Legal Proceedings	6 Months Ended
Oct. 26, 2013
Legal Proceedings	(18) Legal Proceedings The Company is involved in a variety of claims, suits, investigations and proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of its business, including actions with respect to contracts, intellectual property, taxation, employment, benefits, securities, personal injuries and other matters. The results of these proceedings in the ordinary course of business are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. The Company records a liability when it believes that it is both probable that a liability will be incurred, and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates, at least quarterly, developments in its legal matters that could affect the amount of liability that has been previously accrued and makes adjustments as appropriate. Significant judgment is required to determine both probability and the estimated amount of a loss or potential loss. The Company may be unable to reasonably estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss for a particular legal contingency for various reasons, including, among others: (i) if the damages sought are indeterminate; (ii) if proceedings are in the early stages; (iii) if there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending proceedings (including motions and appeals); (iv) if there is uncertainty as to the likelihood of settlement and the outcome of any negotiations with respect thereto; (v) if there are significant factual issues to be determined or resolved; (vi) if the proceedings involve a large number of parties; (vii) if relevant law is unsettled or novel or untested legal theories are presented; or (viii) if the proceedings are taking place in jurisdictions where the laws are complex or unclear. In such instances, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of such matters, including a possible eventual loss, if any. With respect to the legal matters described below, the Company has determined, based on its current knowledge, that the amount of loss or range of loss, that is reasonably possible including any reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts already accrued, is not reasonably estimable. However, legal matters are inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company’s control. As such, there can be no assurance that the final outcome of these matters will not materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. The following is a discussion of the material legal matters involving the Company. PATENT LITIGATION Barnes & Noble, Inc. and its subsidiaries are subject to allegations of patent infringement by various patent holders, including non-practicing entities, sometimes referred to as “patent trolls,” who may seek monetary settlements from the Company, its competitors, suppliers and resellers. In some of these cases, the Company is the sole defendant. In others, the Company is one of a number of defendants. The Company is actively defending a number of patent infringement suits, and several pending claims are in various stages of evaluation. The following cases are among the patent infringement cases pending against the Company: *Barnes & Noble, Inc. and Barnesandnoble.com llc v. LSI Corporation and Agere Systems, Inc.* On June 6, 2011, Barnes & Noble, Inc. filed a complaint against LSI Corporation (LSI) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The complaint sought a declaratory judgment that Barnes & Noble, Inc. does not infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 5,546,420; 5,670,730; 5,862,182; 5,920,552; 6,044,073; 6,119,091; 6,404,732; 6,452,958; 6,707,867 and 7,583,582. Barnes & Noble, Inc. amended the complaint on August 10, 2011 to add barnesandnoble.com llc as a plaintiff, to add Agere Systems, Inc. (Agere) as a defendant, to add a cause of action seeking a declaratory judgment that neither Barnes & Noble, Inc. nor barnesandnoble.com llc infringes U.S. Patent No. 7,477,633, and to add causes of action seeking a declaratory judgment that each of the eleven patents-in-suit is invalid. On November 1, 2011, LSI and Agere answered the amended complaint and asserted counterclaims against Barnes & Noble, Inc. and barnesandnoble.com llc, alleging infringement of the eleven patents-in-suit. On November 28, 2011, Barnes & Noble, Inc. and barnesandnoble.com llc answered the counterclaims and asserted several affirmative defenses, including the defense that seven of the patents-in-suit are unenforceable as a result of standard-setting misconduct. As required by the District Court’s Local Patent Rules, LSI and Agere served their Disclosure of Asserted Claims and Infringement Contentions on July 2, 2012. In that disclosure, LSI and Agere asserted infringement of only six of the eleven patents they had previously accused Barnes & Noble, Inc. and barnesandnoble.com llc of infringing. On January 18, 2013, LSI and Agere notified Barnes & Noble, Inc. that they were dropping another asserted patent infringement claim. On May 20, 2013, LSI and Agere filed amended counterclaims, alleging infringement of five additional patents—U.S. Patent Nos. 8,041,394; 5,870,087; 5,568,167; 6,982,663 and 5,452,006. Barnes & Noble, Inc. and barnesandnoble.com llc responded to these amended counterclaims and asserted several affirmative defenses on June 21, 2013. The District Court has set certain pretrial dates in the case, including a claim construction hearing beginning on March 24, 2014. The District Court has not yet set a trial date in the case. *Technology Properties Limited et al. v. Barnes & Noble, Inc., et al.* On July 24, 2012, Technology Properties Limited, LLC, Phoenix Digital Solutions, LLC, and Patriot Scientific Corporation (collectively, TPL) submitted a complaint to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), captioned Certain Wireless Consumer Electronics Devices and Components thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-853, requesting that the ITC institute an investigation pursuant to Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended. The complaint alleges that the sale for importation into the United States, the importation, and/or the sale within the United States after importation of the Company’s NOOK^TM products infringe certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 5,809,336 (‘336). The complaint also asserts similar claims against the products of 23 other Respondents. The complaint requests that the ITC issue a permanent exclusion order and a permanent cease-and-desist order with respect to these products. On September 24, 2012, the Company filed a response to the complaint, denying that its products infringe the ‘336 patent and denying that it has engaged in any action that would constitute unlawful sale for importation into the United States, importation, or sale within the United States after importation. The Company also asserted ten affirmative defenses. On June 3-7, 2013 and June 10-11, 2013, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) conducted a hearing in the