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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
o | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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OR |
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x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 |
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OR |
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o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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OR |
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o | SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file number: 000-51116
Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. |
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) |
N/A |
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English) |
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Cayman Islands |
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
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Building 6, Zhengtongchuangyi Centre No. 18, Xibahe Xili, Chaoyang District Beijing 100028, People’s Republic of China |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
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Frank Feng Acting Chief Financial Officer Telephone: +86 10 5758-6666 Fax number: +86 10 5758-6834 Building 6, Zhengtongchuangyi Centre No. 18, Xibahe Xili, Chaoyang District Beijing 100028, People’s Republic of China |
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person) |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Title of each class | | Name of each exchange and on which registered |
Ordinary Shares, par value $0.00005 per share | | NASDAQ Global Market* |
* Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing on the NASDAQ Global Market of American Depositary Shares, each representing 100 Ordinary Shares
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
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Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
| 4,732,446,560 Ordinary Shares. |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
o Yes x No
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or (15)(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
o Yes x No
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.
x Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
x Yes o 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. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o | | Accelerated filer o | | Non-accelerated filer x |
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP x | | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board o | | Other o |
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
o Item 17 o Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
o Yes x No
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
o Yes o No
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INTRODUCTION
Except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this annual report on Form 20-F only:
· “$” and “U.S. dollars” refer to the legal currency of the United States;
· “ADSs” refers to our American depositary shares, each of which represents 100 ordinary shares;
· “Cayman Companies Law” refers to the Companies Law (2012 Revision) of the Cayman Islands (as amended);
· “China” and the “PRC” refer to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this annual report on Form 20-F only, Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau;
· “Ku6 Holding” refers to Ku6 Holding Limited and its subsidiaries, affiliates and predecessor entities;
· “ordinary shares” refers to our ordinary shares, par value $0.00005 per share;
· “our consolidated affiliated entities” refers to Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Ku6 Information Technology, Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan, Ku6 (Beijing) Cultural Media Co., Ltd., or Ku6 Cultural, and Tianjin Ku6 Network Communication Technology Co., Ltd., or Tianjin Ku6 Network;
· “our PRC subsidiaries” refers to Ku6 (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing WFOE, WeiMoSanYi (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd., or Tianjin WFOE, and Kusheng (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd., or Tianjin Ku6 Network WFOE;
· “RMB” and “Renminbi” refer to the legal currency of China;
· “Shanda Interactive” refers to Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited, a Cayman Islands company;
· “Shanda Group” refers to Shanda Interactive and its subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities, including, unless the context requires otherwise, Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities; and
· “we,” “us,” “our company” and “our” refer to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries, consolidated affiliated entities and predecessor entities.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and our industry. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this form are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements included in this form relate to, among others:
· our goals and strategies;
· our future business development, financial condition and results of operations;
· our projected revenues, earnings, profits and other estimated financial information;
· expected changes in our margins and certain costs or expenditures;
· expected continued acceptance of our content;
· our plans to expand and diversify the sources of our revenues;
· expected changes in the respective shares of our revenues from particular sources;
· our plans for staffing, research and development and marketing;
· our plans to launch new products and services;
· our plans for strategic partnerships with other businesses;
· our acquisition and divestiture strategy, and our ability to successfully integrate past or future acquisitions with our existing operations and complete planned divestitures;
· competition in the PRC online video industry;
· the outcome of ongoing, or any future, litigation or arbitration;
· changes in PRC governmental preferential tax treatment and financial incentives we currently qualify for and expect to qualify for; and
· PRC governmental policies relating to media and the Internet and Internet content providers and to the provision of advertising over the Internet.
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These forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that our expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that our expectations will turn out to be correct. Our actual results could be materially different from and worse than our expectations. Important risks and factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our expectations are generally set forth in Item 3.D. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report. The forward-looking statements made in this annual report relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this annual report. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
PART I
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors
Not Applicable.
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not Applicable.
Item 3. Key Information
A. Selected Financial Data
The following table presents certain selected consolidated financial information for our business. You should read the following information in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements, the notes thereto and Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. The data as of December 31, 2011 and 2012 and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report beginning on page F-1. The data as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2009 has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report. The data as of December 31, 2008 and for the years ended December 31, 2008 has been derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate our results expected for any future periods.
In May 2010, we sold all of our 51% interest in Beijing Huayi Brothers Music Co., Ltd., or Huayi Music, to Huayi Brothers Media Corporation. In August 2010, we completed the disposal of our remaining wireless value-added services, or WVAS, and recorded music businesses to Shanda Interactive and also acquired from Shanda Interactive the control of Shanghai Yisheng Network Technology Co., Ltd., or Yisheng, an online audio business. The initial acquisition of the online audio business from Shanda Interactive was accounted for as an acquisition under common control and the disposal of the WVAS and recorded music businesses, including Huayi Music, was accounted for as discontinued operations in accordance with U.S. GAAP in our consolidated financial statements. In August 2011, we disposed of a significant interest in Yisheng and retained a 20% interest. The disposal gain was recognized as an increase in additional paid-in capital for the year ended December 31, 2011.
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| | For the Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2010 | | 2011 | | 2012 | |
| | (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for share and per share data) | |
Historical Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Data | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Advertising | | | | | | | | | | | |
Third parties | | — | | 758 | | 15,854 | | 11,146 | | 1,633 | |
Related parties | | — | | 279 | | 702 | | 8,076 | | 12,482 | |
Total net revenues | | — | | 1,037 | | 16,556 | | 19,222 | | 14,115 | |
Cost of revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Advertising | | | | | | | | | | | |
Third parties | | — | | (557 | ) | (40,083 | ) | (30,501 | ) | (14,603 | ) |
Related parties | | — | | — | | (376 | ) | (379 | ) | — | |
Total cost of revenues | | — | | (557 | ) | (40,459 | ) | (30,880 | ) | (14,603 | ) |
Gross profit (loss) | | — | | 480 | | (23,903 | ) | (11,658 | ) | (488 | ) |
Operating expenses | | (2,401 | ) | (7,130 | ) | (29,703 | ) | (37,912 | ) | (10,482 | ) |
Operating loss from continuing operations | | (2,401 | ) | (6,650 | ) | (53,606 | ) | (49,570 | ) | (10,970 | ) |
Interest income | | 1,432 | | 356 | | 57 | | 170 | | 620 | |
Interest expenses | | — | | — | | (31 | ) | (1,119 | ) | (619 | ) |
Gain on reduction of acquisition payable | | 5,000 | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Foreign exchange loss | | (8,990 | ) | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Other income, net | | — | | 2 | | 0 | | 1,294 | | 1,730 | |
Loss before income tax benefits from continuing operations | | (4,959 | ) | (6,292 | ) | (53,580 | ) | (49,226 | ) | (9,239 | ) |
Income tax benefits | | — | | 14 | | 41 | | 99 | | — | |
Equity in losses of affiliated company, net of tax | | — | | — | | — | | (263 | ) | (252 | ) |
Loss from continuing operations, net of tax | | (4,959 | ) | (6,278 | ) | (53,539 | ) | (49,390 | ) | (9,491 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Discontinued operations: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from operations of discontinued operations, net of tax | | (7,744 | ) | (21,778 | ) | (3,383 | ) | — | | — | |
Gain from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax | | 413 | | 222 | | 4,487 | | — | | — | |
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax | | (7,331 | ) | (21,556 | ) | 1,104 | | — | | — | |
Net loss | | (12,290 | ) | (27,834 | ) | (52,435 | ) | (49,390 | ) | (9,491 | ) |
Less: Net loss attributable to the non-controlling interests from continuing operations | | — | | 257 | | 681 | | 46 | | — | |
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to the non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests from discontinued operations | | 337 | | 4,183 | | 244 | | — | | — | |
Net loss attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. | | (11,953 | ) | (23,395 | ) | (51,510 | ) | (49,344 | ) | (9,491 | ) |
Loss from continuing operations, net of tax, attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. | | (4,959 | ) | (6,021 | ) | (52,858 | ) | (49,344 | ) | (9,491 | ) |
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. | | (6,994 | ) | (17,374 | ) | 1,348 | | — | | — | |
Net loss attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. | | (11,953 | ) | (23,395 | ) | (51,510 | ) | (49,344 | ) | (9,491 | ) |
Loss per share, basic and diluted | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. ordinary shareholders | | — | | (0.00 | ) | (0.02 | ) | (0.01 | ) | (0.00 | ) |
(Loss) income from discontinued operations attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. ordinary shareholders | | (0.01 | ) | (0.01 | ) | 0.00 | | — | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. ordinary shareholders | | (0.01 | ) | (0.01 | ) | (0.02 | ) | (0.01 | ) | (0.00 | ) |
Weighted average shares used in per share calculation—basic and diluted | | 2,185,615,129 | | 2,196,291,947 | | 3,096,421,097 | | 4,265,277,638 | | 4,901,279,176 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Historical Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | 59,473 | | 49,744 | | 27,295 | | 26,750 | | 13,071 | |
Restricted cash | | — | | — | | — | | 3,600 | | — | |
Short term investments | | — | | 10,000 | | — | | — | | — | |
Accounts receivable, net | | 12,658 | | 4,062 | | 8,461 | | 3,517 | | 4,466 | |
Other current assets | | 5,580 | | 2,155 | | 9,051 | | 20,424 | | 6,620 | |
Property and equipment, net | | 980 | | 1,472 | | 8,003 | | 3,593 | | 2,918 | |
Goodwill | | 3,157 | | 2,099 | | 6,896 | | 6,233 | | 6,233 | |
Other assets | | 6,476 | | 1,976 | | 27,264 | | 24,673 | | 22,862 | |
Total assets | | 88,324 | | 71,508 | | 86,970 | | 88,790 | | 56,170 | |
Current liabilities | | 6,316 | | 13,783 | | 36,406 | | 33,111 | | 17,778 | |
Non-current liabilities | | 316 | | 421 | | 4,926 | | 4,826 | | 4,826 | |
Total liabilities | | 6,632 | | 14,204 | | 41,332 | | 37,937 | | 22,604 | |
Redeemable non-controlling interests | | — | | 371 | | — | | — | | — | |
Ordinary shares ($0.00005 par value; 12,000,000,000 ordinary shares authorized; 2,193,343,740, 2,200,194,040, 3,481,174,498, 5,019,786,036 and 4,732,446,560 ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively) | | 110 | | 110 | | 174 | | 251 | | 236 | |
Other Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. shareholders’ equity | | 76,799 | | 54,966 | | 45,572 | | 50,602 | | 33,330 | |
Non-controlling interests | | 4,783 | | 1,857 | | (108 | ) | — | | — | |
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests and shareholders’ equity | | 88,324 | | 71,508 | | 86,970 | | 88,790 | | 56,170 | |
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Exchange Rate Information
We present our historical consolidated financial statements in U.S. dollars. Certain contractual amounts in Renminbi described in this annual report are translated into U.S. dollar amounts solely for the convenience of the reader. Except as otherwise specified, these amounts are translated at a rate of RMB6.2301 to $1.00, the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of Renminbi as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 31, 2012, unless otherwise stated. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be at any particular rate, or at all.
The following table sets forth information regarding exchange rates between Renminbi and U.S. dollars for the periods indicated:
| | Exchange Rate | |
Period | | Period End | | Average(1) | | High | | Low | |
| | (RMB per $1.00) | |
2008 | | 6.8225 | | 6.9193 | | 7.2946 | | 6.7800 | |
2009 | | 6.8259 | | 6.8295 | | 6.8470 | | 6.8176 | |
2010 | | 6.6000 | | 6.7603 | | 6.8330 | | 6.6000 | |
2011 | | 6.2939 | | 6.4475 | | 6.6364 | | 6.2939 | |
2012 | | 6.2301 | | 6.2990 | | 6.3879 | | 6.2221 | |
October | | 6.2372 | | 6.2627 | | 6.2877 | | 6.2372 | |
November | | 6.2265 | | 6.2338 | | 6.2454 | | 6.2221 | |
December | | 6.2301 | | 6.2328 | | 6.2502 | | 6.2251 | |
2013 | | | | | | | | | |
January | | 6.2186 | | 6.2215 | | 6.2303 | | 6.2134 | |
February | | 6.2213 | | 6.2323 | | 6.2438 | | 6.2213 | |
March | | 6.2108 | | 6.2154 | | 6.2246 | | 6.2105 | |
April (through April 12, 2013) | | 6.1914 | | 6.1991 | | 6.2078 | | 6.1914 | |
Source: Federal Reserve Statistical Release
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(1) Annual averages were calculated by using the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the relevant year. Monthly averages were calculated by using the average of the daily rates during the relevant month.
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not Applicable.
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not Applicable.
D. Risk Factors
Risks Related to Our Business
We have a short operating history in a new and unproven market, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and may increase the risk that we will not be successful.
We entered the online video business in January 2010 when we acquired Ku6 Holding. As we subsequently disposed of the WVAS and recorded music businesses in August 2010 and a 80% interest in the online audio business in August 2011, we are currently operating the online video business as our principal business and generate substantially all of our revenues from online advertising. However, we only have a short operating history in this new and unproven market that may not develop as expected, if at all. This short operating history makes it difficult to effectively assess our future prospects. You should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and difficulties we encounter in this rapidly evolving market.
We rely on Shengyue, an affiliated advertising agency, for substantially all of our revenues. If Shengyue fails to continue as our advertising agency or if we are unable to collect accounts receivable from Shengyue in a timely manner, our financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
We generate substantially all of our revenues from online advertising. Historically, we entered into a majority of our online advertising agreements with various third-party advertising agencies. In April 2011, we entered into an advertising agency agreement with Shengyue, an affiliate wholly owned by Shanda Interactive, pursuant to which Shengyue agreed to act as our exclusive advertising agency for our standard media resources and as our non-exclusive advertising agency for our highly interactive advertising resources. Since then, we have relied on Shengyue as our sole advertising agency, which manages our sales to, and collects payments from, substantially all of our advertisers.
Pursuant to the advertising agency agreement with Shengyue, Shengyue generates advertising revenues for us by selling our advertising capacity and resources directly to advertising customers at a price it determines. Shengyue guarantees to us a minimum amount of revenues for each quarter. In return, we guarantee a certain amount of web traffic for our webpage on which Shengyue posts advertisements. If the advertising revenues from Shengyue exceed the minimum guaranteed amount, we are required to pay Shengyue a progressive commission fee based upon increasing percentages for additional tiers of revenue in excess of the guaranteed amount. We settle the advertising revenues net of commission fees with Shengyue on a periodic basis and recognize revenues net of commission fee. The initial term of this advertising agency agreement expired on December 31, 2012. In January 2013, we amended and restated this agreement with Shengyue and extended its term to December 31, 2013. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, we generated advertising revenues of $8.1 million and $12.5 million from Shengyue. Since the commencement of the arrangement, we have been able to satisfy the web traffic requirements under the advertising agency agreement. As we enjoyed a commission-free trial period in 2011 under the agreement, and the advertising revenues in 2012 did not exceed the minimum amount guaranteed by Shengyue, we incurred nil and nil commission fees payable to Shengyue in 2011 and 2012, respectively. To the extent that future advertising sales by Shengyue to our advertisers increase significantly and exceed the minimum guaranteed amounts, progressively higher commission fees would be incurred, which may negatively affect our profit margin.
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As Shengyue acts as our advertising agency for substantially all of our advertisers, we rely heavily on the operations of Shengyue to generate our revenues. If Shengyue fails to continue as our advertising agency or if we are unable to collect accounts receivable from Shengyue in a timely manner for any reason, our financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, there can be no assurance that this agreement will be extended or renewed after its expiration or that we will be able to further extend or renew such agreement on terms and conditions favorable to us. If Shengyue breaches its obligations under such agreement or refuses to extend or renew it on commercially reasonable terms when the term expires, we may not be able to find a suitable alternative advertising agency or establish our own sales team to make direct sales to the advertisers in a timely manner. Any termination or deterioration of our relationship with Shengyue, and any further extension or renewal on terms and conditions less favorable to us, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We require a significant amount of cash to fund our operations. We cannot assure you that we can meet our working capital requirements or other capital needs through improved operating results or additional financings in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
The operation of an online user-generated content, or UGC, video business requires continuous, substantial investment in content, technology, talent and infrastructure. In order to implement our development strategies to expand our infrastructure and optimize our services across Internet-enabled devices, and further expand and diversify our revenue sources, we may incur additional capital needs in the future. We will also need to fund our research and development activities in order to remain competitive on cost and technology. We reported net losses attributable to our company of $51.5 million, $49.3 million and $9.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, we had cash and cash equivalents of $13.1 million and net current assets of $6.4 million. Our net cash used in operating activities in 2012 was $8.1 million. We cannot assure you that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flows or otherwise maintain sufficient working capital to finance our anticipated operations and capital expenditure requirements, as well as achieve projected cash collections from customers and contain expenses and cash used in operations. Achievement of better operating performance is not assured and management expects to continue to implement its liquidity plans, which includes reducing operating expenses. In addition, various matters may impact our liquidity such as:
· inability to achieve planned operating results that could increase liquidity requirements beyond those considered in our business plan;
· changes in financial market conditions or our business condition that could limit our access to existing credit facilities or make new financings more costly or even unfeasible; and
· changes in China’s currency exchange control regulations that could limit our ability to access cash in China to meet liquidity requirements for our operations in China or elsewhere.
If we cannot meet our liquidity needs through improved operating results, we may need to obtain financings from financial institutions or issue debt securities. For example, on June 29, 2011, we issued $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of senior convertible bonds to Shanda Media Group Limited (formerly known as Shanda Music Group Limited), or Shanda Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shanda Interactive. These senior convertible bonds were to mature in three years after issuance, but based on our working capital position, we redeemed the senior convertible bonds on September 30, 2011. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain any future financings if required under commercially reasonable terms, or at all. In addition, we may have to obtain additional funding through equity offerings. For example, pursuant to a share purchase agreement dated April 1, 2011, we issued 1,538,461,538 ordinary shares to Shanda Media for an aggregate purchase price of $50,000,000 (or $0.0325 per ordinary share). We may have to issue and sell additional securities to meet our liquidity needs, but our ability to sell our securities is not assured. Any additional issuance of securities would dilute the ownership of our shareholders and ADS holders. Our ability to obtain additional financings in the future is subject to a number of uncertainties, including:
· our future business development, financial condition and results of operations;
· general market conditions for financing activities by companies in our industry; and
· macroeconomic, political and other conditions in China and elsewhere.
If we cannot obtain sufficient funding to meet our working capital requirements or other capital expenditure needs, we may not be able to execute our growth strategies and our business, financial condition and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
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We have a history of losses, and we may be unable to achieve or sustain profitability.
We incurred net losses in each of the fiscal years from 2007 through 2009 and continued to incur losses in each of the fiscal years from 2010 through 2012 after we entered the online video business. Our ability to achieve profitability is affected by various factors, including:
· growth of the online video industry and the online advertising market;
· the transition from long-form professional content to short-form UGC;
· the continued growth and maintenance of our user base;
· our ability to control our costs and expenses; and
· our ability to provide new advertising services to meet the demands of our advertising customers.
Many of these factors are beyond our control. Our growth also depends on the continuous development of the online advertising market in China and brand advertisers’ allocation of more budgets to online video industry. We cannot assure you that online advertising, as a new marketing channel, will become more widely accepted in China or that the advertisers will increase their spending on online video websites. We may continue to incur net losses in the future due to our continued investments in content, technology, bandwidth and talent. If we cannot successfully offset our increased costs with an increase in net revenues, our gross margin, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We may also continue to incur net losses in the future due to changes in the macroeconomic and regulatory environment, competitive dynamics and our inability to respond to these changes in a timely and effective manner.
We operate in a highly competitive market and we may not be able to compete successfully against our competitors.
We face significant competition, primarily from those companies that operate online video websites in China, which our management estimates to currently number over one hundred. A large number of independent online video sites, such as Youku.com and Tudou.com, compete against us. In addition, Chinese Internet portals, including Sina.com, Sohu.com and Baidu.com, and some of China’s major TV networks, such as China Central Television, or CCTV, Phoenix Satellite TV and Hunan Satellite TV, which have longer operating histories and more experience in attracting and retaining users and managing customers than we do, have launched their own video businesses. We also face competition from Internet video streaming platforms based on the P2P technology, such as PPS and PPTV. We compete with these companies for users and advertisers. Our competitors may compete with us in a variety of ways, including by conducting brand promotions and other marketing activities and making acquisitions. In addition, certain online video websites may continue to derive their revenues from providing content that infringes third-party copyright and may not monitor their websites for any such infringing content. As a result, we may be placed at a disadvantage to some of these websites that do not incur similar costs as we do with respect to content monitoring. Some of our competitors have a longer operating history and significantly greater financial resources than we do, and in turn may be able to attract and retain more users and advertisers. If any of our competitors achieves greater market acceptance than we do or is able to offer more attractive online video content, our user traffic may decrease and our market share may decrease, which may result in a loss of advertisers and have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, Internet streaming of content represents only one of many existing and potential new technologies for viewing video. Many users maintain simultaneous relationships with multiple video providers and can easily shift from one provider to another. For example, users may subscribe to cable, buy a DVD, and download a movie from Apple iTunes or other sources, or some combination thereof. New competitors may be able to launch new businesses at a relatively low cost.
We also face competition from other types of advertising media, such as newspapers, magazines, yellow pages, billboards and other forms of outdoor media, television and radio. Most large companies in China allocate, and will likely continue to allocate, most of their marketing budgets to traditional advertising media and only a small portion of their budgets to online marketing and other forms of advertising media. If these companies do not devote a larger portion of their marketing budgets to online marketing services provided by our online video business, or if our existing customers reduce the amount they spend on online marketing, our results of operations and future growth prospects could be adversely affected.
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The online video industry in China and user acceptance of our online video content may not grow as quickly as expected, which may adversely affect our revenues and business prospects.
Our business prospects depend on the continuing development of the online video industry in China. As an emerging industry, China’s online video industry has experienced substantial growth in recent years in terms of both users and content. We cannot assure you, however, that the online video industry will continue to grow as rapidly as it has in the past. With the development of technology, new forms of media may emerge and render online video websites less attractive to users. Growth of the online video industry is affected by numerous factors, such as users’ general online video experience, technological innovations, development of Internet and Internet-based services, regulatory changes, especially regulations affecting copyrights, and the macroeconomic environment. If the online video industry in China does not grow as quickly as expected or if we fail to benefit from such growth by successfully implementing our business strategies, our user traffic may decrease and our business and prospects may be adversely affected.
We operate in a rapidly evolving industry. If we fail to keep up with the technological developments and users’ changing requirements, our business, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
The online video industry is rapidly evolving and subject to continuous technological changes and changes in industry standards. Our success will depend on our ability to keep up with the changes in technology and user behavior resulting from the technological developments. For example, the development of broadband enabled the enjoyment of high definition videos online. In addition, the number of people accessing the Internet via devices other than personal computers, including mobile phones and other hand-held devices, has increased in recent years. With the rapid development of 3G and 4G mobile communication services in China, we expect this trend to continue. If we do not adapt our products and services to such changes in an effective and timely manner, we may suffer from a decreased user traffic, which may result in a reduced number of advertisers using our online advertising services. Furthermore, changes in technologies may require substantial capital expenditures in product development as well as in modification of products, services or infrastructure. Failure in keeping up with technological development may result in our products and services being less attractive, which in turn, may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and prospects.
If we fail to continue to anticipate user preferences and provide products and services to attract and retain users, we may not be able to generate sufficient user traffic to remain competitive.
Our success depends on our ability to generate sufficient user traffic through provision of attractive products and services. To attract and retain users and compete against our competitors, we must maintain high-quality UGC that provides our users with a satisfactory online video experience. With UGC, users can upload and share their own videos and spend a longer time on our website, and we believe a “community-like” environment will enhance users’ loyalty to our website and such network effect broadens advertisers’ reach of audience.
Based on the feedback on our website design and our statistics regarding users’ watching behavior, we keep developing new website features that appeal to users, such as designing more user-friendly content searching tools, creating additional interactive social functions or offering better website compatibility with new Internet-enabled devices. We need to continuously anticipate user preferences and industry changes and respond to such changes in a timely and effective manner. If we fail to cater to the needs and preferences of our users and, as a result, fail to deliver satisfactory user experience, we may suffer from reduced user traffic and our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
The success of our business depends on our ability to maintain and enhance our brand.
We believe that maintaining and enhancing our Ku6 brand is of significant importance to the success of our business. Since the online video market is highly competitive, a well-recognized brand is critical to increasing our user base and, in turn, enhancing our attractiveness to advertisers. We believe that the importance of brand recognition will increase as the number of Internet users in China grows. In order to attract and retain Internet users and advertisers, we may need to substantially increase our expenditures for creating and maintaining brand loyalty. Our success in promoting and enhancing our brand, as well as our ability to remain competitive, will also depend on our success in offering high-quality content, features and functionality. If we fail to promote our brand successfully or if visitors to our website or advertisers do not perceive our content and services to be of high quality, we may not be able to continue growing our business and attracting users and advertisers.
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You may not be able to rely on our quarterly operating results as an indication of our future performance because our quarterly operating results may be subject to significant fluctuations.
We may experience significant fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Significant fluctuations in our quarterly operating results could be caused by many factors, including, but not limited to:
· our ability to retain existing users, attract new users at a steady rate and maintain user satisfaction;
· the creation of new content by our users and the popularity of such content;
· technical difficulties, system downtime or Internet failures for our websites;
· the amount and timing of operating costs and capital expenditures relating to expansion of our business, operations and infrastructure ;
· the adoption of new, or changes to existing, governmental regulations; and
· economic conditions in general and specific to the online video industry in China.
As a result, you should not rely on quarter-to-quarter or semi-annual-to-semi-annual comparisons of our operating results as indicators of our future performance. Our operating results may be below our expectations or the expectations of public market analysts and investors in one or more future quarters. If that occurs, the price of our ADSs could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment.
We may be subject to administrative actions by PRC regulatory authorities and other liabilities because of advertisements shown on our website.
Under PRC advertising laws and regulations, we are obligated to monitor the advertising content shown on our website to ensure that such content is true, accurate and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, where a special government review is required for specific types of advertisements prior to website posting, such as advertisements relating to pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, agrochemicals and veterinary pharmaceuticals, we are obligated to confirm that such review has been performed and approval has been obtained from competent governmental authority, which is generally the local branch of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or the SAIC. Violation of these laws and regulations may subject us to penalties, including fines, confiscation of our advertising income, orders to cease dissemination of the advertisements and orders to publish an announcement correcting the misleading information. In circumstances involving serious violations, such as posting a pharmaceutical product advertisement without approval, or posting an advertisement for fake pharmaceutical products, PRC governmental authorities may force us to terminate our advertising operation or revoke our licenses. Furthermore, advertisers, advertising operators or advertising distributors, including us, may be subject to civil liability if they infringe on the legal rights and interests of third parties.
Substantially all of the advertisements shown on our website are provided to us by our advertising agency on behalf of advertisers. We cannot assure you that all the content contained in such advertisements is true and accurate as required by the advertising laws and regulations, especially given the uncertainty in the application of these laws and regulations. For example, Article 38 of the Advertisement Law provides that an advertisement operator who knows or should have known the posted advertisement is false or fraudulent will be subject to joint and several liabilities. However, for the determination of the truth and accuracy of the advertisements and the actual or constructive knowledge of the website, there are no implementing rules or official interpretations, and such a determination is at the sole discretion of the relevant local branch of the SAIC, which results in uncertainty in the application of these laws and regulations.
If we are found to be in violation of applicable PRC advertising laws and regulations in the future, we may be subject to penalties and our reputation may be harmed, which may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. See Item 4.B. “Business Overview—Government Regulation—Regulations on Advertisements.”
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We may need to record impairment charges to earnings if our acquisition goodwill or acquired intangible assets are determined to be impaired, which would adversely affect our results of operations.
As part of our expansion and diversification strategy, we may acquire or invest in companies in the same or related industries in which we operate. We record acquisition goodwill and acquired intangible assets on our balance sheet in connection with such acquisitions and investments arrangements, respectively. We are required to review our acquisition goodwill for impairment at least annually and review our acquired intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, including a decline in stock price and market capitalization and a slowdown in our industry, which may result from the recent global economic slowdown. If the carrying value of our acquisition goodwill or acquired intangible assets were determined to be impaired, we would be required to write down the carrying value or to record charges to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which our acquisition goodwill or acquired intangible assets is determined to be impaired. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, we recorded impairment of nil, nil and nil, respectively, for acquisition goodwill relating to our discontinued and continued operations and impairment of nil, $1.4 million and nil, respectively, for acquired intangible assets relating to our discontinued and continued operations. Any significant impairment charges would adversely affect our results of operations.
Disruption or failure of our systems could impair our users’ online video experience and adversely affect our reputation.
Our ability to provide users with a high-quality online video experience depends on the continuous and reliable operation of our systems. We cannot assure you that we will be able to procure sufficient bandwidth in a timely manner or on acceptable terms or at all. Failure to do so may significantly impair user experience on our website and decrease the overall effectiveness of our website to both users and advertisers. Disruptions, failures, unscheduled service interruptions or a decrease in connection speeds could hurt user experience and our reputation, causing our users and advertisers to switch to our competitors’ websites. Our systems and proprietary video content delivery network, or CDN, are vulnerable to damage or interruption as a result of fires, floods, earthquakes, power losses, telecommunications failures, undetected errors in software, computer viruses, hacking and other attempts to harm our systems. We have experienced service interruptions in the past which typically were caused by (i) overload of our servers, (ii) unexpected overflow of user traffic, and (iii) service malfunction of the telecommunications operators, such as power outage of Internet data centers or network transmission congestion. We may continue to experience similar interruptions in the future despite our continuous efforts to improve our systems. Since we host our servers at third-party Internet data centers, any natural disaster or unexpected closure of Internet data centers operated by third-party providers may result in lengthy service interruptions.
If we experience frequent or persistent service disruptions, whether caused by failures of our own systems or those of third-party service providers, our users’ experience may be negatively affected, which in turn, may have a material and adverse effect on our reputation. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in minimizing the frequency or duration of service interruptions.
Undetected programming errors could adversely affect user experience and the market acceptance of our video programs, which may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The video programs, including advertising video programs, on our website may contain programming errors that may only become apparent after their release. We receive user feedback in connection with programming errors affecting their user experience from time to time, and such errors may also come to our attention during our monitoring process. We generally have been able to resolve such programming errors in a timely manner. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to detect and resolve all these programming errors effectively. Undetected audio or video programming errors or defects may adversely affect user experience and cause our advertisers to reduce their use of our services, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our operations depend on the performance of the Internet infrastructure and telecommunications networks in China and third-party service providers.
Our products and services depend on the ability of our users to access the Internet. Therefore, the successful operation of our business depends on the performance of the Internet infrastructure and telecommunications networks in China. Almost all access to the Internet is maintained through state-owned telecommunications operators under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT. Moreover, we have entered into contracts with various subsidiaries of a limited number of telecommunications service providers in each province and rely on them to provide us with data communications capacity through local telecommunications lines and Internet data centers to host our servers. We have limited access to alternative networks or services in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with China’s Internet infrastructure or the telecommunications networks provided by telecommunications service providers. Our Ku6.com website regularly serves a large number of users and advertisers. With the expansion of our business, we may be required to upgrade our technology and infrastructure to keep up with the increasing traffic on our websites. However, we have no control over the costs of the services provided by telecommunications service providers. If the prices we pay for telecommunications and Internet services rise significantly, our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. If Internet access fees or other charges to Internet users increase, our user traffic may decline and our business may be hurt. Our servers, which are partly hosted at third-party Internet data centers, are vulnerable to break-ins, sabotage and vandalism. The occurrence of a natural disaster or a closure of an Internet data center by a third-party provider without adequate notice could result in lengthy service interruptions. Moreover, the agreements we have entered into with domestic telecommunications carriers to host our servers typically have terms of approximately one year and are renewable subject to early termination. If we are not able to renew such hosting services agreements with the telecommunications carriers when they expire and are not able to enter into agreements with alternative carriers at commercially reasonable terms or at all, the quality and stability of our services may be adversely affected. In addition, our domain names are resolved into Internet protocol (IP) addresses by systems of third-party domain name registrars and registries. Any interruptions or failures of those service providers’ systems, which are beyond our control, could significantly disrupt our own services.
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If we experience frequent or persistent system failures on our websites, whether due to interruptions and failures of our own information technology and communications systems or those of third-party service providers we rely upon, our reputation and brand could be permanently harmed. The steps we take to increase the reliability and redundancy of our systems are expensive, may reduce our operating margin and may not be successful in reducing the frequency or duration of service interruptions.
We also depend significantly on relationships with leading technology providers and the licenses that the technology providers have granted to us. Our competitors may establish the same relationships as we have, which may adversely affect us. We may not be able to maintain these relationships or replace them on commercially attractive terms.
We have been and expect to continue to be exposed to intellectual property infringement and other claims, including claims based on content posted on our website.
Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to operate our business without infringing third-party rights, including third-party intellectual property rights. Internet companies, technology and media industries own, and are seeking to obtain, a large number of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, and they are frequently involved in litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights or other related legal rights. There may be patents issued or pending that are held by others that cover significant aspects of our technologies, products, business methods or services.
We have been and may continue to be subject to claims for defamation, negligence, infringement of third-party copyright and other rights, such as privacy and image rights, or other claims based on the nature or content of videos or other information provided by Ku6 Holding or our users on our websites. Prior to the acquisition by us, Ku6 Holding recorded expenses relating to such claims of $1.6 million and $0.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively. After the acquisition in 2010, we recorded expenses relating to such claims of nil and $2.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively, and recorded a benefit of $0.1 million (being the net effect of reversal of previously recorded expenses of $1.0 million and current period expense of $0.9 million) during the year ended December 31, 2012. We paid $1.0 million, $0.2 million and $0.5 million to settle such claims during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, and the balance of accrued litigation provision was $0.7 million, $2.7 million and $2.1 million as of December 31 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. We do not carry any liability insurance covering such risks.
Due to the significant number of videos uploaded by users, which currently amounts to an average of approximately 105,000 files on a daily basis, we may not be able to identify all content that may infringe on third-party rights. Thus, our failure to identify unauthorized videos posted on our website may subject us to, and may continue to subject us to, claims of infringement on third-party intellectual property rights or other rights. Third parties may also make claims against us for losses incurred in reliance on the information on our websites. In addition, we may be subject to administrative actions brought by the National Copyright Administration of the PRC, or the NCAC, or its local branches for alleged copyright infringement. Although we have not previously been subject to legal actions for copyright infringement in jurisdictions other than the PRC, it is possible that we may be subject to such claims in the future. Such other jurisdictions may impose different protections for copyrights, and the claims may result in potentially larger damages awards than have been imposed in the PRC. For example, although our operations are in China and our site is targeted at audiences in Asia, our site includes some English-language content and is accessible by users in the United States and elsewhere. There is a risk that a U.S. court may determine that it has jurisdiction over us in connection with claims for U.S. copyrights. Although U.S. copyright laws, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 512), or the DMCA, provide safeguards from claims for monetary relief for copyright infringement for certain entities that host user-uploaded content and that comply with specified statutory requirements, it is possible that a U.S. court would conclude that it has jurisdiction and that we are not eligible for, or have not complied with all the statutory requirements to qualify for, the safeguards provided by the DMCA. Under such circumstances, it is possible that we could be subject to claims of copyright infringement in the United States.
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It could be time-consuming and costly to defend these claims, which, with or without merit, may cause us to incur significant costs and liabilities and could materially and adversely affect our business, and also result in diversion of the attention of our management and our financial resources and negative publicity on our brand and reputation. The failure to successfully defend any of them may result in substantial damage awards and/or court orders that may prevent us from continuing to provide certain of our existing services.
We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property rights, and any failure to protect our intellectual property rights could adversely affect our revenues and competitive position.
We believe that trademarks, trade secrets, patents, copyrights and other intellectual property we use are important to our business. We rely on a combination of trademark, copyright, patent and trade secret protection laws in China and other jurisdictions, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property and our brand. We have invested significant resources to develop our own intellectual property and acquire licenses to use and distribute the intellectual property of others for our online video site; failure to maintain or protect these rights could harm our business. In addition, any unauthorized use of our intellectual property by third parties may adversely affect our current and future revenues and our reputation.
The validity, enforceability and scope of protection available under intellectual property laws with respect to the Internet industry in China are uncertain and still evolving. Implementation and enforcement of PRC intellectual property-related laws have historically been deficient and ineffective. Accordingly, protection of intellectual property rights in China may not be as effective as in the United States or other western countries. Furthermore, policing unauthorized use of proprietary technology is difficult and expensive, and we may need to resort to litigation to enforce or defend copyrights issued to us or our other intellectual property or to determine the enforceability, scope and validity of our proprietary rights or those of others. Such litigation and an adverse determination in any such litigation, if any, could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.
Complexity, uncertainties and changes in government policies or regulations of Internet industry may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Our online video business is subject to strict government regulations in China. The PRC government extensively regulates the Internet industry, including foreign ownership of, and the licensing and permit requirements pertaining to, companies in the Internet industry. Under the current PRC regulatory scheme, a number of regulatory agencies, including the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television, or SARFT, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or MIIT, the General Administration of Press and Publication, or GAPP, the State Council Information Office, or SCIO, and the State Internet Information Office established by SCIO in May 2011, jointly regulate all major aspects of the Internet industry, including the online video industry. Operators must comply with restrictions related to foreign investment in value-added telecommunication services industry in China and obtain various government approvals and licenses, including an Internet content provider license, or ICP license, and an Internet audio/video program transmission license, prior to the commencement of online video operations.
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We believe that we have obtained the licenses and permits essential for our business operations. However, given the Internet-related laws and regulations are relatively new and rapidly evolving in China, their interpretation and enforcement involve significant uncertainty. As a result, in certain circumstances it may be difficult to determine what actions or omissions may be deemed to violate applicable laws and regulations. The permits, licenses or approvals that we hold may be subject to challenge, we may fail to obtain permits or licenses that may be deemed necessary for our operations, or we may not be able to renew certain permits or licenses. We may also need to apply for additional permits or licenses when we enter new sectors of the Internet industry. For example, we may need to apply for the Internet News Information Service Permit issued by the SCIO or the Internet Publication License issued by the GAPP in connection with the current events channel on our website. We are also in the process of applying to upgrade the Internet audio/video program transmission license to cover all contents that are being transmitted through our website and the related activities. If we fail to maintain any of the required permits, licenses or approvals, we may be subject to various penalties, including fines and discontinuation of, or restriction on, our operations. Any such disruption of our business operations may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
In addition, actions by the PRC government, including the interpretation, re-interpretation and application of existing PRC laws, regulations and policies and promulgation of new laws, regulations or policies relating to the Internet industry, may create substantial uncertainties regarding the legality of existing and future foreign investments in the Internet industry in China. Any such actions may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. For example, in December 2012, the GAPP published a proposed rule relating to Internet publication which, among other things, seeks to clarify the meaning of the “Internet publication service” and “Internet publication” as well as modify the application procedures for the relevant license. We plan to apply for the required license once the final rule is issued. However, we cannot assure you that such application would be approved by the relevant governmental agencies in a timely manner or at all. If we fail to obtain the license, we may be subject to various administrative penalties, including fines and confiscation of our income or assets, and we may be forced to discontinue our business and our website may be blocked.
We have limited business insurance coverage.
Insurance companies in China currently do not offer as extensive an array of insurance products as insurance companies do in more developed economies. We do not have any business liability or disruption insurance to cover our operations. We have determined that the costs of insuring for these risks and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable terms make it impractical for us to have such insurance. Any uninsured occurrence of business disruption may result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of resources, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Regulation and censorship of information disseminated over the Internet in China may adversely affect our business and subject us to liability for information displayed on or linked to our websites.
The PRC government has adopted regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of news and other information over the Internet. Under these regulations, Internet content providers and Internet publishers are prohibited from posting or displaying over the Internet content that, among other things, violates PRC laws and regulations, impairs the national dignity of China, or is reactionary, obscene, superstitious, fraudulent or defamatory. Furthermore, Internet content providers are also prohibited from displaying content that may be deemed by relevant government authorities as “socially destabilizing” or leaking “state secrets” of the PRC. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in administrative penalties, such as fines, the revocation of licenses to provide Internet content and other licenses and the closure of the concerned websites. In the past, failure to comply with such requirements has resulted in the closure of certain websites. The website operator may also be held liable for such censored information displayed on or linked to the website.
In addition, the MIIT has published regulations that subject website operators to potential liability for content displayed on their websites and the actions of users and others using their systems, including liability for violations of PRC laws and regulations prohibiting the dissemination of content deemed to be socially destabilizing. The Ministry of Public Security has the authority to order any local Internet service provider to block any Internet website at its sole discretion. From time to time, the Ministry of Public Security has stopped the dissemination over the Internet of information that it believes to be socially destabilizing. The State Secrecy Bureau is also authorized to block any website it deems to be leaking state secrets or failing to meet the relevant regulations relating to the protection of state secrets in the dissemination of online information. Furthermore, we are required to report any suspicious content to relevant governmental authorities, and to undergo computer security inspections. If we fail to implement the relevant safeguards against security breaches, our websites may be shut down and our business and ICP licenses may be revoked.
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Although we attempt to monitor the content on our websites, we are not able to control or restrict the content of other Internet content providers linked to or accessible through our websites, or content uploaded to, or generated or placed on, our websites by our users. To the extent that PRC regulatory authorities find any content displayed on our websites objectionable, they may require us to limit or eliminate the dissemination of such information on our websites. If third-party websites linked to or accessible through our website operate unlawful activities such as online gambling on their websites, PRC regulatory authorities may require us to report such unlawful activities to relevant authorities and to remove the links to such websites, or they may suspend or shut down the operation of such websites. PRC regulatory authorities may also temporarily block access to certain websites for a period of time for reasons beyond our control. Any of these actions may reduce our user traffic and adversely affect our business. In addition, we may be subject to penalties for violations of those regulations arising from information displayed on or linked to our websites, including a suspension or shutdown of our online operations.
Concerns about collection, use and security of personal data could damage our reputation and deter current and potential users from using our services.
We have an extensive user base for our video platform, from which we collect personal data about our registered users. Under our privacy policy, without our users’ prior consent, we may not provide any of our users’ personal data to any unrelated third party. While we strive to comply with our privacy policies and other applicable data protection laws and regulations, any failure or perceived failure of compliance may result in proceedings or actions against us by our users, government authorities or other parties, and could damage our reputation. User and regulatory attitudes toward privacy are evolving, and their concerns about the extent to which personal data may be recorded, used or shared may adversely affect our ability to record, use or share such data, which may limit our advertising capabilities and the effectiveness of the marketing efforts of our advertising agencies.
Concerns about the security of personal data could also lead to a decline in general Internet usage, which could lead to lower user traffic on our platform. Recently, the PRC government started to require, to certain extent, real name registration for Internet services. Decrease of anonymity may impair user experience of online media consumption, deter our users from viewing, uploading and sharing videos on our website and reduce the amount of their interactive activities. A significant reduction in user traffic could lead to lower advertising revenues. Any of the above could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.
We are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, adopted rules requiring every public company to include a management report on the effectiveness of such company’s internal control over financial reporting in its annual report. In addition, an independent registered public accounting firm must report on such company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2012 and our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report concluding that our internal control over financial reporting was effective in all material aspects. However, we had identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 relating to a lack of sufficient competent accounting personnel with appropriate levels of accounting knowledge and experience to address complex U.S. GAAP accounting issues and prepare financial statements and related disclosures under U.S. GAAP. Although such material weakness was subsequently rectified and our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting on a continuing basis in the future. As effective internal control over financial reporting is necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to help prevent fraud, any failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could harm our business and result in a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in turn could negatively impact the trading price of our ADSs. Furthermore, we may need to incur additional costs and use additional management and other resources in an effort to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other requirements going forward.
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We believe that we were a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for taxable years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and it was not clear whether we were a PFIC for taxable year 2011. Although we believe we were not a PFIC for taxable year 2012, we may be a PFIC for subsequent taxable years, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors.
We will be a PFIC for U.S. tax purposes for a taxable year if either (a) 75% or more of our gross income for such taxable year is passive income or (b) 50% or more of the average quarterly value, generally determined by fair market value, of our assets during such taxable year consists of assets that either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. For such purposes, if we directly or indirectly own 25% or more of the shares of another corporation, we generally will be treated as if we (a) held directly a proportionate share of the other corporation’s assets and (b) received directly a proportionate share of the other corporation’s income. We believe that we were a PFIC for taxable years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and it was not clear whether we were a PFIC for taxable year 2011. The determination of our PFIC status is subject to uncertainty, however, because the treatment of the contractual arrangements between our PRC subsidiaries and our VIEs for purposes of the PFIC rules is uncertain. If we were a PFIC for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011, and you held ordinary shares or ADSs during any such taxable years, we would continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to those ordinary shares or ADSs for all succeeding years during which you hold them. Our PFIC status for any taxable year will not be determinable until after the end of the taxable year and will depend on the composition of our income and assets and the market value of our assets for such taxable year, which may be, in part, based on the market price of our ordinary shares or ADSs (which may be especially volatile). For these reasons, and because of the uncertainties regarding the treatment of our contractual arrangements with our VIEs, there can be no assurance we will not be a PFIC for any taxable year. Such characterization could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. investor. In general, if we are a PFIC, then “excess distributions” to a U.S. investor and any gain realized by a U.S. investor on the sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares or ADSs will be allocated ratably over the U.S investor’s holding period for the ordinary shares or ADSs; the amount allocated to the taxable year of receipt of the proceeds of such distribution or disposition and any year prior to our becoming a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income; and the amount allocated to each other taxable year will be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year. Additionally, an interest charge will be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year and the U.S. investor will be subject to U.S. tax reporting requirements. Alternatively, if we are a PFIC and if our ADSs are “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange,” a U.S. investor could make a mark-to-market election that would result in tax treatment different from the general tax treatment for PFICs described above.
Given the complexity of the issues regarding our classification as a PFIC, U.S. investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors for guidance as to the U.S. federal, state and local and other tax consequences of our status as a PFIC in light of their particular circumstances, as well as the availability of, and procedures for making, a mark-to-market or other available election. For further discussion of the adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences of our classification as a PFIC, see Item 10.E. “Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation” below.
Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure
If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our businesses in China do not comply with PRC governmental restrictions on foreign investment in Internet business, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.
Current PRC laws and regulations place certain restrictions on foreign ownership of companies that engage in Internet business, including the provision of online video and online advertising services. Specifically, foreign ownership in an Internet content provider or other value-added telecommunication service providers may not exceed 50%. Moreover, a foreign investor must have certain track record in the value-added telecommunication business or advertisement business before it can obtain direct equity interests in a PRC company that operates in these industries. Since we are a Cayman Islands company without any track-record of value-added telecommunication service or advertisement operations, neither we nor our PRC subsidiaries are eligible to hold a license to operate our website or our advertisement business in China. As a result, we conduct our operations in China principally through contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, our consolidated affiliated entities, and their respective shareholders. These contractual arrangements enable us to exercise effective control over these entities and hence treat them as our consolidated affiliated entities and consolidate their results. For a detailed discussion of these contractual arrangements, see Item 4.C. “Organizational Structure.”
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PRC laws and regulations governing the validity of these contractual arrangements are uncertain and the relevant government authorities have broad discretion in interpreting these laws and regulations. Although we believe we are in compliance with current PRC regulations, we cannot assure you that the PRC government would hold the same view with us or these contractual arrangements comply with regulations or policies that may be amended or adopted in the future.
On July 13, 2006, the MIIT issued the Notice of the MIIT on Intensifying the Administration of Foreign Investment in Value-added Telecommunications Services. This notice prohibits domestic telecommunication services providers from leasing, transferring or selling telecommunications business operating licenses to any foreign investor in any form, or providing any resources, sites or facilities to any foreign investor for their illegal operation of a telecommunications business in China. According to this notice, either the holder of a value-added telecommunication business operating license or its shareholders must legally own the domain names and trademarks used by such license holders in their provision of value-added telecommunication services. The notice further requires each license holder to have the necessary facilities, including servers, for its approved business operations and to maintain such facilities in the regions covered by its license. In addition, all value-added telecommunication service providers are required to maintain network and Internet security in accordance with the standards set forth in relevant PRC regulations. If a license holder fails to comply with the requirements in the notice and cure such noncompliance, the MIIT or its local counterparts have the discretion to take measures against such license holders, including revoking their valued-added telecommunication business operating licenses. Ku6 Information Technology, one of our consolidated affiliated entities, holds the licenses and permits necessary to conduct our online video, online advertising and related businesses in China. However, the related trademarks are owned by Beijing WFOE, one of our wholly owned PRC subsidiaries. If the MIIT strictly enforces the notice, we may be required to transfer those trademarks from Beijing WFOE to Ku6 Information Technology.
If the PRC government determines that we do not comply with applicable laws and regulations, it could revoke our business and operating licenses, including our value-added telecommunication license and ICP license, require us to discontinue or restrict our operations, restrict our right to collect revenues, block our website, require us to restructure our operations, impose additional conditions or requirements with which we may not be able to comply, or take other regulatory or enforcement actions against us that could be harmful to our business. The imposition of any of these penalties would result in a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.
Our existing contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and their shareholders may be subject to national security review by MOFCOM, and the failure to pass the national security review could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and reputation.
In August 2011, the Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, promulgated the Rules of Ministry of Commerce on Implementation of Security Review System of Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the MOFCOM Security Review Rules, to implement the Notice of the General Office of the State Council on Establishing the Security Review System for Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors promulgated on February 3, 2011, or Circular 6. The MOFCOM Security Review Rules became effective on September 1, 2011. Under the MOFCOM Security Review Rules, a national security review is required for certain mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors raising concerns regarding national defense and security. Foreign investors are prohibited from circumventing the national security review requirements by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions. The application and interpretation of the MOFCOM Security Review Rules remain unclear. If MOFCOM or other PRC regulatory agency subsequently determines that we need to submit our existing contractual arrangements with our affiliated PRC entity and its shareholders for national security review by interpretation, clarification or amendment of the MOFCOM Security Review Rules or by any new rules, regulations or directives promulgated after the date of this report, we may face sanctions by MOFCOM or other PRC regulatory agency. These sanctions may include revoking the business or operating licenses of our PRC subsidiaries or our consolidated affiliated entities and its subsidiaries, discontinuing or restricting our operations in China, confiscating our income or the income of our PRC subsidiaries or our consolidated affiliated entities, requiring us to undergo a costly and disruptive restructuring such as forcing us to transfer our equity interest in our PRC subsidiaries to a domestic entity or invalidating the agreements that our PRC subsidiaries have entered into with our consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders, and taking other regulatory or enforcement actions that could be harmful to our business. Any of these sanctions could cause significant disruption to our business operations, including rendering us unable to access cash and other assets of, exercise our ownership rights in and consolidate the results of operations of our affiliated entities in China, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and reputation.
