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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

Form 10-Q

 


 

(Mark one)

x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

 

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: 72870

 


 

SONIC SOLUTIONS

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

California   93-0925818

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S.Employer

Identification No.)

101 Rowland Way, Suite 110 Novato, CA   94945
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (415) 893-8000

 


 

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, no par value

(Title of class)

 


 

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  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accellerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s Common Stock on August 2, 2004, was 23,415,799.

 



Table of Contents

SONIC SOLUTIONS

 

FORM 10-Q

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

 

Table of Contents

         Page

PART I.

  FINANCIAL INFORMATION     

ITEM 1.

  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004    3
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 and 2004    4
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 and 2004    5
    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    6

ITEM 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    15

ITEM 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    37

ITEM 4.

  Controls and Procedures    37

PART II.

  OTHER INFORMATION     

ITEM 1.

  Legal Proceedings    38

ITEM 6.

  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K    38
    Signatures    39

 

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Sonic Solutions

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

     2004

 
     March 31, *

    June 30,

 
           (unaudited)  

Assets

              

Current assets:

              

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 36,182     67,781  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for returns and doubtful accounts of $243 and $284 at March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004, respectively

     9,443     6,990  

Inventory

     560     596  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,399     1,197  
    


 

Total current assets

     47,584     76,564  

Fixed assets, net

     3,610     3,800  

Purchased and internally developed software, net

     1,042     1,195  

Goodwill

     15,533     15,533  

Acquired intangibles, net

     2,898     2,689  

Other assets

     278     298  
    


 

Total assets

   $ 70,945     100,079  
    


 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

              

Current liabilities:

              

Accounts payable

   $ 1,145     1,419  

Accrued liabilities

     8,977     8,690  

Deferred revenue and deposits

     4,965     5,165  

Obligations under capital leases, current portion

     60     65  
    


 

Total current liabilities

     15,147     15,339  

Obligations under capital leases, net of current portion

     75     50  
    


 

Total liabilities

     15,222     15,389  

Shareholders’ Equity

              

Convertible preferred stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2004, and June 30, 2004

     —       —    

Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 21,886,013 and 23,415,599 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004, respectively

     70,994     95,977  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (16 )   (19 )

Accumulated deficit

     (15,255 )   (11,268 )
    


 

Total shareholders’ equity

     55,723     84,690  
    


 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 70,945     100,079  
    


 


* March 31, 2004 balances are derived from the audited financial statements included in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Sonic Solutions

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share amounts - unaudited)

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,

     2003

    2004

Net revenue

   $ 12,022     17,909

Cost of revenue

     1,748     1,861
    


 

Gross profit

     10,274     16,048
    


 

Operating expenses:

            

Marketing and sales

     3,092     3,912

Research and development

     4,181     6,548

General and administrative

     977     1,200
    


 

Total operating expenses

     8,250     11,660
    


 

Operating income

     2,024     4,388

Other income (expense), net

     (50 )   60
    


 

Income before income taxes

     1,974     4,448

Provision for income taxes

     331     461
    


 

Net income

   $ 1,643     3,987
    


 

Net income per share

            

Basic

   $ 0.09     0.18
    


 

Diluted

   $ 0.08     0.16
    


 

Shares used in computing net income per share

            

Basic

     18,434     22,044
    


 

Diluted

     21,557     25,461
    


 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Sonic Solutions

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands — unaudited)

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,

 
     2003

    2004

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

              

Net income

   $ 1,643     3,987  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash generated by operating activities:

              

Depreciation and amortization

     400     816  

Provision for returns and doubtful accounts, net of write-offs

     (14 )   41  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

              

Accounts receivable

     550     2,412  

Inventory

     (215 )   (36 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (46 )   202  

Other assets

     (517 )   (20 )

Accounts payable

     145     274  

Accrued liabilities

     (330 )   (287 )

Deferred revenue and deposits

     303     200  
    


 

Net cash generated by operating activities

     1,919     7,589  
    


 

Cash flows from investing activities:

              

Purchase of fixed assets

     (290 )   (765 )

Additions to purchased and internally developed software

     (163 )   (185 )
    


 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (453 )   (950 )
    


 

Cash flows from financing activities:

              

Proceeds from exercise of common stock options

     848     1,007  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     —       23,976  

Principal payments on capital leases

     —       (20 )
    


 

Net cash generated by financing activities

     848     24,963  
    


 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     —       (3 )
    


 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     2,314     31,599  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     9,708     36,182  
    


 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 12,022     67,781  
    


 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

              

Interest paid during period

     —       7  
    


 

Income taxes paid during period

   $ 2     330  
    


 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Sonic Solutions

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

(1) Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Sonic Solutions, referred to as “we,” “Sonic,” “our” or “the Company” have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. However, in the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of only normal, recurring adjustments, necessary for their fair presentation. The interim results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for a full year. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2004, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

 

During the quarter ended June 30, 2003 we established a wholly owned subsidiary in Japan, called “Sonic Japan KK.” We transferred a total of 6 employees into this new subsidiary. This subsidiary was established because of the increased level of business we have encountered in Japan, to potentially lower our overall tax rate, and to increase our level of direct contact with important Japanese customers, particularly those OEM customers utilizing our consumer software products.

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2003, we established a wholly owned subsidiary in China, called “Sonic Solutions Shanghai China,” and hired a number of engineers to work for this new subsidiary. We established this subsidiary in response to the growing demand for our CD/DVD creation technology worldwide. This new subsidiary allows us to tap into the large pool of engineering talent in China, speeding the development and deployment of our products and technologies to our customers. The subsidiary also brings additional reach to our operations which include development and sales offices in North America, Europe, Japan and Taiwan.

 

Use of Estimates and Certain Concentrations

 

We prepare our financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These accounting principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Our management is also required to make certain judgments that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expense during the reporting period. We periodically evaluate our estimates including those relating to revenue recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts, capitalized software, and other contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable based on the specific circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

We are dependent on sole-source suppliers for certain key components used in our products. We purchase these sole-source components pursuant to purchase orders placed from

 

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time to time. We do not carry significant inventories of these components, and have no guaranteed supply agreements. Any extended future interruption or limitation in the supply of any of the components obtained from a single source could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We recognize revenue in accordance with Statement of Position (“SOP”) 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition,” as amended by SOP 98-4 “Deferral of the Effective Date of a Provision of SOP 97-2,” and SOP 98-9, “Software Revenue Recognition, with Respect to Certain Arrangements” and in certain instances in accordance with SOP 81-1, “Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts.” SOP 97-2 generally requires revenue earned on software arrangements involving multiple elements such as software products, hardware, upgrades, enhancements, maintenance and support, installation and training to be allocated to each element based on the relative fair values of the elements. The fair value of an element must be based on vendor-specific objective evidence.

 

We derive our software revenue primarily from licenses of our software products, including any related hardware components, development agreements and maintenance and support. Revenue recognized from multiple-element software arrangements is allocated to each element of the arrangement based on the fair values of elements, for example, the license to use software products versus maintenance and support for the software product. The determination of fair value is based on objective evidence specific to us. Objective evidence of fair values of all elements of an arrangement is based upon our standard pricing and discounting practices for those products and services when sold separately. Objective evidence of support services is measured by annual renewal rates. SOP 98-9 requires recognition of revenue using the “residual method” in a multiple element arrangement when fair value does not exist for one or more of the delivered elements in the arrangement. Under the “residual method,” the total fair value of the undelivered element is deferred and subsequently recognized in accordance with SOP 97-2. The difference between the total software arrangement fee and the amount deferred for the undelivered elements is recognized as revenue related to the delivered elements. We record revenue on a net basis for those sales in which we have in substance acted as an agent or broker in the transaction.

 

Revenue from license fees is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists (such as receipt of a signed agreement, purchase order or a royalty report), delivery of the product (including hardware) has occurred (generally F.O.B. shipping point), no significant obligations with regard to implementation remain, the fee is fixed and determinable, and collectibility is probable. In addition, royalty revenue from certain distributors that do not meet our credit standards and revenues derived from our distribution agreement with Daikin Industries, Ltd. are recognized upon sell-through to the end-customer. We consider all arrangements with payment terms longer than one year not to be fixed and determinable. If the fee is not fixed or determinable, revenue is recognized as payments become due from the customer.

 

Revenue from development agreements, whereby the development is essential to the functionality of the licensed software, is recognized over the performance period based on proportional performance. Under this method, management is required to estimate the number of hours needed to complete a particular project, and revenues and profits are recognized as the contract progresses to completion.

 

Deferred revenue includes amounts billed to customers for which revenues have not been recognized which results from the following: (1) deferred maintenance and support; (2) amounts billed to certain distributors for our products not yet sold through to the end-user customers; (3) amounts billed to technology and InterActual customers for license and development agreements in advance of recognizing the related revenue; and (4) amounts billed to certain original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for products which contain one or more undelivered elements.

 

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(2) Basic and diluted income per share and pro forma information

 

The following table sets forth the computations of shares and net income per share, applicable to common shareholders used in the calculation of basic and diluted net income per share for the first quarters ended June 30, 2003 and 2004 (in thousands, except per share data), respectively:

 

     June 30,

     2003

   2004

Net income

   $ 1,643    3,987
    

  

Shares used in computing per share net income

           

Basic

     18,434    22,044
    

  

Diluted

     21,557    25,461
    

  

Net income per share applicable to common shareholders

           

Basic

   $ 0.09    0.18
    

  

Diluted

   $ 0.08    0.16
    

  

 

The following is a reconciliation of the number of shares used in the basic and diluted net income per share computations for the first quarter ended June 30, 2003 and 2004 (in thousands, except per share data), respectively:

 

     June 30,

     2003

   2004

Shares used in basic net income per share computation

   18,434    22,044

Effect of dilutive potential common shares resulting from stock options and convertible preferred stock

   3,123    3,417
    
  

Shares used in diluted net income per share computation

   21,557    25,461
    
  

 

Potential dilutive common shares consist of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options. The impact of our stock options on the shares used for the diluted earnings per share computation is calculated based on the average share price of our common stock for each year using the treasury stock method.

