Quarterlytics / Technology / Software - Application / InterDigital

InterDigital

idcc · NASDAQ Technology
Claim this profile
Ticker idcc
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Technology
Industry Software - Application
Employees 201-500
← All annual reports
FY2018 Annual Report · InterDigital
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
NOTICE OF 2019 ANNUAL
MEETING & PROXY STATEMENT 
INTERDIGITAL, INC.

67098.indd   1

4/17/19   4:15 PM

TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Most often, our annual report gives us an 
opportunity to report on continued progress: the 
evolution of wireless technology, our ongoing 
efforts to shape it going forward, and steady 
progress towards our fi nancial goals. But 2018 
was not about steady progress – this year, for 
InterDigital, was about transformation.

Entering 2018, we were a single-track 
company. We had a strong wireless research 
and development heritage and continued 
leadership, resulting in a large and valuable 
patent portfolio focused almost entirely on 
wireless technology, and we addressed a 
single market. Yes, it was and remains a strong 
market, and one that continues to provide us 
opportunities for growth. But the opportunity 
to expand into an entirely new market, with 
research and a patent portfolio that was no less 
innovative and equally relevant to customers, 
was impossible to pass up.

The result was the acquisition of Technicolor’s 
patent licensing business, which we announced 
in March and closed in July. It was an acquisition 
that brought to InterDigital one of the leading 
portfolios of video-related technologies and 
other technologies related to consumer 
electronics, as well as a research and 
development partnership that would result in 
continued leadership in the space.

By combining the Technicolor portfolio with 
our own, we now have one of the largest, 
highest-quality, most diverse portfolios in the 
mobile and consumer electronics space. From 
a portfolio that was almost entirely devoted to 
wireless, we now have a portfolio that is almost 
evenly divided between mobile and networking 
technology and video and consumer electronics 
technologies. With the existing research 
partnership and the expected closing of our 
offer to acquire Technicolor’s Research & 
Innovation team, InterDigital has now become 
a leading presence in video and related 
consumer electronics research.

The transaction had two rationales. The fi rst was 
simply to bring additional value to our current 
licensees by offering them access to another 
transformative technology, video. But the other 
rationale was market expansion. InterDigital is 
now able to address a new market in consumer 
electronics, a market that, when you combine 
televisions, gaming consoles, streaming devices 
and other elements, is approximately the same 
value as wireless. And, like the wireless market 
that is rapidly evolving into a connected 
world, the consumer electronics segment is 
also evolving into new content areas, new 
capabilities, and new service offerings.

2018 was transformative in another key way: 

2

67098.indd   2

INTERDIGITAL, INC.

4/17/19   4:15 PM

after many years of research and incredible 
efforts by many in the industry, including our 
own InterDigital Labs team, the year saw the 
fi nalization of the fi rst full release of 5G.

There’s been a lot of hype around 5G – perhaps 
a bit too much, as is always the case with a 
transformative technology. This is especially 
true given that the very fi rst release is almost 
entirely focused on mobile broadband, which 
serves mainly to make handsets better and 
faster and is probably the aspect of 5G that is 
more evolutionary than revolutionary. But there 
is no doubt that 5G will eventually, when it is 
fully deployed, transform our daily lives and the 
market we operate in.

The reason is simple. Every other generation 
of wireless had a single mission: to make 
handsets better, faster, and more pervasive. The 
technology was almost entirely focused on that 
one device. And indeed, incredible advances 
in mobile technology were achieved. But 5G is 
the fi rst generation of wireless designed not only 
to improve handsets, but to lay the groundwork 
for the broadest variety of use cases possible. 
Drones. Autonomous vehicles that rely on 
connectivity for every aspect of their operation. 
Changes in manufacturing. New networks that 
are plug and play, and that can be deployed 
not only by wireless operators but by companies 

t

f i d t Mi

in every segment of industry. Mission-critical use 
i
cases, where connections simply cannot fail. 
And countless connections to everything in our 
lives.

iti

l

i

Organizationally, we implemented changes 
the net result of which was enhanced strength 
and depth at the company. Most notably, Kai 
Öistämö and Jeff Belk stepped down from our 
Board of Directors to assume the roles of Chief 
Operating Offi cer and Executive Vice President 
of Business Development, respectively. Kai and 
Jeff bring signifi cant experience from two of the 
biggest names in the mobile space, Nokia and 
Qualcomm. Their desire to work in a permanent 
capacity with the company speaks to the 
tremendous opportunity they saw before them.

So as we enter 2019, InterDigital is a company 
transformed. We continue to drive forward in 
our core market, where signifi cant opportunity 
remains. At nominal cost, we’ve added a strong 
new business alongside it, one that intersects 
with our core market but also opens the door 
to signifi cant new opportunity. And we stand 
on the cusp of a world where new technology 
opportunities – 5G, network transformation, an 
automated world, immersive technologies, light-
fi eld video, and other areas – abound. It’s never 
been a more exciting time to be part of the 
InterDigital family.

S. Doug Hutcheson, Chairman of the Board

William J. Merritt, President & Chief Executive Offi cer

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

67098.indd   3

3

4/17/19   4:15 PM

4

67098.indd   4

INTERDIGITAL, INC.

4/17/19   4:15 PM

DELIVERING 5G,

AND LOOKING BEYOND

a key participant in the 5G-Crosshaul project 
alongside companies like Ericsson, Nokia, NEC 
and others, with the consortium capping off the 
most ambitious 5G transport network R&D effort 
thus far in May 2018. In February and coinciding 
with Mobile World Congress, RIFE, a European 
Horizon 2020 project that InterDigital Labs helped 
spearhead, delivered a successful trial of a next 
generation network in Catalonia, Spain, and 
FLAME, a new H2020 research effort featuring 
InterDigital Labs,  launched an urban-scale 
testbed in Bristol and Barcelona.

The company received signifi cant industry 
recognition for its efforts. In addition to being 
featured mainstage speakers twice at Mobile 
World Congress, the industry’s premier event, 
InterDigital Labs won a “highly commended” 
award at the prestigious Global Telecoms 
Awards for “Advancing the Road to 5G.” The 
company also won the “Best IoT/Smart Home 
or 5G Technology” category at the CSI Awards, 
run by Cable & Satellite Magazine, and was 
shortlisted for a World Communications Award.

In 2018, the fi rst release of the 5G standard 
was completed, an astounding achievement 
by the industry and the many companies – 
including InterDigital – that commit signifi cant 
engineering resources to solving the challenges 
and developing the technologies that underpin 
our industry. The fi nalization of the 5G standard 
was the culmination of many years of work, and 
refl ected research efforts that date back often a 
decade or more.

InterDigital’s work in 5G was signifi cant. Every 
year going back to 2014, InterDigital’s engineers 
were able to execute trailblazing innovations 
in various 5G technology areas, including 
millimeter wave, integrated fronthaul/backhaul, 
mobile edge computing and other key areas of 
future wireless capabilities. In 2018, we continued 
that tradition by executing a pioneering demo 
of a service-based 5G control plane and a 
successful, groundbreaking demo of a service 
framework for cloud-native deployment. These 
technologies may have complex names, but 
they are all important elements of the network 
and device capabilities of the future – a future 
that InterDigital Labs is helping to defi ne.

Some of that work was completed as a key, and 
in some cases, lead, member in various research 
collaborations around the world. InterDigital 
Labs participated in the 5G-CORAL European-
Taiwanese consortium, which delivered a 
successful integrated fog and edge virtualized 
radio access network. The company also was 

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

67098.indd   5

5

4/17/19   4:16 PM

A NEW FRONTIER,

AND A KEY AREA 
OF FUTURE FOCUS

According to the Cisco Visual Network Index 
(February 2019), IP video traffi c will account for 
82% of all internet traffi c by 2022 – a number 
that grows to close to 90% when categories like 
video-streamed gaming and videoconferencing 
are included. You could almost say that, for 
people, video is the main reason connectivity 
technology exists.

InterDigital Labs has been developing 
video technology for many years. With 
the acquisition of the Technicolor licensing 
business and portfolio, the research partnership 
with Technicolor R&I, and now the pending 
acquisition of Technicolor’s world-leading R&I 
group, InterDigital’s video efforts have taken 
a massive leap forward. Our research portfolio 
now includes contributions to the major video 
coding standards worldwide, as well as long-
term research in emerging technologies, such 
as 360° video, immersive technologies, light-fi eld 
video and a range of connected areas. 

As part of that research partnership, InterDigital 
Labs and Technicolor R&I teamed early this 
year to demonstrate some leading-edge 
technologies at Mobile World Congress. One 
joint demo showcased 360° video streaming 
from 13 pre-recorded camera views, with the 
viewer’s head position and location driving 

a synthesized view that used motion parallax 
to deliver a customized view – essentially 
delivering an immersive, customized experience 
while managing bandwidth and processing 
requirements.

Technicolor R&I is also a leader in volumetric 
video research. Volumetric content is the future 
generation of video that is generated by a set 
of multiple cameras and a Light Field Acquisition 
system that is designed to capture direction as 
a dimension in light. At Mobile World Congress, 
InterDigital hosted a Technicolor R&I volumetric 
photobooth, with image acquisition using a 
16-camera array and calculating a volumetric 
portrait that was rendered on any smartphone 
for an immersive view experience.

Whether it’s advanced video compression 
technologies, deep learning applied to video 
coding, neural networks for image transport 
and storage, or real/virtual fusion, the increased 
expansion into video unlocks new possibilities for 
InterDigital.

6

67098.indd   6

INTERDIGITAL, INC.

4/17/19   4:16 PM

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

67098.indd   7

7

4/17/19   4:16 PM

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Total Revenue
Income (Loss) from Operations
Net Income (Loss)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to InterDigital, Inc.
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Diluted
Total Cash, Cash Equivalents & Short Term Investments
Total Assets
Total InterDigital, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity
Total Equity

2016

2017

2018*

$ 665.9
437.3
305.5
309.0
8.78
952.8
1,727.9
739.7
754.4

$532.9
301.5
170.7
174.3
4.87
1,158.0
1,854.4
855.3
873.1

$307.4
62.6
0
63.9
1.81
959.5
1,626.6
927.0
938.0

*2018 results refl ect the implementation of ASC 606 accounting rules.

8

67098.indd   8

INTERDIGITAL, INC.

4/17/19   4:16 PM

FORWARD-LOOKING    
STATEMENTS

Statements made in the letter to shareholders 
and in the introduction to this annual report that 
relate to our future plans, events, fi nancial results 
or performance, including, without limitation, 
statements relating to our belief that signifi cant 
opportunity remains in our core market, and 
our expectation that we will continue to be a 
signifi cant contributor in the development of 5G 
technologoy, are forward-looking statements 
as defi ned under the Private Securities Litigation 
Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are based 
upon current goals, estimates, information, and 
expectations. 

Actual results might differ materially from those 
anticipated as a result of certain risks and 
uncertainties, including delays, diffi culties, 
changed strategies, or unanticipated factors 
affecting the implementation of the company’s 
plans. You should carefully consider the risks 
and uncertainties outlined in greater detail in 
the accompanying Form 10-K, including “Item 
1A. Risk Factors,” before making any investment 
decision with respect to our common stock. We 
undertake no obligation to revise or publicly 
update any forward-looking statement for any 
reason, except as otherwise required by law.

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

67098.indd   9

9

4/17/19   4:16 PM

10

67098.indd   10

INTERDIGITAL, INC.

4/17/19   4:16 PM

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
Form 10-K

Í

‘

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

OR

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

For the transition period from

to

Commission file number 1-33579

INTERDIGITAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Pennsylvania
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

200 Bellevue Parkway, Suite 300
Wilmington, Delaware
(Address of principal executive offices)

82-4936666
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

19809
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (302) 281-3600

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

Common Stock (par value $0.01 per share)
(title of class)

NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
(name of exchange on which registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant

is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities

Act. Yes Í

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 Í

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 Í

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 (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that
No ‘
the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes Í

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405) 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. Í

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

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 Act). Yes ‘

No Í

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the
price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business
day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $2,688,325,937 as of June 30, 2018.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock was 32,617,380 as of February 19, 2019.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with the registrant’s

2019 annual meeting of shareholders are incorporated by reference into Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of this Form 10-K.

7098_Fin.pdf   1

4/19/19   10:33 PM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART II

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

MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK . . . . . . . .
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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 . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Page

4
14
32
32
33
43

44
47

48
74
76

135
135
136

136
136

AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

136

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR

INDEPENDENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SIGNATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

136
136

137
142

In this Form 10-K, the words “we,” “our,” “us,” “the Company” and “InterDigital” refer to InterDigital, Inc.
and/or its subsidiaries, individually and/or collectively, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise
requires. InterDigital® is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc. Creating the Living Network, oneMPOWER,
oneTRANSPORT and XCellAir are trademarks of InterDigital. All other trademarks, service marks and/or trade
names appearing in this Form 10-K are the property of their respective holders.

2018 Annual Report

2

7098_Fin.pdf   2

4/19/19   10:33 PM

EXPLANATORY NOTE ABOUT INTERDIGITAL, INC.

On April 3, 2018, for the purpose of reorganizing its holding company structure, InterDigital, Inc., a
Pennsylvania corporation and then-existing NASDAQ-listed registrant (the “Predecessor Company”), executed
an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Merger Agreement”) with InterDigital Parent, Inc., a Pennsylvania
corporation (the “Successor Company”) 100% owned by the Predecessor Company, and another newly formed
Pennsylvania corporation owned 100% by the Successor Company (“Merger Sub”). Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, on April 3, 2018, Merger Sub merged (the “Merger” or “Reorganization”) with and into the
Predecessor Company, with the Predecessor Company surviving. As a result of the Merger, the Predecessor
Company is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Successor Company. Neither the business conducted by the
Successor Company and the Predecessor Company in the aggregate, nor the consolidated assets and liabilities of
the Successor Company and the Predecessor Company in the aggregate, changed as a result of
the
Reorganization. By virtue of the Merger, each share of the Predecessor Company’s outstanding common stock
was converted, on a share-for-share basis, into a share of common stock of the Successor Company. As a result,
each shareholder of the Predecessor Company became the owner of an identical number of shares of common
stock of the Successor Company. Immediately following the Reorganization, the Successor Company was
renamed as “InterDigital, Inc.,” identical to the Predecessor Company’s name prior to the Merger. The Successor
Company’s common stock continues to be traded under the name “InterDigital, Inc.” and continues to be listed
on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “IDCC.” In addition, immediately following the
Merger the directors and executive officers of the Successor Company were the same individuals who were
directors and executive officers, respectively, of the Predecessor Company immediately prior to the Merger.

For the purpose of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to the Company, our Board of Directors or
any committee thereof, or our management, employees, business or financial results at or for any period prior to
the Merger refer to those of the Predecessor Company and thereafter to those of the Successor Company.

3

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   3

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Item 1.

BUSINESS.

Overview

PART I

InterDigital, Inc. (“InterDigital”) designs and develops advanced technologies that enable and enhance
wireless communications and capabilities. Since our founding in 1972, our engineers have designed and
developed a wide range of innovations that are used in digital cellular and wireless products and networks,
including 2G, 3G, 4G and IEEE 802-related products and networks, as well as video processing, coding and
display technology. We are a leading contributor of innovation to the wireless communications industry, as well
as a leading holder of patents in the video industry.

Given our long history and focus on advanced research and development, InterDigital has one of the most
significant patent portfolios in the wireless and video industries. As of December 31, 2018, InterDigital’s wholly
owned subsidiaries held a portfolio of approximately 34,000 patents and patent applications related to a range of
technologies, including the fundamental technologies that enable wireless communications, video encoding,
display technology, and other areas relevant to the wireless and consumer electronics industries. In that portfolio
are a number of patents and patent applications that we believe are or may be essential or may become essential
to standards in cellular and other wireless communications as well as video encoding. Those wireless standards
include 3G, 4G and the IEEE 802 suite of standards, as well as patents and patent applications that we believe are
or may become essential to 5G standards that currently exist and are under continued development. In terms of
video technology, our portfolio includes patents and applications relating to standards established by the ISO/IEC
Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG), the ITU-T Video Coding Expert Group (VCEG), the Joint Collaborative
Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC) and the Joint Video Expert Team (JVET), among others.

The wireless portfolio has largely been built

through internal development, supplemented by joint
development projects with other companies as well as select acquisitions of patents and companies. Products
incorporating our patented inventions in wireless include: mobile devices, such as cellular phones, tablets,
notebook computers and wireless personal digital assistants; wireless infrastructure equipment, such as base
stations; components, dongles and modules for wireless devices; and IoT devices and software platforms. The
video technology portfolio largely represents patents and applications that InterDigital acquired through our
purchase of Technicolor SA’s patent licensing business (the “Technicolor Acquisition”), completed in July 2018,
supplemented by internal development in the area of video technology. Products incorporating our patented
televisions, gaming
inventions in video include cellular phones,
consoles, set-top boxes, streaming devices and other consumer electronics.

tablets, notebook computers, computers,

InterDigital derives revenues primarily from patent licensing, with contributions from patent sales, product
sales, technology solutions licensing and sales and engineering services. On January 1, 2018, we adopted the
requirements of new revenue accounting guidance, ASU No. 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(Topic 606)” (“ASC 606”), using the modified retrospective method. Consistent with the modified retrospective
adoption method, our results of operations for periods prior to our adoption of ASC 606 remain unchanged and
are presented in accordance with ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition” (“ASC 605”).

In 2018, our total revenues under ASC 606 were $307.4 million, whereas total revenues under ASC 605
would have been $382.1 million. In 2018, our recurring revenues, consisting of current patent royalties and
current technology solutions revenue, were $280.3 million under ASC 606, and would have been $365.0 million
under ASC 605. Total revenues in 2017 under ASC 605 were $532.9 million, which included $370.0 million of
recurring revenues. Additional information about our revenues, the impacts of our adoption of ASC 606, profits
and assets, as well as additional financial data, is provided in the selected financial data in Part II, Item 6, and in
the financial statements and accompanying Notes in Part II, Item 8, of this Form 10-K.

2018 Annual Report

4

7098_Fin.pdf   4

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Our Strategy

Our objective is to continue to be a leading designer and developer of technology solutions and innovation
for the mobile and consumer electronics industries and to monetize those solutions and innovations through a
combination of licensing, sales and other revenue opportunities.

To execute our strategy, we intend to:

• Develop and source innovative technologies related to wireless and video. We intend to grow or
maintain a leading position in advanced mobile technology, the Internet of Things (IoT), video processing
and coding, and other related technology areas by leveraging our expertise to guide internal research and
development capabilities, direct our efforts in partnering with leading inventors and industry players to
source new technologies and pursue select acquisitions of technologies, businesses and/or companies.

• Establish and grow our patent-based revenue. We intend to grow our licensing revenue base by adding
licensees, expanding into adjacent and new technology areas that align with our intellectual property
position and leveraging the continued growth of the overall mobile technology market. Those licensing
efforts can be self-driven or executed in conjunction with licensing partnerships, trusts and other efforts,
and may involve the vigorous defense of our intellectual property through litigation and other means. We
also believe that our ongoing research efforts and associated patenting activities enable us to sell patent
assets that are not vital to our core licensing programs, as well as to execute patent swaps that can
strengthen our overall portfolio.

• Maintain a collaborative relationship with key industry players and worldwide standards bodies. We
intend to continue contributing to the ongoing process of defining mobile and video standards and other
industry-wide efforts and incorporating our inventions into those technology areas. Those efforts, and the
knowledge gained through them, support internal development efforts and also help guide technology and
intellectual property sourcing through partners and other external sources.

• Pursue commercial opportunities for our advanced platforms and solutions. As part of our ongoing
research and development efforts, InterDigital often builds out entire functioning platforms in various
technology areas. We seek to bring those technologies, as well as other technologies we may develop or
acquire, to market through various methods including technology licensing, stand-alone commercial
initiatives, joint ventures and partnerships.

Technology Research and Development

InterDigital pursues a diversified approach to sourcing the innovations that underpin our business. That
approach incorporates internally driven research and development efforts by InterDigital Labs, a research
collaboration with Technicolor SA’s Research and Innovation unit as part of the Technicolor Acquisition, and
select acquisitions of technology innovations, businesses and/or companies. Our efforts are guided by our vision
of the future of technology, Creating the Living NetworkTM, which is articulated around the variables of content,
context and connectivity, and how the interplay of these elements drives future technology capabilities and
needs.

As of December 31, 2018, our patent portfolio consisted of approximately 4,400 U.S. patents
(approximately 400 of which were issued in 2018) and approximately 20,400 non-U.S. patents (approximately
2,100 of which were issued in 2018). As of the same date, we also had numerous patent applications pending
worldwide, with approximately 1,700 applications pending in the United States and approximately 7,200 pending
non-U.S. applications. The patents and applications comprising our portfolio relate to a broad range of
technologies,
limitation, 3G, 4G and 5G
technologies) and video coding. Issued patents expire at differing times ranging from 2019 through 2037. We
operate ten research and development facilities in five countries: Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo
and Melville, New York, USA; Rockville, Maryland, USA; San Diego, California, USA; Princeton, New Jersey,
USA; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; London, England, United Kingdom; Berlin, Germany; and Seoul, South Korea.

including digital wireless radiotelephony (including, without

5

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   5

4/19/19   10:33 PM

InterDigital Labs

As an early and ongoing participant in the digital wireless market, InterDigital developed pioneering
solutions for the primary cellular air interface technologies in use today, TDMA and CDMA. That early
involvement, our continued development of those advanced digital wireless technologies and innovations in
OFDM/OFDMA and MIMO technologies have enabled us to create our significant worldwide portfolio of
patents. In addition, InterDigital was among the first companies to participate in standardization and platform
development efforts related to Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications and IoT technology. In conjunction
with our participation in certain standards bodies, we have filed declarations stating that we have patents that we
believe are or may be essential or may become essential to cellular and other mobile industry standards and that,
with respect to our essential patents, we are prepared to grant licenses on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory
terms or similar terms consistent with the requirements of the respective standards organizations.

Our capabilities in the development of advanced mobile technologies are based on the efforts of a highly
specialized engineering team, leveraging leading-edge equipment and software platforms. As of December 31,
2018, InterDigital employed approximately 185 engineers, approximately 80% of whom hold advanced degrees
(including 65 doctorate degrees). Over the last
in development has ranged from
$69.7 million to $75.7 million, and the largest portion of this expense has been personnel costs. Additional
information about our development expenses is provided in the results of operations, under the heading
“Operating Expenses,” in Part II, Item 7, of this Form 10-K.

three years,

investment

Our current research efforts are focused on a variety of areas related to mobile technology and devices,
including cellular wireless technology, Internet of Things (“IoT”) technology, advanced video coding and
transmission, and advanced sensor and sensor fusion technology.

Cellular Wireless Technology

We have a long history of developing cellular technologies, including those related to CDMA and TDMA
and, more recently, OFDM/OFDMA and MIMO. A number of our inventions are being used in all 2G, 3G and
4G wireless networks and mobile terminal devices. We led the industry in establishing TDMA-based TIA/EIA/
IS-54 as a U.S. digital wireless standard in the 1980s as well as innovative CDMA and OFDM/OFDMA
technology solutions and, today, we hold a significant worldwide portfolio of patents and patent applications for
these technologies. Similar to our TDMA inventions, we believe that a number of our CDMA and OFDM/
OFDMA inventions are, may be or may become essential to the implementation of CDMA and OFDM/OFDMA-
based systems in use today.

We also continue to be engaged in development efforts to build and enhance our 3GPP technology portfolio
in areas including 5G NR, LTE-Advanced, and cellular IoT. Some of our inventions include or relate to MIMO
technologies for reducing interference and increasing data rates; power control; hybrid-ARQ for fast error
correction; control channel
signaling; multi-carrier operation; vehicular-centric
communications (V2X); millimeter wave communications; network slicing; core network procedures, and other
areas. We also continue to develop additional technologies in response to existing or perceived challenges of
connected devices in the expanding terminal markets. These include technologies for automobiles, wearables,
smart homes, drones, and other connected consumer electronic products. We are developing solutions that enable
connectivity in both licensed and unlicensed spectrum, and across a large range of frequencies up to the
millimeter wave bands.

for efficient

structures

Our strong wireless network background includes engineering and corporate development activities that
focus on solutions that apply to 3GPP and other wireless market segments. Segments outside of 3GPP primarily
fall within the scope of the IEEE 802, IETF and ETSI standards. We continue to grow a portfolio of technology
related to Wi-Fi, Internet Standards, and Edge Computing, that includes, for example, improvements to the IEEE
802.11 PHY and MAC to increase peak data rates (802.11ax, 802.11ay), integrated access and backhaul, and
terminal mobility for edge and fog computing services.

2018 Annual Report

6

7098_Fin.pdf   6

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Video Encoding and Transmission Technology

An important and growing segment of wireless traffic is devoted to video streaming, and InterDigital has
been active for a number of years in developing advanced technologies that address the challenges of video as it
relates to mobile. Specifically, in the area of video research and standards, we have been actively engaged in
video standards development work in the ISO/IEC Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG), the ITU-T Video
Coding Expert Group (VCEG), the Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC) and the Joint Video
Expert Team (JVET). Those efforts have focused on H.265/HEVC versions 1 to 4 and MPEG DASH, as well as
FVC/H.266 and the MPEG Immersive (MPEG-I) standards suite going forward. In addition, as part of the
Technicolor Acquisition, InterDigital benefits from a research agreement with Technicolor’s Research and
Innovation unit pursuant to which InterDigital owns the patents produced through Technicolor’s ongoing
research in defined project areas, including FVC/H.266. If our previously announced acquisition of Technicolor’s
Research and Innovation unit closes, this research agreement would be terminated.

IoT Technology

In the field of IoT applications, we are developing technologies to enable seamless interconnection for
multiple access types (cellular, WLAN, LPWA) and IoT service frameworks that can be managed by a customer
and leveraged by a diverse set of vertical applications. These technologies build on our expertise in developing
platforms and contributing technologies towards the advancement of global M2M and IoT standards. As part of,
and in addition to, InterDigital’s standards-focused development, we have two solutions that are being made
available commercially.

In October 2017, we launched our Smart City-focused Chordant™ business. The Chordant platform, which
was originally introduced in 2015 as the oneMPOWER™ platform, enables interoperability and scalability
focusing specifically on the Smart Cities industry segment. This secure and scalable horizontal platform helps
businesses launch and manage IoT data and applications, and features a comprehensive suite of application
enabling services that span connectivity, device, data, security, and transaction management. The Chordant
platform is compliant with oneM2M, the global standard for horizontal IoT platforms, and is designed for
interoperability across diverse vertical markets, networks, and devices. The solution is based on an open standard
with a long-term features roadmap, which interworks with many existing industry protocols and alliances. In
February 2018, we announced the launch in the U.K of the oneTRANSPORT™ data marketplace, which
operates on the Chordant platform. This commercial service provides a common interface to multiple service
providers, allowing public authorities to control and monetize, and companies to access, IoT data in a simpler
fashion via a real-time, low-latency service-oriented architecture. In December 2018, InterDigital announced that
an affiliate of Sony Corporation of America (“Sony”) had invested in Chordant as part of entering into a new
patent license agreement.

Other Technology Areas and Sources

Because mobile technology today and into the future encompasses a very broad range of areas, we are also
developing a range of technologies in the areas of security and analytics, sensor technologies, as well as other
areas. Some of those efforts are related to technology standards.

In addition, to supplement our own development efforts, the Company pursues an external technology
sourcing model based around partnerships with leading research organizations and consortia. Those efforts
include a range of universities conducting sponsored research, agreements with various research institutions, and
membership and collaborative research in various initiatives such as Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research
(PAWR), NYU Wireless, 5Tonic and Bristol is Open.

7

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   7

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Our Revenue Sources

Patent-Based Revenue

We believe that companies making, importing, using or selling products compliant with the standards
covered by our patent portfolio, including all manufacturers of mobile handsets, tablets and other devices, require
a license under our patents and will require licenses under patents that may issue from our pending patent
applications. We have successfully entered into license agreements with many of
the leading mobile
communications companies globally, including Apple Inc. (“Apple”), HTC Corporation, Kyocera Corporation
(“Kyocera”), LG Electronics, Inc. (“LG”), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (“Samsung”) and Sony, among others.
We also receive revenue under certain license agreements that we assumed as part of the Technicolor
Acquisition.

Most of our patent license agreements are structured on a royalty-bearing basis, while others are structured
on a paid-up basis or a combination thereof. Upon entering into a new patent license agreement, the licensee
typically agrees to pay consideration for sales made prior to the effective date of the license agreement (i.e.,
non-current patent royalties) and also agrees to pay royalties or license fees on licensed products sold during the
term of the agreement. We expect that, for the most part, new license agreements will follow this model. Almost
all of our patent license agreements provide for the payment of royalties based on sales of licensed products
designed to operate in accordance with particular standards (convenience-based licenses), as opposed to the
payment of royalties if the manufacture, sale or use of the licensed product infringes one of our patents
(infringement-based licenses).

Some of our patent licenses are paid up, requiring no additional payments relating to designated sales under
agreed upon conditions. Those conditions can include paid-up licenses for a period of time (fixed-fee
agreements), for a class of products, for a number of products sold, under certain patents or patent claims, for
sales in certain countries or a combination thereof. Licenses become paid-up based on the payment of fixed
amounts or after the payment of royalties for a term.

Some of our patent license agreements provide for the non-refundable prepayment of royalties that are
usually made in exchange for prepayment discounts. As the licensee reports sales of covered products, the
royalties are calculated and either applied against any prepayment or become payable in cash or other
consideration. Additionally, royalties on sales of licensed products under the license agreement become payable
or applied against prepayments based on the royalty formula applicable to the particular license agreement. These
formulas include flat dollar rates per unit, a percentage of sales, a percentage of sales with a per-unit cap and
other similar measures. The formulas can also vary by other factors, including territory, covered standards,
quantity and dates sold. Our license agreements typically contain provisions that give us the right to audit our
licensees’ books and records to ensure compliance with the licensees’ reporting and payment obligations under
those agreements. From time to time, these audits reveal underreporting or underpayments under the applicable
agreements. In such cases, we seek payment for the amount owed and enter into negotiations with the licensee to
resolve the discrepancy.

For a discussion of our revenue recognition policies with respect to patent license agreements, see “Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Overview —
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Revenue Recognition — Patent License Agreements.”

In addition, in 2013, InterDigital formed the Signal Trust for Wireless Innovation (the “Signal Trust”). The
goal of the Signal Trust is to monetize a large patent portfolio related to cellular infrastructure. More than 500
patents and patent applications were transferred from InterDigital to the Signal Trust, focusing primarily on 3G
and LTE technologies and developed by InterDigital’s engineers and researchers over more than a decade. A
number of these innovations have been contributed to the worldwide standards process, resulting in a portfolio
that includes patents for pioneering inventions that we believe are used pervasively in the cellular wireless
industry. InterDigital is the primary beneficiary of the Signal Trust. The distributions from the Signal Trust will

2018 Annual Report

8

7098_Fin.pdf   8

4/19/19   10:33 PM

support continued research related to cellular wireless technologies. A small portion of the proceeds from the
Signal Trust will be used to fund, through the Signal Foundation for Wireless Innovation, scholarly analysis of
intellectual property rights and the technological, commercial and creative innovations they facilitate.

In third quarter 2016, InterDigital joined Avanci, the industry’s first marketplace for the licensing of cellular
standards-essential technology for the IoT. The licensing platform brings together some of InterDigital’s peers in
standards-essential technology leadership, and makes 2G, 3G and 4G standards-essential patents available to IoT
players in specific product segments with one flat-rate license. The Avanci licensing programs in specific product
segments for the IoT industry will provide access to the entire applicable standards-essential wireless patent
portfolios held by all of the platform participants, as well as any additions to their portfolios during the term of
the license. In December 2017, Avanci announced that it had signed a patent license agreement with BMW
Group.

We also pursue, on occasion, targeted sales of portions of our patent portfolio. This strategy is based on the
expectation that our portfolio and continued research efforts extend well beyond the requirements for a
successful licensing program. In addition, the strategy leverages the desire from new entrants in the mobile
technology space to build strong intellectual property positions to support their businesses.

Other Potential Revenue Opportunities

Our strong technology expertise and research and development team also form the basis for other potential
revenue opportunities, focused around areas such as engineering services, research joint ventures and the
continued development, commercialization and licensing of research and development projects that have
progressed to a pre-commercial or commercial phase. We also currently recognize revenue from the licensing of
technology that has been developed by our engineering teams and is integrated into other companies’ technology
products.

In all of its technology areas, InterDigital works to incubate and commercialize market-ready technologies.
These include technologies that were developed as part of our standards development efforts, as well as
technologies developed outside the scope of those efforts. Those commercial efforts sometimes include the
establishment of a separate commercial initiative focused on the specific opportunity. Although these initiatives
are in their early stages, they are potential revenue opportunities for the Company.

In 2012, we formed of a joint venture with Sony called Convida Wireless. The joint venture combined
InterDigital’s advanced M2M research capabilities with Sony’s consumer electronics expertise with the purpose
of driving new research in IoT communications and other connectivity areas. This joint venture was renewed in
2015 with its focus expanded to include advanced research and development into 5G and future wireless
technologies, and renewed again in 2018 with its focus sharpened on 5G, including IoT and infrastructure
research.

Overview of Wireless Communications and Consumer Electronics Industries

The wireless communications industry continues to experience rapid growth worldwide, as well as an
expansion of device types entering the market. In addition, new markets are emerging related to wireless
connectivity. IoT is an important new market in the technology field, which is expected to result in a significant
increase in the number of connections, and unlock new business capabilities. IoT is currently in its earliest stages,
and estimates vary broadly as far as how many connections it will yield, but by some estimates there could be as
many as 120 billion connected devices by 2030, a significant portion of which will be comprised of 3G, 4G and
5G cellular IoT devices.

To achieve economies of scale and support interoperability among different participants, products for the
wireless industry have typically been designed to operate in accordance with certain standards. Wireless

9

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   9

4/19/19   10:33 PM

communications standards are formal guidelines for engineers, designers, manufacturers and service providers
that regulate and define the use of the radio frequency spectrum in conjunction with providing detailed
specifications for wireless communications products. A primary goal of the standards is to ensure interoperability
of products marketed by multiple companies. A large number of international and regional wireless Standards
Development Organizations (“SDOs”), including the ITU, ETSI, TIA (USA), IEEE, ATIS (USA), TTA (Korea),
ARIB (Japan) and ANSI, have responsibility for the development and administration of wireless communications
standards. New standards are typically adopted with each new generation of products, are often compatible with
previous generations and are defined to ensure equipment interoperability and regulatory compliance.

With the completion of the Technicolor Acquisition and the integration of that portfolio into our overall
licensing efforts, InterDigital now expects to expand its business into the broader consumer electronics industry.
According to data from ABI Research, more than 2 billion devices in the video, audio and IoT/other technology
areas were shipped in 2017. Those devices include TV displays, computer displays, set-top boxes, gaming
consoles, wireless assistants and headphones, wearables, smart home devices and other types of consumer
electronic devices that implement video or wireless technologies, or a combination of both. Some of those
technologies are standards-based, such as Wi-Fi and other wireless technologies, various video coding standards
and various broadcast standards.

Standards have evolved in response to consumer demand for services and expanded capabilities of mobile
devices and other consumer electronics devices. For instance, cellular standards have evolved from voice-
oriented services to multimedia services that exploit the higher speeds offered by newer technologies, such as
LTE. The wireless communications industry has also made significant advances in non-cellular wireless
technologies.

SDOs typically ask participating companies to declare formally whether they believe they hold patents or
patent applications essential to a particular standard and whether they are willing to license those patents on
either a royalty-bearing basis on fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms or on a royalty-free basis. To
manufacture, have made, sell, offer to sell or use such products on a non-infringing basis, a manufacturer or other
entity doing so must first obtain a license from the holder of essential patent rights. The SDOs do not have
enforcement authority against entities that fail to obtain required licenses, nor do they have the ability to protect
the intellectual property rights of holders of essential patents.

InterDigital often publicly characterizes aspects of

including license agreements and
development projects, as pertaining to broad mobile industry standards such as, for example, 3G, 4G, 5G and
Wi-Fi. In doing this, we generally rely on the positions of the applicable standards-setting organizations in
defining the relevant standards. However, the definitions may evolve or change over time, including after we
have characterized certain transactions.

its business,

Business Activities

2018 Patent Licensing Activity

During first quarter 2018 we entered into a multi-year, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-bearing patent
license agreement with Kyocera Corporation. The agreement covers sales by Kyocera Corporation and its
affiliates of terminal unit products designed to operate in accordance with WCDMA and LTE standards,
providing Kyocera expanded coverage for products in addition to those covered under their existing license
agreement with InterDigital.

Also during first quarter 2018, the Signal Trust, established by the Company in 2013, signed a patent license
agreement with a provider of telecommunications infrastructure equipment. The Signal Trust holds a patent
portfolio related to cellular infrastructure, and it is a variable interest entity. Based on the terms of the trust
agreement, we previously determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the Signal Trust for accounting
purposes and, therefore, must consolidate the Signal Trust.

2018 Annual Report

10

7098_Fin.pdf   10

4/19/19   10:33 PM

During second quarter 2018, we entered into a multi-year, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-bearing patent
license agreement with Fujitsu Connected Technologies Limited (“FCNT”). The agreement covers the sale of
FCNT’s 2G, 3G and 4G terminal unit products, including LTE and LTE-Advanced products.

Also during second quarter 2018, we entered into a multi-year, world-wide, non-exclusive, royalty bearing
patent license agreement with a US-headquartered company. The agreement covers sales by the US company of
802.11 functionality within certain of its products.

During fourth quarter 2018, we entered into a multi-year, worldwide, non-exclusive patent

license
agreement with Sony (the “Sony PLA”), a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics,
mobile communications and home appliances. In addition, we renewed our joint venture with Sony, Convida
Wireless, and sharpened its focus on 5G, including IoT and infrastructure research. The new Sony PLA covers
the sale by Sony of covered products for the three-year period that commenced on December 1, 2018.

Customers Generating Revenues Exceeding 10% of Total 2018 Revenues

Apple, Samsung and LG Electronics comprised approximately 36%, 25% and 10% of our total 2018

revenues, respectively.

In 2016, we entered into a multi-year, royalty-bearing, worldwide and non-exclusive patent

license
agreement with Apple (the “Apple PLA”). The agreement sets forth terms covering the sale by Apple of its
products and services, including, but not limited to, its 3G, 4G and future generation cellular and wireless-
enabled products. The Apple PLA gives Apple the right to terminate certain rights and obligations under the
license for the period after September 30, 2021, but has the potential to provide a license to Apple for a total of
up to six years. During 2018, we recognized a total of $111.7 million of revenue associated with the Apple PLA
under ASC 606.

In 2014, we entered into a patent license agreement with Samsung (the “Samsung PLA”). The royalty-
bearing license agreement sets forth terms covering the sale by Samsung of 3G, 4G and certain future generation
wireless products. The Samsung PLA provided Samsung the right to terminate certain rights and obligations
under the license for the period after 2017 but had the potential to provide a license to Samsung for a total of ten
years, including 2013. Samsung did not elect to terminate such rights and obligations, and the period for such
election has expired. Accordingly, the term of our patent license agreement with Samsung ends on December 31,
2022. During 2018, we recognized a total of $78.3 million of revenue associated with the Samsung PLA under
ASC 606.

In 2017, we entered into a multi-year, worldwide, non-exclusive patent license agreement with LG (the “LG
PLA”), a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home
appliances. The LG PLA covers the 3G, 4G and 5G terminal unit products of LG and its affiliates and sets forth a
royalty of cash payments to InterDigital as well as a process for the transfer of patents from LG to InterDigital.
The deal also committed the parties to explore cooperation for projects related to the research and development
of video and sensor technology for connected and autonomous vehicles. During 2018, we recognized a total of
$31.8 million of revenue associated with the LG PLA under ASC 606.

Patent Infringement and Declaratory Judgment Proceedings

From time to time, if we believe a party is required to license our patents in order to manufacture, use and/or
sell certain products and such party refuses to do so, we may agree with such party to have royalty rates, or other
terms, set by third party adjudicators (such as arbitrators) or, in certain circumstances, we may institute legal
action against them. This legal action has typically taken the form of a patent infringement lawsuit or an
administrative proceeding such as a Section 337 proceeding before the United States International Trade
Commission (“USITC” or the “Commission”). In a patent infringement lawsuit, we would typically seek

11

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   11

4/19/19   10:33 PM

damages for past infringement and an injunction against future infringement. In a USITC proceeding, we would
seek an exclusion order to bar infringing goods from entry into the United States, as well as a cease and desist
order to bar further sales of infringing goods that have already been imported into the United States. Parties may
bring administrative and/or judicial challenges to the validity, enforceability, essentiality and/or applicability of
our patents to their products. Parties may also allege that our efforts to enter into a license with that party do not
comply with any obligations we may have in connection with our participation in standards-setting organizations,
and therefore that we are not entitled to the relief that we seek. For example, a party may allege that we have not
complied with an obligation to offer a license to that party on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and
conditions, and may also file antitrust claims or regulatory complaints on that or other bases, and may seek
damages or other relief based on such claims. In addition, a party might file a declaratory judgment action to seek
a court’s declaration that our patents are invalid, unenforceable, not infringed by the other party’s products or are
not essential. Our response to such a declaratory judgment action may include claims of infringement. When we
include claims of infringement in a patent infringement lawsuit, a favorable ruling for the Company can result in
the payment of damages for past patent royalties, the setting of a royalty for future sales or issuance by the court
of an injunction enjoining the infringer from manufacturing, using and/or selling the infringing product.

Contractual Arbitration Proceedings

We and our licensees, in the normal course of business, may have disagreements as to the rights and
obligations of the parties under applicable agreements. For example, we could have a disagreement with a
licensee as to the amount of reported sales and royalties. Our patent license agreements typically provide for
audit rights as well as private arbitration as the mechanism for resolving disputes, and we may attempt to resolve
such disputes in arbitration.
licensees may seek to assert various claims, defenses, or
counterclaims, such as claims based on waiver, promissory estoppel, breach of contract, fraudulent inducement to
contract, antitrust, and unfair competition. Arbitration proceedings can be resolved through an award rendered by
the arbitrators or by settlement between the parties. Parties to arbitration might have the right to have the award
reviewed in a court of competent jurisdiction. However, based on public policy favoring the use of arbitration, it
is generally difficult to have arbitration awards vacated or modified. The party securing an arbitration award may
seek to have that award confirmed as a judgment through an enforcement proceeding. The purpose of such a
proceeding is to secure a judgment that can be used for, if need be, seizing assets of the other party.

In arbitration,

In addition, arbitration may be a particularly effective means for resolving disputes with prospective
licensees concerning the appropriate fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (“FRAND”) terms and conditions
for license agreements that include standards-essential patents (“SEPs”), particularly where negotiations have
otherwise reached an impasse. Binding arbitration to resolve the terms and conditions of a worldwide FRAND
license to our relevant portfolio of SEPs is an efficient and cost-effective mechanism, as it allows the parties to
avoid piecemeal litigation in multiple jurisdictions and ensures that an enforceable patent license agreement that
is consistent with FRAND commitments will be in place at the end of the arbitration process.

Competition

With respect to our technology development activities and resulting commercialization efforts, we face
competition from companies, including in-house development teams at other wireless device companies and
semiconductor companies and wireless operators, developing other and similar technologies that are competitive
with our products and solutions that we may market or set forth into the standards-setting arena.

Due to the exclusionary nature of patent rights, we do not compete, in a traditional sense, with other patent
holders for patent licensing relationships or sale transactions. Other patent holders do not have the same rights to
the inventions and technologies encompassed by our patent portfolio. In any device or piece of equipment that
contains intellectual property, the manufacturer may need to obtain licenses from multiple holders of intellectual
property. In licensing our patent portfolio, we compete with other patent holders for a share of the royalties that
certain licensees may argue to be the total royalty that is supported by a certain product or products, which may

2018 Annual Report

12

7098_Fin.pdf   12

4/19/19   10:33 PM

face practical limitations. We believe that licenses under a number of our patents are required to manufacture and
sell 3G, 4G and other wireless products, as well as other consumer electronics devices. However, numerous
companies also claim that they hold patents that are or may be essential or may become essential to standards-
based technology deployed on wireless products and other consumer electronics devices. To the extent that
multiple parties all seek royalties on the same product, the manufacturers could claim to have difficulty in
meeting the financial requirements of each patent holder. In the past, certain manufacturers have sought antitrust
exemptions to act collectively on a voluntary basis. In addition, certain manufacturers have sought to limit
aggregate licensing fees or rates for essential patents. Similarly, potential purchasers of our patents often amass
patent portfolios for defensive and/or cross-licensing purposes and could choose to acquire patent assets within
the same general technology space from other patent holders.

Employees

As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately 390 employees, including approximately 50 employees in

France who were subject to collective bargaining arrangements. We consider our employee relations to be good.

Geographic Concentrations

See Note 4, “Geographic/Customer Concentration,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements included in Part II, Item 8, of this Form 10-K for financial information about geographic areas for the
last three years.

Corporate Information

The ultimate predecessor company of InterDigital, Inc. was incorporated in 1972 under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and conducted its initial public offering in November 1981. Our corporate
headquarters and administrative offices are located in Wilmington, Delaware, USA. We have research and
technology development centers in the following locations: Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo and
Melville, New York, USA; Rockville, Maryland, USA; San Diego, California, USA; Montreal, Quebec, Canada;
London, England, United Kingdom; Berlin, Germany; and Seoul, South Korea. We also have administrative
offices in Washington, District of Columbia, USA; San Francisco, California, USA; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA;
Princeton, New Jersey, USA; New York City, New York, USA; Brussels, Belgium; Paris and Rennes, France;
and Shanghai, China.

Our Internet address is www.interdigital.com, where, in the “Investors” section, we make available, free of
charge, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K,
certain other reports and filings required to be filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”), and all amendments to those reports or filings as soon as reasonably practicable after such
material is electronically filed with or furnished to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The
information contained on or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K.

13

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   13

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Item 1A.

RISK FACTORS.

We face a variety of risks that may affect our business, financial condition, operating results, the trading
price of our common stock, or any combination thereof. You should carefully consider the following information
and the other information in this Form 10-K in evaluating our business and prospects and before making an
investment decision with respect to our common stock. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial
condition, results of operations or prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In such an event, the
market price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks and
uncertainties we describe below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or
that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our plans to license handset manufacturers in China may be adversely affected by a deterioration in United
States-China trade and geopolitical relations, our customers facing economic uncertainty there or our failure
to establish a positive reputation in China, which could materially adversely affect our long-term business,
financial condition and operating results.

Companies headquartered in China currently comprise a substantial portion of the handset manufacturers
that remain unlicensed to our patent portfolio. Our ability to license such manufacturers is, among other things,
affected by the macroeconomic and geopolitical climate, as well as our business relationships and perceived
reputation in China. The U.S. and Chinese governments are currently engaged in trade negotiations, and the U.S.
State Department issued a travel advisory in January 2019 that advises U.S. citizens to exercise increased caution
in China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws. This travel advisory and other security concerns are
restricting our ability to conduct in-person negotiations with prospective Chinese licensees. If the U.S.-China
trade dispute escalates or relations between the United States and China further deteriorate, these conditions
could adversely affect our ability to license our patent portfolio to Chinese handset manufacturers. Our ability to
license such manufacturers could also be affected by economic uncertainty, particularly in the handset market, in
China or by our failure to establish a positive reputation and relationships in China. The occurrence of any of
these events could have an adverse effect on our ability to enter into license agreements with Chinese handset
manufacturers, which, in turn, could cause our long-term business, financial condition and operating results to be
materially adversely affected.

Potential patent and litigation reform legislation, potential USPTO and international patent rule changes,
potential legislation affecting mechanisms for patent enforcement and available remedies, and potential
changes to the intellectual property rights (“IPR”) policies of worldwide standards bodies, as well as rulings in
legal proceedings, may affect our investments in research and development and our strategies for patent
prosecution, licensing and enforcement and could have a material adverse effect on our licensing business as
well as our business as a whole.

Potential changes to certain U.S. and international patent laws, rules and regulations may occur in the future,
some or all of which may affect our research and development investments, patent prosecution costs, the scope of
future patent coverage we secure, the number of forums in which we can seek to enforce our patents, the
remedies that we may be entitled to in patent litigation, and attorneys’ fees or other remedies that could be sought
against us, and may require us to reevaluate and modify our research and development activities and patent
prosecution, licensing and enforcement strategies. Similarly, legislation designed to reduce the jurisdiction and
remedial authority of the United States International Trade Commission (the “USITC”) has periodically been
introduced in Congress.

Any potential changes in the law, the IPR policies of standards bodies or other developments that reduce the
number of forums available or the type of relief available in such forums (such as injunctive relief), restrict
permissible licensing practices (such as our ability to license on a worldwide portfolio basis) or that otherwise
cause us to seek alternative forums (such as arbitration or state court), would make it more difficult for us to

2018 Annual Report

14

7098_Fin.pdf   14

4/19/19   10:33 PM

enforce our patents, whether in adversarial proceedings or in negotiations. Because we have historically
depended on the availability of certain forms of legal process to enforce our patents and obtain fair and adequate
compensation for our investments in research and development and the unauthorized use of our intellectual
property, developments that undermine our ability to do so could have a negative impact on future licensing
efforts.

Rulings in our legal proceedings as well as those of third parties may affect our strategies for patent
prosecution, licensing and enforcement. For example, in recent years, the USITC and U.S. courts, including the
U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, have taken some actions that have
been viewed as unfavorable to patentees, including the Company. Decisions that occur in U.S. or in international
forums may change the law applicable to various patent law issues, such as, for example, patentability, validity,
claim construction, patent exhaustion, patent misuse, permissible licensing practices, available forums, and
remedies such as damages and injunctive relief, in ways that are detrimental to the abilities of patentees to
enforce patents and obtain suitable relief.

We continue to monitor and evaluate our strategies for prosecution, licensing and enforcement with regard
to these developments; however, any resulting change in such strategies may have an adverse impact on our
business and financial condition.

Royalty rates, or other terms, under our patent license agreements could be subject to determination through
arbitration or other third-party adjudications or regulatory or court proceedings, and arbitrators, judges or
other third-party adjudicators or regulators could determine that our patent royalty rates should be at levels
lower than our agreed or historical rates or otherwise make determinations resulting in less favorable terms
and conditions under our patent license agreements.

Historically, the terms of our patent license agreements, including our royalty rates, have been reached
through arms-length bilateral negotiations with our licensees. We could agree, as we did with Huawei pursuant to
our December 2013 settlement agreement, to have royalty rates, or other terms, set by third party adjudicators
(such as arbitrators) and it is also possible that courts or regulators could decide to set or otherwise determine the
FRAND consistency of such terms or the manner in which such terms are determined, including by determining
a worldwide royalty rate for our standards-essential patents. Changes to or clarifications of our obligations to be
prepared to offer licenses to standards-essential patents on FRAND terms and conditions could require such
terms, including our royalty rates, to be determined through third party adjudications. Finally, certain of our
current and prospective licensees have instigated, and others could in the future instigate, legal proceedings or
regulatory proceedings requesting third party adjudicators or regulators, such as the Shenzhen Intermediate
People’s Court, China’s National Development and Reform Commission and Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission,
to set FRAND terms and conditions for, or determine the FRAND-consistency of current terms and conditions in,
our patent license agreements, and which could result in such third party adjudicators or regulators determining a
worldwide royalty rate for our standards-essential patents. To the extent that our patent royalty rates for our
patent license agreements are determined through arbitration or other third party adjudications or regulatory or
court proceedings rather
than through bilateral negotiations, because such proceedings are inherently
unpredictable and uncertain and there are currently few precedents for such determinations, it is possible that
royalty rates may be lower than our historical rates, and this could also have a negative impact on royalties we
are able to obtain from future licensees, which may have an adverse effect on our revenue and cash flow. In
addition, to the extent that other terms and conditions for our patent license agreements are determined through
such means, such terms and conditions could be less favorable than our historical terms and conditions, which
may have an adverse effect on our licensing business.

15

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   15

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Due to the nature of our business, we could continue to be involved in a number of costly litigation,
arbitration and administrative proceedings to enforce or defend our intellectual property rights and to defend
our licensing practices.

While some companies seek licenses before they commence manufacturing and/or selling devices that use
our patented inventions, most do not. Consequently, we approach companies and seek to establish license
agreements for using our inventions. We expend significant time and effort identifying users and potential users
of our inventions and negotiating license agreements with companies that may be reluctant to take licenses.
However, if we believe that a third party is required to take a license to our patents in order to manufacture, sell,
offer for sale, import or use products, we have in the past commenced, and may in the future, commence legal or
administrative action against the third party if they refuse to enter into a license agreement with us. In turn, we
have faced, and could continue to face, counterclaims and other legal proceedings that challenge the essential
nature of our patents, or that claim that our patents are invalid, unenforceable or not infringed. Litigation
adversaries may allege that we have not complied with certain commitments to standards-setting organizations
and therefore that we are not entitled to the relief that we seek. For example, a party may allege that we have not
complied with an obligation to offer a license to a party on FRAND terms and conditions, and may also file
antitrust claims, unfair competition claims or regulatory complaints on that or other bases, and may seek damages
and other relief based on such claims. Litigation adversaries have also filed against us, and other third parties
may in the future file, validity challenges such as inter partes proceedings in the USPTO, which can lead to
delays of our patent infringement actions as well as potential findings of invalidity.

Litigation may be also required to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets, enforce
patent license and confidentiality agreements or determine the validity, enforceability and scope of proprietary
rights of others.

Third parties could commence litigation against us seeking to invalidate our patents or obtain a
determination that our patents are not infringed, are not essential, are invalid or are unenforceable. In addition,
current and prospective licensees have initiated proceedings against us claiming, and others in the future may
claim, that we have not complied with our FRAND licensing commitments and/or engaged in anticompetitive or
unfair licensing activities.

The cost of enforcing and defending our intellectual property and of defending our licensing practices has
been and may continue to be significant. As a result, we could be subject to significant legal fees and costs,
including in certain jurisdictions the costs and fees of opposing counsel if we are unsuccessful. In addition,
litigation, arbitration and administrative proceedings require significant key employee involvement
for
significant periods of time, which could divert these employees from other business activities.

Setbacks in defending our patent licensing practices could cause our cash flow and revenue to decline and
could have an adverse effect on our licensing business.

Adverse decisions in litigation or regulatory actions relating to our licensing practices, including, but not
limited to, findings that we have not complied with our FRAND commitments and/or engaged in anticompetitive
or unfair licensing activities or that any of our license agreements are void or unenforceable, could have an
adverse impact on our cash flow and revenue. Regulatory bodies may assess fines in the event of adverse
findings, and as part of court or arbitration proceedings, a judgment could require us to pay damages (including
the possibility of treble damages for antitrust claims). In addition, to the extent that legal decisions find patent
license agreements to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, that could lead to a decrease in the revenue
associated with and cash flow generated by such agreements, and, depending on the damages requested, could
lead to the refund of certain payments already made. Finally, adverse legal decisions related to our licensing
practices could have an adverse effect on our ability to enter into license agreements, which, in turn, could cause
our cash flow and revenue to decline.

2018 Annual Report

16

7098_Fin.pdf   16

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Royalty rates could decrease for future license agreements due to downward product pricing pressures and
competition over patent royalties.

Royalty payments to us under future license agreements could be lower than anticipated. Certain licensees
and others in the wireless and consumer electronics industries, individually and collectively, are demanding that
royalty rates for patents be lower than historic royalty rates and/or that such rates should be applied to royalty
bases smaller than the selling price of an end product (such as the “smallest salable patent practicing unit”).
There is also increasing downward pricing pressure on certain wireless products, including handsets, and other
consumer electronics devices that we believe implement our patented inventions, and some of our royalty rates
are tied to the pricing of these devices. In addition, a number of other companies also claim to hold patents that
are essential with respect to products we aim to license. Demands by certain licensees to reduce royalties due to
pricing pressure or the number of patent holders seeking royalties on these technologies, could result in a
decrease in the royalty rates we receive for use of our patented inventions, thereby decreasing future revenue and
cash flow.

Our plans to broaden our revenue opportunities through acquiring or developing technology in new or
expanded areas, such as technologies in the consumer electronics and IoT spaces, and enhanced intellectual
property sourcing and joint ventures, may not be successful and could materially adversely affect our long-
term business, financial condition and operating results.

As part of our business strategy, we are seeking to broaden our revenue opportunities through targeted
acquisitions, research partnerships, joint ventures and the continued development of new technologies, such as
our binding offer to acquire Technicolor SA’s Research & Innovation unit. Increasingly, our future growth in
part depends on developing or acquiring technology in new or expanded areas that are used on cellular devices
(such as video coding technologies) and adjacent industry segments outside of traditional cellular industries (such
as other consumer electronics devices and the IoT, including the connected home and smart cities, automotive,
mobile computing, mobile health and sensor technology), and on third parties incorporating our technology and
solutions into device types used in these areas and industry segments. There is no guarantee that we will succeed
in acquiring or developing technology and patents or partnering with inventors and research organizations to
create new revenue opportunities and/or add new dimensions to our existing portfolio of intellectual property and
potentially create new patent licensing programs. Also, our development activities may experience delays, which
could reduce our opportunities for patent licensing or other avenues of revenue generation related to such
development activities. In the event that any of these risks materialize, our long-term business, financial
condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected.

Setbacks in defending and enforcing our patent rights could cause our revenue and cash flow to decline.

Some third parties have challenged, and we expect will continue to challenge, the infringement, validity and
enforceability of certain of our patents. In some instances, certain of our patent claims could be substantially
narrowed or declared invalid, unenforceable, not essential or not infringed. We cannot ensure that the validity
and enforceability of our patents will be maintained or that our patents will be determined to be applicable to any
particular product or standard. Moreover, third parties could attempt to circumvent certain of our patents through
design changes. Any significant adverse finding as to the validity, infringement, enforceability or scope of our
patents and/or any successful design-around of our patents could result in the loss of patent licensing revenue
from existing licensees, through termination or modification of agreements or otherwise, and could substantially
impair our ability to secure new patent licensing arrangements, either at all or on beneficial terms.

Our technologies may not become patented, adopted by wireless standards or widely deployed.

We invest significant resources in the development of advanced technology and related solutions. However,
certain of our inventions that we believe will be employed in current and future products, including 4G, 5G and
beyond, are the subject of patent applications where no patent has been issued to us yet by the relevant patent

17

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   17

4/19/19   10:33 PM

issuing authorities. There is no assurance that these applications will issue as patents, either at all or with claims
that would be required by products in the market currently or in the future. Our investments may not be
recoverable or may not result in meaningful revenue if a sufficient number of our technologies are not patented
and adopted by the relevant standards or if products based on the technologies in which we invest are not widely
deployed. Competing technologies could reduce the opportunities for the adoption or deployment of technologies
we develop. In addition, it is possible that in certain technology areas, such as in the IoT space, the adoption of
proprietary systems could compete with or replace standards-based technology. It is also possible in certain
technology areas, such as video coding and the IoT, that open source solutions such as AV1 and OCF,
respectively, could compete with or replace proprietary standards-based technology. If the technologies in which
we invest do not become patented or are not adopted by the relevant standards, or are not adopted by and
deployed in the mainstream markets, at all or at the rate or within time periods we expect, or in the case of open
source solutions, do not infringe our technology, our business, financial condition and operating results could be
adversely affected.

Delays in renewing or an inability to renew existing license agreements could cause our revenue and cash
flow to decline.

Many of our license agreements have fixed terms. Although we endeavor to renew license agreements with
fixed terms prior to the expiration of the license agreements, due to various factors, including the technology and
business needs and competitive positions of our licensees and, at times, reluctance on the part of our licensees to
participate in renewal discussions, we may not be able to renegotiate the license agreements on acceptable terms
before the expiration of the license agreement, on acceptable terms after the expiration of the license agreement,
or at all. If there is a delay in renegotiating and renewing a license agreement prior to its expiration, there could
be a gap in time during which we may be unable to recognize revenue from that licensee or we may be forced to
renegotiate and renew the license agreement on terms that are more favorable to such licensee, and, as a result,
our revenue and cash flow could be materially adversely affected. In addition, if we fail to renegotiate and renew
our license agreements at all, we could lose existing licensees, and our revenue and cash flow could be materially
adversely affected.

Increased scrutiny by antitrust authorities may affect our strategies for patent prosecution, licensing and
enforcement and may increase our costs of doing business and/or lead to monetary fines, penalties or other
remedies or sanctions.

Domestic and foreign antitrust authorities have increased their scrutiny of the use of standards-essential
patents in the mobile wireless industry, including the enforcement of such patents against competitors and others.
Such scrutiny has already resulted in enforcement actions against Qualcomm and could lead to additional
investigations of, or enforcement actions against, the Company. Such inquiries and/or enforcement actions could
impact the availability of injunctive and monetary relief, which may adversely affect our strategies for patent
prosecution, licensing and enforcement and increase our costs of operation. Such inquiries and/or enforcement
actions could also result in monetary fines, penalties or other remedies or sanctions that could adversely affect
our business and financial condition.

Our commercialization, licensing and/or mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) activities could lead to patent
exhaustion or implied license issues that could materially adversely affect our business.

The legal doctrines of patent exhaustion and implied license may be subject

judicial
interpretations. Our commercialization or licensing of certain technologies and/or our M&A activities could
potentially lead to patent exhaustion or implied license issues that could adversely affect our patent licensing
program(s) and limit our ability to derive licensing revenue from certain patents under such program(s). In the
event of successful challenges by current or prospective licensees based on these doctrines that result in a
material decrease to our patent licensing revenue, our financial condition and operating results may be materially
adversely affected.

to different

2018 Annual Report

18

7098_Fin.pdf   18

4/19/19   10:33 PM

We may experience difficulties or delays integrating, and may not be able to realize all of the anticipated
benefits from the integration of, the patent licensing business that we acquired from Technicolor in 2018 and,
if consummated, the Research & Innovation unit of Technicolor with respect to which we made a binding
offer to purchase (the “Technicolor business”).

We may experience difficulties integrating the Technicolor business, or may fail to realize the anticipated
benefits from our integration of the Technicolor business on a timely basis, or at all, for a variety of reasons,
including the following:

• failure of the acquisitions to materially increase the value of our core handset licensing business by not
increasing the royalty amount we would otherwise derive on each handset, not accelerating the pace of
licensing, or not allowing us to avoid litigation to protect our intellectual property;

• unexpected costs and strain on our resources and potential distraction of management arising from our

attempts to integrate the Technicolor business;

• difficulties integrating the patent portfolios and related portfolio management systems of the businesses,
or migrating the portfolios to a new patent management system, and the risk that the patent assets could
be negatively affected;

• failure to continue to develop and expand our portfolio of video technology patent assets;

• failure to develop a successful business plan and licensing program related to consumer electronics;

• difficulties integrating the personnel of the Technicolor business into our operations, organization, and

human resources programs, and the risk that we could lose key employees;

• challenges associated with managing a geographically remote business;

• failure to forecast accurately the long-term value and costs of the Technicolor business or of certain assets

acquired in the transactions;

• liabilities that are not covered by, or exceed the coverage under, the indemnification or other provisions

of the acquisition-related agreements; and

• patent validity, infringement, exhaustion or enforcement issues not uncovered during our diligence

process.

In the event that we experience significant integration difficulties or delays, or fail to realize the anticipated
benefits from the integration, our business and results of operations, and our stock price, may be adversely
affected.

We have in the past and may in the future make acquisitions or engage in other strategic transactions that
could result in significant changes, costs and/or management disruption and that may fail to enhance
shareholder value or produce the anticipated benefits.

We have in the past and may in the future acquire companies, businesses, technology and/or intellectual
property, enter into joint ventures or other strategic transactions. Acquisitions or other strategic transactions may
increase our costs, including but not limited to accounting and legal fees, and may not generate financial returns
or result in increased adoption or continued use of our technologies or of any technologies we may acquire.

Achieving the anticipated benefits of acquisitions depends in part upon our ability to integrate the acquired
companies, businesses and/or assets in an efficient and effective manner. The integration of acquired companies
or businesses may result
including, among others: successfully integrating new
employees, technology and/or products; consolidating research and development operations; minimizing the
diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business matters; and consolidating corporate and
administrative infrastructures. As a result, we may be unable to accomplish the integration smoothly or
successfully.

in significant challenges,

19

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   19

4/19/19   10:33 PM

In addition, we cannot be certain that the integration of acquired companies, businesses, technology and/or
intellectual property with our business will result in the realization of the full benefits we anticipate will be
realized from such acquisitions. Our plans to integrate and/or expand upon research and development programs
and technologies obtained through acquisitions may result in products or technologies that are not adopted by the
market, or the market may adopt solutions competitive to our products or technologies. We may not derive any
commercial value from the acquired technology or intellectual property or from future technologies or products
based on the acquired technology and/or intellectual property. In addition, to the extent we are separately seeking
a patent license from a customer or customers of an acquired entity, the acquired entity may lose such customers.
Following the completion of the acquisition, we may be subject to liabilities that are not covered by, or exceed
the coverage under, the indemnification protection we may obtain, and we may encounter patent validity,
infringement or enforcement issues or unforeseen expenses not uncovered during our diligence process. Any
acquired company or business would be subject to its own risks that may or may not be the same as the risks
already disclosed herein.

Challenges relating to our ability to enter into new license agreements could cause our revenue and cash flow
to decline.

We face challenges in entering into new patent license agreements. One of the most significant challenges
we face is that most potential licensees do not voluntarily seek to enter into license agreements with us before
they commence manufacturing and/or selling devices that use our patented inventions. As a result, we must
approach companies that are reluctant to take licenses and attempt to establish license agreements with them. The
process of identifying potential users of our inventions and negotiating license agreements with reluctant
prospective licensees requires significant time, effort and expense. Once discussions with unlicensed companies
have commenced, we face the additional challenges imposed by the significant negotiation issues that arise from
time to time. Given these challenges relating to our ability to enter into new license agreements, we cannot
ensure that all prospective licensees will be identified or, if they are identified, will be persuaded during
negotiations to enter into a patent license agreement with us, either at all or on terms acceptable to us, and, as a
result, our revenue and cash flow could materially decline. The length of time required to negotiate a license
agreement also leads to delays in the receipt of the associated revenue stream, which could also cause our
revenue and cash flow to decline.

In addition, as discussed more fully above in these Risk Factors, we are currently operating in a challenging
regulatory and judicial environment, which may, under certain circumstances, lead to delays in the negotiation of
and entry into new patent license agreements. Also, as discussed above in these Risk Factors and in Item 3, Legal
Proceedings, in this Form 10-K, we are also currently, and may in the future be, involved in legal proceedings
with potential licensees, with whom we do not yet have a patent license agreement. Any such delays in the
negotiation or entry into new patent license agreements and receipt of the associated revenue stream could cause
our revenue and cash flow to decline.

Our revenues are derived primarily from a limited number of licensees or customers.

We earn a significant amount of our revenues from a limited number of licensees or customers, and we
expect that a significant portion of our revenues will continue to come from a limited number of licensees or
customers for the foreseeable future. For example, in 2018, Apple, Samsung and LG Electronics accounted for
approximately 36%, 25% and 10% of our total revenues, respectively. In the event that we are unable to renew
one or more of such license agreements upon expiration, our future revenue and cash flow could be materially
adversely affected. In addition, in the event that one or more of our significant licensees or customers fail to meet
their payment or reporting obligations (for example, due to a credit issue or in connection with a legal dispute or
similar proceeding) under their respective license agreements, our future revenue and cash flow could be
materially adversely affected. In addition, in the event that there is a material decrease in shipments of licensed
products by one of our per-unit licensees, our revenues from such licensee could significantly decline and our
future revenue and cash flow could be adversely affected.

2018 Annual Report

20

7098_Fin.pdf   20

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Our strategy to diversify our patent-based revenue by pursuing alternative patent licensing arrangements and
patent sales may not be successful.

There is no guarantee that we will succeed in our pursuit of select patent licensing arrangements or patent
sales, and, if we are successful, there is no guarantee that the revenue and cash flow generated through such
alternative licensing arrangements (such as the Signal Trust and the Avanci licensing platform) or patent sales
will be greater than the revenue and cash flow we would have generated if we had retained and/or licensed the
patents ourselves. In addition, potential licensees may be reluctant to enter into new patent license agreements,
and current licensees may be reluctant to renew their agreements, either at all or on terms acceptable to the
Company, based on the fact that we have sold portions of our patent portfolio or the belief that we plan to sell or
transfer some of the patents we are asking them to license.

A portion of our revenue and cash flow are dependent upon our licensees’ sales and market conditions and
other factors that are beyond our control or are difficult to forecast.

A portion of our licensing revenues is running royalty-based and dependent on sales by our licensees that
are outside our control and that could be negatively affected by a variety of factors, including global, regional
and/or country-specific economic conditions, country-specific natural disasters impacting licensee manufacturing
and sales, buying patterns of end users, which are often driven by replacement and innovation cycles,
competition for our licensees’ products and any decline in the sale prices our licensees receive for their covered
products. In addition, our operating results also could be affected by general economic and other conditions that
cause a downturn in the market for the licensees of our products or technologies. Our revenue and cash flow also
could be affected by (i) the unwillingness of any licensee to satisfy all of their royalty obligations on the terms or
within the timeframe we expect, (ii) a decline in the financial condition of any licensee or (iii) the failure of sales
to meet market forecasts due to global or regional economic conditions, political instability, natural disasters,
competitive technologies or otherwise. It is also difficult to predict the timing, nature and amount of licensing
revenue associated with past infringement and new licenses, strategic relationships and the resolution of legal
proceedings. The foregoing factors are difficult to forecast and could adversely affect both our quarterly and
annual operating results and financial condition. In addition, some of our patent license agreements provide for
upfront fixed payments or prepayments that cover our licensees’ future sales for a specified period and reduce
future cash receipts from those licensees. As a result, our cash flow has historically fluctuated from period to
period. Depending upon the payment structure of any new patent license agreements into which we may enter,
such cash flow fluctuations may continue in the future.

Our revenue may be affected by the deployment of future-generation wireless standards in place of 3G, 4G
and 5G technologies or future-generation video standards, by the timing of such deployment, or by the need to
extend or modify certain existing license agreements to cover subsequently issued patents.