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We rely on contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities in China and their shareholders for our operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control.
Since PRC laws restrict foreign equity ownership in companies engaged in online video and advertising businesses in China, we rely on contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders to operate our business in China. If we had direct ownership of Ku6 Information Technology, Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan, Ku6 Cultural and Tianjin Ku6 Network, we would be able to: (i) exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of these entities, which in turn could effect changes at the management level, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, and (ii) derive economic benefits from the operations of these entities by causing them to declare and pay dividends. However, under the current contractual arrangements, we rely on our consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders’ performance of their contractual obligations to exercise effective control. In general, neither our consolidated affiliated entities nor their respective shareholders may terminate the contracts prior to the expiration date. However, the shareholders of Ku6 Information Technology, Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan, Ku6 Cultural or Tianjin Ku6 Network may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts, including the obligation to renew these contracts when their initial terms expire. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we intend to operate our business through the contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities. However, if any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, we will have to enforce our rights under these contracts through the operations of PRC law and courts and therefore will be subject to uncertainties in the PRC legal system. See “—Any failure by our consolidated affiliated entities or their respective shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them may have a material adverse effect on our business” below. Therefore, these contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over these consolidated affiliated entities.
Any failure by our consolidated affiliated entities or their respective shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them may have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders may fail to take certain actions required for our business or follow our instructions despite their contractual obligations to do so. If they fail to perform their obligations under their respective agreements with us, we may have to rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, which may not be effective.
All of our contractual arrangements with them are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in China. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal environment in China is not as developed as in certain other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements, which may make it difficult to exert effective control over our consolidated affiliated entities, and our ability to conduct our business may be adversely affected.
Contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities may result in adverse tax consequences to us.
Under applicable PRC tax laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities within ten years after the taxable year when the arrangements or transactions are conducted. We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities were to determine that the contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, our consolidated affiliated entities in China and their respective shareholders were not entered into on an arm’s-length basis and therefore constituted unfavorable transfer pricing arrangements. Unfavorable transfer pricing arrangements could, among other things, result in an upward adjustment to our tax liability. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose interest on late payments on our consolidated affiliated entities for the adjusted but unpaid taxes. Our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected if our consolidated affiliated entities’ tax liabilities increase significantly or if they are required to pay interest on late payments.
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The shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business.
We conduct substantially all of our operations, and generate substantially all of our revenues, through our consolidated affiliated entities. Our control over these entities is based upon contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and their shareholders that provide us with the substantial ability to control these entities. We provide no incentives to any of the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities for the purpose of encouraging them to act in the best interest of our company in such capacity. These shareholders may breach their contractual arrangements, or cause our consolidated affiliated entities to breach their contractual arrangements, with us or cause these contracts to be amended in a manner contrary to the interest of our company, if they believe such action furthers their own interest, or if they otherwise act in bad faith. We cannot assure you that, when conflicts arise, these shareholders will act in the best interest of our company or that conflicts will be resolved in our favor. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between us and any of these shareholders, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which may be expensive, time-consuming and disruptive to our operations. There is also substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.
We rely on our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities to fund our cash and financing requirements. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities to transfer funds to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow or otherwise fund our cash and financing requirements.
We are a holding company and our operations are principally conducted through our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities. As a result, the ability of our company to pay dividends and to finance debts depends upon the service fees and license fees paid by our consolidated affiliated entities to our PRC subsidiaries and dividends and other distributions paid by our PRC subsidiaries to our company. If any of our subsidiaries or consolidated affiliated entities incurs debt on its own behalf, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay service fees or dividends directly or indirectly to our company.
Under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities may pay dividends only out of their retained earnings as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. There is no significant difference between retained earnings as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities are required to set aside at least 10% of their after-tax net income each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserves, which are not distributable as cash dividends, until the aggregate amount of such funds reaches 50% of their respective registered capital. As of December 31, 2012, the registered capital was $11,700,000 for Beijing WFOE, $60,000,000 for Tianjin WFOE and $30,000,000 for Tianjin Ku6 Network WFOE, respectively. As none of our PRC subsidiaries has made any profits to date, our PRC subsidiaries have not been subject to the statutory reserve fund requirements and have not set aside any money to fund the statutory reserve funds or staff welfare and bonus funds. Our PRC subsidiaries will not be able to pay dividends to us or our offshore subsidiaries until they generate accumulated profits and meet the requirements for statutory reserve funds. As a result of these and other restrictions under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to our company either in the form of dividends, loans or advances, which restricted portion amounted to approximately $52.7 million, or 157.0% of our company’s total consolidated net assets, as of December 31, 2012. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities may, at their discretion, allocate a portion of their after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to staff welfare and bonus funds. These staff welfare and bonus funds are not distributable as cash dividends.
Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.
We may be unable to collect long-term loans extended to the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities.
As of December 31, 2012, we made long-term, interest-free loans in an aggregate principal amount of RMB31.0 million ($5.0 million) to the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities to enable them to fund the initial capitalization and the subsequent financial requirements of our consolidated affiliated entities. Each of the loans to the shareholders of Ku6 Information Technology and Ku6 Cultural has an unspecified term and will be repayable upon demand. Each of the loans to the shareholders of Tianjin Ku6 Network has an initial term of 20 years expiring in December 2031, which can be extended upon written agreement. We may in the future make additional loans to the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities in China in connection with any increase in the capitalization or financial requirements of these entities to the extent necessary and permissible under applicable PRC laws and regulations. Our ability to collect these long-term loans will depend on the profitability and results of operations of these consolidated affiliated entities, which are uncertain.
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The new PRC Property Rights Law may affect the perfection of the pledge in our equity pledge agreements with our consolidated affiliated entities and their individual shareholders.
Under the equity pledge agreements among our PRC subsidiaries, certain of our consolidated affiliated entities and the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities, the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities have pledged all of their equity interests in these entities to our relevant subsidiaries by recording the pledge on the shareholder registers of the respective entities. According to the PRC Property Rights Law, which became effective as of October 1, 2007, a pledge is not valid unless it is registered with the relevant local administration for industry and commerce. The SAIC and its local branches have adopted registration procedures with respect to the registration of equity pledges according to the Property Rights Law. All of our consolidated affiliated entities have completed their registration of the applicable equity pledges under the PRC Property Rights Law and the registration procedures. However, our corporate structure may change from time to time, and the various equity pledge agreements may need to be frequently amended. For example, the shareholders of Ku6 Culture and Ku6 Information Technology changed in August 2012, which required us to amend the registered equity pledges. We completed both amendments in 2012. We cannot assure you, however, that our consolidated affiliated entities will be able to register the equity pledges or their amendments in the future. If they are unable to do so, the pledges may be unenforceable under the PRC Property Rights Law. Until such pledge interests are registered, they are not considered perfected under the PRC law. Consequently, if any individual shareholder of our consolidated affiliated entities breaches his or her obligations under the contractual arrangements with respect to these entities while the relevant equity pledges are not registered, there is a risk that our PRC subsidiaries may not be able to successfully enforce the equity pledges and would need to resort to legal proceedings to enforce their contractual rights.
As a result of Shanda Interactive’s controlling ownership interest, Shanda Interactive will effectively control the outcome of shareholder actions in our company and may take actions that might not be beneficial to you as a holder of our ADSs.
As of December 31, 2012, Shanda Interactive beneficially held 3,334,694,602 ordinary shares, representing 70.5% of the voting power in our company. Shanda Interactive’s ownership interest gives it the power to control any actions that require shareholder approval under Cayman Islands law, our memorandum and articles of association, or the NASDAQ listing requirements, including the election and removal of any member of our board of directors, mergers, consolidations and other business combinations, changes to our memorandum and articles of association, the number of shares available for issuance under equity incentive plans and the issuance of significant amounts of our ordinary shares in private placements. Shanda Interactive’s voting power may prevent a transaction involving a change of control of us, including transactions in which you as a holder of our ADSs might otherwise receive a premium for your securities over the then-current market price. Similarly, Shanda Interactive may approve a merger or consolidation of our company which may result in you receiving a stake (either in the form of shares, debt obligations or other securities) in the surviving or new consolidated company which may not operate our current business model and dissenter rights may not be available to you in such an event.
We may have conflicts of interest with Shanda Interactive or its affiliates. Because of Shanda Interactive’s controlling ownership interest in our company, we may not be able to resolve such conflicts on terms favorable to us.
As of December 31, 2012, Shanda Interactive beneficially owned approximately 70.5% of our outstanding equity interests. Conflicts of interest may arise between Shanda Interactive and us in a number of areas relating to our past and ongoing relationships. In addition to the conflicts of interests we have discussed in other risk factors, potential conflicts of interest that we have identified include the following:
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· Our board members or executive officers may have conflicts of interest. Mr. Tianqiao Chen and Mr. Danian Chen, who are our directors, currently also serve as directors or officers of Shanda Interactive. Some of our directors also own equity interests in Shanda Interactive. Our board members may receive incentive share compensation from Shanda Games Limited, a subsidiary of Shanda Interactive, from time to time. These relationships could create perceived or actual conflicts of interest when these persons are faced with decisions with potentially different implications for Shanda Interactive and us.
· Agreements with Shanda Interactive and its affiliates. The various agreements that we entered into with Shanda Interactive and its affiliates, including the loan agreements with Shanda Games Limited and its consolidated affiliated entities in China, the advertising agency services agreement with Shengyue and other transactions described under Item 7. B. “Related Party Transactions,” may be less favorable to us than would be the case if they were negotiated with third parties. Moreover, Shanda Interactive may use its control over us to prevent us from bringing a legal claim against it in the event of a contractual breach, notwithstanding our contractual rights under the agreements and any other agreement we may enter into with Shanda Interactive and its affiliates from time to time.
· Potential competition with Shanda Interactive. Shanda Interactive may engage in certain transactions or businesses that directly or indirectly compete with our online video and audio business. In particular, we rely on advertising agency services provided by Shengyue, an affiliate wholly owned by Shanda Interactive. Shengyue may provide similar services to some of our competitors, which may have a material adverse effect on our business.
· Business opportunities. Business opportunities may arise that both we and Shanda Interactive find attractive, and which would complement our respective businesses. Due to the controlling interest of Shanda Interactive and its leading market position and brand in China, we may not be able to pursue these business opportunities effectively if Shanda Interactive decides to take advantage of such opportunities itself.
· Developing business relationships with Shanda Interactive’s competitors. So long as Shanda Interactive remains our controlling shareholder, we may be limited in our ability to do business with its competitors, such as other companies that engage in online video, online literature or online game businesses.
Although our company is a stand-alone entity, we expect to operate, for as long as Shanda Interactive is our controlling shareholder, as a part of the Shanda Group. Shanda Interactive may from time to time make strategic decisions that it believes are in the best interests of Shanda Group as a whole. These decisions may be different from the decisions that we would have made on our own. Shanda Interactive’s decisions with respect to us or our business may be resolved in ways that favor Shanda Interactive and therefore Shanda Interactive’s own shareholders, which may not coincide with the interests of our other shareholders. We may not be able to resolve any potential conflicts, and even if we do so, the resolution may be less favorable to us than if we were dealing with an unaffiliated shareholder. Even if both parties seek to transact business on terms intended to approximate those that could have been achieved among unaffiliated parties, this may not succeed in practice.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
Substantially all of our assets are located in China and substantially all of our revenues are derived from our operations in China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects are subject, to a significant extent, to economic, political and legal conditions and developments in China.
The PRC legal system embodies uncertainties which could limit the legal protections available to you and could also adversely affect our ability to operate our business.
The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike common law systems, it is a system in which decided legal cases have little precedential value. Although legislation in China over the past 20 years has significantly improved the protection afforded to various forms of foreign investment and contractual arrangements in China, these laws, regulations and legal requirements are relatively new and their interpretation and enforcement involve uncertainties, which could limit the legal protection available to us, and foreign investors, including you. In addition, the PRC government may enact new laws or amend current laws that may be detrimental to our current contractual arrangements with respect to our consolidated affiliated entities, which may in turn have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate our business.
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PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.
In October 2005, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC, or SAFE, issued the Notice on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fundraising and Return Investment Activities of Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose Companies, which became effective as of November 1, 2005, and which was supplemented by an implementing notice issued on November 24, 2005. Subsequently, SAFE issued a series of implementation rules and guidance, including the Implementing Rules Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fund-Raising and Round-trip Investment Activities of the Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose Companies, which became effective as of July 1, 2011, and Notice on Further Adjustments to Measures for the Administration of Foreign Exchange for Direct Investment, which became effective on December 17, 2012. We refer to them collectively as Circular 75.
Under Circular 75, PRC residents and citizens must register with the relevant local SAFE branch prior to their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of an overseas equity financing involving onshore assets or equity interests held by them, and must also make filings with SAFE thereafter upon the occurrence of certain material capital changes. The registration and filing procedures under Circular 75 are prerequisites for other approval and registration procedures necessary for capital inflow from the offshore entity, such as inbound investments or shareholders’ loans, or capital outflow to the offshore entity, such as the payment of profits or dividends, liquidating distributions, equity sale proceeds or the return of funds upon a capital reduction. Circular 75 also requires that if a PRC resident has established or gained control of an SPV and completed the return investment prior to the implementation of this Circular 75 but failed to complete the foreign exchange registration in relation with its overseas investment, it shall carry out such registrations with the local branch of SAFE in accordance with this Circular 75 by March 31, 2006. After the PRC resident has retroactively completed the foreign exchange registration in relation with its overseas investment, the local branch of SAFE may process the registration pertaining to foreign investment and foreign debt for the relevant PRC enterprises.
The failure or inability of our shareholders who are PRC citizens or PRC residents to comply with the registration procedures set forth in these regulations may subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrictions on our cross-border investment activities or our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to, or obtain foreign-exchange-dominated loans from, our company, or prevent us from making distributions or paying dividends. As a result, our business operations and our ability to make distributions to you could be materially and adversely affected.
The failure to comply with the regulations regarding the use of the foreign currency registered capital may subject us to severe monetary or other penalties.
On August 29, 2008, SAFE promulgated the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign Invested Enterprises, or Circular 142, regulating the conversion by a foreign-invested enterprise of foreign currency registered capital into Renminbi by restricting how the converted Renminbi may be used. Circular 142 provides that the Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise may only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority and may not be used for equity investments within China, unless it is provided for otherwise. In addition, SAFE strengthened its oversight of the flow and use of the Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested company. The use of such Renminbi capital may not be altered without SAFE approval, and such Renminbi capital may not in any case be used to repay Renminbi loans if the proceeds of such loans have not been used. Failure to comply with Circular 142 could result in liabilities for such PRC subsidiaries under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions, including (i) being required to take appropriate remedial action, confiscation of any illegal income and imposition of a fine of up to 30% of the illegal amount involved and (2) in circumstances involving serious violations, a fine of between 30% and 100% of the illegal amount involved shall be imposed on the organization or individual concerned. If we are found to violate Circular 142 or other laws in relation with foreign exchange, we may be subject to severe monetary or other penalties.
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All participants of our existing equity compensation plans who are PRC domestic individuals are required to register with SAFE, and the failure to so comply could subject us and such participants to penalties.
On February 15, 2012, SAFE issued the Notices on Issues concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly-Listed Company, or Circular 7, which replaced the Operating Procedures for Administration of Domestic Individuals Participating in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan or Stock Option Plan of an Overseas Listed Company issued by SAFE on March 28, 2007. According to Circular 7, domestic individuals, which include PRC residents and non-PRC residents who reside in China for a continuous period of not less than one year other than foreign diplomatic personnel and representatives of international organizations, are required to register with SAFE and complete certain other procedures if such individuals participate in an employee stock ownership plan or a stock option plan in a publicly listed overseas company. These participants should retain a PRC agent, which can be a subsidiary of the overseas listed company in China, to handle various foreign exchange matters associated with these plans. They must also retain an overseas entrusted institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of stock options and their purchase and sale of stocks. The PRC agent of a PRC domestic individual participant must apply for the approval of an annual allowance if such participant needs to use funds in China in connection with the stock incentive plan. The PRC agent is also required to submit a filing form with respect to the stock incentive plan at the beginning of each quarter. The foreign exchange proceeds received by the PRC domestic individual participants from the sale of shares under the stock option plans granted by the overseas listed companies must be remitted into the bank accounts in China opened by their employers or PRC agents. We and our PRC domestic individual employees who have been granted share options will be subject to these rules. While we have completed the required registration of our 2010 Equity Compensation Plan, or the 2010 Plan, with the Tianjin Branch of SAFE in November 2012, we cannot assure you that all future participants will register with SAFE in a timely manner, or at all. Any failure to comply with such regulations may subject us and the participants of our equity compensation plans who are PRC citizens to fines and legal sanctions and prevent us from being able to grant equity compensation to our personnel which is currently a significant component of the compensation of many of our PRC employees, as a result of which our business operations may be adversely affected.
The PRC tax authorities’ enhanced scrutiny of PRC enterprise income tax on offshore equity transfers may have a negative impact on your investment in our ADSs.
In connection with the EIT Law, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation jointly issued the Notice on Issues Concerning Process of Enterprise Income Tax in Enterprise Restructuring Business, or Circular 59, in April 2009. On December 10, 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice Concerning the Strengthening of Enterprise Income Tax Administration with Respect to Equity Transfers by Non-resident Enterprises, or Circular 698. Both Circular 59 and Circular 698 became effective retroactively as of January 1, 2008. By promulgating and implementing these circulars, the PRC tax authorities have enhanced their scrutiny over the direct or indirect transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise by a non-PRC resident enterprise. The PRC tax authorities have the discretion under Circular 698 to make adjustments to the taxable capital gains based on the difference between the fair value of the equity interests transferred and the cost of investment.
Under Circular 698, when a non-PRC resident enterprise directly or indirectly transfers an equity interest in a PRC-resident enterprise and enterprise income tax on the capital gains from such transfer is not withheld, such non-PRC tax resident must file a tax return with the PRC tax authorities and pay tax on the capital gains. Thus, our investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises may be required by the PRC tax authorities to make a filing upon the transfer of our ADSs or ordinary shares, and may be required to pay PRC tax on gains realized from such transfer at a rate of 10% even if we are not treated as a PRC “resident enterprise.”
We may be deemed a PRC resident enterprise under the EIT Law and be subject to PRC taxation on our worldwide income.
The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, includes a provision specifying that legal entities organized outside China will be considered residents for PRC income tax purposes if their place of effective management or control is within China. If legal entities organized outside China were considered residents for PRC income tax purposes, they would be subject to the 25% enterprise income tax imposed by the EIT Law on their worldwide income. The implementation rules to the EIT Law provide that non-resident legal entities will be considered China residents if substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting, properties, etc. reside within China. Although substantially all of our operational management is currently based in China, it is uncertain whether our company and our offshore intermediate holding company would be deemed as PRC tax resident enterprises under the EIT Law and other related PRC laws and regulations. If our company and our offshore intermediate holding company were deemed as PRC tax resident enterprises and have earned income other than dividends from our PRC subsidiaries, a 25% enterprise income tax on our global income could increase our tax burden and negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.
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Dividends that we receive from our PRC subsidiaries are subject to PRC withholding tax.
In accordance with the EIT Law and its implementation rules, dividends which arise from profits of foreign invested enterprises earned after January 1, 2008 are subject to a 10% withholding tax. As of December 31, 2012, our PRC subsidiaries had no undistributed earnings available for distribution. In addition, our company does not have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future and we intend to retain most of our available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business in China. Accordingly, no provision has been made for the PRC dividend withholding taxes that would be payable upon distributions of dividends by our PRC subsidiaries to us. Any future dividends that our company receives from our PRC subsidiaries will be subject to PRC withholding tax.
The enforcement of the PRC labor contract law may materially increase our costs and decrease our net income.
The PRC National People’s Congress promulgated the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008. Compared to previous labor laws, the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules provides stronger protection for employees and imposes more stringent obligations on employers with regard to, among others, minimum wages, severance payments upon permitted termination of employment by an employer and non-fixed term employment contracts, time limits for probation period as well as the duration and the times that an employee can be placed on a fixed-term employment contract. Due to the limited period of effectiveness of the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules, and the lack of clarity with respect to their implementation and potential penalties and fines, it is uncertain how they will impact our current employment policies and practices.
Compliance with the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules may increase our operating expenses, in particular our personnel expenses. In the event that we decide to terminate some of our employees or otherwise change our employment or labor practices, the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules may also limit our ability to effect those changes in a manner that we believe to be cost-effective or desirable, and could result in a material decrease in our profitability. Furthermore, a significant number of our employees are contracted through third-party human resources companies that are responsible for managing, among others, payrolls, social insurance contributions and local residency permits of these employees. We may be held jointly liable if such human resources companies fail to pay such employees their wages and other benefits or otherwise become liable to these employees for labor law violations.
Our failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans as required by PRC regulations may subject us to penalties.
We are required by PRC laws and regulations to participate in various government-sponsored employee benefit plans, including social insurance funds (namely a pension contribution plan, a medical insurance plan, an unemployment insurance plan, a work-related injury insurance plan and a maternity insurance plan) and a housing provident fund and contribute to the plans in amounts equal to certain percentages of salaries, including bonuses and allowances, of our employees up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time at locations where we operate our businesses. Employers who fail to report and pay social insurance funds in accordance with the relevant rules may be ordered to rectify the problem and pay the social insurance funds within a stipulated deadline. According to the Interim Regulation on the Collection and Payment of Social Insurance Premiums, if payment of certain social insurance funds is not made by the stipulated deadline, the relevant authority can charge a late fee payment of 0.2% per day from the original due date and fine the responsible persons of the employer up to RMB10,000. If an employer is found to be concealing the actual number of employees or the total amount of salaries from competent social insurance authorities, the employer may be subject to penalties. According to relevant PRC laws, for the failure to register or open housing provident fund accounts for employees, the employer may be required to rectify such breach within certain period and if such breach persists after such period, the employer may be subject to a fine ranging from RMB10,000 to RMB50,000. For the failure of payment of housing provident fund and failure to rectify such breach within certain period prescribed by the relevant authorities, the relevant housing provident fund authorities may apply for a court order requiring employers to make such payment.
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PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies in PRC entities may limit us from making loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating subsidiaries or our consolidated affiliated entities.
As the offshore holding company of our PRC subsidiaries, we have historically financed, and may continue to finance, our PRC subsidiaries by extending loans or making additional capital contributions to them. Any loans to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to PRC regulations. For example, loans by us to finance the operations of any of our PRC subsidiaries which is a foreign-invested enterprise may not exceed statutory limits and are required to be registered with SAFE. We may also need to increase the registered capital of our PRC subsidiaries or finance them through capital contributions. Such changes and capital contributions must be approved by MOFCOM or its local branches.
Our ability to use the U.S. dollar proceeds of the sale of our equity or debt to finance our business activities conducted through our PRC subsidiaries will depend on our ability to obtain these governmental registrations or approvals. In addition, because of the regulatory issues related to foreign currency loans to, and foreign investment in, domestic PRC enterprises, we may not be able to finance the operation of our consolidated affiliated entities in China by loans or capital contributions. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these government approvals on a timely basis, if at all. If we fail to obtain such approvals, our ability to finance our PRC subsidiary and to expand our operations in China may be severely restricted, and could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively.
Substantially all of our revenues and operating expenses are denominated in Renminbi. The PRC government imposes controls on currency conversion between Renminbi and foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of and into China. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including payment of dividends, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior SAFE approval by complying with certain procedural requirements. Our PRC subsidiaries may also retain foreign exchange in their current accounts, subject to a ceiling approved by SAFE, to satisfy foreign exchange liabilities or to pay dividends. In addition, approval of the appropriate governmental authorities is required if Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of offshore bank loans denominated in foreign currencies. However, we cannot assure you that the relevant PRC governmental authorities will not limit or eliminate our ability to purchase and retain foreign currencies in the future. Under our current corporate structure, the income of our company will be primarily derived from dividend payments from Beijing WFOE and Tianjin WFOE. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of Beijing WFOE and Tianjin WFOE to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends to us, or otherwise satisfy its foreign currency-dominated obligations.
Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by a severe and prolonged global economic downturn and a corresponding slowdown of the PRC economy.
Recent global market and economic conditions have been unprecedented and challenging and have caused persisting recession in most major economies in 2008 and 2009 and significant market volatility since 2010. Continued concerns about the systemic impact of a potentially long-term and widespread recession, energy costs, geopolitical issues and the availability and cost of credit have contributed to increased market volatility and diminished expectations for economic growth around the world. The difficult economic outlook has negatively affected business and consumer confidence and contributed to volatility at unprecedented levels. The PRC economy also faces challenges. Since we derive substantially all of our revenues in China, any prolonged slowdown in the growth of the PRC economy could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Disruptions of the financial markets could also significantly restrict our ability to obtain financing in the capital markets or from financial institutions.
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Changes in China’s political and economic policies could harm our business.
The economy of China has historically been a planned economy subject to governmental plans and quotas and has, in certain aspects, been transitioning to a more market-oriented economy. Although we believe that the economic reform and the macroeconomic measures adopted by the PRC government have had a positive effect on the economic development of China, we cannot predict the future direction of these economic reforms or the effects these measures may have on our business, financial position or results of operations. In addition, the PRC economy differs from the economies of most countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD. These differences include:
· economic structure;
· level of government involvement in the economy;
· level of development;
· level of capital reinvestment;
· control of foreign exchange;
· methods of allocating resources; and
· balance of payments position.
As a result of these differences, our business may not develop in the same way or at the same rate as might be expected if the PRC economy were similar to those of the OECD member countries.
Inflation in China and measures to contain inflation could negatively affect our profitability and growth.
While the PRC economy has experienced rapid growth, such growth has been uneven among various sectors of the economy and in different geographical areas of the country. Rapid economic growth can lead to growth in the money supply and rising inflation. If prices for our advertising services rise at a rate that is insufficient to compensate for the rise in our costs, our business may be materially and adversely affected. In order to control inflation in the past, the PRC government has imposed controls on bank credits, limits on loans for fixed assets and restrictions on state bank lending. Such austerity measures can lead to a slowing of economic growth. A slowdown in the PRC economy could also materially and adversely affect our business and prospects.
The audit report included in this annual report was prepared by auditors who are not inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and, as such, you are deprived of the benefits of such inspections.
Auditors of companies that are registered with the SEC and traded publicly in the United States, including our independent registered public accounting firm, must be registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or the PCAOB, and are required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess their compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Because our auditors are located in the People’s Republic of China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our auditors are not currently inspected by the PCAOB. This lack of PCAOB inspections in China prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating audits and quality control procedures of any auditors operating in China, including our auditors. As a result, investors in our ADSs may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditors’ audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to other public company auditors outside of China that are subject to PCAOB inspections. As a result, investors in our ADSs may lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements.
Any occurrence of pandemic avian influenza or other widespread public health problem, or any recurrence of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
An outbreak of pandemic avian influenza or other widespread public health problem, or a renewed outbreak of SARS in China, where most of our revenues are derived, and in Beijing, where our operations are headquartered, could have a negative effect on our operations. There have been recent reports of outbreaks of an avian flu caused by the H7N9 virus, including confirmed human cases, in China. Our operations may be affected by a number of health-related factors, including the following:
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· quarantines or closures of some of our offices which would severely disrupt our operations,
· the sickness or death of our key officers and employees, and
· a general slowdown in the PRC economy caused by any public health problems.
Any of the foregoing events or other unforeseen consequences of public health problems could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our ADSs
The price of our ADSs has been volatile historically and may continue to be volatile, which may make it difficult for holders to resell the ADSs when desired or at attractive prices.
The trading price of our ADSs has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations. The sale price of our ADSs on the NASDAQ Global Market ranged from $0.90 to $4.04 per ADS in 2012 and the last reported sale price on April 18, 2013 was $1.00.
Our ADS price may fluctuate in response to a number of events and factors, including among other factors:
· announcements of technological or competitive developments;
· regulatory developments in our target markets affecting us, our customers or our competitors;
· announcements of share repurchase program;
· actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;
· changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts;
· changes in the economic performance or market valuations of our website;
· addition or departure of our executive officers and key research personnel; and
· sales or perceived sales of additional ordinary shares or ADSs.
In addition, the financial markets in general, and the market prices for Internet-related companies in particular, have experienced extreme volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our ADSs, regardless of our operating performance.
Future sales or perceived sales of substantial amounts of our ordinary shares or ADSs by our controlling shareholder could adversely affect the price of our ADSs.
If our controlling shareholder sells, or is perceived as intending to sell, substantial amounts of our ordinary shares or ADSs, including those issued upon the exercise of our outstanding stock options, the market price of our ADSs could fall. Such sales, or perceived potential sales, by our controlling shareholder might make it more difficult for us to issue new equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and place we deem appropriate. If our controlling shareholder sells a substantial amount of ordinary shares it currently holds, the prevailing market price for our ADSs could be adversely affected.
As a foreign private issuer with ADSs listed on the NASDAQ Global Market, we follow home country corporate governance practices instead of certain NASDAQ requirements.
As a foreign private issuer whose ADSs are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market, we are permitted to follow home country corporate governance practices instead of certain NASDAQ requirements. A foreign private issuer that elects to follow its home country practice must submit to the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC a written statement from an independent counsel in such issuer’s home country certifying that the issuer’s practices are not prohibited by the home country’s laws. In addition, a foreign private issuer must disclose in its annual reports filed with the SEC each NASDAQ requirement with which it does not comply followed by a description of its applicable home country practice.
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As a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with ADSs listed on the NASDAQ Global Market, we intend to follow our home country practice instead of NASDAQ requirements that mandate that:
· our board of directors be comprised of a majority of independent directors;
· our directors be selected or nominated by a majority of the independent directors or a nomination committee comprised solely of independent directors;
· our board adopt a formal written charter or board resolution addressing the director nominations process and such related matters as may be required under the U.S. federal securities laws;
· the compensation of our executive officers be determined or recommended by a majority of the independent directors or a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors; and
· issuances of securities in connection with equity-based compensation of officers, directors, employees or consultants be approved by shareholders.
As we are a Cayman Islands company, our shareholders may face difficulties in protecting their interests, and our ability to protect our rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, by the Cayman Companies Law and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders, and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law in the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedents in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority but are not binding on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law in this area may not be as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in existence in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and some states, such as Delaware, have more developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate laws. Moreover, under the Cayman Companies Law, for mergers and consolidations involving two Cayman Islands companies or a Cayman Islands company and an overseas company, dissenting shareholders have the right to be paid the fair value of their shares (which, if not agreed to by the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) if they follow the required procedures, subject to certain exceptions, and such rights may not be comparable to the appraisal rights that would ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of a U.S. company. Finally, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate shareholder derivative actions before any federal court of the United States. As a result, our shareholders may have more difficulties in protecting their interests in the face of actions by our management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a public company incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States.
Our shareholders may have difficulties in enforcing judgments obtained against us.
We are a Cayman Islands company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. Substantially all of our current operations are conducted in China. In addition, most of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for our shareholders to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons. It may also be difficult for our shareholders to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors, most of whom are not residents in the United States and the substantial majority of whose assets are located outside of the United States.
There is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state due to the lack of reciprocal treaty in the PRC providing statutory recognition of judgments obtained in the United States. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether such PRC courts would be competent to hear original actions brought in the PRC against us or such persons who reside outside the United States predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state.
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Although there is some uncertainty as to the enforcement in the Cayman Islands, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of United States courts, of liabilities predicated upon U.S. federal securities laws, a final and conclusive judgment in personam of a competent foreign court, including a competent United States court, against our company based upon the agreements under which a definite sum of money is payable other than a sum payable in respect of taxes or other charges of a like nature of a fine or other similar penalty, may be the subject of enforcement proceedings in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands under the common law doctrine of obligation by action on the debt evidenced by the judgment of such competent foreign court. A final opinion as to the availability of this remedy should be sought when the facts surrounding the foreign court’s judgment are known, but, on general principles, it would be expected that such proceedings be successful provided that (a) the court which gave the judgment was competent to hear the action in accordance with private international law principles as applied in the Cayman Islands and (b) the judgment is not contrary to public policy in Cayman Islands, has not been obtained by fraud or in proceedings contrary to natural justice and is not based on an error in Cayman Islands law.
Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents may discourage our acquisition by a third party, which could limit your opportunity to sell your shares at a premium.
Our memorandum and articles of association include provisions that could limit the ability of others to acquire control of us, modify our structure or cause us to engage in change of control transactions, including, among other things, provisions that authorize our board of directors, without action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares and to issue additional ordinary shares, including ordinary shares represented by ADSs.
These provisions could have the effect of depriving you of an opportunity to sell your ADSs at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to acquire control of us in a tender offer or similar transactions.
The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement.
A holder of our ADSs may only exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Upon receipt of voting instructions of a holder of ADSs in the manner set forth in the deposit agreement, the depositary will endeavor to vote the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with these instructions. Under our memorandum and articles of association and Cayman Islands law, the minimum notice period required for convening a general meeting is five days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient notice of a general meeting to permit you to withdraw your ordinary shares to allow you to cast your vote with respect to any specific matter. In addition, the depositary and its agents may not be able to send voting instructions to you or carry out your voting instructions in a timely manner. We will make all reasonable efforts to cause the depositary to extend voting rights to you in a timely manner, but we cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares. Furthermore, the depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast, or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may lack recourse if your ordinary shares are not voted as you requested.
We may be required to withhold PRC income tax on the dividends we pay you (if any), and any gain you realize on the transfer of our ordinary shares and ADSs may also be subject to PRC tax if we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise.
Pursuant to the EIT Law, we may be treated as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. See “—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We may be deemed a PRC resident enterprise under the EIT Law and be subject to PRC taxation on our worldwide income” above. If we were so treated by the PRC tax authorities, we would be obligated to withhold PRC income tax on payments of dividends on our ordinary shares and ADSs to investors that are non-resident enterprises, provided that such dividends are deemed as China-sourced income. A non-resident enterprise is an enterprise that does not have an establishment or place of business in China or that has such establishment or place of business but its income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of business. In addition, any gain realized by investors that are non-resident enterprises from the transfer of our ordinary shares or ADSs may be deemed as China-sourced income and generally be subject to PRC tax. Such dividends and gains to investors that are non-resident enterprises would generally be subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax, unless a reduced tax rate is provided by any applicable tax treaty and the holders have completed the relevant procedures prescribed by the PRC tax authorities to prove their beneficial owner status.
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Moreover, under the PRC Individual Income Tax Law, or the IITL, if we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise, non-resident individual investors would be subject to PRC individual income tax on dividends paid to such investors and any capital gains realized from the transfer of our ordinary shares and ADSs, provided that such dividends and gains are deemed as China-sourced income. A non-resident individual is an individual who has no domicile in China and does not stay within China or has stayed within China for less than one year. Pursuant to the IITL and its implementation rules, for purposes of the PRC capital gains tax, the taxable income will be based on the total income obtained from the transfer of our ordinary shares or ADSs after deducting all the costs and expenses that are permitted under PRC tax laws to be deducted from the income. If we were considered a PRC resident enterprise and dividends paid with respect to our ordinary shares and ADSs and the gains realized from the transfer of our ordinary shares and ADSs were considered China-sourced income by relevant PRC tax authorities, such dividends and gains earned by non-resident individuals would generally be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20%, unless a reduced tax rate is provided by any applicable tax treaty and the holders have completed the relevant procedures prescribed by the PRC tax authorities to prove their beneficial owner status.
The foregoing PRC taxes may reduce your investment return on our ordinary shares and ADSs and may also affect the price of our ordinary shares and ADSs.
You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.
Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books for a number of reasons, including in connection with corporate events such as a rights offering, during which time the depositary needs to maintain an exact number of ADS holders on its books for a specified period. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer, or register transfers of our ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law, any government, governmental body or commission or the NASDAQ Global Market, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or because of a meeting of shareholders of our company, or for any other reason.
Your right as a holder of ADSs to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings.
We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make rights available to our ADS holders in the United States unless we register the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. In addition, the deposit agreement provides that the depositary bank will not make rights available to you unless the distribution to ADS holders of both the rights and any related securities are either registered under the Securities Act or exempted from registration under the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective nor is it our current intention to do so. Moreover, we may not be able to rely on an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, ADS holders may be unable to participate in future rights offerings, if any, and may experience dilution in their holdings. In addition, if the depositary is unable to sell rights that are not exercised or not distributed or if the sale is not lawful or reasonably practicable, it will allow the rights to lapse, in which case you will receive no value for these rights.
We may be adversely affected by the outcome of the administrative proceedings brought by the SEC against five accounting firms in China.
The SEC has brought administrative proceedings against five accounting firms in China recently alleging that they refused to produce audit work papers and other documents related to certain China-based companies under investigation by the SEC for potential accounting fraud. We were not and are not subject to any SEC investigations, nor are we involved in the proceedings brought by the SEC against the accounting firms. However, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit reports included in our annual reports filed with the SEC is one of the five accounting firms named in the SEC’s proceedings and we may be adversely affected by the outcome of the proceedings, along with other U.S. listed companies audited by these accounting firms. If the SEC prevails in the proceedings, our independent registered public accounting firm and the other four accounting firms in China that were named in the proceedings may be barred from practicing before the SEC and hence unable to continue to be the auditors for China-based companies listed in the United States like us. If none of the China-based auditors are able to continue to be auditors for China-based companies listed in the United States, we will not be able to meet the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act, which may ultimately result in our deregistration by the SEC and delisting from the NASDAQ Global Market.
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Item 4. Information on the Company
A. History and Development of the Company
We became an independent company in September 1999 when we were spun-off from UT Starcom Inc., a NASDAQ-listed company that manufactures telecommunication equipment in China. At that time, we focused on developing billing software and providing system integration services for telecommunications network operators in their fixed-line Internet infrastructure build-outs.
In April 2002, we established a new holding company, Hurray! Holding Co., Ltd., in the Cayman Islands.
In 2007, we entered into an agreement to sell our software and systems integration, or SSI, business to Taiwan Mobile, which assumed control over the management and assumed the risks of our SSI business in August 2007. We completed the remaining closing procedures in April 2008. This divestment enabled us to focus on our strategy of becoming an entertainment content production and distribution house in China.
Before August 17, 2010, we primarily engaged in WVAS business in China and music development, production and distribution and artist development business in China and Taiwan. From 2007 to 2010, we expanded our WVAS and recorded music businesses both organically and through a series of acquisitions of controlling stakes in independent recorded music companies.
In June 2009, we entered into a tender offer agreement with Shanda Interactive under which Shanda Interactive commenced a tender offer to acquire 51% of our outstanding ordinary shares at the time. The tender offer was successfully completed in July 2009.
In January 2010, we entered into the online video business through the acquisition of Ku6 Holding pursuant to a definitive share purchase agreement.
On May 28, 2010, we sold all of our 51% interest in Huayi Music to Huayi Brothers Media Corporation for an aggregate consideration of RMB34,450,000.
On August 17, 2010, we sold our WVAS and recorded music businesses to Shanda Interactive for $37,243,904 in cash, pursuant to a master transaction agreement entered into between us and Shanda Interactive on June 1, 2010. Concurrently, we acquired a 75% interest in Yisheng, an online audio business, from Shanda Interactive in exchange for 415,384,615 newly issued ordinary shares and the remaining 25% interest from a non-controlling shareholder in exchange for 138,461,539 newly issued ordinary shares.
On August 17, 2010, we changed our name from “Hurray! Holding Co., Ltd.” to “Ku6 Media Co., Ltd.”
On August 11, 2011, we disposed of a significant interest in Yisheng as part of the strategic transition from online audio business to online video business. After the disposal, our company ceases to control Yisheng and only retains a 20% interest in Yisheng.
We currently operate and focus on our online video business as our principal business. We derive substantially all of our revenues from online advertising services. As a result of management’s review and adjustment of our business strategies, beginning in April 2011, we have engaged Shengyue, an affiliate wholly owned by Shanda Interactive, as our sole advertising agency using performance advertising under which advertisers pay only for measurable results. We have also shifted our focus from purchasing licensed video copyrights to relying on UGC.
Our principal executive offices are located at Building 6, Zhengtongchuangyi Centre, No. 18, Xibahe Xili, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100028, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number is +86 10 5758-6813. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Puglisi & Associates, located at 850 Library Ave, Suite 204, Newark, DE 19711.
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B. Business Overview Introduction
We are a leading online video company in China. Through our online brand Ku6 and our online video website www.ku6.com, we provide video information services and entertainment to viewers in China. As an online video portal, www.ku6.com offers news, reports and interactive entertainment programs and also provides a video platform for video-sharing and watching UGC.
Our online video business focuses on UGC and community-based content and we seek to be a strategically focused company with focuses on users’ experience and technology development. We provide a comprehensive selection of unique and differentiated UGC and, to a lesser extent, some in-house developed content and licensed content on our websites. Our broad selection of online video content includes news, comedies, Channel V music videos, games, micro movies and sub-channels such as entertainment, sports, finance, fashion, technology, automobile, education and others. We also provide an online platform that allows users to share comments on videos, ensuring that our users enjoy a highly engaging and interactive experience on our websites. As of December 31, 2012, our content library had more than 53 million video clips. The volume of high-quality and differentiated content available on our website has allowed us to establish a valuable user base in China, consisting primarily of young urban educated users between the ages of 18 and 44, a particularly attractive demographic to advertisers.
We currently derive substantially all of our revenues from online advertising services primarily using performance advertising. Our advertising solutions present advertisers with a complete range of advertisement creation, matching, placement and presentation. Our online advertising services include in-video, display, sponsorship and other forms. We sell our advertising services primarily through Shengyue, an affiliate wholly owned by Shanda Interactive, as our advertising agency.
Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership and investment in value-added telecommunications services and advertising businesses in China, we operate our business primarily through our consolidated affiliated entities in China. We do not hold equity interests in our consolidated affiliated entities. However, through a series of contractual arrangements with these consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders, we effectively control, and are able to derive substantially all of the economic benefits from, these consolidated affiliated entities.
Our Video Platform
Our Website
In 2011, we moved our content focus from long-form videos to short-form videos. Users can access our website for short-form videos, including hot news and reports, first-hand information and entertainment videos, which can be provided by users or our content partners or produced in-house.
Our website has a series of user-friendly functions such as search tools and recommendations. In 2012, we rebuilt and optimized our search and recommendation engines, which have been integrated into both of our web and mobile products. The average page views of the new search page increased by over 30% compared with the old search page, and the new recommendation system led to nearly doubled average video views for each unique visitor to our website. We also help users navigate our database and find videos of interest by creating popularity ranking indices and interest-based video channels, such as ent.ku6.com for entertainment and sports.ku6.com for sports. We provide social features, such as community web pages and video sharing and commenting tools. We also offer a search history for frequent visitors to help them quickly locate recently viewed video clips. We present a chat box alongside videos so that users viewing the same video at the same time can have live, online chats. Users may create a playlist based on their preferences so that the requested video will be broadcast continuously. Registered visitors may upload video clips easily to our website and comment on each video clip to share their opinions. We believe all these features help provide an enhanced user experience and reinforce user loyalty.
In addition, users can download our proprietary P2P software, “Speed Ku6,” and install it on their personal computers to enhance their viewing experience with high-quality videos and smooth connections. We also provide an application, “Upload Speed,” for users to upload video clips from their personal computers. As of December 31, 2012, our users had uploaded approximately 27 million video clips through the “Upload Speed” application. We have also launched a new product, ChannelMe, to give our priority value creating users/units, or VCUs, a unique identity and provide additional features for them to customize their homepage. It also allows users to interact with our priority VCUs online, such as sending virtual gifts to their favorite priority VCUs.
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In January 2012, we entered into an agreement with YouTube, a renowned international video-sharing website owned by Google, which allowed our international users to view original videos from China on a new channel on YouTube’s website. In March 2012, we established a partnership arrangement with Channel V, a music video entertainment TV channel, to bring its content to our users on our website. In May and September 2012, we began cooperation with Kaixin001.com, a Chinese social network service website, and NetEase, Inc., a Chinese Internet company with microblog services, respectively, for video sharing. Contents on our website can be embedded into their websites, and our users can easily share them with their friends through Kaixin001.com and NetEase platform. Users of Kaixin001 and NetEase may also upload and share videos through our platform without leaving their websites.
Mobile Platform
We significantly expanded our product portfolio for mobile platforms in 2012. Users can use their mobile phones to watch a large number of videos on ku6.com through compatible web browsers. For iPhones and Android devices, users may also install the mobile version of our Ku6 application, Ku6 Show, which allows them to view video clips on our website online and offline, and to shoot and upload video clips onto our website on the go. Our Channel V application caters users with music videos. We have also cooperated with Shanda Innovations and developed a microfilm application, Micro Cool, which provides a mobile community platform for video sharing and focuses on short videos of not more than thirty seconds. Once installed, this application connects mobile devices to our mobile community platform and supports video shooting, editing, uploading and sharing.
Our Content
UGC (User-Generated Content)
Our website allows Internet users to easily upload, watch and share UGC video clips. We offer creative talents, particularly the younger Chinese generation, channels for artistic expression outside the traditional mainstream content formats such as television. Our UGC has experienced rapid growth in terms of the number of users who upload video clips, the number and varieties of video clips uploaded every day, and the number of daily video views. In 2012, we delivered an average of over 50,000 new UGC video clips each day covering a wide range of subject matters from entertainment to news, comedies, sports, finance, fashion and beyond. UGC is well embraced by Internet users, particularly young Internet users, given its sharing and interactive qualities.
Our editorial team is responsible for communicating with users on the types of UGC we believe are popular and well demanded. We have also introduced the product New Weiguan which is designed to increase users’ attention to each other and increase viewership of UGC.
In order to encourage more users to upload UGC to our website, we have purchased the licensing rights to some popular UGC, and have started to share advertising revenues with individual users whose number of uploads exceed certain thresholds. In August 2011, we established a revenue sharing program to target three types of users: contracted users, certified original content providers and general uploading users. We reward each type of user in accordance with different revenue sharing criteria. For example, we pay contracted users certain fees based on the popularity of their videos and also a percentage of revenues based on the total video views as quarterly bonus. The quarterly bonus for a contracted user may range from RMB2,000 to RMB8,000 if the user’s videos are viewed on our website more than one million times. Contracted users contribute approximately 50% of all the videos on our website.
In-house Developed Content
In addition to UGC, our content includes in-house developed content that we produce from time to time, such as online talk shows, celebrity interviews and reality shows to our viewers. We select the types of content to be produced generally based on our assessment of users’ preferences and information gathered by us from analyzing user data collected through our video platform. We typically cooperate with third parties engaged in in-house production, taking advantage of talents of local production teams and their relatively low production costs.
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Licensed Content
In June 2011, we ceased purchasing copyrights of movies and TV dramas from professional studios and their distributors. Previously purchased movies and TV drama will be shown on ku6.com through the end of their license periods.
Our Users
We have an extensive user base for our video platform. Most users visit our website from direct navigation, with the remainder from organic search results or third-party website links connecting to us. Our user base has increased significantly primarily due to our ability to consistently provide appealing video content to users and our enhanced brand awareness. As the number of our users grows, the resulting network effect in turn attracts more users to join our established user community.
Our user base consists primarily of young urban educated users, between ages 18 and 44, which is a particularly attractive demographic to advertisers. Online viewers in China also represent a more affluent and better-educated segment of the population in China. We have tracked and maintained extensive user data, including viewing history and information voluntarily provided by registered users. We use sophisticated statistical tools to analyze user data, to better understand users’ viewing preference and habits. This greatly facilitates our efforts in providing service to our advertising customers.
Advertising Services and Customers
We currently derive substantially all of our revenues from online advertising services primarily using performance advertising. By using the Application Advertisement, or AA, system, our advertising solutions provide advertisers with attractive opportunities to combine the visual impact and engagement of traditional television-like multimedia advertisements with interactivity and precise targeting capabilities of the Internet.
Our Advertising Services
Our online advertising services include in-video, display, sponsorship and other forms of advertisements. In-video advertisements appear at certain times during the playback of a video. These video advertisements can be pre-roll, post-roll, mid-roll or pause advertisements. Display advertisements can be delivered alongside a video and may take the form of graphic banners or text hyperlinks. Other forms of advertisements include product placements in our in-house produced web video series or sponsored live events.
Advertisers are increasingly seeking measurable results to maximize their return on investment. Our advertising solutions present brand advertisers with attractive opportunities to combine the visual impact and engagement of traditional television-like multimedia formats with the interactivity and precise targeting capabilities of the Internet.
· Innovative Targeting. Some targeting solutions are unique to the online video platform and cannot be transplanted into other media platforms. We are able to track and monitor an advertiser’s campaign on a real-time basis and can make adjustments to enhance its effectiveness within parameters specified by the advertiser upfront. Our targeting strategies enable advertisers to reach targeted users based on any or a combination of standards, including the demographic information about the user, the nature of the video’s content, the geographic location of the user, the time of day at which a video is being watched, or the keywords associated with the video. Our video channels also help segregate videos based on users’ interested content, which allows us to deliver advertisements tailored to the viewers of different channels; and
· Product Placements. As an online video provider with a permit for radio and television program production and operation, we are able to produce web-based content, such as web serial dramas, interviews and variety shows, with embedded product placements. If a program’s storyline is consistent with a brand’s or product’s marketing initiatives, a product placement can have strong branding effects on viewers.
The list prices of our advertising services depend on various factors, including the form of advertising, specific targeting requirements, duration of the time slot purchased and popularity of the content that the advertisements would be associated with. Prices for the aggregate time slots purchased by each advertiser or advertising agency are fixed under sales contracts, typically at a discount to our list prices. We review the list prices quarterly. In addition, we employ a cost per 1,000 impressions (CPM)-based model for our in-video advertisements. This approach is similar to that of traditional television in that the advertisements are priced based in part on the user reach and viewing frequency. It allows advertisers to better compare the online and offline advertising services at their disposal. It also enables us to better monetize our growing user base and provide measurable results to our advertisers.
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We have an advertising tracking system which records and maintains the traffic statistics and other data relating to the effectiveness of advertisements. After the broadcasting of a customer’s advertisement, we will provide them with a report of advertising effectiveness either prepared in-house or by an independent research firm upon their request.