 

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We exclude all potentially dilutive securities from our diluted net income per share computation when their effect would be anti-dilutive. The following common stock equivalents were excluded from the earnings per share computation, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands, except per share data), respectively:

 

     June 30,

     2003

   2004

Stock options excluded from diluted net income per share computation due to the exercise price exceeding the average fair value of the common stock

   2,079    1,757
    
  

 

Had compensation cost for our plans been determined in accordance with the fair value approach enumerated in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” our net income and net income per share for the first quarter ended June 30, 2003 and 2004 would have been adjusted as indicated below (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Quarter
Ended
June 30,
2003


   Quarter
Ended
June 30,
2004


Net income as reported

   $ 1,643    3,987

Deduct: Stock based employee compensation expense determined under the Fair Value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     815    1,895
    

  

Pro Forma net income

   $ 828    2,092
    

  

Reported basic net income per share

   $ 0.09    0.18
    

  

Reported diluted net income per share

   $ 0.08    0.16
    

  

Pro Forma basic net income per share

   $ 0.04    0.09
    

  

Pro Forma diluted net income per share

   $ 0.04    0.08
    

  

 

The weighted-average fair value of options granted in the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, was $4.80 and $12.63, respectively. The fair value of options granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in the first quarters ended June 30, 2003 and 2004; risk-free interest rate of 2.4% and 3.3%, respectively; expected life of 4 years; 113% and 104% expected volatility, respectively; and no dividends.

 

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The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because our stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes with respect to the subjective assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of our stock options.

 

The effect of applying SFAS No. 123 for disclosing compensation costs may not be representative of the effects on reported net income for future years because pro forma net income reflects compensation costs only for stock options granted in fiscal years 1996 through 2004 and does not consider compensation costs for stock options granted prior to April 1, 1995.

 

The Company accounts for options and warrants issued to nonemployees in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123 and Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services.” The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value options granted to nonemployees. The related expense is recorded over the period in which the related services are received.

 

(3) Inventory

 

The components of inventory consist of (in thousands, unaudited):

 

     March 31,
2004


   June 30,
2004


Finished goods

   $ 179    99

Raw materials

     381    497
    

  
     $ 560    596
    

  

 

(4) Purchased, internally developed software and acquired intangibles.

 

The components of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, were as follows (in thousands):

 

Purchased and internally developed software:

 

     Useful
life in
years


   June 30, 2004

  

March 31, 2004
Net

Carrying
Amount


        Gross
Carrying
Amount


   Accumulated
Amortization


    Net
Carrying
Amount


  

Purchased software

   3    $ 896    (489 )   407    232

Internally developed software

   3      7,368    (6,580 )   788    810
         

  

 
  
          $ 8,264    (7,069 )   1,195    1,042
         

  

 
  

 

Acquired Intangibles:

 

     Useful
life in
years


   June 30, 2004

  

March 31, 2004
Net

Carrying
Amount


        Gross
Carrying
Amount


   Accumulated
Amortization


    Net
Carrying
Amount


  

Acquired Technology

   3-5    $ 3,745    $ (2,324 )   $ 1,421    $ 1,566

Customer Lists

   4-15      1,340      (229 )     1,111      1,160

Trademarks/Trade name

   3      180      (23 )     157      172
         

  


 

  

          $ 5,265    $ (2,576 )   $ 2,689    $ 2,898
         

  


 

  

 

The acquired intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Amortization of acquired intangibles was $209,000 and $175,000 for the quarters ended June 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004, respectively. The future annual amortization expense is expected to be as follows (in thousands):

 

Year ending June 30,


   Amortization
Expense


2005 (remaining nine months)

   $ 594

2006

     675

2007

     325

2008

     265

2009

     265

Thereafter

     565
    

     $ 2,689
    

 

(5) Shareholder’s Equity

 

On June 23, 2004, we announced an underwritten public offering of 1,300,000 shares of our common stock to institutional investors at a price of $19.48 per share for gross proceeds of $25,324,000. The transaction was completed and the stock was issued to investors on June 28, 2004. We received net proceeds of approximately $23,976,000 after deducting underwriting discounts and other costs associated with the offering.

 

(6) Commitments and Contingencies

 

We from time to time are subject to routine claims and litigation incidental to our business. InterActual was a defendant in a lawsuit entitled Trust Licensing, LLC and Leigh Rothschild v. InterActual Technologies, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Civil Action No. 03-20672) in which it was charged with patent infringement and other wrongdoing. As a result of a court - sponsored mediation, InterActual and the plaintiffs executed a settlement agreement on January 28, 2004, and InterActual agreed to pay $500,000 to the plaintiffs, $225,000 of this amount was paid in January 2004. However, after learning of our acquisition of InterActual, the plaintiffs filed a motion to have the settlement set aside. On May 6, 2004 we executed a final settlement agreement, in which we agreed to cancel the

 

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note payable of $275,000 and to pay an additional $475,000, which was paid on May 21, 2004. The additional settlement amount was settled through the escrow holdback. We believe that the results of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

(7) Significant Customer Information and Segment Reporting

 

SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” requires us to report financial and descriptive information about our reportable operating segments, including segment profit or loss, certain specific revenue and expense items and segment assets, as well as information about the revenues derived from our products and services, the countries in which we earn revenue and hold assets, and major customers. The method for determining what information to report is based on the way that management organized the operating segments within our company for making operating decisions and assessing financial performance.

 

Our President and Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) is considered our chief operating decision maker. The CEO reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis accompanied by desegregated information about revenue by product line and revenue by geographic region for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. Financial information reviewed by management includes not only revenue by product line, but also gross margin analysis and operating income for the related operating segments. The consumer segment includes software-only DVD-Video creation tools and DVD-Video playback software products intended for use by lower end professionals, enthusiasts or “prosumers,” and consumers, and software-only CD-Audio, CD-ROM and DVD-ROM making tools, as well as data backup software. Our consumer products also include software that we license to other companies for inclusion in their products. Our professional audio and video segment includes advanced DVD-Video creation tools which are intended for use by high-end professional customers. The following table shows the revenue by product line, operating results by segment, revenue by geographic and significant customer information:

 

Revenues by Segment (in thousands):

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,

     2003

   2004

Net revenue

           

Consumer

   $ 9,936    15,309

Professional audio and video

     2,086    2,600
    

  

Total net revenue

   $ 12,022    17,909
    

  

 

Revenue and operating income by Segment (in thousands for the quarter ended June 30, 2004):

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,
2004


          
     Consumer

   Professional
audio and
video


   Unallocated
operating
expenses


    Total

Net revenue

   $ 15,309    2,600    —       17,909

Operating income

   $ 6,695    31    (2,338 )   4,388

 

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Revenues by Geographic Location (in thousands):

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,

     2003

   2004

North America

   $ 7,255    13,456

Export:

           

France

     104    24

Germany

     232    563

United Kingdom

     212    275

Other European

     523    483

Japan

     3,469    2,229

Taiwan

     13    750

Other Pacific Rim

     155    122

Other international

     59    7
    

  

Total net revenue

   $ 12,022    17,909
    

  

 

We sell our products to customers categorized geographically by each customer’s country of domicile. We do not have any material investment in long lived assets located in foreign countries for any of the years presented.

 

Significant customer information (in thousands):

 

    

Percent of Total

Net Revenue

Quarters Ended June 30,


    Percent of
Net
Accounts
Receivable
June 30,


    Percent of
Net
Accounts
Receivable
June 30,


 
     2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

 

Customer A

   12 %   36 %   —   %   —   %

Customer B

   23 %   3 %   1 %   —   %

 

Revenue recognized from Customers A and B is pursuant to licensing agreements.