Although we own an evolving portfolio of issued and pending patents related to 3G, 4G and 5G cellular
technologies and non-cellular technologies including video coding technologies, our patent portfolio licensing
program for future-generation wireless standards or video coding standards may not be as successful
in
generating licensing income as our current licensing programs. Although we continue to participate in worldwide
standards bodies and contribute our intellectual property to future-generation wireless and video coding
standards, including standards that will define 5G, our technologies might not be adopted by the relevant
standards. In addition, we may not be as successful in the licensing of future-generation products as we have
been in licensing products deploying existing wireless and video coding standards, or we may not achieve a level
of royalty revenues on such products that is comparable to that which we have historically received on products
deploying existing wireless and video coding standards. Furthermore, if there is a delay in the standardization
and/or deployment of 5G or future video coding standards, our business and revenue could be negatively
impacted.

The licenses that we grant under our patent license agreements typically only cover products designed to
operate in accordance with specified technologies and that were manufactured or deployed or anticipated to be

21

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   21

4/19/19   10:33 PM

manufactured or deployed at the time of entry into the agreement. Also, we have patent license agreements with
licensees that now offer for sale types of products that were not sold by such licensees at the time the patent
license agreements were entered into and, thus, are not licensed by us. We do not derive patent licensing revenue
from the sale of products by our licensees that are not covered by a patent license agreement. In order to grant a
patent license for any such products, we will need to extend or modify our patent license agreements or enter into
new license agreements with such licensees. We may not be able to extend or modify these license agreements,
or enter into new license agreements, on financial terms acceptable to us, without affecting the other material
terms and conditions of our license agreements with such licensees or at all. Further, such extensions,
modifications or new license agreements may adversely affect our revenue on the sale of products covered by the
license prior to any extension, modification or new license.

We face risks from doing business and maintaining offices in international markets.

A significant portion of our licensees, potential licensees and customers are international, and our licensees,
potential licensees and customers sell their products to markets throughout the world. In addition, in recent years,
we have expanded, and we may continue to expand, our international operations, opening offices in France, the
United Kingdom, South Korea, China, Belgium and Germany. Accordingly, we are subject to the risks and
uncertainties of operating internationally and could be affected by a variety of uncontrollable and changing
factors, including, but not limited to: difficulty in protecting our intellectual property in foreign jurisdictions;
enforcing contractual commitments in foreign jurisdictions or against foreign corporations; government
regulations, tariffs and other applicable trade barriers; biased enforcement of foreign laws and regulations to
promote industrial or economic policies at our expense; currency control regulations and variability in the value
of the U.S. dollar against foreign currency; export license requirements and restrictions on the use of technology;
social, economic and political instability; natural disasters, acts of terrorism, widespread illness and war;
potentially adverse tax consequences; general delays in remittance of and difficulties collecting non-U.S.
payments; foreign labor regulations; anti-corruption laws; and difficulty in staffing and managing operations
remotely. In addition, we also are subject to risks specific to the individual countries in which we and our
licensees, potential licensees and customers do business.

We depend on key senior management, engineering, patent and licensing resources.

licensing, engineering and other skills. The market for such talent

Our future success depends largely upon the continued service of our executive officers and other key
management and technical personnel, as well as on our ability to put in place adequate succession plans for such
key personnel, and/or organizational strategies related to the departure of such key personnel. Our success also
depends in part on our ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel with specialized
patent,
in our industry is extremely
competitive. In particular, competition exists for qualified individuals with expertise in patents and in licensing
and with significant engineering experience in cellular and air interface technologies, as well as video coding
technologies. Our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel could be affected by any adverse decisions in
any litigation, arbitration or regulatory proceeding, by our ability to offer competitive cash and equity
compensation and work environment conditions and by the geographic location of our various offices. The
failure to attract and retain such persons with relevant and appropriate experience or to have in place adequate
succession plans and/or organizational strategies related to the departure of certain key personnel could interfere
with our ability to enter into new license agreements and undertake additional
technology and product
development efforts, as well as our ability to meet our strategic objectives.

Our industry is subject to rapid technological change, uncertainty and shifting market opportunities.

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to define and keep pace with changes in industry standards,
technological developments and varying customer requirements. Changes in industry standards and needs could
adversely affect the development of, and demand for, our technology, rendering our technology currently under
development obsolete and unmarketable. The patents and applications comprising our portfolio have fixed terms,

2018 Annual Report

22

7098_Fin.pdf   22

4/19/19   10:33 PM

and, if we fail to anticipate or respond adequately to these changes through the development or acquisition of
new patentable inventions, patents or other technology, we could miss a critical market opportunity, reducing or
eliminating our ability to capitalize on our patents, technology solutions or both.

Concentration and consolidation in the wireless communications industry could adversely affect our business.

There is some concentration among participants in the wireless communications industry, and the industry
has experienced consolidation of participants and sales of participants or their businesses, and these trends may
continue. For example, in 2018, Samsung, Apple and Huawei collectively accounted for approximately 40% of
worldwide shipments of 3G and 4G handsets and close to 50% of worldwide smartphone shipments. Any further
concentration or sale within the wireless industry among handset providers and/or original design manufacturers
(“ODMs”) may reduce the number of licensing opportunities or, in some instances, result in the reduction, loss or
elimination of existing royalty obligations. We may also face a reduction in the number of licensing opportunities
or existing royalty obligations as a result of government-imposed bans or other restrictions on the importation,
manufacture and/or sale of cellular handsets by certain companies. In addition, acquisitions of or consolidation
among ODMs could cause handset providers who outsource manufacturing to make supply chain changes, which
in turn could result in the reduction, loss or elimination of existing royalty obligations (for example, if
manufacturing is moved from an ODM with which we have a patent license agreement to an ODM with which
we do not). Further, if wireless carriers consolidate with companies that utilize technologies that are competitive
with our technologies or that are not covered by our patents, we could lose market opportunities, which could
negatively impact our revenues and financial condition.

Our use of open source software could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating
results and cash flow.

Certain of our technology and our suppliers’ technology may contain or may be derived from “open source”
software, which, under certain open source licenses, may offer accessibility to a portion of a product’s source
code and may expose related intellectual property to adverse licensing conditions. Licensing of such technology
may impose certain obligations on us if we were to distribute derivative works of the open source software. For
example, these obligations may require us to make source code for derivative works available or license such
derivative works under a particular type of license that is different from what we customarily use to license our
technology. While we believe we have taken appropriate steps and employ adequate controls to protect our
intellectual property rights, our use of open source software presents risks that, if we inappropriately use open
source software, we may be required to re-engineer our technology, discontinue the sale of our technology,
release the source code of our proprietary technology to the public at no cost or take other remedial actions,
which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. There is a risk that open
source licenses could be construed in a way that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our
ability to commercialize our solutions, which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial
condition. In addition, developing open source products, while adequately protecting the intellectual property
rights upon which our licensing business depends, may prove burdensome and time-consuming under certain
circumstances, thereby placing us at a competitive disadvantage.

Changes to our tax assets or liabilities could have an adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or
results of operations.

The calculation of tax assets and liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of
uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. We are subject to examinations by the Internal Revenue
Service (“IRS”) and other taxing jurisdictions on various tax matters, including challenges to various positions
we assert in our filings and foreign tax liability and withholding. Pursuant to the guidance for accounting for
uncertainty in income taxes, certain tax contingencies are recognized when they are determined to be more likely
than not to occur. Although we believe we have adequately recorded tax assets and accrued for tax contingencies
that meet this criterion, we may not fully recover our tax assets or may be required to pay taxes in excess of the

23

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   23

4/19/19   10:33 PM

amounts we have accrued. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, there were certain tax contingencies that did not
meet the applicable criteria to record an accrual. In the event that the IRS or another taxing jurisdiction levies an
assessment in the future, it is possible the assessment could have an adverse effect on our consolidated financial
condition or results of operations.

Changes in financial accounting standards or policies may affect our reported financial condition or results of
operations and, in certain cases, could cause a decline and/or fluctuations in the price of our common stock.

From time to time the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) and the Staff of the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) change their guidance governing the form and content of our external
financial statements. In addition, accounting standard setters and those who interpret U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (“GAAP”), such as the FASB and the SEC, may change or even reverse their previous
interpretations or positions with regard to how these standards should be applied. A change in accounting
principles or their interpretation can have a significant effect on our reported results. In certain cases, we could be
required to apply new or revised guidance retroactively or apply existing guidance differently. Potential changes
in reporting standards could substantially change our reporting practices in a number of areas, including revenue
recognition and recording of assets and liabilities, and affect our reported financial condition or results of
operations.

For example, in May 2014, the FASB and International Accounting Standards Board issued revenue
guidance, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, that the Company has adopted effective January 1, 2018,
which impacts our recognition of revenue from both our fixed-fee and per-unit license agreements. Refer to Note
3, “Revenue Recognition,” in the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding this
adoption. Such changes to our reporting practices could significantly affect our reported financial condition and
results of operations going forward, causing the amount of revenue we recognize to vary dramatically from
quarter to quarter, and even year to year, depending on the timing of entry into license agreements and whether
such agreements are dynamic or static fixed-fee agreements or have per-unit royalty terms. In addition, these
changes to our reporting practices and the resulting fluctuations in our reported revenue could cause a decline
and/or fluctuations in the price of our common stock.

The high amount of capital required to obtain radio frequency licenses, deploy and expand wireless networks
and obtain new subscribers, as well as the cost of new handsets could slow the growth of the wireless
communications industry and adversely affect our business.

Our growth is partially dependent upon the increased use of wireless communications services and cellular
handsets that utilize our technology. In order to provide wireless communications services, wireless operators
must obtain rights to use specific radio frequencies. The allocation of frequencies is regulated in the United
the world, and limited spectrum space is allocated to wireless
States and other countries throughout
communications services. Industry growth may be affected by the amount of capital required to obtain licenses to
use new frequencies, deploy wireless networks to offer voice and data services, expand wireless networks to
grow voice and data services and obtain new subscribers. The significant cost of licenses, wireless networks and
subscriber additions may slow the growth of the industry if wireless operators are unable to obtain or service the
additional capital necessary to implement or expand advanced wireless networks. Growth in the number of
cellular handsets may slow as the number of people worldwide without a cellular handset declines. In addition, if
the cost of cellular handsets increases, customers may be less likely to replace their existing devices with new
devices. The growth of our business could be adversely affected if either of these events occur.

Market projections and data are forward-looking in nature.

Our strategy is based on our own projections and on analyst, industry observer and expert projections, which
are forward-looking in nature and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. The validity of their and our
the timing and scope of wireless markets, economic conditions, customer buying patterns,
assumptions,

2018 Annual Report

24

7098_Fin.pdf   24

4/19/19   10:33 PM

timeliness of equipment development, pricing of products, growth in wireless telecommunications services that
would be delivered on wireless devices and availability of capital for infrastructure improvements could affect
these predictions. In addition, market data upon which we rely is based on third party reports that may be
inaccurate. The inaccuracy of any of these projections and/or market data could adversely affect our operating
results and financial condition.

We face competition from companies developing other or similar technologies.

We face competition from companies developing other and similar technologies that are competitive with
our products and solutions that we may market or set forth into the standards-setting arena. Due to competing
products and solutions, our products and solutions may not find a viable commercial marketplace or, where
applicable, be adopted by the relevant standards. In addition, in licensing our patent portfolio, we may compete
with other companies, many of whom also claim to hold essential patents, for a share of the royalties that certain
licensees may argue to be the total royalty that is supported by a certain product or products. In any device or
piece of equipment that contains intellectual property, the manufacturer may need to obtain a license from
multiple holders of intellectual property. To the extent that multiple parties all seek royalties on the same
product, the manufacturers could claim to have difficulty in meeting the financial requirements of each patent
holder.

Our engineering services business could subject us to specific costs and risks that we might fail to manage
adequately.

We derive a portion of our revenues from engineering services. Any mismanagement of, or negative
development in, a number of areas, including, among others, the perceived value of our intellectual property
portfolio, our ability to convince customers of the value of our engineering services and our reputation for
performance under our service contracts, could cause our revenues from engineering services to decline, damage
our reputation and harm our ability to attract future licensees, which would in turn harm our operating results. If
we fail to deliver as required under our service contracts, we could lose revenues and become subject to liability
for breach of contract. We need to monitor these services adequately in order to ensure that we do not incur
significant expenses without generating corresponding revenues. Our failure to monitor these services adequately
may harm our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

We may experience difficulties with our new enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system.

In first quarter 2018, we implemented a new enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system designed to
efficiently maintain our books and records and provide information important to the operation of our business to
our management team. We have committed significant resources to this new system, and realizing the full
functionality of the system is complex. As a result of the conversion process, we may experience delays or
disruptions in the integration of our new systems, procedures or controls. We may also encounter errors in data
and security or technical reliability issues. Significant system failures could lead to a delay or error in recording
and reporting financial information on a timely and accurate basis or impact our internal control compliance
efforts, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

It can be difficult for us to verify royalty amounts owed to us under our per-unit licensing agreements, and
this may cause us to lose potential revenue.

The standard terms of our per-unit license agreements require our licensees to document the sale of licensed
products and report this data to us on a quarterly basis. Although our standard license terms give us the right to
audit books and records of our licensees to verify this information, audits can be expensive, time consuming,
incomplete and subject to dispute. From time to time, we audit certain of our licensees to verify independently
the accuracy of the information contained in their royalty reports in an effort to decrease the likelihood that we
will not receive the royalty revenues to which we are entitled under the terms of our license agreements, but we
cannot give assurances that these audits will be numerous enough and/or effective to that end.

25

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   25

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Our plans to expand our revenue opportunities through commercializing our market-ready technologies and
acquiring and/or developing new technology with commercial applicability may not be successful and could
materially adversely affect our long-term business, financial condition and operating results.

As part of our business strategy, we are seeking to expand our revenue opportunities through the continued
development, commercialization and licensing of technology projects,
including in the IoT space. Our
technology development and acquisition activities may experience delays, or the markets for our technology
solutions may fail to materialize to the extent or at the rate we expect, if at all, each of which could reduce our
opportunities for technology sales and licensing. In addition, there could be fewer applications for our technology
and products than we expect. Technology markets also could be affected by general economic conditions,
customer buying patterns, timeliness of equipment development, and the availability of capital for, and the high
cost of, infrastructure improvements. Additionally, investing in technology development is costly and may
require structural changes to the organization that could require additional costs, including without limitation
legal and accounting fees. Furthermore, delays or failures to enter into additional partnering relationships to
facilitate technology development efforts and secure support for our technologies or delays or failures to enter
into technology licensing agreements to secure integration of additional functionality could impair our ability to
introduce into the market portions of our technology and resulting products, cause us to miss critical market
windows, or decrease our ability to remain competitive.

We have in the past and may in the future make investments that may fail to enhance shareholder value or
produce the anticipated benefits.

We have in the past and may in the future make investments in other entities by purchasing minority equity
interests or corporate bonds/notes in publicly traded or privately held companies. Most strategic investments
entail a high degree of risk and may not become liquid for a period of time, if ever. In some cases, strategic
investments may serve as consideration for a license in lieu of cash royalties. In addition, other investments may
not generate financial returns or may result in losses due to market volatility, the general level of interest rates
and inflation expectations. We have made in the past and may make in the future strategic investments in early-
stage companies, which may require us to consolidate or record our share of the earnings or losses of those
companies. Our share of any such losses may adversely affect our financial results until we exit from or reduce
our exposure to these investments.

Our investments in new commercial initiatives may not be successful or generate meaningful revenues.

We have invested, and may continue to invest, in new businesses focused on commercializing technology
that we have developed, incubated internally and/or acquired, such as video coding technology and other
technologies for use on consumer electronics devices. Commercial success depends on many factors, including
the demand for the technology, the highly competitive markets for our technology products, regulatory issues
associated with such technology products, and effective marketing and licensing or product sales. In addition, our
new technology offerings may require robust ecosystems of customers and service providers that may fail to
materialize. Further, the establishment and operation of these commercial initiatives requires significant support,
including technical, legal and financial resources. It is possible that these commercial initiatives will not be
successful and/or will not achieve meaningful revenues for a number of years, if at all. Further, we may attempt
to develop technologies or services that we believe we would be able to sell or license commercially using inside
or outside technical, legal and financial resources. If our new commercial initiatives are not successful, or are not
successful in the timeframe we anticipate, we may incur significant costs, our business may not grow as
anticipated and/or our reputation may be harmed. In the event that any of these risks materialize, our long-term
business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected.

We may be subject to warranty and/or product liability claims with respect to our products, which could be
time-consuming and costly to defend and could expose us to loss and reputational damage.

We may be subject to claims if customers of our product offerings are injured or experience failures or other
quality issues. We may from time to time be subject to warranty and product liability claims with regard to

2018 Annual Report

26

7098_Fin.pdf   26

4/19/19   10:33 PM

product performance and our services. We could incur losses as a result of warranty, support, repair or
replacement costs in response to customer complaints or in connection with the resolution of contemplated or
actual legal proceedings relating to such claims. In addition to potential losses arising from claims and related
legal proceedings, warranty and product liability claims could affect our reputation and our relationship with
customers.

Our technology development activities may experience delays.

We may experience technical, financial, resource or other difficulties or delays related to the further
development of our technologies. Delays may have adverse financial effects and may allow competitors with
comparable technology offerings to gain an advantage over us in the marketplace or in the standards setting
arena. There can be no assurance that we will continue to have adequate staffing or that our development efforts
will ultimately be successful. Moreover, certain of our technologies have not been fully tested in commercial use,
and it is possible that they may not perform as expected. In such cases, our business, financial condition and
operating results could be adversely affected, and our ability to secure new licensees and other business
opportunities could be diminished.

We rely on relationships with third parties to develop and deploy technology solutions.

Successful exploitation of our technology solutions is partially dependent on the establishment and success
of relationships with equipment producers and other industry participants. Delays or failure to enter into licensing
or other relationships to facilitate technology development efforts or delays or failure to enter into technology
licensing agreements to secure integration of additional functionality could impair our ability to introduce into
the market portions of our technology and resulting products, cause us to miss critical market windows or impair
our ability to remain competitive.

Our business may be adversely affected if third parties assert that we violate their intellectual property rights
with respect to products and/or solutions that we sell or license.

Third parties may claim that we or our customers are infringing upon their intellectual property rights with
respect to products and/or solutions we sell or license. Even if we believe that such claims are without merit, they
can be time-consuming and costly to defend against and may divert management’s attention and resources away
from our business. Furthermore, third parties making such claims may be able to obtain injunctive or other
equitable relief that could block our ability to further develop or commercialize some of our technologies or
services in the United States and abroad and could cause us to stop selling, delay shipments of, or redesign our
products. Claims of intellectual property infringement also might require us to enter into costly settlement or
license agreements or pay costly damage awards. Even if we have an agreement that provides for a third party to
indemnify us against such costs, the indemnifying party may be unable or unwilling to perform its contractual
obligations. If we cannot use valid intellectual property that we infringe at all or on reasonable terms, or
substitute similar non-infringing technology from another source, our business, financial position, results of
operations or cash flows could be adversely affected.

Currency fluctuations could negatively affect future product sales or royalty revenues or increase the U.S.
dollar cost of our activities and international strategic investments.

We are exposed to risk from fluctuations in currencies, which may change over time as our business
practices evolve, that could impact our operating results, liquidity and financial condition. We operate and invest
globally. Adverse movements in currency exchange rates may negatively affect our business due to a number of
situations, including the following:

• If the effective price of products sold by our licensees were to increase as a result of fluctuations in the
exchange rate of the relevant currencies, demand for the products could fall, which in turn would reduce
our royalty revenues.

27

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   27

4/19/19   10:33 PM

• Assets or liabilities of our consolidated subsidiaries may be subject to the effects of currency fluctuations,
which may affect our reported earnings. Our exposure to foreign currencies may increase as we expand
into new markets.

• Certain of our operating and investing costs, such as foreign patent prosecution, are based in foreign
currencies. If these costs are not subject to foreign exchange hedging transactions, strengthening currency
values in selected regions could adversely affect our near-term operating expenses, investment costs and
cash flows. In addition, continued strengthening of currency values in selected regions over an extended
period of time could adversely affect our future operating expenses, investment costs and cash flows.

• If as a result of tax treaty procedures, the U.S. government reaches an agreement with certain foreign
governments to whom we have paid foreign taxes, resulting in a partial refund of foreign taxes paid with a
related reduction in our foreign tax credits, such agreement could result in foreign currency gain or loss.

Our business and operations could suffer in the event of security breaches and our business is subject to a
variety of domestic and international laws, rules and policies and other obligations regarding data protection.

Attempts by others to gain unauthorized access to information technology systems are becoming more
sophisticated. These attempts, which in some cases could be related to industrial or other espionage, include
covertly introducing malware to computers and networks and impersonating authorized users, among others. We
seek to detect and investigate all security incidents and to prevent their recurrence, but, in some cases, we might
be unaware of an incident or its magnitude and effects. While we have not identified any material incidents of
unauthorized access to date, the theft, unauthorized use or publication of our intellectual property and/or
confidential business or personal information (whether through a breach of our own systems or the breach of a
system of a third party that provides services to us) could harm our competitive or negotiating positions, reduce
the value of our investment in research and development and other strategic initiatives, compromise our patent
enforcement strategies or outlook, damage our reputation or otherwise adversely affect our business. In addition,
to the extent that any future security breach results in inappropriate disclosure of our employees’, licensees’, or
customers’ confidential and /or personal information, we may incur liability or additional costs to remedy any
damages caused by such breach.

We could also be affected by existing and proposed laws and regulations, as well as government policies
and practices related to cybersecurity, privacy and data protection. For example, the European General Data
Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) adopted by the European Commission became effective in May 2018, and
China adopted a new cybersecurity law as of June 2017. Complying with the GDPR and other existing and
emerging and changing requirements could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our
business practices. Non-compliance could result in monetary penalties or significant legal liability.

If wireless handsets are perceived to pose health and safety risks, demand for products of our licensees could
decrease.

Media reports and certain studies have suggested that radio frequency emissions from wireless handsets may
be linked to health concerns, such as brain tumors, other malignancies and genetic damage to blood, and may
interfere with electronic medical devices, such as pacemakers, telemetry and delicate medical equipment.
Growing concerns over radio frequency emissions, even if unfounded, could discourage the use of wireless
handsets and cause a decrease in demand for the products of our licensees. In addition, concerns over safety risks
posed by the use of wireless handsets while driving and the effect of any resulting legislation could reduce
demand for the products of our licensees.

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock and the 2020 Notes

The price of our common stock is volatile and may decline regardless of our operating performance.

Historically, we have had large fluctuations in the price of our common stock, and such fluctuations could
continue. From January 2, 2017 to February 19, 2019, the trading price of our common stock has ranged from a

2018 Annual Report

28

7098_Fin.pdf   28

4/19/19   10:33 PM

low of $62.34 per share to a high of $102.30 per share. The market price for our common stock is volatile and
may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors, most of which we cannot control, including:

• the public’s response to press releases or other public announcements by us or third parties, including our
litigation,
filings with the SEC and announcements relating to licensing,
arbitration and other legal proceedings in which we are involved and intellectual property impacting us or
our business;

technology development,

• announcements concerning strategic transactions, such as commercial initiatives, joint ventures, strategic

investments, acquisitions or divestitures;

• financial projections we may provide to the public, any changes in these projections or our failure to meet

these projections;

• changes in GAAP,

including new accounting standards that may materially affect our revenue

recognition;

• changes in financial estimates or ratings by any securities analysts who follow our common stock, our
failure to meet these estimates or failure of those analysts to initiate or maintain coverage of our common
stock;

• investor perceptions as to the likelihood of achievement of near-term goals;

• changes in market share of significant licensees;

• changes in operating performance and stock market valuations of other wireless communications

companies generally; and

• market conditions or trends in our industry or the economy as a whole.

In the past, shareholders have instituted securities class action litigation following periods of market volatility. If
we were involved in securities litigation, we could incur substantial costs and our resources and the attention of
management could be diverted from our business.

Our indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our
ability to meet our payment obligations under such indebtedness.

Our total indebtedness as of December 31, 2018 was approximately $334.4 million, inclusive of debt
resulting from the Technicolor Acquisition that was completed in third quarter 2018 (refer to Note 5, “Business
Combinations,” in the consolidated financial statements for further information). This level of debt could have
significant consequences on our future operations, including:

• making it more difficult for us to meet our payment and other obligations under our 1.50% Senior

Convertible Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”);

• reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and
other general corporate purposes, and limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for these
purposes;

• limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, and increasing our vulnerability to, changes in our

business, the industry in which we operate and the general economy; and

• placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt or are less

leveraged.

Any of the above-listed factors could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results

of operations and our ability to meet our payment obligations under the 2020 Notes.

29

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   29

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Our ability to meet our payment and other obligations under the 2020 Notes depends on our ability to
generate significant cash flow in the future. This, to some extent, is subject to general economic, financial,
competitive, legislative and regulatory factors as well as other factors that are beyond our control. We cannot be
certain that our business will generate cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to
us, in an amount sufficient to enable us to meet our payment obligations under the 2020 Notes and to fund other
liquidity needs. If we are not able to generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt obligations, we may need to
refinance or restructure our debt, including the 2020 Notes, sell assets, reduce or delay capital investments, or
seek to raise additional capital. If we are unable to implement one or more of these alternatives, we may not be
able to meet our payment obligations under the 2020 Notes, and this default could cause us to be in default on
any other currently existing or future outstanding indebtedness.

Our shareholders may not receive the level of dividends provided for in our dividend policy or any dividend at
all, and any decrease in or suspension of the dividend could cause our stock price to decline.

Our current dividend policy contemplates the payment of a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per
share on our outstanding common stock. We expect to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends on our common
stock at the rate set forth in our current dividend policy. However, the dividend policy and the payment and
timing of future cash dividends under the policy are subject to the final determination each quarter by our Board
of Directors that (i) the dividend will be made in compliance with laws applicable to the declaration and payment
of cash dividends, including Section 1551(b) of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, and (ii) the policy
remains in our best interests, which determination will be based on a number of factors, including our earnings,
financial condition, capital resources and capital requirements, alternative uses of capital, restrictions imposed by
any existing debt, economic conditions and other factors considered relevant by the Board of Directors. Given
these considerations, our Board of Directors may increase or decrease the amount of the dividend at any time and
may also decide to vary the timing of or suspend or discontinue the payment of cash dividends in the future. Any
decrease in the amount of the dividend, or suspension or discontinuance of payment of a dividend, could cause
our stock price to decline.

If securities or industry analysts fail to continue publishing research about our business, our stock price and
trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock is influenced by the research and reports that industry or
securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our
company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn
could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

The convertible note hedge transactions and warrant transactions that we entered into in connection with the
offering of the 2020 Notes may affect the value of the 2020 Notes and the market price of our common stock.

In connection with each offering of the 2020 Notes, we entered into convertible note hedge transactions with
certain financial institutions (the “option counterparties”) and sold warrants to the option counterparties. These
transactions will be accounted for as an adjustment to our shareholders’ equity. The convertible note hedge
transactions are expected to reduce the potential equity dilution upon conversion of the 2020 Notes. The warrants
will have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share to the extent that the market price of our common stock
exceeds the applicable strike price of the warrants on any expiration date of the warrants.

In connection with establishing their initial hedge of these transactions, the option counterparties (and/or
their affiliates) purchased our common stock in open market transactions and/or privately negotiated transactions
and/or entered various cash-settled derivative transactions with respect to our common stock concurrently with,
or shortly after, the pricing of the 2020 Notes. These activities could have the effect of increasing (or reducing
the size of any decrease in) the price of our common stock concurrently with or following the pricing of the 2020
Notes. In addition, the option counterparties (and/or their affiliates) may modify their respective hedge positions

2018 Annual Report

30

7098_Fin.pdf   30

4/19/19   10:33 PM

from time to time (including during any observation period related to a conversion of the 2020 Notes) by entering
into or unwinding various derivative transactions with respect to our common stock and/or by purchasing or
selling our common stock in open market transactions and/or privately negotiated transactions.

The potential effect, if any, of any of these transactions and activities on the market price of our common
stock will depend in part on market conditions and cannot be ascertained at this time, but any of these activities
could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Future sales or other dilution of our equity could depress the market price of our common stock.

Sales of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could
negatively impact the market price of our common stock. We also have several institutional shareholders that
own significant blocks of our common stock. If one or more of these shareholders were to sell large portions of
their holdings in a relatively short time, for liquidity or other reasons, the prevailing market price of our common
stock could be negatively affected.

Under certain circumstances, shares of our common stock could be issued upon conversion of the 2020
Notes, which would dilute the ownership interest of our existing shareholders. In addition, the issuance of
additional common stock, or issuances of securities convertible into or exercisable for our common stock or other
equity linked securities, including preferred stock or warrants, would dilute the ownership interest of our
common shareholders and could depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise
capital through the sale of additional equity securities.

Approved stock repurchase programs may not result in a positive return of capital to shareholders.

Our board-approved stock repurchase program may not return value to shareholders because the market
price of the stock may decline significantly below the levels at which we repurchased shares of stock. Stock
repurchase programs are intended to deliver shareholder value over the long term, but stock price fluctuations
can reduce the effectiveness of such programs.

Provisions of the 2020 Notes could discourage an acquisition of us by a third party.

Certain provisions of the 2020 Notes could make it more difficult or more expensive for a third party to
acquire us. Upon the occurrence of certain transactions constituting a fundamental change, holders of the 2020
Notes will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase all of their 2020 Notes or any portion of the
principal amount of such 2020 Notes in integral multiples of $1,000. We may also be required to issue additional
shares upon conversion in the event of certain fundamental change transactions. These provisions could limit the
price that some investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

We are subject to counterparty risk with respect to the convertible note hedge transactions.

The option counterparties are financial institutions or affiliates of financial institutions, and we will be
subject to the risk that the option counterparties may default under the respective convertible note hedge
transactions. Our exposure to the credit risk of the option counterparties is not secured by any collateral. Recent
global economic conditions have resulted in the actual or perceived failure or financial difficulties of many
financial institutions. If an option counterparty becomes subject to insolvency proceedings, we will become an
unsecured creditor in those proceedings with a claim equal to our exposure at that time under the convertible note
hedge transactions. Our exposure will depend on many factors but, generally, the increase in our exposure will be
correlated to the increase in our common stock market price and in volatility of our common stock. In addition,
upon a default by an option counterparty, we may suffer adverse tax consequences and dilution with respect to
our common stock. We can provide no assurance as to the financial stability or viability of the option
counterparties.

31

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   31

4/19/19   10:33 PM

The accounting method for convertible debt securities, such as the 2020 Notes, could have a material adverse
effect on our reported financial results.

In May 2008, the FASB, issued ASC 470-20. Under ASC 470-20, an entity must separately account for the
liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments, such as the 2020 Notes, that may be settled
partially in cash upon conversion in a manner that reflects the issuer’s economic interest cost. ASC 470-20
requires the fair value of the conversion option of the 2020 Notes be reported as a component of shareholders’
equity and included in the additional paid-in-capital on our consolidated balance sheet. The value of the
conversion option of the 2020 Notes will be reported as discount to the 2020 Notes. We will report lower net
income in our financial results because ASC 470-20 will require interest to include both the current period’s
amortization of the debt discount (non-cash interest) and the instrument’s cash interest, which could adversely
affect our reported or future financial results, the trading price of our common stock and the trading price of the
2020 Notes.

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

None.

Item 2.

PROPERTIES.

Our headquarters are located in Wilmington, Delaware, USA. Our research and development activities are
conducted primarily in facilities located in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA; Melville, New York, USA;
Rockville, Maryland, USA; San Diego, California, USA; Princeton, New Jersey, USA; and Montreal, Quebec,
Canada.

The following table sets forth information with respect to our principal properties:

Location

Melville, New York . . . . . . . . . . .
Wilmington, Delaware . . . . . . . . .
Conshohocken, Pennsylvania . . . .
Montreal, Quebec . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rockville, Maryland . . . . . . . . . . .
San Diego, California . . . . . . . . . .
Rennes, France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Princeton, New Jersey . . . . . . . . . .

Approximate
Square Feet

44,800
36,200
30,300
17,300
16,700
10,600
12,400
16,900

Principal Use

Lease Expiration Date

Office and research space
Corporate headquarters
Office and research space
Office and research space
Office and research space
Office and research space
Office space
Office and research space

February 2020
November 2022
September 2026
June 2021
August 2019
September 2025
June 2019*
February 2025

* We sublease our facility in Rennes from Thomson Licensing SAS.

We are also a party to leases for several smaller spaces, including our offices in Buffalo, New York, USA;
Berlin, Germany; Brussels, Belgium; London, England, United Kingdom; Seoul, South Korea; San Francisco,
California, USA; New York City, New York, USA; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Paris, France; and Shanghai,
China, that contain research and/or office space. In addition, we own a building in Washington, District of
Columbia, USA, that houses administrative office space.

We believe that the facilities described above are suitable and adequate for our present purposes and our

needs in the near future.

2018 Annual Report

32

7098_Fin.pdf   32

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Item 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

ARBITRATIONS AND COURT PROCEEDINGS (OTHER THAN DE DISTRICT COURT ACTIONS
RELATED TO USITC PROCEEDINGS)

2012 Huawei China Proceedings

On February 21, 2012, InterDigital was served with two complaints filed by Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
in the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court in China on December 5, 2011. The first complaint named as
defendants InterDigital, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries InterDigital Technology Corporation and
InterDigital Communications, LLC (now InterDigital Communications, Inc.), and alleged that InterDigital had
abused its dominant market position in the market for the licensing of essential patents owned by InterDigital by
engaging in allegedly unlawful practices, including differentiated pricing, tying and refusal to deal. The second
complaint named as defendants the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries InterDigital Technology Corporation,
InterDigital Communications, LLC (now InterDigital Communications, Inc.), InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc.
and IPR Licensing, Inc. and alleged that InterDigital had failed to negotiate on FRAND terms with
Huawei. Huawei asked the court to determine the FRAND rate for licensing essential Chinese patents to Huawei
and also sought compensation for its costs associated with this matter.

On February 4, 2013, the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court issued rulings in the two proceedings. With
respect to the first complaint, the court decided that InterDigital had violated the Chinese Anti-Monopoly Law by
(i) making proposals for royalties from Huawei that the court believed were excessive, (ii) tying the licensing of
essential patents to the licensing of non-essential patents, (iii) requesting as part of its licensing proposals that
Huawei provide a grant-back of certain patent rights to InterDigital and (iv) commencing a USITC action against
Huawei while still in discussions with Huawei for a license. Based on these findings, the court ordered
InterDigital to cease the alleged excessive pricing and alleged improper bundling of InterDigital’s Chinese
essential and non-essential patents, and to pay Huawei 20.0 million RMB (approximately $2.9 million based on
the exchange rate as of December 31, 2018) in damages related to attorneys’ fees and other charges, without
disclosing a factual basis for its determination of damages. The court dismissed Huawei’s remaining allegations,
including Huawei’s claim that InterDigital improperly sought a worldwide license and improperly sought to
bundle the licensing of essential patents on multiple generations of technologies. With respect to the second
complaint, the court determined that, despite the fact that the FRAND requirement originates from ETSI’s
Intellectual Property Rights policy, which refers to French law, InterDigital’s license offers to Huawei should be
evaluated under Chinese law. Under Chinese law, the court concluded that the offers did not comply with
FRAND. The court further ruled that the royalties to be paid by Huawei for InterDigital’s 2G, 3G and 4G
essential Chinese patents under Chinese law should not exceed 0.019% of the actual sales price of each Huawei
product.

On March 11, 2013, InterDigital filed notices of appeal with respect to the judgments in both proceedings,
seeking reversal of the court’s February 4, 2013 rulings. On October 16, 2013, the Guangdong Province High
Court issued a ruling affirming the ruling of the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court in the second proceeding,
and on October 21, 2013, issued a ruling affirming the ruling of the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court in the
first proceeding.

InterDigital believes that the decisions are seriously flawed both legally and factually. For instance, in
determining a purported FRAND rate, the Chinese courts applied an incorrect economic analysis by evaluating
InterDigital’s lump-sum 2007 patent license agreement with Apple (the “2007 Apple PLA”) in hindsight to posit
a running royalty rate. Indeed, the ALJ in USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-800 rejected that type of improper analysis.
Moreover, the Chinese courts had an incomplete record and applied incorrect facts, including with respect to the
now-expired and superseded 2007 Apple PLA, which had been found in an arbitration between InterDigital and
Apple to be limited in scope.

On April 14, 2014, InterDigital filed a petition for retrial of the second proceeding with the Chinese
Supreme People’s Court (“SPC”), seeking dismissal of the judgment or at least a higher, market-based royalty

33

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   33

4/19/19   10:33 PM

rate for a license to InterDigital’s Chinese SEPs. The petition for retrial argues, for example, that (1) the lower
court improperly determined a Chinese FRAND running royalty rate by using as a benchmark the 2007 Apple
lump sum fixed payment license agreement, and looking in hindsight at the unexpectedly successful sales of
Apple iPhones to construct an artificial running royalty rate that neither InterDigital nor Apple could have
intended and that would have varied significantly depending on the relative success or failure in hindsight of
Apple iPhone sales; (2) the 2007 Apple PLA was also an inappropriate benchmark because its scope of product
coverage was significantly limited as compared to the license that the court was considering for Huawei,
particularly when there are other more comparable license agreements; and (3) if the appropriate benchmarks had
been used, and the court had considered the range of royalties offered by other similarly situated SEP holders in
the wireless telecommunications industry,
the court would have determined a FRAND royalty that was
substantially higher than 0.019%, and would have found, consistent with findings of the ALJ’s initial
determination in the USITC 337-TA-800 proceeding, that there was no proof that InterDigital’s offers to Huawei
violated its FRAND commitments.

The SPC held a hearing on October 31, 2014, regarding whether to grant a retrial and requested that both
parties provide additional information regarding the facts and legal theories underlying the case. The SPC
convened a second hearing on April 1, 2015 regarding whether to grant a retrial. On December 24, 2018,
InterDigital was notified that the SPC granted InterDigital’s petition for retrial of the October 16, 2013
Guangdong Province High Court decision. The SPC also issued a mediation order that
terminated the
proceeding. The SPC’s grant of InterDigital’s retrial petition suspends enforcement of the decision of the
Guangdong High Court and, combined with the SPC’s issuance of the mediation order, effectively vacates the
Guangdong High Court’s decision. There are no further proceedings in this matter.

ZTE China Proceedings

On July 10 and 11, 2014, InterDigital was served with two complaints filed by ZTE Corporation in the
Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court in China on April 3, 2014. The first complaint names as defendants the
Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries InterDigital Technology Corporation, InterDigital Communications, Inc.,
InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc. and IPR Licensing, Inc. This complaint alleges that InterDigital has failed to
comply with its FRAND obligations for the licensing of its Chinese standards-essential patents. ZTE is asking the
court to determine the FRAND rate for licensing InterDigital’s standards-essential Chinese patents to ZTE and
also seeks compensation for its litigation costs associated with this matter. The second complaint names as
defendants InterDigital, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries InterDigital Technology Corporation and
InterDigital Communications, Inc. This complaint alleges that InterDigital has a dominant market position in
China and the United States in the market for the licensing of essential patents owned by InterDigital, and abused
its dominant market position in violation of the Chinese Anti-Monopoly Law by engaging in allegedly unlawful
practices, including excessively high pricing, tying, discriminatory treatment, and imposing unreasonable trading
conditions. ZTE originally sought relief in the amount of 20.0 million RMB (approximately $2.9 million based
on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2018), an order requiring InterDigital to cease the allegedly unlawful
conduct and compensation for its litigation costs associated with this matter.

On August 7, 2014, InterDigital filed petitions challenging the jurisdiction of the Shenzhen Intermediate
People’s Court to hear the actions. On August 28, 2014, the court denied InterDigital’s jurisdictional challenge
with respect to the anti-monopoly law case. InterDigital filed an appeal of this decision on September 26, 2014.
On September 28, 2014, the court denied InterDigital’s jurisdictional challenge with respect to the FRAND case,
and InterDigital filed an appeal of that decision on October 27, 2014. On December 18, 2014, the Guangdong
High Court issued decisions on both appeals upholding the Shenzhen Intermediate Court’s decisions that it had
jurisdiction to hear these cases. On February 10, 2015, InterDigital filed a petition for retrial with the Supreme
People’s Court regarding its jurisdictional challenges to both cases.

The Shenzhen Court held hearings on the anti-monopoly law case on May 11, 13, 15 and 18, 2015. At the
May hearings, ZTE withdrew its claims alleging discriminatory treatment and the imposition of unfair trading

2018 Annual Report

34

7098_Fin.pdf   34

4/19/19   10:33 PM

conditions and increased its damages claim to 99.8 million RMB (approximately $14.5 million based on the
exchange rate as of December 31, 2018). The Shenzhen Court held hearings in the FRAND case on July 29-31,
2015 and held a second hearing on the anti-monopoly law case on October 12, 2015.

On September 18, 2018, ZTE independently filed a petition with the Shenzhen Court to withdraw the
complaint in its FRAND case against InterDigital, and on September 28, 2018, the Shenzhen Court granted
ZTE’s petition and dismissed the FRAND case without prejudice. On October 25, 2018, ZTE independently filed
a petition with the Shenzhen Court to withdraw the complaint in its anti-monopoly law case against InterDigital,
and on October 26, 2018, the Shenzhen Court granted ZTE’s petition and dismissed the anti-monopoly law case
without prejudice.

Asustek Actions

On April 15, 2015, Asustek Computer Incorporated (“Asus”) filed a complaint in the CA Northern District
Court against InterDigital, Inc., and its subsidiaries InterDigital Communications, Inc., InterDigital Technology
Corporation, IPR Licensing, Inc., and InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc. The complaint asserted the following
causes of action: violation of Section Two of the Sherman Act, violation of Section 17200 of the California
Business and Professions Code, breach of contract resulting from ongoing negotiations, breach of contract
leading to and resulting in the parties’ April 2008 patent license agreement (the “2008 Asus PLA”), promissory
estoppel, waiver, and fraudulent inducement to contract. Among other allegations, Asus alleged that InterDigital
breached its FRAND commitment. As relief, Asus sought a judgment that the 2008 Asus PLA is void or
unenforceable, damages in the amount of excess royalties Asus paid under the 2008 Asus PLA plus interest, a
judgment setting the proper FRAND terms and conditions for InterDigital’s patent portfolio, an order requiring
InterDigital to grant Asus a license on FRAND terms and conditions, and punitive damages and other relief.

In response, on May 30, 2015, InterDigital filed an Arbitration Demand with the ICDR. InterDigital claimed
that Asus breached the 2008 Asus PLA’s dispute resolution provision by filing its CA Northern District Court
lawsuit and sought declaratory relief that it is not liable for any of the claims in Asus’s complaint. On June 2,
2015, InterDigital filed in the CA Northern District Court a motion to compel arbitration on each of Asus’s
claims. On August 25, 2015, the court granted InterDigital’s motion for all of Asus’s claims except its claim for
breach of contract resulting from ongoing negotiations. Aside from this claim, the court ruled that the issue of
arbitrability should be decided by an arbitrator, and stayed the proceedings pending that determination.

Asus asserted counterclaims in the arbitration that mirrored its CA Northern District Court claims, except
that it did not assert the breach of contract claim that the court determined was not arbitrable and it added a claim
of violation of the Delaware Consumer Fraud Act. Asus also contended that its counterclaims were not arbitrable.
InterDigital added a claim for breach of the 2008 Asus PLA’s confidentiality provision.

On July 14, 2016, Asus filed a motion to lift the stay in the CA Northern District Court proceeding along
with a notice of the arbitral tribunal’s decision on arbitrability, informing the court of the arbitrators’ decision
that, other than InterDigital’s breach of contract claims and Asus’s fraudulent inducement claim, no other claim
or counterclaim is arbitrable. Asus then filed in the CA Northern District Court an amended complaint on
August 18, 2016. This amended complaint includes all of the claims in Asus’s first CA Northern District Court
complaint except fraudulent inducement and adds a claim of violation of the Delaware Consumer Fraud Act. It
seeks the same relief as its first CA Northern District Court complaint, but also seeks a ruling that each of
InterDigital’s patents “declared [to standards-setting organizations] to be essential or potentially essential” is
unenforceable and any contracts InterDigital entered into in furtherance of its unlawful conduct are void. On
September 8, 2016, InterDigital filed its answer and counterclaims to Asus’s amended complaint. It denied
Asus’s claims and filed a counterclaim for declaratory judgment that Asus’s tort claims are invalid or preempted
as applied under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Patent Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and
Title 35 of the U.S. Code. On September 28, 2016, Asus answered and denied InterDigital’s counterclaims.

35

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   35

4/19/19   10:33 PM

With respect to its arbitration counterclaim for fraudulent inducement, Asus stated in its pleadings that it
was seeking return of excess royalties (which totaled close to $63 million as of the August 2016 date referenced
in the pleadings and had increased with additional royalty payments made by Asus since such time), plus interest,
costs and attorneys’ fees. The evidentiary hearing in the arbitration was held in January 2017, and the parties
presented oral closing arguments on March 22, 2017. On August 2, 2017, the arbitral tribunal issued its Final
Award. The tribunal fully rejected Asus’s counterclaim, finding that InterDigital did not fraudulently induce
Asus to enter into the 2008 Asus PLA. Accordingly, the tribunal dismissed Asus’s fraudulent inducement
counterclaim in its entirety. The tribunal also dismissed InterDigital’s claims that Asus breached the
confidentiality provisions and the dispute resolution provisions of the 2008 Asus PLA. On October 20, 2017,
InterDigital and Asus jointly moved to confirm both the tribunal’s Final Award and the Interim Award on
Jurisdiction in the CA Northern District. The court confirmed both awards on October 25, 2017.

On April 16, 2018, InterDigital filed a motion in the CA Northern District Court proceeding for leave to
amend its counterclaims to include a claim of intentional interference with contract. On June 12, 2018, the court
denied this motion.

On April 17, 2018, the parties served opening expert reports in the CA Northern District Court proceeding.
Asus’s damages expert contends that Asus is currently owed damages in the amount of $75.9 million based on its
claims that InterDigital charged royalties inconsistent with its FRAND commitments. Those damages, which
represent a substantial portion of the royalties paid by Asus through third quarter 2017, do not reflect Asus’s
most recent royalty payments. Asus also seeks interest, costs and attorneys’ fees, as well as, in connection with
its Sherman Act claim, treble damages.

On August 16, 2018, the parties filed motions for summary judgment in the CA Northern District Court
proceeding. The parties filed oppositions on September 13, 2018 and replies on September 27, 2018, and the
court held an oral argument on October 11, 2018.

On December 20, 2018, the CA Northern District Court issued an order on the parties’ motions for summary
judgment. InterDigital’s motion was granted in part and denied in part, and Asus’s motion was denied in its
entirety. The court: (1) granted summary judgment that Asus is judicially estopped from arguing that the 2008
Asus PLA is not FRAND compliant in light of Asus’s prior inconsistent positions; (2) denied to the extent ruled
on by the court InterDigital’s motion that issue preclusion prevents Asus from re-litigating issues decided in the
arbitration; (3) granted summary judgment that Asus cannot invalidate the 2008 Asus PLA on the theory that,
even if FRAND when signed, the 2008 Asus PLA became non-FRAND thereafter; (4) denied InterDigital’s
motion for summary judgment that Asus’s Sherman Act claim fails as a matter of law; and (5) granted summary
judgment that Asus’s promissory estoppel and California UCL claims fail as a matter of law. In addition, the
court denied Asus’s motion for summary judgment that, as a matter of law, InterDigital breached its contractual
obligation to license its essential patents on FRAND terms and conditions by engaging in discriminatory
licensing practices. On December 21, 2018, the court referred the case to a magistrate judge for a settlement
conference. The settlement conference was held on February 14, 2019. A settlement was not reached. The trial in
the CA Northern District Court proceeding is scheduled for May 6-17, 2019.

The Company has not recorded any accrual at December 31, 2018, for contingent losses associated with the
CA Northern District Court Proceeding. While a material loss is reasonably possible, the Company cannot
estimate the potential range of loss given the range of possible outcomes, as this matter is not at a sufficiently
advanced stage to allow for such an estimate.

2019 Huawei China Proceeding

On January 3, 2019, InterDigital was notified that a civil complaint was filed on January 2, 2019, by Huawei
Technologies Co., Ltd. and certain of its subsidiaries against InterDigital, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries in
the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court. The complaint seeks a ruling that the InterDigital defendants have

2018 Annual Report

36

7098_Fin.pdf   36

4/19/19   10:33 PM

violated an obligation to license their patents that are essential to 3G, 4G and 5G wireless telecommunication
standards on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and conditions. The complaint also seeks a
determination of the terms for licensing all of the InterDigital defendants’ Chinese patents that are essential to
3G, 4G and 5G wireless telecommunication standards to the Huawei plaintiffs for the plaintiffs’ wireless terminal
unit products made and/or sold in China from 2019 to 2023. InterDigital’s patent license agreement with Huawei
expired on December 31, 2018.

REGULATORY PROCEEDING

Investigation by National Development and Reform Commission of China

On September 23, 2013, counsel for InterDigital was informed by China’s National Development and
Reform Commission (“NDRC”) that the NDRC had initiated a formal investigation into whether InterDigital has
violated China’s Anti-Monopoly Law (“AML”) with respect to practices related to the licensing of InterDigital’s
standards-essential patents to Chinese companies. Companies found to violate the AML may be subject to a
cease and desist order, fines and disgorgement of any illegal gains. On March 3, 2014, the Company submitted to
NDRC, pursuant to a procedure set out in the AML, a formal application for suspension of the investigation that
included proposed commitments by the Company. On May 22, 2014, NDRC formally suspended its investigation
of the Company based on the commitments proposed by the Company. The Company’s commitments with
respect to the licensing of its patent portfolio for wireless mobile standards to Chinese manufacturers of cellular
terminal units (“Chinese Manufacturers”) are as follows:

1. Whenever InterDigital engages with a Chinese Manufacturer to license InterDigital’s patent portfolio
for 2G, 3G and 4G wireless mobile standards, InterDigital will offer such Chinese Manufacturer the
option of taking a worldwide portfolio license of only its standards-essential wireless patents, and
comply with F/RAND principles when negotiating and entering into such licensing agreements with
Chinese Manufacturers.

2. As part of its licensing offer, InterDigital will not require that a Chinese Manufacturer agree to a
royalty-free, reciprocal cross-license of such Chinese Manufacturer’s similarly categorized standards-
essential wireless patents.

3.

Prior to commencing any action against a Chinese Manufacturer in which InterDigital may seek
exclusionary or injunctive relief for the infringement of any of its wireless standards-essential patents,
InterDigital will offer such Chinese Manufacturer the option to enter into expedited binding arbitration
under fair and reasonable procedures to resolve the royalty rate and other terms of a worldwide license
under
the Chinese Manufacturer accepts
InterDigital’s binding arbitration offer or otherwise enters into an agreement with InterDigital on a
binding arbitration mechanism, InterDigital will, in accordance with the terms of the arbitration
agreement and patent license agreement, refrain from seeking exclusionary or injunctive relief against
such company.

InterDigital’s wireless standards-essential patents.

If

The commitments contained in item 3 above will expire five years from the effective date of the suspension of
the investigation, or May 22, 2019. With the consolidation of China’s antimonopoly enforcement authorities into
the State Administration for Market Regulation (“SAMR”) in April 2018, SAMR is now responsible for
overseeing InterDigital’s commitments.

USITC PROCEEDINGS AND RELATED DELAWARE DISTRICT COURT PROCEEDINGS

2013 USITC Proceeding (337-TA-868) and Related ZTE Delaware District Court Proceeding

USITC Proceeding (337-TA-868)

On January 2, 2013,

the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries InterDigital Communications, Inc.,
InterDigital Technology Corporation, IPR Licensing, Inc. and InterDigital Holdings, Inc. filed a complaint with

37

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   37

4/19/19   10:33 PM

the United States International Trade Commission (the “USITC” or “Commission”) against Samsung Electronics
Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, Nokia
Corporation and Nokia Inc., Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Huawei Device USA, Inc. and FutureWei
Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Huawei Technologies (USA) and ZTE Corporation and ZTE (USA) Inc. (collectively,
the “337-TA-868 Respondents”), alleging violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in that they
engaged in unfair trade practices by selling for importation into the United States, importing into the United
States and/or selling after importation into the United States certain 3G and 4G wireless devices (including
WCDMA-, cdma2000- and LTE-capable mobile phones, USB sticks, mobile hotspots, laptop computers and
tablets and components of such devices) that infringe one or more of up to seven of InterDigital’s U.S. patents.
The complaint also extended to certain WCDMA and cdma2000 devices incorporating Wi-Fi functionality.
InterDigital’s complaint with the USITC sought an exclusion order that would bar from entry into the United
States infringing 3G or 4G wireless devices (and components), including LTE devices, that are imported by or on
behalf of the 337-TA-868 Respondents, and also sought a cease-and-desist order to bar further sales of infringing
products that have already been imported into the United States. Certain of the asserted patents were also asserted
against Nokia, Huawei and ZTE in earlier pending USITC proceedings (including the Nokia, Huawei and ZTE
2011 USITC Proceeding (337-TA-800) and the Nokia 2007 USITC Proceeding (337-TA-613), as set forth
below) and therefore were not asserted against those 337-TA-868 Respondents in this investigation.

On December 23, 2013, InterDigital and Huawei reached a settlement agreement to enter into binding
arbitration to resolve their global patent licensing disputes. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, InterDigital and
Huawei moved to dismiss all litigation matters pending between the parties except the action filed by Huawei in
China to set a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (“FRAND”) rate for the licensing of InterDigital’s Chinese
standards-essential patents (discussed above under “Huawei China Proceedings”),
the decision in which
InterDigital is permitted to further appeal. As a result, effective February 12, 2014, the Huawei Respondents
were terminated from the 337-TA-868 investigation.

From February 10 to February 20, 2014, ALJ Essex presided over the evidentiary hearing in this
investigation. The patents in issue in this investigation as of the hearing were U.S. Patent Nos. 7,190,966 (the
“’966 patent”) and 7,286,847 (the “’847 patent”) asserted against ZTE and Samsung, and U.S. Patent
No. 7,941,151 (the “’151 patent”) asserted against ZTE, Samsung and Nokia.

On June 3, 2014, InterDigital and Samsung filed a joint motion to terminate the investigation as to Samsung
on the basis of settlement. The ALJ granted the joint motion by initial determination issued on June 9, 2014, and
the USITC determined not to review the initial determination on June 30, 2014.

On June 13, 2014, the ALJ issued an Initial Determination (“ID”) in the 337-TA-868 investigation. In the
ID, the ALJ found that no violation of Section 337 had occurred in connection with the importation of 3G/4G
devices by ZTE or Nokia, on the basis that the accused devices do not infringe asserted claims 1-6, 8-9, 16-21 or
23-24 of the ’151 patent, claims 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, or 11 of the ’966 patent, or claims 3 or 5 of the ’847 patent. The
ALJ also found that claim 16 of the ’151 patent was invalid as indefinite. Among other determinations, the ALJ
further determined that InterDigital did not violate any FRAND obligations, a conclusion also reached by the
ALJ in the 337-TA-800 investigation, and that Respondents have engaged in patent “hold out.”

On June 30, 2014, InterDigital filed a Petition for Review with the USITC seeking review and reversal of
certain of the ALJ’s conclusions in the ID. On the same day, Respondents filed a Conditional Petition for Review
urging alternative grounds for affirmance of the ID’s finding that Section 337 was not violated and a Conditional
Petition for Review with respect to FRAND issues.

In June 2014, Microsoft Mobile Oy (“MMO”) was added as a respondent in the investigation.

On August 14, 2014, the Commission determined to review in part the June 13, 2014 ID but terminated the

investigation with a finding of no violation.

2018 Annual Report

38

7098_Fin.pdf   38

4/19/19   10:33 PM

On October 10, 2014, InterDigital filed a petition for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit (the “Federal Circuit”), appealing certain of the adverse determinations in the Commission’s August 8,
2014 final determination including those related to the ’966 and ’847 patents. On June 2, 2015, InterDigital
moved to voluntarily dismiss the Federal Circuit appeal, because, even if it were to prevail, it did not believe
there would be sufficient time following the court’s decision and mandate for the USITC to complete its
proceedings on remand such that the accused products would be excluded before the ’966 and ’847 patents expire
in June 2016. The court granted the motion and dismissed the appeal on June 18, 2015.

Related Delaware District Court Proceeding

On January 2, 2013,

the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries InterDigital Communications, Inc.,
InterDigital Technology Corporation, IPR Licensing, Inc. and InterDigital Holdings, Inc. filed four related
district court actions in the Delaware District Court against the 337-TA-868 Respondents. The proceedings
against Huawei, Samsung and Nokia were subsequently dismissed, as discussed below. The remaining complaint
alleges that ZTE infringes the same patents with respect to the same products alleged in the complaint filed by
InterDigital in USITC Proceeding (337-TA-868). The complaint seeks a permanent injunction and compensatory
damages in an amount to be determined, as well as enhanced damages based on willful infringement, and
recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

On January 31, 2013, ZTE filed its answer and counterclaims to InterDigital’s Delaware District Court
complaint; ZTE asserted counterclaims for breach of contract, equitable estoppel, waiver of right to enjoin and
declarations that InterDigital has not offered ZTE licenses on FRAND terms, declarations seeking the
determination of FRAND terms and declarations of noninfringement, invalidity and unenforceability. In addition
to the declaratory relief specified in its counterclaims, ZTE seeks specific performance of InterDigital’s
purported contracts with ZTE and standards-setting organizations, appropriate damages in an amount to be
determined at trial, reasonable attorneys’ fees and such other relief as the court may deem appropriate.

On March 21, 2013, pursuant to stipulation, the Delaware District Court granted InterDigital leave to file an
amended complaint against ZTE to assert allegations of infringement of the ’244 patent. On March 22, 2013,
ZTE filed its answer and counterclaims to InterDigital’s amended Delaware District Court complaint. On April 9,
2013, InterDigital filed a motion to dismiss ZTE’s counterclaims relating to its FRAND allegations. On July 12,
2013, the Delaware District Court held a hearing on InterDigital’s motion to dismiss. By order issued the same
day, the Delaware District Court granted InterDigital’s motion, dismissing ZTE’s counterclaims for equitable
estoppel and waiver of the right to injunction or exclusionary relief with prejudice. It further dismissed the
counterclaims for breach of contract and declaratory relief related to InterDigital’s FRAND commitments with
leave to amend.

On August 6, 2013, ZTE filed its answer and amended counterclaims for breach of contract and for
declaratory judgment seeking determination of FRAND terms. The counterclaims also continue to seek
declarations of noninfringement, invalidity, and unenforceability. On August 30, 2013, InterDigital filed a
motion to dismiss the declaratory judgment counterclaim relating to the request for determination of FRAND
terms. On May 28, 2014,
the court granted InterDigital’s motion and dismissed ZTE’s FRAND-related
declaratory judgment counterclaim, ruling that such declaratory judgment would serve no useful purpose.

On December 30, 2013, InterDigital and Huawei filed a stipulation of dismissal on account of the
confidential settlement agreement and agreement to arbitrate their disputes in this action. On the same day, the
Delaware District Court granted the stipulation of dismissal and dismissed the action against Huawei.

On February 11, 2014, the Delaware District Court judge entered an InterDigital, Nokia, and ZTE stipulated
Amended Scheduling Order that bifurcated issues relating to damages, FRAND-related affirmative defenses, and
any FRAND-related counterclaims.

39

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   39

4/19/19   10:33 PM

On August 28, 2014, the court granted in part a motion by InterDigital for summary judgment that the
asserted ’151 patent is not unenforceable by reason of inequitable conduct, holding that only one of the
references forming the basis of defendants’ allegations would remain in issue, and granted a motion by
InterDigital for summary judgment that the asserted claims of the ’966 and ’847 patents are not invalid for lack
of enablement.

On August 5, 2014, InterDigital and Samsung filed a stipulation of dismissal in light of the parties’
settlement agreement. On the same day, the court granted the stipulation of dismissal and dismissed the action
against Samsung with prejudice.

By order dated August 28, 2014, MMO was joined in the case against Nokia as a defendant.

The ZTE trial addressing infringement and validity of the ’966, ’847, ’244 and ’151 patents was held from
October 20 to October 27, 2014. During the trial, the judge determined that further construction of certain claim
language of the ’151 patent was required, and the judge decided to hold another trial as to ZTE’s infringement of
the ’151 patent at a later date. On October 28, 2014, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of
InterDigital, finding that the ’966, ’847 and ’244 patents are all valid and infringed by ZTE 3G and 4G cellular
devices. The court issued formal judgment to this effect on October 29, 2014.

On November 26, 2014, ZTE filed a motion for judgment as a matter of law that the asserted claims of the
’966, ’847 and ’244 patents are not infringed and, in the alternative, for a new trial. InterDigital filed an
opposition on December 15, 2014, and ZTE filed a reply on January 7, 2015.

The ZTE trial addressing infringement of the ’151 patent was held from April 20 to April 22, 2015. On
April 22, 2015, the jury returned a verdict in favor of ZTE, finding that the ’151 patent is not infringed by ZTE
3G and 4G cellular devices.

On May 29, 2015, the court entered a new scheduling order for damages and FRAND-related issues,

scheduling the ZTE trial related to damages and FRAND-related issues for October 2016.

On September 14, 2015, a panel of Administrative Law Judges of the United States Patent and Trademark
Office Patent Trial and Appeal Board (the “PTAB”) issued a final written decision in two Inter Partes Review
(“IPR”) cases concerning the ’244 patent. These IPR proceedings were commenced on petitions filed by ZTE
Corporation and ZTE (USA) Inc. and by Microsoft Corporation, respectively. Specifically, the panel determined
that a number of claims of the ’244 patent are unpatentable as obvious. IPR Licensing, Inc. appealed to the
Federal Circuit seeking review of the PTAB’s decision. Oral argument in the appeal was heard on April 7, 2017.
On April 20, 2017, the Federal Circuit affirmed the PTAB’s decision that most of the challenged claims of the
’244 patent are unpatentable as obvious. However, the court vacated and remanded the PTAB’s obviousness
finding as to claim 8, which returned the matter to the PTAB for further proceedings as to that claim. On July 28,
2017, IPR Licensing, Inc., filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to appeal
the Federal Circuit decision, arguing that the petition should be held pending the Supreme Court’s decision in Oil
States Energy Services, LLC v. Greene’s Energy Group, LLC, which will determine whether the IPR process as a
whole is unconstitutional. On October 2, 2017, ZTE filed a response to the petition for a writ of certiorari in
which ZTE agreed that the petition should be held pending the Court’s decision in Oil States and then disposed of
as appropriate in light of that decision. On April 24, 2018, the Supreme Court rejected the petitioner’s
constitutional challenge to the IPR process in the Oil States case, and on April 30, 2018 denied IPR Licensing,
Inc.’s July 28, 2017 petition for a writ of certiorari. On March 6, 2018, in the PTAB remand proceeding, the
PTAB again found claim 8 to be invalid. On April 10, 2018, IPR Licensing, Inc. appealed to the Federal Circuit
seeking review of the PTAB’s decision. That appeal (the “’244 patent PTAB remand appeal”) remains pending.

On December 21, 2015, the court entered another scheduling order that vacated the October 2016 date for

the ZTE trial related to damages and FRAND-related issues as set forth in the May 2015 scheduling order.

2018 Annual Report

40

7098_Fin.pdf   40

4/19/19   10:33 PM

On March 18, 2016, the court denied ZTE’s motion for judgment as a matter of law, or in the alternative for
a new trial, with respect to the ’966 and ’847 patents. The court postponed its ruling on ZTE’s motion as to the
’244 patent pending the Federal Circuit’s decision on InterDigital’s appeal of the September 14, 2015 PTAB
ruling and administratively closed that portion of the motion.

On April 18, 2016, ZTE filed a stipulated request for dismissal with prejudice of its counterclaims for
breach of contract and patent unenforceability based on FRAND and withdrew its corresponding FRAND-related
affirmative defenses. The court granted this request the same day. Also on April 18, 2016, ZTE filed a motion
under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(b) seeking certification of partial final judgment on the claims for
infringement of the ’966 and ’847 patents to allow ZTE to file an immediate appeal as to those patents. The
motion was granted on June 7, 2016, and a partial final judgment was entered on June 20, 2016. On July 18,
2016, ZTE filed its notice of appeal with the Federal Circuit regarding the Delaware District Court’s judgment
against ZTE with respect to the ’966 and ’847 patents. Oral argument on ZTE’s appeal was heard on October 4,
2017. On November 3, 2017, the Federal Circuit issued its decision affirming the Delaware District Court
judgment finding that the ’966 and ’847 patents are not invalid and are infringed by ZTE 3G and 4G cellular
devices. On December 4, 2017, ZTE filed a petition for panel rehearing of the Federal Circuit’s decision. The
Federal Circuit denied ZTE’s petition on December 20, 2017, and the court’s mandate issued on December 27,
2017.

On May 15, 2017, InterDigital and Nokia/MMO filed a stipulation of dismissal of the case against MMO,
to a Settlement Agreement and Release of Claims among
Nokia Corporation and Nokia, Inc. pursuant
InterDigital, Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft Mobile, Inc., and MMO, dated May 9, 2017, (the “Microsoft
Settlement Agreement”). On May 16, 2017, the Delaware District Court granted the stipulation and dismissed the
case against MMO, Nokia Corporation and Nokia, Inc. with prejudice.

The case against ZTE remains pending. On January 16, 2018, InterDigital and ZTE filed a joint status report
that informed the court of the Federal Circuit’s decision regarding the ’966 and ’847 patents and that the PTAB
proceedings regarding the ’244 patent remained pending. The parties jointly requested that the case remain
stayed so that the portion of the case related to damages potentially owed by ZTE as to the three patents-in-suit
may be coordinated. The court granted this request on January 17, 2018. The case remains stayed pending the
conclusion of the 244 patent PTAB remand appeal, including any further proceeding.

2011 USITC Proceeding (337-TA-800) and Related ZTE Delaware District Court Proceeding

USITC Proceeding (337-TA-800)

On July 26, 2011, InterDigital’s wholly owned subsidiaries InterDigital Communications, LLC (now
InterDigital Communications, Inc.), InterDigital Technology Corporation and IPR Licensing, Inc. filed a
complaint with the USITC against Nokia Corporation and Nokia Inc., Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. and
FutureWei Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Huawei Technologies (USA) and ZTE Corporation and ZTE (USA) Inc.
(collectively, the “337-TA-800 Respondents”), alleging violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in that
they engaged in unfair trade practices by selling for importation into the United States, importing into the United
States and/or selling after importation into the United States certain 3G wireless devices (including WCDMA-
and cdma2000-capable mobile phones, USB sticks, mobile hotspots and tablets and components of such devices)
that infringe several of InterDigital’s U.S. patents. The action also extended to certain WCDMA and cdma2000
devices incorporating WiFi functionality. InterDigital’s complaint with the USITC sought an exclusion order that
would bar from entry into the United States any infringing 3G wireless devices (and components) that are
imported by or on behalf of the 337-TA-800 Respondents, and also sought a cease-and-desist order to bar further
sales of infringing products that have already been imported into the United States. In May 2012, Huawei Device
USA, Inc. was added as a 337-TA-800 Respondent.

The ALJ held an evidentiary hearing from February 12-21, 2013. The patents in issue as of the hearing were
U.S. Patent Nos. 8,009,636 (the “’636 patent”), 7,706, 830 (the “’830 patent”), 7,502,406 (the “’406 patent”),

41

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   41

4/19/19   10:33 PM

7,616,970 (the “’970 patent”), 7,706,332 (the “’332 patent”), 7,536,013 (the “’013 patent”) and 7,970,127 (the
“’127 patent”). The ALJ’s Initial Determination (“ID”) issued on June 28, 2013, finding no violation because the
asserted patents were not infringed and/or invalid. Among other determinations, with respect to the 337-TA-800
Respondents’ FRAND and other equitable defenses, the ALJ found that Respondents had failed to prove either
that InterDigital violated any FRAND obligations, that InterDigital failed to negotiate in good faith, or that
InterDigital’s licensing offers were discriminatory. The ALJ also found that InterDigital is not precluded from
seeking injunctive relief based on any alleged FRAND commitments.

Petitions for review of the ID to the Commission were filed by InterDigital and the 337-TA-800
Respondents on July 15, 2013. On September 4, 2013, the Commission determined to review the ID in its
entirety.

On December 19, 2013, the Commission issued its final determination. The Commission adopted, with
some modification, the ALJ’s finding of no violation of Section 337 as to Nokia, Huawei, and ZTE. The
Commission did not rule on any other issue, including FRAND and domestic industry, and stated that all other
issues remain under review.

On December 20, 2013, InterDigital filed in the Federal Circuit a petition for review seeking reversal of the
Commission’s final determination. On February 18, 2015, the Federal Circuit issued a decision affirming the
USITC’s determinations that the claims of the ’830, ’636, ’406 and ’332 patents were not infringed, that the
claims of the ’970 patent are invalid, and that the Respondents did not violate Section 337. On April 6, 2015,
InterDigital filed a combined petition for panel rehearing and rehearing en banc as to the ’830 and ’636 patents.
The petition was denied on May 12, 2015, and the court’s mandate issued on May 19, 2015.

Related Delaware District Court Proceeding

injunction and compensatory damages in an amount

On July 26, 2011, the same date that InterDigital filed USITC Proceeding (337-TA-800), it filed a parallel
action in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against the 337-TA-800 Respondents
alleging infringement of the same asserted patents identified in USITC Proceeding (337-TA-800). The Delaware
District Court complaint seeks a permanent
to be
determined, as well as enhanced damages based on willful infringement, and recovery of reasonable attorneys’
fees and costs. On September 23, 2011, the defendants in the Delaware District Court complaint filed a motion to
stay the Delaware District Court action pending the parallel proceedings in the USITC. Because the USITC has
instituted USITC Proceeding (337-TA-800), the defendants have a statutory right to a mandatory stay of the
Delaware District Court proceeding pending a final determination in the USITC. On October 3, 2011,
InterDigital amended the Delaware District Court complaint, adding LG as a defendant and adding the same
additional patent that InterDigital requested be added to USITC Proceeding (337-TA-800). On October 11, 2011,
the Delaware District Court granted the defendants’ motion to stay. The case is currently stayed through
March 11, 2019.

