Dolby Laboratories (DLB) 10-Q 4 May 21 2021 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover

Cover - shares	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Apr. 23, 2021
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 26, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-32431
Entity Registrant Name	DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001308547
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-24
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	90-0199783
Entity Address, Address Line One	1275 Market Street
Entity Address, City or Town	San Francisco
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94103-1410
City Area Code	415
Local Phone Number	558-0200
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A common stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol	DLB
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		65,253,071
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,107,779

Interim Condensed Consolidated

Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 26, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,104,570	$ 1,071,876
Restricted cash	8,926	8,103
Short-term investments	58,582	46,948
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $11,671 and $15,908	283,505	180,340
Contract assets, net of allowance for credit losses of $189 and $0	233,379	161,357
Inventories, net	14,881	25,550
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	47,305	53,022
Total current assets	1,751,148	1,547,196
Long-term investments	42,188	52,149
Property, plant, and equipment, net	542,702	541,963
Operating lease right-of-use assets	71,976	76,515
Intangible assets, net	136,944	152,431
Goodwill	338,235	336,945
Other non-current assets	87,546	91,245
Deferred taxes	135,551	118,881
Total assets	3,106,290	2,917,325
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	8,385	12,617
Accrued liabilities	254,163	219,974
Income taxes payable	11,087	3,260
Contract liabilities	20,029	15,436
Operating lease liabilities	15,313	15,822
Total current liabilities	308,977	267,109
Non-current contract liabilities	23,369	24,342
Non-current operating lease liabilities	61,165	65,315
Other non-current liabilities	118,559	122,154
Total liabilities	512,070	478,920
Stockholders’ equity:
Retained earnings	2,591,870	2,443,138
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,039)	(10,594)
Total stockholders’ equity – Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	2,587,931	2,432,643
Controlling interest	6,289	5,762
Total stockholders’ equity	2,594,220	2,438,405
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	3,106,290	2,917,325
Class A, $0.001 par value, one vote per share, 500,000,000 shares authorized: 65,206,586 shares issued and outstanding at March 26, 2021 and 64,167,725 at September 25, 2020
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	59	58
Class B, $0.001 par value, ten votes per share, 500,000,000 shares authorized: 36,107,779 shares issued and outstanding at March 26, 2021 and 36,128,720 at September 25, 2020
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	$ 41	$ 41

Interim Condensed Consolidate_2

Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	Mar. 26, 2021USD ($)vote$ / sharesshares	Sep. 25, 2020USD ($)vote$ / sharesshares
Allowance for doubtful accounts | $	$ 11,671	$ 15,908
Contract assets, allowance for credit losses | $	$ 189	$ 0
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Common stock, par value (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock voting right per share (votes per share) | vote	1
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	65,206,586	64,167,725
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	65,206,586	64,167,725
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Common stock, par value (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock voting right per share (votes per share) | vote	10	10
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	36,107,779	36,128,720
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	36,107,779	36,128,720

Interim Condensed Consolidate_3

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020
Revenue:
Revenue	$ 319,558	$ 351,815	$ 709,432	$ 643,692
Total revenue	319,558	351,815	709,432	643,692
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	32,378	36,830	67,682	74,145
Gross margin	287,180	314,985	641,750	569,547
Operating expenses:
Research and development	65,808	60,086	129,580	117,736
Sales and marketing	78,046	88,485	153,491	183,603
General and administrative	59,398	60,800	113,852	113,329
Gain on sale of assets	0	0	(13,871)	0
Restructuring charges/(credits)	741	(331)	10,764	344
Total operating expenses	203,993	209,040	393,816	415,012
Operating income	83,187	105,945	247,934	154,535
Other income/(expense):
Interest income	962	4,721	1,936	9,653
Interest expense	(167)	(25)	(252)	(97)
Other income, net	1,385	138	2,711	1,142
Total other income	2,180	4,834	4,395	10,698
Income before income taxes	85,367	110,779	252,329	165,233
Provision for income taxes	(9,022)	(22,105)	(33,294)	(27,968)
Net income including controlling interest	76,345	88,674	219,035	137,265
Less: net income attributable to controlling interest	(128)	(178)	(7,620)	(16)
Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$ 76,217	$ 88,496	$ 211,415	$ 137,249
Net income per share:
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.75	$ 0.88	$ 2.09	$ 1.36
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.73	$ 0.86	$ 2.02	$ 1.33
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	101,464	100,854	101,090	100,595
Diluted (in shares)	104,581	102,773	104,414	103,133
Related party rent expense:
Included in operating expenses	$ (403)	$ 78	$ (387)	$ 148
Included in net income attributable to controlling interest	$ 121	$ 327	$ 240	$ 221
Common stock, dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.22	$ 0.44	$ 0.44
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.22	$ 0.22	$ 0.44	$ 0.44
Licensing
Revenue:
Revenue	$ 303,585	$ 328,865	$ 676,590	$ 586,548
Cost of revenue:
Cost of revenue	16,060	13,243	29,006	25,585
Products and services
Revenue:
Revenue	15,973	22,950	32,842	57,144
Cost of revenue:
Cost of revenue	$ 16,318	$ 23,587	$ 38,676	$ 48,560

Interim Condensed Consolidate_4

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income including controlling interest	$ 76,345	$ 88,674	$ 219,035	$ 137,265
Other comprehensive income:
Currency translation adjustments gains/(losses), net of tax expense of ($35), ($40), $(507), and $0	(766)	(10,191)	7,402	(6,571)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on investments, net of tax benefit/(expense) of $44, $54, $46, and $(207)	(195)	273	(360)	(889)
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges, net of tax benefit/(expense) of ($40), $37, $(330), and $0	(2,364)	(4,008)	(218)	(3,724)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(3,325)	(13,926)	6,824	(11,184)
Comprehensive income	73,020	74,748	225,859	126,081
Less: comprehensive (income) attributable to controlling interest	(234)	193	(7,889)	178
Comprehensive income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$ 72,786	$ 74,941	$ 217,970	$ 126,259

Interim Condensed Consolidate_5

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Currency translation adjustment, tax	$ (35)	$ (40)	$ (507)	$ 0
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, tax	44	54	46	(207)
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges, tax	$ (40)	$ 37	$ (330)	$ 0

Interim Condensed Consolidate_6

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Total Stockholders' Equity - Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	Controlling Interest	Class A Common Stock [Member]Common Stock	Class A Common Stock [Member]Additional Paid-In Capital
Beginning balance (in shares) at Sep. 27, 2019		99,000
Beginning balance at Sep. 27, 2019	$ 2,313,030		$ 0	$ 2,327,877	$ (20,625)	$ 2,307,351	$ 5,679
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	137,265			137,249		137,249	16
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	(11,184)				(10,990)	(10,990)	(194)
Distributions to controlling interest	(283)						283
Stock-based compensation expense	43,565		43,565			43,565
Shares repurchased (in shares)		(1,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(101,672)		(76,456)	(25,215)		(101,672)
Cash dividends declared and paid on common stock	(44,336)			(44,336)		(44,336)
Common stock issued under employee stock plans (in shares)								1,000
Common stock issued under employee stock plans	53,986		53,985			53,986
Tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock (in shares)								0
Tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock	(21,094)					(21,094)			$ (21,094)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 27, 2020		99,000
Ending balance at Mar. 27, 2020	2,369,277		0	2,395,575	(31,615)	2,364,059	5,218
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 27, 2019		99,000
Beginning balance at Dec. 27, 2019	2,338,701		0	2,351,251	(18,060)	2,333,290	5,411
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	88,674			88,496		88,496	178
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	(13,926)				(13,555)	(13,555)	(371)
Stock-based compensation expense	20,951		20,951			20,951
Shares repurchased (in shares)		(1,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(71,669)		(49,751)	(21,917)		(71,669)
Cash dividends declared and paid on common stock	(22,255)			(22,255)		(22,255)
Common stock issued under employee stock plans (in shares)								1,000
Common stock issued under employee stock plans	29,613		29,612			29,613
Tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock (in shares)								0
Tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock	(812)					(812)	0		(812)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 27, 2020		99,000
Ending balance at Mar. 27, 2020	2,369,277		0	2,395,575	(31,615)	2,364,059	5,218
Beginning balance (in shares) at Sep. 25, 2020		99,000
Beginning balance at Sep. 25, 2020	2,438,405		0	2,443,138	(10,594)	2,432,643	5,762
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 25, 2020		100,000
Ending balance at Dec. 25, 2020	2,571,217		0	2,565,670	(608)	2,565,162	6,055
Beginning balance (in shares) at Sep. 25, 2020		99,000
Beginning balance at Sep. 25, 2020	2,438,405		0	2,443,138	(10,594)	2,432,643	5,762
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	219,035			211,415		211,415	7,620
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	6,824				6,555	6,555	269
Distributions to controlling interest	(7,362)						(7,362)
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 50,726		50,726			50,726
Shares repurchased (in shares)	(1,207,418)	(1,000)
Repurchase of common stock	$ (110,775)		(92,665)	(18,109)		(110,775)
Cash dividends declared and paid on common stock	(44,574)			(44,574)		(44,574)
Common stock issued under employee stock plans	71,157	$ 2	71,155			71,157
Tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock	(29,216)					(29,216)			(29,216)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 26, 2021		100,000
Ending balance at Mar. 26, 2021	2,594,220		0	2,591,870	(4,039)	2,587,931	6,289
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 25, 2020		100,000
Beginning balance at Dec. 25, 2020	2,571,217		0	2,565,670	(608)	2,565,162	6,055
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	76,345			76,217		76,217	128
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	(3,325)				(3,431)	(3,431)	106
Stock-based compensation expense	24,413		24,413			24,413
Shares repurchased (in shares)		(1,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(70,790)		(43,115)	(27,674)		(70,790)
Cash dividends declared and paid on common stock	(22,343)			(22,343)		(22,343)
Common stock issued under employee stock plans	19,834	$ 0	19,834			19,834
Tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock (in shares)								1,000
Tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock	(1,131)				0	(1,131)	0		$ (1,132)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 26, 2021		100,000
Ending balance at Mar. 26, 2021	$ 2,594,220		$ 0	$ 2,591,870	$ (4,039)	$ 2,587,931	$ 6,289

Interim Condensed Consolidate_7

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020
Operating activities:
Net income including controlling interest	$ 219,035	$ 137,265
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	47,399	40,212
Stock-based compensation	50,726	43,565
Amortization of premium on investments	697	334
Provision for doubtful accounts	(65)	2,955
Deferred income taxes	(16,992)	(15,141)
Gain on sale of assets	(13,871)	0
Other non-cash items affecting net income	(1,847)	3,753
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(102,791)	(60,870)
Contract assets	(72,197)	(28,086)
Inventories	10,398	(5,376)
Operating lease right-of-use assets	6,809	(20,102)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	10,552	(16,068)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	26,926	(21,431)
Income taxes, net	9,982	13,238
Contract liabilities	3,589	452
Operating lease liabilities	(6,987)	20,099
Other non-current liabilities	(5,735)	2,100
Net cash provided by operating activities	165,628	96,899
Investing activities:
Purchase of investments	(26,449)	(167,292)
Proceeds from sales of investment securities	4,594	109,907
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities	18,620	54,599
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(28,887)	(41,782)
Proceeds from sale of assets	16,365	0
Purchases of intangible assets	0	(2,640)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(15,757)	(47,208)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	71,157	53,986
Repurchase of common stock	(110,775)	(101,672)
Payment of cash dividend	(44,574)	(44,336)
Distribution to controlling interest	(7,362)	(283)
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock	(29,216)	(21,094)
Payment Related To Prior Purchase Of Intangible Assets	0	91
Payment Of Deferred Consideration For Prior Business Combination	0	3,000
Net cash used in financing activities	(120,770)	(116,490)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	4,416	(4,350)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	33,517	(71,149)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period	1,079,979	805,593
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	1,113,496	734,444
Supplemental disclosure:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received	29,584	35,096
Non-cash investing activities:
Change in property, plant, and equipment purchased, unpaid at period-end	1,799	(4,914)
Purchase consideration payable for intangibles	$ 0	$ 260