 

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(8) Comprehensive Income

 

The components of comprehensive income, net of tax, were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,

 
     2003

   2004

 

Net income

   $ 1,643    3,987  

Other comprehensive loss:

             

Foreign currency translation gains (losses)

     —      (3 )
    

  

Comprehensive income

   $ 1,643    3,984  
    

  

 

(9) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” (“FIN 46”) which addresses consolidation by a business of variable interest entities in which it is the primary beneficiary. FIN 46 is effective immediately for certain disclosure requirements and variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003, and in the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2003 for all other variable interest entities entered into prior to January 31, 2003. Certain disclosure requirements apply to any financial statements issued after December 31, 2004. In December 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46R, which made certain amendments to FIN 46. The revision clarifies the definition of a business by providing a scope exemption that eliminates the overly broad definition in the original release that potentially could have classified any business as a variable interest entity. The revision also delays the effective date of FIN 46 from the first reporting period following December 15, 2003 to the first reporting period ending after March 15, 2004. We do not have any ownership in any variable interest entities as of March 31, 2004. We will apply the consolidation requirements of FIN 46R in future periods if we should own any interest in any variable interest entity.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity” (SFAS No. 150”). SFAS No. 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this Statement did not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

In December 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition” (SAB 104), which codifies, revises and rescinds certain sections of SAB 101, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements’ in order to make this interpretive guidance consistent with current authoritative accounting and auditing guidance and SEC rules and regulations. The adoption of SAB 104 did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued EITF 03-5, “Applicability of AICPA Statement of Position 97-2 to Non-Software Deliverables in an Arrangement Containing More-Than-Incidental Software” (“EITF” 03-5”). EITF 03-5 reached the conclusion that in an arrangement that includes software that is more than incidental to the products or services as a whole, the software and software-

 

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related elements are included within the scope of SOP 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition”. The Company’s adoption of EITF 03-5during the third quarter of 2003 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus on Issue No. 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and its Application to Certain Investments.” EITF 03-1 applies to investments accounted for under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” and SFAS No. 124, “Accounting for Certain Investments Held by Not-for-Profit Organizations.” EITF 03-1 provides a basic three-step model to evaluate whether the impairment is other than temporary. This model for evaluating impairment must be applied to all current and prospective investments beginning in our second quarter of fiscal 2005. Qualitative and quantitative disclosures are effective for fiscal year ending March 31, 2005. The adoption of EITF 03-1 did not have a material impact on the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

CERTAIN FACTORS THAT MAKE FUTURE RESULTS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT; CERTAIN ITEMS TO REMEMBER WHEN READING OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Our quarterly and annual operating results vary significantly depending on the timing of new product introductions and enhancements by ourselves and by our competitors. Our results also depend on the volume and timing of our professional customer orders and on shipments of our original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners which are difficult to forecast. Because our professional customers generally order on an as-needed basis and we normally ship products within one week after receipt of an order, and because our OEM partners report shipments during or after the end of the period, we do not have an order backlog which can assist us in forecasting results. For all these reasons, our results of operations for any quarter or any year are a poor indicator of the results to be expected in any future quarter or year.

 

A large portion of our quarterly professional product revenue is usually generated in the last few weeks of the quarter. Since our ongoing operating expenses are relatively fixed, and we plan our expenditures based primarily on sales forecasts, if professional revenue generated in the last few weeks of a quarter or year or if OEM partner shipments do not meet our forecast, operating results can be very negatively affected.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We develop and market computer based tools:

 

  for creating digital audio and video titles in the CD-Audio and DVD-Video formats (and in related formats);

 

  for recording data files on CD recordable or DVD recordable discs in the CD-ROM and DVD-ROM formats; and

 

  for backing up the information contained on hard discs attached to computers.

 

Most of the products we sell consist entirely of computer software, though some of the tools we sell include “plug-in” computer hardware. We also license the software technology underlying our tools to various other companies to incorporate in products they develop.

 

Our business is divided into two reporting segments, our consumer segment and our professional audio and video segment. At the same time, we divide our products into three categories: Professional Audio and Video products, Desktop products and Technology products.

 

During the first quarter ended June 30, 2004, we experienced a continued growth in our net revenue as well as a growth in our profitability and net income. Our revenue growth for first quarter fiscal 2005, which amounted to an increase of 49% from the same period in the prior year, was driven mainly by an increase in sales of our consumer products primarily through new and existing OEM licensing agreements. International sales decreased to 25% of our net revenue for first quarter fiscal year 2005 from 39% of our net revenue for first quarter fiscal year 2004. The percentage of international sales as a component of our net revenues decreased primarily due to the increase in revenue on licensing agreements from customers domiciled in the United States. Approximately 39% of our net revenue for first quarter fiscal year 2005 resulted from two customers. The loss of either of these customers would have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

We prepare our financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These accounting principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Our management is also required to make certain judgments that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expense during the reporting period. We periodically evaluate our estimates including those relating to revenue recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts, capitalized software, and other contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable based on the specific circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

We believe the following critical accounting policies impact the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements:

 

- Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue recognition rules for software companies are very complex. We follow very specific and detailed guidance in measuring revenue. Certain judgments, however, affect the application of our revenue recognition policy.

 

We have adopted Statement of Position (“SOP”) 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition,” as amended by SOP 98-4 “Deferral of the Effective Date of a Provision of SOP 97-2,” and SOP 98-9, “Software Revenue Recognition,” with respect to certain arrangements and in certain instances in accordance with SOP 81-1, “Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts.” SOP 97-2 requires revenue earned on software arrangements involving multiple elements such as software products, hardware, upgrades, enhancements, maintenance and support, installation and training to be allocated to each element based on the relative fair values of the elements. The fair value of an element must be based on vendor-specific objective evidence.

 

We derive our software revenue primarily from licenses of our software products (including any related hardware components), development agreements and maintenance and support. Revenue recognized from multiple-element software arrangements is allocated to each element of the arrangement based on the fair values of elements, for example, the license to use the software products versus maintenance and support for the software product. The determination of fair value is based on objective evidence specific to us. Objective evidence of fair values of all elements of an arrangement is based upon our standard pricing and discounting practices for those products and services when sold separately. Objective evidence of support services is generally measured by annual renewal rates. SOP 98-9 requires recognition of revenue using the “residual method” in a multiple element arrangement when fair value does not exist for one or more of the delivered elements in the arrangement. Under the “residual method,” the total fair value of the undelivered elements are deferred and subsequently recognized in accordance with SOP 97-2. The difference between the total software arrangement fee and the amount deferred for the undelivered elements is recognized as revenue related to the delivered elements. We record revenue on a net basis for those sales in which we have in substance acted as an agent or broker in the transaction.

 

Revenue from license fees is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of the product (including hardware) has occurred, no significant obligations with regard to implementation remain, the fee is fixed and determinable, and collectability is probable.

 

In addition, royalty revenue from certain distributors that do not meet our credit standards and revenues derived from our distribution agreement with Daikin Industries are recognized upon sell-through to the end-customer. We consider all arrangements with payment terms longer than one year not to be fixed and determinable. If the fee is not fixed or determinable, revenue is recognized as payments become due from the customer.

 

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Revenue from development agreements, whereby the development is essential to the functionality of the licensed software, is recognized over the service period based on proportional performance. Under this method, management is required to estimate the number of hours needed to complete a particular project, and revenues and profits are recognized as the contract progresses to completion.

 

Deferred revenue includes amounts billed to customers for which revenues have not been recognized which results from the following: (1) deferred maintenance and support; (2) amounts billed to certain distributors for our products not yet sold to the end-user customers; (3) amounts billed in excess of services performed to technology customers for license and development agreements; and (4) amounts billed to certain OEMs for products which contain one or more undelivered elements.

 

- Allowance for Returns and Doubtful Accounts

 

We maintain an allowance for returns and doubtful accounts to reflect the expected non-collection of accounts receivable based on past collection history and specific risks identified in our portfolio of receivables. If the financial condition of our customers deteriorates resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, or if payments from customers are significantly delayed, additional allowances may be required.

 

- Capitalized Software

 

We capitalize a portion of our software development costs in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 86 “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or otherwise Marketed.” Such capitalized costs are amortized to cost of revenue over the estimated economic life of the product, which is generally three years. Periodically, we compare a product’s unamortized capitalized cost to the product’s net realizable value. To the extent unamortized capitalized cost exceeds net realizable value based on the product’s estimated future gross revenues, reduced by the estimated cost of sales, the excess is written off. This analysis requires us to estimate future gross revenues associated with certain products, and the future cost of sales. If these estimates change, write-offs of capitalized software costs could result.

 

- Business Acquisitions; Valuation of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Our business acquisitions typically result in the recognition of goodwill and other intangible assets, which affect the amount of current and future period charges and amortization expense. The determination of value of these components of a business combination, as well as associated asset useful lives, requires management to make various estimates and assumptions. Estimates using different, but each reasonable, assumptions could produce significantly different results.

 

On April 1, 2002 we adopted SFAS No. 142 “Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS No. 142”). SFAS No. 142 addresses how goodwill and other intangible assets should be accounted for after they have been initially recognized in the financial statements. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, goodwill is no longer amortized over its estimated useful life, rather, goodwill will be subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value-based test. We continually review the events and circumstances related to our financial performance and economic environment for factors that would provide evidence of impairment of goodwill. We test goodwill for impairment in accordance with SFAS 142 at least annually and more frequently upon the occurrence of certain events, as defined in SFAS 142. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually in a two-step process. First, we determine if the carrying amount exceeds “fair value” based on quoted market prices of our common stock, which would indicate that

 

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goodwill may be impaired. If we determine that goodwill may be impaired, we will compare the “implied fair value” of the goodwill, as defined by SFAS 142, to its carrying amount to determine the impairment loss, if any. Goodwill has resulted from our Ravisent product business acquisition during the first quarter ended June 30, 2002, from our DMD acquisition from VERITAS during the third quarter ended December 31, 2002, and from our InterActual Technologies, Inc. acquisition during the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2004, all of which were accounted for as a purchase. As of June 30, 2004, no events have occurred that would lead us to believe that there has been any impairment.

 

- Stock Based Compensation

 

We follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” to determine stock-based compensation expense in connection with stock option grants under out stock option plan. See Note 2 to our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part 1, Item I of this quarterly report for further discussion of the effect on net income and earnings per share of our stock option grants, including if we had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.”

 

- Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

On April 1, 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS 144”), which supersedes certain provisions of APB Opinion No. 30 “Reporting the Results of Operations - Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions” and supersedes SFAS No. 121 “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of.” In accordance with SFAS 144, we evaluate long-lived assets, including intangible assets other than goodwill, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable based on expected undiscounted cash flows attributable to that asset. The amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset. We do not have any long-lived assets which we consider to be impaired as of June 30, 2004.