On January 14, 2014, InterDigital and Huawei filed a stipulation of dismissal of their disputes in this action
on account of the confidential settlement agreement mentioned above. On the same day, the Delaware District
Court granted the stipulation of dismissal.

On May 15, 2017, InterDigital and Nokia filed a stipulation of dismissal of their dispute pursuant to the
Microsoft Settlement Agreement discussed above. On May 16, 2017, the Delaware District Court granted the
stipulation and dismissed the case with prejudice with respect to Nokia Corporation and Nokia Inc.

In December 2017, InterDigital entered into a patent license agreement with LG, pursuant to which the
parties agreed to terms for dismissal by InterDigital of the outstanding litigation among the parties and their
affiliates. Accordingly, on December 5, 2017, InterDigital and LG filed a stipulation of dismissal of the case

2018 Annual Report

42

7098_Fin.pdf   42

4/19/19   10:33 PM

against LG. On the same day, the Delaware District Court granted the stipulation and dismissed the case against
LG with prejudice.

The case remains pending with respect to ZTE.

OTHER

We are party to certain other disputes and legal actions in the ordinary course of business, including
arbitrations and legal proceedings with licensees regarding the terms of their agreements and the negotiation
thereof. We do not currently believe that these matters, even if adversely adjudicated or settled, would have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. None of the preceding
matters have met the requirements for accrual or disclosure of a potential range as of December 31, 2018.

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

43

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   43

4/19/19   10:33 PM

PART II

Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Market Information

The NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) is the principal market for our common stock, which is traded

under the symbol “IDCC.”

Holders

As of February 19, 2019, there were 528 holders of record of our common stock.

Dividends

Cash dividends on outstanding common stock declared in 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in thousands,

except per share data):

2018

2017

First quarter
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Second quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fourth quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

First quarter
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Second quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fourth quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Per Share

Total

Cumulative by
Fiscal Year

$0.35
0.35
0.35
0.35

$1.40

$0.30
0.30
0.35
0.35

$1.30

$12,124
12,192
11,996
11,610

$47,922

$10,404
10,413
12,149
12,156

$45,122

$12,124
24,316
36,312
47,922

$10,404
20,817
32,966
45,122

In September 2017, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved an increase in the Company’s
quarterly cash dividend to $0.35 per share. We currently expect to continue to pay dividends comparable to our
quarterly $0.35 per share cash dividend in the future; however, continued payment of cash dividends and changes
in the Company’s dividend policy will depend on the Company’s earnings, financial condition, capital resources
and capital requirements, alternative uses of capital, restrictions imposed by any existing debt, economic
conditions and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors.

2018 Annual Report

44

7098_Fin.pdf   44

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Performance Graph

The following graph compares five-year cumulative total returns of the Company, the NASDAQ Composite
Index and the NASDAQ Telecommunications Stock Index. The graph assumes $100 was invested in the
common stock of InterDigital and each index as of December 31, 2013 and that all dividends were re-invested.
Such returns are based on historical results and are not intended to suggest future performance.

COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among InterDigital, Inc., the NASDAQ Composite Index
and the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index

S
R
A
L
L
O
D

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0
12/13

12/14

12/15

12/16

12/17

12/18

InterDigital, Inc.

NASDAQ Composite

NASDAQ Telecommunications

InterDigital, Inc.

NASDAQ Composite

NASDAQ Telecommunications

12/13

12/14

12/15

12/16

12/17

12/18

100.00 182.23 171.55 324.52 274.71

100.00 114.62 122.81 133.19 172.11

100.00 102.75 100.20 106.61 130.48

243.89

165.84

130.76

The above performance graph shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act,
or incorporated by reference into any filing of InterDigital under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

45

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   45

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Repurchase of Common Stock

The following table provides information regarding Company purchases of its common stock during fourth

quarter 2018.

Period

October 1, 2018 — October 31, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . .
November 1, 2018 — November 30, 2018 . . . . . . . .
December 1, 2018 — December 31, 2018 . . . . . . . . .

Total
Number of
Shares (or
Units)
Purchased
(1)

548,510
114,936
265,942

Average
Price
Paid Per
Share (or
Unit)

$73.35
$70.55
$70.08

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

929,388

$72.07

Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchases as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs (2)

Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares (or Units)
That May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (3)

548,510
114,936
265,942

929,388

$ 94,835,635
$ 86,724,726
$168,082,465

$168,082,465

(1) Total number of shares purchased during each period reflects share purchase transactions that were

completed (i.e., settled) during the period indicated.

(2) Shares were purchased pursuant to the Company’s $600 million share repurchase program (the “2014
Repurchase Program”), $300 million of which was authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors in June
2014, with an additional $100 million authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors in each of June
2015, September 2017, and December 2018, respectively. The 2014 Repurchase Program has no expiration
date. The Company may repurchase shares under the 2014 Repurchase Program through open market
purchases, pre-arranged trading plans, or privately negotiated purchases.

(3) Amounts shown in this column reflect the amounts remaining under the 2014 Repurchase Program.

2018 Annual Report

46

7098_Fin.pdf   46

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Item 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

The following data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements, related Notes
and other financial information contained in this Form 10-K. As discussed above, we adopted new revenue
guidance, ASC 606, effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. As such, revenue and
other related accounts are presented in accordance with ASC 606 for the year ended December 31, 2018 and in
accordance with ASC 605 for all prior periods presented. Refer to Note 3, “Revenue Recognition,” within the
consolidated financial statements for further information regarding our adoption of ASC 606.

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

(in thousands except per share data)

Consolidated statements of operations data:
Revenues (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 307,404 $ 532,938 $ 665,854 $ 441,435 $ 415,821
62,595 $ 301,495 $ 437,306 $ 208,549 $ 168,960
Income from operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Income tax benefit (provision) (b)
27,417 $ (121,676) $ (116,791) $ (64,621) $ (52,108)
. . . . . . . . . . . $
Net income applicable to InterDigital, Inc.

common shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Net income per common share — basic . . . . . . . $
Net income per common share — diluted . . . . . . $
Weighted average number of common shares

63,868 $ 174,293 $ 309,001 $ 119,225 $ 104,342
2.65
2.62

1.85 $
1.81 $

5.04 $
4.87 $

8.95 $
8.78 $

3.31 $
3.27 $

outstanding — basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34,491

34,605

34,526

36,048

39,420

Weighted average number of common shares

35,307

35,189

35,779

1.40 $

outstanding — diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash dividends declared per common share (c) . . . $
Consolidated balance sheets data:
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (d) . . $ 488,733 $ 433,014 $ 404,074 $ 510,207 $ 428,567
275,361
470,724
Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
582,688
844,855
Working capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,192,962
1,626,558
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
216,206
317,377
Total debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
468,328
927,025
Total InterDigital, Inc. shareholders’ equity . . . .
Noncontrolling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7,349
10,988
Total shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 938,013 $ 873,148 $ 754,368 $ 521,895 $ 475,677

724,981
1,019,353
1,854,420
285,126
855,267
17,881

548,687
795,639
1,727,853
272,021
739,709
14,659

423,501
610,994
1,474,485
486,769
510,519
11,376

39,879
0.70

1.00 $

0.80 $

1.30 $

36,463

(a)

(b)

In 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014, our revenues included $26.3 million, $162.9 million, $309.7 million,
$65.8 million, and $125.0 million of non-current patent royalties, respectively.

In 2018, our income tax benefit includes an $18.0 million tax benefit due to our income qualifying as
foreign derived intangible income (“FDII”), as well as a $14.7 million benefit as a result of anticipated
filings of amended tax returns in connection with the Competent Authority Proceeding defined and
discussed below. In 2017, our income tax provision was impacted by the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the
“TCJA”) as discussed in our results of operations. For more information, refer to Note 14, “Taxes” in the
Notes to Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, of this Form 10-K. In 2016, our income tax
provision included the impact of a $23.6 million net tax benefit primarily related to domestic activity
production deductions for prior years. In 2014, our income tax provision included the impact of a
$4.2 million net tax benefit, primarily attributable to available U.S. federal research and development tax
credits for prior years, which was partially offset by an audit settlement.

(c)

In September 2017, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved an increase in the Company’s
quarterly cash dividend to $0.35 per share. In September 2016, we announced that our Board of Directors
had approved an increase in the Company’s quarterly cash dividend to $0.30 per share. In June 2014, we
announced that our Board of Directors had approved a 100% increase in the Company’s quarterly cash
dividend, to $0.20 per share.

(d)

Includes restricted cash which is included within “Prepaid and other current assets” in the consolidated
balance sheets.

47

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   47

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

OVERVIEW

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Selected Financial Data, the Consolidated

Financial Statements and the Notes thereto contained in this Form 10-K.

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted FASB Accounting Standards Codification 606, Revenue from
Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), which affected our recognition of revenue from both our fixed-fee and
per-unit license agreements beginning in first quarter 2018. All periods prior to January 1, 2018 are presented in
accordance with ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”). Refer to Note 3, “Revenue Recognition,” in
the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding this adoption, as well as additional
required disclosures under the new guidance.

Throughout the following discussion and elsewhere in this Form 10-K, we refer to “recurring revenues” and
“non-current patent royalties.” For all periods presented, recurring revenues are comprised of “current patent
royalties” and “current technology solutions revenue.” For 2018, non-current patent royalties are comprised of
“past patent royalties” and “static fixed-fee” agreement royalties. For periods prior to 2018, non-current patent
royalties are comprised of just past patent royalties, whereas static fixed-fee agreement royalties are included as
part of recurring revenues.

Business

InterDigital designs and develops advanced technologies that enable and enhance wireless communications
and capabilities. Since our founding in 1972, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of
innovations that are used in digital cellular and wireless products and networks, including 2G, 3G, 4G and IEEE
802-related products and networks, as well as video processing, encoding and display technology. We are a
leading contributor of innovation to the wireless communications industry, as well as a leading holder of patents
in the video industry.

Given our long history and focus on advanced research and development, InterDigital has one of the most
significant patent portfolios in the wireless and video industries. As of December 31, 2018, InterDigital’s wholly
owned subsidiaries held a portfolio of approximately 34,000 patents and patent applications related to a range of
technologies, including the fundamental technologies that enable wireless communications, video encoding,
display technology, and other areas relevant to the wireless and consumer electronics industries. In that portfolio
are a number of patents and patent applications that we believe are or may be essential or may become essential
to standards in cellular and other wireless communications as well as video encoding. Those wireless standards
include 3G, 4G and the IEEE 802 suite of standards, as well as patents and patent applications that we believe are
or may become essential to 5G standards that currently exist and are under continued development. In terms of
video technology, our portfolio includes patents and applications relating to standards established by the ISO/IEC
Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG), the ITU-T Video Coding Expert Group (VCEG), the Joint Collaborative
Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC) and the Joint Video Expert Team (JVET), among others.

The wireless portfolio has largely been built

through internal development, supplemented by joint
development projects with other companies as well as select acquisitions of patents and companies. Products
incorporating our patented inventions in wireless include: mobile devices, such as cellular phones, tablets,
notebook computers and wireless personal digital assistants; wireless infrastructure equipment, such as base
stations; components, dongles and modules for wireless devices; and IoT devices and software platforms. The
video technology portfolio largely represents patents and applications that InterDigital acquired through our
purchase of Technicolor SA’s patent licensing business (the “Technicolor Acquisition”), completed in July 2018,
supplemented by internal development in the area of video technology. Products incorporating our patented
inventions in video include cellular phones,
televisions, gaming
consoles, set-top boxes, streaming devices and other consumer electronics.

tablets, notebook computers, computers,

2018 Annual Report

48

7098_Fin.pdf   48

4/19/19   10:33 PM

InterDigital derives revenues primarily from patent licensing, with smaller contributions from patent sales,
product sales, technology solutions licensing and sales and engineering services. On January 1, 2018, we adopted
the requirements of ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASC 606”)
using the modified retrospective method. Refer to the “Revenue” section below as well as Note 3, “Revenue
Recognition,” within the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding our adoption of ASC
606.

Acquisition of Technicolor’s Patent Licensing Business

On July 30, 2018, we completed the Technicolor Acquisition. The final transaction includes the acquisition
by InterDigital of approximately 18,000 patents and applications, across a broad range of technologies, including
to Note 5, “Business
approximately 3,000 worldwide video coding patents and applications. Refer
Combinations,” within the consolidated financial statements for more information on this transaction.

Acquisition of Technicolor’s Research & Innovation Unit

On February 11, 2019, we announced that we had made a binding offer to acquire the Research &
Innovation (“R&I”) unit of Technicolor SA. R&I is a premier research lab that conducts fundamental research
into video coding, IoT and smart home, imaging sciences, AR and VR and artificial intelligence and machine
learning technologies. After completing the required prior consultation with Technicolor’s works council, the
companies expect to execute a definitive acquisition agreement, the terms of which have been negotiated. The
transaction is expected to close in mid-2019, subject to customary closing conditions.

As consideration for the acquisition,

the parties have agreed to terminate the jointly-funded R&D
collaboration that was entered into as part of the Technicolor Acquisition. In addition, Technicolor has agreed to
reduce its rights to a revenue-sharing arrangement announced as part of the Technicolor Acquisition. There is no
cash consideration.

Revenue

As discussed above, we adopted new revenue guidance, ASC 606, effective January 1, 2018 using the
modified retrospective method. This resulted in a cumulative adjustment of $161.3 million to retained earnings.
Consistent with the modified retrospective adoption method, our results of operations for periods prior to our
adoption of ASC 606 remain unchanged. As such, revenue is presented in accordance with ASC 606 for the year
ended December 31, 2018 and in accordance with ASC 605 for all prior periods presented. Refer to Note 3,
“Revenue Recognition,” within the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding our
adoption of ASC 606.

The adoption of the new guidance affected our recognition of revenue from both our fixed-fee and per-unit
license agreements. For accounting purposes under this new guidance, we separate our fixed-fee license
agreements into two categories: (i) those agreements that provide rights, over the term of the license, to future
technologies that are highly interdependent or highly interrelated to the technologies provided at the inception of
the agreement (“Dynamic Fixed-Fee Agreements”) and (ii) those agreements that do not provide for rights to
such future technologies (“Static Fixed-Fee Agreements”). As a result of our adoption of the new guidance, we
will continue to recognize revenue from Dynamic Fixed-Fee Agreements on a straight-line basis over the term of
the related license agreement, while we expect to recognize most or all of the revenue from Static Fixed-Fee
Agreements in the quarter the license agreement is signed. We will not recognize any ongoing revenue from
Static Fixed-Fee Agreements already in existence at the time the guidance was adopted. Additionally, in the
event a significant financing component is determined to exist in any of our agreements, we will recognize more
or less revenue and corresponding interest expense or income, as appropriate.

In addition, under our previous accounting practices, we recognized revenue from our per-unit license
agreements in the period in which we received the related royalty report, generally one quarter in arrears from the

49

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   49

4/19/19   10:33 PM

period in which the underlying sales occurred (i.e. on a “quarter-lag”). We are now required to record per-unit
royalty revenue in the same period in which the licensee’s underlying sales occur. Because we generally do not
receive the per-unit licensee royalty reports for sales during a given quarter within the time frame necessary to
adequately review the reports and include the actual amounts in our quarterly results for such quarter, we accrue
the related revenue based on estimates of our licensees’ underlying sales, subject to certain constraints on our
ability to estimate such amounts. As a result of accruing revenue for the quarter based on such estimates,
adjustments will be required in the following quarter to true-up revenue to the actual amounts reported by our
licensees. In addition, to the extent we receive non-refundable prepayments related to per-unit license agreements
that do not provide rights over the term of the license to future technologies that are highly interdependent or
highly interrelated to the technologies provided at the inception of the agreement, we will recognize such
prepayments as revenue in the period in which all remaining revenue recognition criteria have been met.

In 2018, 2017, and 2016, our total revenues were $307.4 million, $532.9 million and $665.9 million,
respectively. Our recurring revenues in 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $280.3 million, $370.0 million and
$356.2 million, respectively. In each of the years presented, we recognized between $26.3 million and
$309.7 million of non-current patent royalties as more fully discussed below. In 2018, fixed-fee royalties
accounted for approximately 85% of our recurring revenues. These fixed-fee revenues are not affected by the
related licensees’ success in the market or the general economic climate. The majority of the remaining portion
of our recurring revenue was variable in nature due to the per-unit structure of the related license agreements.

Absent the adoption of ASC 606, and in accordance with ASC 605, we would have recognized $74.7
million of additional total revenue and $16.7 million less interest expense in 2018, which after taxes would have
resulted in $84.7 million of additional net income for the year ended December 31, 2018. Refer to the “Results of
Operations” section below for further discussion of our revenue for the periods presented herein.

New Agreements

During first quarter 2018, we entered into a multi-year, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-bearing patent
license agreement with Kyocera Corporation. The agreement covers sales by Kyocera Corporation and its
affiliates of terminal unit products designed to operate in accordance with WCDMA and LTE standards,
providing Kyocera expanded coverage for products in addition to those covered under their existing license
agreement with us.

Also during first quarter 2018, the Signal Trust for Wireless Innovation, or Signal Trust, established by the
Company in 2013, signed a patent license agreement with a provider of telecommunications infrastructure
equipment. The Signal Trust holds a patent portfolio related to cellular infrastructure, and it is a variable interest
entity. Based on the terms of the trust agreement, we previously determined that we are the primary beneficiary
of the Signal Trust for accounting purposes and, therefore, must consolidate the Signal Trust.

During second quarter 2018, we entered into a multi-year, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-bearing patent
license agreement with Fujitsu Connected Technologies Limited, or FCNT. The agreement covers the sale of
FCNT’s 2G, 3G and 4G terminal unit products, including LTE and LTE-Advanced products.

Also during second quarter 2018, we entered into a multi-year, world-wide, non-exclusive, royalty-bearing
patent license agreement with a US-headquartered company. The agreement covers sales by the US company of
802.11 functionality within certain of its products.

During fourth quarter 2018, we entered into a multi-year, worldwide, non-exclusive patent

license
agreement with Sony (the “Sony PLA”), a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics,
mobile communications and home appliances. In addition, we renewed our joint venture with Sony, Convida
Wireless, and sharpened its focus on 5G, including IoT and infrastructure research. The Sony PLA covers the
sale by Sony of covered products for the three-year period that commenced on December 1, 2018. A portion of

2018 Annual Report

50

7098_Fin.pdf   50

4/19/19   10:33 PM

the consideration for the agreement was in the form of patents from Sony, all of which will be contributed to the
Convida Wireless joint venture.

All of the agreements above, with the exception of the Signal Trust agreement, were agreements with
multiple performance obligations for accounting purposes. Refer to the “Critical Accounting Policies and
Estimates — Revenue Recognition” section below for details of our revenue recognition accounting policies and
additional information on agreements with multiple performance obligations, as well as the estimates and
methods used to determine the fair value of patents acquired.

Expiration of License Agreements

Our patent license agreements with three licensees expired in whole or in part during 2018. Collectively,
these agreements accounted for $3.0 million, or approximately 1%, of our recurring revenue in 2018. Two of
these patent license agreements were static fixed-fee agreements, including our patent license agreement with
Huawei. Under ASC 606, the new revenue recognition rule that became effective for the Company on January 1,
2018, we did not recognize any revenues under static fixed-fee agreements in 2018. Prior to the adoption of ASC
606, we recognized $86.6 million of recurring revenue in 2017 related to the static fixed-fee agreements
discussed above. Refer to Note 3, “Revenue Recognition,” within the consolidated financial statements for further
information regarding our adoption of ASC 606.

Our patent license agreement with one licensee is scheduled to expire during 2019. This agreement

accounted for $0.6 million, or less than 1%, of our revenue in 2018.

Income Tax Reform

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, was signed into law. The TCJA significantly
revised the U.S. corporate income tax regime by, among other things: lowering the U.S. corporate tax rate from
35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018; imposing a 13.1% tax rate on income that qualifies as Foreign Derived
Intangible Income, or FDII; repealing the deduction for domestic production activities; implementing a territorial
tax system; and imposing a repatriation tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Company
is continually monitoring IRS regulations and guidance on tax reform, specifically as it relates to income that
qualifies for the favorable FDII rate. GAAP requires that the impact of tax legislation be recognized in the period
in which the law was enacted.

As a result of the TCJA, we recorded a tax benefit of $18.0 million in 2018 due to our income qualifying for
the favorable FDII rate. During 2017, we recorded a tax charge of $42.6 million due to a re-measurement of
deferred tax assets and liabilities. On a go-forward basis, we expect a significant portion of our income to qualify
as FDII and thus be subject to the 13.1% tax rate.

51

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   51

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Cash and Short-Term Investments

As of December 31, 2018, we had $1.0 billion of cash, restricted cash and short-term investments and up to
an additional $642.2 million of payments due under signed agreements, including $35.0 million recorded in
accounts receivable which includes estimates related to our fourth quarter 2018 variable patent royalty revenue.
A portion of our cash and short-term investments include fixed royalty payments we have received related to
revenue we will record in the future. As a result, our future cash receipts from existing licenses subject to fixed
patent royalties will be lower than if the royalty payments were structured to coincide with the underlying sales.
During 2018, we recorded $325.4 million of cash receipts related to patent licensing and technology solutions
agreements as follows (in thousands):

Patent royalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Technology solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cash In

$322,835
2,537
$325,372

As of December 31, 2018, approximately $267.0 million of our $269.3 million deferred revenue balance as
of December 31, 2018 related to dynamic fixed-fee royalty payments that were scheduled to amortize as follows
(in thousands):

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$110,314
70,896
70,179
15,589
—
—

$266,978

Refer to “New Accounting Guidance” below for a discussion regarding our adoption of ASC 606 effective

January 1, 2018.

Repurchase of Common Stock

In June 2014, our Board of Directors authorized a $300 million share repurchase program (the “2014
Repurchase Program”). In June 2015, September 2017 and December 2018, our Board of Directors authorized
three $100 million increases to the program, respectively, bringing the total amount of the 2014 Repurchase
Program to $600 million. The Company may repurchase shares under the 2014 Repurchase Program through
open market purchases, pre-arranged trading plans or privately negotiated purchases.

The table below sets forth the total number of shares repurchased and the dollar value of shares repurchased
in thousands. As of December 31, 2018, there was approximately

under the 2014 Repurchase Program,
$168.1 million remaining under the stock repurchase authorization.

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

2018 Annual Report

52

2014 Repurchase
Program

# of
Shares

1,478
107
1,304
1,836
3,554

8,279

Value

$110,505
7,693
$
64,685
96,410
152,625

$431,918

7098_Fin.pdf   52

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement

If we believe a party is required to license our patents in order to manufacture, use and/or sell certain
products and such party refuses to do so, we may agree with such party to have royalty rates, or other terms, set
by third party adjudicators (such as arbitrators) or, in certain circumstances, we may institute legal action against
them to enforce our patent rights. This legal action has typically taken the form of a patent infringement lawsuit
or an administrative proceeding. In addition, we and our licensees, in the normal course of business, might seek
to resolve disagreements as to the rights and obligations of the parties under the applicable license agreement
through arbitration or litigation.

In 2018, our intellectual property enforcement costs increased to $17.6 million from $15.2 million and
$16.5 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively. These costs represented 14% of our total patent administration and
licensing costs of $124.1 million in 2018. Intellectual property enforcement costs will vary depending upon
activity levels, and it is likely they will continue to be a significant expense for us in the future.

Comparability of Financial Results

When comparing our 2018 financial results against the financial results of other periods, the following items

should be taken into consideration:

• absent the adoption of ASC 606, we would have recognized $74.7 million of additional revenue
and $16.7 million less interest expense in 2018, which after taxes would have resulted in $84.7 million of
additional net income for the year;

• the Technicolor Acquisition, which closed on July 30, 2018, contributed $4.5 million to our 2018 revenue
and $34.0 million to our 2018 operating expenses, including $17.8 million of one-time transaction-related
and integration costs;

• we recorded an aggregate $8.4 million loss in 2018 related to the sale of our entire ownership interest in

one of our strategic investments and the impairment of a separate strategic investment; and

• our 2018 income tax benefit includes:

• a $18.0 million tax benefit as a result of our income qualifying for the favorable FDII rate;

• a $14.7 million tax benefit as a result of anticipated filings of amended tax returns in connection with

the Competent Authority Proceeding, as defined below.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are based on the selection and application of GAAP, which require us
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in both our consolidated financial statements
and the accompanying notes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty.
Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results could differ from
these estimates and any such differences may be material to the financial statements. Our significant accounting
policies are described in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and are included in Item 8 of Part II of
this Form 10-K. We believe the accounting policies that are of particular importance to the portrayal of our
financial condition and results and that may involve a higher degree of complexity and judgment in their
application compared to others are those relating to revenue recognition, compensation, business combinations
and goodwill, and income taxes. If different assumptions were made or different conditions existed, our financial
results could have been materially different.

Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”
(ASC 606) using the modified retrospective method. Refer to Note 3, “Revenue Recognition,” within the

53

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   53

4/19/19   10:33 PM

consolidated financial statements for further information regarding our adoption of this guidance. The discussion
that follows below is a description of our revenue recognition practices in effect beginning January 1, 2018 under
ASC 606.

We derive the vast majority of our revenue from patent licensing. The timing and amount of revenue
recognized from each licensee depends upon a variety of factors, including the specific terms of each agreement
and the nature of the deliverables and obligations. Such agreements are often complex and include multiple
performance obligations. These agreements can include, without limitation, performance obligations related to
the settlement of past patent infringement liabilities, patent and/or know-how licensing royalties on covered
products sold by licensees, access to a portfolio of technology as it exists at a point in time, and access to a
portfolio of technology at a point in time along with a promises to provide any technology updates to the
portfolio during the term.

All of our agreements have been accounted for under ASC 606. This guidance requires the use of a five-step
model to achieve the core underlying principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of
goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods
or services. These steps include (1) identifying the contract with the customer, (2) identifying the performance
obligations, (3) determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the performance
obligations, and (5) recognizing revenue as the entity satisfies the performance obligation(s). Additionally, we
have elected to utilize certain practical expedients in the application of ASC 606. In evaluating the presence of a
significant financing component in our agreements, we utilize the practical expedient to exclude any contracts
wherein the gap between payment by our customers and the delivery of our performance obligation is less than
one year. We have also elected to utilize the practical expedient related to costs of obtaining a contract where an
entity may recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the
amortization period of the asset that the entity otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. Timing of
revenue recognition may differ significantly from the timing of invoicing to customers. Contract assets are
included in accounts receivable and represent unbilled amounts expected to be received from customers in future
periods, where the revenue recognized to date (or cumulative adjustments to retained earnings in the initial
period of adopting ASC 606) exceeds the amount billed, and right to payment is subject to the underlying
contractual terms. Contract assets are classified as long-term assets if the payments are expected to be received
more than one year from the reporting date. Contract assets due within less than twelve months of the balance
sheet date are included within accounts receivable in our consolidated balance sheets. Contract assets due more
than twelve months after the balance sheet date are included within other non-current assets.

Patent License Agreements

Upon signing a patent license agreement, we provide the licensee permission to use our patented inventions
in specific applications. We account for patent license agreements in accordance with the guidance indicated
above. Under our patent license agreements, we typically receive one or a combination of the following forms of
payment as consideration for permitting our licensees to use our patented inventions in their applications and
products:

Consideration for Past Patent Royalties

Consideration related to a licensee’s product sales from prior periods may result from a negotiated
agreement with a licensee that utilized our patented inventions prior to signing a patent license agreement with us
or from the resolution of a disagreement or arbitration with a licensee over the specific terms of an existing
license agreement. We may also receive consideration for past patent royalties in connection with the settlement
of patent litigation where there was no prior patent license agreement. In each of these cases, we record the
consideration as revenue as prescribed by the five-step model.

2018 Annual Report

54

7098_Fin.pdf   54

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Fixed-Fee Agreements

Fixed-fee agreements include fixed, non-refundable royalty payments that fulfill the licensee’s obligations
to us under a patent license agreement for a specified time period or for the term of the agreement for specified
products, under certain patents or patent claims, for sales in certain countries, or a combination thereof - in each
case for a specified time period (including for the life of the patents licensed under the agreement).

Dynamic fixed-fee license agreements contain a single performance obligation that represents ongoing
access to a portfolio of technology over the license term, since our promise to transfer to the licensee access
to the portfolio as it exists at inception of the license, along with promises to provide any technology
updates to the portfolio during the term, are not separately identifiable. Upon entering a new agreement, we
allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations delivered at signing (e.g. our existing patent
portfolio) and future performance obligations (e.g. the technology updates). We use a time-based input
method of progress to determine the timing of revenue recognition, and as such we recognize the future
deliverables on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement. We utilize the straight-line method as
we believe that it best depicts efforts expended to develop and transfer updates to the customer evenly
throughout the term of the agreement.

Static fixed-fee license agreements are fixed-price contracts that generally do not include updates to
technology we create after the inception of the license agreement or in which the customer does not stand to
substantively benefit from those updates during the term. Generally, our performance obligations are
satisfied at contract signing, and as such revenue is recognized at that time.

Variable Agreements

Upon entering a new variable patent license agreement, the licensee typically agrees to pay royalties or
license fees on licensed products sold during the term of the agreement. We utilize the sales- or usage- based
royalty exception for these agreements and recognize revenues during the contract term when the underlying sale
or usage occurs. Our licensees under variable agreements provide us with quarterly royalty reports that
summarize their sales of covered products and their related royalty obligations to us. We typically receive these
royalty reports subsequent to the period in which our licensees’ underlying sales occurred. As a result, we are
required to estimate revenues, subject to the constraint on our ability to estimate such amounts.

Technology Solutions

Technology solutions revenue consists primarily of revenue from royalty payments. We recognize revenue
from royalty payments using the same methods described above under our policy for recognizing revenue from
patent license agreements. Technology solutions revenues also consist of revenues from software licenses,
engineering services and product sales. The nature of these contracts and timing of payments vary.

Patent Sales

Our business strategy of monetizing our intellectual property includes the sale of select patent assets. As
patent sales executed under this strategy represent a component of our ongoing major or central operations and
activities, we will record the related proceeds as revenue. We will recognize the revenue in accordance with the
five-step model, generally upon closing of the patent sale transaction.

Agreements with Multiple Performance Obligations

During 2018, we signed four new agreements that had multiple performance obligations. Consistent with the
revenue recognition policies disclosed above under ASC 606, we (1) identified the contract with the customer,
(2) identified the performance obligations, (3) determined the transaction price, (4) allocated the transaction price
to the performance obligations, and (5) recognized revenue as we satisfy the performance obligations. We

55

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   55

4/19/19   10:33 PM

allocated the transaction price to each performance obligation for accounting purposes using our best estimate of
the term and value. The development of a number of these inputs and assumptions in the models requires a
significant amount of management judgment and is based upon a number of factors, including the assumed
royalty rates, projected sales volumes, discount rate, comparable market transactions which are not directly
observable and other relevant factors. Changes in any of a number of these assumptions could have had a
substantial impact on the relative fair value assigned to each performance obligation for accounting purposes.
These inputs and assumptions represent management’s best estimates at the time of the transaction.

The impact that a five percent change in the aggregate amount allocated to past patent royalties under these

agreements would have had on 2018 revenue is summarized in the following table (in thousands):

Allocation to past patent royalties

Change in amount
allocated

+5%

-%5

Change in Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$2,324

$(2,324)

Revenue from Non-financial Sources

During 2018, 2017 and 2016, our patent licensing royalties were derived from patent license agreements
(“PLAs”) with 66, 27 and 26 independent licensees, respectively. The number of independent licensees largely
increased from 2017 to 2018 due to the Technicolor Acquisition. We recognized revenue from three, five and
four PLAs in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, for which patents generally comprised less than one-third of the
total consideration paid or due to us under those agreements. In addition, during 2018, 2017 and 2016, we
recognized revenue from one PLA that was executed in 2014 in connection with a patent purchase agreement
(“PPA”) with the licensee. Total cash paid to our licensee under this PPA is approximately 56% of the total cash
due to us under this licensee’s PLA. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, approximately 3%, 4% and 3%, respectively,
of our total revenue was based on the estimated fair value of the patents in the above transactions.

We estimated the fair value of the patents in the above transactions primarily by a combination of a
discounted cash flow analysis (the income approach), an analysis of comparable market transactions (the market
approach), and/or by quantifying the amount of money required to replace the future service capability of the
assets (the cost approach). For the income approach, the inputs and assumptions used to develop these estimates
were based on a market participant perspective and included estimates of projected royalties, discount rates,
economic lives and income tax rates, among others. For the market approach, judgment was applied as to which
market transactions were most comparable to this transaction. For the cost approach, we utilized the historical
cost of assets of similar technologies to determine the estimated replacement cost,
including research,
development, testing and patent application fees. The development of a number of these inputs and assumptions
requires a significant amount of management judgment and is based upon a number of factors, including the
selection of industry comparables, assumed royalty rates, sales volumes, economic lives of the patents and other
relevant factors. Changes in any of a number of these assumptions could have had a substantial impact on the fair
value assigned to the patents for accounting purposes. These inputs and assumptions represent management’s
best estimates at the time of the transaction.

The impact that a five-percent change in the estimated aggregate value of the patents acquired would have
had on 2018 revenue, patent amortization and pre-tax income is summarized in the following table (in
thousands).

Estimated value of patents acquired in connection with PLAs

Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less: Patent amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

+5%

$ 526
644

Pre-tax income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$(118)

-%5

$(526)
(644)

$ 118

Change in estimate

2018 Annual Report

56

7098_Fin.pdf   56

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Compensation Programs

We use a variety of compensation programs to both attract and retain employees, and to more closely align
employee compensation with company performance. These programs include, but are not limited to, short-term
incentive awards tied to performance goals and cash awards to inventors for filed patent applications and patent
issuances, as well as stock option awards, time-based restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards, performance-based
awards and cash awards under our long-term compensation program (“LTCP”) and pursuant to the terms and
conditions of our Equity Plans (as defined in the consolidated financial statements). Our LTCP typically includes
annual equity and cash award grants with three- to five-year vesting periods; as a result, in any one year, we are
typically accounting for at least three active LTCP cycles.

The aggregate amount of performance compensation expense we record in a period, under both short-term
and long-term performance compensation programs, requires the input of subjective assumptions and is a
function of our estimated progress toward performance compensation goals at the beginning of the period, and
our estimated progress or final assessment of progress toward performance compensation goals at the end of the
period. Our estimated progress toward goals under performance equity grants is based on meeting a minimum
confidence level in accordance with accounting rules for share-based compensation. Achievement rates can vary
by performance cycle and from period to period, resulting in variability in our compensation expense.

If we had accrued all performance compensation cost throughout 2018 on the assumption that all plans and
active cycles thereunder would be paid out at 100%, we would have recorded $4.7 million more in compensation
expense in 2018 than we actually recorded.

We account for compensation costs associated with share-based transactions based on the fair value of the
instruments issued. The estimated value of stock options includes assumptions around expected life, stock
volatility and dividends. The expected life of our stock option awards is based on the simplified method as
prescribed by Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 14. In all periods, our policy has been to set the value of RSUs
and restricted stock awards equal to the value of our underlying common stock on the date of measurement. For
grants with graded vesting, we amortize the associated unrecognized compensation cost using an accelerated
method. For grants that cliff vest, we amortize the associated unrecognized compensation cost on a straight-line
basis over their vesting term.

As a result of our adoption of ASU No. 2016-09, “Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to
Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” in first quarter 2017, we now adjust compensation expense
recognized to date in the event of canceled awards as they occur. Tax windfalls and shortfalls related to the tax
effects of employee share-based compensation are included in our tax provision. On the consolidated statements
of cash flows, tax windfalls and shortfalls related to employee share-based compensation awards are included
within operating activities and cash paid to tax authorities for shares withheld are included within financing
activities. The inclusion of windfalls and shortfalls in the tax provision could increase our earnings volatility
between periods.

The below table summarizes our performance-based and other share-based compensation expense for 2018,

2017 and 2016, in thousands:

Short-term incentive compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time-based awards (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance-based awards (a) (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other share-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$13,045
5,985
1,415
1,768

$13,994
6,958
6,883
4,999

$20,516
7,847
12,812
1,899

Total performance-based and other share-based compensation

expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$22,213

$32,834

$43,074

2018

2017

2016

57

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   57

4/19/19   10:33 PM

(a) For 2018, 2017 and 2016, approximately 28%, 6%, and 2%, respectively, of the aggregate expense
associated with time-based and performance-based awards related to cash awards. The increase in cash
awards in 2018 is primarily related to certain cash-based executive retirement awards.

(b)

Includes a charge of $0.4 million and $3.0 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively, to increase the accrual
rates under our LTCP driven by the Company’s success toward achieving goals for the related cycles. There
were no changes to the accrual rates under our LTCP during 2018.

Business Combinations and Goodwill

Acquisitions that qualify as a business combination are accounted for using the acquisition method of
accounting. The fair value of consideration transferred for an acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed based on their fair value as of the acquisition date. Goodwill is recorded as the difference, if
any, between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of the net tangible and
identified intangible assets acquired under a business combination.

Under the acquisition method of accounting,

the Company completes valuation procedures for an
acquisition to determine the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. These valuation procedures
require management to make assumptions and apply significant judgment to estimate the fair value of the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed. If the estimates or assumptions used should significantly change, the resulting
differences could materially affect the fair value of net assets. We estimate the fair value of the intangible assets
acquired generally through a combination of a discounted cash flow analysis (the income approach) and an
analysis of comparable market transactions (the market approach). For the income approach, we base the inputs
and assumptions used to develop these estimates on a market participant perspective which include estimates of
projected revenues, discount rates, economic lives and income tax rates, among others, all of which require
significant management judgment. For the market approach, we apply judgment to identify the most comparable
market transactions to the transaction. Definite-lived intangible assets, which are primarily comprised of patents,
are amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method and are assessed for impairment
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable.

Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed for impairment annually on the first day of the fourth quarter, or
when events or changes in the business environment indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit may
exceed its fair value. We first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the
fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether a quantitative
goodwill impairment test is necessary. If we conclude it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting
unit exceeds its carrying amount, we need not perform the quantitative assessment. If based on the qualitative
assessment we believe it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying
value, a quantitative assessment test is required to be performed. This assessment requires us to compare the fair
value of each reporting unit to its carrying value including allocated goodwill. We determine the fair value of our
reporting units generally using a combination of the income and market approaches. If the carrying value of a
reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, a goodwill impairment charge will be recorded for the
difference up to the carrying value of goodwill.

Income Taxes

As discussed above, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, was signed into law on December 22, 2017.
Pursuant
to the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax
Accounting Implications of the TCJA (“SAB 118”), the SEC gave issuers a one year measurement period to
finalize accounting adjustments related to the TCJA. As of December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a tax
charge of approximately $42.6 million due to a re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities as a
provisional amount. This amount is now final as there were no material changes to the provisional amount
recorded and the measurement period under SAB 118 has closed.

2018 Annual Report

58

7098_Fin.pdf   58

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets
and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the
financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and operating
loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in
effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on
deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income
in the period in which the change was enacted. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts
of deferred tax assets if management has determined that it is more likely than not that such assets will not be
realized.

In addition, the calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of
uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. We are subject to examinations by the U.S. IRS and other
taxing jurisdictions on various tax matters, including challenges to various positions we assert in our filings. In
the event that the IRS or another taxing jurisdiction levies an assessment in the future, it is possible the
assessment could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

The financial statement recognition of the benefit for a tax position is dependent upon the benefit being
more likely than not to be sustainable upon audit by the applicable tax authority. If this threshold is met, the tax
benefit is then measured and recognized at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being
realized upon ultimate settlement. In the event that the IRS or another taxing jurisdiction levies an assessment in
the future, it is possible the assessment could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial
condition or results of operations.

Between 2006 and 2018, we paid approximately $177.5 million in foreign taxes to foreign governments that
have tax treaties with the U.S., for which we have claimed foreign tax credits against our U.S. tax obligations,
and for which the tax treaty procedures are still open. It is possible that as a result of tax treaty procedures, the
U.S. government may reach an agreement with the related foreign governments that will result in a partial refund
of foreign taxes paid with a related reduction in our foreign tax credits. Due to foreign currency fluctuations, any
such agreement could result in foreign currency gain or loss.

On July 24, 2018, the Company received notification that its request for competent authority pertaining to
Article 27 (Mutual Agreement 14 Table of Contents Procedure) of the United States-Republic of Korea Income
Tax Convention had been reviewed by the IRS and an agreement had been reached (the “Competent Authority
Proceeding”). As a result of this agreement, the Company received refunds of $97.4 million, inclusive of interest.
In addition, we have recorded a net tax benefit of $14.7 million in our full year 2018 results related to an
anticipated refund the Company expects to receive as a result of amending tax returns for tax years covered by
this agreement.

New Accounting Guidance

Refer to Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and New Accounting Guidance” within the

consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting guidance.

Legal Proceedings

We are routinely involved in disputes associated with enforcement and licensing activities regarding our
intellectual property, including litigations, arbitrations and other proceedings. These litigations, arbitrations and
other proceedings are important means to enforce our intellectual property rights. We are a party to other disputes
and legal actions not related to our intellectual property, but also arising in the ordinary course of our business.
Refer to Part I, Item 3, of this Form 10-K for a description of our material legal proceedings.

59

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   59

4/19/19   10:33 PM

FINANCIAL POSITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as well as cash
generated from operations. We believe we have the ability to obtain additional liquidity through debt and equity
financings. Based on our past performance and current expectations, we believe our available sources of funds,
including cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and cash generated from our operations, will be
sufficient to finance our operations, capital requirements, debt obligations, existing stock repurchase program and
dividend program for the next twelve months.

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments

As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had the following amounts of cash, cash equivalents,

restricted cash and short-term investments (in thousands):

December 31,
2018

December 31,
2017

Increase /
(Decrease)

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $475,056
Restricted cash included within prepaid and other current

$ 433,014

$ 42,042

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

13,677
470,724

—
724,981

13,677
(254,257)

Total cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments . . . $959,457

$1,157,995

$(198,538)

The net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments was primarily
attributable to cash used in financing activities of $161.1 million for share repurchases, dividend payments and
cash payments for payroll taxes upon vesting of restricted stock units, slightly offset by proceeds received from
the exercise of stock options. Additionally, cash used in investing activities of $186.6 million was primarily
related to the Technicolor Acquisition, and capital investments for patents and fixed assets and additional long-
term strategic investments further contributed to the decrease. These decreases were partially offset by $146.8
million of cash provided by operating activities. Refer to the sections below for further discussion of these items.

Cash flows from operations

We generated the following cash flows from our operating activities in 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):

Cash flows provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . .

$146,792

$315,800

$(169,008)

For the Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

Increase /
(Decrease)

2018 Annual Report

60

7098_Fin.pdf   60

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Our cash flows provided by operating activities are principally derived from cash receipts from patent
license and technology solutions agreements offset by cash operating expenses and income tax payments. The
decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities of $169.0 million was primarily attributable to a decrease
in cash receipts of $183.7 million. This decrease in cash receipts was primarily attributable to the fixed-fee
payment structures for existing licensees, as well as the final cash receipts in 2017 for certain fixed-fee
agreements that expired in 2018. The table below provides the significant items comprising our cash flows
provided by operating activities during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands).

For the Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

Increase /
(Decrease)

Cash Receipts:

Patent royalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Technology solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 322,835
2,537

$ 487,404
21,676

$(164,569)
(19,139)

Total cash receipts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 325,372

$ 509,080

$(183,708)

Cash Outflows:

Cash operating expenses (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes paid, net of refunds (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(167,728)
(16,426)

(156,328)
(66,793)

(11,400)
50,367

Total cash outflows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(184,154)

(223,121)

38,967

Other working capital adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5,574

29,841

(24,267)

Cash flows provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 146,792

$ 315,800

$(169,008)

(a) Cash operating expenses include operating expenses less depreciation of fixed assets, amortization of

patents, non-cash compensation and non-cash changes in fair value.

(b)

Income taxes paid include foreign withholding taxes. For the year ended December 31, 2018, this amount
includes a net cash benefit of $17.5 million related to the Competent Authority Proceeding discussed further
above and within Note 14, “Income Taxes,” in the consolidated financial statements.

61

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   61

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Working capital

We believe that working capital, adjusted to exclude cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term
investments and to include current deferred revenue provides additional information about non-cash assets and
liabilities that might affect our near-term liquidity. While we believe cash and short-term investments are
important measures of our liquidity, the remaining components of our current assets and current liabilities, with
the exception of deferred revenue, could affect our near-term liquidity and/or cash flow. We have no material
obligations associated with our deferred revenue, and the amortization of deferred revenue has no impact on our
future liquidity and/or cash flow. Our adjusted working capital, a non-GAAP financial measure, reconciles to
working capital,
the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, at December 31, 2018 and
December 31, 2017 (in thousands) as follows:

For the Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

Increase /
(Decrease)

Current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less: current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,024,250
179,395

$1,395,794
376,441

$(371,544)
(197,046)

Working capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Subtract:
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restricted cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Add:
Current deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

844,855

1,019,353

(174,498)

475,056
13,677
470,724

433,014
—
724,981

42,042
13,677
(254,257)

111,672

307,142

(195,470)

Adjusted working capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

(2,930)

$ 168,500

$(171,430)

The $171.4 million net decrease in adjusted working capital in 2018 compared to 2017 is primarily
attributable to a decrease in accounts receivable with an offset to deferred revenue as a result of our adoption of
ASC 606. Refer to Note 3, “Revenue Recognition,” in the consolidated financial statements for more information
on this adoption.

Cash used in or provided by investing and financing activities

Net cash provided by investing activities was $70.0 million in 2018, and net cash used in investing was
$220.3 million in 2017. We sold $256.6 million, net of purchases, of short-term marketable securities in 2018,
compared to purchases of $178.7 million, net of sales, in 2017. We applied a substantial portion of the proceeds
from our sale of short-term marketable securities toward the $143.0 million of cash paid, net of cash acquired, for
the Technicolor Acquisition during the year ended December 31, 2018. Long-term investments increased by
$2.1 million due to an increase in strategic investment activity.

Net cash used in financing activities for 2018 was $161.1 million, a $94.5 million change from $66.6
million in 2017. This change was primarily attributable to a $102.8 million increase in repurchases of common
stock and a $5.2 million increase in dividends paid. The increase in dividend payments was attributable to the
September 2017 increase in the Company’s regular quarterly cash dividend, from $0.30 per share to $0.35 per
share. These increases in cash used in financing activities were partially offset by a $14.0 million decrease in
payroll taxes upon the vesting of restricted stock units and a $6.3 million increase in net proceeds from the
exercise of stock options. The decrease in payroll taxes was driven by both a greater number of restricted stock
units vested and a higher share price on their vesting date in 2017 as compared to restricted stock unit vestings in
2018.

2018 Annual Report

62

7098_Fin.pdf   62

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Other

Our combined short-term and long-term deferred revenue balance at December 31, 2018 was approximately
$269.3 million, a decrease of $347.5 million from December 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily due to our
adoption of ASC 606. Refer to Note 3, “Revenue Recognition,” in the consolidated financial statements for more
information.

Based on current license agreements, we expect the amortization of dynamic fixed-fee royalty payments to
reduce the December 31, 2018 deferred revenue balance of $269.3 million by $110.3 million over the next
twelve months.

Convertible Notes

Our 1.50% Senior Convertible Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”) are included in the dilutive earnings per
share calculation using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, we must calculate the
number of shares of common stock issuable under the terms of the 2020 Notes based on the average market price
of our common stock during the applicable reporting period, and include that number in the total diluted shares
figure for the period. At the time we issued the 2020 Notes, we entered into convertible note hedge and warrant
agreements that together were designed to have the economic effect of reducing the net number of shares that
will be issued in the event of conversion of the 2020 Notes by, in effect, increasing the conversion price of the
2020 Notes from our economic standpoint. However, under GAAP, since the impact of the convertible note
hedge agreements is anti-dilutive, we exclude from the calculation of fully diluted shares the number of shares of
our common stock that we would receive from the counterparties to these agreements upon settlement.

During periods in which the average market price of the Company’s common stock is above the applicable
conversion price of the 2020 Notes ($71.17 per share as of December 31, 2018) or above the strike price of the
warrants ($86.99 per share as of December 31, 2018), the impact of conversion or exercise, as applicable, would
be dilutive and such dilutive effect is reflected in diluted earnings per share. As a result, in periods where the
average market price of the Company’s common stock is above the conversion price or strike price, as
applicable, under the treasury stock method, the Company calculates the number of shares issuable under the
terms of the 2020 Notes and the warrants based on the average market price of the stock during the period, and
includes that number in the total diluted shares outstanding for the period.

63

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   63

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Under the treasury stock method, changes in the price per share of our common stock can have a significant
impact on the number of shares that we must include in the fully diluted earnings per share calculation. As
described in Note 10, “Obligations,” it is our current intent and policy to settle all conversions of the 2020 Notes
through a combination settlement of cash and shares of common stock, with a specified dollar amount of $1,000
per $1,000 principal amount of the 2020 Notes and any remaining amounts in shares (“net share settlement”).
Assuming net share settlement upon conversion, the following table illustrates how, based on the $316.0 million
aggregate principal amount of 2020 Notes outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and the approximately
4.4 million warrants outstanding as of the same date, changes in our stock price would affect (i) the number of
shares issuable upon conversion of the 2020 Notes, (ii) the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the
warrants subject to the warrant agreements, (iii) the number of additional shares deemed outstanding with respect
to the 2020 Notes, after applying the treasury stock method, for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share
(“Total Treasury Stock Method Incremental Shares”), (iv) the number of shares of common stock deliverable to
us upon settlement of the hedge agreements and (v) the number of shares issuable upon concurrent conversion of
the 2020 Notes, exercise of the warrants and settlement of the convertible note hedge agreements:

Market Price Per
Share

Shares Issuable
Upon
Conversion of
2020 Notes

Shares Issuable
Upon Exercise of
Warrants

Total Treasury
Stock Method
Incremental
Shares

(Shares in thousands)

Shares Deliverable
to InterDigital
upon Settlement of
the Hedge
Agreements

Incremental
Shares Issuable (a)

$ 70
$ 75
$ 80
$ 85
$ 90
$ 95
$100
$105
$110
$115
$120

—
227
490
722
929
1,114
1,280
1,430
1,567
1,692
1,807

—
—
—
—
149
374
578
762
929
1,082
1,221

—
227
490
722
1,078
1,488
1,858
2,192
2,496
2,774
3,028

—
(227)
(490)
(722)
(929)
(1,114)
(1,280)
(1,430)
(1,567)
(1,692)
(1,807)

—
—
—
—
149
374
578
762
929
1,082
1,221

(a) Represents incremental shares issuable upon concurrent conversion of convertible notes, exercise of

warrants and settlement of the hedge agreements.

Contractual Obligations

On March 11, 2015, InterDigital entered into an indenture, by and between the Company and The Bank of
New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, pursuant to which the 2020 Notes were issued. The 2020
Notes bear interest at a rate of 1.50% per year, payable in cash on March 1 and September 1 of each year,
commencing September 1, 2015, and mature on March 1, 2020, unless earlier converted or repurchased.

For more information on the 2020 Notes, see Note 10, “Obligations,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial

Statements included in Part II, Item 8, of this Form 10-K.

2018 Annual Report

64

7098_Fin.pdf   64

4/19/19   10:33 PM

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands):

2020 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contractual interest payments on the 2020 Notes . . . . . .
Operating lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase obligations (a)

Payments Due by Period

Less Than
1 year

1-3 Years

3-5 Years Thereafter

$ — $316,000
790
6,269
10,262

4,740
5,362
25,655

$ — $ —
—
5,582
—

—
5,104
—

Total

$316,000
5,530
22,317
35,917

Total contractual obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$379,764

$35,757

$333,321

$5,104

$5,582

(a) Purchase obligations consist of agreements to purchase goods and services that are legally binding on us, as
well as accounts payable. Our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 includes a $4.4 million
noncurrent liability for uncertain tax positions. The future payments related to uncertain tax positions have
not been presented in the table above due to the uncertainty of the amounts and timing of cash settlement
with the taxing authorities.

As of December 31, 2018, we have recorded a contingent consideration liability as well as long-term debt of
$19.8 million and $18.4 million, respectively, related to the Technicolor Acquisition that closed in third quarter
2018. Additionally, as part of the Technicolor Acquisition, we committed to contributing cash, subject to certain
requirements, of up to a maximum of $25.0 million to fund a collaborative arrangement related to the transaction.
Refer to Note 5, “Business Combinations,” in the consolidated financial statements for further information. Due
to the uncertainty regarding the timing and amount of future payments related to these liabilities and funding
commitment, these amounts are excluded from the contractual obligations table above.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

2018 Compared with 2017

Revenues

The following table compares 2018 revenues to 2017 revenues (in thousands). Amounts below for the year
ended December 31, 2018 are presented in accordance with ASC 606 and amounts below for the year ended
December 31, 2017 are presented in accordance with ASC 605.

For the Year Ended
December 31,

Components of
Increase/(Decrease)

2018

2017

Total
Increase/(Decrease)

Due to
ASC 606

Operational

Total

Variable patent royalty

revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fixed-fee royalty revenue . . . . . .

$ 36,384
239,347

$ 47,840
301,628

$ (11,456)
(62,281)

(24)% $
(21)% (79,341)

(461) $ (10,995) $ (11,456)
(62,281)

17,060

Current patent royalties a
. . . . . .
Non-current patent royalties b . . .

275,731
26,329

349,468
162,890

(73,737)
(136,561)

(21)% (79,802)
(84)% 10,000

6,065
(146,561)

(73,737)
(136,561)

Total patent royalties . . . . . . . . .
Current technology solutions

revenue a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Patent sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

302,060

512,358

(210,298)

(41)% (69,802)

(140,496)

(210,298)

4,594
750

20,580
—

(15,986)

(78)% (4,907)
—

750 —%

(11,079)
750

(15,986)
750

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

$307,404

$532,938

$(225,534)

(42)% $(74,709) $(150,825) $(225,534)

65

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   65

4/19/19   10:33 PM

(a) Recurring revenues consist of current patent royalties, inclusive of Dynamic Fixed-Fee Agreement royalties,

and current technology solutions revenue.

(b) Non-current patent royalties for the year ended December 31, 2018 consist of past patent royalties and
royalties from static agreements. For the year ended December 31, 2017, non-current royalties consist of
past patent royalties.

As discussed above, we adopted new revenue guidance, ASC 606, effective January 1, 2018. Consistent
with the modified retrospective adoption method, our results of operations for periods prior to our adoption of
ASC 606 remain unchanged. As a result, the difference in accounting principles attributable to the adoption of
ASC 606 accounted for $74.7 million of the decrease in net revenue. This decrease was primarily related to
pre-existing static fixed-fee license agreements.

The $150.8 million “Operational” decrease in total revenue was primarily driven by a decrease in
non-current patent royalties. In 2017, non-current patent royalties were primarily attributable to the LG
agreement, the recognition of a prepayment balance remaining under a patent license agreement that expired in
fourth quarter 2017 and our second quarter 2017 settlement agreement with Microsoft Corporation. The
decreases in current technology solutions revenue and variable patent royalties primarily related to the expiration
at the end of 2017 of certain royalty obligations under a technology solutions agreement and decreased shipments
by certain of our variable licensees, respectively. These decreases were partially offset by the LG dynamic
fixed-fee agreement signed in fourth quarter 2017 and new dynamic fixed-fee agreements signed during 2018.

In 2018 and 2017, 71% and 61% of our total revenues, respectively, were attributable to companies that
individually accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues. In 2018 and 2017, the following licensees or
customers accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues:

Apple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Samsung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Huawei a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BlackBerry b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(a) 2017 revenues include $8.4 million of non-current patent royalties.

(b) 2017 revenues include $70.7 million of non-current patent royalties.

For the Year Ended
December 31,

2018

2017

36%
25%
10%
—%
—%

21%
13%
< 10%
14%
13%

Operating Expenses

The following table summarizes the change in operating expenses by category (in thousands):

For the Year Ended
December 31,

2018

2017

Increase/(Decrease)

Patent administration and licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling, general and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$124,081
69,698
51,030

$102,651
75,724
53,068

$21,430
(6,026)
(2,038)

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

$244,809

$231,443

$13,366

21%
(8)%
(4)%

6%

2018 Annual Report

66

7098_Fin.pdf   66

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Operating expenses increased 6% to $244.8 million in 2018 from $231.4 million in 2017. The $13.4 million
increase in total operating expenses was primarily due to increases/(decreases) in the following items (in
thousands):

Technicolor recurring operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Technicolor Acquisition one-time costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intellectual property enforcement and non-patent litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance-based incentive compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consulting services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Personnel-related costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Patent maintenance and evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Increase/
(Decrease)

$16,242
15,804
2,605
2,072
(7,921)
(7,127)
(3,738)
(2,912)
(2,067)
408

Total increase in operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$13,366

The $13.4 million increase in operating expenses was primarily driven by the Technicolor Acquisition,
which increased 2018 operating expenses by $32.0 million. One-time transaction-related costs associated with
the Technicolor Acquisition increased $15.8 million. Additionally, the Technicolor Acquisition contributed an
additional $16.2 million for five months of operating expenses for the acquired Technicolor business, of which
$6.8 million relates to patent amortization. The $2.6 million increase in intellectual property enforcement and
non-patent
litigation was primarily due to increased activity related to existing licensee disputes. The
$2.1 million increase of depreciation and amortization, which does not include the previously mentioned
amortization from the Technicolor Acquisition, was primarily related to the growth in our patent portfolio driven
by both internal patent generation and patent acquisitions. The $7.9 million decrease in performance-based
incentive compensation was primarily driven by higher accrual rates in the prior year. Consulting services
decreased by $7.1 million, primarily related to spending on corporate initiatives, including the implementation of
a new enterprise resource planning system in 2017. The $2.9 million decrease in personnel-related costs and the
$3.7 million decrease in commercial initiatives were due to a reduction in headcount and reduced spending on the
development of commercial solutions in an ongoing effort to optimize our cost structure. The $2.1 million
decrease in patent maintenance and evaluation costs was a result of our initiatives to more efficiently prosecute
and maintain our patent portfolio.

Patent administration and licensing expense: The $21.4 million increase in patent administration and
licensing expense primarily resulted from the above-noted increases related to the Technicolor Acquisition,
intellectual property enforcement costs and patent amortization expense. These increases were partially offset by
a decrease in performance-based compensation and patent maintenance costs.

Development expense: The $6.0 million decrease in development expense primarily resulted from the
above-noted decreases in performance-based incentive compensation, personnel-related costs, commercial
initiatives, as well as consulting services related to development projects.

Selling, general and administrative expense: The $2.0 million decrease in selling, general and
administrative expense primarily resulted from the above-noted decreases in performance-based incentive
compensation, consulting services, and personnel-related costs. These decreases were partially offset by the
above-noted increases related to the Technicolor Acquisition.

67

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   67

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Other (Expense) Income

The following table compares 2018 other (expense) income to 2017 other (expense) income (in thousands):

For the Year Ended
December 31,

2018

2017

Increase / (Decrease)

Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest and investment income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other

$(35,956)
14,590
(9,171)

$(17,845)
8,488
252

$(18,111)
6,102
(9,423)

(101)%
72%
(3,739)%

$(30,537)

$ (9,105)

$(21,432)

(235)%

In 2018, other expense was $30.5 million as compared to $9.1 million in 2017. As discussed above, the year
ended December 31, 2018 includes $16.7 million of interest expense related to significant financing components
of patent license agreements resulting from the adoption of ASC 606. Interest expense also increased by
$0.7 million due to interest incurred on long-term debt resulting from the Technicolor Acquisition. Other expense
for 2018 also includes an aggregate $8.4 million loss related to the sale of one of our strategic long-term
investments and the impairment of a separate strategic long-term investment during the year. The remaining
change between periods was primarily due to an increase in interest and investment income of $6.1 million
primarily due to higher average investment balances and higher returns during 2018 as compared to 2017.

Income Taxes

In 2018, based on the statutory federal tax rate net of discrete federal and state taxes, our effective tax rate
was a benefit of 85.5%. The effective tax rate for 2018 was favorably impacted by an $18.0 million benefit
associated with the FDII deduction provisions contained within the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, and a
$14.7 million benefit from expected amended returns related to the Competent Authority Proceeding settlement
discussed above.

This is compared to an effective tax rate provision of 41.6% in 2017, based on the statutory federal tax rate
net of discrete federal and state taxes. The effective tax rate for 2017 was impacted by a $42.6 million tax charge
for the revaluation of our net deferred tax assets at the new statutory tax rate of 21% due to the TCJA signed into
law in December 2017. The revaluation of our net deferred tax assets contributed approximately 14.6% to the
rate increase, which was partially offset by a contribution of approximately 4.0% due to our adoption of ASU
2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, as well as by a contribution of 2.7% as
a result of the release of unrecognized tax benefits related to the conclusion of the IRS audits for tax years 2011
through 2015.

2018 Annual Report

68

7098_Fin.pdf   68

4/19/19   10:33 PM

2017 Compared with 2016

Revenues

The following table compares 2017 revenues to 2016 revenues (in thousands). Amounts below for the years

ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are presented in accordance with ASC 605.

For the Year Ended
December 31,

2017

2016

Increase/ (Decrease)

Variable patent royalty revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fixed-fee royalty revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 47,840
301,628

$168,050
177,614

$(120,210)
124,014

Current patent royalties a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current patent royalties b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total patent royalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current technology solutions revenue a . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

349,468
162,890

512,358
20,580

345,664
309,696

655,360
10,494

3,804
(146,806)

(143,002)
10,086

(72)%
70%

1%
(47)%

(22)%
96%

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

$532,938

$665,854

$(132,916)

(20)%

(a) Recurring revenues consist of current patent royalties, inclusive of Dynamic Fixed-Fee Agreements, and

current technology solutions revenue.

(b) For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, non-current patent royalties consist of past patent
royalties. Pegatron’s fourth quarter 2016 variable patent royalties are included in non-current patent
royalties as a result of the new agreement signed with Apple during fourth quarter 2016.

The $132.9 million decrease in total revenue was primarily driven by the decrease in non-current patent
royalties of $146.8 million. In 2016, non-current patent royalties were primarily driven by the patent license
agreements with Huawei and Apple signed in third and fourth quarter 2016, respectively, while the 2017
non-current patent royalties were primarily attributable to the LG agreement, the recognition of a prepayment
balance remaining under a patent license agreement that expired in fourth quarter 2017 and our second quarter
2017 settlement agreement with Microsoft Corporation. Current technology solutions revenue increased by $10.1
million primarily due to increased shipments by one of our technology solutions customers and the inclusion of
revenue from Hillcrest Labs.

In 2017 and 2016, 61% and 78% of our total revenues, respectively, were attributable to companies that
individually accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues. In 2017 and 2016, the following licensees or
customers accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues:

Apple a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Huawei b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BlackBerry c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Samsung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pegatron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(a) 2016 revenues include $141.4 million of non-current patent royalties.

For the Year Ended
December 31,

2017

2016

21%
14%
13%
13%
< 10%

25%
23%
< 10%
10%
20%

(b) 2017 and 2016 revenues include $8.4 million and $121.5 million, respectively, of non-current patent

royalties.

(c) 2017 revenues include $70.7 million of non-current patent royalties.

69

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   69

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Operating Expenses

The following table summarizes the change in operating expenses by category (in thousands):

For the Year Ended
December 31,

2017

2016

Increase/(Decrease)

Patent administration and licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling, general and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$102,651
75,724
53,068

$103,363
73,118
52,067

$ (712)
2,606
1,001

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

$231,443

$228,548

$2,895

(1)%
4%
2%

1%

Operating expenses increased 1% to $231.4 million in 2017 from $228.5 million in 2016. The $2.9
million increase in total operating expenses was primarily due to increases/(decreases) in the following items (in
thousands):

Commercial initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consulting services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance-based incentive compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Patent maintenance and evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intellectual property enforcement and non-patent litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Increase /
(Decrease)

12,139
4,300
4,278
(13,627)
(2,373)
(1,221)
(601)

Total increase in operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 2,895

The $12.1 million increase in costs associated with commercial initiatives and the $4.3 million increase in
depreciation and amortization were primarily related to the acquisition of Hillcrest during fourth quarter 2016.
The $4.3 million increase in consulting services primarily related to spending on corporate initiatives including
the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system and corporate development activities.
The $13.6 million decrease in performance-based incentive compensation was primarily driven by higher accrual
rates in 2016 associated with our short and long-term performance-based compensation plans. Patent
maintenance and evaluation costs decreased $2.4 million as a result of initiatives to more efficiently prosecute
and maintain our patent portfolio. The $1.2 million decrease in intellectual property enforcement and non-patent
litigation primarily related to decreased costs associated with licensee arbitrations.

Patent administration and licensing expense: The $0.7 million decrease in patent administration and
licensing expense primarily resulted from the above-noted decreases
in performance-based incentive
compensation, patent maintenance and evaluation and intellectual property enforcement and non-patent
litigation. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in depreciation and patent amortization expense as
discussed above.

Development expense: The $2.6 million increase in development expense primarily resulted from the
above-noted increase in commercial initiatives expenses. This increase was partially offset by the decrease in
performance-based incentive compensation as discussed above.

Selling, general and administrative expense: The $1.0 million increase in selling, general and
initiatives and
administrative expense primarily resulted from the above-noted increases in commercial
consulting services. These increases were partially offset by the decrease in performance-based incentive
compensation as discussed above.

2018 Annual Report

70

7098_Fin.pdf   70

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Other (Expense) Income

The following table compares 2017 other (expense) income to 2016 other (expense) income (in thousands):

For the Year Ended
December 31,

2017

2016

Increase / (Decrease)

Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest and investment income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$(17,845)
252
8,488

$(21,126)
2,343
3,748

$ 3,281
(2,091)
4,740

16%
(89)%
126%

$ (9,105)

$(15,035)

$ 5,930

39%

(a)

Includes other-than-temporary impairments.

In 2017, other expense was $9.1 million as compared to $15.0 million in 2016. The change in total other
expense was primarily due higher interest and investment income attributable to higher average investment
balances and returns during 2017 as compared to 2016, as well as lower interest expense as a result of the
repayment of the 2016 Notes in first quarter 2016. The decrease in other income primarily related to the gain
recognized related to the sale of our King of Prussia facility in 2016.

Income Taxes

In 2017, our effective tax rate was approximately 41.6% as compared to 27.7% in 2016, based on the
statutory federal tax rate net of discrete federal and state taxes. The increase in the effective tax rate was
primarily attributable to the revaluation of our net deferred tax assets at the new statutory tax rate of 21% due to
the TCJA signed into law in December 2017. The revaluation resulted in a 2017 charge of approximately
$42.6 million and contributed approximately 14.6% to the rate increase, which was partially offset by a
contribution of approximately 4.0% due to our adoption of ASU 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-
Based Payment Accounting”, as well as by a contribution of 2.7% as a result of the release of unrecognized tax
benefits related to the conclusion of the IRS audits for tax years 2011 through 2015. Our 2016 effective tax rate
included a net benefit received from domestic production activities deductions covering the periods 2011 through
2015, which reduced the 2016 effective tax rate by 5.6%.

STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995—
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include certain information in “Part I,
Item 1. Business” and “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations” and other information regarding our current beliefs, plans and expectations, including
without limitation the matters set forth below. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,”
“intend,” “plan,” “forecast,” “believe,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “if,” “may,” “might,” “future,” “target,”
“goal,” “trend,” “seek to,” “will continue,” “predict,” “likely,” “in the event,” variations of any such words or
similar expressions contained herein are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include, without limitation, statements regarding:

(i) Our objective to continue to be a leading designer and developer of technology solutions and
innovation for the mobile industry and to monetize those solutions and innovations through a combination
of licensing, sales and other revenue opportunities;

(ii) Our plans for executing on our business strategy, including our plans to develop and source
innovative technologies related to wireless and video, establish and grow our patent-based revenue, pursue
commercial opportunities for our advanced platforms and solutions, and maintain a collaborative
relationship with key industry players and worldwide standards bodies;

71

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   71

4/19/19   10:33 PM

(iii) Our belief that our portfolio includes a number of patents and patent applications that are or may
be essential or may become essential to cellular, other wireless and video standards, including 3G, 4G and
the IEEE 802 suite of standards, as well as patents and patent applications that we believe may become
essential to 5G standards that are under development;

(iv) Our belief that a number of our CDMA and OFDM/OFDMA inventions are, may be or may

become essential to the implementation of CDMA and OFDM/OFDMA-based systems in use today;

(v) Our belief that companies making,

importing, using or selling products compliant with the
standards covered by our patent portfolio require a license under our patents and will require licenses under
patents that may issue from our pending patent applications;

(vi) Our belief that our ongoing research efforts and associated patenting activities enable us to sell
patent assets that are not vital to our core licensing programs, as well as to execute patent swaps that can
strengthen our overall portfolio;

(vii) Our belief that our commercial initiatives are potential revenue opportunities;

(viii) The estimated growth of the IoT market, including the size of the connected device installed base

and number of connected device shipments, over the next several years;

(ix) The types of licensing arrangements and various royalty structure models that we anticipate using

under our future license agreements;

(x) The possible outcome of audits of our license agreements when underreporting or underpayment is

revealed;

(xi) Our belief that our facilities are suitable and adequate for our present purposes and our needs in the

near future;

(xii) Our expectations and estimations regarding the income tax effects, and the impact on the
Company, of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, and our belief that we currently expect a significant
portion of our income to qualify as FDII and thus be subject to the 13.1% tax rate;

(xiii) Our expectation that we will continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend on our common stock

comparable to our quarterly $0.35 per share cash dividend in the future;

(xiv) Our belief that intellectual property enforcement costs will likely continue to be a significant

expense for us in the future;

(xv) Our belief that we have the ability to obtain additional

liquidity through debt and equity

financings;

(xvi) Our belief that our available sources of funds will be sufficient to finance our operations, capital
requirements, debt obligations, existing stock repurchase program and dividend program for the next twelve
months;

(xvii) Our expectations regarding the potential effects of new accounting standards on our financial

statements or results of operations;

(xviii) Our expectation that the amortization of fixed-fee royalty payments will reduce our deferred

revenue balance over the next twelve months;

(xix) our belief in our ability to expand into the consumer electronics market, and the opportunities that

market presents;

(xx) our projections of amounts to be owed to Technicolor under our revenue sharing arrangement; and

(xxi) The expected timing, outcome and impact of our various litigation, arbitration and administrative

matters.

