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EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 CEO 302 Q1-16 - REALNETWORKS INCexhibit311-10q2016q1.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 CEO 906 Q1-16 - REALNETWORKS INCexhibit321-10q2016q1.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 CFO 302 Q1-16 - REALNETWORKS INCexhibit312-10q2016q1.htm
EX-10.2 - EXHIBIT 10.2 MULICA TRANS AGREEMENT - REALNETWORKS INCexhibit102mulicatransition.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 CFO 906 Q1-16 - REALNETWORKS INCexhibit322-10q2016q1.htm



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2016
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission file number 0-23137
 
 RealNetworks, Inc.
 
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Washington
 
91-1628146
(State of incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
 
 
 
 
1501 First Avenue South, Suite 600
Seattle, Washington
 
98134
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(206) 674-2700
 
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
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  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
 
¨
  
Accelerated filer
ý
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No   ý
The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of April 15, 2016 was 36,747,497.




TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

2



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements
REALNETWORKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
40,539

 
$
47,315

Short-term investments
46,289

 
51,814

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances
23,527

 
22,511

Deferred costs, current portion
452

 
460

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
5,563

 
7,140

Total current assets
116,370

 
129,240

Equipment, software, and leasehold improvements, at cost:
 
 
 
Equipment and software
61,330

 
66,702

Leasehold improvements
3,190

 
3,122

Total equipment, software, and leasehold improvements, at cost
64,520

 
69,824

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
56,983

 
61,024

Net equipment, software, and leasehold improvements
7,537

 
8,800

Restricted cash equivalents and investments
3,100

 
2,890

Available for sale securities
1,910

 
1,721

Other assets
2,273

 
2,307

Deferred costs, non-current portion
660

 
212

Deferred tax assets, net
996

 
957

Other intangible assets, net
1,753

 
2,136

Goodwill
13,099

 
13,080

Total assets
$
147,698

 
$
161,343

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
15,368

 
$
17,050

Accrued and other current liabilities
17,110

 
17,320

Deferred revenue, current portion
3,537

 
3,497

Total current liabilities
36,015

 
37,867

Deferred revenue, non-current portion
583

 
105

Deferred rent
579

 
620

Deferred tax liabilities, net
90

 
88

Other long-term liabilities
1,668

 
1,980

Total liabilities
38,935

 
40,660

Commitments and contingencies

 

Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, no shares issued and outstanding:
 
 
 
Series A: authorized 200 shares

 

Undesignated series: authorized 59,800 shares

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value authorized 250,000 shares; issued and outstanding 36,747 shares in 2016 and 36,298 shares in 2015
36

 
36

Additional paid-in capital
629,716

 
627,316

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(58,629
)
 
(59,480
)
Retained deficit
(462,360
)
 
(447,189
)
Total shareholders’ equity
108,763

 
120,683

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
147,698

 
$
161,343

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3



REALNETWORKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Quarters Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Net revenue (A)
$
28,230

 
$
30,597

Cost of revenue (B)
15,172

 
16,547

Gross profit
13,058

 
14,050

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
Research and development
9,319

 
12,379

Sales and marketing
9,225

 
12,837

General and administrative
8,077

 
7,283

Restructuring and other charges
385

 
485

Lease exit and related charges
831

 
78

Total operating expenses
27,837

 
33,062

Operating income (loss)
(14,779
)
 
(19,012
)
Other income (expenses):
 
 
 
Interest income, net
117

 
200

Gain (loss) on investments, net
3

 
299

Equity in net loss of Rhapsody investment

 
(6,180
)
Other income (expense), net
(287
)
 
443

Total other income (expenses), net
(167
)
 
(5,238
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
(14,946
)
 
(24,250
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
225

 
219

Net income (loss)
$
(15,171
)
 
$
(24,469
)
 
 
 
 
Basic net income (loss) per share
$
(0.42
)
 
$
(0.68
)
Diluted net income (loss) per share
$
(0.42
)
 
$
(0.68
)
Shares used to compute basic net income (loss) per share
36,520

 
36,104

Shares used to compute diluted net income (loss) per share
36,520

 
36,104

 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
Unrealized investment holding gains (losses), net of reclassification adjustments
$
151

 
$
(94
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of reclassification adjustments
700

 
(2,585
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
851

 
(2,679
)
Net income (loss)
(15,171
)
 
(24,469
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
(14,320
)
 
$
(27,148
)
 
 
 
 
(A) Components of net revenue:
 
 
 
License fees
$
5,777

 
$
7,289

Service revenue
22,453

 
23,308

 
$
28,230

 
$
30,597

(B) Components of cost of revenue:
 
 
 
License fees
$
1,304

 
$
1,743

Service revenue
13,868

 
14,804

 
$
15,172

 
$
16,547

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4



REALNETWORKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(15,171
)
 
$
(24,469
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
2,598

 
2,503

Stock-based compensation
3,171

 
1,329

Equity in net loss of Rhapsody

 
6,180

Deferred income taxes, net
(128
)
 
(77
)
Loss (gain) on investments, net
(3
)
 
(299
)
Fair value of warrants granted in 2015, net of subsequent mark to market adjustments in 2016 and 2015
44

 
(1,155
)
Trade accounts receivable
(487
)
 
(654
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
1,322

 
621

Accounts payable
(2,106
)
 
(62
)
Accrued and other liabilities
(451
)
 
(4,011
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(11,211
)
 
(20,094
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Purchases of equipment, software, and leasehold improvements
(828
)
 
(306
)
Proceeds from sale of available for sale securities

 
352

Purchases of short-term investments
(17,876
)
 
(6,018
)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments
23,401

 
33,077

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash equivalents and investments, net
(210
)
 

Advance to Rhapsody

 
(5,000
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
4,487

 
22,105

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock (stock options and stock purchase plan)
16

 
6

Tax payments from shares withheld upon vesting of restricted stock
(787
)
 
(7
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(771
)
 
(1
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
719

 
(2,269
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(6,776
)
 
(259
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
47,315

 
103,253

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
40,539

 
$
102,994

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash received from income tax refunds
$
389

 
$
229

Cash paid for income taxes
$
624

 
$
229

Non-cash investing activities:
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) in accrued purchases of equipment, software, and leasehold improvements
$
44

 
$
49

Acquisition of intangible assets
$

 
$
473

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


5



REALNETWORKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Quarters Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
Note 1
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business. RealNetworks, Inc. and subsidiaries is a global provider of network-delivered digital media applications and services that make it easy to manage, play and share digital media. The Company also develops and markets software products and services that enable the creation, distribution and consumption of digital media, including audio and video.
Inherent in our business are various risks and uncertainties, including a limited history of certain of our product and service offerings. RealNetworks' success will depend on the acceptance of our technology, products and services and the ability to generate related revenue.
In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (10-Q or Report), RealNetworks, Inc. and Subsidiaries is referred to as “RealNetworks”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”. "RealPlayer®" and other trademarks of ours appearing in this report are our property.
Basis of Presentation. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the periods presented. Operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any subsequent period or for the year ending December 31, 2016. Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (the 10-K).
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, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reportable Segments. In the first quarter of 2016, we reorganized the management of our businesses and as a result, we
changed our reportable segments. See Note 18, Segment Information, for details. The historical financial information presented has been recast to reflect the new segments and the new corporate expense presentation.

Note 2
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a new standard, "Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern". This standard provides guidance around management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. The new guidance is effective for all annual and interim periods ending after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued new revenue recognition guidance. The guidance will require an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The new guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018; with early adoption permitted beginning January 1, 2017. The guidance permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect that the guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

6



    
In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the accounting for leases by lessees. A major change in the new guidance is that lessees will be required to present right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. The new guidance will be effective for us on January 1, 2019, including interim periods within 2019. We will be evaluating the effect that the guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for stock-based compensation, including the treatment of forfeitures, income taxes and statutory tax withholding requirements. The new guidance will be effective for us on January 1, 2017, including interim periods within 2017; with early adoption permitted beginning January 1, 2016. We will be evaluating the effect that the guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
There have been no other recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements to be implemented that are of significance or potential significance to RealNetworks.

Note 3
Acquisitions & Disposals

2015 Sale of Slingo and social casino business. On July 24, 2015, we entered into an agreement to sell the Slingo and social casino portion of our games business to Gaming Realms plc for $18.0 million. Of this amount, $10.0 million of the total consideration was paid in cash at closing on August 10, 2015 and the remaining $8.0 million will be payable either all in cash or a mix of cash and Gaming Realms plc stock, at our election, on the first and second anniversaries of the closing.

With the transaction, Gaming Realms plc assumed the operations of our Slingo and social casino businesses, including substantially all of the related assets and liabilities, as well as the stock of Backstage Technologies Incorporated. Based on several factors, including the timing of the receipt of the remaining $8.0 million consideration, we deferred the remaining gain of $8.0 million and will recognize that gain upon realization.

Note 4
Stock-Based Compensation
Total stock-based compensation expense recognized in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) includes amounts related to stock options, restricted stock, and employee stock purchase plans and was as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Quarters Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Total stock-based compensation expense
$
3,171

 
$
1,329

The fair value of options granted determined using the Black-Scholes model used the following weighted-average assumptions:
 
 
Quarters Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Expected dividend yield
0
%
 
0
%
Risk-free interest rate
1.54
%
 
1.20
%
Expected life (years)
5.5

 
4.2

Volatility
38
%
 
37
%

The total stock-based compensation amounts for 2016 and 2015 disclosed above are recorded in their respective line items within operating expenses in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Included in the expense for the period ended March 31, 2016 was stock compensation expense related to our 2015 incentive bonuses paid in fully vested restricted stock units which were authorized and granted in the first quarter of 2016.

7




As of March 31, 2016, $7.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to stock awards. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2 years.

Note 5
Rhapsody Joint Venture
As of March 31, 2016 we owned approximately 42% of the issued and outstanding stock of Rhapsody and account for our investment using the equity method of accounting.
Rhapsody was initially formed in 2007 as a joint venture between RealNetworks and MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (MTVN), to own and operate a business-to-consumer digital audio music service known as Rhapsody.
Following certain restructuring transactions effective March 31, 2010, we began accounting for our investment in Rhapsody using the equity method of accounting. As part of the 2010 restructuring transactions, RealNetworks contributed $18.0 million in cash, the Rhapsody brand and certain other assets, including content licenses, in exchange for shares of convertible preferred stock of Rhapsody, carrying a $10.0 million preference upon certain liquidation events.
We recorded our share of losses of Rhapsody of $0.0 million and $6.2 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Because of the $10.0 million liquidation preference on the preferred stock we hold in Rhapsody, under the equity method of accounting we did not record any share of Rhapsody losses that would reduce our carrying value of Rhapsody, which is impacted by Rhapsody equity transactions, below $10.0 million, until Rhapsody's book value was reduced below $10.0 million. This occurred in the first quarter of 2015. As of March 31, 2016, the carrying value of our Rhapsody equity investment is zero, as we do not record any share of Rhapsody losses that would reduce our carrying value of Rhapsody below zero unless we commit to provide financial support for Rhapsody.
Summarized financial information for Rhapsody, which represents 100% of their financial information, is as follows (in thousands): 
 
Quarters Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Net revenue
$
52,507

 
$
46,324

Gross profit
7,243

 
8,090

Net loss
(5,148
)
 
(8,924
)




8



Note 6
Fair Value Measurements
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table presents information about our financial assets that have been measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs utilized to determine such fair value (in thousands).

