Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Jul. 01, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

6. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters

Litigation Relating to the Previously Contemplated Merger with SMSC

Between January 10, 2011 and February 11, 2011, the Company, the members of the Company’s board of directors and, in certain of the lawsuits, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, its former Chief Financial Officer, SMSC and/or Comet Acquisition Corp. were named as defendants in 12 purported class action lawsuits in connection with the transactions previously contemplated by the SMSC Agreement filed by stockholders in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Orange, an additional five such lawsuits filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and one such lawsuit filed in the United States District Court, Central District of California. On February 9, 2011, the first four Delaware actions were consolidated under the caption In re Conexant Systems, Inc. Shareholders Litigation, Consolidated C.A. No. 6136-VCP. On March 3, 2011, a number of the California state plaintiffs filed a stipulation and proposed order to consolidate the California actions and appoint interim co-lead class counsel. All of the actions have been voluntarily dismissed. Seven of the California actions were dismissed with prejudice. The remaining actions were voluntarily dismissed without prejudice.

Other Legal Matters

Certain claims have been asserted against the Company, including claims alleging the use of the intellectual property rights of others in certain of the Company’s products. The resolution of these matters may entail the negotiation of a license agreement, a settlement, or the adjudication of such claims through arbitration or litigation. At this time, it is not possible to assess the outcome of the lawsuits and any losses are not reasonably estimable, therefore the Company cannot assess the impact, if any, on the consolidated financial statements. Some of the lawsuits, claims or proceedings may be disposed of unfavorably for the Company. Many intellectual property disputes have a risk of injunctive relief and there can be no assurance that a license will be granted. Injunctive relief could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. Based on its evaluation of matters that are pending or asserted management believes that the disposition of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Guarantees and Indemnifications

The Company has made guarantees and indemnities, under which it may be required to make payments to a guaranteed or indemnified party, in relation to certain transactions. In connection with the Company’s spin-off from Rockwell International Corporation (“Rockwell”), the Company assumed responsibility for all contingent liabilities and then-current and future litigation (including environmental and intellectual property proceedings) against Rockwell or its subsidiaries in respect of the operations of the semiconductor systems business of Rockwell. In connection with the Company’s contribution of certain of its manufacturing operations to Jazz Semiconductor, Inc. (now “TowerJazz”), the Company agreed to indemnify TowerJazz for certain environmental matters and other customary divestiture-related matters. In connection with the Company’s sale of the Broadband Media Processing (BMP) business to NXP, B.V., the Company agreed to indemnify NXP for certain claims related to the transaction. In connection with the Company’s sale of the Broadband Access (BBA) business to Ikanos, the Company agreed to indemnify Ikanos for certain claims related to the transaction. In connection with the sales of its products, the Company provides intellectual property indemnities to its customers. In connection with certain facility leases, the Company has indemnified its lessors for certain claims arising from the facility or the lease. The Company indemnifies its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company also has employment agreements and retention agreements with certain key employees. A number of these agreements require severance payments, continuation of certain insurance benefits and participation in future benefit plans.

The durations of the Company’s guarantees and indemnities vary, and in many cases are indefinite. The guarantees and indemnities to customers in connection with product sales generally are subject to limits based upon the amount of the related product sales. The majority of other guarantees and indemnities do not provide for any limitation of the maximum potential future payments the Company could be obligated to make. The Company has not recorded any liability for these guarantees and indemnities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as they are not estimated to be material. Product warranty costs and the Company’s accrual for such costs are not significant.