action. On September 6, 2013, the ALJ issued his Initial Determination on Violation of Section 337 (ID), in which the ALJ found that neither the Company nor any of the other Respondents had violated Section 337. Concurrently, as required by governing ITC regulations, the ALJ issued a Recommended Determination on Remedy and Bond (RD). In the RD, the ALJ recommended that if, contrary to the ID, the Commission determines that a violation of Section 337 occurred: (i) a limited exclusion order should issue; (ii) no cease and desist orders should issue; and (iii) no bond should be imposed during the Presidential review period. On September 23, 2013, TPL filed a petition for review of the ID and RD and Respondents, including the Company, filed a contingent petition for review of certain portions of the ID. The original target date for ITC resolution of the investigation is January 6, 2014. However, because the ITC was closed as a result of the federal government shut down, the ITC extended all deadlines by sixteen days, making January 22, 2014 the new target date for completion of the investigation. Also on July 24, 2012, TPL filed a complaint against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The complaint similarly alleges that the Company is infringing the ‘336 patent through the importation and sale in the United States of NOOK^TM products. The complaint also alleges that Barnes & Noble is infringing two other patents in the same patent family: U.S. Patent No. 5,440,749 and U.S. Patent No. 5,530,890. On September 21, 2012, TPL and the Company filed a stipulation agreeing to stay the action pending final resolution of the ITC action. On September 26, 2012, the District Court granted the motion to stay. *Adrea LLC v. Barnes & Noble, Inc., barnesandnoble.com llc and Nook Media LLC* On June 14, 2013, Adrea LLC filed a complaint against Barnes & Noble, Inc., barnesandnoble.com llc and Nook Media LLC (B&N) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that various B&N NOOK products and related online services infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 7,298,851, 7,299,501 and 7,620,703. B&N filed its Answer on August 9, 2013, denying infringement and asserting several affirmative defenses. At the same time, B&N filed counterclaims seeking declaratory judgments of non-infringement and invalidity with respect to each of the patents-in-suit. The Court has set a further amended case management schedule under which a claim construction hearing was held on November 1, 2013; fact discovery is to be substantially completed by November 20, 2013, and concluded by December 6, 2013; expert disclosures and discovery are to be completed by no later than January 6, 2014; summary judgment motion briefing is to be completed by January 27, 2014; and a final pretrial conference will be held on February 3, 2014. No trial date has been set. *Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation v. Barnes & Noble, Inc., et al.* On August 27, 2012, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) filed a complaint against Barnes & Noble, Inc. and seven other defendants in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges that the Company is infringing U.S. Patent No. 5,487,069 (‘069). On October 19, 2012, the Company answered the complaint, denying CSIRO’s material allegations, asserting several affirmative defenses, and asserting counterclaims for a declaratory judgment of invalidity and non-infringement. On February 19, 2013, the Company amended its answer to add an affirmative defense that the ’069 patent is unenforceable due to inequitable conduct. The court entered a discovery order and docket control order on April 25, 2013. A claim construction hearing is scheduled for April 10, 2014. The District Court has set the trial date for July 6, 2015. The Company intends to continue to vigorously defend itself against CSIRO’s claims. However, because discovery is in its early stages and the court has not yet construed the asserted claims of the ‘069 patent, we are not able to render a professional judgment as to the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the amount of any potential loss. OTHER LITIGATION AND PROCEEDINGS *Kevin Khoa Nguyen, an individual, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated v. Barnes & Noble, Inc.* On April 17, 2012, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court for the State of California against the Company. The complaint is styled as a nationwide class action and includes a California state-wide subclass based on alleged cancellations of orders for HP TouchPad Tablets placed on the Company’s website in August 2011. The lawsuit alleges claims for unfair business practices and false advertising under both New York and California state law, violation of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act under California law, and breach of contract. The complaint demands specific performance of the alleged contracts to sell HP TouchPad Tablets at a specified price, injunctive relief, and monetary relief, but does not specify an amount. The Company submitted its initial response to the complaint on May 18, 2012, and moved to compel plaintiff to arbitrate his claims on an individual basis pursuant to a contractual arbitration provision on May 25, 2012. The court denied the Company’s motion to compel arbitration, and the Company appealed that denial to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Company filed its opening brief on the appeal on February 11, 2013. The answering brief was filed on April 13, 2013, and the Company’s reply brief was filed on May 23, 2013. The Company has also moved to dismiss the complaint and moved to transfer the action to New York. The court granted the Company’s motion to stay on November 26, 2012, and the action has been stayed pending resolution of the Company’s appeal from the court’s denial of its motion to compel arbitration. *PIN Pad Litigation* As previously disclosed, the Company discovered that PIN pads in certain of its stores had been tampered to allow criminal access to card data and PIN numbers on credit and debit cards swiped through the terminals. Following public disclosure of this matter on October 24, 2012, the Company was served with four putative class action complaints (three in federal district court in the Northern District of Illinois and one in the Northern District of California), each of which alleged on behalf of national and other classes of customers who swiped credit and debit cards in Barnes & Noble Retail stores common law claims such as negligence, breach of contract and invasion of privacy, as well as statutory claims such as violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, state data breach notification statutes, and state unfair and deceptive practices statutes. The actions sought various forms of relief including damages, injunctive or equitable relief, multiple or punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest. All four cases were transferred and/or assigned to a single Judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and a single consolidated amended complaint was filed. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint in its entirety, and in September 2013, the Court granted the motion to dismiss without prejudice. The Plaintiffs then filed an amended complaint, and the Company filed a second motion to dismiss. That motion is pending, and a decision is not expected from the Court until January 29, 2014 or later. It is possible that additional litigation arising out of this matter may be commenced on behalf of customers, banks or other card issuers, payment card companies or stockholders seeking damages allegedly arising out of this incident and other related relief. The Company also has received inquiries related to this matter from the Federal Trade Commission and eight state attorneys general, all of which have either been closed or have not had any recent activity. The Company intends to cooperate with them if further activity arises. In addition, payment card companies and associations may impose fines by reason of the tampering and federal or state enforcement authorities may impose penalties or other remedies against the Company. At this point the Company is unable to predict the developments in, outcome of, and economic and other consequences of pending or future litigation or state and federal inquiries related to this matter. *Dustin Torrez, an individual, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated v. Barnes & Noble, Inc.* On October 11, 2011, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court for the State of California against the Company. The complaint was styled as a California state-wide class action. It alleged violations of California Civil Code section 1747.08 (the Song-Beverly Credit Card Act of 1971) due to the Company’s alleged improper requesting and recording of zip codes from California customers who used credit cards as payment. The complaint was re-filed in the Superior Court for the State of California on December 23, 2011 as a separate action. The Summons and Complaint have not been served on the Company for either action. On February 10, 2012, the plaintiff filed a request that the action filed in December be dismissed with prejudice. The dismissal was entered in March 2012. *Lina v. Barnes & Noble, Inc., and Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc. et al.* On August 5, 2011, a purported class action complaint was filed against Barnes & Noble, Inc. and Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc. in the Superior Court for the State of California making the following allegations against defendants with respect to salaried Store Managers at Barnes & Noble stores located in the State of California from the period of August 5, 2007 to present: (1) failure to pay wages and overtime; (2) failure to pay for missed meal and/or rest breaks; (3) waiting time penalties; (4) failure to pay minimum wage; (5) failure to provide reimbursement for business expenses; and (6) failure to provide itemized wage statements. The claims are generally derivative of the allegation that these salaried managers were improperly classified as exempt from California’s wage and hour laws. The complaint contains no allegations concerning the number of any such alleged violations or the amount of recovery sought on behalf of the purported class. The Company was served with the complaint on August 11, 2011. The parties have completed pre-certification discovery. On October 18, 2013, the court changed the previously ordered certification motion schedule. The current schedule is as follows: Plaintiff’s motion for class certification was due November 11, 2013, Barnes & Noble’s opposition is due January 13, 2013, and plaintiff’s reply is due February 25, 2014. The hearing date for the certification motion is March 21, 2014. No trial date has been set. *Jones et al v. Barnes & Noble, Inc., and Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc. et al.* On April 23, 2013, Kenneth Jones (Jones) filed a purported Private Attorney General Act action complaint against Barnes & Noble, Inc. and Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc. in the Superior Court for the State of California making the following allegations against defendants with respect to salaried Store Managers at Barnes & Noble stores located in the State of California: (1) failure to pay wages and overtime; (2) failure to pay for missed meal and/or rest breaks; (3) waiting time penalties; (4) failure to pay minimum wage; (5) failure to provide reimbursement for business expenses; and (6) failure to provide itemized wage statements. The claims are generally derivative of the allegation that Jones and other “aggrieved employees” were improperly classified as exempt from California’s wage and hour laws. The complaint contains no allegations concerning the number of any such alleged violations or the amount of recovery sought on behalf of the plaintiff or the purported aggrieved employees. The case was initially assigned to the Honorable Barbara Scheper. Because the underlying factual claims in the Jones complaint are almost identical to the claims in the Lina v. Barnes & Noble action, the Company filed a Notice of Related Case on May 1, 2013. On May 7, 2013, Judge Michael Johnson (before whom the Lina action is pending) ordered the Jones action related to the Linaaction and assigned the Jones action to himself. The Company was served with the complaint on May 16, 2013, and filed an answer on June 10, 2013. *Trimmer v. Barnes & Noble* On January 25, 2013, Steven Trimmer (Trimmer), a former Assistant Store Manager (ASM) of the Company, filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New York Labor Law (NYLL). Specifically, Trimmer alleges that he and other similarly situated ASMs were improperly classified as exempt from overtime and denied overtime wages prior to July 1, 2010, when the Company reclassified them as non-exempt. The complaint seeks to certify a collective action under the FLSA comprised of ASMs throughout the country employed from January 25, 2010 until July 1, 2010, and a class action under the NYLL comprised of ASMs employed in New York from January 25, 2007 until July 1, 2010. The parties have completed the first phase of discovery with respect to the individual claims asserted by Trimmer and one opt-in plaintiff only. The Court has stayed all class-wide discovery at this point. The Company filed a summary judgment motion on November 25, 2013. *Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Investigation* On October 16, 2013, the SEC’s New York Regional office notified the Company that it had commenced an investigation into: (1) the Company’s restatement of earnings announced on July 29, 2013, and (2) a separate matter related to a former non-executive employee’s allegation that the Company improperly allocated certain Information Technology expenses between its NOOK and Retail segments for purposes of segment reporting. The Company is cooperating with the SEC, including responding to requests for documents.