2018 Annual Report

72

7098_Fin.pdf   72

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Although the forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K reflect

the good faith judgment of our
management, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known by us. Consequently,
forward-looking statements concerning our business, results of operations and financial condition are inherently
subject to risks and uncertainties. We caution readers that actual results and outcomes could differ materially
from those expressed in or anticipated by such forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including,
without limitation, the following:

(i) further decline in U.S.-China relations and/or increased economic uncertainty in China;

(ii) unanticipated difficulties or delays related to the further development of our technologies;

(iii) the failure of the markets for our technologies to materialize to the extent or at the rate that we

expect;

(iv) changes in our plans, strategy or initiatives;

(v)

the challenges related to entering into new and renewed patent

unanticipated delays, difficulties or acceleration in the negotiation and execution of patent
agreements;

license agreements and
license

(vi) our ability to leverage our strategic relationships and secure new patent license and technology

solutions agreements on acceptable terms;

(vii) the impact of current trends in the industry that could result in reductions in and/or caps on royalty

rates under new patent license agreements;

(viii) changes in the market share and sales performance of our primary licensees, delays in product
shipments of our licensees, delays in the timely receipt and final reviews of quarterly royalty reports from
our licensees, delays in payments from our licensees and related matters;

(ix) the timing and/or outcome of our various litigation, arbitration, regulatory or administrative
proceedings, including any awards or judgments relating to such proceedings, additional legal proceedings,
changes in the schedules or costs associated with legal proceedings or adverse rulings in such legal
proceedings;

(x) the determination of royalty rates, or other terms, under our patent license agreements through
arbitration or other third-party adjudications, or the establishment by arbitrators or other third-party
adjudicators of patent royalty rates at levels lower than our agreed or historical rates;

(xi) the impact of potential patent legislation, USPTO rule changes and international patent rule

changes on our patent prosecution and licensing strategies;

(xii) the impact of rulings in legal proceedings, potential legislation affecting the jurisdiction and
authority of the USITC and potential changes to the IPR policies of worldwide standards bodies on our
investments in research and development and our strategies for patent prosecution,
licensing and
enforcement;

(xiii) changes in our interpretations of, and assumptions and calculations with respect to the impact on
the Company of, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, as well as further guidance that may be issued
regarding the TCJA;

(xiv) the timing and/or outcome of any state or federal tax examinations or audits, changes in tax laws

and the resulting impact on our tax assets and liabilities;

(xv) the effects of any dispositions, acquisitions or other strategic transactions by the Company;

(xvi) decreased liquidity in the capital markets; and

(xvii) unanticipated increases in our cash needs or decreases in available cash.

73

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   73

4/19/19   10:33 PM

You should carefully consider these factors as well as the risks and uncertainties outlined in greater detail in
Part I, Item 1A, in this Form 10-K before making any investment decision with respect to our common stock.
These factors, individually or in the aggregate, may cause our actual results to differ materially from our
expected and historical results. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors.
In addition, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein, which are
made only as of the date of this Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-
looking statement for any reason, except as otherwise required by law.

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments

The primary objectives of our investment activities are to preserve principal and maintain liquidity while at
the same time capturing a market rate of return. To achieve these objectives, we maintain our portfolio of cash,
cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term and long-term investments in a variety of securities, including
government obligations, corporate bonds and commercial paper.

Interest Rate Risk — We invest our cash in a number of diversified high quality investment-grade fixed and
floating rate securities with a fair value of $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2018. Our exposure to interest rate
risks is not significant due to the short average maturity, quality and diversification of our holdings. We do not
hold any derivative, derivative commodity instruments or other similar financial instruments in our investment
portfolio. The risk associated with fluctuating interest rates is generally limited to our investment portfolio. We
believe that a hypothetical 10% change in period-end interest rates would not have a significant impact on our
results of operations or cash flows.

The following table provides information about our interest-bearing securities that are sensitive to changes
in interest rates as of December 31, 2018. The table presents principal cash flows, weighted-average yield at cost
and contractual maturity dates. Additionally, we have assumed that these securities are similar enough within the
specified categories to aggregate these securities for presentation purposes.

Interest Rate Sensitivity
Principal Amount by Expected Maturity
Average Interest Rates
(in thousands)

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Thereafter

Total

Money market and demand

accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term investments . . . . . . .
Average Interest rate . . . . . . . . .

$488,733
$390,932

—
$79,792

—
—

1.4%

1.8% —%

—
—
—%

—
—
—%

—
—
—%

$488,733
$470,724

1.5%

Cash and cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value.

Bank Liquidity Risk — As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $488.7 million in operating
accounts that are held with domestic and international financial institutions. The majority of these balances are
held with domestic financial institutions. While we monitor daily cash balances in our operating accounts and
adjust the cash balances as appropriate, these cash balances could be lost or become inaccessible if the
underlying financial institutions fail or if they are unable to meet the liquidity requirements of their depositors.
Notwithstanding, we have not incurred any losses and have had full access to our operating accounts to date.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk — We are exposed to limited risk from fluctuations in currencies,
which might change over time as our business practices evolve, that could impact our operating results, liquidity

2018 Annual Report

74

7098_Fin.pdf   74

4/19/19   10:33 PM

and financial condition. We operate and invest globally. Adverse movements in currency exchange rates might
negatively affect our business due to a number of situations. Currently, our international licensing agreements are
typically made in U.S. dollars and are generally not subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk. We do not
engage in foreign exchange hedging transactions at this time.

Between 2006 and 2018, we paid approximately $177.5 million in foreign taxes to foreign governments that
have tax treaties with the U.S., for which we have claimed foreign tax credits against our U.S. tax obligations,
and for which the tax treaty procedures are still open. It is possible that as a result of tax treaty procedures, the
U.S. government may reach an agreement with the related foreign governments that will result in a partial refund
of foreign taxes paid with a related reduction in our foreign tax credits. Due to foreign currency fluctuations, any
such agreement could result in foreign currency gain or loss.

Investment Risk — We are exposed to market risk as it relates to changes in the market value of our short-
term and long-term investments in addition to the liquidity and creditworthiness of the underlying issuers of our
investments. We hold a diversified investment portfolio, which includes, fixed and floating-rate, investment-
grade marketable securities, mortgage and asset-backed securities and U.S. government and other securities. The
instruments included in our portfolio meet high credit quality standards, as specified in our investment policy
guidelines. This policy also limits our amount of credit exposure to any one issue, issuer and type of instrument.
Given that the guidelines of our investment policy prohibit us from investing in anything but highly rated
instruments, our investments are not subject to significant fluctuations in fair value due to the volatility of the
credit markets and prevailing interest rates for such securities. Our marketable securities, consisting of
government obligations, corporate bonds and commercial paper, are primarily classified as available-for-sale
with a fair value of $470.7 million as of December 31, 2018.

Equity Risk — We are exposed to changes in the market-traded price of our common stock as it influences
the calculation of earnings per share. In connection with the offering of the 2020 Notes, we entered into
convertible note hedge transactions with option counterparties. We also sold warrants to the option
counterparties. These transactions have been accounted for as an adjustment to our shareholders’ equity. The
convertible note hedge transactions are expected to reduce the potential equity dilution upon conversion of the
2020 Notes. The warrants along with any shares issuable upon conversion of the 2020 Notes will have a dilutive
effect on our earnings per share to the extent that the average market price of our common stock for a given
reporting period exceeds the applicable strike price or conversion price of the warrants or convertible 2020
Notes, respectively.

75

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   75

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Item 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

PAGE
NUMBER

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017

and 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and
2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 . . .
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

77
79
80

81

82
83
84

SCHEDULES:
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018,

2017 and 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

137

All other schedules are omitted because they are either not required or applicable or equivalent information

has been included in the financial statements and notes thereto.

2018 Annual Report

76

7098_Fin.pdf   76

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of InterDigital, Inc.

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the consolidated financial statements, including the related notes and financial statement
schedules, of Interdigital, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as listed in the accompanying index
(collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control —
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company
maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018,
based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Change in Accounting Policies

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which

it accounts for revenue from contracts with customers in 2018.

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 Annual Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements and 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.

77

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   77

4/19/19   10:33 PM

As described in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management
has excluded the patent licensing business of Technicolor from its assessment of internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2018 because it was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination
during 2018. We have also excluded the patent licensing business of Technicolor from our audit of internal
control over financial reporting. The patent licensing business of Technicolor is a wholly-owned subsidiary
whose total assets and total revenues excluded from management’s assessment and our audit of internal control
over financial reporting represent 2.5% and 1.5%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement
amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018.

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 (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail,
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) 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 (iii) 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.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 21, 2019

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

2018 Annual Report

78

7098_Fin.pdf   78

4/19/19   10:33 PM

INTERDIGITAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share data)

ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $693 and $456 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PATENTS, NET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TOTAL ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued compensation and related expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taxes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividend payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LONG-TERM DEBT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LONG-TERM DEFERRED REVENUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TOTAL LIABILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

Preferred Stock, $0.10 par value, 14,399 shares authorized, 0 shares issued

and outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 71,134 and

70,749 shares issued and 33,529 and 34,622 shares outstanding . . . . . . . . .
Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated other comprehensive loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Treasury stock, 37,605 and 36,127 shares of common held at cost . . . . . . . . .
Total InterDigital, Inc. shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Noncontrolling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DECEMBER 31,
2018

DECEMBER 31,
2017

$ 475,056
470,724
35,032
43,438
1,024,250
10,051
454,567
77,225
60,465
602,308
$1,626,558

$ 433,014
724,981
216,293
21,506
1,395,794
10,673
325,408
84,582
37,963
458,626
$1,854,420

19,367
26,838
111,672
1,508
11,627
8,383
179,395
317,377
157,634
34,139
688,545

10,260
24,571
307,142
14,881
12,156
7,431
376,441
285,126
309,671
10,034
981,272

—

—

711
685,512
1,426,266
(2,471)
2,110,018
1,182,993
927,025
10,988
938,013
$1,626,558

707
680,040
1,249,091
(2,083)
1,927,755
1,072,488
855,267
17,881
873,148
$1,854,420

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

79

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   79

4/19/19   10:33 PM

INTERDIGITAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

2018

2017

2016

REVENUES:

Patent licensing royalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $302,060
750
Patent sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,594
Technology solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 512,358
—
20,580

$ 655,360
—
10,494

Total Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

307,404

532,938

665,854

OPERATING EXPENSES:

Patent administration and licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling, general and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

124,081
69,698
51,030

102,651
75,724
53,068

103,363
73,118
52,067

Total Operating Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

244,809

231,443

228,548

Income from operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OTHER EXPENSE (NET) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

62,595
(30,537)

301,495
(9,105)

437,306
(15,035)

Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INCOME TAX BENEFIT (PROVISION) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

32,058
27,417

292,390
(121,676)

422,271
(116,791)

NET INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 59,475

$ 170,714

$ 305,480

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

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

(4,393)

(3,579)

(3,521)

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERDIGITAL, INC. . . . . . . . . . $ 63,868

$ 174,293

$ 309,001

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE — BASIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

1.85

$

5.04

$

8.95

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES

OUTSTANDING — BASIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34,491

34,605

34,526

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE — DILUTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

1.81

$

4.87

$

8.78

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES

OUTSTANDING — DILUTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35,307

35,779

35,189

CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE . . . . . . . . . . . $

1.40

$

1.30

$

1.00

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

2018 Annual Report

80

7098_Fin.pdf   80

4/19/19   10:33 PM

INTERDIGITAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$59,475
61

$170,714
(1,569)

$305,480
(336)

Comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$59,536

$169,145

$305,144

Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4,393)

(3,579)

(3,521)

Total comprehensive income attributable to InterDigital, Inc.

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

$63,929

$172,724

$308,665

For the Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

81

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   81

4/19/19   10:33 PM

INTERDIGITAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except per share data)

Common Stock

Shares Amount

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

Retained
Earnings

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

Treasury Stock

Shares Amount

Non-
Controlling
Interest

Total
Shareholders’
Equity

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2015 . . . . . . . 70,130

$701

$663,073 $ 847,033

$ (178)

34,716 $(1,000,110) $11,376

$ 521,895

Net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc.
. .
Proceeds from noncontrolling interests . . . . . .
Net (loss) income attributable to

noncontrolling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on short-
term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends Declared ($1.00 per share) . . . . . . .
Exercise of Common Stock options . . . . . . . .
Issuance of Common Stock, net
. . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options . . .
Amortization of unearned compensation . . . . .
Repurchase of Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . .

—
—

—

—
—
51
137
—
—
—

—
—

—

—
—
1
1
—
—
—

—
—

—

—
907
485
(3,381)
625
21,840
—

309,001
—

—

—
(35,268)
—
—
—
—
—

—
—

—

(336)
—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
1,304

—
—

—
6,804

309,001
6,804

— (3,521)

(3,521)

—
—
—
—
—
—
(64,685)

—
—
—
—
—
—
—

(336)
(34,361)
486
(3,380)
625
21,840
(64,685)

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2016 . . . . . . . 70,318

$703

$683,549 $1,120,766

$ (514)

36,020 $(1,064,795) $14,659

$ 754,368

Net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc.
. .
Proceeds from noncontrolling interests . . . . . .
Net (loss) income attributable to

noncontrolling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on short-
term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends Declared ($1.30 per share) . . . . . . .
Exercise of Common Stock options and

warrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
Issuance of Common Stock, net
Amortization of unearned compensation . . . . .
Repurchase of Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . .

—
—

—

—
—

9
422
—
—

—
—

—

—
—

1
3
—
—

—
—

—

—
846

174,293
—

—

—
—

—

—
(45,968)

(1,569)
—

381
(22,798)
18,062
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—

—

—
—

—
—
—
107

—
—

—
6,801

174,293
6,801

— (3,579)

(3,579)

—
—

—
—
—
(7,693)

—
—

—
—
—
—

(1,569)
(45,122)

382
(22,795)
18,062
(7,693)

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2017 . . . . . . . 70,749

$707

$680,040 $1,249,091

$(2,083)

36,127 $(1,072,488) $17,881

$ 873,148

Cumulative effect of change in accounting

principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income attributable to InterDigital, Inc.
. .
Distribution preference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net (loss) income attributable to

noncontrolling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on short-
term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends Declared ($1.40 per share) . . . . . . .
Exercise of Common Stock options . . . . . . . .
Issuance of Common Stock, net
. . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of unearned compensation . . . . .
Repurchase of Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . .

—
—
—

—

—
—
153
232
—
—

—
—
—

—

—
—
2
2
—
—

—
—
—

—

—
472
6,721
(8,810)
7,089
—

161,701
63,868
—

—

—
(48,394)
—
—
—
—

(449)
—
—

—

61
—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
1,478

—
—
—
—
— (2,500)

161,252
63,868
(2,500)

— (4,393)

(4,393)

—
—
—
—
—
(110,505)

—
—
—
—
—
—

61
(47,922)
6,723
(8,808)
7,089
(110,505)

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2018 . . . . . . . 71,134

$711

$685,512 $1,426,266

$(2,471)

37,605 $(1,182,993) $10,988

$ 938,013

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements

2018 Annual Report

82

7098_Fin.pdf   82

4/19/19   10:33 PM

INTERDIGITAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-cash interest expense, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-cash change in fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change in deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Increase) decrease in assets:

Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred charges and other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Increase (decrease) in liabilities:

Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued compensation and other expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued taxes payable and other tax contingencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,

2018

2017

2016

$ 59,475

$ 170,714

$ 305,480

66,108
13,509
3,884
6,966
(45,426)
7,089
8,323
(425)

31,615
(6,065)

6,203
254
(4,718)

57,053
13,105
—
(36,892)
64,950
18,062
—
(2)

52,753
15,252
—
205,721
13,261
21,840
(3,351)
(32)

12,171
19,426

(169,927)
(15,222)

(3,789)
(3,218)
4,220

(5,564)
5,155
8,793

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

146,792

315,800

434,159

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Purchases of short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales of short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchases of property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capitalized patent costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition of patents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(142,555)
399,105
(2,576)
(32,069)
(2,250)
(142,985)
(6,686)

(930,016)
751,308
(2,071)
(34,933)
—
—
(4,585)

(560,075)
434,510
(5,882)
(32,658)
(4,900)
(48,000)
(2,000)

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

69,984

(220,297)

(219,005)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Net proceeds from exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments on long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from non-controlling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shares withheld for taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit from share-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repurchase of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6,723
—
—
(48,468)
(8,807)
—
(110,505)

382

485
— (230,000)
6,804
(31,135)
(3,381)
625
(64,685)

6,801
(43,255)
(22,798)
—
(7,693)

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

(161,057)

(66,563)

(321,287)

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED

CASH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD . . . . . .

55,719
433,014

28,940
404,074

(106,133)
510,207

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 488,733

$ 433,014

$ 404,074

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

Interest paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Income taxes paid, including foreign withholding taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4,740

33,904

4,740

7,615

66,793

108,635

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

Dividend payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11,627

Non-cash acquisition of patents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

12,156

32,500

10,290

7,900

Accrued capitalized patent costs, acquisition of patents and property and equipment

. . . . . . .

(2,789)

1

(146)

Refer to Note 3, “Revenue Recognition” for more information regarding the impact of our adoption of ASC 606 and Note 6, “Cash,

Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities” for a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

83

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   83

4/19/19   10:33 PM

INTERDIGITAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2018

1. BACKGROUND

InterDigital designs and develops advanced technologies that enable and enhance wireless communications

and capabilities. Since our founding in 1972, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of
innovations that are used in digital cellular and wireless products and networks, including 2G, 3G, 4G and IEEE
802-related products and networks, as well as video processing, coding and display technology. We are a leading
contributor of innovation to the wireless communications industry, as well as a leading holder of patents in the
video industry.

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND NEW ACCOUNTING
GUIDANCE

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all of our accounts and all entities in which we

have a controlling interest and/or are required to be consolidated in accordance with the Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles in the United States (“GAAP”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions
have been eliminated in consolidation.

In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and therefore required to

consolidate, we apply a qualitative approach that determines whether we have both the power to direct the
economically significant activities of the entity and the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive
benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to that entity. These considerations impact the way
we account for our existing collaborative relationships and other arrangements. We continuously assess whether
we are the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity as changes to existing relationships or future
transactions may result in us consolidating or deconsolidating our partner(s) to collaborations and other
arrangements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. If different assumptions were made or different
conditions had existed, our financial results could have been materially different.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of substantially all of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar.
Certain subsidiaries have monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in a currency that is different than
the functional currency. The gains and losses resulting from this remeasurement and translation of monetary
assets denominated in a currency that is different than the functional currency are reflected in the determination
of net income (loss).

2018 Annual Report

84

7098_Fin.pdf   84

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities

We classify all highly liquid investment securities with original maturities of three months or less at date of
purchase as cash equivalents. Cash that is held for a specific purpose and therefore not available to the Company
for immediate or general business use is classified as restricted cash. Our investments are comprised of mutual
and exchange traded funds, commercial paper, United States and municipal government obligations and
corporate securities. Management determines the appropriate classification of our investments at the time of
acquisition and re-evaluates such determination at each balance sheet date.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the majority of our marketable securities have been classified as
available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported net-of-tax as a separate
component of shareholders’ equity. Substantially all of our investments are investment grade government and
corporate debt securities that have maturities of less than 2 years, and we have both the ability and intent to hold
the investments until maturity.

Other-than-Temporary Impairments

We review our investment portfolio during each reporting period to determine whether there are identified
events or circumstances that would indicate there is a decline in the fair value that is considered to be other-than-
temporary. For non-public investments, if there are no identified events or circumstances that would have a
significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment, then the fair value is not estimated. If an investment
is deemed to have experienced an other-than-temporary decline below its cost basis, we reduce the carrying
amount of the investment to its quoted or estimated fair value, as applicable, and establish a new cost basis for
the investment. We charge the impairment to the “Other Expense (Net)” line of our consolidated statements of
income.

Intangible Assets

Patents

We capitalize external costs, such as filing fees and associated attorney fees, incurred to obtain issued
patents and patent
license rights. We expense costs associated with maintaining and defending patents
subsequent to their issuance in the period incurred. We amortize capitalized patent costs for internally generated
patents on a straight-line basis over ten years, which represents the estimated useful lives of the patents. The
ten-year estimated useful life for internally generated patents is based on our assessment of such factors as: the
integrated nature of the portfolios being licensed, the overall makeup of the portfolio over time, and the length of
license agreements for such patents. The estimated useful lives of acquired patents and patent rights, however,
have been and will continue to be based on a separate analysis related to each acquisition and may differ from the
estimated useful lives of internally generated patents. The average estimated useful life of acquired patents is 9.7
years. We assess the potential impairment to all capitalized net patent costs when events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of our patent portfolio may not be recoverable.

Goodwill

Goodwill is recorded as the difference, if any, between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition
and the fair value of the net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired under a business combination. We
review impairment of goodwill annually on the first day of the fourth quarter. We first assess qualitative factors
to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying
amount as a basis for determining whether a quantitative goodwill impairment test is necessary. If we conclude it
is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, we need not perform the
quantitative assessment.

If based on the qualitative assessment we believe it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting
unit is less than its carrying value, a quantitative assessment test is required to be performed. This assessment

85

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   85

4/19/19   10:33 PM

requires us to compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value including allocated goodwill. We
determine the fair value of our reporting units generally using a combination of the income and market
approaches. The income approach is estimated through the discounted cash flow method based on assumptions
about future conditions such as future revenue growth rates, new product and technology introductions, gross
margins, operating expenses, discount rates, future economic and market conditions, and other assumptions. The
market approach estimates the fair value of our equity by utilizing the market comparable method which is based
on revenue multiples from comparable companies in similar lines of business. If the carrying value of a reporting
unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, a goodwill impairment charge will be recorded for the difference up
to the carrying value of goodwill.

The Company acquired goodwill from our acquisition of the patent licensing business of Technicolor (the
“Technicolor Acquisition”) in 2018 and from our acquisition of Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc. (“Hillcrest Labs”) in
2016. Refer to Note 5, “Business Combinations,” for more information regarding these transactions.

The carrying value of goodwill as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $22.4 million and $16.0 million,
respectively, which was included within “Other Non-Current Assets” in the consolidated balance sheets. No
impairments were recorded during 2018, 2017 or 2016 as a result of our annual goodwill impairment assessment.

Other Intangible Assets

We capitalize the cost of technology solutions and platforms we acquire or license from third parties when
they have a future benefit and the development of these solutions and platforms is substantially complete at the
time they are acquired or licensed.

Intangible assets consist of acquired patents, existing technology, and trade names. Refer to the above
Patents section for more information on acquired patents and existing technology. Our intangible assets are
amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 9 to 10 years. We make
judgments about the recoverability of purchased finite-lived intangible assets whenever facts and circumstances
indicate that the useful life is shorter than originally estimated or that the carrying amount of assets may not be
recoverable. If such facts and circumstances exist, we assess recoverability by comparing the projected
undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their remaining lives against
their respective carrying amounts. Impairments, if any, are based on the excess of the carrying amount over the
fair value of those assets. If the useful life is shorter than originally estimated, we would accelerate the rate of
amortization and amortize the remaining carrying value over the new shorter useful life.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment are
provided using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives for computer equipment, computer software,
engineering and test equipment and furniture and fixtures are generally three to five years. Leasehold
improvements are amortized over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or their respective lease terms, which
are generally five to ten years. Buildings are being depreciated over twenty-five years. Expenditures for major
improvements and betterments are capitalized, while minor repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as
incurred. Leases meeting certain capital lease criteria are capitalized and the net present value of the related lease
payments is recorded as a liability. Amortization of capital leased assets is recorded using the straight-line
method over the lesser of the estimated useful lives or the lease terms.

Upon the retirement or disposition of property, plant and equipment, the related cost and accumulated

depreciation or amortization are removed, and a gain or loss is recorded.

Internal-Use Software Costs

We capitalize costs associated with software developed for internal use that are incurred during the software
development stage. Such costs are limited to expenses incurred after management authorizes and commits to a

2018 Annual Report

86

7098_Fin.pdf   86

4/19/19   10:33 PM

computer software project, believes that it is more likely than not that the project will be completed, the software
will be used to perform the intended function with an estimated service life of two years or more, and the
completion of conceptual formulation, design and testing of possible software project alternatives (the
preliminary design stage). Costs incurred after final acceptance testing has been successfully completed are
expensed. Capitalized computer software costs are amortized over their estimated useful life of three years.

All computer software costs capitalized to date relate to the purchase, development and implementation of

engineering, accounting and other enterprise software.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate long-lived assets for impairment when factors indicate that the carrying value of an asset may
not be recoverable. When factors indicate that such assets should be evaluated for possible impairment, we
review whether we will be able to realize our long-lived assets by analyzing the projected undiscounted cash
flows in measuring whether the asset is recoverable. We did not have any long-lived asset impairments in 2018,
2017 or 2016.

Investments in Other Entities

We may make strategic investments in companies that have developed or are developing technologies that
are complementary to our business. In conjunction with our adoption of ASU No. 2016-01 “Financial
Instruments (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”
discussed further below, we made an accounting policy election for a measurement alternative for our equity
investments that do not have readily determinable fair values, specifically related to our strategic investments in
other entities. Under the alternative, our strategic investments in other entities without readily determinable fair
values are measured at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes
in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer, if any. On a quarterly basis, we
monitor items such as our investment’s financial position and liquidity, performance targets, business plans, and
cost trends to assess whether there are any triggering events or indicators present that would be indicative of an
impairment, or any other observable price changes as indicated above. We do not adjust our investment balance
when the investee reports profit or loss.

Additionally, other investments may be accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under this
method, we initially record our investment in the stock of an investee at cost, and adjust the carrying amount of
the investment to recognize our share of the earnings or losses of the investee after the date of acquisition. The
amount of the adjustment is included in the determination of net income, and such amount reflects adjustments
similar to those made in preparing consolidated statements including adjustments to eliminate intercompany
gains and losses, and to amortize, if appropriate, any difference between our cost and underlying equity in net
assets of the investee at the date of investment. The investment is also adjusted to reflect our share of changes in
the investee’s capital. Dividends received from an investee reduce the carrying amount of the investment. When
there are a series of operating losses by the investee or when other factors indicate that a decrease in value of the
investment has occurred which is other than temporary, we recognize an impairment equal to the difference
between the fair value and the carrying amount of our investment.

The carrying value of our investments in other entities are included within “Other Non-Current Assets” on
our consolidated balance sheets. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, we made investments in other entities of
$6.7 million, $4.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively. The carrying value of our investments in other entities
as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $17.4 million and $19.2 million, respectively, the majority of which are
accounted for under the measurement alternative for equity investments described above.

Revenue Recognition

Refer to Note 3, “Revenue Recognition,” for further information regarding our adoption of ASU
No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which we refer to as ASC 606, effective

87

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   87

4/19/19   10:33 PM

January 1, 2018. The discussion that follows below is a description of our revenue recognition practices in effect
beginning January 1, 2018 under ASC 606.

We derive the vast majority of our revenue from patent licensing. The timing and amount of revenue
recognized from each licensee depends upon a variety of factors, including the specific terms of each agreement
and the nature of the deliverables and obligations. Such agreements are often complex and include multiple
performance obligations. These agreements can include, without limitation, performance obligations related to
the settlement of past patent infringement liabilities, patent and/or know-how licensing royalties on covered
products sold by licensees, access to a portfolio of technology as it exists at a point in time, and access to a
portfolio of technology at a point in time along with a promises to provide any technology updates to the
portfolio during the term.

All of our agreements have been accounted for under ASC 606. This guidance requires the use of a five-step
model to achieve the core underlying principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of
goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods
or services. These steps include (1) identifying the contract with the customer, (2) identifying the performance
obligations, (3) determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the performance
obligations, and (5) recognizing revenue as the entity satisfies the performance obligation(s). Additionally, we
have elected to utilize certain practical expedients in the application of ASC 606. In evaluating the presence of a
significant financing component in our agreements, we utilize the practical expedient to exclude any contracts
wherein the gap between payment by our customers and the delivery of our performance obligation is less than
one year. We have also elected to utilize the practical expedient related to costs of obtaining a contract where an
entity may recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the
amortization period of the asset that the entity otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. Timing of
revenue recognition may differ significantly from the timing of invoicing to customers. Contract assets are
included in accounts receivable and represent unbilled amounts expected to be received from customers in future
periods, where the revenue recognized to date (or cumulative adjustments to retained earnings in the initial
period of adopting ASC 606) exceeds the amount billed, and right to payment is subject to the underlying
contractual terms. Contract assets are classified as long-term assets if the payments are expected to be received
more than one year from the reporting date. Contract assets due within less than twelve months of the balance
sheet date are included within accounts receivable in our consolidated balance sheets. Contract assets due more
than twelve months after the balance sheet date are included within other non-current assets.

Patent License Agreements

Upon signing a patent license agreement, we provide the licensee permission to use our patented inventions
in specific applications. We account for patent license agreements in accordance with the guidance indicated
above. Under our patent license agreements, we typically receive one or a combination of the following forms of
payment as consideration for permitting our licensees to use our patented inventions in their applications and
products:

Consideration for Past Patent Royalties

Consideration related to a licensee’s product sales from prior periods may result from a negotiated
agreement with a licensee that utilized our patented inventions prior to signing a patent license agreement with us
or from the resolution of a disagreement or arbitration with a licensee over the specific terms of an existing
license agreement. We may also receive consideration for past patent royalties in connection with the settlement
of patent litigation where there was no prior patent license agreement. In each of these cases, we record the
consideration as revenue as prescribed by the five-step model.

Fixed-Fee Agreements

Fixed-fee agreements include fixed, non-refundable royalty payments that fulfill the licensee’s obligations
to us under a patent license agreement for a specified time period or for the term of the agreement for specified

2018 Annual Report

88

7098_Fin.pdf   88

4/19/19   10:33 PM

products, under certain patents or patent claims, for sales in certain countries, or a combination thereof — in each
case for a specified time period (including for the life of the patents licensed under the agreement).

Dynamic fixed-fee license agreements contain a single performance obligation that represents ongoing
access to a portfolio of technology over the license term, since our promise to transfer to the licensee access
to the portfolio as it exists at inception of the license, along with promises to provide any technology
updates to the portfolio during the term, are not separately identifiable. Upon entering a new agreement, we
allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations delivered at signing (e.g. our existing patent
portfolio) and future performance obligations (e.g. the technology updates). We use a time-based input
method of progress to determine the timing of revenue recognition, and as such we recognize the future
deliverables on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement. We utilize the straight-line method as
we believe that it best depicts efforts expended to develop and transfer updates to the customer evenly
throughout the term of the agreement.

Static fixed-fee license agreements are fixed-price contracts that generally do not include updates to
technology we create after the inception of the license agreement or in which the customer does not stand to
substantively benefit from those updates during the term. Generally, our performance obligations are
satisfied at contract signing, and as such revenue is recognized at that time.

Variable Agreements

Upon entering a new variable patent license agreement, the licensee typically agrees to pay royalties or
license fees on licensed products sold during the term of the agreement. We utilize the sales- or usage- based
royalty exception for these agreements and recognize revenues during the contract term when the underlying sale
or usage occurs. Our licensees under variable agreements provide us with quarterly royalty reports that
summarize their sales of covered products and their related royalty obligations to us. We typically receive these
royalty reports subsequent to the period in which our licensees’ underlying sales occurred. As a result, we are
required to estimate revenues, subject to the constraint on our ability to estimate such amounts.

Technology Solutions

Technology solutions revenue consists primarily of revenue from royalty payments. We recognize revenue
from royalty payments using the same methods described above under our policy for recognizing revenue from
patent license agreements. Technology solutions revenues also consist of revenues from software licenses,
engineering services and product sales. The nature of these contracts and timing of payments vary.

Patent Sales

Our business strategy of monetizing our intellectual property includes the sale of select patent assets. As
patent sales executed under this strategy represent a component of our ongoing major or central operations and
activities, we will record the related proceeds as revenue. We will recognize the revenue in accordance with the
five-step model, generally upon closing of the patent sale transaction.

Collaborative Arrangements

We record the elements of our collaboration agreements that represent

joint operating activities in
accordance with ASC 808, Collaborative Arrangements (“ASC 808”). Accordingly,
the elements of our
collaboration agreements that represent activities in which both parties are active participants, and to which both
parties are exposed to the significant risks and rewards that are dependent on the commercial success of the
activities, are recorded as collaborative arrangements. Generally, the classification of a transaction under a
collaborative arrangement is determined based on the nature and contractual terms of the arrangement along with
the nature of the operations of the participants. For transactions that are deemed to be a collaborative
arrangement under ASC 808, costs incurred and revenues generated on sales to third parties will be reported in

89

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   89

4/19/19   10:33 PM

our consolidated statement of operations on a gross basis if the Company is deemed to be the principal in the
transaction, or on a net basis if the Company is instead deemed to be the agent in the transaction, consistent with
the guidance in ASC 606-10-55-36, Revenue From Contracts with Customers — Principal Agent Considerations.

Deferred Charges

Direct costs of obtaining a contract or fulfilling a contract in a transaction that results in the deferral of
revenue may be either expensed as incurred or capitalized, depending on certain criteria. In conjunction with our
adoption of ASC 606 effective January 1, 2018, we made a policy election to utilize the practical expedient
related to costs of obtaining a contract where an entity may recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a
contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that the entity otherwise would have
recognized is one year or less. If the amortization period is greater than one year, we capitalize direct costs
incurred for the acquisition or fulfillment of a contract through the date of signing if they are directly related to a
particular revenue arrangement and are expected to be recovered. The costs are amortized on a straight-line basis
over the life of the patent license agreement.

For example, from time to time, we use sales agents to assist us in our licensing and/or patent sale activities.
In such cases, we may pay a commission. The commission rate varies from agreement
to agreement.
Commissions are normally paid shortly after our receipt of cash payments associated with the patent license or
patent sale agreements. We defer recognition of commission expense and amortize these expenses in proportion
to our recognition of the related revenue. Commission expense is included within the “Patent administration and
licensing” line of our consolidated statements of income and was immaterial for the years presented. There were
no new direct contract costs incurred during 2018, 2017 or 2016.

Incremental direct costs incurred related to a debt financing transaction may be capitalized. In connection
with our offering of the 2020 Notes, discussed in detail within Note 10, “Obligations”, we incurred directly
related costs. The initial purchasers’ transaction fees and related offering expenses were allocated to the liability
and equity components of the debt in proportion to the allocation of proceeds and accounted for as debt issuance
costs. The debt issuance costs allocated to the liability component of the debt were capitalized as deferred
financing costs and recorded as a direct reduction of the debt. These costs are being amortized to interest expense
over the term of the debt using the effective interest method and are included within the “Other Expense (Net)”
line of our consolidated statements of income. The costs allocated to the equity component of the debt were
recorded as a reduction of the equity component of the debt. The balance of unamortized deferred financing costs
as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $1.6 million and $3.0 million, respectively. There were no new debt
issuance costs incurred in 2018, 2017 or 2016. Deferred financing expense was $1.4 million, $1.4 million and
$1.7 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Research and Development

Research and development expenditures are expensed in the period incurred, except certain software
development costs that are capitalized between the point in time that technological feasibility of the software is
established and when the product is available for general release to customers. We did not have any capitalized
software costs related to research and development in any period presented. Research, development and other
related costs were approximately $69.7 million, $75.7 million and $73.1 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016,
respectively.

Compensation Programs

We use a variety of compensation programs to both attract and retain employees, and to more closely align
employee compensation with company performance. These programs include, but are not limited to, short-term
incentive awards tied to performance goals and cash awards to inventors for filed patent applications and patent
issuances, as well as stock option awards, time-based restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards, performance-based

2018 Annual Report

90

7098_Fin.pdf   90

4/19/19   10:33 PM

awards and cash awards under our long-term compensation program (“LTCP”) and pursuant to the terms and
conditions of our Equity Plans (as defined in Note 13, “Compensation Plans and Programs”). Our LTCP
typically includes annual equity and cash award grants with three- to five-year vesting periods; as a result, in any
one year, we are typically accounting for at least three active LTCP cycles.

We account for compensation costs associated with share-based transactions based on the fair value of the
instruments issued. The estimated value of stock options includes assumptions around expected life, stock
volatility and dividends. The expected life of our stock option awards is based on the simplified method as
prescribed by Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 14. In all periods, our policy has been to set the value of RSUs
and restricted stock awards equal to the value of our underlying common stock on the date of measurement. For
grants with graded vesting, we amortize the associated unrecognized compensation cost using an accelerated
method. For grants that cliff vest, we amortize the associated unrecognized compensation cost on a straight-line
basis over their vesting term.

As a result of our adoption of ASU No. 2016-09, “Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to
Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” in first quarter 2017, we now adjust compensation expense
recognized to date in the event of canceled awards as they occur. Tax windfalls and shortfalls related to the tax
effects of employee share-based compensation are included in our tax provision. On the consolidated statements
of cash flows, tax windfalls and shortfalls related to employee share-based compensation awards are included
within operating activities and cash paid to tax authorities for shares withheld are included within financing
activities. The inclusion of windfalls and shortfalls in the tax provision could increase our earnings volatility
between periods.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets
and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the
financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and operating
loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in
effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on
deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income
in the period in which the change was enacted. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts
of deferred tax assets if management has determined that it is more likely than not that such assets will not be
realized.

In addition, the calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of
uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. We are subject to examinations by the U.S. IRS and other
taxing jurisdictions on various tax matters, including challenges to various positions we assert in our filings. In
the event that the IRS or another taxing jurisdiction levies an assessment in the future, it is possible the
assessment could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

The financial statement recognition of the benefit for a tax position is dependent upon the benefit being
more likely than not to be sustainable upon audit by the applicable tax authority. If this threshold is met, the tax
benefit is then measured and recognized at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being
realized upon ultimate settlement. In the event that the IRS or another taxing jurisdiction levies an assessment in
the future, it is possible the assessment could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial
condition or results of operations.

New Accounting Guidance

Accounting Standards Update: Revenue

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue
from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. Refer to Note 3, “Revenue Recognition,” for information regarding

91

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   91

4/19/19   10:33 PM

our adoption of this guidance effective January 1, 2018 and a discussion of the impact to revenue information
presented herein, as well as additional required disclosures under the new guidance.

Accounting Standards Update: Financial Instruments

In January 2016,

the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments (Subtopic 825-10):
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which amends certain
measurement, presentation, and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The new guidance must be
adopted by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet in the year of adoption and became
effective for the Company starting in first quarter 2018. We adopted this guidance in first quarter 2018, and it did
not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update: Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to leases that outlines a comprehensive lease
accounting model and supersedes the current lease guidance. The new guidance requires lessees to recognize
lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets for all leases with lease terms of greater than 12 months. It
also changes the definition of a lease and expands the disclosure requirements of lease arrangements.

The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective transition effective
date method. As part of that adoption, we have elected the package of three practical expedients, which includes
the following: an entity may elect not to reassess whether expired or existing contracts contain a lease under the
revised definition of a lease, an entity may elect not to reassess the lease classification for expired or existing
leases, and an entity may elect not to reassess whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would qualify for
capitalization. Additionally, the Company has elected not to utilize the hindsight expedient in determining the
to record lease liabilities and corresponding
lease term. Based upon our preliminary review, we expect
right-of-use assets between $11.0 million and $18.0 million in the consolidated balance sheet, for leases with
lease terms greater than 12 months. We will finalize the necessary adjustments in conjunction with the filing of
our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

Accounting Standards Update: Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, “Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220):
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which allow a
reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects
resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”). The guidance is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. We early adopted this guidance in first
quarter 2018 and reflected a $0.4 million adjustment to retained earnings during the period.

Accounting Standards Update: Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, “Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to
Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which is intended to reduce cost and complexity and to
improve financial reporting for share-based payments issued to nonemployees. The guidance is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and will therefore be effective for the Company starting in first
quarter 2019. We do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements.

Accounting Standards Update: Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, ”Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure
Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”. The amendments in this

2018 Annual Report

92

7098_Fin.pdf   92

4/19/19   10:33 PM

ASU add, modify, and eliminate certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements under Topic 820.
The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including
interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted this
guidance in fourth quarter 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements.

Accounting Standards Update: Cloud Computing Arrangements

In August 2018,

the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15 “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other —
Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud
Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract”. The amendments in this ASU align the requirements for
capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement
is a service contract with the
requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The
guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those
fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. We are in the process of determining the effect the adoption will
have on our consolidated financial statements.

that

Accounting Standards Update: Collaborative Arrangements

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-18, ”Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808):
Clarifying the Interaction Between Topic 808 and Topic 606”. The amendments in this ASU provide guidance on
how to assess whether certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted
for within the revenue recognition standard. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is
permitted for entities who have previously adopted the new revenue recognition guidance. We are in the process
of determining the effect the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements.

3. REVENUE RECOGNITION

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue
from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASC 606”) which superseded most prior revenue recognition
guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue
to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in
exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature,
amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. We
adopted the requirements of the new standard as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition
method applied to those contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Accordingly, all periods prior to
January 1, 2018 are presented in accordance with ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition” (“ASC 605”). See
Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and New Accounting Guidance” for our revised revenue
recognition accounting policy upon adoption of the new guidance.

The adoption of the new guidance affected our recognition of revenue from both our fixed-fee and per-unit
license agreements. For accounting purposes under this new guidance, we separate our fixed-fee license
agreements into two categories: (i) those agreements that provide rights, over the term of the license, to future
technologies that are highly interdependent or highly interrelated to the technologies provided at the inception of
the agreement (“Dynamic Fixed-Fee Agreements”) and (ii) those agreements that do not provide for rights to
such future technologies (“Static Fixed-Fee Agreements”). Under our previous accounting practices, after the fair
value allocation between the past and future components of the agreement, we recognized the future components
of revenue from all fixed-fee license agreements on a straight-line basis over the term of the related license
agreement. As a result of our adoption of the new guidance, we will continue to recognize revenue from
Dynamic Fixed-Fee Agreements on a straight-line basis over the term of the related license agreement, while we
expect to recognize most or all of the revenue from Static Fixed-Fee Agreements in the quarter the license

93

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   93

4/19/19   10:33 PM

agreement is signed. We will not recognize any ongoing revenue from Static Fixed-Fee Agreements already in
existence at the time the guidance was adopted. Additionally, in the event a significant financing component is
determined to exist in any of our agreements, we will recognize more or less revenue and corresponding interest
expense or income, as appropriate.

In addition, under our previous accounting practices, we recognized revenue from our per-unit license
agreements in the period in which we received the related royalty report, generally one quarter in arrears from the
period in which the underlying sales occurred (i.e. on a “quarter-lag”). We are now required to record per-unit
royalty revenue in the same period in which the licensee’s underlying sales occur. Because we generally do not
receive the per-unit licensee royalty reports for sales during a given quarter within the time frame necessary to
adequately review the reports and include the actual amounts in our quarterly results for such quarter, we accrue
the related revenue based on estimates of our licensees’ underlying sales, subject to certain constraints on our
ability to estimate such amounts. As a result of accruing revenue for the quarter based on such estimates,
adjustments will be required in the following quarter to true-up revenue to the actual amounts reported by our
licensees. In addition, to the extent we receive non-refundable prepayments related to per-unit license agreements
that do not provide rights over the term of the license to future technologies that are highly interdependent or
highly interrelated to the technologies provided at the inception of the agreement, we will recognize such
prepayments as revenue in the period in which all remaining revenue recognition criteria have been met.

Finally, under our previous accounting practices, we established a receivable, and any related deferred tax
asset for foreign withholding taxes, for payments expected to be received within twelve months from the balance
sheet date, based on the terms of the license agreement. Our reporting of such payments resulted in increases to:
accounts receivable and deferred revenue; and deferred tax assets and taxes payable. Under ASC 606, we will
only recognize those amounts as they become due.

Timing of revenue recognition may differ significantly from the timing of invoicing to customers. Contract
assets are included in accounts receivable and represent unbilled amounts expected to be received from
customers in future periods, where the revenue recognized to date (or cumulative adjustments to retained
earnings in the initial period of adopting ASC 606) exceeds the amount billed, and right to payment is subject to
the underlying contractual terms. Contract assets are classified as long-term assets if the payments are expected
to be received more than one year from the reporting date.

See below for a summary of adjustments related to our adoption of ASC 606. Amounts are in thousands.

December 31,
2017

Static
Fixed-Fee
Agreements

Static
Prepayments

Elimination of
Quarter-Lag
Reporting

Significant
Financing
Component

Related Tax
Effects and
Other Balance
Sheet Impact

Total
Adjustments

January 1,
2018

$ — $(171,727) $(154,779) $
(52,199)
8,655
171,727
43,544

(52,199)
8,655
359,574
(161,251)

—
—
3,235
(3,235)

61,514
32,383
(6,226)
(257,239)
(1,410,342)

Accounts Receivable . . $
Deferred Tax Assets . .
Taxes Payable . . . . . . .
Deferred Revenue . . . .
Retained Earnings . . . .

216,293 $
84,582
(14,881)
(616,813)
(1,249,091)

6,000
—
—
99,466
(105,466)

$

— $ 10,948
—
—
—
—
—
85,146
(10,948)
(85,146)

2018 Annual Report

94

7098_Fin.pdf   94

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Disaggregated Revenue

The following table presents the disaggregation of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 under
ASC 606. Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are presented in accordance with
ASC 605. Amounts are in thousands.

For the Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

Variable patent royalty revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fixed-fee royalty revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 36,384
239,347

$ 47,840
301,628

$168,050
177,614

Current patent royalties a
Non-current patent royalties b

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

Total patent royalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current technology solutions revenue a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Patent sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

275,731
26,329

302,060
4,594
750

349,468
162,890

512,358
20,580
—

345,664
309,696

655,360
10,494
—

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

$307,404

$532,938

$665,854

a. Recurring revenues consist of current patent royalties, inclusive of Dynamic Fixed-Fee Agreement royalties,

and current technology solutions revenue.

b. Non-current patent royalties for the year ended December 31, 2018 consist of past patent royalties and
royalties from static agreements. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, non-current patent
royalties consist of past patent royalties.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized $101.3 million of revenue that had been included
in deferred revenue as of the beginning of the period. Additionally, upon adoption of ASC 606 on January 1,
2018, we had $24.7 million of contract assets. As of December 31, 2018, we had contract assets of $19.7 million
and $5.5 million included within “Accounts receivable” and “Other non-current assets” in the consolidated
balance sheet, respectively.

95

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   95

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Impact of Adoption of ASC 606

In accordance with the new revenue standard requirements, the disclosure of the impact of adoption on our
current period consolidated income statement and balance sheet is presented below. We believe this additional
information is vital during the transition year to allow readers of our financial statements to compare financial
results from the preceding financial year given the absence of restatement of the prior period. The adoption of
ASC 606 did not affect our reported total amounts of cash flows from operating, investing and financing
activities. Amounts contained in the tables below are in thousands, except per share data.

For the Year Ended December 31,

2018

As
Reported
ASC 606

Adjustment

ASC 605

2017

2016

As
Reported
(ASC 605)

As
Reported
(ASC 605)

REVENUES:

Variable patent royalty revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fixed-fee royalty revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 36,384
239,347

$

461
79,341

$ 36,845
318,688

$ 47,840
301,628

$ 168,050
177,614

Current patent royalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current patent royalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total patent royalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Patent sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current technology solutions revenue . . . . . . . . .

275,731
26,329

302,060
750
4,594

79,802
(10,000)

69,802
—
4,907

355,533
16,329

371,862
750
9,501

349,468
162,890

512,358
—
20,580

345,664
309,696

655,360
—
10,494

OPERATING EXPENSES:

Income from operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OTHER EXPENSE (NET) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INCOME TAX BENEFIT (PROVISION) . . . . . . . .

$307,404

$ 74,709

$382,113

$ 532,938

$ 665,854

244,809

62,595
(30,537)

32,058
27,417

— 244,809

231,443

228,548

74,709
16,655

91,364
(6,686)

137,304
(13,882)

123,422
20,731

301,495
(9,105)

437,306
(15,035)

292,390
(121,676)

422,271
(116,791)

NET INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 59,475

$ 84,678

$144,153

$ 170,714

$ 305,480

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

. .

(4,393)

—

(4,393)

(3,579)

(3,521)

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO

INTERDIGITAL, INC.

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

$ 63,868

$ 84,678

$148,546

$ 174,293

$ 309,001

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE —

BASIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE —

DILUTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

$

1.85

1.81

$

$

2.46

2.40

$

$

4.31

4.21

$

$

5.04

4.87

$

$

8.95

8.78

Accounts Receivable, net
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred Tax Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Non-current Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taxes Payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retained Earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

December 31, 2018

As Reported
ASC 606

$

35,032
77,225
60,465
(1,508)
(269,306)
(1,426,266)

Adjustment

ASC 605

$ 172,940
34,256
(5,500)
(11,075)
(277,827)
87,206

$

207,972
111,481
54,965
(12,583)
(547,133)
(1,339,060)

December 31,
2017

As Reported
(ASC 605)

$

216,293
84,582
37,963
(14,881)
(616,813)
(1,249,091)

2018 Annual Report

96

7098_Fin.pdf   96

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Contracted Revenue

Based on contracts signed and committed Dynamic Fixed-Fee Agreement payments as of December 31,

2018, we expect to recognize the following amounts of revenue over the term of such contracts (in thousands):

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Revenue

$247,750
246,500
178,583
85,228
—
—

$758,061

4. GEOGRAPHIC / CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION

We have one reportable segment. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the majority of our revenue was derived
from a limited number of licensees based outside of the United States, primarily in Asia. Substantially all of these
revenues were paid in U.S. dollars and were not subject to any substantial foreign exchange transaction risk. The
table below lists the countries of the headquarters of our licensees and customers and the total revenue derived
from each country or region for the periods indicated (in thousands):

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
South Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taiwan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sweden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

For the Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

$119,159
112,291
29,525
23,326
10,000
6,933
4,903
490
468
309
—

$194,184
113,059
25,210
36,051
—
6,935
4,413
1,892
—
77,087
74,107

$199,928
69,000
27,685
185,645
—
6,934
4,713
6,463
—
154,767
10,719

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

$307,404

$532,938

$665,854

During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the following licensees or customers accounted for 10% or more of total

revenues:

Apple (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Samsung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pegatron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Blackberry (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Huawei (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(a) 2016 revenues include $141.4 million of non-current patent royalties.

(b) 2017 revenues include $70.7 million of non-current patent royalties.

2018

2017

2016

36% 21% 25%
25% 13% 10%
10% < 10% —%
< 10% < 10% 20%
—% 13% < 10%
—% 14% 23%

97

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   97

4/19/19   10:33 PM

(c) 2017 and 2016 revenues include $8.4 million and $121.5 million, respectively, of non-current patent

royalties.

As of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we held $464.6 million, $336.1 million and $287.2 million,
respectively, of our property, equipment and patents, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization, of which
greater than 97% of the total was within the United States in each of the years presented. As of December 31,
2018, we held less than $0.7 million of property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, collectively, in
Canada, Europe and Asia.

5. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Technicolor Acquisition

On July 30, 2018, we completed our acquisition of the patent

licensing business of Technicolor, a
worldwide technology leader in the media and entertainment sector (the “Technicolor Acquisition”). Refer to
Note 20, “Subsequent Events,” for information regarding our February 2019 announcement of our binding offer
to acquire the Research & Innovation (“R&I”) unit of Technicolor SA. R&I is a premier research lab that
conducts fundamental research into video coding, IoT and smart home, imaging sciences, AR and VR and
artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies.

The Technicolor Acquisition included the acquisition by InterDigital of approximately 18,000 patents and
applications, across a broad range of technologies, including approximately 3,000 worldwide video coding
patents and applications. The acquisition of Technicolor’s portfolio greatly expands InterDigital’s technology
footprint in the mobile industry, and opens new markets in consumer home electronics, display technology and
video. The portfolio will also be supplemented by jointly funded R&D collaboration, which will bring together
the efforts of hundreds of engineers in InterDigital Labs and Technicolor R&I. Members of Technicolor’s
licensing, legal and other support teams in offices in Rennes and Paris, France; Princeton, New Jersey, USA; and
other locations joined InterDigital’s team of more than 300 R&D and other staff in locations around the world. In
addition, we have assumed Technicolor’s rights and obligations under a joint licensing program with Sony
Corporation (“Sony”) relating to digital televisions and standalone computer display monitors (the “Madison
Arrangement”), including Technicolor’s role as sole licensing agent for the Madison Arrangement. As part of
this transaction, we also granted back to Technicolor a perpetual license for patents acquired in the transaction.
With respect to patents generated through the jointly funded R&D efforts, we will own the patents, and
Technicolor will receive a license back to the patents resulting from the targeted research conducted by its R&I
team.

The Technicolor Acquisition meets the definition of a business combination and, as such, was accounted for
using the acquisition method of accounting. Under the terms of the agreement, in third quarter 2018, we paid
Technicolor $158.9 million in cash, inclusive of $15.9 million of cash acquired, yielding net cash consideration
of $143.0 million. We funded this payment with cash on hand. Technicolor will receive 42.5% of all of
InterDigital’s future cash receipts (net of estimated operating expenses) from InterDigital’s new licensing efforts
in the consumer electronics field; there will be no revenue sharing associated with InterDigital’s mobile industry
licensing efforts. We account for the portion of the future cash receipts owed to Technicolor relating to patents
existing as of the date of the acquisition as a contingent consideration liability, which was valued at $18.6 million
as of the acquisition date. See below for further discussion of the contingent consideration liability. Additionally,
as of the acquisition date, we estimated we will receive payments totaling $20.2 million relating to the
transaction from Technicolor, of which $8.5 million was included within “Prepaid and other current assets” and
the remaining balance was included within “Other non-current assets” in the consolidated balance sheet. We
account for our assumption of Technicolor’s rights and obligations under the Madison Arrangement as a
collaborative arrangement.

We allocated the fair value of consideration transferred to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities
assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. We recorded the excess of the fair value

2018 Annual Report

98

7098_Fin.pdf   98

4/19/19   10:33 PM

of consideration transferred over the net values of these assets and liabilities as goodwill. We estimated the fair
value of the intangible assets in this transaction through a combination of a discounted cash flow analysis (the
income approach) and an analysis of comparable market transactions (the market approach). For the income
approach, we based the inputs and assumptions used to develop these estimates on a market participant
perspective and included estimates of projected revenues, discount rates, economic lives and income tax rates,
among others, and all of these estimates require significant management judgment. For the market approach, we
applied judgment to identify the most comparable market transactions to this transaction. Refer to Note 7 for
discussion regarding the valuation methodologies used for the contingent consideration liability.

The following table summarizes the fair value of consideration transferred and our allocation of that
consideration based on the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of
acquisition (in thousands):

Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contingent consideration liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Less: Transaction-related receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

As of
July 30, 2018

$158,898
18,616

$177,514
(20,200)

Net fair value of consideration transferred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$157,314

Allocation:

Net tangible assets and liabilities:

Restricted cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other long-term liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 15,913
5,600
3,116
(6,219)
(17,717)
(3,767)

Total net tangible assets and liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ (3,074)

Estimated useful
life (Years)

Identified intangible assets:

Patents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$154,000
6,388

9 - 10

Total identified intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$160,388

Total fair value of consideration transferred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$157,314

(1) Goodwill consists of expected synergies resulting from the combination of our and Technicolor’s patent
licensing businesses in the increasingly complementary areas of mobile and video technology. We expect
that the majority of the goodwill resulting from the Technicolor Acquisition will be deductible for income
tax purposes.

The following table shows the change in the carrying amount of our goodwill balance from December 31,

2017 to December 31, 2018, all of which is allocated to our one reportable segment (in thousands):

Goodwill balance as of December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Technicolor Acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$16,033
6,388

Goodwill balance as of December 31, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$22,421

99

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   99

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Since the date of closing, the Technicolor Acquisition resulted in $4.5 million of revenue and $12.5 million
of pre-tax losses, excluding one-time transaction-related costs, that were included in our consolidated statement
of income for the year ended December 31, 2018. One-time transaction-related costs for the year ended
December 31, 2018 were $17.8 million, the majority of which were recorded within “Selling, general and
administrative” expenses in the Company’s consolidated statement of income.

The amount of revenue and earnings that would have been included in the Company’s consolidated
statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 had the acquisition date been January 1,
2017 are reflected in the table below. These amounts have been calculated after applying the Company’s
accounting policies and adjusting the results to reflect additional interest expense as well as amortization that
would have been charged assuming the fair value adjustments to amortizable intangible assets had been recorded
as of January 1, 2017. In addition, pro forma adjustments have been made to reflect the impact of the transaction-
related costs discussed above. These unaudited pro forma combined results of operations have been prepared for
comparative purposes only, and they do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that actually
would have resulted had the acquisition occurred on the date indicated, or that may result in the future. The
amounts in the table are unaudited (in thousands, except per share data):

For the Year Ended
December 31,

2018

2017

(Unaudited)

Actual revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supplemental pro forma revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Actual earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supplemental pro forma earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Actual diluted earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supplemental pro forma diluted earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$307,404
$314,096
$ 63,868
$ 51,591
1.81
$
1.46
$

$532,938
$541,921
$174,293
$105,604
4.87
$
2.95
$

Contingent Consideration

As discussed above, in conjunction with the Technicolor Acquisition, Technicolor will receive 42.5% of all
of InterDigital’s future cash receipts (net of estimated operating expenses) from InterDigital’s new licensing
efforts in the consumer electronics field; there will be no revenue sharing associated with InterDigital’s mobile
industry licensing efforts. The portion of the future cash receipts relating to patents existing as of the date of the
acquisition will be accounted for as a contingent consideration liability in accordance with ASC 805-30-25,
Business Combinations — Contingent Consideration. The revenue sharing arrangement continues through
December 31, 2038, and there are no minimum or maximum payments under the arrangement.

The estimated acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration liability of $18.6 million was
determined utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation model. This initial fair value measurement was based on the
perspective of a market participant and includes significant unobservable inputs that are classified as Level 3
inputs within the fair value hierarchy and are discussed further within Note 7. The contingent consideration is
subject to re-measurement each reporting period until it has been fully paid, and any adjustments to the fair value
of the contingent consideration are reflected in operating expenses within the consolidated statements of income.

Madison Arrangement

As discussed above, in conjunction with the Technicolor Acquisition, effective July 30, 2018, we have
assumed Technicolor’s rights and obligations under the Madison Arrangement, which commenced in 2015. The
Madison Arrangement falls under the scope of ASC 808, Collaborative Arrangements (“ASC 808”). Refer to
Note 2 for our significant accounting policy regarding collaborative arrangements.

2018 Annual Report

100

7098_Fin.pdf   100

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Under the Madison Arrangement, Technicolor and Sony combined portions of their respective digital TV
(“DTV”) and computer display monitor (“CDM”) patent portfolios and created a combined licensing opportunity
to DTV and CDM manufacturers. Per an Agency and Management Services Agreement (“AMSA”) entered into
upon the creation of the Madison Arrangement, Technicolor was initially appointed as sole licensing agent of the
arrangement, and InterDigital has now assumed that role. As licensing agent, we are responsible for making
decisions regarding the prosecution and maintenance of the combined patent portfolio and the licensing and
enforcement of the combined patent portfolio in the field of use of DTVs and CDMs on an exclusive basis during
the term of the AMSA in exchange for an agent fee.

We were deemed to be the principal in this collaborative arrangement under ASC 808, and, as such, in
accordance with ASC 606-10-55-36 Revenue From Contracts with Customers — Principal Agent
Considerations, we record revenues generated on sales to third parties and costs incurred on a gross basis in the
consolidated statements of income. Therefore, we recognize all royalties from customers as revenue and
payments to Sony for its royalty share as operating expenses within the consolidated statements of income. Cost
reimbursements for expenses incurred resulting from fulfilling the duties of the licensing agent are recorded as
contra expenses. Amounts attributable to transactions arising from the Madison Arrangement between
participants were not material during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Long-term debt

An affiliate of CPPIB Credit Investments Inc. (“CPPIB Credit”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Canada
Pension Plan Investment Board, is a third-party investor in the Madison Arrangement. CPPIB Credit has made
certain payments to Technicolor and Sony and has agreed to contribute cash to fund certain capital reserve
obligations under the arrangement
in exchange for a percentage of future revenues, specifically through
September 11, 2030 in regard to the Technicolor patents.

Upon our assumption of Technicolor’s rights and obligations under the Madison Arrangement, our
relationship with CPPIB Credit meets the criteria in ASC 470-10-25 — Sales of Future Revenues or Various
Other Measures of Income (“ASC 470”), which relates to cash received from an investor in exchange for a
specified percentage or amount of revenue or other measure of income of a particular product line, business
segment, trademark, patent, or contractual right for a defined period. Under this guidance, we recognized the fair
value of our contingent obligation to CPPIB Credit, as of the acquisition date, as long-term debt in our
consolidated balance sheet. This initial fair value measurement is based on the perspective of a market participant
and includes significant unobservable inputs which are classified as Level 3 inputs within the fair value
hierarchy. The fair value of the long-term debt as of December 31, 2018 is disclosed within Note 7. Our
repayment obligations are contingent upon future royalty revenues generated from the Madison Arrangement and
there are no minimum or maximum payments under the arrangement.

Under ASC 470, amounts recorded as debt shall be amortized under the interest method. At each reporting
period, we will review the discounted expected future cash flows over the life of the obligation. The Company
made an accounting policy election to utilize the catch-up method when there is a change in the estimated future
cash flows, whereby we will adjust the carrying amount of the debt to the present value of the revised estimated
future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate, with a corresponding adjustment recognized
as interest expense within “Other Expense (Net)” in the consolidated statements of income. The effective interest
rate as of the acquisition date was approximately 14.5%. This rate represents the discount rate that equates the
estimated future cash flows with the fair value of the debt as of the acquisition date, and is used to compute the
amount of interest to be recognized each period based on the estimated life of the future revenue streams. During
the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized $0.7 million of interest expense related to this debt which was
included within “Other Expense (Net)” in the consolidated statements of income. Any future payments made to
CPPIB Credit, or additional proceeds received from CPPIB Credit, will decrease or increase the long-term debt
balance accordingly.

101

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   101

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Restricted cash

Under the Madison Arrangement, the parties reserve cash in bank accounts to fund our activities to manage
the portfolios. These accounts are custodial accounts for which the funds are restricted for this purpose. As of
December 31, 2018, the Company had $13.7 million of restricted cash included within the consolidated balance
sheet attributable to the Madison Arrangement. Refer to Note 6 for a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and
restricted cash within the consolidated balance sheets.

Commitments

To receive consent from both Sony and CPPIB Credit

to assume the rights and responsibilities of
Technicolor under the Madison Arrangement, we committed to contributing cash to fund shortfalls in the
Madison Arrangement, up to a maximum of $25.0 million, through 2020. A shortfall funding is only required in
the scenario in which the restricted cash is not sufficient to fund current obligations. In the event that we fund a
shortfall, any surplus cash resulting from subsequent royalty receipts would be used to repay our shortfall
funding plus 25% interest in advance of distributions of royalties to either Sony or CPPIB Credit, assuming they
have not participated in the funding of the shortfall. As of December 31, 2018, we have not contributed any
shortfall funding.

Hillcrest Labs

On December 20, 2016, we acquired Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc. (“Hillcrest Labs”), a pioneer in sensor
processing technology, for approximately $48.0 million in cash, net of $0.4 million cash acquired. The business
combination transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. We estimated the fair
value of the intangible assets in this transaction through a combination of a discounted cash flow analysis (the
income approach) and an analysis of comparable market transactions (the market approach). For the income
approach, the inputs and assumptions used to develop these estimates were based on a market participant
perspective and included estimates of projected revenues, discount rates, economic lives and income tax rates,
among others. For the market approach, we applied judgment
to identify the most comparable market
transactions to this transaction. The purchase price allocation is now final.

Purchase price allocation

The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation made to the net tangible and intangible assets
acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date, with the excess amount recorded as goodwill, which
was representative of the expected synergies from the integration of Hillcrest Labs and its strategic fit within our
organization (in thousands):

Net tangible assets and liabilities:

Deferred tax assets and liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net working capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Identified intangible assets:

Patents/existing technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trade name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Amount

Estimated Useful
Life (Years)

$ 2,221
(8,754)

$ (6,533)

$36,200
600
1,700
16,033

$54,533

9 - 10
9
10
N/A

Total purchase price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$48,000

2018 Annual Report

102

7098_Fin.pdf   102

4/19/19   10:33 PM

The amounts of revenue and earnings that would have been included in the Company’s consolidated
statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2016 had the acquisition date been January 1, 2015 are as
reflected in the table below. These amounts have been calculated after applying the Company’s accounting
policies and adjusting the results to reflect additional amortization that would have been charged assuming the
fair value adjustments to amortizable intangible assets had been recorded as of January 1, 2015. In addition, pro
forma adjustments have been made to reflect the impact of $7.7 million of transaction related costs. These
unaudited pro forma combined results of operations have been prepared for comparative purposes only, and they
do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that actually would have resulted had the acquisition
occurred on the date indicated, or that may result in the future. The amounts in the table are unaudited (in
thousands, except per share data).

Actual revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supplemental pro forma revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Actual earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supplemental pro forma earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Actual diluted earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supplemental pro forma diluted earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

For the Year Ended
December 31,

2016

(Unaudited)
$665,854
$672,695
$309,001
$305,237
8.78
$
8.67
$

6. CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, RESTRICTED CASH AND MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 consisted of the following (in

thousands):

Money market and demand accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$488,733
—

$417,348
15,666

$488,733

$433,014

December 31,

2018

2017

The following table provides a reconciliation of total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of
December 31, 2018 and 2017 within the consolidated balance sheets. The Company had no restricted cash prior
to the Technicolor Acquisition which was completed in July 2018 and is discussed further within Note 5,
“Business Combinations.”

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restricted cash included within prepaid and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . .

$475,056
13,677

$433,014
—

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$488,733

$433,014

December 31,

2018

2017

Marketable Securities

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the majority of our marketable securities have been classified as
available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported net-of-tax as a separate
component of shareholders’ equity. Substantially all of our investments are investment-grade government and

103

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   103

4/19/19   10:33 PM

corporate debt securities that have maturities of less than 2 years, and we have both the ability and intent to hold
the investments until maturity. During 2016, we recorded other-than-temporary impairments of approximately
$0.2 million, with no other-than-temporary impairments recorded during 2018 or 2017. The gross realized gains
and losses on sales of marketable securities were not significant during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017
and 2016.

Marketable securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 consisted of the following (in thousands):

Available-for-sale securities

Commercial paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
U.S. government securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds, asset backed and other

Cost

$ 14,548
291,157

securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

167,579

Total available-for-sale securities . . . . . . . .

$473,284

Reported in:

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total marketable securities . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Available-for-sale securities

Commercial paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
U.S. government securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds, asset backed and other

Cost

$ 66,132
513,645

securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

164,075

Total available-for-sale securities . . . . . . . .

$743,852

Reported in:

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total marketable securities . . . . . . . . . . . . .

December 31, 2018

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

$—
—

5

$ 5

$ — $ 14,548
289,576
(1,581)

(984)

166,600

$(2,565)

$470,724

$

—
470,724

$470,724

December 31, 2017

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

$—
—

35

$35

$ — $ 66,132
511,032
(2,613)

(627)

163,483

$(3,240)

$740,647

$ 15,666
724,981

$740,647

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, $390.9 million and $345.0 million, respectively, of our short-term
investments had contractual maturities within one year. The remaining portions of our short-term investments
had contractual maturities within one to two years.

7. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK AND FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Concentration of Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash
equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable. We primarily place our cash equivalents and short-
term investments in highly rated financial instruments and in United States government instruments.

2018 Annual Report

104

7098_Fin.pdf   104

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Our accounts receivable are derived principally from patent license and technology solutions agreements.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, five and three licensees comprised 76% and 96%, respectively, of our
accounts receivable balance. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our licensees, who generally include
large, multinational, wireless telecommunications equipment manufacturers. We believe that the book values of
our financial instruments approximate their fair values.

Fair Value Measurements

We use various valuation techniques and assumptions when measuring the fair value of our assets and
liabilities. We utilize market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or
liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. This
guidance established a hierarchy that prioritizes fair value measurements based on the types of input used for the
various valuation techniques (market approach, income approach and cost approach). The levels of the hierarchy
are described below:

Level 1 Inputs — Level 1 includes financial instruments for which quoted market prices for identical
instruments are available in active markets.

Level 2 Inputs — Level 2 includes financial instruments for which there are inputs other than quoted prices
included within Level 1 that are observable for the instrument such as quoted prices for similar instruments
in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets with insufficient volume or
infrequent transactions (less active markets) or model-driven valuations in which significant inputs are
observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data, including market
interest rate curves, referenced credit spreads and pre-payment rates.

Level 3 Inputs — Level 3 includes financial instruments for which fair value is derived from valuation
techniques including pricing models and discounted cash flow models in which one or more significant
inputs are unobservable,
including the company’s own assumptions. The pricing models incorporate
transaction details such as contractual terms, maturity and, in certain instances, timing and amount of future
cash flows, as well as assumptions related to liquidity and credit valuation adjustments of marketplace
participants.

Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and
may affect the valuation of financial assets and financial liabilities and their placement within the fair value
hierarchy. We use quoted market prices for similar assets to estimate the fair value of our Level 2 investments.

105

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   105

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Our financial assets are included within short-term investments on our consolidated balance sheets, unless
otherwise indicated. Our financial assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis are
presented in the tables below as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):

Assets:
Money market and demand accounts (a)
. . . . . . . . .
Commercial paper (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
U.S. government securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds, asset backed and other

Fair Value as of December 31, 2018

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

$488,733
—
—

$

— $ — $488,733
14,548
—
289,576
—

14,548
289,576

securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

166,600

—

166,600

$488,733

$470,724

$ — $959,457

Liabilities:
Contingent consideration resulting from the

Technicolor Acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

19,800

19,800

$

— $

— $19,800

$ 19,800

Fair Value as of December 31, 2017

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Assets:
Money market and demand accounts (a) . . . . . . . . . .
Commercial paper (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
U.S. government securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds and asset backed securities . . . . . .