 
Fair Value Measurements as of
 
Amortized Cost as of
 
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2016
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash
$
24,701

 
$

 
$

 
$
24,701

 
$
24,701

Money market funds
6,612

 

 

 
6,612

 
6,612

Corporate notes and bonds

 
9,226

 

 
9,226

 
9,226

Total cash and cash equivalents
31,313

 
9,226

 

 
40,539

 
40,539

Short-term investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate notes and bonds

 
46,289

 

 
46,289

 
46,285

Total short-term investments

 
46,289

 

 
46,289

 
46,285

Restricted cash equivalents and investments

 
3,100

 

 
3,100

 
3,100

Equity investment in publicly traded securities
1,910

 

 

 
1,910

 
362

Warrant issued by Rhapsody (included in Other assets)

 

 
1,009

 
1,009

 

Total
$
33,223

 
$
58,615

 
$
1,009

 
$
92,847

 
$
90,286



 
Fair Value Measurements as of
 
Amortized Cost as of
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2015
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash
$
23,152

 
$

 
$

 
$
23,152

 
$
23,152

Money market funds
5,061

 

 

 
5,061

 
5,061

Corporate notes and bonds

 
19,102

 

 
19,102

 
19,102

Total cash and cash equivalents
28,213

 
19,102

 

 
47,315

 
47,315

Short-term investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate notes and bonds

 
51,814

 

 
51,814

 
51,862

Total short-term investments

 
51,814

 

 
51,814

 
51,862

Restricted cash equivalents and investments

 
2,890

 

 
2,890

 
2,890

Equity investment in publicly traded securities
1,721

 

 

 
1,721

 
362

Warrant issued by Rhapsody (included in Other assets)

 

 
1,053

 
1,053

 

Total
$
29,934

 
$
73,806

 
$
1,053

 
$
104,793

 
$
102,429


Restricted cash equivalents and investments as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 relate to cash pledged as collateral against letters of credit in connection with lease agreements.
Realized gains or losses on sales of short-term investment securities for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were not significant. Gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses on short-term investment securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were also not significant.

9



Investments with remaining contractual maturities of five years or less are classified as short-term because the investments are marketable and highly liquid, and we have the ability to utilize them for current operations. Contractual maturities of short-term investments as of March 31, 2016 (in thousands):
 
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Within one year
$
42,584

Between one year and five years
3,705

Total short-term investments
$
46,289

Our equity investment in a publicly traded company as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of J-Stream Inc., a Japanese media services company. This equity investment is accounted for as available for sale. In March 2015, we sold a portion of the J-Stream shares we held, resulting in cash proceeds of $0.4 million and a pre-tax gain of $0.3 million.
In February 2015, Rhapsody issued warrants to purchase Rhapsody common shares to each of RealNetworks and Rhapsody's one other 43% stockholder. The warrants were issued as compensation for past services provided by RealNetworks and the other 43% stockholder, and both warrants covered the same number of underlying shares. The exercise price of the warrants was equal to the fair value of the underlying shares on the issuance date, and we used the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the fair value of the warrant, using an expected term of 5 years and expected volatility of 55%. On the date of issuance, we recognized and recorded the $1.2 million fair value of the warrant issued to RealNetworks within other assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, and as an expense reduction within General and administrative expense in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The warrants are free-standing derivatives and as such their fair value is determined each quarter using updated inputs in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the decrease in the fair value of the warrants from December 31, 2015 was insignificant.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis
Certain of our assets and liabilities are measured at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis, using Level 3 inputs. These instruments are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, we did not record any impairments on those assets required to be measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

See Note 12, Lease Exit and Related Charges, for a discussion of the losses related to reductions in the use of RealNetworks' office space, which were recorded at the estimated fair value of remaining lease obligations, less expected sub-lease income.

Note 7
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable and Sales Returns
Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable and sales returns (in thousands):
 
 
Allowance For
 
Doubtful
Accounts
Receivable
 
Sales
Returns
Balances, December 31, 2015
$
765

 
$
158

Addition (reduction) to allowance
(20
)
 
20

Amounts written off
(3
)
 
(3
)
Foreign currency translation
39

 

Balances, March 31, 2016
$
781

 
$
175

One customer accounted for 54% and one other customer accounted for 15% of trade accounts receivable as of March 31, 2016. At December 31, 2015, one customer accounted for 52% and one other customer accounted for 12% of trade accounts receivable.

10



One customer accounted for 30% or $8.4 million of consolidated revenue during the quarter ended March 31, 2016, which is reflected in our Mobile Services segment. One customer accounted for 12% of consolidated revenue, or $3.5 million, during the quarter ended March 31, 2016, also reflected in our Mobile Services segment.
One customer accounted for 17% of consolidated revenue, or $5.3 million, during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 and is reflected in our Mobile Services segment.

Note 8
Other Intangible Assets
Other intangible assets (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
Gross
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
 
Gross
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Amortizing intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer relationships
 
$
30,918

 
$
30,073

 
$
845

 
$
30,182

 
$
29,236

 
$
946

 
Developed technology
 
24,403

 
23,751

 
652

 
24,047

 
23,244

 
803

 
Patents, trademarks and tradenames
 
3,822

 
3,566

 
256

 
3,717

 
3,398

 
319

 
Service contracts
 
5,382

 
5,382

 

 
5,269

 
5,201

 
68

 
Total
 
$
64,525

 
$
62,772

 
$
1,753

 
$
63,215

 
$
61,079

 
$
2,136



No impairments of other intangible assets were recognized in either of the three months ended March 31, 2016 or 2015.
Note 9
Goodwill
Changes in goodwill (in thousands):
 
Balance, December 31, 2015
$
13,080

Effects of foreign currency translation
19

Balance, March 31, 2016
$
13,099



Goodwill by segment (in thousands):
 
 
March 31,
2016
Consumer Media
$
580

Mobile Services
2,221

Games
10,298

Total goodwill
$
13,099



No impairment of goodwill was recognized in either of the three months ended March 31, 2016 or in 2015.


11



Note 10
Accrued and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued and other current liabilities (in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Royalties and other fulfillment costs
$
2,592

 
$
3,094

Employee compensation, commissions and benefits
5,955

 
5,958

Sales, VAT and other taxes payable
3,006

 
2,976

Other
5,557

 
5,292

Total accrued and other current liabilities
$
17,110

 
$
17,320


Note 11
Restructuring Charges
Restructuring and other charges in 2016 and 2015 consist of costs associated with the ongoing reorganization of our business operations and our ongoing expense re-alignment efforts. The expense amounts in both years relate primarily to severance costs due to workforce reductions.

Restructuring charges are as follows (in thousands):
 
Employee Separation Costs
Costs incurred and charged to expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016
$
385

Costs incurred and charged to expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015
$
485


Changes to the accrued restructuring liability (which is included in Accrued and other current liabilities) for 2016 (in thousands) are as follows:
 
Employee Separation Costs
Accrued liability at December 31, 2015
$
1,404

Costs incurred and charged to expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016
385

Cash payments
(820
)
Accrued liability at March 31, 2016
$
969



12



Note 12
Lease Exit and Related Charges
As a result of the reduction in use of RealNetworks' office space, lease exit and related charges have been recognized representing rent and contractual operating expenses over the remaining life of the leases, including estimates of sublease income expected to be received. In the quarter ended March 31, 2016, we identified a subtenant and recorded an additional $0.8 million of losses due to a change in estimate for sublease income relating to the approximate 43% reduction of office space at our corporate headquarters in Seattle, Washington in the third quarter of 2015. We continue to regularly evaluate the market for office space. If the market for such space changes further in future periods, we may have to revise our estimates which may result in future adjustments to expense for excess office facilities.
Changes to accrued lease exit and related charges (which is included in Accrued and other current liabilities) for 2016 (in thousands) are as follows:
 
Accrued loss at December 31, 2015
$
2,595

Additions and adjustments to the lease loss accrual, including estimated sublease income
831

Less amounts paid, net of sublease amounts
(514
)
Accrued loss at March 31, 2016
2,912

Less current portion (included in Accrued and other current liabilities)
(1,454
)
Accrued loss, non-current portion (included in Other long term liabilities)
$
1,458

Note 13
Shareholders’ Equity
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in components of accumulated other comprehensive income (in thousands):
 
 
 
Quarters Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Investments
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning of period
 
$
1,297

 
$
2,252

 
Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax effects of $90 and $116 in 2016 and 2015
 
151

 
205

 
Reclassification adjustments for losses (gains) included in other income (expense), net of tax effects of $0 and $(1) in 2016 and 2015
 

 
(299
)
 
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
 
151

 
(94
)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balance, end of period
 
$
1,448

 
$
2,158

Foreign currency translation
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning of period
 
$
(60,777
)
 
$
(57,504
)
 
Translation adjustments
 
700

 
(2,585
)
 
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
 
700

 
(2,585
)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balance, end of period
 
$
(60,077
)
 
$
(60,089
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), end of period
 
$
(58,629
)
 
$
(57,931
)


13



Note 14
Income Taxes
As of March 31, 2016, there have been no material changes to RealNetworks’ uncertain tax positions disclosures as provided in Note 14 of the 2015 10-K. We do not anticipate that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change within the next twelve months.
We file numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in the U.S. including federal, state and local, as well as foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for tax years before 2013 or state, local, or foreign income tax examinations for years before 1993. We are currently under audit by various states and foreign jurisdictions for certain tax years subsequent to 1993.

Note 15
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic net income (loss) per share (EPS) is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Basic and diluted EPS (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
 
Quarters Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Net income (loss)
$
(15,171
)
 
$
(24,469
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding used to compute basic EPS
36,520

 
36,104

Dilutive effect of stock based awards

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding used to compute diluted EPS
36,520

 
36,104

 
 
 
 
Basic EPS
$
(0.42
)
 
$
(0.68
)
Diluted EPS
$
(0.42
)
 
$
(0.68
)
During the quarter ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, 5.3 million and 6.3 million shares of common stock, respectively, of potentially issuable shares from stock awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because of their antidilutive effect.
Note 16
Commitments and Contingencies
We could in the future become subject to legal proceedings, governmental investigations and claims in the ordinary course of business, including employment claims, contract-related claims, and claims of alleged infringement of third-party patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights. Such claims, even if not meritorious, could force us to expend significant financial and managerial resources. In addition, given the broad distribution of some of our consumer products, any individual claim related to those products could give rise to liabilities that may be material to us. In the event of a determination adverse to us, we may incur substantial monetary liability, and/or be required to change our business practices. Either of these could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.  


14



Note 17
Guarantees
In the ordinary course of business, RealNetworks is subject to potential obligations for standard warranty and indemnification provisions that are contained within many of our customer license and service agreements. Our warranty provisions are consistent with those prevalent in our industry, and we do not have a history of incurring losses on warranties; therefore, we do not maintain accruals for warranty-related obligations. With regard to indemnification provisions, nearly all of our carrier contracts obligate us to indemnify our carrier customers for certain liabilities that may be incurred by them. We have received in the past, and may receive in the future, claims for indemnification from some of our carrier customers.
In relation to certain patents and other technology assets we sold to Intel in the second quarter of 2012, we have specific obligations to indemnify Intel for breaches of the representations and warranties that we made and covenants that we agreed to in the asset purchase agreement for certain potential future intellectual property infringement claims brought by third parties against Intel. The amount of any potential liabilities related to our indemnification obligations to Intel will not be determined until a claim has been made, but we are obligated to indemnify Intel up to the amount of the gross purchase price that we received in the sale.  

