Summary
Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) has filed an 8-K report detailing a significant patent litigation settlement with TiVo Inc., along with ARRIS Group, Inc. and Google Inc. The core of the agreement involves Cisco paying TiVo a one-time lump sum of $294 million to settle all outstanding patent infringement claims and to secure a perpetual license to certain patents. This settlement is designed to resolve current disputes and provide a clearer future licensing landscape for Cisco in the video technology space. For investors, the immediate financial impact is a charge expected to reduce GAAP earnings per share by approximately $0.03 in Cisco's fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Importantly, this charge will not affect non-GAAP earnings per share, which is a key metric many investors focus on for operational performance. Cisco anticipates the remaining balance of the settlement charges will be recognized as future licensing fees and does not expect them to materially impact future operations, cash flows, or financial position.
Key Highlights
- 1Cisco entered into a settlement agreement with TiVo Inc. on June 6, 2013, to resolve all outstanding patent litigation.
- 2Cisco will pay TiVo a one-time lump sum of $294 million as part of the settlement.
- 3The agreement grants Cisco a perpetual license to certain patents from TiVo.
- 4A limited cross-license for the video field and cross-covenants not to sue are also included.
- 5The settlement is expected to reduce Cisco's GAAP earnings per share by approximately $0.03 in Q4 fiscal 2013.
- 6The settlement charges will not impact Cisco's non-GAAP earnings per share.
- 7Cisco does not anticipate material future impacts on its results of operations, cash flows, or financial position from this settlement.