Basis Of Presentation

Basis Of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis Of Presentation	Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements We have prepared the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and with SEC rules and regulations, which allow for certain information and footnote disclosures that are normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP to be condensed or omitted. In our opinion, these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2020 and include all adjustments necessary for fair presentation. The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2020, which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. The results for the fiscal quarter ended March 26, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any subsequent quarterly or annual financial period, including the fiscal year ending September 24, 2021. Principles of Consolidation The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. ("Dolby") and our wholly owned subsidiaries. In addition, we have consolidated the financial results of jointly owned affiliated companies in which our principal stockholder has a controlling interest. We report these controlling interests as a separate line in our condensed consolidated statements of operations as net income attributable to controlling interest and in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as a controlling interest. We eliminate all intercompany accounts and transactions upon consolidation. Operating Segments Since we operate as a single reportable segment, all required financial segment information is included in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements. This reflects the fact that our CODM, our Chief Executive Officer, evaluates our financial information and resources, and assesses the performance of these resources on a consolidated basis. Use of Estimates The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include estimated shipments by our licensees for which we are owed a sales–based royalty. These estimates involve the use of historical data and judgment for several key attributes including industry estimates of expected shipments, the percentage of markets using our technologies, and average sale prices. Our estimates of royalty-based revenue also take into consideration the macroeconomic effect of global events, such as the coronavirus pandemic ("COVID-19") or other natural disasters which may impact our licensees' supply chain activities as well as demand for shipments. Additional significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include ESPs for performance obligations within revenue arrangements; allowances for credit losses for accounts receivable; carrying values of inventories and certain PP&E, goodwill and intangible assets; fair values of investments; accrued liabilities including liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from our estimates. Fiscal Year Our fiscal year is a 52 or 53 week period ending on the last Friday in September. The fiscal periods presented herein include the 13 week periods ended March 26, 2021 and March 27, 2020. Our fiscal year ending September 24,

Summary Of Significant Accounti

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Recently Issued Accounting Standards Adopted Standards Collaborative Arrangements. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606 , which clarifies that certain transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement should be accounted for under ASC 606 when the counterparty is a customer. In addition, ASU 2018-18 precludes an entity from presenting consideration from a transaction in a collaborative arrangement as revenue from contracts with customers if the counterparty is not a customer for that transaction. We adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and it did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Financial Instruments. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments , which modifies the measurement of expected credit losses of certain financial instruments, including trade receivables, contract assets, and lease receivables. The standard provides guidance regarding methodologies and disclosures for expected credit losses on financial instruments, resulting in immediate recognition of estimated credit losses over the remaining life of financial assets at initiation or purchase date. We adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Standards Not Yet Adopted Income Taxes. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes , which modifies and eliminates certain exceptions to the general principles of ASC 740, Income Taxes. This standard will be effective for Dolby beginning September 25, 2021. We are currently evaluating the impact of the standard on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition Revenue Rec

Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition We enter into revenue arrangements with our customers to license technologies, trademarks and patents for sound, imaging and voice solutions, and to sell products and services. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over the use of a license, product , or service to a customer. A. Identification of the Contract or Contracts with Customers We generally determine that a contract with a customer exists upon the execution of an agreement and after consideration of collectability, which could include an evaluation of the customer's payment history, the existence of a standby letter-of-credit between the customer’s financial institution and our financial institution, public financial information, and other factors. At contract inception, we also evaluate whether two or more non-standard agreements with a customer should be combined and accounted for as a single contract. B. Identification of Performance Obligations in a Contract We generate revenue principally from the following sources, which represent performance obligations in our contracts with customers: • Licensing. We license our technologies , including patents , to a range of customers who incorporate them into their products for enhanced audio, imaging and voice functionality across broadcast, mobile, CE, PC, gaming, and other markets. • Product Sales. We design and provide audio and imaging products for the cinema, television, broadcast, communications, and entertainment industries. • Services. We provide various services to support theatrical and television production for cinema exhibition, broadcast, and home entertainment, including equipment training , mixing room alignment, equalization, as well as audio, color and light image calibration. • PCS. We provide PCS for products sold and for equipment leased, and we support the implementation of our licensing technologies in our licensees’ products. • Equipment Leases. We collaborate with established cinema exhibitors to offer Dolby Cinema, a branded premium cinema offering for movie audiences by leasing equipment and licensing our IP. We also lease hardware that facilitates the Dolby conferencing experience, including the Dolby Conference Phone, and the Dolby Voice Room solution. • Licensing Administration Fees. We generate service fees for managing patent pools on behalf of third party patent owners through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Via Licensing Corporation. Some of our revenue arrangements include multiple performance obligations, such as hardware, software, support and maintenance, and extended warranty services. We evaluate whether promised products and services are distinct performance obligations. The majority of our arrangements with multiple performance obligations pertain to our digital cinema server and processor sales that include the following distinct performance obligations to which we allocate portions of the transaction price based on their stand-alone selling price: • Digital cinema server hardware and embedded software, which is highly dependent on and highly interrelated with the hardware. Accordingly, the hardware and embedded software represent a single performance obligation. • The right to support and maintenance, which is included with the purchase of the digital cinema server hardware, is a distinct performance obligation. • The right to receive commissioning services is a distinct performance obligation within the sale of the Dolby Atmos Cinema Processor. These services consist of the review of venue designs specifying proposed speaker placement as well as calibration services performed for installed speakers to ensure optimal playback. C. Determination of Transaction Price for Performance Obligations in a Contract After identifying the distinct performance obligations, we determine the transaction price in accordance with the terms of the underlying executed contract which may include variable consideration such as discounts, rebates, refunds, rights of returns, and incentives. We assess and update, if necessary, the amount of variable consideration to which we are entitled for each reporting period. At the end of each reporting period, we estimate and accrue a liability for returns and adjustments as a reduction to revenue based on several factors, including past returns history. With the exception of our sales-based royalties, we evaluate whether a significant financing component exists when we recognize revenue in advance of customer payments that occur over time. For example, some of our licensing arrangements include payment terms greater than one year from when we transfer control of our IP to a licensee and the receipt of the final payment for that IP. If a significant financing component exists, we classify a portion of the transaction price as interest income, instead of recognizing all of the transaction price as revenue. We do not adjust the transaction price for the effects of financing if, at contract inception , the period between the transfer of control to a customer and final payment is expected to be one year or less. D. Allocation of Transaction Price to Distinct Performance Obligations in a Contract For our sales-based royalties where the license is the predominant item to which the royalties relate, we present all revenue as licensing. For revenue arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, we determine the stand-alone selling price for each distinct performance obligation based on the actual selling prices made to customers. If the performance obligation is not sold separately, we estimate the stand-alone selling price. We do so by considering market conditions such as competitor pricing strategies, customer specific information and industry technology lifecycles, internal conditions such as cost and pricing practices, or applying the residual approach method when the selling price of the good, most commonly a license, is highly variable or uncertain. Once the transaction price, including any variable consideration, has been determined, we allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations identified in the contract, and recognize revenue as or when control is transferred for each distinct performance obligation. E. Revenue Recognition as Control is Transferred to a Customer We generate our licensing revenue by licensing our technologies and patents to various types of licensees, such as chip manufacturers ("implementation licensees"), consumer product manufacturers, software vendors, and communications service providers. Our revenue recognition policies for each of these arrangements are summarized below. Initial fees from implementation licensees. Implementation licensees incorporate our technologies into their chipsets that, once approved by Dolby, are available for purchase by OEMs for use in end-user products. Implementation licensees only pay us a nominal initial fee on contract execution as consideration for the ongoing services that we provide to assist in their implementation process. Revenue from these initial fees is recognized ratably over the contractual term as a component of licensing revenue. Sales-based licensing fees. In our royalty bearing licensing agreements with OEMs, control is transferred upon the later of contract execution or the contract’s effective date. We apply the royalty exception, which requires that we recognize sales-based royalties when the sales occur based on our estimates. These estimates involve the use of historical data and judgment for several key attributes including industry estimates of expected shipments, the percentage of markets using our technologies, and average sale prices. Generally, our estimates represent the current period’s shipments to which we expect our licensees to submit royalty statements in the following quarter. Upon receipt of royalty statements from the licensees with the actual reporting of sales-based royalties that we estimated previously, we record a favorable or unfavorable adjustment based on the difference, if any, between estimated and actual sales. In the second quarter of fiscal 2021, we recorded a favorable adjustment of approximately $16 million, which was primarily related to October through December shipments and largely based on actual royalty statements received from licensees. Fixed and guaranteed licensing fees. In certain cases, our arrangements require the licensee to pay fixed, non-refundable fees. In these cases, control is transferred and fees are recognized upon the later of contract execution or the effective date. Additionally and separate from initial fees from implementation licensees, our sales- and usage-based licensing agreements include a nominal fee, which is also recognized at a point in time in which control of the IP has been transferred. Revenue from these arrangements is included as a component of licensing revenue. Recoveries. Through compliance efforts, we identify misreported licensed activity related to non-current periods. We may record a favorable or unfavorable revenue adjustment in connection with the findings from these compliance efforts generally upon resolution with the licensee through agreement of the findings, or upon receipt of the licensee’s correction statement. Revenue from these arrangements is included as a component of licensing revenue. We undertake activities aimed at identifying potential unauthorized uses of our technologies, which when successful result in the recognition of revenue. Recoveries stem from third parties who agree to remit payments to us based on past use of our technology. In these scenarios, a legally binding contract did not exist at time of use of our technology, and therefore, we recognize revenue recoveries upon execution of the agreement as that is the point in time to which a contract exists and control is transferred. This revenue is classified as licensing revenue. In general, we classify legal costs associated with activities aimed at identifying potential unauthorized uses of our technologies, auditing existing licensees, and on occasion, pursuing litigation as S&M in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. We recognize licensing revenue gross of withholding taxes, which our licensees remit directly to their local tax authorities, and for which we receive a partial foreign tax credit in our income tax provision. In addition to our licensing arrangements, we also enter into arrangements to deliver products and services. Product Sales. Revenue from the sale of products is recognized when the customer obtains control of the promised good or service, which is generally upon shipment. Payments are generally made within 90 days of sale. Services. We provide various services, such as engineering services related to movie soundtrack print mastering, equipment training and maintenance, mixing room alignment, equalization, and image calibration, which we bill on a fixed fee and time and materials basis. Most of these services are of a short duration and are recognized as control of the performance obligations are transferred which is when the related services are performed. Collaborative Arrangements. We collaborate with established cinema exhibitors to offer Dolby Cinema, a branded premium cinema offering for movie audiences. Under such collaborations, Dolby and the exhibitor are both active participants, and share the risks and rewards associated with the business. Accordingly, these collaborations are governed by revenue sharing arrangements under which Dolby receives revenue based on box office receipts, reported to Dolby by exhibitor partners on a monthly or quarterly basis, our proprietary designs and trademarks as well as for the use of our equipment at the exhibitor's venue. The use of our product solution meets the definition of a lease, and for the related portion of Dolby's share of revenue, we apply ASC 842, Leases , and recognize revenue based on monthly box office reports from exhibitors. Our revenue share is recognized as licensing revenue in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. In addition, we also enter into hybrid agreements where a portion of our revenue share involves guaranteed payments, which in some cases result in classifying the arrangement as a sales-type lease. In such arrangements, we consider control to transfer at the point in time to which we have installed and tested the equipment, at which point we record such guaranteed payments as product revenue. Via Administration Fee. We generate service fees for managing patent pools on behalf of third party patent owners through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Via Licensing Corporation ("Via"). As an agent to licensors in the patent pool, Via receives a share of the sales-based royalty that the patent pool licensors earn from licensees. As such, we apply the sales-based royalty exception as the service provided is directly related to the patent pool licensors’ provision of IP, which results in recognition based on estimates of the licensee’s quarter shipments that use the pool’s patents. In addition to sales-based royalties, Via also has contracts where the fees are fixed. The revenue share Via receives from licensors on fixed fee contracts is recognized over the term in which we are providing services associated with the fixed fee contract. We recognize our administrative fees net of the consideration paid to the patent licensors in the pool as licensing revenue. Deferred revenue, which is a component of contract liabilities, represents amounts that are ultimately expected to be recognized as revenue, but for which we have yet to satisfy the performance obligation. As of March 26, 2021, we had $41.8 million of remaining performance obligations, 30% of which we expect to recognize as revenue in fiscal 2021, 26% in fiscal 2022, and the balance of 44% in fiscal years beyond 2022. F. Disaggregation of revenue The following table presents a summary of the composition of our revenue for all periods presented: Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended Revenue March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 Licensing $ 303,585 95 % $ 328,865 93 % $ 676,590 95 % $ 586,548 91 % Products and services 15,973 5 % 22,950 7 % 32,842 5 % 57,144 9 % Total revenue $ 319,558 100 % $ 351,815 100 % $ 709,432 100 % $ 643,692 100 % The following table presents the composition of our licensing revenue for all periods presented: Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended Market March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 Broadcast $ 104,813 35 % $ 128,677 39 % $ 244,113 36 % $ 230,810 39 % Mobile 65,673 22 % 75,697 23 % 171,296 25 % 110,178 19 % CE 48,284 16 % 49,199 15 % 100,205 15 % 98,044 17 % PC 51,104 17 % 45,791 14 % 83,839 12 % 77,634 13 % Other 33,711 10 % 29,501 9 % 77,137 12 % 69,882 12 % Total licensing revenue $ 303,585 100 % $ 328,865 100 % $ 676,590 100 % $ 586,548 100 % We license our technologies in approximately 60 countries, and our licensees distribute products that incorporate our technologies throughout the world. As shown in the table below, we generate the majority of our revenue from outside the United States. Geographic data for our licensing revenue is based on the location of our licensees’ headquarters, products revenue is based on the destination to which we ship our products, and services revenue is based on the location where services are performed. Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended Revenue By Geographic Location March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 United States $ 153,267 48 % $ 186,586 53 % $ 254,341 36 % $ 294,213 46 % International 166,291 52 % 165,229 47 % 455,091 64 % 349,479 54 % Total revenue $ 319,558 100 % $ 351,815 100 % $ 709,432 100 % $ 643,692 100 % G. Contract balances Our contract assets represent rights to consideration from licensees for the use of our IP that we have estimated in a given period in the absence of receiving actual royalty statements from licensees. These estimates reflect our best judgment at that time, and are developed using a number of inputs, including historical data, industry estimates of expected shipments, anticipated sales price and performance, and third-party data supporting the percentage of markets using our technologies . In the event that our estimates differ from actual amounts reported, we record an adjustment in the quarter in which the royalty statement is received which is typically the quarter following our estimate. Actual amounts reported are typically paid within 60 days following the end of the quarter of shipment. The main drivers for change in the contract assets account are variances in quarterly estimates, and to a lesser degree, timing of receipt of actual royalty statements. Our contract liabilities consist of advance payments and billings in advance of performance, deferred revenue that is typically satisfied within one year, and deferred interest where we have significant financing. The non-current portion of contract liabilities is separately disclosed in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We present the net contract asset or liability when we have both contract assets and contract liabilities for a single contract. In the second quarter of fiscal 2021, we recognized $7.3 million from prior period deferred revenue. The following table presents a summary of the balances to which contract assets and liabilities related to revenue are recorded for all periods presented (in thousands): March 26, 2021 September 25, 2020 Change ($) Change (%) Accounts receivable, net $ 283,505 $ 180,340 $ 103,165 57 % Contract assets, net 233,379 161,357 72,022 45 % Contract liabilities - current 20,029 15,436 4,593 30 % Contract liabilities - non-current 23,369 24,342 (973) (4) %

