Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

v2.4.1.9
Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies

8. Commitments and Contingencies

Working Capital Arbitration

On August 13, 2014, Cinedigm Corp. and Cinedigm Entertainment Holdings, LLC (together, “Cinedigm”) initiated an arbitration proceeding with the American Arbitration Association under the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated October 17, 2013, by and among Cinedigm and the Company and one of its subsidiaries (the “MIPA”). Cinedigm’s arbitration demand alleges that the Company owes Cinedigm approximately $12.9 million under the working capital adjustment mechanism included in the MIPA. In addition, Cinedigm has claimed that Gaiam materially breached its representations and warranties under the MIPA, that the Company engaged in fraudulent and tortious acts in connection with the sale, and that the Company breached the terms of other agreements related to the transaction. The aggregate relief requested by Cinedigm exceeds $30.0 million and includes unspecified compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, costs and interest, and other relief.

The Company believes that Cinedigm’s arbitration claims are without merit and represent a post-closing attempt to renegotiate the MIPA purchase price, and the Company intends to assert its positions vigorously through the legal process. Moreover, the Company believes that if the working capital mechanism is properly applied, Cinedigm owes the Company over $7.0 million, and the Company has initiated an arbitration process against Cinedigm. In addition to its working capital claim, the Company is pursuing a claim of approximately $700,000 against Cinedigm in connection with the Transition Services Agreement executed as part of the MIPA transaction, and is reviewing other claims that it may pursue against Cinedigm. The dispute outcome cannot be predicted at this time.

In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of any asserted claim, particularly where large or indeterminate damages are sought, the Company cannot predict the outcome of any pending matter, the timing of ultimate resolution, or the eventual gain or loss (in each case, if any). However, in light of the uncertainty of litigation generally and the uncertainty of collection with regard to any judgment that the Company seeks, as well as the more certain substantial legal fees and costs that the Company expects to expend in the matter (which may continue into 2016), the Company has accrued a litigation-related reserve in the fourth quarter of 2014 of $3.0 million to cover such anticipated expenses and related reserves.

Risks and Uncertainties

From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings that we consider to be in the normal course of business. Claimed amounts against us may be substantial but may not bear any reasonable relationship to the merits of the claim or the extent of any real risk of court or arbitral awards. We record accruals for losses related to those matters against us that we consider to be probable and that can be reasonably estimated. Although it is not feasible to predict the outcome of these matters with certainty, it is reasonably possible that some legal proceedings may be disposed of or decided unfavorably to us and in excess of the amounts currently accrued. Based on available information, in the opinion of management, settlements, arbitration awards and final judgments, if any, which are considered probable of being rendered against us in litigation or arbitration in existence at December 31, 2014 and can be reasonably estimated are reserved against or would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Operating Leases

We lease office and warehouse space through operating leases. Some of the leases have renewal clauses, which range from 3 to 6 years.

The following schedule represents the annual future minimum payments under these commitments, as of December 31, 2014:

 

(in thousands)

   Operating
Leases
 

2015

   $ 769   

2016

     299   

2017

     —     
  

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

$ 1,068   
  

 

 

 

We incurred rent expense of $1.1 million, $1.0 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Media Distribution Payments

In 2014, we entered into exclusive media distribution agreements which require that we make periodic minimum payments (against future distribution liabilities) through 2017. The following schedule shows the annual future minimum payments under these agreements, as of December 31, 2014:

 

(in thousands)

   Distribution
Payments
 

2015

   $ 3,350   

2016

     2,325   

2017

     300   
  

 

 

 

Total media distribution payments

$ 5,975   
  

 

 

 

 

 

Spinoff of Gaiam TV

The potential spinoff of Gaiam TV will have a significant impact on our financial statements if it occurs. See further discussion in Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements.