Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 000-25711

EXTREME NETWORKS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE   77-0430270

[State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization]

  [I.R.S Employer Identification No.]
3585 Monroe Street   95051
[Address of principal executive office]   [Zip Code]

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (408) 579-2800

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  ¨                Accelerated filer  x                 Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $.001 par value, outstanding at

October 31, 2007 was 115,022,093.

 



Table of Contents

EXTREME NETWORKS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED September 30, 2007

INDEX

 

         PAGE

PART I. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited):   
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, 2007 and July 1, 2007    3
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Three months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006    4
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Three months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006    5
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    6

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    15

Item 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    39

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures    40

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  Legal Proceedings    41

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors    43

Item 2.

  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    44

Item 3.

  Defaults Upon Senior Securities    44

Item 4.

  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    44

Item 5.

  Other Information    44

Item 6.

  Exhibits    44
Signatures    45

 

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Part I. Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

EXTREME NETWORKS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

 

     September 30,
2007
(unaudited)
   

July 1,

2007 (1)

 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 46,886     $ 71,573  

Short-term investments

     121,873       91,599  

Accounts receivable, net

     26,579       23,066  

Inventories, net

     25,172       25,261  

Deferred income taxes

     1,154       1,118  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net

     5,799       13,339  
                

Total current assets

     227,463       225,956  

Property and equipment, net

     41,696       43,156  

Marketable securities

     55,987       52,683  

Other assets, net

     17,827       20,102  
                

Total assets

   $ 342,973     $ 341,897  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 16,783     $ 21,303  

Accrued compensation and benefits

     14,502       14,841  

Restructuring liabilities

     2,843       5,532  

Accrued warranty

     7,101       7,182  

Deferred revenue

     32,778       32,160  

Other accrued liabilities

     25,007       23,263  
                

Total current liabilities

     99,014       104,281  

Restructuring liabilities, less current portion

     7,774       8,456  

Deferred revenue, less current portion

     10,110       10,286  

Deferred income taxes

     688       688  

Other long-term liabilities

     1,857       1,961  

Commitments and contingencies (Note 3)

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock and capital in excess of par value

     937,314       934,540  

Treasury stock

     (48,303 )     (48,303 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,472       572  

Accumulated deficit

     (666,953 )     (670,584 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     223,530       216,225  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 342,973     $ 341,897  
                

 

(1) Consolidated balance sheet at July 1, 2007 has been derived from audited financial statements.

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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EXTREME NETWORKS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     September 30,
2007
   October 1,
2006
 

Net revenues:

     

Product

   $ 74,145    $ 67,982  

Service

     14,817      15,781  
               

Total net revenues

     88,962      83,763  
               

Cost of revenues:

     

Product

     31,256      31,799  

Service

     8,610      8,813  
               

Total cost of revenues

     39,866      40,612  
               

Gross profit:

     

Product

     42,889      36,183  

Service

     6,207      6,968  
               

Total gross profit

     49,096      43,151  
               

Operating expenses:

     

Sales and marketing

     24,538      25,443  

Research and development

     16,491      15,774  

General and administrative

     6,523      7,605  

Restructuring charge

     —        1,534  
               

Total operating expenses

     47,552      50,356  
               

Operating income (loss)

     1,544      (7,205 )

Other income, net

     2,511      3,064  
               

Income (loss) before income taxes

     4,055      (4,141 )

Provision for income taxes

     422      786  
               

Net Income (loss)

   $ 3,633    $ (4,927 )
               

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:

     

Net income (loss) per share - basic

   $ 0.03    $ (0.04 )

Net income (loss) per share - diluted

   $ 0.03    $ (0.04 )

Shares used in per share calculation - basic

     113,904      115,653  

Shares used in per share calculation - diluted

     115,230      115,653  

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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EXTREME NETWORKS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     September 30,
2007
    October 1,
2006
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,633     $ (4,927 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     1,945       2,361  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     100       2  

Provision for excess and obsolete inventory

     719       467  

Deferred income taxes

     (35 )     25  

Amortization of warrant

     1,012       1,012  

Restructuring charge

     —         1,534  

Loss on disposal of assets

     —         76  

Stock-based compensation

     1,026       1,850  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net

    

Accounts receivable

     (3,613 )     (218 )

Inventories

     (643 )     (5,239 )

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     8,804       647  

Accounts payable

     (4,519 )     4,215  

Accrued compensation and benefits

     (339 )     234  

Restructuring liabilities

     (3,370 )     (1,532 )

Accrued warranty

     (82 )     141  

Deferred revenue

     443       (2,348 )

Other accrued liabilities

     2,167       2,218  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     7,248       518  
                

Cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (486 )     (758 )

Purchases of investments

     (93,596 )     (76,980 )

Proceeds from maturities of investments and marketable securities

     37,686       78,838  

Proceeds from sales of investments and marketable securities

     22,701       54,612  
                

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (33,695 )     55,712  
                

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of repurchases

     1,760       655  

Repurchase of common stock

     —         (11,201 )
                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     1,760       (10,546 )
                

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (24,687 )     45,684  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     71,573       92,598  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 46,886     $ 138,282  
                

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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EXTREME NETWORKS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Extreme Networks, Inc. (referred to as “Extreme Networks” and as “we”, “us” and “our”) included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at July 1, 2007 was derived from audited financial statements as of that date but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. These interim financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 1, 2007.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented and the financial condition of Extreme Networks at September 30, 2007. The results of operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for fiscal 2008 or any future periods.

Revenue Recognition

We derive the majority of our revenue from sales of our modular and stackable networking equipment, with the remaining revenue generated from service fees relating to the service contracts and training on our products. We generally recognize product revenue from our value-added resellers and end-users at the time of shipment, provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price of the product is fixed or determinable and collection of the sales proceeds is reasonably assured. Revenue from service obligations under service contracts is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the contractual service period. Service contracts typically range from one to five years. When sales arrangements contain multiple deliverables, such as hardware, service contracts and other services, we determine whether the deliverables represent separate units of accounting and then allocate revenue to each unit of accounting based on their relative fair values. We recognize revenue for each unit of accounting when the revenue recognition criteria for each unit of accounting are met. Shipping costs are included in cost of product revenues.

We make certain sales to partners in two distribution channels, or tiers. The first tier consists of a limited number of independent distributors that sell primarily to resellers and, on occasion, to end-user customers. We defer recognition of revenue on all sales to these distributors until the distributors sell the product, as evidenced by monthly “sales-out” reports that the distributors provide to us. We grant these distributors the right to return a portion of unsold inventory to us for the purpose of stock rotation. We also grant these distributors certain price protection rights. The distributor-related deferred revenue and receivables are adjusted at the time of the stock rotation return or price reduction. We also provide distributors with credits for changes in selling prices, and allow them to participate in cooperative marketing programs. Cooperative advertising expenses are recorded as marketing expenses to the extent that an advertising benefit separate from the revenue transaction can be identified and the cash paid does not exceed the fair value of that advertising benefit received. We maintain estimated accruals and allowances for these exposures based upon our historical experience. The second tier of the distribution channel consists of a large number of third-party resellers that sell directly to end-users and are not granted return privileges, except for defective products during the warranty period. We reduce product revenue for certain price protection rights that may occur under contractual arrangements we have with our resellers.

 

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Inventories

Inventories consist of raw materials and finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in, first-out basis, or replacement cost. Inventories, which are net of write-downs for excess and obsolete inventory (which we determine primarily based on future demand forecasts) of $2.9 million at both September 30, 2007 and July 1, 2007, consist of (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2007
   July 1,
2007

Raw materials

   $ 286    $ —  

Finished goods

     24,886      25,261
             

Total

   $ 25,172    $ 25,261
             

Sales to Distributors

We defer recognition of revenue on all sales to distributors until the distributor successfully resells the product, typically to an authorized reseller. Distributors regularly provide us their “sales-out” reports for this purpose. Until it is sold, inventory held by distributors is included in our reported finished goods inventory and was $4.2 million and $3.2 million at September 30, 2007 and July 1, 2007, respectively. The accounts receivable owed us by distributors, net of the deferred revenue from sales to distributors, is recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets, as reflected in the following table (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2007
    July 1,
2007
 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $217 ($225 at July 1, 2007)

   $ 13,873     $ 23,288  

Deferred revenue

     (18,343 )     (15,203 )
                

Net, included in Other accrued liabilities at September 30, 2007 and Prepaid expenses and other current assets at July 1, 2007

   $ (4,470 )   $ 8,085  
                

Guarantees and Product Warranties

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others (“FIN 45”) requires that upon issuance of a guarantee, the guarantor must disclose and recognize a liability for the fair value of the obligation it assumes under that guarantee.

We have determined that the requirements of FIN 45 apply to our standard product warranty liability. The following table summarizes the activity related to our product warranty liability during the first quarters of fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007, respectively (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended  
     September 30,
2007
    October 1,
2006
 

Balance beginning of period

   $ 7,182     $ 7,027  

New warranties issued

     1,326       2,508  

Warranty expenditures

     (1,407 )     (2,367 )
                

Balance end of period

   $ 7,101     $ 7,168  
                

Our standard hardware warranty period is typically 12 months from the date of shipment to end-users. For certain access products, we offer a lifetime hardware warranty commencing on the date of shipment from the Company and ending five (5) years following the Company’s announcement of the end of sale of such Product. Upon shipment of products to our customers, we estimate expenses for the cost to repair or replace products that may be returned under warranty and accrue a liability in cost of product revenue for this amount. The determination of our warranty requirements is based on actual historical experience with the product or product family, estimates of repair and replacement costs and any product warranty problems that are identified after shipment. We estimate and adjust these accruals at each balance sheet date in accordance with changes in these factors.

In the normal course of business to facilitate sales of our products, we indemnify our resellers and end-user customers with respect to certain matters. We have agreed to hold the customer harmless against losses arising from a breach of intellectual property infringement or other claims made against certain parties. These agreements may limit the time within which an indemnification claim can be made and the amount of the claim. It is not possible to estimate the maximum potential amount under these indemnification agreements due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Historically, payments made by us under these agreements have not had a material impact on our operating results or financial position.

 

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Deferred Support Revenue

We offer renewable support arrangements, including extended warranty contracts, to our customers that range generally from one to five years. The change in our deferred support revenue balance in relation to these arrangements was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended  
     September 30,
2007
    October 1,
2006
 

Balance beginning of period

   $ 40,787     $ 41,722  

New support arrangements

     12,166       13,318  

Recognition of support revenue

     (13,446 )     (14,451 )
                

Balance end of period

     39,507       40,589  

Less current portion

     29,397       31,324  
                

Non-current deferred revenue

   $ 10,110     $ 9,265  
                

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Accounting for Consideration Given by a Service Provider to a Manufacturer or Reseller of Equipment Necessary for an End-Customer to Receive Service from the Service Provider

In September 2006, the FASB issued Emerging Issues Task Force Issue, or EITF, No. 06-1, Accounting for Consideration Given by a Service Provider to a Manufacturer or Reseller of Equipment Necessary for an End-Customer to Receive Service from the Service Provider. EITF No. 06-1 requires companies to provide disclosures regarding the nature of arrangements in which they provide consideration to manufacturers or resellers of equipment necessary for an end-customer to receive service from them, including the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. EITF 06-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2007. The adoption of EITF No. 06-1 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS 157 replaces the different definitions of fair value in the accounting literature with a single definition. It defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS 157 is effective for fair-value measurements already required or permitted by other standards for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We currently are in the process of determining the impact of adopting the provisions of SFAS 157 on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (FAS 159). FAS 159 permits companies to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value and establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The provisions of FAS 159 are optional and adoption may begin for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We currently are in the process of determining the impact of adopting the provisions of FAS 159 on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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Accounting for Income Taxes

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) released its final Interpretation on uncertain tax positions, FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FAS 109. This Interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This Interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The guidance will become effective as of the beginning of a company’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted FIN 48 in the first fiscal quarter 2008. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

2. Share-Based Compensation

On July 4, 2005, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, (“FAS 123R”) using the modified-prospective-transition method.

Share-based compensation recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements by line item caption is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
     September 30,
2007
   October 1,
2006

Cost of product revenue

   $ 109    $ 197

Cost of service revenue

     52      123

Sales and marketing

     391      667

Research and development

     318      558

General and administrative

     156      305
             

Total share-based compensation expense

     1,026      1,850

Share-based compensation cost capitalized in inventory

     12      —  
             

Total share-based compensation cost

   $ 1,014    $ 1,850
             

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model with the weighted average assumptions noted in the following table. The expected term of options granted is derived from historical data on employee exercise and post-vesting employment termination behavior. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected volatility is based on both the implied volatilities from traded options on our stock and historical volatility on our stock.

For options granted after July 3, 2005, and valued in accordance with FAS 123R, we used the straight-line method for expense attribution, and we estimate forfeitures and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. Our estimated forfeiture rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, based on our historical forfeiture experience, is approximately 9%.

 

    

Stock Option Plans

Three Months Ended

    Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Three Months Ended
 
     September 30,
2007
   

October 1,

2006

    September 30,
2007
   

October 1,

2006

 

Expected life

   2.5 yrs     2.5 yrs     .25yrs     0.9 yrs  

Risk-free interest rate

   4.33 %   4.90 %   4.34 %   5.03 %

Volatility

   39 %   51 %   38 %   37 %

Expected dividend yield

   0.0 %   0.0 %   0.0 %   0.0 %

The Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the share-based award and stock price volatility. The assumptions listed above represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if other assumptions had been used, our share-based compensation cost could have been materially different from that recorded. In addition, we are required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. If our actual forfeiture rate is materially different from our estimate, the share-based compensation expense could be materially different.

 

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The weighted-average grant-date per share fair value of options granted in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 were $1.07 and $1.26, respectively. The weighted-average estimated per share fair value of shares granted under our 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and 2007 were $0.92 and $1.13, respectively.