Note 18
Segment Information
In the first quarter of 2016, we reorganized the management of our businesses and as a result, we now report three segments: (1) Consumer Media, which includes our PC-based RealPlayer products, including RealPlayer Plus and related products and intellectual property licensing; (2) Mobile Services, which includes our SaaS services, our LISTEN® product, and our Mobile RealTimes® product that is primarily sold through mobile carriers; and (3) Games, which includes all our games-related businesses, including sales of games licenses, online games subscription services, advertising on games sites and social network sites, microtransactions from online and social games, and sales of mobile games.
We allocate certain corporate expenses which are directly attributable to supporting our businesses, including but not limited to a portion of finance, legal, human resources and headquarters facilities, to our reportable segments. Remaining expenses, which are not directly attributable to supporting the business, are reported as corporate items. Also reported in our corporate segment were restructuring charges, lease exit and related charges, as well as stock compensation charges. Concurrent with the segment change described above, we also changed our corporate expense allocation methodology to increase accountability, resulting in an increase in costs allocated to the Consumer Media and Mobile Services businesses.
RealNetworks reports three reportable segments based on factors such as how we manage our operations and how our Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) reviews results. The CODM reviews financial information presented on both a consolidated basis and on a business segment basis. The accounting policies used to derive segment results are the same as those described in Note 1, Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the 10-K.
The historical financial information presented has been recast to reflect the new segments and the new corporate expense presentation. Segment results for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):
Consumer Media
 
 
Quarters Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Revenue
$
5,726

 
$
7,989

Cost of revenue
2,417

 
3,464

Gross profit
3,309

 
4,525

Operating expenses
5,376

 
6,594

Operating income (loss)
$
(2,067
)
 
$
(2,069
)



15



Mobile Services
 
 
Quarters Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Revenue
$
16,465

 
$
14,504

Cost of revenue
10,917

 
10,308

Gross profit
5,548

 
4,196

Operating expenses
9,794

 
11,961

Operating income (loss)
$
(4,246
)
 
$
(7,765
)


Games

 
Quarters Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Revenue
$
6,039

 
$
8,104

Cost of revenue
1,845

 
2,794

Gross profit
4,194

 
5,310

Operating expenses
5,295

 
8,683

Operating income (loss)
$
(1,101
)
 
$
(3,373
)


Corporate
 
 
Quarters Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Cost of revenue
$
(7
)
 
$
(19
)
Operating expenses
7,372

 
5,824

Operating income (loss)
$
(7,365
)
 
$
(5,805
)

Our customers consist primarily of consumers and corporations located in the U.S., Europe, Republic of Korea and various foreign countries (Rest of the World). Revenue by geographic region (in thousands):
 
 
Quarters Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
United States
$
10,383

 
$
12,349

Europe
3,384

 
4,163

Republic of Korea
9,233

 
6,324

Rest of the World
5,230

 
7,761

Total net revenue
$
28,230

 
$
30,597



16



Long-lived assets (which consist of equipment, software, leasehold improvements, other intangible assets, and goodwill) by geographic region (in thousands) are as follows:
 
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
United States
$
15,012

 
$
16,821

Europe
4,544

 
4,898

Republic of Korea
268

 
282

Rest of the World
2,565

 
2,015

Total long-lived assets
$
22,389

 
$
24,016


Note 19
Related Party Transactions
 See Note 5, Rhapsody Joint Venture, and Note 6, Fair Value Measurements, for details on transactions involving Rhapsody.



    

17



Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements that have been made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about RealNetworks’ industry, products, management’s beliefs, and certain assumptions made by management. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements contained in this report that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to:

the expected benefits and other consequences of our growth plans, strategic initiatives, and restructurings;
our expected introduction, distribution and monetization, of new and enhanced products, services and technologies across our businesses;
future revenues, operating expenses, income and other taxes, tax benefits, net income (loss) per diluted share available to common shareholders, acquisition costs and related amortization, and other measures of results of operations;
the effects of our past acquisitions and expectations for future acquisitions and divestitures;
plans, strategies and expected opportunities for future growth, increased profitability and innovation;
the expected financial position, performance, growth and profitability of, and investment in, our businesses and the availability of resources;
the effects of legislation, regulations, administrative proceedings, court rulings, settlement negotiations and other factors that may impact our businesses;
the continuation and expected nature of certain customer relationships;
impacts of competition and certain customer relationships on the future financial performance and growth of our businesses;
our involvement in potential claims, legal proceedings and government investigations, and the potential outcomes and effects of such potential claims, legal proceedings and governmental investigations on our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations;
the effects of U.S. and foreign income and other taxes on our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations; and
the effect of economic and market conditions on our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual actions or results may differ materially. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including those noted in the documents incorporated herein by reference. Particular attention should also be paid to the cautionary language in Item 1A of Part II entitled “Risk Factors.” RealNetworks undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law. Readers should, however, carefully review the risk factors included in other reports or documents filed by RealNetworks from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any Current Reports on Form 8-K.
Overview
RealNetworks creates innovative applications and services that make it easy to connect with and enjoy digital media. Following a reorganization that took effect in 2016, we manage our business and report revenue and operating income (loss) in three segments: (1) Consumer Media, (2) Mobile Services, and (3) Games. The historical financial information presented within this report has been recast to reflect this new segmentation. See Note 18 Segment Information, to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this 10-Q.
Within our Consumer Media segment, revenue is derived from the sales of our PC-based RealPlayer® products, including RealPlayer Plus and related products and from the licensing of our intellectual property, primarily our codec technology, including our recently introduced RealMedia High Definition, or RMHD, technology. Distribution of these products and services are delivered directly to consumers and through partners, such as OEM and mobile device manufacturers.
Our Mobile Services business generates revenue primarily from the sale of our SaaS services, which include ringback tones, music on demand, intercarrier messaging and our LISTEN platform. This business also includes revenue related to Mobile RealTimes®, our recently introduced photo and video sharing application, that is primarily sold through mobile carriers and related partners.
Our Games business, through the GameHouse and Zylom brands, derives revenue from sales of games licenses, online games subscription services, sales of mobile games and advertising on games sites and social networks.

18



We allocate certain corporate expenses which are directly attributable to supporting our businesses, including but not limited to a portion of finance, legal, human resources and headquarters facilities, to our reportable segments. Remaining expenses, which are not directly attributable to supporting the business, are reported as corporate items. Also reported in our corporate segment are restructuring charges, lease exit and related charges, as well as stock compensation expense. Concurrent with the segment change described above, we also changed our expense allocation methodology to increase accountability, resulting in an increase in corporate costs allocated to the Consumer Media and Mobile Services businesses. The historical financial information presented below has been recast to reflect the new corporate expense allocation.

As of March 31, 2016, we had $86.8 million in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, compared to $99.1 million as of December 31, 2015. The 2016 decrease of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments since December 31, 2015 was due primarily to cash used in operating activities during the quarter of $11.2 million.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, our consolidated revenue declined by $2.4 million compared to the same period in 2015. While revenue increased by $2.0 million in our Mobile Services business, revenue declined by $2.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively, in our Consumer Media and Games segments, as described more fully below.

Condensed consolidated results of operations were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Quarters ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Total revenue
$
28,230

 
$
30,597

 
$
(2,367
)
 
(8
)%
Cost of revenue
15,172

 
16,547

 
(1,375
)
 
(8
)%
Gross profit
13,058

 
14,050

 
(992
)
 
(7
)%
Gross margin
46
%
 
46
%
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
27,837

 
33,062

 
(5,225
)
 
(16
)%
Operating income (loss)
$
(14,779
)
 
$
(19,012
)
 
$
4,233

 
22
 %
In the first quarter of 2016, our total consolidated revenue declined by $2.4 million, compared with the year-earlier period. The reduction in revenue resulted from declines of $2.3 million in Consumer Media, due primarily to lower IP licensing revenue, and $2.1 million in Games, due primarily to the sale of the Slingo and social casino games business in the third quarter of 2015. Revenue from Mobile Services increased $2.0 million mainly due to higher music on demand sales in Korea. Although revenue decreased overall, gross margin remained consistent at 46% during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 as described in more detail in Segment Operating Results below. Operating expenses decreased by $5.2 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016 compared with the prior year primarily due to savings of $4.8 million realized from the sale of the Slingo and the social casino games business. Other factors contributing to the decrease in operating expenses were significant reductions in salaries and related personnel costs and professional service fees. These reductions were offset in part by the benefit recognized in the first quarter of 2015 relating to the warrants received from Rhapsody, higher restructuring costs, and higher stock compensation expense resulting from the first quarter 2016 authorization and grant of fully vested equity awards as payment for 2015 incentive bonuses.

Segment Operating Results
Consumer Media
Consumer Media segment results of operations were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 

19



 
Quarters ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Revenue
$
5,726

 
$
7,989

 
$
(2,263
)
 
(28
)%
Cost of revenue
2,417

 
3,464

 
(1,047
)
 
(30
)%
Gross profit
3,309

 
4,525

 
(1,216
)
 
(27
)%
Gross margin
58
%
 
57
%
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
5,376

 
6,594

 
(1,218
)
 
(18
)%
Operating income (loss)
$
(2,067
)
 
$
(2,069
)
 
$
2

 
 %

Total Consumer Media revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 declined $2.3 million when compared with the year-earlier period. IP licensing revenue declined by $1.7 million due primarily to the timing of contracts and contract renewals. Continuing declines in our legacy subscription products of $0.4 million coupled with a decrease of $0.3 million in our third party distribution revenue made up the remaining decline in Consumer Media revenue.
Cost of revenue decreased by $1.0 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2016, compared with the year-earlier period, in line with the overall decrease in revenue, resulting in a slight increase in gross margin during the period. The decrease in cost of revenue was primarily due to lower bandwidth costs.
Operating expenses decreased by $1.2 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, compared with the year-earlier period. The decrease was primarily due to reductions in salaries and related personnel costs of $1.4 million, marketing costs of $0.4 million, and professional services costs of $0.5 million. These declines were offset, in part, by a $0.7 million acceleration of depreciation expense related to the obsolescence of e-commerce assets as we moved this platform to a third party cloud service.

Mobile Services
Mobile Services segment results of operations were as follows (dollars in thousands): 
 
Quarters ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Revenue
$
16,465

 
$
14,504

 
$
1,961

 
14
 %
Cost of revenue
10,917

 
10,308

 
609

 
6
 %
Gross profit
5,548

 
4,196

 
1,352

 
32
 %
Gross margin
34
%
 
29
%
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
9,794

 
11,961

 
(2,167
)
 
(18
)%
Operating income (loss)
$
(4,246
)
 
$
(7,765
)
 
$
3,519

 
45
 %
Total Mobile Services revenue increased by $2.0 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, compared with the year-earlier period. This increase was driven by an increase of $3.1 million in our music on demand business in Korea and, to a lesser degree, from our RealTimes mobile services which we began to distribute through mobile carriers during the last quarter of 2015. These increases were offset by decreases in revenue from professional services provided to our mobile carriers, from our ringback tones and from our Helix product. In 2014, we ceased investing in our Helix product and we no longer sell it.
Cost of revenue increased by $0.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016 compared with the year-earlier period, primarily from costs related to our music on demand service resulting from higher related revenue which was offset by savings from our other SaaS service offerings, such as professional services and ringback tones.
Gross margin increased from 29% to 34% in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, due to system implementation revenue from our carrier partners relating to our RealTimes product.
Operating expenses decreased by $2.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, compared with the year-earlier period, primarily due to reductions in salaries and related personnel costs of $1.5 million. Additionally, our marketing spend decreased by $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

20



Games
Games segment results of operations were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Quarters ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Revenue
$
6,039

 
$
8,104

 
$
(2,065
)
 
(25
)%
Cost of revenue
1,845

 
2,794

 
(949
)
 
(34
)%
Gross profit
4,194

 
5,310

 
(1,116
)
 
(21
)%
Gross margin
69
%
 
66
%
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
5,295

 
8,683

 
(3,388
)
 
(39
)%
Operating income (loss)
$
(1,101
)
 
$
(3,373
)
 
$
2,272

 
67
 %
Total Games revenue decreased by $2.1 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, compared with the year-earlier period primarily due to the sale of our Slingo and social casino games business in the third quarter of 2015. Revenue from this business was $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2015. In addition, we saw lower revenue in 2016 from subscription products of $0.5 million.
Cost of revenue decreased by $0.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the year-earlier period. The decrease was primarily related to the sale of our Slingo and social casino games business.
Gross margin improved from 66% to 69% as a result of the sale of the Slingo and social casino games business, which had lower margins than our existing products.
Operating expenses declined by $3.4 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, compared with the year-earlier period primarily due to $4.8 million of operating expenses in the first quarter of 2015 from our Slingo and social casino games business, offset by increases in salaries and related personnel costs and marketing expenses.
Corporate

Corporate segment results of operations were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Quarters ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Cost of revenue
$
(7
)
 
$
(19
)
 
$
12

 
63
 %
Operating expenses
7,372

 
5,824

 
1,548

 
27
 %
Operating income (loss)
$
(7,365
)
 
$
(5,805
)
 
$
(1,560
)
 
(27
)%
Operating expenses increased by $1.5 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016 compared with the year-earlier period. The increase was primarily due to an increase in stock compensation expense as we authorized and granted fully vested equity awards for our 2015 incentive bonuses in the first quarter of 2016, as well as the benefit recognized relating to the warrants received from Rhapsody in the first quarter of 2015 and higher restructuring costs in the current quarter. These increases were offset in part by decreases in salary and benefit costs and professional service fees as well as increased allocations of costs from our Corporate segment to our Consumer Media and Mobile Services businesses, as discussed above.

Consolidated Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses consist primarily of salaries and related personnel costs including stock based compensation, consulting fees associated with product development, sales commissions, amortization of certain intangible assets capitalized in our acquisitions, professional service fees, advertising costs, restructuring charges and lease exit costs. Operating expenses were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 

21



 
Quarters ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Research and development
$
9,319

 
$
12,379

 
$
(3,060
)
 
(25
)%
Sales and marketing
9,225

 
12,837

 
(3,612
)
 
(28
)%
General and administrative
8,077

 
7,283

 
794

 
11
 %
Restructuring and other charges
385

 
485

 
(100
)
 
(21
)%
Lease exit and related charges
831

 
78

 
753

 
NM
Total consolidated operating expenses
$
27,837

 
$
33,062

 
$
(5,225
)
 
(16
)%
Research and development expenses decreased by $3.1 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, compared with the year-earlier period. The decrease was primarily due to $2.2 million reduction from the sale of our Slingo and social casino games business and $1.4 million from a reduction in salaries and benefits costs and professional service fees. These decreases were partially offset by $0.7 million of depreciation expense related to the obsolescence of e-commerce assets as we moved this platform to a third-party cloud service.
Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $3.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016 compared with the year-earlier period. The decrease was primarily due to $2.0 million of reduction from the sale of our Slingo and social casino games business as well as $2.2 million of decreases in salaries and benefits costs, professional service fees and marketing expenses. These decreases were offset in part by an increase in stock compensation expenses for the fully vested equity awards authorized and granted for our 2015 incentive bonuses in the first quarter of 2016.
General and administrative expenses increased by $0.8 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, compared with the year-earlier period. The increase was primarily due to $1.2 million of a benefit recognized in the first quarter of 2015 relating to the warrants received from Rhapsody and an increase in stock compensation expenses for the fully vested equity awards authorized and granted for our 2015 incentive bonuses in the first quarter of 2016. These increases were offset in part by $0.5 million of a reduction from the sale of our Slingo and social casino games business in 2015 and reductions in salaries and benefits costs and professional service fees.
Restructuring and other charges and Lease exit and related charges consist of costs associated with the ongoing reorganization of our business operations and our ongoing expense re-alignment efforts. Restructuring expense is primarily related to severance costs due to workforce reductions. Lease exit costs for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 increased by $0.8 million over the prior year period primarily based on updated estimates of future lease costs from our vacated office space in our Seattle headquarters. For additional details on these charges see Note 11, Restructuring Charges and Note 12, Lease Exit and Related Charges, to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this 10-Q.
Other Income (Expenses)
Other income (expenses), net was as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Quarters ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Interest income, net
$
117

 
$
200

 
$
(83
)
 
(42
)%
Gain (loss) on investments, net
3

 
299

 
(296
)
 
NM
Equity in net loss of Rhapsody

 
(6,180
)
 
6,180

 
100
 %
Other income (expense), net
(287
)
 
443

 
(730
)
 
(165
)%
Total other income (expense), net
$
(167
)
 
$
(5,238
)
 
$
5,071

 
97
 %

Gain (loss) on investments, net, for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 declined from the prior year period as there were no sales of available for sale securities in the current period whereas we recognized a gain of $0.3 million from sales in the prior year period.

We account for our investment in Rhapsody under the equity method of accounting, as described in Note 5, Rhapsody Joint Venture, to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q. The net carrying value of our investment in Rhapsody is not necessarily indicative of the underlying fair value of our investment.


22



Other income (expense), net, reflected an expense of $(0.3) million compared with income of $0.4 million in the prior year period. This change was due primarily due to a change in foreign currency gain (loss) due to a change in exchange rates.
Income Taxes
During the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, we recognized an income tax expense of $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, related to U.S. and foreign income taxes. Besides changes in our jurisdictional income, the income tax expense recorded for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 has remained consistent.
As of March 31, 2016, there have been no material changes to RealNetworks’ uncertain tax positions disclosures as provided in Note 14 of the 2015 10-K. We do not anticipate that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change within the next twelve months.
The majority of our tax expense is due to income in our foreign jurisdictions and we have not benefitted from losses in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions in the first quarter of 2016. We generate income in a number of foreign jurisdictions, some of which have higher or lower tax rates relative to the U.S. federal statutory rate. Our tax expense could fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis to the extent income is less than anticipated in countries with lower statutory tax rates and more than anticipated in countries with higher statutory tax rates. For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, decreases in tax expense from income generated in foreign jurisdictions with lower tax rates in comparison to the U.S. federal statutory rate was offset by increases in tax expense from income generated in foreign jurisdictions having comparable, or higher tax rates in comparison to the U.S. federal statutory rate. The effect of differences in foreign tax rates on the Company's tax expense for the first quarter of 2016 is minimal.
As of March 31, 2016, we have not provided for U.S. federal and state income taxes on certain undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries, since such earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. or may be remitted tax-free to the U.S. If these amounts were distributed to the U.S., in the future in the form of dividends or otherwise, we could be subject to additional U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes. It is not practicable to determine the foreign withholding and U.S. income tax liability or benefit on such earnings due to the timing of such future distributions, the availability of foreign tax credits, and the complexity of the computation if such earnings were not deemed to be permanently reinvested. If future events, including material changes in estimates of cash, working capital, and long-term investment requirements necessitate that these earnings be distributed, an additional provision for U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes may be necessary.
We file numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in the U.S., including federal, state and local returns, as well as in foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to United States federal income tax examinations for tax years prior to 2013 or state, local or foreign income tax examinations for years prior to 1993. We are currently under audit by various states and foreign jurisdictions for certain tax years subsequent to 1993.
Geographic Revenue
Revenue by geographic region was as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Quarters ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
 
% Change
United States
$
10,383

 
$
12,349

 
$
(1,966
)
 
(16
)%
Europe
3,384

 
4,163

 
(779
)
 
(19
)%
Republic of Korea
9,233

 
6,324

 
2,909

 
46
 %
Rest of world
5,230

 
7,761

 
(2,531
)
 
(33
)%
Total net revenue
$
28,230

 
$
30,597

 
$
(2,367
)
 
(8
)%
Revenue in the United States declined by $2.0 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016 compared with the year-earlier period. The decline was primarily due to the sale of our Slingo and social casino business in the third quarter of 2015. Revenue from this business was $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2015. In addition, we saw decreases of $0.5 million and $0.4 million from our license and subscriptions revenue in our Consumer Media business offset by an increase of $0.4 million from revenue in our Mobile Services business.
Revenue in Europe declined by $0.8 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016 compared with the year-earlier period. The decrease was due to a decline in our Games revenue of $0.5 million and a decline in our Mobile Services business of $0.3 million.

23



Revenue in Korea increased by $2.9 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016 compared with the year-earlier period. The increase, which was in our Mobile Services business, was due primarily to a $3.1 million increase in music on demand revenue.
Revenue in the rest of world decreased by $2.5 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016 compared with the year-earlier period. The decrease was primarily due to a decline in our Consumer Media business of $1.3 million as well as lower Mobile Services revenue of $1.1 million.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this 10-Q.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following summarizes working capital, cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and restricted cash (in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Working capital
$
80,355

 
$
91,373

Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments
86,828

 
99,129

Restricted cash equivalents and investments
3,100

 
2,890


The 2016 decrease of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments from December 31, 2015 was due primarily to our ongoing negative cash flows used in operating activities, which totaled $11.2 million in the first three months of 2016.

The following summarizes cash flow activity (in thousands):
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
(11,211
)
 
$
(20,094
)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities
4,487

 
22,105

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(771
)
 
(1
)
Cash used in operating activities consisted of net income (loss) adjusted for certain non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization, and the effect of changes in certain operating assets and liabilities.
Cash used in operating activities was $8.9 million lower in the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015. Cash used in operations was less due in part to a lower operating loss in 2016 than the same quarter in the prior year.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, cash provided by investing activities of $4.5 million was due primarily to sales and maturities, net of purchases, of short-term investments, which totaled $5.5 million. This was partially offset by purchases of equipment, software and leasehold improvements of $0.8 million.
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, cash provided by investing activities of $22.1 million was primarily due to sales and maturities, net of purchases, of short-term investments of $27.1 million partially offset by purchases of equipment, software and leasehold improvements of $0.3 million as well as a $5.0 million advance made to Rhapsody in the first quarter of 2015.
Cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $0.8 million. This cash outflow was due to tax payments on shares withheld upon vesting of restricted stock during the quarter.