Composition Of Certain Financia

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions	4. Composition of Certain Financial Statement Captions The following tables present detailed information from our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 26, 2021 and September 25, 2020 (amounts displayed in thousands). Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets March 26, September 25, Trade accounts receivable $ 171,383 $ 147,618 Accounts receivable from patent administration program licensees 123,793 48,630 Contract assets 233,568 161,357 Accounts receivable, gross and contract assets, gross 528,744 357,605 Less: allowance for credit losses (11,860) (15,908) Total $ 516,884 $ 341,697 Accounts receivable, gross includes unbilled accounts receivable balances of $118.2 million and $62.1 million as of March 26, 2021 and September 25, 2020, respectively, related to amounts that are contractually owed. The unbilled balance represents our unconditional right to consideration related to fixed fee contracts which we are entitled to as a result of satisfying, or partially satisfying, performance obligations, as well as Via's unconditional right to consideration related to their patent administration programs. We maintain a provision for estimated credit losses on receivables resulting from our customers' inability to make required payments. In determining the provision, we pool receivables with similar risk characteristics to evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable. Risk characteristics considered in creating these risk pools include assessing historical or expected loss patterns, credit ratings, current economic conditions that could impact collectability of cash flows (such as the macroeconomic effects of COVID-19), and structure of customer agreements. In cases where circumstances have changed such that specific customers no longer share similar risk characteristics, customers are excluded from their current pool and their risk profiles are evaluated separately. We recognize allowances for credit losses based on our actual historical loss information, the current business environment, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Actual future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ from our estimates. Allowance for Credit Losses Beginning Balance Charges/(Credits) Deductions Ending Balance For fiscal year ended: September 25, 2020 $ 9,775 $ 7,689 $ (1,556) $ 15,908 March 26, 2021 15,908 (65) (3,983) 11,860 Inventories March 26, September 25, Raw materials $ 3,517 $ 3,770 Work in process 6,082 9,214 Finished goods 5,282 12,566 Total $ 14,881 $ 25,550 Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Inventory with a consumption period expected to exceed twelve months is recorded within other non-current assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We have included $2.1 million and $2.6 million of raw materials inventory within other non-current assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 26, 2021 and September 25, 2020, respectively. Based on anticipated inventory consumption rates, and aside from existing write-downs due to excess inventory, we do not believe that material risk of obsolescence exists prior to ultimate sale. Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets March 26, September 25, Prepaid expenses $ 20,078 $ 17,884 Other current assets 27,227 35,138 Total $ 47,305 $ 53,022 In fiscal year 2019, management committed to a plan to sell a property, which included land and a building , after the lease on the property expired and we re-assessed the real estate needs of our business . This property was previously classified as held for sale and was included in other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, with a carrying value of $2.2 million as of September 25, 2020. In the first quarter of fiscal 2021, we finalized the sale on this property, and as a result, we realized a gain of $13.9 million, which was recorded to gain on sale of assets on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The property was 51% owned by the controlling interest, therefore 51% of the gain realized in gain on sale of assets has been attributed to the controlling interest. Accrued Liabilities March 26, September 25, Amounts payable to patent administration program partners $ 79,089 $ 60,427 Accrued compensation and benefits 97,296 89,684 Accrued professional fees 11,541 10,344 Unpaid property, plant, and equipment additions 16,444 15,102 Accrued customer refunds 4,824 10,053 Accrued market development funds 19,860 6,612 Other accrued liabilities 25,109 27,752 Total $ 254,163 $ 219,974 Other Non-Current Liabilities March 26, September 25, Supplemental retirement plan obligations $ 4,447 $ 4,181 Non-current tax liabilities (1) 88,222 85,943 Other liabilities 25,890 32,030 Total $ 118,559 $ 122,154 (1) Refer to Note 12 “ Income Taxes ” for additional information related to our tax liabilities.