 

OTHER DISCLOSURES

 

- Foreign Subsidiaries

 

During the quarter ended June 30, 2003 we established a wholly owned subsidiary in Japan, called “Sonic Japan KK.” We transferred a total of 6 employees into this new subsidiary.

 

The new subsidiary was established because of the increased level of business we have encountered in Japan, to potentially lower our overall tax rate, and to increase our level of direct contact with important Japanese customers, particularly those OEM customers utilizing our consumer software products. As part of this reorganization, we began reorganizing the distribution of our software products in Japan. In July 2003, we notified Easy Systems Japan (“ESJ”), our prior Japanese distributor, of our intention to terminate its distributorship of some of our software products, and we began the process of transitioning our business and customers. While we believe that we have taken the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition for ESJ’s customers, we may not be able to maintain our relationship with these customers in the future or ESJ may not live up to its contractual obligations during the transition.

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2003, we established a wholly owned subsidiary in China, called “Sonic Solutions Shanghai China,” and hired a number of engineers to work for this new subsidiary. We established this subsidiary in response to the growing demand for our CD/DVD creation technology worldwide. This new subsidiary allows us to tap into the large pool of engineering talent in China, speeding the development and deployment of our products and technologies to our customers. The subsidiary also brings additional reach to our operations which include development and sales offices in North America, Europe, Japan and Taiwan.

 

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- Other Contingencies

 

We are subject to various claims relating to products, technology, patent, shareholder and other matters. We are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse outcomes and the potential range of probable losses in these matters. The amount of loss accrual, if any, is determined after careful analysis of each matter, and is subject to adjustment if warranted.

 

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Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth certain items from Sonic’s statements of operations as a percentage of net revenue for the first quarters ended June 30, 2003 and 2004 (in thousands):

 

     Quarter Ended June 30

     2003

    2004

Net revenue

   100.0 %   100.0

Cost of revenue

   14.5     10.4
    

 

Gross profit

   85.5     89.6

Operating expenses:

          

Marketing and sales

   25.7     21.8

Research and development

   34.8     36.6

General and administrative

   8.1     6.7
    

 

Total operating expenses

   68.6     65.1
    

 

Operating income

   16.9     24.5

Other income (expense)

   (0.4 )   0.3

Provision for income taxes

   2.8     2.6
    

 

Net income

   13.7 %   22.2
    

 

 

Comparison of First Quarter Ended June 30, 2003 and 2004

 

NET REVENUE. Our net revenue increased from $12,022,000 for the first quarter ended June 30, 2003 to $17,909,000 for the first quarter ended June 30, 2004, representing an increase of 49%. The increase in net revenue was primarily due to the increase in sales of our consumer products which increased approximately 54%. The increase in consumer products revenue was due, in part, to revenue recognized on development contracts entered into during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 and the first quarter of fiscal 2005 and to increased revenue from new and existing OEM partners. The increase in net revenue was also due to increased sales of our professional audio and video products of approximately 25%. The increase in our professional audio and video sales was due to revenue recognized on new licensing contracts entered into during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 and to the addition of revenue from InterActual, a company we acquired in February 2004.

 

International sales accounted for 39% and 25% of our net revenue for the first quarters ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively. See Note 6 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. International sales have historically ranged from 25% to slightly less than 50% of our total sales, and we expect that they will continue to represent a significant percentage of future revenue. The percentage of international sales as a component of our net revenue decreased in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the same period in 2004 primarily due to the increase in revenue on licensing agreements from customers domiciled in the United States.

 

COST OF REVENUE. Our cost of revenue, as a percentage of net revenue decreased from 14.5% for the first quarter ended June 30, 2003 to 10.4% for the first quarter ended June 30, 2004. The decrease in cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to a shift in sales product mix towards higher margin consumer products, including software license and development contracts, and to the reduction of hardware as a percentage of revenue in our professional audio and video systems. Cost of revenue mainly consists of third party licensing OEM arrangements, employee salaries and benefits for personnel directly involved in the production of revenue-generating products and amortization of acquired and internally developed software.

 

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We capitalize a portion of our software development costs in accordance with SFAS No. 86. This means that a portion of the costs we incur for software development are not recorded as an expense in the period in which they are actually incurred. Instead, they are recorded as an asset on our balance sheet. The amount recorded on our balance sheet is then amortized to cost of revenue over the estimated life of the products in which the software is included. During the first quarter ended June 30, 2003 and 2004 we capitalized approximately $131,000 and $91,000, respectively, and amortized approximately $92,000 and $113,000, respectively, excluding amounts capitalized and amortized relating to the Daikin Industries, Ltd., Ravisent, DMD and the InterActual Technologies, Inc. business acquisitions. During the first quarter ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, there were no amounts capitalized relating to technology and intangibles acquired pursuant to these acquisitions, however, we amortized approximately $134,000 and $209,000, respectively.

 

SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS. Revenue from two customers accounted for 35% and 39%, of our total net revenue for the first quarters ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Revenue recognized from these customers was pursuant to development and licensing agreements we have with them. The loss of any one of these customers and our inability to obtain new customers to replace the lost revenue in a timely manner would significantly harm our sales and results of operations.

 

GROSS PROFIT. Our gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased from 85.5% for the first quarter ended June 30, 2003 to 89.6% for the first quarter ended June 30, 2004. The increase in our gross profit year over year was primarily due to a shift in sales product mix towards higher margin consumer products and to the reduction of hardware as a percentage of revenue in our professional audio and video systems.

 

MARKETING AND SALES. Marketing and sales expenses mainly consist of employee salaries and benefits, travel, marketing, collateral and other promotions expenses and dealer and employee sales commissions. Our marketing and sales expenses increased from $3,092,000 for the first quarter ended June 30, 2003 to $3,912,000 for the first quarter ended June 30, 2004. Marketing and sales represented 25.7% and 21.8% of net revenue for the first quarters ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Our marketing and sales expenses increased primarily due to an increase in salary expenses relating to the increase in headcount and an increase in sales commissions as a result of the increase in sales. The increase was also due to increased marketing and advertising costs, including expanded participation at major tradeshows. Headcount increased from 49 at June 30, 2003 to 69 at June 30, 2004. Sales commission expense increased approximately 35% over the periods presented. We anticipate that marketing and sales expenses will continue to increase as our global marketing and sales operations continue to expand and headcount continues to increase.

 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Research and development expenses consist of employee salaries, benefits, travel and consulting expenses incurred in the development of new products. Our research and development expenses increased from $4,181,000 for the first quarter ended June 30, 2003 to $6,548,000 for the first quarter ended June 30, 2004. Our research and development expenses represented 34.8% and 36.6% of net revenue for the first quarters ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Our research and development expenses increased primarily due to higher salary expense associated with an increase in headcount from 146 at June 30, 2003 to 231 at June 30, 2004. Included in the headcount increase are the development personnel we hired as a result of our various acquisitions. We anticipate that research and development expenditures will continue to increase in future periods as our net revenue increases.

 

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE. General and administrative expenses mainly consist of employee salaries and benefits, travel, overhead, corporate facilities expense, legal, accounting and other professional services expenses. Our general and administrative expenses increased from $977,000 for the first quarter ended June 30, 2003 to $1,200,000 for the first quarter ended June 30, 2004. These expenses represented 8.1% and 6.7% of net revenue for the first quarter ended June 30,

 

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2003 and 2004, respectively. General and administrative expenses increased primarily due to increased rent, insurance, professional and other general expenses related to the overall increase in headcount from 217 at June 30, 2003 to 325 at June 30, 2004. We anticipate that general and administrative expenses will increase in the future as our operations expand.

 

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE, NET. Other income on our condensed consolidated statements of operations included the interest we earned on cash balances and short term investments and realized foreign currency fluctuations. Interest income was approximately $18,000 and $95,000 for the first quarters ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Other expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, primarily consist of a write-down of investment in another entity which totaled approximately $69,000, which was offset in part by the interest income discussed above. Other expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, included interest on capital leases acquired with the InterActual acquisition.

 

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” we made no provision for income taxes for the first quarter ended June 30, 2003 due to net operating loss carryforwards and other credits. A provision for federal, state and foreign taxes, in the amount of $158,000 was made for the first quarter ended June 30, 2004. In addition, for the first quarters ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, foreign tax expense was recorded to reflect the taxes withheld by various foreign customers and paid to the foreign taxing authorities.

 

ACQUISITIONS. On January 31, 2004, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all the stock of InterActual Technologies, Inc. for $8.8 million in cash. This transaction closed on February 13, 2004. As a result of the acquisition, we acquired all of InterActual’s assets and liabilities, including their portfolio of patents and patent applications, the InterActual Player, and all engineering and service operations. We plan to use the technology acquired from InterActual to develop new products that are compatible with emerging new DVD formats, including the first new High Definition DVD standards, and to assist “Hollywood” class professionals to deliver better and enhanced content to their customers. Most of the employees, 23, joined our company. The majority of the employees are located in San Jose, California. The accounting for this transaction was applied pursuant to the purchase accounting method.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES. Our operating activities generated cash of $1,919,000 and $7,589,000 for the first quarters ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

During the quarter ended June 30, 2003, cash generated by operations included net income of $1,643,000 including depreciation and amortization of $400,000. Cash generated by operations was primarily a result of a decrease in accounts receivables of $550,000 due to strong collections and an increase in deferred revenue and deposits of $303,000, offset in part by a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $185,000 and an increase in other assets of $517,000.

