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ACQUISITION
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]  
ACQUISITIONS
ACQUISITION

On April 30, 2012, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of LoopNet pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated April 27, 2011, as amended May 20, 2011 (the “Merger Agreement”). LoopNet owns and operates an online marketplace for commercial real estate in the U.S. The online marketplace enables commercial real estate agents, working on behalf of property owners and landlords, to list properties for sale or for lease and submit detailed information on property listings to find a buyer or tenant. The acquisition combines the research capabilities of the Company with the marketing solutions offered by LoopNet to create efficiencies in operations and provide more opportunities for the combined company's customers.

The following table summarizes the consideration paid for LoopNet (in thousands except share and per share data):

Cash
$
746,393

Equity interest (1,880,300 shares at $72.89)
137,055

Fair value of total consideration transferred
$
883,448



The Company has applied the acquisition method to account for the LoopNet transaction, which requires that, among other things, assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The following table summarizes the amounts for acquired assets and liabilities recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date (in thousands):

Cash and cash equivalents
$
105,464

Accounts receivable
3,021

Goodwill
625,174

Acquired trade names and other
48,700

Acquired customer base
71,500

Acquired database technology
52,100

Deferred income taxes, net
(32,623
)
Other assets and liabilities
10,112

Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired
$
883,448



The net assets of LoopNet were recorded at their estimated fair value. In valuing acquired assets and liabilities, fair value estimates are based on, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows, expected holding period of investments, market rate assumptions for contractual obligations, and appropriate discount rates.

The acquired customer base for the acquisition consists of one distinct intangible asset, is composed of acquired customer contracts and the related customer relationships, and has an estimated useful life of 10 years. The acquired database technology has an estimated useful life of 5 years and the acquired trade names have an indefinite estimated useful life. Amortization of the acquired customer base is recognized on an accelerated basis related to the expected economic benefit of the intangible asset, while amortization of the acquired database technology is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life. The acquired trade names recorded in connection with this acquisition are not amortized, but are subject to annual impairment tests.

Goodwill recorded in connection with this acquisition is not amortized, but is subject to annual impairment tests. The $625.2 million of goodwill recorded as part of the acquisition is associated with the Company's U.S. operating segment. None of the goodwill recognized is deductible for income tax purposes.
 
Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the net assets recognized and represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. Specifically, the goodwill recorded as part of the LoopNet acquisition includes: (i) the expected synergies and other benefits that the Company believes will result from combining its operations with LoopNet's operations; and (ii) any intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition, such as the assembled workforce.

3.
ACQUISITION (CONTINUED)

As a result of the LoopNet acquisition, the Company recorded approximately $14.2 million and $5.2 million in acquisition-related costs for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively. These costs were directly related to acquiring LoopNet and were expensed as incurred and recorded in general and administrative expense. There were no acquisition-related costs recorded for the year ended December 31, 2013 related to the LoopNet acquisition.
 
Prior to completion of the LoopNet acquisition, on April 26, 2012, the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) accepted a consent order in connection with the LoopNet merger that was previously agreed to by the Company and LoopNet. The consent order was subject to a 30-day public comment period, and on August 29, 2012, the FTC issued its final acceptance of the consent order. The consent order, which is publicly available on the FTC's website at www.ftc.gov, required, among other things, that the Company and LoopNet divest LoopNet's minority interest in Xceligent. On March 28, 2012, the Company and LoopNet entered into an agreement to sell LoopNet's interest in Xceligent to DMG Information (“DMGI”). The parties closed the sale of LoopNet's interest in Xceligent to DMGI on May 3, 2012. The Company received $4.2 million in proceeds from the sale, which reflected the fair value of the investment at the time of sale and resulted in no gain on the sale of the investment.