(18) Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved in a variety of claims, suits, investigations and proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of its business, including actions with respect to contracts, intellectual property, taxation, employment, benefits, securities, personal injuries and other matters. The results of these proceedings in the ordinary course of business are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

The Company records a liability when it believes that it is both probable that a liability will be incurred, and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates, at least quarterly, developments in its legal matters that could affect the amount of liability that has been previously accrued and makes adjustments as appropriate. Significant judgment is required to determine both probability and the estimated amount of a loss or potential loss. The Company may be unable to reasonably estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss for a particular legal contingency for various reasons, including, among others: (i) if the damages sought are indeterminate; (ii) if proceedings are in the early stages; (iii) if there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending proceedings (including motions and appeals); (iv) if there is uncertainty as to the likelihood of settlement and the outcome of any negotiations with respect thereto; (v) if there are significant factual issues to be determined or resolved; (vi) if the proceedings involve a large number of parties; (vii) if relevant law is unsettled or novel or untested legal theories are presented; or (viii) if the proceedings are taking place in jurisdictions where the laws are complex or unclear. In such instances, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of such matters, including a possible eventual loss, if any. With respect to the legal matters described below, the Company has determined, based on its current knowledge, that the amount of loss or range of loss, that is reasonably possible including any reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts already accrued, is not reasonably estimable. However, legal matters are inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company’s control. As such, there can be no assurance that the final outcome of these matters will not materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