Investments & Fair Value Measur

Investments & Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]
Investments & Fair Value Measurements	. Investments and Fair Value Measurements We use cash holdings to purchase investment grade securities diversified among security types, industries, and issuers. All of our investment securities are measured at fair value, and are recorded within cash equivalents and both short-term and long-term investments in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. With the exception of our mutual fund investments held in our SERP and classified as trading securities, all of our investments are classified as AFS securities. Derivative contracts are used to hedge currency risk, these are carried at fair value and classified as other assets and other liabilities. Our investment securities primarily consist of government bonds, certificates of deposit, municipal debt securities, corporate bonds, U.S. agency securities, and commercial paper. In addition, our cash and cash equivalents also consist of highly-liquid money market funds. Consistent with our investment policy, none of our municipal debt investments are supported by letters of credit or standby purchase agreements. Our cash and investment portfolio consisted of the following (in thousands): March 26, 2021 Cost Unrealized Estimated Fair Value Gains Losses Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 791,545 $ — $ — $ 791,545 $ 791,545 $ — $ — Cash equivalents: Money market funds 312,685 — — 312,685 312,685 — — Government bonds 340 — — 340 340 — — Cash and cash equivalents 1,104,570 — — 1,104,570 1,104,570 — — Short-term investments: Certificate of deposit 1,825 — — 1,825 — 1,825 — U.S. agency securities 1,397 20 — 1,417 — 1,417 — Government bonds 1,645 11 — 1,656 100 1,556 — Commercial paper 6,079 2 — 6,081 — 6,081 — Corporate bonds 24,461 116 (3) 24,574 — 24,574 — Municipal debt securities 22,925 105 (1) 23,029 — 23,029 — Short-term investments 58,332 254 (4) 58,582 100 58,482 — Long-term investments: Certificate of deposit 630 — — 630 — 630 — U.S. agency securities 1,961 19 (1) 1,979 — 1,979 — Government bonds 7,731 56 (6) 7,781 1,627 6,154 — Corporate bonds 19,477 186 (11) 19,652 — 19,652 — Municipal debt securities 8,387 82 (1) 8,468 — 8,468 — Other long-term investments (1) 3,678 — — 3,678 — — — Long-term investments 41,864 343 (19) 42,188 1,627 36,883 — Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments $ 1,204,766 $ 597 $ (23) $ 1,205,340 $ 1,106,297 $ 95,365 $ — Investments held in supplemental retirement plan: Assets $ 4,545 $ — $ — $ 4,545 $ 4,545 $ — $ — Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other non-current assets Liabilities $ 4,545 $ — $ — $ 4,545 $ 4,545 $ — $ — Included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities Currency derivatives as hedge instruments: Assets: Included in other current assets $ — $ 4,977 $ — $ 4,977 $ — $ 4,977 $ — Liabilities: Included in other accrued liabilities — — (112) (112) — (112) — (1) Other long-term investments as of March 26, 2021 is comprised of one equity method investment which is not carried at fair value of $3.7 million. September 25, 2020 Cost Unrealized Estimated Fair Value Gains Losses Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 856,740 $ — $ — $ 856,740 $ 856,740 $ — $ — Cash equivalents: Commercial paper 900 — — 900 — 900 — Money market funds 214,111 — — 214,111 214,111 — — Government bonds 125 — — 125 125 — — Cash and cash equivalents 1,071,876 — — 1,071,876 1,070,976 900 — Short-term investments: Certificate of deposit 2,277 1 — 2,278 — 2,278 — U.S. agency securities 999 12 — 1,011 — 1,011 — Government bonds 5,118 47 — 5,165 1,370 3,795 — Commercial paper 4,727 4 — 4,731 — 4,731 — Corporate bonds 18,754 87 (3) 18,838 — 18,838 — Municipal debt securities 14,828 97 — 14,925 — 14,925 — Short-term investments 46,703 248 (3) 46,948 1,370 45,578 — Long-term investments: U.S. agency securities 2,214 56 — 2,270 — 2,270 — Government bonds 5,137 80 — 5,217 1,633 3,584 — Corporate bonds 24,657 419 (7) 25,069 — 25,069 — Municipal debt securities 15,220 203 (6) 15,417 — 15,417 — Other long-term investments (1) 4,176 — — 4,176 — — — Long-term investments 51,404 758 (13) 52,149 1,633 46,340 — Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments $ 1,169,983 $ 1,006 $ (16) $ 1,170,973 $ 1,073,979 $ 92,818 $ — Investments held in supplemental retirement plan: Assets $ 4,279 $ — $ — $ 4,279 $ 4,279 $ — $ — Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other non-current assets Liabilities $ 4,279 $ — $ — $ 4,279 $ 4,279 $ — $ — Included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities Currency derivatives as hedge instruments: Assets: Included in other current assets $ — $ 4,267 $ — $ 4,267 $ — $ 4,267 $ — Assets: included in other non-current assets — 369 — 369 — 369 — Liabilities: Included in other accrued liabilities — — (79) (79) — (79) — (1) Other long-term investments as of September 25, 2020 is comprised of one equity method investment which is not carried at fair value of $4.2 million. Fair Value Hierarchy. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We minimize the use of unobservable inputs and use observable market data, if available, when determining fair value. We classify our inputs to measure fair value using the following three-level hierarchy: Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical assets and liabilities. We base the fair value of our Level 1 financial instruments, which are traded in active markets, using quoted market prices for identical instruments. Level 2: Prices may be based upon quoted prices in active markets or inputs not quoted on active markets but are corroborated by market data. We obtain the fair value of our Level 2 investments from a professional pricing service, which may use quoted market prices for identical or comparable instruments, or model driven valuations using observable market data or inputs corroborated by observable market data. To validate the fair value determination provided by our primary pricing service, we perform quality controls over values received which include comparing our pricing service provider’s assessment of the fair values of our investment securities against the fair values of our investment securities obtained from another independent source, reviewing the pricing movement in the context of overall market trends, and reviewing trading information from our investment managers. In addition, we assess the inputs and methods used in determining the fair value in order to determine the classification of securities in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the currency derivatives are calculated from market spot rates, forward rates, interest rates, and credit ratings at the end of the period. Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available and reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Securities In Gross Unrealized Loss Position. We periodically evaluate our investments for other-than- temporary declines in fair value. The unrealized losses on our AFS securities were primarily the result of unfavorable changes in interest rates subsequent to the initial purchase of these securities. The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and fair value for those AFS securities that were in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months as of March 26, 2021 and September 25, 2020 (in thousands): March 26, 2021 September 25, 2020 Less Than 12 Months Less Than 12 Months Investment Type Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Certificate of deposit $ 630 $ — $ — $ — U.S. agency securities 555 (1) — — Government bonds 3,929 (6) — — Corporate bonds 14,261 (13) 7,076 (10) Municipal debt securities 5,747 (2) 2,505 (6) Total $ 25,122 $ (22) $ 9,581 $ (16) As of March 26, 2021 and September 25, 2020, there were no gross unrealized losses and no AFS securities that were in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater. Although we had certain securities that were in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months as of March 26, 2021 and September 25, 2020, we expect to recover the full carrying value of these securities. As a result, we do not consider any portion of the unrealized losses at either March 26, 2021 or September 25, 2020 to represent an other-than-temporary impairment, nor do we consider any of the unrealized losses to be credit losses. Investment Maturities. The following table summarizes the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the AFS securities within our investment portfolio based on stated maturities as of March 26, 2021 and September 25, 2020, which are recorded within cash equivalents and both short and long-term investments in our condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands): March 26, 2021 September 25, 2020 Range of maturity Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Due within 1 year $ 371,358 $ 371,608 $ 261,839 $ 262,085 Due in 1 to 2 years 23,164 23,459 29,328 29,814 Due in 2 to 5 years 15,021 15,050 17,900 18,159 Total $ 409,543 $ 410,117 $ 309,067 $ 310,058

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	. Property, Plant, and Equipment PP&E are recorded at cost, with depreciation expense included in cost of licensing, cost of products and services, R&D, S&M, and G&A expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of March 26, 2021 and September 25, 2020, PP&E consisted of the following (in thousands): Property, Plant, and Equipment March 26, September 25, Land $ 42,047 $ 41,955 Buildings and building improvements 283,357 283,617 Leasehold improvements 84,830 83,764 Machinery and equipment 124,644 126,942 Computer equipment and software 244,946 230,800 Furniture and fixtures 32,476 31,845 Equipment provided under operating leases 207,506 199,561 Construction-in-progress 28,488 19,545 Property, plant, and equipment, gross 1,048,294 1,018,029 Less: accumulated depreciation (505,592) (476,066) Property, plant, and equipment, net $ 542,702 $ 541,963

Leases

Leases	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases As Lessee As a lessee, we enter into contracts to access and utilize office space, including those payable to our principal stockholder and portions attributable to the controlling interests in our consolidated subsidiaries. We determine if a contract contains a lease based on whether we have the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of an identified asset and whether we have the right to direct the use of an identified asset in exchange for consideration, which relates to an asset which we do not own. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are recognized as the lease liability, adjusted for lease incentives received. Lease liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement date. The interest rate used to determine the present value of the future lease payments is our IBR, because the interest rate implicit in our leases is not readily determinable. The IBR is a hypothetical rate based on our understanding of what our credit rating would be and resulting interest we would pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment over the lease term on a collateralized basis. Lease payments may be fixed or variable, however, only fixed payments are included in our lease liability calculation. Variable lease payments are recognized in operating expenses in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. The lease term of operating leases vary from less than a year to 11 years. We have leases that include one or more options to extend the lease term for up to 9 years as well as options to terminate the lease within one year. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise such options. The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 Lease cost Operating lease cost $ 4,953 $ 5,797 $ 9,747 $ 11,153 Variable lease cost 142 183 233 577 Total lease cost $ 5,095 $ 5,980 $ 9,980 $ 11,730 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To Date Ended March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 Other information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities $ 5,143 $ 5,525 $ 10,064 $ 10,766 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations 883 16,044 1,719 28,860 Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: March 26, 2021 September 25, 2020 Operating Leases Weighted-average remaining lease term 6.2 years 6.5 years Weighted-average discount rate 3.1 % 3.1 % The following table presents the maturity analysis of lease liabilities (in thousands): March 26, 2021 Operating Leases Remainder of Fiscal 2021 $ 9,001 Fiscal 2022 16,502 Fiscal 2023 14,295 Fiscal 2024 13,279 Fiscal 2025 9,565 Thereafter 23,221 Total undiscounted lease payments 85,863 Less: imputed interest (9,385) Total lease liabilities $ 76,478 As Lessor As a lessor, we lease our Dolby Cinema product solution to exhibitors, Dolby Voice equipment to cloud conferencing service providers, and lease or sublease real estate properties. The terms of these leases vary from 4 to 10 years. Lease components consist of fixed payments and/or variable lease payments based on contracted percentages of revenue. Generally, leases do not grant any right to the lessee to purchase the underlying asset at the end of the lease term, with the exception of certain leases of Dolby Voice equipment for which the customer has the option to purchase the equipment at fair value. Dolby Cinema lease arrangements have options to extend the lease term at expiration by increments ranging from 1 to 5 years. Assets provided under an operating lease are carried at cost within property, plant and equipment, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and depreciated over the useful life of the asset using the straight-line method. Fixed operating lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term to other income for our real estate property and to revenue for all other leases. Variable lease payments received under our Dolby Cinema operating leases are computed as shares of lessees' box office revenue and recognized to revenue in the period that box office sales occur. Lease incentive payments we make to lessees are amortized as a reduction in revenue over the lease term. The components of lease income were as follows (in millions): Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 Operating Lease Income Variable operating lease income $ 1.3 $ 3.8 $ 0.8 $ 11.1 Fixed operating lease income 1.1 0.8 2.2 1.5 If a lease is classified as a sales-type lease, the carrying amount of the asset is derecognized from property, plant and equipment, net, and a net investment in the lease is recorded. The net investment in the lease is measured at commencement date as the sum of the lease receivable and the estimated residual value of the equipment. The unguaranteed residual value of the equipment was determined as the estimated carrying value of the asset at the end of the lease term had the asset been depreciated on a straight-line basis. The unguaranteed residual value of sales-type leases was $0.8 million and $0.7 million as of March 26, 2021 and September 25, 2020, respectively. Selling profit or loss arising from a sales-type lease is recorded at lease commencement and presented on a gross basis. Over the term of the lease, we recognize interest income on the net investment in the lease. We also recognize variable lease payments, if any, which are not material and not included in the net investment in the lease. The following table presents the maturity analysis of fixed lease payments due to Dolby (in thousands): March 26, 2021 Operating Leases Sales-Type Leases Remainder of Fiscal 2021 $ 1,342 $ 1,610 Fiscal 2022 2,690 1,624 Fiscal 2023 2,611 1,623 Fiscal 2024 1,049 810 Fiscal 2025 394 397 Thereafter 1,704 396 Total undiscounted cash flows $ 9,790 6,460 Less: present value of lease payments (recognized as lease receivables) (5,155) Difference $ 1,305
Leases	Leases As Lessee As a lessee, we enter into contracts to access and utilize office space, including those payable to our principal stockholder and portions attributable to the controlling interests in our consolidated subsidiaries. We determine if a contract contains a lease based on whether we have the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of an identified asset and whether we have the right to direct the use of an identified asset in exchange for consideration, which relates to an asset which we do not own. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are recognized as the lease liability, adjusted for lease incentives received. Lease liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement date. The interest rate used to determine the present value of the future lease payments is our IBR, because the interest rate implicit in our leases is not readily determinable. The IBR is a hypothetical rate based on our understanding of what our credit rating would be and resulting interest we would pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment over the lease term on a collateralized basis. Lease payments may be fixed or variable, however, only fixed payments are included in our lease liability calculation. Variable lease payments are recognized in operating expenses in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. The lease term of operating leases vary from less than a year to 11 years. We have leases that include one or more options to extend the lease term for up to 9 years as well as options to terminate the lease within one year. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise such options. The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 Lease cost Operating lease cost $ 4,953 $ 5,797 $ 9,747 $ 11,153 Variable lease cost 142 183 233 577 Total lease cost $ 5,095 $ 5,980 $ 9,980 $ 11,730 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To Date Ended March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 Other information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities $ 5,143 $ 5,525 $ 10,064 $ 10,766 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations 883 16,044 1,719 28,860 Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: March 26, 2021 September 25, 2020 Operating Leases Weighted-average remaining lease term 6.2 years 6.5 years Weighted-average discount rate 3.1 % 3.1 % The following table presents the maturity analysis of lease liabilities (in thousands): March 26, 2021 Operating Leases Remainder of Fiscal 2021 $ 9,001 Fiscal 2022 16,502 Fiscal 2023 14,295 Fiscal 2024 13,279 Fiscal 2025 9,565 Thereafter 23,221 Total undiscounted lease payments 85,863 Less: imputed interest (9,385) Total lease liabilities $ 76,478 As Lessor As a lessor, we lease our Dolby Cinema product solution to exhibitors, Dolby Voice equipment to cloud conferencing service providers, and lease or sublease real estate properties. The terms of these leases vary from 4 to 10 years. Lease components consist of fixed payments and/or variable lease payments based on contracted percentages of revenue. Generally, leases do not grant any right to the lessee to purchase the underlying asset at the end of the lease term, with the exception of certain leases of Dolby Voice equipment for which the customer has the option to purchase the equipment at fair value. Dolby Cinema lease arrangements have options to extend the lease term at expiration by increments ranging from 1 to 5 years. Assets provided under an operating lease are carried at cost within property, plant and equipment, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and depreciated over the useful life of the asset using the straight-line method. Fixed operating lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term to other income for our real estate property and to revenue for all other leases. Variable lease payments received under our Dolby Cinema operating leases are computed as shares of lessees' box office revenue and recognized to revenue in the period that box office sales occur. Lease incentive payments we make to lessees are amortized as a reduction in revenue over the lease term. The components of lease income were as follows (in millions): Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 Operating Lease Income Variable operating lease income $ 1.3 $ 3.8 $ 0.8 $ 11.1 Fixed operating lease income 1.1 0.8 2.2 1.5 If a lease is classified as a sales-type lease, the carrying amount of the asset is derecognized from property, plant and equipment, net, and a net investment in the lease is recorded. The net investment in the lease is measured at commencement date as the sum of the lease receivable and the estimated residual value of the equipment. The unguaranteed residual value of the equipment was determined as the estimated carrying value of the asset at the end of the lease term had the asset been depreciated on a straight-line basis. The unguaranteed residual value of sales-type leases was $0.8 million and $0.7 million as of March 26, 2021 and September 25, 2020, respectively. Selling profit or loss arising from a sales-type lease is recorded at lease commencement and presented on a gross basis. Over the term of the lease, we recognize interest income on the net investment in the lease. We also recognize variable lease payments, if any, which are not material and not included in the net investment in the lease. The following table presents the maturity analysis of fixed lease payments due to Dolby (in thousands): March 26, 2021 Operating Leases Sales-Type Leases Remainder of Fiscal 2021 $ 1,342 $ 1,610 Fiscal 2022 2,690 1,624 Fiscal 2023 2,611 1,623 Fiscal 2024 1,049 810 Fiscal 2025 394 397 Thereafter 1,704 396 Total undiscounted cash flows $ 9,790 6,460 Less: present value of lease payments (recognized as lease receivables) (5,155) Difference $ 1,305