 

3. Commitments, Contingencies and Leases

Stock Repurchase Program

On October 20, 2005, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of our common stock. This authorization originally was to expire in October 2007. In the quarter ended October 1, 2006, we repurchased approximately 3.0 million shares for approximately $11.2 million, primarily through open market purchases, bringing the cumulative total to 10.2 million repurchased shares for approximately $44.9 million. On October 25, 2006 the Board of Directors terminated the share repurchase plan, and as of that date, we had repurchased approximately 11.1 million shares for approximately $48.3 million.

Line of Credit

We have a revolving line of credit for $10.0 million with a major lending institution. Borrowings under this line of credit bear interest at the bank’s prime rate. As of September 30, 2007, there were no outstanding borrowings under this line of credit. The line of credit contains a provision for the issuance of letters of credit not to exceed the unused balance of the line. As of September 30, 2007, we had letters of credit totaling $0.7 million. These letters of credit were primarily issued to satisfy requirements of certain of our customers for performance bonds. The line of credit requires us to maintain specified financial covenants related to tangible net worth and liquidity with which we were in compliance as of September 30, 2007. The line of credit expires on January 24, 2008.

Purchase Commitments

We currently have arrangements with two contract manufacturers and other suppliers for the manufacture of our products. Our arrangements allow them to procure long lead-time component inventory on our behalf based upon a rolling production forecast provided by us. We are obligated to the purchase of long lead-time component inventory that our contract manufacturers procure in accordance with the forecast, unless we give notice of order cancellation outside of applicable component lead-times. As of September 30, 2007, we had non-cancelable commitments to purchase approximately $29 million of such inventory during the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

Legal Proceedings

Government Inquiries Relating to Historical Stock Option Practices

On June 27, 2006, the Company received an informal inquiry letter from the Staff of the SEC Enforcement Division requesting that the Company voluntarily provide documents related to its policies, practices and procedures for granting stock options for the period since its initial public offering on April 9, 1999 (“IPO”). The Company responded to the request and is cooperating fully with the SEC inquiry.

Late SEC Filing and Nasdaq Delisting Proceedings

On September 11, 2006, based on information developed by Company management and at the Audit Committee’s recommendation, the Board of Directors appointed a special committee of the Board (the “Special Committee”) to conduct an independent investigation of our historical practices for granting and accounting for stock options and to present findings and recommendations to the Board. Due to the Special Committee investigation and the resulting restatements, the Company did not timely file its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending July 2, 2006 or the Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended October 1, 2006, December 31, 2006 and April 1, 2007. The Company initially received Nasdaq Staff Determination notices stating that the Company was not in compliance with Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(14) because it had not timely filed such periodic reports with the SEC. Those filings were made on June 28, 2007. On July 2, 2007, the Company received a written notice from the Nasdaq Stock Market stating that the Nasdaq Listing and Hearing Review Council (the “Listing Council”), after consultation with the Nasdaq Listing Qualification Staff, had determined that as of that date the Company had demonstrated compliance with all Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. The notice further stated that as of July 2, 2007, the matter was closed and the Company’s securities would continue to be listed on The Nasdaq Global Market.

 

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On July 3, 2007, the Company received a further Staff Determination notice from the Nasdaq Stock Market stating that the Company was not in compliance with Nasdaq’s Marketplace Rule 4350(e) due to a failure by the Company to hold its annual meeting of shareholders within the time required by Rule 4350(e) and, therefore, that its common stock was again subject to delisting from The Nasdaq Global Market. On July 19, 2007, the Company received a written notice from the Nasdaq Stock Market stating that a Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel (the “Panel”) had determined that the Company’s securities would continue to be listed on The Nasdaq Global Market, subject to the condition that on or before August 1, 2007, the Company inform the Panel that it has held its annual meeting of shareholders. On July 31, 2007, the Company notified the Panel that the Company had held the annual meeting of shareholders on July 30, 2007. On August 3, 2007, the Company received a written notice from the Panel confirming that the Company had demonstrated compliance with all Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, and that the Panel determined to continue the listing of the Company’s securities on The Nasdaq Stock Market. Accordingly, the Company believes that the Nasdaq delisting proceedings have concluded.

Shareholder Litigation Relating to Historical Stock Option Practices

On April 25, 2007, an individual identifying herself as a shareholder of the Company filed a derivative action in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California purporting to assert claims on behalf of and in the name of the Company against various of our current and former directors and officers relating to our historical stock option granting and related accounting practices. Two similar derivative actions were filed thereafter in the same court by other individuals. The three cases were consolidated by order of the court on August 2, 2007 and an amended consolidated complaint was filed on October 11, 2007. The amended consolidated complaint alleges that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties and other obligations to the Company and violated state and federal securities laws in connection with our historical stock option granting process in connection with options granted from 1999 to 2002 and our accounting for past stock options. The plaintiff has asserted claims for violations of Sections 10(b) (including Rule 10b-5 thereunder), 14(a), and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty and aiding and abetting such breach, abuse of control, constructive fraud, waste, rescission, insider selling and a claim for an accounting of all stock option grants made to the named defendants. The Company is named as a nominal defendant in these actions. On behalf of the Company, the plaintiff seeks unspecified monetary and other relief against the individual defendants who are Gordon L. Stitt, Herb Schneider, Stephen Haddock, Alexander J. Gray, Frank C. Carlucci, William R. Slakey, Charles Carinalli, Harry Silverglide, Michael West, Kenneth Levy, Robert L. Corey, Peter Wolken, Vito Palermo, Harold Covert, Darrell Scherbarth, Christopher, N. Todd, June Hull, Allan Miller, Promod Haque, Lawrence Orr, Steven Fukuda, Bassam Halabi, Michael Palu, and Alicia Moore. Discovery has not yet commenced and the defendants are not yet required to respond to the amended consolidated complaint. We cannot at this time predict whether this matter will result in any material recovery by or expense to the Company.

Indemnification Obligations

Subject to certain limitations, we may be obligated to indemnify our current and former directors, officers and employees. These obligations arise under the terms of our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, applicable contracts, and Delaware and California law. The obligation to indemnify, where applicable, generally means that we are required to pay or reimburse, and in certain circumstances we have paid or reimbursed, the individuals’ reasonable legal expenses and possibly damages and other liabilities incurred in connection with these matters. It is not possible to estimate the maximum potential amount under these indemnification agreements due to the limited history of these claims. The cost to defend the Company and the named individuals could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in the future. Recovery of such costs under our directors and officers insurance coverage is uncertain.

Other Legal Matters

On April 20, 2007, Extreme Networks filed suit against Enterasys in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, Civil Action No. 07-C-0229-C. The complaint alleges willful infringement of U.S. patents Nos. 6,104,700, 6,678,248, and 6,859,438, and seeks injunctive relief against Enterasys’ continuing sale of infringing goods and monetary damages. Enterasys responded to the complaint on May 30, 2007. Enterasys also filed a counterclaim alleging infringement of three U.S. patents owned by Enterasys. A trial date has been set for May 2008.

On December 27, 2005, Broadband Office Inc. (“Broadband”) served an amended complaint, adding Extreme Networks as a defendant in its lawsuit against Technology Credit Corporation (“TCC”) and Key Equipment Finance, Inc., seeking recovery of an alleged preferential payment in the amount of $0.8 million plus interest, purportedly paid by Broadband to TCC within ninety days prior to Broadband’s petition for bankruptcy protection. Extreme paid $10,000, and Broadband dropped all charges and gave a full release of all claims.

 

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On June 21, 2005, Enterasys filed suit against Extreme Networks and Foundry Networks, Inc. (“Foundry”) in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Civil Action No.05-11298 DPW. The complaint alleges willful infringement of U. S. Patent Nos. 5,251,205; 5,390,173; 6,128,665; 6,147,995; 6,539,022; and 6,560, 236, and seeks: a) a judgment that Extreme willfully infringes each of the patents; (b) a permanent injunction from infringement, inducement of infringement and contributory infringement of each of the six patents; (c) damages and a “reasonable royalty” to be determined at trial; (d) trebled damages; (e) attorneys fees, costs and interest; and (f) equitable relief at the court’s discretion. Foundry brought a claim for reexamination of five of the patents at issue to the Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”). The parties stipulated, and the court agreed, to stay the proceeding until the results of the reexamination are released by the PTO. Once the stay is lifted, and should the case remain at that point, we intend vigorously to defend against Enterasys’ assertions, which we believe to be without merit.

Beginning on July 6, 2001, purported securities fraud class action complaints were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The cases were consolidated and the litigation is now captioned as In re Extreme Networks, Inc. Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, Civ. No. 01-6143 (SAS) (S.D.N.Y.), related to In re Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, 21 MC 92 (SAS) (S.D.N.Y.).The operative amended complaint names as defendants Extreme Networks; six of our present and former officers and/or directors, including our CEO (the “Extreme Networks Defendants”); and several investment banking firms that served as underwriters of our initial public offering and October 1999 secondary offering. The complaint alleges liability under Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on the grounds that the registration statement for the offerings did not disclose that: (1) the underwriters had agreed to allow certain customers to purchase shares in the offerings in exchange for excess commissions paid to the underwriters; and (2) the underwriters had arranged for certain customers to purchase additional shares in the aftermarket at predetermined prices. Similar allegations were made in other lawsuits challenging over 300 other initial public offerings and follow-on offerings conducted in 1999 and 2000. The cases were consolidated for pretrial purposes. Previously, we executed a settlement agreement presented to all issuer defendants. In that settlement, plaintiffs would dismiss and release all claims against the Extreme Network Defendants, in exchange for a contingent payment by the insurance companies collectively responsible for insuring the issuers in all of the IPO cases, and for the assignment or surrender of control of certain claims we may have against the underwriters. The Extreme Networks Defendants would not be required to make any cash payments in the settlement, unless the pro rata amount paid by the insurers in the settlement exceeded the amount of the insurance coverage. The Court gave preliminary approval to the settlement in February 2005 and held a hearing in April 2006 to consider final approval of the settlement. Before the Court issued a final decision on the settlement, on December 5, 2006 the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated the class certification of plaintiffs’ claims against the underwriters in six cases designated as focus or test cases. Thereafter, on December 14, 2006, the Court ordered a stay of all proceedings in all of the lawsuits pending the outcome of plaintiffs’ petition to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals for a rehearing en banc and resolution of the class certification issue. On April 6, 2007, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied plaintiffs’ petition for a rehearing, but clarified that the plaintiffs may seek to certify a more limited class. Accordingly, the parties withdrew the prior settlement, which has been terminated, and plaintiffs filed amended complaints in designated focus or test cases with a proposed redefined class in an attempt to comply with the Second Circuit’s order. If the prior settlement is not renegotiated and then approved by the Court, there is no assurance that we will prevail in the lawsuit. Failure to prevail could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in the future.

We may from time to time be party to litigation arising in the course of our business, including, without limitation, allegations relating to commercial transactions or business relationships or intellectual property rights. Such claims, even if not meritorious, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. Litigation in general, and intellectual property and securities litigation in particular, can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of legal proceedings are difficult to predict.

 

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4. Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended  
     September 30,
2007
   October 1,
2006
 

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,633    $ (4,927 )

Other comprehensive income (loss):

     

Unrealized gain on investments:

     

Change in net unrealized gain on investments

     370      1,100  
               

Net unrealized gain on investments

     370      1,100  

Unrealized loss on derivatives

     —        (1 )

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     530      78  
               

Total comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 4,533    $ (3,750 )
               

 

5. Income Taxes

We recorded an income tax provision of $0.4 million and $0.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and the first quarter of fiscal 2007, respectively. The income tax provisions for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006 were comprised of taxes on foreign income and U.S. state income taxes. The income tax provisions for both quarters were calculated based on the results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006, and may not reflect the annual effective rate. Since the Company has net operating loss carryforwards to offset U.S. taxable income, the Company is not using an annual effective tax rate to apply to the taxable income for the quarter.

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Significant management judgment is required in determining our deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets. We make an assessment of the likelihood that our net deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income, and to the extent that recovery is not believed to be likely, a valuation allowance is established.

During fiscal 2003, we established a full valuation allowance for our net deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance was calculated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 109, which requires an assessment of both negative and positive evidence when measuring the need for a valuation allowance. In accordance with SFAS 109, evidence, such as operating results during the most recent three-year period, is given more weight than our expectations of future profitability, which are inherently uncertain. Our most recent three year history of losses, as of the date of the establishment of the valuation allowance, represented sufficient negative evidence to require a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets under SFAS 109. This valuation allowance will be evaluated periodically and can be reversed partially or totally if business results have sufficiently improved to support realization of our deferred tax assets.

The Company implemented FIN 48 in first fiscal quarter 2008. The Company has unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $16.1 million as of July 2, 2007. The future impact of the unrecognized tax benefit of $16.1 million, if recognized, is as follows: approximately $1.8 million would affect the effective tax rate; approximately $14.3 million would result in adjustments to deferred tax assets and corresponding adjustment to the valuation allowance. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrealized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $0.7 million during the next 12 months due to the expiration of the statue of limitations in certain foreign jurisdictions.

Estimated interest and penalties related to the underpayment of income taxes are classified as a component of tax expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and totaled approximately $43,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. Accrued interest and penalties were approximately $240,099 and $283,099 as of July 1, 2007 and September 30, 2007, respectively.

In general, our income tax returns are subject to examination by U.S. federal, state and local tax authorities for tax years 2004 forward. Our Netherland subsidiary’s income tax returns have been properly prepared and filed with the Netherland tax authorities for all the years up through and including 2005/2006 and are subject to examination for tax years 2003 forward.

Income tax expense during the three months ended September 30, 2007 was primarily related to state taxes and foreign taxes on income earned by our foreign operations. Taxes during the three months ended October 1, 2006 are primarily related to federal alternative minimum and foreign taxes on income earned by our foreign operations, reduced by a state tax benefit from the current net loss for those states for which we are in a deferred tax liability position.

 

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6. Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, less shares subject to repurchase, and excludes any dilutive effects of options, warrants and convertible subordinated notes. Diluted net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares used in the basic earnings (loss) per share calculation plus the dilutive effect of shares subject to repurchase, options, warrants and convertible subordinated notes.