The following is a discussion of the material legal matters involving the Company.

PATENT LITIGATION

Barnes & Noble, Inc. and its subsidiaries are subject to allegations of patent infringement by various patent holders, including non-practicing entities, sometimes referred to as “patent trolls,” who may seek monetary settlements from the Company, its competitors, suppliers and resellers. In some of these cases, the Company is the sole defendant. In others, the Company is one of a number of defendants. The Company is actively defending a number of patent infringement suits, and several pending claims are in various stages of evaluation. The following cases are among the patent infringement cases pending against the Company:

Barnes & Noble, Inc. and Barnesandnoble.com llc v. LSI Corporation and Agere Systems, Inc.

On June 6, 2011, Barnes & Noble, Inc. filed a complaint against LSI Corporation (LSI) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The complaint sought a declaratory judgment that Barnes & Noble, Inc. does not infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 5,546,420; 5,670,730; 5,862,182; 5,920,552; 6,044,073; 6,119,091; 6,404,732; 6,452,958; 6,707,867 and 7,583,582. Barnes & Noble, Inc. amended the complaint on August 10, 2011 to add barnesandnoble.com llc as a plaintiff, to add Agere Systems, Inc. (Agere) as a defendant, to add a cause of action seeking a declaratory judgment that neither Barnes & Noble, Inc. nor barnesandnoble.com llc infringes U.S. Patent No. 7,477,633, and to add causes of action seeking a declaratory judgment that each of the eleven patents-in-suit is invalid. On November 1, 2011, LSI and Agere answered the amended complaint and asserted counterclaims against Barnes & Noble, Inc. and barnesandnoble.com llc, alleging infringement of the eleven patents-in-suit. On November 28, 2011, Barnes & Noble, Inc. and barnesandnoble.com llc answered the counterclaims and asserted several affirmative defenses, including the defense that seven of the patents-in-suit are unenforceable as a result of standard-setting misconduct. As required by the District Court’s Local Patent Rules, LSI and Agere served their Disclosure of Asserted Claims and Infringement Contentions on July 2, 2012. In that disclosure, LSI and Agere asserted infringement of only six of the eleven patents they had previously accused Barnes & Noble, Inc. and barnesandnoble.com llc of infringing. On January 18, 2013, LSI and Agere notified Barnes & Noble, Inc. that they were dropping another asserted patent infringement claim. On May 20, 2013, LSI and Agere filed amended counterclaims, alleging infringement of five additional patents—U.S. Patent Nos. 8,041,394; 5,870,087; 5,568,167; 6,982,663 and 5,452,006. Barnes & Noble, Inc. and barnesandnoble.com llc responded to these amended counterclaims and asserted several affirmative defenses on June 21, 2013. The District Court has set certain pretrial dates in the case, including a claim construction hearing beginning on March 24, 2014. The District Court has not yet set a trial date in the case.

