards-setting
organizations throughout the world, as well as our major customers and licensees who are members of such
organizations, to adopt them as such. The market for broadcast technologies has traditionally been heavily based
on industry standards, often mandated by governments choosing from among alternative standards, and we
expect this to continue to be the case in the future. However, the continued advancement of OTT media delivery
and consumption may impact the importance of inclusion in certain broadcast standards in the future.

Difficulty Becoming Incorporated in an Industry Standard. Standards-setting organizations establish

technology standards for use in a wide range of consumer entertainment products. It can be difficult for
companies to have their technologies adopted as an industry standard, as multiple companies, including ones that
typically compete against one another, are involved in the development of new technology standards for use in
entertainment-oriented products. Furthermore, some standards-setting organizations choose to adopt a set of
optional standards or a combination of mandatory and optional standards; in such cases, our technologies may be
adopted only as an optional standard and not a mandatory standard. Standards may also change in ways that are
unfavorable to Dolby.

Participants May Choose Among Alternative Technologies within Standards. Even when a standards-

setting organization incorporates our technologies in an industry standard for a particular market, our
technologies may not be the sole technologies adopted for that market. Furthermore, different standards may be
adopted for different markets. 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
global adoption of digital television generally, including in emerging markets, and the choice to use our
technologies where it is one of several accepted industry standards.

14

Being Part of a Standard May Limit Our Licensing Practices. When a standards-setting organization
mandates our technologies, 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, and we may be unable to limit to whom we
license such technologies or to restrict many terms of the license. We have in the past, and may in the future, be
subject to claims that our licensing of industry standard technologies may not conform to the requirements of the
standards-setting organization. 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.

Royalty Reporting

Our operating results fluctuate based on the risks set forth in this section, as well as, among other factors,

on:

• Timing of royalty reports from our licensees and meeting revenue recognition criteria;

• Royalty reports including positive or negative corrective adjustments;

• Retroactive royalties that cover extended periods of time; and

• Timing of revenue recognition under licensing agreements and other contractual arrangements,

including recognition of unusually large amounts of revenue in any given quarter because not all of our
revenue recognition criteria were met in prior periods.

Inaccurate Licensee Royalty Reporting. We generate licensing revenue primarily from OEMs who license

our technologies and incorporate those technologies into their products. Our license agreements generally
obligate our licensees to pay us a specified royalty for every product they ship that incorporates our technologies,
and we rely on our licensees to report their shipments accurately. However, we have difficulty independently
determining whether our licensees are reporting shipments accurately, particularly with respect to software
incorporating our technologies because unauthorized copies of such software can be made relatively easily. A
third party may disagree with our interpretation of the terms of a license agreement or, as a result of an audit, a
third party could challenge the accuracy of our calculation. We are regularly involved in discussions with third
party technology licensees regarding license terms. Most of our license agreements permit us to audit our
licensees’ records, and we routinely exercise these rights, but audits are generally expensive, time-consuming,
and potentially detrimental to our ongoing business relationships with our licensees. In the past, licensees have
understated or failed to report the number of products incorporating our technologies that they shipped, and we
have not been able to collect and recognize revenue to which we were entitled. We expect that we will continue
to experience understatement and non-reporting of royalties by our licensees. We have been able to obtain certain
recovery payments from licensees (either in the form of back payments or settlements), and such recoveries have
become a recurring element of our business; however, we are unable to predict with certainty the revenue that we
may recover in the future or our ability to continue to obtain such recoveries at all.

Royalties We Owe Others.

In some cases, the products we sell and the technologies we license to our

customers include IP 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. A third party may disagree with our interpretation of the terms of a license agreement or, as a result of
an audit, a third party could challenge the accuracy of our calculation. We are regularly involved in discussions
with third party technology licensors regarding license terms. A successful challenge by a third party could result
in the termination of a license agreement or an increase in the amount of royalties we have to pay to the third
party.

Changes in Revenue Recognition Standard. Beginning in Q1 of fiscal 2019, we adopted accounting
standard ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which we refer to as “ASC 606.”
We elected to use the Full Retrospective method to adopt ASC 606, which requires us to recast our fiscal 2018
and fiscal 2017 revenues under ASC 606 by applying the new standard retrospectively. Going forward, we will
report fiscal 2019 revenues only under ASC 606, along with prior year comparisons, which will also be reported
under ASC 606. The transition from ASC 605 to ASC 606 most significantly impacts two key areas of Dolby’s
revenue accounting, as described below.

15

The first topic related to ASC 606 that will significantly impact us involves multi-year contracts. Most of

our licensing arrangements with customers currently involve multi-year contracts, and in the past under ASC
605, it would have been unusual for all revenue from a multi-year contract to be recognized upfront (i.e., upon
execution of the contract). Under ASC 606, the accounting framework has shifted, and now, certain terms and
conditions (such as “minimum volume commitments”) are more likely to result in upfront revenue recognition.
Only a small number of our contracts were affected by this change; however, when we recast our fiscal 2017 and
fiscal 2018 revenue under ASC 606, some of our revenue will shift to previous years. Going forward into fiscal
2019, as we transition to the new rules under ASC 606, we do not anticipate any material change in the amount
of licensing revenue that is recognized upfront, compared to revenue previously recognized under ASC 605.

The second topic related to ASC 606 that will significantly impact us involves our quarterly recognition of
certain royalty revenues from licensing customers. In a typical licensing arrangement, the customer enters into a
contract with us agreeing to pay royalties for Dolby technology implemented in its products. Usually, the
customer compiles its shipment activity throughout a quarter and then submits an aggregate report to us in the
following quarter. Under ASC 605, we used those reports to compute, record and recognize royalty revenue in
the quarter in which we received the report. For instance, units shipped by a customer in a quarter ending March
31st would result in us recognizing revenue in the following quarter ending June 30th. Under ASC 606, that
approach has changed, and instead, we will recognize revenue in our March 31st quarter for units shipped by the
customer in that March 31st quarter. In order to do this, we will need to make estimates in the March 31st quarter
of the units shipped by customers in that same quarter. Then, in the following quarter ending June 30th, when we
receive the customer reports of the actual shipments that occurred in the March 31st quarter, we will book
adjustments, as necessary, to “true-up” the difference between the estimated and the actual revenue (which could
be an increase or decrease). The effect of this is to shift the timing of revenue recognition by one quarter—certain
revenue previously recognized in one quarter will now be recognized in the prior quarter. The change may also
cause more volatility in our quarterly figures because of the estimation process and the corresponding true-up
adjustments, which we plan to disclose each quarter as appropriate.

Such changes to our reporting practices could significantly affect our results of operations to the extent that
actual revenues differ significantly from estimated revenues, or that we are required to accelerate recognition of
revenue under certain arrangements, potentially causing the amount of revenue we recognize to vary materially
from quarter to quarter. While the adoption of the new standard will not change the cash flows or total revenues
we receive from our contracts with customers, the new standard could result in changes to the timing of our
reported revenue and income, which in turn could cause volatility in the price of our common stock.

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Technology Innovation. Our revenue growth will depend upon our success in new and existing markets for

our technologies, such as digital broadcast, mobile devices, online and mobile media distribution, cinema,
consumer imaging and communications. The markets for our technologies and products are defined by:

• Rapid technological change;

• New and improved technology and frequent product introductions;

• Changing consumer and licensee demands;

• Evolving industry standards; and

• Technology and product obsolescence.

Our future success depends on our ability to enhance our technologies and products and to develop new

technologies and products that address the market needs in a timely manner. Technology development is a
complex, uncertain process requiring high levels of innovation, highly-skilled engineering and development
personnel, and the accurate anticipation of technological and market trends. We may not be able to identify,
develop, acquire, market, or support new or enhanced technologies or products on a timely basis, if at all.

16

Experience with New Markets and Business Models. Our future growth will depend, in part, upon our

expansion into areas beyond our audio licensing business. Over the past few years, we have introduced Dolby
Voice technology for the communications market, Dolby Vision for the home and cinema markets, and our
branded-theater experience, Dolby Cinema. In connection with entering into these new markets, we face new
sources of competition, new business models, and new customer relationships. In order to be successful in these
markets, we will need to cultivate new industry relationships and strengthen existing relationships to bring our
products, services, and technologies to market. Our limited experience to date in one or more of these markets
could limit our ability to successfully execute on our growth strategy.

Incorporation of Dolby Formats into New Products & Availability of Content in Dolby Formats. The
success of many of our newer initiatives, such as Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Cinema, is dependent
upon the availability and success of (i) products that incorporate Dolby formats and (ii) content produced in
Dolby formats. However, there is no guarantee that device makers will continue to incorporate Dolby formats
into their products, that content creators will continue to release content in Dolby formats, or that either those
products or that content will be commercially successful.

For instance, to successfully establish Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, we will need to continue to expand

the array of products and consumer devices that incorporate Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, expand the pipeline
of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision content available from content creators, and encourage consumer adoption in
the face of competing products and technologies. Similarly, the success of Dolby Cinema is dependent upon our
ability to partner with movie theater exhibitors to launch new Dolby Cinema sites and deploy new sites in
accordance with plans, as well as the continued release and box-office success of new films in the Dolby Vision
and Dolby Atmos formats released through Dolby Cinemas.

Further, the commercial success of products incorporating Dolby formats, content released in Dolby
formats, and Dolby Cinemas generally, depends upon a number of factors outside of our control, including, but
not limited to, consumer preferences, critical reception, timing of release, marketing efforts of third-parties, and
general market conditions. Moreover, release and distribution of such products and content can be subject to
delays in production or changes in release schedule, which can negatively impact the quantity, timing and quality
of such products and content released in Dolby formats and available at Dolby Cinema theaters.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Our business is dependent upon protecting our patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, and other IP

rights, the loss or expiration of which may significantly impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Effective IP 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. The efforts we have taken to protect our
proprietary rights may not be sufficient or effective. We also seek to maintain select IP as trade secrets, and third
parties or our employees could intentionally or accidentally compromise the IP that we maintain as trade secrets.
In addition, protecting our IP rights is costly and time consuming. We have taken steps in the past to enforce our
IP rights and expect to do so in the future. However, it may not be practicable or cost effective for us to enforce
our IP rights fully, particularly in some countries or where the initiation of a claim might harm our business
relationships.

We generally seek patent protection for our innovations. However, our patent program faces a number of

challenges, including:

•

Possibility that innovations may not be protectable;

17

•

•

Failure to protect innovations that later turn out to be important;

Insufficient patent protection to prevent third parties from designing around our patent claims;

• Our pending patent applications may not be approved; and

•

Possibility that an issued patent may later be found to be invalid or unenforceable.

Patent Royalties and Expiration. Many of the technologies that we license to our system licensees are
covered by patents, and the licensing revenue that we receive from those licenses depends in large part upon the
life of such patents. In general, our agreements with our licensees require them to pay us a full royalty with
respect to a particular technology only until the last patent covering that technology expires in a particular
country. As of September 28, 2018, we had approximately 9,300 issued patents in addition to approximately
4,100 pending patent applications in more than 100 jurisdictions throughout the world. Our currently issued
patents expire at various times through February 2043.

We seek to mitigate this risk in a variety of ways. We regularly look for opportunities to expand our patent

portfolio through organic development and acquisitions. We develop proprietary technologies to replace
licensing revenue from technologies covered by expiring patents with licensing revenue supported by patents
with a longer remaining life. And we develop and license our technologies in a manner designed to minimize the
chance that a system licensee would develop competing technologies that do not include any Dolby IP.

In the case of our patent coverage related to DD, some of our relevant patents have expired, but others
continue to apply. DD is our solution that includes technology necessary to implement AC-3 as it has been
updated over time. We have continued to innovate and develop intellectual property to support the standard and
its implementation. Our customers use our DD implementation for quality, reliability, and performance, even in
locations where we have not had applicable patent coverage. While in the past, we derived a significant portion
of our licensing revenue from our DD technologies, this is no longer the case as revenues attributed to DD
technologies have declined and are expected to continue to decline.

Many of our partners have adopted newer generations of our offerings such as DD+, and the range of
products incorporating DD solutions is now limited to DVD players (but not Blu-ray players) and some TVs,
STBs and soundbars. To continue to be successful in our audio licensing business, we must keep transitioning
our DD licensees to our newer technologies, including our DD+ and Dolby AC-4 technologies.

Unauthorized Use of Our Intellectual Property. We have often experienced, and expect to continue to
experience, problems with non-licensee OEMs and software vendors, particularly in China and certain emerging
economies, incorporating our technologies and trademarks into their products without our authorization and
without paying us any licensing fees. Manufacturers of ICs containing our technologies occasionally sell these
ICs to third parties who are not our system licensees. These sales, and the failure of such manufacturers to report
the sales, facilitate the unauthorized use of our IP. As emerging economies transition from analog to digital
content, such as the transition from analog to digital broadcast, we expect to experience an increase in problems
with this form of piracy.

Intellectual Property Litigation. Companies in the technology and entertainment industries frequently
engage in litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of IP rights. We have faced such
claims in the past, and we expect to face similar claims in the future. Any IP 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. An adverse determination in any IP 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, which
may not be available on reasonable terms or at all. Licensors could also require us to pay significant royalties. 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 aspects of our business found to be
infringing, we may be forced to limit our product and service offerings and may be unable to compete
effectively.

18

In some instances, we have contractually agreed to provide indemnifications to licensees relating to our

IP. Additionally, at times we have chosen to defend our licensees from third party IP infringement claims even
where such defense was not contractually required, and we may choose to take on such defense in the future.

Licensee Disputes. At times, we are engaged in disputes regarding the licensing of our IP 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. In the past, licensees have
threatened to initiate litigation against us based on potential antitrust claims or regarding our licensing royalty
rate practices. Damages and requests for injunctive relief asserted in claims like these could be significant, and
could be disruptive to our business.

U.S. and Foreign Patent Rights. Our licensing business depends in part on the uniform and consistent
treatment of patent rights in the U.S. and abroad. Changes to the patent laws and regulations in the U.S. and
abroad may limit our ability to obtain, license, and enforce our rights. Additionally, court and administrative
rulings may interpret existing patent laws and regulations in ways that hurt our ability to obtain, license, and
enforce our patents. We face challenges protecting our IP in foreign jurisdictions, including:

• Our ability to enforce our contractual and IP rights, especially in countries that do not recognize and
enforce IP rights to the same extent as the U.S., Japan, Korea, and European countries do, which
increases the risk of unauthorized use of our technologies;

• Limited or no patent protection for our DD technologies in countries such as China, Taiwan, and India,
which may require us to obtain patent rights for new and existing technologies in order to grow or
maintain our revenue; and

• Because of limitations in the legal systems in many countries, our ability to obtain and enforce patents
in many countries is uncertain, and we must strengthen and develop relationships with entertainment
industry participants worldwide to increase our ability to enforce our IP and contractual rights without
relying solely on the legal systems in the countries in which we operate.

OPERATIONS

Reliance on Key Suppliers. Our reliance on suppliers for some of the key materials and components we
use in manufacturing our products involves risks, including limited control over the price, timely delivery, and
quality of such components. We generally have no formal agreements in place with our suppliers for the
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 delays in our operations and
increase our production costs. In addition, our suppliers may not be able to meet our 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
products, including specific 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 those specific 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
products could result in production delays, increased costs, and reductions in shipments of our products.

Product Quality. Our products, and products that incorporate our technologies, are complex and
sometimes contain undetected software or hardware errors, particularly when first introduced or when new
versions are released. In addition, we have limited control over manufacturing performed by contract
manufacturers, which could result in quality problems. Furthermore, our products and technologies are
sometimes combined with or incorporated into products from other vendors, sometimes making it difficult to
identify the source of a problem or, in certain instances, making the quality of our implementation dependent in
part upon the quality of such other vendors’ products. Any negative publicity or impact relating to these product
problems could affect the perception of our brand and market acceptance of our products or technologies. These

19

errors could result in a loss of or delay in market acceptance of our 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 products or technologies contain errors, we could be required to replace or reengineer
them or rely upon parties who have incorporated our technologies into their products to implement updates to
address such issues, which could cause delays or increase our costs. Moreover, if any such errors cause
unintended consequences, we could incur substantial costs in defending and settling product liability claims.
Although we generally attempt to contractually limit our liability, 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.

Production Processes and Production. 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. While we have three production facilities, we increasingly use contract manufacturers for a
significant portion of our production capacity. Our reliance on contract manufacturers for the manufacture of our
products involves risks, including limited control over timely delivery and quality of such products. If production
of our products is interrupted, we may not be able to manufacture products on a timely basis. A shortage of
manufacturing capacity for our products could reduce our operating results and damage our customer
relationships. We may be unable to quickly adapt our manufacturing capacity to rapidly changing market
conditions and a contract manufacturer may encounter similar difficulties. Likewise, we may be unable to
quickly respond to fluctuations in customer demand or contract manufacturer interruptions. At times we
underutilize our manufacturing facilities as a result of reduced demand for some of our products.

Data Security. We rely on information technology systems in the conduct of our business, including

systems designed and managed by third parties. Many of these systems contain sensitive and confidential
information, including our trade secrets and proprietary business information, and personal data, as well as
content and information of or pertaining to our customers, suppliers and business partners. The secure
maintenance of this information is critical to our operations and business strategy. Increasingly, companies are
subject to a wide variety of attacks on their networks and systems on an ongoing basis. Our information
technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to penetration or attacks by hackers, malware, software bugs or
other technical malfunctions, or other disruptions. If we use a vendor that stores information as part of their
service or product offerings, we assess the security of such services prior to using the service. Nevertheless, our
sensitive, confidential or proprietary information may be misappropriated by that vendor or others who may
inappropriately access the vendor’s system.

While we have taken a number of steps to protect our information technology systems, including the use of

encryption and authentication technologies, the number and sophistication of malicious attacks that companies
have experienced has increased over the past few years. In addition, because techniques used by hackers (many
of whom are highly sophisticated and well-funded) to access or sabotage networks and computer systems change
frequently and often are not recognized until after they are used, we may be unable to anticipate or immediately
detect these techniques. This could delay our response or the effectiveness of our response and impede our
operations and ability to limit our exposure to third-party claims and other potential liability. Attacks on our
systems are sometimes successful, and, in some instances, we might be unaware of an incident or its magnitude
and effects. We also may suffer data security breaches and the unauthorized access to, misuse or acquisition of,
personal data or other sensitive and confidential information as the result of intentional or inadvertent breaches or
other compromises by our employees or service providers. Any data security breach or other incident, whether
external or internal in origin, could compromise our networks and systems, creating system disruptions or
slowdowns and exploiting security vulnerabilities of our products. Any such breach or other incident, can result
in the information stored on our networks and systems being improperly accessed or acquired, publicly disclosed,
lost, or stolen, which could subject us to liability to our customers, suppliers, business partners and others. We
seek to detect and investigate such attempts and incidents and to prevent their recurrence where practicable
through changes to our internal processes and tools, but in some cases preventive and remedial action might not
be successful. In addition, despite the implementation of network security measures, our networks also may be
vulnerable to computer viruses, malware, ransomware, social engineering, denial of service, and similar other
disruptions. Disruptions to our information technology systems, due to outages, security breaches or other causes,
could also have severe consequences to our business, including financial loss and reputational damage.

20

A variety of provincial, state, national, and international laws and regulations apply to the collection, use,
retention, protection, disclosure, transfer and other processing of personal data. These laws and regulations are
evolving and may result in ever-increasing regulatory and public scrutiny and escalating levels of enforcement
and sanctions. Our actual or perceived failure to adequately comply with applicable laws and regulations relating
to privacy and data protection could result in regulatory fines, investigations and enforcement actions, penalties
and other liabilities, claims for damages by affected individuals, and damage to our reputation, any of which
could have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial performance and business.

Fluctuations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates. We earn revenues, pay expenses, own assets and incur
liabilities in foreign countries using several currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As a result, we face exposure to
adverse movements in currency exchange rates as the financial results of our international operations are
translated from local currency into U.S. dollars upon consolidation. The majority of our revenue generated from
international markets is denominated in U.S. dollars, while the operating expenses of our foreign subsidiaries are
predominantly denominated in local currencies. Therefore, our operating expenses will increase when the U.S.
dollar weakens against the local currency and decrease when the U.S. dollar strengthens against the local
currency. Additionally, foreign exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in currencies other than
the functional currency result in gains or losses that are reflected in our consolidated statements of operations.
Additional risks related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates are described in the Foreign Currency
Exchange Risk section of Part I, Item 3 “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Business Interruptions by Natural Disasters and Other Events Beyond Our Control. Although we maintain
crisis management plans, our business operations are subject to interruption by natural disasters and catastrophic
events beyond our control, including, but not limited to, earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, tropical storms,
floods, tsunamis, fires, droughts, tornadoes, public health issues and pandemics, severe changes in climate, war,
terrorism, and geo-political unrest and uncertainties. Additionally, several of our offices, including our corporate
headquarters in San Francisco, are located in seismically active regions. Because we do not carry earthquake
insurance for earthquake–related losses and significant recovery time could be required to resume operations, our
financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected in the event of a major
earthquake or catastrophic event.

COMPETITION

The markets for our technologies are highly competitive, and we face competitive threats and pricing
pressure in our markets. Consumers may perceive the quality of the visual and audio experiences produced by
some of our competitors’ technologies to be equivalent or superior to the sight and sound experiences produced
by our technologies. Some of our current 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. These competitors may also be able to offer integrated systems in markets for
entertainment technologies on a royalty-free basis or at a lower price than our technologies, including audio,
imaging, and other technologies, which could make competing technologies that we develop less attractive.

Pricing Pressures. The markets for the consumer entertainment products in which our technologies are

incorporated are intensely competitive and price sensitive. We expect to face increased royalty pricing pressure
for our technologies as we seek to drive the adoption of our technologies into online content and portable
devices, such as tablets and smartphones. Retail prices for consumer entertainment products that include our
sound technologies, such as DVD and Blu-ray players and home theater systems, have decreased significantly,
and we expect prices to decrease for the foreseeable future. In response, OEMs have sought to reduce their
product costs, which can result in downward pressure on the licensing fees we charge.

21

Customers as Competitors. We face competitive risks in situations where our customers are also current or

potential competitors. For example, Samsung and Technicolor are significant licensee customers, but are also
competitors with respect to some of our consumer, broadcast, and cinema technologies. Our customers may
choose to use competing technologies they have developed or in which they have an interest rather than use our
technologies. The existence of important customer relationships may influence which strategic opportunities we
pursue, as we may forgo some opportunities in the interests of preserving a critical customer relationship.

Competition from Other Audio Formats, Imaging Solutions, and Integrated System Offerings. We believe

that the success we have had licensing our audio technologies to system licensees is due, in part, to the
perception that our technologies provide a high quality solution for multichannel audio and the strength of our
brand. However, both free and proprietary sound technologies are becoming increasingly prevalent, and we
expect competitors to continue to enter this field with other offerings. Furthermore, to the extent that customers
perceive our competitors’ products as providing the same or similar advantages as our technologies at a lower or
comparable price, there is a risk that these customers may treat sound encoding technologies as commodities,
resulting in loss of status of our technologies, decline in their use, and significant pricing pressure. For example,
we face competition with respect to our HDR imaging technology, Dolby Vision, and there can be no assurance
that additional consumers will adopt Dolby Vision in the near future, or at all, or that we will maintain our
existing customers.

In addition, some of our current or potential competitors may be able to offer integrated systems in certain
markets for entertainment technologies, including audio, imaging, and digital rights management technologies,
which could make competing technologies that we develop or acquire obsolete. By offering an integrated system
solution, these potential competitors may also be able to offer competing technologies at lower prices than we
can, which could adversely affect our operating results.

Competition for Employees.

In order to be successful, we must attract, develop, and retain employees,

including employees to work on our growth initiatives where our current employees may lack experience with
the business models and markets we are pursuing. Competition for experienced employees in our markets can be
intense. In order to attract and retain employees, we must provide a competitive compensation package, including
cash and equity compensation. Our equity awards include stock options and restricted stock units. The future
value of these awards is uncertain, and depends on our stock price performance over time. In order for our
compensation packages to be viewed as competitive, prospective employees must perceive our equity awards to
be a valuable benefit.

STRATEGIC ACTIVITIES

Importance of Industry Relationships. To be successful, we must maintain and grow our relationships with

a broad range of industry participants, including:

• Content creators, such as film directors, studios, mobile and online content producers, and music

producers;

• Content distributors, such as studios, film exhibitors, broadcasters, operators, and OTT video service

providers and video game publishers;

• Leading companies in the audio and video conferencing markets; and

• Device manufacturers.

Industry relationships have historically played an important role in the markets that we serve, particularly in

the entertainment market. For example, sales of our products and services are particularly dependent upon our
relationships with major film studios and broadcasters, and licensing of our technologies is particularly
dependent upon our relationships with system licensees and IC manufacturers. If we fail to maintain and
strengthen these relationships, these entertainment industry participants may be less likely to purchase and use
our technologies, products, and services, or create content incorporating our technologies. Industry relationships
also play an important role in other markets we serve; for instance, our partner relationships in the audio and
video conferencing markets are important to our communications business.

22

Consequences of M&A Activity. We evaluate a wide array of possible strategic transactions, including

acquisitions. We consider these types of transactions in connection with, among other things, our efforts to
strengthen our audio and cinema businesses and expand beyond sound technologies. Although we cannot predict
whether or not we will complete any such acquisitions or other transactions in the future, any of these
transactions could be significant in relation to our market capitalization, financial condition, or results of
operations. The process of integrating an acquired company, business, or technology may create unforeseen
difficulties and expenditures. 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 economic, political, and regulatory environment in specific
countries. Future acquisitions could result in potentially dilutive issuances of our equity securities, the incurrence
of debt, contingent liabilities, amortization expenses, and write-offs of goodwill. Future acquisitions may also
require us to obtain additional equity or debt financing, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all.
Also, the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions may not materialize.

We face various risks in integrating acquired businesses, including:

• Diversion of management time and focus from operating our business to acquisition integration

challenges;

• Cultural and logistical challenges associated with integrating employees from acquired businesses into

our organization;

• Retaining employees, suppliers and customers 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 may have lacked effective 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.

LEGAL AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

International Business and Compliance. We are dependent on international sales for a substantial amount
of our total revenue. Approximately 67%, 65% and 69% of our revenue was derived outside of the U.S. in fiscal
2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. We are subject to a number of risks related to conducting business
internationally, including:

• U.S. and foreign government trade restrictions, including those which may impose restrictions on

importation of programming, technology, or components to or from the U.S.;

• U.S. government trade restrictions, including those which may impose restrictions, including

prohibitions, on the exportation, reexportation, sale, shipment or other transfer of programming,
technology, components, and/or services to foreign persons;

• Changes in diplomatic and trade relationships, including new tariffs, trade protection measures, import

or export licensing requirements, trade embargoes and other trade barriers;

• Tariffs imposed by the U.S. on goods from other countries and tariffs imposed by other countries on
U.S. goods, including the tariffs imposed in July and September 2018 by the U.S. government on
various imports from China and by the Chinese government on certain U.S. goods, the scope and
duration of which remain uncertain;

• Compliance with applicable international laws and regulations, including antitrust and other

competition laws, that may change unexpectedly, differ, or conflict with laws in other countries where
we conduct business, or are otherwise not harmonized with one another;

23

•

•

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 U.S., and other laws limiting our ability to
repatriate funds to the U.S.;
Potential adverse changes in the political and/or economic stability of foreign countries or in their
diplomatic relations with the U.S.;

• Difficulty in establishing, staffing, and managing foreign operations, including but not limited to

restrictions on the ability to obtain or retain licenses required for operation, relationships with local
labor unions and works councils, investment restrictions and/or requirements, and restrictions on
foreign ownership of subsidiaries;

• Adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, including risks related to

any interest rate swap or other hedging activities we undertake;
Poor recognition of IP rights;

•
• Difficulties in enforcing contractual rights;
• Multi-jurisdictional data protection and privacy laws, including the European Union’s General Data
Protection Regulation and restrictions on transferring personally identifiable information outside of a
jurisdiction;
Political or social instability in the U.K. and Europe (including but not limited to uncertainty resulting
from the Brexit referendum in the U.K.) and in Russia, the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America
and other emerging markets;

•

• Uncertainties related to any geopolitical, economic and regulatory effects or changes due to the current

political climate in the U.S.;

• Natural disasters, war or events of terrorism; and
• The strength of international economies.

Any or all of these factors may impact the demand for, and profitability of, our technologies and products,

as well as our customers’ products that incorporate our technologies.

Certain foreign governments, particularly in China, have advanced arguments under their competition laws
that exert downward pressure on royalties for IP. The regulatory enforcement activities in such jurisdictions can
be unpredictable, in some cases because these jurisdictions have only recently implemented competition
laws. From time to time, we are the subject of requests for information, market conduct examinations, inquires or
investigations by industry groups and/or regulatory agencies in these jurisdictions. For instance, in October 2018,
the Korean Fair Trade Commission (“KFTC”) requested information relating to the company’s business practices
in Korea, and we are cooperating with such request. In the event that we are involved in significant disputes or
are the subject of a formal action by a regulatory agency, our results could be negatively impacted and we could
be exposed to costly and time-consuming legal proceedings.

In many foreign countries, particularly in those with developing economies, it is common to engage in
business practices that are prohibited by U.S. regulations applicable to us such as the FCPA and U.S. export
controls. Although we implement policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with the FCPA and
U.S. export controls, there can be no assurance that all of our employees, distributors, dealers, and agents will not
take actions in violation of our policies or these regulations.

Costs of Environmental Laws and Regulation. Our operations use substances regulated under 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. In addition, future environmental laws and regulations have the potential to
affect our operations, increase our costs, decrease our revenue, or change the way we design or manufacture our
products. We face increasing complexity in our product design as we adjust to requirements relating to the
materials composition of our products. For some products, substituting particular components containing
regulated hazardous substances is more difficult or costly, and additional redesign efforts could result in
production delays. We could incur costs, fines, and civil or criminal sanctions, third party property damage or

24

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.

Conflict Minerals.

SEC rules require the disclosure of the use of tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold

(commonly referred to as “conflict minerals”) that are sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and
surrounding countries. This requirement could affect the sourcing, availability and pricing of materials used in
our products as well as the companies we use to manufacture our products. In circumstances where sources of
conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo or surrounding countries are not validated as
conflict free, Dolby may take actions to change materials, designs or manufacturers to reduce the possibility that
Dolby’s contracts to manufacture products that contain conflict minerals finance or benefit local armed groups in
the region. The SEC disclosure requirements could adversely affect the sourcing, supply and pricing of materials
used in our products. As there may be only a limited number of suppliers that can certify to us that they are
offering “conflict free” conflict minerals, we cannot be sure that we will be able to obtain necessary conflict
minerals from such suppliers in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. These actions could also add
engineering and other costs in connection with the manufacturing of our products.

We may not be able to sufficiently verify the origins for the minerals used in our products. Our reputation

may suffer if we determine that our products contain conflict minerals that are not determined to be conflict free
or if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins for all conflict minerals used in our products. In addition,
some customers may require that all of our products are certified to be conflict free and if we cannot satisfy these
customers, they may choose a competitor’s products.

Tax Rates and Liabilities. We are a U.S. multi-national company that is subject to tax in multiple U.S. and

foreign jurisdictions. We must use judgment to determine our worldwide tax provision. We receive significant
tax benefits from a portion of our foreign sales, and realizability of these benefits are contingent upon existing
current tax laws and regulations in the U.S. and countries where we operate. The following could materially
affect our effective tax rate:

• Changes in geographic mix of earnings, where earnings are lower than anticipated in countries with

lower tax rates and higher than anticipated in countries with higher tax rates;

• Changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities;

• Changes in transfer pricing arrangements;

• Outcomes of tax audits;

• Changes in accounting principles; or

• Changes in tax laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate, including an increase in tax

rates, or an adverse change in the treatment of an item of income or expense.

As a result of the Tax Act enacted into law on December 22, 2017, there have been significant changes to

the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, requiring us to exercise significant judgment in interpreting the Tax Act’s
provisions. As we evaluate the full impact of its regulations and guidance that are being introduced, our results
may materially differ from previous estimates, and those differences may materially affect our financial position.
In addition, the Tax Act includes certain international provisions that are effective for us beginning in fiscal
2019. These provisions and any changes that we make to our corporate tax structure could adversely affect our
tax rate and cash flow in future years.

The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”), an international association of

many countries including the United States, has finalized its Base Erosion and Profit Shifting recommendations,
and many countries have started to adopt its recommendations, or independently are changing long standing
transfer pricing and cross-border taxation rules. In addition, the European Union and its European Commission
are proposing model legislation and investigating companies that might be in violation of European Union
competition rules against unjustified state aid. Further, the OECD, European Union and European Commission
could conceivably make competing jurisdictional claims over the taxes owed on earnings of multinational
companies in their respective countries or regions. To the extent these actions take place in the countries that we
operate, it is possible that in the future, these efforts may increase uncertainty and have an adverse impact on our
effective tax rates or operations.

25

We are subject to the periodic examination of our income tax returns by tax authorities. We regularly assess
the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision
for income taxes, but an adverse decision by tax authorities in excess of our reserves, could significantly impact
our financial results.

STOCK-RELATED ISSUES

Controlling Stockholder. At September 28, 2018, the Dolby family and their affiliates owned 1,778,969
shares of our Class A common stock and 39,176,233 shares of our Class B common stock. As of September 28,
2018, the Dolby family and their affiliates had voting power of 99.8% of our outstanding Class B common stock,
which combined with their shares of our Class A common stock, represented 86.2% of the combined voting
power of our outstanding Class A and Class B common stock. Under our certificate of incorporation, holders of
Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share while holders of Class A common stock are entitled to
one vote per share. Generally, shares of Class B common stock automatically convert into shares of Class A
common stock upon transfer of such Class B common stock, other than transfers to certain specified persons and
entities, including the spouse and descendants of Ray Dolby and the spouses and domestic partners of such
descendants.

As a result of this dual class structure, the Dolby family and their affiliates 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. Absent a transfer of Class B common
stock that would trigger an automatic conversion as described above, 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.

Moreover, the Dolby family and their affiliates may take actions in their own interests that our other

stockholders do not view as beneficial.

Insider Sales of Common Stock.

If our large shareholders, officers, directors or employees sell, or indicate

an intention to sell, substantial amounts of our Class A common stock in the public market, including shares of
Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Class B common stock, the trading price of our
Class A common stock could decline.

Stock Repurchase Program. Our stock repurchase program may reduce the public float of shares available

for trading on a daily basis. Such purchases may be limited, suspended, or terminated at any time without prior
notice. There can be no assurance that we will buy additional shares of our Class A common stock under our
stock repurchase program or that any future repurchases will have a positive impact on our stock price or
earnings per share. Important factors that could cause us to discontinue or decrease our share repurchases
include, among others, unfavorable market conditions, the market price of our Class A common stock, the nature
of other investment or strategic opportunities presented to us, the rate of dilution of our equity compensation
programs, our ability to make appropriate, timely, and beneficial decisions as to when, how, and whether to
purchase shares under the stock repurchase program, and the availability of funds necessary to continue
purchasing stock. If we curtail our repurchase program, our stock price may be negatively affected.

Dividend Program. We cannot provide assurance that we will continue to increase dividend payments

and/or pay dividends. We are not obligated to pay dividends on our Class A and Class B common stock. In
October 2014, we announced a quarterly cash dividend program for our stockholders that was initiated by our
Board of Directors. Since the initial commencement of our dividend program, our Board of Directors has
annually approved an increase to our cash dividend. Although we anticipate paying regular quarterly dividends
for the foreseeable future, dividend declarations and the establishment of future record and payment dates are
subject to the Board of Directors’ continuing determination that the dividend policy is in the best interests of our
stockholders. The dividend policy may be changed or canceled at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any
time. If we do not pay dividends, the market price of our Class A common stock must appreciate for investors to
realize a gain on their investment. This appreciation may not occur and our Class A common stock may in fact
depreciate in value.

26

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

Our principal corporate office and worldwide headquarters, which we own, is at 1275 Market Street, San

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Francisco, California.

Other Properties

We also own a commercial office building located in Sunnyvale, California, and lease additional R&D,

sales, product testing, and administrative facilities from third parties in California, New York, and
internationally, including in Asia, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and South America. 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.

Dolby Wootton Bassett, LLC, of which Dagmar Dolby as Trustee of the Dagmar Dolby Trust under the
Dolby Family Trust Instrument dated May 7, 1999 (the “Dagmar Dolby Trust”) is the sole member, and the
Dagmar Dolby Trust own a majority financial interest in real estate entities that own or from whom we lease
certain facilities located in California and the U.K. We own the remaining financial interests in these real estate
entities. Our ownership interest in these consolidated affiliated entities, in addition to information regarding the
location of the property leased to Dolby Laboratories as of September 28, 2018 is summarized within the table
below. The leases for these facilities expire at various times through 2025.

Entity Name

Minority Ownership
Interest

Dolby Properties Brisbane, LLC . . . . . . . . .
Dolby Properties Burbank, LLC . . . . . . . . . .
Dolby Properties UK, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dolby Properties, LP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

49.0%
49.0%
49.0%
10.0%

Location Of Properties

Brisbane, California
Burbank, California

Wootton Bassett, England

Approximate Square
Footage

43,500
22,000

33,000

100 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, California

Since 1980, we have leased a corporate office, warehouse space, and additional parking located at 100, 130,
and 140 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, California from the various Dolby family trusts. The lease for this office
expires on October 31, 2024, and provides approximately 70,000 square feet of space. The Dolby family trusts
retain the right to sublease approximately 1,099 square feet of office space in the premises with prior notice to us,
at a rental rate equal to the then current base rent per square foot paid by us plus $14 per square foot per year
(reflecting estimated costs payable by us for the operation and maintenance of the premises, subject to an annual
increase of 1.5% per year during each year of the sublease term). We are generally responsible for operating
expenses, taxes, and the condition, operation, repair, maintenance, security, and management of the premises. We
have also agreed to indemnify and hold the Dolby family trusts, as landlord, harmless from and against certain
liabilities, damages, claims, costs, penalties, and expenses arising from our conduct related to the premises.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

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 IP rights, commercial, employment, and other matters. In
our opinion, resolution of these pending matters is not expected to have a material adverse impact on our
operating results or financial condition. Given the unpredictable nature of legal proceedings, 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; however, based on the information known by us as of the date of this

27

filing and the rules and regulations applicable to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, any
such amount is either immaterial or it is not possible to provide an estimated amount of any such potential loss.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

28

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Our Class A common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol
“DLB.” Our Class B common stock is neither listed nor publicly traded. As of October 26, 2018, there were 12
holders of record of our Class A common stock and 39 holders of record of our Class B common stock. The
number of Class A beneficial stockholders is substantially greater than the number of holders of record since a
large portion of our common stock is held through brokerage firms. The following table sets forth the range of
high and low sales prices on the NYSE of the Class A common stock for the periods indicated, as reported by the
NYSE.

First Quarter (Q1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Second Quarter (Q2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third Quarter (Q3)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fourth Quarter (Q4)

$63.25
70.19
69.06
71.83

$57.38
59.98
59.82
61.22

$54.96
52.41
53.09
59.07

$45.19
46.06
48.96
48.25

Fiscal Year 2018

Fiscal Year 2017

High

Low

High

Low

Dividend Policy

In October 2014, we announced a quarterly cash dividend program for our stockholders that was initiated by

our Board of Directors. Since the program was initiated, a quarterly dividend has been declared and paid to all
eligible stockholders of Class A and Class B common stock. Most recently, on October 24, 2018, we announced
a dividend in the amount of $0.19 per share, payable on November 14, 2018, to stockholders of record as of the
close of business on November 5, 2018.

Dividend declarations and the establishment of future record and payment dates are subject to the Board of

Directors’ continuing determination that the dividend policy is in the best interests of our stockholders. The
dividend policy may be changed or canceled at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. See Note 7
“Stockholders’ Equity & Stock-Based Compensation” to our consolidated financial statements for additional
information related to the quarterly dividend. Further discussion of our recurring quarterly dividend is included
within Shareholder Return in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations.”

Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

In November 2009, our Board of Directors announced a stock repurchase program (“program”), providing

for the repurchase of our Class A common stock. Stock repurchases under the program may be made through
open market transactions, negotiated purchases, or otherwise, at times and in amounts that we consider
appropriate. The timing of repurchases and the number of shares repurchased depend upon a variety of factors,
including price, regulatory requirements, the rate of dilution from our equity compensation plans, and other
market conditions. The program does not have a specified expiration date, and can be limited, suspended, or
terminated at our discretion at any time without prior notice. Shares repurchased under the program will be
returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Class A common stock.

29

The following table summarizes the initial amount of authorized repurchases as well as additional

repurchases approved by our Board of Directors as of September 28, 2018 (in thousands):

Authorization Period

Authorization Amount

Fiscal 2010: November 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal 2010: July 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal 2011: July 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal 2012: February 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal 2015: October 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal 2017: January 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal 2018: July 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 250,000
300,000
250,000
100,000
200,000
200,000
350,000

$1,650,000

The following table provides information regarding our share repurchases made under this program during

the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018:

Repurchase Activity

Total Shares
Purchased

Average Price
Paid Per Share (1)

Total Shares Purchased
As Part Of Publicly
Announced Programs

Remaining
Authorized
Repurchases (2)

June 30, 2018 - July 27, 2018 . . . . . . . . . .
July 28, 2018 - August 24, 2018 . . . . . . . .
August 25, 2018 - September 28, 2018 . . .

—

912,822
—

$ —
65.71
—

Total

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

912,822

—

912,822
—

912,822

$406.7 million
$351.5 million
$351.5 million

(1) Average price paid per share excludes commission costs.
(2) Amounts represent the approximate dollar value of the maximum remaining number of shares that may yet be purchased under the stock

repurchase program, and excludes commission costs.

30

Stock Price Performance Graph

The following graph compares the total cumulative return of our Class A common stock with the total

cumulative return for the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index (“NYSE Composite”) and the Russell
3000 Index (“Russell 3000”) for the five fiscal years ended September 28, 2018. The figures represented below
assume an investment of $100 in our Class A common stock at the closing price of $34.39 on September 27,
2013, and in the NYSE Composite and Russell 3000 on the same date and the reinvestment of dividends into
shares of common stock. The comparisons in the table are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission
and are not intended to forecast or be indicative of possible future performance of our Class A common stock.
This graph shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (“Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section, and shall not be deemed to
be incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

Comparison of 5 Year Cumulative Total Return
Assumes Initial Investment of $100 - September 2018

n
r
u
t
e
R

l

a
t
o
T
e
v

l

i
t
a
u
m
u
C

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0

9/27/13

9/26/14

9/25/15

9/30/16

9/29/17

9/28/18

Fiscal Year-End

Dolby Laboratories Inc.

NYSE Composite

Russell 3000 Index

31

 
 
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7,

“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our audited
consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included within this filing. The consolidated
balance sheet data for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2018 and September 29, 2017, and consolidated
statements of operations data for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2018, September 29, 2017, and
September 30, 2016 were derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in this report. The
consolidated statements of operations and balance sheet data for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2016,
September 30, 2015, and September 26, 2014 were derived from our audited consolidated financial statements
not included in this report. The historical financial results presented below are not necessarily indicative of
results to be achieved in future periods. Note that fiscal 2016 consisted of 53 weeks, while all other fiscal years
presented consisted of 52 weeks. All amounts presented below are displayed in thousands, except per share
amounts.

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

September 30,
2015

September 26,
2014

Fiscal Year Ended

Operations:

Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross margin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income before provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . .
. .
Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

$1,171,924
1,043,664
743,666
312,867
122,246

Net Income Per Share:

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash dividends declared per common share . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash dividend paid per common share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$
$

$
$

1.18
1.14

103,377
106,978
0.67
0.64

$1,081,454
963,147
714,515
256,644
201,802

$
$

$
$

1.98
1.95

101,784
103,286
0.58
0.56

$1,025,738
916,756
684,961
235,904
185,860

$
$

$
$

1.85
1.81

100,717
102,424
0.50
0.48

$ 970,638
875,822
662,594
245,782
181,390

$
$

$
$

1.77
1.75

102,354
103,862
0.42
0.40

$ 960,176
890,000
616,282
276,099
206,103

$
$

$
$

2.02
1.99

102,151
103,632

—
—

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

September 30,
2015

September 26,
2014

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Working capital (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term and long-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total stockholders’ equity—Dolby Laboratories, Inc. . . . . .

$ 918,063
1,029,827
365,920
2,659,269
—
2,189,551

$ 627,017
765,661
562,121
2,533,554
—
2,136,742

$ 516,112
546,647
515,533
2,310,106
—
1,970,256

$ 531,926
611,548
459,916
2,133,293

—

$ 568,472
730,036
527,543
1,984,012

—

1,807,068

1,731,648

(1) Working capital as of September 26, 2014 has been adjusted by $86.4 million to reflect the reclassification of deferred tax assets from
current assets to non-current assets following our adoption of ASU 2015-17 during the first quarter of fiscal 2016. The changes to
working capital as of September 25, 2015 as a result of this reclassification had previously been disclosed within our quarterly filings
beginning with our Form 10-Q filed for the fiscal quarter ended January 1, 2016. For additional information, refer to Note 2 “Summary
Of Significant Accounting Policies” to our consolidated financial statements.

32

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

The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties.
Actual results may differ substantially from those referred to herein due to a number of factors, including but not
limited to risks described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We
disclaim any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform our prior statements to actual
results.

Investors and others should note that we disseminate information to the public about our company, our
products, services and other matters through various channels, including our website (www.dolby.com), our
investor relations website (http://investor.dolby.com), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, and
webcasts, in order to achieve broad, non-exclusionary distribution of information to the public. We encourage
investors and others to review the information we make public through these channels, as such information could
be deemed to be material information.

We are focused on expanding our leadership in audio solutions for entertainment content and delivering

dynamic new audio and imaging technologies. This will broaden the number of Dolby experiences that people
can enjoy which in turn will help drive our revenue growth. Following is a discussion of the key markets that we
address and the various Dolby technologies and solutions that serve these markets.

EXPANDING OUR LEADERSHIP IN AUDIO SOLUTIONS

AUDIO LICENSING

The majority of our licensing revenue is derived from the licensing of audio technologies. The following are

highlights and key challenges related to audio licensing, by market.

Broadcast

Highlights: We have an established presence in developed markets with respect to our DD+ and HE-AAC

technologies in broadcast services and devices, and are focused on the advancement of our newer technologies
such as AC-4 and Dolby Atmos. We are also focused on increased adoption of DD+ in emerging markets such as
China and India, where the HDTV transition is still underway, by working with country-specific operators and
standards bodies to drive broader adoption.

We continue to see new products introduced in the broadcast market that incorporate our leading audio

technologies. Throughout fiscal 2018, the number of TVs with Dolby Atmos continued to grow from partners
such as LG, Skyworth, and Changhong, among others. We also continue to see more TVs available with Dolby
Atmos and Dolby Vision.

Along with new product introductions, the availability of content in Dolby formats expanded in streaming
and live broadcast. Dolby Atmos is offered through streaming OTT providers such as Apple, Netflix, Tencent,
and iQiYi. In live broadcast, BT and SkySports delivered Premier League Football throughout the year, and
Comcast and DirectTV delivered portions of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Dolby Atmos. Additionally, the World
Cup was carried in Dolby Atmos by various broadcasters in Brazil, Russia, and China, among others. In
September 2018, NBC began airing all of the University of Notre Dame home football games in Dolby Atmos in
the United States.

Key Challenges: Our pursuit of growth and further adoption in emerging markets where conversion to
digital television is still underway will be impacted by a number of factors. In some emerging growth countries,
such as China, we face difficulties enforcing our contractual and IP rights, including instances in which our
licensees fail to accurately report the shipment of products using our technologies. We must continue to present
compelling reasons for consumers to demand our audio technologies. To the extent that OEMs do not incorporate
our technologies in current and future products, our revenue could be impacted. Additionally, in the broadcast

33

market, as well as other markets, we also face geopolitical challenges including changes in diplomatic and trade
relationships, trade protection measures, and import or export licensing requirements.

Consumer Electronics

Highlights: We have an established presence in the home theater market that provides compatibility across
devices, such as AVRs and DMAs, through the inclusion of our DD+ technologies. Additionally, the adoption of
Dolby Atmos continues to expand amongst devices such as soundbars and home theater systems.

We now have over 15 Atmos soundbar partners, including products from Vizio, LG, and Sony with price

points starting below $500. These hardware offerings can be paired with a growing array of Dolby enabled
content via OTT services and Blu-ray discs, and the lower price points make the technology available to a
broader range of consumers.

During the year, Apple began supporting Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision on Apple TV 4K and iTunes,

while Amazon began streaming Dolby Atmos content to Fire TV and Fire TV Cube.

Key Challenges: We must continue to present compelling reasons for consumers to demand our

technologies wherever they enjoy entertainment content. To the extent that OEMs do not incorporate our
technologies in current and future products, our revenue could be impacted.

Mobile

Highlights: We continue to focus on adoption of our technologies across major mobile ecosystems such as

Apple, Android, Windows, and Amazon. In addition, HE-AAC is a de facto audio standard across mobile
devices.

Throughout fiscal 2018, the availability of Dolby-Atmos enabled mobile devices gained momentum from a

growing list of partners such as Amazon, Lenovo, ZTE, and Razer. Samsung and Huawei released the first
mobile phones featuring Dolby Atmos, and then expanded the number of models supported beyond their flagship
lines. Both partners ran trials of live-streaming matches from the French Open to their phones in Dolby Atmos.
Also during the year, Lenovo launched a new series of Dolby Atmos-enabled tablets with price points starting at
$100, while Sharp released the first mobile phone in Japan with both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision.

Key Challenges: Growth in this market is dependent on several factors. Due to short product life cycles,

mobile device OEMs can easily add or remove certain of our technologies from their devices. Our success
depends on our ability to address the rapid pace of change in mobile devices, and we must continuously
collaborate with mobile device OEMs to incorporate our technologies. Finally, we must continue to support the
development and distribution of Dolby content via various ecosystems.

Personal Computers

Highlights: DD+ continues to enhance playback in both Mac and Windows operating systems, including

native support in their respective Safari and Microsoft Edge browsers. Dolby’s presence in these browsers
enables us to reach more users through new types of content, including streaming video entertainment.

During fiscal 2018, the number of PCs available with Dolby Atmos continued to expand from partners such
as Huawei, Xiaomi, and Lenovo. We also partnered with Lenovo to develop the world’s first laptop featuring the
combined experience of Dolby Vision and the Dolby Atmos Speaker System.

Key Challenges: PC revenues have been impacted by a decline in the portion of PCs that have optical disc

functionality which has resulted in a decline in our ASPs. We must continuously collaborate with PC
manufacturers to incorporate our technologies, and we must continue to support the development and distribution
of Dolby content via various ecosystems. If these conditions and trends persist, and OEMs do not incorporate our
technologies in current and future products, our PC revenues could face continuing downward pressure.

34

Other

Highlights: DD+ is incorporated in both the Xbox and PlayStation gaming consoles and platforms. In
addition, Dolby Atmos is enabled for Windows and Xbox One, which enables playback on devices such as Dolby
Atmos soundbars and AVRs. Also, customers can purchase an OEM gaming headset bundled with Dolby Atmos
for Headphones, or an app on the Microsoft app store to enable Dolby Atmos on their headphones. Six Dolby
Atmos-titles from major game publishers are currently available on the Xbox One.

We also generate revenue from the automotive industry primarily through disc playback devices as well as

other elements of the entertainment system.

Key Challenges: The gaming console market continues to be challenged by competition from mobile
devices and gaming PCs, which have faster refresh cycles and appeal to a broader consumer base. This may
adversely impact our future revenues.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

We also generate revenue by providing products and services for a variety of applications in the cinema,

broadcast, and communications markets.

Highlights: We offer servers and audio processors to enable the playback of content in cinemas. We
continue to see adoption of Dolby Atmos by studios, content creators, post-production facilities, and exhibitors.
As of the end of fiscal 2018, there were over 4,000 Dolby Atmos-enabled screens installed, and over 1,000 Dolby
Atmos theatrical titles announced or released.

We also offer a variety of newer cinema products, which include the IMS3000, an integrated imaging and

audio server with Dolby Atmos, the Dolby Multichannel Amplifier, and our 3-Axis speaker. These products
allow us to offer exhibitors a more complete Dolby Atmos solution that is potentially more cost effective than
what was previously available to them.

Key Challenges: Demand for our cinema products is dependent upon industry and economic cycles and

box office performance generally, along with our ability to develop and introduce new technologies, further our
relationships with content creators, and promote new cinematic audio and imaging experiences. A significant
portion of our growth opportunity lies in the China market, which is subject to economic risks as well as
geo-political risks. To the extent that we do not make progress in these areas, or are faced with pricing pressures
or competing technologies, our revenue may be adversely affected.

EXPANDING INTO NEW AUDIO AND VISUAL EXPERIENCES

Our new growth initiatives include Imaging Licensing (comprised of Dolby Vision and our patent licensing

initiatives related to consumer imaging), Dolby Cinema, and Dolby Voice. Revenue associated with these
offerings has continued to grow in fiscal 2018. Key highlights during fiscal 2018 and future challenges related to
these initiatives are described below.

Imaging Licensing

Highlights: Dolby Vision is our end-to-end high-dynamic range solution that is included in TVs, STBs,

Blu-ray players, smartphones, tablets, DMAs, PCs, and gaming consoles. Our HEVC and AVC imaging
technologies offer efficient delivery of video content across a variety of devices, and we continue to see
expanded adoption of our HEVC technologies, primarily in the broadcast and mobile markets.

During fiscal 2018, we continued to see a growing number of TVs that include Dolby Vision, with
increasing inclusion in mid-tier TVs with price points starting at $350. Dolby Vision is included in Apple’s
iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPad Pro, and Apple TV 4K, as well as other devices such as UHD Bly-ray players, tablets,
DMAs, and PCs.

35

The availability of content in Dolby Vision continues to grow. There are movie titles and original TV
content available in Dolby Vision through our OTT streaming partners, which include Netflix, iTunes, Amazon,
Vudu, Tencent, and iQiYi. Currently, iTunes has over 350 movies available in Dolby Vision, and Netflix has
over 400 hours of original content in Dolby Vision. In September 2018, Tencent streamed the first live sporting
event in Dolby Vision.

In fiscal 2018, we saw increasing availability of devices that offer the combined Dolby Atmos and Dolby
Vision experience globally. At this year’s CES, LG announced the inclusion of both Dolby Atmos and Dolby
Vision in their 2018 OLED and Super UHD TVs. Other TV partners now offering a combined Dolby Atmos and
Dolby Vision experience include TCL, Hisense, Changhong, and Skyworth, among others.

The Apple TV 4K became the first DMA supporting both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, and, the first

mobile phone supporting both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision was launched by Sharp in Japan. Other products
supporting both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision announced during the year include Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K,
the first STB by Orange, a laptop from Lenovo, and select Xbox devices by Microsoft.

The distribution of content available in the combined format of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision also grew

this year with support from leading OTT providers around the world, including Netflix, iTunes, Amazon,
Tencent, Rakuten, and iQiYi. Currently, iTunes has over 170 titles available in the combined format of Dolby
Atmos and Dolby Vision.

Key Challenges: The success of Dolby Vision and our consumer imaging patent licensing initiatives will
depend on a number of factors, such as the breadth of available Dolby Vision content, the rate of adoption of our
technologies into mainstream consumer device models, and the level of competition from alternative
technologies.

Dolby Cinema

Highlights:

In fiscal 2018, we continued to expand our global presence for Dolby Cinema by adding

several new exhibitor partnerships in Europe, Japan, and China.

At the end of fiscal 2018, we had approximately 170 Dolby Cinema locations in operation, compared to
approximately 115 a year ago. We have over 390 Dolby Cinema locations open or committed around the world.
The content pipeline for Dolby Cinema continues to grow with over 190 theatrical titles with Dolby Vision and
Dolby Atmos having been announced or released from every major studio.

Key Challenges: Although the premium large format market for the cinema industry is currently growing,
Dolby Cinema is in competition with other existing offerings. Our success depends on our ability to differentiate
our offering, deploy new sites in accordance with plans, and attract and retain a global viewing audience. In
addition, the success of our Dolby Cinema offering will be tied to the pipeline and success of motion pictures
available at Dolby Cinema locations and box office performance generally.

36

Dolby Voice

Highlights:

In fiscal 2018, we launched our newest offering, Dolby Voice Room, our video conferencing

solution for huddle rooms and small conference rooms that combines a camera product with the Dolby
Conference Phone. Dolby Voice Room creates an experience that more closely resembles an in-person meeting
by coupling the benefits of the Dolby Voice audio quality with new innovations in the video experience. In
addition, Dolby Voice Room is designed to be easy to set up and use. Our first go-to-market partners for Dolby
Voice Room, which began shipping during the year, are BlueJeans and Highfive, two of our current Dolby Voice
partners. We continue to focus on expanding Dolby Voice’s availability to the global market for audio and video
conferencing services with Dolby Voice Room which will address a broader set of customers in the growing
huddle room space.

Key Challenges: Our success in this market will depend on the number of service providers and enterprise
customers we are able to attract from competing conferencing service providers, the volume of products that we
are able to sell, and the volume of usage of the service.

Dolby Dimension

More recently, on November 14, 2018, we also introduced Dolby Dimension™, a wireless headphone that

will provide consumers with an innovative way to experience shows, movies, and music at home. Dolby
Dimension features our Dolby LifeMix™ proprietary technology, which allows consumers to control how much
they hear of their surroundings—experiencing cinematic sound while hearing as much or as little from their
surroundings as desired with optimal balance and clarity. While Dolby Dimension was not previously
announced, the anticipated revenue and operating expenses related to this initiative were factored into our
previously released financial guidance for fiscal 2019.

Revenue From Significant Customers

In fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, we did not have any individual customers whose revenue exceeded 10% of

our total revenue.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP,

pursuant to SEC rules and regulations. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to establish
accounting policies and make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, revenue and expenses. The SEC considers an accounting policy and estimate to be critical if it is both
important to a company’s financial condition or results of operations and requires significant judgment by
management in its application. On a regular basis, we evaluate our assumptions, judgments, and estimates, and
historically, actual results have not differed significantly from them. If actual results or events differ materially
from our judgments and estimates, our reported financial condition and results of operation for future periods
could be materially affected. We have reviewed the selection and development of the critical accounting policies
and estimates discussed below with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, we have delivered the product or

performed the service, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collection is probable. Determining whether and
when these criteria have been satisfied may involve assumptions and judgments that can have a significant
impact on the timing and amount of revenue we report.

Revenue recognition for transactions may include multiple elements such as hardware and accompanying

software, upgrade rights, support, maintenance, and extended warranty services, and rights to receive
commissioning services in connection with certain digital servers. For those transactions that contain multiple
elements, we:

37

•

Identify the deliverables (or elements) within the arrangements and determining whether they represent
separate units of account. An element constitutes a separate unit of account when it has standalone
value and delivery of an undelivered element is both probable and within our control. When these
criteria are not met, the delivered and undelivered elements are combined and accounted for together.

• Determine a standalone selling price (whether VSOE, TPE, or ESP) for the separate units of account.

Where we determine a standalone selling price using ESP, we estimate the selling price by considering
actual sales prices if we sell the element on a standalone basis. Otherwise, we estimate the selling price
by considering internal factors such as pricing practices and margin objectives. Consideration is also
given to market conditions such as competitor pricing strategies, customer demands, and industry
technology lifecycles.

• Estimate, for certain arrangements, the period of time over which revenue should be recognized when

there is no stated term over which the customer may benefit from the contract.

Income Taxes

We make estimates and judgments that affect our accounting for income taxes. These include estimating

temporary differences from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes, future taxable income,
uncertainties in tax positions, and interpretations of current and changes to current tax laws. These differences
result in deferred tax assets and liabilities which are included in our consolidated balance sheets. We recognize
tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on
examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized
in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater
than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. 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 establish a valuation allowance. Lastly, we are subject to the review of our income tax returns by the
IRS and other tax authorities in the U.S. and abroad. We periodically assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes
from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes.

The Tax Act, which was enacted on December 2017, significantly changed existing U.S. tax laws and
introduced new provisions that affected our business and required that we make preliminary estimates that
significantly affected our reported income tax expense. The Tax Act, among other things, includes a permanent
reduction in the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and a one-time transition tax on unrepatriated
foreign earnings. Other significant provisions that will impact our income taxes effective for our fiscal year 2019
include: an exemption from U.S. federal tax on dividends of future foreign earnings, an incremental tax on
excessive amounts paid to foreign related parties, and a minimum tax on certain low taxed foreign earnings.

The Tax Act requires complex computations to be performed that were not previously required in U.S. tax

law. It also requires that we make significant judgments and estimates in interpreting its provisions. The U.S.
Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service, and other standard-setting bodies could interpret or issue
guidance on how provisions of the Tax Act should be applied or otherwise administered that is different from our
interpretation. In addition, further legislative action could be taken to address questions or issues caused by the
Tax Act. As we continue our analysis of the Tax Act and its related interpretations, collect and prepare necessary
data, and interpret additional guidance that may be issued, we may be required to materially adjust amounts that
we have recorded thereby impacting our results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, state and
foreign governments may enact tax laws in response to the Tax Act or other global initiatives requiring further
judgments and estimates to be made resulting in potentially material changes to our income tax expense, results
of operations, and financial condition. Refer to Note 10 “Income Taxes” to our consolidated financial statements
for further detail.

IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOT YET ADOPTED

Revenue Recognition.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with

Customers (Topic 606), which outlines a comprehensive revenue recognition model and supersedes most current
revenue recognition guidance. The new standard defines a five-step approach for recognizing revenue, which

38

may require a company to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. The
new standard requires an entity to recognize as revenue the amount to which it expects to be entitled for the
transfer of promised goods or services to customers, to capitalize certain direct costs associated with revenues
and contract acquisition costs, and to provide expanded disclosures.

We have evaluated the impact of adopting Topic 606 on all of our revenue streams and believe that the most

significant changes to our revenue recognition policies as compared to Topic 605 are as follows:

• Estimating variable consideration, including royalty-based revenue for which we will record revenue

earned from our licensees’ shipments in the same period in which those shipments occurred, rather than
recognizing our revenue in the quarter in which licensees report to us, which is typically in the quarter
after those shipments have occurred;

•

•

Specified performance obligations for which we have not historically had VSOE and which resulted in
the deferral of revenue balances may accelerate revenue recognition as VSOE for the undelivered
elements is no longer required to separately recognize revenue for the delivered elements;

For certain transactions that have minimum commitment or fixed fee terms, recognizing licensing
revenues on contract execution instead of as payments become due;

• Recording a one-time adjustment to retained earnings to reflect the cumulative impact of the changes

noted above for the period prior to adoption.

The new standard was effective for Dolby on September 29, 2018, being the beginning of our first quarter of

fiscal 2019. We adopted Topic 606 using the full retrospective method whereby the standard was applied to all
periods presented as if it had been applied historically. Although we are still evaluating the impact of adopting
Topic 606 on all of our revenue streams for fiscal 2018 and 2017, our preliminary estimate is that fiscal 2018
revenue as recast under Topic 606 will be approximately $1.1 billion, as compared to $1.2 billion as reported
under Topic 605. The difference between this preliminary estimate of our recast fiscal 2018 revenue and the
amount of revenue we reported under Topic 605 for that period is due mostly to revenue that is expected to shift
back into previous periods and, to a lesser extent, the impact of certain contract modifications. We expect to
complete our procedures and finalize the recast of our fiscal 2018 and 2017 revenues in the first quarter of fiscal
2019.

The above-mentioned changes may also result in changes to our reported income tax expense in the prior

recast reporting period.

In preparation for reporting financial results under Topic 606, we have implemented key system

functionalities and will continue to address the impact of the new standard and its expanded disclosure
requirements on our policies, processes, and controls.

Leases.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which amends the existing

accounting standards for leases. Under the new guidance, a lessee will be required to recognize a lease liability
and right-of-use asset for most leases. The new guidance also modifies the classification criteria and accounting
for sales-type and direct financing leases, and requires additional disclosures to enable users of financial
statements to understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. Topic 842 must
be applied using a modified retrospective approach. Upon adoption, we will recognize a lease liability and
right-of-use asset for each of our lease arrangements, which exceed 70 as of September 28, 2018. We anticipate
adoption of the standard will not have a material impact on our consolidated income statements. We plan to elect
the practice expedients upon transition that will retain the lease classification and initial direct costs for any
leases that exist prior to adoption of the standard. We will not reassess whether any contracts entered into prior to
adoption are leases. We are in the process of evaluating our existing lease contracts and implementing changes to
our systems. ASU 2016-02 is effective for Dolby beginning September 28, 2019, and we do not currently plan to
early adopt.

Financial Instruments.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments — Overall

(Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The new
guidance requires certain equity investments that are not consolidated or accounted for under the equity method
of accounting to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Additionally, an

39

entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus
impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the
identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The ASU is effective for Dolby beginning September 29,
2018. We do not anticipate that the new standard will materially impact our consolidated financial statements.

Cash Flow Classification.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows
(Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The new guidance addresses eight
specific cash flow issues, with the objective of reducing an existing diversity in practices regarding the manner in
which certain cash receipts and payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is
effective for Dolby beginning September 29, 2018. We do not anticipate that the new standard will materially
impact our consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Asset Transfers.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income

Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. The new guidance requires the
recognition of the income tax consequences of an intercompany asset transfer, other than transfers of inventory,
when the transfer occurs. For intercompany transfers of inventory, the income tax effects will continue to be
deferred until the inventory has been sold to a third party. The ASU is effective Dolby us beginning
September 29, 2018. We do not anticipate that the new standard will materially impact our consolidated financial
statements.

Restricted Cash.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Restricted Cash—a consensus of the
FASB Emerging Issues Task Force, which clarifies how entities should present restricted cash and restricted cash
equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance requires entities to show the changes in the total of
cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is
effective for Dolby beginning September 29, 2018. Aside from conforming to new cash flow presentation and
restricted cash disclosure requirements, we do not anticipate that the new standard will materially impact our
consolidated financial statements.

Accounting for Hedging Activities.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and

Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which enables entities to
better portray the economics of their risk management activities in the financial statements while enhancing the
transparency and understandability of hedge results. The new guidance eliminates the requirement to separately
measure and report hedge ineffectiveness. The ASU is effective for Dolby beginning September 29, 2018. We do
not anticipate that the new standard will materially impact our consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes: Comprehensive Income. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted

comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”). In February 2018,
the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220):
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows a
reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects
resulting from the Tax Act and requires entities to provide certain disclosures regarding stranded tax effects. The
ASU is effective for Dolby beginning September 28, 2019, and we do not currently plan to early adopt. We are
currently evaluating the timing and impact of the standard on our consolidated financial statements.

Collaborative Arrangements.

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative

Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606, which clarifies that
certain transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement should be accounted for under ASC
606 when the counterparty is a customer. In addition, ASU 2018-18 precludes an entity from presenting
consideration from a transaction in a collaborative arrangement as revenue from contracts with customers if the
counterparty is not a customer for that transaction. This guidance will be effective for Dolby beginning
September 29, 2020, and we do not currently plan to early adopt. We do not believe that this guidance will have a
material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operation and cash flows.

40

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For each line item included on our consolidated statements of operations described and analyzed below, the

significant factors identified as the leading drivers contributing to the overall fluctuation are presented in
descending order of their impact on the overall change (from an absolute value perspective). Note that recovery
payments received from licensees either in the form of back payments or settlements are collectively referred to
as “recoveries.”

Our annual fiscal reporting periods generally consist of 52 weeks. However, our fiscal year ended
September 30, 2016 consisted of 53 weeks. The occurrence of an additional week during the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2016 results in proportionately higher operating expenses related to compensation, depreciation,
and amortization that are not entirely offset by incremental revenue that may have been earned during the
additional week.

Revenue and Gross Margin

Licensing

Licensing revenue consists of fees earned from licensing our technologies to customers who incorporate

them into their products and services to enable and enhance audio, imaging, and voice capabilities. The
technologies that we license are either internally developed, acquired, or licensed from third parties. Our cost of
licensing consists mainly of amortization of purchased intangible assets and intangible assets acquired in
business combinations, third party royalty obligations, and direct fees incurred.

Licensing

Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of total revenue . . . .
Cost of licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gross margin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross margin percentage . . . . . .

Fiscal Year Ended

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

$

%

$

%

$1,057,606

$965,792

$917,032

$91,814

10% $48,760

5%

90%

89%

89%

43,492

39,216

28,333

4,276

11% 10,883

38%

1,014,114

926,576

888,699

87,538

9% 37,877

4%

96%

96%

97%

2018 vs. 2017

Factor

Mobile

PC

CE

Other

Broadcast

Revenue

Gross Margin

Higher adoption of our technologies into more devices,
higher patent licensing, and recoveries

Lower recoveries and lower ASP from decreasing
number of PCs with optical disc functionality, partially
offset by higher patent licensing

Higher patent licensing and higher volume of DMAs,
partially offset by lower volume of DVDs

Higher patent licensing, revenue from Dolby Cinema,
and Via administrative fees, partially offset by lower
recoveries in automotive

Lower volume of STBs and lower recoveries, offset by
higher patent licensing and volume of TVs

No significant fluctuations

41

2017 vs. 2016

Factor

Other

Mobile

CE

PC

Broadcast

Products

Revenue

Gross Margin

Higher revenues from automotive recoveries and
Dolby Cinema

Higher revenues from patent licensing and recoveries

Higher revenues from recoveries, patent licensing, and
higher volumes of DMAs and soundbars, partially
offset by lower volumes of DVD players and HTIBs,
and pricing

Decrease due to timing of revenue under contractual
arrangements, partially offset by higher volume and
higher revenues from patent licensing and recoveries

Higher volume of STBs and higher revenues from
patent licensing, offset by lower recoveries, lower
volume of TVs, and pricing

Increase in cost of licensing primarily due to higher
fees, depreciation of Dolby Cinema equipment, and
amortization of acquired assets.

Products revenue is generated from the sale of audio, imaging, and voice products for the cinema, television

broadcast, and communications industries. Cost of products consists of materials, labor, and manufacturing
overhead, amortization of certain intangible assets, as well as third party royalty obligations.

Products

Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of total revenue . . . . . . . .
Cost of products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gross margin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross margin percentage . . . . . . . . . .

Fiscal Year Ended

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

$

%

$

%

$94,552

$95,290

$90,543

$ (738)

(1)% $ 4,747

5%

8%

9%

9%

65,292

29,260

61,256

34,034

64,853

25,690

31%

36%

28%

4,036

7% (3,597) (6)%

(4,774) (14)% 8,344 32%

2018 vs. 2017

Factor

Revenue

Gross Margin

Products

No significant fluctuations

Lower utilization of manufacturing capacity and higher
excess & obsolete charges, partially offset by improved mix
of products

2017 vs. 2016

Factor

Products

Revenue

Gross Margin

Higher units of digital server and audio products,
partially offset by lower volume of 3D glasses

Higher utilization of manufacturing capacity and improved
mix of products, partially offset by higher excess & obsolete
charges

42

Services

Services revenue consists of fees for production and licensing services, maintenance and support, mixing
room alignment, equalization, as well as audio, color, and light image calibration. Cost of services consists of
personnel and personnel-related costs for providing our professional services, software maintenance and support,
external consultants, and other direct expenses incurred on behalf of customers.