The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended  
     September 30,
2007
   October 1,
2006
 

Weighted-average shares used in per share calculation — basic

     113,904      115,653  

Incremental shares using the treasury stock method

     1,326      —    
               

Weighted-average shares used in per share calculation — diluted

     115,230      115,653  
               

Net income (loss) per share – basic

   $ 0.03    $ (0.04 )
               

Net income (loss) per share – diluted

   $ 0.03    $ (0.04 )
               

The following table sets forth potential shares of common stock that are not included in the diluted net income (loss) per share calculation above because to do so would be antidilutive for the periods (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
     September 30,
2007
   October 1,
2006

Weighted stock options outstanding:

     

In-the-money options

   —      507

Out-of-the-money options

   18,461    20,879

Warrants

   —      857

Convertible subordinated notes

   —      9,542
         

Total potential shares of common stock excluded from the computation of earnings per share

   18,461    31,785
         

Weighted stock options outstanding representing common stock equivalents under the treasury method with an exercise price lower than the Company’s average stock price for the periods presented (“In-the-money options”) are excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share since the effect would have been anti-dilutive due to the net loss.

Weighted stock options outstanding with an exercise price higher than the Company’s average stock price for the periods presented (“Out-of-the-money options”) are excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share since the effect would have been anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method.

The computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 excludes the impact of the conversion of the convertible subordinated notes, which are convertible into approximately 9.5 million shares of common stock, as the impact of adding back to income the after tax interest expense associated with the convertible subordinated notes, and including the impact of the common shares to be issued, would be anti-dilutive in the period presented.

 

7. Restructuring Liabilities

As of September 30, 2007, restructuring liabilities were $10.6 million and consisted of obligations under excess facility operating leases, net of projected future sublease receipts and severance costs associated with a small reduction in force in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 impacting several functional areas. During fiscal 2007 and 2006, we recorded restructuring charges of $4.0 million and $3.3 million, respectively. The charges in fiscal 2007 included $1.1 million in the

 

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first through third quarter to rationalize our sales force in Japan, and $2.9 million in the fourth quarter to reduce headcount across several functional areas, terminate certain redundant contracts, and to exit an excess facility. The charge in fiscal 2006 was for an excess facilities charge and represented an increase to the charge initially recognized during the third quarter of fiscal 2002. The commercial real estate market continued to deteriorate in fiscal 2006 and we were not able to find suitable tenants to sublease these facilities necessitating an additional charge due to lower projected sublease receipts. At several of the facilities, we have not yet been able to find suitable tenants to sublease the facilities and the commercial real estate market in these areas continues to be weak. The lower projected sublease income necessitated an increase in the liability to take into consideration the unfavorable difference between lease obligation payments and projected sublease receipts. The actual costs could differ from our estimates, and additional adjustments to the restructuring liability could be recorded if we are able to negotiate reasonable termination fees on certain facilities, if facility sub-lease rental rates change, or if other estimates and assumptions change.

Activity with respect to restructuring liabilities is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Excess
Facilities
    Asset
Impairment
    Contract
Termination
    Severance     Total  

Balance at July 1, 2007

   $ 11,395     83     1,098     1,411     $ 13,987  

Charge in first quarter fiscal 2008

     —       —       —       —         —    

Write-Off

     —       (83 )   —       —         (83 )

Cash Payments

     (944 )     (1,098 )   (1,245 )     (3,287 )
                                  

Balance at September 30, 2007

     10,451     —       —       166       10,617  

Less: current portion

     2,677         166       2,843  
                                  

Restructuring liabilities at September 30, 2007, less current portion

   $ 7,774     —       —       —       $ 7,774  
                                  

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including the following sections, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, particularly statements relating to our expectations regarding results of operations, our ability to expand our market penetration, our ability to expand our distribution channels, customer acceptance of our products, our ability to meet the expectations of our customers, product demand and revenue, cash flows, product gross margins, our expectations to continue to develop new products and enhance existing products, our expectations regarding the amount of our research and development expenses, our expectations relating to our selling, general and administrative expenses, our efforts to achieve additional operating efficiencies and to review and improve our business systems and cost structure, our expectations to continue investing in technology, resources and infrastructure, our expectations concerning the availability of products from suppliers and contract manufacturers, anticipated product costs and sales prices, our expectations that we have sufficient capital to meet our requirements for at least the next twelve months, our expectations regarding the rationalization of our workforce and facilities, and our expectations regarding materials and inventory management. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and the cautionary statements set forth below and those contained in the section entitled “Risk Factors” identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in any such forward-looking statements. We caution investors that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors identified in this Form 10-Q and other filings we have made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Business Overview

We develop and sell a family of modular and stackable network infrastructure equipment and offer related service contracts for extended warranty and maintenance agreements. Substantially all of our revenue is derived from the sale of our networking equipment and the related service contracts. We believe that understanding the following key developments is helpful to an understanding of our operating results for the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

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Increased Product Breadth

We believe that continued success in the marketplace will depend on our ability to develop new and enhanced products employing leading-edge technology. In fiscal 2007 we introduced several new products that allow for the continued deployment of secure, converged networks as well as the expansion of the ExtremeXOS™ operating system from the core to the edge of the network. The following products were released in fiscal 2007: release 12.0 of ExtremeXOS™, our award-winning modular network operating system, the Summit X250 ExtremeXOS™-based fixed switches, and Summit WM 200 and WM 2000 wireless network controllers.

Convergence of Voice, Video and Data

We have a vision of providing customers with the systems to build a converged communications infrastructure that can easily accommodate voice, video and data on a seamless wired and wireless network. We believe that these two aspects of convergence, the convergence of voice, video and data, and the convergence of wired and wireless, are important underlying demand creators in the Enterprise market.

We have a comprehensive strategic alliance with Avaya, Inc. to jointly develop and market converged communications solutions. The alliance brings together Avaya’s global market leadership in IP voice and telephony with Extreme’s expertise in high performance IP data network infrastructure. Under a joint development agreement, the companies develop next generation, standards-based technologies in the areas of network management and provisioning, Quality of Service, security, and network resilience. Additionally, Avaya sells services and supports Extreme’s entire portfolio of data networking products through their worldwide sales organization and the Avaya Global Services organization.

Results of Operations

Our operations and financial performance have been affected by the economic factors described above, and during the first quarter of fiscal 2008, we experienced the following results:

 

   

Net revenues of $89.0 million, an increase of 6% from the first quarter of fiscal 2007 net revenues of $83.8 million.

 

   

Total gross margin of 55.2% of net revenues, an increase from 51.5% in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

   

Net income of $3.6 million, an increase from a net loss of $4.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

   

Cash flow from operating activities was $7.2 million in the three months ending September 30, 2007. Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and marketable securities increased by $8.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007 to $224.7 million.

Net Revenues

The following table presents net product and service revenues for the first quarters of fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007, respectively (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three months ended  
     September 30,
2007
   % of Net
Revenues
    October 1,
2006
   % of Net
Revenues
 

Net Revenues:

          

Product

   $ 74,145    83.3 %   $ 67,982    81.2 %

Service

     14,817    16.7 %     15,781    18.8 %
                          

Total net revenues

   $ 88,962    100.0 %   $ 83,763    100.0 %
                          

Net revenues were $89.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and $83.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, representing an increase of 6% in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 from the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

Product revenue increased to $74.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 from $68.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2007, an increase of $6.2 million, or 9%. This was primarily due to an increase in the volume of units sold, primarily from an increase in sales in the United States.

 

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Service revenue decreased to $14.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 from $15.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2007, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 6%. This decrease was primarily due to the completion of extended term maintenance contracts amortized over five years and our transition from mandatory to elective support contract renewals.

The following table presents the total net revenue geographically for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three months ended  
     September 30,
2007
   % of Net
Revenues
    October 1,
2006
   % of Net
Revenues
 

Net Revenues:

          

United States

   $ 40,699    45.7 %   $ 34,241    40.9 %

Europe, Middle East and Africa

     30,913    34.7 %     32,839    39.2 %

Asia Pacific

     12,594    14.2 %     11,014    13.1 %

Other

     4,756    5.4 %     16,683    6.8 %
                          

Total net revenues

   $ 88,962    100.0 %   $ 83,763    100.0 %
                          

Sales of products and services outside the United States accounted for approximately 54% of our business in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, compared to 59% in the first quarter of fiscal 2007. Revenue outside the U.S., as a percentage of total net revenue, in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, decreased by 5% compared to the year-ago quarter due primarily to a decrease in revenue in Europe, Middle East and Africa, offset by an increase in Asia Pacific. Total net revenue in Europe, Middle East and Africa decreased in the current quarter over the prior year quarter following decreased demand in that geographic region. We expect that export sales will continue to represent a significant portion of net revenue, although export sales may fluctuate as a percentage of net revenue. Substantially all sales transactions are denominated in United States dollars.

We rely upon multiple channels of distribution, including two-tiered distribution in which large distributors purchase our product and make it available to resellers. Revenue through the distributor channel as a percentage of total product revenue was 42% in both the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and the first quarter of fiscal 2007. The level of sales to any one customer may vary from period to period; however, we expect that significant customer concentration will continue for the foreseeable future. One distributor, Tech Data, accounted for greater than 10% of our net revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and 2007.

Cost of Revenues and Gross Margin

The following table presents the gross margin on product and service revenues and the gross margin percentage of product and service revenues for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 and fiscal 2007 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three months ended  
     September 30,
2007
   % of
Revenue
    October 1,
2006
   % of
Revenue
 

Gross margin:

          

Product

   $ 42,889    57.8 %   $ 36,183    53.2 %

Service

     6,207    41.9 %     6,968    44.2 %
                  

Total gross margin

   $ 49,096    55.2 %   $ 43,151    51.5 %
                  

Gross margin was $49.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and $43.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, representing an increase of 14% in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 from the first quarter of fiscal 2007. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues was 55.2% and 51.5% in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007, respectively.

Cost of product revenue includes costs of raw materials, amounts paid to third-party contract manufacturers, costs related to warranty obligations, charges for excess and obsolete inventory, royalties under technology license agreements, and internal costs associated with manufacturing overhead, including management, manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, development of test plans and document control. Product gross margin in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was $42.9 million, representing 57.8% of product revenues as compared to $36.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, or 53.2% of product revenue. The increase in product gross margin as a percentage of product revenues was primarily due to higher revenue, lower per-unit product costs due to a shift in product mix, lower warranty costs due to an improvement in quality and lower distribution cost.

 

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Cost of product revenue in all periods includes the cost of our manufacturing overhead. We outsource substantially all of our manufacturing and supply chain management operations, and we conduct quality assurance, manufacturing engineering and document control at our facility in Santa Clara, California. Accordingly, a significant portion of our cost of product revenue consists of payments to our contract manufacturer, Flextronics International, Ltd. located in San Jose, California, and Guadalajara, Mexico, and to our original design manufacturer, Alpha Networks, Inc located in Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C. and Dongguan City, China.

Our cost of service consists primarily of labor, overhead, repair and freight costs and the cost of spares used in providing support under customer service contracts. Service gross margin in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was $6.2 million, representing 41.9% of service revenues as compared to $7.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, or 44.2% of service revenue. The decrease in service gross margin in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, compared to the prior year quarter, was primarily due to lower revenue and higher costs associated with service replacements for certain key legacy accounts.

Share-based Compensation Costs

Share-based compensation expense recognized in the financial statements by line item caption is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
     September 30,
2007
  

October 1,

2006

Cost of product revenue

   $ 109    $ 197

Cost of service revenue

     52      123

Sales and marketing

     391      667

Research and development

     318      558

General and administrative

     156      305
             

Total share-based compensation expense

     1,026      1,850

Share-based compensation cost capitalized in inventory

     12      —  
             

Total share-based compensation cost

   $ 1,014    $ 1,850
             

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model with the weighted average assumptions noted in the table in Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The expected term of options granted is derived from historical data on employee exercise and post-vesting employment termination behavior. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected volatility is based on both the implied volatilities from traded options on our stock and historical volatility on our stock.

The Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the share-based award and stock price volatility. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based compensation represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if other assumptions had been used, our share-based compensation expense could have been materially different. In addition, we are required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those awards expected to vest. If our actual forfeiture rate is materially different from our estimate, the share-based compensation expense could be materially different.

Sales and Marketing Expenses

Sales and marketing expenses consist of salaries, commissions and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing and sales functions, as well as trade shows and promotional expenses. Sales and marketing expenses decreased to $24.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 from $25.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2007, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 4%. This decrease was primarily due to decreased share-based compensation expense of $0.3 million, decreased

 

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equipment expense of $0.5 million and decreased recruiting expense of $0.3 million, partially offset by increased commission expense of $0.2 million due to higher revenue. The level of our sales and marketing spending in the future, in dollars and as a percentage of net revenues will depend on many factors, including the rate at which we expand our sales force and the rate at which our net revenues change.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses consist principally of salaries and related personnel expenses, consultant fees and prototype expenses related to the design, development and testing of our products. Research and development expenses increased slightly to $16.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 from $15.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2007. The increase of $0.7 million or 4% was due to an increase in salaries and benefits of $1.3 million, of which $0.8 million is related to higher employee bonus accrual in first quarter 2008 than first quarter 2007, and $0.5 million is related to increased headcount from 274 in first quarter of fiscal 2007 to 282 in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, partially offset by a decrease in contract labor and professional fees of $0.7 million. We expense all research and development costs as incurred.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses for executive, finance and administrative personnel, legal fees, professional fees and other general corporate expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased to $6.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 from $7.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2007, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 14%. This decrease was primarily due to decreased share-based compensation expense of $0.2 million, decreased professional fees of $0.1 million and lower legal cost related to litigation defense of approximately $0.8 million. Litigation costs in the first fiscal quarter of 2008 were approximately $0.8 million. We expect legal fees to vary from quarter to quarter with significant expenditures in certain quarters.

