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Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
Product Warranties
Changes in the reserve for product warranty claim costs were as follows:
 
(In thousands)
Description
 
Balance at
Beginning
of Period
 
Accruals
for
Warranties
Issued
During the
Period
 
Settlements
(in Cash or
in Kind)
During the
Period
 
Balance
at End
of Period
 Reserve for product warranty claim costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2013
 
$
404

 
$
375

 
$
(500
)
 
$
279

Six months ended June 30, 2012
 
$
6

 
$

 
$

 
$
6


Litigation
On March 2, 2012, we filed a lawsuit against Universal Remote Control, Inc. ("URC") in the United States District Court, Central District of California (Universal Electronics Inc. v. Universal Remote Control, Inc., SACV12-0039 AG (JPRx)) alleging that URC is infringing, directly and indirectly, four of our patents related to remote control technology. We have alleged that this complaint relates to multiple URC remote control products, including the URC model numbers UR5U-9000L, WR7 and other remote controls with different model names or numbers, but with substantially the same designs, features, and functionalities. We are seeking monetary relief for the infringement, including enhanced damages due to the willfulness of URC's actions, injunctive relief to enjoin URC from further infringing, including contributory infringement and/or inducing infringement, and attorney's fees. URC has denied infringing our patents. On January 29, 2013, the Court held its "Markman" hearing and on February 1, 2013, the Court issued its ruling that four of the 24 claims we have asserted against URC were invalid, effectively removing one of the four patents alleged by us to be infringed by URC from this litigation. We are presently determining whether or not to appeal this decision, but in our estimation this ruling does not materially affect our position in this litigation. In all other respects, this litigation is continuing as scheduled with discovery continuing.
On June 28, 2013, we filed a second lawsuit against URC, also in the United States District Court, Central District of California (Universal Electronics Inc. v. Universal Remote Control, Inc., SACV13-00987 JAK (SHx)). In this second lawsuit, we are alleging that URC is infringing, directly and indirectly, nine additional patents that we own related to remote control technology. As in the first lawsuit, in this second lawsuit we have alleged that this complaint relates to multiple URC remote control products. We are seeking monetary relief for infringement, including enhanced damages due to the willfulness of URC's actions, injunctive relief to enjoin URC from further infringing, including contributory infringement and/or inducing infringement, and attorney's fees. URC has not yet responded to this complaint.
There are no other material pending legal proceedings to which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party or of which our respective property is the subject. However, as is typical in our industry and to the nature and kind of business in which we are engaged, from time to time, various claims, charges and litigation are asserted or commenced by third parties against us or by us against third parties arising from or related to product liability, infringement of patent or other intellectual property rights, breach of warranty, contractual relations, or employee relations. The amounts claimed may be substantial but may not bear any reasonable relationship to the merits of the claims or the extent of any real risk of court awards assessed against us or in our favor. However, no assurances can be made as to the outcome of any of these matters, nor can we estimate the range of potential losses to us. In our opinion, final judgments, if any, which might be rendered against us in potential or pending litigation would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Moreover, we believe that our products do not infringe any third parties' patents or other intellectual property rights.
We maintain directors' and officers' liability insurance which insures our individual directors and officers against certain claims, as well as attorney's fees and related expenses incurred in connection with the defense of such claims.
Defined Benefit Plan
Our subsidiary in India maintains a defined benefit pension plan ("India Plan") for local employees, which is consistent with local statutes and practices. The pension plan was adequately funded on June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 based on its latest actuarial report. The India Plan has an independent external manager that advises us of the appropriate funding contribution requirements to which we comply. At June 30, 2013, approximately 38 percent of our India subsidiary employees had qualified for eligibility. An individual must be employed by our India subsidiary for a minimum of 5 years before becoming eligible. Upon the termination, resignation or retirement of an eligible employee, we are liable to pay the employee an amount equal to 15 days salary for each full year of service completed. The total amount of liability outstanding at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 for the India Plan was not material. During the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the net periodic benefit costs were also not material.