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill The following table outlines changes to the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands): Goodwill Balance at September 25, 2020 $ 336,945 Translation adjustments 1,290 Balance at March 26, 2021 $ 338,235 Intangible Assets Our intangible assets are stated at their original cost less accumulated amortization, and principally consist of acquired technology, patents, trademarks, customer relationships and contracts. Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the following (in thousands): March 26, 2021 September 25, 2020 Intangible Assets Cost Accumulated Net Cost Accumulated Net Acquired patents and technology $ 342,807 $ (220,006) $ 122,801 $ 342,637 $ (206,123) $ 136,514 Customer relationships 64,746 (50,807) 13,939 64,740 (49,062) 15,678 Other intangibles 22,976 (22,772) 204 22,969 (22,730) 239 Total $ 430,529 $ (293,585) $ 136,944 $ 430,346 $ (277,915) $ 152,431 During fiscal 2020, we purchased various patents for purchase consideration of $2.9 million, and upon acquisition, these intangible assets had a weighted-average useful life of 14.0 years. These intangible assets facilitate our R&D efforts, technologies, and potential product offerings. Amortization expense for our intangible assets is included in cost of licensing, cost of products and services, R&D, S&M, and G&A expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Amortization expense was $7.3 million and $7.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $14.6 million and $14.8 million in the fiscal year-to-date period ended March 26, 2021 and March 27, 2020, respectively. As of March 26, 2021, expected amortization expense of our intangible assets in future fiscal periods was as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Amortization Expense Remainder of 2021 $ 15,448 2022 28,291 2023 23,923 2024 21,894 2025 6,840 Thereafter 40,548 Total $ 136,944