Restructuring Charge

During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we recorded a restructuring charge of $1.5 million for our Japan operations, $1.3 million of which represented severance charges and $0.2 million represented an excess facilities charge. The severance charges of $1.3 million related to a reduction in our staff in Japan during the first quarter of fiscal 2007. We did not have any restructuring charge in first quarter of fiscal 2008.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net decreased to $2.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 from $3.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2007, a decrease of $0.6 million, or 19%. This decrease is related to a decrease in interest income as a result of a decrease in cash, cash equivalents and investments from $423.4 million as of first quarter fiscal 2007 to $224.7 million as of first quarter fiscal 2008. The decrease in cash, cash equivalents and investments is primarily attributable to the $200 million convertible note payment made in December 2006.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provisions for income taxes of $0.4 million and $0.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and the first quarter of fiscal 2007, respectively, were recorded for estimated taxes due on income generated in certain state and foreign tax jurisdictions. The income tax provisions for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006 were comprised of taxes on foreign income and U.S. state income taxes. The income tax provisions for both quarters were calculated based on the results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006, and may not reflect the annual effective rate. Since the Company has net operating loss carryforwards to offset U.S. taxable income, the Company is not using an annual effective tax rate to apply to the taxable income for the quarter. 

 

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We have provided a full valuation allowance for our net deferred tax assets. We initially recorded this charge during fiscal 2003 in accordance with SFAS No. 109, which places greater weight on previous cumulative losses than the outlook for future profitability when determining whether deferred tax assets can be realized. Based upon our most recent three-year history of losses, as of the date of determining the charge, and relying on other guidance specified in SFAS 109, we determined that it was appropriate to establish a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. This valuation allowance will be evaluated periodically and can be reversed partially or totally if business results have sufficiently improved to support realization of our deferred tax assets.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended July 1, 2007. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period reported. By their nature, these estimates, assumptions and judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. We base our estimates, assumptions and judgments on historical experience, market trends and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates, assumptions and judgments are reviewed on an ongoing basis and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Our critical accounting policies have been discussed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. We believe there have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates during the three-month period ended September 30, 2007 compared to those discussed in our Annual Report of Form 10-K for the year ended July 1, 2007.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Accounting for Consideration Given by a Service Provider to a Manufacturer or Reseller of Equipment Necessary for an End-Customer to Receive Service from the Service Provider

In September 2006, the FASB issued Emerging Issues Task Force Issue, or EITF, No. 06-1, Accounting for Consideration Given by a Service Provider to a Manufacturer or Reseller of Equipment Necessary for an End-Customer to Receive Service from the Service Provider. EITF No. 06-1 requires companies to provide disclosures regarding the nature of arrangements in which they provide consideration to manufacturers or resellers of equipment necessary for an end-customer to receive service from them, including the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. EITF 06-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2007. The adoption of EITF No. 06-1 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS 157 replaces the different definitions of fair value in the accounting literature with a single definition. It defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS 157 is effective for fair-value measurements already required or permitted by other standards for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We currently are in the process of determining the impact of adopting the provisions of SFAS 157 on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (FAS 159). FAS 159 permits companies to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value and establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The provisions of FAS 159 are optional and adoption may begin for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We currently are in the process of determining the impact of adopting the provisions of FAS 159 on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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Accounting for Income Taxes

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) released its final Interpretation on uncertain tax positions, FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FAS 109. This Interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This Interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The guidance will become effective as of the beginning of a company’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted FIN 48 in the first fiscal quarter 2008. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and marketable securities increased to $224.7 million at September 30, 2007 from $215.9 million at July 1, 2007, an increase of $8.9 million. This increase was primarily due to cash generated from operations of $7.2 million and cash from employee stock option exercises of $1.8 million.

We generated $7.2 million in cash from operations in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Net income was $3.6 million and included significant non-cash charges including depreciation of $1.9 million, $1.0 million in share-based compensation expense, and warrant amortization expense of $1.0 million. Accounts receivable, net, increased to $26.6 million at September 30, 2007 from $23.1 million at July 1, 2007. Days sales outstanding (“DSO”) in receivables was 27 days at September 30, 2007 and 24 days at July 1, 2007. Net inventory levels decreased to $25.2 million at September 30, 2007 from $25.3 million at July 1, 2007. Inventory management remains an area of focus as we balance the need to maintain strategic inventory levels to ensure competitive lead times and avoid stock-outs with the risk of inventory excess or obsolescence because of declining demand, rapidly changing technology and customer requirements. Deferred revenue increased to $42.9 million at September 30, 2007 from $42.4 million at July 1, 2007. This increase was due primarily to an increase in deferred product revenue.

We have a revolving line of credit for $10.0 million with a major lending institution. As of September 30, 2007, there were no outstanding borrowings under this facility. The line of credit contains a provision for the issuance of letters of credit not to exceed the unused balance of the line. As of September 30, 2007, we had letters of credit totaling $0.7 million. These letters of credit were primarily issued to satisfy requirements of certain of our customers for performance bonds. The line of credit requires us to maintain specified financial covenants related to tangible net worth and liquidity with which we were in compliance as of September 30, 2007.

The following summarizes our contractual obligations (including interest payments) at September 30, 2007, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods (in thousands):

 

     Total    Less
Than 1
Year
  

1 – 3

Years

  

3 – 5

Years

   After
Five Years

Contractual Obligations:

              

Non-cancelable inventory

              

Purchase commitments

   $ 29,406    $ 29,406      —        —        —  

Non-cancelable operating lease obligations

     17,639      6,189    $ 8,518    $ 2,932      —  

Other non-cancelable purchase commitments

     6,428      1,650      3,288      1,490      —  
                                  

Total contractual cash obligations

   $ 53,473    $ 37,245    $ 11,806    $ 4,422    $ —  
                                  

We did not have any material commitments for capital expenditures as of September 30, 2007. Other non-cancelable purchase commitments represent manufacturing and technology agreements. We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2007.

We require substantial capital to fund our business, particularly to finance inventories and accounts receivable and for capital expenditures. As a result, we could be required to raise substantial additional capital at any time. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of such securities could

 

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result in dilution to existing stockholders. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of debt securities, these securities may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to holders of common stock and the terms of such debt could impose restrictions on our operations. If we are unable to obtain such additional capital, we may be required to reduce the scope of our planned product development and marketing efforts, which would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, marketable securities and cash available from credit facilities and future operations will enable us to meet our working capital requirements for at least the next 12 months.

Risk Factors

We are subject to a number of risks. Some of these risks are endemic to the networking industry and are the same or similar to those disclosed in our previous SEC filings. The following is a list of risks and uncertainties which may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. The risks and uncertainties set out below are not the only risks and uncertainties we face.

We were not in compliance with SEC reporting requirements during fiscal year 2007, and Nasdaq listing requirements during portions of fiscal years 2007 and 2008, and we may continue to face compliance issues with both. If we are unable to remain in compliance with SEC reporting requirements and Nasdaq listing requirements, there may be a material adverse effect on the Company and our stockholders.

On September 11, 2006, based on information developed by Company management and at the Audit Committee’s recommendation, the Board of Directors appointed a special committee of the Board (the “Special Committee”) to conduct an independent investigation of our historical practices for granting and accounting for stock options and to present findings and recommendations to the Board. Pending completion of our Special Committee investigation, we were delinquent in filing certain of our periodic reports with the SEC during fiscal year 2007, and we were unable to hold our annual meeting of stockholders within the time required under Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. Although such delinquent reports were filed with the SEC on June 28, 2007, and our annual meeting of stockholders occurred on July 30, 2007, we were not in compliance with Nasdaq’s Marketplace Rules during portions of fiscal years 2007 and 2008. As a result, we underwent a review and hearing process with Nasdaq to determine our listing status. Nasdaq ultimately permitted our securities to remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, but our securities could be delisted in the future if we do not maintain compliance with applicable listing requirements in the future. If this happens, the price of our stock, the ability of our stockholders to trade in our stock, and our ability to raise capital could be adversely affected. If we are unable to remain in compliance with the SEC reporting requirements, we would be subject to a number of restrictions regarding the registration of our stock under federal securities laws, and we may not be able to issue stock options or other equity awards to our employees or allow them to exercise their outstanding options, which would adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We have been named as a party to shareholder derivative lawsuits relating to our historical stock option practices, and we may be named in additional lawsuits in the future. This litigation could become time consuming and expensive and could result in the payment of significant judgments and settlements, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

In connection with our historical stock option practices and resulting restatement of our financial statements for the fiscal years 2000 through 2005, derivative actions were filed against certain of our current and former directors and officers purporting to assert claims on the Company’s behalf. There may be additional lawsuits filed in the future. We cannot predict the outcome of these lawsuits, nor can we predict the amount of time and expense that will be required to resolve these lawsuits. If these lawsuits become time consuming and expensive, or if there are unfavorable outcomes in any of these cases, there could be a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our insurance coverage will not cover all of our liabilities and expenses in these lawsuits, in part because we have a significant deductible on certain aspects of the coverage. In addition, subject to certain limitations, we may be obligated to indemnify our current and former directors, officers and employees. We currently hold insurance policies for the benefit of our directors and officers, however our insurance coverage may not be sufficient in some or all of these matters to cover all

 

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of the costs the Company may need to incur. Furthermore, the insurers may seek to deny or limit coverage in some or all of these matters, in which case we may have to self-fund all or a substantial portion of our indemnification obligations. If we need to self-fund, there is no assurance that we will prevail in our efforts to recover payment from our insurers.

The Special Committee investigation of our historical stock option practices and resulting restatements has been time consuming and expensive, and may have a material adverse effect on us.

The Special Committee investigation and the activities related to the restatement of our fiscal 2000 through fiscal 2005 financial statements have required us to expend significant management time and to incur significant accounting, legal, and other expenses. Although the Special Committee has concluded its investigation, the Special Committee may continue to assist the Company with follow-up activities arising from the restatement or otherwise related to its investigation. The issues surrounding the historical stock option grant practices were complex and required substantial resources to resolve. The cost and time associated with concluding any follow-up activities by the Special Committee may have a material adverse effect on our operating results or our common stock price. The period of time necessary to resolve any such follow-up matters is uncertain, and these matters could require significant additional attention and resources.

The discovery that we had not accounted correctly for historical stock option grants has had, and may continue to have, a material adverse effect on our financial results.

We cannot predict the outcome of any government inquiry or the pending shareholder derivative lawsuits, and we may face future government actions, shareholder lawsuits and other legal proceedings related to our historical stock option practices. All of these events have required us, and will continue to require us, to expend significant management time and to incur significant accounting, legal, and other expenses. This has and could continue to divert attention and resources from the operation of our business and adversely affects our financial condition and results of operations.

Any government inquiry relating to our historical stock option practices may be time consuming and expensive and could result in injunctions, fines and penalties that may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

The SEC issued an informal request to us for information relating to our historical stock option grant practices. We have responded to the SEC’s inquiry and will respond to inquiries from other government authorities if made. The SEC and/or other government authorities may conduct a formal investigation into our historical stock option grant practices. The period of time necessary to resolve any such inquiry is uncertain, and we cannot predict the outcome of any such inquiry or whether we will face additional government inquiries, investigations or other actions related to our historical stock option practices, or otherwise. These matters will likely require us to continue to expend significant management time and incur significant legal and other expenses, and could result in civil and criminal actions seeking, among other things, injunctions against the Company and the payment of significant fines and penalties by the Company, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. A formal investigation by the SEC and/or other government authorities could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

It may be difficult or costly to obtain director and officer insurance coverage as a result of our stock option related issues.

We expect that the issues arising from our previous historical stock option grant practices and related accounting may make it more difficult to obtain director and officer insurance coverage in the future. If we are able to obtain this coverage, it could be significantly more costly than in the past, which would have an adverse effect on our financial results and cash flow. As a result of this and related factors, our directors and officers could face increased risks of personal liability in connection with the performance of their duties. As a result, we may have difficultly attracting and retaining qualified directors and officers, which could adversely affect our business.

We Cannot Assure You That We Will Be Profitable in the Future.

Although we reported profits in first quarter fiscal 2008, we reported losses for fiscal 2007, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001 and our revenue declined in fiscal 2007. In addition, while we have reported profits in both fiscal 2006 and 2005, we were not profitable in each quarter during those years. We anticipate continuing to incur significant sales and marketing, product development and general and administrative expenses and, as a result, we will continue to need to rationalize expense levels and increase revenue levels to achieve profitability in future fiscal periods.

 

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Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting may cause us to delay filing our periodic reports with the SEC, affect our Nasdaq listing, and adversely affect our stock price.

The Securities and Exchange Commission, as directed by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on internal control over financial reporting in their annual reports on Form 10-K. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on our internal control over financial reporting. Although we review our internal control over financial reporting in order to ensure compliance with the Section 404 requirements, if our independent registered public accounting firm is not satisfied with our internal control over financial reporting or the level at which these controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if the independent registered public accounting firm interprets the requirements, rules and/or regulations differently from our interpretation, then they may decline to attest to management’s assessment or may issue a report that is qualified. This could result in an adverse reaction in the financial marketplace due to a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which ultimately could negatively impact our stock price.

Federal securities laws, rules and regulations, as well as Nasdaq rules and regulations, require companies to maintain extensive corporate governance measures, impose comprehensive reporting and disclosure requirements, set strict independence and financial expertise standards for audit and other committee members and impose civil and criminal penalties for companies and their chief executive officers, chief financial officers and directors for securities law violations. These laws, rules and regulations have increased and will continue to increase the scope, complexity and cost of our corporate governance, reporting and disclosure practices, which could harm our results of operations and divert management’s attention from business operations.

A Number of Factors Could Cause Our Quarterly Financial Results to Be Worse Than Expected, Resulting in a Decline in Our Stock Price.

Our ability to control our operating expenses at a level that is consistent with anticipated revenue is significant to our financial results. A high percentage of our expenses are fixed in the short term, so any delay in generating or recognizing revenue could cause our quarterly operating results to fall below the expectations of public market analysts or investors, which could cause the price of our stock to fall.