 

During the quarter ended June 30, 2004, cash generated by operations included net income of $3,987,000 including depreciation and amortization of $816,000. Cash generated by operations was primarily a result of a decrease in accounts receivables of $2,412,000 due to strong collections, an increase in deferred revenue and deposits of $200,000, and an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $203,000, offset in part by an increase in other assets of $20,000, a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $13,000 and an increase in inventory of $36,000.

 

On June 23, 2004, we announced an underwritten public offering of 1,300,000 shares of our common stock to institutional investors at a price of $19.48 per share for gross proceeds of $25,324,000. The transaction was completed and the stock was issued to investors on June 28, 2004. We received net proceeds of approximately $23,976,000 after deducting underwriting discounts and other costs associated with the offering.

 

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We lease certain facilities and equipment under noncancelable operating leases. Rent expense under operating leases for the first quarters ended June 30, 2003 and 2004 was approximately $477,000 and $528,000, respectively. Future payments under these operating leases that have initial remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year are as follows:

 

Contractual Obligations


   Total

   Payments
Less than
1 year


   Due By
1 – 3
years


   Period
3 – 5
years


   More than
5 years


Operating leases

   $ 3,129    1,474    1,655    —      —  

Capital leases

     115    65    50    —      —  
    

  
  
  
  

Total

   $ 3,244    1,539    1,705    —      —  
    

  
  
  
  

 

We believe that existing cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from operations, will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements at least through the end of fiscal year 2005.

 

As of June 30, 2004, we had cash and cash equivalents of $67,781,000 and working capital of $61,225,000.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as such term is defined in recently enacted Securities and Exchange Commission rules, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.

 

Risk Factors. You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth below as well as those in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing Sonic. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair business operations. The risks identified below could harm our business and cause the value of our shares to decline. We cannot, however, estimate the likelihood that our shares may decline in value or the amount by which they may decline.

 

We may experience potential fluctuations in our quarterly operating results, face unpredictability of future revenue and incur losses in the future.

 

The market for our products is characterized by rapid changes in technology. We may not accurately forecast customer behavior and recognize or respond to emerging trends, changing preferences or competitive factors facing us, and, therefore, we may fail to make accurate financial forecasts. Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly in the future as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside our control. These factors include:

 

  fluctuations in demand for, and sales of, our products and the PCs with which our products are bundled;

 

  introduction of new products by us and our competitors;

 

  competitive pressures that result in pricing fluctuations;

 

  variations in the timing of orders and shipments of our products;

 

  changes in the mix of products sold and the impact on our gross margins;

 

  delays in our receipt of and cancellation of orders forecasted by customers;

 

  our ability to enter into or renew on favorable terms our licensing and distribution agreements;

 

  the costs associated with the defense of litigation and intellectual property claims; and

 

  general economic conditions specific to the DVD audio and video recording market, as well as related PC and consumer electronics markets.

 

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Although we were profitable for fiscal years 2003 and 2004 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2005, you should not rely on the results for those periods as an indication of future performance. In particular, given the general uncertainty of the speed and scope of the economic recovery and market trends for professional and consumer audio and video products, we may not remain cash flow positive or generate net income for the remainder of fiscal 2005.

 

Moreover, our operating expenses are based on our current expectations of our future revenues and are relatively fixed in the short term. We tend to close a number of sales in the last month or last weeks of a quarter, especially in our professional audio and video business, and we generally do not know until quite late in a quarter whether our sales expectations for the quarter will be met. For example, in recent quarters, as much as 65% of our professional sales have been procured in the last month of the quarter. For many of our OEM licenses, we recognize revenues upon receipt of a royalty report from those OEMs. OEM royalty reports are sometimes incomplete, or are received on an unpredictable schedule. In some cases we determine that we need to perform additional checking of reports after we receive them but prior to including them in revenues. Therefore, depending on the timing of receipt of royalty reports relative to quarterly cut-offs, our reported revenues may fluctuate and, in some cases, result in negative reported operating results. Because most of our quarterly operating expenses and our inventory purchasing are committed prior to quarter end, we have little ability to reduce expenses to compensate for reduced sales, and our operating results for that particular quarter may be adversely impacted. If we have lower revenues than we expect, we may not be able to quickly reduce our spending in response. We also may, from time to time, make certain pricing, service or marketing decisions that adversely affect our revenues in a given quarterly or annual period. Any shortfall in our revenues would have a direct impact on our operating results for a particular quarter and these fluctuations could affect the market price of our common stock in a manner unrelated to our long-term operating performance.

 

Failure to successfully integrate the InterActual Technologies business we recently acquired could negatively impact us.

 

On January 31, 2004, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the stock of InterActual Technologies for $8.8 million in cash. We completed the acquisition on February 13, 2004 and acquired all of InterActual’s assets and liabilities, including its portfolio of patents and patent applications, the InterActual Player, and all engineering and service operations. Twenty-three former employees of InterActual joined our company.

 

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The InterActual acquisition involves risks related to the integration and management of this business, which may be a complex, time-consuming and expensive process and may disrupt our existing operations if not completed in a timely and efficient manner. We may encounter substantial difficulties, costs and delays in integrating the InterActual operations, including the following:

 

  potential conflicts between business cultures;

 

  adverse changes in business focus perceived by third-party constituencies;

 

  potential conflicts in distribution, marketing or other important relationships;

 

  an inability to implement uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies;

 

  an inability to integrate our research and development and product development efforts;

 

  the loss of current or future key employees and/or the diversion of management’s attention from other ongoing business concerns;

 

  undiscovered and unknown problems, defects or other issues related to the InterActual products that become known to us only some time after the acquisition; and

 

  negative reactions from our resellers and customers.

 

Furthermore, InterActual was a defendant in a lawsuit entitled Trust Licensing, LLC and Leigh Rothschild v. InterActual Technologies, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Civil Action No. 03-20672) in which it was charged with patent infringement and other wrongdoing. As a result of a court-sponsored mediation, InterActual and the plaintiffs executed a settlement agreement on January 28, 2004, and InterActual agreed to pay $500,000 to the plaintiffs, $225,000 of this amount was paid in January 2004. However, after learning of our acquisition of InterActual, the plaintiffs filed a motion to have the settlement set aside. On May 6, 2004, we executed a final settlement agreement, in which we agreed to cancel the note payable of $275,000 and to pay an additional $475,000, which was paid on May 21, 2004.

 

Any failure to successfully integrate the DMD business we purchased from VERITAS could negatively impact us.

 

The acquisition of the DMD business involves risks related to the integration and management of the DMD business, which will be a complex, time-consuming and expensive process and may disrupt our businesses if not completed in a timely and efficient manner. The process of integrating the DMD operations could cause an interruption or loss in momentum in our business and operating activities and, if material, could harm our business. If we fail to integrate the DMD business into our existing operations, we may not achieve the desired synergies and benefits originally anticipated by the DMD acquisition, and as a result, we may not achieve a positive, long-term benefit to our operation results. In addition, our acquisition of the DMD business included the retention of approximately 40 employees of VERITAS, representing approximately a 25% increase in our total number of employees at that time. Consequently, we may face management and organizational issues as we continue to integrate the DMD business employees into our other operations.

 

Approximately 39% of our revenue for the first quarter of fiscal year 2005 derived from revenue recognized on licensing agreements from two customers.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2005 approximately 39% of our revenue was derived from revenue recognized on licensing agreements from two customers and approximately 46% of our revenue, was derived from revenue recognized on development and licensing agreements from

 

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three customers. We anticipate that these relationships will continue to account for a significant portion of our revenue in the future. Any changes in our relationships with any of these three customers, including any actual or alleged breach of the agreements by either party or the early termination of, or any other material change in, any of the agreements would seriously harm our business, operating results and financial condition. Additionally, a decrease or interruption in any of the above mentioned businesses or their demand for our products or a delay in our development agreements with any one of them could cause a significant decrease in our revenue.

 

Also, we may not succeed in attracting new customers as many of our potential customers have pre-existing relationships with our current or potential competitors. To attract new customers, we may be faced with intense price competition, which may affect our gross margins.

 

Because we have significant international operations and a significant portion of our revenue derives from sales made to foreign customers located primarily in Europe and Japan, we may be subject to political, economic and other conditions relating to our international operations that could increase our operating expenses and disrupt our business.

 

We are dependent on sales to customers outside the United States, in particular Europe and Japan. Revenue derived from these customers accounted for approximately 39%, 30%, 40% and 25% of our revenues in fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2004 and the first quarter in fiscal 2005, respectively. Although most of our revenue and expenses are transacted in U.S. dollars, we may be exposed to currency exchange fluctuations in the future as business practices evolve and we are forced to transact business in local currencies. This may expose us to foreign currency fluctuation risks. These foreign customers expose us to the following additional risks, among others:

 

  currency movements in which the U.S. dollar becomes significantly stronger with respect to foreign currencies, thereby reducing relative demand for our products outside the United States;

 

  import and export restrictions and duties, including tariffs and other barriers;

 

  foreign regulatory restrictions, for example, safety or radio emissions regulations;

 

  liquidity problems in various foreign markets;

 

  burdens of complying with a variety of foreign laws;

 

  political and economic instability; and

 

  changes in diplomatic and trade relationships.

 

International sales historically represented slightly less than 50% of our total sales, and we expect that they will continue to represent a significant percentage of future revenue. We also expect that international sales will continue to account for a significant portion our net product sales for the foreseeable future. As a result, the occurrence of any negative international political, economic or geographic events could result in significant revenue shortfalls. These shortfalls could cause our business, financial condition and results of operations to be harmed.