Services

Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of total revenue . . . .
Cost of services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gross margin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross margin percentage . . . . . .

Fiscal Year Ended

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

$

%

$

%

$19,766

$20,372

$18,163

$ (606)

(3)% $2,209

12%

2%

19,476

290

1%

2%

2%

17,835

2,537

15,796

2,367

1,641

9% 2,039

13%

(2,247)

(89)% 170

7%

12%

13%

2018 vs. 2017

Factor
Support & Other

2017 vs. 2016

Factor

Configuration &
Post-Production

Revenue

Gross Margin

Decreased support and maintenance services

Lower utilization of available capacity

Revenue

Gross Margin

Higher mastering services

No significant fluctuations

Support & Other

Decreased support and maintenance services

Operating Expenses

Research and Development

R&D expenses consist primarily of employee compensation and benefits expenses, stock-based
compensation, consulting and contract labor costs, depreciation and amortization, facilities costs, costs for
outside materials, and information technology expenses.

Fiscal Year Ended

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

$

%

$

%

Research and development . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of total revenue . . . . .

$236,794

$233,312

$219,607

$3,482

1% $13,705

6%

20%

22%

21%

2018 vs. 2017

Category

Facilities

Depreciation & Amortization

Compensation & Benefits

Higher costs associated with our worldwide headquarters

Key Drivers

Lower depreciation as certain assets have been fully depreciated

Higher headcount on R&D projects along with merit increases across the employee base

43

2017 vs. 2016

Category

Compensation & Benefits

Product Development

Sales and Marketing

Key Drivers

Higher headcount on R&D projects along with merit increases across the employee base

Increased funding of various research projects and initiatives aimed at developing new
products and technologies

S&M expenses consist primarily of employee compensation and benefits expenses, stock-based

compensation, marketing and promotional expenses for events such as trade shows and conferences, marketing
campaigns, travel-related expenses, consulting fees, facilities costs, depreciation and amortization, information
technology expenses, and legal costs associated with the protection of our IP.

Fiscal Year Ended

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

$

%

$

%

Sales and marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of total revenue . . . . .

$309,802

$296,661

$295,267

$13,141

4% $1,394 — %

26%

27%

29%

2018 vs. 2017

Category

Key Drivers

Legal, Professional, & Consulting

Increased IP related activities aimed at revenue generation

Compensation & Benefits

Marketing Programs

Higher headcount and merit increases across the employee base

Higher costs related to marketing efforts for growth initiatives

2017 vs. 2016

Category

Key Drivers

Compensation & Benefits

Higher headcount and merit increases across the employee base

Legal, Professional, & Consulting

Increased IP related activities aimed at revenue generation

Depreciation & Amortization

Lower amortization from assets that have been fully amortized

Stock-Based Compensation

Decrease in award grants

Marketing Programs

Lower costs associated with select tradeshow activities

44

General and Administrative

G&A expenses consist primarily of employee compensation and benefits expenses, stock-based

compensation, depreciation, facilities and information technology costs, as well as professional fees and other
costs associated with external consulting and contract labor.

Fiscal Year Ended

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

$

%

$

%

General and administrative . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of total revenue . . . . .

$197,516

$171,686

$168,854

$25,830

15% $2,832

2%

17%

16%

16%

2018 vs. 2017

Category

Key Drivers

Compensation & Benefits

Increase in headcount, merit increases, and higher employer costs

Legal, Professional, & Consulting

Higher costs associated with various legal activities, patent filings, and implementing regulatory
changes

Stock-Based Compensation

Higher fair value of awards

2017 vs. 2016

Category

Key Drivers

Compensation & Benefits

Increase in headcount and merit increases across the employee base

Stock-Based Compensation

Decrease in award grants

Restructuring

Restructuring charges recorded as operating expenses in our statements of operations represent costs
associated with separate individual restructuring plans implemented in various fiscal periods. The extent of our
costs arising as a result of these actions, including fluctuations in related balances between fiscal periods, is
based on the nature of activities under the various plans.

Fiscal Year Ended

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

$

%

$

%

Restructuring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of total revenue . . . .

$(446)

$12,856

$1,233

$(13,302) (103)% $11,623 943%

—%

1%

—%

Restructuring charges recorded in fiscal 2017 were incurred in relation to our fiscal 2017 restructuring plan,

which was implemented during 2017 and represent costs to reduce certain activities in order to reallocate
resources towards higher priority investment areas. Restructuring charges recorded in fiscal 2016 were incurred
in relation to our fiscal 2016 restructuring plan implemented and completed within fiscal 2016 and represent
costs to reorganize and consolidate certain strategic activities and positions within our global business
infrastructure. These charges primarily related to severance and other related benefits provided to employees.

45

Other Income/Expense

Other income/(expense) primarily consists of interest income earned on cash and investments and the net
gains/(losses) from foreign currency transactions, derivative instruments, and sales of marketable securities from
our investment portfolio.

Other Income/Expense

Fiscal Year Ended

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

$

%

$

%

Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other income/(expense), net . . . .

$18,970
(198)
(5,903)

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$12,869

$ 9,577
(127)
(1,438)

$ 8,012

$ 5,684
(125)
(1,450)

$ 9,393

(71) 56%
(4,465) 311%

98% $3,893 68%
(2) 2%
12 (1)%

$ 4,109

$ 4,857

61% $3,903 95%

2018 vs. 2017

Category

Interest Income

Higher yields on our increased investment balances

Key Drivers

Other Income/(Expense)

Increase in other expense primarily due to impairment charges recorded on cost method equity
investments

2017 vs. 2016

Category

Interest Income

Higher yields on our increased investment balances

Key Drivers

Other Income/(Expense)

Increase in other expense due to an impairment charge recorded on a cost method investment, offset by
lower foreign currency translation losses and other expenses

Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate is based on our annual fiscal year results and is affected each period-end by several
factors. These include changes in our projected fiscal year results, recurring items such as tax rates and relative
income earned in foreign jurisdictions, as well as discrete items such as changes to our uncertain tax positions
that may occur in, but are not necessarily consistent, between periods. Our fiscal 2018 income tax provision
reflects amounts accrued in connection with the Tax Act enacted in December 2017. For additional information
related to effective tax rates, see Note 10 “Income Taxes” to our consolidated financial statements.

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effective tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$(190,062)

$(54,217)

$(49,502)

61%

21%

21%

2018 vs. 2017

Factor

Enactment of Tax Act

Impact On Effective Tax Rate

Higher tax provision for deemed repatriation and write-down of deferred tax assets offset by higher
benefit for the reduction of the federal statutory rate

Valuation Allowance

Higher tax provision reflecting valuation allowance for California R&D Tax Credits

Stock-Based
Compensation

Higher benefit related to the settlement of stock-based awards

46

2017 vs. 2016

Factor

Foreign Operations

Federal R&D Credits

Tax Contingencies

Impact On Effective Tax Rate

Increased benefit from foreign earned income

Decreased benefit from federal R&D credits

Prior year benefit from the settlement of a state audit

LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES, AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

Our principal sources of liquidity are cash, cash equivalents, and investments, as well as cash flows from
operations. We believe that these sources will be sufficient to satisfy our currently anticipated cash requirements
through at least the next twelve months. As of September 28, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of
$918.1 million, which mainly consisted of cash and highly-liquid money market funds. In addition, we had short
and long-term investments of $365.9 million, which consisted primarily of municipal debt securities, certificates
of deposit, government bonds, commercial paper, corporate bonds, and U.S. agency securities.

As a result of the Tax Act enacted in December 2017, we have an obligation to pay a one–time transition tax
of approximately $71.8 million payable interest–free over eight years. However, we now have access to cash held
by our foreign subsidiaries without a significant tax cost. During the fiscal year, we repatriated $450 million of
foreign subsidiary earnings which were exempt from foreign withholding tax. Future repatriation of cash and
other property held by our foreign subsidiaries will generally not be subject to U.S. federal tax.

The following table presents selected financial information as of the fiscal years ended September 28, 2018

and September 29, 2017 (amounts displayed are in thousands):

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounts receivable, net
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Working capital

$ 918,063
178,138
187,782
137,151
245,516
1,029,827

$627,017
247,757
314,364
73,750
221,407
765,661

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

Capital Expenditures and Uses of Capital

Our capital expenditures consist of purchases of land, building, building fixtures, laboratory equipment,
office equipment, computer hardware and software, leasehold improvements, and production and test equipment.
Included in capital expenditures are amounts associated with Dolby Cinema locations. We continue to invest in
S&M and R&D to promote the overall growth of our business and technological innovation.

Asset Acquisition. During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, we completed an asset purchase of a patent

portfolio that fits within our patent licensing programs for total consideration of $105.0 million.

We retain sufficient cash holdings to support our operations, and we also purchase investment grade
securities diversified among security types, industries, and issuers. We have used cash generated from our
operations to fund a variety of activities related to our business in addition to our ongoing operations, including
business expansion and growth, acquisitions, and repurchases of our Class A common stock. We have
historically generated significant cash from operations. However these cash flows and the value of our
investment portfolio could be affected by various risks and uncertainties, as described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk
Factors.”

47

Shareholder Return

We have returned cash to stockholders through both repurchases of Class A common stock under our
repurchase program initiated in fiscal 2010 and our quarterly dividend program initiated in fiscal 2015. Refer to
Note 7 “Stockholders’ Equity & Stock-Based Compensation” of our consolidated financial statements for a
summary of dividend payments made under the program during fiscal 2018 and additional information regarding
our stock repurchase program.

Stock Repurchase Program. Our stock repurchase program was approved in fiscal 2010, and since then we

have completed approximately $1.3 billion of stock repurchases under the program.

Quarterly Dividend Program. Under our cash dividend program for our stockholders, during fiscal 2018

quarterly dividends of $0.16 per share were paid on our Class A and Class B common stock to eligible
stockholders of record for each respective dividend record date. On October 24, 2018, we announced an increase
in the dividend amount to $0.19 per share, payable on November 14, 2018, to stockholders of record as of the
close of business on November 5, 2018.

Cash Flows Analysis

For the following comparative analysis performed for each of the sections of the statement of cash flows,
the significant factors identified as the leading drivers contributing to the fluctuation are presented in descending
order of their impact relative to the overall change (amounts displayed in thousands, except as otherwise noted).

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$352,202

$377,793

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $25.6 million in fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017,

primarily due to the following:

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

Factor

Impact On Cash Flows

Working Capital

Higher inflows primarily due to increase in cash and cash equivalents

Income Taxes, Net

Higher long term tax liabilities due to impact of the Tax Act

Net Income

Net loss in Q1 fiscal 2018 due to impact of the Tax Act

Investing Activities

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 78,250
(72,814)

$(161,732)
(99,617)

Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities increased $240.0 million in fiscal 2018 compared to

fiscal 2017, primarily due to the following:

Factor

Impact On Cash Flows

Proceeds From Investments

Higher inflows from the sale & maturities of marketable investment securities

Purchase of Investments

Lower outflows for the purchase of marketable investment securities

Capital Expenditures

Lower expenditures for PP&E

Business Combinations

Higher expenditures for business acquisitions completed during the fiscal year

48

Financing Activities

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

Net cash used in financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repurchase of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$(133,629)
(150,470)

$(106,831)
(100,000)

Net cash used in financing activities was $26.8 million higher in fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017,

primarily due to the following:

Factor

Impact On Cash Flows

Share Repurchases

Higher outflows resulting from increases in common stock repurchases

Common Stock Issuance

Higher cash inflows from increased employee stock option exercises

Dividend Payments

Higher outflows for payments of our quarterly cash dividend to common stockholders primarily as a
result of a $0.02 per share increase in dividends compared to the prior fiscal year

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

As of September 28, 2018, we did not engage in off-balance sheet financing arrangements other than
operating leases for office space and computer equipment, and the following table presents a summary of our
contractual obligations and commitments as of that date (in thousands):

Naming rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Donation commitments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Payments Due By Fiscal Period

2-3
Years

4-5
Years

More Than
5 Years

$15,917
25,893
23,321
394

$16,317
19,207
333
194

$78,656
19,928
—
761

1 Year

$ 7,811
17,117
58,449
8,275

Total

$118,701
82,145
82,103
9,624

Total

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$91,652

$65,525

$36,051

$99,345

$292,573

Naming Rights.

In fiscal 2012, we entered into an agreement for naming rights and related benefits with

respect to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, the location of the Academy Awards. The term of the
agreement is 20 years (beginning in fiscal 2012), over which we make payments on a semi-annual basis. Our
payment obligations are conditioned in part on the Academy Awards being held and broadcast from the Dolby
Theatre.

Operating Leases. Operating lease payments represent our commitments for future minimum rent made
under non-cancelable leases for office space, including those payable to our principal stockholder and portions
attributable to the controlling interests in our wholly owned subsidiaries.

Purchase Obligations. Our purchase obligations consist of agreements to purchase goods and services,
entered into in the ordinary course of business. These represent non-cancelable commitments for which a penalty
would be imposed if the agreement was canceled for any reason other than an event of default as described by the
agreement.

Donation Commitments. Our donation commitments relate to non-cancelable obligations to the Museum

of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles, California, and the Smithsonian Institution
in Washington, DC. Our commitment to the Museum of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is for
15 years from its expected opening date in 2019, and the Smithsonian Institution is for the next 5 years. Both
donation commitments consist of the installation of imaging and audio products in the theaters and providing
maintenance services in exchange for various marketing, branding, and publicity benefits.

49

Unrecognized Tax Benefits. As of September 28, 2018, we had an accrued liability for unrecognized tax

benefits without interest, penalties, and related deferred tax assets, totaling $102.0 million. We are unable to
estimate when any cash settlement with a taxing authority might occur and, therefore, have not reflected these
anticipated future outflows in the table above.

For additional details regarding our contractual obligations, see Note 12 “Commitments & Contingencies” to

our consolidated financial statements.

Indemnification Clauses

We are party to certain contractual agreements under which we have agreed to provide indemnification of

varying scope and duration to the other party relating to our licensed IP. Historically, we have not made any
payments for these indemnification obligations and no amounts have been accrued in our consolidated financial
statements with respect to these obligations. Since the terms and conditions of the indemnification clauses do not
explicitly specify our obligations, we are unable to reasonably estimate the maximum potential exposure for
which we could be liable. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our officers,
directors, and certain employees, and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain similar indemnification
obligations. For additional details regarding indemnification clauses within our contractual agreements, see Note
12 “Commitments & Contingencies” to our consolidated financial statements.

50

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Sensitivity

As of September 28, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of $918.1 million, which consisted of cash and

highly liquid money market funds. In addition, we had both short and long-term investments of $365.9 million,
which consisted primarily of municipal debt securities, corporate bonds, government bonds, and U.S. agency
securities. Our investment policy is focused on the preservation of capital and support for our liquidity
requirements. Under the policy, we invest in highly rated securities with a minimum credit rating of A- while
limiting the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer other than the U.S. government. At September 28, 2018,
the weighted-average credit quality of our investment portfolio was AA, with a weighted-average maturity of
approximately thirteen months. We do not invest in financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, nor
do we use leveraged financial instruments. We utilize external investment managers who adhere to the guidelines
of our investment policy.

The investments within our fixed-income portfolio are subject to fluctuations in interest rates, which could

affect our financial position, and to a lesser extent, results of operations. Based on our investment portfolio
balance as of September 28, 2018, hypothetical changes in interest rates of 1% and 0.5% would have an impact
on the carrying value of our portfolio of approximately $3.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We maintain business operations in foreign countries, most significantly in Australia, China, Germany, the

Netherlands, Poland and the United Kingdom. Additionally, a growing portion of our business is conducted
outside of the U.S. through subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar, most notably:

• Australian Dollar

• British Pound

• Chinese Yuan

• Euro

•

•

Indian Rupee

Japanese Yen

• Korean Won

•

Polish Zloty

• Russian Ruble

•

•

Singapore Dollar

Swedish Krona

As a result, we face exposure to adverse movements in currency exchange rates as the financial results of
our international operations are translated from local currency into U.S. dollars upon consolidation. The majority
of our revenue generated from international markets is denominated in U.S. dollars, while the operating expenses
of our foreign subsidiaries are predominantly denominated in local currencies. Therefore, our operating expenses
will increase when the U.S. dollar weakens against the local currency and decrease when the U.S. dollar
strengthens against the local currency. Additionally, foreign exchange rate fluctuations on transactions
denominated in currencies other than the functional currency result in gains or losses that are reflected in our
consolidated statements of operations. Our foreign operations are subject to the same risks present when
conducting business internationally, including, but not limited to, changes in economic and geopolitical climate,
differing tax structures, foreign exchange rate volatility and other regulations and restrictions.

51

In an effort to reduce the risk that our earnings will be adversely affected by foreign currency exchange rate
fluctuations, we enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge against assets and liabilities for which we
have foreign currency exchange rate exposure. These derivative instruments are carried at fair value with changes
in the fair value recorded to other income, net, in our consolidated statements of operations. While not designated
as hedging instruments, these foreign currency forward contracts are used to reduce the exchange rate risk
associated primarily with intercompany receivables and payables. These contracts do not subject us to material
balance sheet risk due to exchange rate movements as gains and losses on these derivatives are intended to offset
gains and losses on the related receivables and payables for which we have foreign currency exchange rate
exposure. As of September 28, 2018 and September 29, 2017, the outstanding derivative instruments had
maturities of equal to or less than 31 days, and the total notional amounts of outstanding contracts were
$25.1 million and $24.5 million, respectively. The fair values of these contracts were nominal as of
September 28, 2018 and September 29, 2017, and were included within prepaid expenses and other current assets
and within accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. For additional information related to our foreign
currency forward contracts, see Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our consolidated
financial statements.

A sensitivity analysis was performed on all of our foreign currency forward contracts as of September 28,
2018. This sensitivity analysis was based on a modeling technique that measures the hypothetical market value
resulting from a 10% shift in the value of exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar. For these forward contracts,
duration modeling was used where hypothetical changes are made to the spot rates of the currency. A 10%
increase in the value of the U.S. dollar would lead to an increase in the fair value of our financial instruments by
$1.1 million. Conversely, a 10% decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar would result in a decrease in the fair
value of these financial instruments by $1.1 million.

52

ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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 Comprehensive Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

54

56

57

58

59

60

61

53

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Dolby Laboratories, Inc.:

Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and subsidiaries

(the Company) as of September 28, 2018 and September 29, 2017, the related consolidated statements of
operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended September 28, 2018, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We
also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 28, 2018, based on
criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,

the financial position of the Company as of September 28, 2018 and September 29, 2017, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 28, 2018, in
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in
all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 28, 2018, based on
criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

Basis for Opinions

The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining

effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Controls over Financial
Reporting in Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are
a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal
securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we
plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements
are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over
financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of
material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing
procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding
the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting
included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material
weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on
the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the
circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

54

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting
includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail,
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made
only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the
company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.

/s/ KPMG LLP

San Francisco, California
November 14, 2018

55

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

ASSETS
Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 918,063
7,187
Restricted cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
178,138
Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
137,151
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,352 and $2,967 . . . . . . . . . . . .
26,206
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35,209
Prepaid expenses and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property, plant and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intangible assets, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,301,954
187,782
514,182
184,019
327,982
101,070
42,280

$ 627,017
7,351
247,757
73,750
25,051
30,508

1,011,434
314,364
485,275
189,648
311,087
190,915
30,831

Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,659,269

$2,533,554

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:

Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stockholders’ equity:

Class A, $0.001 par value, one vote per share, 500,000,000 shares authorized: 63,978,752 shares
issued and outstanding at September 28, 2018 and 59,281,837 at September 29, 2017 . . . . . . .
Class B, $0.001 par value, ten votes per share, 500,000,000 shares authorized: 39,261,035 shares
issued and outstanding at September 28, 2018 and 42,873,597 at September 29, 2017 . . . . . . .
Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)

21,922
223,594
2,680
23,931

272,127
40,064
150,960

463,151

$

14,373
207,034
1,216
23,150

245,773
36,425
107,514

389,712

61

58

41
66,127
2,139,154
(15,832)

43
61,331
2,083,063
(7,753)

2,136,742
7,100

Total stockholders’ equity—Dolby Laboratories, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controlling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,189,551
6,567

Total stockholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,196,118

2,143,842

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,659,269

$2,533,554

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

56

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Revenue:

Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,057,606
94,552
19,766

$ 965,792
95,290
20,372

$ 917,032
90,543
18,163

Total revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,171,924

1,081,454

1,025,738

Cost of revenue:

Cost of licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

43,492
65,292
19,476

Total cost of revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

128,260

Gross margin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,043,664

Operating expenses:

Research and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales and marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restructuring charges/(credits) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other income/expense:

Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other income/(expense), net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total other income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net income including controlling interest

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less: net (income) attributable to controlling interest . . . . . . . . .

236,794
309,802
197,516
(446)

743,666

299,998

18,970
(198)
(5,903)

12,869

312,867
(190,062)

122,805
(559)

39,216
61,256
17,835

118,307

963,147

233,312
296,661
171,686
12,856

714,515

248,632

9,577
(127)
(1,438)

8,012

256,644
(54,217)

202,427
(625)

28,333
64,853
15,796

108,982

916,756

219,607
295,267
168,854
1,233

684,961

231,795

5,684
(125)
(1,450)

4,109

235,904
(49,502)

186,402
(542)

Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

. . . . . . . . . . .

$ 122,246

$ 201,802

$ 185,860

Net income per share:

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Related party rent expense:

Included in operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Included in net income attributable to controlling interest . . . . . .
Cash dividend declared per common share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash dividend paid per common share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$
$

$
$
$
$

1.18
1.14

103,377
106,978

3,483
712
0.67
0.64

$
$

$
$
$
$

1.98
1.95

101,784
103,286

3,142
702
0.58
0.56

$
$

$
$
$
$

1.85
1.81

100,717
102,424

3,097
706
0.50
0.48

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

57

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Net income including controlling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $122,805
Other comprehensive income:

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax . . . .

(5,578)
(2,571)

Comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less: comprehensive (income)/loss attributable to controlling interest . .