Technology Properties Limited et al. v. Barnes & Noble, Inc., et al.

On July 24, 2012, Technology Properties Limited, LLC, Phoenix Digital Solutions, LLC, and Patriot Scientific Corporation (collectively, TPL) submitted a complaint to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), captioned Certain Wireless Consumer Electronics Devices and Components thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-853, requesting that the ITC institute an investigation pursuant to Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended. The complaint alleges that the sale for importation into the United States, the importation, and/or the sale within the United States after importation of the Company’s NOOK^TM products infringe certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 5,809,336 (‘336). The complaint also asserts similar claims against the products of 23 other Respondents. The complaint requests that the ITC issue a permanent exclusion order and a permanent cease-and-desist order with respect to these products. On September 24, 2012, the Company filed a response to the complaint, denying that its products infringe the ‘336 patent and denying that it has engaged in any action that would constitute unlawful sale for importation into the United States, importation, or sale within the United States after importation. The Company also asserted ten affirmative defenses. On June 3-7, 2013 and June 10-11, 2013, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) conducted a hearing in the action. On September 6, 2013, the ALJ issued his Initial Determination on Violation of Section 337 (ID), in which the ALJ found that neither the Company nor any of the other Respondents had violated Section 337. Concurrently, as required by governing ITC regulations, the ALJ issued a Recommended Determination on Remedy and Bond (RD). In the RD, the ALJ recommended that if, contrary to the ID, the Commission determines that a violation of Section 337 occurred: (i) a limited exclusion order should issue; (ii) no cease and desist orders should issue; and (iii) no bond should be imposed during the Presidential review period. On September 23, 2013, TPL filed a petition for review of the ID and RD and Respondents, including the Company, filed a contingent petition for review of certain portions of the ID. The original target date for ITC resolution of the investigation is January 6, 2014. However, because the ITC was closed as a result of the federal government shut down, the ITC extended all deadlines by sixteen days, making January 22, 2014 the new target date for completion of the investigation.

Also on July 24, 2012, TPL filed a complaint against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The complaint similarly alleges that the Company is infringing the ‘336 patent through the importation and sale in the United States of NOOK^TM products. The complaint also alleges that Barnes & Noble is infringing two other patents in the same patent family: U.S. Patent No. 5,440,749 and U.S. Patent No. 5,530,890. On September 21, 2012, TPL and the Company filed a stipulation agreeing to stay the action pending final resolution of the ITC action. On September 26, 2012, the District Court granted the motion to stay.

Adrea LLC v. Barnes & Noble, Inc., barnesandnoble.com llc and Nook Media LLC

On June 14, 2013, Adrea LLC filed a complaint against Barnes & Noble, Inc., barnesandnoble.com llc and Nook Media LLC (B&N) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that various B&N NOOK products and related online services infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 7,298,851, 7,299,501 and 7,620,703. B&N filed its Answer on August 9, 2013, denying infringement and asserting several affirmative defenses. At the same time, B&N filed counterclaims seeking declaratory judgments of non-infringement and invalidity with respect to each of the patents-in-suit. The Court has set a further amended case management schedule under which a claim construction hearing was held on November 1, 2013; fact discovery is to be substantially completed by November 20, 2013, and concluded by December 6, 2013; expert disclosures and discovery are to be completed by no later than January 6, 2014; summary judgment motion briefing is to be completed by January 27, 2014; and a final pretrial conference will be held on February 3, 2014. No trial date has been set.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation v. Barnes & Noble, Inc., et al.