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation	Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation We provide stock-based awards as a form of compensation for employees, officers, and directors. We have issued stock-based awards in the form of stock options and RSUs under our equity incentive plans, as well as shares under our ESPP. Common Stock - Class A and Class B Our Board of Directors has authorized two classes of common stock, Class A and Class B. As of March 26, 2021, we had authorized 500,000,000 Class A shares and 500,000,000 Class B shares. As of March 26, 2021, we had 65,206,586 shares of Class A common stock and 36,107,779 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding. Holders of our Class A and Class B common stock have identical rights, except that holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share. Shares of Class B common stock can be converted to shares of Class A common stock at any time at the option of the stockholder and automatically convert upon sale or transfer, except for certain transfers specified in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Stock Incentive Plans Following shareholder approval in January 2005, our 2005 Stock Plan was adopted by our Board of Directors on February 16, 2005. In February 2020, our stockholders approved the name change of our 2005 Stock Plan to the 2020 Stock Plan and certain other changes described in our proxy statement for our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders. Our 2020 Stock Plan, as amended and restated, provides for the ability to grant incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, RSUs, stock appreciation rights, deferred stock units, performance units, performance bonus awards, and performance shares. A total of 55.0 million shares of our Class A common stock have been authorized for issuance under the 2020 Stock Plan in total since inception of the plan. For awards granted prior to February 2011, any shares subject to an award with a per share price less than the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant and any shares subject to an outstanding RSU award will be counted against the authorized share reserve as two shares for every one share subject to the award, and if returned to the 2020 Stock Plan, such shares will be counted as two shares for every one share returned. For those awards granted from February 2011 onward, any shares subject to an award with a per share price less than the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant and any shares subject to an outstanding RSU award will be counted against the authorized share reserve as 1.6 shares for every one share subject to the award, and if returned to the 2020 Stock Plan, such shares will be counted as 1.6 shares for every one share returned. Stock Options. Stock options are granted at fair market value on the date of grant. Options granted to employees and officers prior to June 2008 generally vest over four years, with equal annual cliff vesting and expire on the earlier of ten years after the date of grant or three months after termination of service. Options granted to employees and officers from June 2008 onwards generally vest over four years, with 25% of the shares subject to the option becoming exercisable on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the balance of the shares vesting in equal monthly installments over the following 36 months. These options expire on the earlier of ten years after the date of grant or three months after termination of service. All options granted vest over the requisite service period and upon the exercise of stock options, we issue new shares of Class A common stock under the 2020 Stock Plan. Our 2020 Stock Plan also allows us to grant stock awards which vest based on the satisfaction of specific performance criteria. Performance-Based Stock Options. In fiscal 2016, we began granting PSOs to our executive officers with shares of our Class A common stock underlying such options. The contractual term for the PSOs is seven years, with vesting contingent upon market-based performance conditions, representing the achievement of specified Dolby annualized TSR targets at the end of a three-year measurement period following the date of grant. If the minimum conditions are met, the PSOs earned will cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, upon certification of achievement of the performance conditions by our Compensation Committee. Anywhere from 0% to 125% of the shares subject to a PSO may vest based on achievement of the performance conditions at the end of the three-year performance period. In valuing the PSOs which will be recognized as compensation cost, we used a Monte Carlo valuation model. Aside from the use of an expected term for the PSOs commensurate with their shorter contractual term, the nature of the valuation inputs used in the Monte Carlo valuation model were consistent with those used to value our non-performance based options granted under the 2020 Stock Plan. Compensation cost is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The following table summarizes information about PSOs granted to our executive officers that have vested: Grant Date Aggregate Shares Granted at Target Award Aggregate Shares Exercisable at Vest Date (1) Percentage Vested of Target Award Vested Date December 15, 2015 419,623 334,623 125 % December 2018 December 15, 2016 276,199 240,539 95 % December 2019 December 15, 2017 264,000 253,440 96 % December 2020 (1) Aggregate shares exercisable at vest date does not include any shares that were cancelled before the vest date after they were granted. On December 15, 2018, we granted PSOs to our executive officers exercisable for an aggregate of 241,100 shares at the target award amount, which would be exercisable up to an aggregate of 301,375 shares at 125% of the target award amount. As of March 26, 2021, PSOs which would be exercisable for an aggregate of 755,687 shares at the target award amount (815,962 shares at up to 125% of the target award amount) were outstanding. The following table summarizes information about stock options issued under our 2020 Stock Plan: Shares Weighted-Average Weighted-Average Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) (in thousands) (in years) (in thousands) Options outstanding at September 25, 2020 6,599 $ 53.30 Grants 283 92.08 Exercises (1,371) 46.19 Forfeitures and cancellations (9) 62.36 Options outstanding at March 26, 2021 5,502 57.05 6.12 $ 225,563 Options vested and expected to vest at March 26, 2021 5,313 56.51 6.04 221,624 Options exercisable at March 26, 2021 3,572 $ 50.31 5.12 $ 171,130 (1) Aggregate intrinsic value is based on the closing stock price of our Class A common stock on March 26, 2021 of $98.22 and excludes the impact of options that were not in-the-money. Restricted Stock Units. Beginning in fiscal 2008, we began granting RSUs to certain directors, officers and employees. Awards granted to employees and officers generally vest over four years, with equal annual cliff-vesting. Awards granted to directors prior to November 2010 generally vest over three years, with equal annual cliff-vesting. Awards granted after November 2010 and prior to fiscal 2014 to new directors vest over approximately two years, with 50% vesting per year, while awards granted from November 2010 onward to ongoing directors generally vest over approximately one year. Awards granted to new directors from fiscal 2014 onward vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the award’s date of grant, or the day immediately preceding the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders that occurs after the award’s date of grant. Our 2020 Stock Plan also allows us to grant RSUs that vest based on the satisfaction of specific performance criteria. At each vesting date, the holder of the award is issued shares of our Class A common stock. Compensation expense from these awards is equal to the adjusted fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant, discounted to account for dividend payments forgone during the vesting period, and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (PSUs). In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, we began granting PSUs to our executive officers with shares of our Class A common stock underlying such awards. The terms of the PSU Agreement adopted in the first quarter fiscal 2020 provide for the grant of PSUs to our executive officers contingent on Dolby's achievement of annualized TSR targets measured against a comparator index over a three-year performance period following the date of grant. Anywhere from 0% to 200% of eligible restricted stock units may vest based on achievement of the performance conditions at the end of the three-year performance period. In valuing the PSUs which will be recognized as compensation cost, we used a Monte Carlo valuation model. Compensation cost is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. On December 15, 2020, we granted PSUs to our executive officers vesting for an aggregate of 66,138 shares at the target amount, which would vest at 132,276 shares at 200% of the target award amount. On December 16, 2019, we granted PSUs to our executive officers vesting for an aggregate of 62,000 shares at the target amount, which would vest at 124,000 shares at 200% of the target award amount. The following table summarizes information about RSUs issued under our 2020 Stock Plan: Shares Weighted-Average (in thousands) Non-vested at September 25, 2020 2,979 $ 62.70 Granted 1,383 89.75 Vested (1,012) 60.18 Forfeitures (90) 65.54 Non-vested at March 26, 2021 3,260 $ 74.88 Employee Stock Purchase Plan . Our plan allows eligible employees to have up to 10 percent of their eligible compensation withheld and used to purchase Class A common stock, subject to a maximum of $25,000 worth of stock purchased in a calendar year or no more than 1,000 shares in an offering period, whichever is less. An offering period consists of successive six-month purchase periods, with a look back feature to our stock price at the commencement of a one-year offering period. The plan provides for a discount equal to 15 percent of the lower of the closing price of our Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the first and last day of the offering periods. The plan also includes an automatic reset feature that provides for an offering period to be reset and recommenced to a new lower-priced offering if the offering price of a new offering period is less than that of the immediately preceding offering period. Stock Option Valuation Assumptions We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the estimated fair value of employee stock options at the date of the grant. The Black-Scholes model includes inputs that require us to make certain estimates and assumptions regarding the expected term of the award, as well as the future risk-free interest rate, and the volatility of our stock price over the expected term of the award. Expected Term. The expected term of an award represents the estimated period of time that options granted will remain outstanding, and is measured from the grant date to the date at which the option is either exercised or canceled. Our determination of the expected term involves an evaluation of historical terms and other factors such as the exercise and termination patterns of our employees who hold options to acquire our Class A common stock, and is based on certain assumptions made regarding the future exercise and termination behavior. Risk-Free Interest Rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield curve of United States Treasury instruments in effect on the date of grant. In determining an estimate for the risk-free interest rate, we use average interest rates based on these instruments’ constant maturities with a term that approximates and corresponds with the expected term of our awards. Expected Stock Price Volatility. The expected volatility represents the estimated volatility in the price of our Class A common stock over a time period that approximates the expected term of the awards, and is determined using a blended combination of historical and implied volatility. Historical volatility is representative of the historical trends in our stock price for periods preceding the measurement date for a period that is commensurate with the expected term. Implied volatility is based upon externally traded option contracts of our Class A common stock. Dividend Yield. The dividend yield is based on our anticipated dividend payout over the expected term of our option awards. Dividend declarations and the establishment of future record and payment dates are subject to the Board of Directors’ continuing determination that the dividend policy is in the best interests of our stockholders. The dividend policy may be changed or canceled at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. The weighted-average assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of our stock options were as follows: Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended March 27, March 26, March 27, Expected term (in years) 4.91 4.88 4.91 Risk-free interest rate 0.6 % 0.4 % 1.7 % Expected stock price volatility 25.8 % 28.7 % 24.0 % Dividend yield 1.3 % 1.1 % 1.3 % There were no stock options granted during the second quarter of fiscal 2021. Stock-Based Compensation Expense Stock-based compensation expense for equity awards granted to employees is determined by estimating their fair value on the date of grant, and recognizing that value as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period in which our employees earn the awards. Compensation expense related to these equity awards is recognized net of estimated forfeitures, which reduce the expense recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. The selection of applicable estimated forfeiture rates is based on an evaluation of trends in our historical forfeiture data with consideration for other potential driving factors. If in subsequent periods actual forfeitures significantly differ from our initial estimates, we will revise such estimates accordingly. The following two tables separately present stock-based compensation expense both by award type and classification in our condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands): Expense - By Award Type Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended March 26, March 27, March 26, March 27, Compensation expense Stock options $ 3,224 $ 3,974 $ 7,710 $ 8,520 Restricted stock units 19,853 15,850 40,246 32,817 Employee stock purchase plan 1,336 1,127 2,770 2,228 Total stock-based compensation 24,413 20,951 50,726 43,565 Benefit from income taxes (3,859) (3,521) (8,071) (7,115) Total stock-based compensation, net of tax $ 20,554 $ 17,430 $ 42,655 $ 36,450 Expense - By Income Statement Line Item Classification Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended March 26, March 27, March 26, March 27, Compensation expense Cost of products and services $ 489 $ 507 $ 1,123 $ 1,050 Research and development 7,190 6,179 15,123 13,166 Sales and marketing 9,110 7,702 $ 18,906 $ 15,876 General and administrative 7,624 6,563 15,574 13,473 Total stock-based compensation expense 24,413 20,951 50,726 43,565 Benefit from income taxes (3,859) (3,521) (8,071) (7,115) Total stock-based compensation, net of tax $ 20,554 $ 17,430 $ 42,655 $ 36,450 The tax benefit that we recognize from shares issued under our ESPP is excluded from the tables above, and was not material for the periods presented. Unrecognized Compensation Expense. As of March 26, 2021, total unrecognized compensation expense associated with employee stock options expected to vest was approximately $22.5 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years. As of March 26, 2021, total unrecognized compensation expense associated with RSUs expected to vest was approximately $187.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.8 years. Common Stock Repurchase Program In November 2009, we announced a stock repurchase program ("program"), providing for the repurchase of our Class A common stock. The following table summarizes the initial amount of authorized repurchases as well as additional repurchases approved by our Board of Directors as of March 26, 2021 (in thousands): Authorization Period Authorization Amount Fiscal 2010: November 2009 $ 250,000 Fiscal 2010: July 2010 300,000 Fiscal 2011: July 2011 250,000 Fiscal 2012: February 2012 100,000 Fiscal 2015: October 2014 200,000 Fiscal 2017: January 2017 200,000 Fiscal 2018: July 2018 350,000 Fiscal 2019: July 2019 350,000 Total $ 2,000,000 Stock repurchases under the program may be made through open market transactions, negotiated purchases, or otherwise, at times and in amounts that we consider appropriate. The timing of repurchases and the number of shares repurchased depend upon a variety of factors, including price, regulatory requirements, the rate of dilution from our equity compensation plans, and other market conditions. The program does not have a specified expiration date, and can be limited, suspended or terminated at our discretion at any time without prior notice. Shares repurchased under the program will be returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Class A common stock. As of March 26, 2021, the remaining authorization to purchase additional shares is approximately $76.4 million. The following table provides information regarding share repurchase activity under the program during fiscal 2021: Quarterly Repurchase Activity Shares Cost in thousands (1) Average Price Paid Per Share (2) Q1 - Quarter ended December 25, 2020 450,399 $ 39,985 $ 88.78 Q2 - Quarter ended March 26, 2021 757,019 70,790 93.51 Total 1,207,418 $ 110,775 (1) Cost of share repurchases includes the price paid per share and applicable commissions. (2) Average price paid per share excludes commission costs. Dividend Program The following table summarizes dividends declared under the program during fiscal 2021: Fiscal Period Announcement Date Record Date Payment Date Cash Dividend Per Common Share Estimated Dividend Payment (1) Fiscal 2021 Q1 - Quarter ended December 25, 2020 January 28, 2021 February 9, 2021 February 19, 2021 $ 0.22 $22.4 million Q2 - Quarter ended March 26, 2021 May 4, 2021 May 17, 2021 May 25, 2021 $ 0.22 $22.3 million (1) The dividend payment amount is estimated based on the number of shares of our Class A and Class B common stock that we estimate will be outstanding as of the Record Date.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Other comprehensive income consists of three components: unrealized gains or losses on our AFS marketable investment securities, gains and losses on derivatives in cash flow hedge relationships not yet recognized in earnings, and the gains and losses from the translation of assets and liabilities denominated in non-U.S. dollar functional currencies. Until realized and reported as a component of net income, these comprehensive income items accumulate and are included within accumulated other comprehensive loss, a subsection within stockholders’ equity in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized gains and losses on our investment securities are reclassified from AOCI into earnings when realized upon sale and are determined based on specific identification of securities sold. Unrealized gains and losses on our cash flow hedges are reclassified from AOCI into earnings when the hedged operating expenses are recognized which is also when the gains and losses are realized. The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances during the period, and includes information regarding the manner in which the reclassifications out of AOCI into earnings affect our condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands): Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended Investment Securities Cash Flow Hedges Currency Translation Adjustments Total Investment Securities Cash Flow Hedges Currency Translation Adjustments Total Beginning Balance $ 653 $ 6,115 $ (7,376) $ (608) $ 818 $ 3,969 $ (15,381) $ (10,594) Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications: Unrealized losses (423) (4,974) — (5,397) (607) (3,910) — (4,517) Foreign currency translation gains/(losses) (1) — — (837) (837) — — 7,640 7,640 Income tax effect - benefit/(expense) 52 116 (35) 133 56 65 (507) (386) Net of tax (371) (4,858) (872) (6,101) (551) (3,845) 7,133 2,737 Amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings: Realized gains (1) 184 2,650 — 2,834 201 4,022 — 4,223 Income tax effect - expense (2) (8) (156) — (164) (10) (395) — (405) Net of tax 176 2,494 — 2,670 191 3,627 — 3,818 Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss) (195) (2,364) (872) (3,431) (360) (218) 7,133 6,555 Ending Balance $ 458 $ 3,751 $ (8,248) $ (4,039) $ 458 $ 3,751 $ (8,248) $ (4,039) Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended Investment Securities Cash Flow Hedges Currency Translation Adjustments Total Investment Securities Cash Flow Hedges Currency Translation Adjustments Total Beginning Balance $ 1,036 $ 284 $ (19,380) $ (18,060) $ 2,198 $ — $ (22,823) $ (20,625) Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications: Unrealized gains/(losses) 135 (4,078) — (3,943) (2,074) (3,763) — (5,837) Foreign currency translation losses (1) — — (9,780) (9,780) — — (6,377) (6,377) Income tax effect - benefit/(expense) 70 37 (40) 67 70 — — 70 Net of tax 205 (4,041) (9,820) (13,656) (2,004) (3,763) (6,377) (12,144) Amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings: Realized gains (1) 84 33 — 117 1,392 39 — 1,431 Income tax effect - expense (2) (16) — — (16) (277) — — (277) Net of tax 68 33 — 101 1,115 39 — 1,154 Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss) 273 (4,008) (9,820) (13,555) (889) (3,724) (6,377) (10,990) Ending Balance $ 1,309 $ (3,724) $ (29,200) $ (31,615) $ 1,309 $ (3,724) $ (29,200) $ (31,615) (1) Realized gains or losses, if any, from the sale of our AFS investment securities or from foreign currency translation adjustments are included within other income/expense, net in our consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains or losses on foreign currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges are included in operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. (2) The income tax benefit or expense is included within provision for income taxes in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	. Earnings Per Share Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. by the number of weighted-average shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding during the period. Through application of the treasury stock method, diluted EPS is computed in the same manner, except that the number of weighted-average shares outstanding is increased by the number of potentially dilutive shares from employee incentive plans during the period. Basic and diluted EPS are computed independently for each fiscal quarter and year-to-date period, which involves the use of different weighted-average share count figures relating to quarterly and annual periods. As a result, and after factoring the effect of rounding to the nearest cent per share, the sum of all four quarter-to-date EPS figures may not equal year-to-date EPS. Potentially dilutive shares represent the hypothetical number of incremental shares issuable under the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options (both vested and non-vested) and vesting of outstanding RSUs. The calculation of dilutive shares outstanding excludes out-of-the-money stock options. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (in thousands, except per share amounts): Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended March 26, March 27, March 26, March 27, Numerator: Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. $ 76,217 $ 88,496 $ 211,415 $ 137,249 Denominator: Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic 101,464 100,854 101,090 100,595 Potential common shares from options to purchase common stock 2,102 1,471 1,980 1,591 Potential common shares from restricted stock units 939 408 1,258 905 Potential common shares from employee stock purchase plan 76 40 86 42 Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted 104,581 102,773 104,414 103,133 Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.: Basic $ 0.75 $ 0.88 $ 2.09 $ 1.36 Diluted $ 0.73 $ 0.86 $ 2.02 $ 1.33 Antidilutive awards excluded from calculation: Stock options 283 3,446 159 3,035 Restricted stock units 2 72 47 40

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and unrecognized tax benefits reflect management's best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining the consolidated income tax expense. Unrecognized Tax Benefits As of March 26, 2021, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $66.9 million, of which $44.6 million, if recognized, would reduce our effective tax rate. As of September 25, 2020, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $60.7 million, of which $42.0 million, if recognized, would reduce our effective tax rate. The second quarter fiscal 2021 increase was primarily due to current year reserve and interest accruals. Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is classified within other non-current liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Effective Tax Rate Each period, the combination of multiple different factors can impact our effective tax rate. These factors include both recurring items such as tax rates and the relative amount of income earned in foreign jurisdictions, as well as discrete items that may occur in, but are not necessarily consistent between periods. Compared to the Federal statutory rate of 21%, our effective tax rate in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 was 10.6% or a tax expense of $9.0 million and our effective tax rate in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 was 20.0% or a tax expense of $22.1 million. The decrease in our effective tax rate was primarily due to a shift in the jurisdictional mix of revenue.