114,656
(489)

$202,427

$186,402

3,653
(1,119)

204,961
(715)

85
392

186,879
246

Comprehensive income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

. . . . . . . $114,167

$204,246

$187,125

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

58

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands)

Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

Class A

Class B

Shares Amount Shares Amount

APIC

Retained
Earnings

AOCI

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

Controlling
Interest

Total

Balance at September 25, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,292 $ 51
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — —
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $586 . . . . . — —
Unrealized gains on investments, net of tax of $49 . . . . . . . — —
Distributions to controlling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — —
Stock-based compensation expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — —
Repurchase of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2,616)
Cash dividends declared and paid on common stock . . . . . — —
Tax benefit from employee stock plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — —
Common stock issued under employee stock plans . . . . . . . 3,382
Tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock . . . . . . . . .
(379)
Common stock transfers—Class B to Class A . . . . . . . . . . 6,339

50,743 $ 51 $
— —
— —
— —
— —
— —

—
—
—
—
66,985
(3) — — (100,851)

Balance at September 30, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57,018
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $(621) . . . .
Unrealized gains on investments, net of tax of $38 . . . . . . .
Distributions to controlling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repurchase of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2,025)
Cash dividends declared and paid on common stock . . . . .
Tax benefit from employee stock plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common stock issued under employee stock plans . . . . . . . 3,138
Tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock . . . . . . . . .
(379)
Common stock transfers—Class B to Class A . . . . . . . . . . 1,530

Balance at September 29, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59,282
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $106 . . . . .
Unrealized gains on investments, net of tax of $89 . . . . . . .
Distributions to controlling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repurchase of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2,381)
Cash dividends declared and paid on common stock . . . . .
Common stock issued under employee stock plans . . . . . . . 3,823
Tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock . . . . . . . . .
Common stock transfers—Class B to Class A . . . . . . . . . . 3,613

— —
— —
3
— —
(1) — —
7 (6,339)

(7)

57 44,404

44

(2)

2

1 (1,530)

58 42,874

(1)

43

(2)

3
(358) —

2 (3,613)

(2)

185,860

—
—
—
—
—

17,571 $ 1,800,857 $ (11,462) $ 1,807,068
185,860
873
392
—
66,985
(100,854)
(48,397)
850
71,111
(13,632)
—

—
873
392
—
—
—
(48,397) —
—
—
—
—

—
850
71,108
(13,631)
—

—
—
—
—

201,802

3,563
(1,119)

42,032 1,938,320 (10,197) 1,970,256
201,802
3,563
(1,119)
—
65,343
(100,000)
(57,059)
1,634
69,998
(17,676)
—

1,634
69,996
(17,676)

65,343
(99,998)

(57,059)

61,331 2,083,063
122,246

71,249
(150,468)

106,159
(22,144)

(66,155)

(5,508)
(2,571)

(7,753) 2,136,742
122,246
(5,508)
(2,571)
—
71,249
(150,470)
(66,155)
106,162
(22,144)
—

$ 8,939
542
(788)
—
(214)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

8,479
625
90

(2,094)

7,100
559
(70)

(1,022)

$ 1,816,007
186,402
85
392
(214)
66,985
(100,854)
(48,397)
850
71,111
(13,632)
—

1,978,735
202,427
3,653
(1,119)
(2,094)
65,343
(100,000)
(57,059)
1,634
69,998
(17,676)
—

2,143,842
122,805
(5,578)
(2,571)
(1,022)
71,249
(150,470)
(66,155)
106,162
(22,144)
—

Balance at September 28, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63,979 $ 61 39,261 $ 41 $ 66,127 $2,139,154 $(15,832) $2,189,551

$ 6,567 $2,196,118

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

59

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Operating activities:

Net income including controlling interest
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 122,805

$ 202,427

$ 186,402

activities:

Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of premium on investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-cash items affecting net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid expenses and other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounts payable and other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes, net
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

81,283
71,249
2,473
2,507
89,934
7,570

(65,723)
(6,602)
(14,895)
15,690
39,738
4,362
1,811

84,308
65,343
2,758
924
(29,368)
2,886

1,041
(11,922)
(12,411)
44,453
26,950
23
381

85,152
66,985
3,824
1,017
(22,798)
1,779

24,886
(2,949)
(15,217)
2,834
17,265
10,288
596

Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

352,202

377,793

360,064

Investing activities:

Purchases of investment securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from sales of investment securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchases of PP&E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase of intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change in restricted cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(174,195)
123,058
237,432
(72,814)
(22,852)
(12,543)
164

(289,530)
84,047
152,324
(99,617)
—
(5,250)
(3,706)

(426,118)
262,125
103,987
(100,762)

—

(121,020)
(709)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

78,250

(161,732)

(282,497)

Financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repurchase of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payment of cash dividend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Distribution to controlling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock . . . . . .

106,162
(150,470)
(66,155)
(1,022)
(22,144)

69,998
(100,000)
(57,059)
(2,094)
(17,676)

71,111
(100,854)
(48,397)
(214)
(13,632)

Net cash used in financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(133,629)

(106,831)

(91,986)

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . .

(5,777)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

291,046
627,017

1,675

110,905
516,112

(1,395)

(15,814)
531,926

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 918,063

$ 627,017

$ 516,112

Supplemental disclosure:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Change in PP&E purchases unpaid at period-end . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase consideration payable for acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase consideration payable for intangibles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 60,875

$ 56,760

$ 55,085

$
$
$

7,990
3,750
200

$
$
$

(9,613)
—
—

$
$
$

(7,233)
—
—

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

60

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and our wholly
owned subsidiaries. In addition, we have consolidated the financial results of jointly owned affiliated companies
in which our principal stockholder has a controlling interest. We report these controlling interests as a separate
line in our consolidated statements of operations as net income attributable to controlling interest and in our
consolidated balance sheets as a controlling interest. We eliminate all intercompany accounts and transactions
upon consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our 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. Actual results could differ from our estimates. Significant items subject to
such estimates and assumptions include:

• Estimated selling prices for elements sold in ME revenue arrangements

• Valuation allowances for accounts receivable

• Carrying values of inventories and certain PP&E, goodwill, and intangible assets

•

Fair values of investments

• Accrued liabilities, including liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits

• Deferred income tax assets and liabilities

•

Stock-based compensation

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 53 week period ended September 30, 2016 (fiscal 2016) and the 52 week periods ended
September 28, 2018 (fiscal 2018) and September 29, 2017 (fiscal 2017).

Reclassifications

We have reclassified certain prior period amounts within our consolidated financial statements and
accompanying notes to conform to our current period presentation. These reclassifications did not affect total
revenue, operating income, operating cash flows or net income.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Concentration of Credit Risk

Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash, cash

equivalents, investments, and accounts receivable. Our investment portfolio consists of investment grade
securities diversified amongst security types, industries, and issuers. All our securities are held in custody by a
recognized financial institution. Our policy limits the amount of credit exposure to a maximum of 5% to any one
issuer, except for the U.S. Treasury, and we believe no significant concentration risk exists with respect to these
investments. The majority of our licensing revenue is generated from customers outside of the U.S. We manage
this risk by performing regular evaluations of the creditworthiness of our licensing customers. In fiscal 2018,
2017, and 2016, we did not have any individual customers whose revenue exceeded 10% of our total revenue.

61

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less from the
date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of funds held in general
checking accounts, money market accounts, commercial paper, and government bonds.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheets consists of cash contributed by Dolby and third-party

licensors to Via Licensing Corporation, our wholly-owned subsidiary, that may only be used for licensor
enforcement actions or licensee compliance activities related to certain Via-administered patent pools, as well as
to disperse costs associated with any audit of Via Licensing Corporation for the Wideband Code Division
Multiple Access (W-CDMA) patent pool.

Investments

All of our investments are classified as available-for-sale securities, with the exception of our mutual fund

investments held in our supplemental retirement plan, which are classified as trading securities. Investments that
have an original maturity of 91 days or more at the date of purchase and a current maturity of less than one year
are classified as short-term investments, while investments with a current maturity of more than one year are
classified as long-term investments. Our investments are recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance
sheets. Unrealized gains and losses on our AFS securities are reported as a component of AOCI, while realized
gains and losses, other-than-temporary impairments, and credit losses are reported as a component of net income.
Upon sale, gains and losses are reclassified from AOCI into earnings, and are determined based on specific
identification of securities sold.

We evaluate our investment portfolio for credit losses and other-than-temporary impairments by comparing
the fair value with the cost basis for each of our investment securities. An investment is impaired if the fair value
is less than its cost basis. If any portion of the impairment is deemed to be the result of a credit loss, the credit
loss portion of the impairment is included as a component of net income. If we deem it probable that we will not
recover the full cost basis of the security, the security is other-than-temporarily impaired, and the impairment
loss is recognized as a component of net income.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain a provision for estimated losses on receivables resulting from our customers’ inability to make

required payments. In determining the provision, 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, geographic risk and the current business environment. Actual
future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ from our estimates.

Inventories

Inventories are accounted for using the first-in, first-out method, and are valued to the lower of cost and 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 their net realizable value. In addition, we assess the
impact of changing technology on our inventory balances and write-off inventories that are considered obsolete.
Write-downs and write-offs of inventory are recorded as a cost of products in our consolidated statements of
operations. We classify inventory that we do not expect to sell within twelve months as other non-current assets
in our consolidated balance sheets.

62

Property, Plant, and Equipment

PP&E is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is recognized on a straight-line

basis according to estimated useful lives assigned to each of our different categories of PP&E as summarized
within the following table:

PP&E Category

Useful Life

Computer equipment and software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Machinery and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Furniture and fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leasehold improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equipment provided under operating leases . . . . . . . . . .
Buildings and building improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 to 5 years
3 to 8 years
5 to 8 years
Lesser of useful life or related lease term
15 years
20 to 40 years

We capitalize certain costs incurred during the construction phase of a project or asset into

construction-in-progress until the construction process is complete. Once the related asset is placed into service,
we transfer its carrying value into the appropriate fixed asset category and begin depreciating the value over its
useful life.

Equipment Provided Under Operating Leases. We account for our cinema equipment installed at third

party sites under collaborative or other arrangements as operating leases, and depreciate these assets on a
straight-line basis over their estimated useful life.

Internal Use Software. We account for the costs of computer software developed for internal use by
capitalizing costs of materials and external consultants. These costs are included in PP&E, net of accumulated
amortization in our consolidated balance sheets. Our capitalized internal use software costs are typically
amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of three to five years. Costs incurred during the
preliminary project and post-implementation stages are charged to expense.

Goodwill, Intangible Assets, and Long-Lived Assets

We test goodwill for impairment annually during our third fiscal quarter and whenever events or changes in

circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. We perform a qualitative assessment as a
determinant for whether the two-step annual goodwill impairment test should be performed.

In performing the qualitative assessment, we consider events and circumstances, including macroeconomic

conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, changes in
management or key personnel, changes in strategy, changes in customers, changes in the composition or carrying
amount of a reporting unit’s net assets, and changes in the price of our common stock. If, after assessing the
totality of events or circumstances, we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting
unit is greater than its carrying amount, then the two-step goodwill impairment test is not performed.

If the two-step goodwill test is performed, we evaluate and test our goodwill for impairment at a reporting-

unit level using expected future cash flows to be generated by the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a
reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of
the reporting unit’s goodwill over the calculated fair value of the goodwill. A reporting unit is an operating
segment or one level below. Our operating segment is aligned with the management principles of our business.

63

During the fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2016, we reorganized certain aspects of our internal business
infrastructure primarily to integrate and align sales support more directly with our business units. In accordance
with ASC Topic 350, we reviewed and reassigned our goodwill amongst our reporting units using a relative fair
value allocation approach. Before doing so, we performed a “Step Zero” qualitative assessment during the
quarter ended September 30, 2016 and determined that there was minimal risk of goodwill impairment in our
pre-reorganization reporting units. Immediately after the reorganization, and related to our consolidated balance
of goodwill of $307.1 million as of December 30, 2016, we initiated the “Step One” goodwill impairment
assessment using a market approach and an income approach to value our reporting units. We completed this
assessment as of March 31, 2017 and determined that there was no goodwill impairment.

In addition, we completed our annual goodwill impairment assessment for fiscal 2018 in the fiscal quarter

ended June 29, 2018. We determined in our qualitative review that it is more likely than not that the fair value of
our reporting units are substantially in excess of their respective carrying amounts. Accordingly, there was no
impairment, and the “Step One” goodwill impairment test was not required. We did not incur any goodwill
impairment losses in any of the periods presented.

Intangible assets are stated at their original cost less accumulated amortization, and those with definite lives
are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Our intangible assets principally consist of acquired technology,
patents, trademarks, customer relationships and contracts, the majority of which are amortized on a straight-line
basis over their useful lives using a range from three to eighteen years.

We review long-lived assets, including intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or a change in

circumstances indicate an asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset is measured
by comparing its carrying value to the total 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 value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value.

Revenue Recognition

We enter into revenue arrangements with our customers to license technologies, trademarks, and other

aspects of our technological expertise and to sell products and services. We recognize revenue when all of the
following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have
been completed, our price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and collectability is probable.

Multiple Element Arrangements. Some of our revenue arrangements include multiple elements, such as

hardware, software, maintenance, and other services. We evaluate each element in a multiple-element
arrangement to determine whether it represents a separate unit of accounting. An element constitutes a separate
unit of accounting when it has standalone value and delivery of an undelivered element is both probable and
within our control. When these criteria are not met, the delivered and undelivered elements are combined and the
arrangement fees are allocated to this combined single unit. If the unit separation criteria are met, we account for
each element within a ME arrangement separately, whereby the total arrangement fees are allocated to each
element based on its relative selling price, which we establish using a selling price hierarchy. We determine the
selling price of each element based on its VSOE, if available, TPE, if VSOE is not available, or ESP, if neither
VSOE nor TPE is available.

For some arrangements, customers receive certain elements over a period of time, after delivery of the initial

product. These elements may include support and maintenance or the right to receive upgrades. Revenue
allocated to the undelivered element is recognized either over its estimated service period or when the upgrade is
delivered. We do not recognize revenue that is contingent upon the future delivery of products or services or
upon future performance obligations. We recognize revenue for delivered elements only when we have
completed all contractual obligations.

64

We determine our ESP for an individual element within a ME revenue arrangement using the same methods

used to determine the selling price of an element sold on a standalone basis. If we sell the element on a
standalone basis, we estimate the selling price by considering actual sales prices. Otherwise, we estimate the
selling price by considering internal factors such as pricing practices and margin objectives. Consideration is also
given to market conditions such as competitor pricing strategies, customer demands and industry technology
lifecycles. Management applies judgment to establish margin objectives, pricing strategies and technology
lifecycles.

We account for the majority of our digital cinema server and processor sales as ME arrangements that may

include up to four separate units, or elements, of accounting.

• The first element consists of our digital cinema server hardware and the accompanying software, which
is essential to the functionality of the hardware. This element is typically delivered at the time of sale.

• The second element is the right to receive support and maintenance, which is included with the

purchase of the hardware element and is typically delivered over a service period subsequent to the
initial sale.

• The third element is the right to receive specified upgrades, which is included with the purchase of the
hardware element and is typically delivered when a specified upgrade is available, subsequent to the
initial sale. Under revenue recognition accounting standards, sales of our digital cinema servers
typically result in the allocation of a substantial majority of the arrangement fees to the delivered
hardware element based on its ESP, which we recognize as revenue at the time of sale once delivery
has occurred. A small portion of the arrangement fee is allocated to the undelivered support and
maintenance element, and when applicable, to the undelivered specified upgrade element based on the
VSOE or ESP of each element. The portion of the arrangement fees allocated to the support and
maintenance element are recognized as revenue ratably over the estimated service period, and the
portion of the arrangement fees allocated to specified upgrades are recognized as revenue upon
delivery of the upgrade.

• The fourth element is the right to receive commissioning services performed solely in connection with
our digital servers necessary for the installation of Dolby Atmos-enabled theaters. These services
consist of the review of venue designs specifying proposed speaker placement, as well as calibration
services performed for installed speakers to ensure optimal playback. A small portion of the
arrangement fee is allocated to these services based on their ESP which we recognize as revenue once
the services have been completed.

Software Arrangements. Revenue recognition for transactions that involve software, such as fees we earn

from certain system licensees, may include multiple elements. For some of our ME arrangements that involve
software, customers receive certain elements over a period of time or after delivery of the initial software. These
elements may include support, maintenance, and services. The fair value of these elements are recognized over
the estimated period for which these elements will be delivered, which is sometimes the estimated life of the
software. If we do not have VSOE of fair value for any undelivered element of these ME arrangements that
include software, we defer revenue until all elements are delivered or services have been performed, or until we
have VSOE of fair value for all remaining undelivered elements. If the undelivered element is support and we do
not have VSOE of fair value for the support element, revenue for the entire arrangement is bundled and
recognized ratably over the support period. To the extent that the undelivered element is support within the
context of a royalty usage based arrangement, and assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met, we
recognize the entire royalty fee as license revenue once reported.

In certain cases, our arrangements require the licensee to pay a fixed fee for the right to distribute units in

the future. These fees are generally recognized upon contract execution, unless the arrangement includes
contingency terms wherein we assess the totality of the existing facts and circumstances and conclude upon an
accounting treatment thereon, or is considered a ME arrangement.

Licensing. Our licensing revenue is primarily derived from royalties paid to us by licensees of our IP

rights, including patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. Royalties 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 in cases where an agreement has expired, upon the receipt of a licensee’s royalty report and
payment. Generally, royalties are deemed fixed or determinable upon receipt of a licensee’s royalty report in

65

accordance with the terms of the underlying executed agreement. We determine collectibility based on an
evaluation of the licensee’s recent payment history, the existence of a standby letter-of-credit between the
licensee’s financial institution and our financial institution, and other factors. If we cannot determine that
collectibility is probable, we recognize revenue upon receipt of cash, provided that all other revenue recognition
criteria have been met. Corrective royalty statements generally comprise less than 1% of our net licensing
revenue and are recognized when received, or earlier if a reliable estimate can be made of an anticipated
reduction in revenue from a prior royalty statement. An estimate of anticipated reduction in revenue based on
historical negative correction royalty statements is also recorded. Deferred revenue represents amounts that we
have already collected that are ultimately expected to be recognized as revenue, but for which not all revenue
recognition criteria have been met. Licensing revenue also includes fees we earn for administering joint patent
licensing programs (“patent pools”) containing patents owned by us and/or other companies. Royalties related to
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 generate the majority of our licensing revenue through our licensing contracts with OEMs (“system

licensees”) and implementation licensees. Our revenue recognition policies for each of these arrangements are
summarized below.

Licensing to system licensees. We license our technologies to system licensees who manufacture consumer

electronics products and, in return, the system licensee pays us a royalty generally for each unit shipped that
incorporates our technologies. Royalties from system licensees are generally recognized upon receipt of a royalty
report from the licensee and when all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. In certain cases, our
arrangements require the licensee to pay up-front, non-refundable royalties for units they may distribute in the
future. These up-front fees are generally recognized upon contract execution, unless the arrangement includes
extended payment terms or is considered a ME arrangement. In addition, in some cases we receive initial license
fees for our technologies and provide post-contract support. In these cases, we recognize the initial fees ratably
over the expected support term.

Licensing to software vendors. We license our technologies for resale to software vendors and, in return,

the software vendor pays us a royalty for each unit of software distributed that incorporates our technologies.
Royalties from software vendors are generally recognized upon receipt of a royalty report from the licensee and
when all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. In addition, in some cases we receive initial license
fees for our technologies and provide post-contract upgrades and support. In these cases, we recognize the initial
fees ratably over the expected support term, as VSOE of fair value typically does not exist for the upgrade and
support elements of the contract.

Recovery Payments from Licensees. Licensing revenue recognized in any given quarter may include

recovery payments representing back payments and/or settlements from licensees. These payments arise as a
result of ongoing collection efforts as well as activities aimed at identifying potential unauthorized uses of our
technologies. Although such collections have become a recurring part of our business, we cannot predict the
timing or magnitude of such payments with certainty.

Back payments represent incremental royalties that relate to amounts not previously reported by licensees

under existing licensing agreements. Consistent with the manner in which royalty revenue is recognized, we
recognize reported back payments as revenue in either the period the fee becomes due and payable, or when
collectability is deemed probable, whichever is later.

Settlements represent new agreements under which a third party has agreed to remit payments to us based

on past use of our technology. We recognize settlements as revenue in the period in which all revenue
recognition criteria have been met. Generally, settlement fees are deemed to be fixed or determinable upon
execution of the settlement agreement, provided such agreement contains no contingency terms or extended
payment terms. If we are unable to determine that collectability is probable based on an evaluation of a
customer’s creditworthiness, we recognize revenue upon the receipt of cash, provided the other revenue
recognition criteria have been met.

66

In general, we classify legal costs associated with activities aimed at identifying potential unauthorized uses
of our technologies, auditing existing licensees, and on occasion, pursuing litigation as S&M in our consolidated
statements of operations.

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, and when all 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, 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.

Services. Services revenue is recognized as the related services are performed and when all other revenue

recognition criteria have been met.

Collaborative Arrangements.

In partnership with established cinema exhibitors, we offer Dolby Cinema, a

branded premium cinema experience for movie audiences. Under such collaborations, Dolby and the exhibitor
are both active participants, and share the significant risks and rewards associated with the business.
Accordingly, these collaborations are governed by revenue sharing arrangements under which Dolby receives a
portion of the theatrical box-office revenues in exchange for the use of our imaging and sound technologies, our
proprietary designs and corporate branding as well as for the use of our equipment at the exhibitor’s venue. The
use of our equipment meets the definition of a lease, and for the related portion of Dolby’s share of revenue, we
apply ASC 840, Leases, and recognize revenue upon receipt of quarterly box office reports from exhibitors, and
on determining that collectability is probable. In general, revenues from collaboration arrangements are
recognized as licensing revenue in our consolidated statements of operations.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of licensing. Cost of licensing primarily consists of amortization expenses associated with purchased
intangible assets and intangible assets acquired in business combinations. Cost of licensing also includes royalty
obligations to third parties for licensing IP rights as part of arrangements with our customers, depreciation of our
Dolby Cinema equipment provided under operating leases in collaborative arrangements, and direct fees
incurred.

Cost of products. Cost of products primarily consists of the cost of materials related to products sold,
applied labor, and manufacturing overhead. Our cost of products also includes third party royalty obligations
paid to license IP that we include in our products.

Cost of services. Cost of services primarily consists of the personnel and personnel-related costs of
employees performing our professional services, and those of outside consultants, and reimbursable expenses
incurred on behalf of customers.

Stock-Based Compensation

We measure expenses associated with all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair-value

method and record such expense in our consolidated financial statements on a straight-line basis over the
requisite service period.

Advertising and Promotional Costs

Advertising and promotional costs are charged to S&M expense as incurred. Our advertising and

promotional costs were as follows (in thousands):

Advertising and promotional costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$49,519

$47,402

$44,221

67

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Foreign Currency Activities

Foreign Currency Translation. We maintain business operations in foreign countries. We translate the

assets and liabilities of our international subsidiaries, the majority of which are denominated in non-U.S. dollar
functional currencies, into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the end of each period. Revenues and
expenses of these subsidiaries are translated using the average rates for the period. Gains and losses from these
translations are included in AOCI within stockholders’ equity.

Foreign Currency Transactions. Certain of our foreign subsidiaries transact in currencies other than their
functional currency. Therefore, we re-measure non-functional currency assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries
using exchange rates at the end of each period. As a result, we recognize foreign currency transaction and
re-measurement gains and losses, which are recorded within other income, net in our consolidated statements of
operations. These losses were as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Foreign currency transaction (losses) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$(823)

$(74)

$(474)

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk.

In an effort to reduce the risk that our earnings will be adversely

affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, we enter into foreign currency forward contracts to
hedge against assets and liabilities for which we have foreign currency exchange rate exposure. These derivative
instruments are carried at fair value with changes in the fair value recorded to other income/(expense), net, in our
consolidated statements of operations. While not designated as hedging instruments, these foreign currency
forward contracts are used to reduce the exchange rate risk associated primarily with intercompany receivables
and payables. These contracts do not subject us to material balance sheet risk due to exchange rate movements as
gains and losses on these derivatives are intended to offset gains and losses on the related receivables and
payables for which we have foreign currency exchange rate exposure. As of September 28, 2018 and
September 29, 2017, the outstanding derivative instruments had maturities of equal to or less than 31 days and 31
days, respectively, and the total notional amounts of outstanding contracts were $25.1 million and $24.5 million,
respectively. The fair values of these contracts were nominal as of September 28, 2018 and September 29, 2017,
and were included within prepaid expenses and other current assets and within accrued liabilities in our
consolidated balance sheets.

Income Taxes

We use 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 NOL carryforwards 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 additionally 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, and we record a
valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when it’s more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of
the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

We record an unrecognized tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that

the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. We include interest and penalties
related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within our provision for income taxes. To the extent accrued interest
and penalties do not ultimately become payable, amounts accrued are reduced in the period that such
determination is made and are reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision.

Repatriation of Undistributed Foreign Earnings. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“the Tax Act”),

provides an exemption from federal income taxes for distributions by foreign subsidiaries made after
December 31, 2017 that were not subject to the transition tax. Therefore, we have provided for U.S. state income
taxes and foreign withholding taxes on undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries to the extent such
earnings are no longer considered to be indefinitely reinvested in the operations of those subsidiaries. We

68

consider the earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. on the basis of
estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs, and our
specific plans for reinvestment of those subsidiary earnings.