24



While we currently have no planned significant capital expenditures for the remainder of 2016 other than those in the ordinary course of business, we do have contractual commitments for future payments related to office leases.
We believe that our current unrestricted cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months.
In the future, we may seek to raise additional funds through public or private equity financing, or through other sources such as credit facilities. Such sources of funding may or may not be available to us at commercially reasonable terms. The sale of additional equity securities could result in dilution to our shareholders. In addition, in the future, we may enter into cash or stock acquisition transactions or other strategic transactions that could reduce cash available to fund our operations or result in dilution to shareholders.
Our cash equivalents and short-term investments consist of investment grade securities, as specified in our investment policy guidelines. The policy limits the amount of credit exposure to any one non-U.S. Government or non-U.S. Agency issue or issuer to a maximum of 5% of the total portfolio. These securities are subject to interest rate risk and will decrease in value if interest rates increase. Because we have historically had the ability to hold our fixed income investments until maturity, we do not expect our operating results or cash flows to be significantly affected by a sudden change in market interest rates in our securities portfolio.
We conduct our operations primarily in five functional currencies: the U.S. dollar, the Korean won, the Japanese yen, the British pound and the euro. We currently do not hedge the majority of our foreign currency exposures and are therefore subject to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. We are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as the financial results of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars in consolidation. Our exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations also arises from intercompany payables and receivables to and from our foreign subsidiaries.
As of March 31, 2016, approximately $16.7 million of unrestricted cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments was held by our foreign subsidiaries. If these funds are needed for our operations in the U.S., we may be required to accrue and pay U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes to repatriate these funds. However, our intent is to permanently reinvest these funds outside of the U.S. and our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate them to fund our U.S. operations. Additionally, the Company currently has significant net operating losses and other tax attributes that could be used to offset potential U.S. income tax that could result if these amounts were distributed to the U.S. We utilize a variety of tax planning and financing strategies in an effort to ensure that our worldwide cash is available in the locations in which it is needed. We do not expect restrictions or potential taxes on repatriation of amounts held outside of the U.S to have a material effect on our overall liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have operating lease obligations for office facility leases with future cash commitments that are not required to be recorded on our consolidated balance sheet. Accordingly, these operating lease obligations constitute off-balance sheet arrangements. In addition, since we do not maintain accruals associated with certain guarantees, as discussed in Note 17, Guarantees, to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this 10-Q, those guarantee obligations also constitute off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported period. Our critical accounting policies and estimates are as follows:
Revenue recognition;
Estimating music publishing rights and music royalty accruals;
Estimating recoverability of deferred costs;
Estimating allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns;
Estimating losses on excess office facilities;
Valuation of equity method investments;
Valuation of definite-lived assets;
Valuation of goodwill ;
Stock-based compensation; and

25



Accounting for income taxes.
Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collection is probable. Physical products are considered delivered to the customer once they have been shipped and title and risk of loss have been transferred. For online sales, the products or services are considered delivered at the time the product or services are made available, digitally, to the end user.
We recognize revenue on a gross or net basis. In most arrangements, we contract directly with end user customers, and are the primary obligor. In such arrangements, we recognize revenue on a gross basis. In some cases, we utilize third-party distributors who are the primary obligor to sell products or services directly to end user customers. In such instances, we recognize revenue on a net basis.
In our direct to consumer operations, we derive revenue primarily through (1) subscriptions sold by our Games segment and subscriptions of SuperPass within our Consumer Media segment, (2) sales of content downloads, software and licenses offered by our Consumer Media, Mobile Services, and Games segments and (3) the sale of advertising and the distribution of third-party products on our websites and in our games.
Consumer subscription products are paid in advance, typically for monthly, quarterly or annual duration. Subscription revenue is recognized ratably over the related subscription time period. Revenue from sales of content downloads, software and licenses is recognized at the time the product is made available, digitally, to the end user. Revenue generated from advertising on our websites and from advertising and the distribution of third-party products included in our products is recognized as revenue at the time of delivery.
We also generate revenue through business-to-business channels by providing services within our Mobile Services segment enabling mobile carriers to deliver audio and video content to their customers and by selling software licenses and products and related support and other services. Revenue generated from services provided to mobile carriers that enable the delivery of audio and video content to their customers is recognized as the services are provided. Setup fees to build these services are recognized ratably upon launch of the service over the remaining expected term of the service.
Non-software revenue arrangements containing multiple elements are divided into separate units of accounting, after being evaluated for specific criteria. If the criteria for separation are met, revenue is allocated to the individual units using the relative price method. If the criteria are not met, the elements are treated as one unit of accounting and revenue recognition is delayed until all elements have been delivered. In the case of revenue arrangements containing software, elements are divided into separate units of accounting only when vendor-specific objective evidence has been established. In cases where vendor-specific objective evidence has not been established, undelivered elements are combined into one unit of accounting and are not recognized in revenue until all elements have been delivered.

Estimating Music Publishing Rights and Music Royalty Accruals. We have made estimates of amounts that may be owed related to music royalties for our historical domestic and international music services. Material differences may impact the amount and timing of our expense for any period if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates. Under copyright law, we may be required to pay licensing fees for digital sound recordings and compositions we have delivered. Copyright law generally does not specify the rate and terms of the licenses, which are determined by voluntary negotiations among the parties or, for certain compulsory licenses where voluntary negotiations are unsuccessful, by arbitration. Our estimates are based on contracted or statutory rates, when established, or management’s best estimates based on facts and circumstances regarding the specific music services and agreements in similar geographies or with similar agencies. While we have based our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Estimating Recoverability of Deferred Costs. We defer costs on projects for service revenue and system sales. Deferred costs consist primarily of direct and incremental costs to customize and install systems, as defined in individual customer contracts, including costs to acquire hardware and software from third parties and payroll costs for our employees and other third parties. We recognize such costs as a component of cost of revenue, the timing of which is dependent upon the revenue recognition policy by contract. For revenue recognized under the completed contract method, costs are deferred until the products are delivered, or upon completion of services or, where applicable, customer acceptance. For revenue recognized under the percentage of completion method, costs are recognized as products are delivered or services are provided in accordance with the percentage of completion calculation. For revenue recognized ratably over the term of the contract, costs are recognized ratably over the term of the contract, commencing on the date of revenue recognition. At each balance sheet date, we review deferred costs to ensure they are ultimately recoverable. Any anticipated losses on uncompleted contracts are recognized when evidence indicates the estimated total cost of a contract exceeds its estimated total revenue.

26



Assessing the recoverability of deferred project costs is based on significant assumptions and estimates, including future revenue and cost of sales. Significant or sustained decreases in revenue or increases in cost of sales in future periods could result in impairments of deferred project costs. We cannot accurately predict the amount and timing of any such impairments. Should the value of deferred project costs become impaired, we would record the appropriate charge, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Estimating Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Sales Returns. We make estimates of the uncollectible portion of our accounts receivable. We specifically analyze the age of accounts receivable and historical bad debts, customer credit-worthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Similarly, we make estimates of potential future product returns related to current period revenue. We analyze historical returns, current economic trends, and changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns allowance. Significant judgments and estimates are made and used in connection with establishing allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if we were to make different judgments or utilize different estimates or actual future experience was different from the judgments and estimates.
Estimating losses on excess office facilities. We made significant estimates in determining the appropriate amount of accrued loss on excess office facilities, including estimates of sublease income expected to be received. If we make different estimates, our loss on excess office facilities could be significantly different from that recorded, which could have a material impact on our operating results.
Valuation of Equity Method Investments. We use the equity method of accounting for investments in circumstances where we have the ability to exert significant influence, but not control, over an investee or joint venture. We record our percentage interest in the investee's recorded income or loss and changes in the investee's capital under this method, which will increase or decrease the reported value of our investment. See Note 5, Rhapsody Joint Venture, to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this 10-Q, for additional information. We initially record our investment based on a fair value analysis of the investment.
We evaluate impairment of an investment valued under the equity method if events and circumstances warrant. An impairment charge would be recorded if a decline in value of an equity investment below its carrying amount were determined to be other than temporary. In determining if a decline is other than temporary, we consider factors such as the length of time and extent to which the fair value of the investment has been less than the carrying amount of the investee or joint venture, the near-term and longer-term operating and financial prospects of the investee or joint venture and our intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery.
Valuation of Definite-Lived Assets. Definite-lived assets consist primarily of property, plant and equipment, as well as amortizable intangible assets acquired in business combinations. Definite-lived assets are amortized on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives. We review definite-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of their carrying amount to future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If definite-lived assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized equals the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds their fair market value.
The impairment analysis of definite-lived assets is based upon estimates and assumptions relating to our future revenue, cash flows, operating expenses, costs of capital and capital purchases. These estimates and assumptions are complex and subject to a significant degree of judgment with respect to certain factors including, but not limited to, the cash flows of our long-term operating plans, market and interest rate risk, and risk-commensurate discount rates and cost of capital. Significant or sustained declines in future revenue or cash flows, or adverse changes in our business climate, among other factors, and their resulting impact on the estimates and assumptions relating to the value of our definite-lived assets could result in the need to perform an impairment analysis in future periods which could result in a significant impairment. While we believe our estimates and assumptions are reasonable, due to their complexity and subjectivity, these estimates and assumptions could vary from period to period. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the estimate of future undiscounted cash flows and related fair market values of these assets and result in significant impairments, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. For further discussion, please see the risk factor entitled, "Any impairment to our goodwill, and definite-lived assets could result in a significant charge to our earnings" under Item 1A Risk Factors.
Valuation of Goodwill.  We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, in our fourth quarter, or more frequently if circumstances indicate reporting unit carrying values may exceed their fair values. Circumstances that may indicate a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value include, but are not limited to: poor economic performance relative to historical or

27



projected future operating results; significant negative industry, economic or company specific trends; changes in the manner of our use of the assets or the plans for our business; and loss of key personnel.
When evaluating goodwill for impairment, based upon our annual test or due to changes in circumstances described above, we first perform a qualitative assessment to determine if the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not less than the reporting unit's carrying amount including goodwill. If this assessment indicates it is more likely than not, we then compare the carrying value of the reporting unit to the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, we then calculate the implied estimated fair value of goodwill for the reporting unit and compare it to the carrying amount of goodwill for the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied estimated fair value, an impairment charge to current operations is recorded to reduce the carrying value to implied estimated value.
Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining the reporting units and assessing the fair value of the reporting units. These estimates and assumptions are complex and subject to a significant degree of judgment with respect to certain factors including, but not limited to, the cash flows of long-term operating plans, market and interest rate risk, and risk-commensurate discount rates and cost of capital.
Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the award’s fair value and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. For stock options, the fair value is calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model or other appropriate valuation models such as Monte Carlo simulation. The valuation models require various highly judgmental assumptions including volatility in our common stock price and expected option life. If any of the assumptions used in the valuation models change significantly, stock-based compensation expense for new awards may differ materially in the future from the amounts recorded in our consolidated statement of operations. For all awards, we are required to estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. We use historical data to estimate pre-vesting forfeitures.
Accounting for Income Taxes. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year. In addition, deferred income tax expense and deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. We must make assumptions, judgments and estimates to determine the current and deferred provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance to be recorded against deferred tax assets. Our judgments, assumptions, and estimates relative to the current provision for income tax take into account current tax laws, our interpretation of current tax laws and possible outcomes of future audits conducted by foreign and domestic tax authorities. Changes in tax law or our interpretation of tax laws and future tax audits could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes in our consolidated financial statements.
Each reporting period we must periodically assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future sources of taxable income, and to the extent that recovery is not more likely than not, a valuation allowance must be established. The establishment of a valuation allowance and increases to such an allowance result in either increases to income tax expense or reduction of income tax benefit in the statement of operations and comprehensive income. In certain instances, changes in the valuation allowance may be allocated directly to the related components of shareholders' equity on the consolidated balance sheet. Factors we consider in making such an assessment include, but are not limited to, past performance and our expectation of future taxable income, macroeconomic conditions and issues facing our industry, existing contracts, our ability to project future results and any appreciation of our investments and other assets.
As of March 31, 2016, $16.7 million of the $86.8 million of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments was held by our foreign subsidiaries.
As of March 31, 2016, we have not provided for U.S. federal and state income taxes on certain undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries, since such earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. or may be remitted tax-free to the U.S. If these amounts were distributed to the U.S., in the form of dividends or otherwise, RealNetworks could be subject to additional U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes. It is not practicable to determine the foreign withholding and U.S. federal income tax liability or benefit on such earnings due to the timing of such future distributions, the availability of foreign tax credits, and the complexity of the computation if such earnings were not deemed to be permanently reinvested. If future events, including material changes in estimates of cash, working capital, and long-term investment requirements necessitate that these earnings be distributed, an additional provision for U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes may be necessary.