Restructuring

Restructuring	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring	Restructuring Restructuring charges recorded in our condensed consolidated statements of operations represent costs associated with separate individual restructuring plans implemented in various fiscal periods. Costs arising from these actions, including fluctuations in related balances between fiscal periods, are based on the nature of activities under the various plans. Fiscal 2021 Restructuring Events. In October 2020, we implemented a plan to reduce certain activities, such as exiting our conferencing hardware business, in order to focus our efforts on higher priority investment areas, and reduce the cost structure of our manufacturing operations. As a result, we recorded $9.4 million in restructuring costs in the year-to-date period ended March 26, 2021, primarily representing severance and other related benefits offered to approximately 100 employees that were impacted by this action. Actions related to this plan are expected to be completed by the end of fiscal 2021. The table presented below summarizes the changes in our restructuring accruals (in thousands): Severance Leased facility exit costs and other costs Total Balance at September 27, 2019 $ 128 $ 15,723 $ 15,851 Restructuring charges — 1,821 1,821 Cash payments (75) (22,119) (22,194) Non-cash and other adjustments (53) 4,575 4,522 Balance at September 25, 2020 $ — $ — $ — Restructuring charges 9,437 1,327 10,764 Cash payments and adjustments (7,708) (623) (8,331) Balance at March 26, 2021 $ 1,729 $ 704 $ 2,433 The activities during fiscal 2020 reflects the impact of our early exit of a leased facility and related strategic reorganization of our marketing function as a part of the fiscal 2019 restructuring plan. Accruals for restructuring charges incurred for the restructuring plan described above are included within accrued liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets, while restructuring charges are included within restructuring charges in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Legal Proceedings

Legal Proceedings	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Legal Proceedings	. Legal Matters We are involved in various legal proceedings that occasionally arise in the normal course of business. These can include claims of alleged infringement of IP rights, commercial, employment, and other matters. In our opinion, resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse impact on our operating results or financial condition. Given the unpredictable nature of legal proceedings, it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of one or more such proceedings could materially affect our future operating results or financial condition in a particular period, including as a result of required changes to our licensing terms, monetary penalties, and other potential consequences. However, based on the information known by us as of the date of this filing, any such amounts are either immaterial, or it is not feasible to provide an estimate of any such potential loss.

Commitments And Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	. Commitments and Contingencies In the ordinary course of business, we enter into contractual agreements with third parties that include non-cancelable payment obligations, for which we are liable in future periods. These arrangements can include terms binding us to minimum payments and/or penalties if we terminate the agreement for any reason other than an event of default as described by the agreement. The following table presents a summary of our contractual obligations and commitments as of March 26, 2021 (in thousands): Payments Due By Fiscal Period Remainder of Fiscal 2021 Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Thereafter Total Naming rights $ 1,979 $ 8,015 $ 8,116 $ 8,219 $ 8,322 $ 61,277 $ 95,928 Purchase obligations 8,838 5,169 1,566 979 — — 16,552 Donation commitments 2,052 1,740 44 44 44 114 4,038 Total $ 12,869 $ 14,924 $ 9,726 $ 9,242 $ 8,366 $ 61,391 $ 116,518 Naming Rights. We are party to an agreement for naming rights and related benefits with respect to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, the location of the Academy Awards®. The term of the agreement is 20 years, over which we will make payments on a semi-annual basis until fiscal 2032. Our ongoing annual payment obligations are conditioned in part on the Academy Awards being held and broadcast from the Dolby Theatre. Our payment obligations may be suspended or reduced in certain circumstances, including protracted closure of the Dolby Theatre. Purchase Obligations. Purchase obligations primarily consist of our commitments made under agreements to purchase goods and services related to Dolby Cinema and for purposes that include information technology and telecommunications, marketing and professional services, and manufacturing and other R&D activities. Donation Commitments. Our donation commitments relate to non-cancelable obligations that consist of maintenance services and installation of imaging and audio products in exchange for various marketing, branding, and publicity benefits. These donation agreements either transfer title of our audio and imaging products to the donee or offer use of the products free of charge for a specified period of time via a leasing arrangement. The recipients of these donations participate in or promote the cinema and entertainment industry and our commitments vary in length, lasting up to 15 years. Indemnification Clauses. On a limited basis, our contractual agreements contain a clause under which we agree to provide indemnification to the counterparty, most commonly to licensees in connection with licensing arrangements that include our IP. We have also entered into indemnification agreements with our officers, directors, and certain employees, and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain similar indemnification obligations. Additionally, and although not a contractual requirement, we have at times elected to defend our licensees from third party IP infringement claims. Since the terms and conditions of our contractual indemnification clauses do not explicitly specify our obligations, we are unable to reasonably estimate the maximum potential exposure for which we could be liable. Furthermore, we have not historically made any payments in connection with any such obligation and believe there to be a remote likelihood that any potential exposure in future periods would be of a material amount. As a result, no amounts have been accrued in our consolidated financial statements with respect to the contingent aspect of these indemnities.

Summary Of Significant Accoun_2

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles Of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. ("Dolby") and our wholly owned subsidiaries. In addition, we have consolidated the financial results of jointly owned affiliated companies in which our principal stockholder has a controlling interest. We report these controlling interests as a separate line in our condensed consolidated statements of operations as net income attributable to controlling interest and in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as a controlling interest. We eliminate all intercompany accounts and transactions upon consolidation.
Operating Segments	Operating Segments Since we operate as a single reportable segment, all required financial segment information is included in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements. This reflects the fact that our CODM, our Chief Executive Officer, evaluates our financial information and resources, and assesses the performance of these resources on a consolidated basis.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include estimated shipments by our licensees for which we are owed a sales–based royalty. These estimates involve the use of historical data and judgment for several key attributes including industry estimates of expected shipments, the percentage of markets using our technologies, and average sale prices. Our estimates of royalty-based revenue also take into consideration the macroeconomic effect of global events, such as the coronavirus pandemic ("COVID-19") or other natural disasters which may impact our licensees' supply chain activities as well as demand for shipments. Additional significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include ESPs for performance obligations within revenue arrangements; allowances for credit losses for accounts receivable; carrying values of inventories and certain PP&E, goodwill and intangible assets; fair values of investments; accrued liabilities including liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
Fiscal Year	Fiscal Year Our fiscal year is a 52 or 53 week period ending on the last Friday in September. The fiscal periods presented herein include the 13 week periods ended March 26, 2021 and March 27, 2020. Our fiscal year ending September 24,
Reclassifications	.
Recently Issued Accounting Policies	Recently Issued Accounting Standards Adopted Standards Collaborative Arrangements. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606 , which clarifies that certain transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement should be accounted for under ASC 606 when the counterparty is a customer. In addition, ASU 2018-18 precludes an entity from presenting consideration from a transaction in a collaborative arrangement as revenue from contracts with customers if the counterparty is not a customer for that transaction. We adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and it did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Financial Instruments. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments , which modifies the measurement of expected credit losses of certain financial instruments, including trade receivables, contract assets, and lease receivables. The standard provides guidance regarding methodologies and disclosures for expected credit losses on financial instruments, resulting in immediate recognition of estimated credit losses over the remaining life of financial assets at initiation or purchase date. We adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Standards Not Yet Adopted Income Taxes. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes , which modifies and eliminates certain exceptions to the general principles of ASC 740, Income Taxes. This standard will be effective for Dolby beginning September 25, 2021. We are currently evaluating the impact of the standard on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	The following table presents a summary of the composition of our revenue for all periods presented: Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended Revenue March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 Licensing $ 303,585 95 % $ 328,865 93 % $ 676,590 95 % $ 586,548 91 % Products and services 15,973 5 % 22,950 7 % 32,842 5 % 57,144 9 % Total revenue $ 319,558 100 % $ 351,815 100 % $ 709,432 100 % $ 643,692 100 % The following table presents the composition of our licensing revenue for all periods presented: Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended Market March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 Broadcast $ 104,813 35 % $ 128,677 39 % $ 244,113 36 % $ 230,810 39 % Mobile 65,673 22 % 75,697 23 % 171,296 25 % 110,178 19 % CE 48,284 16 % 49,199 15 % 100,205 15 % 98,044 17 % PC 51,104 17 % 45,791 14 % 83,839 12 % 77,634 13 % Other 33,711 10 % 29,501 9 % 77,137 12 % 69,882 12 % Total licensing revenue $ 303,585 100 % $ 328,865 100 % $ 676,590 100 % $ 586,548 100 % We license our technologies in approximately 60 countries, and our licensees distribute products that incorporate our technologies throughout the world. As shown in the table below, we generate the majority of our revenue from outside the United States. Geographic data for our licensing revenue is based on the location of our licensees’ headquarters, products revenue is based on the destination to which we ship our products, and services revenue is based on the location where services are performed. Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended Revenue By Geographic Location March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 United States $ 153,267 48 % $ 186,586 53 % $ 254,341 36 % $ 294,213 46 % International 166,291 52 % 165,229 47 % 455,091 64 % 349,479 54 % Total revenue $ 319,558 100 % $ 351,815 100 % $ 709,432 100 % $ 643,692 100 %
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability	The following table presents a summary of the balances to which contract assets and liabilities related to revenue are recorded for all periods presented (in thousands): March 26, 2021 September 25, 2020 Change ($) Change (%) Accounts receivable, net $ 283,505 $ 180,340 $ 103,165 57 % Contract assets, net 233,379 161,357 72,022 45 % Contract liabilities - current 20,029 15,436 4,593 30 % Contract liabilities - non-current 23,369 24,342 (973) (4) %

Composition Of Certain Financ_2

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]
Schedule Of Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets March 26, September 25, Trade accounts receivable $ 171,383 $ 147,618 Accounts receivable from patent administration program licensees 123,793 48,630 Contract assets 233,568 161,357 Accounts receivable, gross and contract assets, gross 528,744 357,605 Less: allowance for credit losses (11,860) (15,908) Total $ 516,884 $ 341,697
Schedule Of Allowance For Credit Losses	Allowance for Credit Losses Beginning Balance Charges/(Credits) Deductions Ending Balance For fiscal year ended: September 25, 2020 $ 9,775 $ 7,689 $ (1,556) $ 15,908 March 26, 2021 15,908 (65) (3,983) 11,860
Schedule Of Inventories	Inventories March 26, September 25, Raw materials $ 3,517 $ 3,770 Work in process 6,082 9,214 Finished goods 5,282 12,566 Total $ 14,881 $ 25,550
Schedule Of Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets	Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets March 26, September 25, Prepaid expenses $ 20,078 $ 17,884 Other current assets 27,227 35,138 Total $ 47,305 $ 53,022
Schedule Of Accrued Liabilities	Accrued Liabilities March 26, September 25, Amounts payable to patent administration program partners $ 79,089 $ 60,427 Accrued compensation and benefits 97,296 89,684 Accrued professional fees 11,541 10,344 Unpaid property, plant, and equipment additions 16,444 15,102 Accrued customer refunds 4,824 10,053 Accrued market development funds 19,860 6,612 Other accrued liabilities 25,109 27,752 Total $ 254,163 $ 219,974
Schedule Of Other Non-Current Liabilities	Other Non-Current Liabilities March 26, September 25, Supplemental retirement plan obligations $ 4,447 $ 4,181 Non-current tax liabilities (1) 88,222 85,943 Other liabilities 25,890 32,030 Total $ 118,559 $ 122,154