On August 27, 2012, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) filed a complaint against Barnes & Noble, Inc. and seven other defendants in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges that the Company is infringing U.S. Patent No. 5,487,069 (‘069). On October 19, 2012, the Company answered the complaint, denying CSIRO’s material allegations, asserting several affirmative defenses, and asserting counterclaims for a declaratory judgment of invalidity and non-infringement. On February 19, 2013, the Company amended its answer to add an affirmative defense that the ’069 patent is unenforceable due to inequitable conduct.

The court entered a discovery order and docket control order on April 25, 2013. A claim construction hearing is scheduled for April 10, 2014. The District Court has set the trial date for July 6, 2015.

The Company intends to continue to vigorously defend itself against CSIRO’s claims. However, because discovery is in its early stages and the court has not yet construed the asserted claims of the ‘069 patent, we are not able to render a professional judgment as to the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the amount of any potential loss.

OTHER LITIGATION AND PROCEEDINGS

Kevin Khoa Nguyen, an individual, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated v. Barnes & Noble, Inc.

On April 17, 2012, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court for the State of California against the Company. The complaint is styled as a nationwide class action and includes a California state-wide subclass based on alleged cancellations of orders for HP TouchPad Tablets placed on the Company’s website in August 2011. The lawsuit alleges claims for unfair business practices and false advertising under both New York and California state law, violation of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act under California law, and breach of contract. The complaint demands specific performance of the alleged contracts to sell HP TouchPad Tablets at a specified price, injunctive relief, and monetary relief, but does not specify an amount. The Company submitted its initial response to the complaint on May 18, 2012, and moved to compel plaintiff to arbitrate his claims on an individual basis pursuant to a contractual arbitration provision on May 25, 2012. The court denied the Company’s motion to compel arbitration, and the Company appealed that denial to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Company filed its opening brief on the appeal on February 11, 2013. The answering brief was filed on April 13, 2013, and the Company’s reply brief was filed on May 23, 2013. The Company has also moved to dismiss the complaint and moved to transfer the action to New York. The court granted the Company’s motion to stay on November 26, 2012, and the action has been stayed pending resolution of the Company’s appeal from the court’s denial of its motion to compel arbitration.

PIN Pad Litigation

As previously disclosed, the Company discovered that PIN pads in certain of its stores had been tampered to allow criminal access to card data and PIN numbers on credit and debit cards swiped through the terminals. Following public disclosure of this matter on October 24, 2012, the Company was served with four putative class action complaints (three in federal district court in the Northern District of Illinois and one in the Northern District of California), each of which alleged on behalf of national and other classes of customers who swiped credit and debit cards in Barnes & Noble Retail stores common law claims such as negligence, breach of contract and invasion of privacy, as well as statutory claims such as violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, state data breach notification statutes, and state unfair and deceptive practices statutes. The actions sought various forms of relief including damages, injunctive or equitable relief, multiple or punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest. All four cases were transferred and/or assigned to a single Judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and a single consolidated amended complaint was filed. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint in its entirety, and in September 2013, the Court granted the motion to dismiss without prejudice. The Plaintiffs then filed an amended complaint, and the Company filed a second motion to dismiss. That motion is pending, and a decision is not expected from the Court until January 29, 2014 or later. It is possible that additional litigation arising out of this matter may be commenced on behalf of customers, banks or other card issuers, payment card companies or stockholders seeking damages allegedly arising out of this incident and other related relief.

The Company also has received inquiries related to this matter from the Federal Trade Commission and eight state attorneys general, all of which have either been closed or have not had any recent activity. The Company intends to cooperate with them if further activity arises. In addition, payment card companies and associations may impose fines by reason of the tampering and federal or state enforcement authorities may impose penalties or other remedies against the Company.

At this point the Company is unable to predict the developments in, outcome of, and economic and other consequences of pending or future litigation or state and federal inquiries related to this matter.

Dustin Torrez, an individual, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated v. Barnes & Noble, Inc.

On October 11, 2011, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court for the State of California against the Company. The complaint was styled as a California state-wide class action. It alleged violations of California Civil Code section 1747.08 (the Song-Beverly Credit Card Act of 1971) due to the Company’s alleged improper requesting and recording of zip codes from California customers who used credit cards as payment. The complaint was re-filed in the Superior Court for the State of California on December 23, 2011 as a separate action. The Summons and Complaint have not been served on the Company for either action. On February 10, 2012, the plaintiff filed a request that the action filed in December be dismissed with prejudice. The dismissal was entered in March 2012.