Orders in our backlog at the beginning of each quarter do not equal expected revenues for that quarter and are generally cancelable at any time. Accordingly, we are dependent upon obtaining orders during a quarter and shipping those orders in the same quarter to achieve our revenue objectives. In addition, the timing of product releases and purchase orders, and product availability, often results in a majority of our product shipments being scheduled near the end of a quarter. Failure to ship these products by the end of a quarter may adversely affect our operating results. Our customer agreements generally allow customers to delay scheduled delivery dates or to cancel orders within specified timeframes without significant charges to the customers. Furthermore, some of our customers require that we provide installation or inspection services that may delay the recognition of revenue for both products and services, and some of our customer agreements include acceptance provisions that prevent our ability to recognize revenue upon shipment.

We may experience a delay in generating or recognizing revenue for a number of reasons and our quarterly revenue and operating results have varied significantly in the past and may vary significantly in the future due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

changes in general and/or specific economic conditions in the networking industry;

 

   

seasonal fluctuations in demand for our products and services, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Europe;

 

   

the level of attrition of our employees, and of our sales force in particular;

 

   

a disproportionate percentage of our sales occurring in the last month of the quarter;

 

   

reduced visibility into the implementation cycles for our products and our customers’ spending plans;

 

   

our ability to forecast demand for our products, which in the case of lower-than-expected sales, may result in excess or obsolete inventory in addition to non-cancelable purchase commitments for component parts;

 

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product returns or the cancellation or rescheduling of orders;

 

   

our ability to develop, introduce, ship and support new products and product enhancements and manage product transitions;

 

   

announcements and new product introductions by our competitors;

 

   

our ability to develop and support relationships with enterprise customers, service providers and other potential large customers;

 

   

our ability to achieve targeted cost reductions;

 

   

fluctuations in warranty or other service expenses actually incurred;

 

   

our ability to obtain sufficient supplies of sole- or limited-source components for our products on a timely basis;

 

   

increases in the prices of the components that we purchase;

 

   

decreases in the prices of the products that we sell;

 

   

our ability to achieve and maintain desired production volumes and quality levels for our products;

 

   

the mix of products sold and the mix of distribution channels through which products are sold;

 

   

impairment charges associated with long-lived assets;

 

   

restructuring costs associated with adjustments to the size of our operations;

 

   

costs relating to possible acquisitions and the integration of technologies or businesses;

 

   

the effect of amortization of purchased intangibles resulting from new transactions; and

 

   

costs relating to the recognition of share-based payments.

Due to the foregoing factors, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results should not be relied upon as an indicator of our future performance.

Intense Competition in the Market for Networking Equipment Could Prevent Us from Increasing Revenue and Achieving Profitability.

The market for networking equipment is intensely competitive. The market for switches is part of the broader market for networking equipment, which is dominated by a few large companies, particularly Cisco Systems. In addition, there are a number of large telecommunications equipment providers, including Alcatel and Nortel Networks, which have entered the market for network equipment, particularly through acquisitions of public and privately held companies. We expect to face increased competition, particularly price competition, from these and other telecommunications equipment providers. We also compete with other public and private companies that offer switching solutions, including Enterasys Networks, Inc., Foundry Networks, Inc., Huawei Technologies Corporation, 3Com Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company and Dell Computer Corporation. These vendors offer products with functionality similar to our products or provide alternative

 

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network solutions. Current and potential competitors have established or may establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties to develop and offer competitive products. Furthermore, we compete with numerous companies that offer routers and other technologies and devices that traditionally have managed the flow of traffic on the enterprise or Metro networks.

Some of our current and potential competitors have longer operating histories and substantially greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources, as well as greater name recognition and a larger installed customer base, than we do. As a result, these competitors are able to devote greater resources to the development, promotion, sale and support of their products. In addition, competitors with a large installed customer base may have a significant competitive advantage over us. We have encountered, and expect to continue to encounter, many potential customers who are confident in and committed to the product offerings of our principal competitors, including Cisco Systems. Accordingly, these potential customers may not consider or evaluate our products. When such potential customers have considered or evaluated our products, we have in the past lost, and expect in the future to lose, sales to some of these customers as large competitors have offered significant price discounts to secure these sales.

The pricing policies of our competitors impact the overall demand for our products and services. Some of our competitors are capable of operating at significant losses for extended periods of time, increasing pricing pressure on our products and services. If we do not maintain competitive pricing, the demand for our products and services, as well as our market share, may decline. From time to time, we may lower the prices of our products and services. When this happens, if we are unable to reduce our component costs or improve operating efficiencies, our revenues and margins will be adversely affected.

To remain competitive, we believe that we must, among other things, invest significant resources in developing new products, improve our current products and maintain customer satisfaction. Such investment will increase our expenses and affect our profitability. If we fail to make this investment, we may not be able to compete successfully with our competitors, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue and future profitability.

When Our Products Contain Undetected Errors, We May Incur Significant Unexpected Expenses and Could Lose Sales.

Network products frequently contain undetected errors when new products or new versions or updates of existing products are released to the marketplace. In the past, we have experienced such errors in connection with new products and product updates. We have experienced component problems in prior years that caused us to incur higher than expected warranty, service costs and expenses, and other related operating expenses. In the future, we expect that, from time to time, such errors or component failures will be found in new or existing products after the commencement of commercial shipments. These problems may have a material adverse effect on our business by causing us to incur significant warranty and repair costs, diverting the attention of our engineering personnel from new product development efforts, delaying the recognition of revenue and causing significant customer relations problems. Further, if products are not accepted by customers due to such defects, and such returns exceed the amount we accrued for defect returns based on our historical experience, our operating results would be adversely affected.

Our products must successfully interoperate with products from other vendors. As a result, when problems occur in a network, it may be difficult to identify the sources of these problems. The occurrence of system errors, whether or not caused by our products, could result in the delay or loss of market acceptance of our products and any necessary revisions may cause us to incur significant expenses. The occurrence of any such problems would likely have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Our Future Success Will Depend in Part Upon Increasing Our Revenue in the U.S. Market.

Revenues in the U.S. increased 19% in first quarter fiscal 2008 from first quarter fiscal 2007, but decreased 5.8% in fiscal 2007 from fiscal 2006 and 12.7% in fiscal 2006 from fiscal 2005. We believe a number of factors have contributed to the decline in our revenues in the U.S., including turnover in our sales and marketing personnel, intense competition, as well as the timing of customer purchase decisions. Our success will depend upon increasing our revenue in the United States and we may need to identify new strategies or markets to increase revenue. We are initiating a number of programs to improve retention of our sales personnel and to compete more effectively in the U.S. market. If these efforts are not successful, our ability to sustain and grow our revenue and to achieve increased profitability would be adversely affected.

 

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We Depend Upon International Sales for a Significant Portion of Our Revenue and Our Ability to Grow Our International Sales Depends on Successfully Expanding Our International Operations.

International sales constitute a significant portion of our net revenues. Our ability to grow will depend in part on the expansion of international sales. Sales to customers outside of the United States accounted for approximately 54% of net revenues in first quarter fiscal 2008, compared to 59% in the first quarter fiscal 2007. In addition, sales to customers outside of the United States accounted for approximately 60%, 59% and 56% of our net revenues for fiscal 2007, fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005, respectively. Our international sales primarily depend on the success of our resellers and distributors. The failure of these resellers and distributors to sell our products internationally would limit our ability to sustain and grow our revenue. There are a number of risks arising from our international business, including:

 

   

longer accounts receivable collection cycles;

 

   

difficulties in managing operations across disparate geographic areas;

 

   

difficulties associated with enforcing agreements through foreign legal systems;

 

   

the payment of operating expenses in local currencies, which exposes us to risks of currency fluctuations;

 

   

higher credit risks requiring cash in advance or letters of credit;

 

   

difficulty in safeguarding intellectual property;

 

   

political and economic turbulence;

 

   

potential adverse tax consequences; and

 

   

unexpected changes in existing regulatory requirements and the addition of new regulatory requirements.

Our international sales currently are U.S. dollar-denominated. Future increases in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies could make our products less competitive in international markets. In the future, we may elect to invoice some of our international customers in local currency, which will expose us to fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the particular local currency. If we do so, we may decide to engage in hedging transactions to minimize the risk of such fluctuations.

We have entered into foreign exchange forward contracts to offset the impact of payment of operating expenses in local currencies to some of our operating foreign subsidiaries. However, if we are not successful in managing these hedging transactions, we could incur losses from hedging activities.

Conducting our Business on a Global Basis Requires Us to Comply with Various Foreign and Domestic Regulatory Requirements.

Conducting our business on a global basis subjects us to a number of frequently changing and complex regulatory requirements, and as we expand our operations into new territories, we may become subject to an increasing number of such regulatory requirements. These regulatory requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and may be inconsistent with one another. Our efforts to comply with the new and differing requirements increases our costs of goods and other expenses and may delay the production and shipment of our products, which could adversely impact revenue recognition and harm our financial results. In addition, failure to comply with the requirements of a single jurisdiction may adversely impact our ability to do business in that jurisdiction as well as other jurisdictions, which would harm our financial results.

Trade measures, environmental and import and export requirements are among the regulations with which we must comply. Failure to comply with such requirements may result in the imposition of financial penalties and restrictions on our ability to conduct business in and with certain countries, which may harm our business and damage our reputation. In the past, we were subject to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce in connection with the possible violation of certain export regulations. The Department of Commerce has completed an investigation and we were required to pay a fine of $35,000. While this matter was resolved and we have also implemented procedures to reduce the risk of violations in the future, there can be no assurances that we will not become subject to such investigations in the future.

 

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In connection with compliance with regulatory requirements, from time to time, we have been and may in the future become subject to audit by various governmental agencies seeking to review the compliance of our products or business practices with their regulations. When such audits occur and whether or not we are in compliance with the particular regulation, we may be required to cease shipment or production of our product in that particular jurisdiction while we seek to show our compliance with such regulations and our business may be adversely affected as a result.

We Expect the Average Selling Prices of Our Products to Decrease, Which May Reduce Gross Margin and/or Revenue.

The network equipment industry has traditionally experienced an erosion of average selling prices due to a number of factors, including competitive pricing pressures, promotional pricing and technological progress. We anticipate that the average selling prices of our products will decrease in the future in response to competitive pricing pressures, excess inventories, increased sales discounts and new product introductions by us or our competitors, including, for example, competitive products manufactured with low-cost merchant silicon. We may experience substantial decreases in future operating results due to the erosion of our average selling prices. To maintain our gross margin, we must develop and introduce on a timely basis new products and product enhancements and continually reduce our product costs. Our failure to do so would likely cause our revenue and gross margins to decline, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and cause the price of our common stock to decline.

Some of Our Customers May Not Have the Resources to Pay for Our Products as a Result of the Current Economic Environment.

As of September 30, 2007, Siemens AG, Westcon Group and Algol Europe accounted for more than 10% of our accounts receivable balance. Some of our customers are likely to experience serious cash flow problems and, as a result, may find it difficult to obtain financing, if financing is available at all. If our customers are not successful in generating sufficient revenue or securing alternate financing arrangements, they may not be able to pay, or may delay payment of, the amounts that they owe us.

In addition, sales to the service provider market are especially volatile and continued declines or delays in sale orders from this market may harm our financial condition. Furthermore, they may not order as many products from us as originally forecast, or cancel orders with us entirely. The inability of some of our potential customers to pay us for our products may adversely affect our cash flow, the timing of our revenue recognition and the amount of revenue, which may cause our stock price to decline.

If We Lose Key Personnel or are Unable to Hire Additional Qualified Personnel as Necessary, We May Not Be Able to Successfully Manage Our Business or Achieve Our Goals.

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of our key management, engineering, sales and marketing, service and operations personnel, many of whom would be difficult to replace. We do not have employment contracts with these individuals nor do we carry life insurance on any of our key personnel and we have experienced significant turn over in our executive personnel.

We believe our future success will also depend in large part upon our ability to attract and retain highly skilled managerial, engineering, sales and marketing, service, finance and operations personnel. The market for these personnel is competitive, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area, and we have had difficulty in hiring employees, particularly engineers, in the timeframe we desire. In addition, retention has become more difficult for us and other public technology companies from time to time as a result of past stock market declines, which caused the market price of our stock to be below the price of many of our employees’ stock options, and in the past we have experienced high levels of attrition. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in attracting and retaining our key personnel. We have and are initiating a number of employee retention programs, but we cannot assure you that these will be successful. The loss of the services of any of our key personnel, the inability to attract or retain qualified personnel in the future or delays in hiring desired personnel, particularly engineers and sales personnel, could make it difficult for us to manage our business and meet key objectives, such as new product introductions. In addition, companies in the networking industry whose employees accept positions with competitors frequently claim that competitors have engaged in unfair hiring practices. We have from time to time been involved in claims like this with other companies and, although to date they have not resulted in material litigation, we do not know whether we will be involved in additional claims in the future as we seek to hire and retain qualified personnel or that such claims will not result in material litigation. We could incur substantial costs in litigating any such claims, regardless of the merits.

 

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The Market in Which We Compete is Subject to Rapid Technological Progress and to Compete We Must Continually Introduce New Products that Achieve Broad Market Acceptance.

The network equipment market is characterized by rapid technological progress, frequent new product introductions, changes in customer requirements and evolving industry standards. If we do not regularly introduce new products in this dynamic environment, our product lines will become obsolete. Developments in routers and routing software could also significantly reduce demand for our products. Alternative technologies could achieve widespread market acceptance and displace the Ethernet technology on which we have based our product architecture. We cannot assure you that our technological approach will achieve broad market acceptance or that other technologies or devices will not supplant our own products and technology.