$

$417,348
—
—
—

— $— $ 417,348
66,132
511,032
163,483

—
—
—

66,132
511,032
163,483

(a)

Included within cash and cash equivalents.

(b)

Includes zero and $15.7 million of commercial paper that is included within cash and cash equivalents as of
December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

$417,348

$740,647

$— $1,157,995

Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

Contingent Consideration

As discussed further in Note 5, we completed the Technicolor Acquisition during third quarter 2018. In
conjunction with the Technicolor Acquisition, we recognized a contingent consideration liability which is
measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs classified as Level 3
measurements within the fair value hierarchy. We utilized a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the
estimated fair value of the contingent consideration liability. A Monte Carlo simulation uses random numbers
together with volatility assumptions to generate individual paths, or trials, for variables of interest governed by a
Geometric Brownian Motion in a risk-neutral framework. Level 3 significant unobservable inputs include the
following (in thousands):

Significant Unobservable Input

Ranges

Weighted Average

Risk-adjusted discount rate for revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Credit risk discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Revenue volatility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Projected years of earn out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13.5% - 14.2%
6.2% - 8.0%
35.0%
2019 - 2030

13.9%
7.1%
35.0%
N/A

2018 Annual Report

106

7098_Fin.pdf   106

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Significant increases or decreases in any of those inputs in isolation could result in a significantly lower or
higher fair value measurement. Adjustments to the fair value of contingent consideration are reflected in
operating expenses within our consolidated statements of income.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of our Level 3 fair value
measurements from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018, which includes the contingent consideration
liability resulting from the Technicolor Acquisition discussed further above and within Note 5. As of
December 31, 2018, the Level 3 contingent consideration liability is included within “Other long-term liabilities”
in the consolidated balance sheet.

Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

Balance as of December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Technicolor Acquisition — July 30, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reduction for payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of income . . . . . . . . . .

Balance as of December 31, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Contingent
Consideration
Liability

$ —
18,616
—
1,184

$19,800

Fair Value of Long-Term Debt

2020 Senior Convertible Notes

The principal amount, carrying value and related estimated fair value of the Company’s senior convertible
debt reported in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was as follows
(in thousands). The aggregate fair value of the principal amount of the senior convertible long-term debt is a
Level 2 fair value measurement.

Senior Convertible Long-Term Debt

. . . .

$316,000

$298,951

$331,595

$316,000

$285,126

$377,029

December 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

Principal
Amount

Carrying
Value

Fair
Value

Principal
Amount

Carrying
Value

Fair
Value

Technicolor Acquisition Long-term Debt

As more fully disclosed in Note 5, we recognized long-term debt in conjunction with the Technicolor
Acquisition, which closed in third quarter 2018. The carrying value and related estimated fair value of the
Technicolor Acquisition long-term debt reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 was
as follows (in thousands). The aggregate fair value of the Technicolor Acquisition long-term debt is a Level 3
fair value measurement.

December 31, 2018

Carrying
Value

Fair
Value

Technicolor Acquisition Long-Term Debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$18,428

$19,100

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Investments in Other Entities

As discussed in Note 2, in conjunction with the adoption of ASU 2016-01 in the first quarter of 2018, we
made an accounting policy election to utilize a measurement alternative for equity investments that do not have

107

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   107

4/19/19   10:33 PM

readily determinable fair values, which applies to our strategic investments in other entities. Under the
alternative, our strategic investments in other entities that do not have readily determinable fair values are
measured at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly
transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. Any adjustments to the carrying value of
those investments are considered non-recurring fair value measurements. During the year ended December 31,
2018, we recognized an aggregate $8.4 million loss resulting from the sale of our entire ownership interest in one
of our strategic investments and the impairment of a separate strategic investment. Certain of our investments in
other entities may be seeking additional financing in the next twelve months. We will continue to review and
monitor our investments in other entities for any indications of a change in fair value or impairment.

Patents

In fourth quarter 2018, we signed a patent licensing agreement with Sony. A portion of the future
consideration for the agreement was in the form of patents that will be contributed to Convida Wireless. We have
yet to record these patents on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 as they have not yet been transferred.
However, we have determined the estimated fair value of the patents for determining the transaction price for
revenue recognition purposes, which was estimated to be $22.5 million utilizing the cost approach and will be
amortized over the patents’ estimated useful lives once transferred. Additionally, as previously disclosed, during
2017 and 2016, we entered in patent license agreements with LG and Huawei, respectively, for which a portion
of the consideration was patents. The estimated fair value of the LG patents was $19.7 million, and the estimated
fair value of the Huawei patents was $20.7 million. which are being amortized over their estimated useful lives.
We estimated the fair value of the patents in the LG and Huawei transactions through a combination of a
discounted cash flow analysis (the income approach) and an analysis of comparable market transactions (the
market approach).

We estimated the fair value of the patents in these transactions through a combination of a discounted cash
flow analysis (the income approach), an analysis of comparable market transactions (the market approach), and/
or by quantifying the amount of money required to replace the future service capability of the assets (the cost
approach). For the income approach, the inputs and assumptions used to develop these estimates were based on a
market participant perspective and included estimates of projected royalties, discount rates, economic lives and
income tax rates, among others. For the market approach, judgment was applied as to which market transactions
were most comparable to the transaction. For the cost approach, we utilized the historical cost of assets of similar
technologies to determine the estimated replacement cost, including research, development, testing and patent
application fees.

8.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment, net is comprised of the following (in thousands):

December 31,

2018

2017

Computer equipment and software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engineering and test equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Building and improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leasehold improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Furniture and fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 20,876
4,168
3,711
11,364
1,549

$ 20,003
4,034
3,624
9,711
1,279

Property and equipment, gross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less: accumulated depreciation

41,668
(31,617)

38,651
(27,978)

Property and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 10,051

$ 10,673

2018 Annual Report

108

7098_Fin.pdf   108

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Depreciation expense was $3.7 million, $3.9 million and $4.1 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Depreciation expense included depreciation of computer software costs of $0.3 million, $0.5 million and
$1.0 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Accumulated depreciation related to computer software costs
was $9.2 million and $8.8 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The net book value of our
computer software was $0.3 million and $0.5 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

During second quarter 2015, we sold our facility in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, to a third party and
entered into a limited leaseback arrangement for a period not to exceed one year, for net consideration
of $4.5 million. The $3.4 million gain related to the sale was recorded within “Other Expense (Net)” in our
consolidated statements of operations, and the assets sold were removed from Property and Equipment, at the
completion of the lease term in second quarter 2016.

9.

PATENTS AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Patents

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, patents consisted of the following (in thousands, except for useful life

data):

Weighted average estimated useful life (years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross patents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10.0
$ 851,846
(397,279)

10.0
$ 660,886
(335,478)

Patents, net

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

$ 454,567

$ 325,408

December 31,

2018

2017

Amortization expense related to capitalized patent costs was $61.8 million, $52.9 million and $48.6 million
in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These amounts are recorded within the “Patent administration and
licensing” line of our Consolidated Statements of Income.

The estimated aggregate amortization expense for the next five years related to our patents balance as of

December 31, 2018 is as follows (in thousands):

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$70,797
65,994
61,379
57,084
51,152

Other Intangible Assets

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, intangible assets excluding patents are included in “Other Non-Current

Assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and consisted of the following (in thousands):

December 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

Average
Life
(Years)

Trade Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Relationships . . . . . . . . . . .

9
10

Gross
Assets

Accumulated
Amortization

$ 600
1,700

$2,300

$(133)
(340)

$(473)

Gross
Assets

Accumulated
Amortization

Net

$ 467
1,360

$ 600
1,700

$1,827

$2,300

$ (67)
(170)

$(237)

Net

$ 533
1,530

$2,063

109

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   109

4/19/19   10:33 PM

As of December 31, 2018, the estimated future amortization expense of these intangible assets is as follows

(in thousands):

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 237
237
237
237
237
642

$1,827

10. OBLIGATIONS

Refer to Note 5, “Business Combinations,” and Note 7, “Concentration of Credit Risk and Fair Value of
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” for information regarding the long-term debt recognized during 2018
resulting from the Technicolor Acquisition.

Long-term debt obligations, excluding the long-term debt resulting from the Technicolor Acquisition, are

comprised of the following (in thousands):

1.50% Senior Convertible Notes due 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less:

Unamortized interest discount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred financing costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total net carrying amount of 2020 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less: Current portion of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

December 31,

2018

2017

$316,000

$316,000

(15,428)
(1,621)

298,951
—

(27,863)
(3,011)

285,126
—

Long-term net carrying amount of 2020 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$298,951

$285,126

There were no capital leases as of December 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.

Maturities of principal of the long-term debt obligations of the Company as of December 31, 2018,

excluding the long-term debt resulting from the Technicolor Acquisition, are as follows (in thousands):

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

—
316,000
—
—
—
—

$316,000

2016 Senior Convertible Notes, and Related Note Hedge and Warrant Transactions

In April 2011, we issued $230.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 2.50% Senior Convertible Notes

due 2016 (the “2016 Notes”), which matured and were repaid in full on March 15, 2016.

In connection with the offering of the 2016 Notes, on March 29 and March 30, 2011, we entered into
convertible note hedge transactions that covered, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, approximately

2018 Annual Report

110

7098_Fin.pdf   110

4/19/19   10:33 PM

3.5 million and approximately 0.5 million shares of our common stock, respectively, at an initial strike price that
corresponded to the initial conversion price of the 2016 Notes and were exercisable upon conversion of the 2016
Notes. In addition, on the same dates, we sold warrants to acquire, subject
to customary anti-dilution
adjustments, approximately 3.5 million shares and approximately 0.5 million shares, respectively, of common
stock. The warrants had a final strike price of $62.95 per share, as adjusted in August 2016. The warrants became
exercisable and expired in daily tranches from June 15, 2016 through August 10, 2016. The market price of our
common stock did not exceed the strike price of the warrants on any warrant expiration date in second quarter
2016; during third quarter 2016, we issued 23,667 shares of common stock pursuant to these warrants.

Accounting Treatment of the 2016 Notes and Related Convertible Note Hedge and Warrant Transactions

The offering of the 2016 Notes on March 29, 2011 was for $200.0 million and included an overallotment
option that allowed the initial purchaser to purchase up to an additional $30.0 million aggregate principal amount
of 2016 Notes. The initial purchaser exercised its overallotment option on March 30, 2011, bringing the total
amount of 2016 Notes issued on April 4, 2011 to $230.0 million.

In connection with the offering of the 2016 Notes, as discussed above, the Company entered into convertible
note hedge transactions with respect to its common stock. The $42.7 million cost of the convertible note hedge
transactions was partially offset by the proceeds from the sale of the warrants described above, resulting in a net
cost of $10.9 million.

Existing accounting guidance provides that the March 29, 2011 convertible note hedge and warrant
contracts be treated as derivative instruments for the period during which the initial purchaser’s overallotment
option was outstanding. Once the overallotment option was exercised on March 30, 2011, the March 29, 2011
convertible note hedge and warrant contracts were reclassified to equity, as the settlement
terms of the
Company’s note hedge and warrant contracts both provide for net share settlement. There was no material net
change in the value of these convertible note hedges and warrants during the one day they were classified as
derivatives and the equity components of these instruments will not be adjusted for subsequent changes in fair
value.

Under current accounting guidance, the Company bifurcated the proceeds from the offering of the 2016
Notes between the liability and equity components of the debt. On the date of issuance, the liability and equity
components were calculated to be approximately $187.0 million and $43.0 million, respectively. The initial
$187.0 million liability component was determined based on the fair value of similar debt instruments excluding
the conversion feature. The initial $43.0 million ($28.0 million net of tax) equity component represents the
difference between the fair value of the initial $187.0 million in debt and the $230.0 million of gross proceeds.
The related initial debt discount of $43.0 million was being amortized using the effective interest method over
the life of the 2016 Notes. An effective interest rate of 7% was used to calculate the debt discount on the 2016
Notes.

In connection with the above-noted transactions, the Company incurred $8.0 million of directly related
costs. The initial purchaser’s transaction fees and related offering expenses were allocated to the liability and
equity components of the debt in proportion to the allocation of proceeds and accounted for as debt issuance
costs. We allocated $6.5 million of debt issuance costs to the liability component of the debt, which were
capitalized as deferred financing costs. These costs were amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt
using the effective interest method. The remaining $1.5 million of costs allocated to the equity component of the
debt were recorded as a reduction of the equity component of the debt.

2020 Senior Convertible Notes, and Related Note Hedge and Warrant Transactions

On March 11, 2015, we issued $316.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 1.50% Senior Convertible
Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”). The 2020 Notes bear interest at a rate of 1.50% per year, payable in cash on
March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing September 1, 2015, and mature on March 1, 2020, unless
earlier converted or repurchased.

111

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   111

4/19/19   10:33 PM

The 2020 Notes will be convertible into cash, shares of our common stock or a combination thereof, at our
election, at a current conversion rate of 14.0506 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2020
Notes (which is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $71.17 per share as of December 31, 2018), as
adjusted pursuant to the terms of the indenture for the 2020 Notes (the “Indenture”). The conversion rate, and
thus the conversion price, may be adjusted under certain circumstances, including in connection with conversions
made following certain fundamental changes and under other circumstances set forth in the Indenture. It is our
current intent and policy to settle all conversions through combination settlement of cash and shares of common
stock, with a specified dollar amount of $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of the 2020 Notes and any remaining
amounts in shares.

Prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the business day immediately preceding December 1, 2019, the
2020 Notes will be convertible only under certain circumstances as set forth in the indenture to the 2020 Notes,
including on any date during any calendar quarter (and only during such calendar quarter) if the closing sale price
of our common stock was more than 130% of the applicable conversion price (approximately $92.52 based on
the current conversion price) on each applicable trading day for at least 20 trading days in the period of the 30
consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter.

Commencing on December 1, 2019, the 2020 Notes will be convertible in multiples of $1,000 principal
amount, at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second scheduled trading day immediately
preceding the maturity date of the 2020 Notes.

The Company may not redeem the 2020 Notes prior to their maturity date.

On March 5 and March 9, 2015, in connection with the offering of the 2020 Notes, we entered into
convertible note hedge transactions that cover approximately 3.8 million and approximately 0.6 million shares of
our common stock, respectively, and they have a strike price that corresponds to the conversion price of the 2020
Notes and are exercisable upon conversion of the 2020 Notes.

The cost of the March 5 and March 9, 2015 convertible note hedge transactions was approximately

$51.7 million and approximately $7.7 million, respectively.

On March 5 and March 9, 2015, we sold warrants to acquire approximately 3.8 million and approximately
0.6 million, respectively, of common stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. As of December 31,
2018, the warrants had a strike price of approximately $86.99 per share, as adjusted. The warrants become
exercisable and expire in daily tranches over a three-and-a-half-month period starting in June 2020. As
consideration for the warrants issued on March 5 and March 9, 2015, we received approximately $37.3 million
and approximately $5.6 million, respectively.

The Company also repurchased 0.8 million shares of our common stock at $53.61 per share, the closing
price of the stock on March 5, 2015, from institutional investors through one of the initial purchasers and its
affiliate, as our agent, concurrently with the pricing of the offering of the 2020 Note

On April 3, 2018, in connection with the reorganization of the Company’s holding company structure, the
predecessor company (now known as InterDigital Wireless, Inc., the “Predecessor Company”) and the successor
company (now known as InterDigital, Inc., the “Successor Company”) entered into a First Supplemental
Indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture”) to the Indenture with the trustee. The Supplemental Indenture effected
certain amendments to the Indenture in connection with the Reorganization, which, among other things, amended
the conversion right of the 2020 Notes so that at the effective time of the Reorganization, the holder of each Note
outstanding as of the effective time of the Reorganization will have the right to convert, subject to the terms of
the Indenture, each $1,000 principal amount of such 2020 Note into the number of shares of the Successor
Company’s common stock that a holder of a number of shares of the Predecessor Company’s common stock
equal to the conversion rate immediately prior to the effective time of the Reorganization would have been
entitled to receive upon the Reorganization. In addition, pursuant to the Supplemental Indenture, the Successor
Company guaranteed the Predecessor Company’s obligations under the 2020 Notes and the Indenture.

2018 Annual Report

112

7098_Fin.pdf   112

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Accounting Treatment of the 2020 Notes and Related Convertible Note Hedge and Warrant Transactions

The offering of the 2020 Notes on March 5, 2015 was for $275.0 million and included an overallotment
option that allowed the initial purchasers to purchase up to an additional $41.0 million aggregate principal
amount of 2020 Notes. The initial purchasers exercised their overallotment option on March 9, 2015, bringing the
total amount of 2020 Notes issued on March 11, 2015 to $316.0 million.

In connection with the offering of the 2020 Notes, as discussed above, InterDigital entered into convertible
note hedge transactions with respect to its common stock. The $59.4 million cost of the convertible note hedge
transactions was partially offset by the proceeds from the sale of the warrants described above, resulting in a net
cost of $16.5 million. Both the convertible note hedge and warrants were classified as equity.

The Company bifurcated the proceeds from the offering of the 2020 Notes between liability and equity
components. On the date of issuance, the liability and equity components were calculated to be approximately
$256.7 million and $59.3 million, respectively. The initial $256.7 million liability component was determined
based on the fair value of similar debt instruments excluding the conversion feature. The initial $59.3 million
($38.6 million net of tax) equity component represents the difference between the fair value of the initial
$256.7 million in debt and the $316.0 million of gross proceeds. The related initial debt discount of $59.3 million
is being amortized using the effective interest method over the life of the 2020 Notes. An effective interest rate of
5.89% was used to calculate the debt discount on the 2020 Notes.

In connection with the above-noted transactions, the Company incurred $9.3 million of directly related
costs. The initial purchasers’ transaction fees and related offering expenses were allocated to the liability and
equity components in proportion to the allocation of proceeds and accounted for as debt and equity issuance
costs, respectively. We allocated $7.0 million of debt issuance costs to the liability component, which were
capitalized as deferred financing costs. These costs are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the
debt using the effective interest method. The remaining $2.4 million of costs allocated to the equity component
were recorded as a reduction of the equity component.

The following table presents the amount of interest cost recognized for the years ended December 31, 2018,
2017 and 2016 related to the contractual interest coupon, accretion of the debt discount and the amortization of
financing costs (in thousands).

Contractual coupon interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accretion of debt discount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of financing costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 4,740
12,434
1,390

$ 4,740
11,715
1,390

$ 6,178
13,536
1,716

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

$18,564

$17,845

$21,430

For the Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

11. COMMITMENTS

We have entered into various operating lease agreements. Total rent expense, primarily for office space, was
$4.8 million, $3.9 million and $4.2 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Minimum future payments for
operating leases and purchase commitments as of December 31, 2018 are as follows (in thousands):

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$10,856
8,648
7,883
2,920
2,184
5,582

113

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   113

4/19/19   10:33 PM

12. LITIGATION AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

ARBITRATIONS AND COURT PROCEEDINGS (OTHER THAN DE DISTRICT COURT ACTIONS
RELATED TO USITC PROCEEDINGS)

2012 Huawei China Proceedings

On February 21, 2012, InterDigital was served with two complaints filed by Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
in the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court in China on December 5, 2011. The first complaint named as
defendants InterDigital, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries InterDigital Technology Corporation and
InterDigital Communications, LLC (now InterDigital Communications, Inc.), and alleged that InterDigital had
abused its dominant market position in the market for the licensing of essential patents owned by InterDigital by
engaging in allegedly unlawful practices, including differentiated pricing, tying and refusal to deal. The second
complaint named as defendants the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries InterDigital Technology Corporation,
InterDigital Communications, LLC (now InterDigital Communications, Inc.), InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc.
and IPR Licensing, Inc. and alleged that InterDigital had failed to negotiate on FRAND terms with
Huawei. Huawei asked the court to determine the FRAND rate for licensing essential Chinese patents to Huawei
and also sought compensation for its costs associated with this matter.

On February 4, 2013, the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court issued rulings in the two proceedings. With
respect to the first complaint, the court decided that InterDigital had violated the Chinese Anti-Monopoly Law by
(i) making proposals for royalties from Huawei that the court believed were excessive, (ii) tying the licensing of
essential patents to the licensing of non-essential patents, (iii) requesting as part of its licensing proposals that
Huawei provide a grant-back of certain patent rights to InterDigital and (iv) commencing a USITC action against
Huawei while still in discussions with Huawei for a license. Based on these findings, the court ordered
InterDigital to cease the alleged excessive pricing and alleged improper bundling of InterDigital’s Chinese
essential and non-essential patents, and to pay Huawei 20.0 million RMB (approximately $2.9 million based on
the exchange rate as of December 31, 2018) in damages related to attorneys’ fees and other charges, without
disclosing a factual basis for its determination of damages. The court dismissed Huawei’s remaining allegations,
including Huawei’s claim that InterDigital improperly sought a worldwide license and improperly sought to
bundle the licensing of essential patents on multiple generations of technologies. With respect to the second
complaint, the court determined that, despite the fact that the FRAND requirement originates from ETSI’s
Intellectual Property Rights policy, which refers to French law, InterDigital’s license offers to Huawei should be
evaluated under Chinese law. Under Chinese law, the court concluded that the offers did not comply with
FRAND. The court further ruled that the royalties to be paid by Huawei for InterDigital’s 2G, 3G and 4G
essential Chinese patents under Chinese law should not exceed 0.019% of the actual sales price of each Huawei
product.

On March 11, 2013, InterDigital filed notices of appeal with respect to the judgments in both proceedings,
seeking reversal of the court’s February 4, 2013 rulings. On October 16, 2013, the Guangdong Province High
Court issued a ruling affirming the ruling of the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court in the second proceeding,
and on October 21, 2013, issued a ruling affirming the ruling of the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court in the
first proceeding.

InterDigital believes that the decisions are seriously flawed both legally and factually. For instance, in
determining a purported FRAND rate, the Chinese courts applied an incorrect economic analysis by evaluating
InterDigital’s lump-sum 2007 patent license agreement with Apple (the “2007 Apple PLA”) in hindsight to posit
a running royalty rate. Indeed, the ALJ in USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-800 rejected that type of improper analysis.
Moreover, the Chinese courts had an incomplete record and applied incorrect facts, including with respect to the
now-expired and superseded 2007 Apple PLA, which had been found in an arbitration between InterDigital and
Apple to be limited in scope.

On April 14, 2014, InterDigital filed a petition for retrial of the second proceeding with the Chinese
Supreme People’s Court (“SPC”), seeking dismissal of the judgment or at least a higher, market-based royalty

2018 Annual Report

114

7098_Fin.pdf   114

4/19/19   10:33 PM

rate for a license to InterDigital’s Chinese standards-essential patents (“SEPs”). The petition for retrial argues,
for example, that (1) the lower court improperly determined a Chinese FRAND running royalty rate by using as a
benchmark the 2007 Apple lump sum fixed payment license agreement, and looking in hindsight at the
unexpectedly successful sales of Apple iPhones to construct an artificial running royalty rate that neither
InterDigital nor Apple could have intended and that would have varied significantly depending on the relative
success or failure in hindsight of Apple iPhone sales; (2) the 2007 Apple PLA was also an inappropriate
benchmark because its scope of product coverage was significantly limited as compared to the license that the
court was considering for Huawei, particularly when there are other more comparable license agreements; and
(3) if the appropriate benchmarks had been used, and the court had considered the range of royalties offered by
other similarly situated SEP holders in the wireless telecommunications industry,
the court would have
determined a FRAND royalty that was substantially higher than 0.019%, and would have found, consistent with
findings of the ALJ’s initial determination in the USITC 337-TA-800 proceeding, that there was no proof that
InterDigital’s offers to Huawei violated its FRAND commitments.

The SPC held a hearing on October 31, 2014, regarding whether to grant a retrial and requested that both
parties provide additional information regarding the facts and legal theories underlying the case. The SPC
convened a second hearing on April 1, 2015 regarding whether to grant a retrial. On December 24, 2018,
InterDigital was notified that the SPC granted InterDigital’s petition for retrial of the October 16, 2013
Guangdong Province High Court decision. The SPC also issued a mediation order that
terminated the
proceeding. The SPC’s grant of InterDigital’s retrial petition suspends enforcement of the decision of the
Guangdong High Court and, combined with the SPC’s issuance of the mediation order, effectively vacates the
Guangdong High Court’s decision. There are no further proceedings in this matter.

ZTE China Proceedings

On July 10 and 11, 2014, InterDigital was served with two complaints filed by ZTE Corporation in the
Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court in China on April 3, 2014. The first complaint names as defendants the
Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries InterDigital Technology Corporation, InterDigital Communications, Inc.,
InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc. and IPR Licensing, Inc. This complaint alleges that InterDigital has failed to
comply with its FRAND obligations for the licensing of its Chinese standards-essential patents. ZTE is asking the
court to determine the FRAND rate for licensing InterDigital’s standards-essential Chinese patents to ZTE and
also seeks compensation for its litigation costs associated with this matter. The second complaint names as
defendants InterDigital, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries InterDigital Technology Corporation and
InterDigital Communications, Inc. This complaint alleges that InterDigital has a dominant market position in
China and the United States in the market for the licensing of essential patents owned by InterDigital, and abused
its dominant market position in violation of the Chinese Anti-Monopoly Law by engaging in allegedly unlawful
practices, including excessively high pricing, tying, discriminatory treatment, and imposing unreasonable trading
conditions. ZTE originally sought relief in the amount of 20.0 million RMB (approximately $2.9 million based
on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2018), an order requiring InterDigital to cease the allegedly unlawful
conduct and compensation for its litigation costs associated with this matter.

On August 7, 2014, InterDigital filed petitions challenging the jurisdiction of the Shenzhen Intermediate
People’s Court to hear the actions. On August 28, 2014, the court denied InterDigital’s jurisdictional challenge
with respect to the anti-monopoly law case. InterDigital filed an appeal of this decision on September 26, 2014.
On September 28, 2014, the court denied InterDigital’s jurisdictional challenge with respect to the FRAND case,
and InterDigital filed an appeal of that decision on October 27, 2014. On December 18, 2014, the Guangdong
High Court issued decisions on both appeals upholding the Shenzhen Intermediate Court’s decisions that it had
jurisdiction to hear these cases. On February 10, 2015, InterDigital filed a petition for retrial with the Supreme
People’s Court regarding its jurisdictional challenges to both cases.

The Shenzhen Court held hearings on the anti-monopoly law case on May 11, 13, 15 and 18, 2015. At the
May hearings, ZTE withdrew its claims alleging discriminatory treatment and the imposition of unfair trading

115

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   115

4/19/19   10:33 PM

conditions and increased its damages claim to 99.8 million RMB (approximately $14.5 million based on the
exchange rate as of December 31, 2018). The Shenzhen Court held hearings in the FRAND case on July 29-31,
2015 and held a second hearing on the anti-monopoly law case on October 12, 2015.

On September 18, 2018, ZTE independently filed a petition with the Shenzhen Court to withdraw the
complaint in its FRAND case against InterDigital, and on September 28, 2018, the Shenzhen Court granted
ZTE’s petition and dismissed the FRAND case without prejudice. On October 25, 2018, ZTE independently filed
a petition with the Shenzhen Court to withdraw the complaint in its anti-monopoly law case against InterDigital,
and on October 26, 2018, the Shenzhen Court granted ZTE’s petition and dismissed the anti-monopoly law case
without prejudice.

Asustek Actions

On April 15, 2015, Asustek Computer Incorporated (“Asus”) filed a complaint in the CA Northern District
Court against InterDigital, Inc., and its subsidiaries InterDigital Communications, Inc., InterDigital Technology
Corporation, IPR Licensing, Inc., and InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc. The complaint asserted the following
causes of action: violation of Section Two of the Sherman Act, violation of Section 17200 of the California
Business and Professions Code, breach of contract resulting from ongoing negotiations, breach of contract
leading to and resulting in the parties’ April 2008 patent license agreement (the “2008 Asus PLA”), promissory
estoppel, waiver, and fraudulent inducement to contract. Among other allegations, Asus alleged that InterDigital
breached its FRAND commitment. As relief, Asus sought a judgment that the 2008 Asus PLA is void or
unenforceable, damages in the amount of excess royalties Asus paid under the 2008 Asus PLA plus interest, a
judgment setting the proper FRAND terms and conditions for InterDigital’s patent portfolio, an order requiring
InterDigital to grant Asus a license on FRAND terms and conditions, and punitive damages and other relief.

In response, on May 30, 2015, InterDigital filed an Arbitration Demand with the ICDR. InterDigital claimed
that Asus breached the 2008 Asus PLA’s dispute resolution provision by filing its CA Northern District Court
lawsuit and sought declaratory relief that it is not liable for any of the claims in Asus’s complaint. On June 2,
2015, InterDigital filed in the CA Northern District Court a motion to compel arbitration on each of Asus’s
claims. On August 25, 2015, the court granted InterDigital’s motion for all of Asus’s claims except its claim for
breach of contract resulting from ongoing negotiations. Aside from this claim, the court ruled that the issue of
arbitrability should be decided by an arbitrator, and stayed the proceedings pending that determination.

Asus asserted counterclaims in the arbitration that mirrored its CA Northern District Court claims, except
that it did not assert the breach of contract claim that the court determined was not arbitrable and it added a claim
of violation of the Delaware Consumer Fraud Act. Asus also contended that its counterclaims were not arbitrable.
InterDigital added a claim for breach of the 2008 Asus PLA’s confidentiality provision.

On July 14, 2016, Asus filed a motion to lift the stay in the CA Northern District Court proceeding along
with a notice of the arbitral tribunal’s decision on arbitrability, informing the court of the arbitrators’ decision
that, other than InterDigital’s breach of contract claims and Asus’s fraudulent inducement claim, no other claim
or counterclaim is arbitrable. Asus then filed in the CA Northern District Court an amended complaint on
August 18, 2016. This amended complaint includes all of the claims in Asus’s first CA Northern District Court
complaint except fraudulent inducement and adds a claim of violation of the Delaware Consumer Fraud Act. It
seeks the same relief as its first CA Northern District Court complaint, but also seeks a ruling that each of
InterDigital’s patents “declared [to standards-setting organizations] to be essential or potentially essential” is
unenforceable and any contracts InterDigital entered into in furtherance of its unlawful conduct are void. On
September 8, 2016, InterDigital filed its answer and counterclaims to Asus’s amended complaint. It denied
Asus’s claims and filed a counterclaim for declaratory judgment that Asus’s tort claims are invalid or preempted
as applied under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Patent Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and
Title 35 of the U.S. Code. On September 28, 2016, Asus answered and denied InterDigital’s counterclaims.

2018 Annual Report

116

7098_Fin.pdf   116

4/19/19   10:33 PM

With respect to its arbitration counterclaim for fraudulent inducement, Asus stated in its pleadings that it
was seeking return of excess royalties (which totaled close to $63 million as of the August 2016 date referenced
in the pleadings and had increased with additional royalty payments made by Asus since such time), plus interest,
costs and attorneys’ fees. The evidentiary hearing in the arbitration was held in January 2017, and the parties
presented oral closing arguments on March 22, 2017. On August 2, 2017, the arbitral tribunal issued its Final
Award. The tribunal fully rejected Asus’s counterclaim, finding that InterDigital did not fraudulently induce
Asus to enter into the 2008 Asus PLA. Accordingly, the tribunal dismissed Asus’s fraudulent inducement
counterclaim in its entirety. The tribunal also dismissed InterDigital’s claims that Asus breached the
confidentiality provisions and the dispute resolution provisions of the 2008 Asus PLA. On October 20, 2017,
InterDigital and Asus jointly moved to confirm both the tribunal’s Final Award and the Interim Award on
Jurisdiction in the CA Northern District. The court confirmed both awards on October 25, 2017.

On April 16, 2018, InterDigital filed a motion in the CA Northern District Court proceeding for leave to
amend its counterclaims to include a claim of intentional interference with contract. On June 12, 2018, the court
denied this motion.

On April 17, 2018, the parties served opening expert reports in the CA Northern District Court proceeding.
Asus’s damages expert contends that Asus is currently owed damages in the amount of $75.9 million based on its
claims that InterDigital charged royalties inconsistent with its FRAND commitments. Those damages, which
represent a substantial portion of the royalties paid by Asus through third quarter 2017, do not reflect Asus’s
most recent royalty payments. Asus also seeks interest, costs and attorneys’ fees, as well as, in connection with
its Sherman Act claim, treble damages.

On August 16, 2018, the parties filed motions for summary judgment in the CA Northern District Court
proceeding. The parties filed oppositions on September 13, 2018 and replies on September 27, 2018, and the
court held an oral argument on October 11, 2018.

On December 20, 2018, the CA Northern District Court issued an order on the parties’ motions for summary
judgment. InterDigital’s motion was granted in part and denied in part, and Asus’s motion was denied in its
entirety. The court: (1) granted summary judgment that Asus is judicially estopped from arguing that the 2008
Asus PLA is not FRAND compliant in light of Asus’s prior inconsistent positions; (2) denied to the extent ruled
on by the court InterDigital’s motion that issue preclusion prevents Asus from re-litigating issues decided in the
arbitration; (3) granted summary judgment that Asus cannot invalidate the 2008 Asus PLA on the theory that,
even if FRAND when signed, the 2008 Asus PLA became non-FRAND thereafter; (4) denied InterDigital’s
motion for summary judgment that Asus’s Sherman Act claim fails as a matter of law; and (5) granted summary
judgment that Asus’s promissory estoppel and California UCL claims fail as a matter of law. In addition, the
court denied Asus’s motion for summary judgment that, as a matter of law, InterDigital breached its contractual
obligation to license its essential patents on FRAND terms and conditions by engaging in discriminatory
licensing practices. On December 21, 2018, the court referred the case to a magistrate judge for a settlement
conference. The settlement conference was held on February 14, 2019. A settlement was not reached. The trial in
the CA Northern District Court proceeding is scheduled for May 6-17, 2019.

The Company has not recorded any accrual at December 31, 2018, for contingent losses associated with the
CA Northern District Court Proceeding. While a material loss is reasonably possible, the Company cannot
estimate the potential range of loss given the range of possible outcomes, as this matter is not at a sufficiently
advanced stage to allow for such an estimate.

2019 Huawei China Proceeding

On January 3, 2019, InterDigital was notified that a civil complaint was filed on January 2, 2019, by Huawei
Technologies Co., Ltd. and certain of its subsidiaries against InterDigital, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries in
the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court. The complaint seeks a ruling that the InterDigital defendants have

117

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   117

4/19/19   10:33 PM

violated an obligation to license their patents that are essential to 3G, 4G and 5G wireless telecommunication
standards on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and conditions. The complaint also seeks a
determination of the terms for licensing all of the InterDigital defendants’ Chinese patents that are essential to
3G, 4G and 5G wireless telecommunication standards to the Huawei plaintiffs for the plaintiffs’ wireless terminal
unit products made and/or sold in China from 2019 to 2023. InterDigital’s patent license agreement with Huawei
expired on December 31, 2018.

REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS

Investigation by National Development and Reform Commission of China

On September 23, 2013, counsel for InterDigital was informed by China’s National Development and
Reform Commission (“NDRC”) that the NDRC had initiated a formal investigation into whether InterDigital has
violated China’s Anti-Monopoly Law (“AML”) with respect to practices related to the licensing of InterDigital’s
standards-essential patents to Chinese companies. Companies found to violate the AML may be subject to a
cease and desist order, fines and disgorgement of any illegal gains. On March 3, 2014, the Company submitted to
NDRC, pursuant to a procedure set out in the AML, a formal application for suspension of the investigation that
included proposed commitments by the Company. On May 22, 2014, NDRC formally suspended its investigation
of the Company based on the commitments proposed by the Company. The Company’s commitments with
respect to the licensing of its patent portfolio for wireless mobile standards to Chinese manufacturers of cellular
terminal units (“Chinese Manufacturers”) are as follows:

1. Whenever InterDigital engages with a Chinese Manufacturer to license InterDigital’s patent portfolio
for 2G, 3G and 4G wireless mobile standards, InterDigital will offer such Chinese Manufacturer the
option of taking a worldwide portfolio license of only its standards-essential wireless patents, and
comply with F/RAND principles when negotiating and entering into such licensing agreements with
Chinese Manufacturers.

2. As part of its licensing offer, InterDigital will not require that a Chinese Manufacturer agree to a
royalty-free, reciprocal cross-license of such Chinese Manufacturer’s similarly categorized standards-
essential wireless patents.

3.

Prior to commencing any action against a Chinese Manufacturer in which InterDigital may seek
exclusionary or injunctive relief for the infringement of any of its wireless standards-essential patents,
InterDigital will offer such Chinese Manufacturer the option to enter into expedited binding arbitration
under fair and reasonable procedures to resolve the royalty rate and other terms of a worldwide license
under
the Chinese Manufacturer accepts
InterDigital’s binding arbitration offer or otherwise enters into an agreement with InterDigital on a
binding arbitration mechanism, InterDigital will, in accordance with the terms of the arbitration
agreement and patent license agreement, refrain from seeking exclusionary or injunctive relief against
such company.

InterDigital’s wireless standards-essential patents.

If

The commitments contained in item 3 above will expire five years from the effective date of the suspension
of the investigation, or May 22, 2019. With the consolidation of China’s antimonopoly enforcement authorities
into the State Administration for Market Regulation (“SAMR”) in April 2018, SAMR is now responsible for
overseeing InterDigital’s commitments.

USITC PROCEEDINGS AND RELATED DELAWARE DISTRICT COURT PROCEEDINGS

2013 USITC Proceeding (337-TA-868) and Related ZTE Delaware District Court Proceeding

USITC Proceeding (337-TA-868)

On January 2, 2013,

the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries InterDigital Communications, Inc.,
InterDigital Technology Corporation, IPR Licensing, Inc. and InterDigital Holdings, Inc. filed a complaint with

2018 Annual Report

118

7098_Fin.pdf   118

4/19/19   10:33 PM

the United States International Trade Commission (the “USITC” or “Commission”) against Samsung Electronics
Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, Nokia
Corporation and Nokia Inc., Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Huawei Device USA, Inc. and FutureWei
Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Huawei Technologies (USA) and ZTE Corporation and ZTE (USA) Inc. (collectively,
the “337-TA-868 Respondents”), alleging violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in that they
engaged in unfair trade practices by selling for importation into the United States, importing into the United
States and/or selling after importation into the United States certain 3G and 4G wireless devices (including
WCDMA-, cdma2000- and LTE-capable mobile phones, USB sticks, mobile hotspots, laptop computers and
tablets and components of such devices) that infringe one or more of up to seven of InterDigital’s U.S. patents.
The complaint also extended to certain WCDMA and cdma2000 devices incorporating Wi-Fi functionality.
InterDigital’s complaint with the USITC sought an exclusion order that would bar from entry into the United
States infringing 3G or 4G wireless devices (and components), including LTE devices, that are imported by or on
behalf of the 337-TA-868 Respondents, and also sought a cease-and-desist order to bar further sales of infringing
products that have already been imported into the United States. Certain of the asserted patents were also asserted
against Nokia, Huawei and ZTE in earlier pending USITC proceedings (including the Nokia, Huawei and ZTE
2011 USITC Proceeding (337-TA-800) and the Nokia 2007 USITC Proceeding (337-TA-613), as set forth
below) and therefore were not asserted against those 337-TA-868 Respondents in this investigation.

On December 23, 2013, InterDigital and Huawei reached a settlement agreement to enter into binding
arbitration to resolve their global patent licensing disputes. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, InterDigital and
Huawei moved to dismiss all litigation matters pending between the parties except the action filed by Huawei in
China to set a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (“FRAND”) rate for the licensing of InterDigital’s Chinese
standards-essential patents (discussed above under “Huawei China Proceedings”),
the decision in which
InterDigital is permitted to further appeal. As a result, effective February 12, 2014, the Huawei Respondents
were terminated from the 337-TA-868 investigation.

From February 10 to February 20, 2014, ALJ Essex presided over the evidentiary hearing in this
investigation. The patents in issue in this investigation as of the hearing were U.S. Patent Nos. 7,190,966 (the
“’966 patent”) and 7,286,847 (the “’847 patent”) asserted against ZTE and Samsung, and U.S. Patent
No. 7,941,151 (the “’151 patent”) asserted against ZTE, Samsung and Nokia.

On June 3, 2014, InterDigital and Samsung filed a joint motion to terminate the investigation as to Samsung
on the basis of settlement. The ALJ granted the joint motion by initial determination issued on June 9, 2014, and
the USITC determined not to review the initial determination on June 30, 2014.

On June 13, 2014, the ALJ issued an Initial Determination (“ID”) in the 337-TA-868 investigation. In the
ID, the ALJ found that no violation of Section 337 had occurred in connection with the importation of 3G/4G
devices by ZTE or Nokia, on the basis that the accused devices do not infringe asserted claims 1-6, 8-9, 16-21 or
23-24 of the ’151 patent, claims 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, or 11 of the ’966 patent, or claims 3 or 5 of the ’847 patent. The
ALJ also found that claim 16 of the ’151 patent was invalid as indefinite. Among other determinations, the ALJ
further determined that InterDigital did not violate any FRAND obligations, a conclusion also reached by the
ALJ in the 337-TA-800 investigation, and that Respondents have engaged in patent “hold out.”

On June 30, 2014, InterDigital filed a Petition for Review with the USITC seeking review and reversal of
certain of the ALJ’s conclusions in the ID. On the same day, Respondents filed a Conditional Petition for Review
urging alternative grounds for affirmance of the ID’s finding that Section 337 was not violated and a Conditional
Petition for Review with respect to FRAND issues.

In June 2014, Microsoft Mobile Oy (“MMO”) was added as a respondent in the investigation.

On August 14, 2014, the Commission determined to review in part the June 13, 2014 ID but terminated the

investigation with a finding of no violation.

119

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   119

4/19/19   10:33 PM

On October 10, 2014, InterDigital filed a petition for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit (the “Federal Circuit”), appealing certain of the adverse determinations in the Commission’s August 8,
2014 final determination including those related to the ’966 and ’847 patents. On June 2, 2015, InterDigital
moved to voluntarily dismiss the Federal Circuit appeal, because, even if it were to prevail, it did not believe
there would be sufficient time following the court’s decision and mandate for the USITC to complete its
proceedings on remand such that the accused products would be excluded before the ’966 and ’847 patents expire
in June 2016. The court granted the motion and dismissed the appeal on June 18, 2015.

Related Delaware District Court Proceeding

On January 2, 2013,

the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries InterDigital Communications, Inc.,
InterDigital Technology Corporation, IPR Licensing, Inc. and InterDigital Holdings, Inc. filed four related
district court actions in the Delaware District Court against the 337-TA-868 Respondents. The proceedings
against Huawei, Samsung and Nokia were subsequently dismissed, as discussed below. The remaining complaint
alleges that ZTE infringes the same patents with respect to the same products alleged in the complaint filed by
InterDigital in USITC Proceeding (337-TA-868). The complaint seeks a permanent injunction and compensatory
damages in an amount to be determined, as well as enhanced damages based on willful infringement, and
recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

On January 31, 2013, ZTE filed its answer and counterclaims to InterDigital’s Delaware District Court
complaint; ZTE asserted counterclaims for breach of contract, equitable estoppel, waiver of right to enjoin and
declarations that InterDigital has not offered ZTE licenses on FRAND terms, declarations seeking the
determination of FRAND terms and declarations of noninfringement, invalidity and unenforceability. In addition
to the declaratory relief specified in its counterclaims, ZTE seeks specific performance of InterDigital’s
purported contracts with ZTE and standards-setting organizations, appropriate damages in an amount to be
determined at trial, reasonable attorneys’ fees and such other relief as the court may deem appropriate.

On March 21, 2013, pursuant to stipulation, the Delaware District Court granted InterDigital leave to file an
amended complaint against ZTE to assert allegations of infringement of the ’244 patent. On March 22, 2013,
ZTE filed its answer and counterclaims to InterDigital’s amended Delaware District Court complaint. On April 9,
2013, InterDigital filed a motion to dismiss ZTE’s counterclaims relating to its FRAND allegations. On July 12,
2013, the Delaware District Court held a hearing on InterDigital’s motion to dismiss. By order issued the same
day, the Delaware District Court granted InterDigital’s motion, dismissing ZTE’s counterclaims for equitable
estoppel and waiver of the right to injunction or exclusionary relief with prejudice. It further dismissed the
counterclaims for breach of contract and declaratory relief related to InterDigital’s FRAND commitments with
leave to amend.

On August 6, 2013, ZTE filed its answer and amended counterclaims for breach of contract and for
declaratory judgment seeking determination of FRAND terms. The counterclaims also continue to seek
declarations of noninfringement, invalidity, and unenforceability. On August 30, 2013, InterDigital filed a
motion to dismiss the declaratory judgment counterclaim relating to the request for determination of FRAND
terms. On May 28, 2014,
the court granted InterDigital’s motion and dismissed ZTE’s FRAND-related
declaratory judgment counterclaim, ruling that such declaratory judgment would serve no useful purpose.

On December 30, 2013, InterDigital and Huawei filed a stipulation of dismissal on account of the
confidential settlement agreement and agreement to arbitrate their disputes in this action. On the same day, the
Delaware District Court granted the stipulation of dismissal and dismissed the action against Huawei.

On February 11, 2014, the Delaware District Court judge entered an InterDigital, Nokia, and ZTE stipulated
Amended Scheduling Order that bifurcated issues relating to damages, FRAND-related affirmative defenses, and
any FRAND-related counterclaims.

2018 Annual Report

120

7098_Fin.pdf   120

4/19/19   10:33 PM

On August 28, 2014, the court granted in part a motion by InterDigital for summary judgment that the
asserted ’151 patent is not unenforceable by reason of inequitable conduct, holding that only one of the
references forming the basis of defendants’ allegations would remain in issue, and granted a motion by
InterDigital for summary judgment that the asserted claims of the ’966 and ’847 patents are not invalid for lack
of enablement.

On August 5, 2014, InterDigital and Samsung filed a stipulation of dismissal in light of the parties’
settlement agreement. On the same day, the court granted the stipulation of dismissal and dismissed the action
against Samsung with prejudice.

By order dated August 28, 2014, MMO was joined in the case against Nokia as a defendant.

The ZTE trial addressing infringement and validity of the ’966, ’847, ’244 and ’151 patents was held from
October 20 to October 27, 2014. During the trial, the judge determined that further construction of certain claim
language of the ’151 patent was required, and the judge decided to hold another trial as to ZTE’s infringement of
the ’151 patent at a later date. On October 28, 2014, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of
InterDigital, finding that the ’966, ’847 and ’244 patents are all valid and infringed by ZTE 3G and 4G cellular
devices. The court issued formal judgment to this effect on October 29, 2014.

On November 26, 2014, ZTE filed a motion for judgment as a matter of law that the asserted claims of the
’966, ’847 and ’244 patents are not infringed and, in the alternative, for a new trial. InterDigital filed an
opposition on December 15, 2014, and ZTE filed a reply on January 7, 2015.

The ZTE trial addressing infringement of the ’151 patent was held from April 20 to April 22, 2015. On
April 22, 2015, the jury returned a verdict in favor of ZTE, finding that the ’151 patent is not infringed by ZTE
3G and 4G cellular devices.

On May 29, 2015, the court entered a new scheduling order for damages and FRAND-related issues,

scheduling the ZTE trial related to damages and FRAND-related issues for October 2016.

On September 14, 2015, a panel of Administrative Law Judges of the United States Patent and Trademark
Office Patent Trial and Appeal Board (the “PTAB”) issued a final written decision in two Inter Partes Review
(“IPR”) cases concerning the ’244 patent. These IPR proceedings were commenced on petitions filed by ZTE
Corporation and ZTE (USA) Inc. and by Microsoft Corporation, respectively. Specifically, the panel determined
that a number of claims of the ’244 patent are unpatentable as obvious. IPR Licensing, Inc. appealed to the
Federal Circuit seeking review of the PTAB’s decision. Oral argument in the appeal was heard on April 7, 2017.
On April 20, 2017, the Federal Circuit affirmed the PTAB’s decision that most of the challenged claims of the
’244 patent are unpatentable as obvious. However, the court vacated and remanded the PTAB’s obviousness
finding as to claim 8, which returned the matter to the PTAB for further proceedings as to that claim. On July 28,
2017, IPR Licensing, Inc., filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to appeal
the Federal Circuit decision, arguing that the petition should be held pending the Supreme Court’s decision in Oil
States Energy Services, LLC v. Greene’s Energy Group, LLC, which will determine whether the IPR process as a
whole is unconstitutional. On October 2, 2017, ZTE filed a response to the petition for a writ of certiorari in
which ZTE agreed that the petition should be held pending the Court’s decision in Oil States and then disposed of
as appropriate in light of that decision. On April 24, 2018, the Supreme Court rejected the petitioner’s
constitutional challenge to the IPR process in the Oil States case, and on April 30, 2018 denied IPR Licensing,
Inc.’s July 28, 2017 petition for a writ of certiorari. On March 6, 2018, in the PTAB remand proceeding, the
PTAB again found claim 8 to be invalid. On April 10, 2018, IPR Licensing, Inc. appealed to the Federal Circuit
seeking review of the PTAB’s decision. That appeal (the “’244 patent PTAB remand appeal”) remains pending.

On December 21, 2015, the district court entered another scheduling order that vacated the October 2016
date for the ZTE trial related to damages and FRAND-related issues as set forth in the May 2015 scheduling
order.

121

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   121

4/19/19   10:33 PM

On March 18, 2016, the court denied ZTE’s motion for judgment as a matter of law, or in the alternative for
a new trial, with respect to the ’966 and ’847 patents. The court postponed its ruling on ZTE’s motion as to the
’244 patent pending the Federal Circuit’s decision on InterDigital’s appeal of the September 14, 2015 PTAB
ruling and administratively closed that portion of the motion.

On April 18, 2016, ZTE filed a stipulated request for dismissal with prejudice of its counterclaims for
breach of contract and patent unenforceability based on FRAND and withdrew its corresponding FRAND-related
affirmative defenses. The court granted this request the same day. Also on April 18, 2016, ZTE filed a motion
under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(b) seeking certification of partial final judgment on the claims for
infringement of the ’966 and ’847 patents to allow ZTE to file an immediate appeal as to those patents. The
motion was granted on June 7, 2016, and a partial final judgment was entered on June 20, 2016. On July 18,
2016, ZTE filed its notice of appeal with the Federal Circuit regarding the Delaware District Court’s judgment
against ZTE with respect to the ’966 and ’847 patents. Oral argument on ZTE’s appeal was heard on October 4,
2017. On November 3, 2017, the Federal Circuit issued its decision affirming the Delaware District Court
judgment finding that the ’966 and ’847 patents are not invalid and are infringed by ZTE 3G and 4G cellular
devices. On December 4, 2017, ZTE filed a petition for panel rehearing of the Federal Circuit’s decision. The
Federal Circuit denied ZTE’s petition on December 20, 2017, and the court’s mandate issued on December 27,
2017.

On May 15, 2017, InterDigital and Nokia/MMO filed a stipulation of dismissal of the case against MMO,
to a Settlement Agreement and Release of Claims among
Nokia Corporation and Nokia, Inc. pursuant
InterDigital, Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft Mobile, Inc., and MMO, dated May 9, 2017, (the “Microsoft
Settlement Agreement”). On May 16, 2017, the Delaware District Court granted the stipulation and dismissed the
case against MMO, Nokia Corporation and Nokia, Inc. with prejudice.

The case against ZTE remains pending. On January 16, 2018, InterDigital and ZTE filed a joint status report
that informed the court of the Federal Circuit’s decision regarding the ’966 and ’847 patents and that the PTAB
proceedings regarding the ’244 patent remained pending. The parties jointly requested that the case remain
stayed so that the portion of the case related to damages potentially owed by ZTE as to the three patents-in-suit
may be coordinated. The court granted this request on January 17, 2018. The case remains stayed pending the
conclusion of the 244 patent PTAB remand appeal, including any further proceedings.

2011 USITC Proceeding (337-TA-800) and Related ZTE Delaware District Court Proceeding

USITC Proceeding (337-TA-800)

On July 26, 2011, InterDigital’s wholly owned subsidiaries InterDigital Communications, LLC (now
InterDigital Communications, Inc.), InterDigital Technology Corporation and IPR Licensing, Inc. filed a
complaint with the USITC against Nokia Corporation and Nokia Inc., Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. and
FutureWei Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Huawei Technologies (USA) and ZTE Corporation and ZTE (USA) Inc.
(collectively, the “337-TA-800 Respondents”), alleging violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in that
they engaged in unfair trade practices by selling for importation into the United States, importing into the United
States and/or selling after importation into the United States certain 3G wireless devices (including WCDMA-
and cdma2000-capable mobile phones, USB sticks, mobile hotspots and tablets and components of such devices)
that infringe several of InterDigital’s U.S. patents. The action also extended to certain WCDMA and cdma2000
devices incorporating WiFi functionality. InterDigital’s complaint with the USITC sought an exclusion order that
would bar from entry into the United States any infringing 3G wireless devices (and components) that are
imported by or on behalf of the 337-TA-800 Respondents, and also sought a cease-and-desist order to bar further
sales of infringing products that have already been imported into the United States. In May 2012, Huawei Device
USA, Inc. was added as a 337-TA-800 Respondent.

The ALJ held an evidentiary hearing from February 12-21, 2013. The patents in issue as of the hearing were
U.S. Patent Nos. 8,009,636 (the “’636 patent”), 7,706, 830 (the “’830 patent”), 7,502,406 (the “’406 patent”),

2018 Annual Report

122

7098_Fin.pdf   122

4/19/19   10:33 PM

7,616,970 (the “’970 patent”), 7,706,332 (the “’332 patent”), 7,536,013 (the “’013 patent”) and 7,970,127 (the
“’127 patent”). The ALJ’s Initial Determination (“ID”) issued on June 28, 2013, finding no violation because the
asserted patents were not infringed and/or invalid. Among other determinations, with respect to the 337-TA-800
Respondents’ FRAND and other equitable defenses, the ALJ found that Respondents had failed to prove either
that InterDigital violated any FRAND obligations, that InterDigital failed to negotiate in good faith, or that
InterDigital’s licensing offers were discriminatory. The ALJ also found that InterDigital is not precluded from
seeking injunctive relief based on any alleged FRAND commitments.

Petitions for review of the ID to the Commission were filed by InterDigital and the 337-TA-800
Respondents on July 15, 2013. On September 4, 2013, the Commission determined to review the ID in its
entirety.

On December 19, 2013, the Commission issued its final determination. The Commission adopted, with
some modification, the ALJ’s finding of no violation of Section 337 as to Nokia, Huawei, and ZTE. The
Commission did not rule on any other issue, including FRAND and domestic industry, and stated that all other
issues remain under review.

On December 20, 2013, InterDigital filed in the Federal Circuit a petition for review seeking reversal of the
Commission’s final determination. On February 18, 2015, the Federal Circuit issued a decision affirming the
USITC’s determinations that the claims of the ’830, ’636, ’406 and ’332 patents were not infringed, that the
claims of the ’970 patent are invalid, and that the Respondents did not violate Section 337. On April 6, 2015,
InterDigital filed a combined petition for panel rehearing and rehearing en banc as to the ’830 and ’636 patents.
The petition was denied on May 12, 2015, and the court’s mandate issued on May 19, 2015.

Related Delaware District Court Proceeding

injunction and compensatory damages in an amount

On July 26, 2011, the same date that InterDigital filed USITC Proceeding (337-TA-800), it filed a parallel
action in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against the 337-TA-800 Respondents
alleging infringement of the same asserted patents identified in USITC Proceeding (337-TA-800). The Delaware
to be
District Court complaint seeks a permanent
determined, as well as enhanced damages based on willful infringement, and recovery of reasonable attorneys’
fees and costs. On September 23, 2011, the defendants in the Delaware District Court complaint filed a motion to
stay the Delaware District Court action pending the parallel proceedings in the USITC. Because the USITC has
instituted USITC Proceeding (337-TA-800), the defendants have a statutory right to a mandatory stay of the
Delaware District Court proceeding pending a final determination in the USITC. On October 3, 2011,
InterDigital amended the Delaware District Court complaint, adding LG as a defendant and adding the same
additional patent that InterDigital requested be added to USITC Proceeding (337-TA-800). On October 11, 2011,
the Delaware District Court granted the defendants’ motion to stay. The case is currently stayed through
March 11, 2019.

On January 14, 2014, InterDigital and Huawei filed a stipulation of dismissal of their disputes in this action
on account of the confidential settlement agreement mentioned above. On the same day, the Delaware District
Court granted the stipulation of dismissal.

On May 15, 2017, InterDigital and Nokia filed a stipulation of dismissal of their dispute pursuant to the
Microsoft Settlement Agreement discussed above. On May 16, 2017, the Delaware District Court granted the
stipulation and dismissed the case with prejudice with respect to Nokia Corporation and Nokia Inc.

In December 2017, InterDigital entered into a patent license agreement with LG, pursuant to which the
parties agreed to terms for dismissal by InterDigital of the outstanding litigation among the parties and their
affiliates. Accordingly, on December 5, 2017, InterDigital and LG filed a stipulation of dismissal of the case
against LG. On the same day, the Delaware District Court granted the stipulation and dismissed the case against
LG with prejudice.

123

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   123

4/19/19   10:33 PM

The case remains pending with respect to ZTE.

OTHER

We are party to certain other disputes and legal actions in the ordinary course of business, including
arbitrations and legal proceedings with licensees regarding the terms of their agreements and the negotiation
thereof. We do not currently believe that these matters, even if adversely adjudicated or settled, would have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. None of the preceding
matters have met the requirements for accrual or disclosure of a potential range as of December 31, 2018.

13. COMPENSATION PLANS AND PROGRAMS

Compensation Programs

We use a variety of compensation programs to both attract and retain employees, and to more closely align
employee compensation with company performance. These programs include, but are not limited to, short-term
incentive awards tied to performance goals and cash awards to inventors for filed patent applications and patent
issuances, as well as stock option awards, time-based RSU awards, performance-based awards and cash awards
under our LTCP.

Our LTCP typically includes annual time-based RSU grants and cash award grants with a three-year vesting
period, as well as annual performance-based RSU grants and cash award grants with a three to five-year
performance period; as a result, in any one year, we are typically accounting for at least three active LTCP
cycles. We issue new shares of our common stock to satisfy our obligations under the share-based components of
these programs. However, our Board of Directors has the right to authorize the issuance of treasury shares to
satisfy such obligations in the future.

Equity Incentive Plans

On June 14, 2017, our shareholders adopted and approved the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”),
under which officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants can receive share-based awards such as
RSUs, restricted stock and stock options as well as other stock or cash awards. From June 2009 through June 14,
2017, we granted such awards pursuant to our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan,” and, together with the
2017 Plan, the “Equity Plans”), which was adopted and approved by our shareholders on June 4, 2009, and the
material terms of which were re-approved on June 12, 2014. Upon the adoption of the 2017 Plan in June 2017,
the 2009 Plan was terminated and all shares remaining available for grant under the 2009 Plan were canceled.
The number of shares available for issuance under the 2017 Plan is equal to 2,400,000 shares plus any shares
subject to awards granted under the 2009 Plan that, on or after June 14, 2017, expire or otherwise terminate
without having been exercised in full, or that are forfeited to or repurchased by us.

The following table summarizes changes in the number of equity instruments available for grant (in

thousands) under the Equity Plans for the current year:

Balance as of December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RSUs granted (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Options granted (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Options expired and RSUs canceled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance as of December 31, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Available for
Grant

2,403
(441)
(335)
262

1,889

(a) RSUs granted include time-based RSUs, performance-based RSUs and dividend equivalents credited.
Granted amounts include performance-based RSU awards at their maximum potential payout level of 200%.

(b) Options granted include performance-based options at their maximum potential payout level of 200%.

2018 Annual Report

124

7098_Fin.pdf   124

4/19/19   10:33 PM

RSUs and Restricted Stock

We may issue RSUs and/or shares of restricted stock to officers, employees, non-employee directors and
consultants. Any cancellations of outstanding RSUs granted under the Equity Plans will increase the number of
RSUs and/or shares of restricted stock remaining available for grant under the 2017 Plan. Time-based RSUs vest
over periods generally ranging from 1 to 3 years from the date of the grant. Performance-based RSUs generally
have a vesting period of between 3 and 5 years.

As of December 31, 2018, we had unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based awards of
$9.9 million, at current performance accrual rates. For grants made that cliff vest, we expect to amortize the
associated unrecognized compensation cost as of December 31, 2018, on a straight-line basis generally over a
three to five-year period.

Vesting of performance-based RSU awards is subject to attainment of specific goals established by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Depending upon performance against these goals, the
number of shares that vest can be anywhere from 0 to 2 times the target number of shares.

Information with respect to current RSU activity is summarized as follows (in thousands, except per share

amounts):

Number of
Unvested
RSUs

Weighted
Average Per Share
Grant Date
Fair Value

Balance at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance at December 31, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,005
441
(181)
(350)

915

$57.95
73.75
73.49
54.75

$63.70

*

These numbers include less than 0.1 million RSUs credited on unvested RSU awards as dividend
equivalents. Dividend equivalents accrue with respect to unvested RSU awards when and as cash dividends
are paid on the Company’s common stock, and vest if and when the underlying RSUs vest. Granted amounts
include performance-based RSU awards at their maximum potential payout level of 200%.

During 2018, 2017 and 2016, we granted approximately 0.3 million, 0.2 million and 0.4 million RSUs under
the Equity Plans, respectively, with weighted-average grant date fair values of $73.75, $58.63 and $62.10,
respectively. The total vest date fair value of the RSUs that vested in 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $25.2 million,
$56.0 million and $9.8 million, respectively. The weighted average per share grant date fair value of the awards
that vested in 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $54.75, $35.14 and $44.08, respectively.

Other Equity Grants

We may also grant equity awards to non-management Board members, certain consultants and, in special
circumstances, employees outside of the LTCP. Grants of this type are supplemental to any awards granted
through the LTCP.

Stock Options

The 2009 Plan allowed, and the 2017 Plan allows, for the granting of incentive and non-qualified stock
options, as well as other securities. The administrator of the Equity Plans, the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors, determines the number of options to be granted, subject to certain limitations set forth in the
2017 Plan. Annually, since 2013, both incentive and non-qualified stock options have been granted as part of the

125

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   125

4/19/19   10:33 PM

LTCP, which have generally vested over three years. During the year ended December 31, 2018, performance-
based options were granted for the first time. The number of options which cliff vest, if at all, is anywhere from 0
to 2 times the target number of options subject to the attainment of performance goals measured at the end of the
performance period. Performance-based options have a vesting period between three and five years.

Under the terms of the Equity Plans, the exercise price per share of each option, other than in the event of
options granted in connection with a merger or other acquisition, cannot be less than 100% of the fair market
value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the Equity Plans are generally
exercisable for a period of between 7 to 10 years from the date of grant and may vest on the grant date, another
specified date, over a period of time and/or dependent upon the attainment of specified performance goals. We
also have approximately 0.1 million options outstanding under a prior stock plan that have an indefinite
contractual life.

The fair value for option awards is computed using the Black-Scholes pricing model, whose inputs and
assumptions are determined as of the date of grant and which require considerable judgment. Expected volatility
was based upon a combination of implied and historic volatilities. The weighted-average grant date fair value per
option award granted during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $24.56, $19.90, and
$13.98, respectively, based upon the assumptions included in the table below:

For the Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

Expected term (in years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected volatility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Risk-free interest rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividend yield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7.7

4.5

4.5
30.14% 28.51% 33.11%
1.29%
1.93%
2.97%
1.46%
1.40%
1.77%

Information with respect to current year stock option activity is summarized as follows (in thousands, except

per share amounts):

Outstanding
Options

Weighted
Average Exercise
Price

Balance at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance at December 31, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

531
335
(18)
(153)

695

$39.55
79.07
54.92
43.89

$57.21

*

Granted amounts include performance-based option awards at their maximum potential payout level of
200%.

The weighted average remaining contractual

life of our outstanding options was 9.7 years as of
December 31, 2018. We currently have approximately 0.1 million options outstanding that have an indefinite
contractual life. These options were granted between 1983 and 1986 under a prior stock plan. For purposes of
calculating the weighted average remaining contractual life, these options were assigned an original life in excess
of 50 years. The majority of these options have an exercise price between $9.00 and $11.63.

The total intrinsic value of our outstanding options as of December 31, 2018 was $11.2 million. Of the
0.7 million outstanding options as of December 31, 2018, 0.3 million were exercisable with a weighted-average
exercise price of $33.19. Options exercisable as of December 31, 2018 had total intrinsic value of $10.9 million
and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 10.3. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised
during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $5.6 million, $0.3 million and $1.5 million,

2018 Annual Report

126

7098_Fin.pdf   126

4/19/19   10:33 PM

respectively. In 2018, we recorded cash received from the exercise of options of approximately $6.7 million.
Upon option exercise, we issued new shares of stock.

As of December 31, 2018, we had unrecognized compensation cost on our unvested stock options of
$0.1 million, at current performance accrual rates. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had approximately
0.3 million and 0.5 million options outstanding, respectively, that had exercise prices less than the fair market
value of our stock at the respective balance sheet date. These options would have generated cash proceeds to the
Company of $11.2 million and $21.2 million, respectively, if they had been fully exercised on those dates.

Defined Contribution Plans

We have a 401(k) plan (“Savings Plan”) wherein employees can elect to defer compensation within federal
limits. We match a portion of employee contributions. Our 401(k) contribution expense was approximately
$1.3 million, $1.4 million and $1.1 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. At our discretion, we may also
make a profit-sharing contribution to our employees’ 401(k) accounts. Additionally, the company contributed
$0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.5 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, to other defined contribution
plans.

14. TAXES

Our income tax provision (benefit) consists of the following components for 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in

thousands):

Current
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign source withholding tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Deferred
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign source withholding tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2018

2017

2016

$ (3,148)
239
25,187

22,278

$

3,656
(1)
47,592

51,247

$ 14,637
(60)
79,932

94,509

(63,030)
(1,554)
14,889

(49,695)

21,671
(1,074)
49,832

70,429

(48,086)
(557)
70,925

22,282

Total

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

$(27,417)

$121,676

$116,791

The deferred tax assets and liabilities were comprised of the following components at December 31, 2018

and 2017 (in thousands):

Net operating losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Patent amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other-than-temporary impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other employee benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Less: valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2018

Federal

State

Foreign

Total

$ — $ 123,951
391
1,764
12
(25)
68
238
1,025

48
3,273
18,508
271
422
2,743
5,380

$ 2,995
39,272
—
—
—
—
—
—

$ 126,946
39,711
5,037
18,520
246
490
2,981
6,405

30,645
—

127,424
(122,163)

42,267
(2,995)

200,336
(125,158)

Net deferred tax asset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$30,645

$

5,261

$39,272

$ 75,178

127

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   127

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Net operating losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Patent amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other-than-temporary impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other employee benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Less: valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2017

Federal

State

Foreign

Total

$ 1,804
9,058
6,643
16,052
(214)
268
379
3,449

37,439
(1,773)

$ 122,364
35
2,293
7
(65)
(26)
71
649

$

988
29,189
—
—
—
—
—
—

$ 125,156
38,282
8,936
16,059
(279)
242
450
4,098

125,328
(121,155)

30,177
(988)

192,944
(123,916)

Net deferred tax asset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$35,666

$

4,173

$29,189

$ 69,028

Note: Included within the balance sheet, but not reflected in the tables are deferred tax assets primarily
related to foreign withholding taxes that are expected to be paid within the next twelve months of
$1.5 million and $14.9 million as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the federal statutory rate with income taxes recorded by

the Company for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):

2018

2017

2016

Tax at U.S. statutory rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State tax provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effects of rates different than statutory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change in federal and state valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Research and development tax credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Uncertain tax positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Permanent differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Domestic production activities deduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rate change (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign derived intangible income deduction (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amended return benefit
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21.0%
(8.9)%
(1.4)%
8.5%
(4.3)%
3.9%
4.9%
—%
(5.0)%
—%
(56.3)%
(49.4)%
1.5%

35.0%
—%
—%
0.5%
(0.8)%
(2.4)%
1.0%
(2.0)%
(4.0)%
14.6%
—%
—%
(0.3)%

Total tax provision (benefit) (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(85.5)% 41.6%

35.0%
(0.1)%
—%
0.1%
(0.5)%
2.1%
0.6%
(9.8)%
—%
—%
—%
—%
0.3%

27.7%

(a)

(b)

(c)

In 2017, the inclusion of the revaluation of the deferred tax assets attributable to the TCJA signed into law
in December 2017 increased the tax provision by 14.6%.

In 2018, the new Foreign Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”) deduction that was enacted as part of the
TCJA decreased the tax provision by 56.3%.

In 2016, the inclusion of benefits associated with domestic production activities, net of uncertain tax
provisions, related to prior years reduced the tax provision by 5.6%.

Income Tax Reform

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, was signed into law. The TCJA significantly
revised the U.S. corporate income tax regime by, among other things: lowering the U.S. corporate tax rate from
35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018; imposing a 13.1% tax rate on income that qualifies as FDII; repealing the

2018 Annual Report

128

7098_Fin.pdf   128

4/19/19   10:33 PM

deduction for domestic production activities; implementing a territorial tax system; and imposing a repatriation
tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Company is continually monitoring IRS
regulations and guidance on tax reform, specifically as it relates to income that qualifies for the favorable FDII
rate. GAAP requires that the impact of tax legislation be recognized in the period in which the law was enacted.

As a result of the TCJA, we recorded a tax benefit of $18.0 million in 2018 due to our income qualifying for
the favorable FDII rate. During 2017, we recorded a tax charge of $42.6 million due to a re-measurement of
deferred tax assets and liabilities. On a go-forward basis, we expect a significant portion of our income to qualify
as FDII and thus be subject to the 13.1% tax rate.

Valuation Allowances and Net Operating Losses

We establish a valuation allowance for any portion of our deferred tax assets for which management
believes it is more likely than not that we will be unable to utilize the assets to offset future taxes. We believe it is
more likely than not that the majority of our state net operating losses and net operating losses in France will not
be utilized; therefore we have maintained a near full valuation allowance against our state and French net
operating losses as of December 31, 2018. All other deferred tax assets are fully benefited.

Uncertain Income Tax Positions

As of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we had $4.4 million, $3.3 million and $10.4 million,
respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the Company’s effective tax rate.
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could change within the next twelve months for a number of
reasons including audit settlements,
tax examination activities and the recognition and measurement
considerations under this guidance.