28



Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The following discussion about our market risk involves forward-looking statements. All statements that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements.
Interest Rate Risk. Our exposure to interest rate risk from changes in market interest rates relates primarily to our short-term investment portfolio. Our short-term investments consist of investment grade debt securities as specified in our investment policy. Investments in both fixed and floating rate instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. The fair value of fixed rate securities may be adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates fall. Additionally, a declining rate environment creates reinvestment risk because as securities mature the proceeds are reinvested at a lower rate, generating less interest income. See Note 6, Fair Value Measurements, to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q, for additional information. Due in part to these factors, our future interest income may be adversely impacted due to changes in interest rates. In addition, we may incur losses in principal if we are forced to sell securities that have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates. Because we have historically had the ability to hold our short-term investments until maturity, we would not expect our operating results or cash flows to be significantly impacted by a sudden change in market interest rates. There have been no material changes in our investment methodology regarding our cash equivalents and short-term investments during the quarter ended March 31, 2016. Based on our cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and restricted cash equivalents as of March 31, 2016, a hypothetical 10% increase/decrease in interest rates would not increase/decrease our annual interest income or cash flows by more than a nominal amount.
Investment Risk. As of March 31, 2016, we had investments in voting capital stock of both publicly traded and privately held technology companies for business and strategic purposes. See Note 1, Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Valuation of Equity Method Investments, and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates (Valuation of equity method investments) in our Form 10-K for details on our accounting treatment for these investments, including the analysis of other-than-temporary impairments.
Foreign Currency Risk. We conduct business internationally in several currencies and thus are exposed to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates.
Our exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations arise in part from: (1) translation of the financial results of foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars in consolidation; (2) the remeasurement of non-functional currency assets, liabilities and intercompany balances into U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes; and (3) non-U.S. dollar denominated sales to foreign customers. We manage a portion of these risks through the use of financial derivatives, but fluctuations could impact our results of operations and financial position.
Where appropriate, we manage foreign currency risk for certain material short-term intercompany balances through the use of foreign currency forward contracts. These contracts require us to exchange currencies at rates agreed upon at the contract’s inception. Because the impact of movements in currency exchange rates on forward contracts offsets the related impact on the short-term intercompany balances, these financial instruments help alleviate the risk that might otherwise result from certain changes in currency exchange rates. We do not designate our foreign exchange forward contracts related to short-term intercompany accounts as hedges and, accordingly, we adjust these instruments to fair value through results of operations. However, we may periodically hedge a portion of our foreign exchange exposures associated with material firmly committed transactions, long-term investments, highly predictable anticipated exposures and net investments in foreign subsidiaries. To the extent we continue to experience adverse economic conditions, our unhedged exposures are impacted by movements in currency exchange rates and we may record losses related to such unhedged exposures in future periods that may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our foreign currency risk management program reduces, but does not entirely eliminate, the impact of currency exchange rate movements.
We have cash balances denominated in foreign currencies which are subject to foreign currency fluctuation risk. The majority of our foreign currency denominated cash is held in Korean won and euros. A hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in the Korean won and euro relative to the U.S. dollar as of March 31, 2016 would not result in a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

29



Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2016. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Based upon that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2016, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the first quarter of 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

30



PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
See Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies, to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the risks described below together with all of the other information included in this Form 10-Q. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we presently deem less significant may also impair our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or operating results, and the trading price of our common stock, could be materially harmed.

Our business and financial results will be materially adversely impacted if we are unable to successfully implement our growth plans, strategic initiatives, and restructuring efforts.
Beginning in mid-2012, we developed a major new growth plan that continues to evolve. We have also embarked upon strategic initiatives intended to simplify and accelerate our operations, and restructuring efforts intended to streamline costs and bring more focus to our businesses. The simultaneous execution of all of these measures is ambitious and we have not attempted to pursue this level of transition in our history. We can provide no assurance that we will be successful in implementing our growth plans, strategic initiatives, and restructuring efforts, either in a timely manner or at all, and our failure to do so would have a material adverse impact on our business and financial results. Moreover, the implementation of our growth plans, strategic initiatives and restructuring efforts has required significant cash outlays, and we cannot guarantee that these expenditures will have the desired return or that our cash reserves will be sufficient for a successful transition.

We need to successfully monetize our products and services in order to sustain and grow our businesses.
In order to sustain our current level of business and to implement our growth plans, we must successfully monetize our products and services. The process of developing and distributing products and services is complex, costly and uncertain, and is subject to a number of risks. Providing products and services that are attractive and useful to subscribers and consumers is in part subject to unpredictable and volatile factors beyond our control, including end-user preferences, competing products and services, and a limited number of dominant distribution partners. Any failure by us to timely respond to or accurately anticipate consumers’ changing needs, emerging technological trends or important changes in the market or competition for products and services that we introduce, or that we have launched, could increase the current rate of decline in our market share or result in the loss of market opportunities. In addition, we must make long-term investments, develop or obtain appropriate intellectual property and commit significant resources before knowing whether the products and services that we are developing will meet the needs of a large enough group of consumers, which may result in no return or a loss on our investments. Moreover, if we are unsuccessful in securing distribution channels with new partners, including mobile carriers, strengthening channels with existing partners, and monetizing our products and services, our revenue will continue to decline and our business may suffer.
Over the past three years, we have invested heavily in the development of new products and enhanced features for such products, and we expect to continue to invest both in further development and in sales and marketing efforts aimed at monetizing certain of these products and services. If we are unable to generate sustained interest in these products and services, and therefore drive revenue growth, our financial results and cash position will continue to be materially negatively impacted.
Furthermore, new products and services may be subject to legal challenge. Responding to any such claims may require us to enter into royalty and licensing agreements on unfavorable terms, require us to stop distributing or selling, or to redesign our products or services, or to pay damages, any of which could materially harm our operating results and our ability to grow our businesses.


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Our legacy products and services face new and continuing challenges, causing our revenues to materially decline.
Our legacy products and services have historically been distributed through desktop computers and feature phones. Consumer behavior and tastes continue to change and the market for such products and services has been moving to smartphones and tablets. Although we have developed products and services for these emerging platforms there is no guarantee that we will be successful. In addition, as new operating systems are introduced or updated for these platforms, we are likely to continue to face difficulties reaching our traditional customer base and other unknown distribution challenges.

Our restructuring efforts may not yield the anticipated benefits to our shareholders.
Since 2012, we have taken steps to restructure and simplify our business and operations. In September 2012, we announced plans to divisionalize our business, which we implemented during the first quarter of 2013, and to significantly reduce operating expenses, in part through a reduction in our workforce that was substantially concluded by the end of the second quarter of 2013. In August 2014, we announced a further reduction in our workforce and related cost reductions, and during the second quarter of 2015, we recorded $2.0 million in severance and restructuring charges relating to additional workforce reductions. During the third quarter of 2015, we recorded another $3.1 million in severance and restructuring costs related to further workforce reductions. We continue to assess opportunities to further streamline our operations and make our businesses more efficient. There can be no assurance, however, that our past or future restructuring efforts will be successful. Our business and operations may be harmed to the extent there is customer or employee uncertainty surrounding the future direction of our product and service offerings and strategy for our businesses. Our restructuring activities have included implementing cost-cutting initiatives, which may not lead to future profitability and which could materially impact our ability to compete in future periods. If we are unable to effectively re-align the cost structure of our businesses or streamline and simplify our operations, our stock price may continue to be adversely affected, and we and our shareholders will not realize the anticipated financial, operational and other benefits from such initiatives.

Our businesses face substantial competitive challenges that may prevent us from being successful in those businesses, and may negatively impact future growth in those businesses.
Many of our current and potential competitors in our businesses have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, more employees and significantly greater resources than we do. To effectively compete in the markets for our products and services, we may experience the following consequences, any of which would adversely affect our operating results and the trading price of our stock:
reduced prices or margins,
loss of current and potential customers, or partners and potential partners who distribute our products and services or who provide content that we distribute to our customers,
changes to our products, services, technologies, licenses or business practices or strategies,
lengthened sales cycles,
industry-wide changes in content distribution to customers or in trends in consumer consumption of digital media products and services,
pressure to prematurely release products or product enhancements, or
degradation in our stature or reputation in the market.
The market for our Mobile Services business, including our ringback tones and music on demand solutions, is highly competitive and evolving rapidly, particularly with the growth in the use of smartphones. Increased use of smartphones has resulted in a proliferation of applications and services that compete with our SaaS services and, in many cases, are not dependent upon our mobile partners to make them available to subscribers. Increased competition has in the past resulted in pricing pressure, forcing us to lower the selling price of our services. We expect this pricing pressure to continue to materially harm our operating results and financial condition.
Our RealTimes product faces strong competition from other cloud service providers, including some that are firmly established in the marketplace and have access to extensive resources, as well as video and photo sharing services. In addition, as we continue to develop this product and expand its reach, we have seen and expect to continue to see growing competition from companies offering innovative features for engaging with users' video content, some of which are offered for free. To be competitive and to create an appealing value proposition for distribution partners, our RealTimes product must provide sufficiently engaging and compelling features for users' digital content. Our RealPlayer software services compete with alternative streaming media playback technologies and audio and video formats which have obtained broad market penetration. If we are unable to compete successfully, most notably through the development, marketing, distribution and monetization of RealTimes, our RealPlayer business could continue to decline.

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The branded services in our Games business compete with other online aggregators and distributors of online, downloadable and social casual PC games. Some of these competitors have high volume distribution channels and greater financial resources than we do. Our Games business also competes with many other smaller companies that may be able to adjust to market conditions, including responding effectively to the growing popularity of casual games on social networks, faster than us. We also face significant price competition in the casual games market, and some of our competitors may be able to offer games for free, or reduce prices more aggressively than us. We expect competition to continue to intensify in this market from these and other competitors. Our games development studios compete primarily with other developers of online, downloadable, mobile and social casual PC games and must continue to develop popular and high-quality game titles. Our Games business must also continue to execute on opportunities to expand the play of our games on a variety of non-PC platforms, including social networks, in order to maintain our competitive position and to grow the business. If we are unable to slow the revenue declines or achieve future growth in our revenue, revenue in our Games business will continue to decline and the business will suffer.

Contracts with mobile customers subject us to significant risks that could negatively impact our revenue or otherwise harm our operating results.
We derive a material portion of our revenue from the SaaS offerings we provide to mobile carriers, and we have begun to leverage our carrier relationships for the distribution of our photo and video sharing solution. Many of our contracts with carriers provide for revenue sharing arrangements, but we have limited control over the pricing decisions of our carrier customers. Furthermore, most of these contracts do not provide for guaranteed minimum payments or usage levels. Because most of our carrier customer contracts are nonexclusive, it is possible that our mobile carrier customers could purchase similar services from third parties and cease to use our services in the future. As a result, our revenue derived under these agreements could be substantially reduced depending on the pricing and usage decisions of our carrier customers. In addition, some of our contracts require us to incur significant set-up costs prior to the launch of services with a carrier customer. We may be required to record impairments or other charges in future periods related to our carrier customer contracts, which would negatively impact our results of operations.
In addition, none of our SaaS contracts with carriers obligates our carrier customers to market or distribute any of our SaaS offerings. Despite the lack of marketing commitments, revenue related to our SaaS offerings is, to a large extent, dependent upon the marketing and promotion activities of our carrier customers. In addition, many of our carrier contracts are short term and allow for early termination by the carrier with or without cause. These contracts are therefore subject to renegotiation of pricing or other key terms that could be adverse to our interests and leave us vulnerable to non-renewal by the carriers. The loss of carrier customers, a reduction in marketing or promotion of our SaaS offerings, or the termination, non-renewal or renegotiation of contract terms that are less favorable to us would result in the loss of future revenues from our SaaS offerings.
Finally, nearly all of our carrier contracts obligate us to indemnify the carrier customer for certain liabilities and losses incurred by them, including liabilities resulting from third party claims for damages that arise out of the use of our technology. These indemnification terms provide us with certain procedural safeguards, including the right to control the defense of the indemnified party. Pursuant to these indemnifications obligations, we have in the past agreed to control the defense on behalf of certain of our carrier customers related to patent infringement proceedings. In 2013, we settled two such litigation matters. Future claims against which we may be obligated to defend our carrier customers could result in payments that could materially harm our business and financial results.