Advertising Sales
We engage in advertising sales primarily through advertising agencies. Historically, we entered into a majority of our online advertising agreements with various third-party advertising agencies. In April 2011, we entered into an advertising agency agreement with Shengyue, pursuant to which Shengyue agreed to act as our exclusive advertising agency for our standard media resources and as our non-exclusive advertising agency for our highly interactive advertising resources. Since then, we have relied on Shengyue, an affiliate wholly owned by Shanda Interactive, as our sole advertising agency, which manages our sales to, and collects payments from, substantially all of our advertisers. We cooperate with Shengyue to provide current and prospective advertisers with comprehensive information about our services and the advantages of using our advertising solutions. Pursuant to the advertising agency agreement with Shengyue, Shengyue generates advertising revenues for us and guarantees a minimum amount of revenues for each quarter. In return, we guarantee a certain amount of web traffic for our webpage on which Shengyue posts advertisements and pay Shengyue a progressive commission fee based upon increasing percentages for additional tiers of revenue in excess of the minimum guaranteed amount. We settle the advertising revenues net of commission fees with Shengyue on a periodic basis. The initial term of our advertising agency agreement with Shengyue expired on December 31, 2012. In January 2013, we amended and restated this agreement with Shengyue and extended its term to December 31, 2013.
Marketing and Brand Promotion
We have initiated various marketing activities to further promote our brand awareness among existing and potential users and customers, which include:
· Direct Advertising. We engage in direct advertising in print, radio and TV media to market and promote our online video products. We believe that direct advertising is one of the most effective ways to market and promote our services to Internet users.
· Online Advertising. We engage in online advertising on other websites with user bases similar to our own or likely to watch online videos.
· Promotional Events. We organize and run a number of online promotional events which we believe help create brand awareness by associating the Ku6 brand with well-known and respected organizations and events in China.
· We also market our products and services by displaying our name and logo in Ku6 media player screens when users embed our content on third-party websites.
Technology and Infrastructure
We believe our proprietary technologies and infrastructure are critical to our success. With a dedicated research and development department, we have made significant investments in developing a proprietary, scalable technology platform that differentiates our online video distribution system.
Architecture
Since 2011, we have invested significantly in CDN infrastructure to support faster delivery of our online video content. As a pioneer in implementing this technology, we have established a more stable and scalable CDN and gained valuable CDN operations experience.
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Our CDN technology utilizes distributed data storage to maintain copies of popular content at the “edge” of the network, which enables end-users to more quickly access that content. CDN technology facilitates faster responses to users’ requests for content, avoids buffering and associated delays caused by low bandwidth and user congestion of Internet traffic, and is therefore critical to the success of online video providers.
By hosting our Internet data centers along the major nodes of the transmission backbones operated by the local subsidiaries of China’s telecommunications carriers, we seek to maintain high standards in terms of delivery quality and speed as video content is transmitted from our servers to users throughout China. We have established a large number of servers nationwide, which contribute significantly to our fast streaming speeds and reliable viewing experience. Our servers are located at service sites of the local subsidiaries of the major domestic telecommunications carriers, which provide a stable power supply and maintenance for our servers.
AA System
The AA system tracks the reach, delivery duration and frequency, targeting and quantity of advertisements delivered by our website. The system supports monitoring of our advertising efforts by enabling retrieval of real-time advertisement delivery data using certain system application interfaces. We have also introduced an advertising results forecasting system that is used in an increasing number of large advertising campaigns on our website. This system is designed to help optimize our advertisers’ strategy by forecasting the results of a given campaign, factoring in the covered audience and the frequency and reach of such campaign.
Content Monitoring and Copyright Protection
We are committed to the protection of third-party copyrights. We are required to monitor our website for content prohibited by the PRC laws and regulations. See “—Government Regulation—Regulations on Internet Content Services.”
We have invested significantly in content monitoring and copyright protection technologies. We have a content screening team of more than 60 contract employees dedicated to screening and monitoring the content uploaded on our website to ensure that no content that may be deemed to be prohibited by government rules and regulations is posted and promptly remove any allegedly infringing content once we receive proper notification from the legitimate copyright owner. We provide training to these employees and supervise and monitor their work. We implemented monitoring procedures to remove infringing content, including: (i) technology screening, where a video fingerprint system developed by us compares newly uploaded videos with fingerprint trails of copyrighted videos in our system and screens out those that have piracy issues, a text filtering system screens content based on pre-set key words, and another filtering system automatically screens out pornographic and obscene content based on colors and images; (ii) manual review, where the content that passes the technology screening is reviewed by the content screening team on a 24-hour, 7-day basis, and the flagged content identified by our technology is reviewed and confirmed that it can be released; and (iii) back-office professional supervision, where certain professional content providers who we grant access to our back-office database can directly flag the infringing content for removal. Other content on our website are also monitored. For example, user-posted comments are typically screened by the text filtering system and are monitored by our screening team. Substantially all of the videos uploaded on our website are manually screened by our contract employees. All of the other content, primarily consisting of comments posted by users, are first screened by our filtering systems and the content containing prohibitive words or images is manually screened by our contract employees.
When infringing content is discovered, we may take action under the agreement with our users. After a user registers and before each upload, we require the user to click a check box to confirm that the content to be uploaded is in compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in the user agreement, and to guarantee that he or she is the copyright owner or has obtained all necessary consents and authorizations for such content and that he or she is responsible for such content. Pursuant to the user agreement, each user agrees to indemnify us for all damages arising from third-party claims against us caused by violating or infringing content uploaded or linked by the user. In addition, if we find a user has violated applicable laws or regulations or infringed other parties’ legal rights, we may terminate the user account and block the user’s future uploads without prior notice under the user agreement.
Despite our efforts, due to the large amount of content uploaded by our users, we may not be able to identify all infringing content. See Item 3.D. “Risks Related to Our Business—We have been and expect to continue to be exposed to intellectual property infringement and other claims, including claims based on content posted on our website” and “—Regulation and censorship of information disseminated over the Internet in China may adversely affect our business and subject us to liability for information displayed on or linked to our websites.”
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Privacy Protection and Information Security
We have established information security systems to ensure our network and information security, including website security procedures, a security and confidential information management system, and user security system. These information security systems have been filed with the MIIT or its local branch. However, we may not be able to adequately protect the privacy rights of third parties from infringing content uploaded by our users. See Item 3.D. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business— We have been and expect to continue to be exposed to intellectual property infringement and other claims, including claims based on content posted on our website.”
Intellectual Property
We rely primarily on intellectual property laws and our contractual arrangements with our employees, clients, business partners and others to protect our intellectual property rights. We require our employees to enter into agreements requiring them to keep confidential all information relating to our customers, methods, business and trade secrets during and after their employment with us. Our employees are required to acknowledge and recognize that all inventions, trade secrets, works of authorship, developments and other processes generated by them on our behalf, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, made by them during their employment are our property. They also sign agreements to substantiate our sole and exclusive right to those works and to transfer any ownership that they may claim in those works to us. We have registered our domain names, including ku6.com, weiguan.com and ku6vms.com.
Competition
The online video industry in China is rapidly evolving and highly competitive. We believe the key competitive factors in the online video industry in China include brand recognition, demographic composition of users, robust technology platform, ability to acquire popular premium licensed content at a reasonable cost and create differentiated content in-house, ability to source creative UGC, ability to provide innovative advertising services to customers, relationships with advertising customers, advertising prices, as well as the range of services provided to advertising customers.
We face competition from other major online video companies. Among the independent or “pure-play” online video sites, our major competitors in China include Youku.com and Tudou.com. Several large Chinese Internet companies, such as SINA Corporation, Baidu, Inc., Sohu.com Inc., Tencent Holdings Limited, NetEase.com, Inc. and/or their affiliates, have launched online video websites. In addition, some of China’s TV networks, such as CCTV, Phoenix Satellite TV and Hunan Satellite TV, have launched their own video broadcasting websites. We also face competition from Internet video streaming platforms based on the P2P technology, such as PPS and PPTV.
Certain international online video sites, such as YouTube and Hulu, have large content portfolios and high brand recognition, particularly among users outside China. Currently, YouTube is not accessible by viewers in China. If China lifts the restrictions, YouTube may become our major competitor in China.
We also compete with traditional advertising media, such as television, radio, newspapers and magazines, and major out-of-home media, such as billboards, for advertisers’ advertising budgets. Large enterprises currently spend a relatively small percentage of their advertising budgets on online advertising as compared to the percentage they spend on traditional advertising media, but we expect the percentage spent on online advertising to increase in the future.
Seasonality
We experience seasonality in our online advertising business. Historically, in the China market, the fourth calendar quarter represents the best season for the general advertising market. This is followed by the third and second calendar quarters. The first calendar quarter is usually the worst season in China due to the Chinese New Year holidays.
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Government Regulation
The following is a summary of the principal governmental laws and regulations that are or may be applicable to companies such as ours in China. The scope and enforcement of many of the laws and regulations described below are uncertain. We cannot predict the effect of further developments in the PRC legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement of laws. For a description of the regulatory risks related to our business, see Item 3.D. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business— Complexity, uncertainties and changes in government policies or regulations of Internet industry may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.,” “—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure” and “—Risks Related to Doing Business in China.”
Regulations on Value-Added Telecommunications Services
On September 25, 2000, the State Council promulgated the Telecommunications Regulations, or the Telecom Regulations. The Telecom Regulations draw a distinction between “basic telecommunication services” and “value-added telecommunication services.” Internet content provision services, or ICP services, is a subcategory of value-added telecommunications businesses. Under the Telecom Regulations, commercial operators of value-added telecommunications services must first obtain an operating license from the MIIT or its provincial level counterparts.
On September 25, 2000, the State Council issued the Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, or the Internet Measures. According to the Internet Measures, commercial ICP service operators must obtain an ICP license from the relevant government authorities before engaging in any commercial ICP operations in China. In November 2000, the MIIT promulgated the Administrative Measures on Internet Electronic Messaging Services, or the BBS Measures. BBS services include electronic bulletin boards, electronic forums, message boards and chat rooms.
On December 26, 2001, the MIIT promulgated the Administrative Measures on Telecommunications Business Operating License, or the Telecom License Measures. On March 1, 2009, the MIIT issued the revised Telecom License Measures, which became effective on April 10, 2009. The Telecom License Measures set forth the types of licenses required to operate value-added telecommunications services and the qualifications and procedures for obtaining such licenses. For example, an ICP service operator providing value-added services in multiple provinces is required to obtain an inter-regional license, whereas an ICP service operator providing the same services in one province is required to obtain a local license.
Ku6 Information Technology, as our ICP service operator, holds an ICP license issued by Beijing Telecommunications Administration Bureau, which will expire in November 2016. In connection with our previous WVAS business, Ku6 Information Technology holds a Value-Added Telecommunication Services Operating License, or VATS license, issued by the MIIT, which will expire in January 2015. After the disposal of our WVAS business to Shanda Interactive in August 2010, we have submitted the application to the MIIT to cancel our VATS license.
Regulations on Internet Content Services
National security considerations are an important factor in the regulation of Internet content in China. The National People’s Congress, the national legislature of the PRC, has enacted laws with respect to maintaining the security of Internet operation and Internet content. According to these laws, as well as the Internet Measures, violators may be subject to penalties, including criminal sanctions, for Internet content that:
· opposes the fundamental principles stated in the PRC constitution;
· compromises national security, divulges state secrets, subverts state power or damages national unity;
· harms the dignity or interests of the state;
· incites ethnic hatred or racial discrimination or damages inter-ethnic unity;
· undermines China’s religious policy or propagates heretical teachings or feudal superstitions;
· disseminates rumors, disturbs social order or disrupts social stability;
· disseminates obscenity or pornography, encourages gambling, violence, murder or fear or incites the commission of a crime;
· insults or slanders a third party or infringes upon the lawful rights and interests of a third party; or
· is otherwise prohibited by law or administrative regulations.
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ICP service operators are required to monitor their websites. They may not post or disseminate any content that falls within these prohibited categories and must remove any such content from their websites. The PRC government may shut down the websites of ICP license holders that violate any of the above-mentioned content restrictions, order them to suspend their operations, or revoke their ICP licenses.
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership in Value-Added Telecommunications Services
According to the Provisions on Administration of Foreign Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, or the FITE Provisions, promulgated by the State Council on December 11, 2001 and amended on September 10, 2008, the ultimate foreign equity ownership in a value-added telecommunications services provider must not exceed 50%. Moreover, for a foreign investor to acquire any equity interest in a value-added telecommunication business in China, it must demonstrate a good track record and experience in operating value-added telecommunications services. Foreign investors that meet these requirements must obtain approvals from the MIIT and MOFCOM or its authorized local branches, and the relevant approval application process usually takes six to nine months.
On July 13, 2006, the MIIT issued the Notice of the MIIT on Intensifying the Administration of Foreign Investment in Value-added Telecommunications Services. This notice prohibits domestic telecommunication services providers from leasing, transferring or selling telecommunications business operating licenses to any foreign investor in any form, or providing any resources, sites or facilities to any foreign investor for their illegal operation of a telecommunications business in China. According to this notice, either the holder of a value-added telecommunication business operating license or its shareholders must legally own the domain names and trademarks used by such license holders in their provision of value-added telecommunication services. The notice further requires each license holder to have the necessary facilities, including servers, for its approved business operations and to maintain such facilities in the regions covered by its license. In addition, all value-added telecommunication service providers are required to maintain network and Internet security in accordance with the standards set forth in relevant PRC regulations. If a license holder fails to comply with the requirements in the notice and cure such non-compliance, the MIIT or its local counterparts have the discretion to take measures against such license holders, including revoking their valued-added telecommunication business operating licenses.
Ku6 Information Technology, one of our consolidated affiliated entities, holds the licenses and permits necessary to conduct our online video, online advertising and related businesses in China. We currently operate our website through Ku6 Information Technology through a series of contractual arrangements. We believe that it would be impracticable for us to acquire any equity interest in Ku6 Information Technology without diverting management attention and resources. We believe that our contractual arrangements with Ku6 Information Technology and its respective individual shareholders provide us with sufficient and effective control over it. Accordingly, we currently do not plan to acquire any equity interest in Ku6 Beijing Information Technology. In addition, the related trademarks are owned by Beijing WFOE, one of our wholly owned PRC subsidiaries, and we may be required to transfer the related trademarks from Beijing WFOE to Ku6 Information Technology. These contractual arrangements may be subject to challenges by the PRC government authorities. See Item 3.D. “Risk Factors— Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our businesses in China do not comply with PRC governmental restrictions on foreign investment in Internet business, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.”
Regulations on Broadcasting Audio/Video Programs through the Internet
On July 6, 2004, the SARFT promulgated the Rules for the Administration of Broadcasting of Audio/Video Programs through the Internet and Other Information Networks, or the Audio/Video Broadcasting Rules. The Audio/Video Broadcasting Rules apply to the launch, broadcasting, aggregation, transmission or download of audio/video programs via the Internet and other information networks. Anyone who wishes to engage in Internet broadcasting activities must first obtain an audio/video program transmission license, with a term of two years, issued by the SARFT and operate pursuant to the scope as provided in such license. Foreign invested enterprises are not allowed to engage in the above business.
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On April 13, 2005, the State Council announced Several Decisions on Investment by Non-state-owned Companies in Culture-related Business in China. These decisions encourage and support non-state-owned companies to enter certain culture-related business in China, subject to restrictions and prohibitions for investment in audio/video broadcasting, website news and certain other businesses by non-state-owned companies. These decisions authorize the SARFT, the Ministry of Culture and the GAPP to adopt detailed implementing rules according to these decisions.
On December 20, 2007, the SARFT and the MIIT jointly issued the Rules for the Administration of Internet Audio and Video Program Services, commonly known as Circular 56, which came into effect as of January 31, 2008. Circular 56 reiterates the requirement set forth in the Audio/Video Broadcasting Rules that online audio/video service providers must obtain a license from the SARFT. Furthermore, Circular 56 requires all online audio/video service providers to be either wholly state-owned or state controlled. According to relevant official answers to press questions published on the SARFT’s website dated February 3, 2008, officials from the SARFT and the MIIT clarified that online audio/video service providers that already had been operating lawfully prior to the issuance of Circular 56 may re-register and continue to operate without becoming state-owned or controlled, provided that such providers have not engaged in any unlawful activities. This exemption will not be granted to online audio/video service providers established after Circular 56 was issued. Such policies have been reflected in the Application Procedure for Audio/Video Program Transmission License. We have obtained an audio/video program transmission license in 2008, which was renewed in 2011 and is valid through February 2015.
On June 11, 2008, the SARFT issued the Notice on the Application Procedures for Audio/Video Program Transmission Licenses. Under this notice, all online audio/video service providers are required to maintain a registered capital of not less than RMB10.0 million, and audio/video service providers that offer news, movies, television, entertainment and other designated content must have a registered capital of not be less than RMB20.0 million. In connection with the expansion of our business, we have increased the registered capital of Ku6 Information Technology, our consolidated affiliated entity which holds the operating licenses for Internet audio/video business, from RMB10.0 million to RMB20.0 million in September 2012.
On March 31, 2009, the SARFT released the Notice on Strengthening the Administration of Online Audio/Video Content. This notice reiterated, among other things, that all movies and television shows released or published online must be in compliance with relevant regulations on the administration of radio, film and television. In other words, these movies and television shows, whether produced in China or overseas, must be pre-approved by the SARFT and distributors of these movies and television shows must obtain a permit before releasing any movie or television show.
On April 1, 2010, the SARFT issued the Internet Audio/Video Program Services Categories (Provisional), which classified Internet audio/video programs into four categories. Category I is only open to state-owned broadcast/television media companies operating in the broadcasting/television section, and the other three categories are open to non-state owned entities.
We are in the process of applying to upgrade our Internet audio/video program transmission license to cover all contents that are being transmitted through our website and the related activities. See Item 3. D. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Complexity, uncertainties and changes in government policies or regulations of Internet industry may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.”
Regulations on Internet News Publication
Publishing and disseminating news through the Internet are highly regulated in China. On November 6, 2000, the SCIO and the MIIT jointly promulgated the Provisional Measures for Administrating Internet Websites Carrying on the News Publication Business, or Internet News Measures. These measures require an ICP service operator (other than a government authorized news unit) to obtain an approval from the SCIO in order to publish news on its website or disseminate news through the Internet. Furthermore, any news disseminated through the Internet must be obtained from government-approved sources based on contracts between the ICP service operator and these sources. Copies of such contracts must be filed with relevant government authorities.
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On September 25, 2005, the SCIO and the MIIT jointly issued the Provisions on the Administration of Internet News Information Services. Under this regulation, Internet news information service providers must obtain an approval from the SCIO for the services, and such approval is subject to annual inspection. This regulation also provides that Internet news information service providers may not receive any foreign investment or establish any cooperative relationship with a foreign invested enterprise before the SCIO completes the security evaluation. We currently operate, in cooperation with some media companies and news agencies, a current events channel on our website, which includes audio/video contents relating to current topics and social events. The SCIO requires entities that offer Internet news services, such as us, to apply for and obtain an “Internet News Information Service Permit” from it. To our knowledge, in practice SCIO has not accepted any application for such permit. We will continue to closely monitor any development regarding this permit and will submit an application for it once SCIO starts to accept such applications. See Item 3.D. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Complexity, uncertainties and changes in government policies or regulations of Internet industry may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.”
Regulations on Internet Publication
The GAPP is responsible for nationwide supervision and administration of publishing activities in China. On June 27, 2002, the GAPP and the MIIT jointly promulgated the Internet Publication Tentative Administrative Measures, or the Internet Publication Measures, which took effect on August 1, 2002. Pursuant to the Internet Publication Measures, any entity engaged in Internet publishing activities must obtain the Internet Publication License from the GAPP before conducting any Internet publication activities.
The Internet Publication Measures were promulgated in June 2002, which is approximately three years prior to the establishment of China’s first group of online audio/video websites. At the time of promulgation, these measures were intended to regulate the traditional audio/video products and online gaming and did not consider the issues directly relevant to online audio/video business. Furthermore, the definition of “Internet publication” under these measures is very broad and the GAPP has not provided any implementing rule or official interpretation as to the applicability of the Internet Publication Measures to a website such as Ku6.com that exclusively distributes audio/video content.
In December 2012, the GAPP published a proposed rule relating to Internet publication. The proposal is intended to, among other things, clarify the meaning of the “Internet publication service” and “Internet publication” as well as modify the application procedures for the license. We plan to apply for the license with respect to certain services provided by Ku6 Information Technology once the final rule is issued. However, we cannot assure you that such application would be approved by the relevant governmental agencies in a timely manner or at all. See Item 3.D. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Complexity, uncertainties and changes in government policies or regulations of Internet industry may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.”
Regulations on Internet Medical and Health Information Services
On July 8, 2004, the State Drug Administration, or the SDA, issued the Measures for the Administration of Internet Drug Information Services. Under these measures, websites publishing drug-related information must obtain a license from the SDA or its provincial departments. Ku6 Information Technology, our consolidated affiliated entity that is an ICP service operator, obtained the Qualification Certificate of Internet Drug Information Service from the Beijing Drug Administration on June 2, 2008, with a validity term up to June 1, 2013. We will apply for renewal of this certificate within the stipulated period in accordance with these measures.
Regulations on Advertisements
The SAIC, including its local branches, is the government agency responsible for regulating advertising activities in China.
On November 30, 2004, the SAIC issued the Administrative Regulations for Advertising Operation Licenses, taking effect as of January 1, 2005, granting a general exemption to enterprises (other than radio stations, television stations, newspapers and magazines, non-corporate entities and other entities specified in laws or administrative regulations) from the previous requirement to obtain an advertising operation license in addition to a business license. We conduct our online advertising business on our website “www.ku6.com” through Ku6 Information Technology and Tianjin Ku6 Network, each of which holds a business license that permits placing advertisements as part of its business scope.
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Advertisers, advertising operators and advertising distributors are required by PRC advertising laws and regulations to ensure that the contents of the advertisements they prepare or distribute are true and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, where a special government review is required for certain categories of advertisements before publishing, the advertisers, advertising operators and advertising distributors are obligated to confirm that such review has been performed and that relevant approval has been obtained. Violation of these regulations may result in penalties, including fines, confiscation of advertising income, orders to cease dissemination of the advertisements and orders to publish an advertisement correcting the misleading information. In circumstances involving serious violations, the SAIC or its local branches may force the violator to terminate its advertising operation or even revoke its business license. Furthermore, advertisers, advertising operators or advertising distributors may be subject to civil liability if they infringe on the legal rights and interests of third parties.
Regulations on Foreign Ownership in Advertising Business
The principal regulations governing foreign ownership in advertising businesses in China include:
· The Administrative Regulations on Foreign-invested Advertising Enterprises; and
· The Circular Regarding Investment in the Advertising Industry by Foreign Investors through Equity Acquisition.
These regulations require foreign entities that directly invest in the PRC advertising industry to have at least a two-year track record with a principal business in the advertising industry outside China. Since December 2005, foreign investors have been permitted to directly own a 100% interest in advertising companies in China, but such foreign investors are also required to have at least a three-year track record with a principal business in the advertising industry outside China. PRC laws, rules and regulations do not permit the transfer of any approvals or licenses, including business licenses containing a scope of business that permits engagement in the advertising business.
We are a Cayman Islands company without the required track record in the advertisement industry, we are not eligible to hold direct equity interests in PRC advertisement companies. As a result, we conduct this portion of our operations through a series of contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated controlled entities. See Item 4.C. “Organizational Structure” and Item 3.D. “Risk Factors— Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our businesses in China do not comply with PRC governmental restrictions on foreign investment in Internet business, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.”
Regulations on Internet Culture Activities
The Ministry of Culture promulgated the Amended Internet Culture Administration Tentative Measures, or the Internet Culture Measures, which became effective as of April 1, 2011. The Internet Culture Measures require ICP service operators engaging in “Internet culture activities” to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Culture. The term “Internet culture activities” includes, among other things, online dissemination of Internet cultural products, such as audio-video products, gaming products, performances of plays or programs, works of art and cartoons, and the production, reproduction, importation publication and broadcasting of Internet cultural products. We obtained the permit on June 20, 2009, which was renewed in May 2012 and is valid through June 2015.
On November 20, 2006, the Ministry of Culture issued Several Suggestions of the Ministry of Culture on the Development and Administration of the Internet Music, or the Suggestions, which became effective on November 20, 2006. The Suggestions, among other things, reiterate the requirement for the Internet service provider to obtain an Internet culture business permit to carry on any business relating to Internet music products. In addition, foreign investors are prohibited from operating Internet culture businesses. However, the laws and regulations on Internet music products are still evolving, and there have not been any provisions stipulating whether or how music video will be regulated by the Suggestions.
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On August 18, 2009, the Ministry of Culture promulgated the Notice on Strengthening and Improving the Content Review of Online Music. According to this notice, only “Internet culture operating entities” approved by the Ministry of Culture may engage in the production, release, dissemination (including providing direct links to music products) and importation of online music products. The content of online music shall be reviewed by or filed with the Ministry of Culture. Internet culture operating entities should establish a strict self-monitoring system of online music content and set up a special department in charge of such monitoring.
To comply with these laws and regulations, our content examination team reviews the music videos on our website as well as certain other content.
Regulations on Producing Audio/Video Programs
On July 19, 2004, the SARFT promulgated the Administrative Measures on the Production and Operation of Radio and Television Programs, effective as of August 20, 2004. These Measures provide that anyone who wishes to produce or operate radio or television programs must first obtain an operating permit. Applicants for this permit must meet several criteria, including having a minimum registered capital of RMB3 million. We amended our permit for radio and television program production and operation in November 2012 with its scope to cover the production of animated programs, variety program and special features. This permit is valid through November 2014.
Regulations on Software Products
On October 27, 2000, the MIIT issued the Administrative Measures on Software Products, or the Software Measures, to strengthen the regulation of software products and to encourage the development of the PRC software industry. On March 1, 2009, the MIIT issued amended Software Measures, which became effective on April 10, 2009. The Software Measures provide a registration and filing system with respect to software products made in or imported into China. These software products may be registered with the competent local authorities in charge of software industry administration. Registered software products may enjoy preferential treatment status granted by relevant software industry regulations. Software products can be registered for five years, and the registration is renewable upon expiration.
The State Council promulgated the Computer Software Protection Regulations on December 20, 2001, which was amended on January 8, 2011 and January 30, 2013. In connection with this regulation, the NCAC issued the Computer Software Copyright Registration Procedures on February 20, 2002, which apply to software copyright registration, license contract registration and transfer contract registration. We have obtained and maintain six software copyright registrations.
Regulations on Intellectual Property Rights
China has adopted legislation governing intellectual property rights, including trademarks, patents and copyrights. China is a signatory to the main international conventions on intellectual property rights and became a member of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights upon its accession to the World Trade Organization in December 2001.
Patent. The National People’s Congress adopted the Patent Law in 1984, and amended it in 1992, 2000 and 2008. The purpose of the Patent Law is to protect lawful interests of patent holders, encourage invention, foster applications of invention, enhance innovative capabilities and promote the development of science and technology. To be patentable, invention or utility models must meet three conditions: novelty, inventiveness and practical applicability. Patents cannot be granted for scientific discoveries, rules and methods for intellectual activities, methods used to diagnose or treat diseases, animal and plant breeds, substances obtained by means of nuclear transformation or a design which has major marking effect on the patterns or colors of graphic print products or a combination of both patterns and colors. The Patent Office under the State Intellectual Property Office, or SIPO, is responsible for receiving, examining and approving patent applications. A patent is valid for a term of twenty years in the case of an invention and a term of ten years in the case of utility models and designs. A third-party user must obtain consent or a proper license from the patent owner to use the patent. Otherwise, the use constitutes an infringement of patent rights. On August 9, 2012, SIPO released draft amendments to the Patent Law for public comment. The draft amendments seek to establish and improve the mechanism for cracking down patent infringement, strengthening patent protection and intensifying the enforcement of patent law.
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Copyright. The National People’s Congress adopted the Copyright Law in 1990 and amended it in 2001 and 2010, respectively. The Copyright Law extends copyright protection to Internet activities, products disseminated over the Internet and software products. In addition, there is a voluntary registration system administered by the China Copyright Protection Center. The Copyright Law also requires registration of a copyright pledge. In July 2011, the NCAC commenced the process to amend the Copyright Law. Currently, the third revision of the amendment, which was published in October 2012, is under discussion and, according to the NCAC, will be submitted to the State Council and the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for consideration. The amendments, if passed, would change the framework of copyright law in China, including major changes to the scope of protected works, rules relating to license and transfer of copyrights, and copyright enforcement.
In December 2012, the PRC Supreme People’s Court adopted the Provisions on Some Issues Concerning Applicable Laws for Trial of Disputes of Infringement of Rights to Communication through Information Networks, which became effective on January 1, 2013 and replaced the previous interpretations on the same topic. Under the provisions, Internet users or service providers are subject to civil liabilities if they provide un-copyrighted content, including works, performance or sound or video recordings, through information networks. Acts such as uploading to Internet servers and sharing files on the Internet or through file-sharing software may constitute infringing acts if such acts allow access by the public to the shared content. Providing snapshots or thumbnails of infringing content on the website of another ICP service operator will be deemed to provide the infringing content. An ICP service operator will be jointly liable if it jointly provides infringing content with others through any form of cooperation. It will be independently liable if it assists or incites infringing acts, whether through words, technical support, virtual awards or other forms. An ICP service operator will be deemed to assist an infringing act if it fails to delete, screen or block content that such ICP service operator knows or should know is infringing, or if it actively provides technical support for an infringing act. The knowledge requirement is met if the ICP service operator recommends the infringing content by ranking, indexing or summarizing such content and the public can directly access the infringing content on its website. Under these interpretations, the liability of an ICP service operator is predicated on its fault. An ICP service operator is not at fault solely because it fails to screen the infringing content, and if an ICP service operator can prove that it has used reasonable and effective technical measures to screen the relevant content, and that the infringing content is difficult to be identified despite such measures, such ICP service operator is not at fault.
On April 29, 2005, the NCAC on and the MIIT jointly promulgated the Measures for Administrative Protection of Copyright Related to Internet, which became effective on May 30, 2005. This measure applies to situations where an ICP service operator (i) allows another person to post or store any works, recordings, audio or video programs on the websites operated by such ICP service operator or (ii) provides links to, or search results for, the works, recordings, audio or video programs posted or transmitted by such person, without editing, revising or selecting the content of such material. Upon receipt of an infringement notice from a legitimate copyright holder, an ICP service operator must take remedial actions immediately by removing or disabling access to the infringing content. If an ICP service operator knowingly transmits infringing content or fails to take remedial actions after receipt of a notice of infringement harming public interest, the ICP service operator could be subject to administrative penalties, including cessation of infringement activities, confiscation by the authorities of all income derived from the infringement activities and payment of a fine of up to three times the unlawful income or, in cases where the amount of unlawful income cannot be determined, a fine of up to RMB100,000. An ICP service operator is also required to retain all infringement notices for a minimum of six months and to record the content, display time and IP addresses or the domain names related to the infringement for a minimum of 60 days. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in an administrative warning and a fine of up to RMB30,000.
On September 1, 2003, the NCAC promulgated the Measure for the Implementation of the Copyright Administrative Punishment. On August 2, 2002, the State Council promulgated the National Copyright Administration and the Implementing Regulations of The Copy right Law of the PRC, which was amended on January 8, 2011 and January 30, 2013. Under these regulations, an ICP service operator that infringes upon a third party’s copyright may be subject to a fine of one to five times the unlawful income if such income exceeds RMB50,000, or up to RMB 250,000 if such income is less than RMB50,000.
On May 18, 2006, the State Council promulgated the Regulation for the Protection of the Right of Communication through Information Networks, which became effective on July 1, 2006 and was amended on January 30, 2013. This regulation provides a safe harbor principle for ICP service operator that provides information storage space to users through which users may provide works, performance or sound or video recordings to the public. An ICP service operator will not be liable to the right owners if the following conditions are met: (i) the ICP service operator has clearly indicated that the information storage space is provided to the users, and published the name, contact person and IP address of the network service provider; (ii) it has not altered the works or recordings provided by the users; (iii) it did not know, or could not reasonably have been expected to know, that the content provided by the users infringed upon other’s rights; (iv) it has not received any direct financial gain from the users’ provision of the content; and (v) it deletes the allegedly infringing content upon receiving written notice from the right owners. An ICP service operator that provides users with search or link services will not be liable to the right owner if the ICP service operator promptly disconnects the link to the infringing content after receiving the right owner’s notice. This exemption is not valid however if the ICP service operator knew or should know that the linked content infringed upon another’s rights. In that scenario, it will be jointly liable with the user who provided the content. Under this regulation, an ICP service operator may be subject to civil liabilities, including ceasing the infringing activities, eliminating the adverse effects, and paying damages. If public interest is harmed, the ICP service operator that infringes upon a third party’s copyright may be subject to a fine of one to five times the unlawful income if such income exceeds RMB50,000, or up to RMB 250,000 if such income is less than RMB50,000, or confiscation of assets used to provide infringing services.
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In each of the years since 2005, the NCAC, together with certain other PRC governmental authorities, have jointly launched annual campaigns specifically aimed to crack down on Internet copyright infringement and piracy in China, which normally last for three to four months. One of the main targets, among others, of these annual campaigns is Internet audio and video programs. Since the 2010 campaign commenced in late July, the local branches of the NCAC have been focusing on popular movies and television series, newly published books, online games and animation, music and software and illegal uploading or transmission of a third party’s works without proper license or permission, sales of pirated audio/video and software through e-commerce platforms, providing search links, information storage, web hosting or Internet access services for third parties engaging in copyright infringement or piracy and the infringement by use of mobile media. In serious cases, the operating permits of the websites engaging in illegal activities may be revoked, and such websites may be ordered to shut down. To comply with the Campaign’s requirements, we have adopted related measures to mitigate copyright infringement risks and submitted the supervision report to the NCAC regularly. For example, our policy is to remove links to web pages if we know these web pages contain materials that infringe upon third-party rights or if we are notified by the legitimate copyright holder of the infringement with proper evidence.
On December 26, 2009, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopted the Torts Liability Law, which became effective on July 1, 2010. Under this new law, both Internet users and Internet service providers may be liable for the wrongful acts of users who infringe the lawful rights of other parties. If an Internet user utilizes Internet services to commit a tortious act, the party whose rights are infringed may request the Internet service provider to take measures, such as removing or blocking the content, or disabling the links thereto, to prevent or stop the infringement. If the Internet service provider does not take necessary measures after receiving such notice, it shall be jointly liable for any further damages suffered by the rights holder. Furthermore, if an Internet service provider fails to take necessary measures when it knows that an Internet user utilizes its Internet services to infringe the lawful rights and interests of other parties, it shall be jointly liable with the Internet user for damages resulting from the infringement.
On January 10, 2011, the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security jointly issued the Opinions on Issues Concerning Applicable Laws for Criminal Cases Involving Intellectual Property Right Infringement, which provide clear guidance on circumstances in which online piracy results in criminal liabilities.
On Jun 26, 2012, The Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, a multilateral treaty that regulates copyright of audiovisual performances and expands the performers’ rights, was adopted by the Diplomatic Conference on the Protection of Audiovisual Performances of the World Intellectual Property Organization. Forty-eight countries, including the United States and the PRC, signed the treaty. The treaty will become effective after ratification by at least 30 eligible parties.
Trademark. The PRC Trademark Law, adopted in 1982 and revised respectively in 1993 and 2001, protects registered trademarks. The Trademark Office under the SAIC handles trademark registrations and grants a term of ten years to registered trademarks. Trademark license agreements must be filed with the Trademark Office for the record. In December 2012, the National People’s Congress of the PRC published a draft amendment to the PRC Trademark Law for public comments. This draft amendment intends, among others, to facilitate the process of trademark application.
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“” and “酷6” are registered trademarks in China. We have also applied to register additional trademarks.
Domain Name. In September 2002, the China Internet Network Information Center, or the CNNIC, issued the Implementing Rules for Domain Name Registration setting forth detailed rules for registration of domain names. On November 5, 2004, the MIIT promulgated the Measures for Administration of Domain Names for the Internet in China, or Domain Name Measures. The Domain Name Measures regulate the registration of domain names, such as the first-tier domain name “.cn.” In February 2006, the CNNIC issued the Measures on Domain Name Disputes Resolution and its implementing rules, pursuant to which the CNNIC can authorize a domain name dispute resolution institution to decide disputes. We have registered ku6.com, weiguan.com and certain other domain names with the CNNIC.
Regulations on Information Security
The National People’s Congress has enacted legislation that prohibits use of the Internet that breaches the public security, disseminates socially destabilizing content or leaks state secrets. Breach of public security includes breach of national security and infringement on legal rights and interests of the state, society or citizens. Socially destabilizing content includes any content that incites defiance or violations of PRC laws or regulations or subversion of the PRC government or its political system, spreads socially disruptive rumors or involves cult activities, superstition, obscenities, pornography, gambling or violence. State secrets are defined broadly to include information concerning PRC national defense, state affairs and other matters as determined by the PRC authorities.
According to the Protection and Management Regulations for Computer Information Network and Internet Security promulgated by the Ministry of Public Security on December 30, 1997 and other relevant regulations, ICP service operators must complete mandatory security filing procedures and regularly update information security and censorship systems for their websites with local public security authorities, and must also report any public dissemination of prohibited content.
According to the PRC Law on Protection of State Secrets, which became effective on October 1, 2010, an ICP service operator must not disseminate any information that may be deemed to be state secrets and must promptly report any relevant events to the state and public security authorities. Failure to do so may subject the ICP service operator to liability and certain penalties by the State Secrecy Bureau, the Ministry of Public Security and the MIIT or their respective local branches.
In addition, the State Secrecy Bureau has issued provisions authorizing the blocking of access to any website it deems to be leaking state secrets or failing to comply with the relevant legislation regarding the protection of state secrets during online information distribution.
On November 23, 2005, the Ministry of Public Security promulgated Provisions on Technological Measures for Internet Security Protection, or Internet Protection Measures, which became effective on March 1, 2006. The Internet Protection Measures require all ICP service operators to keep records of certain information about its users (including user registration information, log-in and log-out time, IP address, content and time of posts by users) for at least 60 days and submit the above information as required by laws and regulations.
As an ICP service operator, we are subject to the regulations relating to information security. We have taken measures to comply with such regulations. We are registered with the relevant government authority in accordance with the mandatory registration requirement. Our policy is to remove links to web pages and any content which to its knowledge contain information that would be in violation of PRC laws or regulations. In addition, we monitor our websites to ensure our compliance with such laws and regulations.
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Regulations on Internet Privacy
The PRC Constitution states that PRC law protects the freedom and privacy of communications of citizens and prohibits infringement of such rights. In recent years, PRC government authorities have enacted legislation on Internet use to protect personal information from any unauthorized disclosure.
The Internet Measures prohibit an ICP service operator from producing, reproducing, disseminating or broadcasting illegal information, including information that insults or slanders a third party or infringes the lawful rights and interests of a third party. Pursuant to the BBS Measures, ICP service operators that provide electronic messaging services must keep users’ personal information confidential and must not disclose such personal information to any third party without the users’ consent or unless required by law. The regulations further authorize the relevant telecommunications authorities to order ICP service operators to rectify unauthorized disclosure. ICP service operators are subject to legal liability if the unauthorized disclosure results in damages or losses to users. The PRC government, however, has the power and authority to order ICP service operators to turn over personal information if an Internet user posts any prohibited content or engages in illegal activities on the Internet.
On December 29, 2011, the MIIT promulgated the Several Provisions on Regulating the Market Order of Internet Information Services, which became effective on March 15, 2012. This regulation provides that ICP service operators must not, without a user’s consent, collect “user’s personal information,” that is, information that can be used, alone or in combination with other information, to identify the user. In addition, ICP service providers may not provide any such information to third parties without prior consent of the user. ICP service operators can only collect user’s personal information that is necessary to provide their services, and must expressly inform the users of the method and purpose of collecting and processing such information. An ICP service operator may only use user’s personal information for the stated purposes under its scope of service. ICP service operators must also ensure the data security of user personal information and take immediate remedial measures if any such information is suspected to have been leaked. If the consequences of any such leaks are expected to be serious, the ICP service operator must immediately report the incident to the relevant telecommunication regulatory authority and cooperate in the investigations.
In December 2011, the Beijing Municipal Government promulgated the Several Provisions on Management of Beijing Micro Blog Development, which requires micro bloggers to register their real names. On December 31, 2012, the Beijing High People’s Court issued the Guidelines for Trial of Disputes Concerning Copyright Issues Related to Video Sharing, which provides that an ICP service operator that merely provides video sharing services, such as us, may have a valid defense to liability if it can submit the registered identification information, such as name, registered IP address and date of registration, of the person who uploaded the infringing content.
On December 28, 2012, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress passed the Decision to Enhance Online Personal Data Protection and Safeguard Public Interest. According to the decision, Internet users must use real names to identify themselves to ICP service operators when signing web access agreements or acknowledging acceptance of the service provider’s service. In addition, the ICP service operators are required to instantly stop the transmission of illegal information once it is discovered, and to remove the information, retain records and report to supervisory authorities. Violation of this decision may lead to various penalties, including confiscation of illegal gains, revocations of licenses and website closures, and the ICP service operator may also be prohibited from conducting Internet-related business in the future. In addition, any person whose identity is leaked or whose rights is infringed upon has the right to require the ICP service operator to remove the relevant information and take other necessary remedial measures.
We currently do not require real name registration by our users, which may be deemed to violate relevant PRC laws and regulations, and the PRC regulatory authorities may impose administrative penalty on us, such as warning, fines, confiscation of illegal gains, revocation of website registration, or shutdown of our website. In addition, we may be liable for damages caused to our users.
Regulations on Foreign Exchange Controls
For information regarding relevant foreign exchange controls, please refer to Item 10.D. “Exchange Controls.”
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Regulations on Dividend Distribution
The principal regulations governing dividend distributions by wholly foreign owned enterprises and Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures include the:
· Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law (1986), as amended;
· Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law Implementing Rules (1990), as amended;
· Chinese-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law (1979), as amended;
· Chinese-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law Implementing Rules (1983), as amended;
· The Companies Law (2005);
· The Notice on Implementation of Enterprise Income Tax Transition Preferential Policy under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (2007);
· PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (2007); and
· Implementation Rules of the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (2007).
Under these regulations, wholly foreign owned enterprises and Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated after-tax profits, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Additionally, all enterprises are required to set aside at least 10% of their after-tax net income each year, if any, to fund their statutory capital reserves, until the aggregate amount of such reserves reaches 50% of their registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.
Labor Laws and Social Insurance
Pursuant to the PRC Labor Law, which became effective on January 1, 1995, the PRC Labor Contract Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008, and their implementation rules, employers must execute written labor contracts with their employees. All employers must compensate their employees with wages equal to at least the local minimum wage standards. All employers are required to establish a system for labor safety and sanitation, strictly abide by state national labor rules and standards and provide employees with workplace safety training. Employers are also obliged to provide employees with welfare schemes covering pension insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance and housing funds. Violations of the PRC Labor Law and the PRC Labor Contract Law may result in the imposition of fines and other administrative liabilities. Criminal liability may arise for serious violations.
The PRC Labor Contract Law and its implemental rules also allow third-party human resource companies to enter into employment contracts with employers on behalf of dispatched employees. The dispatched positions are typically temporary and complementary in nature, and the employment contracts should state the position, term and compensation of the employee, including social insurance fees. The employers must protect the rights and interests of the dispatched employees. On December 28, 2012, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress enacted an amendment to the PRC Labor Contract Law, which will become effective on July 1, 2013. The amended PRC Labor Contract Law protects the right to equal pay for equal work for dispatched employees, limits the number of dispatched workers and imposes more stringent penalties on unlawful labor dispatch practices. In addition, if the employer causes losses to the dispatched employees, the human resource companies and the employer are jointly liable.
We have entered into labor contracts with most of our employees. We provide our employees with the proper welfare and employment benefits. We employ the remaining employees through third-party human resources companies that are qualified to dispatch such employees to our PRC entities. These third-party human resources companies are responsible for managing, among others, payrolls, social insurance contributions of these employees.
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Regulations on Concentration in Merger and Acquisition Transactions
On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory authorities, including MOFCOM and the China Securities Regulatory Commission, jointly adopted the M&A Rule, which became effective on September 8, 2006 and were amended on June 22, 2009. The M&A Rules established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. These rules require, among other things, that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor will take control of a PRC domestic enterprise or a foreign company with substantial PRC operations, if certain thresholds under the Provisions on Thresholds for Prior Notification of Concentrations of Undertakings issued by the State Council on August 3, 2008 are triggered.
C. Organizational Structure
We conduct our operations in China principally through contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, our consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC, and their respective shareholders. We hold no ownership interest in any of our consolidated affiliated entities in China. In August 2012, in connection with the repurchase of our ordinary shares from Mr. Shanyou Li, Mr. Shanyou Li and other shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities Ku6 Information Technology and Ku6 Cultural transferred their equity interests in Ku6 Information Technology and Ku6 Cultural to new shareholders designated by us. Subsequently, we amended the relevant contractual agreements with respect to these controlled affiliated entities. As a result, our consolidated affiliated entities are owned, directly or indirectly, by certain individuals as follows:
· Ku6 Information Technology is 98% owned by Mr. Yingfeng Zhang and 2% owned by Mr. Mingfeng Chen;
· Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan, which is wholly owned by Ku6 Information Technology, is 98% owned by Mr. Yingfeng Zhang and 2% owned by Mr. Mingfeng Chen;
· Ku6 Cultural is 98% owned by Mr. Yingfeng Zhang and 2% owned by Mr. Mingfeng Chen; and
· Tianjin Ku6 Network is 90% owned by Ms. Dongxu Wang and 10% owned by Mr. Qing Zhang.
Through our contractual arrangements with these consolidated affiliated entities, we have the power to vote all the shares held by the shareholders of these entities, through our PRC subsidiaries, as well as the right to enjoy the economic benefits derived from these entities, and the exclusive right to purchase equity interests from the shareholders of these entities to the extent permitted by PRC law. For a detailed description of the regulatory environment that necessitates the adoption of our corporate structure, see Item 4.B. “Business Overview—Government Regulation.” For a detailed description of the risks associated with our corporate structure and the contractual arrangements that support our corporate structure, see Item 3.D. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure.”
Under the guidance relating to the consolidation of consolidated affiliated entities, we are the primary beneficiary of the economic benefits of our consolidated affiliated entities, namely, Ku6 Information Technology, Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan, Ku6 Cultural and Tianjin Ku6 Network. Transactions among our consolidated affiliated entities, our company and our subsidiaries are eliminated in consolidation.
The following diagram illustrates the corporate structure of our company, our subsidiaries, and our consolidated affiliated entities, as well as our shareholding in Yisheng, as of February 28, 2013:
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D. Property, Plant and Equipment
Our principal executive offices are located on premises with a gross floor area of approximately 5,640 square meters in Beijing. We also have branch and representative offices in Tianjin.
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not Applicable.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and their related notes included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. This discussion contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or future strategies that are signified by the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe” or similar language. All forward-looking statements included in this annual report are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating our business, you should carefully consider the information provided under the caption “Risk Factors.” We caution you that our businesses and financial performance are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties.
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A. Operating Results
Overview
We entered into the online video business through the acquisition of Ku6 Holding in January 2010.
In May 2010, we sold all of our 51% interest in Huayi Music, which operated our recorded music business, to Huayi Brothers Media Corporation.
In August 2010, we sold our WVAS and recorded music businesses to Shanda Interactive and acquired control of Yisheng, an online radio business, from Shanda Interactive in August 2010. These transactions were treated as transactions between entities under common control. Therefore the transactions were recorded at carryover basis and any difference between the carrying value and the amount received or paid are recorded in shareholders’ equity. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared as if the acquisition of Yisheng had been in effect since the inception of common control on August 31, 2009, and the operating results of WVAS and recorded music have been presented as discontinued operations in the income statements for all periods presented. See Note 2(1) to our consolidated financial statements.
As a result of management’s review and adjustment of our business strategies, beginning in April 2011, we have engaged Shengyue, an affiliate wholly owned by Shanda Interactive, as our sole advertising agency using performance advertising under which advertisers pay only for measurable results. We have also shifted our focus from purchasing licensed video copyrights to relying on UGC.
In April 2011, we entered into agreements with Shanda Media, our controlling shareholder, pursuant to which we agreed to issue to Shanda Media 1,538,461,538 ordinary shares for an aggregate purchase price of $50,000,000 (or $0.0325 per ordinary share) and $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of senior convertible bonds at face value. Based on our working capital position, we redeemed the convertible bonds in September 2011.
In August 2011, we disposed of a significant interest in Yisheng. After the disposal, our company ceases to control Yisheng and only retains a 20% interest in Yisheng.
In December 2011, we approved a share repurchase program to purchase up to an aggregate of $3.2 million of our outstanding ADSs from time to time based on market conditions. The repurchases may be effected through open market transactions or block trades, including the use of derivative instruments, and will be financed with our cash balance. As of December 31, 2012, we had repurchased a total of approximately 0.1 million ADSs for an aggregate consideration of $0.1 million from the open market under this share repurchase program.
In July 2012, we repurchased an aggregate of 269,409,276 ordinary shares from certain former officers, Mr. Shanyou Li, Mr. Zhizhong Hao and Ms. Xingye Zeng, and Kumella Holdings Limited, a company controlled by Mr. Shanyou Li, at a price of $0.0291 per share, and repurchased 79,717 ADSs from Mr. Shanyou Li at a price of $2.91 per ADS. The repurchase was approved by shareholders at our annual general meeting of shareholders on July 12, 2012 and consummated on July 13, 2012. All the repurchased ordinary shares and ADSs were cancelled upon repurchase.
We currently operate our business as a single segment. We derive substantially all of our revenues from online advertising services. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, our revenues were $16.6 million, $19.2 million and $14.1 million, respectively, and our net loss was $52.4 million, $49.4 million and $9.5 million, respectively.
Discontinued Operations
Historically, we derived most of our revenues from the WVAS business, which included 2G services such as short message service, interactive voice response and ring back tone, and 2.5G services such as WAP, MMS, and Java™, each of which is available on the networks of principal telecom operators in China. We also had a recorded music business, which involves discovering, developing and representing recording artists and promoting, selling and licensing their works through designated third parties. In 2010, we made the strategic decision to divest our WVAS and recorded music businesses to focus on our online video business.