Lina v. Barnes & Noble, Inc., and Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc. et al.

On August 5, 2011, a purported class action complaint was filed against Barnes & Noble, Inc. and Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc. in the Superior Court for the State of California making the following allegations against defendants with respect to salaried Store Managers at Barnes & Noble stores located in the State of California from the period of August 5, 2007 to present: (1) failure to pay wages and overtime; (2) failure to pay for missed meal and/or rest breaks; (3) waiting time penalties; (4) failure to pay minimum wage; (5) failure to provide reimbursement for business expenses; and (6) failure to provide itemized wage statements. The claims are generally derivative of the allegation that these salaried managers were improperly classified as exempt from California’s wage and hour laws. The complaint contains no allegations concerning the number of any such alleged violations or the amount of recovery sought on behalf of the purported class. The Company was served with the complaint on August 11, 2011. The parties have completed pre-certification discovery. On October 18, 2013, the court changed the previously ordered certification motion schedule. The current schedule is as follows: Plaintiff’s motion for class certification was due November 11, 2013, Barnes & Noble’s opposition is due January 13, 2013, and plaintiff’s reply is due February 25, 2014. The hearing date for the certification motion is March 21, 2014. No trial date has been set.

Jones et al v. Barnes & Noble, Inc., and Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc. et al.

On April 23, 2013, Kenneth Jones (Jones) filed a purported Private Attorney General Act action complaint against Barnes & Noble, Inc. and Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc. in the Superior Court for the State of California making the following allegations against defendants with respect to salaried Store Managers at Barnes & Noble stores located in the State of California: (1) failure to pay wages and overtime; (2) failure to pay for missed meal and/or rest breaks; (3) waiting time penalties; (4) failure to pay minimum wage; (5) failure to provide reimbursement for business expenses; and (6) failure to provide itemized wage statements. The claims are generally derivative of the allegation that Jones and other “aggrieved employees” were improperly classified as exempt from California’s wage and hour laws. The complaint contains no allegations concerning the number of any such alleged violations or the amount of recovery sought on behalf of the plaintiff or the purported aggrieved employees. The case was initially assigned to the Honorable Barbara Scheper. Because the underlying factual claims in the Jones complaint are almost identical to the claims in the Lina v. Barnes & Noble action, the Company filed a Notice of Related Case on May 1, 2013. On May 7, 2013, Judge Michael Johnson (before whom the Lina action is pending) ordered the Jones action related to the Linaaction and assigned the Jones action to himself. The Company was served with the complaint on May 16, 2013, and filed an answer on June 10, 2013.

Trimmer v. Barnes & Noble

On January 25, 2013, Steven Trimmer (Trimmer), a former Assistant Store Manager (ASM) of the Company, filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New York Labor Law (NYLL). Specifically, Trimmer alleges that he and other similarly situated ASMs were improperly classified as exempt from overtime and denied overtime wages prior to July 1, 2010, when the Company reclassified them as non-exempt. The complaint seeks to certify a collective action under the FLSA comprised of ASMs throughout the country employed from January 25, 2010 until July 1, 2010, and a class action under the NYLL comprised of ASMs employed in New York from January 25, 2007 until July 1, 2010. The parties have completed the first phase of discovery with respect to the individual claims asserted by Trimmer and one opt-in plaintiff only. The Court has stayed all class-wide discovery at this point. The Company filed a summary judgment motion on November 25, 2013.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Investigation

On October 16, 2013, the SEC’s New York Regional office notified the Company that it had commenced an investigation into: (1) the Company’s restatement of earnings announced on July 29, 2013, and (2) a separate matter related to a former non-executive employee’s allegation that the Company improperly allocated certain Information Technology expenses between its NOOK and Retail segments for purposes of segment reporting. The Company is cooperating with the SEC, including responding to requests for documents.