During 2018, we established a reserve of $1.1 million related to the recognition of the 2006 to 2010 research

and development credits and manufacturing deduction credits.

During 2017, we released a reserve of $6.5 million as a result of the IRS Joint Committee issuing a letter
ruling in acceptance of the refund claims associated with the domestic production activities deduction and
research and development credit. Additionally, we reduced the previously established reserve for the 2016
domestic production activities deduction and research and development credit by $1.6 million. These reductions
in reserves were partially offset by the establishment of a $1.0 million reserve related to the 2017 research and
development and manufacturing deduction credit, as well an increase for interest and penalty on previously
recognized reserves.

During 2016, we established a reserve of $3.2 million related to the recognition of the 2016 research and
development credit and manufacturing deduction credit. We also established a reserve of $6.3 million related to
the recognition of a gross benefit for manufacturing deduction credits related to prior years and released a reserve
of $0.6 million for research and development credits. The 2016 reserve was also increased for interest and
penalty on previously recognized reserves.

129

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   129

4/19/19   10:33 PM

The following is a roll forward of our total gross unrecognized tax benefits, which if reversed would impact

the effective tax rate, for the fiscal years 2016 through 2018 (in thousands):

Balance as of January 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax positions related to current year:

2018

2017

2016

$3,252

$10,397

$ 1,469

Additions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

73
—

1,009
—

Tax positions related to prior years:

Additions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lapses in statues of limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,054
(27)
—
—

—
(1,610)
(6,544)
—

3,209
—

6,281
—
(562)
—

Balance as of December 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$4,352

$ 3,252

$10,397

Our policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. For
certain positions that related to years prior to 2018, we have recorded approximately $0.1 million of accrued
interest during 2018 and 2017.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to United States federal income tax, foreign income and
withholding taxes and income taxes from multiple state jurisdictions. Our federal income tax returns for 2011 to
the present are currently open and will not close until the respective statutes of limitations have expired. The
statutes of limitations generally expire three years following the filing of the return or in some cases three years
following the utilization or expiration of net operating loss carry forwards. The statute of limitations applicable to
our open federal returns will expire at the end of 2021. Excluding the Competent Authority Proceeding described
in the section below, specific tax treaty procedures remain open for certain jurisdictions for 2006 and for 2014 to
the present. Many of our subsidiaries have filed state income tax returns on a separate company basis. To the
extent these subsidiaries have unexpired net operating losses, their related state income tax returns remain open.
These returns have been open for varying periods, some exceeding ten years. The total amount of state net
operating losses is $1.7 billion. In November 2018, the Company received notice that its 2016 U.S. Federal
income tax return will be subject to audit. In December 2018, the Company received a notice of proposed
assessment related to an ongoing audit of its California tax returns for 2013 through 2015. The Company filed a
protest to the California assessment in February 2019.

Foreign Taxes

We pay foreign source withholding taxes on patent license royalties and state taxes when applicable. We
apply foreign source withholding tax payments against our United States federal income tax obligations to the
extent we have foreign source income to support these credits. In 2018, 2017 and 2016, we paid $25.1 million,
$46.7 million and $79.9 million in foreign source withholding taxes, respectively, and applied these payments as
credits against our United States federal tax obligation.

Between 2006 and 2018, we paid approximately $177.5 million in foreign taxes to foreign governments that
have tax treaties with the U.S., for which we have claimed foreign tax credits against our U.S. tax obligations,
and for which the tax treaty procedures are still open. It is possible that as a result of tax treaty procedures, the
U.S. government may reach an agreement with the related foreign governments that will result in a partial refund
of foreign taxes paid with a related reduction in our foreign tax credits. Due to foreign currency fluctuations, any
such agreement could result in foreign currency gain or loss.

On July 24, 2018, the Company received notification that its request for competent authority pertaining to
Article 27 (Mutual Agreement 14 Table of Contents Procedure) of the United States-Republic of Korea Income

2018 Annual Report

130

7098_Fin.pdf   130

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Tax Convention had been reviewed by the IRS and an agreement had been reached (the “Competent Authority
Proceeding”). As a result of this agreement, the Company received refunds of $97.4 million, inclusive of interest.
In addition, we have recorded a net tax benefit of $14.7 million in our full year 2018 results related to an
anticipated refund the Company expects to receive as a result of amending tax returns for tax years covered by
this agreement.

15. NET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders
by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential
dilution that could occur if options or other securities with features that could result in the issuance of common
stock were exercised or converted to common stock. The following table reconciles the numerator and the
denominator of the basic and diluted net income per share computation (in thousands, except for per share data):

For the Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

Basic

Diluted

Basic

Diluted

Basic

Diluted

Numerator:
Net income applicable to common

shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$63,868

$63,868

$174,293

$174,293

$309,001

$309,001

Denominator:

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34,491

34,491

34,605

34,605

34,526

34,526

Dilutive effect of stock options, RSUs and

convertible securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

816

Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35,307

Earnings Per Share:

1,174

35,779

663

35,189

Net income: Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

1.85

1.85

$

5.04

5.04

$

8.95

8.95

Dilutive effect of stock options, RSUs and

convertible securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net income: Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(0.04)

$

1.81

(0.17)

$

4.87

(0.17)

$

8.78

Certain shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of certain securities have been
excluded from our computation of earnings per share because the strike price or conversion rate, as applicable, of
such securities was greater than the average market price of our common stock for the years ended December 31,
2018, 2017 and 2016, as applicable, and, as a result, the effect of such exercise or conversion would have been
anti-dilutive. Set forth below are the securities and the weighted average number of shares of common stock
underlying such securities that were excluded from our computation of earnings per share for the periods
presented (in thousands):

Restricted stock units and stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convertible securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

For the Year Ended December 31,

2018

25
—
4,404

4,429

2017

19
—
—

19

2016

110
4,366
6,534

11,010

131

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   131

4/19/19   10:33 PM

16. EQUITY TRANSACTIONS

Repurchase of Common Stock

In June 2014, our Board of Directors authorized a $300 million share repurchase program (the “2014
Repurchase Program”). In June 2015, September 2017 and December 2018, our Board of Directors authorized
three $100 million increases to the program, respectively, bringing the total amount of the 2014 Repurchase
Program to $600 million. The Company may repurchase shares under the 2014 Repurchase Program through
open market purchases, pre-arranged trading plans or privately negotiated purchases.

The table below sets forth the total number of shares repurchased and the dollar value of shares repurchased
in thousands. As of December 31, 2018, there was approximately

under the 2014 Repurchase Program,
$168.1 million remaining under the stock repurchase authorization.

2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

2014 Repurchase
Program

# of
Shares

1,478
107
1,304
1,836
3,554

8,279

Value

$110,505
7,693
$
64,685
96,410
152,625

$431,918

Dividends

Cash dividends on outstanding common stock declared in 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in thousands,

except per share data):

2018
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
First quarter
Second quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fourth quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2017
First quarter
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Second quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fourth quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Per Share

Total

Cumulative by
Fiscal Year

$0.35
0.35
0.35
0.35

$1.40

$0.30
0.30
0.35
0.35

$1.30

$12,124
12,192
11,996
11,610

$47,922

$10,404
10,413
12,149
12,156

$45,122

$12,124
24,316
36,312
47,922

$10,404
20,817
32,966
45,122

In September 2017, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved an increase in the Company’s
quarterly cash dividend to $0.35 per share. We currently expect to continue to pay dividends comparable to our
quarterly $0.35 per share cash dividend in the future; however, continued payment of cash dividends and changes
in the Company’s dividend policy will depend on the Company’s earnings, financial condition, capital resources
and capital requirements, alternative uses of capital, restrictions imposed by any existing debt, economic
conditions and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors.

2018 Annual Report

132

7098_Fin.pdf   132

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Common Stock Warrants

On March 5 and March 9, 2015, we sold warrants to acquire approximately 3.8 million and
approximately 0.6 million shares of our common stock, respectively, subject
to customary anti-dilution
adjustments. As of December 31, 2018, the warrants had a strike price of approximately $86.99 per share, as
adjusted. The warrants become exercisable and expire in daily tranches over a three-and-a-half-month period
starting in June 2020. As consideration for the warrants issued on March 5 and March 9, 2015, we received
approximately $37.3 million and approximately $5.6 million, respectively.

17. OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME

Other expense is comprised of the following (in thousands):

Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest and investment income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$(35,956)
14,590
(9,171)

$(17,845)
8,488
252

$(21,126)
3,748
2,343

$(30,537)

$ (9,105)

$(15,035)

For the Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

18. SELECTED QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)

The table below presents quarterly data for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Quarterly revenue
within the year ended December 31, 2018 is presented in accordance with ASC 606, and quarterly revenue within
the year ended December 31, 2017 is presented in accordance with ASC 605.

2018
Revenues (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income applicable to InterDigital, Inc.’s common

shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income per common share — basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income per common share — diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2017
Revenues (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income applicable to InterDigital, Inc.’s common

First

Second

Third

Fourth

(In thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited)

$87,444

$ 69,555

$75,079

$ 75,326

$29,925
0.86
$
0.84
$

$ 10,706
0.31
$
0.30
$

$21,407
0.62
$
0.60
$

$
$
$

1,830
0.05
0.05

$94,530

$135,779

$97,325

$205,304

shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income per common share — basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income per common share — diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$33,756
0.98
$
0.93
$

$ 52,499
1.51
$
1.46
$

$35,536
1.02
$
1.00
$

$ 52,502
1.52
$
1.48
$

(a)

(b)

In 2018, we recognized $26.3 million of non-current patent royalties primarily attributable to the Kyocera
and Signal Trust for Wireless Innovation patent license agreements, both signed in first quarter 2018.

In 2017, we recognized $162.9 million of non-current patent royalties primarily attributable to the LG patent
license agreement, the recognition of a prepayment balance remaining under a patent license agreement that
expired in fourth quarter 2017 and our second quarter 2017 settlement agreement with Microsoft
Corporation.

19. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

As further discussed below, we are the primary beneficiary of two variable interest entities. As of
December 31, 2018, the combined book values of the assets and liabilities associated with these variable interest

133

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   133

4/19/19   10:33 PM

entities included in our consolidated balance sheet were $29.9 million and $6.1 million, respectively. Assets
included $11.7 million of cash and cash equivalents, $1.3 million of accounts receivable, $14.4 million of
patents, net, and $2.5 million of other non-current assets. As of December 31, 2017, the combined book values of
the assets and liabilities associated with these variable interest entities included in our consolidated balance sheet
were $34.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Assets included $23.3 million of cash and cash equivalents and
$11.1 million of patents, net. We recognized $10.0 million of non-current patent royalties during the year ended
December 31, 2018 related to a patent license agreement signed by the Signal Trust for Wireless Innovation (the
“Signal Trust”).

Convida Wireless

Convida Wireless was launched in 2013 and most recently renewed in 2018 to combine Sony’s consumer
electronics expertise with our pioneering IoT expertise to drive IoT communications and connectivity. Based on
the terms of the agreement, the parties will contribute funding and resources for additional research and platform
development, which we will perform. SCP IP Investment LLC, an affiliate of Stephens Inc., is a minority
investor in Convida Wireless.

Convida Wireless is a variable interest entity. Based on our provision of research and platform development
services to Convida Wireless, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary for accounting purposes
and will continue to consolidate Convida Wireless. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we
have allocated approximately $4.4 million, $3.6 million and $3.5 million, respectively, of Convida Wireless’ net
loss to noncontrolling interests held by other parties.

Signal Trust for Wireless Innovation

In 2013, we established the Signal Trust, the goal of which is to monetize a large InterDigital patent
portfolio related to cellular infrastructure. The more than 500 patents and patent applications transferred from
InterDigital
to the Signal Trust focus primarily on 3G and LTE technologies, and were developed by
InterDigital’s engineers and researchers over more than a decade, with a number of the innovations contributed
to the worldwide standards process.

The distributions from the Signal Trust will support continued research related to cellular wireless
technologies. A small portion of the proceeds from the Signal Trust will be used to fund, through the Signal
Foundation for Wireless Innovation, scholarly analysis of intellectual property rights and the technological,
commercial and creative innovations they facilitate. The Signal Trust is a variable interest entity. Based on the
terms of the Trust Agreement, we previously determined that we are the primary beneficiary for accounting
purposes and must consolidate the Signal Trust.

20. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On February 11, 2019, we announced that we had made a binding offer to acquire the R&I unit of
Technicolor SA. R&I is a premier research lab that conducts fundamental research into video coding, IoT and
smart home, imaging sciences, AR and VR and artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. After
completing the required prior consultation with Technicolor’s works council, the companies expect to execute a
definitive acquisition agreement, the terms of which have been negotiated. The transaction is expected to close in
mid-2019, subject to customary closing conditions.

As consideration for the acquisition,

the parties have agreed to terminate the jointly-funded R&D
collaboration that was entered into as part of the Technicolor Acquisition. In addition, Technicolor has agreed to
reduce its rights to a revenue-sharing arrangement announced as part of the Technicolor Acquisition. There is no
cash consideration for the transaction.

2018 Annual Report

134

7098_Fin.pdf   134

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Item 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, with the assistance of other
members of management, have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of December 31, 2018. Based on
that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure
controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports
that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to ensure that the information
required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is
accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management

is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The
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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over
financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

• Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions

and dispositions of the assets of the company;

• Provide reasonable assurance that

transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with
authorization of management and directors of the company; and

• 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 consolidated financial
statements.

As discussed in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, in July 2018, the Company completed the
Technicolor Acquisition. The Company began to integrate the acquisition into our internal control over financial
reporting structure subsequent to the acquisition date. As permitted by the SEC, management has elected to
exclude this acquisition from our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2018. The Technicolor Acquisition constituted 2.5% of the Company’s assets as of
December 31, 2018, and 1.5% of the Company’s revenues for the year then ended.

Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness
of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. Management based this assessment on
criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in “Internal Control — Integrated
Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013). Based
on this assessment, management determined that, as of December 31, 2018, the Company maintained effective
internal control over financial reporting at a reasonable assurance level.

135

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   135

4/19/19   10:33 PM

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 has
been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in
their report that appears under Part II, Item 8, of this Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during fourth quarter 2018 that have

materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

PART III

Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information following the captions
“Election of Directors,” “EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance,” “Code of Ethics,” “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee” and “Audit Committee” in
the definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with our 2019 annual meeting
of shareholders not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form
10-K (the “Proxy Statement”).

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information following the captions

“EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION” and “DIRECTOR COMPENSATION” in the Proxy Statement.

Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND

RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information following the captions
“EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION” and “SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT” in the Proxy Statement.

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR

INDEPENDENCE.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information following the captions
“CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS” and “Director Independence” in the Proxy
Statement.

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information following the captions
“Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy for
Audit and Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Proxy Statement.

2018 Annual Report

136

7098_Fin.pdf   136

4/19/19   10:33 PM

PART IV

Item 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this Form 10-K:

(1) Financial Statements.

The information required by this item begins on Page 61.

(2) Financial Statement Schedules.

The following financial statement schedule of InterDigital is included herewith and should be read in

conjunction with the Financial Statements included in this Item 15.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Balance Beginning
of Period

Increase/
(Decrease)

Reversal of
Valuation
Allowance

Balance End
of Period

2018 valuation allowance for deferred tax

assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$123,916

$ 1,568(a)

$(326)

$125,158

2017 valuation allowance for deferred tax

assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 89,815

$34,430(b)

$(329)

$123,916

2016 valuation allowance for deferred tax

assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2018 reserve for uncollectible accounts . . .
2017 reserve for uncollectible accounts . . .
2016 reserve for uncollectible accounts . . .

$ 81,893
456
$
—
$
—
$

$ 7,922(a)
237(c)
$
$
456
$ —

$ —
$ —
$ —
$ —

$ 89,815
693
$
456
$
—
$

(a) The increase was primarily necessary to maintain a full, or near full, valuation allowance against our state

deferred tax assets and did not result in additional tax expense.

(b) The increase was primarily a result of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act signed into law in December of 2017. There
was also a release of a state VA during the year that ran through tax expense. The remainder of the increase
was necessary to maintain a full, or near full, valuation allowance against our state deferred tax assets and
did not result in additional tax expense.

(c) The increase relates to recording a reserve for uncollectible accounts of $0.7 million in 2018, partially offset

by the write-off of a previously recorded reserve.

(3) Exhibits.

See Item 15(b) below.

(b)

Exhibit
Number

*3.1

*3.2

Exhibit Description

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of InterDigital, Inc. (“InterDigital”) (Exhibit
3.1 to InterDigital’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 7, 2011).

Amended and Restated Bylaws of InterDigital (Exhibit 3.1 to InterDigital’s Current Report on
Form 8-K dated January 30, 2015).

137

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   137

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Exhibit
Number

*4.1

*4.2

*4.3

*10.1

†*10.2

†*10.3

†*10.4

†*10.5

†*10.6

†*10.7

†*10.8

†*10.9

†*10.10

†*10.11

†*10.12

†*10.13

Exhibit Description

Specimen Stock Certificate of InterDigital (Exhibit 4.3 to InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q dated April 28, 2011).

Indenture, dated March 11, 2015, between InterDigital and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust
Company, N.A., as trustee (Exhibit 4.1 to InterDigital’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
March 11, 2015).

Form of 1.50% Senior Convertible Note due 2020 (Exhibit 4.2 to InterDigital’s Current Report
on Form 8-K dated March 11, 2015).

Real Estate Leases

Lease Agreement effective March 1, 2012 by and between InterDigital and Musref Bellevue
Parkway, LP (Exhibit 10.5 to InterDigital’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2012).

Benefit Plans

Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, as amended (Exhibit 10.4 to InterDigital’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991). (P)

Amendment to Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (Exhibit 10.31 to InterDigital’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 2000).

Amendment to Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, effective October 24, 2001 (Exhibit 10.6 to
InterDigital’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001).

2009 Stock Incentive Plan (Exhibit 99.1 to InterDigital’s Registration Statement on Form S-8
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on June 4, 2009 (File
No. 333-159743)).

Amendment to 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of June 12, 2013 (Exhibit 10.1 to
InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated July 26, 2013).

2015 Amendment to 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of June 11, 2015 (Exhibit 10.1 to
InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated July 30, 2015).

2009 Stock Incentive Plan, Term Sheet and Standard Terms and Conditions for Stock Options
(LTCP Award) (Exhibit 10.5 to InterDigital’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 28,
2013).

2009 Stock Incentive Plan, Term Sheet and Standard Terms and Conditions for Time-Based
Restricted Stock Units (Exhibit 10.3 to InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated
April 29, 2015).

2009 Stock Incentive Plan, Term Sheet and Standard Terms and Conditions for Performance-
Based Restricted Stock Units (Exhibit 10.4 to InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
dated April 29, 2015).

2009 Stock Incentive Plan, Term Sheet and Standard Terms and Conditions for Stock Options
(Exhibit 10.5 to InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated April 29, 2015).

2009 Stock Incentive Plan, Term Sheet for Restricted Stock Units (Non-Employee Directors)
(Exhibit 10.3 to InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated July 26, 2013).

2009 Stock Incentive Plan, Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Units
(Non-Employee Directors) (Exhibit 10.4 to InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated
July 26, 2013).

2018 Annual Report

138

7098_Fin.pdf   138

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Exhibit
Number

†*10.14

†*10.15

†*10.16

†*10.17

†*10.18

†*10.19

†*10.20

†*10.21

†*10.22

†*10.23

†*10.24

†*10.25

†*10.26

†*10.27

†*10.28

†*10.29

Exhibit Description

2017 Equity Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.1 to InterDigital’s Registration Statement on Form S-8
filed with the SEC on June 15, 2017 (File No. 333-218755)).

2017 Equity Incentive Plan, Form of Agreement for Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards
(Exhibit 10.2 to InterDigital’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 16, 2017).

2017 Equity Incentive Plan, Form of Agreement for Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit
Awards (Exhibit 10.3 to InterDigital’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 16, 2017).

2017 Equity Incentive Plan, Form of Agreement
InterDigital’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 16, 2017).

for Option Awards (Exhibit 10.4 to

2017 Equity Incentive Plan, Form of Agreement for Restricted Stock Unit Awards to
Non-Employee Directors (Exhibit 10.18 to InterDigital’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2017 dated February 22, 2018).

Compensation Program for Non-Management Directors (as amended June 2016) (Exhibit 10.1
to InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 2, 2016).

Compensation Program for Non-Management Directors (as amended March 2017) (Exhibit 10.1
to InterDigital’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 3, 2017).

Designated Employee Incentive Separation Pay Plan and Summary Plan Description (Exhibit
10.3 to InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated October 25, 2012).

Deferred Compensation Plan (Exhibit 10.1 to InterDigital’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
June 18, 2013).

2017 Equity Incentive Plan, Form of Term Sheet for 2018 Performance-Based Restricted Stock
Unit Awards (Exhibit 10.1 to InterDigital, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 9,
2018).

2017 Equity Incentive Plan, Form of Term Sheet for 2018 Performance-Based Stock Option
Awards (Exhibit 10.2 to InterDigital, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 9, 2018).

2017 Equity Incentive Plan, Form of Agreement for Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards
(revised October 2018) (Exhibit 10.3 to InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated
November 1, 2018).

2017 Equity Incentive Plan, Form of Agreement for Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit
Awards (revised October 2018) (Exhibit 10.4 to InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
dated November 1, 2018).

2017 Equity Incentive Plan, Form of Agreement for Stock Option Awards (revised October
2018) (Exhibit 10.5 to InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated November 1, 2018).

InterDigital
InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated November 1, 2018).

Inc. Executive Severance and Change in Control Policy (Exhibit 10.6 to

Employment-Related Agreements

Indemnity Agreement dated as of March 19, 2003 by and between InterDigital and Howard E.
Goldberg (pursuant to Instruction 2 to Item 601 of Regulation S-K, the Indemnity Agreements,
which are substantially identical in all material respects, except as to the parties thereto and the
dates, between the Company and the following individuals, were not filed: Jeffrey K. Belk,
Richard J. Brezski, Joan H. Gillman, S. Douglas Hutcheson, John A. Kritzmacher, Jannie K.
Lau, John D. Markley, Jr., Scott A. McQuilkin, William J. Merritt, James J. Nolan, Kai O.
Öistämö, Jean F. Rankin, Lawrence F. Shay and Philip P. Trahanas) (Exhibit 10.47 to
InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated May 15, 2003).

139

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   139

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Exhibit
Number

†*10.30

†*10.31

†*10.32

†*10.33

†*10.34

†*10.35

†*10.36

†*10.37

†*10.38

Exhibit Description

Assignment and Assumption of Indemnity Agreement dated as of July 2, 2007, by and between
InterDigital Communications Corporation, InterDigital and Bruce G. Bernstein (pursuant to
Instruction 2 to Item 601 of Regulation S-K, the Indemnity Agreements, which are substantially
identical
in all material respects, except as to the parties thereto, between InterDigital
Communications Corporation, InterDigital, Inc. and the following individuals, were not filed:
Richard J. Brezski, William J. Merritt, James J. Nolan and Lawrence F. Shay) (Exhibit 10.90 to
InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 9, 2007).

Employment Agreement dated March 14, 2013 between InterDigital and William J. Merritt
(Exhibit 10.1 to InterDigital’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 2013).

Employment Agreement dated March 14, 2013 between InterDigital and Richard Brezski
(Exhibit 10.2 to InterDigital’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 2013).

Employment Agreement dated March 14, 2013 between InterDigital and Jannie Lau (Exhibit
10.3 to InterDigital’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 2013).

Employment Agreement dated March 14, 2013 between InterDigital and Scott McQuilkin
(Exhibit 10.4 to InterDigital’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 2013).

Employment Agreement dated March 14, 2013 between InterDigital and James Nolan (Exhibit
10.5 to InterDigital’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 2013).

Employment Agreement dated March 14, 2013 between InterDigital and Lawrence F. Shay
(Exhibit 10.6 to InterDigital’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 2013).

Retirement & Transition Agreement and Release by and between Scott McQuilkin and
InterDigital, Inc. dated April 2, 2018 (Exhibit 10.1 to InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q dated April 26, 2018).

Retirement & Transition Agreement and Release by and between Lawrence F. Shay and
InterDigital, Inc. dated April 2, 2018 (Exhibit 10.1 to InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q dated April 26, 2018).

†*10.39

Offer Letter Between InterDigital and Kai Oistamo dated October 10, 2018 (Exhibit 10.7 to
InterDigital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated November 1, 2018).

Other Material Contracts

Form of Convertible Note Hedge Transaction Confirmation (Exhibit 10.1 to InterDigital’s
Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 11, 2015).

Form of Warrant Transaction Confirmation (Exhibit 10.2 to InterDigital’s Current Report on
Form 8-K dated March 11, 2015).

Subsidiaries of InterDigital.

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities

to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. +

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. +

*10.40

*10.41

21

23.1

31.1

31.2

32.1

32.2

2018 Annual Report

140

7098_Fin.pdf   140

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Exhibit
Number

101

Exhibit Description

The following financial information from InterDigital’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019, formatted in
eXtensible Business Reporting Language:
(i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (ii) Consolidated
Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, (iii) Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016,
(iv) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2018,
2017 and 2016, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
2018, 2017 and 2016, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Incorporated by reference to the previous filing indicated.
*
† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
+

This exhibit will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such exhibit will not be
deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or Securities Exchange Act,
except to the extent that InterDigital, Inc. specifically incorporates it by reference.

141

2018 Annual Report

7098_Fin.pdf   141

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant

has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES

Date: February 21, 2019

INTERDIGITAL, INC.

By: /s/ William J. Merritt
William J. Merritt
President and Chief Executive Officer

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.

Date: February 21, 2019

/s/ S. Douglas Hutcheson

S. Douglas Hutcheson, Chairman of the Board of
Directors

Date: February 21, 2019

Date: February 21, 2019

Date: February 21, 2019

Date: February 21, 2019

Date: February 21, 2019

/s/

Joan H. Gillman

Joan H. Gillman, Director

/s/

John A. Kritzmacher

John A. Kritzmacher, Director

/s/

John D. Markley, Jr.

John D. Markley, Jr., Director

/s/

Jean F. Rankin

Jean F. Rankin, Director

/s/ Philip P. Trahanas

Philip P. Trahanas, Director

Date: February 21, 2019

/s/ William J. Merritt

Date: February 21, 2019

William J. Merritt,
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Richard J. Brezski

Richard J. Brezski,
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

2018 Annual Report

142

7098_Fin.pdf   142

4/19/19   10:33 PM

InterDigital, Inc.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held June 12, 2019

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF INTERDIGITAL, INC.:

We are pleased to invite you to attend our 2019 annual meeting of shareholders, which will be held on Wednesday,

June 12, 2019, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. This year’s annual meeting will be held as a virtual meeting. You will be able to
attend and participate in the annual meeting online via a live webcast by visiting IDCC.onlineshareholdermeeting.com. In
addition to voting by submitting your proxy prior to the annual meeting, you also will be able to vote your shares
electronically during the annual meeting. Further details regarding the virtual meeting are included in the accompanying
proxy statement. At the annual meeting, the holders of our outstanding common stock will act on the following matters:

1.

Election of the seven director nominees named in the proxy statement, each for a term of one year;

2. Advisory resolution to approve executive compensation;

3. Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public

accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019; and

4.

Such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting.

We are pleased to be using the Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow companies to furnish proxy
materials to their shareholders primarily over the Internet. We believe that this process expedites shareholders’ receipt of the
proxy materials, lowers the costs of the annual meeting and helps to conserve natural resources. We also believe that hosting a
virtual meeting will enable participation by more of our shareholders in our annual meeting while lowering the cost of
conducting the meeting. Shareholders attending the virtual meeting will be afforded the same rights and opportunities to
participate as they would at an in-person meeting. On or about April 26, 2019, we began mailing our shareholders a Notice of
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) containing instructions on how to access our 2019 proxy statement and
2018 annual report and how to vote online. The Notice also includes instructions on how to request a paper copy of the proxy
materials, including the notice of annual meeting, 2019 proxy statement, 2018 annual report and proxy card.

All holders of record of shares of our common stock (NASDAQ: IDCC) at the close of business on April 8, 2019, are

entitled to vote at the annual meeting and at any postponements or adjournments of the annual meeting. Your vote is
important. Regardless of whether you plan to attend the annual meeting, please cast your vote as instructed in the Notice as
promptly as possible. Alternatively, if you wish to receive paper copies of your proxy materials, including the proxy card,
please follow the instructions in the Notice. Once you receive paper copies of your proxy materials, please complete, sign,
date and promptly return the proxy card in the postage-prepaid return envelope provided, or follow the instructions set forth
on the proxy card to vote your shares over the Internet or by telephone. Your prompt response is necessary to ensure that your
shares are represented at the annual meeting. Voting by Internet, telephone or mail will not affect your right to vote at the
annual meeting if you decide to attend the virtual meeting through IDCC.onlineshareholdermeeting.com. If you are a
shareholder who holds stock in a brokerage account (a “street name” holder), you will receive instructions from the holder of
record, which you must follow in order for your shares to be voted. Certain of these institutions offer Internet and telephone
voting.

IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING:

The annual meeting will be held as a virtual meeting and begin promptly at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. In order to attend

and participate in the annual meeting, you will need to visit IDCC.onlineshareholdermeeting.com and follow the
instructions that are included in the Notice, on your proxy card or in the voting instructions accompanying your proxy
materials. You will also need the 16-digit control number provided therein, and, if you have elected to receive electronic
delivery of your proxy materials, the four-digit PIN number established at the time of your enrollment. Online check-in
will begin at 1:30 PM Eastern Time. Please allow sufficient time to complete the online check-in process.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

April 26, 2019
Wilmington, Delaware

JANNIE K. LAU

Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary

7098_Fin.pdf   143

4/19/19   10:33 PM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

3
INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
EXPLANATORY NOTE ABOUT INTERDIGITAL, INC.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
Code of Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
Board Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
Board Oversight of Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
Board Structure and Committee Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
Communications with the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
Communications About Accounting Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17
2018 Director Compensation Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
PROPOSALS TO BE VOTED ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
Election of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
Advisory Resolution to Approve Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
Compensation Committee Report
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
Compensation Discussion and Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
43
Summary Compensation Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
46
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
48
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2018 Fiscal Year End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
50
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
50
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
64
Chief Executive Officer Pay Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
65
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
66
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . .
68
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
69
OTHER MATTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
69
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
69
Shareholder Proposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
69
Proxy Solicitation Costs and Potential Savings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
70
Annual Report on Form 10-K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
70
APPENDIX A – Calculations of Normalized Cash Flow for Performance Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Proxy Statement

2

7098_Fin.pdf   144

4/19/19   10:33 PM

INTERDIGITAL, INC.
200 Bellevue Parkway, Suite 300
Wilmington, Delaware 19809-3727

PROXY STATEMENT

This proxy statement contains information relating to our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on
Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time, and at any postponements or adjournments of the annual
meeting. This year’s annual meeting of shareholders will be held as a virtual meeting. Shareholders attending the
virtual meeting will be afforded the same rights and opportunities to participate as they would at an in-person
meeting. You will be able to attend and participate in the annual meeting online via a live webcast by visiting
IDCC.onlineshareholdermeeting.com. In addition to voting by submitting your proxy prior to the annual meeting,
you also will be able to vote your shares electronically during the annual meeting. Your proxy for the annual
meeting is being solicited by our Board of Directors (the “Board”).

INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS

As permitted by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules, we are making this proxy statement
and our annual report available to our shareholders primarily via the Internet, rather than mailing printed copies
of these materials to each shareholder. We believe that this process will expedite shareholders’ receipt of the
proxy materials, lower the costs of the annual meeting and help to conserve natural resources. On or about
April 26, 2019, we began mailing to each shareholder (other than those who previously requested electronic
delivery of all materials or previously elected to receive delivery of a paper copy of the proxy materials) a Notice
of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) containing instructions on how to access and review the
proxy materials, including our proxy statement and our annual report, on the Internet and how to access an
electronic proxy card to vote on the Internet or by telephone. The Notice also contains instructions on how to
receive a paper copy of the proxy materials. If you receive a Notice by mail, you will not receive a printed copy
of the proxy materials unless you request one. If you receive a Notice by mail and would like to receive a printed
copy of our proxy materials, please follow the instructions included in the Notice.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to Be Held on June 12, 2019:
The Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement and 2018 Annual Report are available at
http://ir.interdigital.com/FinancialDocs.

EXPLANATORY NOTE ABOUT INTERDIGITAL, INC.

On April 3, 2018, for the purpose of reorganizing its holding company structure, InterDigital, Inc., a
Pennsylvania corporation and then-existing NASDAQ-listed registrant (the “Predecessor Company”), executed
an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Merger Agreement”) with InterDigital Parent, Inc., a Pennsylvania
corporation (the “Successor Company”) 100% owned by the Predecessor Company, and another newly formed
Pennsylvania corporation owned 100% by the Successor Company (“Merger Sub”). Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, on April 3, 2018, Merger Sub merged (the “Merger” or “Reorganization”) with and into the
Predecessor Company, with the Predecessor Company surviving. As a result of the Merger, the Predecessor
Company is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Successor Company. Neither the business conducted by the
Successor Company and the Predecessor Company in the aggregate, nor the consolidated assets and liabilities of
the Successor Company and the Predecessor Company in the aggregate, changed as a result of the
Reorganization. By virtue of the Merger, each share of the Predecessor Company’s outstanding common stock
was converted, on a share-for-share basis, into a share of common stock of the Successor Company. As a result,

3

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   145

4/19/19   10:33 PM

each shareholder of the Predecessor Company became the owner of an identical number of shares of common
stock of the Successor Company. Immediately following the Reorganization, the Successor Company was
renamed as “InterDigital, Inc.,” just like the Predecessor Company’s name prior to the Merger. The Successor
Company’s common stock continues to be traded under the name “InterDigital, Inc.” and continues to be listed
on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “IDCC.” In addition, the directors and executive
officers of the Successor Company are the same individuals who were directors and executive officers,
respectively, of the Predecessor Company immediately prior to the Merger.

For the purpose of this proxy statement, references to the company, the Board or any committee thereof, or

our management, employees or business at any period prior to the Merger refer to those of the Predecessor
Company and thereafter to those of the Successor Company.

ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

What is the purpose of the annual meeting?

At our annual meeting, shareholders will act upon the matters outlined in the notice of meeting provided

with this proxy statement, including: the election of directors, the advisory resolution to approve executive
compensation, the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm, and such
other business as may properly come before the annual meeting. In addition, management will report on the
performance of the company’s business and respond to questions from shareholders.

Who may attend the annual meeting?

You are entitled to participate in the annual meeting only if you were a shareholder of record as of the close

of business on April 8, 2019 or if you hold a valid proxy for the annual meeting. As noted above, this year’s
annual meeting will be held as a virtual meeting that you may attend online via a live webcast by visiting
IDCC.onlineshareholdermeeting.com. Shareholders attending the virtual meeting will be afforded the same rights
and opportunities to participate as they would at an in-person meeting.

In order to attend and participate in the annual meeting, you will need to visit

IDCC.onlineshareholdermeeting.com and follow the instructions that are included in the Notice, on your proxy
card or in the instructions accompanying your proxy materials. You are required to complete an online check-in
process once you have connected to IDCC.onlineshareholdermeeting.com. To complete this process, you will
need the 16-digit control number provided on your Notice, your proxy card or the instructions accompanying
your proxy materials. In addition, if you previously elected to receive electronic delivery of your proxy materials
(i.e., you receive your proxy communications via e-mail), you will need the four-digit PIN number established at
the time of your enrollment. Online check-in will begin at 1:30 PM Eastern Time, and the annual meeting will
begin promptly at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. Please allow sufficient time to complete the online check-in process.

Instructions on how to attend and participate via the Internet, including how to demonstrate proof of stock

ownership and how to obtain any codes you may need, are posted at IDCC.onlineshareholdermeeting.com. In
addition, questions regarding how to attend and participate will be answered by calling 855-449-0991
(international: 720-378-5962) beginning at 1:30 PM Eastern Time the day of the meeting.

Who is entitled to vote at the annual meeting?

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 8, 2019, the record date, are entitled to receive
notice of and to vote at the annual meeting. If you were a shareholder on that date, you will be entitled to vote all
of the shares that you held on that date at the annual meeting, or any postponements or adjournments of the
annual meeting. There were 31,986,327 shares of our common stock outstanding on the record date.

Proxy Statement

4

7098_Fin.pdf   146

4/19/19   10:33 PM

What are the voting rights of the holders of the company’s common stock?

Each share of our common stock outstanding on the record date will be entitled to one vote on each director

nominee and one vote on each other matter considered at the annual meeting.

What constitutes a quorum?

A quorum is the minimum number of our shares of common stock that must be represented at a duly called
meeting in person, which includes participation by electronic means such as a live webcast, or by proxy in order
to conduct business legally at such meeting. For the annual meeting, the presence, in person or by proxy, of the
holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote will be considered a quorum. If you are a registered
shareholder, voting by Internet or telephone or, if you requested a paper copy of the proxy materials, by mail, or
attendance at the annual meeting in person, will cause you to be counted in the determination of a quorum. If you
are a street name shareholder, your broker or other nominee will vote your shares pursuant to your instructions,
and such shares will count in the determination of a quorum. If you do not provide any specific voting
instructions to your broker or other nominee, your shares will still count for purposes of attaining a quorum.

How do I vote?

If you are a registered shareholder, you may vote by Internet or telephone by following the instructions in

the Notice. If you requested a paper copy of the proxy materials, you also may submit your proxy by mail by
following the instructions included with your proxy card. The deadline for submitting your proxy by Internet or
telephone is 11:59 PM Eastern Time on June 11, 2019. The designated proxy will vote according to your
instructions. If you attend the live webcast of the annual meeting you also will be able to vote your shares
electronically at the meeting up until the time the polls are closed.

If you are a street name holder, your broker or nominee firm is the legal, registered owner of the shares, and
it may provide you with a Notice. Follow the instructions on the Notice to access our proxy materials and vote or
to request a paper or email copy of our proxy materials. If you receive these materials in paper form, the
materials include a voting instruction card so that you can instruct your broker or nominee how to vote your
shares. Please check your Notice or voting instruction card or contact your broker or other nominee to determine
whether you will be able to deliver your voting instructions by Internet or telephone in advance of the meeting
and whether, if you attend the live webcast of the annual meeting, you will be able to vote your shares
electronically at the meeting up until the time the polls are closed.

If you own shares through a retirement or savings plan or other similar plan, you may submit your voting
instructions by Internet, telephone or mail by following the instructions included with your voting instruction
card. The deadline for submitting your voting instructions by Internet or telephone is 11:59 PM Eastern Time on
June 9, 2019. The trustee or administrator of the plan will vote according to your instructions and the rules of the
plan.

If you sign and submit your proxy without specifying how you would like your shares voted, your shares
will be voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendations specified below under “What are the Board’s
recommendations?” and in accordance with the discretion of the proxy holders with respect to any other matters
that may be voted upon at the annual meeting.

Even if you plan to attend the annual meeting, we recommend that you also submit your proxy card or vote

by Internet or telephone by the applicable deadline so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to
attend the meeting.

5

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   147

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Can I change my vote after I return my proxy or voting instruction card?

If you are a registered shareholder, you may revoke or change your vote at any time before the proxy is

voted by filing with our Corporate Secretary either a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy
bearing a later date. If you attend the live webcast of the annual meeting you may revoke your proxy or change
your proxy vote by voting electronically at the meeting. Your attendance at the annual meeting will not by itself
revoke a previously granted proxy.

If your shares are held in street name or you hold shares through a retirement or savings plan or other
similar plan, please check your voting instruction card or contact your broker, nominee, trustee or administrator
to determine whether you will be able to revoke or change your vote.

Will my vote be confidential?

It is our policy to maintain the confidentiality of proxy cards, ballots and voting tabulations that identify

individual shareholders except as might be necessary to meet any applicable legal requirements and, in the case
of any contested proxy solicitation, as might be necessary to allow proper parties to verify proxies presented by
any person and the results of the voting.

What are the Board’s recommendations?

The Board recommends that you vote:

• For election of each of the director nominees named in this proxy statement (see Proposal 1);

• For the advisory resolution to approve executive compensation (see Proposal 2); and

• For ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered

public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019 (see Proposal 3).

What vote is required to approve each proposal?

Election of directors. We have adopted majority voting in uncontested director elections. Accordingly,
under our articles of incorporation and bylaws, director nominees must receive the affirmative vote of a majority
of the votes cast in order to be elected. A majority of the votes cast means that the number of votes cast “for” a
director nominee must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that nominee. Abstentions, while included for
purposes of attaining a quorum, will have no effect on the outcome of director elections. Under Pennsylvania law
and our articles of incorporation and bylaws, an incumbent director who does not receive the votes required to be
re-elected remains in office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, thereby continuing as a “holdover”
director. Under the director resignation policy in our corporate governance principles, a director who is not
re-elected must tender his or her resignation to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the
Board, which will make a recommendation to the Board as to whether or not the resignation offer should be
accepted. In deciding whether to accept the resignation offer, the Board will consider the recommendation of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as well as any additional information and factors that the
Board believes to be relevant. The Board will act on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s
recommendation within ninety (90) days following certification of the election results.

Advisory resolution to approve executive compensation. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast

is required for approval. Because the vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Board or the company.
Abstentions, while included for purposes of attaining a quorum, will have no effect on the outcome of the
proposal.

Proxy Statement

6

7098_Fin.pdf   148

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes
cast is required for ratification. Abstentions, while included for purposes of attaining a quorum, will have no
effect on the outcome of the proposal. Ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public
accounting firm is not legally required; the Board asks shareholders to ratify the appointment as a matter of good
corporate governance. If shareholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will consider whether
it is appropriate to select another independent registered public accounting firm in future years.

What is a “broker non-vote”?

If you hold your shares in street name through a broker or other nominee, your broker or nominee may not

be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to some proposals if you do not provide voting
instructions. “Broker non-votes” are shares that a broker or nominee does not vote because it has not received
voting instructions and does not have discretionary authority to vote (or does not exercise that authority). For the
annual meeting, if you do not provide specific voting instructions, your broker or nominee may not exercise
voting discretion with respect to: Proposal 1, the election of directors, or Proposal 2, the approval of the advisory
resolution on executive compensation. If you do not provide specific voting instructions, your broker or nominee
may exercise voting discretion with respect to Proposal 3, the ratification of the appointment of the company’s
independent registered public accounting firm. Broker non-votes will be counted for the purposes of calculating
whether a quorum is present at the annual meeting. However, broker non-votes will have no effect on the
outcome of the vote on Proposal 1 or Proposal 2.

7

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   149

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Where can I find information about the governance of the company?

GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY

The company has adopted corporate governance principles that, along with the charters of each of the Board

committees, provide the framework for the governance of the company. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee is responsible for annually reviewing the principles and recommending any proposed
changes to the Board for approval. A copy of our corporate governance principles is posted on our website at
http://ir.interdigital.com under the IR menu heading “Corporate Governance,” along with the charters of each of
our Board committees and other information about our governance practices. We will provide to any person
without charge a copy of any of these documents upon written request to our Corporate Secretary at our principal
executive offices: InterDigital, Inc., 200 Bellevue Parkway, Suite 300, Wilmington, Delaware 19809-3727.

Code of Ethics

Does the company have a code of ethics?

We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all directors, officers, employees and consultants,

including our principal executive, financial and accounting officers or persons performing similar functions. The
Code of Ethics is available on the company’s website at http://ir.interdigital.com under the IR menu heading
“Corporate Governance – Governance Documents.” We intend to disclose future amendments to certain
provisions of the Code of Ethics, or any waiver of such provisions granted to executive officers and directors, on
the website within four business days following the date of such amendment or waiver. We will provide to any
person without charge a copy of our Code of Ethics upon written request to our Corporate Secretary at
InterDigital, Inc., 200 Bellevue Parkway, Suite 300, Wilmington, Delaware 19809-3727.

Director Independence

Which directors are considered independent, and how does the Board determine their independence?

Each year, prior to the annual meeting of shareholders, the Board reviews and assesses the independence of its
directors and makes a determination as to the independence of each director. During this review, the Board considers
transactions and relationships between each director or any member of his or her immediate family and our company
and its subsidiaries and affiliates. As a result of this review, the Board affirmatively determined that each of Messrs. S.
Douglas Hutcheson, John A. Kritzmacher, John D. Markley, Jr., and Philip P. Trahanas and Mses. Joan H. Gillman
and Jean F. Rankin are “independent” under the rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock
Market. The Board also determined that Kai O. Öistämö was “independent” under the rules of the SEC and the listing
standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market during the portion of the year he served on the Board.

Board Leadership

Who is the Chairman of the Board, and are the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer separated?

Mr. Hutcheson, who is an independent director, has served as Chairman of the Board since June 2015. The

Board has a general policy that the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer should be
held by separate persons as an aid in the Board’s oversight of management. This policy is affirmed in the Board’s
published corporate governance principles, which state that the Chairman of the Board is an independent director.
The Board believes that this leadership structure is appropriate for the company at this time because of the
advantages to having an independent chairman for matters such as: communications and relations between the
Board and the Chief Executive Officer and other senior management, reaching consensus on company strategies
and policies, and facilitating robust Board, committee and Chief Executive Officer evaluation processes. The
Board periodically reviews its leadership structure to determine whether it is appropriate given the specific
characteristics and circumstances of the company.

Proxy Statement

8

7098_Fin.pdf   150

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Board Oversight of Risk

What is the Board’s role in risk oversight?

The Board is responsible for overseeing the major risks facing the company and the company’s enterprise
risk management (“ERM”) efforts. The Board has delegated to the Audit Committee primary responsibility for
overseeing and monitoring these efforts. Under its charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for discussing
with management and the company’s independent registered public accounting firm significant risks and
exposures relating to the company’s quarterly and annual financial statements and assessing management’s steps
to mitigate them, and for reviewing corporate insurance coverage and other risk management programs,
including those related to data privacy and information security risks. At least quarterly, the Audit Committee
receives presentations and reports directly from the company’s Chief Legal Officer, who leads the company’s
day-to-day ERM efforts. The Audit Committee briefs the Board on the company’s ERM activities as part of its
regular reports to the Board on the activities of the committee, and the Chief Legal Officer also periodically
delivers presentations and reports to the full Board as appropriate.

Board Structure and Committee Membership

What is the size of the Board, and how often are directors elected?

The Board currently has seven directors. All directors are subject to election for one-year terms at each

annual meeting of shareholders.

How often did the Board meet during 2018?

The Board met ten times during 2018. Each director is expected to attend each meeting of the Board and
those committees on which he or she serves. Each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of all Board
meetings and meetings of committees on which the director served during 2018. We typically schedule one of the
meetings of the Board on the day immediately preceding or following our annual meeting of shareholders, and it
is the policy of the Board that directors are expected to attend our annual meeting of shareholders absent unusual
circumstances. Nine directors attended the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders, constituting all of our current
directors, as well as Messrs. Kai O. Öistämö and Jeffrey K. Belk, each of whom resigned from the Board on
October 8, 2018 to join the company’s management team.

9

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   151

4/19/19   10:33 PM

What are the roles of the primary Board committees?

The Board has standing Audit, Compensation, Finance, and Nominating and Corporate Governance

Committees. Each of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees is
composed entirely of independent directors, as determined by the Board in accordance with the applicable rules
of the SEC and the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market. Each of the Board committees operates
under a written charter that has been approved by the Board. The following table provides information about the
current membership of the committees and the number of meetings of each committee held in 2018.

Name

Audit
Committee

Compensation
Committee

Joan H. Gillman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S. Douglas Hutcheson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
John A. Kritzmacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
John D. Markley, Jr.
Jean F. Rankin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Philip P. Trahanas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

X

Chair
X

Number of Meetings in 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9

X

Chair
X

8

Nominating
and
Corporate
Governance
Committee

X
Chair
X

5

Finance
Committee

X
X

Chair

8

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to the company’s

corporate accounting, its financial reporting practices, audits of its financial statements and compliance with
applicable requirements regarding the maintenance of accurate books and records. Among other things, the
committee:

• Reviews the company’s annual and quarterly financial statements and discusses them with

management and the company’s independent registered public accounting firm;

• Appoints, compensates, retains, evaluates, oversees the work of (including resolution of disagreements
between management and the Independent Accountant regarding financial reporting) and, if deemed
appropriate, replaces the company’s independent registered public accounting firm;

• Reviews and discusses the company’s practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management,

including data privacy and information security risks, and discusses with management and the
Independent Accountant significant risks and exposures and assesses management’s steps to minimize
them;

• Receives from the independent registered public accounting firm reports required by applicable SEC
rules and professional standards, including reviewing and discussing with the independent registered
public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed under Auditing Standard No. 1301, as
adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and amended from time to time;

• Reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of the company’s system of internal control over financial

reporting and disclosure controls and procedures;

• Reviews and approves, at least annually, the management, scope, plans, budget, staffing and relevant

processes and programs of the company’s internal audit function;

• Establishes and oversees procedures for receiving and handling reports of potential misconduct,

including violations of law or the company’s Code of Ethics and complaints received by the company
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing or federal securities law matters and the
confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting,
auditing or federal securities law matters;

Proxy Statement

10

7098_Fin.pdf   152

4/19/19   10:33 PM

• Oversees the company’s other compliance policies and programs, including the implementation and

effectiveness of the company’s Code of Ethics;

• Oversees the Company’s compliance with data privacy rules and regulations;

• Oversees and monitors the company’s ERM efforts; and

• Reviews and provides guidance to the Board with respect to tax planning, corporate insurance coverage

and implementation of new or revised accounting or auditing standards or regulatory changes.

All of the Audit Committee members are financially literate. The Board has determined that four of its
members (Messrs. Hutcheson, Kritzmacher, Markley and Trahanas), including two of the current members of the
Audit Committee (Messrs. Kritzmacher and Markley), qualify as “audit committee financial experts” within the
meaning of applicable SEC regulations. Mr. Kritzmacher acquired his expertise primarily through his prior and
current experience as a chief financial officer of a publicly traded company. Mr. Markley acquired his expertise
primarily through his almost 20 years of investment experience, including more than 15 years at a venture capital
firm. In addition, Mr. Markley has extensive experience analyzing and evaluating financial statements of a wide
variety of companies, with significant focus in technology and related industry investments.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee assists the Board in discharging its responsibilities relating to the

compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, develops, reviews and approves the
principles guiding the company’s compensation policies, oversees the company’s compensation-related policies
and programs and the level of awards to employees, and assists the Board and the Chairman of the Board in
succession planning. Among other things, the committee:

• Reviews and approves the corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our Chief

Executive Officer and other executive officers, evaluates their performance in light of such goals and
objectives and, based on its evaluations and appropriate recommendations, reviews and approves the
compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, including approving the
grant of equity awards, each on an annual basis;

• Assists the Board in developing and evaluating potential candidates for executive positions and

oversees and annually reviews the development of executive succession plans;

• Reviews and discusses with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by SEC

rules, recommends to the Board whether the Compensation Discussion and Analysis should be
included in the company’s annual report and proxy statement and oversees the preparation of the
Compensation Committee report required by SEC rules for inclusion in the company’s annual report
and proxy statement;

• Assesses the results of the company’s most recent advisory vote on executive compensation, and

considers and recommends to the Board the frequency of the company’s advisory vote on executive
compensation;

• Reviews periodically compensation for non-employee directors of the company and recommends

changes to the Board as appropriate;

• Reviews and approves compensation packages for new executive officers and severance packages for

executive officers whose employment terminates with the company;

• Reviews and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the adoption or amendment of

incentive and other equity-based compensation plans;

• Administers the company’s equity incentive plans;

11

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   153

4/19/19   10:33 PM

• Reviews periodically, revises as appropriate and monitors compliance by directors and executive

officers with the company’s stock ownership guidelines;

• Reviews and considers compensation policies and/or practices as they relate to risk management

practices and/or incentives that enhance risk-taking, as the committee determines to be appropriate; and

•

Is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any consultants
and other advisors retained by the committee, and assesses the independence of any consultants and
other advisors (whether retained by the committee or management) that provide advice to the
committee in accordance with the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market and applicable law.

The Compensation Committee may delegate authority to the committee chair or a sub-committee, as the
committee may deem appropriate, subject to such ratification by the committee as the committee may direct. The
Compensation Committee also may delegate to one or more officers of the company the authority to make grants
of stock options or other supplemental awards at specified levels, under specified circumstances, to eligible
employees who are not executive officers of the company, subject to reporting to and such ratification by the
committee as the committee may direct.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Messrs. Belk, Hutcheson and Trahanas and Ms. Rankin served on the Compensation Committee during all
or part of 2018. Mr. Belk was removed from the Compensation Committee effective July 16, 2018. No director
serving on the Compensation Committee during any part of 2018 was, at any time either during or before such
fiscal year, an officer or employee of the company or any of its subsidiaries, other than Mr. Belk who became an
employee and officer of one of the company’s subsidiaries following his resignation from the Board. In addition,
none of our executive officers has served as a member of a board of directors or a compensation committee, or
other committee serving an equivalent function, of any other entity, one of whose executive officers served as a
member of the company’s Board or Compensation Committee.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the Board in identifying qualified individuals

to become Board and committee members, considers matters of corporate governance and assists the Board in
evaluating the Board’s effectiveness. Among other things, the committee:

• Develops and recommends to the Board criteria for Board membership (including issues of character,
integrity, judgement, diversity, independence, skills, education, business acumen, business experience,
understanding of the company’s business and the like);

•

Identifies, reviews the qualifications of and recruits candidates for election to the Board and to fill
vacancies or new positions on the Board;

• Assesses the contributions of incumbent directors in determining whether to recommend them for

re-election to the Board;

• Reviews candidates recommended by the company’s shareholders for election to the Board;

• Assesses the independence of directors, director nominees and director candidates under applicable

standards, including any heightened independence requirements applicable to Audit and Compensation
Committee members, and recommends independence determinations to the Board;

• Reviews annually our corporate governance principles and recommends changes to the Board as

appropriate;

• Recommends to the Board, after consultation with the Audit Committee, changes to our Code of

Ethics;

Proxy Statement

12

7098_Fin.pdf   154

4/19/19   10:33 PM

• Assists the Board in ensuring proper attention and effective response to shareholder concerns regarding

corporate governance;

• Reviews and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the Board’s and each committee’s

size, structure, composition and functions;

• Oversees the process for evaluating the Board and its committees; and

•

Periodically reviews the Board’s leadership structure and recommends changes to the Board as
appropriate.

The committee will consider director candidates recommended by our shareholders. Shareholders
recommending candidates for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee should
send their recommendations to our Corporate Secretary at InterDigital, Inc., 200 Bellevue Parkway, Suite 300,
Wilmington, Delaware 19809-3727. The recommendation must include the candidate’s name, biographical data
and qualifications and a written statement from the candidate of his or her consent to be named as a candidate
and, if nominated and elected, to serve as a director. The committee may ask candidates for additional
information as part of the process of assessing a shareholder-recommended director candidate. The committee
evaluates director candidates recommended by shareholders based on the same criteria used to evaluate
candidates from other sources.

While the Board has not established a formal policy for considering diversity when evaluating director

candidates, among the criteria the Board may consider are experience and diversity. As described in our
corporate governance principles, with respect to diversity, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
may consider such factors as gender, race, ethnicity, differences of perspective, professional background,
experience at policy-making levels in business, finance and technology and other areas, education, skill and other
individual qualities and attributes that are relevant to the company’s global activities and contribute to Board
heterogeneity. The selection criteria for director candidates also include the following:

• Each director should be an individual of the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and

values.

• Each director should be committed to representing the long-term interests of the company’s

shareholders and demonstrate a commitment to long-term service on the Board.

• Each director should have an inquisitive and objective perspective, practical wisdom and mature

judgment.

The company is committed to ensuring that other existing and future anticipated commitments of its
directors do not materially interfere with his or her service as a director. Accordingly, our corporate governance
principles prohibit any director from serving on the boards of more than four other public companies aside from
the company, unless such director is an executive officer of a public company, and in such cases, such director
may not serve on the boards of more than two other public companies aside from the company. In addition, prior
to accepting service on the board of any other company, a director must notify the Board’s Chairman and the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and service on the board or a committee of any other
organization should be consistent with the company’s conflict of interest policies.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee periodically evaluates the composition of the Board
to assess the skills and experience that are currently represented on the Board, as well as the skills and experience
that the Board will find valuable in the future. This evaluation of the Board’s composition enables the Board to
update the skills and experience it seeks in the Board as a whole, and in individual directors, as the company’s
needs evolve and change over time and to assess the effectiveness of efforts at pursuing diversity. See “Proposals
to be Voted On – Election of Directors (Proposal 1)” for a summary of the qualifications, experience and other
relevant attributes of the directors nominated for election at this year’s annual meeting.

13

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   155

4/19/19   10:33 PM

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has previously retained a search firm to help

identify director prospects, perform candidate outreach, assist in reference checks, and provide other related
services. The recruiting process typically involves either the search firm or a member of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee contacting a prospect to gauge his or her interest and availability. A candidate
will then meet with several members of the Board, including our Chief Executive Officer, William J. Merritt. At
the same time, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or other Board members, as appropriate,
and the search firm will contact references for the prospect. A background check is completed before the Board
approves any final recommendation from the committee to appoint a candidate to the Board.

Finance Committee

The primary role of the Finance Committee is to monitor and provide guidance to the company’s

management team and recommend actions to the Board with respect to, certain investment and financial policies
and strategies and the capital structure of the company, and to approve certain investment and divestment
activities of the company and funding for certain affiliated entities of the company. Among its specific duties and
responsibilities, the committee:

• Reviews and provides guidance to the Board with respect to:

•

•

•

•

•

the company’s capital structure, including the issuance of debt, equity or other securities;

shareholder distributions, including share repurchases and dividends:

cash management investment policies;

foreign currency investment policies; and

on a periodic basis, the integrity of the company’s financial models;

• Approves minority investments in other companies by the company;

• Approves divestments of minority equity interests in other companies by the company; and

• Approves the establishment of non-core operating businesses as entities partially owned by the

company, including approval of contributions to such entities and the ownership structure of such
entities.

The committee may delegate authority to the committee chair or a sub-committee, as the committee may

deem appropriate, subject to such ratification by the committee as the committee may direct.

Board Self-Evaluation Process

How does the Board evaluate its effectiveness?

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee establishes and oversees the annual self-assessment

process that the Board uses to evaluate its effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement. Each
director is asked to provide an assessment of the Board’s effectiveness in several areas, including information
and planning, content and conduct of meetings, and accountability. Once the responses are compiled, the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, in conjunction with the Board’s Chairman, identifies specific
areas of improvement for the following year. The assessment also asks each director their opinion of the Board’s
progress in these identified areas.

Proxy Statement

14

7098_Fin.pdf   156

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Communications with the Board

How can shareholders communicate with the Board?

Shareholders and other parties interested in communicating directly with any individual director, including

the Chairman, the Board as a whole or the non-employee directors as a group may do so by writing to Investor
Relations, InterDigital, Inc., 9276 Scranton Road, Suite 300, San Diego, California 92121, or by sending an
email to Directors@InterDigital.com. Each communication should set forth (i) the name and address of the
shareholder, as it appears on the company’s books, and, if the company’s common stock is held by a nominee,
the name and address of the beneficial owner of the company’s common stock, and (ii) the class and number of
shares of the company’s common stock that are owned of record by the record holder and beneficially by the
beneficial owner. Our Investor Relations department reviews all such correspondence and, in consultation with
appropriate directors and/or the company’s Legal department as necessary, generally screens communications
from shareholders to identify communications that (i) are solicitations for products and services, (ii) relate to
matters of a personal nature not relevant for the company’s shareholders to act on or for the Board to consider or
(iii) matters that are of a type that render them improper or irrelevant to the functioning of the Board or the
company. The Investor Relations department regularly forwards to the Board or specified director(s) a summary
of all relevant correspondence and copies of all correspondence that deals with the functions of the Board or its
committees or that otherwise requires their attention. Directors may, at any time, review a log of all
correspondence we receive that is addressed to members of the Board and request copies of any such
correspondence.

Communications about Accounting Matters

How can individuals report concerns relating to accounting, internal control, auditing or federal securities
law matters?

Concerns relating to accounting, internal control, auditing or federal securities law matters may be
submitted by writing to our Corporate Secretary at InterDigital, Inc., 200 Bellevue Parkway, Suite 300,
Wilmington, Delaware 19809-3727. All correspondence will be brought to the attention of the chair of the Audit
Committee and handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee with respect to these
matters.

15

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   157

4/19/19   10:33 PM

How are directors compensated?

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

During 2018, our non-employee directors were paid annual cash retainers for their Board and committee

participation as follows:

Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audit Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compensation Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investment Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chair

Member

$50,000*
$30,000
$20,000
$15,000
$15,000

$40,000
$12,000
$10,000
$ 7,500
$ 7,500

* The annual cash retainer paid to the Chairman of the Board is in addition to the annual cash retainer paid to all

non-employee Board members.

All cash retainers are generally paid quarterly in arrears and based upon service for a full year, and prorated
payments are made for service of less than a full year.

The compensation program is designed to compensate each non-employee director for participating in up to
eight Board meetings per year and up to eight meetings per year for each committee on which the non-employee
director serves. Additional compensation is paid to each non-employee director for participating in meetings
during the Board term (which runs from annual meeting date to annual meeting date) in excess of these
thresholds, as follows: $4,000 for each additional Board meeting and $1,000 for each additional committee
meeting.

In addition, non-employee directors are paid a per diem fee of $1,000 for attendance at or participation in

events, conferences or meetings, in their capacity as a director, at the request of InterDigital, Inc. senior
management, provided that such attendance or participation requires a significant time commitment and would
be considered outside of the director’s typical Board and/or committee duties. Any per diem fee payments are
subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee.

For his or her service during the 2018-2019 Board term, each non-employee director received a restricted
stock unit (“RSU”) award in an amount approximately equal in value to $150,000 that vests in full one year from
the grant date. Upon his or her initial appointment to the Board, new directors receive a pro-rated RSU award for
his or her partial service during the then-current Board term, as well as an initial appointment award of RSUs in
an amount equal in value to $150,000 that vests in full one year from the grant date. The number of RSUs
granted is calculated using the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. RSU
awards may be deferred. Except in certain limited circumstances, an election to defer must be made in the
calendar year preceding the year during which services are rendered and the compensation is earned. Unvested
time-based RSUs and deferred RSUs accrue dividend equivalents, which are paid in the form of additional shares
of stock at the time, and only to the extent, that the awards vest or at the end of the deferral period, as applicable.

To align the interests of non-employee directors and executives with those of our shareholders, the company

has adopted stock ownership guidelines. The stock ownership guidelines applicable to the non-employee
directors are set at a target of the lesser of (a) company stock valued at an amount equal to five times their annual
cash retainer of $40,000 or (b) 4,000 shares/units of the company’s stock. Qualifying stock includes: shares of
common stock, restricted stock and, on a pre-tax basis, unvested time-based RSUs. For purposes of calculating
the value of company stock holdings, each share or other qualifying stock unit is priced at a price per share/unit
equal to the average closing stock price of the company’s common stock for the 200 trading days leading up to
and including the calculation date. The 200-day average closing stock price is calculated annually on the date of

Proxy Statement

16

7098_Fin.pdf   158

4/19/19   10:33 PM

the company’s annual meeting of shareholders. Any director who has not reached or fails to maintain the target
ownership level must retain at least 50% of any after-tax shares derived from vested RSUs or exercised options
until the target ownership level is met. A director may not make any disposition of shares that results in his or her
holdings falling below the target ownership level without the express approval of the Compensation Committee.
As of March 31, 2019, all of the non-employee directors had reached their target ownership levels.

The company’s directors are also eligible to participate in the company’s nonqualified deferred

compensation plan by deferring receipt of their annual Board fees. None of the directors elected to defer any of
their 2018 Board fees. For more information about the deferred compensation plan, see “Executive
Compensation – Nonqualified Deferred Compensation.”

2018 Director Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation paid to each person who served as a director of the

company in 2018 for their service in 2018. Directors who also serve as employees of the company do not receive
any additional compensation for their services as a director. Messrs. Belk and Öistämö both resigned from the
Board effective October 8, 2018, to join the company’s management team. For Messrs. Merritt’s and Öistämö’s
2018 compensation, see “Executive Compensation – Summary Compensation Table.” Mr. Belk is not a Named
Executive Officer of the company.

Name

Jeffrey K. Belk(3)(4)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Joan H. Gillman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S. Douglas Hutcheson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
John A. Kritzmacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
John D. Markley, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kai O. Öistämö(3)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jean F. Rankin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Philip P. Trahanas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)(1)

166,412
74,500
121,226
90,500
71,212
58,707
79,500
71,212

Stock
Awards
($)(2)

150,052
150,052
150,052
150,052
150,052
150,052
150,052
150,052

Total ($)

316,464
224,552
271,278
240,552
221,264
208,759
229,552
221,264

(1) Amounts reported represent the aggregate annual Board, Chairman of the Board, committee chair and

committee membership retainers earned by each non-employee director in 2018, plus any fees earned for
attendance at additional meetings during the Board term, as described above.

17

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   159

4/19/19   10:33 PM

(2) Amounts shown reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with Financial Accounting

Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718 for RSU awards granted
pursuant to our compensation program for non-management directors in 2018. The assumptions used in valuing
these RSU awards are incorporated by reference to Notes 2 and 13 to our audited financial statements included in
our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. The following table sets forth the grant
date fair value of each RSU award granted to our non-employee directors in 2018.

Name

Jeffrey K. Belk(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Joan H. Gillman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S. Douglas Hutcheson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
John A. Kritzmacher
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
John D. Markley, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kai O. Öistämö(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jean F. Rankin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Philip P. Trahanas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Grant Date

5/31/2018
5/31/2018
5/31/2018
5/31/2018
5/31/2018
5/31/2018
5/31/2018
5/31/2018

Number of
Restricted
Stock Units
(a)

Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock Awards
($)

1,903
1,903
1,903
1,903
1,903
1,903
1,903
1,903

150,052
150,052
150,052
150,052
150,052
150,052
150,052
150,052

(a) Messrs. Belk and Öistämö resigned from the Board effective October 8, 2018. The RSUs that each received
in May 2018 for their services during the 2018-2019 Board term were forfeited upon their resignations.

(3) Messrs. Belk and Öistämö resigned from the Board effective October 8, 2018.

(4) Fees earned or paid in cash to Mr. Belk in 2018 include per diem director fees for 110 days of service

provided by Mr. Belk, at the request of the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, in his capacity
as a director for services outside of his typical Board and committee duties. In 2018, the company’s Chief
Executive Officer requested Mr. Belk’s attendance at and participation in events, conferences and meetings
in furtherance of the company’s strategy and efforts in China. The Compensation Committee approved the
payment of such per diem director fees totaling $110,000 on September 6, 2018.

As of December 31, 2018, each person who served as a non-employee director of the company in 2018 had
the following aggregate amounts of unvested RSU awards (including accrued dividend equivalents) outstanding.
None of our directors had any options outstanding as of December 31, 2018. This table does not include RSUs
that, as of December 31, 2018, had vested according to their vesting schedule, but had been deferred.

Name

Outstanding
Restricted Stock
Units
(#)

Jeffrey K. Belk(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Joan H. Gillman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S. Douglas Hutcheson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
John A. Kritzmacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
John D. Markley, Jr.
Kai O. Öistämö(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jean F. Rankin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Philip P. Trahanas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15,699
1,920
1,920
1,920
1,920
26,166
1,920
1,920

(a) Messrs. Belk and Öistämö resigned from the Board effective October 8, 2018. The RSUs that each received
in May 2018 for their services during the 2018-2019 Board term were forfeited upon their resignations and
accordingly, are not reflect in the above table. The RSUs reported above were granted upon hire as part of
their 2018 LTCP grant and include both time-based and performance-based RSUs. Please see “Outstanding
Equity Awards at 2018 Fiscal Year End” for additional information regarding Mr. Öistämö. Mr. Belk is not
a Named Executive Officer of the company.

Proxy Statement

18

7098_Fin.pdf   160

4/19/19   10:33 PM

PROPOSALS TO BE VOTED ON

Election of Directors
(Proposal 1)

Description

Which directors are nominated for election?

Messrs. S. Douglas Hutcheson, John A. Kritzmacher, John D. Markley, Jr., William J. Merritt, and Philip P.

Trahanas and Mses. Joan H. Gillman and Jean F. Rankin are recommended by the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee and nominated by the Board for election at the 2019 annual meeting, each to serve a
one-year term until our annual meeting in 2020 and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

Set forth below is biographical information about the seven nominees, each of whose current terms of office

expire at the 2019 annual meeting, and other information about their skills and qualifications that contribute to
the effectiveness of the Board.

What are their backgrounds?

Joan H. Gillman, 55, has been a director of the company since April 2017. From 2006 to 2016, Ms. Gillman

served as Executive Vice President of Time Warner Cable, Inc. (“Time Warner Cable”), as well as Chief
Operating Officer of Time Warner Cable Media and President of Time Warner Cable Media, LLC. Ms. Gillman
joined Time Warner Cable as Vice President of Interactive TV and Advanced Advertising in 2005. Prior to Time
Warner Cable, among other roles, she served as the President of Static2358, the interactive TV, games and
production subsidiary of OpenTV, and as Director, Business Development, of British Interactive Broadcasting,
the digital and interactive TV joint venture between BSkyB, BT, HSBC and Matsushita. Ms. Gillman began her
career working in public affairs, serving in various roles for a U.S. Senator, including as Legislative Director and
State Director. Since October 2016, Ms. Gillman has also been a member of the board of directors of Centrica
plc, an international energy and services company based in the United Kingdom where she serves on the safety,
health, environment, security and ethics and nominating committees. In addition, since November 2016, she has
served on the board of directors of Airgain, Inc., a leading provider of embedded antenna technologies used to
enable high performance wireless networking, and she is currently a member of such board’s audit committee,
and chairs the nominating and corporate governance committees, as well as the board of directors of Cumulus
Media, which she joined in June 2018 and where she is a member of the compensation committee of such board.
Since May 2018, she has also chaired the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and is the Foundation Manager and Trustee of
the David T. Langrock Foundation. The Board has concluded that Ms. Gillman should serve as a director of the
company because her more than 20 years of executive experience in the media and communications industries
and her knowledge of content development and distribution as well as key areas like partnership, mergers and
acquisitions and marketing make her a valuable resource and strengthen the company’s knowledge of the
companies and industries shaping its existing and future markets.

