Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

(13) Commitments and Contingencies

Performance Guarantees

In the normal course of operations, from time to time, the Company arranges for the issuance of various types of performance guarantees, such as standby letters of credit or surety bonds. These instruments are arrangements under which the financial institution or surety provides a financial guarantee that the Company will perform in accordance with contractual or legal obligations. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had $15.6 million of performance guarantees in the form of bank guarantees or surety bonds guaranteed by third parties.

Trade Compliance Matter

During the first quarter of 2022, the Company received a notice letter from the Office of the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai II of the India Department of Revenue (the “Notice”) claiming the Company had allegedly mis-declared and incorrectly classified certain products imported to India by the Company at the time of clearance of customs. The Notice claims that due to such mis-declaration and incorrect classification of the imported products, the Company and its contract manufacturer in India underpaid duties approximating INR 299.6 million ($3.6 million USD based on exchange rates as of March 31, 2023) related to such products. The documents relied upon in the Notice were requested by the Company, however they are yet to be received. In the second quarter of 2023, the Company received a second notice letter issued by the Office of the Principal Commissioner of Customs (Air Cargo) Complex, Chennai VII Commissionerate claiming the alleged underpaid duties approximated INR 389.3 million ($4.7 million based on exchange rates as of March 31, 2023). The two notice letters cover substantially the same shipments and overlap in scope. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter. As we have not yet received the full contents of the Notice, we are unable to estimate a potential loss related to this matter, if any, which could range up to the full amount of the alleged unpaid duties, plus penalties and interest.

Plume

On October 10, 2022, Plume Design, Inc. (“Plume”) filed suit against DZS in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, alleging that DZS breached a reseller contract with Plume and seeking $24.75 million in damages. The parties have completed briefing on dispositive motions, and a trial is currently set for October 7, 2024. DZS intends to vigorously defend this lawsuit.

In addition to the matters discussed above, from time to time, the Company is subject to various legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, the Company records an accrual for legal contingencies that it has determined to be probable to the extent that the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. If an unfavorable ruling were to occur, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on the results of operations and cash flows of the reporting period in which the ruling occurs, or future periods.