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On May 28, 2010, we sold all of our 51% interest in Huayi Music to Huayi Brothers Media Corporation and recognized gain of $4.5 million from disposal of discontinued operations.
On August 17, 2010, we sold our WVAS and recorded music businesses to Shanda Interactive. As the transaction was treated as a transaction between entities under common control, no gain or loss was recognized. The difference of $13.6 million between the consideration received of $37.2 million and the carrying amount of the assets and liabilities of WVAS and recorded music business of $23.7 million and the corresponding cumulative translation difference of $10.3 million were accounted for as contribution by Shanda Interactive in additional paid-in capital in 2010.
According to Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 205, the reclassification of discontinued operations of WVAS and recorded music businesses for the year ended December 31, 2009 and the eight months ended August 31, 2010 has been accounted for retroactively. Results from these discontinued operations, net of tax, in 2010, 2011 and 2012 were an income of $1.1 million (including a gain of $4.5 million from the disposal of our 51% interest in Huayi Music), nil, and nil, respectively.
Disposal of Interest in Online Audio Business
The acquisition of Yisheng’s online audio business from Shanda Interactive in 2010 was accounted for as a common control transaction as we were considered to be under the control of Shanda Interactive at the time of the acquisition. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared as if the acquisition of Yisheng had been in effect since August 31, 2009, the date of inception of common control, which is the date on which we were consolidated into Shanda Interactive’s consolidated financial statements. Therefore total assets and liabilities as well as the non-controlling interests of Yisheng were recorded at their carrying amount as capital contribution from Shanda Interactive in the consolidated statements of changes in equity. The effect of accounting for the acquisition under common control has increased the net loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 by $0.7 million, which represented the net loss of this business from August 31, 2009 through December 31, 2009. The $12.5 million fair value of the 415,384,615 ordinary shares that we issued to Shanda Interactive was recorded through equity as a deemed distribution to Shanda Interactive in 2010.
The issuance of 138,461,539 ordinary shares to the 25% non-controlling shareholders of Yisheng in August 2010 was accounted for as an equity transaction in 2010 and the difference between fair value of the ordinary shares issued and carrying amount of the non-controlling interest was recognized as a decrease in additional paid-in capital attributable to us in accordance with ASC 810.
In August 2011, we disposed of a significant interest in Yisheng as a result of management’s review of our business strategies. After the disposal, our company ceases to control Yisheng and only retains a 20% interest in Yisheng. This disposal gain was recognized as an increase in additional paid-in capital for the year ended December 31, 2011. From January to August 2011, Yisheng generated net revenue of $0.5 million and incurred net loss of $3.5 million.
Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Our business, financial condition and results of operations have been and will continue to be subject to general conditions affecting the online video and online advertising industries in China. These conditions, among others, include the stability and growth of China’s economy, the growth of the Internet penetration rate in China, and the increasing acceptance of online video advertising by the advertisers. In addition, our business, financial condition and results of operations are affected by a number of company-specific factors including our ability to:
· maintain and expand our user base;
· obtain and produce popular video content cost-effectively;
· procure Internet bandwidth cost-effectively;
· provide effective advertising services;
· control sales and marketing expenses; and
· maintain leading brand and market position.
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Description of Certain Statement of Operations Items
Net Revenues
We currently derive substantially all of our net revenues from online advertising services. Historically, we derived these revenues primarily from various third-party advertising agencies. In April 2011, we entered into an advertising agency agreement with Shengyue, an affiliate wholly owned by Shanda Interactive, pursuant to which Shengyue agreed to act as our exclusive advertising agency for our standard media resources and as our non-exclusive advertising agency for our highly interactive advertising resources. Since then, we have relied on Shengyue as our sole advertising agency, which manages our sales to, and collects payments from, substantially all of our advertisers. Advertisers broadcast their online advertising through the AA system supplied by Shengyue using performance advertising, where advertisers are able to measure advertising results.
Pursuant to the advertising agency agreement with Shengyue, Shengyue generates advertising revenues for us by selling our advertising capacity and resources directly to advertising customers at a price it determines. Shengyue guarantees to us a minimum amount of revenues for each quarter. In return, we guarantee a certain amount of web traffic for our webpage on which Shengyue posts advertisements. If the advertising revenues from Shengyue exceed the minimum guaranteed amount, we are required to pay Shengyue a progressive commission fee based upon increasing percentages for additional tiers of revenue in excess of the guaranteed amount. We settle the advertising revenues net of commission fees with Shengyue on a periodic basis and recognize revenues net of commission fee. The initial term of this advertising agency agreement expired on December 31, 2012. In January 2013, we amended and restated this agreement with Shengyue and extended its term to December 31, 2013. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, we generated advertising revenues of $8.1 million and $12.5 million from Shengyue. Since the commencement of the arrangement, we have been able to satisfy the web traffic requirements under the advertising agency agreement. As we enjoyed a commission-free trial period in 2011 under the agreement, and the advertising revenues in 2012 did not exceed the minimum amount guaranteed by Shengyue, we incurred nil and nil commission fees payable to Shengyue in 2011 and 2012, respectively. To the extent that future advertising sales by Shengyue to our advertisers increase significantly and exceed the minimum guaranteed amounts, progressively higher commission fees would be incurred, which may negatively affect our profit margin. We expect that revenues from online advertising services will continue to be the primary source of our revenues in the foreseeable future.
We believe the most significant factors that directly or indirectly affect our advertising service revenues include the following:
· the number of advertising customers;
· the effectiveness of the sales and marketing efforts of Shengyue;
· the number of users visiting our website and the amount of time they spend on our website;
· the prices of our performance advertising (as negotiated by Shengyue with our advertisers);
· the progressive commission fees on revenues in excess of the guaranteed minimum amount; and
· the perceived effectiveness by advertisers of online video advertising as compared to advertising in more traditional media, particularly television.
The number of advertising customers during any period is affected by our services, the sales and marketing efforts of Shengyue, and influenced by our market position and advertisers’ perception of the effectiveness of our online advertising services. The size of our advertising customer base is also driven by customer-specific factors such as the timing of the introduction of new advertising campaigns, our ability to maintain favorable demographic user base, seasonality of advertising customers’ operations and growth of business sectors in which our advertising customers operate.
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Cost of Revenues
Our cost of revenues consist of Internet bandwidth costs, amortization and write-down of licensed video copyrights, payroll costs associated with the platform operation and content, depreciation expenses, in-house developed content costs, and other costs. Our total cost of revenues amounted to $14.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2010 | | 2011 | | 2012 | |
| | (in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |
Internet bandwidth costs | | 10,279 | | 9,025 | | 7,790 | |
Termination of long-form videos | | — | | 5,267 | | — | |
Payroll costs | | 6,167 | | 4,734 | | 2,806 | |
Depreciation of servers and other equipment | | 2,503 | | 2,528 | | 1,425 | |
Amortization of licensed video copyrights cost | | 8,012 | | 2,201 | | — | |
Impairment write-down of licensed video copyrights cost | | 7,740 | | 1,521 | | — | |
In-house developed content costs | | 1,596 | | 845 | | — | |
Other costs(1) | | 4,162 | | 4,759 | | 2,582 | |
Total costs | | 40,459 | | 30,880 | | 14,603 | |
(1) Include primarily advertisement production costs, platform operation costs, and outside service fees and UGC costs.
Internet bandwidth costs. Internet bandwidth costs are the fees we pay to telecommunications carriers and other service providers for telecommunications services and for hosting our servers at their Internet data centers. Bandwidth is a significant component of our cost of revenues and therefore an important factor affecting our profitability. The bandwidth costs as a percentage of our net revenues increased from 47.0% for the year ended December 31, 2011 to 55.1% for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to a decrease in our revenues. We plan to provide video services based on cloud infrastructure, or our video cloud strategy, and continue to improve the user experience, both of which will require relatively more bandwidth. As a result, we expect Internet bandwidth costs to increase in the future.
Termination of long-form videos. As a result of the termination of licensing contracts with certain content providers, we charged a one-time termination penalty of $5.3 million in 2011.
Payroll costs. Payroll costs consist of salaries and benefits for our platform operation and content personnel. The payroll costs decreased from $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. We intend to recruit more talents in connection with our video cloud strategy and to upgrade the search and recommendation engines on our websites, both of which we expect the payroll costs to increase significantly in the future.
Depreciation of servers and other equipment. We include depreciation expense for servers and other equipment that are directly related to our business operations and technical support in our cost of revenues. Our depreciation expense decreased significantly from $2.5 million in 2011 to $1.4 million in 2012 primarily due to the disposal of network equipment in relation to technological upgrades in the second half of 2011 and improvement in efficiency of server utilization in 2012. We intend to engage cloud computing service providers to use their servers and other equipment as part of their services instead of purchasing new servers and other equipment on large scale. As a result, we expect our depreciation expense to generally remain stable.
Amortization and write-down of licensed video copyrights. The licensed video copyrights are carried at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value and are amortized over their respective licensing periods as there is no limit over the showings of the licensed videos and we cannot reliably estimate the future number of showings for the licensed videos. We estimate the expected cash inflows that are directly attributed to the contents licensed under the net realizable value approach. We write down the carrying value of the licensed content to net realizable value if the estimated net future direct cash inflows from the licensed video copyrights over the licensing period are lower than the carrying value. Amortization and write-down expenses were $8.0 million and 7.7 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2010, $2.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2011, and nil and nil, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, the carrying value of licensed video copyrights was written down to nil. The decrease in the amortization and write-down of licensed video copyrights was primarily due to the change in our business focus from long-form videos to UGC.
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In-house developed content costs. In-house developed content costs represent costs related to the production of our news, reports and interactive entertainment programs, but do not include any salaries and benefits paid to our employees. Video production (which mainly include direct production costs and production overhead) costs are capitalized, if meeting the capitalization criteria. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we did not incur any video production costs, which was consistent with our cost structure under the new business model.
Operating Expenses
The following table sets forth certain historical consolidated operating expenses data, in terms of amount of our total revenues, for the periods indicated:
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2010 | | 2011 | | 2012 | |
| | (in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |
Operating Expenses | | | | | | | |
Product development | | — | | 2,693 | | 1,973 | |
Selling and marketing | | 16,196 | | 11,817 | | 1,689 | |
General and administrative | | 13,507 | | 23,402 | | 6,820 | |
Total operating expenses | | 29,703 | | 37,912 | | 10,482 | |
Product Development Expenses. Product development expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits for product development personnel, including share-based compensation costs.
Selling and Marketing Expenses. Selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of sales and marketing personnel payroll compensation and related employee costs, advertising and market promotion expenses, and other overhead expenses incurred by our sales and marketing personnel.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salary and benefits for general management, finance and administrative personnel, bad debt provision, litigation accrual, depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangible assets, professional service fees, share-based compensation, office rental fees, and other expenses.
Critical Accounting Policies
The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies have a significant impact on the results we report in our financial statements. Some of our accounting policies require us to make difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. We have summarized our accounting policies below that we believe are both important to an understanding of our financial results and involve the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. We also have other policies that we consider to be key accounting policies. However, these policies do not meet the definition of critical accounting policies because they do not generally require us to make estimates or judgments that are difficult or subjective.
Business Combinations and Non-controlling Interests
We account for our business combinations using the purchase method of accounting. This method requires that the acquisition cost to be allocated to the assets, including separately identifiable intangible assets, and liabilities we acquired based on their estimated fair values. Any non-controlling interest was reflected at historical cost. Where the consideration in an acquisition includes contingent consideration the payment of which depends on the achievement of certain specified conditions post-acquisition, contingent consideration was not recorded until the contingency was resolved.
From January 1, 2009, we adopted ASC 805 (formerly referred to as SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business combinations”). Following this adoption, the cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of the assets given, liabilities incurred, and equity instruments issued as well as the contingent considerations and all contractual contingencies as of the acquisition date. The costs directly attributable to the acquisition are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair value as of the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any non-controlling interests. The excess of (i) the total of cost of acquisition, fair value of the non-controlling interests and acquisition date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over (ii) the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the acquiree is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the income statement.
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The determination and allocation of fair values to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on various assumptions and valuation methodologies requiring considerable management judgment. The most significant variables in these valuations are discount rates, terminal values, the number of years on which to base the cash flow projections, as well as the assumptions and estimates used to determine the cash inflows and outflows. We determine discount rates to be used based on the risk inherent in the related activity’s current business model and industry comparisons. Terminal values are based on the expected life of assets and forecasted life cycle and forecasted cash flows over that period. Although we believe that the assumptions applied in the determination are reasonable based on information available at the date of acquisition, actual results may differ from the forecasted amounts and the difference could be material.
Revenue Recognition
In accordance with ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition,” we recognize revenues when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, delivery has occurred and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenues are recorded net of sales taxes.
Our revenues are derived principally from online advertising arrangements, where the advertisers (including third parties and related parties) pay to place their advertisements on our online video platform in different formats. Such formats generally include banners, buttons, links, pre-roll or post-roll video advertisements.
Advertising contracts are signed to establish the price and advertising services to be provided. Advertisements are charged either based on the agreed measurement numbers, including but not limited to impressions and clicks, or fixed during a determined period of time. In the former case, the delivery of service occurs when those measurement numbers are achieved. In the latter case, the delivery is not linked to advertisement displays, but occurs over time.
Under the arrangements with advertisers where the advertisement placement includes different formats to be delivered over different periods of time, our revenue is accounted for using the guidance under ASC 605-25 “Multiple Element Arrangements” as such revenue arrangements involve multiple deliverables to the advertisers. We sell the advertising services over a broad price range. We use our best estimate of the selling price of each component of bundled advertising arrangements for separate units of accounting.
For our advertising agency Shengyue, an affiliate wholly owned by Shanda Interactive, components of the arrangement include a guaranteed amount of advertising revenue and the sharing of excess advertising revenues by deducting commission fees based upon increasing percentages for additional tiers of revenue in excess of the guaranteed amount. The revenues, including the guaranteed amount and any excess revenues, are recognized net of commission fees. The revenues are recognized ratably over varying service periods as governed by the specific agreements with Shengyue, as we are able to timely obtain information regarding historical advertising revenues in order to prepare our financial statements. We enjoyed a commission-free trial period in 2011 under the agreement, and the advertising revenues in 2012 did not exceed the minimum amount guaranteed by Shengyue. As a result, there were no commission fees or progressive sharing of excess revenues in 2011 and 2012 under our arrangement with Shengyue.
We report the revenues earned from both Shengyue and third-party advertising agencies based on the net amount after considering the indicators to record revenues gross versus net as set forth in ASC 605-45.
We make credit assessments of customers to assess the collectability of contract amounts prior to entering into contracts. For those contracts for which collectability was assessed as not reasonably assured, we recognize revenue only when cash is received and all revenue recognition criteria are met.
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For revenue arrangements contracted with third-party advertising agencies, we provide cash incentives in the form of rebates based on volume and performance, and account for such incentives as a reduction of revenue in accordance with ASC 605-50-25. The cash incentives to third-party advertising agencies in the year ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 were $5.4 million, $1.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The consistent decrease in cash incentives to third-party advertising agencies was primarily due to the decrease in revenues from such agencies as a result of the transition to performance advertising in the second quarter of 2011.
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts
We determine the allowance for doubtful accounts when facts and circumstances indicate that the receivable is unlikely to be collected by taking into account an aging analysis of the accounts receivable balances, historical bad debt records, repayment patterns in the prior year and other factors such as the policies of operators and financial condition of the customer. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011, we recorded allowances for doubtful accounts of $1.5 million and $3.5 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2012, we reversed allowances for doubtful accounts of $2.3 million due to the collection of accounts receivable that were previously written down. As of December 31, 2012, the balance of our allowance for doubtful accounts was $2.2 million.
Video Production and Acquisition Costs
Following the guidance under ASC 926-20-25, video production (which mainly include direct production costs and production overhead) and acquisition costs are capitalized, if meeting the capitalization criteria, and stated at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated fair value.
With respect to production and acquisition costs, until we can establish estimates of secondary market revenues, capitalized costs for each video produced are limited to the amount of revenues contracted for that video. The costs in excess of revenues contracted for that video are expensed as incurred on an actual basis, and are not restored as assets in subsequent periods. Once we can establish estimates of secondary market revenues in accordance with ASC 926-20-35-5(b), we capitalize subsequent film costs.
Capitalized video production and acquisition costs are amortized in accordance with the guidance in ASC 926-20-35-1 using the individual-film-forecast-computation method, based on the proportion of the revenues earned in a period to the estimated remaining unrecognized ultimate revenues as of the beginning of that period. We estimate total revenues to be earned, or ultimate revenues, throughout the life of a video. Ultimate revenue estimates for the produced videos are periodically reviewed and adjustments, if any, will result in changes to amortization rates. Estimates used in calculating the fair value of the self-produced content are based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. The capitalized costs are subject to assessment for impairment in accordance with ASC 926-20-35-12 to 35-18, if an event or change in circumstances indicates that the fair value is less than its unamortized costs.
Licensed Video Copyrights
The licensed video copyrights are amortized over their respective licensing periods. The amortization period of the licensed video copyrights mainly ranged from one year to three years for all periods presented.
The licensed video copyrights are carried at the lower of amortized cost or net realizable value. Under the net realizable value approach, we determine the expected cash inflows that are directly attributed to the premium content category, which comprises the expected revenues directly attributable to the content category less the direct costs to deliver the content to derive the net realizable value of the asset. We write down the carrying value of the licensed content if the estimated net future direct cash inflows from the licensed video copyrights over the licensing period are lower than the carrying amount. As of December 31, 2012, the carrying value of licensed video copyrights has been written down to nil.
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Goodwill and Intangible Assets Impairment
We test goodwill for impairment by performing a two-step goodwill impairment test, which can be preceded by an optional qualitative assessment to determine if the two-step goodwill impairment test needs to be followed. The optional qualitative assessment relies upon qualitative factors to determine if is it “more likely than not” that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit. We did not apply the qualitative assessment and proceeded directly to the two-step test. The first step compares the calculated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If and only if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value as per step one, the second step is executed to compare the implied fair value of the affected reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in the first step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. This allocation process is only performed for purposes of evaluating goodwill impairment and does not result in an entry to adjust the value of any assets or liabilities. An impairment loss is recognized for any excess in the carrying value of goodwill over the implied fair value of goodwill. When available, we use observable market data, including pricing on recent closed market transactions, to determine the fair value of the reporting units and compare with carrying amount of the reporting units to assess any goodwill impairment. The fair value of reporting units was determined based on the market capitalization of the respective entities as of the valuation date. When there is little or no observable market data, we measure the fair value of each reporting unit primarily using the income approach and using the market approach as a validation of the value derived from income approach. The market approach includes using financial metrics and ratios of comparable public companies. When the goodwill was determined to be impaired, we use income approach including discounted cash flow model for each reporting unit and unobservable inputs including assumptions of projected revenue, expenses, capital spending and other costs, as well as a discount rate calculated based on the risk profile of the relating industry to determine the amount of any impairment.
We measure impairment of intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be recoverable. When these events occur, we assess impairment by comparing the carrying value of the intangible assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, we would recognize an impairment loss based on the fair value of the intangible assets. We measure the fair value of intangible assets based on an in-use premise using the discounted cash flow model and unobservable inputs including assumptions of projected revenue, expenses, capital spending and other costs, as well as a discount rate calculated based on the risk profile of the relating industry. If different estimates or judgments are utilized, the timing or the amount of the impairment charges could be different.
During the annual goodwill impairment test on December 31, 2010, we performed an impairment test at the reporting unit level relating to goodwill from acquisitions and concluded that there was no impairment as to the carrying value of goodwill as of December 31, 2010.
During the second quarter of 2011, we performed impairment testing for the online video operations due to a change in our business strategy. This resulted in an impairment charge for acquired intangible assets of $1.4 million. During the annual impairment test on December 31, 2011, we performed an impairment test at reporting unit level relating to acquired intangible assets and goodwill and concluded that there was no additional impairment required as to the carrying value of intangible assets and goodwill as of December 31, 2011.
During the annual impairment test on December 31, 2012, we performed an impairment test at the reporting unit level relating to goodwill and compared the market value of our publicly trade equity to the carrying value of our equity and concluded that there was no impairment required as of December 31, 2012. As we incurred net losses in each of the fiscal year from 2007 to 2012, we assessed impairment by comparing the carrying value of the intangible assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows and concluded there was no impairment required goodwill as of December 31, 2012.
Turnover Tax and Related Surcharges
Our subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities are subject to business tax and related surcharges or value-added tax, as the case may be, on the revenues earned for services provided in China. These business tax and related surcharges or value-added tax are deducted from gross revenues to arrive at net revenues.
In 2012, the relevant PRC authorities introduced a turnover tax reform pilot program (the “Pilot Program”) in selected pilot cities in China for selected industries to gradually expand the scope of VAT. The Pilot Program was implemented in Beijing and Tianjin, in which our advertising revenues are sourced, effective September 1 and December 1, 2012, respectively. Prior to the implementation of the Pilot Program, the business tax rate on our advertising sales was 5% based on the gross advertising revenue before deducting advertising agencies’ rebate. After the implementation of the Pilot Program, our advertising business has become subject to value-added tax at a rate of 6%.
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Share-based Compensation
We apply Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 “Stock Compensation,” or ASC 718, which requires all share-based payments to employees and directors, including grants of employee stock options and restricted shares, to be recognized as compensation expense in the financial statements over the vesting period of the award based on the fair value of the award determined at the grant date. The valuation provisions of ASC 718 apply to new awards, to awards granted to employees and directors before the adoption of ASC 718 whose related requisite services had not been provided, and to awards which were subsequently modified or cancelled. Under ASC 718, the number of share-based awards for which the service is not expected to be rendered for the requisite period should be estimated, and the related compensation cost not recorded for that number of awards.
In accordance with ASC 718, we have recognized share-based compensation expenses, net of a forfeiture rate, using the straight-line method for awards with graded vesting features and service conditions only and using the graded-vesting attribution method for awards with graded vesting features and performance conditions.
We grant equity incentive awards to our employees. We recorded share-based compensation expenses of $1.9 million, $1.8 million and $0.5 million in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. The share-based compensation expense in 2010 included one-time compensation expense of $1.3 million relating to incremental value of the ordinary shares issued by us to replace the options issued by Ku6 Holding before its acquisition by us. The share-based compensation expense in 2011 included one-time compensation expense of $0.5 million relating to the 20% interest in Yisheng that we contributed to a former employee who is now the chief executive officer of Yisheng. The decrease in share-based compensation expense in 2012 compared to 2011 was primarily attributable to changes in the likelihood of achieving performance targets related to profitability for performance-based stock option awards (which resulted in a reversal of compensation expense recorded in previous periods of $0.5 million) and personnel turnover in 2012 which caused actual forfeitures to be in excess of previously estimated forfeitures (resulting in a reversal of compensation expense recorded in previous periods of $0.7 million). Our share-based compensation expenses are included in our operating expenses as well as cost of revenue.
Income Taxes and Valuation allowances
Current income taxes are provided for on the taxable income of each subsidiary on the separate tax return basis in accordance with the relevant tax laws. Our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities are generally subject to a corporate income tax rate of 25% under the EIT Law. We are not subject to income tax under the Cayman Islands law.
Deferred income taxes are provided using the liability method in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 “Income Taxes,” or ASC 740. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, net operating loss carry forwards and credits by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. The tax base of an asset or liability is the amount attributed to that asset or liability for tax purposes. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period of change. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740-10-25 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. The adoption of ASC 740-10-25 did not result in a cumulative adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of January 1, 2007. We do not have any liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2010, 2011 or 2012. Were we to have such liabilities, interest and penalties would be recognized for the tax purpose.
Contingency
We are subject to contingencies, such as legal proceedings and claims arising out of our business that cover a wide range of matters in the normal course of our business. Liabilities for such contingencies are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated by us. As of December 31, 2012, we estimated and accrued $2.1million for liabilities arising from alleged copyright infringements.
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Going Concern
We have incurred significant net losses and negative cash flows from operations in recent years. As of December 31, 2012, our cash and cash equivalents balance was $13.1 million. Our net operating cash outflow for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $8.1 million, which represented a significant reduction from our net operating cash outflow for the year ended December 31, 2011. In addition, as of December 31, 2012, our accumulated deficit was $141.9 million and our working capital (the excess of current assets over current liabilities) was $6.4 million. This working capital included $10.5 million of accounts receivable and other receivables due from related parties and $3.8 million of other amounts payable to related parties.
Our forecasted revenue in 2013 is primarily derived from Shengyue and cash collection from this revenue source depends on the contractual credit terms agreed to with this agency.
Based on anticipated cash flow related to operating activities, our present cash balances and working capital position, and taking into consideration our potential future financing activities from time to time, we believe that we have sufficient cash and capital resources to fund our operations and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months.
Results of Operations
As mentioned above in the section of “Critical Accounting Policies,” the financial statements have been prepared as if the acquisition of Yisheng had been in effect since the inception of common control on August 31, 2009 and the operating results of WVAS and recorded music were presented as “Results of Discontinued Operations” in the income statements for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
The following discussion of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 is based upon our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. However, since the results for the year ended December 31, 2010 included the results of our audio business for the full year and the results of our online video business from January 18, 2010 to December 31, 2010, and the results for the year ended December 31, 2011 included the results of our online video business for the entire year and the results of our online audio business from January 1, 2011 to August 2011 when we began to account for our retained portion of this business under the equity method, and the results for the year ended December 31, 2012 included the results of our online video business for the entire year, the following discussion may not be meaningful for you to understand the trends of our continuing operations.
Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2011
Net Revenues. Net revenues decreased by 26.6% to $14.1 million in 2012 from $19.2 million in 2011. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in revenues from third-party advertisers, partially offset by a growth in revenues generated from performance advertising with Shengyue, an affiliated advertising agency. We began to generate revenues from performance advertising in the second quarter of 2011, which contributed approximately 38.3% and 88.4% of our total net revenues in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012 consisted of revenues generated from our online video business for the entire year. Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011 consisted of revenues generated from our online video business for the entire year and revenues generated from our online audio business from January to August 2011 of $0.5 million when we began to account for our retained portion of this business under the equity method.
Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues decreased by 52.7% to $14.6 million in 2012 from $30.9 million in 2011. This decrease was mainly attributable to (i) a one-time charge of $5.3 million in termination of long-form videos in 2011 due to the change in our business strategy, (ii) a decrease of $3.7 million in amortization and write-down of licensed video copyrights as we shifted our focus from long-form videos to UGC in the second half of 2011, (iii) a decrease of $1.9 million in payroll costs as the change in business strategy in the second half of 2011 improved our cost structure and our operating efficiency, (iv) a decrease of $1.2 million in Internet bandwidth costs in 2012 compared to 2011 as a result of the transition to UGC, (v) a decrease of $1.1 million in depreciation of servers and other equipment due to the disposal of network equipment in relation to technological upgrades in the second half of 2011, and (vi) a decrease of $2.2 million in platform operation cost, outside service fee and other cost related to content generating.
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Gross Loss. As a result of the foregoing, our gross loss decreased by 95.8% to $0.5 million in 2012 from $11.7 million in 2011.
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses decreased by 72.4% to $10.5 million in 2012 from $37.9 million in 2011, as a result of a decrease in our product development expenses, selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses.
· Product Development Expenses. Product development expenses were $2.0 million in 2012 compared to 2.7 million in 2011. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in payroll costs of $1.8 million for research and development personnel in 2012 from $2.2 million in 2011 as a result of a change in our business strategy in 2011 that improved our cost structure and operating efficiency by, in part, trimming the research and development headcount.
· Selling and Marketing Expenses. Selling and marketing expenses decreased by 85.7% to $1.7 million in 2012 from $11.8 million in 2011. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $5.9 million in salaries and benefits for sales and marketing personnel, a decrease of $1.9 million in marketing promotion and a decrease of $0.9 million in severance costs due to the one-off severance payments in 2011 in connection with the restructuring of our sales department.
· General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased by 70.9% to $6.8 million in 2012 from $23.4 million in 2011. This decrease was primarily attributable to (i) a $2.4 million loss from disposal of network equipment in 2011 due to technological upgrades, (ii) a decrease of $5.5 million in bad debt provision in 2012 due to collection of accounts receivable previously written down, (iii) a decrease of $2.1 million in provisions for copyright lawsuits in 2012 due to a decrease in the number of new copyright lawsuits filed in 2012 and a reversal of previously provided amounts of $1.0 million based upon favorable lawsuit resolution experience, (iv) a decrease of $1.4 million in impairment due to abandonment of intangible assets in 2011 resulting from the change in our business strategy, (v) a decrease of $1.2 million in annual bonus accrued in 2012 as compared to 2011 and (vi) a net decrease in other miscellaneous expenses due to improvement in cost structure and operating efficiency in 2012.
Operating Loss from Continuing Operations. As a result of the foregoing, operating loss from continuing operations decreased by 77.9% to $11.0 million in 2012 from $49.6 million in 2011.
Interest Income. Interest income increased to $0.6 million in 2012 from $0.2 million 2011 primarily due to higher interest rates on loans provided to Shanda Games Limited and increased interest income from bank deposits as a result of improvement in our cash management.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased to $0.6 million in 2012 from $1.1 million in 2011 primarily due to the interest on the senior convertible notes accrued in 2011 from the issuance date in June 2011 to the redemption date in September 2011 and the repayment of interest-bearing loans due from related parties in 2012.
Other Income, Net. Other net income increased to $1.7 million in 2012 from $1.3 million in 2011, primarily due to an increase in government subsidies from $1.3 million in 2011 to $1.5 million in 2012. Such government subsidies were granted by the local government to encourage development of certain enterprises in the local special economic region.
Income Tax Benefit. Income tax benefit decreased to nil in 2012 compared to $0.1 million in 2011.
Equity in Loss of Affiliated Company, Net of Tax. Equity in loss of affiliated company, net of tax, was $0.2 million as a result of our share of losses in Yisheng in 2012 compared to $0.3 million in 2011. This loss was attributable to our disposal of an 80% interest in Yisheng in August 2011. We accounted for the retained 20% interest under the equity method as we determined that we do not have a controlling financial interest in, but rather possess significant influence on Yisheng. As of December 31, 2012, the investment in Yisheng was reduced to nil as a result of our equity share of losses in 2012.
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Loss from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. Net loss from continuing operations attributable to our company decreased by 80.8% to $9.5 million in 2012 from $49.3 million in 2011.
Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010
Net Revenues. Net revenues increased by 16.1% to $19.2 million in 2011 from $16.6 million in 2010. This increase was primarily due to a growth in revenues generated from performance advertising. We began to generate revenues from performance advertising in the second quarter of 2011, which contributed approximately 38% of our total net revenues in 2011. Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011 consisted of revenues generated from our online video business for the entire year and revenues generated from our online audio business from January 1, 2011 to August 2011 of $0.5 million when we began to account for our retained portion of this business under the equity method. Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010 consisted of revenues generated from our online video business since January 18, 2010 and revenues generated from our online audio business for the entire year.
Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues decreased by 23.7% to $30.9 million in 2011 from $40.5 million in 2010. This decrease was mainly attributable to (i) a decrease of $12.0 million in amortization and write-down of licensed video copyrights as we shifted our focus from long-form videos to UGC, (ii) a decrease of $1.4 million in payroll costs as the change in business strategy in 2011 improved our cost structure and our operating efficiency, and (iii) a decrease of $1.3 million in Internet bandwidth costs in 2011 compared to 2010. These were partially offset by a one-time charge of $5.3 million in termination of long-form videos in 2011 due to our change in our business strategy.
Gross Loss. As a result of the foregoing, our gross loss decreased by 51.2% to $11.7 million in 2011 from $23.9 million in 2010.
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses increased by 27.6% to $37.9 million in 2011 from $29.7 million in 2010. This increase was attributable to increases in general and administrative expenses and product development expenses, partially offset by a decrease in selling and marketing expenses.
· Product Development Expenses. Product development expenses were $2.7 million in 2011 compared to nil in 2010. This increase was primarily due to payroll costs of $2.2 million for our research and development department newly established in 2011.
· Selling and Marketing Expenses. Selling and marketing expenses decreased by 27.0% to $11.8 million in 2011 from $16.2 million in 2010. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $3.6 million in marketing commission and a decrease of $1.2 million in salaries and benefits of sales and marketing staff, partially offset by an increase due to the one-off severance payments of $0.9 million, both as a result of the restructuring of our sales department.
· General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by 73.3% to $23.4 million in 2011 from $13.5 million in 2010. This increase was primarily attributable to (i) a $2.4 million loss from disposal of network equipment due to technological upgrades, (ii) an increase of $2.1 million in provision for copyright lawsuits, (iii) increases of $1.4 million in bad debt provision and $1.4 million in impairment due to abandonment of intangible assets resulting from our changes in business strategies, and (iv) an increase of $1.2 million in annual bonus in 2011 compared to 2010.
Operating Loss from Continuing Operations. As a result of the foregoing, operating loss from continuing operations decreased by 7.5% to $49.6 million in 2011 from $53.6 million in 2010.
Interest Income. Interest income increased to $0.2 million in 2011 from $0.1 million 2010 primarily due to a larger amount of interest-bearing loans provided to Shanda Games Limited in 2011.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased significantly to $1.1 million in 2011 from $31,134 in 2010 primarily due to the interest on the senior convertible notes accrued from the issuance date in June 2011 to the redemption date in September 2011 and a larger amount of interest-bearing loans from related parties in 2011.
Other Income, Net. Other net income increased significantly to $1.3 million in 2011 from $3 in 2010. We received government subsidies of $1.3 million in the form of cash subsidies in 2011, which were granted by the local government to encourage development of certain enterprises in the local special economic region.
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Income Tax Benefit. Income tax benefit increased to $0.1 million in 2011 from $41,172 in 2010. These amounts represented the deferred income tax benefit from continuing operations.
Equity in Loss of Affiliated Company, Net of Tax. Equity in loss of affiliated company, net of tax, was $0.3 million in 2011 compared to nil in 2010. This loss was attributable to our disposal of an 80% interest in Yisheng in August 2011. We accounted for the retained 20% interest under the equity method as we determined that we do not have a controlling financial interest in, but rather possess significant influence on, Yisheng.
Loss from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. Net loss from continuing operations attributable to our company decreased by 6.6% to $49.3 million in 2011 from $52.9 million in 2010.
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. Net income from discontinued operations attributable to our company was nil in 2011 as we disposed of the discontinued WVAS and recorded music businesses in August 2010. In 2010, we had net income from discontinued operations attributable to our company of $1.3 million due to a net gain from disposal of Huayi Music of $4.5 million, partially offset by a net loss from operations of $3.4 million from the WVAS and recorded music businesses for the eight months ended August 31, 2010, after giving effect to the net loss attributable to the non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests of $0.2 million in 2010.
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows and Working Capital
Our online video business requires continuous, substantial investment in content, technology, talent and infrastructure. In order to implement our development strategies to expand our infrastructure and optimize our services across Internet-enabled devices, and further expand and diversify our revenue sources, we may incur additional capital needs in the future. We will also need to fund our research and development activities in order to remain competitive on cost and technology. If our cash balance and cash inflow from advertising sales are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to issue debt securities or additional equity or to obtain bank borrowings. The issue of convertible debt securities or additional equity securities could result in additional dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financial covenants that would restrict our operations and the placement of liens over some or all of our assets. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. From time to time, we evaluate possible investments, acquisitions or divestments and may, if a suitable opportunity arises, make an investment or acquisition or conduct a divestment, which may have a material effect upon our liquidity and capital resources. Based upon anticipated cash flow related to operating activities, our present cash balances and working capital position, as well as taking into consideration our potential future financing activities from time to time, we believe that we have sufficient cash and capital resources to fund operations and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. See Item 5.A. “Operating Results—Critical Accounting Policies—Going Concern.”
As of December 31, 2012, we had cash and cash equivalents of $13.1 million. Our principal sources of liquidity have been our cash flows from operations and financing activities. The following table sets forth our cash flows with respect to operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the periods indicated:
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2010 | | 2011 | | 2012 | |
| | (in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |
Net cash used in operating activities | | (29,570 | ) | (39,175 | ) | (8,087 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | 2,168 | | (25,712 | ) | 15,641 | |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | 4,616 | | 63,328 | | (21,222 | ) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | 337 | | 1,014 | | (11 | ) |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | (22,449 | ) | (545 | ) | (13,679 | ) |
Operating Activities
Our net cash used in operating activities in 2012 was $8.1 million. This was primarily attributable to (i) our net loss of $9.5 million, (ii) a reversal of $2.3 million in bad debt provision due to collection of accounts receivable previously written down, (iii) an increase of $1.7 million in amounts due from related parties resulting from the delayed receipt of receivables (subsequently collected after December 31, 2012) related to advertising revenues from Shengyue, (iv) a decrease of $1.5 million in accounts payable due to more settlement of cash incentives to advertising agencies in 2012, which were adjusted by (i) non-cash expenses of $3.5 million in depreciation and amortization and $0.5 million in share-based compensation, and (ii) a decrease of $3.0 million in accounts receivable as a result of increased collection of advertising revenues from third parties in 2012.
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Our net cash used in operating activities in 2011 was $39.2 million. This was primarily attributable to (i) our net loss of $49.4 million, (ii) a decrease of $7.9 million in accounts payable due to more settlement of Internet bandwidth costs and cash incentives to advertising agencies in 2011, and (iii) an increase of $3.9 million in the amount due from related parties under common control by Shanda Interactive, which were adjusted by (i) non-cash expenses of $5.2 million in depreciation and amortization, $3.7 million in amortization and write-down of licensed video copyrights, $3.5 million in bad debt provision due to changes in business strategy, and $3.0 million in loss from disposal of property and equipment due to technological upgrades, and (ii) a decrease of $3.8 million in accounts receivable as a result of the increased collection of advertising revenue in 2011.
Our net cash used in operating activities in 2010 was $29.6 million. This was primarily attributable to (i) our net loss of $52.4 million and (ii) an increase of $8.7 million in accounts receivable mainly due to the advertising revenue generated in the last quarter of 2010 not received, most of which was still within the normal credit terms, which were adjusted by (i) non-cash expenses of $15.8 million in amortization and write-down of licensed video copyrights, $5.3 million in depreciation and amortization, $1.9 million in share-based compensation cost, and $1.5 million in bad debt provision, (ii) an increase of $8.8 million in accounts payable due to certain payables in connection with Internet bandwidth and cash incentives to advertising agencies not paid as of December 31, 2010, and (iii) an increase of $6.0 million in accrued expenses and other current liabilities mainly due to the business tax and salesman commission not paid as a result of the increase of the advertising revenue in 2010.
Investing Activities
Our net cash provided by investing activities was $15.6 million. This was primarily attributable to (i) the repayments by Shanda Games Limited of interest-bearing loans with an aggregate amount of $14.0 million in 2012, and (ii) a release of restricted cash of $3.6 million that was previously pledged to secure a bank loan, partially offset by (i) a $1.3 million payment for purchase of property and equipment and (ii) an interest bearing-loan of $0.5 million to Shanda Capital Limited in 2012.
Our net cash used in investing activities was $25.7 million in 2011. This consisted mainly of (i) the interest-bearing loans with an aggregate amount of $14.1 million provided to Shanda Games Limited in 2011, (ii) $5.5 million used in payment for licensed video copyrights, (iii) our pledge of $3.6 million cash as collateral for the bank loan, and (iv) payment of $2.4 million for the purchases of property and equipment.
Our net cash provided by investing activities was $2.2 million in 2010. This was primarily attributable to (i) net cash of $12.3 million received from the disposal of the WVAS and recorded music businesses, (ii) a decrease of $10.0 million in short-term investments in connection with the maturity of time deposits, and (iii) net proceeds of $4.4 million from the disposal of Huayi Music, partially offset by (i) $15.0 million used in payment for licensed video copyrights, (ii) $6.6 million used in the purchase of property and equipment, and (iii) a $3.2 million loan paid to related parties under common control by Shanda Interactive.
Financing Activities
Our net cash used in financing activities was $21.2 million in 2012. This consisted mainly of (i) the repayments to Shanda Games Limited of interest-bearing loans with an aggregate amount of $9.9 million, (ii) repurchase of ordinary shares with an aggregate amount of $8.2 million, and (iii) the repayment of bank borrowings of RMB20.0 million ($3.1 million).
Our net cash provided by financing activities was $63.3 million in 2011. This consisted mainly of (i) proceeds of $50.0 million from the issuance of ordinary shares to Shanda Media and $50.0 million from the issuance of senior convertible bonds to Shanda Media, (ii) net borrowings of $10.1 million from certain affiliates, and (iii) a domestic bank borrowing of RMB20.0 million ($3.2 million), partially offset by the full redemption of the $50.0 million senior convertible bonds based on our working capital position.
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Our net cash provided by financing activities was $4.6 million in 2010. This consisted mainly of borrowings of $4.6 million from related parties under common control by Shanda Interactive.
Restrictions on Cash Transfers to our Company
We are a holding company and our operations are principally conducted through our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities. As a result, the ability of our company to pay dividends and to finance debts depends upon service fees paid by our consolidated affiliated entities to our PRC subsidiaries and dividends and other distributions paid by our PRC subsidiaries to our company. If any of our subsidiaries or consolidated affiliated entities incurs debt on its own behalf, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay service fees or dividends directly or indirectly to our company.
In addition, under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities may pay dividends only out of their retained earnings as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. There is no significant difference between retained earnings as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities are required to set aside at least 10% of their after-tax net income each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserves, which are not distributable as cash dividends, until the aggregate amount of such funds reaches 50% of their respective registered capital. As a result of these and other restrictions under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to our company either in the form of dividends, loans or advances, which restricted portion amounted to approximately $52.7 million, or 157.0% of our company’s total consolidated net assets as of December 31, 2012. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities may, at their discretion, allocate a portion of their after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to staff welfare and bonus funds. These staff welfare and bonus funds are not distributable as cash dividends. See note 21 to our audited consolidated financial statements and Item 3.D. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—We rely on our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities to fund our cash and financing requirements. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities to transfer funds to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow or otherwise fund our cash and financing requirements.”
Cash transfers from our PRC subsidiaries to our offshore subsidiary and our company are also subject to restrictions imposed by the PRC government’s currency conversion policy. See Item 3.D. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively.”
C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses
See Item 4.B. “Business Overview—Technology and Infrastructure” and “—Intellectual Property.”
Our research and development expenditures were nil, $2.7 million and $2.0 million in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.
D. Trend Information
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events since January 1, 2010 that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our net revenues, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that caused the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial conditions.
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. In addition, we have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our own shares and classified as shareholders’ equity, or that are not reflected in our financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. Moreover, we do not have any variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.
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F. Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2012:
| | Payments Due by Period | |
| | Total | | Less than 1 year | | 1-3 years | | 3-5 years | |
| | (in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |
Operating lease commitments | | 3,003 | | 1,210 | | 1,793 | | | |
We did not have any long-term debt obligations as of December 31, 2012.
We had other payables due to related parties in the amount of $3.8 million as of December 31, 2012. All of these amounts were payable within one year. See Item 7.B., “Related Party Transactions—Other Related Party Transactions.”
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
A. Directors and Senior Management
The names of our current directors and executive officers, their ages as of February 28, 2013, and the principal positions with us held by them are as follows:
Name | | Age | | Position | |
Bruno Wu(3) | | 46 | | Independent Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors | |
Tianqiao Chen(1) | | 39 | | Director | |
Danian Chen(1) | | 34 | | Director | |
Grace Wu(1)(2) | | 42 | | Director | |
Haifa Zhu(2) | | 40 | | Director | |
Tuoc Luong(2) | | 51 | | Director | |
Tongyu Zhou(3) | | 44 | | Independent Director | |
Wenwen Niu(3) | | 46 | | Independent Director | |
Yu Shi | | 35 | | Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Editor | |
Frank Feng | | 39 | | Acting Chief Financial Officer | |
Kelvin Wenbo Liu | | 57 | | President | |
Jian Lu | | 50 | | Chief Technology Officer | |
(1) Member of the compensation and leadership development committee
(2) Member of the corporate development and finance committee
(3) Member of the audit committee
Biographical Information
Bruno Wu. Mr. Wu has served as an independent director on our board of directors since September 1, 2009 and has been Chairman of the board of directors since August 17, 2010. Mr. Wu also has served as a director of Shanda Interactive from October 2006 to August 2009. Mr. Wu is the co-founder and chairman of The Sun Red Rock Group of Companies, one of China’s largest privately held media groups. Mr. Wu served as co-chairman of SINA Corporation from 2001 to 2002 and as the chief operating officer of ATV, one of the two free-to-air networks in Hong Kong, from June 1998 until February 1999. Mr. Wu received a doctorate degree in international politics from Fudan University in 2001, a master of arts degree in international affairs from Washington University in Missouri in 1993, a bachelor of science degree in business administration-finance from Culver-Stockton College in Missouri in December 1990, and a diploma of studies in French civilization from the University of Savoie in France in 1987.
Tianqiao Chen. Mr. Chen has served on our board of directors since July 24, 2009 and was Chairman of the board of directors from July 24, 2009 to August 17, 2010. Mr. Tianqiao Chen is one of the co-founders of Shanda Interactive and has served as the chairman of the board of directors and the chief executive officer of Shanda Interactive since its inception in December 1999. Mr. Chen also serves as a member of the board of directors of Shanda Games Limited. Mr. Chen received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Fudan University. Mr. Tianqiao Chen is the brother of Mr. Danian Chen, one of our directors.
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Danian Chen. Mr. Danian Chen has served on our board of directors since January 19, 2010. Mr. Danian Chen is one of the co-founders of Shanda Interactive. Mr. Danian Chen served in various capacities at Shanda Interactive, mostly recently as the chief operating officer from 2008 to 2012. Mr. Chen is also a member of the board of directors of Shanda Interactive, a position which he has held since its inception in 1999, and a member of the board of directors of Shanda Games Limited. Mr. Danian Chen is Mr. Tianqiao Chen’s brother.
Grace Wu. Ms. Wu has served on our board of directors since July 24, 2009. Ms. Wu has served as Shanda Interactive’s senior vice president since April 2008 and chief financial officer since November 2007. Ms. Wu previously served as a director of Shanda Interactive from December 2007 to February 2012, vice president from November 2007 to March 2008, and vice president of strategic investments from October 2007 to November 2007. Prior to joining Shanda Interactive, Ms. Wu spent five years with AU Optronics Corp., where she was responsible for financial planning and analysis, investor relations and capital markets activities. Prior to that, Ms. Wu worked at Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers where she divided her responsibilities between the equity capital markets and investment banking divisions. Ms. Wu received a master of international affairs degree in international banking and finance from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from National Taiwan University.
HaifaZhu. Mr. Zhu has served on our board of directors since July 24, 2009. Mr. Zhu also served as our Acting Chief Executive Officer from March 14, 2011 to August 1, 2011. Mr. Zhu has served as chief investment officer and senior vice president of Shanda Interactive since April 2008. Mr. Zhu previously served as Shanda Interactive’s assistant vice president of investments, director of platform operations, director of central user platform and deputy director of new business center. Prior to joining Shanda Interactive, Mr. Zhu was responsible for investments at Nuovo Assets Investment Ltd. from 2001 to 2004. Prior to joining Nuovo Assets Investment Ltd., Mr. Zhu worked in technology management for the Shanghai Academy of Science from 1996 to 2001. Mr. Zhu received a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree from Fudan University.
Tuoc Luong. Mr. Luong has served on our board of directors since May 7, 2012. Mr. Tuoc Luong is currently the chief executive officer of Shanda Online Holdings Limited and Head of Shanda Innovations, United States. Prior to that, Mr. Luong served as the global senior vice president of Yahoo! Inc., or Yahoo, from 2007 to 2010, where he led the search division and was responsible for Yahoo’s search products worldwide. Before joining Yahoo, Mr. Luong held various management positions at Inter Active Corp (IAC), Ask Jeeves Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corporation and several other hi-tech companies. In addition, Mr. Luong was an entrepreneur having founded and worked at multiple successful startup companies in Silicon Valley. Mr. Luong received a master’s degree in engineering management from Santa Clara University and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of California at Berkeley.
Tongyu Zhou. Ms. Zhou has served as an independent director on our board of directors since September 1, 2009. Ms. Zhou is the founder and chairman of Shanghai Weida Hi-Tech Group Co., Ltd. Ms. Zhou is a member of the national committee of CPPCC and Chinese National Youth Union, vice president of the Chinese Young Entrepreneurs’ Association and Shanghai Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Zhou is a member of Standing Committee of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce since November 2012. Ms. Zhou received a doctorate degree in economics from Fudan University in 2008 and a master’s degree in business administration from China Europe International Business School in 2002.
Wenwen Niu. Mr. Niu has served as an independent director on our board of directors since July 31, 2009. Mr. Niu is the publisher and creator of “The Founder” magazine and a professional industry commentator. Mr. Niu joined Economic Daily Group in 1991 and was awarded “China News Prize” three times in two consecutive years. In 1999, Mr. Niu was the editor-in-chief of China Entrepreneur Magazine and he was also one of the adjudicators for “Top 10 Economic Leaders” of CCTV. In addition, Mr. Niu received a master’s degree in economics and completed the Executive MBA program at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business.
Yu Shi. Mr. Shi has served as our Chief Executive Officer since August 1, 2011 and our Acting Chief Editor since July 2011. Mr. Shi previously served as Shanda Interactive’s senior director of strategy and integration from 2009 to July 2011. Prior to joining Shanda Interactive, Mr. Shi worked at Juneyao Group as deputy general manager of strategy planning and capital markets from September 2006 to July 2009 and at Arthur Andersen and KPMG Consulting from September 2000 to August 2006. Mr. Shi received a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
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Frank Feng. Mr. Feng has served as our Acting Chief Financial Officer since May 16, 2012. He joined us as our Vice President of Finance and financial controller in July 2011. Mr. Feng previously served as finance vice president of Taomee Holdings Limited in 2010 and finance director of Renesola Ltd. from 2008 to 2009. Before joining Renesola Ltd., Mr. Feng worked in the audit departments of Deloitte, PwC and KPMG for 12 years. Mr. Feng became a member of the Chinese Institute of the Certified Public Accountant in 1999 and received a bachelor’s degree from Shanghai Jiaotong University in 1996.