S. Douglas Hutcheson, 63, has been a director of the company since July 2014, and he assumed the role of
Chairman of the Board in June 2015. Since 2015, Mr. Hutcheson has served as a senior advisor of Technology,
Media and Telecom for Searchlight Capital, a global private investment firm. From March 2014 through May
2017, Mr. Hutcheson served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Laser, Inc., a corporation created in
connection with the acquisition of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (“Leap Wireless”), a wireless
communications carrier, by AT&T in March 2014. Prior to March 2014, Mr. Hutcheson served as Chief
Executive Officer of Leap Wireless and its operating subsidiary, Cricket Communications, for nine years, where
he was responsible for developing and implementing strategy, all operations, and the oversight of all
relationships and partnerships. Before serving as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hutcheson held other executive
positions at Leap Wireless, including President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Leap Wireless, he
was Vice President of Marketing in the wireless infrastructure division at Qualcomm for three years, where he

19

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   161

4/19/19   10:33 PM

led multiple teams. Since 2012, Mr. Hutcheson has also served on the board of directors of Pitney Bowes Inc.,
and currently serves on the audit and finance committees of such board. He previously served on the board of
directors of Leap Wireless from 2005 to 2014. The Board has concluded that Mr. Hutcheson should serve as a
director of the company because, with his significant operational and financial expertise as an experienced
former chief executive officer of a wireless communications company and his broad business background, which
includes strategic planning and product and business development and marketing, he brings valuable insight that
is needed to evolve and execute the company’s strategy. He also qualifies as an audit committee financial expert.

John A. Kritzmacher, 58, has been a director of the company since June 2009. Since 2013, Mr. Kritzmacher
has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., a global provider
of research communications and education services. From October 2012 through February 2013,
Mr. Kritzmacher served as Senior Vice President Business Operations and Organizational Planning at WebMD
Health Corp., a leading provider of health information services, where Mr. Kritzmacher was responsible for
leading a major restructuring initiative. Previously, Mr. Kritzmacher served as Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of Global Crossing Limited (“Global Crossing”), a global provider of IP-based
telecommunications solutions, from October 2008 to October 2011, when Global Crossing was acquired by
Level 3 Communications, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Kritzmacher rose through a variety of positions with increasing
responsibility, including Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller, during his 10 years at Lucent
Technologies Inc. (“Lucent”), a provider of telecommunications systems and services, to become Chief Financial
Officer in 2006. After playing a leading role in the planning and execution of Lucent’s merger with Alcatel in
2006, Mr. Kritzmacher became Chief Operating Officer of the Services Business Group at Alcatel-Lucent until
joining Global Crossing in 2008. The Board has concluded that Mr. Kritzmacher should serve as a director of the
company because he is a veteran of the telecommunications and high technology industries with extensive
operational and leadership experience and financial expertise. As such, Mr. Kritzmacher contributes valuable
advice and guidance, especially with respect to complex financial and accounting issues, and qualifies as an audit
committee financial expert.

John D. Markley, Jr., 53, has been a director of the company since November 2016. Since 2014,
Mr. Markley has served as Managing Partner and Co-Founder of New Amsterdam Growth Capital, a growth
equity firm focused on the cloud computing, mobile and communications infrastructure sectors. In addition, since
2009, he has been a Managing Member of Bear Creek Capital Management, an investor in communications,
media and technology companies. From 1996 to 2009, he was a partner with Columbia Capital, a venture capital
firm, where he served in a number of capacities including partner, venture partner and portfolio company
executive. Prior to Columbia Capital, Mr. Markley served as a policy advisor at the Federal Communications
Commission from 1994 to 1996, where he and his team were instrumental in developing and launching the
commercial spectrum auction process. Mr. Markley has also been a director of Charter Communications, Inc.,
since 2009, currently serving as chair of its nominating and corporate governance committee and as a member of
its audit committee. He previously served on the boards of directors of Millennial Media, Inc., from 2006 to
2014, and of BroadSoft, Inc., from 2002 until its acquisition by Cisco Systems, Inc. in February 2018. The Board
has concluded that Mr. Markley should serve as a director of the company based on his private equity and
operating experience and his extensive experience with communications, media and technology companies,
which allow him to contribute guidance and advice relating to the development and execution of the company’s
strategy and analysis of potential business opportunities. He also qualifies as an audit committee financial expert.

William J. Merritt, 60, has been a director of the company since May 2005. He has also served as President
and Chief Executive Officer of the company since May 2005, and prior to that served as the company’s General
Patent Counsel for four years. Since 2014, Mr. Merritt has been a member of the board of directors of privately
owned Shared Spectrum Company, a leading innovator of dynamic spectrum access and wireless spectrum
intelligence technology. The Board has concluded that Mr. Merritt should serve as a director of the company
because, in his current and former roles, Mr. Merritt has played a vital role in managing the company’s
intellectual property assets and overseeing the growth of its patent licensing business. He also possesses

Proxy Statement

20

7098_Fin.pdf   162

4/19/19   10:33 PM

tremendous knowledge about the company from short- and long-term strategic perspectives and from a
day-to-day operational perspective and serves as a conduit between the Board and management while overseeing
management’s efforts to realize the Board’s strategic goals.

Jean F. Rankin, 60, has been a director of the company since June 2010. Ms. Rankin served as Executive

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at LSI Corporation (“LSI”), a leading provider of innovative
silicon, systems and software technologies for the global storage and networking markets, from 2007 to May
2014, when LSI was acquired by Avago Technologies Limited. In this role, she served LSI and its board of
directors as Corporate Secretary, in addition to managing the company’s legal, intellectual property licensing and
stock administration organizations. Ms. Rankin joined LSI in 2007 as part of the merger with Agere Systems Inc.
(“Agere”), where she served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from 2000 to 2007.
Prior to joining Agere in 2000, Ms. Rankin was responsible for corporate governance and corporate center legal
support at Lucent, including mergers and acquisitions, securities laws, labor and employment, public relations,
ERISA, investor relations and treasury. She also supervised legal support for Lucent’s microelectronics business.
Since 2017, Ms. Rankin has served on the board of directors of Resonant, Inc. The Board has concluded that
Ms. Rankin should serve as a director of the company because she has extensive experience and expertise in
matters involving intellectual property licensing, the company’s core business, and her current and former roles
as chief legal officer and corporate secretary at other publicly traded companies enable her to contribute legal
expertise and advice as to best practices in corporate governance.

Philip P. Trahanas, 48, has been a director of the company since February 2016. He is Partner of Lampros

Capital Partners, a private investment company. Until the end of 2014, Mr. Trahanas was a Managing Director at
General Atlantic LLC, a leading global private equity firm with significant focus in technology and related
industry investments. At General Atlantic, he served as a senior investment leader, and sat on the boards of
directors of a range of public and private portfolio companies. Prior to joining General Atlantic in 2000,
Mr. Trahanas worked in the mergers and acquisitions team at Morgan Stanley for four years. He began his career
as an electrical engineer with General Electric, where he specialized in communications equipment and
semiconductor design. Mr. Trahanas has been a member of the board of directors of QTS Realty Trust, Inc. since
2009, and currently serves as its lead director and as a member of its compensation committee. The Board has
concluded that Mr. Trahanas should serve as a director of the company because his extensive operating,
investment banking and private equity experience allow him to contribute guidance and advice relating to the
development and execution of the company’s strategy and analysis of potential business opportunities. He also
qualifies as an audit committee financial expert.

21

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   163

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Summary of Director Qualifications, Experience and Other Relevant Attributes

The following table summarizes the key qualifications, skills, and attributes most relevant to the decision to
nominate the above-listed candidates to serve on the Board. A mark indicates a specific area of focus or expertise
on which the Board relies most. The lack of a mark does not necessarily mean the director does not possess that
qualification or skill. Each director biography above describes each director’s qualifications and relevant
experience in more detail.

Experience, expertise or attribute

Gillman Hutcheson Kritzmacher Markley Merritt Rankin Trahanas

High tech roadmap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IPR/IP licensing / patent acquisitions . . .

Wireless equipment

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

Wireless services and OTT . . . . . . . . . . .

CEO (current/former) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Finance / audit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Corporate strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

High tech investment

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

Marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Public company board service and

governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ethnic, gender, national or other

diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

•

•

•

•

•

•

Vote Required and Board Recommendation

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

A director nominee receiving the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast for him or her will be elected

to serve as a director for the next year and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. A majority of the
votes cast means that the number of votes cast “for” a director nominee must exceed the number of votes cast
“against” that nominee.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
EACH OF THE NOMINEES.

Proxy Statement

22

7098_Fin.pdf   164

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Advisory Resolution to Approve Executive Compensation
(Proposal 2)

Description

We are asking shareholders to vote on an advisory resolution to approve the company’s executive
compensation as reported in this proxy statement. As described below in the “Compensation Discussion and
Analysis” section of this proxy statement, the Compensation Committee has structured our executive
compensation program in an effort to align management’s interests with those of its shareholders and to attract,
retain and motivate talented individuals who will drive the successful execution of the company’s strategic plan.
We motivate our executives primarily by “paying for performance,” or rewarding the accomplishment of
individual performance and corporate goals through the use of performance-based compensation. As discussed in
“Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the achievement of financial and strategic corporate goals, as well as
departmental and individual performance, determine the short-term and long-term incentive compensation paid
to our executives. Our executive compensation programs have a number of features designed to promote these
objectives.

We urge shareholders to read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below, which describes how our

executive compensation policies and procedures operate and are designed to achieve our compensation
objectives, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and other related compensation tables and narrative
below, which provide detailed information on the compensation of our named executive officers. The
Compensation Committee and the Board believe that the policies and procedures articulated in the
“Compensation Discussion and Analysis” are effective in achieving our goals and that the compensation of our
named executive officers reported in this proxy statement reflects and supports these compensation policies and
procedures.

The Board has adopted a policy providing for an annual advisory resolution to approve executive

compensation. In accordance with Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”), and as a matter of good corporate governance, we are asking shareholders to approve the
following advisory resolution at the 2019 annual meeting of shareholders:

RESOLVED, that the shareholders of InterDigital, Inc. (the “company”) approve, on an advisory basis, the
compensation of the company’s named executive officers disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables, notes and narrative in the
proxy statement for the company’s 2019 annual meeting of shareholders.

This advisory resolution, commonly referred to as a “say on pay” resolution, is non-binding on the Board.
Although non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will review and consider the voting results
when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation program. Unless the Board modifies its
policy on the frequency of future “say on pay” votes, the next “say on pay” vote will be held at the 2020 annual
meeting of shareholders.

Vote Required and Board Recommendation

The affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast is required to approve this advisory resolution.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
THE ADVISORY RESOLUTION TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

23

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   165

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Ratification of Appointment of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(Proposal 3)

Description

The Audit Committee has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as the company’s independent

registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019. PwC has served as the independent
registered public accounting firm of the company since 2002.

Although ratification of the appointment of PwC is not legally required, the Board is asking the shareholders to

ratify the appointment as a matter of good corporate governance. If the shareholders do not ratify the appointment,
the Audit Committee will consider whether it is appropriate to select another independent registered public
accounting firm in future years. Even if the shareholders ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee in its
discretion may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it
determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.

Representatives from PwC are expected to be present at the annual meeting, will have the opportunity to

make a statement if they so desire and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Aggregate fees for professional services delivered by PwC, the company’s independent registered public

accounting firm, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

Type of Fees
Audit Fees(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audit-Related Fees(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax Fees(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All Other Fees(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total

2018

2017

$1,190,000
$
51,800
$ 175,000
$
2,700
$1,453,276

$ 943,607
$ 277,424
$ 175,000
$
1,800
$1,397,831

(1) Audit Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed by PwC for the above fiscal years for professional services rendered
by PwC for the integrated audit of the company’s consolidated financial statements and the company’s internal
control over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, for review of the
company’s interim consolidated quarterly financial statements included in the company’s quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q and for services that are normally provided by PwC in connection with regulatory filings or engagements
for the above fiscal years. Such fees also include fees billed by PwC in connection with its audit of the financial
statements of Convida Wireless, LLC, the company’s joint venture with Sony Corporation of America.

(2) Audit-Related Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed by PwC for the above fiscal years for assurance and
related services by PwC that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the
company’s financial statements and are not reported above under the caption “Audit Fees.” Such fees relate
to consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting standards and also include fees billed by PwC
in connection with attestation and audit services performed over the financial statements of the Signal Trust
for Wireless Innovation, a Delaware statutory trust formed in 2013.

(3) Tax Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed by PwC for the above fiscal years related to a foreign tax study
and other technical advice pertaining to foreign and domestic tax matters. In addition, such fees for 2017
also include fees for tax compliance services and, for 2018, such fees also include fees for international tax
assistance related to the acquisition of the Technicolor patent licensing business.

(4) All Other Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed by PwC for the above fiscal years for certain accounting

research software licensed by the company from PwC.

Proxy Statement

24

7098_Fin.pdf   166

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy for Audit and Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee has adopted a policy that requires the committee to pre-approve all audit and
non-audit services to be performed by the company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Unless a
service falls within a category of services that the Audit Committee already has pre-approved, an engagement to
provide the service requires specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Also, proposed services exceeding
pre-approved cost levels require specific pre-approval.

Consistent with the rules established by the SEC, proposed services to be provided by the company’s
independent registered public accounting firm are evaluated by grouping the services and associated fees under
one of the following four categories: Audit Services, Audit-Related Services, Tax Services and All Other Services.
All proposed services for the following year are discussed and pre-approved by the Audit Committee, generally
at a meeting or meetings that take place during the October through December time period. In order to render
approval, the Audit Committee has available a schedule of services and fees approved by category for the current
year for reference, and specific details are provided.

The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its chair for cases where services must be

expedited. In cases where the Audit Committee chair pre-approves a service provided by the independent
registered public accounting firm, the chair is required to report the pre-approval decisions to the Audit
Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The company’s management periodically provides the Audit
Committee with reports of all pre-approved services and related fees by category incurred during the current
fiscal year, with forecasts of any additional services anticipated during the year.

All of the services performed by PwC related to fees disclosed above were pre-approved by the Audit

Committee.

Vote Required and Board Recommendation

The affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast at the annual meeting is required to ratify the appointment
of PwC as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE
COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2019.

25

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   167

4/19/19   10:33 PM

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

As more fully described in its charter, the Audit Committee oversees the company’s financial reporting
processes on behalf of the Board. In fulfilling our oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and
discussed with management the company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2018, including a discussion of the acceptability and appropriateness of significant accounting
principles and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial
reporting. Management represented to us that the company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and considered appropriate in the
circumstances to present fairly the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The Audit
Committee also reviewed and discussed with PwC, the company’s independent registered public accounting firm,
the matters required to be discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm under applicable
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) standards.

The Audit Committee also received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required

by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding PwC’s communications with the Audit Committee
concerning independence and discussed with PwC their independence.

Based on the reviews and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting
firm referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be
included in the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for filing with the
SEC, and the Audit Committee retained PwC as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for
the year ending December 31, 2019.

AUDIT COMMITTEE:

John A. Kritzmacher, Chair
Joan H. Gillman
John D. Markley, Jr.

The foregoing Audit Committee report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under these
acts, except to the extent specifically incorporated by reference.

Proxy Statement

26

7098_Fin.pdf   168

4/19/19   10:33 PM

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Set forth below is certain information concerning our executive officers as of March 31, 2019:

Name

Age

Position

William J. Merritt . . . . . . . . .
Kai Öistämö . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Richard J. Brezski . . . . . . . . .
Jannie K. Lau . . . . . . . . . . . .

60
54
46
43

President and Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

There are no family relationships among the individuals serving as our directors or executive officers. Set

forth below are the name, office and position held with our company and principal occupations and employment
of each of our executive officers. Biographical information on Mr. Merritt is discussed under the caption
“Election of Directors” above.

Kai O. Öistämö is InterDigital’s Chief Operating Officer, responsible for overseeing the company’s research
and development, product development and licensing functions. Mr. Öistämö joined InterDigital in October 2018,
and before that, served on the company’s board from November 2014 to October 2018. Prior to joining InterDigital
in 2018, Mr. Öistämö served as Executive Partner at Siris Capital, a private equity firm; he initially joined Siris
Capital in October 2015 as an advisor. Mr. Öistämö led corporate strategy and business development at Nokia
Corporation (“Nokia”), a leader in the fields of network infrastructure, location-based technologies and advanced
technologies and a wireless handset manufacturer, as Executive Vice President, Chief Development Officer with
responsibility for strategic partnerships and alliances. Previous roles during his 23-year tenure at Nokia included the
position of Executive Vice President, Devices. Mr. Öistämö was also a member of the Nokia leadership team from.
Mr. Öistämö serves on the board of directors of Sanoma Corporation, a Finnish public company.

Richard J. Brezski is InterDigital’s Chief Financial Officer, responsible for overseeing the company’s finance,
accounting, audit, tax, treasury, IT and facilities functions, including the company’s internal and external financial
reporting and analysis. Mr. Brezski joined the company as Director and Controller in May 2003. Mr. Brezski was
promoted to Senior Director in July 2006 and in January 2007 was appointed Chief Accounting Officer. In January
2009, Mr. Brezski was promoted to Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, and in March 2011 he
was appointed to the additional post of Treasurer. In May 2012, he was appointed Chief Financial Officer. Prior to
joining InterDigital, Mr. Brezski served as an audit manager for PwC in its technology, information, communications
and entertainment practice, where he provided business advisory and auditing services to product and service
companies in the electronics, software and technology industries. Mr. Brezski earned a Bachelor of Science in
Accountancy from Villanova University and an Executive Master of Business Administration from Hofstra University.

Jannie K. Lau is InterDigital’s Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, responsible

for managing the company’s legal and government affairs functions. Ms. Lau joined InterDigital in 2008 as
Associate General Counsel and was promoted to Deputy General Counsel in 2010. She was appointed Executive
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in October 2012 and assumed responsibility for oversight of the
company’s intellectual property litigation and management of its intellectual property assets at the end of 2015.
Ms. Lau’s title was changed to Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at the beginning of
2018. Prior to joining InterDigital, Ms. Lau served as securities and transactional counsel at IKON Office
Solutions, Inc., then a Fortune® 500 document management solutions company. Before beginning her in-house
career, she was an associate at leading global law firms in New York and Boston, where she represented public
and pre-IPO companies as well as private equity and venture capital funds. Ms. Lau serves on the board of
trustees of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and on the Comcast NBCUniversal Joint Diversity
Advisory Council. Ms. Lau earned a Juris Doctor, with honors, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School
and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University.

The company’s executive officers are appointed to the offices set forth above to hold office until their

successors are duly appointed.

27

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   169

4/19/19   10:33 PM

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on its review and discussions, has
recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement
and the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:

Jean F. Rankin, Chair
S. Douglas Hutcheson
Philip P. Trahanas

The foregoing Compensation Committee report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any
filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under these acts,
except to the extent specifically incorporated by reference.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis covers all material elements of compensation awarded to,

earned by or paid to the company’s Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) during 2018 and focuses on the
principles underlying the company’s executive compensation policies and decisions. The discussion details the
compensation for the following individuals:

• William J. Merritt – President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”);

• Richard J. Brezski – Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer;

•

Jannie K. Lau – Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; and

• Kai O. Öistämö – Chief Operating Officer (“COO”).

In addition, in accordance with SEC rules, information is also included with respect to the following retired
executive officers who served during a portion of 2018:

•

Scott A. McQuilkin – Retired Senior Executive Vice President, Innovation; and

• Lawrence F. Shay – Retired Senior Executive Vice President, Future Wireless, and Chief Intellectual

Property Counsel.

Messrs. McQuilkin and Shay both ceased to be executive officers of the company effective March 9, 2018, and
both retired from InterDigital, Inc., effective April 1, 2018.

Executive Summary

2018 Company Performance

The company delivered another solid performance in 2018, strategically positioning itself to drive higher

value for shareholders through expanding our technology offerings through the acquisition of Technicolor’s
patent licensing business (the “Technicolor Acquisition”) while keeping costs in check. On January 1, 2018, we
adopted the requirements of new revenue accounting guidance (“ASC 606”), using the modified retrospective
method. Consistent with the modified retrospective adoption method, our results of operations for periods prior
to our adoption of ASC 606 remain unchanged and are presented in accordance with ASC Topic 605, “Revenue

Proxy Statement

28

7098_Fin.pdf   170

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Recognition” (“ASC 605”). In 2018, our recurring revenues, consisting of current patent royalties and current
technology solutions revenue, were $280.3 million under ASC 606, and would have been $365.0 million under
ASC 605, the latter of which represented a slight decrease from $370 million in 2017, which was primarily
attributable to the expiration at the end of 2017 of certain royalty obligations under a technology solutions
agreement. A reconciliation of recurring revenues can be found in note 3 of the audited financial statements
included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Through the Technicolor acquisition, we created new licensing opportunities for the company in the video
and consumer electronics markets, which complement our core wireless technology business and positioned the
company to drive additional value.

Good Governance Practices and Policies:

The Compensation Committee and the company strive to maintain good governance practices and regularly
review and update such practices related to the compensation of our executive officers, including our NEOs. The
following checklists summarize what we do and what we do not do in our executive compensation practices to
highlight both the responsible practices we have implemented and the practices we have avoided in order to best
serve our shareholders’ long-term interests.

WHAT WE DO:

✓ We create a balanced compensation program through a mix of fixed and variable short- and long-term

incentives.

✓ We cap payouts under our annual short-term incentive plan (“STIP”) to individual employees, including our
NEOs, at two times target, even if company or individual performance would result in payouts in excess of
two times target.

✓ We have double-trigger severance payout provisions (i.e., an executive must be terminated in connection

with a change in control in order to receive any severance).

✓ We have a clawback policy under which the company may recover excess compensation paid to our

executive officers if intentional misconduct or gross negligence by one or more of our executive officers
results in a material restatement of our financial statements.

✓ We have robust target stock ownership levels for our executive officers and directors. Each NEO has met
the applicable stock ownership requirements as described below under “Stock Ownership Guidelines.”
✓ We review compensation-related risk with an outside independent compensation consultant on an annual
basis to ensure our plans do not create incentives that would put the company at risk of a material adverse
effect.

WHAT WE DO NOT DO:

È We do not have employment agreements with any NEO.
È We do not have single-trigger payout provisions in our equity award agreements.
È We do not provide golden parachute tax gross-ups.
È We do not guarantee minimum STIP payouts.
È We do not provide excessive perquisites to executive officers that other employees at or above the senior

director level do not receive.

È We do not permit the hedging of InterDigital stock by any employee, including executive officers.
È We do not pay out dividend equivalents on unearned RSUs; accrued dividend equivalents are paid out only

if and to the extent that the underlying RSU award vests.

29

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   171

4/19/19   10:33 PM

2018 Compensation Decisions and Actions

The following are highlights of the key compensation decisions made by the Compensation Committee for

2018:

•

In October 2018, the Compensation Committee adopted an Executive Severance and Change in
Control Policy (the “Executive Severance Policy”). Each of our NEOs was offered participation in the
policy, and, as a result, each of the NEOs who was party to an employment agreement with the
company received a notice of non-renewal of their employment agreement; each NEO employment
agreement expired on January 20, 2019. Please see “Agreements with NEOs” below for details.

• Base salaries remained flat for the first half of 2018. Mr. Merritt’s base salary increased by 6.5%

effective July 1, 2018, to avoid salary compression between the CEO and his direct reports, driven by
market data that came to the Compensation Committee’s attention during the hiring of the company’s
new COO, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Development Officer from outside of the Company.
Please see “2018 Executive Compensation in Detail – Base Salary” below for details.

• The target STIP levels for 2018 were increased slightly for Mr. Brezski and Ms. Lau, stated as a

percentage of base salary. The NEOs received 2018 STIP payouts ranging from 85% to 105% of target
based on individual, departmental and corporate performance. Please see “2018 Executive
Compensation in Detail – Short-Term Incentive Plan” below for details.

• The CEO’s Long-Term Compensation Program (“LTCP”) equity awards granted in 2018 saw a

continued emphasis on performance-based equity with the use of performance-based stock options. The
Compensation Committee awarded performance-based stock options to the CEO and COO in order to
incentivize further increasing shareholder value through efficient integration of the Technicolor
Acquisition and to drive value through increased licensing revenue opportunities in adjacent markets.
Performance-based stock options vest only upon achievement of certain performance goals and further
align the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders, as their value can only be realized
with sustained stock price growth over the three-year performance period and two-year post-vest
holding period. The CEO’s and COO’s LTCP equity grants were allocated as follows: one-third in
performance-based stock options, one-third in performance-based RSUs and one-third in time-based
RSUs. In connection with his hiring as COO in October 2018, Mr. Öistämö also received additional
performance-based stock options as a sign-on bonus. The equity allocations for Mr. Brezski and
Ms. Lau maintained an emphasis on performance-based equity, with 75% of the total value in the form
of performance-based RSUs and 25% of the total value in the form of time-based RSUs.

• The Compensation Committee determined the achievement level for the goals associated with the

performance-based RSUs granted for the three-year performance period from January 1, 2016, through
December 31, 2018, to be 100% of target, which resulted in a payout at target. Please see “2018
Executive Compensation in Detail – Long-Term Compensation Program” below for details.

Results from 2018 Shareholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

At the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders, we held an advisory vote on executive compensation.

Approximately 95% of the votes cast supported the compensation of the company’s named executive officers as
disclosed in our 2018 proxy statement. Given this strong shareholder support as well as other factors considered
by the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Committee determined not to make any significant changes
to our existing compensation program and policies for 2018, aside from the adoption of the Executive Severance
Policy and non-renewal of the employment agreements with our NEOs. The Compensation Committee considers
the results of the annual advisory vote on executive compensation as a strong data point in its compensation
decisions.

Proxy Statement

30

7098_Fin.pdf   172

4/19/19   10:33 PM

What Guides Our Program

Compensation Objectives and Philosophy

The primary purpose of our executive compensation program is to attract, retain and motivate talented

individuals who will drive the successful execution of the company’s strategic plan. Specifically, we:

• Attract talented leaders to serve as executive officers of the company by setting total compensation levels

and incentive program targets at competitive levels for comparable roles in the marketplace;

• Retain our executives by providing a balanced mix of base salary and short and long-term incentive

compensation;

• Motivate our executives by “paying for performance,” or rewarding individual performance and the

accomplishment of corporate goals, as determined by the Compensation Committee, through
performance-based compensation; and

• Align with shareholders’ interests, as our compensation program seeks to reward our NEOs for increasing
our stock price over the long term and maximizing shareholder value by providing a substantial portion of
total compensation in the form of direct ownership in our company through long-term equity awards.

Pay for Performance (Principal Elements of Pay)

Our executive compensation program is intended to hold our executive officers accountable for business results
and reward them for strong corporate performance and value creation for our shareholders by rewarding performance
that meets or exceeds the goals established by the Compensation Committee. Our NEOs’ 2018 total compensation is
comprised of a mix of base salary, STIP and equity awards. Consistent with our compensation philosophy, the actual
compensation received by our NEOs will vary based on individual, departmental and corporate performance measured
against annual and long-term performance goals. Additionally, because a significant percentage of our NEOs’ pay is
comprised of equity awards, the value of their pay increases and decreases with changes in our stock price. For 2018,
approximately 89% of our CEO’s target compensation and 82%, on average, of the target compensation of our other
NEOs was comprised of STIP and equity awards and thus variable based on the company’s performance.

CEO
TARGET PAY MIX

Performance-Based
Stock Options
26%

Base Salary
11%

Fixed
10%

Short-Term
Incentives
11%

OTHER NEO
TARGET PAY MIX (AVERAGE)

Performance-Based
Stock Options
13%

Base Salary
18%

Variable
90%

Performance-Based
RSUs
26%

Time-Based RSUs
26%

Performance-Based
RSUs
33%

Fixed
18%

Variable
82%

Short-Term
Incentive
16%

Time-Based RSUs
20%

Role of the Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee oversees the executive compensation program and has final approval with

respect to the composition, structure and amount of all executive officer compensation, subject to Board review.
The Compensation Committee is comprised of no less than three independent, non-employee members of the
Board. Guided in the execution of its primary functions by the Board’s philosophy that the interests of key
leadership should be aligned with the long-term interests of the company and its shareholders, the Compensation
Committee annually reviews and approves goals relevant to the performance-based incentive compensation of
the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers. The Compensation Committee works very closely with
management and the Compensation Committee’s independent consultant, Pearl Meyer & Partners (“Pearl

31

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   173

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Meyer”), to examine the effectiveness of the company’s executive compensation program throughout the year.
Details of the Compensation Committee’s authority and responsibilities are specified in the Compensation
Committee’s charter, which is available on our website at http://ir.interdigital.com/CommitteeChart.

Role of Executive Officers

As part of the annual performance and compensation review for executive officers other than the Chief
Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee considers the Chief Executive Officer’s assessment of the other
executive officers’ departmental and individual performances, reviewing major individual accomplishments and
any other recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer regarding their compensation. The Chief Executive
Officer also reports to the Compensation Committee on the company’s achievement of objectively measurable
goals established under performance-based incentive programs, based upon data related to achievement provided
by the Chief Financial Officer and verified by the company’s internal auditor.

Role and Independence of Advisors

As referenced above, the Compensation Committee has engaged Pearl Meyer, an independent compensation

consultant, to assist in carrying out its responsibilities. The Compensation Committee selects the consultant,
negotiates the fees paid and manages the engagement. The Compensation Committee retained Pearly Meyer to
advise it and the rest of the Board on matters including, but not limited to, trends in executive compensation,
compensation peer group composition, assessing total direct compensation of the executives as compared to the
compensation peer group, short and long-term incentive plan design and compensation of the company’s
executive officers. Based on consideration of the factors as set forth in the SEC rules and the listing standards of
the NASDAQ Stock Market, the Compensation Committee has determined that Pearl Meyer has no conflicts of
interest in providing its services.

Factors Considered in Setting Compensation Amounts and Targets

In establishing compensation amounts and incentive program targets for executives, the Compensation
Committee seeks to provide compensation that is competitive in light of current market conditions and industry
practices. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee annually reviews market data that is comprised of proxy-
disclosed data from peer companies and information from nationally recognized published surveys for both the
general and high-technology industries, adjusted for size.

In November 2017, Pearl Meyer assisted the Compensation Committee with its process of identifying peer

group companies for 2018 compensation purposes. When choosing compensation peers, we not only look for
companies with similar revenue in the communications equipment industry, but also companies for which
licensing revenue is a significant component of their total revenue stream (approximately 20% to 100% of total
revenue) and that have a relatively similar profit margin and market capitalization. For 2018, the following
companies were removed from the peer group due to acquisition or poor performance or significant changes to
their revenue relative to those of the company: Comtech Technologies, Corp and Harmonic, Inc. Two companies
were added to the peer group: Integrated Device Technology, Inc., and Silicon Laboratories, Inc.

As a result of these changes, the companies comprising the 2018 compensation peer group were as follows:

ADTRAN Inc.
Ansys, Inc.
Aspen Technology
CalAmp Corp.
Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
Infinera Corporation
Inovalon Holdings

Integrated Device Technology, Inc. TiVo Corporation
Ubiquiti Networks
Manhattan Associates
Universal Display Corp.
Plantronics, Inc.
Universal Electronics, Inc.
Rambus Inc.
Xperi, Inc.
RPX Corporation
Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
Synaptics Inc.

Proxy Statement

32

7098_Fin.pdf   174

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Pearl Meyer conducted a compensation peer group review and reviewed market data from nationally

recognized published surveys. Pearl Meyer then presented a report to the Compensation Committee that included
such publicly available information about the levels and targets for base salary, short-term incentive
compensation, long-term incentive compensation and total compensation for comparable executive-level
positions at such peer group companies. The market data helps the Compensation Committee gain perspective on
the compensation levels and practices at the compensation peer companies and to assess the relative
competitiveness of the total compensation paid to the company’s executives. The data thus guides the
Compensation Committee in its efforts to set executive compensation levels and program targets at competitive
levels for comparable roles in the marketplace. The Compensation Committee uses the data to look for outliers
or, in other words, those executives whose total compensation is substantially below the 50th percentile and those
executives whose total compensation is above the 75th percentile of compensation peer companies but does not
benchmark executive officer compensation to specific market percentages. In addition, the Compensation
Committee takes into account other factors, such as the importance of each executive officer’s role to the
company, individual expertise, experience and performance, retention concerns and relevant compensation trends
in the marketplace, in making its final compensation determinations.

2018 Executive Compensation in Detail

Base Salary

Base salary is the fixed element of an executive’s current cash compensation, which the company pays to

afford each executive the baseline financial security necessary to focus on his or her day-to-day responsibilities.
Base salaries for the executives are set at competitive levels to attract and retain highly qualified and talented
leaders. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves base salaries for the executives annually. Salary
adjustments for our NEOs in 2018 were based on consideration of each NEO’s position, scope of responsibility
and importance to the company and performance during 2017, as well as a review of the market data and a
comparison of each NEO’s total compensation against that of the other executive officers in the company’s
compensation peer group. The NEOs’ base salaries remained flat for 2018 because the market data showed that
their salaries were within the median range for their respective positions. However, during the process of hiring
the company’s new COO, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Development Officer during the first half of
2018, potential salary compression issues arose; therefore, to ensure internal equity among the CEO and his
direct reports, Mr. Merritt received a salary increase of 6.5%, effective July 1, 2018.

Set forth below are the 2017 and 2018 base salaries for our NEOs:

NEO

William J. Merritt
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Richard J. Brezski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jannie K. Lau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kai O. Öistämö . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scott A. McQuilkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lawrence F. Shay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2017

2018

$620,000
396,550
379,600
NA
415,000
437,750

$660,000
396,500
379,600
600,000
415,000
437,750

Short-Term Incentive Plan

The STIP annual incentive award is designed to provide a cash reward for the achievement of corporate
goals and individual accomplishments during each fiscal year. Individual STIP payouts are determined based on
performance against pre-determined strategic corporate goals, departmental performance and individual
performance.

33

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   175

4/19/19   10:33 PM

In first quarter 2018, the Compensation Committee approved target STIP levels for each of the NEOs. The
target STIP levels for Mr. Brezski and Ms. Lau were each increased to 75% of base salary. Messrs. McQuilkin
and Shay were not eligible to participate in the 2018 STIP as a result of their retirements from the company
effective April 1, 2018; therefore, they have not been included in the following table. The 2018 target STIP
levels, set as a percentage of annual base salary, for the NEOs were as follows:

NEO

2018 Target STIP Level

William J. Merritt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Richard J. Brezski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jannie K. Lau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kai O. Öistämö . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100%
75%
75%
75%

Mr. Öistämo’s STIP target for 2018 was pro-rated to 75% of his annual salary; for 2019, his target level will

be 100% of his annual base salary.

The actual 2018 STIP payout amounts for the NEOs are determined by considering performance against

pre-determined strategic corporate goals, departmental performance and individual performance. The
Compensation Committee approves strategic corporate goals with pre-defined targets and other goals that
provide for discretion upon evaluation so that it can reward meeting and exceeding our targets while also
considering the quality of our results and other factors not anticipated at the beginning of the year. For 2018, the
strategic corporate goals for the company’s executives and the relative weights assigned to each were as follows:

2018 STIP Strategic Corporate Performance Goals:

Goal

Revenue Platform

Product Revenue Platform

Business Transformation

Business Integration

Innovation

Compensation Committee

Discretion
TOTAL

Description

Target Weight

Achieve specified amount for management’s forecast at year-end
for the company’s total expected revenues over the following
12-month period based on existing contracts/relationships
Achieve specified amount for management’s forecast at year-end
for the company’s total expected product revenues over the
following 12-month period based on existing contracts/
relationships
Consummate acquisition to drive core business; execute internal
reorganization, including filling a number of key executive
management roles; enter into specified number of customer
agreements involving research and development or other
cooperative components; advance of culture project
Successfully execute against integration objectives related to
acquisition
Generate specified numbers of patent filings as well as
contributions to 5G and other standards; achieve external
recognition of innovation success
Allow Compensation Committee to adjust performance upward or
downward as a result of unexpected outcomes or circumstances

20%

5%

20%

20%

10%

25%

100%

These strategic corporate goals were structured to challenge and motivate executives and intended to align the
executive team around a key set of company performance objectives.

Proxy Statement

34

7098_Fin.pdf   176

4/19/19   10:33 PM

In January 2019, the Chief Executive Officer reported to the Compensation Committee on the final

achievement of the strategic corporate goals and provided his assessment with respect to departmental and
individual executive officer performance for the year. For 2018, the strategic corporate goals related to total
revenue platform, product revenue platform and business transformation fell short of target, while the
achievement level with respect to business integration met its target. The company’s performance with respect to
the innovation goal, however, exceeded target. The innovation goal was exceeded, in part, as a result of our
continued success in 5G innovation, which included the filing of over 600 patent applications in 2018, a
substantial portion of which are applicable to 3GPP 5G, our continued recognition as a thought leader in the
wireless, IoT and other technology areas, as evidenced by the growing number of invitations for speaking
engagements, leadership roles within standards organizations and the UK launch of the company’s
oneTRANSPORT data marketplace operating on the Chordant platform. Although the total revenue and product
revenue platform goals fell short of target, the company laid the groundwork for business transformation through
the Technicolor Acquisition. The Compensation Committee reviewed the company’s achievement with respect to
all of the strategic goals and also considered other developments in 2018 that were not captured specifically by
the goals, and, as a result, the Compensation Committee determined that the total achievement level with respect
to the strategic corporate goals was 90%.

The STIP payout for the Chief Executive Officer is based on achievement of the strategic corporate goals
and his individual performance. The STIP awards paid to all other NEOs are based on the achievement of the
strategic corporate goals and each NEO’s individual performance, measured, in part, by how well such NEO’s
department performed during the year with respect to the department’s goals/primary projects.

In determining the STIP payout to the Chief Executive Officer for 2018, the Compensation Committee

considered the Board’s assessment of his performance in 2018, as reflected in the recommendation of the
non-executive Chairman of the Board, who is the primary liaison between the Chief Executive Officer and the
full Board. Although the company’s total achievement level with respect to its strategic corporate goals was
below target, primarily as a result of the Company’s revenue platform goal shortfall, the Compensation
Committee recognized the significant efforts undertaken by Mr. Merritt in 2018 relating to the Technicolor
Acquisition, as well as additional actions he had taken, including filling key executive management roles, to
position the company for success going into 2019. As a result, based on the achievement level with respect to the
strategic corporate goals and the performance of the Chief Executive Officer on an individual level, the
Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Merritt’s STIP payout for 2018 should be 100% of target.

For the other NEOs, the Compensation Committee reviewed the performance assessments provided by

Mr. Merritt with respect to each executive’s individual and departmental performance and considered its own
direct interactions with each NEO as well. As a result of the achievement level with respect to the strategic
corporate goals and departmental and individual performances, for their 2018 STIP Mr. Brezski received a
payout of 85% of target, Ms. Lau received a payout of 105% of target and Mr. Öistämö received a payout at
target. Messrs. McQuilkin and Shay were not eligible to participate in the 2018 STIP.

The 2018 STIP awards paid to the NEOs were entirely in cash. The Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

below reports the threshold, target and maximum potential STIP payouts for each NEO for 2018, and the
Summary Compensation Table below reports the amounts actually earned by each NEO for 2018 under the STIP.

35

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   177

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Long-Term Compensation Program

The LTCP is designed to align management’s interests with those of the company’s shareholders to
maximize the value of the company’s stock over the long term and to enhance retention efforts by incentivizing
executive officers to drive the company’s long-term strategic plan. It typically consists of three components:

•

•

•

performance-based RSUs, which align employee and shareholder interests by tying value to both
business results and future stock price;

stock options, which the Compensation Committee considers to be performance-based compensation
and an important form of long-term incentive compensation because they are only valuable if our stock
price increases over time; and

time-based RSUs, which provide retention benefits and, in concert with our stock ownership guidelines,
focus our executives on long-term share ownership and sustained value.

In 2018, the Compensation Committee approved a one-time increase to the LTCP targets for the CEO and

newly hired COO, which added a performance component to the stock option grants for both individuals. The
performance-based stock options further align our executives’ interests with those of our shareholders, as they
are earned only for the achievement of specific performance conditions and inherently require sustained stock
price growth over the performance period in order for value to be realized. The Compensation Committee
considered the performance-based stock options granted to the CEO and COO as part of their 2018 LTCP to be
one-time incentives related to the company’s long-term goal to transform the company’s business through the
Technicolor Acquisition.

The Compensation Committee determines annually the participation level and components of each
executive officer’s LTCP award, emphasizing internal pay equity between the company’s NEOs and other
executives to motivate and incentivize performance across the senior management team and encourage
collaboration and shared responsibility for executing the company’s strategic plan. For performance-based RSUs
and performance-based stock options, 100% achievement of the associated performance goal results in full
vesting of the associated equity at target; typically, threshold performance level is required for the vesting of 50%
of target, and performance above the target performance level results in the vesting of additional equity.
Accordingly, for performance that falls below 80% achievement, no performance-based award would vest;
vesting is capped at 200% of target.

Payouts of performance-based awards under the LTCP have varied over the years, ranging from no payout

for the 2013-2015 and the 2007-2009 performance periods to a 200% payout for two recent performance periods,
2014-2016 and 2015-2017:

Performance Period

2007-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2008-2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2009-2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2010-2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2011-2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2012-2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2013–2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014-2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2015-2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2016-2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LTCP Payout

None

86%
31%
100%
71%
110%

None

200%
200%
100%

Proxy Statement

36

7098_Fin.pdf   178

4/19/19   10:33 PM

2016-2018 Cycle

For the performance cycle that began on January 1, 2016 and ended December 31, 2018 (the “2016-2018
cycle”), each NEO received 50% of their target award in performance-based RSUs, 25% in stock options and
25% in time-based RSUs that vested in March 2019. The total target values of the awards granted to the NEOs in
March 2016 for the 2016-2018 cycle were as follows:

NEO

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
William J. Merritt
Richard J. Brezski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jannie K. Lau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kai O. Öistämö . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scott A. McQuilkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lawrence F. Shay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Target

$1,575,000
700,000
400,000
N/A
1,000,000
1,000,000

The goals associated with the performance-based RSU awards for the 2016-2018 cycle were as follows:

Threshold

Target Range

Superior/Maximum

$640 million of normalized
cash flow

$40 million of new revenue

$800 million to $1.0 billion of
normalized cash flow

$1.4 billion of normalized
cash flow

$50 million to 100 million of
new revenue

$140 million of new revenue

After reviewing the company’s progress as of December 31, 2018, toward the performance goals for the
2016-2018 cycle, the Compensation Committee determined that the company’s total normalized cash flow for
the 2016-2018 cycle was approximately $990 million and the company’s “new” revenue was approximately
$83 million. Both achievements were within the ranges set as target performance and resulted in the vesting of
100% of the target awards. This payout reflects the company’s continued solid performance throughout the years
2016, 2017 and 2018 related to the company’s core patent licensing business and the increase in “new” revenue,
or revenue attributable to cellular IoT licensing or the company’s non-cellular technologies, including product
revenues resulting from Hillcrest Labs’ product offerings, revenues derived from the Signal Trust for Wireless
Innovation, our participation in the Avanci licensing programs and from the Technicolor Acquisition.
Normalized cash flow is a measure used by the company solely for the purposes of its compensation plan goals
and it is not calculated in accordance with GAAP. A presentation showing how the $990 million in normalized
cash flow was calculated based on numbers contained within the company’s audited financial statements is set
forth in Appendix A to this proxy statement.

Normalized Cash Flow

The Compensation Committee selected a normalized cash flow goal for the 2016-2018 LTCP cycle because

it believes that normalized cash flow most effectively aligns management’s interests with those of the company
and its shareholders and is the most accurate measure of the company’s performance. As more fully described in
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, revenue recognition for revenues
derived from patent license agreements is complex, and we derive the vast majority of our revenue from patent
licensing. The complicated and unpredictable nature of patent licensing revenue recognition make GAAP cash
flow or revenue an inaccurate measure of performance for the company and using such measures could also
incentivize management to enter into patent license agreements that are structured in a way that helps meet
incentive plan goals rather than in the way that is most beneficial for the company.

The timing and amount of revenue recognized from each license depends upon a variety of factors,

including the specific terms of each agreement and the nature of the deliverables and obligations and, as a result,
components of our revenue tend to be highly variable year to year. In addition, the timing of our revenue

37

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   179

4/19/19   10:33 PM

recognition is often disjointed from the timing of the related cash receipts as a result of components of the
agreement that provide for prepayment of royalties, past sales, etc. So that our executives are properly motivated
to maximize the overall value of our patent portfolio and not to maximize short-term gains strictly for the
purpose of attaining incentive plan goals, we normalize the cash inflow under our license agreements to treat all
licensing revenue as if it were negotiated as royalty bearing over the life of the agreement.

In addition to normalizing our cash inflows, we also adjust our cash outflows to capture the appropriate cash

expenditures for which we manage our business. This process begins with our total operating expenses and
deducts defined non-cash expenses (e.g., depreciation and amortization) and then adds in capital expenditures.
We also exclude certain items that (a) make the calculation iterative (e.g., performance-based compensation) or
(b) are non-operational or non-recurring (e.g., repositioning costs and severance) in nature and which we would
otherwise back out when evaluating our financial performance.

For example, when using normalized cash flow as a measure, if a patent licensing agreement includes a

large up-front payment, in order to avoid having that payment disproportionately drive cash flow for the
performance period, the payment is spread out over the term of the license agreement, mimicking what would
happen if the cash was received pursuant to a running royalty-based license agreement. Strictly for illustrative
purposes, assume the company set a GAAP cash flow goal of $100 for a three-year LTCP performance period
and in each of the first two years of the performance period the company had generated $33 of cash flow from
running royalties—bringing the total cash flow achieved for the first two years to $66. Because the cash flow was
from running royalties, the amount included toward the goal for the performance period would be the same under
both a GAAP cash flow and a normalized cash flow measure. Then, during year 3 of the performance period, the
company negotiates a new 5-year $100 patent license agreement. A GAAP cash flow goal could incentivize
management to accept less than $100 in licensing royalties ($50 in this example) if the total discounted amount
was paid up front (Deal A), which would then contribute $50 toward the achievement of the goal for the
performance period, rather than the full $100 paid over five years (Deal B), which would contribute only $20
toward the achievement of the performance goal. Although Deal B is clearly better for the company and its
shareholders, the use of a GAAP cash flow performance incentive measure could create an incentive to enter into
Deal A, as that deal would have led to a larger incentive payout for the performance period (140% under Deal A
vs. 65% under Deal B, as illustrated in the following table). By using normalized cash flow as the performance
measure, management is properly incentivized to enter into Deal B, which not only leads to a higher incentive
payout (65% under Deal B vs. no payout under Deal A, as illustrated in the following table), but also to the better
outcome for the company and its shareholders.

Normalized Cash Flow Illustrative Example

Performance Period Year

DEAL A
Incentive Plan
Performance Measure
GAAP
Cash Flow

Normalized
Cash Flow

DEAL B
Incentive Plan
Performance Measure
GAAP
Cash Flow

Normalized
Cash Flow

Year 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Year 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Year 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goal Achievement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LTCP Payout(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 33
$ 33
$ 50

$116
116%
140%

$33
$33
$10

$76
76%
0%

$33
$33
$20

$86
86%
65%

$33
$33
$20

$86
86%
65%

(a)

In this example, for each 1% change above or below 100% achievement, the actual award amount is
adjusted by 2.5 percentage points, with a threshold payout of 50% of target and a maximum payout of 200%
of target. Accordingly, for performance that falls below 80% achievement, no performance-based award
would vest.

Proxy Statement

38

7098_Fin.pdf   180

4/19/19   10:33 PM

2018 LTCP Grant

The Compensation Committee approved LTCP equity grants in 2018 that were comprised of the following: the

CEO and COO each received one-third of his total award in the form of performance-based RSUs, one-third in
performance-based stock options and one-third in the form of time-based RSUs, while the other NEOs received
75% of their total award in the form of performance-based RSUs and 25% in the form of time-based RSUs.

The time-based RSUs have a vest date of March 15, 2021. The performance-based RSUs and performance-
based stock-options will vest on March 15, 2021, subject to the achievement of pre-approved goals established by the
Compensation Committee measured as of December 31, 2020; the remaining unvested portion of such performance-
based RSU and stock options, if any, shall remain eligible to vest on March 15, 2023, subject to the achievement of
the same performance goals measured as of December 31, 2022. The goals associated with the performance-based
RSU and performance-based stock options granted in 2018 are to achieve specified levels with respect to revenue and
earnings over the performance measurement period(s). 100% achievement of the performance goal or goals
associated with the award results in a 100% payout of the associated target amounts. Goal achievement for
performance that falls between the amounts established for threshold, target and maximum achievement is calculated
using straight-line interpolation between the target achievement level and the actual achievement level, with a
threshold payout of 50% of target and a maximum payout of 200% of target. Messrs. Merritt and Öistämö may not
dispose or transfer any shares acquired through the exercise of his performance-based stock options until the earlier
of (i) the end of the 2-year period following the date of vesting or (ii) a change in control.

With the exception of Mr. Öistämö’s 2018 LTCP equity award, which was granted on November 15, 2018,

the 2018 LTCP equity awards were granted to the NEOs on July 16, 2018. To determine the number of
performance and time-based RSUs awarded, the respective allocated target amounts were divided by the closing
stock price on the day of grant. The number of performance-based stock options granted was calculated using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model. For the options granted in July and November 2018, respectively, the
weighted average assumptions underlying the valuation under the Black-Scholes model are as follows: a term of
7.8 years; volatility of 30.24%; a risk-free interest rate of 2.83%; and a dividend yield of 1.68%; .a term of 7.7
years, volatility of 30.14%, a risk-free interest rate of 2.97% and a dividend yield of 1.77%.

Messrs. McQuilkin and Shay were not eligible for a 2018 LTCP grant because of their April 1, 2018,

retirement date; therefore, they are not included in the table below.

The total target values of the LTCP equity awards granted to the NEOs in 2018 and 20191 were as follows:

NEO

2018

2019

William J. Merritt
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Richard J. Brezski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jannie Lau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kai O. Öistämö . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$5,000,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
3,000,000

$3,250,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
2,000,000

In connection with his hiring as COO in October 2018, Mr. Öistämö received an additional performance-
based stock option grant with a $700,000 target as a sign-on bonus. For additional information, see “Grants of
Stock Based Awards.”

While the target values of the LTCP awards for each NEO are generally consistent with the target long-term
equity award values for the executives in our compensation peer group, when determining the value of the LTCP
awards, the Compensation Committee reviews the total direct compensation of the executives in the compensation

1

2019 LTCP target is provided for illustrative purposes as confirmation that the 2018 LTCP grants were
one-time increases.

39

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   181

4/19/19   10:33 PM

peer group to ensure that the aggregate target awards for each executive result in a total direct compensation level
that is not substantially below the 50th percentile or substantially above the 75th percentile of our compensation
peer group. Pay and equity pay mix of our compensation peers and general industry companies is also considered.
As stated previously, the Compensation Committee determined that one-time increased LTCP targets, with the
inclusion of performance-based stock options, for the CEO and COO, would optimize management incentive to
drive shareholder value creation over the long term during this transformational period for the company.

Other Practices, Policies and Guidelines

Grant Practices

RSU awards and stock options granted to executives under the LTCP are targeted to be granted each year on
the later of March 15 or on or after the date the Compensation Committee approves the goals associated with the
performance-based equity component. If a participant joins the company or becomes eligible to receive awards
through a promotion after the annual grant date, he or she would be eligible for an award on the 15th of the month
following his or her date of hire or promotion, respectively. The closing stock price on the date of grant
determines the exercise price of stock option grants and the number of RSUs granted. For outstanding time-based
and performance-based RSU grants made prior to 2017, the company’s closing stock price on the day prior to the
grant date was used to determine the number of RSUs granted. The Compensation Committee does not time
equity grants to take advantage of material nonpublic information.

Performance-based RSUs granted through 2016 are tied to a three-year performance period. Performance-
based RSUs granted in 2017 and 2018 and performance-based stock options granted in 2018 each have a three-
year performance period with the potential for a five-year performance-period. Time-based RSUs vest 100% on
the vest date, which is generally on or around the third anniversary of the grant date (i.e., “cliff” vesting).
Performance-based RSU and stock options vest, if at all, on March 15 of the year following December 31 of the
end of the performance period. Shares acquired through the exercise of performance-based options must be held
through the earlier of 2 years following vest date or a Change in Control. Vested performance-based options
expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date.

The Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant additional equity awards to executives,
including the NEOs, outside of the LTCP and the other compensation programs described above. As noted
above, the Compensation Committee intends to limit the use of discretionary awards but may issue such awards
from time to time when necessary. In approving such awards, the Compensation Committee may consider the
specific circumstances of the grantee, including, but not limited to, total compensation relative to our
compensation peer group, compensation for his or her position, sign-on incentives, promotion, expansion of
responsibilities, exceptional achievement recognition and retention concerns.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

To align the interests of our executive officers with those of our shareholders, the company has established
stock ownership guidelines for its executive officers. The Chief Executive Officer’s target ownership level is no
less than the lesser of an amount of company stock with a value of at least five times his current annual base
salary or 65,000 shares. Mr. Öistämö and the company’s retired senior executive vice presidents
(Messrs. McQuilkin and Shay) were expected to own no less than the lesser of an amount of company stock with
a value of at least three times their current annual base salary or 25,000 shares, and the company’s other
executive officers (including Mr. Brezski and Ms. Lau) are expected to own no less than the lesser of an amount
of company stock with a value of at least two times their current annual base salary or 12,500 shares.

Qualifying stock includes shares of common stock held outright or through the company’s 401(k) Plan (as
defined below), restricted stock and, on a pre-tax basis, unvested time-based RSUs. For purposes of calculating
the value of company stock holdings, each share or other qualifying stock unit is priced at a price per share/unit

Proxy Statement

40

7098_Fin.pdf   182

4/19/19   10:33 PM

equal to the average closing stock price of the company’s common stock for the 200 trading days leading up to
and including the calculation date. The 200-day average closing stock price is calculated annually on the date of
the company’s annual meeting of shareholders.

Any executive who has not reached or fails to maintain his or her target ownership level must retain at least

50% of any after-tax shares derived from vested RSUs or exercised options until his or her level is met. An
executive may not make any disposition of shares that results in his or her holdings falling below the target level
without the express approval of the Compensation Committee. As of March 31, 2019, all of the NEOs were in
compliance with the guidelines.

Clawback Policy

In 2014, the Board adopted a clawback policy that would, under certain circumstances, entitle the company

to recover certain compensation previously paid to the company’s executive officers, in accordance with the
requirements of Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act. In the event of any intentional misconduct or gross negligence by one or
more executives that results in a material restatement of any company financial statement that was filed during
the company’s then-current fiscal year or during one of the three prior full fiscal years, each executive would be
required to repay or forfeit any excess compensation. The company will reevaluate its policy once final rules are
adopted by the SEC and the NASDAQ Stock Market.

Savings and Protection and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans

The company’s Savings and Protection Plan (“401(k) Plan”) is a tax-qualified retirement savings plan

pursuant to which employees, including NEOs, are able to contribute the lesser of 100% of their annual base
salary and bonus or the annual limit prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) on a pre-tax basis. The
company provides a 50% matching contribution on the first 6% of an employee’s eligible earnings contributed to
the 401(k) Plan, up to the cap mandated by the IRS. The company offers this benefit to encourage employees to
save for retirement and to provide a tax-advantaged means for doing so.

As noted above, the IRS imposes limits on the amounts that an employee may contribute annually to a
401(k) Plan account. The company’s nonqualified deferred compensation plan (the “deferred compensation
plan”) provides a select group of management and highly compensated employees, including the NEOs, with an
opportunity to defer up to 40% of their base salary and up to 100% of their STIP payment. For 2018, the
company matched up to 50% of the first 6% of the participant’s eligible deferrals, determined on a combined
plan basis taking into account deferred amounts under both the deferred compensation plan and the 401(k) Plan;
these contributions will receive the investment performance of InterDigital common stock. Matching
contributions are made once annually after the end of the year. Participants vest one-third in company matching
contributions after one year of service, two-thirds after two years of service and fully after three years of service,
a vesting schedule identical to the 401(k) Plan. For more information about the nonqualified deferred
compensation plan, see “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation.”

Agreements with NEOs

In October 2018, the company adopted the InterDigital, Inc., Executive Severance Policy, which has an
initial term of three years and then automatically renews for additional successive one-year periods thereafter
(unless the company provides notice of non-renewal at least 30 days before the expiration of the term (as
extended by any renewal period)). Among other things, the Executive Severance Policy provides severance
payments and benefits upon certain qualifying terminations of employment, including upon termination of the
NEO’s employment by the company without “Cause,” and provides for enhanced payments and benefits if such
termination occurs on or within one year after a “Change in Control” of the company, each as defined in the
Executive Severance Policy. For more information regarding the provisions governing these termination
scenarios, please see “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”

41

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   183

4/19/19   10:33 PM

On October 5, 2018, in connection with the Company’s adoption of the Executive Severance Policy, the
Compensation Committee approved a notice of non-renewal to be delivered to each NEO who had employment
agreements with the Company. Accordingly, each NEO employment agreement expired on January 20, 2019.

Prohibition Against Hedging

The company’s insider trading policy prohibits directors, officers, employees and consultants of the

company from engaging in any hedging transactions involving company stock.

Impact of Tax Treatment

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) limits the amount of compensation that we may

deduct in any one year for compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer and certain other most highly
compensated executive officers to $1 million. While the Compensation Committee considers the deductibility of
compensation as a factor in making compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee retains the flexibility
to provide compensation that is consistent with our goals for our executive compensation program even if such
compensation is not fully tax deductible. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee may make decisions that
result in compensation expense that is not fully deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code.

Compensation-Related Risk Assessment

We have assessed our employee compensation policies and practices and determined that any risks arising
from our compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the
company. In reaching this conclusion, the Compensation Committee considered all components of our
compensation program and assessed any associated risks. The Compensation Committee also considered the
various strategies and measures employed by the company that mitigate such risk, including: (i) the overall
balance achieved through our use of a mix of cash and equity, annual and long-term incentives and time- and
performance-based compensation; (ii) our use of multi-year vesting periods for equity grants; (iii) limits on the
maximum goal achievement levels and overall payout amounts under the STIP and LTCP awards; (iv) the
company’s adoption of, and adherence to, various compliance programs, including a code of ethics, a clawback
policy, a contract review and approval process and signature authority policy and a system of internal controls
and procedures; (v) the use of normalized cash flow as a performance metric; and (vi) the oversight exercised by
the Compensation Committee over the performance metrics and results under the STIP and the LTCP. In
addition, compensation programs are reviewed with Pearl Meyer, the compensation consultant, on an annual
basis to ensure plans do not create incentives that would put the company at excessive risk. Based on the
assessment described above, the Compensation Committee concluded that any risks associated with our
compensation policies and practices were not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the company.

Accounting for Share-Based Compensation

We follow FASB ASC Topic 718 for our share-based compensation awards. FASB ASC Topic 718 requires

companies to measure the compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards made to employees
and directors, including stock options and RSUs, based on the grant date “fair value” of these awards. This
calculation is performed for accounting purposes and reported in the compensation tables below, even though our
NEOs may never realize any value from their awards; FASB ASC Topic 718 also requires companies to
recognize the compensation cost of their share-based compensation awards in their income statements over the
period that an executive officer is required to render services in exchange for the option or other award.

Proxy Statement

42

7098_Fin.pdf   184

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Summary Compensation Table

The following table contains information concerning compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our
NEOs in the last three years (unless 2018 and 2017 are the only years for which an executive officer has been
deemed an NEO, in which case the table only includes such information for 2018 and 2017). Our NEOs include:
(i) William J. Merritt, our CEO; (ii) Richard J. Brezski, our CFO; (iii) Kai O. Öistämö and Jannie K. Lau, who
were our two other most highly compensated executive officers in 2018 serving as executive officers of the
company at December 31, 2018; and (iv) Scott A. McQuilkin and Lawrence F. Shay, who both ceased to be
executive officers of the company effective March 9, 2018. Additional information regarding the items reflected
in each column follows the table.

Name and Principal Position

Year

Salary
($)(1)

Bonus
($)(2)

Stock
Awards
($)(3)(4)

Option
Awards
($)(5)

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(6)

All Other
Compensation
($)(7)

William J. Merritt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2018 640,000
2017 620,000
2016 620,000

President and Chief Executive
Officer

— 1,666,750
—
—

—
500,076 500,000
387,806 385,000

660,000
620,000
1,240,000

Richard J. Brezski . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2018 396,550
2017 393,000
2016 375,038

Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer

Jannie K. Lau (8)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2018 379,600
2017 375,000

Chief Legal Officer, GC and
Corporate Secretary

—
—
—

—
—

—
250,050
175,048
—
176,270 175,000

250,050
175,048

—
—

252,801
158,000
435,654

298,935
284,000

42,621
38,486
78,925

20.132
20,039
30,197

11,688
19,947

Total
($)

3,009,287
2,278,562
2,711,731

919,483
746,087
1,192,159

940,223
853,995

Kai O. Öistämö (9) . . . . . . . . . . . . 2018 133,846 550,000 1,150,117(10) —

427,500

81,015

2,192,361

Chief Operating Officer

Scott A. McQuilkin . . . . . . . . . . . . 2018 119,712
2017 415,000
2016 415,000

Retired Senior EVP, Innovation

Lawrence F. Shay . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2018 126,274
2017 437,750
2016 437,750

Retired Senior EVP, Future
Wireless, and Chief IP Counsel

—
—
—

—
—
—

—
—
275,063
—
277,012 275,000

—
275,063
277,012 275,000

—
—

—
233,000
587,001

—
273,000
656,625

775,892
24,246
25,790

784,409
25,271
45,668

895,604
947,309
1,579,803

910,683
1,011,085
1,692,055

(1) Base salary increases, as applicable, for 2018 and 2017 did not become effective until July 1 and April 1,
respectively, of each year. Amounts reported reflect the value of base salary earned by each NEO during
such years.

(2)

In connection with his hiring as COO in October 2018, Mr. Öistämö received a sign-on bonus.

(3) Amounts reported reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic

718 for time-based RSU awards granted during the designated fiscal year. The assumptions used in valuing
these awards are incorporated by reference to Notes 2 and 13 to our audited financial statements included in
our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Under generally accepted
accounting principles, compensation expense with respect to stock awards granted to our employees and
directors is generally equal to the grant date fair value of the awards and is recognized over the vesting
periods applicable to the awards.

(4) Amounts reported also reflect the value at the grant date of performance-based RSUs granted in such years
based upon the probable outcome of the performance conditions for such awards, consistent with the
estimate of aggregate compensation cost to be recognized over the service period determined as of the grant
date under FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. The assumptions used in
valuing these awards are incorporated by reference to Notes 2 and 13 to our audited financial statements
included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

43

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   185

4/19/19   10:33 PM

On July 16, 2018, the company granted performance-based RSU awards to its NEOs, with the exception of
Mr. Öistämö, for the 2018 LTCP. Mr. Öistämö was awarded performance-based RSUs on November 15,
2018, for the 2018 LTCP. As of those dates of grant, consistent with the estimate determined as of the grant
date under FASB ASC Topic 718, the probable outcome of the performance conditions for these grants did
not meet the threshold for recording compensation cost, and, as a result, their grant date value was $0.
Accordingly, there is no value reported for the performance-based RSUs granted to the NEOs in 2018. The
following table sets forth the grant date fair value of the performance-based RSUs granted to the NEOs in
2018 assuming that the highest level of performance conditions will be achieved and the grants vest at their
maximum level of 200%:

NEO

Maximum Value
Performance-Based
RSU Awards
2018 LTCP
($)

William J. Merritt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Richard J. Brezski
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jannie K. Lau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kai O. Öistämö . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scott A. McQuilkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lawrence F. Shay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,333,500
1,500,133
1,500,133
2,000,129
—
—

(5) Amounts reported also reflect the value at the grant date of performance-based stock options granted in

2018 based upon the probable outcome of the performance conditions for such awards, consistent with the
estimate of aggregate compensation cost to be recognized over the service period determined as of the grant
date under FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. The assumptions used in
valuing these awards are incorporated by reference to Notes 2 and 13 to our audited financial statements
included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

On July 16, 2018, the company granted performance-based stock options to Mr. Merritt for the 2018 LTCP
and Mr. Öistämö was awarded performance-based stock options on November 15, 2018 for the 2018 LTCP.
Mr. Öistämö received an additional grant of performance-based stock options as a sign-on grant on
November 15, 2018. As of those dates of grant, consistent with the estimate determined as of the grant date
under FASB ASC Topic 718, the probable outcome of the performance conditions for these grants did not
meet the threshold for recording compensation cost, and, as a result, their grant date value was $0.
Accordingly, there is no value reported for the performance-based stock options granted to the CEO and
COO in 2018. The following table sets forth the grant date fair value of the performance-based stock options
granted to the CEO and COO in 2018 assuming that the highest level of performance conditions will be
achieved and the grants vest at their maximum level of 200%:

NEO

Maximum Value
2018 LTCP and Sign-On
Performance-Based
Stock Option Awards
($)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
William J. Merritt
Richard J. Brezski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jannie K. Lau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kai O. Öistämö . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scott A. McQuilkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lawrence F. Shay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,333,341
—
—
3,400,027
—
—

(6) Amounts reported include the value of payouts earned under the company’s 2018 STIP which were paid in

2019.

Proxy Statement

44

7098_Fin.pdf   186

4/19/19   10:33 PM

(7) The following table details each component of the “All Other Compensation” column in the Summary

Compensation Table for fiscal 2018:

401(k) Plan
Matching
Contributions
($)(a)

Supplemental
LTD
($)(b)

Deferred
Compensation
Plan Matching
Contributions
($)(c)

PTO
Payout
($)(d)

Payments
Pursuant to
Retirement
Agreement
($)(e)

Travel
Allowance
($)(f)

Director
Compensation
($)(g)

Total
($)

NEO

William J.
Merritt
Richard J.

. . . . . . .

8,250

5,006

29,365

Brezski . . . . . . .
Jannie K. Lau . . . .
Kai O. Öistämö . .
Scott A.

8,250
8,250
—

3,495
3,438
—

8,387
—
—

—

—
—
—

—

—

—

—
—
— 22,308

—

—

58,707

42,621

20,132
11,688
81,015

McQuilkin . . . .

8,250

5,391

— 49,480 716,814

Lawrence F.

Shay . . . . . . . . .

8,012

4,259

3,728

54,790 716,814

—

—

— 775,892

— 784,409

(a) Amounts represent company matching contributions to all employees, including the NEOs, on 50% of

the first 6% of the employee’s eligible salary and annual bonus contributed to the 401(k) Plan, up to the
maximum amount permitted by the Internal Revenue Service.

(b) Amounts represent premium amounts paid by the company for supplemental executive long-term

disability insurance for the benefit of such NEO.

(c) Amounts represent company matching contributions made pursuant to the company’s nonqualified

deferred compensation plan for NEO contributions. For more information, see “Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation.”

(d) Amounts represent paid time off accrued but not taken, which, pursuant to company policy, is paid to

employees upon employment termination.

(e) Amounts represent transition services payments and supplemental retirement payment pursuant to the
Retirement Agreements effective April 2, 2018. For more information, see “Potential Payments upon
Termination or Change in Control.”

(f) Amount represents a taxable stipend to compensate Mr. Öistämö for expenses related to his travel

between his home and the company’s office in Wilmington, Delaware.

(g) Amount represents cash compensation Mr. Öistämö received in 2018 as a member of the Board of

Directors of InterDigital prior to his resignation from the Board on October 8, 2018.

(8) Ms. Lau was not among the company’s NEOs for 2016.

(9) Mr. Öistämö was not among the company’s NEOs for 2016 or 2017.

(10) Includes $150,052 or 1,903 restricted stock units that Mr. Öistämö forfeited upon his resignation from the

Board on October 8, 2018.

45

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   187

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2018

The following table summarizes the grants of (i) cash awards under the STIP (STIP), (ii) options (OPT),
time-based RSU awards (TRSU) and performance-based RSU awards (PSU) under the 2018 cycle of the LTCP,
and (iii) the new hire OPT award for Mr. Öistämö each made to the NEOs during the year ended December 31,
2018. Each of these types of awards is discussed in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above.

Name

Type of
Award

Grant
Date

Threshold
($)

Target
($)

Maximum
($)

Threshold
(#)

Target
(#)

Maximum
(#)

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(1)

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(2)

0

640,000 1,280,000

0

0

0

297,413

594,825

284,700

569,400

450,000

900,000

9,998

19,997

39,994

4,499

8,999

17,998

4,499

8,999

17,998

6,541

13,083

26,166

William J. Merritt . . . . . STIP
OPT
7/16/2018
TRSU 7/16/2018
7/16/2018
PSU

Richard J. Brezski

. . . . STIP

TRSU 7/16/2018
7/16/2018
PSU

Jannie K. Lau . . . . . . . . STIP

TRSU 7/16/2018
7/16/2018
PSU

Kai O. Öistämö . . . . . . . STIP
OPT
11/15/2018
TRSU 11/15/2018
PSU 11/15/2018

Scott A. McQuilkin . . . STIP

TRSU
PSU

Lawrence F. Shay . . . . . STIP
TRSU
PSU

All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)

19,997

3,000

3,000

13,083

All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)(3)

Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)

63,735

83.35

72,065

76.44

Grant
Date
Fair
Value of
Stock
and
Option
Awards
($)(4)

0
1,666,750
0

250,050
0

250,050
0

0
1,000,065
0

(1) Amounts reported represent the potential threshold, target and maximum STIP payouts depending on the

level of performance achieved under the STIP for fiscal 2018. Such amounts ranged from 0 to 200% of the
target payout, representing the maximum payout possible under the STIP. For all NEOs, the actual amount
earned for fiscal 2018, which is reported in the Summary Compensation Table above, was based on the
company’s achievement of the 2018 strategic corporate goals established by the Compensation Committee
in March 2018 and departmental and individual performance of the NEO during 2018.

(2) Amounts reported represent the potential threshold, target and maximum number of performance-based

RSUs the NEO could earn pursuant to his or her performance-based RSU award for the 2018 LTCP. 100%
achievement of the performance goal or goals associated with the award results in a 100% payout of the
associated target amounts. Goal achievement for performance that falls between the amounts established for
threshold, target and maximum achievement is calculated using straightline interpolation between the target
achievement level and the actual achievement level, with a threshold payout of 50% of target and a
maximum payout of 200% of target.