Withholding Taxes. We recognize licensing revenue gross of withholding taxes, which our licensees remit

directly to their local tax authorities, and for which we receive a partial foreign tax credit in our income tax
provision. The foreign current tax provision includes this withholding tax expense while the appropriate foreign
tax credit benefit is included in current federal and foreign taxes.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

We continually assess any ASUs or other new accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB to determine
their applicability and impact on us. Where it is determined that a new accounting pronouncement will result in a
change to our financial reporting, we take the appropriate steps to ensure that such changes are properly reflected
in our consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

Adopted Standards

Share-Based Compensation. During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-09,

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting
for employee share-based payment transactions including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and
statutory withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. Upon adoption,
excess tax benefits or deficiencies from stock-based awards are recorded as a component of the income tax
provision, whereas they previously were recorded as additional paid-in capital. In the year-to-date periods ended
September 28, 2018, we recognized an excess tax benefit of $13.4 million related to stock-based awards in the
provision for income taxes. We elected to continue to account for forfeitures based on an estimate of expected
forfeitures, rather than to account for forfeitures as they occur. Additionally, we adopted the aspects of the
guidance affecting the cash flow presentation retrospectively, which results in a reclassification of excess tax
benefits from financing activities to operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Standards Not Yet Adopted

Revenue Recognition.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with

Customers (Topic 606), which outlines a comprehensive revenue recognition model and supersedes most current
revenue recognition guidance. The new standard defines a five-step approach for recognizing revenue, which
may require a company to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. The
new standard requires an entity to recognize as revenue the amount it expects to be entitled for the transfer of
promised goods or services to customers, to capitalize certain direct costs associated with revenues and contract
acquisition costs, and to provide expanded disclosures.

We have evaluated the impact of adopting Topic 606 on all of our revenue streams and believe that the

following are the most significant changes that are expected to occur:

• Estimating variable consideration, including royalty-based revenue for which we will record revenue

earned from our licensees’ shipments in the same period in which those shipments occurred, rather than
recognizing our revenue in the quarter in which licensees report to us, which is typically in the quarter
after those shipments have occurred;

•

•

Specified performance obligations for which we have not historically had VSOE and which resulted in
the deferral of revenue balances may accelerate revenue recognition as VSOE for the undelivered
elements is no longer required to separately recognize revenue for the delivered elements;

For certain transactions that have minimum commitment or fixed fee terms, recognizing licensing
revenues on contract execution instead of as payments become due;

69

• Recording a one-time adjustment to retained earnings to reflect the cumulative impact of the changes

noted above for the periods prior to adoption.

The new standard became effective for Dolby on September 29, 2018, being the beginning of our first
quarter of fiscal 2019. We are adopting Topic 606 using the full retrospective method whereby the standard is
applied to all periods presented as if it had been applied historically. Although we are still evaluating the impact
of adopting Topic 606 on all of our revenue streams for fiscal 2018 and 2017, our preliminary determination is
that fiscal 2018 revenue as recast under Topic 606 will be lower than the amount of revenue we reported under
Topic 605 mostly due to revenue that is expected to shift back into previous periods and, to a lesser extent, the
impact of certain contract modifications. We expect to complete our procedures and finalize the recast of our
fiscal 2018 and 2017 revenues in the first half of fiscal 2019.

The above-mentioned changes may also result in changes to our reported income tax expense in the prior

recast reporting period.

In preparation for reporting financial results under Topic 606, we have implemented key system

functionalities and will continue to address the impact of the new standard and its expanded disclosure
requirements on our policies, processes, and controls.

Leases.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which amends the existing

accounting standards for leases. Under the new guidance, a lessee will be required to recognize a lease liability
and right-of-use asset for most leases. The new guidance also modifies the classification criteria and accounting
for sales-type and direct financing leases, and requires additional disclosures to enable users of financial
statements to understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. Topic 842 must
be applied using a modified retrospective approach. Upon adoption, we will recognize a lease liability and
right-of-use asset for each of our lease arrangements. We anticipate adoption of the standard will not have a
material impact on our consolidated income statements. We plan to elect the practice expedients upon transition
that will retain the lease classification and initial direct costs for any leases that exist prior to adoption of the
standard. We will not reassess whether any contracts entered into prior to adoption are leases. We are in the
process of evaluating our existing lease contracts and implementing changes to our systems. ASU 2016-02 is
effective for Dolby beginning September 28, 2019, and we do not currently plan to early adopt.

Income Taxes: Comprehensive Income. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted

comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”). In February 2018,
the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220):
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows a
reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects
resulting from the Tax Act and requires entities to provide certain disclosures regarding stranded tax effects. The
ASU is effective for Dolby beginning September 28, 2019, and we do not currently plan to early adopt. We are
currently evaluating the timing and impact of the standard on our consolidated financial statements.

Collaborative Arrangements.

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative

Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606, which clarifies that
certain transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement should be accounted for under ASC
606 when the counterparty is a customer. In addition, ASU 2018-18 precludes an entity from presenting
consideration from a transaction in a collaborative arrangement as revenue from contracts with customers if the
counterparty is not a customer for that transaction. This guidance will be effective for Dolby beginning
September 29, 2020, and we do not currently plan to early adopt. We do not believe that this guidance will have a
material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operation and cash flows.

3. Composition of Certain Financial Statement Captions

The following tables present detailed information from our consolidated balance sheets as of September 28,

2018 and September 29, 2017 (amounts displayed in thousands, except as otherwise noted).

70

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable, Net

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

Trade accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounts receivable from patent administration program licensees . . . . . . . . . .

$101,945
40,558

Accounts receivable, gross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

142,503
(5,352)

$62,305
14,412

76,717
(2,967)

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$137,151

$73,750

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

For fiscal year ended:

Beginning
Balance

Charged to
G&A

Deductions

Ending
Balance

September 30, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
September 29, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
September 28, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,542
2,370
2,967

$1,017
924
2,507

$(189)
(327)
(122)

$2,370
2,967
5,352

Inventories

Inventories

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

Raw materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Work in process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finished goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 6,095
4,044
16,067

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$26,206

$ 6,812
4,954
13,285

$25,051

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Inventory with a consumption period
expected to exceed twelve months is recorded within other non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
We have included $2.6 million and $1.8 million of raw materials inventory within other non-current assets in our
consolidated balance sheets as of September 28, 2018 and September 29, 2017, respectively. Based on
anticipated inventory consumption rates, and aside from existing write-downs due to excess inventory, we do not
believe that material risk of obsolescence exists prior to ultimate sale.

Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets

Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

Prepaid expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$18,508
14,265
2,436

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$35,209

$16,681
11,383
2,444

$30,508

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

Accrued royalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amounts payable to patent administration program partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued compensation and benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued professional fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unpaid PP&E additions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

2,430
53,942
84,491
9,749
13,956
59,026

$

2,274
49,141
92,277
5,530
10,096
47,716

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$223,594

$207,034

71

Other Non-Current Liabilities

Other Non-Current Liabilities

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

Supplemental retirement plan obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

3,388
129,253
18,319

$

2,928
91,013
13,573

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$150,960

$107,514

Refer to Note 10 “Income Taxes” for additional information related to tax liabilities.

4. Investments & Fair Value Measurements

We use cash holdings to purchase investment grade securities diversified among security types, industries,
and issuers. All of our investment securities are measured at fair value, and are recorded within cash equivalents
and both short-term and long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets. With the exception of our
mutual fund investments held in our SERP and classified as trading securities, all of our investments are
classified as AFS securities.

Our investment securities primarily consist of government bonds, certificates of deposit, municipal debt

securities, corporate bonds, U.S. agency securities, and commercial paper. In addition, our cash and cash
equivalents also consist of highly-liquid money market funds. Consistent with our investment policy, none of our
municipal debt investments are supported by letters of credit or standby purchase agreements. Our cash and
investment portfolio consisted of the following (in thousands):

September 28,
2018

Unrealized

Estimated Fair Value

Cost

Gains Losses Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Cash and cash equivalents:

Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 905,660
Cash equivalents:

$ 905,660 $905,660

Commercial paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Money market funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Municipal debt securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Government bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5,058 —
1,005
3,301
545

2,495 —

—
—

(1)

5,058
1,005
3,301
544
2,495

3,301

2,495

5,058
1,005

544

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

918,064 —

(1)

918,063 911,456

6,607 —

Short-term investments:

Certificate of deposit (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
U.S. agency securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Government bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Municipal debt securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14

12,875
11,997
7,970 —
4,276 —
50

111,245
30,475

12,889
11,862
7,955
4,276
110,801
30,355

(135)
(15)
—
(494)
(120)

7,955

12,889
11,862

4,276
110,801
30,355

Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

178,838

64

(764)

178,138

7,955 170,183 —

Long-term investments:

U.S. agency securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Government bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Municipal debt securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other long-term investments (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9,791
15,966
146,561
17,235
355

Long-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

189,908

(166)
(317)
(1,810)
(112)

9,625
15,649
144,784
17,123
601

15,649

246

9,625

144,784
17,123

(2,405)

187,782

15,895 171,532 —

33

246

279

Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,286,810 $343 $(3,170) $1,283,983 $935,306 $348,322

$—

Investments held in supplemental retirement plan:

Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets & other non-current assets

3,486

3,486

3,486

Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,486

3,486

3,486

Included in accrued liabilities & other non-current liabilities

72

(1) Certificates of deposit include marketable securities and those with a maturity in excess of one year as of September 28, 2018 are

classified within long-term investments.

(2) Other long-term investments as of September 28, 2018 include a marketable equity security of $0.2 million, and other investments that

are not carried at fair value including an equity method investment of $0.4 million. During fiscal 2018, we recorded write-off charges to
reduce the carrying value of two cost method equity investments to zero in recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment for each
investment.

September 29,
2017

Unrealized

Estimated Fair Value

Cost

Gains Losses Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Cash and cash equivalents:

Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 623,244
Cash equivalents:

Commercial paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Money market funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,223 —
2,550 —

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

627,017 —

Short-term investments:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certificate of deposit (1)
U.S. agency securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Government bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Municipal debt securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17,236

9
9,518 —
2,034 —
15,160
174,750
29,178

2
54
16

$ 623,244

1,223
2,550

2,550

1,223

627,017

2,550

1,223 —

17,244
9,498
2,028
15,161
174,641
29,185

2,028

17,244
9,498

15,161
174,641
29,185

—
—

—

(1)
(20)
(6)
(1)
(163)
(9)

Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

247,876

81

(200)

247,757

2,028

245,729 —

Long-term investments:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certificate of deposit (1)
U.S. agency securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Government bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Municipal debt securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other long-term investments (2)

22,940
5
21,779 —
17,839 —
218,857
28,913
4,171

327
29
357

(6)
(178)
(107)
(537)
(25)
—

22,939
21,601
17,732
218,647
28,917
4,528

17,732

22,939
21,601

218,647
28,917

357

—

Long-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

314,499

718

(853)

314,364

18,089

292,104 —

Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,189,392 $799 $(1,053) $1,189,138 $22,667 $539,056

$—

Investments held in supplemental retirement plan:

Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets & other non-current assets
Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,026

3,026

Included in accrued liabilities & other non-current liabilities

3,026

3,026

3,026

3,026

(1) Certificates of deposit include marketable securities and those with a maturity in excess of one year as of September 29, 2017 are

classified within long-term investments.

(2) Other long-term investments as of September 29, 2017 include a marketable equity security of $0.4 million, and other investments that

are not carried at fair value including an equity method investment of $0.6 million and two cost method equity investments of
$3.0 million and $0.5 million. During fiscal 2017, we recorded a write-off charge to reduce the carrying value of a cost method equity
investment to zero in recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment.

Fair Value Hierarchy. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to
transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability, in an orderly transaction
between market participants at the measurement date. We minimize the use of unobservable inputs and use
observable market data, if available, when determining fair value. We classify our inputs to measure fair value
using the following three-level hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical assets and liabilities. We base
the fair value of our Level 1 financial instruments, which are traded in active markets, using quoted market prices
for identical instruments.

Level 2: Prices may be based upon quoted prices in active markets or inputs not quoted on active markets

but are corroborated by market data. We obtain the fair value of our Level 2 financial instruments from a
professional pricing service, which may use quoted market prices for identical or comparable instruments, or
model driven valuations using observable market data or inputs corroborated by observable market data. To
validate the fair value determination provided by our primary pricing service, we perform quality controls over
values received which include comparing our pricing service provider’s assessment of the fair values of our

73

investment securities against the fair values of our investment securities obtained from another independent
source, reviewing the pricing movement in the context of overall market trends, and reviewing trading
information from our investment managers. In addition, we assess the inputs and methods used in determining
the fair value in order to determine the classification of securities in the fair value hierarchy.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available and reflect management’s

estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The following table describes the valuation techniques and inputs applicable to each class of security held

within our investment portfolio as of September 28, 2018:

Asset Type

Level 1

Primary Source

Update
Frequency

Fair Value Methodology

Secondary Source

Money Market Funds . . . . . . .

U.S. Government Bonds . . . .

Level 2

Certificates of Deposit . . . . . .

ICE (Intercontinental
Exchange)
ICE (Intercontinental
Exchange)

ICE (Intercontinental
Exchange)

Daily

$1 per share

Not Applicable

Daily

Market Prices

Bloomberg

Monthly Market Prices

Bloomberg

Commercial Paper . . . . . . . . . U.S. Bank Pricing

Daily

Matrix Pricing

Not Applicable

Corporate Bonds . . . . . . . . . .

Unit
ICE (Intercontinental
Exchange)

Daily

Municipal Debt Securities . . .

Standard & Poor’s

Daily

U.S. Agency Securities . . . . .

ICE (Intercontinental
Exchange)

Daily

Int’l Government Bonds . . . . .

ICE (Intercontinental
Exchange)
Extel Financial Ltd

Daily

Institutional Bond
Quotes—evaluations
based on various
market and industry
inputs
Evaluations based on
various market and
industry inputs

Institutional Bond
Quotes—evaluations
based on various
market and industry
inputs
Evaluations based on
various market factors

Bloomberg

ICE
(Intercontinental
Exchange) &
Bloomberg
Bloomberg

Bloomberg

Securities In Gross Unrealized Loss Position. We periodically evaluate our investments for other-than-

temporary declines in fair value. The unrealized losses on our AFS securities were primarily the result of
unfavorable changes in interest rates subsequent to the initial purchase of these securities. The following table
presents the gross unrealized losses and fair value for those AFS securities that were in an unrealized loss
position as of September 28, 2018 and September 29, 2017 (in thousands):

September 28, 2018

September 29, 2017

Less Than 12 Months

Greater Than 12
Months

Less Than 12 Months

Greater Than 12
Months

Investment Type

Fair Value

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Certificate of deposit . . . $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 19,750
19,713
U.S. agency securities . .
15,029
Government bonds . . . . .
4,292
Commercial paper . . . . .
Corporate bonds . . . . . . .
125,890
Municipal debt

—
—
(1,680) 52,162

— 21,486
(332)
(1)

—
16,633
5,737
143,051

(302)
—
—
(624)

$

(6) $ — $ —
11,386
4,729
—
109,806

(108)
(49)
—
(449)

(91)
(64)
(1)
(251)

6,965
securities . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $206,479 $(2,204) $80,613

41,058

(191)

(41)

26,749
$(967) $211,423

(24)

3,625
$(437) $129,546

(10)
$(616)

Total

74

Although we had certain securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of September 28, 2018, we
expect to recover the full carrying value of these securities as we do not intend to, nor do we currently anticipate
a need to sell these securities prior to recovering the associated unrealized losses. As a result, we do not consider
any portion of the unrealized losses at either September 28, 2018 or September 29, 2017 to represent an other-
than-temporary impairment, nor do we consider any of the unrealized losses to be credit losses.

Investment Maturities. The following table summarizes the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the

AFS securities within our investment portfolio based on stated maturities as of September 28, 2018 and
September 29, 2017, which are recorded within cash equivalents and both short and long-term investments in our
consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

Range of maturity

Due within 1 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Due in 1 to 2 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Due in 2 to 3 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total

September 28, 2018

September 29, 2017

Amortized
Cost

$191,241
122,131
67,423
$380,795

Fair Value

$190,541
120,545
66,637
$377,723

Amortized
Cost

$251,649
213,555
96,773
$561,977

Fair Value

$251,530
213,154
96,682
$561,366

5. Property, Plant, & Equipment

PP&E are recorded at cost, with depreciation expense included in cost of licensing, cost of products, cost of

services, R&D, S&M, and G&A expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. Depreciation expense
was $54.8 million, $53.4 million, and $52.0 million in fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

As of September 28, 2018 and September 29, 2017, PP&E consisted of the following (in thousands):

Property, Plant, & Equipment

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Buildings and building improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leasehold improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Machinery and equipment
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Computer equipment and software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Furniture and fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equipment provided under operating leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction-in-progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property, plant, and equipment, gross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less: accumulated depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property, plant, & equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 43,342
283,474
66,866
111,603
194,079
30,556
139,201
7,342
876,463
(362,281)
$ 514,182

$ 43,364
281,196
65,034
98,437
173,341
28,118
97,456
3,673
790,619
(305,344)
$ 485,275

6. Goodwill & Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The following table outlines changes to the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands):

Balance at September 30, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Translation adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at September 29, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquired goodwill
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Translation adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at September 28, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Goodwill
$309,616
1,471
$311,087
18,394
(1,499)
$327,982

75

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are stated at their original cost less accumulated amortization. Intangible assets subject to

amortization consisted of the following (in thousands):

September 28, 2018

September 29, 2017

Intangible Assets, Net

Cost

Accumulated
Amortization

Net

Cost

Acquired patents and technology . . $319,082
58,342
Customer relationships . . . . . . . . . .
22,742
Other intangibles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $400,166

Total

(41,012)
(22,360)

$(152,775) $166,307 $299,707
56,843
22,742
$(216,147) $184,019 $379,292

17,330
382

Accumulated
Amortization

Net

(38,368)
(22,290)

$(128,986) $170,721
18,475
452
$(189,644) $189,648

During fiscal 2018 and 2017, we purchased various patents and developed technology for purchase
consideration of $21.0 million and $5.3 million, and upon acquisition, these intangible assets had a weighted-
average useful life of 10.5 years and 18.0 years, respectively. These acquisitions facilitate our R&D efforts,
technologies and potential product offerings.

Amortization expense for our intangible assets is included in cost of licensing, cost of products, R&D and

S&M expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. Amortization expense was $26.5 million,
$30.9 million, and $33.2 million in fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of September 28, 2018, expected
amortization expense of our intangible assets in future periods was as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Amortization
Expense

$ 27,696
27,233
27,206
24,542
21,198
56,144
$184,019

7. Stockholders’ Equity & Stock-Based Compensation

We provide stock-based awards as a form of compensation for employees, officers and directors. We have

issued stock-based awards in the form of stock options and RSUs under our equity incentive plans, as well as
shares under our ESPP.

Common Stock—Class A and Class B

Our Board of Directors has authorized two classes of common stock, Class A and Class B. At September 28,

2018, we had authorized 500,000,000 Class A shares and 500,000,000 Class B shares. At September 28, 2018,
we had 63,978,752 shares of Class A common stock and 39,261,035 shares of Class B common stock issued and
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 certificate of incorporation.

2005 Stock Incentive Plan

Following shareholder approval in January 2005, our 2005 Stock Plan was adopted by our Board of
Directors on February 16, 2005, the day prior to the completion of our IPO. Our 2005 Stock Plan, as amended
and restated, provides for the ability to grant incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted
stock, RSUs, stock appreciation rights, deferred stock units, performance units, performance bonus awards, and
performance shares. A total of 46.0 million shares of our Class A common stock is authorized for issuance under
the 2005 Stock Plan. For awards granted prior to February 2011, 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 and any shares subject to

76

an outstanding RSU award 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. For those awards granted from February 2011 onward, 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 and any shares
subject to an outstanding RSU award will be counted against the authorized share reserve as 1.6 shares for every
one share subject to the award, and if returned to the 2005 Stock Plan, such shares will be counted as 1.6 for
every one share returned.

Stock Options. Stock options are generally granted at fair market value on the date of grant. Options
granted to employees and officers prior to June 2008 generally vest over 4 years, with equal annual cliff-vesting
and expire on the earlier of 10 years after the date of grant or three months after termination of service. Options
granted to employees and officers from June 2008 onward generally vest over four years, with 25% of the shares
subject to the option becoming exercisable on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the balance of the
shares vesting in equal monthly installments over the following 36 months. These options expire on the earlier of
ten years after the date of grant or three months after termination of service. All options granted vest over the
requisite service period and upon the exercise of stock options, we issue new shares of Class A common stock
under the 2005 Stock Plan. Our 2005 Stock Plan also allows us to grant stock awards which vest based on the
satisfaction of specific performance criteria.

Performance-Based Stock Options.

In fiscal 2016, we began granting PSOs to our executive officers with
shares of our Class A common stock underlying such options. The contractual term for the PSOs is seven years,
with vesting contingent upon market-based performance conditions, representing the achievement of specified
Dolby annualized TSR targets at the end of a three-year measurement period following the date of grant. If the
minimum conditions are met, the PSOs earned will cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, upon
certification of achievement of the performance conditions by our Compensation Committee. Anywhere from 0%
to 125% of the shares subject to a PSO may vest based on achievement of the performance conditions at the end
of the three-year performance period.

In valuing the PSOs which will be recognized as compensation cost, we used a Monte Carlo valuation
model. Aside from the use of an expected term for the PSOs commensurate with their shorter contractual term,
the nature of the valuation inputs used in the Monte Carlo valuation model were consistent with those used to
value our non-performance based options granted under the 2005 Plan. Compensation cost is being amortized on
a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

On December 15, 2017, we granted PSOs to our executive officers exercisable for an aggregate of 264,000
shares at the target award amount, which would be exercisable up to an aggregate of 330,000 shares at 125% of
the target award amount. On December 15, 2016, we granted PSOs to our executive officers exercisable for an
aggregate of 276,199 shares at the target award amount, which would be exercisable for an aggregate of up to
345,248 shares at 125% of the target award amount. On December 15, 2015, we granted PSOs to our executive
officers exercisable for an aggregate of 335,699 shares at the target award amount, which would be exercisable
for an aggregate of up to 419,623 shares at 125% of the target award amount. As of September 28, 2018, PSOs
exercisable for an aggregate of 784,898 shares at the target award amount, which would be exercisable for an
aggregate of up to 981,121 shares at 125% of the target award amount, were outstanding.

The following table summarizes information about stock options issued under our 2005 Stock Plan:

Options outstanding at September 29, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeitures and cancellations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shares

(in thousands)
8,741
1,420
(2,473)
(390)

Options outstanding at September 28, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Options vested and expected to vest at September 28, 2018 . . . . . . . . .
Options exercisable at September 28, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7,298
6,911
3,889

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (1)

(in years)

(in thousands)

$38.65
62.34
37.33
40.58

43.61
43.06
$37.88

6.6
6.6
5.7

$192,397
185,978
124,812

(1) Aggregate intrinsic value is based on the closing price of our Class A common stock on September 28, 2018 of $69.97 and excludes the

impact of options that were not in-the-money.

77

Restricted Stock Units. Beginning in fiscal 2008, we began granting RSUs to certain directors, officers and
employees under our 2005 Stock Plan. Awards granted to employees and officers generally vest over four years,
with equal annual cliff-vesting. Awards granted to directors prior to November 2010 generally vest over three
years, with equal annual cliff-vesting. Awards granted after November 2010 and prior to fiscal 2014 to new
directors vest over approximately two years, with 50% vesting per year, while awards granted from November
2010 onward to ongoing directors generally vest over approximately one year. Awards granted to new directors
from fiscal 2014 onward vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the award’s date of grant, or the day
immediately preceding the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders that occurs after the award’s date of
grant. Our 2005 Stock Plan also allows us to grant RSUs that vest based on the satisfaction of specific
performance criteria, although no such awards had been granted as of September 28, 2018. At each vesting date,
the holder of the award is issued shares of our Class A common stock. Compensation expense from these awards
is equal to the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant and is recognized on a
straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

The following table summarizes information about RSUs issued under our 2005 Stock Plan:

Non-vested at September 29, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeitures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-vested at September 28, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shares

(in thousands)
2,839
1,341
(1,045)
(329)
2,806

Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

$44.38
62.84
40.77
44.62
$54.52

The fair value as of the respective vesting dates of RSUs were as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Restricted stock units—vest date fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$64,755

$51,985

$40,283

Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Our plan allows eligible employees to have up to 10 percent of their
eligible compensation withheld and used to purchase Class A common stock, subject to a maximum of $25,000
worth of stock purchased in a calendar year or no more than 1,000 shares in an offering period, whichever is less.
An offering period consists of successive six-month purchase periods, with a look back feature to our stock price
at the commencement of a one-year offering period. The plan provides for a discount equal to 15 percent of the
lower of the closing price of our Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the first and last
day of the offering periods. The plan also includes an automatic reset feature that provides for an offering period
to be reset and recommenced to a new lower-priced offering if the offering price of a new offering period is less
than that of the immediately preceding offering period.