Kelvin Wenbo Liu. Mr. Liu has served as our President since March 30, 2013. Mr. Liu has also served as chief executive officer of Shanda Interactive’s Grand Cloud business unit since 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Liu served as an engineering manager of Google Inc. from 2004 to 2012. Prior to joining Google, Mr. Liu served in various software companies in the United States, including Autodesk, Inc., Microsoft Corporation and Ask Jeeves Inc. He also founded or helped to found various start-up companies in Silicon Valley, including Savvion, Octopus and Silk Valley. Mr. Liu graduated from Tsinghua University with a bachelor degree in computer science and received a doctoral degree in computer science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Jian Lu. Mr. Lu has served as our Chief Technology Officer since March 30, 2013. Mr. Lu has also served as Head of Multimedia Technology Division of Shanda Innovations since 2010. Prior to that, Mr. Lu was a co-founder and chief technology officer of Vobile, Inc. and led the development of VideoDNATM. Mr. Lu also worked at Apple Inc. for more than eight years and led the technical development of QuickTime compression and streaming. Mr. Lu graduated from Zhejiang University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and received a doctoral degree in electrical engineering from Dartmouth College.
Terms of Directors and Executive Officers
Each of our directors shall be re-elected annually by our shareholders at a general meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier removal, or earlier vacation of office. Our executive officers are appointed by and serve at the discretion of our board of directors.
Employment Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. The initial term of these employment agreements is generally two to three years. Under these agreements, we may terminate the employment of an executive officer for cause at any time in case of certain acts by the executive officer. An executive officer may terminate the employment at any time upon thirty days to six months’ prior written notice.
Each executive officer has agreed to hold, both during and subsequent to the term of the employment agreement, our confidential information in strict confidence and not to disclose such information to anyone except to our other employees who have a need to know such information in connection with our business or except as required in the performance of his or her duties in connection with the employment. In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by non-competition restrictions during the term of the employment agreement and for a certain period after the termination of his or her employment.
B. Compensation
Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers
For the year ended December 31, 2012, we paid aggregate compensation of $1.1 million to our directors and officers, including former officers and directors who resigned in 2012, namely, Tony Shen, former Chief Financial Officer. For the year ended December 31, 2012, we granted options to purchase an aggregate of 285,000 ordinary shares with exercise prices of $1.16 per ADS and expiration dates through 2018, to our officers. Other than share options granted under our 2010 Equity Compensation Plan, as well as fees paid to our independent directors for board services rendered, we only paid compensation to those directors who also served as executive officers in 2012. We also maintain director and executive officer insurance for our directors and executive officers.
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Summary of Stock Plans
2010 Equity Compensation Plan
Our board of directors adopted the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan, or the 2010 Plan, which became effective in December 2010. A total of 698,381,300 ordinary shares of our company are reserved for issuance under the 2010 Plan. A general description of the terms of the 2010 Plan is set forth below:
Plan Administration. Our board of directors or one or more committees appointed by our board acts as of the administrator of the 2010 Plan.
Types of Awards. The principal features of the various awards that may be granted under the 2010 Plan are as follows:
· Options. Options provide for the right to purchase a specified number of our ordinary shares at a specified exercise price subject to vesting.
· Share Appreciation Rights. Share appreciation rights provide for the right to receive a payment, in cash or ordinary shares, equal to the excess of the fair market value of a specified number of our ordinary shares on the date the share appreciation right is exercised over the base price as set forth in the award document.
· Restricted Shares. Restricted shares are ordinary shares that are generally subject to restrictions on transfer and to vesting terms.
· Restricted Share Units. Restricted share units represent the right to receive a specified number of our ordinary shares, subject to vesting. Restricted share units will be settled upon vesting, subject to the terms of the award agreement, either by our delivery to the holder of the number of ordinary shares represented by the vested restricted share units or by a cash payment to the holder that equals the then fair market value of the underlying ordinary shares.
Award Document. Awards granted under the 2010 Plan are evidenced by an award document that sets forth the terms and conditions applicable to each of these awards, as determined by the administrator in its sole discretion.
Termination of the 2010 Plan. Without further action by our board of directors, the 2010 Plan will terminate in December 2020. Our board of directors may amend, suspend or terminate the 2010 Plan at any time, provided, however, that our board of directors must first seek the approval of the participants of the 2010 Plan if such amendment, suspension or termination would materially adversely affect the rights of participants with respect to any of their existing awards.
The table below sets forth the options that had been granted to our directors and executive officers pursuant to the 2010 Plan as of March 31, 2013.
Name | | Number of Ordinary Shares to be Issued Upon Exercise of Options | | Exercise Price per Ordinary Share | | Date of Grant | | Date of Expiration | |
| | | | ($) | | | | | |
Bruno Wu | | * | | 0.0568 | | December 4, 2010 | | December 4, 2016 | |
Tianqiao Chen | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Danian Chen | | * | | 0.0568 | | December 4, 2010 | | December 4, 2016 | |
| | * | | 0.0392 | | February 24, 2011 | | February 24, 2017 | |
Grace Wu | | * | | 0.0568 | | December 4, 2010 | | December 4, 2016 | |
| | * | | 0.0392 | | February 24, 2011 | | February 24, 2017 | |
| | * | | 0.0227 | | August 23, 2011 | | August 23, 2017 | |
Haifa Zhu | | * | | 0.0568 | | December 4, 2010 | | December 4, 2016 | |
| | * | | 0.0392 | | February 24, 2011 | | February 24, 2017 | |
| | * | | 0.0227 | | August 23, 2011 | | August 23, 2017 | |
Haibin Qu(1) | | * | | 0.0568 | | December 4, 2010 | | December 4, 2016 | |
Tuoc Luong | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Tongyu Zhou | | * | | 0.0568 | | December 4, 2010 | | December 4, 2016 | |
Wenwen Niu | | * | | 0.0568 | | December 4, 2010 | | December 4, 2016 | |
Yu Shi | | * | | 0.0392 | | February 24, 2011 | | February 24, 2018 | |
| | * | | 0.0227 | | August 23, 2011 | | August 23, 2018 | |
Frank Feng | | * | | 0.0227 | | August 23, 2011 | | August 23, 2018 | |
Tony Shen(2) | | * | | 0.0568 | | December 4, 2010 | | December 4, 2017 | |
Kelvin Wenbo Liu | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Jian Lu | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
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* Upon exercise of all vested options, this person would beneficially own less than 1% of our outstanding ordinary shares as of March 31, 2013.
(1) Haibin Qu resigned as our director, with effect from May 7, 2012.
(2) Tony Shen resigned as our chief financial officer, with effect from May 16, 2012.
C. Board Practices
Our board of directors currently consists of eight members. Our board of directors includes three independent directors who satisfy the “independence” requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules and meet the criteria for “independence” under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. This home country practice of ours was established by our board of directors by reference to similarly situated issuers and differs from the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules that require the board to be comprised of a majority of independent directors.
There are, however, no specific requirements under Cayman Islands law that the board must be comprised of a majority of independent directors.
We do not have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present, or executive sessions. This home country practice of ours was established by our board of directors by reference to similarly situated issuers and differs from the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules that require the company to have regularly scheduled executive sessions at which only independent directors are present. There are, however, no specific requirements under Cayman Islands law on executive sessions.
We have established three committees under our board of directors: an audit committee, a compensation and leadership development committee and a corporate development and finance committee. We have adopted a charter for each of the three committees. Each committee’s composition and functions are described below.
The members of the audit committees are Bruno Wu, Tongyu Zhou and Wenwen Niu, all of whom satisfy the “independence” requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules and meet the criteria for “independence” under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. In addition, our board of directors has determined that Bruno Wu qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under the applicable SEC rules and as a financially sophisticated audit committee member under Rule 5605(c)(2)(A) of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. The audit committee will be responsible for, among other things, overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of our company, including the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of our independent auditors, monitoring compliance with our accounting and financial policies and evaluating management’s procedures and policies relating to the adequacy of our internal accounting controls, and overseeing the performance of our internal audit function.
The members of the compensation and leadership development committee are Tianqiao Chen, Danian Chen and Grace Wu. The compensation and leadership development committee is responsible for, among other things, reviewing and making recommendations to our board of directors regarding our compensation policies and all forms of compensation to be provided to our executive officers and directors, and identifying potential candidates for, and selecting members of our senior management team.
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The members of the corporate development and finance committee are Tuoc Luong, Grace Wu and Haifa Zhu. The corporate development and finance committee is responsible for, among other things, reviewing and approving any proposed issues of debt including public and private debt, credit facilities with banks and others, and other credit arrangements such as capital and operating leases, and reviewing and approving any contract between us and Shanda Interactive or any affiliate of Shanda Interactive.
None of our directors have service contracts that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.
Duties of Directors
Under Cayman Islands law, our directors have a fiduciary duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the skills they actually possess and such care and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association, as amended from time to time. A shareholder has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached.
The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:
· convening shareholders’ annual general meetings and reporting its work to shareholders at such meetings;
· declaring dividends and distributions;
· appointing officers and determining the term of office of officers; and
· exercising the borrowing powers of our company and mortgaging the property of our company.
Interested Transactions
A director may vote in respect of any contract or transaction in which he or she is interested, provided that the nature of the interest of any directors in such contract or transaction is disclosed by him or her at or prior to its consideration and any vote in that matter.
D. Employees
As of December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, we had 816, 232 and 211 full-time employees, respectively. None of our personnel are represented under collective bargaining agreements.
E. Share Ownership
The following table sets forth certain information known to us with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of March 31, 2013 by:
· all persons who are beneficial owners of five percent or more of our ordinary shares; and
· our executive officers and directors.
Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 4,732,446,560 ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31, 2012. The amounts and percentages of ordinary shares beneficially owned are reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares power to direct the voting or the disposition of the security or to receive the economic benefit of ownership of the security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. These securities, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes that follow, the parties named below have sole voting and dispositive powers over the shares beneficially owned by them.
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| | Shares Beneficially Owned | |
Name | | Number | | Percentage | |
5% or More Beneficial Owner | | | | | |
Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited(1) | | 3,334,694,602 | | 70.5 | % |
| | | | | |
Executive Officers and Directors | | | | | |
Bruno Wu | | * | | * | |
Tianqiao Chen | | — | | — | |
Danian Chen | | * | | * | |
Grace Wu | | * | | * | |
Haifa Zhu | | * | | * | |
Tuoc Luong | | * | | * | |
Tongyu Zhou | | * | | * | |
Wenwen Niu | | * | | * | |
Yu Shi | | * | | * | |
Frank Feng | | * | | * | |
Kelvin Wenbo Liu | | — | | — | |
Jian Lu | | — | | — | |
* Upon exercise of all vested options, this person would beneficially own less than 1% of our outstanding ordinary shares as of March 31, 2013.
(1) According to the amendment to the Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on March 18, 2013, Shanda Media Group Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shanda Interactive, which is in turn wholly owned by Premium Lead Company Limited, beneficially owned 3,334,694,602 of our ordinary shares, including shares represented by our ADSs, as of December 31, 2012. According to the Schedule 13D and its amendments filed with the SEC on or prior to March 18, 2013, Shanda Media Group Limited, which was then wholly owned by Shanda Interactive, beneficially owned 66.4%, 55.9%, 66.4%, 51.4%, 50.6% and 50.1% of our ordinary shares as of July 7, 2011, April 20, 2011, April 1, 2011, September 30, 2010, August 6, 2010 and June 23, 2010, respectively. We do not have further information with respect to any changes in Shanda Interactive’s beneficial ownership of our shares subsequent to December 31, 2012.
As of March 31, 2013, approximately 2,425 million ordinary shares were held in the form of ADSs by the nominee of our ADS depositary bank, Citibank N.A., on behalf of our ADS holders and approximately 1 million ordinary shares were held by six holders of record in the United States. Citibank N.A. has advised us that as of that date approximately 14.61 million ADSs, representing approximately 1,461 million ordinary shares, were held of record by the nominee of DTC on behalf of DTC participants and approximately 9.63 million ADSs, representing approximately 963 million ordinary shares, were held of record by Shanda Interactive and 101 other registered holders, most of whom are outside the United States. We have no further information as to ordinary shares or ADSs held, or beneficially owned, by U.S. persons.
Our company’s major shareholders do not have different voting rights from each other or other shareholders of our company. To our knowledge, there are no arrangements the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in our undergoing a change in control.
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
A. Major Shareholders
Please refer to Item 6.E. “Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Share Ownership.”
B. Related Party Transactions
Contractual Arrangements with Respect to Our Consolidated Affiliated Entities
We conduct our operations in China principally through contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, our consolidated affiliated entities in China, and their respective shareholders. See Item 4.C. “Organizational Structure.” The principal terms of the agreements with respect to our consolidated affiliated entities are described as follows.
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Loan Agreements: Each of our PRC subsidiaries entered into loan agreements with the shareholders of the relevant PRC consolidated affiliated entities (Ku6 Information Technology, Ku6 Cultural and Tianjin Ku6 Network), pursuant to which our PRC subsidiaries granted interest-free loans to these shareholders to fund their capital contributions to the consolidated affiliated entities. The total amount of these loans as of December 31, 2012 was RMB31.0 million ($5.0 million). Each of the loans to the shareholders of Ku6 Information Technology and Ku6 Cultural has an unspecified term and will be repayable upon demand. Each of the loans to the shareholders of Tianjin Ku6 Network has an initial term of 20 years expiring in December 2031, which can be extended upon written agreement. The shareholders of these consolidated affiliated entities may not repay all or any part of the loans without the prior written consent of our PRC subsidiaries.
Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreements: Tianjin WFOE, one of our PRC subsidiaries, entered into an exclusive business cooperation agreement with Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan, one of our consolidated affiliated entities, pursuant to which Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan agreed to appoint Tianjin WFOE as its exclusive providers of technical, consulting and other services for service fees equal to 100% of the net income of Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan. Tianjin WFOE is entitled to exclusive and proprietary rights and interests in any intellectual properties arising out of or created during the performance of this agreement. This agreement has an initial term of 10 years expiring in March 2019, and will be renewable upon the request of Tianjin WFOE. Tianjin WFOE has the right to terminate the agreement at any time upon giving prior written notice, but neither Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan or its shareholders may terminate the agreement prior to expiration.
Exclusive Consulting and Service Agreements or Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement: Certain of our PRC subsidiaries (Beijing WFOE, Tianjin WFOE and Tianjin Ku6 Network WFOE) entered into exclusive consulting and service agreements with the relevant consolidated affiliated entities (Ku6 Information Technology, Ku6 Cultural and Tianjin Ku6 Network), pursuant to which these consolidated affiliated entities agreed to respectively engage our PRC subsidiaries as their exclusive provider of consulting and other services. The amount of service fees payable by these consolidated affiliated entities to our PRC subsidiaries shall be agreed upon by the parties based on the scope and complexity of the technologies involved, the content and duration of the services provided, and the prevailing market price for similar services. Our PRC subsidiaries will exclusively own any intellectual property arising from the performance of these agreements. Unless terminated earlier by our PRC subsidiaries, these agreements have an initial term of 20 years expiring in December 2031, and will be renewable upon the request of our PRC subsidiaries. Our consolidated affiliated entities may not terminate these agreements without cause unless they compensate our PRC subsidiaries for all losses caused by such early termination.
Business Operation Agreements: Certain of our PRC subsidiaries (Beijing WFOE, Tianjin WFOE and Tianjin Ku6 Network WFOE) entered into business operation agreements with the relevant consolidated affiliated entities (Ku6 Information Technology, Ku6 Cultural and Tianjin Ku6 Network) and their respective shareholders, which set forth the rights of these PRC subsidiaries to control the actions of these consolidated affiliated entities and their shareholders, including the rights to manage the daily operations of these consolidated affiliated entities and to appoint and remove the directors of these consolidated affiliated entities. In addition, the consolidated affiliated entities may not engage in any transactions that could materially affect their assets, liabilities, rights or operations without the prior consent of our PRC subsidiaries. These agreements have an initial term of 20 years expiring in December 2031, and will be renewable upon the request of our PRC subsidiaries. Our PRC subsidiaries have the right to terminate the agreements at any time upon giving prior written notice, but none of the consolidated affiliated entities or their shareholders may terminate the agreements prior to expiration.
Equity Pledge Agreements: Each of our PRC subsidiaries entered into equity pledge agreements with the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities (and, in some cases, together with our consolidated affiliated entities), pursuant to which these shareholders pledged their respective equity interests in our consolidated affiliated entities to our PRC subsidiaries as collateral to secure the obligations of these consolidated affiliated entities under the loan agreements, exclusive business cooperation agreements, exclusive consulting and service agreements, business operation agreements and equity disposition agreements, as applicable. The pledges shall remain effective until all obligations under the applicable agreements have been fully performed. During the term of the pledges, our consolidated affiliated entities are entitled to any dividends in respect of the equity interests pledged. The shareholders may not transfer their equity interests without the prior consent of our PRC subsidiaries. In case of any event of default, our PRC subsidiaries will be entitled to dispose of the equity interests pledged and use the proceeds to make any payments due under the applicable agreements.
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Powers of Attorney: Each of the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities entered into a power of attorney to irrevocably authorize the relevant PRC subsidiary as his, her or its agent and attorney on all matters pertaining to the relevant consolidated affiliated entity and to exercise all of his, her or its rights as a shareholder of such consolidated affiliated entity, including the right to attend shareholders’ meetings, to exercise voting rights and to appoint directors and other senior management of such consolidated affiliated entity. The power of attorney is irrevocable and will continue to be effective, (i) in the case of the shareholder of Ku6 Information Technology or Ku6 Cultural, as long as such shareholder continues to be its shareholder; (ii) in the case of the shareholder of Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan, until the equity interest purchase option as set forth in the exclusive option agreement has been fully exercised; and (iii) in the case of the shareholder of Tianjin Ku6 Network, for a term of 20 years, renewable upon the request of the relevant PRC subsidiary.
Exclusive Option Agreements or Equity Disposition Agreements: Each of our PRC subsidiaries entered into exclusive option agreements or equity disposition agreements with the relevant consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders, pursuant to which our PRC subsidiaries or their designees are entitled to an exclusive right, exercisable at any time during the term of the agreements, to the extent permitted under PRC laws and regulations, to purchase from the shareholders of these consolidated affiliated entities all or any part of their equity interests in the consolidated affiliated entities. The purchase price shall equal to the amount of the registered capital of the consolidated affiliated entities (in respect of Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan) or the lowest price permissible by the then-applicable PRC laws and regulations (in respect of Ku6 Information Technology, Ku6 Cultural and Tianjin Ku6 Network). Without the prior written consent of our PRC subsidiaries, none of the consolidated affiliated entities or their shareholders may take actions that could materially affect the assets, liabilities, operations or equity of the consolidated affiliated entities, including distribution of dividends, transfer or mortgage of assets, incurrence or guarantee of any indebtedness, or merger or consolidation, and none of the shareholders may dispose of or allow any security interest to be encumbered on their equity interests in the consolidated affiliated entities except as otherwise agreed upon with our PRC subsidiaries. The initial term of these agreements is 10 years (in respect of Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan) or 20 years (in respect of Ku6 Information Technology, Ku6 Cultural and Tianjin Ku6 Network), with the earliest expiration date being March 21, 2019. These agreements will be renewable upon the request of our PRC subsidiaries.
Exclusive Intellectual Property Option Agreement: Beijing WFOE entered into an exclusive intellectual property option agreement with Ku6 Information Technology, pursuant to which Ku6 Information Technology irrevocably granted to Beijing WFOE or its designee an exclusive right, exercisable at any time during the term of this agreement, to purchase from Ku6 Information Technology, in accordance with the price agreed upon by the parties and to the extent permitted under PRC laws and regulations, certain intellectual property rights. Without Beijing WFOE’s prior consent, Ku6 Information Technology may not transfer any of these intellectual property rights to any third party. This agreement has an initial term of 10 years expiring in June 2018 and will be automatically renewed for another 10 years unless terminated by Beijing WFOE.
Advertising Agency Agreement with Shengyue
In April 2011, we entered into an advertising agency agreement with Shengyue, an affiliate wholly owned by Shanda Interactive, pursuant to which Shengyue agreed to act as our exclusive advertising agency for our standard media resources and as our non-exclusive advertising agency for our highly interactive advertising resources and to generate advertising revenue for us by using the AA system. The initial term of our advertising agency agreement with Shengyue expired on December 31, 2012. In January 2013, we amended and restated this agreement with Shengyue and extended its term to December 31, 2013.
Pursuant to the advertising agency agreement, Shengyue guarantees to us a minimum amount of revenues for each quarter. In return, we guarantee a certain amount of web traffic for our webpage on which Shengyue posts advertisements. If the advertising revenues from Shengyue exceed the minimum guaranteed amount, we are required to pay Shengyue a progressive commission fee based upon increasing percentages for additional tiers of revenue in excess of the guaranteed amount. We negotiated these terms with Shengyue based on pricing information obtained from competing third parties and an internal assessment of the value of our revenue-generating media resources.
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For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, we generated advertising revenues of $8.1 million and $12.5 million from Shengyue. Since the commencement of the arrangement, we have been able to satisfy the web traffic requirements under the advertising agency agreement. As we enjoyed a commission-free trial period in 2011 under the agreement, and the advertising revenues in 2012 did not exceed the minimum amount guaranteed by Shengyue, we incurred nil and nil commission fees payable to Shengyue in 2011 and 2012, respectively. To the extent that future advertising sales by Shengyue to our advertisers increase significantly and exceed the minimum guaranteed amounts, progressively higher commission fees would be incurred, which may negatively affect our profit margin.
Our Asset Transactions with Shanda Interactive
On June 1, 2010, we entered into a master transaction agreement with Shanda Interactive, pursuant to which we agreed to acquire certain online audio assets from Shanda Interactive in exchange for 415,384,615 newly issued ordinary shares in us and, concurrently, Shanda Interactive agreed to acquire our WVAS and recorded music businesses in exchange for an aggregate of $36,944,267 in cash, subject to adjustment based on the May 31, 2010 cash balances of the businesses being transferred to Shanda Interactive. On August 17, 2010, we and Shanda Interactive completed the asset transactions contemplated under the master transaction agreement. We issued 415,384,615 ordinary shares to Shanda Interactive in exchange for its 75% interest in an online audio business and issued 138,461,539 ordinary shares to the non-controlling shareholder in exchange for the remaining 25% interest in the online audio business. Shanda Interactive acquired our WVAS and recorded music businesses in exchange for an aggregate of $37,243,904 in cash.
Share Purchase Agreement with Shanda Media
On April 1, 2011, we entered into a share purchase agreement with Shanda Media, pursuant to which we agreed to issue to Shanda Media 1,538,461,538 ordinary shares for an aggregate purchase price of $50,000,000 (or $0.0325 per ordinary share). Our shareholders approved the issuance of these ordinary shares at our extraordinary general meeting on June 24, 2011. We issued these ordinary shares to Shanda Media on June 29, 2011.
Convertible Bond Purchase Agreement with Shanda Media
On April 1, 2011, we entered into a convertible bond purchase agreement with Shanda Media, pursuant to which we agreed to sell to Shanda Media $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3% senior convertible bond at face value. The convertible bonds were to mature in three years after issuance and bear interest at a rate of 3% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing December 31, 2011. Beginning six months after issuance and at any time before maturity, the convertible bonds would be convertible into our ordinary shares at a price of $0.03925 per ordinary share (or $3.925 per ADS). Our shareholders approved the issuance of these convertible bonds at our extraordinary general meeting on June 24, 2011, and we issued the convertible bonds on June 29, 2011. Based on our working capital position, we entered into a redemption agreement with Shanda Media on September 30, 2011, pursuant to which we agreed to redeem the entire $50,000,000 convertible bonds at face value plus accrued but unpaid interest. We redeemed the convertible bonds and paid the full redemption price to Shanda Media on September 30, 2011.
Proposed Acquisition of Pipi
On April 20, 2011, we entered into an equity purchase agreement with the shareholders of Hangzhou Soushi Networking Co., Ltd., or Pipi, a limited liability company established under the laws of the PRC, pursuant to which we agreed to acquire the equity interests in Pipi from its current shareholders in exchange for an aggregate of 2,212,114,257 of our ordinary shares. Shanghai Shanda Networking Co., Ltd., or Shanda Networking, a company established under the laws of the PRC and controlled by Shanda Interactive, holds 32% of the equity interest in Pipi. Pursuant to the equity purchase agreement, Shanda Networking agreed to transfer its 32% equity interest in Pipi to us or one or more of our designees, and in exchange, we agreed to issue 707,876,562 ordinary shares to Shanda Media. However, our shareholders did not approve this transaction at our extraordinary general meeting on June 24, 2011. As the closing of this transaction was conditional upon, among other things, the approval of our shareholders, this transaction was not consummated and the equity purchase agreement was terminated on July 5, 2011.
Disposal of Interest in Online Audio Business
In August 2011, we terminated our contractual arrangements with respect to the control of Yisheng, our online audio business operating entity, as a result of management’s review of our business strategies. After the completion of certain equity transfer and increase in registered capital by Beijing Sunshine Culture Communication Co., Ltd., or Sunshine, and Beijing Huaying Shengshi Cultural Communication Co., Ltd., both of which are subsidiaries of Shanda Interactive and limited liability companies established under the laws of the PRC, we hold a 20% economic interest, down from 100%, in Yisheng and have ceased to control Yisheng as a consolidated affiliated entity. All local government registrations relating to the above changes in the registered capital and shareholding of Yisheng were completed on August 11, 2011.
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Loans to and from Related Parties
In December 2010, Ku6 Information Technology borrowed RMB20.0 million on an unsecured basis from Shanghai Shulong Technology Co., Ltd., a company controlled by Shanda Interactive, pursuant to an entrusted loan agreement. This loan carried an interest rate of 5.05% per year and was originally due in June 2011. The term of the loan was subsequently extended to December 2011 and the interest rate was revised to 5.68%. This loan was fully repaid in December 2011.
In February 2011, Ku6 Information Technology borrowed RMB40.0 million ($6.4 million) on an unsecured basis from Shanghai Shulong Technology Co., Ltd., pursuant to an entrusted loan agreement. This loan carried an interest rate of 5.05% per year and was originally due in August 2011. We repaid RMB250,000 ($39,271) and the term of the loan with respect to the remaining amount of RMB39.8 million ($6.3 million) was subsequently extended to February 2012. The interest rate was revised to 6.71% per year. In February 2012, we repaid RMB19.8 million ($3. 2 million). We extended the term of the loan with respect to the remaining amount of RMB20.0 million ($3.2 million) to August 2012 and the interest rate remained at 6.71% per year. In August 2012, the RMB20.0 million ($3.2 million) was further extended to February 2013 with interest rate of 6.71% per year. This loan was fully repaid in January 2013.
In June 2011, Ku6 Information Technology borrowed RMB43.0 million ($6.8 million) on an unsecured basis from Shanghai Shulong Computer Technology Co., Ltd., pursuant to an entrusted loan agreement. This loan carries an interest rate of 6.31% per year and was due in June 2012. This loan was fully repaid in June 2012.
In December 2010, our company provided a $3.2 million unsecured loan to Shanda Games Limited, a company controlled by Shanda Interactive, which carried an interest rate of 0.6% per year and was originally due in July 2011. The term of the loan was subsequently extended to August 2012 with an interest rate of 0.6% per year before December 31, 2011 and an interest rate of 3% per year after that. In January 2011, our company provided a $6.7 million unsecured loan to Shanda Games Limited, which carried an interest rate of 0.6% per year and was originally due in July 2011. The term of this loan was subsequently extended to August 2012. The interest rate for 50% of the principal amount was revised to 0.6% per year before February 14, 2012 and 3% per year after that. The interest rate for the remaining 50% of the principal amount was revised to 0.6% per year before March 1, 2012 and 1.8% per year after that. Shanda Games Limited repaid a total of $6.6 million of the principal amount under these loans in May 2012. With respect to the remaining principal amount of $3.3 million, the term was extended to February 2013 with an interest rate of 3% per year. The loan was repaid in full in February 2013.
In June 2011, our company provided a $7.3 million unsecured loan to Shanda Games Limited, which carries an interest rate of 1.37% per year and was due in May 2012. The term of the loan was subsequently extended to June 20, 2012 with respect to $3.0 million of the principal amount and to December 20, 2012 with respect to the remaining balance. The interest rate was revised to 1.37% per year before June 20, 2012 and 3% per year after that. This loan was fully repaid in December 2012.
In March 2012, our company provided a $0.5 million unsecured loan to Shanda Capital Limited, a company controlled by Shanda Interactive, which carries an interest rate of 3% per year and was due on March 25, 2013. The term of this loan is in the process of being extended.
Item 8. Financial Information
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
See Item 18. “Financial Statements” for our audited consolidated financial statements filed as part of this annual report on Form 20-F.
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Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we have been involved in litigation relating to copyright infringement and other matters in the ordinary course of our business. We had an accrued litigation provision balance of $2.1 million as of December 31, 2012. The accrual was based on judgments handed down by the court and out-of-court settlements as of or after December 31, 2012 but related to alleged copyright infringement arising before December 31, 2012. The accrual was based upon management’s best estimation according to the historical actual compensation amount per video of Ku6 Holding for the similar legal actions and the advice from PRC counsel. We are in the process of appealing certain judgments for which the loss has been accrued.
Our video content library may contain content in which others may claim to own copyrights or image rights or which others may claim to be defamatory or objectionable. Adverse results in legal proceedings against us may include awards of damages and may also result in, or even compel, a change in our business practices, which could impact our future financial results. Regardless of the outcome, however, any litigation can result in substantial costs and diversion of management resources and attention.
Although we have implemented and strengthened standard procedures to delete video content, especially our UGC, that allegedly infringes on intellectual property rights of third parties, we have limited control over the nature or types of the content posted by our users. The infringement of intellectual property rights by our users may result in litigation against us and harm our business and reputation. See Item 3.D. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business— We have been and expect to continue to be exposed to intellectual property infringement and other claims, including claims based on content posted on our website.”
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any dividends on our ordinary shares. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance operations and for the expansion of our business. Payments of dividends by our PRC subsidiaries to our company are subject to restrictions including primarily the restriction that foreign invested enterprises may only buy, sell and/or remit foreign currencies at those banks authorized to conduct foreign exchange business after providing valid commercial documents. There are no such similar foreign exchange restrictions in the Cayman Islands.
B. Significant Changes
None.
Item 9. The Offer and Listing
Not applicable except for Item 9.A.4. and Item 9.C.
American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, each representing 100 of our ordinary shares, have been listed on the NASDAQ Global Market since February 4, 2005. Our ADSs were traded under the symbol “HRAY” until August 16, 2010. On August 17, 2010, we changed our name to “Ku6 Media Co., Ltd.” and changed our trading symbol on the NASDAQ Global Market from “HRAY” to “KUTV.”
The following table provides the high and low prices for our ADSs on the NASDAQ Global Market for (1) the five most recent full financial years, (2) each full financial quarter in the two most recent full financial years and the subsequent period, and (3) each of the most recent six months.
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| | Sales Price | |
| | High | | Low | |
| | (in U.S. dollars) | |
Annual highs and lows | | | | | |
2008 | | 4.21 | | 1.08 | |
2009 | | 7.16 | | 0.93 | |
2010 | | 8.40 | | 2.22 | |
2011 | | 8.12 | | 0.75 | |
2012 | | 4.04 | | 0.90 | |
Quarterly highs and lows | | | | | |
First quarter 2011 | | 5.25 | | 2.59 | |
Second quarter 2011 | | 8.12 | | 2.83 | |
Third quarter 2011 | | 3.68 | | 1.70 | |
Fourth quarter 2011 | | 2.10 | | 0.75 | |
First quarter 2012 | | 4.04 | | 1.03 | |
Second quarter 2012 | | 2.18 | | 1.10 | |
Third quarter 2012 | | 1.40 | | 0.90 | |
Fourth quarter 2012 | | 1.25 | | 0.90 | |
First quarter 2013 | | 1.30 | | 0.95 | |
Monthly highs and lows | | | | | |
October 2012 | | 1.05 | | 0.90 | |
November 2012 | | 1.25 | | 0.98 | |
December 2012 | | 1.15 | | 0.91 | |
January 2013 | | 1.20 | | 1.04 | |
February 2013 | | 1.30 | | 0.96 | |
March 2013 | | 1.20 | | 0.95 | |
April 2013 (through April 18, 2013) | | 1.05 | | 0.97 | |
Item 10. Additional Information
A. Share Capital
Not applicable.
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
The following are summaries of material terms and provisions of our current memorandum and articles of association, as well as certain provisions of the Cayman Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares. This summary is not complete and some of the terms in our memorandum and articles of association are subject to other rights, restrictions and obligations set out therein, and you should read in full our memorandum and articles of association, which was included as Exhibit 3.1 to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-121987) filed with the SEC on January 12, 2005, as amended by the amendment passed by our shareholders by way of a special resolution on October 16, 2009, which was included as Exhibit 1.2 to our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009 (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on April 30, 2010, the amendment passed by our shareholders by way of a special resolution on June 24, 2011, which was included as Exhibit 1.3 to our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2010 (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2011, and the amendment passed by our shareholders by way of a special resolution on July 12, 2012, which was included as Exhibit 1.4 to this Form 20-F.
General
We are a Cayman Islands company and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Cayman Companies Law and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as that from English common law, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities law as compared to the United States, and provides significantly less protection to investors. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in the federal courts of the United States.
The holders of ADSs will not be treated as our shareholders and will be required to surrender their ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal from the depositary facility in which the ordinary shares are held in order to exercise shareholders’ rights in respect of the ordinary shares. The depositary will agree, so far as it is practical, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of ordinary shares represented by ADSs in accordance with the non-discretionary written instructions of the holder of such ADSs.
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Directors
Interested Transactions. A director may vote in respect of any contract or transaction in which he or she is interested, provided, however, that the nature of the interest of any director in any such contract or transaction shall be disclosed by him or her at or prior to its consideration and any vote on that matter. A general notice or disclosure to the directors or otherwise contained in the minutes of a meeting or a written resolution of the directors or any committee thereof that a director is a shareholder of any specified firm or company and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction with such firm or company shall be sufficient disclosure, and after such general notice it shall not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction.
Remuneration and Borrowing. The directors may determine remuneration to be paid to the directors. The directors may exercise all the powers of our company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge our undertaking, property and uncalled capital or any part thereof, and to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whether outright or as security for any of our debts, liabilities, or obligations or those of any third party.
Qualifications. There are no membership qualifications for directors. Further, there are no share ownership qualifications for directors unless so fixed by us in a general meeting.
Rights, Preferences and Restrictions of our Ordinary Shares
General. All of our outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Certificates representing our ordinary shares are issued in registered form. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their shares.
Dividends. The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors.
Voting Rights. On a poll (if demanded), each ordinary share is entitled to one vote on all matters upon which our ordinary shares are entitled to vote, including the election of directors. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by our Chairman or any other shareholder present in person or by proxy. A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of shareholders who hold at least one-third of our outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting present in person or by proxy.
Any ordinary resolution to be made by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to our ordinary shares cast in a general meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast attaching to our ordinary shares. A special resolution is required for matters such as a change of name. Holders of our ordinary shares may, by ordinary resolution, among other things, elect directors, appoint auditors, and increase our authorized share capital.
Liquidation. Without prejudice to the rights of holders of our shares issued upon special terms and conditions, if in a winding up, the assets available for distribution among our shareholders are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, such assets will be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses are borne by our shareholders in proportion to the capital paid up, or which ought to have been paid up, at the commencement of the winding up on the shares held by them respectively. If in a winding up, the assets available for distribution among our shareholders is more than sufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital at the commencement of the winding up, the excess will be distributed among our shareholders in proportion to the capital paid up at the commencement of the winding up on our shares held by them respectively.
Calls on our Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of our Ordinary Shares. Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid on their ordinary shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to the specified time and place of payment. Our ordinary shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid may be subject to forfeiture.
Redemption and Repurchase of our Ordinary Shares. The Cayman Companies Law provides that a company limited by shares may, if so authorized by its articles of association, issue shares which are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the company or a shareholder. In addition, such a company may, if authorized to do so by its articles of association, purchase its own shares, including any redeemable shares. At no time may a company redeem or purchase its shares unless they are fully paid. A company may not redeem or purchase any of its shares if, as a result of the redemption or purchase, there would no longer be any member of the company holding shares other than shares held as treasury shares. Under our memorandum of association, we may issue shares that are, or at our option or at the option of the holders are, subject to redemption on such terms and in such manner as we may, before the issue of the shares, determine by special resolution. We may also purchase our own shares, including any redeemable shares, provided that the manner of purchase has been authorized in a general meeting.
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A Cayman Islands company may redeem or purchase its own shares out of profits, out of its share premium account, out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purposes of the redemption or purchase or, provided the company will remain solvent, out of capital. A payment out of capital by a company for the redemption or purchase of its own shares is not lawful unless, immediately following the date on which the payment is proposed to be made, the company shall be able to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. If and to the extent that a premium is to be paid on the redemption or purchase of a company’s shares, the premium must have been provided for out of either or both of the profits of the company or out of the company’s share premium account before or at the time the shares are redeemed or purchased, or, subject to the same solvency test, out of capital.
Shares that have been purchased or redeemed by a Cayman Islands company or surrendered to the company pursuant to the Cayman Companies Law shall not be treated as cancelled but shall be classified as treasury shares if the memorandum and articles of association of the company do not prohibit it from holding treasury shares, the relevant provisions of the memorandum and articles of association (if any) are complied with, and the company is authorized in accordance with the its articles of association or by a resolution of the directors to hold such shares in the name of the company as treasury shares prior to the purchase, redemption or surrender of such shares. Shares held by a company as treasury shares shall continue to be classified as such until such shares are either cancelled or transferred pursuant to the Cayman Companies Law. The company shall not be treated as a member for any purpose and shall not exercise any right in respect of the treasury shares, and any purported exercise of such a right shall be void. A treasury share shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting of the company and shall not be counted as issued shares at any given time, whether for the purposes of the company’s articles of association or the Cayman Companies Law. No dividend may be declared or paid, and no other distribution (whether in cash or otherwise) of the company’s assets (including any distribution of assets to members on a winding up) may be made to the company, in respect of a treasury share.
Shares with Preferred Rights
Our memorandum and articles of association provide for the authorization of issuance of shares with preferred rights. Subject to any direction that may be given by us in general meetings, and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of existing shares, our directors may allot, issue, grant options over or otherwise dispose of shares of our company, with or without preferred rights or restrictions, whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital or otherwise and to such persons, at such times and on such other terms as they think proper. We have no immediate plans to issue any shares with preferred rights. The issuance of any of our shares with preferred rights could provide needed flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes. However, the issuance could also make it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting shares or discourage an attempt to gain control of us. In addition, the board of directors, without shareholder approval, can issue shares with preferred rights with voting and conversion rights which could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of ordinary shares. These shares with preferred rights may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings, to raise additional capital or to facilitate acquisitions. The listing maintenance requirements of the NASDAQ Global Market, which apply so long as our ADSs are quoted on that market, require shareholder approval of certain issuances of our securities equal to or exceeding 20% of the then outstanding voting power of all our securities or the then outstanding number of our ordinary shares.
Variations of Rights of Shares
All or any of the special rights attached to any class of shares maybe varied, either with the consent in writing of the holders of three-fourths of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
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General Meetings of Shareholders
The directors may, whenever they think fit, and shall, on the requisition of our shareholders holding at the date of the deposit of the requisition not less than one-tenth of our paid-up capital, which as at the date of the deposit carries the right of voting at our general meetings, proceed to convene a general meeting of our company. If the directors do not, within 21 days from the date of the deposit of the requisition, duly proceed to convene a general meeting, the requisitionists, or any of them representing more than one-half of the total voting rights of all of them, may themselves convene a general meeting, but any meeting so convened shall not be held after the expiration of three months after the expiration of such 21 days.
At least five days’ notice shall be given of an annual general meeting or other general meeting. Every notice shall be exclusive of the day on which its given, or deemed to be given, and of the day for which it is given.
Limitations on the Right to Own Shares
There are no limitations on the right to own our shares, provided that we are prohibited from making any invitation to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for any of our securities.
Limitations on Transfer of Shares
There are no provisions in our memorandum or articles of association that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control and that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring.
Disclosure of Shareholder Ownership
There are no provisions in our memorandum or articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
Changes in Capital
We may, from time to time by ordinary resolution, increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such amount, as the resolution shall prescribe. The new shares shall be subject to the same provisions with reference to the payment of calls, lien, transfer, transmission, forfeiture and otherwise as the shares in the original share capital. We may by ordinary resolution:
(a) consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of larger amount than our existing shares;
(b) subdivide our existing shares, or any of them, into shares of smaller amount than is fixed by our memorandum of association, subject nevertheless to the provisions of Section 13 of the Cayman Companies Law; or
(c) cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person.
We may, by special resolution, reduce our share capital and any capital redemption reserve fund in any manner authorized by the Cayman Companies Law.
Differences in Corporate Law
The company law of the Cayman Islands is historically derived, for the most part, from the laws of England, and comprises the provisions of the Cayman Companies Law, many of which are drawn from pre-1948 Companies Acts of the United Kingdom. Other provisions are original Cayman Islands provisions, some of which relate to a certain class of companies, which are commonly used for the conduct of international business from the Cayman Islands. These provisions create the concept of the “exempted” company, which is a special corporate vehicle, the business and operation of which are required to be conducted mainly outside the Cayman Islands. Decisions of the superior courts of England constitute persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands courts. The Cayman Companies Law differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
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Scheme of Arrangements, Compulsory Acquisition and Merger and Consolidation.
Schemes of arrangement are governed by specific statutory provisions under the Cayman Companies Law, whereby such arrangements may be approved by a majority in number representing 75% in value of members or creditors, depending on the circumstances, as are present at a meeting called for such purpose and thereafter sanctioned by the courts. While a dissenting member would have the right to express to the court his view that the transaction for which approval is being sought would not provide the members with a fair value for their shares, the courts are unlikely to disapprove the transaction on that ground alone in the absence of evidence of fraud or bad faith on behalf of management; and if the transaction were approved and consummated, the dissenting member would have no rights comparable to the appraisal rights (i.e., the right to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of their shares) ordinarily available, for example, to dissenting members of a United States corporation.
Where an offer is made by a company for the shares of another company and, within four months of the offer, the holders of not less than 90% of the shares which are the subject of the offer accept, the offeror may at any time within two months after the expiration of the said four months, by notice, require the dissenting members to transfer their shares on the terms of the offer. A dissenting member may apply to the court of the Cayman Islands within one month of the notice objecting to the transfer. The burden is on the dissenting member to show that the court should exercise its discretion, which it will be unlikely to do unless there is evidence of fraud or bad faith or collusion, as between the offeror and the holders of the shares who have accepted the offer as a means of unfairly forcing out minority members.
Two or more companies limited by shares and incorporated under the Cayman Companies Law, may, subject to any express provisions to the contrary in the memorandum and articles of association of any of such companies as well as certain requirements under the Cayman Companies Law, merge or consolidate. One or more companies incorporated under the Cayman Companies Law may also merge or consolidate with one or more overseas companies, subject to certain requirements. The directors of each constituent company that proposes to participate in a merger or consolidation are required, on behalf of the constituent company of which they are directors, to approve a written plan of merger or consolidation. A plan of merger or consolidation shall give particulars of matters as set forth in the Cayman Companies Law, and be authorized by each constituent company by way of: (a) a special resolution of the members of each such constituent company; and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest of a constituent company in a proposed merger or consolidation will be required, or as determined by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. A dissenting member is required to give to the constituent company written objection before the vote on the merger or consolidation, and is entitled to payment of the fair value of his shares as determined in accordance with the procedures set forth under the Cayman Companies Law. Such objection shall include a statement that the member proposes to demand payment for his or her shares if the merger or consolidation is authorized by the vote.
Indemnification . Cayman Islands law does not (other than as set forth hereafter) limit the extent to which a company’s organizational documents may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our articles of association provide for indemnification of officers and directors for losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own willful neglect or default.
C. Material Contracts
We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in Item 4., “Information on the Company,” and Item 7.B., “Related Party Transactions,” or elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F.
D. Exchange Controls
Foreign currency exchange regulation in China is primarily governed by the following rules:
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· Notice on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fundraising and Return Investment Activities of Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose Companies;
· Foreign Currency Administration Rules (1996), as amended, or the Exchange Rules;
· Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange (1996), or the Administration Rules; and
· the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign Invested Enterprises, or Circular 142.
Under the Exchange Rules, the Renminbi is convertible for current account items, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions. Conversion of Renminbi for capital account items, such as direct investment, loan, security investment and repatriation of investment, however, is subject to the approval of or registration with SAFE.
Under the Administration Rules, foreign-invested enterprises may only buy, sell and/or remit foreign currencies at those banks authorized to conduct foreign exchange business after providing valid commercial documents and, in the case of capital account item transactions, obtaining approval from SAFE. Capital investments by foreign-invested enterprises outside of China are also subject to limitations, which include approvals by MOFCOM, SAFE and the National Development and Reform Commission of the PRC.
In October 2005, SAFE issued the Notice on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fundraising and Return Investment Activities of Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose Companies, which became effective as of November 1, 2005, and which was supplemented by an implementing notice issued on November 24, 2005. Subsequently, SAFE issued a series of implementation rules and guidance, including the Implementing Rules Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fund-Raising and Round-trip Investment Activities of the Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose Companies, which became effective as of July 1, 2011, and Notice on Further Adjustments to Measures for the Administration of Foreign Exchange for Direct Investment, which became effective on December 17, 2012.
Under these regulations, PRC residents is required to register with the relevant local SAFE branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas equity financing involving onshore assets or equity interests held by them and direct investment through such an offshore entity in China. The term “PRC residents,” as used in these regulations, includes not only PRC citizens but also other persons who habitually reside in China for economic benefit. Such PRC residents are required to register with the relevant SAFE branch before establishing or taking control of such an offshore entity and complete amended registrations with the relevant SAFE branch upon: (i) injection of equity interests or assets of an onshore enterprise into the offshore entity; (ii) subsequent overseas equity financing by such offshore entity; or (iii) any material change in the shareholding or capital of the offshore entity, such as changes in share capital, share transfers and long-term equity or debt investments, and providing security. The PRC residents who have already incorporated or gained control of offshore entities that had completed onshore investments in China before Circular 75 took effect must register with the relevant local SAFE branch on or before March 31, 2006. In addition, such PRC residents are required to repatriate into China all of their dividend profits or capital gains from their shareholdings in the offshore entity within 180 days of their receipt of such profits or gains.
The registration and amendment procedures are prerequisites for other approval and registration procedures necessary for capital inflow from the offshore entity, such as inbound investment or shareholders’ loans, or capital outflow to the offshore entity, such as the payment of profits or dividends, liquidating distributions, equity sale proceeds or the return of funds upon a capital reduction.
A number of terms and provisions in these regulations remain unclear. Because of uncertainty over how these regulations will be interpreted and implemented, we cannot predict how they will affect our business operations or future strategies. For example, our present and prospective PRC subsidiaries’ ability to conduct foreign exchange activities, such as remitting dividends and foreign currency-denominated borrowings, may be subject to compliance with requirements of these regulations by the PRC resident holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs. Despite our effort to fully comply with the SAFE regulations, we cannot assure you that we will obtain, or receive waivers from, any necessary approvals or not be found in violation of the SAFE regulations or any other related foreign exchange regulations. In particular, we cannot assure you that we will be able to cause all the present or prospective PRC resident holders of our ordinary shares or ADSs to comply with all SAFE regulations. A failure by the PRC resident holders of our ordinary shares or ADSs to comply with these regulations and its implementation rules or our inability to secure required approvals or registrations may subject us to fines or legal sanctions, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay dividends, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities or affect our ownership structure, any of which could affect our business and prospects.
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On August 29, 2008, SAFE promulgated Circular 142, regulating the conversion by a foreign-invested enterprise of foreign currency registered capital into Renminbi by restricting how the converted Renminbi may be used. Circular 142 provides that the Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise may only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority, and may not be used for equity investments within China, unless it is provided for otherwise. Relevant documents, including business contracts, showing the use of the Renminbi to be converted from foreign currency capital must also be submitted for the settlement of the foreign currency. In addition, SAFE strengthened its oversight of the flow and use of the Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested company. The use of such Renminbi capital may not be altered without SAFE approval, and such Renminbi capital may not in any case be used to repay Renminbi loans if the proceeds of such loans have not been used. Failure to comply with Circular 142 could result in liabilities for such PRC subsidiaries under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions, including: (i) being required to take appropriate remedial action, confiscation of any illegal income and being fined up to 30% of the illegal amount involved; (2) in circumstances involving serious violations, a fine of between 30% and 100% of the illegal amount involved shall be imposed on the organization or individual concerned.
E. Taxation
The following summary of the material Cayman Islands, PRC and U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to the purchase, ownership or sale of our ordinary shares or ADSs is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof as of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, which are subject to change. The summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to any particular investor depending on its individual circumstances. Accordingly, holders of ordinary shares or ADSs should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the considerations discussed below to their particular situations and the consequences of the purchase, ownership or sale of our ordinary shares or ADSs, including those arising under U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws, foreign, state, or local laws, and tax treaties.
Cayman Islands Taxation and Exchange Control
Pursuant to Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Law (1999 Revision) of the Cayman Islands (as amended by the Tax Concessions Law (2011 Revision) of the Cayman Islands), our company has obtained an undertaking from the Governor-in-Council:
(i) that no law which is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations shall apply to our company or its operations; and
(ii) in addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of an estate duty or inheritance tax shall be payable by our company:
(a) on or in respect of the shares, debentures or other obligations of our company; or
(b) by way of withholding, in whole or in part, of any relevant payment as defined in Section 6(3) of the Tax Concessions Law (1999 Revision).
The undertaking for our company is for a period of twenty years starting from May 7, 2002.
The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of an estate duty or inheritance tax. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the Government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties, which may be applicable on instruments. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.
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PRC Taxation
On January 1, 2008, the prevailing EIT Law became effective. The EIT Law provides that legal entities organized outside China will be considered PRC residents for Chinese income tax purposes if their place of effective management or control is within China. The implementation rules to the EIT Law provide that non-resident legal entities will be considered PRC residents if substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting, properties, etc., reside within China. Under current PRC laws and regulations, it is uncertain whether our company and our offshore intermediate holding company would be deemed as PRC resident enterprises under the EIT Law. If our company was treated as a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid by our company to holders of our ordinary shares or ADSs that are non-resident enterprises and gains realized by these holders on the disposition of our ordinary shares or ADSs would generally be subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax, unless a reduced tax rate is provided by any applicable tax treaty and the holders have completed the relevant procedures prescribed by the PRC tax authorities to prove their beneficial owner status.