A majority of the revenue that we generate in our Mobile Services segment is dependent upon our relationships with a few customers, and any deterioration of these relationships could materially harm our revenue.
We generate a significant portion of our revenue from sales within our Mobile Services business to a few of our mobile customers and their affiliates. In the near term, we expect that we will continue to generate a significant portion of our total revenue from these customers. If these customers fail to market or distribute our services or terminate or fail to renew their business contracts with us, or if our relationships with these customers deteriorate in any significant way, we may be unable to replace the affected business arrangements with acceptable alternatives. Failure to maintain our relationships with these customers could have a material negative impact on our revenue and financial results.

We may not be successful in maintaining and growing our distribution of digital media products.
Maintaining and growing the distribution of digital media products through our websites and our other distribution channels has historically been important to our business, including growth through the introduction of new products and

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services distributed through these channels. Consumers are not downloading and using our digital media products consistent with past usage, so our ability to generate revenue from those products has been, and we expect will be continue to be, reduced, leading to lower than expected adoption of newly introduced products and services. Our inability to maintain continued high volume distribution of our digital media products could also continue to hold back the growth and development of related revenue streams from these market segments, including the distribution of third-party products and sales of our subscription services, and therefore harm our business and our prospects. Our revenue from the distribution of third-party products will also continue to be negatively impacted if those products are not more widely downloaded by consumers, including due to the relative market saturation of such products. Most of our revenue from the distribution of third-party products was historically derived from a single customer. The previous relationship ended during the third quarter of 2014, and we entered into an agreement with a different distribution partner. Our distribution revenue has been, and may continue to be, materially negatively impacted by these factors.

Our operating results are difficult to predict and may fluctuate, which may contribute to continued weakness in our stock price.
The trading price for our common stock has a history of volatility. Our recent stock price history shows a downward trend, with a closing price of $4.57 on April 27, 2016, and a range from $3.22 to $7.07 per share during the 52-week period ended March 31, 2016. As a result of the rapidly changing markets in which we compete, our operating results may fluctuate or continue to decline from period to period, which may contribute to volatility or continued weakness of our stock price.
In past periods, our operating results have been affected by personnel reductions and related restructuring charges, lease exit and related charges, and impairment charges for certain of our equity investments, goodwill and other long-lived assets. In addition to these factors, the general difficulty in forecasting our operating results and metrics could result in actual results that differ significantly from expected results, causing volatility and continued weakness in our stock price.
Certain of our product and service investment decisions (for example, research and development and sales and marketing efforts) are based on predictions regarding business and the markets in which we compete. Fluctuations in our operating results, particularly when experienced beyond what we expected, could cause the trading price of our stock to fluctuate. Weakness in our operating performance is likely to cause continued weakness in our stock price.

Any impairment to our goodwill and definite-lived assets could result in a significant charge to our earnings.
In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we are required to test goodwill for possible impairment on an annual basis based upon a fair value approach, or more frequently in the event of certain indications of possible impairment. We review definite-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, including a significant sustained decline in a reporting unit’s market value, changes in our operating plans and forecasts, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition, sale or disposition of a significant portion of our business, a significant sustained decline in our market capitalization and other factors. If we were to determine that an impairment had occurred, we would be required to record an impairment charge, which could have a significant negative, and unpredicted, impact on our financial results. The total carrying value of our goodwill and definite-lived assets as of March 31, 2016 was $22.4 million.

Continued loss of revenue from our subscription services may continue to harm our operating results.
Our operating results have been and may continue to be adversely impacted by the loss of subscription revenue related to our legacy services. Subscribers may cancel their subscriptions to our services for many reasons, including a perception that they do not use the services sufficiently or that the service does not provide enough value, a lack of attractive or exclusive content generally or as compared with competitive service offerings, or because customer service issues are not satisfactorily resolved. Revenue from our SuperPass subscription service, for example, has declined in recent periods due to changes in consumer preferences and changes on our part to focus on other products and services we offer, and we expect these trends to continue.

Government regulation of the Internet is evolving, and unfavorable developments could have an adverse effect on our operating results.
We are subject to regulations and laws specific to the marketing, sale and delivery of goods and services over the Internet. These laws and regulations, which continue to evolve, cover taxation, user privacy, data collection and protection, copyrights,

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electronic contracts, sales procedures, automatic subscription renewals, credit card processing procedures, consumer protections, digital games distribution, broadband Internet access and content restrictions. We cannot guarantee that we have been or will be fully compliant in every jurisdiction, as it is not entirely clear how existing laws and regulations governing issues such as privacy, taxation and consumer protection apply or will be enforced with respect to the products and services we sell through the Internet. Moreover, as Internet commerce continues to evolve, increasing regulation and/or enforcement efforts by federal, state and foreign agencies and the prospects for private litigation claims related to our data collection, privacy policies or other e-commerce practices become more likely. In addition, the adoption of any laws or regulations or the imposition of other legal requirements that adversely affect our ability to market, sell, and deliver our products and services could decrease our ability to offer or customer demand for our service offerings, resulting in lower revenue. Future regulations, or changes in laws and regulations or their existing interpretations or applications, could also require us to change our business practices, raise compliance costs or other costs of doing business and result in additional historical or future liabilities for us, resulting in adverse impacts on our business and our operating results.
As a consumer-facing business, we receive complaints from our customers regarding our consumer marketing efforts and our customer service practices. Some of these customers may also complain to government agencies, and from time to time, those agencies have made inquiries to us about these practices. In addition, we may receive complaints or inquiries directly from governmental agencies that have not been prompted by consumers. In May of 2012, we resolved an investigation and complaint filed against us by the Washington State Office of the Attorney General, or Washington AG, relating to our consumer marketing practices through the entry of a consent decree filed in King County, Washington Superior Court. While we resolved that matter, we cannot provide assurance that the Washington AG or other governmental agencies will not bring future claims regarding our marketing, or consumer services or other practices.

Global and national economic conditions have in the past and could in the future have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business and operations depend significantly on global and national economic conditions. Because consumers may consider the purchase of our digital entertainment products and services to be a discretionary expenditure, their decision whether to purchase our products and services may be influenced by macroeconomic factors that affect consumer spending such as unemployment, access to credit, negative financial news, and declines in income. In addition, our carrier customers and business partners may reduce their business or advertising spending with us in the face of adverse macroeconomic conditions, such as financial market volatility, government austerity programs, tight credit, and declines in asset values. We have in the past recorded material asset impairment charges due in part to weakness in the global economy, and we may need to record additional impairments to our assets in future periods in the event of renewed weakness and uncertainty in the global or national economy. Accordingly, any significant weakness in the national and/or global economy could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations in a negative manner.

Rhapsody could continue to recognize losses, which would negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
On March 31, 2010, we completed the restructuring of our digital audio music service joint venture, Rhapsody America LLC. As a result of the restructuring, we no longer have operational control over Rhapsody and Rhapsody’s operating performance is no longer consolidated with our consolidated financial statements. Rhapsody has generated accounting losses since its inception and we have recognized losses on our investment in the convertible preferred stock of Rhapsody since the restructuring. If Rhapsody continues to incur losses, or if it otherwise experiences a significant decline in its business or financial condition, we could incur further losses on our investment, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. See Note 5, Rhapsody Joint Venture, to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this 10-Q, for further discussion.
Additionally, given the current proportion of the outstanding equity of Rhapsody that we hold, we need to receive Rhapsody’s unaudited quarterly financial statements and related information in order to timely prepare our quarterly consolidated financial statements and also to report certain of Rhapsody’s financial results, as may be required, in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. In addition, we may be required to include Rhapsody’s annual audited financial statements in our annual report on Form 10-K in future periods. As we no longer exert operational control over Rhapsody, we cannot guarantee that Rhapsody will deliver its financial statements and related information to us in a timely manner, or at all, or that the unaudited financial statement information provided by Rhapsody will not contain inaccuracies that are material to our reported results. Any failure to timely obtain Rhapsody’s quarterly financial statements or to include its audited financial statements in our future annual reports on Form 10-K, if required, could cause our reports to be filed in an untimely manner, which would preclude us from utilizing certain registration statements and could negatively impact our stock price.


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The continued loss of key personnel, or difficulty recruiting and retaining them, could significantly harm our business or jeopardize our ability to meet our growth objectives.
Our success depends substantially on the contributions and abilities of certain key executives and employees. We have experienced a significant amount of executive-level turnover in the past several years, which has had and could continue to have a negative impact on our ability to retain key employees. Rob Glaser, our founder, Chairman and initial chief executive officer, resigned as chief executive officer in 2010, was appointed as interim chief executive officer in July 2012, and was named permanent chief executive officer in July 2014. In addition, each member of our executive team was either hired or promoted to his or her executive position within the past three years. We cannot provide assurance that we will effectively manage these executive-level transitions, which may impact our ability to retain key executives and employees and which could harm our business and operations to the extent there is customer or employee uncertainty arising from such transitions.
Our success is also substantially dependent upon our ability to identify, attract and retain highly skilled management, technical and sales personnel. Qualified individuals are in high demand and competition for such qualified personnel in our industry, particularly engineering talent, is extremely intense, and we may incur significant costs to attract or retain them. Our ability to attract and retain personnel has been and may continue to be made more difficult by the uncertainty created by our executive-level turnover and by our continued restructuring efforts, which have involved reductions in our workforce. There can be no assurance that we will be able to attract and retain the key personnel necessary to sustain our business or support future growth.

Acquisitions and divestitures involve costs and risks that could harm our business and impair our ability to realize potential benefits from these transactions.
As part of our business strategy, we have acquired and sold technologies and businesses in the past and expect that we will continue to do so in the future. For example, most recently, in August 2015 we completed the sale of our Slingo and social casino games business. The failure to adequately manage transaction costs and address the financial, legal and operational risks raised by acquisitions and divestitures of technology and businesses could harm our business and prevent us from realizing the benefits of these transactions. In addition, we may identify and acquire target companies, but those companies may not be complementary to our current operations and may not leverage our existing infrastructure or operational experience, which may increase the risks associated with completing acquisitions.
Transaction-related costs and financial risks related to completed and potential future purchase or sale transactions may harm our financial position, reported operating results, or stock price. Previous acquisitions have resulted in significant expenses, including amortization of purchased technology, amortization of acquired identifiable intangible assets and the incurrence of charges for the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, which are reflected in our operating expenses. New acquisitions and any potential additional future impairment of the value of purchased assets, including goodwill, could have a significant negative impact on our future operating results. For example, in 2013 we acquired Slingo, Inc. pursuant to which we recorded $8.0 million of intangible assets and $9.9 million in goodwill, and Muzicall Limited pursuant to which we recorded $5.4 million of intangible assets and $1.3 million in goodwill. In compliance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we evaluate these assets for impairment at least annually. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances, indicating that our goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets or definite-lived assets may not be recoverable, include reduced future revenue and cash flow estimates due to changes in our forecasts, and unfavorable changes to valuation multiples and discount rates due to changes in the market. If we were to conclude that any of these assets were impaired, we would have to recognize an impairment charge that could significantly impact our financial results.
Purchase and sale transactions also involve operational risks that could harm our existing operations or prevent realization of anticipated benefits from a transaction. These operational risks include:
difficulties and expenses in assimilating the operations, products, technology, information systems, and/or personnel of the acquired company;
retaining key management or employees of the acquired company;
entrance into unfamiliar markets, industry segments, or types of businesses;
operating, managing and integrating acquired businesses in remote locations or in countries in which we have little or no prior experience;
diversion of management time and other resources from existing operations;
impairment of relationships with employees, affiliates, advertisers or content providers of our business or acquired business; and
assumption of known and unknown liabilities of the acquired company, including intellectual property claims.