Stock Option Valuation Assumptions
We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the estimated fair value of employee stock

options at the date of the grant. The Black-Scholes model includes inputs that require us to make certain
estimates and assumptions regarding the expected term of the award, as well as the future risk-free interest rate,
and the volatility of our stock price over the expected term of the award.

Expected Term. The expected term of an award represents the estimated period of time that options

granted will remain outstanding, and is measured from the grant date to the date at which the option is either
exercised or canceled. Our determination of the expected term involves an evaluation of historical terms and
other factors such as the exercise and termination patterns of our employees who hold options to acquire our
Class A common stock, and is based on certain assumptions made regarding the future exercise and termination
behavior.

Risk-Free Interest Rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield curve of United States Treasury

instruments in effect on the date of grant. In determining an estimate for the risk-free interest rate, we use
average interest rates based on these instruments’ constant maturities with a term that approximates and
corresponds with the expected term of our awards.

78

Expected Stock Price Volatility. The expected volatility represents the estimated volatility in the price of

our Class A common stock over a time period that approximates the expected term of the awards, and is
determined using a blended combination of historical and implied volatility. Historical volatility is representative
of the historical trends in our stock price for periods preceding the measurement date for a period that is
commensurate with the expected term. Implied volatility is based upon externally traded option contracts of our
Class A common stock.

Dividend Yield. The dividend yield is based on our anticipated dividend payout over the expected term of our

option awards. Dividend declarations and the establishment of future record and payment dates are subject to the
Board of Directors’ continuing determination that the dividend policy is in the best interests of our stockholders.
The dividend policy may be changed or canceled at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time.

The weighted-average assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of our stock options were as

follows:

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Expected term (in years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Risk-free interest rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected stock price volatility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividend yield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5.06
2.2%
22.6%
1.1%

5.13
2.1%
27.4%
1.1%

5.24
1.7%
29.8%
1.4%

The following table summarizes the weighted-average fair value (per share) of stock options granted and the

total intrinsic value of stock options exercised (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Stock options granted—weighted-average grant date fair value . . . . .
Stock options exercised—intrinsic value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 13.19
63,973

$ 11.39
28,544

$

8.49
27,485

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense for equity awards granted to employees is determined by estimating
their fair value on the date of grant, and recognizing that value as an expense on a straight-line basis over the
requisite service period in which our employees earn the awards. Compensation expense related to these equity
awards is recognized net of estimated forfeitures, which reduce the expense recorded in the consolidated
statements of operations. Our methodology under which estimated forfeiture rates are derived is based on an
evaluation of trends in our historical forfeiture data with consideration for other potential driving factors. If in
subsequent periods actual forfeitures significantly differ from our estimates, we will revise such estimates
accordingly. Beginning in fiscal 2015, we revised the method under which we estimate forfeitures. The impact of
this change in estimate was not material. The estimated annual forfeiture rates used for awards granted were
9.91%, 10.16% and 10.49% in fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

The following tables separately present stock-based compensation expense both by award type and

classification within our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):

Expense—By Award Type

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restricted stock units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee stock purchase plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Estimated benefit from income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total stock-based compensation, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 21,083
46,162
4,004
71,249
(12,595)
$ 58,654

$ 18,630
43,171
3,542
65,343
(18,959)
$ 46,384

$ 21,311
42,201
3,473
66,985
(19,627)
$ 47,358

79

Expense—By Income Statement Classification

Compensation Expense—By Classification

Cost of products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Research and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales and marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Estimated benefit from income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total stock-based compensation, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

$ 1,009
565
19,515
24,997
25,163

71,249
(12,595)
$ 58,654

$

946
512
18,497
26,175
19,213

65,343
(18,959)
$ 46,384

$

859
547
17,771
27,579
20,229

66,985
(19,627)
$ 47,358

The tax benefit that we recognize from shares issued under our ESPP is excluded from the tables above.

This benefit was as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Tax benefit—shares issued under ESPP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$577

$802

$550

Unrecognized Compensation Expense. At September 28, 2018, total unrecognized compensation expense
associated with employee stock options expected to vest was approximately $26.8 million, which is expected to
be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years. At September 28, 2018, total unrecognized
compensation expense associated with RSUs expected to vest was approximately $98.2 million, which is
expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.

Common Stock Repurchase Program

In November 2009, we announced a stock repurchase program (“program”), providing up to $250.0 million
to be used for the repurchase of our Class A common stock. The following table summarizes the initial amount of
authorized repurchases as well as additional repurchases approved by our Board of Directors as of September 28,
2018 (in thousands):

Authorization Period

Fiscal 2010: November 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal 2010: July 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal 2011: July 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal 2012: February 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal 2015: October 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal 2017: January 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal 2018: July 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Authorization
Amount

$ 250,000
300,000
250,000
100,000
200,000
200,000
350,000
$1,650,000

Stock repurchases under the program may be made through open market transactions, negotiated purchases,
or otherwise, at times and in amounts that we consider appropriate. The timing of repurchases and the number of
shares repurchased depend upon a variety of factors, including price, regulatory requirements, the rate of dilution
from our equity compensation plans and other market conditions. The program does not have a specified
expiration date, and can be limited, suspended or terminated at our discretion at any time without prior notice.
Shares repurchased under the program will be returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Class A
common stock. As of September 28, 2018, the remaining authorization to purchase additional shares is
approximately $351.5 million.

80

The following table provides information regarding share repurchase activity under the program in fiscal 2018:

Quarterly Repurchase Activity

Shares
Repurchased

Cost (1)

Average Price
Paid Per Share (2)

Q1 - Quarter ended December 29, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Q2 - Quarter ended March 30, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Q3 - Quarter ended June 29, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Q4 - Quarter ended September 28, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

493,884
77,705
896,689
912,822
2,381,100

(in thousands)
$ 29,999
5,001
55,480
59,990
$150,470

$60.73
64.33
61.86
65.71

(1) Cost of share repurchases includes the price paid per share and applicable commissions.
(2) Average price paid per share excludes commission costs.

Dividend Program
The following table summarizes dividends declared under the program during fiscal 2018:

Fiscal Period

Fiscal 2018

Announcement
Date

Record Date

Payment Date

Q1 - Quarter ended December 29, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 24, 2018 February 5, 2018 February 14, 2018
May 16, 2018
Q2 - Quarter ended March 30, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Q3 - Quarter ended June 29, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
August 14, 2018
Q4 - Quarter ended September 28, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 24, 2018 November 5, 2018 November 14, 2018

May 7, 2018
August 6, 2018

April 24, 2018
July 24, 2018

Cash
Dividend
Per
Common
Share

Dividend
Payment

$0.16
$0.16
$0.16
$0.19

$16.6 million
$16.7 million
$16.6 million
$19.6 million(1)

(1) The dividend payment amount is estimated based on the number of shares of our Class A and Class B common stock that we estimate will be

outstanding as of the Record Date.

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

OCI consists of two components: unrealized gains or losses on our AFS marketable investment securities, and the
gain or loss from foreign currency translation adjustments, both of which accumulate and are included within AOCI, a
subsection within stockholders’ equity in our consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized gains and losses on our
investment securities are reclassified from AOCI into earnings when realized upon sale, and are determined based on
specific identification of securities sold. Gains and losses from foreign currency translation adjustments relate to the
translation of assets and liabilities denominated in non-U.S. dollar functional currencies.

The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances during the period, and includes
information regarding the manner in which the reclassifications out of AOCI into earnings affect our consolidated
statements of operations (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended
September 28, 2018

Fiscal Year Ended
September 29, 2017

Investment
Securities

Currency
Translation
Adjustments Total

Investment
Securities

Currency
Translation
Adjustments Total

Beginning Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (377)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:

Unrealized gains/(losses)—investment securities . . . . . . . . .
Foreign currency translation gains/(losses) (1)
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax effect—benefit/(expense) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2,213)
—
—

Net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2,213)

Amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings:

—
(5,614)
106

(5,508)

(2,213)
(5,614)
106

(1,062)

12

(7,721)

(1,050)

Realized gains/(losses)—investment securities (1)
. . . . . . . . .
Income tax effect—benefit/(expense) (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(447)
89

(358)

(447)
89

(358)

(95)
26

(69)

—

4,184
(621)

3,563

—

(1,062)
4,184
(609)

2,513

(95)
26

(69)

$ (7,376) $ (7,753) $

742

$(10,939) $(10,197)

Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss) . . . . . . . . . .

(2,571)

(5,508)

(8,079)

(1,119)

3,563

2,444

Ending Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(2,948)

$(12,884) $(15,832) $ (377)

$ (7,376) $ (7,753)

81

(1) Realized gains or losses, if any, from the sale of our AFS investment securities or from foreign currency translation adjustments are

included within other income/expense, net in our consolidated statements of operations.

(2) The income tax benefit or expense is included within provision for income taxes in our consolidated statements of operations.

9. Earnings Per Share

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. by the number of

weighted-average shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding during the period. Through
application of the treasury stock method, diluted EPS is computed in the same manner, except that the number of
weighted-average shares outstanding is increased by the number of potentially dilutive shares from employee
incentive plans during the period. Potentially dilutive shares include the hypothetical number of shares issued
under the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and vesting of outstanding RSUs.

Basic and diluted EPS are computed independently for each fiscal quarter and year-to-date period presented,
which involves the use of different weighted-average share count figures relating to quarterly and annual periods.
As a result, and after factoring the effect of rounding to the nearest cent per share, the sum of all four
quarter-to-date EPS figures may not equal year-to-date EPS.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to Dolby Laboratories,

Inc. (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Numerator:

Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $122,246

$201,802

$185,860

Denominator:

Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Potential common shares from options to purchase common stock . .
Potential common shares from restricted stock units . . . . . . . . . . . . .

103,377
2,370
1,231

101,784
1,098
404

100,717
1,013
694

Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

106,978

103,286

102,424

Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.:

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

1.18
1.14

$
$

1.98
1.95

$
$

1.85
1.81

Antidilutive awards excluded from calculation:

Stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restricted stock units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,043
6

160
—

2,971
30

10. Income Taxes

Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits reflect
management’s best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in
both the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in
determining the consolidated income tax expense.

Tax Act Enacted in 2017

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to
as the Tax Act. The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited
to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent; (2) requiring companies
to pay a one-time transition tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries; (3) implementing a modified
territorial tax system and how foreign earnings are subject to U.S. tax; (4) capitalizing specific R&D expenses
which are amortized over five to 15 years; and (5) eliminating the domestic manufacturing deduction.

82

Consistent with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) guidance, we made a reasonable

estimate of the accounting impact of the Tax Act. We recorded a total provisional amount of $121.4 million in
our fiscal 2018 income tax provision as follows:

• Remeasurement of net deferred tax assets: The Tax Act reduces the corporate tax rate from 35 percent
to 21 percent, which results in an estimated net decrease of $49.6 million in our net deferred tax asset
balance. While we are able to make a reasonable estimate of the impact of the reduced corporate tax
rate on our net deferred tax asset balances, our deferred taxes may be affected by changes in our
interpretations and assumptions, as well as additional guidance on the interpretation of the Tax Act.

• Deemed Repatriation Transition Tax: The Deemed Repatriation Transition Tax (“Transition Tax”) is a
one time tax on the accumulated earnings of our foreign subsidiaries. To determine the amount of the
Transition Tax, we must determine, in addition to other factors, the amount of post-1986 earnings and
profits of the relevant subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017, as well as the amount of foreign income
taxes paid on such earnings and profits. The portion of earnings and profits comprised of cash and
other specified assets is taxed at a rate of 15.5 percent and any remaining amount of earnings and
profits is taxed at a rate of eight percent. We made a reasonable estimate of the Transition Tax and
recorded a liability for a provisional Transition Tax obligation of $71.8 million which the Tax Act
allows us to pay in installments over a period of eight years. This provisional estimate will be updated
when additional information regarding our accumulated earnings and profit and non-U.S. income taxes
paid becomes available.

Other significant provisions that are effective beginning in our fiscal year 2019 include: a modified

territorial tax system, an incremental tax on excessive payments to foreign related parties, and a minimum tax on
certain low taxed foreign earnings (“minimum foreign tax”). Under GAAP, we are allowed to make an
accounting policy election to either (1) treat the future taxes due as a current period expense or (2) factor such
amounts into our measurement of deferred taxes. We have yet to make the policy election, therefore its impact
has not been reflected in our fiscal year 2018 financial statements.

The final transitional impacts of the Tax Act may differ from our current estimate, due to, among other
things, changes in interpretations of the Tax Act, any legislative actions to address questions that arise because of
the Tax Act, any changes in accounting standards for income taxes or related interpretations in response to the
Tax Act, and any updates or changes to estimates we have utilized to calculate the transition impacts. The SEC
has issued rules that would allow for a measurement period of up to one year after the enactment date of the Tax
Act to finalize the recording of the related tax impacts. We currently anticipate finalizing and recording any
resulting adjustments by the end of our quarter ending December 28, 2018.

Income Tax Provision

The following two tables present the components of our income before provision for income taxes by

geographic region and the portion of our provision for income taxes classified as current and deferred (in
thousands):

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 75,689
237,178
$312,867

$ 28,221
228,423
$256,644

$ 37,223
198,681
$235,904

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

83

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Current:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal
State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred:

Federal
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total deferred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 40,624
333
59,383
100,340

71,988
18,243
(509)
89,722
$190,062

$ 30,719
610
55,531
86,860

(27,345)
(4,596)
(702)
(32,643)
$ 54,217

$ 19,226
521
52,492
72,239

(19,540)
(3,451)
254
(22,737)
$ 49,502

Repatriation of Undistributed Foreign Earnings

As a result of the Tax Act, foreign accumulated earnings that were subject to the mandatory Transition Tax
as of December 31, 2017, can be repatriated to the U.S. without incurring further U.S. federal tax. The Tax Act
moves towards a modified territorial tax system through the provision of a 100% dividend received deduction for
the foreign-source portions of dividends received from controlled foreign subsidiaries. As a result, we continue to
evaluate the indefinite reinvestment assertions with regards to unremitted earnings for certain of our foreign
subsidiaries. During the fiscal year, we repatriated $450 million of foreign subsidiary earnings which were
exempt from foreign withholding tax. Future repatriation of cash and other property held by our foreign
subsidiaries will generally not be subject to U.S. federal tax. As of September 28, 2018, the total undistributed
earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries were approximately $526 million. Historically, we have asserted our
intention to indefinitely reinvest a portion of the undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries. However,
we have reevaluated our historical assertion as a result of the Tax Act and determined that we no longer consider
a vast majority of these earnings to be indefinitely reinvested. As such, we have recorded an immaterial
provisional estimate of U.S. state income tax liability on those undistributed foreign earnings. The unrecognized
deferred tax liability on the portion of the undistributed earnings considered indefinitely reinvested is not
material.

Withholding Taxes

We recognize licensing revenue gross of withholding taxes, which our licensees remit directly to their local

tax authorities, and for which we receive a partial foreign tax credit in our income tax provision. The foreign
current tax provision includes this withholding tax expense while the appropriate foreign tax credit benefit is
included in current federal and foreign tax provision. Withholding taxes were as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Withholding taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$50,313

$48,012

$45,151

Deferred Income Taxes

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 were as follows (in thousands):

84

Deferred income tax assets:

Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net operating loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Revenue recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Research and development credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign tax credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Translation adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total gross deferred income tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less: valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total deferred income tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income tax liabilities:

Intangibles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
International earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrealized gain on investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

$

2,215
4,070
2,174
12,573
15,601
33,464
16,078
21,302
9,345
—
3,335

120,157
(16,256)

103,901

(2,831)
—
—

$

2,327
6,821
2,806
19,732
26,970
53,843
52,876
15,504
10,140
625
6,696

198,340
—

198,340

(2,277)
(4,855)
(293)

Deferred income tax assets, net (non-current)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$101,070

$190,915

NOL and Tax Credit Carryforwards

At September 28, 2018, the NOL carried forward for California tax purposes was $5.8 million and will
expire in fiscal 2029 if unused. Additionally, we had total foreign NOL carryforwards of $8.6 million as of
September 28, 2018, an amount which is not subject to expiration. At September 28, 2018, we also had foreign
tax credit and federal R&D tax credit carryforwards of $6.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively, which will
expire between fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2035, and California and foreign R&D tax credits of $24.1 million and
$1.8 million, respectively, which will be carried forward indefinitely.

Establishment of Valuation Allowance

In fiscal 2018, a $16.3 million valuation allowance was established for California R&D credit carryforwards

for which ultimate realization of its future benefits is uncertain.

85

Effective Tax Rate

Each period, the combination of multiple different factors can impact our effective tax rate. These factors
include both recurring items such as tax rates and the relative amount of income earned in foreign jurisdictions,
as well as discrete items that may occur in, but are not necessarily consistent between periods. The benefit
associated with the foreign rate differential shown below is net of the impact of uncertain tax positions affecting
the amount of income subject to foreign taxation. A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to our effective
tax rate on income from continuing operations was as follows:

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Federal statutory rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State income taxes, net of federal effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation expense rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Research and development tax credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax exempt interest
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
U.S. manufacturing tax incentives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign rate differential
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audit settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Establishment of Valuation Allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effective tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24.6%
0.7
(3.2)
(2.8)
—
(0.2)
(3.9)
—
38.8
5.2
1.5
60.7%

35.0%
0.7
1.4
(3.7)
(0.1)
(0.8)
(11.7)
(0.6)
—
—
0.9
21.1%

35.0%
0.7
1.5
(5.2)
(0.1)
(1.1)
(9.5)
(2.3)
—
—
2.0
21.0%

Our effective tax rate was 60.7% in fiscal 2018, compared with our blended federal statutory rate of 24.6%

(as a result of the change from 35% to 21% during the year), and with our effective tax rate in fiscal 2017 of
21.1%. The increase in our effective tax rate reflects the impact from the Tax Act, most notably the
remeasurement of net deferred tax assets and the Transition Tax on the accumulated earnings of our foreign
subsidiaries, the establishment of a valuation allowance against California tax credits, and reduced by excess
benefit related to stock-based awards.

Our effective tax rate was 21.0% in fiscal 2016 and was 21.1% in fiscal 2017. The effective tax rate in fiscal

2017 compared to fiscal 2016 reflects a benefit from a higher proportion of our overall earnings being
attributable to lower tax-rate jurisdictions, offset by reduced benefits from both federal R&D tax credits and
lower settlements from prior years’ state audits.

Uncertain Tax Positions

As of September 28, 2018, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $102.0 million, of which

$96.9 million, if recognized, would reduce our effective tax rate. Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is
classified within other non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Over the next twelve months, we
estimate that this amount will be reduced by $1.9 million as a result of the expiration of certain statute of
limitations. Aggregate changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and
penalties, were as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Beginning Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross increases—tax positions taken during prior years . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross decreases—tax positions taken during prior years . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross increases—tax positions taken during current year . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross decreases—settlements with tax authorities during current year . . .
Lapse of statute of limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 98,665
—
(2,209)
9,580
(130)
(3,897)

$75,168
308
—
26,724
(1,101)
(2,434)

$ 65,161
4,343
—
26,585
(20,086)
(835)

Ending Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$102,009

$98,665

$ 75,168

86

Classification of Interest and Penalties

We include interest and penalties related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within our provision for income

taxes. To the extent accrued interest and penalties do not ultimately become payable, amounts accrued are
reduced in the period that such determination is made and are reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax
provision. In fiscal year 2018, our current tax provision was increased by interest expense of $3.0 million, while
in fiscal year 2017, our current tax provision was increased by interest expense of $1.8 million. Accrued interest
and penalties are included within the related tax liability line item in our consolidated balance sheets. Our
accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as of September 28, 2018 and September 29, 2017
were as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

Accrued interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued penalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$6,778
42
$6,820

$3,733
55
$3,788

We continue to monitor the progress of ongoing income tax controversies and the impact, if any, of the
expected tolling of the statute of limitations in various taxing jurisdictions. We file income tax returns in the U.S.
federal jurisdiction and in many state and foreign jurisdictions. The material income tax jurisdictions are the
United States federal, California, New York, and the Netherlands.

We are currently under audit by the State of New York for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 and Spain for fiscal
years 2012 through 2015. In the U.S federal jurisdiction, other major states, and major foreign jurisdictions, the
fiscal years subsequent to 2013, 2013, and 2011, respectively, remain open and could be subject to examination
by the taxing authorities.

Management does not believe that the outcome of any ongoing examination will have a material impact on
our consolidated financial statements. We believe that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments
that may result from tax examinations. However, the outcome of tax audits cannot be predicted with certainty. If
resolution of any tax issues addressed in our current audits are inconsistent with management’s expectations, we
may be required to adjust our tax provision for income taxes in the period such resolution occurs.

11. Restructuring

Restructuring charges recorded in our statements of operations represent costs associated with separate
individual restructuring plans implemented in various fiscal periods. Accruals for restructuring charges are
included within accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets while restructuring charges are included
within restructuring charges in our consolidated statements of operations.

Fiscal 2017 Restructuring Plan.

In September 2017, we implemented a plan to reduce certain activities in

order to reallocate those resources towards higher priority investment areas. As a result, we recorded
$12.9 million in restructuring costs during fiscal 2017, representing severance and other related benefits offered
to approximately 80 employees that were affected by this action. The table presented below summarizes changes
in restructuring accruals under this plan (in thousands):

Restructuring charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-cash and other adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at September 29, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Restructuring charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-cash and other adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at September 28, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Severance and
associated costs

$ 12,856
(168)
—
$ 12,688

23
(12,005)
(582)
124

$

87

Fiscal 2016 Restructuring Plan.

In January 2016, we implemented a plan to reorganize and consolidate

certain activities and positions within our global business infrastructure. As a result, we recorded $1.3 million in
restructuring costs during fiscal 2016, representing severance and other related benefits offered to approximately
30 employees that were affected by this action. The table presented below summarizes changes in restructuring
accruals under this plan, and reflects the completion of activity during fiscal 2016 (in thousands):

Restructuring charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-cash and other adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 1,294
(1,233)
(61)

Balance at September 30, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ —

Severance and
associated costs

12. Commitments & Contingencies

In the ordinary course of business, we enter into contractual agreements with third parties that include
non-cancelable payment obligations, for which we are liable in future periods. These arrangements can include
terms binding us to minimum payments and/or penalties if we terminate the agreement for any reason other than
an event of default as described by the agreement. The following table presents a summary of our contractual
obligations and commitments as of September 28, 2018 (in thousands):

Payments Due By Fiscal Period

Fiscal
2019

Fiscal
2020

Fiscal
2021

Fiscal
2022

Fiscal
2023

Naming rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Donation commitments . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 7,811
17,117
58,449
8,275
$91,652

$ 7,909
14,371
22,844
297
$45,421

$ 8,008
11,522
477
97
$20,104

$ 8,108
9,967
333
97
$18,505

$ 8,209
9,240
—
97
$17,546

Thereafter

Total

$78,656
19,928
—
761
$99,345

$118,701
82,145
82,103
9,624
$292,573

Naming Rights. We are party to an agreement for naming rights and related benefits with respect to the
Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, the location of the Academy Awards®. The term of the agreement is 20
years, over which we will make payments on a semi-annual basis until fiscal 2032. Our payment obligations are
conditioned in part on the Academy Awards being held and broadcast from the Dolby Theatre.