Under the IITL, if we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise, non-resident individual investors would be subject to PRC individual income tax on dividends paid to such investors and any capital gains realized from the transfer of our ordinary shares and ADSs, provided that such dividends and gains are deemed as China-sourced income. A non-resident individual is an individual who has no domicile in China and does not stay within China or has stayed within China for less than one year. Pursuant to the IITL and its implementation rules, for purposes of the PRC capital gains tax, the taxable income will be based on the total income obtained from the transfer of our ordinary shares or ADSs after deducting all the costs and expenses that are permitted under PRC tax laws to be deducted from the income. If we were considered a PRC resident enterprise and dividends paid with respect to our ordinary shares and ADSs and the gains realized from the transfer of our ordinary shares and ADSs were considered China-sourced income by relevant PRC tax authorities, such dividends and gains earned by non-resident individuals would generally be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20%, unless a reduced tax rate is provided by any applicable tax treaty and the holders have completed the relevant procedures prescribed by the PRC tax authorities to prove their beneficial owner status.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs by a U.S. Holder. The following summary is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), regulations promulgated under the Code by the U.S. Treasury Department (including proposed and temporary regulations), rulings, current administrative interpretations and official pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), judicial decisions and the double taxation treaty between the PRC and the United States (the “Treaty”), all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Such change could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences described below. No assurance can be given that the IRS will not assert, or that a court will not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below.
This summary does not address state, local, or foreign tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs. The United States does not have an income tax treaty with the Cayman Islands.
This summary is for general information only and does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular holder in light of its investment or tax circumstances, including the potential application of the provisions of the Code known as the Medicare contribution tax, or to holders subject to special tax rules, such as: certain financial institutions; insurance companies; dealers in stocks, securities, or currencies; traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings; entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes; tax-exempt organizations; real estate investment trusts; regulated investment companies; qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, Roth IRAs and other tax-deferred accounts; expatriates of the United States; persons subject to the alternative minimum tax; persons holding ordinary shares or ADSs as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated transaction; persons who enter into a constructive sale with respect to ordinary shares or ADSs; persons who acquired ordinary shares or ADSs pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation for services; persons actually or constructively holding 10% or more of our voting stock; U.S. persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar; and persons holding ordinary shares or ADSs in connection with a trade or business conducted outside of the United States.
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This summary is not a comprehensive description of all of the U.S. federal tax consequences that may be relevant with respect to the ownership and disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs. We urge you to consult your own tax advisor regarding your particular circumstances and the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences to you of owning and disposing of ordinary shares or ADSs, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign or other tax jurisdiction and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws.
This summary is directed solely to U.S. Holders who hold their ordinary shares or ADSs as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which generally means as property held for investment. For purposes of this summary, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of ordinary shares or ADSs that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
· a citizen or individual resident of the United States;
· a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; or
· an estate or trust, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.
If a partnership (including for this purpose any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of ordinary shares or ADSs, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A holder of ordinary shares or ADSs that is a partnership, and the partners in such partnership, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs.
This summary is based in part upon the representations of the depositary and the assumption that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.
Generally, a U.S. Holder who owns ADSs will be treated as the owner of the underlying ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized if the U.S. Holder exchanges ADSs for the underlying ordinary shares represented by those ADSs. The U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares will be the same as the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs surrendered in exchange therefor, and the holding period for the ordinary shares will include the holding period for the surrendered ADSs.
The U.S. Treasury has expressed concern that parties to whom American depositary shares are released before shares are delivered to the depositary (“pre-release”), or intermediaries in the chain of ownership between holders and the issuer of the security underlying the American depositary shares, may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by holders of the American depositary shares. Accordingly, the creditability of any PRC taxes described below could be affected by actions taken by such parties or intermediaries.
Taxation of U.S. Holders
Passive Foreign Investment Company
Although we believe that we were not a PFIC for taxable year 2012, we believe that we were a PFIC for taxable years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and it was unclear whether we were a PFIC in taxable year 2011. We may be a PFIC for the taxable years ending after 2012. The determination of our PFIC status is subject to uncertainty, however, because the treatment of the contractual arrangements between our PRC subsidiaries and our VIEs for purposes of the PFIC rules is uncertain. Our PFIC status for any taxable year will not be determinable until after the end of the taxable year, and will depend on the composition of our income and assets and the market value of our assets for such taxable year, which may be, in part, based on the market price of our ordinary shares or ADSs (which may be especially volatile). For these reasons, and because of the uncertainties regarding the treatment of our contractual arrangements with our VIEs there can be no assurance we will not be a PFIC for any future taxable year.
We generally will be a PFIC if, for a taxable year, either (a) 75% or more of our gross income for such taxable year is passive income under the income test or (b) 50% or more of the average quarterly value, generally determined by fair market value, of our assets during such taxable year consists of assets that either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income under the asset test. “Passive income” includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from the sale of stock and securities and certain gains from commodities transactions.
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Certain “look through” rules apply for purposes of the income and asset tests described above. If we own, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the total value of the outstanding shares of another corporation, we generally will be treated as if we (a) held directly a proportionate share of the other corporation’s assets, and (b) received directly a proportionate share of the other corporation’s income.
In addition, we may, directly or indirectly, hold equity interests in subsidiaries or other entities which are PFICs (“Lower-tier PFICs”). Under attribution rules, if we are a PFIC, U.S. Holders will be deemed to own their proportionate shares of Lower-tier PFICs and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax according to the rules described below on (i) certain distributions by a Lower-tier PFIC and (ii) a disposition of shares of a Lower-tier PFIC, in each case as if the U.S. Holder held such shares directly, even though holders have not received the proceeds of those distributions or dispositions directly.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds ordinary shares or ADSs, we will generally continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to those ordinary shares or ADSs for all succeeding years during which such U.S. Holder holds them, regardless of whether we actually continue to be a PFIC. Because we believe that we were a PFIC for taxable years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, if you held ordinary shares or ADSs during any of those taxable years (or during the 2011 taxable year if we were a PFIC for that year), we would continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to those ordinary shares or ADSs for all succeeding years during which you hold them. Similarly, if you first acquired ordinary shares or ADSs in 2012 and we became a PFIC in a subsequent year, we would be treated as a PFIC with respect to those ordinary shares or ADSs for all succeeding years during which you hold them. You may terminate this continued PFIC status by electing to recognize gain (which will be taxed under the default PFIC rules discussed below) as if your ordinary shares or ADSs had been sold on the last day of the last taxable year for which we were a PFIC.
If we are treated as a PFIC with respect to the ordinary shares or ADSs that you hold, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of the ownership and disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs will depend on whether you make a mark-to-market election. If you owned or own ordinary shares or ADSs while we were or are a PFIC and have not made a mark-to-market election, you will be referred to in this summary as a “Non-Electing U.S. Holder.”
If you are a Non-Electing U.S. Holder, you will be subject to the default PFIC rules with respect to:
· any “excess distribution” paid on ordinary shares or ADSs (or by a Lower-tier PFIC to its shareholders that is deemed to be received by a U.S. Holder), which means the excess (if any) of the total distributions received (or deemed received) by you during the current taxable year over 125% of the average distributions received (or deemed received) by you during the three preceding taxable years (or during the portion of your holding period for the ordinary shares or ADSs prior to the current taxable year, if shorter); and
· any gain realized on the sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of ordinary shares or ADSs (or on an indirect disposition of shares of a Lower-tier PFIC).
Under these default tax rules:
· any excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the ordinary shares or ADSs;
· the amount allocated to the taxable year of receipt of proceeds from the excess distribution or disposition and any period prior to the first day of the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income in the taxable year to which it is allocated;
· the amount allocated to each other taxable year will be treated as ordinary income and taxed at the highest tax rate for individuals or corporations, as applicable, in effect for that year; and
· the resulting tax liability from any such other taxable years will be subject to the interest charge applicable to underpayments of tax.
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If the ordinary shares or ADSs are “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange,” a U.S. Holder of ordinary shares or ADSs may make a mark-to-market election that would result in tax treatment different from the default PFIC rules described above. The ordinary shares or ADSs will be treated as “regularly traded” in any calendar year in which more than a de minimis quantity of the ordinary shares or ADSs are traded on a qualified exchange on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. NASDAQ, on which the ADSs are listed, is a qualified exchange for this purpose. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability and advisability of making a mark-to-market election in their particular circumstances. In particular, U.S. Holders should consider carefully the impact of a mark-to-market election with respect to their ordinary shares or ADSs, given that the election may not be available with respect to any Lower-tier PFICs.
If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, the holder generally will recognize as ordinary income any excess of the fair market value of the ordinary shares or ADSs at the end of each taxable year over their adjusted tax basis, and will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of any excess of the adjusted tax basis of the ordinary shares or ADSs over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes the election, the holder’s tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs will be adjusted to reflect the income or loss amounts recognized. Any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs in a year when we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as an ordinary loss (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). Distributions paid on ordinary shares or ADSs will be treated as discussed below under “Distributions on Ordinary Shares or ADSs.”
We do not intend to provide information necessary for U.S. Holders to make a qualified electing fund election, which, if available, could result in a materially different tax treatment of the ownership and disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs to an electing U.S. Holder.
Furthermore, if we were a PFIC or, with respect to a particular U.S. Holder, were treated as a PFIC for the taxable year in which we paid a dividend or the prior year, the reduced tax rates applicable to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, as discussed below, would not apply.
If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held ordinary shares or ADSs, such U.S. Holder may be required to file a report containing such information as the U.S. Treasury may require.
Because the PFIC rules are complex, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding them and how they may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs.
Distributions on Ordinary Shares or ADSs
Subject to the discussion in “Passive Foreign Investment Company” above, if you actually or constructively receive a distribution on ordinary shares or ADSs (other than certain pro rata distributions of ordinary shares), you must include the distribution in gross income as a taxable dividend on the date of your (or in the case of ADSs, the depositary’s) receipt of the distribution, but only to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as calculated under U.S. federal income tax principles. Such amount must be included without reduction for any foreign tax withheld. Dividends paid by us will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations with respect to dividends received from certain domestic corporations and may not be eligible for the reduced tax rates on dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders.
To the extent a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, it will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of your adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs, and thereafter as capital gain. Preferential tax rates for long-term capital gain may be applicable to dividends received by non-corporate U.S. Holders. We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, you should expect that a distribution will generally be reported to U.S. Holders as a dividend, even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.
The amount of any dividend paid in Renminbi or any other foreign currency will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of your (or in the case of ADSs, the depositary’s) receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of receipt.
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As discussed above in “PRC Taxation,” dividends paid with respect to our ordinary shares or ADSs may be subject to PRC withholding tax, and the amount of a dividend will include any amounts withheld in respect of PRC taxes. The amount of the dividend will be treated as foreign-source dividend income to U.S. Holders. Subject to applicable limitations, some of which vary depending upon a U.S. Holder’s circumstances and subject to the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the U.S. Treasury, PRC income taxes withheld from dividends on ordinary shares or ADSs at a rate not exceeding the rate provided by the Treaty will be creditable against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. PRC taxes withheld in excess of the rate applicable under the Treaty will not be eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s federal income tax liability. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex, and U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the creditability of foreign taxes in their particular circumstances.
Dispositions of Ordinary Shares or ADSs
Subject to the discussion in “Passive Foreign Investment Company” above, you generally will realize taxable gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of (i) the amount realized on the disposition (i.e., the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received), and (ii) your adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs disposed of. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss.
If you have held the ordinary shares or ADSs for more than one year at the time of disposition, such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss. Preferential tax rates for long-term capital gain will apply to non-corporate U.S. Holders. If you have held the ordinary shares or ADSs for one year or less, such capital gain or loss will be short-term capital gain or loss, taxable as ordinary income at your marginal income tax rate. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
As discussed above in “PRC Taxation,” gains realized on the disposition of our ordinary shares or ADSs could be subject to PRC tax. Any gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on a disposition of our ordinary shares or ADSs will generally be treated as U.S.-source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. A U.S. Holder that is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty may be able to elect to treat disposition gain that is subject to PRC taxation as foreign-source gain and claim a credit in respect of the tax. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex, and U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the creditability of foreign taxes in their particular circumstances.
You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences if you receive currency other than U.S. dollars upon the disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Generally, information reporting requirements will apply to distributions on ordinary shares or ADSs or proceeds from the disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs paid within the United States (and, in certain cases, outside the United States) to a U.S. Holder unless such U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient. Furthermore, backup withholding may apply to such amounts unless such U.S. Holder (i) is an exempt recipient that, if required, establishes its right to an exemption, or (ii) provides its taxpayer identification number, certifies that it is not currently subject to backup withholding, and complies with other applicable requirements. A U.S. Holder may generally avoid backup withholding by furnishing a properly completed IRS Form W-9.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability. Furthermore, you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information in a timely manner.
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals may be required to report information relating to their ownership of an interest in certain foreign financial assets, including stock of a non-U.S. person, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for stock held in custodial accounts maintained by a U.S. financial institution). Certain U.S. Holders who are entities may be subject to similar rules in the future. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations with respect to the ordinary shares or ADSs.
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F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G. Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
H. Documents on Display
We have filed this annual report, including exhibits, with the SEC. As allowed by the SEC, in Item 19 of this annual report, we incorporate by reference certain information we filed with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this annual report.
We are subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of quarterly reports and proxy statements, and officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Our annual reports and other information so filed can be inspected and copied at the public reference facility maintained by the SEC at 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents upon payment of a duplicating fee by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facility. Our SEC filings will also be available to the public on the SEC’s Internet Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP.
We will make available to our shareholders annual reports, which will include a review of operations and annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with US GAAP.
I. Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the interest income generated by our cash deposits in banks. We have not used derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. Interest-earning instruments and floating rate debt carry a degree of interest rate risk. We have not been exposed, nor do we anticipate being exposed, to material risks due to changes in interest rates. Our future interest income may fluctuate in line with changes in interest rates. However, the risk associated with fluctuating interest rates is principally confined to our cash deposits in banks, and, therefore, our exposure to interest rate risk is minimal and immaterial.
Foreign Exchange Risk
While our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, to date, virtually all of our revenues and costs are denominated in Renminbi and substantially all of our assets (other than the proceeds from our initial public offering) and liabilities are denominated in Renminbi. As a result, we are exposed to foreign exchange risk as our revenues and results of operations may be impacted by fluctuations in the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and Renminbi. If the Renminbi depreciates against the U.S. dollar, the value of our Renminbi revenues and assets as expressed in U.S. dollars in our financial statements will decline. We may also be exposed to foreign exchange risk in the event we hold other currencies in an effort to hedge against potential depreciation of the U.S. dollar or otherwise.
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If the Renminbi had been 1% and 5% less valuable against the U.S. dollar than the actual rate as of December 31, 2012 which was used in preparing our audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012, our net asset value, as presented in U.S. dollars, would have been increased by $0.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively. Conversely, if the Renminbi had been 1% and 5% more valuable against the U.S. dollar as of that date, then our net asset value would have reduced by $0.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively.
Inflation
Since our inception, inflation in China has not materially impacted our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the consumer price index in China increased by 3.3%, 5.4% and 2.6% in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Although we have not in the past been materially affected by inflation since our inception, we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected in the future by higher rates of inflation in China.
Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities
D. American Depositary Shares
Citibank, N.A. is the depositary of our ADSs. The depositary’s office is located at 111 Wall Street, New York, NY 10043, U.S.A. Each of our ADSs, evidenced by American depositary receipts, or ADRs, represents 100 ordinary shares, par value $0.00005 per share.
ADR Fees Payable by Investors
The Depositary collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing ordinary shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deductions from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.
Persons depositing or withdrawing shares must pay: | | For: |
A fee not in excess of $5.00 per 100 ADSs | | · Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of ordinary shares or rights or other property · Cancellation or withdrawals of ADSs · Distributions of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs |
A fee not in excess of $2.00 per 100 ADSs | | · Distributions of cash dividends or other cash distributions to holders of ADRs · Annual depositary services, except to the extent of any cash dividend fee(s) charged |
A fee not in excess of $1.50 per ADR | | · Transfers of ADRs |
Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian have to pay on any ADS or ordinary shares underlying an ADS, for example, stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes | | · As necessary |
Any charges, fees or expenses incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities | | · As necessary |
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Payments Received
For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Depositary made payments on our behalf to third parties of approximately $29,103.49 (approximately $337.5 for legal expenses, $2,300 for account maintenance and $14,793.77 for proxy expenses), which is deducted from the amount of reimbursements made by the Depositary to us.
PART II
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
Not Applicable.
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
Not Applicable.
Item 15. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F, our Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer have performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined and required under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer concluded our company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are made only in accordance with authorizations of management; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based upon criteria established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, or COSO, in Internal Control—Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management determined that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2012.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian CPAs Limited Company, our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report included on page F-2.
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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the year ended December 31, 2012, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 16. Reserved
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Bruno Wu qualifies as an audit committee financial expert in accordance with the terms of Item 16A of Form 20-F. Mr. Wu satisfies the “independence” requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules and meets the criteria for “independence” under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
Item 16B. Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct which applies to our employees, officers and non-employee directors, including our Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer, and persons performing similar functions. This code is intended to qualify as a “code of ethics” within the meaning of the applicable rules of the SEC.
The Code of Business Conduct is available on our investor relations website at http://www.mzcan.com/us/KUTV/irwebsite. To the extent required by law, any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the Code of Business Conduct will be promptly disclosed to the public. Copies of the Code of Business Conduct will be provided to any shareholder upon written request to: Legal Counsel, Building 6, Zhengtongchuangyi Centre, No. 18, Xibahe Xili, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100028, People’s Republic of China.
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Disclosure of Fees Charged by Independent Accountants
The following table summarizes the fees charged by PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian CPAs Limited Company, our independent accountants, for certain services rendered to our company during 2011 and 2012.
| | For the year ended December 31, | |
| | 2011 | | 2012 | |
| | (in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |
Audit fees(1) | | 873 | | 808 | |
Audit-related fees(2) | | — | | — | |
Tax fees(3) | | — | | — | |
All other fees(4) | | 4 | | 57 | |
(1) “Audit fees” means the aggregate fees incurred in each of the fiscal years listed for our calendar year audits and reviews of financial statements.
(2) “Audit-related fees” means the aggregate fees incurred in each of the fiscal years listed for professional services related to the audit of our financial statements that are not reported under “Audit fees” and consultation on accounting standards or transactions.
(3) “Tax fees” means the aggregate fees incurred in each of the fiscal years listed for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
(4) “All other fees” means the aggregate fees incurred in each of the fiscal years listed for professional services rendered other than those reported under “Audit fees,” “Audit-related fees,” and “Tax fees.”
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Audit Committee Pre-approval Policies and Procedures
Our audit committee has adopted procedures which set forth the manner in which the committee will review and approve all audit and non-audit services to be provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian CPAs Limited Company before it is retained for such services. The pre-approval procedures are as follows:
· Any audit or non-audit service to be provided to us by the independent accountant must be submitted to the audit committee for review and approval, with a description of the services to be performed and the fees to be charged.
· The audit committee in its sole discretion then approves or disapproves the proposed services and documents such approval, if given, through written resolutions or in the minutes of meetings, as the case may be.
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
We have not been granted an exemption from the applicable listing standards for the audit committee of our board of directors.
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
In December 2011, we approved a share repurchase program to purchase up to an aggregate of $3.2 million of our outstanding ADSs from time to time based on market conditions. The repurchases may be effected through open market transactions or block trades, including the use of derivative instruments, and will be financed with our cash balance. As of December 31, 2012, we had repurchased a total of approximately 0.1 million ADSs for an aggregate consideration of $0.1 million from the open market under this share repurchase program.
In July 2012, we repurchased an aggregate of 269,409,276 ordinary shares from certain former officers, Mr. Shanyou Li, Mr. Zhizhong Hao and Ms. Xingye Zeng, and Kumella Holdings Limited, a company controlled by Mr. Shanyou Li, at a price of $0.0291 per share, and repurchased 79,717 ADSs from Mr. Shanyou Li at a price of $2.91 per ADS. Our board of directors deemed it to be in the best interest and for the benefit of our company and our shareholders to enter into this share repurchase. Our board of directors had approved this transaction, taking into consideration a number of factors, including but not limited to the following: (i) the nature and timing of such share repurchase, (ii) the repurchase price of those ordinary shares and ADSs, (iii) the possible impact of such share repurchase on our ADS price, (iv) the price movements and liquidity of our ADSs and the stock market environment, (v) our financial condition, and (vi) our plans and alternative uses of our capital resources. Our board of directors had received a fairness opinion from an independent financial advisor and concluded that the repurchase price of those ordinary shares and ADSs was within a reasonable indicative range of fair value. Given the high volatility of our ADS price, which ranged from $0.90 per ADS to $3.30 per ADS based upon quoted closing prices during 2012, coupled with the thinly traded volume, it was not possible to rely solely upon past or current quoted market prices at the time to establish an appropriate indicative range of fair value. Therefore, the fairness opinion considered a range of valuation techniques, coupled with our historical and projected financial results, to establish a reasonable indicative range of fair value, which, based upon the facts and circumstances that existed at the time, supported the repurchase price as was approved by our board of directors. This repurchase was approved by our shareholders at our annual general meeting of shareholders on July 12, 2012 and consummated on July 13, 2012. All the repurchased shares were cancelled upon repurchase.
The table below sets forth the details of our purchases of our own equity securities during the year ended December 31, 2012.
| | (a) Total Number of ADS Purchased | | (b) Average Price Paid per ADS(1) | | (c) Total Number of ADS Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan | | (d) Maximum Approximate U.S. dollar Value of ADS that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan | |
| | | | ($) | | | | ($) | |
Period | | | | | | | | | |
July 1 — July 31, 2012 | | 2,773,810 | (2) | 2.91 | | 2,773,810 | | N/A | |
September 1 — September 30, 2012 | | 11,100 | | 0.99 | | 111,00 | | 3,188,982 | |
October 1 — October 31, 2012 | | 674,00 | | 0.98 | | 674,00 | | 3,122,996 | |
November 1 —November 30, 2012 | | 365 | | 1.00 | | 365 | | 3,122,630 | |
December 1 —December 31, 2012 | | 20,720 | | 0.98 | | 20,720 | | 3,102,305 | |
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(1) Average price paid per ADS repurchased is the execution price, excluding commissions paid to brokers.
(2) Represented the repurchase of ordinary shares and ADSs from Mr. Shanyou Li, Mr. Zhizhong Hao, Ms. Xingye Zeng and Kumella Holdings Limited.
Item 16F. Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant
Not applicable.
Item 16G. Corporate Governance
Pursuant to the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules, foreign private issuers such as our company may follow home-country practice in lieu of certain NASDAQ corporate governance requirements. We have notified NASDAQ that a majority of our directors do not qualify as independent directors, we do not have a nominations committee, nor is independent director involvement required in the selection of director nominees or in the determination of executive compensation. Issuances of securities in connection with equity-based compensation of officers, directors, employees or consultants will be permitted without obtaining prior shareholder approval and we will post our annual reports to shareholders in lieu of mailing physical copies to record holders and beneficial owners of our ADSs and ordinary shares. This home-country practice of ours differs from Rules 5605(b), (d) and (e), 5635(c) and 5615(a)(3) of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules, because there are no specific requirements under Cayman Islands law on director independence or on the establishment of a nominations committee, and neither are there any requirements on independent directors’ involvement in the selection of director nominees nor in the determination of executive compensation.
Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 17. Financial Statements
Not applicable.
Item 18. Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements for Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries are included at the end of this annual report on Form 20-F.
Item 19. Exhibits
Exhibit Number | | Document |
1.1 | | Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of our company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-121987) filed with the SEC on January 12, 2005). |
1.2 | | Amendment to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of our company adopted on October 16, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on April 30, 2010). |
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Exhibit Number | | Document |
1.3 | | Amendment to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of our company as adopted on June 24, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.3 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2011). |
1.4* | | Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Association of our company as adopted on July 12, 2012. |
2.1* | | Specimen Share Certificate. |
2.2 | | Specimen American Depositary Receipt of Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 18, 2011). |
2.3 | | Form of Deposit Agreement among us, Citibank N.A. and holders of the American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to our registration statement on Form F-6 (Registration No. 333-122004) filed with the SEC on January 13, 2005). |
4.1 | | 2010 Equity Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.41 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2011). |
4.2 | | Form of Employment Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2012). |
4.3 | | English translation of Exclusive Intellectual Property Option Agreement between Ku6 (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. and Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd dated June 23, 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.19 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2011). |
4.4* | | English translation of Loan Agreement between Ku6 (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. and Yingfeng Zhang dated August 1, 2012. |
4.5* | | English translation of Loan Agreement between Ku6 (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. and Mingfeng Chen dated August 1, 2012. |
4.6* | | English translation of Amended and Restated Loan Agreement between Ku6 (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. and Yingfeng Zhang dated August 30, 2012. |
4.7* | | English translation of Amended and Restated Loan Agreement between Ku6 (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. and Mingfeng Chen dated August 30, 2012. |
4.8* | | English translation of Exclusive Technology Consulting and Services Framework Agreement between Ku6 (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. and Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. dated August 1, 2012. |
4.9* | | English translation of Business Operation Agreement among Ku6 (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., Yingfeng Zhang, Mingfeng Chen and Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. dated August 1, 2012. |
4.10* | | English translation of Power of Attorney by Mingfeng Chen dated August 1, 2012. |
4.11* | | English translation of Power of Attorney by Yingfeng Zhang dated August 1, 2012. |
4.12* | | English translation of Amended and Restated Share Pledge Agreement among Ku6 (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., Yingfeng Zhang and Mingfeng Chen dated August 30, 2012. |
4.13* | | English translation of Amended and Restated Exclusive Call Option Agreement among Ku6 (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., Yingfeng Zhang, Mingfeng Chen and Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. dated August 30, 2012. |
4.14* | | English translation of Loan Agreement between WeiMoSanYi (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd. and Yingfeng Zhang dated August 1, 2012. |
4.15* | | English translation of Loan Agreement between WeiMoSanYi (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd. and Mingfeng Chen dated August 1, 2012. |
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Exhibit Number | | Document |
4.16* | | English translation of Share Pledge Agreement among WeiMoSanYi (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd., Yingfeng Zhang and Mingfeng Chen dated August 1, 2012. |
4.17* | | English translation of Exclusive Call Option Agreement among WeiMoSanYi (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd., Yingfeng Zhang, Mingfeng Chen and Ku6 (Beijing) Cultural Media Co., Ltd. dated August 1, 2012. |
4.18* | | English translation of Exclusive Technology Consulting and Services Framework Agreement between WeiMoSanYi (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd. and Ku6 (Beijing) Cultural Media Co., Ltd. dated August 1, 2012. |
4.19* | | English translation of Business Operation Agreement among WeiMoSanYi (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd., Yingfeng Zhang, Mingfeng Chen and Ku6 (Beijing) Cultural Media Co., Ltd. dated August 1, 2012. |
4.20* | | English translation of Power of Attorney by Yingfeng Zhang dated August 1, 2012. |
4.21* | | English translation of Power of Attorney by Mingfeng Chen dated August 1, 2012. |
4.22 | | English translation of Equity Interest Pledge Agreement among WeiMoSanYi (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd., Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd and Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan Information Technology Co., Ltd. dated March 21, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.39 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2011). |
4.23 | | English translation of Exclusive Option Agreement among WeiMoSanYi (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd., Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd and Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan Information Technology Co., Ltd. dated March 21, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.37 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2011). |
4.24 | | English translation of Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement between WeiMoSanYi (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd., and Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan Information Technology Co., Ltd. dated March 21, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.38 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2011). |
4.25 | | English translation of Power of Attorney by Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd dated March 21, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.40 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2011). |
4.26 | | English translation of Loan Agreement between Kusheng (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd. and Dongxu Wang dated December 14, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.30 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2012). |
4.27 | | English translation of Loan Agreement between Kusheng (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd. and Qing Zhang dated December 14, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.31 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2012). |
4.28 | | English translation of Share Pledge Agreement between Kusheng (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd. and Dongxu Wang dated December 14, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.34 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2012). |
4.29 | | English translation of Share Pledge Agreement between Kusheng (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd. and Qing Zhang dated December 14, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.35 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2012). |
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Exhibit Number | | Document |
4.30 | | English translation of Equity Disposition Agreement among Kusheng (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd., Dongxu Wang, Qing Zhang and Tianjin Ku6 Network Communication Technology Co., Ltd. dated December 14, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.38 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2012). |
4.31 | | English translation of Exclusive Consulting and Services Agreement between Kusheng (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd. and Tianjin Ku6 Network Communication Technology Co., Ltd. dated December 14, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.32 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2012). |
4.32 | | English translation of Business Operation Agreement among Kusheng (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin Ku6 Network Communication Technology Co., Ltd., Dongxu Wang and Qing Zhang dated December 14, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.33 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2012). |
4.33 | | English translation of Power of Attorney by Dongxu Wang dated December 14, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.36 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2012). |
4.34 | | English translation of Power of Attorney by Qing Zhang dated December 14, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.37 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2012). |
4.35 | | Redemption Agreement between Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. and Shanda Media Group Limited dated September 30, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.43 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2012). |
4.36 † | | English Translation of Advertising Agency Agreement between Shanghai Shengyue Advertising Co., Ltd. and Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. dated April 1, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.44 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2012). |
4.37* | | English Translation of Amended and Restated Advertising Agency Agreement between Shanghai Shengyue Advertising Co., Ltd. and Tianjin Ku6 Network Communication Technology Co., Ltd. dated January 1, 2013 |
4.38 | | English Translation of Loan Agreement between Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. and Shanda Games Limited dated December 27, 2010 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2011). |
4.39* | | Supplemental Agreement to the Loan Agreement between Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. and Shanda Games Limited dated August 31, 2012. |
4.40 | | English Translation of Loan Agreement between Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. and Shanda Games Limited dated January 25, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2011). |
4.41* | | Loan Renewal Agreement between Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. and Shanda Games Limited dated April 10, 2012. |
4.42 | | English Translation of Loan Agreement between Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. and Shanda Games Limited dated June 8, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.49 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2011). |
4.43* | | Loan Renewal Agreement between Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. and Shanda Games Limited dated June 1, 2012. |
4.44 | | English Translation of Loan Agreement between Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Dongfang Branch of China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. dated February 10, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2011). |
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Exhibit Number | | Document |
4.45 | | English Translation of Loan Renewal Agreement between Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Dongfang Branch of China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. dated August 14, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.49 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2012). |
4.46 | | English Translation of Loan Renewal Agreement between Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Dongfang Branch of China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. dated March 6, 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.50 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2012). |
4.47* | | English Translation of Loan Renewal Agreement between Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Dongfang Branch of China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. dated August 11, 2012. |
4.48 | | English Translation of Loan Agreement between Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Dongfang Branch of China Merchants Co., Ltd. dated June 16, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.48 to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2011). |
4.49* | | Loan Agreement between Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. and Shanda Capital Limited dated March 26, 2012. |
4.50* | | Share Repurchase Agreement among Ku6 Media Co., Ltd., Kumella Holdings Limited, Shanyou Li, Xingye Zeng and Zhizhong Hao dated June 20, 2012. |
8.1* | | List of Significant Subsidiaries and Affiliates. |
11.1 | | Code of Business Conduct (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 11.1 of our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-51116) filed with the SEC on June 15, 2006). |
12.1* | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a). |
12.2* | | Certification of Acting Chief Financial Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a). |
13.1* | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code. |
13.2* | | Certification of Acting Chief Financial Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code. |
15.1* | | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian CPAs Limited Company, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
101.INS*‡ | | XBRL Instance Document. |
101.SCH*‡ | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
101.CAL*‡ | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
101.DEF*‡ | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
101.LAB*‡ | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document. |
101.PRE*‡ | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
* Filed or furnished herewith
† Confidential treatment has been requested for portions of this exhibit.
‡ This Interactive Data File is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
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SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
| KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. |
| |
| By: | /s/ Yu Shi |
| | Name: | Yu Shi |
| | Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Date: April 19, 2013
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1
Table of Contents
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF
KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.):
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, of changes in equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 15 of Form 20-F. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian CPAs Limited Company
PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian CPAs Limited Company
Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China
April 19, 2013
F-2
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | Note | | December 31, 2011 | | December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | (in U.S. dollars, except number of shares) | |
Assets | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | 2(8) | | 26,750,427 | | 13,070,987 | |
Restricted cash | | 2(9), 11 | | 3,600,000 | | — | |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts | | 19(2) | | 777,393 | | 67,086 | |
Accounts receivable due from related parties | | 13 | | 2,740,179 | | 4,399,037 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 5 | | 884,344 | | 523,381 | |
Other receivables due from related parties | | 13 | | 19,539,269 | | 6,096,783 | |
Total current assets | | | | 54,291,612 | | 24,157,274 | |
Property and equipment, net | | 6 | | 3,592,745 | | 2,918,112 | |
Acquired intangible assets, net | | 7 | | 24,111,111 | | 22,552,124 | |
Investment in affiliates | | 8 | | 255,281 | | — | |
Goodwill | | 9 | | 6,232,770 | | 6,232,770 | |
Deposits and other non-current assets | | | | 306,741 | | 309,882 | |
Total assets | | | | 88,790,260 | | 56,170,162 | |
| | | | | | | |
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Short-term borrowings | | 11 | | 3,177,680 | | — | |
Accounts payable | | | | 6,364,763 | | 4,644,576 | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | 12 | | 10,016,650 | | 9,353,484 | |
Other payables due to related parties | | 13 | | 13,552,080 | | 3,779,497 | |
Total current liabilities | | | | 33,111,173 | | 17,777,557 | |
Non-current deferred tax liabilities | | 2(25), 14 | | 4,826,059 | | 4,826,059 | |
Total liabilities | | | | 37,937,232 | | 22,603,616 | |
| | | | | | | |
Commitments and contingencies | | 21 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Equity: | | | | | | | |
Ordinary shares ($0.00005 par value; 12,000,000,000 shares authorized; 5,019,786,036 and 4,732,446,560 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively) | | | | 250,939 | | 236,575 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | | 184,874,259 | | 177,182,895 | |
Accumulated deficit | | | | (132,449,371 | ) | (141,940,509 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | | (1,822,799 | ) | (1,912,415 | ) |
Total Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. shareholders’ equity | | | | 50,853,028 | | 33,566,546 | |
| | | | | | | |
Non-controlling interests | | | | — | | — | |
Total equity | | | | 50,853,028 | | 33,566,546 | |
Total liabilities and equity | | | | 88,790,260 | | 56,170,162 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
| | Note | | Year ended December 31, 2010 | | Year ended December 31, 2011 | | Year ended December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | (in U.S. dollars, except number of shares) | |
Net revenues: | | 2(18) | | | | | | | |
Third parties | | | | 15,853,948 | | 11,145,833 | | 1,632,876 | |
Related parties | | | | 701,732 | | 8,076,155 | | 12,481,927 | |
Total net revenues | | | | 16,555,680 | | 19,221,988 | | 14,114,803 | |
Cost of revenues: | | 2(18) | | | | | | | |
Third parties | | | | (40,082,758 | ) | (30,500,596 | ) | (14,602,208 | ) |
Related parties | | | | (376,302 | ) | (379,465 | ) | — | |
Total cost of revenues | | | | (40,459,060 | ) | (30,880,061 | ) | (14,602,208 | ) |
Gross loss | | | | (23,903,380 | ) | (11,658,073 | ) | (487,405 | ) |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | |
Product development | | 2(19) | | — | | (2,692,884 | ) | (1,972,160 | ) |
Selling and marketing | | 2(21) | | (16,195,539 | ) | (11,817,758 | ) | (1,688,740 | ) |
General and administrative | | 2(20) | | (13,507,701 | ) | (23,401,769 | ) | (6,819,998 | ) |
Total operating expenses | | | | (29,703,240 | ) | (37,912,411 | ) | (10,480,898 | ) |
Operating loss from continuing operations | | | | (53,606,620 | ) | (49,570,484 | ) | (10,968,303 | ) |
Interest income: | | | | | | | | | |
Third parties | | | | 57,464 | | 61,835 | | 362,963 | |
Related parties | | | | — | | 108,019 | | 256,753 | |
Total interest income | | | | 57,464 | | 169,854 | | 619,716 | |
Interest expenses: | | | | | | | | | |
Third parties | | | | (31,134 | ) | (430,477 | ) | (170,493 | ) |
Related parties | | | | — | | (688,952 | ) | (448,011 | ) |
Total interst expenses | | | | (31,134 | ) | (1,119,429 | ) | (618,504 | ) |
Other income, net | | 2(31) | | 3 | | 1,294,135 | | 1,728,538 | |
Loss before income tax benefits from continuing operations | | | | (53,580,287 | ) | (49,225,924 | ) | (9,238,553 | ) |
Income tax benefits | | 2(25), 14 | | 41,172 | | 99,479 | | — | |
Equity in losses of affiliated company, net of tax | | 8 | | — | | (263,313 | ) | (252,585 | ) |
Loss from continuing operations, net of tax | | | | (53,539,115 | ) | (49,389,758 | ) | (9,491,138 | ) |
Discontinued operations: | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from operations of discontinued operations, net of tax benefits of $25,584 | | 4 | | (3,382,438 | ) | — | | — | |
Gain from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax of nil | | 4 | | 4,486,786 | | — | | — | |
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax | | | | 1,104,348 | | — | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | | | (52,434,767 | ) | (49,389,758 | ) | (9,491,138 | ) |
Less: Net loss attributable to the non-controlling interests from continuing operations | | | | 680,837 | | 45,851 | | — | |
Less: Net loss attributable to the non-controlling interests from discontinued operations | | | | 243,666 | | — | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net loss attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. | | | | (51,510,264 | ) | (49,343,907 | ) | (9,491,138 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Loss from continuing operations, net of tax, attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. | | | | (52,858,278 | ) | (49,343,907 | ) | (9,491,138 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. | | | | 1,348,014 | | — | | — | |
Net loss attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. | | | | (51,510,264 | ) | (49,343,907 | ) | (9,491,138 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
| | Note (cont’d) | | Year ended December 31, 2010 | | Year ended December 31, 2011 | | Year ended December 31,2012 | |
| | | | (in U.S. dollars, except number of shares) | |
Net loss | | | | (52,434,767 | ) | (49,389,758 | ) | (9,491,138 | ) |
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax: | | | | | | | | | |
Currency translation adjustments of subsidiaries | | | | (809,654 | ) | (624,595 | ) | (89,616 | ) |
Comprehensive loss | | | | (53,244,421 | ) | (50,014,353 | ) | (9,580,754 | ) |
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests | | | | 921,701 | | 49,390 | | — | |
Comprehensive loss attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. | | | | (52,322,720 | ) | (49,964,963 | ) | (9,580,754 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Loss per share-basic and diluted | | 18 | | | | | | | |
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. common shareholders | | | | (0.02 | ) | (0.01 | ) | (0.00 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. common shareholders | | | | 0.00 | | — | | — | |
Net loss attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. common shareholders | | | | (0.02 | ) | (0.01 | ) | (0.00 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares used in per share calculation-basic and diluted | | | | 3,096,421,097 | | 4,265,277,638 | | 4,901,279,176 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Loss per ADS-basic and diluted (1ADS = 100 shares): | | 18 | | | | | | | |
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. common shareholders | | | | (1.71 | ) | (1.16 | ) | (0.19 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. common shareholders | | | | 0.04 | | — | | — | |
Net loss attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. common shareholders | | | | (1.67 | ) | (1.16 | ) | (0.19 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average ADS used in per ADS calculation-basic and diluted | | | | 30,964,211 | | 42,652,776 | | 49,012,792 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
| | Ordinary shares ($0.00005 par value) | | Additional paid-in | | Statutory | | Accumulated | | Accumulated other comprehensive | | Total Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. shareholders’ | | Non-controlling | | Total | |
| | Shares | | Amount | | capital | | reserves | | deficits | | income/(loss) | | equity | | interests | | equity | |
| | (in U.S. dollars, except shares data) | |
Balance as of December 31, 2009 (Adjusted (Note 2(1))) | | 2,200,194,040 | | 109,959 | | 76,605,958 | | 1,791,324 | | (33,386,524 | ) | 9,955,687 | | 55,076,404 | | 1,857,092 | | 56,933,496 | |
Stock-based compensation expense | | 3,000,100 | | 150 | | 607,014 | | — | | — | | — | | 607,164 | | — | | 607,164 | |
Exercise of stock options | | 450,000 | | 22 | | 20,328 | | — | | — | | — | | 20,350 | | — | | 20,350 | |
Issuance of ordinary shares related to acquisitions of Ku6 Holding Limited | | 723,684,204 | | 36,185 | | 28,838,816 | | — | | — | | — | | 28,875,001 | | — | | 28,875,001 | |
Disposal of Huayi Brothers Music Co., Ltd. | | — | | — | | — | | (74,246 | ) | 74,246 | | (221,315 | ) | (221,315 | ) | (209,736 | ) | (431,051 | ) |
Contribution by Shanda related to Yisheng | | — | | — | | 663,570 | | — | | — | | — | | 663,570 | | — | | 663,570 | |
Issuance of ordinary shares for Yisheng to Shanda | | 415,384,615 | | 20,769 | | 12,440,769 | | — | | — | | — | | 12,461,538 | | — | | 12,461,538 | |
Deemed distribution to Shanda related to Yisheng | | — | | — | | (12,461,538 | ) | — | | — | | — | | (12,461,538 | ) | — | | (12,461,538 | ) |
Purchase of additional equity interests of Yisheng from non-controlling shareholders | | 138,461,539 | | 6,923 | | (520,181 | ) | — | | — | | — | | (513,258 | ) | 513,258 | | — | |
Disposal of WVAS and recorded music businesses to Shanda | | — | | — | | 23,905,417 | | (1,717,078 | ) | 1,717,078 | | (10,344,330 | ) | 13,561,087 | | (1,464,169 | ) | 12,096,918 | |
Currency translation adjustments of subsidiaries | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | (812,456 | ) | (812,456 | ) | 2,802 | | (809,654 | ) |
Net loss | | — | | — | | — | | — | | (51,510,264 | ) | — | | (51,510,264 | ) | (806,997 | ) | (52,317,261 | ) |
Balance as of December 31, 2010 | | 3,481,174,498 | | 174,008 | | 130,100,153 | | — | | (83,105,464 | ) | (1,422,414 | ) | 45,746,283 | | (107,750 | ) | 45,638,533 | |
Issuance of ordinary shares to Shanda | | 1,538,461,538 | | 76,924 | | 49,923,076 | | — | | — | | — | | 50,000,000 | | — | | 50,000,000 | |
Exercise of stock options | | 150,000 | | 7 | | 3,743 | | — | | — | | — | | 3,750 | | — | | 3,750 | |
Stock-based compensation expense (Note 2(1)(a), 16) | | — | | — | | 1,754,170 | | — | | — | | — | | 1,754,170 | | — | | 1,754,170 | |
Disposition of equity interests in Yisheng (Note 2(1)(a)) | | — | | — | | 1,373,190 | | — | | — | | 220,671 | | 1,593,861 | | 157,140 | | 1,751,001 | |
Liabilities waived by Shanda | | — | | — | | 1,719,927 | | — | | — | | — | | 1,719,927 | | — | | 1,719,927 | |
Currency translation adjustments of subsidiaries | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | (621,056 | ) | (621,056 | ) | (3,539 | ) | (624,595 | ) |
Net loss | | — | | — | | — | | — | | (49,343,907 | ) | — | | (49,343,907 | ) | (45,851 | ) | (49,389,758 | ) |
Balance as of December 31, 2011 | | 5,019,786,036 | | 250,939 | | 184,874,259 | | — | | (132,449,371 | ) | (1,822,799 | ) | 50,853,028 | | — | | 50,853,028 | |
Share repurchase (Note 15) | | (287,339,476 | ) | (14,364 | ) | (8,155,117 | ) | — | | — | | — | | (8,169,481 | ) | — | | (8,169,481 | ) |
Stock-based compensation expense (Note 16) | | — | | — | | 463,753 | | — | | — | | — | | 463,753 | | — | | 463,753 | |
Currency translation adjustments of subsidiaries | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | (89,616 | ) | (89,616 | ) | — | | (89,616 | ) |
Net loss | | — | | — | | — | | — | | (9,491,138 | ) | — | | (9,491,138 | ) | — | | (9,491,138 | ) |
Balance as of December 31, 2012 | | 4,732,446,560 | | 236,575 | | 177,182,895 | | — | | (141,940,509 | ) | (1,912,415 | ) | 33,566,546 | | — | | 33,566,546 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| | Year ended December 31, 2010 | | Year ended December 31, 2011 | | Year ended December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | (in U.S. dollars) | | | |
Net loss | | (52,434,767 | ) | (49,389,758 | ) | (9,491,138 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | | | | | | | |
Share-based compensation | | 607,164 | | 1,231,919 | | 463,753 | |
Share-based compensation cost in relation to disposition of Yisheng | | — | | 522,251 | | — | |
Share based compensation cost in relation to acquisition of Ku6 Holding Limited | | 1,284,766 | | — | | — | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 5,266,212 | | 5,197,444 | | 3,500,748 | |
Amortization and write-down of licensed video copyrights | | 15,751,814 | | 3,721,696 | | — | |
Impairment for intangible assets | | — | | 1,365,376 | | — | |
Bad debt provision (reversal) | | 1,474,568 | | 3,459,826 | | (2,255,301 | ) |
Inventory provision | | 84,481 | | — | | — | |
Exchange loss (gains) | | (898,682 | ) | 292,296 | | (224,332 | ) |
Equity in losses of affiliated companies | | — | | 263,313 | | 252,585 | |
Gain from disposal of subsidiary | | (4,486,786 | ) | — | | — | |
Losses on disposal of property and equipment | | 196,969 | | 2,977,098 | | 27,719 | |
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions: | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | (8,678,575 | ) | 3,815,524 | | 2,954,041 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | (796,237 | ) | (1,519,380 | ) | 360,963 | |
Amount due from related parties | | (2,836,461 | ) | (3,913,409 | ) | (1,658,858 | ) |
Deposits and other non-current assets | | (414 | ) | (306,741 | ) | — | |
Inventories | | (94,101 | ) | 31,038 | | — | |
Deferred taxes | | (72,985 | ) | (99,479 | ) | — | |
Accounts payable | | 8,753,566 | | (7,906,294 | ) | (1,485,189 | ) |
Notes payable | | (54,218 | ) | — | | — | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | 5,976,116 | | 621,237 | | (663,166 | ) |
Amount due to related parties | | 1,408,305 | | 461,247 | | 132,037 | |
Income tax payable | | (20,633 | ) | — | | — | |
Net cash used in operating activities | | (29,569,898 | ) | (39,174,796 | ) | (8,086,138 | ) |
Investing activities: | | | | | | | |
Decrease of short-term investments | | 10,000,000 | | — | | — | |
Purchases of property and equipment | | (6,586,819 | ) | (2,362,785 | ) | (1,277,455 | ) |
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment | | — | | — | | 24,054 | |
Payment for licensed video copyright | | (15,046,257 | ) | (5,529,949 | ) | (236,360 | ) |
Proceeds (cash-out) from disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed ($669,705, $111,597 and nil for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively) | | 4,376,048 | | (111,597 | ) | — | |
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired ($329,743, nil and nil for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively) | | 329,743 | | — | | — | |
Proceeds from disposal of wireless value-added service and recorded music businesses to Shanda, net of cash disposed ($24,948,577 for the year ended December 31, 2010) | | 12,295,323 | | — | | — | |
Restricted cash for pledge of bank loans | | — | | (3,600,000 | ) | 3,600,000 | |
Repayment of loans to related parties under common control of Shanda (Note 13) | | — | | — | | 14,000,000 | |
Loan to related parties under common control of Shanda (Note 13) | | (3,200,000 | ) | (14,108,019 | ) | (470,000 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | 2,168,038 | | (25,712,350 | ) | 15,640,239 | |
| | | | | | | |
Financing activities: | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | | 20,350 | | 3,750 | | — | |
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares to Shanda (Note 13) | | — | | 50,000,000 | | — | |
Proceeds from issuance of Convertible Bond to Shanda (Note 13) | | — | | 50,000,000 | | — | |
Cash paid for redemption of Convertible Bond to Shanda (Note 13) | | — | | (50,000,000 | ) | — | |
Repurchase of ordinary shares | | — | | — | | (8,169,481 | ) |
Borrowings from bank | | — | | 3,177,680 | | — | |
Repayment of loans from bank | | — | | — | | (3,148,120 | ) |
Borrowings from related parties under common control by Shanda (Note 13) | | 4,596,001 | | 13,335,896 | | — | |
Repayment of borrowings from related parties under common control of Shanda (Note 13) | | — | | (3,189,527 | ) | (9,904,620 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | 4,616,351 | | 63,327,799 | | (21,222,221 | ) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | 336,394 | | 1,014,955 | | (11,320 | ) |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | (22,449,115 | ) | (544,392 | ) | (13,679,440 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | | 49,743,934 | | 27,294,819 | | 26,750,427 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | | 27,294,819 | | 26,750,427 | | 13,070,987 | |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | | | | | | | |
Loan interest paid | | 30,903 | | 703,108 | | 453,657 | |
Income taxes paid | | 23,047 | | — | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable related to purchase of property and equipment | | 2,045,032 | | — | | 3,195 | |
Accounts payable related to licensed video copyright | | 2,946,304 | | 1,108,057 | | — | |
Issuance of ordinary shares to Shanda for Yisheng | | 12,461,538 | | — | | — | |
Purchase of additional equity interests of Yisheng from non-controlling shareholders | | 4,153,846 | | — | | — | |
Issuance of ordinary shares related to acquisition of Ku6 Holding Limited | | 28,875,001 | | — | | — | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. (the “Company”), formerly known as Hurray! Holding Co., Ltd., (“Hurray!”), a Cayman Islands corporation, originally provided wireless value-added services (“WVAS”) to mobile phone users delivered over the wireless networks of the three telecommunication operators in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) and also engaged in music production and distribution in the PRC and Taiwan through its consolidated subsidiaries, its variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and equity associate before August, 2010. Following certain acquisition and disposition transactions and the 2010 Reorganization described below, the Company primarily provides online advertising services on its online video sharing platform, www.ku6.com, namely through its subsidiaries and VIEs in China (together with the Company, collectively referred to as the “Group”) further described within this note.
As of December 31, 2012, the Group’s ownership structure is summarized as follows.