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We may be unable to adequately protect our proprietary rights or leverage our technology assets, and may face risks associated with third-party claims relating to intellectual property rights associated with our products and services.
Our ability to compete across our businesses partly depends on the superiority, uniqueness and value of our technology, including both internally developed technology and technology licensed from third parties. To protect our proprietary rights, we rely on a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, confidentiality agreements with our employees and third parties, and protective contractual provisions. Our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights may not assure our ownership rights in our intellectual property, protect or enhance the competitive position of our products and services or effectively prevent misappropriation of our technology. We also routinely receive challenges to our trademarks and other proprietary intellectual property that we are using in our business activities in China. Disputes regarding the validity and scope of patents or the ownership of technologies and rights associated with streaming media, digital distribution, and online businesses are common and likely to arise in the future. While we sold to Intel Corporation in 2012 most of our patents, including patents that covered streaming media, we agreed to indemnify Intel for certain third-party infringement claims against these patents up to the purchase price we received in the sale. We may also be forced to litigate, to enforce, or defend our patents and other intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of other parties’ proprietary rights, enter into royalty or licensing agreements on unfavorable terms or redesign our product features and services. Any such dispute would likely be costly and distract our management, and the outcome of any such dispute could fail to improve our business prospects or otherwise harm our business.
From time to time we receive claims and inquiries from third parties alleging that our technology may infringe the third parties’ proprietary rights, especially patents. Third parties have also asserted and most likely will continue to assert claims against us alleging contract breaches, infringement of copyrights, trademark rights, trade secret rights or other proprietary rights, or alleging unfair competition or violations of privacy rights. These claims, even if not meritorious, could force us to spend significant financial and managerial resources. Given the broad distribution of some of our consumer products, any individual claim related to those products could give rise to liabilities that may be material to us. For example, in July 2012, VoiceAge Corporation brought a lawsuit against us alleging breach of our obligation to pay them licensing fees under our patent license agreement with VoiceAge and seeking a material amount in damages. While we settled the dispute with VoiceAge in the fourth quarter of 2013, similar future lawsuits could result in significant legal expenses, monetary damages, penalties or injunctive relief against us that could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. In addition, in 2012 we sold substantially all of our patent assets to Intel. We believe that our patent portfolio may have in the past discouraged third parties from bringing infringement or other claims against us relating to the use of our technologies in our business. Accordingly, we cannot predict whether the sale of these patent assets to Intel will result in additional infringement or other claims against us from third parties.

Our business and operating results will suffer if our systems or networks fail, become unavailable, unsecured or perform poorly so that current or potential users do not have adequate access to our products, services and websites.
Our ability to provide our products and services to our customers and operate our business depends on the continued operation and security of our information systems and networks. A significant or repeated reduction in the performance, reliability, security or availability of our information systems and network infrastructure could harm our ability to conduct our business, and harm our reputation and ability to attract and retain users, customers, advertisers and content providers. We have on occasion experienced system errors and failures that caused interruption in availability of products or content or an increase in response time. Problems with our systems and networks, or the third party systems and networks that we utilize, could result from our failure to adequately maintain and enhance these systems and networks, natural disasters and similar events, power failures, HVAC failures, intentional actions to disrupt our systems and networks and many other causes. The vulnerability of a large portion of our computer and communications infrastructure is enhanced due to its geographic concentration in Seattle, Washington, an area that is at heightened risk of earthquake, flood, and volcanic events. Many of our services do not currently have fully redundant systems or a formal disaster recovery plan, and we may not have adequate business interruption insurance to compensate us for losses that may occur from a system outage.

The growth of our business is dependent in part on successfully managing our international operations.
Our international operations involve risks inherent in doing business globally, including difficulties in managing operations due to distance, language, and cultural differences, local economic conditions, different or conflicting laws and regulations, taxes, and exchange rate fluctuations. The functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries is the local currency of the country in which each subsidiary operates. We translate our subsidiaries’ revenues into U.S. dollars in our financial statements, and continued volatility in foreign exchange rates, particularly if the U.S. dollar strengthens against the euro or the Korean won, may result in lower reported revenue or net assets in future periods. If we do not effectively manage any of the risks inherent in running our international businesses, our operating results and financial condition could be harmed.

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We may be subject to market risk and legal liability in connection with our data collection and data security capabilities.
Many of our products are interactive Internet applications that by their very nature require communication between a client and server to operate. For example, to provide better consumer experiences and to operate effectively, our products send information, including personally identifiable information, to our servers or servers hosted by third parties. In addition, we sell many of our products and services through online sales transactions directly with consumers, through which we collect and store credit card information. In connection with our direct sales to consumers, we may be the victim of fraudulent transactions, including credit card fraud, which presents a risk to our revenue and potentially disrupts service to our consumers. While we take measures to protect our consumer data, we have experienced unauthorized access to our consumer data in the past, and it is possible that our security controls over consumer data may not prevent future improper access or disclosure of credit card information or personally identifiable information. We have an extensive privacy policy concerning the collection, use and disclosure of user data involved in interactions between our client and server products. A security breach that leads to disclosure of consumer account information (including personally identifiable information) or any failure by us to comply with our posted privacy policy or existing or new legislation regarding privacy issues could harm our reputation, impact the market for our products and services, subject us to litigation, and require us to expend significant resources to mitigate the breach of security, comply with breach notification laws or address related matters. In addition, we need to maintain compliance with standards of the Payment Card Industry, or PCI, for data security in connection with our use of credit card services for payment. If we fail to maintain the PCI compliance standards we may be subject to substantial monetary penalties and we could lose the ability to accept credit card payments for transactions with our customers. Any of these consequences could materially harm our business or our financial results.

Changes in regulations applicable to the Internet and e-commerce that increase the taxes on the services we provide could materially harm our business and operating results.
As Internet commerce continues to evolve, increasing taxation by state, local or foreign tax authorities becomes more likely. For example, taxation of electronically delivered products and services or other charges imposed by government agencies may also be imposed. We believe we collect transactional taxes and are compliant and current in all jurisdictions where we believe we have a collection obligation for transaction taxes. Any regulation imposing greater taxes or other fees for products and services could result in a decline in the sale of products and services and the viability of those products and services, harming our business and operating results. A successful assertion by one or more states or foreign tax authorities that we should collect and remit sales or other taxes on the sale of our products or services could result in substantial liability for past sales.
In those countries where we have a tax obligation, we collect and remit value added tax, or VAT, on sales of “electronically supplied services” provided to European Union residents. The collection and remittance of VAT subjects us to additional currency fluctuation risks.

We may be subject to additional income tax assessments and changes in applicable tax regulations could adversely affect our financial results.
We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes, income taxes payable, and net deferred tax assets. In the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final determination of tax audits and any related litigation could be materially different than that which is reflected in our historical financial statements. An audit or litigation can result in significant additional income taxes payable in the U.S. or foreign jurisdictions which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The U.S. is considering corporate tax reform that may significantly change the corporate tax rate and U.S. international tax rules. Additionally, longstanding international tax norms that determine each country's jurisdiction to tax cross-border international trade are evolving. Given the unpredictability of these possible changes and their potential interdependency, it is very difficult to assess whether the overall effect of such potential tax changes would be cumulatively positive or negative for our earnings and cash flow, but such changes could adversely impact our financial results.

Our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer beneficially owns approximately 37% of our stock, which gives him significant control over certain major decisions on which our shareholders may vote or may discourage an acquisition of us.

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Robert Glaser, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, beneficially owns approximately 37% of our common stock. As a result, Mr. Glaser and his affiliates will have significant influence to:
elect or defeat the election of our directors;
amend or prevent amendment of our articles of incorporation or bylaws;
effect or prevent a merger, sale of assets or other corporate transaction; and
control the outcome of any other matter submitted to the shareholders for vote.
The stock ownership of Mr. Glaser and his affiliates may discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of RealNetworks, which in turn could reduce our stock price or prevent our shareholders from realizing a premium over our stock price.

Provisions of our charter documents, shareholder rights plan, and Washington law could discourage our acquisition by a third party.
Our articles of incorporation provide for a strategic transactions committee of the board of directors. Without the prior approval of this committee, and subject to certain limited exceptions, the board of directors does not have the authority to:
adopt a plan of merger;
authorize the sale, lease, exchange or mortgage of assets representing more than 50% of the book value of our assets prior to the transaction or on which our long-term business strategy is substantially dependent;
authorize our voluntary dissolution; or
take any action that has the effect of any of the above.
Mr. Glaser has special rights under our articles of incorporation to appoint or remove members of a strategic transactions committee at his discretion that could make it more difficult for RealNetworks to be sold or to complete another change of control transaction without Mr. Glaser’s consent. RealNetworks has also entered into an agreement providing Mr. Glaser with certain contractual rights relating to the enforcement of our charter documents and Mr. Glaser’s roles and authority within RealNetworks. These rights and his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors, together with Mr. Glaser’s significant beneficial ownership, create unique potential for concentrated influence of Mr. Glaser over potentially material transactions involving RealNetworks and decisions regarding the future strategy and leadership of RealNetworks.
We have adopted a shareholder rights plan, which was amended and restated in December 2008, and amended in April 2016, which provides that shares of our common stock have associated preferred stock purchase rights. The exercise of these rights would make the acquisition of RealNetworks by a third party more expensive to that party and has the effect of discouraging third parties from acquiring RealNetworks without the approval of our board of directors, which has the power to redeem these rights and prevent their exercise.
Washington law imposes restrictions on some transactions between a corporation and certain significant shareholders. The foregoing provisions of our charter documents, shareholder rights plan, our agreement with Mr. Glaser, and Washington law, as well as our charter provisions that provide for a classified board of directors and the availability of “blank check” preferred stock, could have the effect of making it more difficult or more expensive for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, control of us. These provisions may therefore have the effect of limiting the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for our common stock.

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a) Not applicable
(b) Not applicable
(c) Not applicable
Item 3.
Default Upon Senior Securities
None 
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable

39



Item 5.
Other Information
None
Item 6.
Exhibits
See Index to Exhibits below.

 



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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Form 10-Q Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
REALNETWORKS, INC.
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/    Marjorie Thomas
 
 
 
Marjorie Thomas
 
Title:
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


Dated: May 6, 2016

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit
Number
Description
 
 
 4.1 *
Amendment to Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan, dated as of April 15, 2016, between RealNetworks, Inc. and Computershare Inc. (as successor to Mellon Investor Services LLC), as rights agent
 
 
10.1 *
Shareholder Rights Plan Exception Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2016, between RealNetworks, Inc. and Ariel Investments, LLC
 
 
10.2
Transition and Release Agreement dated March 30, 2016 between RealNetworks, Inc. and Michael Mulica
 
 
31.1
Certification of Robert Glaser, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of RealNetworks, Inc., pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
31.2
Certification of Marjorie Thomas, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
of RealNetworks, Inc., pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
32.1
Certification of Robert Glaser, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of RealNetworks, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
32.2
Certification of Marjorie Thomas, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
of RealNetworks, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
*
Incorporated by reference to the same-numbered exhibit to the RealNetworks' Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2016.




 

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