Operating Leases. Operating lease payments represent our commitments for future minimum rent made
under non-cancelable leases for office space, including those payable to our principal stockholder and portions
attributable to the controlling interests in our wholly owned subsidiaries. The following table summarizes
information about our total rental expenses under operating leases, including the portion of this total rent expense
which is payable to our principal stockholder (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Total rent expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$17,161

$15,091

$13,288

Purchase Obligations.

Purchase obligations primarily consist of our commitments made under

agreements to purchase goods and services related to Dolby Cinema and for purposes that include IT and
telecommunications, marketing and professional services, and manufacturing and other R&D activities.

Donation Commitments. Our donation commitments relate to non-cancelable obligations to the Museum
of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles, California, and the Smithsonian Institution
in Washington, DC. Our commitment to the Museum of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is for
15 years from its expected opening date in fiscal 2019, and the Smithsonian Institution is for the next 5 years.
Both donation commitments consist of the installation of imaging and audio products in its theaters and
providing maintenance services in exchange for various marketing, branding, and publicity benefits.

88

Purchase Obligations.

Purchase obligations primarily consist of our commitments made under

agreements to purchase goods and services related to Dolby Cinema and for purposes that include IT and
telecommunications, marketing and professional services, and manufacturing and other R&D activities.

Indemnification Clauses. On a limited basis, our contractual agreements will contain a clause under which

we agree to provide indemnification to the counterparty, most commonly to licensees in connection with
licensing arrangements that include our IP. We have also entered into indemnification agreements with our
officers, directors, and certain employees, and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain similar
indemnification obligations. Additionally, and although not a contractual requirement, we have at times elected
to defend our licensees from third party IP infringement claims. Since the terms and conditions of our contractual
indemnification clauses do not explicitly specify our obligations, we are unable to reasonably estimate the
maximum potential exposure for which we could be liable. Furthermore, we have not historically made any
payments in connection with any such obligation and believe there to be a remote likelihood that any potential
exposure in future periods would be of a material amount. As a result, no amounts have been accrued in our
consolidated financial statements with respect to the contingent aspect of these indemnities.

13. Business Combinations

On September 19, 2018 (“acquisition date”), we completed an asset purchase with a privately held
technology company that offers enterprise media encoding and cloud-based media workflow management
services to customers. We believe that these technologies will further enhance our existing capabilities, as well as
future initiatives. We completed the acquisition for a gross purchase price of $19.28 million. Pursuant to the
purchase agreement, $3.0 million of the total purchase consideration is being held by us for a period of eighteen
months following the closing of the acquisition. This holdback amount has been recorded as a non-current
liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 28, 2018. We have completed a preliminary
purchase price allocation and the balance sheet reflects the preliminary fair value estimates of the intangible
assets and goodwill acquired. These estimates are subject to change within the measurement period which will
not exceed one year from the acquisition date.

14. Operating Segments & Geographic Information

Operating Segments

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is
available, and which are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in
deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. Our CODM is our Chief Executive Officer.
Reporting segments are operating segments exceeding specified revenue, profit or loss, or asset thresholds for
which separate disclosure of information is necessary.

We operate as a single reporting segment. During the fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2016, we

reorganized certain aspects of our internal business infrastructure primarily to integrate and align sales support
more directly with our business units. Following the reorganization, we reassessed our business units and
concluded that the composition of our reportable segments remains unchanged and that we continue to operate as
a single reportable segment. This reflects the fact that our CODM continues to evaluate our financial information
and resources, and continues to assess the performance of these resources, on a consolidated basis. All required
financial segment information is therefore included in our consolidated financial statements.

Geographic Information

89

The methods to determine revenue by geographic region for each of the three categories included within

total revenue in our consolidated statements of operations are described within the table presented below.

Revenue Category

Basis For Determining Geographic Location

Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Region in which our licensees’ headquarters are located
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Destination to which our products are shipped
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Location in which the relevant services are performed

The following tables present selected information regarding total revenue by geographic location (amounts

presented in thousands).

Revenue Composition—United States & International

Location

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
International
Total revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 388,700
783,224
$1,171,924

$ 373,264
708,190
$1,081,454

$ 320,129
705,609
$1,025,738

Revenue Concentration—Significant Individual Geographic Regions

Location

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
South Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taiwan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33%
19%
17%
12%
11%
3%
5%
100%

35%
16%
16%
12%
11%
4%
6%
100%

31%
17%
14%
12%
14%
4%
8%
100%

Long-lived tangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation, by geographic region were as follows (in

thousands):

Location

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total long-lived tangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation . . . . . . . .

$453,336
60,846
$514,182

$439,023
46,252
$485,275

15. Legal Matters

We are involved in various legal proceedings that occasionally arise in the normal course of business. These

can include claims of alleged infringement of IP rights, commercial, employment, and other matters. In our
opinion, resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse impact on our operating
results or financial condition. Given the unpredictable nature of legal proceedings, 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, including as a result of required changes to our licensing terms,
monetary penalties, and other potential consequences. However, based on the information known by us as of the
date of this filing and the rules and regulations applicable to the preparation of our consolidated financial
statements, any such amounts are either immaterial, or it is not possible to provide an estimate of any such
potential losses.

90

16. Related Parties

We maintain contractual agreements relating to certain entities affiliated with the Dolby family, who is
considered a related party as our principal stockholder. These jointly-owned entities were established for the
purpose of acquiring and leasing commercial property in the U.S. and U.K. primarily for our operational use.
Although the entities affiliated with the Dolby family are the limited member or LP in each of these entities, they
have a controlling interest based on holding majority economic ownership. We are the managing member or
general partner in each of these affiliated entities, and with the exception of isolated instances where portions of
these facilities are leased to third parties, we occupy the majority of the space. Therefore, since these affiliated
entities are an integral 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 limited member or LP, as the case may be, is reflected as controlling interest in our
consolidated financial statements.

Our interests in these consolidated affiliated entities and the location of the property leased to Dolby

Laboratories as of September 28, 2018 were as follows:

Entity Name

Minority Ownership Interest

Location Of Properties

Dolby Properties Brisbane, LLC . . . . . . . .
Dolby Properties Burbank, LLC . . . . . . . .
Dolby Properties UK, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dolby Properties, LP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

49.0%
49.0%
49.0%
10.0%

Brisbane, California
Burbank, California
Wootton Bassett, England
Wootton Bassett, England

We lease from our principal stockholder a commercial office building located at 100 Potrero Avenue in San

Francisco, California under a term that expires on October 31, 2024. Related party rent expense included in
operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations were as follows (in thousands):

Related party rent expense included in operating expenses . . . . . . . . .

$3,483

$3,142

$3,097

Distributions. Distributions made by the jointly-owned real estate entities to our principal stockholder

were as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Distributions to principal stockholder

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$(1,022)

$(2,094)

$(214)

17. Retirement Plans

We maintain a tax-qualified Section 401(k) retirement plan for employees in the United States and similar

plans in foreign jurisdictions. Under the plan, employees are eligible to receive matching contributions and
profit-sharing contributions.

We also maintain a SERP, a non-qualified, employer-funded retirement plan for certain senior executives
employed in the United States. The plan was adopted in October 2004 prior to our IPO and was terminated in
fiscal 2005. We have not made any contributions to the SERP since fiscal 2006. The purpose of the plan was to
provide these executives with the opportunity to receive retirement income benefits in addition to the benefits
generally available to all employees. The benefits provided to participants were based on defined contributions
that we made to the plan and the gains and losses on the investment of those contributions. At September 28,
2018, the balance in the SERP account represents amounts contributed prior to the plan’s termination, with the
underlying plan investments consisting primarily of mutual fund investments. SERP assets are included within
prepaid expenses and other current assets and within other non-current assets, while SERP liabilities are included
within accrued liabilities and within other non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.

91

Retirement plan expenses, which are included in cost of products, cost of services, R&D, S&M, and G&A

expense in our consolidated statements of operations, were as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended

September 28,
2018

September 29,
2017

September 30,
2016

Retirement plan expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$23,439

$22,035

$20,471

18. Selected Quarterly Financial Data

The following table presents selected unaudited quarterly financial information from fiscal 2018 and 2017

(in thousands, except per share amounts):

Fiscal Year 2018

Fiscal Year 2017

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Revenue:
Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $258,016 $273,143 $286,325 $240,122 $232,699 $241,617 $278,106 $213,370
23,797
22,665
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,881
5,547
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20,689
4,514

22,569
4,990

26,265
4,857

28,211
5,357

24,933
4,848

20,713
5,144

Total revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

287,797
30,876

301,355
30,959

317,447
34,465

265,325
31,960

266,267
29,967

267,474
26,977

305,665
32,125

242,048
29,238

Gross margin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

256,921

270,396

282,982

233,365

236,300

240,497

273,540

212,810

Income before taxes and controlling interest

. . . . . .

84,834

89,483

96,590

41,960

67,656

66,194

96,303

26,491

Net income/(loss) attributable to Dolby

Laboratories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (81,622) $ 70,631 $ 83,145 $ 50,092 $ 53,374 $ 50,590 $ 76,043 $ 21,795

Earnings per share:

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

(0.80) $
(0.80) $

0.68 $
0.66 $

0.80 $
0.78 $

0.48 $
0.47 $

0.53 $
0.51 $

0.50 $
0.49 $

0.75 $
0.73 $

0.21
0.21

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

102,552
102,552

103,771
107,001

103,836
106,950

103,349
106,794

101,483
103,876

101,787
103,883

101,905
104,222

101,959
103,530

92

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, as amended (“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 (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow for 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 CEO and CFO, 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 CEO and CFO 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.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial

reporting for the Company as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Internal control over
financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records
that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in
accordance with GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with
authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or
timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on
our financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of

September 28, 2018 using the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by
the COSO. Based on this assessment and those criteria, management concluded that our internal control over
financial reporting was effective as of September 28, 2018. Our internal control over financial reporting has been
audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which appears
in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

93

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended
September 28, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal
control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

94

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this item concerning our directors, compliance with Section 16 of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), our code of business conduct and ethics, our
Compensation Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Audit Committee is incorporated by
reference from the information set forth in the sections under the headings “Election of Directors,”
“Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Corporate Governance Matters” 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 2019 (“2019 Proxy Statement”).

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Our executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The names of our executive officers

and their ages, titles, and biographies as of October 26, 2018 are set forth below:

Executive Officers

Age

Position(s)

Kevin Yeaman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lewis Chew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Andy Sherman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Giles Baker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steven Forshay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Todd Pendleton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

President and Chief Executive Officer

52
55 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
51 Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
42
64
46

Senior Vice President, Consumer Entertainment
Senior Vice President, Advanced Technology Group
Senior Vice President, and Chief Marketing Officer

Kevin Yeaman joined us as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President in October 2005, was appointed
Senior Vice President in November 2006 and Executive Vice President in July 2007. He became our President
and CEO in March 2009 and has been a member of our Board since he assumed the role of CEO. Prior to joining
us, he worked for seven 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 also 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 LLP, an accounting firm, serving most recently as a
senior manager. Mr. Yeaman is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He also sits on
the Board of Trustees of the Academy Museum Foundation. He holds a B.S. degree in commerce from Santa
Clara University.

Lewis Chew joined us as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in June 2012. Mr. Chew

leads the worldwide finance organization and is responsible for the financial and infrastructure support for our
business, which includes all finance functions, information technology, real estate and facilities, manufacturing,
supply chain, and investor relations. Mr. Chew comes to us with decades of financial and strategic business
management experience. Mr. Chew is the former Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of
National Semiconductor Corporation, a manufacturer of electronic components, where he was responsible for all
finance functions as well as information systems and investor relations. Prior to joining National Semiconductor,
Mr. Chew was a partner at KPMG LLP, an accounting firm, serving numerous technology and financial
institution clients. Mr. Chew serves as a member of the Board of Directors at PG&E Corporation, an energy-
based holding company. Mr. Chew holds a B.S. degree in accounting from Santa Clara University.

Andy Sherman joined us as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in January

2011. Mr. Sherman oversees Dolby’s patent licensing businesses and government relations, and Dolby’s
worldwide legal affairs, including all corporate, regulatory, IP, litigation, and licensing activities. Prior to joining
us, from June 2008 to January 2011, Mr. Sherman served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel at CBS
Interactive, an online content network, where he led the legal group advising CBS’s online entertainment,
mobile, technology, sports, news, games, lifestyle, and international business units. Mr. Sherman joined CBS
Interactive following CBS’s acquisition of CNET Networks, an online content network, where from June 2007 to

95

June 2008 he was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Before CNET, Mr. Sherman served as
Vice President, Legal at Sybase, an enterprise software and services company, from November 2006 to May
2007, following Sybase’s acquisition of Mobile 365, where he was Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary. Prior to joining Mobile 365, he held senior legal positions with global responsibility at a variety of
public technology companies including PeopleSoft and E.piphany. Earlier in his career, Mr. Sherman worked in
private practice with Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich (now DLA Piper), focusing on the representation of
emerging technology companies. Mr. Sherman holds a J.D. from the University of the Pacific, as well as a B.S.
degree in business administration from the University of Southern California.

Giles Baker joined us in March 2010 and has served since in a variety of positions, including Vice

President, Broadcast Business Group; Senior Vice President, Broadcast Business Group; and since October 2016,
Senior Vice President, Consumer Entertainment. Mr. Baker focuses on Dolby’s business in the consumer
entertainment industry, leading a global team that builds complete industry solutions—from content production
to distribution and playback—to bring immersive entertainment experiences to consumer devices, including TVs,
game consoles, PCs, digital media adapters, mobile phones, and tablets. Before joining Dolby, Mr. Baker spent
nearly 10 years in business leadership roles at Adobe Systems, where he was responsible for professional video
software. Previously, he was responsible for the professional DVD authoring business at Sonic Solutions. Mr,
Baker holds an undergraduate degree in music and sound recording from the University of Surrey in the United
Kingdom and an MBA degree from the Wharton School.

Steven Forshay joined us in July 1982 and has served since in a variety of positions advancing our
technologies, including Senior Vice President, Research; Senior Vice President of Research for Image and
Sound; Senior Vice President, Sound Technology R&D; and since January 2015, Senior Vice President,
Advanced Technology Group. 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.

Todd Pendleton joined us in July 2018 as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. He leads
Dolby’s marketing efforts and is responsible for promoting the brand globally to consumers and through its
partners. Prior to Dolby, from June 2011 to June 2018, Mr. Pendleton served as Chief Marketing Officer of
Samsung Telecommunications America, where he among other things led the relaunch of the Samsung Galaxy.
Prior to Samsung Telecommunications America, Mr. Pendleton was with Nike for over 15 years, where he held
country, regional, and global leadership roles working across North America, Europe, and Asia. Mr. Pendleton
earned his B.A. degree in Political Science and International Business from Northeastern University in Boston,
Massachusetts.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item concerning executive compensation is incorporated by reference from

the information in the 2019 Proxy Statement under the headings “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,”
“Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors,” “Executive Compensation Tables and
Related Matters,” “Compensation of Directors”, and “Corporate Governance Matters-Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation.”

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this item concerning securities authorized for issuance under equity
compensation plans and security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated by
reference from the information in the 2019 Proxy Statement under the headings “Executive Compensation Tables
and Related Matters—Equity Compensation Plan Information” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management.”

96

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this item concerning transactions with related persons and director

independence is incorporated by reference from the information in the 2019 Proxy Statement under the headings
“Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance Matters.”

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information in the 2019 Proxy

Statement under the heading “Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

97

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

1.

2.

3.

Financial Statements: See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.

Financial Statement Schedules: Financial statement schedules have been omitted as the information required
is inapplicable or the information is presented in the consolidated financial statements and related notes

Exhibits: The exhibits listed in the accompanying index to exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as
part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

98

Exhibit
Number

2.1*

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

10.1*

10.2*

10.3*

10.4*+

10.5*

10.6*

10.7*

10.8*

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Incorporated by Reference Herein

Form

Date

Registration Statement on Form S-1
(No. 333-120614), Amendment
No. 1

December 30, 2004

Registration Statement on Form S-1
(No. 333-120614), Amendment
No. 2

January 19, 2005

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

April 30, 2009

Registration Statement on Form S-1
(No. 333-120614), Amendment
No. 1

December 30, 2004

Registration Statement on Form 8-A January 25, 2006

Registration Statement on Form S-1
(No. 333-120614)

November 19, 2004

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

February 6, 2013

Current Report on Form 8-K

February 9, 2017

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.

Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation

Form of Amended and Restated
Bylaws

Form of Registrant’s Class A
Common Stock Certificate

Form of Registrant’s Class B
Common Stock Certificate

Form of Indemnification Agreement
entered into between the Registrant
and its Directors & Officers

2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as
amended and restated

2005 Stock Plan, as amended and
restated on February 7, 2017 (“2005
Stock Plan”)

Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(“ESPP”), as amended and restated
on September 19, 2017

Forms of Stock Option Agreements
under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan

Registration Statement on Form S-1
(No. 333-120614)

November 19, 2004

Form of Global Stock Option
Agreement under the 2005 Stock
Plan

Form of Executive Global Stock
Option Agreement under the 2005
Stock Plan

Form of Global Restricted Stock
Unit Agreement under the 2005
Stock Plan

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

February 2, 2017

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

February 2, 2017

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

February 2, 2017

99

Exhibit
Number

10.9*

10.10*

10.11*

10.12*

10.13*

10.14*

10.15*

10.16*

10.17*

10.18*

10.19*

10.20*

10.21*

Description

Form of Executive Global
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement
under the 2005 Stock Plan

Form of Subscription Agreement
under the ESPP—U.S. Employees

Form of Subscription Agreement
under the ESPP—Non-U.S.
Employees

Form of Executive Performance-
Based Stock Option Agreement

2018 Dolby Executive Annual
Incentive Plan

Employment Agreement dated
February 24, 2009, by and between
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. & Kevin
Yeaman

Amendment, dated as of
December 19, 2012, to Employment
Agreement dated as of February 24,
2009, by and between Dolby
Laboratories, Inc. and Kevin
Yeaman

Offer Letter by and between Andy
Sherman & Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

Offer Letter dated March 22, 2012
by and between Lewis Chew and
Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

Offer Letter dated December 9,
2013 by and between Robert
Borchers & Dolby Laboratories,
Inc.

Lease for 100 Potrero Avenue, San
Francisco, California

First Amendment to Lease for 100
Potrero Avenue, San Francisco,
California

Second Amendment to 100 Potrero
Avenue, San Francisco, California
Lease Agreement dated May 6,
2014 by and among Dolby
Laboratories, Inc. and the Dolby
Family Trust & affiliated Trusts

Incorporated by Reference Herein

Form

Date

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

February 2, 2017

Annual Report on Form 10-K

November 19, 2009

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

August 8, 2012

Current Report on Form 8-K

December 11, 2015

Current Report on Form 8-K

November 15, 2017

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

April 30, 2009

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

February 6, 2013

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

May 10, 2011

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

May 8, 2012

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

January 29, 2014

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

February 8, 2006

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

May 4, 2006

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

July 30, 2014

10.22*

Lease for 130 Potrero Avenue, San
Francisco, California

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

February 8, 2006

100

Exhibit
Number

10.23*

10.24*

10.25*

10.26*

10.27*

10.28*

21.1+

23.1+

24.1

31.1+

31.2+

Description

First Amendment to 130 Potrero
Avenue, San Francisco, California
Lease Agreement dated May 6,
2014 by and among Dolby
Laboratories, Inc. and the Dolby
Family Trust & affiliated Trusts

Lease for 140 Potrero Avenue, San
Francisco, California

First Amendment to 140 Potrero
Avenue, San Francisco, California
Lease Agreement dated May 6,
2014 by and among Dolby
Laboratories, Inc. and the Dolby
Family Trust & affiliated Trusts

Waiver and Extension Relating to
Potrero Avenue Leases dated as of
September 29, 2013, by and among
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and the
Dolby Family Trust & affiliated
Trusts

Agreement of Sale and Purchase by
and between DWF III 1275 Market,
LLC and Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
dated June 8, 2012

Offer Letter dated June 26, 2018 by
and between Todd Pendleton and
Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

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)/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)/15d-14(a) as
adopted pursuant to Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Incorporated by Reference Herein

Form

Date

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

July 30, 2014

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

February 8, 2006

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

July 30, 2014

Annual Report on Form 10-K

November 15, 2013

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

August 8, 2012

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

August 1, 2018

101

Incorporated by Reference Herein

Form

Date

Exhibit
Number

32.1‡

Description

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

101.INS‡

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH‡

101.CAL‡

XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Schema Document

XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF‡

XBRL Extension Definition

101.LAB‡

101.PRE‡

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label
Linkbase Document

XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Presentation Linkbase Document

+ Filed herewith.
* Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
‡ Furnished herewith.

102

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: November 14, 2018

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.

By:

/S/

LEWIS CHEW
Lewis Chew
Executive Vice President and 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 Kevin J. Yeaman and Lewis Chew, and each of them, his or her attorney-in-fact, each
with the power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Annual
Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said
attorneys-in-fact, or his or her 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/ PETER GOTCHER

Peter Gotcher

/S/ KEVIN J. YEAMAN

Kevin J. Yeaman

/S/ LEWIS CHEW

Lewis Chew

/S/ MICHELINE CHAU

Micheline Chau

/S/ DAVID DOLBY

David Dolby

/S/ N. W. JASPER, JR.

N. W. Jasper, Jr.

/S/ SIMON SEGARS

Simon Segars

/S/ ROGER SIBONI

Roger Siboni

Chairman of the Board of Directors

November 14, 2018

President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director (Principal Executive
Officer)

Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

November 14, 2018

November 14, 2018

November 14, 2018

November 14, 2018

November 14, 2018

November 14, 2018

November 14, 2018

/S/ AVADIS TEVANIAN, JR.

Director

November 14, 2018

Avadis Tevanian, Jr.

103

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Dolby Laboratories (NYSE:DLB) is based in San Francisco with offices
in over 20 countries around the globe. Dolby transforms the science 
of sight and sound into spectacular experiences. Through innovative 
research and engineering, we create breakthrough experiences for 
billions of people worldwide through a collaborative ecosystem 
spanning artists, businesses, and consumers. The experiences people 
have - in Dolby Vision®, Dolby Atmos®, Dolby Cinema®, Dolby Voice®, and 
Dolby Audio™ - revolutionize entertainment and communications at 
the cinema, on the go, in the home, and at work. 

For more information, please visit: www.dolby.com.

Executive Officers and Directors

Investor Relations

Kevin Yeaman
President, Chief Executive Officer, 
and Director

Lewis Chew
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Andy Sherman
Executive Vice President, 
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Giles Baker
Senior Vice President, 
Consumer Entertainment

Steven Forshay
Senior Vice President,
Advanced Technology Group

Todd Pendleton
Senior Vice President and
Chief Marketing  

Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
1275 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103-1410
http://investor.dolby.com
investor@dolby.com

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Computershare 
P.O. Box 505000
Louisville, KY 40233
800-587-3984
www.computershare.com/investor 

Legal Counsel

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati,
Professional Corporation
Palo Alto, CA

Public Accounting

KPMG LLP
San Francisco, CA

Outside Directors

Class A Common Stock

Peter Gotcher
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Micheline Chau
David Dolby
N.W. (Bill) Jasper, Jr.
Simon Segars
Roger Siboni
Avadis Tevanian, Jr.

Listed on the New York Stock Exchange 
under stock symbol DLB

A copy of Dolby’s Annual Report on Form 
10-K may be ordered, viewed, or 
downloaded at http://investor.dolby.com.

Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. © 2018 Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

Investor Relations
Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
dolby.com

1275 Market Street
San Francisco, CA  94103-1410  USA
T  415-558-0200  F  415-645-4000