Name of Major Subsidiaries, Variable Interest Entities and Affiliate | | Date of incorporation | | Percentage of ownership | |
Subsidiaries | | | | | |
Ku6 (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Technology”) | | March 5, 2007 | | 100 | % |
Wei Mo San Yi (Tianjin) Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (“Tianjin Technology”) | | December 23, 2008 | | 100 | % |
Kusheng (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd. (“Kusheng”) | | August 26, 2011 | | 100 | % |
Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) | | | | | |
Ku6 (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Ku6 Beijing Information”) | | April 20, 2006 | | N/A | |
Tianjin Ku6 Zheng Yuan Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Tianjin Information”) | | March 20, 2009 | | N/A | |
Tianjin Ku6 Network Communication Technology Co., Ltd. (“Ku6 Network”) | | December14, 2011 | | N/A | |
Beijing Ku6 Culture Media Co., Ltd. (“Ku6 Culture”) | | June 22, 2010 | | N/A | |
Affiliates | | | | | |
Shanghai Yisheng Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Yisheng”) | | November 22, 2007 | | 20 | % |
In July 2009, Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited (“Shanda”), a leading interactive entertainment media company in China, and Shanda Music Group Limited (“Shanda Music”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Shanda, announced completion of a tender offer of $46.2 million for 1,155,045,300 ordinary shares, par value $0.00005 per ordinary share (“Shares”), of the Company (then known as Hurray!), including Shares represented by American Depositary Shares (“ADSs,” each representing 100 Shares) at a purchase price of $0.04 per Share (equivalent to $4.00 per ADS) in cash, without interest and subject to any applicable withholding taxes. Immediately after giving effect to the acquisition of Shares (including Shares represented by ADSs) in the tender offer, Shanda held approximately 51% of the Company’s total outstanding Shares calculated on a fully-diluted basis as of December 31, 2009.
In January 2010, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests of Ku6 Holding Limited (“Ku6 Holding”), a leading online video portal in China, pursuant to a share purchase agreement entered into by and among Hurray!, Ku6 Holding and the shareholders of Ku6 Holding dated as of November 26, 2009 by issuing an aggregate of 723,684,204 ordinary shares. After the closing of the acquisition of Ku6 Holding, Shanda’s equity interest in the Company was diluted to 41.97%.
In May 2010, the Company sold all of its 51% equity interest in Beijing Huayi Brothers Music Co., Ltd. including its wholly owned subsidiary of Beijing Huayi Brothers Music Broker Co., Ltd. (collectively referred to as “Huayi Music”) to Huayi Brothers Media Corporation. (“Huayi Media”) for aggregate consideration of RMB 34,450,000 (equivalent to $5,045,754).
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Table of Contents
KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
In August 2010, the Company completed (1) the disposal of all of its subsidiaries and VIEs related to WVAS and recorded music businesses as well as the equity investment in an affiliated company to Shanda for $37,243,904 in cash and (2) acquisition of 75% of the equity interest of Yisheng, an online audio business, from Shanda in exchange for 415,384,615 newly issued ordinary shares (collectively the “2010 Reorganization”). In connection with the acquisition of 75% of the equity interests in Yisheng from Shanda, the Company issued 138,461,539 ordinary shares to acquire the remaining 25% of equity interests in Yisheng from the non-controlling shareholders in August 2010. The 2010 Reorganization was approved by a committee comprised of three independent directors after receiving a fairness opinion on the proposed transaction from its independent financial advisor. Following the 2010 Reorganization, the Company changed its name to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. and changed its trading symbol on the Nasdaq Global Market from HRAY to KUTV. At December 31, 2010, Shanda’s equity interest in the Company was 51.65%.
In April 2011, the Company entered into agreements with Shanda Media Group Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Shanda, pursuant to which the Company issued 1,538,461,538 ordinary shares for an aggregate purchase price of $50 million and $50 million aggregate principal amount of senior convertible bond at face value (“Convertible Bond”). The Convertible Bond would mature in three years after issuance and would bear an interest of 3% per annum. The closing date of the oridinary shares and Convertible Bond issuance was June 29, 2011. Based on the Company’s working capital position, the Company redeemed the Convertible Bond in September 2011 at its issue price.
In August 2011, the Company disposed of 80% of the equity interests of Yisheng to related parties, including a then employee of the Company. After the disposal, the company retained a 20% interest in Yisheng. This transaction is further described in Note 2(1)(a).
At December 31, 2012, Shanda’s equity interest in the Company was 70.46% following a repurchase of shares described in Note 15.
The Group adjusted its business strategy in 2011. The adjustments primarily refer to 1) the appointment of Shanghai Shengyue Advertising Ltd (“Shengyue”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Shanda, as the Group’s primary agency for online advertising services, and 2) a change in business focus from purchasing long-form licensed video contents to relying more on user generated contents and short-form video contents. Shengyue operates an advertising system known as Application Advertisement (“AA”) and charges advertisement fees to its end customers based on the advertising effects, including but not limited to views, clicks, responses, etc., (“performance advertisement”). After the appointment of Shengyue as its primary sales agency, the Group primarily relies on Shengyue to sell the online advertising services; therefore, the Group significantly reduced its sales force and recorded severance payments of $0.9 million through general and administrative expenses ($0.15 million) and selling expenses ($0.75 million) in 2011. A customer list intangible asset of $1.46 million, representing the customer relationships under the original business model, was abandoned in 2011 and written off through the general and administrative expenses in 2011 (Note 7). In relation to the cessation of purchasing activity for long-form licensed video copyrights, the Group exited two long-term licensed contents purchase agreements in 2011 with the content providers by paying one-time termination fees of $5.3 million, which were recorded into the cost of revenues. The business strategy has continued in 2012 since then.
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Table of Contents
KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(1) Basis of presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
As a result of the disposal of Huayi Music in May 2010 and the 2010 Reorganization, the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 reflect the WVAS and recorded music businesses as discontinued operations and reflect the Yisheng merger as a common control transaction.
(a) Acquisition under common control
The acquisition of Yisheng’s online audio business from Shanda was accounted for as a common control transaction as Hurray! was under the control of Shanda since the Company was acquired by Shanda in July 2009. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared as if the acquisition of Yisheng had been in effect since the inception of common control, which is the date that the Company (formerly known as Hurray!) was consolidated into Shanda’s consolidated financial statements on August 31, 2009. Therefore, total assets and liabilities, as well as the non-controlling interests of Yisheng, were recorded at the carrying amount as capital contribution from Shanda in equity. The fair value of the 415,384,615 ordinary shares issued by the Company amounting to $12,461,538 was recorded through equity as a deemed distribution to Shanda in 2010.
In connection with the acquisition of 75% of the equity interests in Yisheng from Shanda, the Company issued 138,461,539 ordinary shares to acquire the remaining 25% of the equity interests in Yisheng from non-controlling shareholders in August 2010. This transaction was accounted for as an equity transaction in 2010 and the difference between the fair value of the ordinary shares issued amounting to $4,153,846 and carrying amount of the non-controlling interest was recognized as a decrease in additional paid-in capital attributable to the Company in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810.
In August 2011, the Company disposed of 80% of its (previously 100%) equity interest in Yisheng by contributing a 60% stake in Yisheng to affiliates of Shanda. A remaining 20% stake, to arrive at the 80% disposed, was granted to a then-employee of Ku6 (20%). The Company’s interest in Yisheng was 20% at December 31, 2011 and 2012. As a result of the previous capital transaction related to Yisheng and the loss of a controlling financial interest, the Company deconsolidated Yisheng and recorded its remaining interest in Yisheng as an investment subject to the equity method of accounting (Note 8).
Given the presence of common control from parent Shanda, the disposition of the 60% to the related Shanda entities was accounted for as a common control transaction. Therefore, the gain on deconsolidation of Yisheng amounting to $1,373,190 (a gain due to the de-recognition of the net liabilities of the Yisheng business) was recorded in stockholders’ equity as a contribution from Shanda in 2011. At the time of deconsolidation, a Shanda affiliate receiving a portion of the contributed stake also made a capital investment of cash in Yisheng resulting in a higher equity fair value ascribed to Yisheng immediately prior to the deconsolidation. The 20% equity interest in Yisheng transferred to the then-employee of Ku6 was recorded as a compensation charge of $522,251 based on Yisheng’s equity fair value subsequent to the injection of capital from a Shanda affiliate, and was included in general and administrative expenses.
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Table of Contents
KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
(b) Disposal of WVAS and recorded music businesses
As mentioned above, the Company completed the disposal of Huayi Music to Huayi Media for RMB 34,450,000 (equivalent to $5,045,754) in cash in May, 2010 and the corresponding disposal gain of Huayi Music recognized in 2010 was $4,486,786. The disposal of WVAS and recorded music businesses under common control was consummated in August, 2010. The difference of $13,561,087 between the cash consideration received from Shanda of $37,243,904 and the carrying amount of the assets, liabilities and non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interest of WVAS and recorded music business of $23,682,817 and the corresponding cumulative translation difference of $10,344,330 was accounted for as a contribution by Shanda in additional paid in capital in 2010. No gain or loss was recognized in 2010.
A summary of the major financial information for the discontinued operations of the WVAS and recorded music businesses for the eight month period ended August 31, 2010 is set out below:
| | Eight months ended August 31, 2010 | |
Net revenues: | | | |
Wireless value added services revenue | | 5,385,985 | |
Recorded music revenue | | 9,458,423 | |
Total net revenues | | 14,844,408 | |
Wireless value added services cost | | (3,799,581 | ) |
Recorded music cost | | (6,118,305 | ) |
Total cost of revenues | | (9,917,886 | ) |
Gross profit | | 4,926,522 | |
Product development | | (444,581 | ) |
Selling and marketing | | (3,397,797 | ) |
General and administrative | | (4,544,460 | ) |
Goodwill impairment | | — | |
Total operating expenses | | (8,386,838 | ) |
Loss from operations | | (3,460,316 | ) |
Interest income | | 42,627 | |
Interest expense | | — | |
Other income | | 9,667 | |
Loss before income tax benefit (expense), equity in (loss) earnings of affiliated company, impairment for investment in affiliated company | | (3,408,022 | ) |
Income tax benefit (expense) | | 25,584 | |
Equity in loss and impairment of affiliated company | | — | |
Impairment for investment in affiliated company | | — | |
Net loss | | (3,382,438 | ) |
Less: Net loss attributable to the non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interest | | 243,666 | |
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | | (3,138,772 | ) |
Gain from disposal of Huayi Music, net of tax | | 4,486,786 | |
| | | |
Total net income from discontinued operations, net of tax | | 1,348,014 | |
According to ASC 205, Discontinued Operations, the effect of discontinued operations has been accounted for retroactively in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
(c) Liquidity
The Group has incurred significant net losses and negative cash flows from operations in recent years. As of December 31, 2012, the Group’s cash and cash equivalents balance was $13,070,987; for the year then ended, the Group’s net operating cash outflow was $8,086,138, which represented a significant reduction from 2011 net operating cash outflow. Also, at December 31, 2012, the Group’s accumulated deficit was ($141,940,509) and the excess of current assets over current liabilities (working capital) was $6,379,717. This working capital included $10,495,820 of accounts receivable and other receivables due from related parties and $3,779,497 of other amounts payable to related parties (Note 13).
The Group’s forecasted revenue in 2013 is primarily derived from a related party advertising agency (Note 13) and cash collection from this revenue source depends on the contractual credit terms agreed to with this agency.
The Group believes that there is sufficient cash and capital resources to fund operations and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis.
(2) Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent liabilities at the dates of the financial statements. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company’s financial statements include accrual for sales rebates, allowances for doubtful accounts, assessment of impairment for long-lived assets and goodwill, assessment of the net realizable value of licensed video copyrights, the useful lives for intangible assets and property and equipment, share-based compensation expense, the recognition and measurement of deferred taxes, and loss contingencies. Actual amounts may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
(3) Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries and VIEs. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation. Affiliated companies in which the Company has partial ownership and controls more than 20% but less than 50% of the investment are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company’s share of earnings (losses) of such equity investments are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
The Company follows the guidance relating to the consolidation of VIEs in ASC 810-10, which requires certain VIEs to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity if the equity investors in the entity do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties.
Pre-2010 Reorganization
Prior to the 2010 Reorganization, to comply with PRC laws and regulations that restrict direct foreign ownership of telecommunication service businesses in the PRC, the Company conducted substantially all of its WVAS and recorded music businesses through several VIEs. The VIEs had entered into various agreements with one of Hurray!’s subsidiaries, including exclusive cooperation agreements. Under these agreements, Hurray! through a wholly owned PRC subsidiary, Beijing Hurray! Times Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Hurray! Times”), was the exclusive provider of technical and consulting services to the VIEs. In return, the VIEs were required to pay Beijing Hurray! Times’ service fees for the technical and consulting services received. The technical and consulting service fees could be, and were, adjusted at Hurray!’s discretion depending on the level of service provided. Beijing Hurray! Times was entitled to receive service fees in an amount up to all of the net income of the VIEs. In addition, Beijing Hurray! Times had been assigned all voting rights by the direct and indirect owners of the VIEs through agreements which were valid for ten years and were renewable indefinitely and could not be amended or terminated except by written consent of all parties. Finally, Beijing Hurray! Times had the option to acquire the equity interests of the VIEs if and when legal to do so under PRC laws and regulations. The Company also had extended loans without interest to the registered shareholders to finance their investments in the VIEs. Each of the registered shareholders was a related party of the Company acting as de facto agent for the Company. The direct equity interests in these entities had been pledged as collateral for the loans and when permitted under Chinese laws, the loans were to be repaid by transferring the direct equity interest in these entities to the Company. Therefore, no minority interest was recorded for the registered capital from the registered shareholders.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
Hurray! was the considered the primary beneficiary of the VIEs of the WVAS and recorded music businesses because of all the variable interests held by Hurray! and the Company had the power to direct the activities of the VIEs. Therefore the Company consolidated the results of operations of the VIEs of the WVAS and recorded music businesses before they were disposed in 2010.
Post-2010 Reorganization
After the 2010 Reorganization, to comply with PRC laws and regulations that prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of companies that provide advertising services and hold Internet Content Provider (“ICP”) licenses and/or Licenses for Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs through the Internet (“the Licenses”), the Company conducts substantially all of its advertising business through its VIEs. The paid-in capitals of the Ku6 Beijing Information and Ku6 Network were funded by the Company through loans extended to the authorized individuals (“nominee shareholders”) and Tianjin Information was incorporated by Ku6 Beijing Information.
The Company has various agreements with its VIEs, through which the Company holds all the variable interests of the VIEs and has the power to direct the activities of the VIEs. Consequently the Company is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. Details of certain key agreements with the VIEs are as follows:
Loan Agreements: Beijing Technology, Kusheng and Tianjin Technology have granted interest-free loans to the nominee shareholders with the sole purpose of providing funds necessary for the capital injection of Ku6 Beijing Information, Ku6 Network and Ku6 Culture. The portions of the loans for subsequent capital injection are eliminated with the capital of Ku6 Beijing Information, Ku6 Network and Tianjin Technology during consolidation. The interest-free loans to the nominee shareholders of Beijing Information, Ku6 Network and Ku6 Culture as of December 31, 2012 were RMB20 million, RMB10 million and RMB1 million, respectively. Beijing Technology, Kusheng and Ku6 Cluture are able to require the nominee shareholders to settle the loan amount through the entire equity interest of Ku6 Beijing Information, Ku6 Network and Ku6 Culture and nominate someone else to hold the shares on Beijing Technology, Kusheng and Ku6 Culture’s behalf.
Proxy Agreement: The nominee shareholders of the VIEs irrevocably appointed the Subsidiaries’ officers to vote on their behalf on all matters they are entitled to vote on, including matters relating to the transfer of any or all of their respective equity interests in the VIEs, making all the operational, financial decisions and the appointment of the directors, general managers and other senior management of the VIEs.
Equity Interest Pledge Agreements: The nominee shareholders of the VIEs have pledged their respective equity interests in the VIEs as collateral to secure the nominee shareholders’ obligations under other agreements and for the payment by the VIEs under the exclusive technical consulting and services agreements and the loan agreements. The Pledge Agreements have been registered with the applicable local branches of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce. The nominee shareholders of the VIEs cannot sell or pledge their equity interests to others without the approval from the Subsidiaries, and the nominee shareholders of the VIEs cannot receive any dividends without the approval of Subsidiaries.
Exclusive Call Option Agreements: The nominee shareholders of the VIEs granted the Subsidiaries the exclusive and irrevocable right to purchase from the nominee shareholders, to the extent permitted under PRC laws and regulations or at the request of the Company, all of the equity interests in these entities for a purchase price equal to the amount of the registered capital or at the lowest price permitted by PRC laws and regulations. The Subsidiaries may exercise such options at any time. In addition, the VIEs and their nominee shareholders agreed that without the Subsidiaries’ prior written consent, they will not transfer or otherwise dispose of the equity interests or declare any dividends.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreements: The Subsidiaries are the exclusive provider of the technical, consulting and related services and information of the VIEs. Under these arrangements, the Subsidiaries have the unilateral right to charge service fees to the VIEs to recover substantially all of the VIEs’ profits.
As a result of the above contractual agreements, the Company determined that it has the power to control the economic activities most significant to the VIEs and is the primary recipient of the economic rewards or risks, as the case may be. As such, the Company consolidates the VIEs as required by ASC 810-10.
As of December 31, 2011 and 2012, the assets of the VIE subsidiaries were as below:
| | December 31, 2011 | | December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | 193,740 | | 1,617,258 | |
Accounts receivable | | 3,509,168 | | 4,412,326 | |
Other receivables | | 3,083,527 | | — | |
Property and equipment | | 1,084,908 | | 421,571 | |
Deposits and other non-current assets | | 288,151 | | 291,102 | |
Total assets | | 8,159,494 | | 6,742,257 | |
These balances are reflected in the Group’s consolidated financial statements with intercompany transactions eliminated. Under the contractual arrangements with the VIEs, the Company has the power to direct activities of the VIEs, and can have assets freely transferred out of the VIEs. Therefore, the Company considers that there is no asset in any of its consolidated VIEs that can be used only to settle obligations of the VIEs, except for registered capital and PRC additional paid-in capital of the VIEs in the amount of $4.9 million as of December 31, 2012 (2011: $3.3 million).
As all the VIE subsidiaries are incorporated as limited liability companies under PRC Company Law, creditors thereof do not have recourse to the general credit of the Group for any of the liabilities of the VIE subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2011 and 2012, the liabilities of the VIE subsidiaries were as below:
| | December 31, 2011 | | December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | |
Accounts payable | | 23,953,679 | | 25,704,847 | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | 10,178,926 | | 16,812,895 | |
Other payables due to related parties | | 13,177,080 | | 3,404,497 | |
Total liabilities | | 47,309,685 | | 45,922,239 | |
As of December 31, 2012, the total deficit of the VIE subsidiaries was $39.2 million (2011: $39.2 million).
For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011, and 2012, the summarized operations of the VIEs were as below:
| | Year ended December 31, 2010 | | Year ended December 31, 2011 | | Year ended December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | | | |
Net revenue | | 41,570,566 | | 18,744,535 | | 13,956,477 | |
Net loss | | 8,037,455 | | 25,011,099 | | 1,331,497 | |
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
Currently there is no contractual arrangement that requires the Company to provide additional financial support to the VIEs. However, as the Company is conducting the online advertising business substantially through the VIEs, the Company has, in the past, provided and will continue to provide financial support to the VIEs considering the business requirements of the VIEs and the Company’s own business objectives in the future, which could expose the Company to a loss.
Please refer to “Contingencies” under Note 21 for the risks relating to the VIE arrangements.
(4) Significant risks and uncertainties
The Group participates in a dynamic high technology industry and believes that changes in any of the following areas could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future financial position, results of operations or cash flows: i) changes in the overall demand for services and products; ii) changes in business offerings; iii) competitive pressures due to new entrants; iv) advances and new trends in new technologies and industry standards; v) changes in bandwidth suppliers; vi) relying on Shengyue as the primary advertisement agency; vii) regulatory considerations; viii) copyright regulations; and ix) risks associated with the Company’s ability to attract and retain employees necessary to support its growth.
(5) Fair value
The Group follows ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”. This guidance 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 (an exit price). The guidance outlines a valuation framework and creates a fair value hierarchy in order to increase the consistency and comparability of fair value measurements and the related disclosures. Under US GAAP, certain assets and liabilities must be measured at fair value, and the guidance details the disclosures that are required for items measured at fair value.
Financial assets and liabilities are to be measured and disclosed using inputs from the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy. The three levels are as follows:
Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets that the management has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).
Level 3 includes unobservable inputs that reflect management’s judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities. Management develops these inputs based on the best information available, including their own data.
(6) Business combinations and non-controlling interests
The Group accounts for its business combinations using the purchase method of accounting. This method requires that the acquisition cost be allocated to the assets, including separately identifiable intangible assets, and liabilities the Company acquired based on their estimated fair values.
The Group follows ASC 805, “Business Combinations,” with respect to business combinations. Pursuant thereto, the cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of the assets given, liabilities incurred, and equity instruments issued as well as the contingent considerations and all contractual contingencies as of the acquisition date. The costs directly attributable to the acquisition are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair value as of the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any non-controlling interests. The excess of (i) the total of cost of acquisition, fair value of the non-controlling interests and acquisition date fair value of any previously held equity interest(s) in the acquiree over (ii) the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the acquiree is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the income statement.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
The determination and allocation of fair values to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on various assumptions and valuation methodologies requiring considerable management judgment. The most significant variables in these valuations are discount rates, terminal values, the number of years on which to base the cash flow projections, as well as the assumptions and estimates used to determine the cash inflows and outflows. The Company determines discount rates to be used based on the risk inherent in the related activity’s current business model and industry comparisons. Terminal values are based on the expected life of assets and forecasted life cycle and forecasted cash flows over that period. Although the Group believes that the assumptions applied in the determination are reasonable based on information available at the date of acquisition, actual results may differ from the forecasted amounts and the difference could be material.
The Group follows guidance in ASC Topic 810 regarding non-controlling interests. Non-controlling interests are classified as a separate component within equity except for any redeemable securities that are subject to the guidance in Accounting Series Release (“ASR”) Topic 268, Redeemable Preferred Stock. Consolidated net income on a total enterprise basis is adjusted within the statement of operations and comprehensive loss for net income attributed to non-controlling interests and consolidated comprehensive income is adjusted to for comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interests.
(7) Foreign currency translation
The functional currency and reporting currency of the parent company is the United States dollar (“U.S. dollar”). The Company’s subsidiaries and VIEs use Renminbi (“RMB”) as their functional currency.
Assets and liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries and VIEs are translated at the current exchange rates quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in effect at the balance sheet dates, equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates and revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the reporting period to the U.S. dollar. Translation adjustments resulting from foreign currency translation to reporting currency are reported as cumulative translation adjustments and recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of changes in equity for the years presented.
Transactions denominated in currencies other than the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ or VIEs’ functional currencies are remeasured into the functional currencies at the exchange rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured into the applicable functional currencies using the applicable exchange rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China at the balance sheet dates. All such exchange gains and losses are included in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Pursuant to the People’s Republic of China State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”), the conversion of U.S. dollars to RMB is governed as to amount and a uniform exchange rate is set by the People’s Bank of China on a daily basis pegged to a basket of major currencies. Correspondingly, RMB to U.S. dollar conversion does not carry the same ease as conversion may with other major currencies. The rates of exchange for the U.S. dollar quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York were RMB 6.2939 on December 30, 2011 and RMB 6.2301 on December 31, 2012.
(8) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, demand deposits and highly liquid investments placed with bank or other financial institutions with no restriction to withdrawal or use, which have original maturities of three months or less.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
Included in the cash and cash equivalents are cash balances denominated in RMB of approximately RMB20,780,927 and RMB137,735,942 (equivalent to approximately $3,335,569 and $21,884,037) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
(9) Restricted cash
Restricted cash mainly represents cash pledged for the loan borrowed from a PRC bank (Note 11), and the pledge period was the same as the loan period.
(10) Allowances for doubtful accounts
The Company determines the allowance for doubtful accounts when facts and circumstances indicate that the receivable is unlikely to be collected by taking into account an aging analysis of the accounts receivable balances, historical bad debt records, repayment patterns in the prior year, and other factors such as the policies of operators and financial condition of the customer.
(11) Investments in affiliates
Affiliated companies (partially owned affiliates) are entities over which the Company has significant influence, but which it does not control. Investments in affiliated companies are accounted for by the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the Company’s share of the post-acquisition profits or losses of affiliated companies is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. Unrealized gains on transactions between the Company and its affiliated companies are eliminated to the extent of the Company’s interest in the affiliated companies; unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. When the Company’s share of losses in an affiliated company equals or exceeds its interest in the affiliated company, the Company does not recognize further losses, unless the Company has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the affiliated company (no such obligations or payments have been undertaken or made for the periods presented).
The Company continually reviews its investments in affiliated companies to determine whether a decline in fair value below the carrying value is other than temporary. The primary factors the Company considers in its determination are the length of time that the fair value of the investment is below the Company’s carrying value and the financial condition, operating performance and near term prospects of the investee. In addition, the Company considers the reason for the decline in fair value, including general market conditions, industry specific or investee specific reasons, changes in valuation subsequent to the balance sheet date and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in fair value. If the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, the carrying value of the investment is written down to fair value. There were no impairments of such investments for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
(12) Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:
Furniture and office equipment | | 3 years |
Telecommunications equipment | | 3 years |
Leasehold improvements | | Lesser of original lease term or estimated useful life |
Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Gain or loss on the disposal of property and equipment is the difference between the net sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the relevant assets and is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
(13) Acquired intangible assets, net
An intangible asset is required to be recognized separately from goodwill based on its estimated fair value if such asset arises from contractual or legal right or if it is separable as defined by ASC 805. Acquired intangible assets consist of intangible assets with finite lives, as detailed in Note 7, acquired through direct purchases and various business acquisitions and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful economic lives.
The estimated useful economic lives by major intangible asset category used by the Company are as follows.
Trademark | | 20 years |
Technology | | 7 years |
Customer List | | 5 years |
Software technology | | 5 years |
(14) Video production and acquisition costs and licensed video copyrights
The Company contracts third parties for the production of, self produces and self-generates video copyrights for content to exhibit on its websites, and also licenses copyrights from other parties for content distribution on its websites ku6.com.
Video production and acquisition costs
Following the guidance under ASC 926-20-25, video production (which mainly include direct production costs and production overhead) and acquisition costs are capitalized, if the capitalization criteria are met, and are stated at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated fair value.
With respect to production and acquisition costs, until the Company can establish estimates of secondary market revenues, capitalized costs for each video produced are limited to the amount of revenues contracted for that video. The costs in excess of revenues contracted for that video are expensed as incurred on an actual basis, and are not restored as assets in subsequent periods. Once the Company can establish estimates of secondary market revenues in accordance with ASC 926-20-35-5(b), it capitalizes subsequent film costs.
Capitalized video production costs are amortized in accordance with the guidance in ASC 926-20-35-1 using the individual-film-forecast-computation method, based on the proportion of the revenues earned in a period to the estimated remaining unrecognized ultimate revenues as of the beginning of that period. The Company estimates total revenues to be earned (“ultimate revenues”) throughout the life of a video. Ultimate revenue estimates for the produced or acquired videos are periodically reviewed and adjustments, if any, will result in changes to amortization rates. Estimates used in calculating the fair value of the self produced content are based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. The capitalized costs are subject to assessment for impairment in accordance with ASC 926-20-35-12 to 35-18, if an event or change in circumstances indicates that the fair value is less than unamortized cost.
During each of the three years ended December 31, 2012, video production and acquisition costs did not meet the criteria for capitalization and as a result all the video production costs were expensed as incurred.
Licensed video copyrights
The licensed video copyrights are amortized over their respective licensing periods, which range from 1 to 3 years for all periods presented.
The licensed video copyrights are carried at the lower of amortized cost or net realizable value. Under the net realizable value approach, the Company determines the expected cash inflows that are directly attributed to the content category which comprise of the expected revenues directly attributable to the content category less the direct costs to deliver the content to derive the net realizable value of the asset. The Company writes down the carrying value of the licensed content if the estimated net future direct cash inflows from the licensed video copyrights over the licensing period are lower than the carrying amount.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
Amortization and write-down expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012 were nil (2011: $2,200,535) and nil (2011: $1,521,161), respectively.
(15) Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed as a result of the Group’s acquisitions. The Group’s goodwill is associated with the Group’s single reporting unit as of December 31, 2012.
The Group tests goodwill for impairment by performing a two-step goodwill impairment test, which can be preceded by an optional qualitative assessment to determine if the two-step goodwill impairment test needs to be followed. The optional qualitative assessment relies upon qualitative factors to determine if it is “more likely than not” (more than 50% probable) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit. The Group did not apply the qualitative assessment and proceeded directly to the two-step test. The first step compares the calculated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If, and only if, the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value as per step one, the second step is executed to compare the implied fair value of the affected reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in the first step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. This allocation process is only performed for purposes of evaluating goodwill impairment and does not result in an entry to adjust the value of any assets or liabilities. An impairment loss is recognized for any excess in the carrying value of goodwill over the implied fair value of goodwill.
For each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, fair value exceeded carrying value for the Group’s reporting unit and no further impairment evaluation was necessary
(16) Impairment of long-lived assets
The Group reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be recoverable. When these events occur, the Company measures impairment by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Company would recognize an impairment loss based on the fair value of the assets. The Company uses estimates and judgments in its impairment tests and if different estimates or judgments are utilized, the timing or the amount of the impairment charges could be different. No impairment provision was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2010; impairment of $1.4 million for a customer list intangible asset was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2011 as further discussed in Note 7; no impairment was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2012.
(17) Financial instruments
Financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepayments and other current assets, amounts due from/to related parties, short-term borrowings, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities. As of December 31, 2011 and 2012, their carrying values approximated their fair values because of their generally short maturities. There were no financial assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value at December 31, 2011 or 2012.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
(18) Revenue recognition and cost of revenues
In accordance with ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” the Company recognizes revenues when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, delivery has occurred and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenues are recorded net of sales taxes.
Online advertising services (post-2010 Reorganization business model)
The Group’s revenues are derived principally from online advertising services, where advertisers (including third parties and related parties) pay to place their advertisements on the Company’s online video platform in different formats. Such formats include but are not limited to banners, buttons, links, pre-roll or post-roll video advertisements.
Advertising contracts are signed to establish the price and advertising services to be provided. Advertisements are charged either based on the agreed measurement numbers, including but not limited to impressions and clicks, or fixed during a determined period of time. In the former case, the delivery of service occurs when those measurement numbers are achieved. In the latter case, the delivery is not linked to advertisement displays but occurs over the lapse of time.
Under arrangements with the advertisers that includes different formats to be delivered over different periods of time, the Group’s revenue is accounted for using the guidance under ASC 605-25, “Multiple Element Arrangement,” as such revenue arrangements involve multiple deliverables. The Group sells the advertising services over a broad price range. The Group uses its best estimate of the selling price of each component of a bundled advertising arrangements to allocate the arrangement consideration to the separate units of accounting (deliverables).
Under an arrangement with a related party advertising agency (Note 1 & 13), components of the arrangement include an arrangement for guaranteed advertising revenues and an arrangement for sharing of excess advertising revenues after deducting commission fees earned by the related party advertising agency based upon increasing percentages for additional tiers (layers) of revenues in excess of the guaranteed amount. There were no commission fees incurred for any historical periods, as the Group enjoyed a commission-free period in 2011 and earned minimum guaranteed revenues in 2012. The guaranteed advertising revenues and any excess advertising revenues net of commission fees are recognized ratably over varying service periods as governed by the specific agreements with the affiliated advertising agency, as the Group is able to timely obtain information to determine historical advertising revenues as a basis for preparing financial statements.
The Company reports the revenue earned from both related and third party ad agencies based on the net amount after considering the indicators to record revenue gross versus set forth in ASC 605-45, “Principal Agent Considerations.”
The Company makes credit assessments of customers to assess the collectability of contract amounts prior to entering into contracts. For those contracts for which the collectability is assessed as not reasonably assured, the Company recognizes revenue only when cash is received and all revenue recognition criteria are met.
For revenue arrangements contracted with third-party advertising agencies, the Company provides cash incentives in the form of rebates based on volume and performance, and accounts for such incentives as a reduction of revenue in accordance with ASC 605-50-25. The cash incentives to third-party advertising agencies in the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 were $1,374,030 and $72,464, respectively.
Costs of advertising revenues consist primarily of employee costs associated with platform operation and share-based compensation, depreciation expenses, internet bandwidth leasing costs, video production costs, and amortization and write-downs of licensed video copyrights.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
Wireless value-added services (pre-2010 Reorganization - discontinued operations (Note 2(1))
Wireless value-added service revenues were derived from providing personalized media, games, entertainment and communication services to mobile phone and personal handy phone (collectively “mobile phones”) customers of the various subsidiaries of the three major Chinese operators of telecommunication networks, China United Telecommunications Corporation (“China Unicom”), China Mobile Communications Corporation (“China Mobile”) and China Telecommunications Corporation (collectively, the “Telecom Operators”). Fees for these services, negotiated by network service agreements with the Telecom Operators and indicated in the messages received on mobile phones, were charged on a per-use basis or on a monthly subscription basis, and varied according to the type of services delivered.
The Company contracted with the Telecom Operators for the transmission of wireless services as well as for billing and collection services. The Telecom Operators provided the Company with monthly statements that represented the principal evidence that service had been delivered and triggered revenue recognition for a substantial portion of the Company’s revenue. In certain instances, when a statement was not received within a reasonable period of time, the Company made an estimate of the revenues and cost of services earned during the period covered by the statement based on its internally generated information, historical experience and/or other assumptions that were believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
The Company measured its revenues based on the total amount paid by mobile phone customers, for which the Telecom Operators billed and collected on the Company’s behalf. Accordingly, the service fees paid to the Telecom Operators were included in the cost of revenues. In addition, in respect of 2G services, the Telecom Operators charged the Company network fees based on a per message fee, which varied depending on the volume of messages sent in the relevant month, multiplied by the excess of messages sent over messages received. These network fees were likewise retained by the Telecom Operators and were reflected as cost of revenues. The cost of revenues also included fees paid to content providers and marketing partners, maintenance costs related to equipment used to provide the services, bandwidth leasing charges and data center services, alternative channels, media and related Internet costs, operator imposed penalty charges, and certain distribution costs.
The Company evaluated its cooperation arrangements with the Telecom Operators to determine whether to recognize the Company’s revenues on a gross basis or net of the service fees and net transmission charges paid to the Telecom Operators. The Company’s determination was based upon an assessment of whether it acted as a principal or agent when providing its services. The Company concluded that it acted as a principal in each of the arrangements. Factors that support the Company’s conclusion mainly included:
· the Company was the primary obligor in the arrangement;
· the Company was able to establish prices within price caps prescribed by the telecommunications operators to reflect or react to changes in the market;
· the Company determined the service specifications of the services it will be rendering;
· the Company was able to control the selection of its content suppliers; and
· The Telecom Operators usually would not pay the Company if users could not be billed or if users did not pay the Telecom Operators for services delivered and, as a result, the Company bore the delivery and billing risks for the revenues generated with respect to its services.
Based on these factors, the Company believed that recognizing revenues on a gross basis was appropriate. However, as noted above, the Company’s reported revenues were net of bad debt charges that had been deducted by the Telecom Operators.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
Recorded Music (pre-2010 Reorganization - discontinued operations (Note 2(1))
The Company was in the business of artist development, music production, offline music distribution, and online distribution through WVAS and the Internet. Recorded music revenues were derived from live performances, corporate sponsorship and advertising, online and wireless sales, and offline CD sales.
The Company generated revenues from the sale of CDs either by providing the CD master to a distributor or by directly arranging for the volume production and subsequent wholesale of the CDs. In the former case, the Company received a fixed fee, had no further obligations and recognized the fee as revenue when the master CD was provided. In the latter case, the Company shipped the produced CDs to retail distributors and recognized wholesale revenues at the time of shipment less a provision for future estimated returns.
The Company recognized artist performance fees and corporate sponsorship or marketing event fees once the performance or the service had been completed. In accordance with the relevant accounting standards for revenue recognition, corporate sponsorship arrangements involving multiple deliverables are broken into single-element arrangements using residual method for revenue recognition purpose. The Company recognized revenue on the service elements delivered and deferred the recognition of revenue for larger of the contractual cash holdback or the fair value of the undelivered service elements until the remaining obligations had been satisfied. The Company determined the fair value of undelivered service elements based on the price charged for the similar performance or marketing events on a standalone basis. Where the Company acted as the primary obligor in the transaction, revenues were recorded on a gross basis. Where the Company was considered an agent or where the artists separately contract with the event organizer, revenues were recorded on a net basis.
The Company licensed its music to third parties for guaranteed minimum royalty payments and normally received non-refundable upfront licensing fees. In such cases the Company recognized revenue on a straight-line basis over the license period and unrecognized revenues were included in liabilities. When the contract provided for additional payments if revenues exceed the minimum amount guaranteed, such amounts were included in revenues when the Company was notified of its entitlement to additional payments.
The Company incurred costs in producing CD masters, volume CD production, artist and songwriter royalties based on certain percentage of the revenue, and royalties payable to other parties for the use of their work. The cost of record masters, volume CD productions, and royalties paid in advance were recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets when the sales of the recording were expected to recover the cost and amortized as expenses over the revenue generating period, typically within one year. The decision to capitalize an advance to an artist, songwriter or other party required significant judgment as to the recoverability of these advances. Advances for royalties and other capitalized costs were regularly assessed for recoverability. The costs of ongoing royalties relating to the live performance, corporate sponsorship and advertising, online and wireless sales and offline CD sales to retail distributors were recognized as incurred.
Turnover taxes and related surcharges
The China subsidiaries and VIEs are subject to business tax or value added tax (“VAT”) and related surcharges on the revenues earned for services provided.
Relevant PRC authorities introduced, a turnover tax reform pilot program (the “Pilot Program”) in selected pilot cities in China for selected industries in 2012, to gradually expand the scope of VAT. The turnover tax reform pilot program was first implemented in Shanghai effective 1 January 2012. According to Circular Caishui [2012] No.71 (“Circular 71”), the Pilot Program was expanded to Beijing (effective September 1, 2012) and Tianjin (effective December 1, 2012) where the Group’sadvertising revenues are generated. Prior to the implementation of the Pilot Program, the Group’s business tax rate for advertising sales was 5% based on the gross advertising revenue before deducting the advertising agencies’ rebate. After the implementation of the Pilot Program in Beijing and Tianjin, the advertising business is now subject VAT rate at 6%. VAT payable on revenues generated by a general VAT taxpayer for a taxable period is the net balance of the output VAT for the period after crediting the input VAT for the period. If any of the Company’s subsidiaries is recognized as a small-scale VAT payer, the applicable VAT rate shall be 3%, and no creditable input VAT can be recognized. Business tax and related surcharges or VAT, as the case may be, are deducted from gross revenues to arrive at net revenues.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
(19) Product development expenses
Product development expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits for product development personnel, including share-based compensation costs. These costs are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established, at which time any additional costs would be capitalized. To date, the Company has essentially completed its development concurrently with the establishment of technological feasibility, and, accordingly, no costs have been capitalized.
(20) General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits for general management, finance and administrative personnel, bad debt provision, litigation accrual, depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangible assets, professional service fees, share-based compensation, office rental fees, and other expenses.
(21) Sales and marketing
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of sales and marketing personnel payroll compensation and related employee costs, advertising and market promotion expenses, and other overhead expenses incurred by the Group’s sales and marketing personnel.
(22) Advertising costs
The Group expenses advertising costs as incurred. Total advertising expenses were $210,987 for the years ended December 31 2010 pertaining to discontinued operations, and have been included in selling and marketing expenses and cost of revenues in discontinued operations. Total advertising expenses related to continuing operations were $6,086,030, $2,493,901 and $553,380 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, and were included in selling and marketing expenses within continuing operations.
(23) Share-based compensation
The Group applies ASC 718, which requires all share-based payments to employees and directors, including grants of employee stock options and restricted shares, to be recognized as compensation expense in the financial statements over the vesting periods of the awards based on the fair values of the awards determined at the grant date. The valuation provisions of ASC 718 apply to awards granted after the adoption of ASC 718, to awards granted to employees and directors before the adoption of ASC 718 whose related requisite services had not been provided, and to awards which were subsequently modified or cancelled. ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent period(s) if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates.
In accordance with ASC 718, the Group has recognized share-based compensation expenses, net of a forfeiture rate, using the straight-line method for awards with graded vesting features and service conditions only and using the graded-vesting attribution method for awards with graded vesting features and performance conditions. See Note 16 for further information on stock-based compensation.
(24) Leases
Leases where substantially all the rewards and risks of ownership of assets remain with the leasing company are accounted for as operating leases. Other leases, meaning those meeting the capitalization criteria in ASC 840, “Leases”, are accounted for as capital leases. Payments made under operating leases, net of any incentives received by the Company from the leasing company, are charged to the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss on a straight-line basis over the lease periods, as specified in the lease agreements, with reference to the actual number of users of the leased assets, as appropriate.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
(25) Taxation
Current income taxes are provided for on the taxable income of each subsidiary on the separate tax return basis in accordance with the relevant tax laws.
Deferred income taxes are provided using the liability method in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, net operating loss carry forwards and credits by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. The tax base of an asset or liability is the amount attributed to that asset or liability for tax purposes. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period of change. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
ASC 740-10-25 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company does not have any liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2011 or 2012. Were the Company to have such liabilities, interest and penalties would be recognized in tax expenses.
(26) Statutory reserves
The Company’s subsidiaries incorporated in the PRC and the VIEs are required on an annual basis to make appropriations of retained earnings set at certain percentage of after-tax profit determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations (“PRC GAAP”).
The Company’s subsidiaries must make appropriations to (i) general reserve and (ii) enterprise expansion fund in accordance with the Law of the PRC on Enterprises Operated Exclusively with Foreign Capital. The general reserve fund requires annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax profit (as determined under PRC GAAP at each year-end) until such fund has reached 50% of the company’s registered capital; enterprise expansion fund appropriation is at the PRC subsidiaries’ directors’ discretion. The Company’s VIEs, in accordance with the China Company Laws, must make appropriations to a (i) statutory reserve fund and (ii) discretionary surplus fund. The statutory reserve fund requires annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax profit (as determined under PRC GAAP at each year-end) until such fund has reached 50% of the company’s registered capital; other fund appropriation is at the VIEs’ directors’ discretion.
The general reserve fund and statutory reserve fund can only be used for specific purposes, such as setting off the accumulated losses, enterprise expansion or increasing the registered capital. The enterprise expansion fund can be used to expand production and operations; it also may be used for increasing registered capital.
Appropriations to these funds are classified in the consolidated balance sheets as statutory reserves. No appropriations were made during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012. There are no legal requirements in the PRC to fund these reserves by transfer of cash to restricted accounts, and the Company does not do so.
(27) Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to contingencies, such as legal proceedings and claims arising out of its business, that cover a wide range of matters. Liabilities for such contingencies are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated. See Note 21.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
(28) Earnings (loss) per share
Basic earnings (loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders per share is computed by dividing earnings (loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings (loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders’ per share is computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares and, if dilutive, potential ordinary shares outstanding during the year. Potential ordinary shares consist of shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt (using the “if-converted method”) and upon the exercise of stock options (using the “treasury stock method”). Potential ordinary shares are not included in the denominator of the diluted loss per share calculation when inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive.
For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, the dilutive effect of potential ordinary shares was not factored into the calculation as a net loss was incurred in each period.
(29) Comprehensive loss
Comprehensive loss is defined as the change in equity of a company during the period from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments from owners and distributions to owners. Accumulated other comprehensive loss, as presented on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consists of cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments included in other comprehensive income (loss), which are presented net of tax.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
(30) Recent accounting pronouncements
In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement: Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” Key provisions of the amendments in ASU 2011-04 include: (1) a prohibition on grouping financial instruments for purposes of determining fair value, except in limited cases; (2) an extension of the prohibition against the use of a blockage factor to all fair value measurements; and (3) a requirement that for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements, entities disclose quantitative information about unobservable inputs, a description of the valuation process used and qualitative details about the sensitivity of the measurements. For items not carried at fair value but for which fair value is disclosed, entities are required to disclose the level within the fair value hierarchy that applies to the fair value measurement disclosed. This Accounting Standards Update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and was adopted effective January 1, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements other than minimal additional qualitative disclosures in the footnote regarding fair value measurements.
In June 2011 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income: Presentation of Comprehensive Income”. The amendment requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-12, “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” This Update indefinitely deferred only the specific requirement in ASU 2011-05 to present reclassification adjustments for each component of other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements. ASU 2011-05 and ASU 2011-12 were effective retrospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and were adopted by the group effective January 1, 2012. In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which closed the indefinite deferral. Specifically, ASU 2013-02, which is effective, with only prospective disclosure required, for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2012, provides reporting entities the option to present the effect of reclassification adjustments either parenthetically on the face of the financial statements or in a separate dedicated footnote. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not impact the consolidated financial statements as the Group already presented, and presents, a continuous statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The adoption of ASU 2013-02 (beginning January 1, 2013) is expected to have minimal impact as the Group does not experience recurring reclassifications.
In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment” (ASU 2011-08). Under the revised guidance, entities testing for goodwill impairment have an option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value for the reporting unit, (i.e., Step 1 of the traditional goodwill impairment test). If an entity determines, on a basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount, the first step of the two-step impairment test would be required. If it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, then goodwill is not considered to be impaired. ASU 2011-08 does not change how goodwill is calculated or assigned to reporting units, nor does it revise the requirement to test goodwill at least annually for impairment. This ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and the Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not change, nor would it be expected to change, the conclusions reached in periodic impairment evaluations for goodwill; moreover, the Company utilized the traditional two-step quantitative approach for its single reporting unit.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
(31) Government Subsidies
Government subsidies represent discretionary cash subsidies granted by local governments to encourage the development of certain enterprises that are established in local special economic regions. The cash subsidies may be received in the form of (i) a fixed cash amount determined and provided by a municipal government to an operating subsidiary for product and service innovation, or (ii) an amount determined as a percentage of the income tax and business tax actually paid by an operating subsidiary.
Cash subsidies have no defined rules and regulations to govern the criteria necessary for companies to enjoy the benefits and are recognized as other income when received.
For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, cash subsidies of $58,025, $1,265,182 and $1,514,570 were recognized as other income, respectively.
(32) Segment reporting
Based on the criteria established by ASC 280, the authoritative accounting guidance for segment reporting, prior to the 2010 Reorganization, the Company operated and managed two principal operating segments, “WVAS” and “Recorded Music”; post 2010 Reorganization, the Company currently operates and manages its business as a single operating segment “Online Advertising” (Note 17).
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
3. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
2010 acquisitions
On January 18, 2010, the predecessor entity Hurray! completed the acquisition of Ku6 Holding and its subsidiaries and VIEs, a leading online video portal in China, pursuant to the share purchase agreement entered into by and among Hurray!, Ku6 Holding and the shareholders of Ku6 Holding dated as of November 26, 2009 by issuing an aggregate of 723,684,204 ordinary shares, of which 44,438,100 replaced the options issued by Ku6 Holding and immediately vested without substantive future service requirements. After the completion of this acquisition, the Company owned 100% of the equity interests of Ku6 Holding and its subsidiaries and VIEs. The total fair value of the shares issued approximated $28.9 million based on the share price on the closing date and the difference amounting to $1,284,766 between the fair value of the 44,438,100 shares issued and the fair value of options issued by Ku6 Holding at acquisition date attributable to the pre-combination portion was recorded as share-based compensation expense in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition and the purchase price allocation.
Total purchase price: | | | |
Ordinary shares issued to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Ku6 Holding | | 27,101,920 | |
Ordinary shares issued to replace the options issued by Ku6 Holding | | 1,773,080 | |
Share based compensation related to post combination portion | | (1,284,766 | ) |
| | 27,590,234 | |
| | | | Amortization period | |
Aggregate purchase price allocation –Ku6 Holding: | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | 329,743 | | | |
Accounts receivable | | 3,264,513 | | | |
Other current assets | | 811,845 | | | |
Acquired intangible assets: | | | | | |
Trademark | | 24,901,940 | | 20 years | |
Software technology | | 2,197,230 | | 7 years | |
Customer base | | 1,464,820 | | 5 years | |
Non-current deferred tax liability | | (4,826,059 | ) | | |
Goodwill | | 6,232,770 | | | |
Property and equipment, net | | 3,652,599 | | | |
Other non-current assets | | 937,485 | | | |
Current liabilities | | (11,376,652 | ) | | |
Total | | 27,590,234 | | | |
Total identifiable intangible assets acquired upon consolidation mainly included trademark(s), software technology, and customer base, which have a weighted average amortization period of 18.2 years.
Goodwill primarily represented the expected synergies from combining operations of the Company and Ku6 Holding, which are complementary in a way to each other, and any other intangible benefits that do not qualify for separate recognition. Such goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The fair value of intangible assets was measured primarily by the income approach taking into consideration historical financial performance and estimates of future performance of Ku6 Holding’s business.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
Ku6 Holding is subject to claims and litigation which may arise in the normal course of business. As of and subsequent to the acquisition date on January 18, 2010, Ku6 Holding was involved in a number of cases in various courts and arbitrations. These cases are substantially related to alleged copyright infringement arising before the acquisition. Accordingly, liabilities from contingencies assumed of $1,631,359 in relation to those cases were recognized in the current liabilities upon acquisition. The compensation amount was based on judgments handed down by the court and out-of-court settlements or management’s best estimation based on the historical actual compensation amount in recent years and the advice from PRC counsel. There are no accruals for any additional losses related to unasserted claims as there was no manifestation of claims and the amount cannot be reasonably estimated.
The Company completed its acquisition of Ku6 Holding on January 18, 2010 and began to consolidate the financial statements of Ku6 Holding upon unilateral control from February 1, 2010. The amount of Ku6 Holding’s consolidated revenue and net loss for the eleven months ended December 31, 2010 included in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss was $14,101,171 and $45,165,985.
The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information reflects the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, as if the acquisition of Ku6 Holding had occurred as of January 1, 2010 and after giving effect to purchase accounting adjustments primarily relating to the amortization of intangibles. The following pro forma financial information has been prepared for comparative purpose only and is not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been had the acquisitions been completed at the beginning of the period presented, nor is it indicative of future operating results.
| | Year ended December 31, 2010 | |
| | (unaudited) | |
Net revenues | | 16,787,493 | |
Net loss attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. | | (56,033,640 | ) |
Loss per ADS- basic and diluted: | | (1.81 | ) |
The pro forma net loss for the year ended December 31, 2010 includes $1,851,951 for the amortization of identifiable intangible assets arising from the acquisition of Ku6 Holding.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
4. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Disposal of WVAS and recorded music businesses (2010 Reorganization)
In May 2010, the Company disposed of Huayi Music to Huayi Media for RMB 34,450,000 (equivalent to $5,045,754) in cash and in August 2010, the Company disposed all of its WVAS and remaining recorded music businesses to Shanda for $37,243,904 in cash. See Note 2(1).