When we announce new products or product enhancements that have the potential to replace or shorten the life cycle of our existing products, customers may defer or cancel orders for our existing products. These actions could have a material adverse effect on our operating results by unexpectedly decreasing sales, increasing inventory levels of older products and exposing us to greater risk of product obsolescence. The market for switching products is evolving and we believe our ability to compete successfully in this market is dependent upon the continued compatibility and interoperability of our products with products and architectures offered by other vendors. We have experienced delays in releasing new products and product enhancements in the past that resulted in lower quarterly revenue than anticipated. We may experience similar delays in product development and releases in the future, and any delay in product introduction could adversely affect our ability to compete, causing our operating results to be below our expectations or the expectations of public market analysts or investors.

Our Limited Ability to Protect Our Intellectual Property May Adversely Affect Our Ability to Compete.

We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and restrictions on disclosure to protect our intellectual property rights. However, we cannot ensure that the actions we have taken will adequately protect our intellectual property rights or that other parties will not independently develop similar or competing products that do not infringe on our patents. We generally enter into confidentiality or license agreements with our employees, consultants and corporate partners, and control access to and distribution of our intellectual property and other proprietary information. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise misappropriate or use our products or technology, which would adversely affect our ability to compete.

Claims of Infringement by Others May Increase and the Resolution of such Claims May Adversely Affect our Ability to Compete and Our Operating Results.

Our industry is characterized by the existence of a large number of patents and frequent claims and related litigation regarding patents, copyrights, including rights to “open source” software, and other intellectual property rights. Because of the existence of a large number of patents in the networking field, the secrecy of some pending patents and the issuance of new patents at a rapid pace, it is not possible to determine in advance if a product or component might infringe the patent rights of others. Because of the potential for courts awarding substantial damages and the lack of predictability of such awards, it is not uncommon for companies in our and similar industries to settle even potentially unmeritorious claims for very substantial amounts. We expect to increasingly be subject to infringement claims asserted by third parties as the numbers of products and competitors in the market for network switches grow and product functionality overlaps.

In addition, products or technologies acquired by us may include so-called “open source” software. Open source software is typically licensed for use at no initial charge, but imposes on the user of the open source software certain requirements to license to others both the open source software as well as the software that relates to, or interacts with, the open source software. Our use of open source software subjects us to certain additional risks for the following reasons:

 

   

open source license terms may be ambiguous and may result in unanticipated obligations regarding our products;

 

   

open source software cannot be protected under trade secret law; and

 

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it may be difficult for us to accurately determine the developers of the open source code and whether the acquired software infringes third-party intellectual property rights.

We are actively involved in disputes and licensing discussions with, and have received notices from, third parties regarding their claimed proprietary rights. As the functionality and features of our products expands these disputes and discussions could increase or become harder to resolve. The corporations with whom we have or could have disputes or discussions include corporations with extensive patent portfolios and substantial financial assets who are actively engaged in programs to generate substantial revenues from their patent portfolios, and who are seeking or may seek significant payments or royalties from us and others in our industry. We cannot ensure that we will always be able successfully to defend ourselves against such claims or conclude licensing discussions on favorable terms. If we are found to infringe the proprietary rights of others, or if we otherwise settle such claims or enter into licensing arrangement to resolve potential disputes, we could be compelled to pay damages, royalties or other payments and either obtain a license to those intellectual property rights or alter our products so that they no longer infringe upon such proprietary rights. Any license could be very expensive to obtain or may not be available at all. Similarly, changing our products or processes to avoid infringing the rights of others may be costly or impractical. Litigation resulting from claims that we are infringing the proprietary rights of others has resulted and could in the future result in substantial costs and a diversion of resources, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Due to the number of companies with extensive patent portfolios in our industry who are or may be actively involved in licensing programs, as well as the increasing number of trade secret and “open source” disputes, we believe that even if we do not infringe the rights of others, we will incur significant expenses in the future due to disputes or licensing negotiations, though the amounts can not be determined. We cannot assure you that any such expenses will not be material or otherwise adversely affect our operating results.

We Are Engaged in Litigation Regarding Intellectual Property Rights, and an Adverse Outcome Could Harm Our Business and Require Us to Incur Significant Costs.

We have received notice from some companies alleging that we may be infringing their patents. One company, Enterasys Networks, Inc., recently filed a claim against us alleging patent infringement. We are evaluating the merits of the claim and have filed counter claims in the matter. Without regard to the merits of this or any other claim, if judgments by a court of law on this or any other claim received in the future were to be upheld, or if we were otherwise to agree to the settlement of such claims, the consequences to us may be severe and could require us, among other actions to:

 

   

stop selling our products that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;

 

   

obtain a royalty bearing license to sell or use the relevant technology, which license may not be available on reasonable terms or available at all;

 

   

pay damages; or

 

   

redesign those products that use the disputed technology.

If we are compelled to take any of the foregoing actions, our business could be severely harmed.

We Must Continue to Develop and Increase the Productivity of Our Indirect Distribution Channels to Increase Net Revenues and Improve Our Operating Results.

Our distribution strategy focuses primarily on developing and increasing the productivity of our indirect distribution channels. If we fail to develop and cultivate relationships with significant resellers, or if these resellers are not successful in their sales efforts, sales of our products may decrease and our operating results could suffer. Many of our resellers also sell products from other vendors that compete with our products. We cannot assure you that we will be able to enter into additional reseller and/or distribution agreements or that we will be able to successfully manage our product sales channels. Our failure to do any of these could limit our ability to grow or sustain revenue. In addition, our operating results will likely fluctuate significantly depending on the timing and amount of orders from our resellers. We cannot assure you that our resellers and/or distributors will continue to market or sell our products effectively or continue to devote the resources necessary to provide us with effective sales, marketing and technical support.

 

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Most of Our Revenue is Derived From Sales of Three Product Families, So We are Dependent on Widespread Market Acceptance of These Products.

We derive substantially all of our revenue from sales of our Summit, BlackDiamond and Alpine products and related services. We expect that revenue from these product families will account for a substantial portion of our revenue for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, widespread market acceptance of our product families is vital to our future success. Factors that may affect the sales of our products, some of which are beyond our control, include:

 

   

the demand for switching products (Gigabit Ethernet and Layer 3 switching technologies in particular) in the enterprise and service provider markets;

 

   

the performance, price and total cost of ownership of our products;

 

   

the availability and price of competing products and technologies;

 

   

our ability to match supply with demand for certain products; and

 

   

the success and development of our resellers, distributors and field sales channels.

We may not be able to achieve widespread market acceptance of our product families, which could reduce our revenue.

Our Reliance on Industry Standards, Technological Change in the Marketplace and New Product Initiatives May Cause our Sales to Fluctuate or Decline.

The network equipment industry in which we compete is characterized by rapid changes in technology and customers requirements and evolving industry standards. As a result, our success depends on:

 

   

the timely adoption and market acceptance of industry standards, and timely resolution of conflicting U.S. and international industry standards; and

 

   

our ability to influence the development of emerging industry standards and to introduce new and enhanced products that are compatible with such standards.

Slow market acceptance of new technologies, products or industry standards could adversely affect our sales or overall results of operations. In addition, if our technology is not included in an industry standard on a timely basis or if we fail to achieve timely certification of compliance to industry standards for our products, our sales of such products or our results of operations could be adversely affected.

If a Key Reseller, Distributor, or Other Significant Customer Cancels or Delays a Large Purchase, Our Net Revenues May Decline and the Price of Our Stock May Fall.

To date, a limited number of resellers, distributors and other customers have accounted for a significant portion of our revenue. One distributor, Tech Data, accounted for greater than 10% of our net revenue in first quarter fiscal 2008 and in fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005. In addition, while no other distributor or customer has accounted for 10% or more of revenue in the recent fiscal years, sales to several distributors represent a high percentage of our sales. If any of our large customers stop or delay purchases, our revenue and profitability would be adversely affected.

Our expense levels are based on our expectations as to future revenue and to a large extent are fixed in the short term, so a substantial reduction or delay in sales of our products to a significant reseller, distributor or other customer could harm our business, operating results and financial condition. Although our largest customers may differ from period-to-period, we anticipate that our operating results for any given period will continue to depend to a significant extent on large orders from a relatively small number of customers.

 

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While our financial performance depends on large orders from a limited number of key resellers, distributors and other significant customers, we do not have binding purchase commitments from any of them. For example:

 

   

our service providers and enterprise customers can stop purchasing, and our resellers and distributors can stop marketing, our products at any time;

 

   

our reseller agreements are non-exclusive and are for one-year terms, with no obligation upon the resellers to renew the agreements; and

 

   

our reseller, distributor and end-user customer agreements generally do not require minimum purchases.

Under specified conditions, some third-party distributors are allowed to return products to us. We do not recognize revenue on sales to distributors until the distributors sell the product to their customers.

The Sales Cycle for Our Products is Long and We May Incur Substantial Non-Recoverable Expenses or Devote Significant Resources to Sales that Do Not Occur When Anticipated.

The use of indirect sales channels may contribute to the length and variability of our sales cycle. Our products represent a significant strategic decision by a customer regarding its communications infrastructure. The decision by customers to purchase our products is often based on the results of a variety of internal procedures associated with the evaluation, testing, implementation and acceptance of new technologies. Accordingly, the product evaluation process frequently results in a lengthy sales cycle, typically ranging from three months to longer than a year, and as a result, our ability to sell products is subject to a number of significant risks, including:

 

   

the risk that budgetary constraints and internal acceptance reviews by customers will result in the loss of potential sales;

 

   

the risk of substantial variation in the length of the sales cycle from customer to customer, making decisions on the expenditure of resources difficult to assess;

 

   

the risk that we may incur substantial sales and marketing expenses and expend significant management time in an attempt to initiate or increase the sale of products to customers, but not succeed;

 

   

the risk that, if a sales forecast from a specific customer for a particular quarter is not achieved in that quarter, we may be unable to compensate for the shortfall, which could harm our operating results; and

 

   

the risk that downward pricing pressures could occur during this lengthy sales cycle.

We Purchase Several Key Components for Products From Single or Limited Sources and Could Lose Sales if These Suppliers Fail to Meet Our Needs.

We currently purchase several key components used in the manufacture of our products from single or limited sources and are dependent upon supply from these sources to meet our needs. Certain components such as tantalum capacitors, static random access memory, or SRAM, dynamic random access memory, or DRAM, and printed circuit boards, have been in the past, and may in the future be, in short supply. We have encountered, and are likely in the future to encounter, shortages and delays in obtaining these or other components, and this could have a material adverse effect on our ability to meet customer orders. Our principal sole-source components include:

 

   

ASICs;

 

   

microprocessors;

 

   

programmable integrated circuits;

 

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selected other integrated circuits;

 

   

custom power supplies; and

 

   

custom-tooled sheet metal.

Our principal limited-source components include:

 

   

flash memories;

 

   

DRAMs, SRAMs and CAMs; and

 

   

printed circuit boards.

We use our forecast of expected demand to determine our material requirements. Lead times for materials and components we order vary significantly, and depend on factors such as the specific supplier, contract terms and demand for a component at a given time. If forecasts exceed orders, we may have excess and/or obsolete inventory on hand or under non-cancelable purchase commitments that could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. If orders exceed forecasts, we may have inadequate supplies of certain materials and components, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. We do not have agreements fixing long-term prices or minimum volume requirements from suppliers. From time to time we have experienced shortages and allocations of certain components, resulting in delays in filling orders. Qualifying new suppliers to compensate for such shortages may be time-consuming and costly, and may increase the likelihood of errors in design or production. In addition, during the development of our products, we have experienced delays in the prototyping of our chipsets, which in turn has led to delays in product introductions. We cannot ensure that similar delays will not occur in the future. Furthermore, we cannot ensure that the performance of the components as incorporated in our products will meet the quality requirements of our customers.

Our Dependence on Two Contract Manufacturers for All of Our Manufacturing Requirements Could Harm Our Operating Results.

If the demand for our products grows, we will need to increase our material purchases, contract manufacturing capacity, and internal test and quality functions. Any disruptions in product flow could limit our revenue, adversely affect our competitive position and reputation, and result in additional costs or cancellation of orders under agreements with our customers.

We rely on two independent contractors to manufacture all of our products. Flextronics International, Ltd. manufactures products for one of our product lines. This company’s facilities are located in San Jose, California and Guadalajara, Mexico. Our commitment with Flextronics is formalized through a one-year contract. Alpha Networks, located in Hsinchu, Taiwan, manufactures products for our second product line. We have experienced delays in product shipments from contract manufacturers in the past, which in turn delayed product shipments to our customers. These or similar problems may arise in the future, such as products of inferior quality, insufficient quantity of products, or the interruption or discontinuance of operations of a manufacturer, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.

We do not know whether we will effectively manage our contract manufacturers or that these manufacturers will meet our future requirements for timely delivery of products of sufficient quality and quantity. We intend to introduce new products and product enhancements, which will require that we rapidly achieve volume production by coordinating our efforts with those of our suppliers and contract manufacturers. The inability of our contract manufacturer to provide us with adequate supplies of high-quality products may cause a delay in our ability to fulfill orders and may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. Moreover, our current dependence on two manufacturers makes us particularly vulnerable to these risks.

 

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As part of our cost-reduction efforts, we will need to realize lower per unit product costs from our contract manufacturers by means of volume efficiencies and the utilization of manufacturing sites in lower-cost geographies. However, we cannot be certain when or if such price reductions will occur. The failure to obtain such price reductions would adversely affect our gross margins and operating results.

If We Do Not Adequately Manage and Evolve Our Financial Reporting and Managerial Systems and Processes, Our Ability to Manage and Grow Our Business May Be Harmed.

Our ability to successfully implement our business plan and comply with regulations requires an effective planning and management process. We need to continue improving our existing, and implement new, operational and financial systems, procedures and controls. Any delay in the implementation of, or disruption in the transition to, new or enhanced systems, procedures or controls, could harm our ability to record and report financial and management information on a timely and accurate basis, or to forecast future results.

We May Be Unable to Reasonably Anticipate Whether a Change in Our Process Will Have a Material Affect on Our Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

As we improve our controls and procedures in our ongoing effort to improve our business systems, we may be required to make changes to our internal control over financial reporting. We may be unable to reasonably anticipate, both during the period in which such changes are made and at the time we file the periodic reports covering such period, that such changes will have a material affect on our internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to reasonably anticipate such material affect, it will have an adverse effect on our ability to accurately report our changes in internal control over financial reporting.