 

Furthermore, we currently do not engage in foreign currency hedging transactions. We may in the future choose to limit our exposure by the purchase of forward foreign exchange contracts or through similar hedging strategies. However, no currency hedging strategy can fully protect against exchange-related losses.

 

We may engage in future acquisitions that could dilute our shareholders’ equity and harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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As part of our efforts to enhance our existing products and introduce new products, as well as grow our business and remain competitive, we have pursued, and we may pursue in the future, acquisitions of complementary companies, products and technologies. We are unable to predict whether or when any other prospective acquisition will be completed. We have limited experience in acquiring and integrating outside businesses. The process of integrating an acquired business may produce operating difficulties, may be prolonged due to unforeseen difficulties, may require a disproportionate amount of our resources and expenditures and may require significant attention of our management that otherwise would be available for the ongoing development of our business. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates, complete acquisitions, integrate acquired businesses into our current operations, or expand into new markets. Future acquisitions may not be well-received by the investment community, which may cause our stock price to fall. Further, once integrated, acquisitions may not achieve anticipated levels of revenues, profitability or productivity or otherwise perform as expected. The occurrence of any of these events could harm our business, financial condition or results of operations. If we consummate one or more significant future acquisitions in which the consideration consists of stock or other securities, our existing stockholders’ ownership could be significantly diluted. If we were to proceed with one or more significant future acquisitions in which the consideration included cash, we could be required to use a substantial portion of our available cash, or we may be required to seek additional debt or equity financing.

 

Future acquisitions by us could result in the following, any of which could seriously harm our results of operations or the price of our stock:

 

  issuance of equity securities that would dilute our current stockholders’ percentages of ownership;

 

  large one-time write-offs;

 

  the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities;

 

  difficulties in the assimilation and integration of operations, personnel, technologies, products and information systems of the acquired companies;

 

  contractual and intellectual property disputes;

 

  risks of entering geographic and business markets in which we have no or only limited prior experience; and

 

  potential loss of key employees of acquired organizations.

 

We expect our product prices to decline, which could harm our operating results.

 

We expect prices for our OEM products to decline due to competitive pricing pressures from other software providers, competition in the PC industry and OEM customers possessing strong negotiating positions. We may incur additional pricing pressures in other parts of our business. These trends could make it more difficult for us to increase or maintain our revenue and may cause a decline in our gross and/or operating profits, even if our sales in absolute dollars increase. Accordingly, our future success will depend in part on our ability to introduce new products and upgrades to our existing products with enhanced functionalities that can be sold at higher gross margins and/or operating margins.

 

Our reliance on a single supplier for our manufacturing makes us vulnerable to supplier operational problems.

 

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Our hardware outsourcing manufacturing program commits responsibility for almost all of our manufacturing activities to a single supplier – Arrow Bell Electronics. Furthermore, there are other significant risks associated with outsourcing our manufacturing processes. For example, if Arrow Bell Electronics does not achieve the necessary product delivery schedules, yields and hardware product reliability, our customer relationships could suffer, which could ultimately lead to a loss of sales of our products and have a negative effect on our gross margins and results of operations. Also, outsourcing our manufacturing processes increases our exposure to potential misappropriation of our intellectual property.

 

The occurrence of any of the above-noted product shortages or quality assurance problems could increase the costs of manufacturing and distributing our products and may adversely impact our operating results.

 

We are dependent on third-party single-source suppliers for components of some of our products and any failure by them to deliver these components could limit our ability to satisfy customer demand.

 

We often use components in our products that are available from only a single source. These components include Phillip’s Video Scaler and various Xilinx devices. We purchase these sole-source components from time to time, that is, we do not carry significant inventories of these components and we have no guaranteed supply agreements for them. We have experienced shortages of some sole-sourced components in the past. We are likely to experience similar shortages at some point in the future. Such shortages, as well as any pricing fluctuations on these sole-source components, can have a significant negative impact on our business.

 

Any interruption in the operations of our vendors of sole source components could adversely affect our ability to meet our scheduled product deliveries to customers. If we are unable to obtain a sufficient supply of components from our current sources, we could experience difficulties in obtaining alternative sources or in altering product designs to use alternative components. Resulting delays or reductions in product shipments could damage customer relationships and expose us to potential damages that may arise from our inability to supply our customers with products. Further, a significant increase in the price of one or more of these components could harm our gross margin or operating results.

 

Because a large portion of our net revenue is from OEM customers, the potential success of our products is tied to the success of their product sales.

 

Much of our consumer revenue is derived from sales through OEM customers, including for example Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Sony, Matrox and Avid. The revenue from many of these customers is recognized on a sell-through basis. Temporary fluctuations in the pricing and availability of the OEM customers’ products could negatively impact sales of our products, which could in turn harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, increased sales of our consumer products to OEMs depend in large part on consumer acceptance and purchase of DVD players, DVD recorders and other digital media devices marketed by our OEM customers in PCs or on a stand-alone basis. Consumer acceptance of these digital media devices depend significantly on the price and ease-of use for these devices. If alternative technology emerges or if the demand for moving, managing and storing digital content is less than expected, the growth of this market may decline which may adversely affect sales of our consumer products to our OEM customers.

 

In addition, some of the materials, components and/or software included in the end products sold by our OEM customers, who also incorporate our products, are obtained from a limited group of suppliers. Supply disruptions, shortages or termination of any of these sources could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations due to the delay or discontinuance of orders for our products by our OEM customers until those necessary materials,

 

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components or software are available for their end products. Moreover, if OEM customers do not ship as many units as forecasted or if there is a general decrease in their unit sales, our net revenue will be adversely impacted and we may be less profitable than forecasted or unprofitable.

 

Furthermore, we are dependent on reports prepared by the OEM customers to determine the results of our sales of products through these OEM customers. If the OEM customers prepare inaccurate or substandard sales reports, we may be required to take corrective actions, including auditing current and prior reports. Such corrective action may result in negative effects on us, including that our prior reported net revenue and related results may be inaccurate, in particular less than previously reported.

 

Changes in requirements or business models of our OEM customers may negatively affect our financial results.

 

OEM customers can be quite demanding, in terms of the features they demand in software products they bundle, in terms of their quality and testing requirements, and in terms of their economic demands. Because there are a relatively small number of significant OEM customers, should they demand reduced prices for our products, we may not be in a position to refuse such demands, in which case our revenues and our results of operations will be negatively affected. If particular OEMs demand certain product or product features that we are unable to deliver, or if they impose higher quality requirements than we are in a position to satisfy, our revenues and our results of operations could be negatively affected. Also, if our competitors offer our OEM customers more favorable terms than we do or if our competitors are able to take advantage of their existing relationships with these OEMs, then these OEMs may not include our software with their PCs. These OEM relationships serve an important role in distributing our software to the end user and positioning the market for upgrades to our more fully featured software products. If we are unable to maintain or expand our relationships with OEMs, our business will suffer.

 

We have embarked on a new program with one of our major OEMs, Dell, in which we are developing a number of versions of our products specifically for that OEM’s customers. The versions include a base version to be included with the OEM’s products, and enhanced versions. The enhanced versions will be marketed by the OEM’s sales force and by us to obtain favorable end user upgrade decisions at the “point of sale,” that is the time and place at which end user customers purchase a PC or other device, as well as after the point of sale. If the OEM offers an upgrade, then the base version can be sold by them to their customers without royalty to us. We will be contributing significant resources to this effort including (1) extra development resources to develop the various product versions required by the program, (2) enhanced first line customer support activities, and (3) enhanced marketing obligations, among others. While we believe that upgrade rates and resulting revenues, which will be split between the OEM and ourselves, will more than compensate for the lack of royalty revenues deriving from shipments of the base versions of our products and for our increased resource commitment, thereby increasing our overall revenues and contribution deriving from this OEM, the new business model is untested at this time, and actual results may be disappointing. In that case, our revenues and our results of operations could be negatively affected. During the quarter ended December 31, 2003 Dell began this transition and during the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004, they have continued to transition our products into this new model. If the transition and adjustment process takes a significant length of time, or encounters difficulties, the results of our operations in future quarters could be negatively affected.

 

If we fail to protect our intellectual property rights, such as trade secrets, we may not be able to market our products successfully.

 

Unlicensed copying and use of our intellectual property or illegal infringements of our intellectual property rights represent losses of revenue to our company. Our products are based in

 

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large part on proprietary technology which we have sought to protect with patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. For example, we have many patents and we have also filed applications for additional patents. We also registered trademarks for the following: DVDit, MyDVD, DVD Creator, DVD Fusion, RecordNow!, Backup MyPC, CinePlayer, AuthorScript, ReelDVD and Primo SDK among others. In addition, we make extensive use of trade secrets that we may not be able to protect. Effective patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret protection may not be available in every country in which our products may be manufactured, marketed or sold. Moreover, despite our efforts, these measures can only provide limited protection. Unauthorized third parties may try to copy or reverse engineer portions of our products or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property.

 

To the extent that we use patents to protect our proprietary rights, we may not be able to obtain needed patents or, if granted, the patents may be held invalid or otherwise indefensible. Patent protection throughout the world is generally established on a country-by-country basis. Failure to obtain patents or failure to enforce those patents that are obtained may result in a loss of revenue to us. We cannot assure you that the protection of our proprietary rights will be adequate or that our competitors will not independently develop similar technology, duplicate our products or design around any of our patents or other intellectual property rights we hold.