A summary of the major financial information for the discontinued operations of WVAS and recorded music businesses as of August 31, 2010 and for the eight month period ended August 31, 2010 is set out below:
| | August 31, 2010 | |
Current assets: | | | |
Cash | | 24,948,577 | |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance | | 5,402,738 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 2,610,863 | |
| | 32,962,178 | |
Non-current assets: | | | |
Property and equipment, net | | 943,258 | |
Intangible assets | | 766,847 | |
Goodwill | | 1,998,821 | |
Other non-current assets | | 300,532 | |
| | 4,009,458 | |
Current liabilities: | | | |
Accounts payable | | 4,337,542 | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | 7,034,894 | |
| | 11,372,436 | |
Non-current liabilities: | | | |
Non-current deferred tax liabilities | | 186,528 | |
Other non-current liabilities | | 12,322 | |
| | 198,850 | |
| | | |
Non-controlling interests: | | 1,717,533 | |
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
| | Eight months ended August 31, 2010 | |
| | | |
Total net revenues | | 14,844,408 | |
Loss from operations | | (3,460,316 | ) |
Income tax benefit (expense) | | 25,584 | |
Net loss | | (3,382,438 | ) |
| | | |
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests | | 243,666 | |
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | | (3,138,772 | ) |
Gain from disposal of Huayi Music, net of tax | | 4,486,786 | |
| | | |
Total net income from discontinued operations, net of tax | | 1,348,014 | |
5. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of:
| | December 31, 2011 | | December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | |
Prepaid expenses | | 431,560 | | 309,503 | |
Advances to suppliers | | 242,932 | | 158,825 | |
Staff advances and other receivables | | 209,852 | | 55,053 | |
| | 884,344 | | 523,381 | |
6. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment, net, consists of:
| | December 31, 2011 | | December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | |
Furniture and office equipment | | 1,055,377 | | 696,780 | |
Telecommunications equipment | | 3,450,208 | | 4,699,800 | |
Leasehold improvements | | 1,230,327 | | 1,344,800 | |
| | 5,735,912 | | 6,741,380 | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | | (2,143,167 | ) | (3,823,268 | ) |
| | 3,592,745 | | 2,918,112 | |
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 was $3,265,975, $3,409,647 and $1,941,761, respectively.
The Company acquired $1,231,013 in additional property and equipment in 2012 (2011: $2,428,694).
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
7. ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
| | December 31, 2011 | |
| | Gross carrying amount | | Accumulated amortization | | Intangible assets abandonment (Note 2(16)) | | Net carrying amount | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Trademark | | 24,901,940 | | (2,386,436 | ) | — | | 22,515,504 | |
Technology | | 2,197,230 | | (601,623 | ) | — | | 1,595,607 | |
Customer list | | 1,464,820 | | (415,032 | ) | (1,049,788 | ) | — | |
Software technology | | 823,273 | | (507,685 | ) | (315,588 | ) | — | |
| | 29,387,263 | | (3,910,776 | ) | (1,365,376 | ) | 24,111,111 | |
| | December 31, 2012 | |
| | Gross carrying amount | | Accumulated amortization | | Net carrying amount | |
| | | | | | | |
Trademark | | 24,901,940 | | (3,631,533 | ) | 21,270,407 | |
Technology | | 2,197,230 | | (915,513 | ) | 1,281,717 | |
| | 27,099,170 | | (4,547,046 | ) | 22,552,124 | |
Amortization expenses for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 were $2,000,237, $1,787,796 and $1,558,987, respectively.
Following the Company’s business strategy adjustment during 2011, the Company appointed Shengyue as its primary agency for online advertising sales. As a result, the customer list intangible associated with the original business model was abandoned by the Company, and the unamortised balance was written off through general and administrative expenses.
In relation to the disposition of 80% of the equity interests in Yisheng (Note 2(1)(a)) during 2011, the software technology intangible assets related to Yisheng was fully impaired. The unamortised balance was written off through general and administrative expenses.
Assuming no subsequent impairment of the identified intangible assets recorded as of December 31, 2012, amortization expenses for the net carrying amount of intangible assets are expected to be as follows in future years.
2013 | | 1,558,987 | |
2014 | | 1,558,987 | |
2015 | | 1,558,987 | |
2016 | | 1,558,987 | |
2017 and later | | 16,316,176 | |
| | 22,552,124 | |
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
8. INVESTMENTS IN EQUITY AFFILIATES
In August 2011, the Company disposed of an 80% equity interest to related parties and a then employee of the Company, and retained a 20% equity interest in Yisheng (Note 2(1)(a)). The Company evaluated its remaining interest in Yisheng under relevant guidance in ASC 810 and ASC 323, pertaining to consolidation and equity method accounting, respectively. The Company determined that it does not have a controlling financial interest in the investee, but rather possesses significant influence. Accordingly, the Company has accounted for this investment under the equity method. The investment was recorded based on the interest percentage of Yisheng’s equity fair value after reflecting a capital contribution by Shanda to Yisheng. As of December 31, 2012, the investment in Yisheng had been reduced to nil as a result of the Group’s equity share of losses and after giving effect to the impact of foreign currency translation.
| | December 31, 2010 | | Equity Investment | | Share of loss | | Foreign currency translation | | December 31, 2011 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity interest in Yisheng | | — | | 522,252 | | (263,313 | ) | (3,658 | ) | 255,281 | |
| | December 31, 2011 | | Share of loss | | Foreign currency translation | | December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Equity interest in Yisheng | | 255,281 | | (252,585 | ) | (2,696 | ) | — | |
9. GOODWILL
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill from significant acquisitions are as follows.
January 1, 2011 | | 6,896,340 | |
Goodwill transferred out due to disposal of Yisheng | | (663,570 | ) |
December 31, 2011 | | 6,232,770 | |
Changes in goodwill | | — | |
December 31, 2012 | | 6,232,770 | |
ASC Topic 350 requires that the goodwill impairment assessment be performed at the reporting unit level. The Company performed an impairment test at the reporting unit level and concluded that there was no impairment as to the carrying value of goodwill as of December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
When available, the Company uses observable market data, including pricing on recent closed market transactions, to determine the fair value of its reporting unit(s) and compares such data with carrying amounts of its reporting unit(s) to assess any potential goodwill impairment. The fair value of reporting units was determined based on the market capitalization of the respective entities as of the valuation date. When there is little or no observable market data, the Company measures the fair value of each reporting unit primarily using the income approach and using the market approach as a validation of the value derived from income approach. The market approach included using financial metrics and ratios of comparable public companies. When the goodwill is determined to be impaired, the Company uses an income approach including discounted cash flow modeling for each reporting unit and unobservable inputs including assumptions of projected revenue, expenses, capital spending, and other costs, as well as a discount rate calculated based on the risk profile of the related industry to determine the amount of any impairment.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
As of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012, the carrying amount of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepayments and other current assets, amounts due from/to related parties, short-term borrowings, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximated fair value due to their short maturities. Accounts receivable, prepayments and other current assets, amounts due from/to related parties, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities, which are measured at carrying value, would represent Level 3 fair value measurement if carried at fair value due to the presence of significant unobservable inputs. In a similar fashion, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and short-term borrowings would represent Level 2 measurements due to the presence of significant observable inputs such as interest rates.There are no financial assets or liabilities that are being measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2011 or December 31, 2012.
On a non-recurring basis, the Group tests its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. The Company measures the fair value of long-lived assets based using discounted cash flow modelling and unobservable inputs including assumptions of projected revenue, expenses, capital spending, and other costs, as well as a discount rate calculated based on the risk profile of the online video industry. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, the Group recognized impairment losses of nil, $1.4 million and nil for its intangible assets, respectively. The Group has not presented tabular disclosures or further qualitative information regarding fair value for these level 3-classified assets because the related assets have been fully written off in 2011; accordingly, the related fair values are zero since then. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of the impairment provision relating to the acquired intangible assets.
11. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
On September 28, 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with a PRC bank to borrow RMB20 million ($3,177,680) for the period from September 29, 2011 to September 28, 2012. The interest rate was 6.89% per annum. The loan was pledged by a certificate of deposit of $3.6 million reflected as restricted cash. The Company repaid this short-term borrowing in 2012.
12. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of:
| | December 31, 2011 | | December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | |
Accrued litigation provision | | 2,683,968 | | 2,077,753 | |
Accrued payroll | | 2,675,282 | | 1,951,347 | |
Accrued professional service fees | | 978,602 | | 1,766,673 | |
Accrued welfare benefits | | 1,297,147 | | 1,367,536 | |
Advances from customers | | 722,553 | | 415,475 | |
Business tax payable | | 472,534 | | 287,365 | |
Value-added tax payable | | — | | 158,292 | |
Other accrued expenses | | 713,719 | | 891,605 | |
Other taxes payable | | 472,845 | | 437,438 | |
| | 10,016,650 | | 9,353,484 | |
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES
Related Parties of Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. (both pre- and post-2010 Reorganization)
Entity | | Relationship to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. |
Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited (“Shanda”) | | Controlling shareholder |
Shanda Computer (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“Shanda Computer”) | | Wholly owned affiliate of Shanda |
Shanghai Shulong Computer Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Shulong Computer”) | | Consolidated affiliate of Shanda Games Limited |
Shanghai Shulong Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Shulong”) | | Consolidated affiliate of Shanda Games Limited |
Chengdu Jisheng Technology Co., Ltd. (“Chengdu Jisheng”) | | Wholly owned affiliate of Shanda |
Shanghai Shengyue Advertising Co., Ltd. (“Shengyue”) | | Wholly owned affiliate of Shanda |
Shanda Media Group Ltd. (“Shanda Media”) | | Wholly owned affiliate of Shanda |
Shanda Capital Limited. (“Shanda Capital”) | | Wholly owned affiliate of Shanda |
Shanda Games Ltd. (“Shanda Games”) | | Affiliate under common control of Shanda |
Hurray! Media Co., Ltd. | | Wholly owned affiliate of Shanda |
Seed Music Group Limited | | Wholly owned affiliate of Shanda |
Hurray! Solutions Ltd. | | Wholly owned affiliate of Shanda |
Post-2010 Reorganization Related Party Activities
Following the Reorganization in August 2010, the Group receives advertising revenues from and pays promotional service fees to companies under common control by Shanda. Accordingly, certain revenues from the sale of advertising resources to sister entities, and related party costs of revenue, are separately classified in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. From time to time, the Group also lends cash resources to (or borrows cash resources from) other companies under common control by Shanda based upon its U.S. or RMB-denominated cash resource positions and the related resources and needs of other companies under common control by Shanda. These lending (borrowing) transactions are reflected as investing (financing) activities, respectively, in the consolidated statement of cash flows and are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet (and below in this Note) as other receivables due from, or other payables due to, related parties. A detailed discussion of related party activity pre-dating the 2010 Reorganization is not included herein as such activity relates to operations which have been divested (Note 4).
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
Annual Related Party Activities
During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 significant related party transactions occurring during the annual periods were as follows.
| | Year ended December 31, 2010 | | Year ended December 31, 2011 | | Year ended December 31, 2012 | |
Related party transactions in continuing operations: | | | | | | | |
Advertising revenue received from companies under common control by Shanda | | 701,732 | | 8,076,155 | | 12,481,927 | |
Promotion service fee paid to companies under common control by Shanda | | 376,302 | | 379,465 | | — | |
Loan borrowing from Shanghai Shulong Computer Technology Co., Ltd. | | — | | 6,832,012 | | — | |
Loan borrowing from Shanghai Shulong Technology Co., Ltd. | | 3,030,711 | | 6,503,884 | | — | |
Loan borrowing from Shanda Computer (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. * | | 1,565,290 | | — | | — | |
Loan repayment from Shanda Games Limited | | — | | — | | 13,900,000 | |
Loan repayment to Shanghai Shulong Computer Technology Co., Ltd. | | — | | — | | 6,769,544 | |
Loan repayment to Shanghai Shulong Technology Co., Ltd. | | — | | 3,189,527 | | 3,135,076 | |
Loan to Shanda Games Limited | | 3,200,000 | | 14,000,000 | | — | |
Loan to Shanda Capital Limited | | — | | — | | 470,000 | |
Loan interest income from Shanda Games Limited | | — | | 108,019 | | 246,178 | |
Loan interest income from Shanda Capital Limited | | — | | — | | 10,575 | |
Convertible Bond issued to Shanda Media (Note 1) | | — | | 50,000,000 | | — | |
Convertible Bond redeemed from Shanda Media (Note 1) | | — | | 50,000,000 | | — | |
Interest expense for loan from companies under common control by Shanda | | — | | 688,952 | | 448,011 | |
Interest expense of Convertible Bond issued to Shanda Media (Note 1) | | — | | 375,000 | | — | |
*Borrowing is not reflected in “other payables due to related parties” as the liability was incurred by the Company’s formerly consolidated subsidiary Yisheng, which was deconsolidated in 2011 (Note 8). The loan was assumed by the acquiring parties of Yisheng and de-recognized upon deconsolidation.
The Company entered into a cooperative agreement with Shengyue, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shanda in 2011. Under this agreement, Shengyue was appointed as the Company’s primary agency to secure advertisement from various end advertisers. The Company provides advertising capacity/spots (i.e. headlines, banners, short video, etc) to Shengyue on its online video portal. This cooperative agreement coversed a period of 1 year and 9 months commencing April 1, 2011. During the testing period from April 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011, Shengyue did not guarantee a minimum revenue stream to the Company, nor was the Company obligated for any commission fee. Following the testing period, the “commission free period” started from July 1, 2011 and ended on December 31, 2011, and during the period Shengyue guaranteed minimum advertising revenue for each fiscal quarter to the Company; however, the commission fee was waived in this period. Commencing January 1, 2012, in addition to the guaranteed minimum revenue, the Company was obligated for commission fees based on certain percentages of the advertising revenue volume. There were no commission fees incurred for any historical periods, as the Group enjoyed the commission-free period in 2011 and earned minimum guaranteed revenues in 2012.
In March 2012, the Company provided a $0.5 million unsecured loan to Shanda Capital Limited, a company controlled by Shanda Interactive, which carries an interest rate of 3% per year and was due on March 25, 2013; its terms are in the process of being extended.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
Year-End Related Party Balances
At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012, the amounts receivable from and payable to related parties included in the consolidated balance sheet mainly represent the outstanding amounts arising from the transactions described in the preceding section.
Accounts Receivable balances due from related parties are as follows:
| | December 31, 2011 | | December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | |
Shanghai Shengyue Advertising Co., Ltd. | | 2,649,385 | | 4,333,797 | |
Other companies under common control by Shanda | | 90,794 | | 65,240 | |
| | 2,740,179 | | 4,399,037 | |
Other balances with related parties are as follows:
| | December 31, 2011 | | December 31, 2012 | |
Other receivables due from related parties | | | | | |
Shanda Games Limited | | 17,308,019 | | 3,389,567 | |
Hurray! Media Co., Ltd. | | 1,246,641 | | 1,246,641 | |
Seed Music Group Limited | | 980,000 | | 980,000 | |
Shanda Capital Limited | | — | | 480,575 | |
Other companies under common control by Shanda | | 4,609 | | — | |
| | 19,539,269 | | 6,096,783 | |
All amounts due from related parties are non-interest bearing, unsecured and receivable on demand except for the receivables due from Shanda Games Limited and Shanda Capital Limited with an annual interest rate of 3% and from Seed Music Group Limited with an annual interest rate of 0.6%.
| | December 31, 2011 | | December 31, 2012 | |
Other payables due to related parties | | | | | |
Shanghai Shulong Technology Co. Ltd | | 6,345,068 | | 3,404,497 | |
Shanghai Shulong Computer Technology Co., Ltd | | 6,832,012 | | — | |
Other related party | | 375,000 | | 375,000 | |
| | 13,552,080 | | 3,779,497 | |
All amounts due to related parties are non-interest bearing, unsecured and payable on demand with annual interest rates ranging from 5.05% to 6.71%.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
14. INCOME TAXES
The Company is a tax exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. The subsidiaries or VIEs in the PRC are subject to PRC Enterprise Income Tax at a corporate income tax rate of 25%. There are no reduced tax rates afforded to the Group’s PRC entities.
Provision (benefit) for income taxes is comprised as follows for each annual period.
| | Year ended December 31, 2010 | | Year ended December 31, 2011 | | Year ended December 31,2012 | |
| | | | | | | |
Current income taxes from discontinued operations | | 6,229 | | — | | — | |
Deferred income taxes from discontinued operations | | (31,813 | ) | — | | — | |
Current income taxes from continuing operations | | — | | — | | — | |
Deferred income taxes from continuing operations | | (41,172 | ) | (99,479 | ) | — | |
| | (66,756 | ) | (99,479 | ) | — | |
The principal components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
| | December 31, 2011 | | December 31, 2012 | |
Current deferred tax assets (liabilities): | | | | | |
Cost and expense accruals | | 2,810,508 | | 1,754,349 | |
Revenue recognition | | (173,502 | ) | 771,061 | |
Less: valuation allowance | | (2,637,006 | ) | (2,525,410 | ) |
Current deferred tax assets, net | | — | | — | |
| | | | | |
Non-current deferred tax assets (liabilities): | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 1,748,889 | | 631,747 | |
Net operating loss carry forwards | | 18,450,814 | | 21,146,362 | |
Less: valuation allowance | | (20,199,703 | ) | (21,778,109 | ) |
Non-current deferred tax assets, net | | — | | — | |
| | | | | |
Intangible assets | | (4,826,059 | ) | (4,826,059 | ) |
Non-current deferred tax liabilities | | (4,826,059 | ) | (4,826,059 | ) |
A reconciliation between the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25% and the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows. The primary driver of the Company’s effective tax rate in each annual period are adjustments to the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets that are, as assessed under ASC 740, likely to not be realized in the foreseeable future.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
| | Year ended December 31, 2010 | | Year ended December 31, 2011 | | Year ended December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | | | |
Statutory tax rate | | 25.0 | % | 25.0 | % | 25.0 | % |
Differential statutory tax rates | | (3.3 | )% | (7.9 | )% | (4.7 | )% |
Non-deductible expenses | | 0.4 | % | (7.9 | )% | (1.5 | )% |
Change in valuation allowance | | (22.0 | )% | (9.0 | )% | (18.8 | )% |
Effective tax rate | | 0.1 | % | 0.2 | % | 0.0 | % |
The movement of valuation allowances were as follows:
| | Year ended December 31, 2010 | | Year ended December 31, 2011 | | Year ended December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | | | |
At beginning of year | | (8,309,621 | ) | (19,122,901 | ) | (22,836,709 | ) |
Acquisition of Ku6 | | (6,123,900 | ) | — | | — | |
Current year additions | | (14,292,925 | ) | (4,452,155 | ) | (1,415,765 | ) |
Current year reversals | | 1,404,205 | | 1,591,018 | | 180,965 | |
Transferred out due to disposal of WVAS and recorded music businesses | | 8,433,935 | | — | | — | |
Effect of exchange rate changes | | (234,595 | ) | (852,671 | ) | (232,009 | ) |
| | (19,122,901 | ) | (22,836,709 | ) | (24,303,518 | ) |
At December 31, 2011 and 2012, tax loss carry forwards (on a gross basis prior to measurement via the tax rate) amounted to approximately $73.8 million and $84.6 million, respectively, which will expire by various years through 2017. The Company’s tax loss carry forwards exist only in the PRC, where the carry forward period is limited to five years. The Company determines whether or not a valuation allowance is required at the level of each taxable entity within a tax jurisdiction. A valuation allowance of $22,836,709 and $24,303,518 has been established as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively, in respect of all deferred tax assets as it is considered more likely than not that the relevant deferred tax assets will not be realized in the foreseeable future. At December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, all of the Company’s deferred tax assets were fully reserved through valuation allowances.
As noted in Note 2(25), the Company accounts for the financial statement effects of uncertain tax positions under the provisions of ASC 740-10. At December 31, 2011 and 2012, there were no liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits as the Company did not have any significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition and measurement under ASC 740-10.
In accordance with the PRC EIT Law, dividends which arise from profits of foreign invested enterprises (“FIEs”) earned after January 1, 2008, are subject to a 10% withholding income tax if and when remitted.
Since there are no undistributed earnings of the Company’s subsidiaries located in the PRC that are available for distribution at December 31, 2011 and 2012 given the accumulated loss positions of the Company’s subsidiaries, no provision has been made for withholding taxes. Further, the Company does not have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on its ordinary shares in the foreseeable future and intends to retain most of its available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of its business in the PRC.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
15. REPURCHASE OF SHARES
Pursuant to a share repurchase program announced December 30, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to US$3.2 million of its outstanding ADSs from time to time, based on market conditions. In 2012, the Company repurchased and immediately retired a total of 99,585 ADS for aggregate consideration of $97,695 from unrelated third parties, at a weighted average price of $0.98 per ADS.
In a separate transaction distinct from the Company’s ongoing share repurchase program, as authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company repurchased and immediately retired in July 2012 a total of 269,409,276 ordinary shares and 79,717 ADSs (each ADS representing 100 ordinary shares) formerly held by several former senior members of management and an investment entity controlled by one of those individuals, at a price of $0.0291 per share (US$2.91 per ADS) for a total of $8,071,786. The Board of Directors had approved this transaction, taking into consideration a number of factors, including but not limited to the following: (i) the nature and timing of such share repurchase, (ii) the repurchase price of those ordinary shares and ADSs, (iii) the possible impact of such share repurchase on the ADS price, (iv) the price movements and liquidity of the Company’s ADSs and the stock market environment, (v) the Company’s financial condition, and (vi) the Company’s plans and alternative uses of its capital resources. The Board of Directors had received a fairness opinion from an independent financial advisor and concluded that the repurchase price of those ordinary shares and ADSs was within a reasonable indicative range of fair value. Given the high volatility of the Company’s ADS price, which ranged from $0.90 per ADS to $3.30 per ADS during 2012 (based upon quoted closing prices), coupled with the thinly traded volume, it was not possible to rely solely upon past or current quoted market prices at the time to establish an appropriate indicative range of fair value. Therefore, the fairness opinion considered a range of valuation techniques, coupled with the Company’s historical and projected financial results, to establish a reasonable indicative range of fair value, which, based upon the facts and circumstances that existed at the time, supported the repurchase price as was approved by the Board of Directors. This repurchase was approved by shareholders at the annual general meeting of shareholders on July 12, 2012 and consummated on July 13, 2012. All the repurchased shares were cancelled upon repurchase.
The excess of the repurchase price above par value for all repurchase transactions was recorded as a charge to additional paid in capital.
16. EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
2004 Share Incentive Plan
Stock options
Ku6 Media’s 2004 Share Incentive Plan (“2004 Plan”) allows the Company to offer incentive awards to employees, directors, consultants or external service advisors of the Company. Under the terms of the Plan, options were generally granted at prices equal to or greater than the fair market value on the grant date, expire 10 years from the date of grant, and generally vest over 3-4 years.
Stock options under these plans were all granted prior to 2006 and as of January 1, 2006 all granted stock options were vested. There were 43,746,700 and 34,669,372 options outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Pursuant to the resolution of the Company’s board on December 3, 2010, the 185,550,800 remaining ordinary shares available for future grants under the 2004 Plan were terminated and unavailable for future use.
The movements in stock options under the 2004 Share Incentive Plan as of and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 are set out below:
| | Options Outstanding | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |
| | | | $ | | | | $ | |
Outstanding at January 1, 2010 | | 45,582,700 | | 0.080 | | 3.63 | | 147,478 | |
Granted | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Exercised | | (450,000 | ) | 0.045 | | — | | — | |
Cancelled or Expired | | (548,000 | ) | 0.113 | | — | | — | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2010 | | 44,584,700 | | 0.080 | | 2.63 | | 226,985 | |
Granted | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Exercised | | (150,000 | ) | 0.025 | | — | | — | |
Cancelled or Expired | | (688,000 | ) | 0.096 | | — | | — | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2011 | | 43,746,700 | | 0.079 | | 1.62 | | — | |
Granted | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Exercised | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Forfeited | | (9,077,328 | ) | 0.025 | | — | | — | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2012 | | 34,669,372 | | 0.094 | | 0.89 | | — | |
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2012 | | 34,669,372 | | 0.094 | | 0.89 | | — | |
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2012 | | 34,669,372 | | 0.094 | | 0.89 | | — | |
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
The aggregate intrinsic values are calculated as the differences between the market value of $0.0495, $0.0120 and $0.0106 of ordinary shares as of December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, and the exercise prices of the shares. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 was approximately nil.
2010 Equity Compensation Plan
In December 2010, the Company authorized an equity compensation plan (“2010 Equity Compensation Plan”) that provides for issuance of options to purchase up to 698,381,300 ordinary shares of the Company. Under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan, the directors may, at their discretion, grant any officers (including directors) and employees of the Company and/or its subsidiaries, and individual consultant or advisor (i) options to subscribe for ordinary shares, (ii) share appreciation rights to receive payment, in cash and/or the Company’ ordinary shares, equals to the excess of the fair market value of the Company’ ordinary shares, or (iii) other types of compensation based on the performance of the Company’ ordinary shares.
On December 4, 2010, the Company granted stock options to purchase up to 516,750,000 ordinary shares under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan at an exercise price of $0.0568 per share equivalent to the average market value in the previous fifteen trading days of the grant dates to its employees, senior management and directors. Of all the stock options granted, 272,850,000 were granted to senior management and 243,900,000 were granted to directors and employees. The contract term of the options granted to the directors and employees is six years and the contract term of the options granted to senior management is seven years.
On February 24, 2011, the Company granted stock options to purchase up to 62,000,000 ordinary shares under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan at an exercise price of $0.0392 per share to its employees, senior management and directors. Of all the stock options granted, 9,000,000 ordinary shares were granted to directors of the company and 53,000,000 were granted to the senior management and employees of Shanda. The contract term of the options is six years.
On July 6, 2011, the Company granted stock options to purchase up to 147,643,000 ordinary shares under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan at an exercise price of $0.03083 per share to its employees. The contract term of the options is six years.
On August 23, 2011, the Company granted stock options to purchase up to 162,500,000 ordinary shares under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan at an exercise price of $0.0227 per share to its employees, senior management and directors. Of all the stock options granted, 112,000,000 were granted to senior management of the company, 15,000,000 were granted to directors of the company, and 35,500,000 were granted to the senior management and employees of Shanda. The contractual term of the options is six years.
On October 14, 2011, the Company granted stock options to purchase up to 21,000,000 ordinary shares under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan at an exercise price of $0.0188 per share to its senior management. The contract term of the options is six years.
On August 28, 2012, the Company granted stock options to purchase up to 28,500,000 ordinary shares under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan at an exercise price of $0.0116 per share to its employees. The contract term of the options is six years.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
As of December 31, 2012, 393,125,300 ordinary shares were available for future grants under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan.
The options granted to directors and employees vest over a four year period, with 25% of the options to vest on each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date as stipulated in the stock option agreements.
The options granted to senior management vest in 16 instalments. The first 2 of 16 instalments - options earned in the first two quarters after the grant date - shall vest and become exercisable at the first anniversary of the grant date. There are no performance conditions attached to the first 2 instalments. For each quarter during the four-year period after the grant date (the “Performance Period Start Date”), one 1/16th instalment of the total options have the opportunity to be earned for each quarter contingent on the achievement of positive quarterly operating income for the quarter, provided the aggregate number of options earned in the Performance Period shall not exceed 14 of the 16 instalments comprising the total options granted. On each of the first, fourth, eighth and twelfth quarter earnings release dates from the first quarter of the Performance Period, all of the earned options during the four quarters preceding such earnings release date shall vest and become exercisable, in each case, provided that the employment with the Company remains on such vesting date.
In relation to the business strategy adjustments in 2011 (Note 1), the Company significantly reduced its sales forces, and certain directors, senior management and employees resigned from the Company. Accordingly, the options granted to such directors, senior managements and employees were forfeited.
In accordance with ASC Topic 718, the Company recognizes share-based compensation expense for the options granted to directors and employees as well as the options to senior management vested only based on passage of time and continued employment with the Company, net of a forfeiture rate, using the straight-line method. For the options granted to senior management earned contingent on the achievement of quarterly performance target, the Company recognized share-based compensation expenses for the options earned in each quarter during the Performance Period using the graded-vesting attribution method when the Company concludes that it is probable that the performance targets will be achieved, net of a forfeiture rate.
Share-based compensation expense related to the stock options granted by the Company to its employees, senior management and directors under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan amounted to $1,231,919 and $463,753 for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Share-based compensation expense related to the option awards granted by the Company to the directors, senior management and employees of Shanda under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan amounted to $257,230 and $350,761 for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively, which was recognized as a dividend distributed to Shanda.
The movements in stock options under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan as of and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 are set out below.
| | Options Outstanding | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |
| | | | $ | | | | $ | |
Outstanding at January 1, 2010 | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Granted | | 516,750,000 | | 0.0568 | | — | | — | |
Exercised | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Cancelled or Expired | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2010 | | 516,750,000 | | 0.0568 | | 6.46 | | — | |
Granted | | 393,143,000 | | 0.0281 | | — | | — | |
Exercised | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Cancelled or Expired | | (507,067,000 | ) | 0.0517 | | — | | — | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2011 | | 402,826,000 | | 0.0352 | | 5.47 | | — | |
Granted | | 28,500,000 | | 0.0116 | | — | | — | |
Exercised | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Forfeited | | (126,070,000 | ) | 0.0367 | | — | | — | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2012 | | 305,256,000 | | 0.0324 | | 4.57 | | — | |
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2012 | | 278,013,600 | | 0.0314 | | 4.61 | | — | |
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2012 | | 76,314,000 | | 0.0324 | | 4.57 | | — | |
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
The intrinsic value as of December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 is calculated as the difference between the market value of $0.0495, $0.0120 and $0.0106 of ordinary shares as of December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the exercise prices of the options.
The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 were $0.0483, $0.0151 and $0.0076, respectively. Options vested during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 were 27,142,500 and 51,464,000, respectively.
As of December 31, 2012, there was $1.87 million of unrecognized compensation cost, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to stock options granted by the Company to its employees, senior management and directors under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years. Total compensation cost may be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures and the probability of the achievement of performance conditions. As of December 31, 2012, there was $0.92 million of unrecognized compensation cost, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to stock options granted by the Company to the employees of Shanda under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan, which will be recognized as a dividend distributed to Shanda upon the completion of vesting.
The Black-Scholes option pricing model is used to determine the fair value of the stock options granted under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan. The Black-Scholes model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility and the sub-optimal early exercise factor. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual lives of the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The fair values of stock options were estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
| | Options Granted in 2010 | | Options Granted in 2011 | | Options Granted in 2012 |
Fair value of ordinary shares ($) | | 0.0800 | | 0.0186~0.0367 | | 0.0116 |
Exercise price ($) | | 0.0568 | | 0.0188~0.0392 | | 0.0116 |
Expected volatility (%) | | 60%~65% | | 75%~82% | | 100% |
Expected dividend yield (%) | | 0% | | 0% | | 0% |
Expected term (years) | | 4~5 | | 3.5~5 | | 3.5 |
Risk-free interest rate (per annum) (%) | | 1.9407%~2.6565% | | 1.2680%~1.9933% | | 1.2425% |
(1) The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the share option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for a term consistent with the expected term of the awards.
(2) The expected term of stock options granted is developed giving consideration to vesting period, contractual term and historical exercise pattern of options granted by the Company.
(3) The Company has no history or expectation of paying dividends on its common stock.
(4) Expected volatility is estimated based on the historical volatility of comparable companies’ stocks and of the Company’s common stock for a period equal to the expected term preceding the grant date.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
17. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company follows the provisions of ASC 280, which establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.
Following the 2010 Reorganization (the disposal of the WVAS and recorded music businesses (Note 2(1)) in August 2010 presented in discontinued operations for all the periods presented herein), the Company has only one operating segment made up of Ku6’s online advertising business (“Online Advertising”), which is presented in the continuing operations section of our consolidated statement of operations. The Group has not disclosed segment information prior to the 2010 Reorganization for the former WVAS and Recorded Music segments due to the disposal thereof; such segment information has no relevance to the Group’s current and future results.
Geographic Information
The Company primarily operates in the PRC and derives all of its revenues from the PRC; all of the Company’s long-lived assets are located in the PRC.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
18. NET LOSS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share (1 ADS = 100 Shares):
| | Year ended December 31, 2010 | | Year ended December 31, 2011 | | Year ended December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | | | |
Numerator: | | | | | | | |
Net loss attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. ordinary shareholders from continuing operations | | (52,858,278 | ) | (49,343,907 | ) | (9,491,138 | ) |
Net income attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. ordinary shareholders from discontinued operations | | 1,348,014 | | — | | — | |
Net loss attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. | | (51,510,264 | ) | (49,343,907 | ) | (9,491,138 | ) |
Denominator: | | | | | | | |
Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding for basic calculation | | 3,096,421,097 | | 4,265,277,638 | | 4,901,279,176 | |
Dilutive effect of potential ordinary shares | | — | | — | | — | |
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding for diluted calculation | | 3,096,421,097 | | 4,265,277,638 | | 4,901,279,176 | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted-average ADS used in per basic ADS calculations | | 30,964,211 | | 42,652,776 | | 49,012,792 | |
Dilutive effect of potential ordinary shares | | — | | — | | — | |
Weighted-average ADS used in per diluted ADS calculations | | 30,964,211 | | 42,652,776 | | 49,012,792 | |
| | | | | | | |
Loss per share — basic and diluted | | | | | | | |
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. ordinary shareholders per share — basic and diluted | | (0.02 | ) | (0.01 | ) | (0.00 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. ordinary shareholders per share — basic and diluted | | 0.00 | | — | | — | |
Loss attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. ordinary shareholders per share — basic and diluted | | (0.02 | ) | (0.01 | ) | (0.00 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
Loss per ADS — basic and diluted | | | | | | | |
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. ordinary shareholders per ADS — basic and diluted | | (1.71 | ) | (1.16 | ) | (0.19 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. ordinary shareholders per ADS — basic and diluted | | 0.04 | | — | | — | |
Loss attributable to Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. ordinary shareholders per ADS — basic and diluted | | (1.67 | ) | (1.16 | ) | (0.19 | ) |
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
Incremental ordinary shares with dilutive effect are calculated using the treasury stock method for stock options. Under the treasury stock method, the proceeds from the assumed conversion of options are used to repurchase outstanding ordinary shares using the average fair value for the period. For incremental ordinary shares associated with convertible debt, dilution is calculated (if necessary) using the if-converted method, which assumes conversion at the beginning of the annual period (or date of issuance of the related debt, if later).
For all periods presented, all potentially dilutive securities associated with the Company’s convertible bond which was issued in Q2 2011 and extinguished in Q3 2011 (Note 1) and all stock options (Note 16) have not been reflected in the dilutive calculations pursuant to ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share,” due to the presence of a net loss in each period as the inclusion of such potential common shares would be anti-dilutive.
19. CONCENTRATIONS
(1) Dependence on related party revenue
The Company entered into a cooperative agreement with Shengyue, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shanda in 2011. Under this agreement, Shengyue was appointed as the Company’s primary agency to secure advertisement sales from various end advertisers. In 2011 and 2012, 38% and 88% of net revenues, respectively, were derived from Shengyue. If the relationship with Shengyue is terminated or scaled-back, or if Shengyue alters the agency agreement in a way that is adverse to the Company, the Company’s revenue would be adversely affected.
(2) Credit risk
As of December 31, 2011 and 2012, accounts receivable of the online advertising business are typically unsecured and are derived from revenue earned from customers and agencies in China. The risk with respect to accounts receivables is mitigated by credit evaluations the Company performs on its customers and its ongoing monitoring process of outstanding balances.
| | December 31, 2011 | | December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | 5,194,099 | | 2,240,058 | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts | | (4,416,706 | ) | (2,172,972 | ) |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts | | 777,393 | | 67,086 | |
The Company generally does not require collateral for its accounts receivable. The movements of the allowance for doubtful accounts were as follows:
Movement of allowance for doubtful accounts
| | Year ended December 31, 2010 | | Year ended December 31, 2011 | | Year ended December 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | | | |
Balance at beginning of the year | | 4,015,145 | | 2,437,179 | | 4,416,706 | |
Acquisition of Ku6 | | 101,484 | | — | | — | |
Provisions | | 1,976,053 | | 3,637,147 | | — | |
Reversed | | (501,485 | ) | (177,321 | ) | (2,255,301 | ) |
Written off | | (53,563 | ) | — | | — | |
Transferred out due to disposal of WVAS and recorded music businesses | | (3,100,455 | ) | — | | — | |
Transferred out due to disposal of Yisheng | | — | | (1,480,299 | ) | — | |
Translation difference | | — | | — | | 11,567 | |
Balance at the end of the year | | 2,437,179 | | 4,416,706 | | 2,172,972 | |
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
As part of the Company’s change in the business strategy (Note 1), the Company significantly reduced its sales force and appointed Shengyue as its primary advertisement agency in 2011. As a result of this change, the relationships with some of the Group’s previous advertisement customers were terminated and the Company provided additional allowance for doubtful accounts to reflect the expected uncollectibility in 2011. In 2012, based on continued collections efforts on the doubtful receivables, $2.3 million of amounts previously written down were collected; accordingly, a reversal adjustment was recorded.
Account receivable from Shengyue (Note 13) are unsecured and subject to similar credit risks as accounts receivable related to the external advertising revenue. The Company has been closely evaluating the credit status and payment cycle of Shengyue. As of December 31, 2011 and 2012, no allowance for the accounts receivable from Shengyue was provided.
20. MAINLAND CHINA CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Full time employees of the Company in the PRC participate in a government-mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, unemployment insurance, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require the Company to accrue for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries. The total amounts charged to the statements of operations and comprehensive loss for such employee benefits were $3,660,438, $2,554,561 and $1,609,711 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.
21. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Operating lease commitments
The Company entered into leasing arrangements relating to office area and internet bandwidth in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Leasing expenses for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 were $11,785,743, $10,614,276 and $9,095,530, respectively.
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating lease agreements are as follows:
Within 1 year | | 1,210,094 | |
Between 1 and 2 years | | 1,352,190 | |
Between 2 and 3 years | | 440,649 | |
Between 3 and 4 years | | — | |
Total | | 3,002,933 | |
Litigation
The Company is subject to claims and litigation, which may arise in the normal course of business. The Company is involved in a number of cases pending in various courts and arbitration as of December 31, 2012. These cases are substantially related to alleged copyright infringement. Adverse results in these lawsuits may include awards of damages and may also result in, or even compel, a change in the Company’s business practices, which could impact the Company’s future financial results.
The Company has recorded an accrual balance of $2,077,753 in “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 (Note 12). The accrual was based on judgments handed down by the court and out-of-court settlements as of or after December 31, 2012 but related to alleged copyright infringement arising before December 31, 2012. The accrual was based upon management’s best estimation according to the historical actual compensation amount per video of the Company for the similar legal actions and the advice from PRC counsel. The Company is in the process of appealing certain judgments for which the loss has been accrued.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
There are no accruals for any additional losses related to unasserted claims or any other amounts.
Contingencies
The Company accounts for loss contingencies in accordance with ASC 450, “Contingencies”, and other related guidance. Set forth below is a description of certain loss contingencies as well as the opinion of management as to the likelihood of loss.
Current PRC laws and regulations place certain restrictions on foreign ownership of companies that engage in Internet business, including the provision of online video and online advertising services. Specifically, foreign ownership in an Internet content provider or other value-added telecommunication service providers may not exceed 50%. Since the Company is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, neither the Company nor its PRC subsidiary is eligible to engage in Internet business. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, the Company conducts its operations in China through a series of contractual arrangements entered into among its wholly owned PRC subsidiaries, Beijing Technology, Tianjin Technology and Kusheng. (collectively “wholly owned PRC subsidiaries”), and the consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC, namely Ku6 Beijing Information, Tianjin Information, Ku6 (Beijing) Cultural Media Co., Ltd. (“Ku6 Cultural”) and Ku6 Network (collectively “consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC”) and their respective shareholders.
Under the equity pledge agreements among our PRC subsidiaries, certain of our consolidated affiliated entities and the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities, the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities have pledged all of their equity interests in these entities to our relevant subsidiaries by recording the pledge on the shareholder registers of the respective entities. However, according to the PRC Property Rights Law, which became effective as of October 1, 2007, a pledge is not valid unless it is registered with the relevant local administration for industry and commerce. Ku6 Information Technology completed the registration of equity pledge on November 13, 2008 and further on November 12, 2012 after an increase of the registered capital. Tianjin Ku6 Network, Ku6 Cultural, and Tianjin information completed their registration of equity pledges on January 20, 2012, October 10, 2012, and February 20, 2013, respectively.
Ku6 Beijing Information, Tianjin Information, Ku6 Cultural and Ku6 Network hold the licenses and permits necessary to conduct our online video, online advertising and related businesses in China. In the opinion of management, (i) the ownership structure of the Company, its wholly owned PRC subsidiaries and the consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations; (ii) the contractual arrangements with the consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC are valid and binding, and will not result in any violation of PRC laws or regulations currently in effect; and (iii) the Company’s business operations are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations in all material respects. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws and regulations. Accordingly, the Company cannot be assured that PRC regulatory authorities will not ultimately take a contrary view to its opinion. If the current ownership structure of the Company and its contractual arrangements with the consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC were found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws and regulations, the Company may be required to restructure its ownership structure and operations in the PRC to comply with the changing and new PRC laws and regulations.
Under PRC Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM”) security review rules promulgated in September 2011, a national security review is required for certain mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors raising concerns regarding national defense and security. Foreign investors are prohibited from circumventing the national security review requirements by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investment, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements, or offshore transactions. Management has concluded there is no need to submit the existing contractual arrangements with the consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC and their shareholders to the MOFCOM for national security review based upon analysis of the rules. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of the MOFCOM security review rules, and any new laws, rules, regulations or detailed implementation measures in any form relating to such rules. Therefore, the Company cannot be assured that the relevant PRC regulatory authorities, such as the MOFCOM, would not ultimately take a contrary view to the opinion of management and the Company’s PRC legal counsel. If the MOFCOM or other PRC regulatory authority determines that the Company needs to submit the existing contractual arrangements with the consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC and their shareholders for national security review, the Company may face sanctions by the MOFCOM or other PRC regulatory authority, which may include, among others, requiring the Company to restructure its ownership structure, discontinuation or restriction of operations in the PRC, or invalidation of the agreements that the wholly owned PRC subsidiaries have entered into with the consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC and their shareholders.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
In such case, the Company may not be able to operate or control business in the same manner as it currently does, and therefore, may not be able to consolidate the affiliated entities in the PRC. In addition, the relevant regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations which may adversely impact the financial statements, operations and cash flows of the Company (including restrictions on the Company to carry out business).
If the consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC and their shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the current contractual arrangements, the Company may have to incur substantial costs and expend significant resources to enforce those arrangements and rely on legal remedies under PRC laws. The PRC laws, rules and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their non-binding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, rules and regulations involve substantial uncertainties. These uncertainties may impede the ability of the Company to enforce these contractual arrangements, or suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements and may materially and adversely affect the results of operations and the financial position of the Company.
In the opinion of management, the likelihood of loss in respect of the Company’s current ownership structure or the contractual arrangements with the consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC is remote.
22. RESTRICTED NET ASSETS
Relevant PRC laws and regulations permit PRC companies to pay dividends only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Additionally, the Company’s VIE subsidiaries can only distribute dividends upon approval of the shareholders after they have met the PRC requirements for appropriation to statutory reserves. The statutory general reserve fund requires annual appropriations of 10% of net after-tax income to be set aside prior to payment of any dividends. As a result of these and other restrictions under PRC laws and regulations, the PRC subsidiaries and affiliates are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company either in the form of dividends, loans or advances, which restricted portion amounted to approximately $52.7 million, or 157.0% of the Company’s total consolidated net assets as of December 31, 2012. Even though the Company currently does not require any such dividends, loans or advances from the PRC subsidiaries and affiliates for working capital and other funding purposes as all business is principally conducted inside the PRC, the Company may in the future require additional cash resources from our PRC subsidiaries and affiliates due to changes in business conditions, to fund future acquisitions and developments, or merely declare and pay dividends to or distributions to the Company’s ordinary shareholders. Accordingly, the Company has included Schedule I in accordance with Regulation S-X promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FOMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION — FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I
BALANCE SHEET
| | December 31, 2011 | | December 31, 2012 | |
| | (in U.S. dollars, except number of shares) | |
Assets | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | 7,754,457 | | 5,219,295 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 434,230 | | 312,174 | |
Amount due from subsidiaries and variable interest entities | | — | | 3,003,202 | |
Amount due from related parties | | 19,534,641 | | 6,096,800 | |
Total current assets | | 27,723,328 | | 14,631,471 | |
Investments in subsidiaries | | 27,155,056 | | 21,046,640 | |
Total assets | | 54,878,384 | | 35,678,111 | |
| | | | | |
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | | | | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | 942,423 | | 664,896 | |
Amounts due to subsidiaries and variable interest entities | | 2,707,933 | | 1,071,669 | |
Amount due to related parties | | 375,000 | | 375,000 | |
Total current liabilities | | 4,025,356 | | 2,111,565 | |
| | | | | |
Shareholders’ equity: | | | | | |
Ordinary shares ($0.00005 par value; 12,000,000,000 shares authorized; 5,019,786,036 and 4,732,446,560 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively) | | 250,939 | | 236,575 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | 184,874,259 | | 177,182,895 | |
Accumulated deficit | | (132,449,371 | ) | (141,940,509 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | (1,822,799 | ) | (1,912,415 | ) |
Total shareholders’ equity | | 50,853,028 | | 33,566,546 | |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | 54,878,384 | | 35,678,111 | |
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FOMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION — FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
| | Year ended December 31, 2010 | | Year ended December 31, 2011 | | Year ended December 31, 2012 | |
| | (in U.S. dollars, except number of shares) | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | |
Product development | | 150,584 | | 603,879 | | 278,168 | |
Selling and marketing | | 160,231 | | (31,880 | ) | 30,773 | |
General and administrative | | 4,072,134 | | 2,433,905 | | 1,119,757 | |
Total operating expenses | | 4,382,949 | | 3,005,904 | | 1,428,698 | |
Loss from operations | | (4,382,949 | ) | (3,005,904 | ) | (1,428,698 | ) |
Interest income | | 9,404 | | 112,416 | | 349,525 | |
Interest expense | | — | | (375,000 | ) | — | |
Other income | | 205,043 | | — | | — | |
Foreign exchange loss | | (38,767 | ) | (9 | ) | (15,589 | ) |
Equity in losses of subsidiaries | | (47,302,995 | ) | (46,075,410 | ) | (8,396,376 | ) |
Net loss | | (51,510,264 | ) | (49,343,907 | ) | (9,491,138 | ) |
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KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FOMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION — FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| | Year ended December 31, 2010 | | Year ended December 31, 2011 | | Year ended December 31, 2012 | |
| | (in U.S. dollars, except number of shares)) | |
Operating activities: | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | (51,510,264 | ) | (49,343,907 | ) | (9,491,138 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | | | | | | | |
Share-based compensation | | 1,891,931 | | 1,231,919 | | 463,753 | |
Share-based compensation cost in relation to disposition of Yisheng | | — | | 522,251 | | — | |
Equity in losses of subsidiaries | | 47,302,995 | | 46,075,410 | | 8,396,376 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | (106,581 | ) | (193,214 | ) | 122,056 | |
Amounts due from subsidiaries and variable interest entities | | — | | — | | (1,645 | ) |
Amount due from related parties | | (942,919 | ) | (1,692,875 | ) | (92,159 | ) |
Other payables and accruals | | 4,738 | | (323,956 | ) | (277,527 | ) |
Amounts due to subsidiaries and variable interest entities | | 2,381 | | (77,833 | ) | (4,013,840 | ) |
Amounts due to related parties | | — | | 375,000 | | — | |
Net cash used in operating activities | | (3,357,719 | ) | (3,427,205 | ) | (4,894,124 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
Investing activities: | | | | | | | |
Decrease of short-term investments | | 10,000,000 | | — | | — | |
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary | | 37,243,901 | | — | | — | |
Loan to subsidiaries | | (53,418,876 | ) | (5,762,569 | ) | (3,001,557 | ) |
Loan to related parties | | (3,200,000 | ) | (14,108,019 | ) | (470,000 | ) |
Repayment of loans to related parties under common control of Shanda | | — | | — | | 14,000,000 | |
Investment in subsidiary | | — | | (30,000,000 | ) | — | |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | (9,374,975 | ) | (49,870,588 | ) | 10,528,443 | |
| | | | | | | |
Financing activities: | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from exercise of options | | 20,350 | | 3,750 | | — | |
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares to Shanda | | — | | 50,000,000 | | — | |
Proceeds from issuance of Convertible Bond to Shanda | | — | | 50,000,000 | | — | |
Cash paid for redemption of Convertible Bond to Shanda | | — | | (50,000,000 | ) | — | |
Repuchase of ordinary shares | | — | | — | | (8,169,481 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | 20,350 | | 50,003,750 | | (8,169,481 | ) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | — | | — | | — | |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | (12,712,344 | ) | (3,294,043 | ) | (2,535,162 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | | 23,760,844 | | 11,048,500 | | 7,754,457 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | | 11,048,500 | | 7,754,457 | | 5,219,295 | |
Note
Basis for Preparation
The condensed financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with SEC Regulation S-X Rule 5-04 and Rule 12-04.
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Table of Contents
KU6 MEDIA CO., LTD. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HURRAY! HOLDING CO., LTD.)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012
(all amounts in U.S. dollars (US$) unless otherwise stated)
The Financial Information of the Parent Company has been prepared using the same accounting policies as set out in the Company’s consolidated financial statements except that the Company records its investment in subsidiaries under the equity method of accounting. Such investment and long-term loans to subsidiaries are presented on the balance sheet as “Investment in subsidiaries” and the profit of the subsidiaries is presented as “Equity in losses of subsidiaries” on the statement of operations.
These statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Group. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted.
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