Changes in Financial Accounting Standards May Cause Adverse Unexpected Revenue Fluctuations and Affect Our Reported Results of Operations.

A change in accounting policies can have a significant effect on our reported results and may even affect our reporting of transactions completed before the change is effective. New pronouncements and varying interpretations of existing pronouncements have occurred with frequency and may occur in the future. Changes to existing rules, or changes to the interpretations of existing rules could lead to the questioning of our accounting practices, which may cause us to reevaluate or change such practices, and such changes could adversely affect our reported financial results or the way we conduct our business.

In particular, in December 2004 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a statement requiring companies to record stock option grants as compensation expense in their income statements. This statement was effective beginning with the first quarter of our fiscal 2006. The methodology for expensing such stock options is based on, among other things, the historical volatility of the underlying stock and the expected life of our stock options. Our stock price has been historically volatile. Therefore, the adoption of this accounting standard has, and will continue to, negatively impact our profitability and may adversely impact our stock price. In addition, our adoption of this standard could limit our ability to continue to use stock options as an incentive and retention tool, which could, in turn, hurt our ability to recruit employees and retain existing employees.

In addition, various accounting rules and regulations have been established over the recent past relating to revenue recognition. These regulations frequently require judgments in their application, and are subject to numerous subsequent clarifications and interpretations, some of which may require changes in the way we recognize revenue and may require restatement of prior period revenue and results, either of which could adversely affect our reported results.

Compliance with Changing Regulation of Corporate Governance and Public Disclosure May Result in Additional Expenses.

Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, new SEC regulations and Nasdaq Stock Market rules, are creating uncertainty for companies such as ours. We are committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and public disclosure. As a result, we are investing all reasonably necessary resources to comply with evolving standards and changing interpretations of existing standards and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities and efforts to evaluate current practices and achieve compliance.

 

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We Have Been Named as a Defendant in a Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit Arising Out of Our Public Offerings of Securities in 1999 and May be Involved in Additional Litigation in the Future.

Beginning on July 6, 2001, purported securities fraud class action complaints were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The cases were consolidated and the litigation is now captioned as In re Extreme Networks, Inc. Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, Civ. No. 01-6143 (SAS) (S.D.N.Y.), related to In re Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, 21 MC 92 (SAS) (S.D.N.Y.). The operative amended complaint is brought purportedly on behalf of all persons who purchased Extreme Networks’ common stock from April 8, 1999 through December 6, 2000. It names as defendants Extreme Networks; six of our present and former officers and/or directors, including our CEO (the “Extreme Networks Defendants”); and several investment banking firms that served as underwriters of our initial public offering and October 1999 secondary offering. (See “Other Matters” in Item 3 Legal Proceedings) We cannot assure you that we will prevail in the lawsuit. Failure to prevail could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in the future.

In addition, in the past, we have, and may in the future, become subject to other types of litigation, and may in the future become subject to other types of litigation. Litigation is often expensive and diverts management’s attention and resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business.

Our Headquarters and Some Significant Supporting Businesses Are Located in Northern California and Other Areas Subject to Natural Disasters That Could Disrupt Our Operations and Harm Our Business.

Our corporate headquarters are located in Silicon Valley in Northern California. Historically, this region has been vulnerable to natural disasters and other risks, such as earthquakes, fires and floods, which at times have disrupted the local economy and posed physical risks to our property. We have contract manufacturers located in Northern California, Mexico and Taiwan where similar natural disasters and other risks may disrupt the local economy and pose physical risks to our property and the property of our contract manufacturer.

In addition, the continued threat of terrorism and heightened security and military action in response to this threat, or any future acts of terrorism, may cause further disruptions to the economies of the U.S. and other countries. If such disruptions result in delays or cancellations of customer orders for our products, our business and operating results will suffer.

We currently do not have redundant, multiple site capacity in the event of a natural disaster, terrorist act or other catastrophic event. In the event of such an occurrence, our business would suffer.

Failure of Our Products to Comply With Evolving Industry Standards and Complex Government Regulations May Cause Our Products to Not Be Widely Accepted, Which May Prevent Us From Growing Our Net Revenues or Achieving Profitability on a Fiscal Year Basis.

The market for network equipment products is characterized by the need to support industry standards as different standards emerge, evolve and achieve acceptance. We will not be competitive unless we continually introduce new products and product enhancements that meet these emerging standards. In the past, we have introduced new products that were not compatible with certain technological standards, and in the future we may not be able to effectively address the compatibility and interoperability issues that arise as a result of technological changes and evolving industry standards. Our products must comply with various United States federal government regulations and standards defined by agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission, in addition to standards established by governmental authorities in various foreign countries and recommendations of the International Telecommunication Union. If we do not comply with existing or evolving industry standards or if we fail to obtain timely domestic or foreign regulatory approvals or certificates we will not be able to sell our products where these standards or regulations apply, which may prevent us from sustaining our net revenue or achieving profitability on a fiscal year basis.

Production and marketing of products in certain states and countries may subject us to environmental and other regulations including, in some instances, the requirement to provide customers the ability to return product at the end of its useful life, and place the responsibility for environmentally safe disposal or recycling with us. Additionally, certain states and countries may pass regulations requiring our products to meet certain requirements to use environmentally friendly components. Such laws and regulations have recently been passed in several jurisdictions in which we operate, including the European Union which issued a Directive 2002/96/EC Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (“WEEE”) to mandate funding, collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of WEEE by producers of electrical or electronic equipment into Europe. China is in the final approval stage of compliance programs which will harmonize with the European Union WEEE. In the future, Japan and other countries are expected to adopt environmental compliance programs. If we fail to comply with these regulations, we may not be able to sell our products in jurisdictions where these regulations apply, which would have a material adverse affect on our results of operations.

 

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In addition, the EU also adopted Directive 2002/95/EC on Restriction on the Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (the “RoHS Directive”). The RoHS Directive bans in the EU the use of certain hazardous materials in electrical and electronic equipment. The RoHS Directive went into effect on July 1, 2006, the date by which each EU-member country was required to adopt legislation implementing the RoHS Directive in that country. Certain EU-member countries where we import products have adopted such implementing legislation effective July 1, 2006, while other EU-member countries have either not yet adopted implementing legislation or have not yet adopted rules under their implementing legislation. The manner of implementation of the RoHS Directive in each EU country will likely vary, and we will face challenges complying with the differing implementation of the RoHS Directive in each country. Failure to comply with the regulatory requirements in one jurisdiction may adversely impact our ability to do business in that jurisdiction as well as others. We have incurred higher manufacturing costs and increased our European service spare parts inventory by approximately $5.1 million as of July 2, 2006 as a result of complying with the RoHS Directive. During fiscal 2007, we did not increase our European service spare parts inventory further as a result of complying with the RoHS Directive. As of September 30, 2007, we were fully compliant with the RoHS Directive. Similar legislation has been or could be enacted in other countries outside the EU, the cumulative impact of which could similarly impact our financial condition or results of operations.

Failure to Successfully Expand Our Sales and Support Teams or Educate Them In Regard to Technologies and Our Product Families May Harm Our Operating Results.

The sale of our products and services requires a concerted effort that is frequently targeted at several levels within a prospective customer’s organization. We may not be able to increase net revenues unless we expand our sales and support teams in order to address all of the customer requirements necessary to sell our products.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully integrate employees into our company or to educate current and future employees in regard to rapidly evolving technologies and our product families. A failure to do so may hurt our revenue growth and operating results.

We May Engage in Future Acquisitions that Dilute the Ownership Interests of Our Stockholders, Cause Us to Incur Debt and Assume Contingent Liabilities.

As part of our business strategy, we review acquisition and strategic investment prospects that we believe would complement our current product offerings, augment our market coverage or enhance our technical capabilities, or otherwise offer growth opportunities. From time to time we review investments in new businesses and we expect to make investments in, and to acquire, businesses, products, or technologies in the future. In the event of any future acquisitions, we could:

 

   

issue equity securities which would dilute current stockholders’ percentage ownership;

 

   

incur substantial debt;

 

   

assume contingent liabilities; or

 

   

expend significant cash.

These actions could have a material adverse effect on our operating results or the price of our common stock. Moreover, even if we do obtain benefits in the form of increased sales and earnings, there may be a lag between the time when the expenses associated with an acquisition are incurred and the time when we recognize such benefits. This is particularly relevant in cases where it is necessary to integrate new types of technology into our existing portfolio and new types of products may be targeted for potential customers with which we do not have pre-existing relationships. Acquisitions and investment activities also entail numerous risks, including:

 

   

difficulties in the assimilation of acquired operations, technologies and/or products;

 

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unanticipated costs associated with the acquisition or investment transaction;

 

   

the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns;

 

   

adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers;

 

   

risks associated with entering markets in which we have no or limited prior experience;

 

   

the potential loss of key employees of acquired organizations; and

 

   

substantial charges for the amortization of certain purchased intangible assets, deferred stock compensation or similar items.

We cannot ensure that we will be able to successfully integrate any businesses, products, technologies, or personnel that we might acquire in the future, and our failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

We May Need Additional Capital to Fund Our Future Operations and, If It Is Not Available When Needed, We May Need to Reduce Our Planned Development and Marketing Efforts, Which May Reduce Our Net Revenues and Prevent Us From Achieving Profitability on a Fiscal Year Basis.

We believe that our existing working capital and cash available from credit facilities and future operations will enable us to meet our working capital requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, if cash from future operations is insufficient, or if cash is used for acquisitions or other currently unanticipated uses, we may need additional capital. The development and marketing of new products and the expansion of reseller and distribution channels and associated support personnel requires a significant commitment of resources. In addition, if the markets for our products develop more slowly than anticipated, or if we fail to establish significant market share and achieve sufficient net revenues, we may continue to consume significant amounts of capital. As a result, we could be required to raise additional capital. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of such securities could result in dilution of the shares held by existing stockholders. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of debt securities, such securities may provide the holders certain rights, preferences, and privileges senior to those of common stockholders, and the terms of such debt could impose restrictions on our operations. We cannot assure you that additional capital, if required, will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to obtain sufficient amounts of additional capital, we may be required to reduce the scope of our planned product development and marketing efforts, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

We Have Entered into Long-Term Lease Agreements for Several Facilities that are Currently Vacant and May be Difficult to Sublease due to Current Real Estate Market Conditions.

We have certain long-term real estate lease commitments carrying future obligations for non-cancelable lease payments. Reductions in our workforce and the restructuring of operations since fiscal 2002 have resulted in the need to consolidate certain of these leased facilities, located primarily in Northern California, for which we recorded excess facilities charges of approximately $4.0 million in fiscal 2007, $3.3 million in fiscal 2006, $6.5 million in fiscal 2004, and $9.6 million in fiscal 2003. For more information, see Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We may incur additional charges for excess facilities as a result of additional reductions in our workforce or future restructuring of operations. We will continue to be responsible for all carrying costs of these facilities until such time as we can sublease these facilities or terminate the applicable leases based on the contractual terms of the lease agreements, and these costs may have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Our Stock Price Has Been Volatile In the Past and Our Stock Price May Significantly Fluctuate in the Future.

In the past, our common stock price has fluctuated significantly. This could continue as we or our competitors announce new products, our results or those of our customers or competition fluctuate, conditions in the networking or semiconductor industry change, or when investors, change their sentiment toward stocks in the networking technology sector.

 

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In addition, fluctuations in our stock price and our price-to-earnings multiple may make our stock attractive to momentum, hedge or day-trading investors who often shift funds into and out of stock rapidly, exacerbating price fluctuations in either direction, particularly when viewed on a quarterly basis.

Provisions in Our Charter Documents and Delaware Law and Our Adoption of a Stockholder Rights Plan May Delay or Prevent an Acquisition of Extreme, Which Could Decrease the Value of Our Common Stock.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us without the consent of our Board of Directors. Delaware law also imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock. In addition, our Board of Directors has the right to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval, which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer. Although we believe these provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law and our stockholder rights plan, which is described below, will provide for an opportunity to receive a higher bid by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our Board of Directors, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some of our stockholders.

Our Board of Directors adopted a stockholder rights plan, pursuant to which we declared and paid a dividend of one right for each share of common stock held by stockholders of record as of May 14, 2001. Under the plan, each right will entitle stockholders to purchase a fractional share of our preferred stock for $150.00. Each such fractional share of the new preferred stock has terms designed to make it substantially the economic equivalent of one share of common stock. Initially the rights will not be exercisable and will trade with our common stock. Generally, the rights may become exercisable if a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our common stock or commences a tender or exchange offer upon consummation of which such person or group would beneficially own 15% or more of our common stock. When the rights become exercisable, our Board of Directors has the right to authorize the issuance of one share of our common stock in exchange for each right that is then exercisable.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Sensitivity

The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while at the same time maximize the income we receive from our investments without significantly increasing risk. Some of the securities that we have invested in may be subject to market risk. This means that a change in prevailing interest rates may cause the principal amount of the investment to fluctuate. For example, if we hold a security that was issued with a fixed interest rate at the then-prevailing rate and the prevailing interest rate later rises, the principal amount of our investment will probably decline. To minimize this risk, we maintain our portfolio of cash equivalents and short-term investments in a variety of securities, including commercial paper, other non-government debt securities and money market funds. In general, money market funds are not subject to market risk because the interest paid on such funds fluctuates with the prevailing interest rate. The following table presents the amounts of our cash equivalents, short-term investments, marketable securities and long-term debt that are subject to market risk by range of expected maturity and weighted-average interest rates as of September 30, 2007. This table does not include money market funds because those funds are generally not subject to market risk.