(3) Amounts reported represent the target number of performance-based stock options the NEO could earn
pursuant to his performance-based stock option award for the 2018 LTCP (and new-hire award for
Mr. Öistämö). 100% achievement of the performance goal or goals associated with the award results in a
100% vesting of the associated target number of options. Goal achievement for performance that falls
between the amounts established for threshold, target and maximum achievement is calculated using
straightline interpolation between the target achievement level and the actual achievement level, with a
threshold vesting of 50% of target and a maximum vesting of 200% of target. For Mr. Merritt the threshold

Proxy Statement

46

7098_Fin.pdf   188

4/19/19   10:33 PM

and maximum number of performance-based stock options he could earn pursuant to his performance-based
stock option award for the 2018 LTCP would be 31,867 and 127,470 options, respectively. For
Mr. Öistämö, the threshold and maximum number of performance-based stock options he could earn
pursuant to his performance-based stock option award for the 2018 LTCP would be 36,032 and 144,130
options, respectively.

(4) Grant date fair value of RSU awards is determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The TRSU

awards granted in 2018 are scheduled to vest in full on March 15, 2021. Amounts reported for performance-
based RSUs are based upon the probable outcome of the performance conditions, consistent with the
estimate of aggregate compensation cost to be recognized over the service period determined as of the grant
date under FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. As of the date of grant, the
probable outcome of the performance conditions for the 2018 LTCP did not meet the threshold for recording
compensation cost, and, as a result, the grant date value of the performance-based RSU awards was $0.
Accordingly, there is no value reported for the performance-based RSUs granted in 2018. Amounts reported
also reflect the value at the grant date of performance-based stock options granted in 2018 based upon the
probable outcome of the performance conditions for such awards, consistent with the estimate of aggregate
compensation cost to be recognized over the service period determined as of the grant date under FASB
ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. As of those dates of grant, consistent with the
estimate determined as of the grant date under FASB ASC Topic 718, the probable outcome of the
performance conditions for these grants did not meet the threshold for recording compensation cost, and, as
a result, their grant date value was $0. Accordingly, there is no value reported for the performance-based
stock options granted to the CEO and COO in 2018. The following table sets forth the grant date fair value
of the performance-based stock options granted to the CEO and COO in 2018 assuming that the highest
level of performance conditions will be achieved and the grants vest at their maximum level of 200%.

NEO

Maximum Value
2018 LTCP and Sign-On
Performance-Based
Stock Option Awards
($)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
William J. Merritt
Richard J. Brezski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jannie K. Lau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kai O. Öistämö . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scott A. McQuilkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lawrence F. Shay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,333,340
—
—
3,400,027
—
—

The weighted-average assumptions underlying the above valuation of the stock options for Mr. Merritt
under the Black-Scholes option pricing model are as follows: expected life of 7.8 years; volatility of
30.24%; a risk-free interest rate of 2.83%; and a dividend yield of 1.68%. For fiscal 2018, the weighted-
average assumptions underlying the above valuation of the stock options for Mr. Öistämö under the Black-
Scholes option pricing model are as follows: expected life of 7.7 years, volatility of 30.09%, a risk-free
interest rate of 3.06%, and a dividend yield of 1.83%.

47

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   189

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2018 Fiscal Year End

The following table sets forth information concerning outstanding option and stock awards of the NEOs as

of December 31, 2018.

Option Awards

Stock Awards

Name

William J. Merritt

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
(1)

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
(1)

Grant
Date

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)

Option
Exercise
Price
($)

Option
Expiration
Date

. . . . . . 1/18/13
3/15/14
3/15/15
3/30/16
3/30/16
3/30/16(6)
3/30/17
3/30/17
3/30/17(7)
7/16/18(8)
7/16/18
7/16/18(9)

22,085
37,658
24,291
9,180

—
—
—
18,360

—
—
—
—

44.19
30.69
52.85
54.93

1/18/20
3/15/21
3/15/22
3/30/23

8,375

16,751

—

85.85

3/30/24

—

—

127,470

83.35

7/16/28

7,362
16,737
10,796
8,345

—
—
—
4,173

—
—
—
—

44.19
30.69
52.85
54.93

1/18/20
3/15/21
3/15/22
3/30/23

6,376
6,170
8,345

—
—
4,173

—
—
—

30.69
52.85
54.93

3/15/21
3/15/22
3/30/23

Richard J. Brezski . . . . . . 1/18/13
3/15/14
3/15/15
3/30/16
3/30/16
3/30/16(6)
3/30/17
3/30/17(7)
7/16/18
7/16/18(9)

Jannie K. Lau . . . . . . . . . . 3/15/14
3/15/15
3/30/16
3/30/16
3/30/16(6)
3/30/17
3/30/17(7)
7/16/18
7/16/18(9)

84,782

76.44

11/15/28

Kai O. Öistämö . . . . . . . . 11/15/18(8)

—

11/15/18
11/15/18(9)

Scott A. McQuilki(10) . . .

Lawrence F. Shay(10) . . .

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)(4)

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
or Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have Not
Vested
($)(5)

Number
of
Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)(2)

Market
Value
of
Shares
or
Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
($)(3)

7,377

490,074

6,003

398,805

22,129 1,470,084

18,008 1,196,280

20,097 1,335,064

20,097 1,335,064

3,353

222,754

2,101

139,599

3,015

200,289

6,706

445,509

6,303

418,729

9,044

600,802

3,353

222,754

2,101

139,599

3,015

200,289

6,706

445,509

6,303

418,729

9,044

600,802

13,083

869,103

13,083

869,103

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1) Amounts reported represent awards of options under the LTCP. All options vest annually, in three equal

installments, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

Proxy Statement

48

7098_Fin.pdf   190

4/19/19   10:33 PM

(2) All awards made on March 30, 2016 are time-based RSUs granted pursuant to the 2016-2018 cycle and are
scheduled to vest in full on March 15, 2019. All awards made on March 30, 2017 are time-based RSUs
granted are part of the 2017 LTCP and are scheduled to vest in full on March 15, 2020. All awards made on
July 16, 2018 are time-based RSUs granted are part of the 2017 LTCP and are scheduled to vest in full on
March 15, 2020.

(3) Values reported were determined by multiplying the number of unvested time-based RSUs by $66.43, the

closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2018, the last trading day in 2018 (plus cash in lieu of a
fractional share).

(4) Amounts reported were based on target performance measures and represent awards of performance-based

RSUs made under the LTCP.

(5) Values reported were based on target performance measures and determined by multiplying the number of
unvested performance-based RSUs by $66.43, the closing price of our common stock on December 31,
2018, the last trading day in 2018 (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share).

(6) Performance-based RSU award granted for the performance cycle that began on January 1, 2016, and runs
through December 31, 2018 (the “2016-2018 cycle”), which is scheduled to vest on March 15, 2019,
provided that the Compensation Committee has determined that the threshold level of performance has been
achieved with respect to the goals associated with the cycle.

(7) Performance-based RSU award granted for the 2017 LTCP. The performance-based RSUs granted for the
2017 LTCP will vest on March 15, 2020, subject to the achievement of pre-approved goals established by
the Compensation Committee measured as of December 31, 2019, and the remaining unvested portion of
such performance-based RSU awards, if any, shall remain eligible to vest on March 15, 2022, subject to the
achievement of the same performance goals measured as of December 31, 2021.

(8) Performance-based stock option award granted for the 2018 LTCP and Mr. Öistämö’s new hire grant. The

performance-based stock options granted in 2018 will vest on March 15, 2021, subject to the achievement of
pre-approved goals established by the Compensation Committee measured as of December 31, 2020; the
remaining unvested portion of such performance-based stock option awards, if any, shall remain eligible to
vest on March 15, 2023, subject to the achievement of the same performance goals measured as of
December 31, 2022. There is a two-year holding period following vesting of the performance-based stock
options.

(9) Performance-based RSU award granted for the 2018 LTCP. The performance-based RSUs granted for the
2018 LTCP will vest on March 15, 2021, subject to the achievement of pre-approved goals established by
the Compensation Committee measured as of December 31, 2020, and the remaining unvested portion of
such performance-based RSU awards, if any, shall remain eligible to vest on March 15, 2023, subject to the
achievement of the same performance goals measured as of December 31, 2022.

(10) As of April 1, 2018, all of Messrs. McQuilkin’s and Shay’s outstanding, unvested, equity awards were

forfeited.

49

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   191

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2018

The following table sets forth information, on an aggregated basis, concerning stock options exercised and

stock awards vested during 2018 for the NEOs.

Name

William J. Merritt . . . . . . .
Richard J. Brezski . . . . . . .
Jannie K. Lau . . . . . . . . . .
Kai O. Öistämö . . . . . . . . .
Scott A. McQuilkin . . . . .
Lawrence F. Shay . . . . . . .

Option Awards

Stock Awards

Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)

Value Realized on
Exercise
($)(1)

Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)(2)

Value Realized on
Vesting
($)(3)

—
—
4,850
—
63,489(4)
67,170(4)

—
—
237,953
—

2,337,126
2,562,281

38,996
17,333
9,905
1,853
24,760
24,760

2,924,700
1,299,975
742,875
158,061
1,857,000
1,857,000

(1) Amount reported represents the total pre-tax value realized (number of shares exercised times the difference

between the closing price of our common stock on the exercise date and the exercise price).

(2)

Includes dividend equivalents accrued and paid out in additional shares of common stock upon the vesting
of the underlying awards.

(3) Amounts reported represent the total pre-tax value realized upon the vesting of RSUs (number of shares
vested times the closing price of our common stock on the vesting date) plus cash in lieu of a fractional
share.

(4) Following their retirement, Messrs. McQuilkin and Shay each had 6 months to exercise any vested stock

option awards before such options expired.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

In 2013, the company introduced a nonqualified deferred compensation plan to complement the 401(k) Plan.

The IRS imposes limits on the amounts that an employee may contribute annually to a 401(k) Plan account. The
deferred compensation plan provides the company’s directors and designated select group of highly compensated
employees, including the NEOs, with an opportunity to set aside additional compensation for their retirement.
Pursuant to the terms of the deferred compensation plan, each eligible employee, including each NEO, may elect
to defer base salary and STIP payouts, and non-employee members of the Board of Directors may elect to defer
Board fees, in each case on a pre-tax basis and up to a maximum amount selected annually by the Compensation
Committee.

An employee participant or director may allocate deferrals to one or more deemed investments under the
deferred compensation plan. The amount of earnings (or losses) that accrue to a participant’s account attributable
to deferrals depends on the performance of investment alternatives selected by the participant. The deemed
investment options are currently similar to those available under the 401(k) Plan. However, a participant’s
election of investment alternatives as measuring devices for determining the value of a participant’s account does
not represent actual ownership of, or any ownership rights in or to, the investments to which the investment
alternatives refer, nor is the company in any way bound or directed to make actual investments corresponding to
such deemed investments.

The company will not make any matching or discretionary contributions to the accounts of directors.
However, the company may, but is not required to, make matching or discretionary contributions in cash to the
accounts of employee participants. Any such company contributions are subject to a vesting schedule as
determined by the Compensation Committee. The specific terms for each plan year, including eligible
compensation, minimum and maximum deferral amounts (by percentage of compensation) and matching terms,
are determined on an annual basis by the Compensation Committee.

Proxy Statement

50

7098_Fin.pdf   192

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Employee participant and director account payment obligations are payable in cash on a date or dates

selected by the employee participant or director or upon certain specified events such as termination of
employment, death or disability, subject to change in certain specified circumstances. An employee participant or
director may elect to defer to a single lump-sum payment of his or her account, or may elect payments over time.

For the 2018 plan year, eligible employees could elect to defer 6%, 10%, 20%, 30% or 40% of their base
salary and 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of their STIP. Matching contributions are determined on a combined plan
basis taking into account deferred amounts under both the 401(k) Plan and the deferred compensation plan.
Deferral elections had to be made by December 31, 2017. For 2018, a participant’s combined match for the
401(k) and deferred compensation plan was 50% of the combined deferrals up to 6% of the participant’s eligible
deferrals. Matching contributions are deemed to be notionally invested in the InterDigital Stock Fund and are not
eligible for transfer to other investment options. Matching contributions vest ratably based on years of service of
the participant over three years in one-third increments, with the first vesting occurring after one year of service.
Each NEO participating in the plan had at least three years of service with the company prior to the adoption of
this plan; therefore, all will be immediately and fully vested in any matching contributions. Matching
contributions are made once annually after the end of the year.

The following table sets forth the relevant NEO information regarding the deferred compensation plan for

2018.

Name

Executive
Contributions
in Last FY
($)(1)

Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY
($)(2)

William J. Merritt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Richard J. Brezski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jannie K. Lau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kai O. Öistämö . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scott A. McQuilkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lawrence F. Shay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

159,769
39,655
—
—
—
769,799

29,365
8,387
—
—
—
3,728

Aggregate
Earnings
(Losses) in
Last FY
($)(3)

(101,310)
(19,873)
(7,649)

(13,382)
(162,504)

Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)

Aggregate Balance
at Last FYE
($)(4)

—
—
—
—
—
—

1,979,845
225,477
87,629
—
221,766
2,777,843

(1) Contributions include deferred 2018 salary amounts and deferred 2017 STIP amounts (corresponding to the
portion of the 2017 STIP amount paid in 2018). The payouts of the 2018 STIP were not made until 2019; as
a result, any deferrals of the 2018 STIP are not reflected in this column. For Messrs. Merritt, Brezski and
Shay $159,769, $39,655 and $136,250, respectively, were included in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal 2018. Additionally, $50,760 and
$582,789 were included in the “Salary” and “All Other Compensation” columns, respectively, of the
Summary Compensation Table for Mr. Shay.

(2) For the 2018 plan year, the company matched deferrals up to 50% of the first 6% of the participant’s base
salary and annual bonus, determined on a combined plan basis taking into account amounts deferred under
both the 401(k) Plan and the deferred compensation plan during the 2018 calendar year. The amounts
disclosed in this column reflect matching contributions (made by the company in 2019) for 2018 NEO
deferral contributions and are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary
Compensation Table for fiscal 2018. Because the 2018 STIP payments were made in 2019, the 2018 STIP
deferrals are considered 2019 contributions and will be matched after year-end 2019.

(3) The company does not pay guaranteed, above-market or preferential earnings on deferred compensation;

therefore, the amounts in this column are not included in the Summary Compensation Table. Balances
include earnings or losses credited to the NEO’s account from notional investment alternatives elected by
the NEO from alternatives that are similar to those available to participants in the 401(k) Plan.

51

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   193

4/19/19   10:33 PM

(4) Aggregate balance consists of employee contributions made in 2013 through 2018, company matching

contributions for 2013 through 2018 and notional investment earnings through 2018.

Set forth below are the amounts reported in the aggregate balance that were previously reported in the
“Salary,” “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” and “All Other Compensation” columns of the
Summary Compensation Table for fiscal years 2013 through 2017, in the aggregate:

Name

William J. Merritt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Richard J. Brezski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jannie K. Lau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kai O. Öistämö . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scott A. McQuilkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lawrence F. Shay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)

All Other
Compensation
($)

1,045,977
19,500
—
—
67,750
1,054,072

162,291
44,868
8,409
—
44,813
80,584

Salary
($)

401,347
111,035
22,506
—
74,423
761,501

Ms. Lau was not an NEO for any of the fiscal years 2013 through 2016; as a result, no amounts were
previously reported for her in the Summary Compensation Table for such years. The deferred compensation
plan was implemented in 2013; therefore, there are no amounts included that were reported as compensation
to any NEO prior to 2013.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

InterDigital, Inc. Executive Severance and Change in Control Policy

As discussed above in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” each NEO is eligible for benefits pursuant
to the Executive Severance Policy, which provides for severance pay and benefits, among other things, in certain
events of termination of employment, as described below.

Messrs. McQuilkin and Shay retired from employment with the company on April 1, 2018, therefore, no

payments would have been made to them upon termination or change in control at December 31, 2018. The
actual payments each received upon retirement are disclosed below under “Payments upon Retirement for
Messrs. McQuilkin and Shay”.

Time-Based RSU, Performance-Based RSU, Options, Performance-Based Stock Options and STIP Awards

If an NEO’s employment terminates due to disability or death or the NEO is terminated by the company

without cause (as described below), the NEO would be entitled to pro-rata vesting of all time-based RSUs. For
time-based RSU awards, the pro-rata portion of each grant is determined by multiplying the total number of
RSUs by a fraction equal to the number of days during the period beginning on the grant date and ending on the
original vesting date (“Restricted Period”) for which the NEO was employed by the total number of days during
the Restricted Period.

If an NEO’s employment terminates for any reason prior to the second anniversary of the grant date of an

award of performance-based RSUs granted under the 2009 Plan or prior to the last year of a Performance Period
for performance-based RSUs or options granted under the 2017 Plan, the NEO would forfeit eligibility to receive
any payout of such performance-based RSUs or performance-based options. If an NEO’s employment is
terminated by the company without cause (as defined in the related award agreement) or by reason of the named
executive officer’s death or disability, in each case, after the second anniversary of the grant date for
performance-based RSUs granted under the 2009 Plan or during the last year of a Performance Period for
performance-based RSUs or options granted under the 2017 Plan, the performance-based RSUs or options will
vest as to a prorated portion (based on the number of payroll periods or days the NEO was employed during the

Proxy Statement

52

7098_Fin.pdf   194

4/19/19   10:33 PM

applicable performance period) of the number of RSUs or options that would have otherwise become vested
according to actual performance during the performance period. In the event of a termination without cause, the
prorated vesting is conditioned upon the NEO’s execution of a release of claims in favor of the company within
60 days following termination of employment for all awards granted under the 2017 Plan.

If an NEO’s employment terminates without cause or by reason of an NEO’s death or disability, the NEO

would be entitled to pro-rata vesting of stock options granted as part of the LTCP. Such prorated portion is
determined by multiplying the total number of shares subject to the then-unvested portion of the option by the
fraction equal to the number of days during the period beginning on the later of the grant date or the most recent
vesting date and ending on the third anniversary of the grant date (“Restricted Period”) for which the NEO was
employed divided by the total number of days during the Restricted Period and subject to the NEO’s execution of
a release of claims in favor of the company within 60 days following termination of employment.

Pursuant to the terms of the Executive Severance Policy, in the event of a termination without “cause” or

resignation for “good reason,” in each case, on or within one year following a “change in control” of the
company, each NEO would be entitled to receive an amount equal to 100% of their respective target payouts
under the STIP.

Pursuant to the terms of the equity awards and STIP, the NEO forfeits any such awards if employment

terminates for cause or the NEO resigns.

Any rights that the NEOs would have under these awards in connection with other termination scenarios are

discussed below in connection with the relevant scenario.

Deferred Compensation

If an NEO’s employment terminates with the company for any reason, the NEO would receive a distribution

of deferred amounts under the deferred compensation plan, including the vested portion of any company
matching or discretionary contributions, in accordance with the NEO’s applicable distribution elections. In the
event of a termination due to death, the NEO would receive the balance of deferred compensation account in a
lump sum as soon as administratively practicable. In the event the NEO is involuntarily terminated by the
company, the NEO would receive the balance of the deferred compensation account in a lump sum within
90 days of the date of termination. In the event of a change in control, as defined by the deferred compensation
plan, the NEO would receive a distribution of the account balance in a lump sum as soon as administratively
practicable, but in no event later than 30 days from the effective date of the change in control.

Termination Scenarios

The following is a discussion of the various termination scenarios that would require us to make payments
to the NEOs. Unless different treatment is indicated below, please see “Time-Based RSU, Performance-Based
RSU, Option and Performance-Based Option and STIP Awards” above for a description of the treatment of the
outstanding equity and STIP awards upon termination under each of the following termination scenarios.

Termination Due to Retirement

The retirement of an NEO would trigger the distribution of such NEO’s deferred amounts under the deferred

compensation plan, if applicable, in accordance with his or her applicable distribution elections.

53

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   195

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Termination Due to Death

In the event of the termination of an NEO’s employment due to death, the company would pay to the NEO’s

executors, legal representatives or administrators an amount equal to the accrued but unpaid portion of the
NEO’s base salary. The NEO’s executors, legal representatives or administrators would be entitled to receive the
payment prescribed under any death or disability benefits plan in which the NEO was a participant as our
employee, and to exercise any rights afforded under any compensation or benefit plan then in effect.

Termination for Cause

The company may terminate the employment of any NEO at any time for “cause” which is generally
defined in the Executive Severance Policy to include: (a) acts or omissions constituting gross negligence,
recklessness or willful misconduct on the part of the NEO with respect to the NEO’s obligations or otherwise
relating to the business of the company; (b) the NEO’s material breach of the Executive Severance Policy or the
company’s nondisclosure and assignment of ideas agreement; (c) the NEO’s conviction or entry of a plea of nolo
contendere for fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement, any felony, or any crime of moral turpitude; or (d) the
NEO’s willful neglect of duties as determined in the sole and exclusive discretion of the company (or the case of
Mr. Merritt, the Board). In the event of such a termination, the NEO would be entitled to receive any earned but
unpaid base salary and any accrued but unused paid time off, in each case as of the date of the termination
(together, the “Standard Entitlements”).

Termination Without Cause

Pursuant to the terms of the Executive Severance Policy, in the event of a termination without cause, the
NEO would be entitled to receive the Standard Entitlements. In addition, provided the NEO executes a separation
agreement in a form acceptable to the company (which may include, among other things, a broad release of all
claims against the company, a non-disparagement, a non-solicitation and other standard restrictive covenant
provisions) (a “Separation Agreement”), the NEO would be entitled to receive: (i) severance in an amount equal
to one and a half times base salary then in effect (in the case of Messrs. Merritt and Öistämö, two and a half
times base salary then in effect) paid over a period of eighteen months (thirty months in the case of Messrs.
Merritt and Öistämö); (ii) health coverage on terms and conditions comparable to those most recently provided
for the period of one year (18 months in the case of Messrs. Merritt and Öistämö) commencing upon the date of
termination; and (iii) outplacement services in an amount not to exceed $10,000, paid by the company directly to
the entity providing such services.

Termination by the NEO

Termination Following a Change in Control

Pursuant to the terms of the Executive Severance Policy, if the company terminates an NEO other than for
cause or such NEO terminates employment with us for “good reason”, in each case within one year following a
change in control of the company, he or she would be entitled to receive the Standard Entitlements. In addition,
provided that he or she executes a Separation Agreement, the NEO would be, entitled to (i) severance in an amount
equal to two times base salary then in effect (in the case of Messrs. Merritt, and Öistämö, three times base salary
then in effect) and (ii) one times the target bonus under the STIP then in effect; and (iii) an amount equal to the cost
of continued health coverage on terms and conditions comparable to those most recently provided for the period of
twenty-four months, in each case, paid in a lump sum 60 days after date of termination. Termination for “good
reason” means the NEO’s resignation of employment with the company follows the occurrence of one or more of
the following, in each case without the NEO’s consent: (i) a material diminution in the NEO’s base salary or in the
NEO’s target bonus opportunity under the STIP as in effect for the year in which the termination occurs; (ii) a
material diminution in the NEO’s title, authority, duties or responsibilities; (iii) a material failure to comply with
payment of the NEO’s compensation; (iv) relocation of the NEO’s primary office more than 50 miles from the
NEO’s current office; or (v) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the company of the
Executive Severance Policy or the company’s nondisclosure and assignment of ideas agreement.

Proxy Statement

54

7098_Fin.pdf   196

4/19/19   10:33 PM

If the company terminates an NEO other than for cause or such NEO terminates his or her employment with

us for good reason, in each case within one year following a change in control of the company, (i) the NEO
would be entitled to the early vesting of all outstanding performance-based RSU and performance-based stock
option awards at target and (ii) all outstanding stock option and time-based RSU awards would become fully
vested. Those equity awards granted under the 2017 Plan would be subject to the NEO’s execution of a
Separation Agreement. Any transfer restriction otherwise applicable to shares subject to performance-based stock
options will lapse upon a change in control.

For this purpose, under the Executive Severance Policy, “change in control” has the same defined meaning

as set forth in the company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.

Change in Control without Termination

In the event of a change in control without termination, outstanding performance-based RSU awards granted

under the 2009 Plan will be treated as provided in the individual award agreement. A change in control without
termination does not result in any acceleration of performance-based RSUs under the 2017 Plan.

Post-Termination Obligations

Each of the NEOs is bound by certain confidentiality obligations, which extend indefinitely. In addition,

each of the NEOs is bound by certain covenants protecting our right, title and interest in and to certain
intellectual property that either has been or is being developed or created in whole or in part by the NEO.

Taxes

In the event that the payments made to an NEO upon termination constitute “parachute payments” pursuant

to Section 280G of the Code, the Executive Severance Policy provides that either (i) the payments will be
reduced to such lesser amount that would result in no amount being subject to excise tax or (ii) the payments will
be made in full, whichever produces the larger after-tax net benefit to the NEO. The Executive Severance Policy
does not provide for an excise tax “gross-up.”

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

The following tables reflect the potential payments and benefits that would be provided to each NEO upon:
(i) termination due to disability, (ii) retirement, (iii) death, (iv) termination without cause, (v) termination by the
NEO for good reason, (vi) termination upon a change in control of the company (by the company without cause
or by the NEO for good reason) within one year of a change in control and (vii) change in control of the company
without a termination. The amounts shown assume that the termination (or the change in control in the case of
(vii)) was effective as of December 31, 2018, and the price per share used to calculate the value of the company’s
stock awards was $66.43, the per share closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2018, the last
business day of 2018. The amounts reflected are estimates of the amounts that would have been paid to the NEOs
upon their termination pursuant to existing terms in place at December 31, 2018. In addition, note that the tables
below do not take into account the cutback provision described above under “Termination Scenarios — Taxes;”
as a result, the actual amounts paid could be lower than what is presented. The actual amounts to be paid can be
determined only at the time the events described above actually occur.

55

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   197

4/19/19   10:33 PM

William J. Merritt

Assuming the following events occurred on December 31, 2018, Mr. Merritt’s payments and benefits would

have an estimated value of:

Long-Term
Compensation
Awards
($)

Deferred
Compensation
($)(5)

Severance
($)

—
—
—

2,276,220(3)
—
2,276,220(3)
1,650,000(1) 2,373,671(3)

1,979,875
1,979,875
1,979,875
1,979,875

Payments
under
Executive
Life
Insurance
Program
($)(6)

—
—
750,000
—

Payments
under
Executive
Long-Term
Disability
Program
($)(7)

20,000
—
—
—

Welfare
Benefits
($)

Out-
placement
Services
($)(10)

—
—
—

—
—
—

19,998(8) 10,000

Disability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Without Cause . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Voluntary Resignation for

Good Reason . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

1,979,875

—

—

—

—

Change in Control

(Termination by Us Without
Cause or by Mr. Merritt for
Good Reason, within
1 year) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Change in Control (Without

2,640,000(2) 6,330,945(4)

1,979,875

Termination) . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

1,979,875

—

—

—

—

26,665(9) 10,000

—

—

(1) This amount represents severance equal to two and a half times Mr. Merritt’s base salary of $660,000,

which he is entitled to receive once his Separation Agreement becomes effective and is payable in equal
installments over a period of 30 months after the date of his termination.

(2) This amount represents severance equal to three times the sum of Mr. Merritt’s base salary of $660,000 and
target 2018 STIP payout of $660,000. He is entitled to this amount at the date of his termination if his
termination (by us without cause or by him for good reason) occurred within one year following a change in
control, in a lump sum after his Separation Agreement becomes effective.

(3) This amount represents the value, at December 31, 2018, of Mr. Merritt’s time-based and performance-

based RSUs granted for the 2016-2018 cycle, time-based RSUs granted for the 2017 and 2018 LTCPs that
would vest upon termination due to disability, death or termination by the company without cause. Pursuant
to the terms of the awards, Mr. Merritt would forfeit eligibility to receive any payout of performance-based
RSUs granted for the 2017 and 2018 LTCP since a termination on December 31, 2018 would not be in the
final year of the applicable performance periods. For time-based RSU awards, the amounts were prorated
based on the portion of the vesting period that would have transpired prior to cessation of employment. For
the performance-based RSU award granted for the 2016-2017 cycle (the performance period for which
ended December 31, 2018), the amount reflects the actual payout of 100% of target (based on actual
performance over the performance period) prorated based on the portion of the vesting period that would
have transpired prior to cessation of employment. All RSU amounts include accrued dividend equivalents,
which are paid out in the form of additional shares of common stock at the time, and only to the extent, that
the awards vest. The value shown is comprised of: (a) $452,376, representing the value of 6,809 time-based
RSUs granted for the 2016-2018 cycle (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); (b) $1,357,001, representing
the value of 20,427 performance-based RSUs granted for the 2016-2018 cycle (plus cash in lieu of a
fractional share); (c) $235,193, representing the value of 3,540 time-based RSUs granted for the 2017 cycle
(plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); and (d) $231,648, representing the value of 3,487 time-based RSUs
granted for the 2018 LTCP (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share). In addition, in the event of a termination
by the company without cause, Mr. Merritt would also be entitled to pro rata vesting of his options granted
for the 2016-2018 cycle and the 2017 cycle, resulting in the accelerated vesting of 8,474 and 9,879 options,
with a value of $97,451 and $0, respectively. The value of the accelerated options is the aggregate spread

Proxy Statement

56

7098_Fin.pdf   198

4/19/19   10:33 PM

between the closing stock price of $66.43 on December 31, 2018 and the exercise price of the options. As
the exercise price for the options granted to Mr. Merritt for the 2017 LTCP is greater than $66.43, the value
reflected in the table above for these options is zero.

(4) This amount represents the value, at December 31, 2018, of Mr. Merritt’s time-based RSUs, performance-
based RSUs and option awards granted for the 2016-2018, 2017 and 2018 LTCP cycles that would vest
upon termination (by us without cause or by him for good reason) within one year following a change in
control. All performance-based RSU awards would be paid out at target. All RSU amounts include accrued
dividend equivalents, which are paid out in the form of additional shares of common stock at the time, and
only to the extent, that the awards vest. The value shown is comprised of: (a) $490,074, representing the
value of 7,377 time-based RSUs granted for the 2016-2018 cycle (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); (b)
$1,470,084, representing the value of 22,129 performance-based RSUs granted for the 2016-2018 cycle
(plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); (c) $398,805, representing the value of 6,003 time-based RSUs
granted for the 2017 cycle (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); (d) $1,196,280, representing the value of
18,008 performance-based RSUs granted for the 2017 cycle (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); (e)
$1,335,064, representing the value of 20,097 time-based RSUs granted for the 2018 LTCP (plus cash in lieu
of a fractional share); (f) $1,335,064, representing the value of 20,097 performance-based RSUs granted for
the 2018 LTCP (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); and (g) $105,570, representing the value of 9,180
options granted for the 2016-2018 cycle. The value of the accelerated options is the aggregate spread
between the closing stock price of $66.43 on December 31, 2018 and the exercise price of the options.
Mr. Merritt also would be entitled to the accelerated vesting of 16,751 options granted for the 2017 LTCP
and 127,470 performance-based options granted for the 2018 LTCP, but, as the exercise price for these
options is greater than $66.43, the value reflected in the table above for these options is zero.

(5) This amount represents the balance, at December 31, 2018, of Mr. Merritt’s deferred compensation plan

account (including matching contributions), which is payable (a) upon retirement, disability or his voluntary
termination of employment with the company for any reason, a portion of which would be paid out in a
lump sum within 90 days of the date of termination and a portion of which would be paid out in annual
installments over five years, as applicable pursuant to Mr. Merritt’s deferral elections, (b) upon death, in a
lump sum as soon as administratively practicable following his death, (c) upon an involuntary termination
by the company, in a lump sum within 90 days of the date of termination and (d) upon a change in control,
in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event later than 30 days from the effective
date of the change in control.

(6) This amount represents the payment prescribed under our basic term life insurance program, calculated as

follows: 1.5 times base salary, up to a maximum of $750,000.

(7) This amount represents the monthly benefit that would become payable to Mr. Merritt under our executive
long-term disability plan in the event of his termination due to disability on December 31, 2018, calculated
as follows: 60% of his monthly earnings (i.e., pre-tax base salary and annual bonus), up to $10,000, and a
supplemental monthly payment of up to $10,000. Monthly benefits would be payable until the earlier of
(a) the date he ceases to be totally disabled or (b) his 65th birthday.

(8) This amount represents the value of health coverage pursuant to COBRA for a period of 18 months after
termination on terms and conditions comparable to those most recently provided to Mr. Merritt as of
December 31, 2018 pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy.

(9) This amount represents the value of health coverage pursuant to COBRA for a period of 24 months after
termination on terms and conditions comparable to those most recently provided to Mr. Merritt as of
December 31, 2018 pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy.

(10) This amount represents the maximum amount payable by the company for outplacement services in the

event of termination by the company without cause or termination by the NEO for good reason.

57

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   199

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Richard J. Brezski

Assuming the following events occurred on December 31, 2018, Mr. Brezski’s payments and benefits would

have an estimated value of:

Long-Term
Compensation
Awards
($)

Deferred
Compensation
($)(5)

Severance
($)

—
—
—
594,825(1)

733,940(3)
—
733,940(3)
778,238(3)

225,477
225,477
225,477
225,477

—

—

225,477

1,090,513(2)

— (4)

225,477

Disability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Without Cause . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Voluntary Resignation for Good
Reason . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change in Control (Termination
by Us Without Cause or by
Mr. Brezski for Good
Reason, within 1 year)
Change in Control (Without

. . . . .

Termination) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

225,477

Payments
under
Executive
Life
Insurance
Program
($)(6)

—
—
594,825

—

—

—

—

Payments
under
Executive
Long-Term
Disability
Program
($)(7)

20,000
—
—
—

Welfare
Benefits
($)

Out-
placement
Services
($)(10)

—
—
—

—
—
—
33,614(8) 10,000

—

—

—

—

—

44,818(9) 10,000

—

—

(1) This amount represents severance equal to one and a half times Mr. Brezski’s base salary of $396,550,

which he is entitled to receive once his Separation Agreement becomes effective and is payable in equal
installments over a period of 12 months after the date of his termination.

(2) This amount represents severance equal to the sum of two times Mr. Brezski’s base salary of $396,550 and

one times his target 2018 STIP payout of $297,413. He is entitled to this amount at the date of his
termination if his termination (by us without cause or by him for good reason) occurred within one year
following a change in control, in a lump sum after his Separation Agreement becomes effective.

(3) This amount represents the value, at December 31, 2018, of Mr. Brezski’s time-based and performance-

based RSUs granted for the 2016-2018 cycle, time-based RSUs granted for the 2017 and 2018 LTCP that
would vest upon termination due to disability, death or termination by the company without cause. Pursuant
to the terms of the awards, Mr. Brezski would forfeit eligibility to receive any payout of performance-based
RSUs granted in 2017 or 2018 since a termination on December 31, 2018 would be prior to the second
anniversary of the grant date or prior to the final year of a performance period. For time-based RSU awards,
the amounts were prorated based on the portion of the vesting period that would have transpired prior to
cessation of employment. For the performance-based RSU award granted for the 2016-2018 cycle (the
performance period for which ended December 31, 2018), the amount reflects the actual payout of 100% of
target (based on actual performance over the performance period) prorated based on the portion of the
vesting period that would have transpired prior to cessation of employment. All RSU amounts include
accrued dividend equivalents, which are paid out in the form of additional shares of common stock at the
time, and only to the extent, that the awards vest. The value shown is comprised of: (a) $205,620,
representing the value of 3,095 time-based RSUs granted for the 2016-2018 cycle (plus cash in lieu of a
fractional share); (b) $411,240, representing the value of 6,191 performance-based RSUs granted for the
2016-2018 cycle (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); (c) $82,328, representing the value of 1,239 time-
based RSUs granted for the 2017 LTCP cycle (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); and (d) $34,753,
representing the value of 523 time-based RSUs granted for the 2018 LTCP (plus cash in lieu of a fractional
share). In addition, in the event of a termination by the company without cause, this amount also includes
the value of Mr. Brezski’s options granted for the 2016-2018 cycle that would vest. Pursuant to the terms of
the awards, such options would vest on a pro rata basis, resulting in the accelerated vesting of 3,852 options,
with a value of $44,298, respectively. The value of the accelerated options is the aggregate spread between
the closing stock price on December 31, 2018 of $66.43 and the exercise price of the options.

Proxy Statement

58

7098_Fin.pdf   200

4/19/19   10:33 PM

(4) This amount represents the value, at December 31, 2018, of Mr. Brezski’s time-based RSUs, performance-

based RSUs and option awards granted for the 2016-2018 cycle and for the 2017 LTCP and 2018 LTCP that
would vest upon termination (by us without cause or by him for good reason) within one year following a
change in control. All performance-based RSU awards would be paid out at target. All RSU amounts
include accrued dividend equivalents, which are paid out in the form of additional shares of common stock
at the time, and only to the extent, that the awards vest. The value shown is comprised of: (a) $222,755,
representing the value of 3,353 time-based RSUs granted for the 2016-2018 cycle (plus cash in lieu of a
fractional share); (b) $445,510, representing the value of 6,191 performance-based RSUs granted for the
2016-2018 cycle (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); (c) $139,599, representing the value of 2,101time-
based RSUs granted for the 2017 LTCP (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); (d) $418,729, representing
the value of 6,303 performance-based RSUs granted for the 2017 LTCP (plus cash in lieu of a fractional
share); (e) $200,290, representing the value of 3,015 time-based RSUs granted for the 2018 LTCP (plus
cash in lieu of a fractional share); (f) $600,802, representing the value of 9,044 performance-based RSUs
granted for the 2018 LTCP (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); and (g) $47,990, representing the value
of 4,173 options granted for the 2016-2018 cycle. The value of the accelerated options is the aggregate
spread between the closing stock price of $66.43 on December 31, 2018 and the exercise price of the
options.

(5) This amount represents the balance, at December 31, 2018, of Mr. Brezski’s deferred compensation plan

account (including matching contributions), which is payable (a) upon retirement, disability or his voluntary
termination of employment with the company for any reason, in a lump sum within 90 days of the date of
termination, (b) upon death, in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable following his death,
(c) upon an involuntary termination by the company, in a lump sum within 90 days of the date of
termination and (d) upon a change in control in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable, but in
no event later than 30 days from the effective date of the change in control.

(6) This amount represents the payment prescribed under our basic term life insurance program, calculated as

follows: 1.5 times base salary, up to a maximum of $750,000.

(7) This amount represents the monthly benefit that would become payable to Mr. Brezski under our executive
long-term disability plan in the event of his termination due to disability on December 31, 2018, calculated
as follows: 60% of his monthly earnings (i.e., pre-tax base salary and annual bonus), up to $10,000, and a
supplemental monthly payment of up to $10,000. Monthly benefits would be payable until the earlier of
(a) the date he ceases to be totally disabled or (b) his 65th birthday.

(8) This amount represents the value of health coverage pursuant to COBRA for a period of one year after

termination on terms and conditions comparable to those most recently provided to Mr. Brezski as of
December 31, 2018 pursuant the Executive Severance Policy.

(9) This amount represents the value of health coverage pursuant to COBRA for a period of 24 months after
termination on terms and conditions comparable to those most recently provided to Mr. Brezski as of
December 31, 2018 pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy.

(10) This amount represents the maximum amount payable by the company for outplacement services in the

event of termination by the company without cause or termination by the NEO for good reason.

59

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   201

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Jannie K. Lau

Assuming the following events occurred on December 31, 2018, Ms. Lau’s payments and benefits would

have an estimated value of:

Long-Term
Compensation
Awards
($)

Deferred
Compensation
($)(5)

Severance
($)

—
—
—
569,400(1)

733,940(3)
—
733,940(3)
778,238(3)

Disability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Without Cause . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Voluntary Resignation for Good
Reason . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change in Control (Termination
by Us Without Cause or by
Ms. Lau for Good Reason,
within 1 year) . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,043,900(2) 2,075,674(4)

—

—

87,629
87,629
87,629
87,629

87,629

87,629

Change in Control (Without

Termination) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

87,629

Payments
under
Executive
Life
Insurance
Program
($)(6)

—
—
569,400
—

Payments
under
Executive
Long-Term
Disability
Program
($)(7)

20,000
—
—
—

Welfare
Benefits
($)

Out-
placement
Services
($)(10)

—
—
—

—
—
—

35,352(8) 10,000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

70,704(9) 10,000

—

—

(1) This amount represents severance equal to one and a half times Ms. Lau’s base salary of $379,600, which
she is entitled to receive once her Separation Agreement becomes effective and is payable in equal
installments over a period of 12 months after the date of her termination.

(2) This amount represents severance equal to the sum of two times Ms. Lau’s base salary of $379,600 and one
times her target 2017 STIP payout of $284,700. She is entitled to this amount at the date of her termination
if her termination (by us without cause or by her for good reason) occurred within one year following a
change in control, in a lump sum after her Separation Agreement becomes effective.

(3) This amount represents the value, at December 31, 2018, of Ms. Lau’s time-based and performance-based
RSUs granted for the 2016-20187 cycle, time-based RSUs granted for the 2017 and 2018 LTCP that would
vest upon termination due to disability, death or termination by the company without cause. Pursuant to the
terms of the awards, Ms. Lau would forfeit eligibility to receive any payout of performance-based RSUs
granted in 2017 and 2018 since a termination on December 31, 2018 would not be during the final year of a
performance period for such awards. For time-based RSU awards, the amounts were prorated based on the
portion of the vesting period that would have transpired prior to cessation of employment. For the
performance-based RSU award granted for the 2016-2018 cycle (the performance period for which ended
December 31, 2018), the amount reflects the actual payout of 100% of target (based on actual performance
over the performance period) prorated based on the portion of the vesting period that would have transpired
prior to cessation of employment. All RSU amounts include accrued dividend equivalents, which are paid out
in the form of additional shares of common stock at the time, and only to the extent, that the awards vest. The
value shown is comprised of: (a) $205,620, representing the value of 3,095 time-based RSUs granted for the
2016-2018 cycle (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); (b) $411,240, representing the value of 6,191
performance-based RSUs granted for the 2016-2018 cycle (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); (c) $82,328,
representing the value of 1,239 time-based RSUs granted for the 2017 LTCP (plus cash in lieu of a fractional
share); and (d) $34,753, representing the value of 523 time-based RSUs granted for the 2018 LTCP (plus cash
in lieu of a fractional share). In addition, in the event of a termination by the company without cause, this
amount also includes the value of Ms. Lau’s options granted for the 2016-2018 cycle that would vest. Pursuant
to the terms of the award, such options would vest on a pro rata basis, resulting in the accelerated vesting of
3,852 options, with a value of $44,298. The value of the accelerated options is the aggregate spread between
the closing stock price of $66.43 on December 31, 2018 and the exercise price of the options.

Proxy Statement

60

7098_Fin.pdf   202

4/19/19   10:33 PM

(4) This amount represents the value, at December 31, 2018, of Ms. Lau’s time-based RSUs, performance-

based RSUs and option awards granted for the 2016-2018 cycle and for the 2017 and 2018 LTCP that would
vest upon termination (by us without cause or by her for good reason) within one year following a change in
control. All performance-based RSU awards would be paid out at target. All RSU amounts include accrued
dividend equivalents, which are paid out in the form of additional shares of common stock at the time, and
only to the extent, that the awards vest. The value shown is comprised of: (a) $222,755, representing the
value of 3,353 time-based RSUs granted for the 2016-2018 cycle (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); (b)
$445,510, representing the value of 6,191 performance-based RSUs granted for the 2016-2018 cycle (plus
cash in lieu of a fractional share); (c) $139,599, representing the value of 2,101 time-based RSUs granted
for the 2017 LTCP (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); (d) $418,729, representing the value of 6,303
performance-based RSUs granted for the 2017 LTCP (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); (e) $200,290,
representing the value of 3,015 time-based RSUs granted for the 2018 LTCP (plus cash in lieu of a
fractional share); (f) $600,802, representing the value of 9,044 performance-based RSUs granted for the
2018 LTCP (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); and (g) $47,990, representing the value of 4,173 options
granted for the 2016-2018 cycle. The value of the accelerated options is the aggregate spread between the
closing stock price of $66.43 on December 31, 2018 and the exercise price of the options.

(5) This amount represents the balance, at December 31, 2018, of Ms. Lau’s deferred compensation plan

account (including matching contributions), which is payable (a) upon retirement, disability or her voluntary
termination of employment with the company for any reason, in a lump sum within 90 days of the date of
termination, (b) upon death, in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable following her death,
(c) upon an involuntary termination by the company, in a lump sum within 90 days of the date of
termination and (d) upon a change in control in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable, but in
no event later than 30 days from the effective date of the change in control.

(6) This amount represents the payment prescribed under our basic term life insurance program, calculated as

follows: 1.5 times base salary, up to a maximum of $750,000.

(7) This amount represents the monthly benefit that would become payable to Ms. Lau under our executive

long-term disability plan in the event of her termination due to disability on December 31, 2018, calculated
as follows: 60% of her monthly earnings (i.e., pre-tax base salary and annual bonus), up to $10,000, and a
supplemental monthly payment of up to $10,000. Monthly benefits would be payable until the earlier of
(a) the date she ceases to be totally disabled or (b) her 65th birthday.

(8) This amount represents the value of health coverage pursuant to COBRA for a period of one year after
termination on terms and conditions comparable to those most recently provided to Ms. Lau as of
December 31, 2018 pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy.

(9) This amount represents the value of health coverage pursuant to COBRA for a period of 24 months after
termination on terms and conditions comparable to those most recently provided to Ms. Lau as of
December 31, 2018 pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy.

(10) This amount represents the maximum amount payable by the company for outplacement services in the

event of termination by the company without cause or termination by the NEO for good reason.

61

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   203

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Kai O. Öistämö

Assuming the following events occurred on December 31, 2018, Mr. Öistämö’s payments and benefits

would have an estimated value of:

Long-Term
Compensation
Awards
($)

Deferred
Compensation
($)

Severance
($)

Disability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retirement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Without Cause . . . . . . . . . . .
Voluntary Resignation for

Good Reason . . . . . . . . . .

Change in Control

(Termination by Us
Without Cause or by
Mr. Öistämö for Good
Reason, within 1 year) . . .

Change in Control (Without

—
—
—
1,500,000(1)

150,799(3)
—
150,799(3)
150,799(3)

—

—

2,400,000(2) 1,738,207(4)

Termination) . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

—
—
—
—

—

—

—

Payments
under
Executive
Life
Insurance
Program
($)(5)

—
—
750,000

—

—

—

—

Payments
under
Executive
Long-Term
Disability
Program
($)(6)

Welfare
Benefits
($)

Out-
placement
Services
($)(9)

20,000
—
—
—

—
—
—

—
—
—
10,832.16(7) 10,000

—

—

—

—

—

14,442(8) 10,000

—

—

(1) This amount represents severance equal to two and a half times Mr. Öistämö’s base salary of $600,000,
which he is entitled to receive once his Separation Agreement becomes effective and is payable in equal
installments over a period of 30 months after the date of his termination.

(2) This amount represents severance equal to three times the sum of Mr. Öistämö’s base salary of $600,000
and target 2018 STIP payout of $600,000. He is entitled to this amount at the date of his termination if his
termination (by us without cause or by him for good reason) occurred within one year following a change in
control, in a lump sum after his Separation Agreement becomes effective.

(3) This amount represents the value, at December 31, 2018, of Mr. Öistämö’s time-based and performance-
based RSUs granted for the 2018 LTCP that would vest upon termination due to disability, death or
termination by the company without cause. Pursuant to the terms of the awards, Mr. Öistämö would forfeit
eligibility to receive any payout of performance-based RSUs granted for the 2018 LTCP since a termination
on December 31, 2018 would not be in the final year of the applicable performance period. For time-based
RSU awards, the amounts were prorated based on the portion of the vesting period that would have
transpired prior to cessation of employment. All RSU amounts include accrued dividend equivalents, which
are paid out in the form of additional shares of common stock at the time, and only to the extent, that the
awards vest. The value shown is comprised of: (a) $150,799, representing the value of 2,270 time-based
RSUs granted for the 2018 LTCP (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share).

(4) This amount represents the value, at December 31, 2018, of Mr. Öistämö’s time-based RSUs, performance-

based RSUs and option awards granted for the 2018 LTCP cycles that would vest upon termination (by us
without cause or by him for good reason) within one year following a change in control. All performance-
based RSU awards would be paid out at target. All RSU amounts include accrued dividend equivalents, which
are paid out in the form of additional shares of common stock at the time, and only to the extent, that the
awards vest. The value shown is comprised of: (a) $869,104, representing the value of 13,083 time-based
RSUs granted for the 2018 LTCP (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); (b) $869,104, representing the value
of 13,083 performance-based RSUs granted for the 2018 LTCP (plus cash in lieu of a fractional share); The
value of the accelerated options is the aggregate spread between the closing stock price of $66.43 on
December 31, 2018 and the exercise price of the options. Although Mr. Öistämö also would be entitled to the
accelerated vesting of 144,130 performance-based options granted for the 2018 LTCP, because the exercise
price for these options is greater than $66.43, the value reflected in the table above for these options is zero.

Proxy Statement

62

7098_Fin.pdf   204

4/19/19   10:33 PM

(5) This amount represents the payment prescribed under our basic term life insurance program, calculated as

follows: 1.5 times base salary, up to a maximum of $750,000.

(6) This amount represents the monthly benefit that would become payable to Mr. Öistämö under our executive
long-term disability plan in the event of his termination due to disability on December 31, 2018, calculated
as follows: 60% of his monthly earnings (i.e., pre-tax base salary and annual bonus), up to $10,000, and a
supplemental monthly payment of up to $10,000. Monthly benefits would be payable until the earlier of
(a) the date he ceases to be totally disabled or (b) his 65th birthday.

(7) This amount represents the value of health coverage pursuant to COBRA for a period of 18 months after

termination on terms and conditions comparable to those most recently provided to Mr. Öistämö as of
December 31, 2018 pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy.

(8) This amount represents the value of health coverage pursuant to COBRA for a period of 24 months after

termination on terms and conditions comparable to those most recently provided to Mr. Öistämö as of
December 31, 2018 pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy.

(9) This amount represents the maximum amount payable by the company for outplacement services in the

event of termination by the company without cause or termination by the NEO for good reason.

Payments upon Retirement pursuant to the Retirement & Transition Agreements for Messrs. McQuilkin and
Shay

As previously disclosed by the company on a Form 8-K filed on April 2, 2018, the company entered into a
retirement and transition agreement and release with Messrs. McQuilkin and Shay on April 2, 2018, (the
“McQuilkin Retirement Agreement” and “Shay Retirement Agreement”, respectively), under which Messrs.
McQuilkin and Shay agreed to provide limited transition services, continued compliance with the restrictive
covenants set forth in their respective employment agreements with the company and their release of claims in
favor of the company and its designated releasees in exchange for the payments described below:

Transition
Services
($)(1)

Mr. McQuilkin . . . . . . . . . .
Mr. Shay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

120,000
120,000

Other
Payments
($)(2)

596,814
—

Deferred
Compensation
($)(3)

PTO Payout
($)(4)

—
596,814

49,480
54,790

Welfare
Benefits
($)(5)

22,388
16,965

Long-Term
Compensation
Awards
($)(6)

—
—

Total
($)

788,682
788,569

(1) Messrs. McQuilkin and Shay both agreed to provide limited transition services on a part-time basis for a
period of 100 calendar days following their retirement date in exchange for $120,000, payable in 3 equal
installments on May 1, 2018, June 1, 2018 and July 1, 2018.

(2) Pursuant to the terms of the McQuilkin Retirement Agreement, Mr. McQuilkin will receive a lump sum

payment of $596,814 by March 15, 2019.

(3) Pursuant to the terms of the Shay Retirement Agreement, Mr. Shay received a lump sum payment of

$596,814 that was deferred under the company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan (“NQDC”). The
deferred payment under the NQDC is scheduled to be paid on the fifth anniversary of Mr. Shay’s separation
from service from the company.

(4) Messrs. McQuilkin and Shay both received payment for all accrued, but unused paid time off, pursuant to

company policy.

(5) Pursuant to the terms the McQuilkin Retirement Agreement and the Shay Retirement Agreement, the

company paid Messrs. McQuilkin’s and Shay’s COBRA payments for a one-year period.

(6) Messrs. McQuilkin and Shay’s equity awards ceased to vest as of April 1, 2018; all outstanding, unvested,

equity awards as of April 1, 2018, were forfeited.

63

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   205

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Chief Executive Officer Pay Ratio

We believe our executive compensation program must be consistent and internally equitable to motivate our
employees to perform. The Compensation Committee monitors the relationship between the pay of our executive
officers and the pay of our non-executive employees. The Compensation Committee reviewed a comparison of
our Chief Executive Officer’s annual total compensation in fiscal year 2018 to that of the median of all other
employees for that same period.

In June 2018, we acquired the Technicolor patent licensing business and employees located in both France
and the United States. The approximately 65 employees were not included in our pay ratio, as permitted by the
SEC rules. Excluding the acquisition, there were no significant changes to our global employee population,
therefore, we are using the same median employee to calculate this year’s ratio.

Our Chief Executive Officer’s total 2018 compensation, as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above,
was approximately $3,009,287, and our median employee’s total 2018 compensation was approximately
$193,156, making our Chief Executive Officer’s pay in 2018 approximately 16 times the pay of our median
employee.

Proxy Statement

64

7098_Fin.pdf   206

4/19/19   10:33 PM

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table summarizes the company’s equity compensation plan information relating to the

common stock authorized for issuance under the company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2018:

(a)
Number of Securities to be
Issued Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights(1)

(b)
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights

(c)
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation Plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))(2)

1,609,592

$57.27

1,760,435

—
1,609,592

$ —
$57.27

—
1,760,435

Plan Category

Equity compensation plans
approved by InterDigital
shareholders . . . . . . . . . .
Equity compensation plans

not approved by
InterDigital
shareholders(3) . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(1) Column (a) includes 271,895 shares of common stock underlying outstanding time-based RSU awards,
640,753 shares of common stock underlying outstanding performance-based RSU awards, assuming a
maximum payout of 200% of the target number of performance-based awards after the end of the applicable
performance period, and 335,188 shares of common stock underlying outstanding performance-based option
awards, assuming a maximum payout of 200% of the target number of performance-based awards after the
end of the applicable performance period, as well as 14,929 dividend equivalents credited in respect of the
RSU awards. Because there is no exercise price associated with RSUs, these stock awards are not included
in the weighted-average exercise price calculation presented in column (b). Dividend equivalents are paid in
shares of common stock at the time, and only to the extent, that the related RSU awards vest.

(2) On June 14, 2017, the company’s shareholders adopted and approved our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the
“2017 Plan”), which provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs,
performance units, performance shares and incentive cash bonuses. Amounts reported relate to securities
available for future issuance under the 2017 Plan.

(3) The company does not have any awards outstanding or shares remaining available for grant under equity

compensation plans not approved by its shareholders.

65

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   207

4/19/19   10:33 PM

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

How many shares of the company’s common stock do the directors, director nominees, executive officers and
certain significant shareholders own?

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of the 32,061,093 shares of
our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2019, except as otherwise indicated below, by each person who is
known to us, based upon filings with the SEC, to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock, as well
as by each director, each director nominee, each NEO and all directors and executive officers as a group. Except
as otherwise indicated below and subject to the interests of spouses of the named beneficial owners, each named
beneficial owner has sole voting and sole investment power with respect to the stock listed. None of the shares
reported are currently pledged as security for any outstanding loan or indebtedness. If a shareholder holds options
or other securities that are exercisable or otherwise convertible into our common stock within 60 days of
March 31, 2019, pursuant to SEC rules, we treat the common stock underlying those securities as beneficially
owned by that shareholder, and as outstanding shares when we calculate that shareholder’s percentage ownership
of our common stock. However, pursuant to SEC rules, we do not consider that common stock to be outstanding
when we calculate the percentage ownership of any other shareholder.

Name

Directors and Director Nominees:
Joan H. Gillman(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S. Douglas Hutcheson(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
John A. Kritzmacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
John D. Markley, Jr.(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
William J. Merritt(4)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jean F. Rankin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Philip P. Trahanas(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Named Executive Officers:
Kai O. Öistämö . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Richard J. Brezski(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jannie K. Lau(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scott A. McQuilkin(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lawrence F. Shay(9)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group

Common Stock

Shares

Percent
of Class

4,005
11,033
11,179
3,992
271,309
18,978
9,218

11,458
82,043
40,561
—
70,437

*
*
*
*
*
*
*

*
*
*
*
*

(12 persons)(10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

534,213

1.7%

Greater Than 5% Shareholders:
BlackRock, Inc.(11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4,056,093

12.7%

55 East 52nd Street

New York, New York 10055

The Vanguard Group(12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,301,768

10.3%

100 Vanguard Boulevard

Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355

*

Represents less than 1% of our outstanding common stock.

(1)

Includes 3,681 shares of common stock that have vested but have been deferred by Ms. Gillman.

(2)

Includes 5,599 shares of common stock that have vested but have been deferred by Mr. Hutcheson.

(3)

Includes 2,021 shares of common stock that have vested but have been deferred by Mr. Markley.

Proxy Statement

66

7098_Fin.pdf   208

4/19/19   10:33 PM

(4)

Includes 128,324 shares of common stock that Mr. Merritt has the right to acquire through the exercise of
stock options within 60 days of March 31, 2019 and 3,297 whole shares of common stock beneficially
owned by Mr. Merritt through participation in the 401(k) Plan.

(5)

Includes 6,195 shares of common stock that have vested but have been deferred by Mr. Trahanas.

(6)

Includes 47,413 shares of common stock that Mr. Brezski has the right to acquire through the exercise of
stock options within 60 days of March 31, 2019 and 1,806 whole shares of common stock beneficially
owned by Mr. Brezski through participation in the 401(k) Plan.

(7)

Includes 20,214 shares of common stock that Ms. Lau has the right to acquire through the exercise of stock
options within 60 days of March 31, 2019.

(8) Mr. McQuilkin was not an executive officer of the company as of March 31, 2019, but is an NEO for

purposes of this proxy statement.

(9)

Includes 3,268 whole shares of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Shay through participation in the
401(k) Plan. Mr. Shay was not an executive officer of the company as of March 31, 2019, but is an NEO for
purposes of this proxy statement.

(10) Includes: 326,610 shares of common stock that all directors, director nominees and executive officers as a
group have the right to acquire through the exercise of stock options within 60 days of March 31, 2019;
17,496 shares of common stock that have vested but have been deferred by all directors, director nominees
and executive officers as a group; and 8,371 whole shares of common stock beneficially owned by all
directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group through participation in the 401(k) Plan.

(11) As of December 31, 2018, based on information contained in the Schedule 13G/A filed on January 28, 2019

by BlackRock, Inc. With respect to the shares beneficially owned, BlackRock, Inc. reported that it has sole
voting power with respect to 3,975,296 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 4,056,093 shares.

(12) As of December 31, 2018, based on information contained in the Schedule 13G/A filed on March 11, 2019

by The Vanguard Group. With respect to the shares beneficially owned, the Vanguard Group reported that it
has sole voting power with respect to 50,742 shares, shared voting power with respect to 5,749 shares, sole
dispositive power with respect to 3,248,987 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 52,781
shares.

67

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   209

4/19/19   10:33 PM

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The company has a written statement of policy with respect to related person transactions that is

administered by the Audit Committee. Under the policy, a “Related Person Transaction” means any transaction,
arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) between the
company (including any of its subsidiaries) and a related person, in which the related person had, has or will have
a direct or indirect interest. A “Related Person” includes any of our executive officers, directors or director
nominees, any shareholder owning in excess of 5% of our common stock, any immediate family member of any
of the foregoing persons, and any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is
employed as an executive officer or is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a
5% or greater beneficial ownership interest. Related Person Transactions do not include certain transactions
involving only director or executive officer compensation, transactions where the Related Person receives
proportional benefits as a shareholder along with all other shareholders, transactions involving competitive bids
or transactions involving certain bank-related services.

Pursuant to the policy, a Related Person Transaction may be consummated or may continue only if:

• The Audit Committee approves or ratifies the transaction in accordance with the terms of the policy; or

• The chair of the Audit Committee, pursuant to authority delegated to the chair by the Audit Committee,

pre-approves or ratifies the transaction and the amount involved in the transaction is less than
$100,000, provided that, for the Related Person Transaction to continue, it must be approved by the
Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

It is the company’s policy to enter into or ratify Related Person Transactions only when the Audit

Committee determines that the Related Person Transaction in question is in, or is not inconsistent with, the best
interests of the company, including but not limited to situations where the company may obtain products or
services of a nature, quantity or quality, or on other terms, that are not readily available from alternative sources
or where the company provides products or services to Related Persons on an arm’s length basis on terms
comparable to those provided to unrelated third parties or on terms comparable to those provided to employees
generally.

In determining whether to approve or ratify a Related Person Transaction, the committee takes into account,

among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the Related Person Transaction is on terms no less favorable
than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and the
extent of the Related Person’s interest in the transaction.

Proxy Statement

68

7098_Fin.pdf   210

4/19/19   10:33 PM

OTHER MATTERS

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

During 2018, did all directors and officers timely file all reports required by Section 16(a)?

Based upon a review of filings with the SEC furnished to us and written representations that no other reports

were required, we believe that during and with respect to 2018 all of our directors and officers timely filed all
reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.

Shareholder Proposals

How may shareholders make proposals or director nominations for the 2020 annual meeting?

Shareholders interested in submitting a proposal for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 2020 annual
meeting may do so by submitting the proposal in writing to our Corporate Secretary at InterDigital, Inc., 200
Bellevue Parkway, Suite 300, Wilmington, DE 19809-3727. To be eligible for inclusion in our proxy statement
for the 2020 annual meeting, shareholder proposals must be received no later than December 28, 2019, and they
must comply with all applicable SEC requirements. The submission of a shareholder proposal does not guarantee
that it will be included in our proxy statement.

Our bylaws also establish an advance notice procedure with regard to nominations of persons for election to

the Board and shareholder proposals that are not submitted for inclusion in the proxy statement but that a
shareholder instead wishes to present directly at an annual meeting. Shareholder proposals and nominations may
not be brought before the 2020 annual meeting unless, among other things, the shareholder’s submission contains
certain information concerning the proposal or the nominee, as the case may be, and other information specified
in our bylaws, and we receive the shareholder’s submission no earlier than March 14, 2020, and no later than
April 13, 2020. However, if the date of our 2020 annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than
60 days after the anniversary of our 2019 annual meeting, the submission and the required information must be
received by us no earlier than the 90th day prior to the 2020 annual meeting and no later than the later of the
60th day prior to the annual meeting or the 15th day following the day on which we first publicly announce the
date of the 2020 annual meeting. Proposals or nominations that do not comply with the advance notice
requirements in our bylaws will not be entertained at the 2020 annual meeting. A copy of the bylaws may be
obtained on our website at http://ir.interdigital.com under the IR menu heading “Corporate Governance,” or by
writing to our Corporate Secretary at InterDigital, Inc., 200 Bellevue Parkway, Suite 300, Wilmington, DE
19809-3727.

Proxy Solicitation Costs and Potential Savings

Who pays for the proxy solicitation costs?

We will bear the entire cost of proxy solicitation, including preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of

the Notice, this proxy statement, the proxy card and any additional materials furnished to shareholders. Copies of
proxy solicitation materials will be furnished to brokerage houses, fiduciaries and custodians holding shares in
their names that are beneficially owned by others to forward to such beneficial owners. In addition, we may
reimburse such persons for their cost of forwarding the solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Our
directors, officers or regular employees may supplement solicitation of proxies by mail through the use of one or
more of the following methods: telephone, email, telegram, facsimile or personal solicitation. No additional
compensation will be paid for such services. For 2019, we have also engaged Alliance Advisors, LLC, a
professional proxy solicitation firm, to aid in the solicitation of proxies from certain brokers, bank nominees and
other institutional owners for an anticipated fee of not more than $10,000.

69

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   211

4/19/19   10:33 PM

What is “householding” of proxy materials, and can it save the company money?

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery
requirements for proxy materials with respect to two or more shareholders sharing the same address by delivering
a single annual report and proxy statement to those shareholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as
“householding,” potentially provides extra convenience for shareholders and cost savings for companies.
Although we do not household for registered shareholders, a number of brokerage firms have instituted
householding for shares held in street name, delivering a single set of proxy materials to multiple shareholders
sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected shareholders. Once you have
received notice from your broker that they will be householding materials to your address, householding will
continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, now or in the future, you no longer
wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate Notice or annual report and proxy
statement, please notify us by calling (302) 281-3600 or by sending a written request to our Corporate Secretary
at InterDigital, Inc., 200 Bellevue Parkway, Suite 300, Wilmington, DE 19809-3727, and we will promptly
deliver a separate copy of our Notice or annual report and proxy statement, as applicable. If you hold your shares
in street name and are receiving multiple copies of the Notice or annual report and proxy statement and wish to
receive only one, please notify your broker.

Annual Report on Form 10-K

How can I receive the annual report?

We will provide to any shareholder without charge a copy of our 2018 annual report on Form 10-K
upon written request to our Corporate Secretary at InterDigital, Inc., 200 Bellevue Parkway, Suite 300,
Wilmington, DE 19809-3727. Our 2018 annual report and this proxy statement are also available online at
http://ir.interdigital.com/FinancialDocs.

Other Business

Will there be any other business conducted at the annual meeting?

As of the date of this proxy statement, we know of no business that will be presented for consideration at the

annual meeting other than the items referred to in this proxy statement. If any other matter is properly brought
before the annual meeting for action by shareholders, proxies will be voted in accordance with the
recommendation of the Board or, in the absence of such a recommendation, in accordance with the judgment of
the proxy holder.

Proxy Statement

70

7098_Fin.pdf   212

4/19/19   10:33 PM

Calculation of Normalized Cash Flow for 2016-2018 LTCP Goal

APPENDIX A

GOAL—Normalized Cash Flow for 2016-2018 LTCP

Total Cash Receipts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustment to normalize cash inflow (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,554,391
$ (38,912)

Normalized Cash Receipts
Total Operating Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 704,800

$1,515,479

For the Three Years Ended
12/31/18
($, in thousands)

Less Defined Non-Cash Expenses (2)

Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other share-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ (175,914)
(8,666)
$

Add Capital Expenditures

Purchases of property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capitalized patent costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$
$

10,529
99,660

Less Additional Items (3)

Performance-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Severance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
. . . . . . . . .

$ (89,455)
(4,100)
$
$ (11,493)

Normalized Expenses

Normalized Cash Flow—Actual

Normalized Cash Flow Range—Goal
Total Achievement 2016-2018 LTCP Goal (4)

$ 525,361

$ 990,118

$800,000 - $1,000,000

100%

(1) As discussed in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis, “we normalize the cash inflow under our license
agreements to treat all licensing revenue as if it were negotiated as royalty bearing over the life of the
agreement.

(2) Defined non-cash expenses include depreciation, patent amortization, and other share-based compensation

(i.e. share-based awards other than those granted to employees under the LTCP).

(3) As discussed in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” we also exclude certain items that (a) make the
calculation iterative (e.g., performance-based compensation) or (b) are non-operational or non-recurring
(e.g., repositioning costs, severance, etc.) in nature.

(4) As discussed in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis, “for performance-based RSUs, 100% achievement

of the associated performance goals results in a full vesting of the associated RSUs at target.

A-1

Proxy Statement

7098_Fin.pdf   213

4/19/19   10:33 PM

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

7098_Fin.pdf   214

4/19/19   10:33 PM

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

7098_Fin.pdf   215

4/19/19   10:33 PM

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

7098_Fin.pdf   216

4/19/19   10:33 PM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

S. DOUGLAS HUTCHESON 
Chairman of the Board, InterDigital, Inc.
Senior Advisor, Searchlight Capital

JOHN A. KRITZMACHER
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Offi cer, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

JOAN H. GILLMAN
Former Executive Vice President,
Time Warner Cable Inc.

JOHN D. MARKLEY, JR. 
Managing Partner and Co-Founder, 
New Amsterdam Growth Capital

JEAN F. RANKIN
Former Executive Vice President, 
General Counsel and Secretary, 
LSI Corporation

PHILIP P. TRAHANAS
Partner, Lampros Capital Partners

WILLIAM J. MERRITT 
President and Chief Executive Offi cer, 
InterDigital, Inc.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

WILLIAM J. MERRITT
President and Chief Executive Offi cer

RICHARD J. BREZSKI
Chief Financial Offi cer and Treasurer 

KAI ÖISTÄMÖ
Chief Operating Offi cer

JANNIE K. LAU
Chief Legal Offi cer, 
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC 
ACCOUNTING FIRM

Wednesday, June 12, 2019
2 p.m. Eastern Time 
IDCC.onlineshareholdermeeting.com

COMMON STOCK INFORMATION

Shareholders with questions concerning 
stock certifi cates, shareholder records, 
account information, dividends, or stock 
transfers should contact InterDigital’s 
transfer agent:

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

INVESTOR RELATIONS

The primary market for InterDigital’s 
common stock is the NASDAQ Global 
Select Market®. InterDigital trades 
under the ticker symbol “IDCC”.

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company 
Operations Center
6201 15th Avenue 
Brooklyn, New York 11219 
+1 800 937 5449 
http://www.amstock.com

Patrick Van de Wille
Chief Communications Offi cer
+1 858 210 4814
patrick.vandewille@InterDigital.com

LOCATIONS

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

ADDITIONAL OFFICE LOCATIONS

200 Bellevue Parkway, 
Suite 300 
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
+1 302 281 3600

Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
Melville, New York
Princeton, New Jersey
Rockville, Maryland
San Diego, California
Indianapolis, Indiana
Washington, DC
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
Rennes, France
Brussels, Belgium
London, England
Berlin, Germany
Seoul, South Korea
Shanghai, China

Corporate information is as of April 9, 2019.
InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc. Creating the Living Network, EdgeLink, oneMPOWER, oneTRANSPORT and wot.io are 
trademarks of InterDigital.  All other trademarks, service marks, and/or trade names appearing in this Annual Report are the property of 
their respective holders.

WWW.INTERDIGITAL.COM

67098.indd   11

4/17/19   4:16 PM

 
ANNUAL REPORT 2018

67098.indd   12

4/17/19   4:16 PM