Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]


Note 18.			Commitments and Contingencies

We have been in the past and could become in the future subject to legal proceedings, governmental investigations, and claims in the ordinary course of business, including employment claims, contract-related claims, and claims of alleged infringement of third-party patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights. Such claims, even if not meritorious, could force us to expend significant financial and managerial resources. In addition, given the broad distribution of some of our consumer products, any individual claim related to those products could give rise to liabilities that may be material to us. In the event of a determination adverse to us, we may incur substantial monetary liability, and/or be required to change our business practices. Either of these could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In 2017, we entered into an arrangement whereby we may be required to guarantee up to $2.8 million of Napster's outstanding indebtedness on its revolving credit facility. At that time and as a result of the guaranty, RealNetworks recognized previously suspended Napster losses up to the full $2.8 million guaranty in our consolidated statement of operations and as a Commitment to Napster in our consolidated balance sheets. Given the controlling interest RealNetworks acquired in Napster in the first quarter of 2019, we have eliminated the previously recorded guaranty from RealNetworks' balance sheet in consolidation. RealNetworks has not been required to pay any portion of this commitment, and, as discussed in Note 10. Notes Payable and Long-term Debt, Napster fully repaid this loan balance on April 30, 2019, thus releasing RealNetworks' previous guaranty.

In March 2016, Napster was notified of a putative consumer class action lawsuit relating to an alleged failure to pay so-called “mechanical royalties” on behalf of the plaintiffs and “other similarly-situated holders of mechanical rights in copyrighted musical works.” On April 7, 2017, the plaintiffs and Napster agreed to settlement terms during a mediation session. The long form Settlement Agreement was executed effective on January 16, 2019. The damages payable under the Settlement Agreement will be calculated on a claims-made basis. In May 2019, public notice was posted about the settlement informing purported class members that they could make claims or object to the settlement, and the claims period ended on December 31, 2019. The preliminary results show that the claimed damages are not significant, and valid claims are expected to be paid by Napster in the second quarter of 2020.