 

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     Maturing in
    

Three
months

or less

   

Three
months

to one
year

   

Greater
than

one year

    Total   

Fair

Value

Included in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 122         $ 122    $ 122

Weighted average interest rate

     5.23 %         

Included in short-term investments

   $ 95,956     $ 25,917       $ 121,873    $ 121,873

Weighted average interest rate

     5.87 %     4.92 %       

Included in marketable securities

       $ 55,987     $ 55,987    $ 55,987

Weighted average interest rate

         5.14 %     

Exchange Rate Sensitivity

Currently, substantially all of our sales and the majority of our expenses are denominated in United States dollars and, as a result, we have experienced no significant foreign exchange gains and losses to date. While we conduct some sales transactions and incur certain operating expenses in foreign currencies and expect to continue to do so, we do not anticipate that foreign exchange gains or losses will be significant, in part because of our foreign exchange risk management process discussed below.

Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts

We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge foreign currency forecasted transactions related to certain operating expenses, denominated in Japanese Yen, the Euro, the Swedish Krona and the British Pound. These derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted (“SFAS 133”). At September 30, 2007, these forward foreign currency contracts had a notional principal amount and fair value of $5.0 million. These contracts have maturities of less than 60 days.

Additionally, we enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate the effect of gains and losses generated by the remeasurement of certain assets and liabilities denominated in Japanese Yen, the Euro, the Swedish Krona and the British Pound. These derivatives are not designated as hedges under SFAS 133. At September 30, 2007, we held foreign currency forward contracts with a notional principal amount and fair value of $8.9 million. These contracts have maturities of less than 45 days. Changes in the fair value of these foreign exchange forward contracts are offset largely by remeasurement of the underlying assets and liabilities.

We do not enter into foreign exchange forward contracts for speculative or trading purposes. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses from operations, including the impact of hedging, were a loss of $0.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and a gain of $0.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) are controls and procedures designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to reasonably assure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

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Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in reaching a reasonable level of assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within an organization have been detected. We are continuously seeking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations and of our internal controls. This results in refinements to processes throughout our organization. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter to which this Report on Form 10-Q applies that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

As described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 1, 2007, we are involved in the following legal proceedings:

Government Inquiries Relating to Historical Stock Option Practices

On June 27, 2006, the Company received an informal inquiry letter from the Staff of the SEC Enforcement Division requesting that the Company voluntarily provide documents related to its policies, practices and procedures for granting stock options for the period since its initial public offering on April 9, 1999 (“IPO”). The Company responded to the request and is cooperating fully with the SEC inquiry.

Late SEC Filing and Nasdaq Delisting Proceedings

Due to the Special Committee investigation and the resulting restatements, the Company did not timely file its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending July 2, 2006 or the Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended October 1, 2006, December 31, 2006 and April 1, 2007. The Company initially received Nasdaq Staff Determination notices stating that the Company was not in compliance with Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(14) because it had not timely filed such periodic reports with the SEC. Those filings were made on June 28, 2007. On July 2, 2007, the Company received a written notice from the Nasdaq Stock Market stating that the Nasdaq Listing and Hearing Review Council (the “Listing Council”), after consultation with the Nasdaq Listing Qualification Staff, had determined that as of that date the Company had demonstrated compliance with all Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. The notice further stated that as of July 2, 2007, the matter was closed and the Company’s securities would continue to be listed on The Nasdaq Global Market.

On July 3, 2007, the Company received a further Staff Determination notice from the Nasdaq Stock Market stating that the Company was not in compliance with Nasdaq’s Marketplace Rule 4350(e) due to a failure by the Company to hold its annual meeting of shareholders within the time required by Rule 4350(e) and, therefore, that its common stock was again subject to delisting from The Nasdaq Global Market. On July 19, 2007, the Company received a written notice from the Nasdaq Stock Market stating that a Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel (the “Panel”) had determined that the Company’s securities would continue to be listed on The Nasdaq Global Market, subject to the condition that on or before August 1, 2007, the Company inform the Panel that it has held its annual meeting of shareholders. On July 31, 2007, the Company notified the Panel that the Company had held the annual meeting of shareholders on July 30, 2007. On August 3, 2007, the Company received a written notice from the Panel confirming that the Company had demonstrated compliance with all Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, and that the Panel determined to continue the listing of the Company’s securities on The Nasdaq Stock Market. Accordingly, the Company believes that the Nasdaq delisting proceedings have concluded.

 

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Shareholder Litigation Relating to Historical Stock Option Practices

On April 25, 2007, an individual identifying herself as a shareholder of the Company filed a derivative action in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California purporting to assert claims on behalf of and in the name of the Company against various of our current and former directors and officers relating to our historical stock option granting and related accounting practices Two similar derivative actions were filed thereafter in the same court by other individuals. The three cases were consolidated by order of the court on August 2, 2007 and an amended consolidated complaint was filed on October 11, 2007. The amended consolidated complaint alleges that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties and other obligations to the Company and violated state and federal securities laws in connection with our historical stock option granting process in connection with options granted from 1999 to 2002 and our accounting for past stock options. The plaintiff has asserted claims for violations of Sections 10(b) (including Rule 10b-5 thereunder), 14(a), and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty and aiding and abetting such breach, abuse of control, constructive fraud, waste, rescission, insider selling and a claim for an accounting of all stock option grants made to the named defendants. The Company is named as a nominal defendant in these actions. On behalf of the Company, the plaintiff seeks unspecified monetary and other relief against the individual defendants, who are Gordon L. Stitt, Herb Schneider, Stephen Haddock, Alexander J. Gray, Frank C. Carlucci, William R. Slakey, Charles Carinalli, Harry Silverglide, Michael West, Kenneth Levy, Robert L. Corey, Peter Wolken, Vito Palermo, Harold Covert, Darrell Scherbarth, Christopher, N. Todd, June Hull, Allan Miller, Promod Haque, Lawrence Orr, Steven Fukuda, Bassam Halabi, Michael Palu, and Alicia Moore. Discovery has not yet commenced and the defendants are not yet required to respond to the amended consolidated complaint. We cannot at this time predict whether this matter will result in any material recovery by or expense to the Company.

Indemnification Obligations

Subject to certain limitations, we may be obligated to indemnify our current and former directors, officers and employees. These obligations arise under the terms of our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, applicable contracts, and Delaware and California law. The obligation to indemnify, where applicable, generally means that we are required to pay or reimburse, and in certain circumstances we have paid or reimbursed, the individuals’ reasonable legal expenses and possibly damages and other liabilities incurred in connection with these matters. It is not possible to estimate the maximum potential amount under these indemnification agreements due to the limited history of these claims. The cost to defend the Company and the named individuals could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in the future. Recovery of such costs under our directors and officers insurance coverage is uncertain.

Other Legal Matters

On April 20, 2007, Extreme Networks filed suit against Enterasys in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, Civil Action No. 07-C-0229-C. The complaint alleges willful infringement of U.S. patents Nos. 6,104,700, 6,678,248, and 6,859,438, and seeks injunctive relief against Enterasys’ continuing sale of infringing goods and monetary damages. Enterasys responded to the complaint on May 30, 2007. Enterasys also filed a counterclaim alleging infringement of three U.S. patents owned by Enterasys. A trial date has been set for May 2008.

On December 27, 2005, Broadband Office Inc. (“Broadband”) served an amended complaint, adding Extreme Networks as a defendant in its lawsuit against Technology Credit Corporation (“TCC”) and Key Equipment Finance, Inc., seeking recovery of an alleged preferential payment in the amount of $0.8 million plus interest, purportedly paid by Broadband to TCC within ninety days prior to Broadband’s petition for bankruptcy protection. Extreme paid $10,000, and Broadband dropped all charges and gave a full release of all claims.

On June 21, 2005, Enterasys filed suit against Extreme Networks and Foundry Networks, Inc. (“Foundry”) in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Civil Action No.05-11298 DPW. The complaint alleges willful infringement of U. S. Patent Nos. 5,251,205; 5,390,173; 6,128,665; 6,147,995; 6,539,022; and 6,560, 236, and seeks: a) a judgment that Extreme willfully infringes each of the patents; (b) a permanent injunction from infringement, inducement of infringement and contributory infringement of each of the six patents; (c) damages and a “reasonable royalty” to be determined at trial; (d) trebled damages; (e) attorneys fees, costs and interest; and (f) equitable relief at the court’s discretion. Foundry brought a claim for reexamination of five of the patents at issue to the Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”). The parties stipulated, and the court agreed, to stay the proceeding until the results of the reexamination are released by the PTO. Once the stay is lifted, and should the case remain at that point, we intend vigorously to defend against Enterasys’ assertions, which we believe to be without merit.

 

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Beginning on July 6, 2001, purported securities fraud class action complaints were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The cases were consolidated and the litigation is now captioned as In re Extreme Networks, Inc. Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, Civ. No. 01-6143 (SAS) (S.D.N.Y.), related to In re Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, 21 MC 92 (SAS) (S.D.N.Y.).The operative amended complaint names as defendants Extreme Networks; six of our present and former officers and/or directors, including our CEO (the “Extreme Networks Defendants”); and several investment banking firms that served as underwriters of our initial public offering and October 1999 secondary offering. The complaint alleges liability under Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on the grounds that the registration statement for the offerings did not disclose that: (1) the underwriters had agreed to allow certain customers to purchase shares in the offerings in exchange for excess commissions paid to the underwriters; and (2) the underwriters had arranged for certain customers to purchase additional shares in the aftermarket at predetermined prices. Similar allegations were made in other lawsuits challenging over 300 other initial public offerings and follow-on offerings conducted in 1999 and 2000. The cases were consolidated for pretrial purposes. Previously, we executed a settlement agreement presented to all issuer defendants. In that settlement, plaintiffs would dismiss and release all claims against the Extreme Network Defendants, in exchange for a contingent payment by the insurance companies collectively responsible for insuring the issuers in all of the IPO cases, and for the assignment or surrender of control of certain claims we may have against the underwriters. The Extreme Networks Defendants would not be required to make any cash payments in the settlement, unless the pro rata amount paid by the insurers in the settlement exceeded the amount of the insurance coverage. The Court gave preliminary approval to the settlement in February 2005 and held a hearing in April 2006 to consider final approval of the settlement. Before the Court issued a final decision on the settlement, on December 5, 2006 the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated the class certification of plaintiffs’ claims against the underwriters in six cases designated as focus or test cases. Thereafter, on December 14, 2006, the Court ordered a stay of all proceedings in all of the lawsuits pending the outcome of plaintiffs’ petition to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals for a rehearing en banc and resolution of the class certification issue. On April 6, 2007, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied plaintiffs’ petition for a rehearing, but clarified that the plaintiffs may seek to certify a more limited class. Accordingly, the parties withdrew the prior settlement, which has been terminated, and plaintiffs filed amended complaints in designated focus or test cases with a proposed redefined class in an attempt to comply with the Second Circuit’s order. If the prior settlement is not renegotiated and then approved by the Court, there is no assurance that we will prevail in the lawsuit. Failure to prevail could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in the future.

We may from time to time be party to litigation arising in the course of our business, including, without limitation, allegations relating to commercial transactions or business relationships or intellectual property rights. Such claims, even if not meritorious, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. Litigation in general, and intellectual property and securities litigation in particular, can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of legal proceedings are difficult to predict.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The material changes to the risk factors from those previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 1, 2007 are as follows:

 

   

In the risk factor entitled “We Cannot Assure You That We Will Be Profitable in the Future,” we added the phrase “[a]lthough we reported profits in first quarter fiscal 2008” to the beginning of the first sentence of the paragraph.

 

   

In the risk factor entitled “Some of Our Customers May Not Have the Resources to Pay for Our Products as a Result of the Current Economic Environment,” we modified the first sentence of the first paragraph such that it now reads in its entirety as follows: “As of September 30, 2007, Siemens AG, Westcon Group and Algol Europe accounted for more than 10% of our accounts receivable balance.”

 

   

In the second paragraph of the risk factor entitled “If We Lose Key Personnel or are Unable to Hire Additional Qualified Personnel as Necessary, We May Not Be Able to Successfully Manage Our Business or Achieve Our Goals,” we deleted the following sentences: “A number of our key executives have left the Company in the last year, including our founder and Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, our senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales, and our founder and Chief Technology Officer. These departures may cause other employees to leave the Company.”

 

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In the second paragraph of the risk factor entitled “If We Lose Key Personnel or are Unable to Hire Additional Qualified Personnel as Necessary, We May Not Be Able to Successfully Manage Our Business or Achieve Our Goals,” we modified the third sentence such that it now reads in its entirety as follows: “In addition, retention has become more difficult for us and other public technology companies from time to time as a result of past stock market declines, which caused the market price of our stock to be below the price of many of our employees’ stock options, and in the past we have experienced high levels of attrition.”

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds – None

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities – None

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Extreme Networks held its annual meeting of stockholders on July 30, 2007 to:

 

   

Elect two Class II directors, Bob Corey and Harry Silverglide, to hold office for a three-year term and until their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal; and

 

   

Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending July 1, 2007.

At the annual meeting of stockholders on July 30, 2007, the director nominees were elected by the following number of votes:

 

     For    Votes
Withheld
   Votes
Against
   Abstaining    Broker
Non
Votes

Bob Corey

   85,281,934    6,217,037         

Harry Silverglide

   85,770,180    5,728,791    —      —      —  

 

The terms of Messrs. Corey and Silverglide will expire at the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders. The following directors’ terms of office continue as follows:

 

   

The terms of the Class I directors, Mr. Gordon Stitt, Mr. Mark Canepa and Mr. Kenneth Levy, expire at the 2008 annual meeting; and

 

   

The terms of the Class III directors, Mr. Charles Carinalli and Mr. W. Michael West, expire at the 2007 annual meeting.

At the annual meeting of stockholders on July 30, 2007, the stockholders ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for fiscal year 2007 by the following number of votes: 90,515,749 for; 929,125 against; 54,095 abstaining; 0 withheld; and 0 broker non-votes.

 

Item 5. Other Information – None

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

  a) Exhibits:

 

31.1    Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2    Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1    Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2    Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

EXTREME NETWORKS, INC.

(Registrant)

/S/ KAREN ROGGE

KAREN ROGGE

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

November 9, 2007

 

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