 

If we fail to protect our intellectual property rights and proprietary technology adequately, if there are changes in applicable laws that are adverse to our interests, or if we become involved in litigation relating to our intellectual property rights and proprietary technology or relating to the intellectual property rights of others, our business could be seriously harmed because the value ascribed to our intellectual property could diminish and result in a lower stock price. To the extent we are unable to protect our proprietary rights, competitors also may enter the market offering products identical to ours, with a negative impact on sales of our products.

 

Other companies’ intellectual property rights may interfere with our current or future product development and sales.

 

We have never conducted a comprehensive patent search relating to the technology we use in our products. There may be issued or pending patents owned by third parties that relate to our products. If so, we could incur substantial costs defending against patent infringement claims or we could even be blocked from selling our products.

 

Other companies may succeed in obtaining valid patents covering one or more of the key techniques we utilize in our products. If so, we may be forced to obtain required licenses or implement alternative non-infringing approaches.

 

Our products are designed to adhere to industry standards, such as DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio and MPEG video. A number of companies and organizations hold various patents that claim to cover various aspects of DVD and MPEG technology. We have entered into license agreements with certain companies and organizations relative to some of these technologies. For instance, we have entered into license agreements with Dolby Licensing Corporation covering Dolby Digital Audio, with Meridian Audio Limited covering Meridian Lossless Packing, with MPEG-LA (see below) covering various aspects of MPEG-2 video compression technology, and with Thomson/Fraunhofer covering various aspects of MPEG-2 and layer 3 audio compression technology, among others. Such license agreements may not be sufficient to grant all of the intellectual property rights to us necessary to market our products.

 

We may become involved in costly and time-consuming patent litigation.

 

We face risks associated with our patent position, including the potential need to engage in significant legal proceedings to enforce our patents, the possibility that the validity or enforceability of our patents may be denied, the possibility that third parties will be able to

 

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compete against us without infringing our patents and the possibility that our products may infringe patent rights of third parties. Budgetary concerns may cause us not to file, or continue, litigation against known infringers of our patent rights. Failure to reliably enforce our patent rights against infringers may make licensing more difficult.

 

Third parties could pursue us claiming that our products infringe various patents. For example, a group of companies have formed an organization called MPEG-LA to enforce the rights of holders of patents covering aspects of MPEG-2 video technology. Although we have entered into an agreement with MPEG-LA, that agreement may not prevent third parties not represented by MPEG-LA from asserting that we infringe a patent covering some aspects of MPEG-2 technology.

 

Patent infringement litigation can be time consuming and costly, may divert management resources and may result in the invalidation of our intellectual property rights. If such litigation resulted in an unfavorable outcome for us, we could be subject to substantial damage claims and requirements to cease production of infringing products, terminate our use of infringing technology or develop non-infringing technology and obtain a royalty or license agreement to continue using the technology at issue. Such royalty or license agreements might not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all, resulting in serious harm to our business. Our use of protected technology may result in liability that threatens our continuing operation.

 

We may be liable to some of our customers for damages that they incur in connections with intellectual property claims.

 

Although we attempt to limit our exposure to liability arising from infringement of third-party intellectual property rights in our license agreements with customers, we may not succeed. If we are required to pay damages to our customers, or indemnify our customers for damages they incur, our business could be harmed. Moreover, even if a particular claim falls outside of our indemnity or warranty obligations to our customers, our customers may be entitled to additional contractual remedies against us. Furthermore, even if we are not liable to our customers, our customers may attempt to pass on to us the cost of any license fees or damages owed to third parties by reducing the amounts they pay for our products. These price reductions could harm our business.

 

Because a significant percentage of our professional DVD products operate only on Macintosh computers, the potential success of these products is tied to the success of this platform.

 

Several of our current professional DVD products, including DVD Creator and DVD Fusion, operate on Macintosh computers manufactured by Apple Computer. If the supply of Macintosh computers becomes limited, sales of these products will likely decline. If there is a decrease in the use of the Macintosh computing platform in the professional and corporate audio and video markets, there will likely be a decrease in demand for our products. If there are changes in the operating system or architecture of the Macintosh, it is likely that we will incur significant costs to adapt our products to the changes. Our Macintosh users generally demand that we maintain compatibility with the latest models of the Macintosh and the Macintosh OS. Currently our DVD Creator and DVD Fusion applications run only on OS 9. Macintosh OS X currently offers a “compatibility mode” which supports OS 9.x compatible applications, but we believe that we will soon have to modify our DVD Creator and DVD Fusion applications for them to continue to be able to run with the latest Macintosh models. Such a modification may be difficult to accomplish or infeasible and if it proves to be lengthy, our revenues could be significantly reduced in the interim.

 

Some of our competitors possess greater technological and financial resources than we do, may produce better or more cost-effective products than ours and may be more effective than we are in marketing and promoting their products.

 

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There is a substantial risk that competing companies will produce better or more cost-effective products, or will be better equipped than we are to promote them in the marketplace. A number of companies have announced or are delivering products which compete with our products. These include Ahead Software, Apple Computer, CyberLink, Intervideo, Inc., MedioStream, Pinnacle, Roxio and Ulead. Some of these companies have greater financial and technological resources than we do.

 

For example, in April 2000, Apple Computer announced the acquisition of the DVD authoring business of Astarte Gmbh. Prior to the acquisition, Astarte sold a DVD authoring system that competed primarily with our DVD Fusion product. In January 2001, Apple announced two new DVD authoring products, which we presume are based on Astarte’s technology. The first product, iDVD, is intended for consumer users and competes with MyDVD and DVDit The second product, DVD Studio Pro, is intended for professional users, and competes with DVDit PE, DVD Fusion and ReelDVD. Apple also announced the availability of aggressively priced DVD recorders with certain models of their Macintosh personal computer. In mid-2001, Apple purchased Spruce Technologies, a long-standing competitor of ours in the professional DVD market. In 2003 Apple introduced DVD Studio Pro Version 2 which we presume is based, at least in part, on technology deriving from the Spruce acquisition.

 

Because our products are designed to adhere to industry standards, to the extent that we cannot distinguish our products from those produced by our competitors, our current distributors and customers may choose alternate producers or choose to purchase products from multiple vendors. We may be unable to effectively compete with the other vendors if we cannot produce products more quickly or at lower cost than our competitors.

 

We cannot provide any assurance that the industry standards on which we develop new products will allow us to compete effectively with companies having greater financial and technological resources than we do to market, promote and exploit sales opportunities as they arise in the future. Accelerated product introductions and short product life cycles require high levels of expenditures for research and development that could adversely affect our operating results. Further, any new products we develop may not be introduced in a timely manner or in advance of our competitors and may not achieve the broad market acceptance necessary to generate significant revenues.

 

We may encounter significant challenges as our business model evolves to depend more on sales of consumer products.

 

We anticipate that our business model will continue to evolve to depend more on sales of consumer products to generate additional revenue and grow our business. If this trend continues, we will be subject to risks due to changing consumer demands, extensive competition which may result in price erosions, products liability litigation and product warranty concerns.

 

As our consumer segment grows, our business may become more seasonal. The general pattern associated with consumer products that we develop is one of higher sales and revenue during the holiday season. Due to the fact that we often recognize revenue based upon the receipts of royalty reports from our OEM customers and that those OEM customers provide royalty reports in arrears, we have typically experienced a significant increase in net revenue in the March quarter. Due to the importance of the holiday selling season, we may expect that the corresponding fiscal quarter will contribute a greater proportion of our sales and gross profit for an entire year. If, for any reason, our sales or sales of our OEM customers were to fall below our expectations in November and December, such as because specific events cause consumer confidence to drop or other factors limit consumer spending, our business, financial condition and annual operating results may be materially adversely affected.

 

Success in our consumer segment will depend upon our ability to enhance and distinguish our existing products, to introduce new competitive products with features that meet changing consumer requirements, and to control our inventory levels to avoid any significant impact from sudden price decreases.

 

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Moreover, our success will depend on our ability to effectively sell our products in the consumer market. Currently, a significant portion of sales of our consumer products are through bundling arrangements with our OEM customers. However, as we increase our penetration of the consumer market, we must modify our current business models for OEM arrangements to better monetize the end-user relationships we derive from our OEMs. We may need to increase the sales of our products through our web stores, specialized channels and “bricks and mortar” channels. We may not have the capital required or the necessary personnel or expertise to develop and enhance these distribution channels. If we do spend the capital required to develop these distribution channels, there can be no guarantee that we will be successful or profitable. Moreover, some of these other revenue opportunities are more fragmented than the OEM market and will take more time and effort to penetrate. Also, some of our competitors, including for example Apple, have well-established retail distribution capabilities and existing brands with market acceptance that would provide them with a significant competitive advantage. If we are not successful in overcoming any of the above challenges our business and results of operations may be harmed.

 

We may need to develop additional channels to market and sell our professional products, which may not occur.

 

The vast majority of sales for our professional products are through dealers. Recruiting and maintaining dealers can be a difficult process. Because our products are sophisticated, our dealers need to be technically proficient and very familiar with our products. We may fail to attract the dealers necessary to expand our sales and business reversals or turnovers at dealer organizations may have a negative impact on our sales. Moreover, the attractive dealers in a targeted region may also carry competing products. If our competitors offer our dealers more favorable terms, they may de-emphasize or decline to carry our products.

 

If sources of financing are not available, we may not have sufficient cash to satisfy working capital requirements.

 

We believe that our current cash balances are sufficient to satisfy our working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months. We may need to obtain additional financing at that time or prior to that time if our plans change or if we expend cash sooner than anticipated. Currently we do not have any commitments from third parties to provide additional capital. The risk to us is that at the time we will need cash, financing from other sources may not be available on satisfactory terms, if at all. Our failure to obtain financing could result in our insolvency and the loss to investors of their entire investment in our common stock.

 

We need to develop and introduce new and enhanced products in a timely manner to remain competitive.

 

The markets in which we operate are characterized by rapidly changing technologies, evolving industry standards, frequent new product introductions and relatively short product life. The pursuit of necessary technological advances and the development of new products require substantial time and expense. To compete successfully in the markets in which we operate, we must develop and sell new or enhanced products that provide increasingly higher levels of performance and reliability. For example, our business involves new digital audio and video formats, such as DVD-Video and DVD-Audio, and, more recently, the new recordable DVD formats including DVD-RAM, DVD-R/RW, and DVD+RW. We expend significant time and effort to develop new products in compliance with these new formats. If these formats prove to be unsuccessful or are not accepted for any reason, there will be only limited demand for our products. There is no assurance that the products we are currently developing or intend to develop will achieve feasibility or that even if we are successful, the developed product will be accepted by the market. We may not be able to recover the costs of existing and future product developments and our failure to do so may materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Our reliance on outsourcing our web store makes us vulnerable to third party’s operational problems.

 

We have initiated a web-based retail store for our consumer products including DVDit and MyDVD, as well as some of our professional products, for example, ReelDVD. We currently “outsource” our web store targeted at the U.S. market through an arrangement we have with Digital River, targeted at the European market through an arrangement with Element 5 and targeted at the Japanese market through an arrangement with Sanshin. We may have other similar arrangements in the future. We refer to Digital River and such other organizations as “Outsourcers.” Under these arrangements the Outsourcers provide the servers which list our products and handle all purchase transactions through their secure web sites.

 

We are dependent on the Outsourcers for smooth operation of our web store. Recently Digital River announced that it has acquired Element 5. Since our web store sales constitute a significant portion of our revenue, any interruption of Digital River’s or any other Outsourcer’s service to us could have a negative effect on our business. If Digital River or other Outsourcers were to withdraw from this business, or change its terms of service in ways that were not feasible for us, there might not be a ready alternative outsourcing organization available to us, and we might be unprepared to assume operation of the web store ourselves. In any of these cases, our results of operations would be negatively affected.

 

Undetected errors or failures found in our products may result in loss of or delay in market acceptance, which could seriously harm our reputation and business.

 

Our products may contain undetected software errors or failures when first introduced or as new versions are released. Despite testing by us, errors may not be found in new products until after delivery to our customers. We may need to significantly modify our products to correct these errors. Our reputation and business could be adversely affected if undetected errors cause our user and customer base to reject our new products.

 

Our executive officers and key personnel are critical to our business, and because there is significant competition for personnel in our industry, we may not be able to attract and retain such qualified personnel.

 

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of our executive management team, and our technical, marketing, sales, and customer support and product development personnel. The loss of significant numbers of such personnel could significantly harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. We do not have any life insurance or other insurance covering the loss of any of our key employees. Because our products are specialized and complex, our success depends upon our ability to attract, train and retain qualified personnel, including qualified technical, marketing and sales personnel. However, the competition for personnel is intense and we may have difficulty attracting and retaining such personnel.

 

Our ability to expand our operations will suffer if we fail to manage our growth effectively.

 

Our success depends on our ability to effectively manage the growth of our operations. As a result of our acquisitions, we have significantly increased our headcount from 110 at March 31, 2002, to 211 at March 31, 2003 to 296 at March 31, 2004 to 325 at June 30, 2004. Also, we expect to increase the scope of our operations in the future both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, as a result of our acquisitions and the establishment of foreign subsidiaries, we have increased our geographical presence. Our management team will face challenges inherent in efficiently managing an increased number of employees over larger geographic distances,

 

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including the need to improve our operational and financial systems, procedures and controls as well as hire additional qualified personnel. The inability to manage successfully the geographically more diverse and substantially larger organization, or any significant delay in implementing appropriate systems, policies, benefits and compliance programs for the larger organization, could have a material adverse effect on the growth of our business.

 

Our stock price has been volatile, is likely to continue to be volatile, and could decline substantially.

 

The price of our common stock has been, and is likely to continue to be, highly volatile. The price of our common stock could fluctuate significantly for any of the following reasons:

 

  future announcements concerning us or our competitors;

 

  quarterly variations in operating results;

 

  charges, amortization and other financial effects relating to our recent or future acquisitions;

 

  introduction of new products or changes in product pricing policies by us or our competitors;

 

  acquisition or loss of significant customers, distributors or suppliers;

 

  business acquisitions or divestitures;

 

  changes in earnings estimates by us or by independent analysts who cover the company;

 

  issuances of stock under our current or any future shelf registration statement;

 

  fluctuations in the U.S. or world economy or general market conditions; or

 

  the delay in delivery to market or acceptance of new DVD products, such as DVD recorders.

 

In addition, stock markets in general, and the market for technology stocks in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations in recent years which have frequently been unrelated to the operating performance of the affected companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. The market price of our common stock could decline below its current price and the market price of our stock may fluctuate significantly in the future. These fluctuations may be unrelated to our performance.

 

In the past, shareholders of various companies have often instituted securities class action litigation after periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities. If a shareholder files a securities class action suit against us, we would incur substantial legal fees and our management’s attention and resources would be diverted from operating our business in order to respond to the litigation.

 

New laws and regulations affecting corporate governance may impede our ability to retain and attract board members and executive officers, and increase the costs associated with being a public company.

 

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On July 30, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The new act is designed to enhance corporate responsibility through new corporate governance and disclosure obligations, increase auditor independence, and tougher penalties for securities fraud. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ have adopted rules in furtherance of the act. This act and the related new rules and regulations have had the effect of increasing the complexity and cost of our company’s corporate governance and the time our executive officers spend on such issues, and have increased the risk of personal liability for our board members, chief executive officer, chief financial officer and other executives involved in our company’s corporate governance process. As a result, it may become more difficult for us to attract and retain board members and executive officers involved in the corporate governance process. In addition, in order to meet the new corporate governance and disclosure obligations, we have been taking, and will continue to take, steps to improve our controls and procedures and related corporate governance policies and procedures to address compliance issues and correct any deficiencies that we may discover. Consequently, we have experienced, and we anticipate continuing to experience, increased costs associated with such activities and, more generally, with being a public company, including additional professional and independent auditor fees.

 

If proposed accounting regulations that require companies to expense stock options are adopted, our earnings will decrease and our stock price may decline.

 

A number of publicly-traded companies have recently announced that they will begin expensing stock option grants to employees. In addition, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, in March 2004, issued an exposure draft that, if adopted, will require companies to expense the fair value of stock options on the grant date. Currently, we generally only disclose such expenses on a pro forma basis in the noted to our annual consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. If accounting standards are changed to require us to expense stock options, our reported earnings will decrease significantly and our stock price could decline.

 

We are vulnerable to earthquakes, labor issues and other unexpected events.

 

Our corporate headquarters, as well as the majority of our research and development activities, are located in California, an area known for seismic activity. An earthquake, or other significant natural disaster, could result in an interruption in our business. Our business may also be impacted by labor issues related to our operations and/or those of our suppliers, distributors or customers. Such an interruption could harm our operating results. We are not likely to have sufficient insurance to compensate for any losses that we may sustain as a result of any natural disasters or other unexpected events.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Our market risk disclosures set forth in Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2004 have not changed materially. Our exposure to market risk is limited. Most of our international sales are denominated in U.S. dollars, although some of our sales and development contracts are denominated in foreign currencies. We do not engage in any hedging activities.

 

We do not use deriviatives or equity investments for cash investment purposes.

 

Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and are stated at cost which approximates market value. Cash equivalents consist of money market funds.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our President (our principal executive officer) and our Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, our President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in this report. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

We intend to review and evaluate the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures on an ongoing basis and to improve our controls and procedures over time and to correct any deficiencies that we may discover in the future. Our goal is to ensure that our senior management has timely access to all material financial and non-financial information concerning our business. While we believe the present design of our disclosure controls and procedures is effective to achieve our goal, future events affecting our business may cause us to significantly modify our disclosure controls and procedures.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are not party to any material legal proceedings.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

  (a) Exhibits

 

  31.1 Certificate of President pursuant to Securities and Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.

 

  31.2 Certificate of Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities and Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

  32.1 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

  32.2 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

  (b) Reports on Form 8-K

 

  1. Sonic Solutions filed an Amendment No. 1 to a report on Form 8-K, dated March 1, 2004, with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 2004 to include the required financial information of InterActual Technologies, Inc. and pro forma financial information of Sonic Solutions.

 

  2. Sonic Solutions filed a report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2004 to include a press release announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2004.

 

  3. Sonic Solutions filed a report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 23, 2004 to include a press release announcing a $23.8 million underwritten public offering of 1,300,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $19.48 per share, and filed as an exhibit the Underwriting Agreement related to the public offering.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant, Sonic Solutions, has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Novato, State of California, on the 6th day of August, 2004.

 

SONIC SOLUTIONS

 

Signature

   Date

/s/ Robert J. Doris


   August 6, 2004

Robert J. Doris

    

President and Director (Principal

Executive Officer)

    

/s/ A. Clay Leighton


   August 6, 2004

A. Clay Leighton

    

Senior Vice President of Finance and

Chief Financial Officer (Principal

Financial Accounting Officer)

    

 

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