Investments & Fair Value Meas_2

Investments & Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]
Schedule Of Financial Assets and Liabilities Carried At Fair Value	Our cash and investment portfolio consisted of the following (in thousands): March 26, 2021 Cost Unrealized Estimated Fair Value Gains Losses Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 791,545 $ — $ — $ 791,545 $ 791,545 $ — $ — Cash equivalents: Money market funds 312,685 — — 312,685 312,685 — — Government bonds 340 — — 340 340 — — Cash and cash equivalents 1,104,570 — — 1,104,570 1,104,570 — — Short-term investments: Certificate of deposit 1,825 — — 1,825 — 1,825 — U.S. agency securities 1,397 20 — 1,417 — 1,417 — Government bonds 1,645 11 — 1,656 100 1,556 — Commercial paper 6,079 2 — 6,081 — 6,081 — Corporate bonds 24,461 116 (3) 24,574 — 24,574 — Municipal debt securities 22,925 105 (1) 23,029 — 23,029 — Short-term investments 58,332 254 (4) 58,582 100 58,482 — Long-term investments: Certificate of deposit 630 — — 630 — 630 — U.S. agency securities 1,961 19 (1) 1,979 — 1,979 — Government bonds 7,731 56 (6) 7,781 1,627 6,154 — Corporate bonds 19,477 186 (11) 19,652 — 19,652 — Municipal debt securities 8,387 82 (1) 8,468 — 8,468 — Other long-term investments (1) 3,678 — — 3,678 — — — Long-term investments 41,864 343 (19) 42,188 1,627 36,883 — Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments $ 1,204,766 $ 597 $ (23) $ 1,205,340 $ 1,106,297 $ 95,365 $ — Investments held in supplemental retirement plan: Assets $ 4,545 $ — $ — $ 4,545 $ 4,545 $ — $ — Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other non-current assets Liabilities $ 4,545 $ — $ — $ 4,545 $ 4,545 $ — $ — Included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities Currency derivatives as hedge instruments: Assets: Included in other current assets $ — $ 4,977 $ — $ 4,977 $ — $ 4,977 $ — Liabilities: Included in other accrued liabilities — — (112) (112) — (112) — September 25, 2020 Cost Unrealized Estimated Fair Value Gains Losses Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 856,740 $ — $ — $ 856,740 $ 856,740 $ — $ — Cash equivalents: Commercial paper 900 — — 900 — 900 — Money market funds 214,111 — — 214,111 214,111 — — Government bonds 125 — — 125 125 — — Cash and cash equivalents 1,071,876 — — 1,071,876 1,070,976 900 — Short-term investments: Certificate of deposit 2,277 1 — 2,278 — 2,278 — U.S. agency securities 999 12 — 1,011 — 1,011 — Government bonds 5,118 47 — 5,165 1,370 3,795 — Commercial paper 4,727 4 — 4,731 — 4,731 — Corporate bonds 18,754 87 (3) 18,838 — 18,838 — Municipal debt securities 14,828 97 — 14,925 — 14,925 — Short-term investments 46,703 248 (3) 46,948 1,370 45,578 — Long-term investments: U.S. agency securities 2,214 56 — 2,270 — 2,270 — Government bonds 5,137 80 — 5,217 1,633 3,584 — Corporate bonds 24,657 419 (7) 25,069 — 25,069 — Municipal debt securities 15,220 203 (6) 15,417 — 15,417 — Other long-term investments (1) 4,176 — — 4,176 — — — Long-term investments 51,404 758 (13) 52,149 1,633 46,340 — Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments $ 1,169,983 $ 1,006 $ (16) $ 1,170,973 $ 1,073,979 $ 92,818 $ — Investments held in supplemental retirement plan: Assets $ 4,279 $ — $ — $ 4,279 $ 4,279 $ — $ — Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other non-current assets Liabilities $ 4,279 $ — $ — $ 4,279 $ 4,279 $ — $ — Included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities Currency derivatives as hedge instruments: Assets: Included in other current assets $ — $ 4,267 $ — $ 4,267 $ — $ 4,267 $ — Assets: included in other non-current assets — 369 — 369 — 369 — Liabilities: Included in other accrued liabilities — — (79) (79) — (79) — (1) Other long-term investments as of September 25, 2020 is comprised of one equity method investment which is not carried at fair value of $4.2 million.
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and fair value for those AFS securities that were in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months as of March 26, 2021 and September 25, 2020 (in thousands): March 26, 2021 September 25, 2020 Less Than 12 Months Less Than 12 Months Investment Type Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Certificate of deposit $ 630 $ — $ — $ — U.S. agency securities 555 (1) — — Government bonds 3,929 (6) — — Corporate bonds 14,261 (13) 7,076 (10) Municipal debt securities 5,747 (2) 2,505 (6) Total $ 25,122 $ (22) $ 9,581 $ (16)
Available-for-sale Securities	The following table summarizes the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the AFS securities within our investment portfolio based on stated maturities as of March 26, 2021 and September 25, 2020, which are recorded within cash equivalents and both short and long-term investments in our condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands): March 26, 2021 September 25, 2020 Range of maturity Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Due within 1 year $ 371,358 $ 371,608 $ 261,839 $ 262,085 Due in 1 to 2 years 23,164 23,459 29,328 29,814 Due in 2 to 5 years 15,021 15,050 17,900 18,159 Total $ 409,543 $ 410,117 $ 309,067 $ 310,058

Property, Plant and Equipment (

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	PP&E are recorded at cost, with depreciation expense included in cost of licensing, cost of products and services, R&D, S&M, and G&A expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of March 26, 2021 and September 25, 2020, PP&E consisted of the following (in thousands): Property, Plant, and Equipment March 26, September 25, Land $ 42,047 $ 41,955 Buildings and building improvements 283,357 283,617 Leasehold improvements 84,830 83,764 Machinery and equipment 124,644 126,942 Computer equipment and software 244,946 230,800 Furniture and fixtures 32,476 31,845 Equipment provided under operating leases 207,506 199,561 Construction-in-progress 28,488 19,545 Property, plant, and equipment, gross 1,048,294 1,018,029 Less: accumulated depreciation (505,592) (476,066) Property, plant, and equipment, net $ 542,702 $ 541,963

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Lease Cost Components, Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Schedules	The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 Lease cost Operating lease cost $ 4,953 $ 5,797 $ 9,747 $ 11,153 Variable lease cost 142 183 233 577 Total lease cost $ 5,095 $ 5,980 $ 9,980 $ 11,730 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To Date Ended March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 March 26, 2021 March 27, 2020 Other information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities $ 5,143 $ 5,525 $ 10,064 $ 10,766 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations 883 16,044 1,719 28,860 Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: March 26, 2021 September 25, 2020 Operating Leases Weighted-average remaining lease term 6.2 years 6.5 years Weighted-average discount rate 3.1 % 3.1 %
Maturities of Lessee Lease Liabilities after Adoption of 842 Schedule	he following table presents the maturity analysis of lease liabilities (in thousands): March 26, 2021 Operating Leases Remainder of Fiscal 2021 $ 9,001 Fiscal 2022 16,502 Fiscal 2023 14,295 Fiscal 2024 13,279 Fiscal 2025 9,565 Thereafter 23,221 Total undiscounted lease payments 85,863 Less: imputed interest (9,385) Total lease liabilities $ 76,478
Maturities of Lessee Lease Liabilities before Adoption of 842 Schedule	he following table presents the maturity analysis of lease liabilities (in thousands): March 26, 2021 Operating Leases Remainder of Fiscal 2021 $ 9,001 Fiscal 2022 16,502 Fiscal 2023 14,295 Fiscal 2024 13,279 Fiscal 2025 9,565 Thereafter 23,221 Total undiscounted lease payments 85,863 Less: imputed interest (9,385) Total lease liabilities $ 76,478
Maturities of Lessor Operating Lease Payments Schedule	The following table presents the maturity analysis of fixed lease payments due to Dolby (in thousands): March 26, 2021 Operating Leases Sales-Type Leases Remainder of Fiscal 2021 $ 1,342 $ 1,610 Fiscal 2022 2,690 1,624 Fiscal 2023 2,611 1,623 Fiscal 2024 1,049 810 Fiscal 2025 394 397 Thereafter 1,704 396 Total undiscounted cash flows $ 9,790 6,460 Less: present value of lease payments (recognized as lease receivables) (5,155) Difference $ 1,305
Maturities of Lessor Sales-Type Lease Payments Schedule	The following table presents the maturity analysis of fixed lease payments due to Dolby (in thousands): March 26, 2021 Operating Leases Sales-Type Leases Remainder of Fiscal 2021 $ 1,342 $ 1,610 Fiscal 2022 2,690 1,624 Fiscal 2023 2,611 1,623 Fiscal 2024 1,049 810 Fiscal 2025 394 397 Thereafter 1,704 396 Total undiscounted cash flows $ 9,790 6,460 Less: present value of lease payments (recognized as lease receivables) (5,155) Difference $ 1,305

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The following table outlines changes to the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands): Goodwill Balance at September 25, 2020 $ 336,945 Translation adjustments 1,290 Balance at March 26, 2021 $ 338,235
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the following (in thousands): March 26, 2021 September 25, 2020 Intangible Assets Cost Accumulated Net Cost Accumulated Net Acquired patents and technology $ 342,807 $ (220,006) $ 122,801 $ 342,637 $ (206,123) $ 136,514 Customer relationships 64,746 (50,807) 13,939 64,740 (49,062) 15,678 Other intangibles 22,976 (22,772) 204 22,969 (22,730) 239 Total $ 430,529 $ (293,585) $ 136,944 $ 430,346 $ (277,915) $ 152,431
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	As of March 26, 2021, expected amortization expense of our intangible assets in future fiscal periods was as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Amortization Expense Remainder of 2021 $ 15,448 2022 28,291 2023 23,923 2024 21,894 2025 6,840 Thereafter 40,548 Total $ 136,944

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_2

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Summary Of Stock Options Issued To Officers, Directors, And Employees Under 2000 Stock Incentive Plan And 2005 Stock Plan	The following table summarizes information about PSOs granted to our executive officers that have vested: Grant Date Aggregate Shares Granted at Target Award Aggregate Shares Exercisable at Vest Date (1) Percentage Vested of Target Award Vested Date December 15, 2015 419,623 334,623 125 % December 2018 December 15, 2016 276,199 240,539 95 % December 2019 December 15, 2017 264,000 253,440 96 % December 2020 (1) Aggregate shares exercisable at vest date does not include any shares that were cancelled before the vest date after they were granted. The following table summarizes information about stock options issued under our 2020 Stock Plan: Shares Weighted-Average Weighted-Average Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) (in thousands) (in years) (in thousands) Options outstanding at September 25, 2020 6,599 $ 53.30 Grants 283 92.08 Exercises (1,371) 46.19 Forfeitures and cancellations (9) 62.36 Options outstanding at March 26, 2021 5,502 57.05 6.12 $ 225,563 Options vested and expected to vest at March 26, 2021 5,313 56.51 6.04 221,624 Options exercisable at March 26, 2021 3,572 $ 50.31 5.12 $ 171,130 (1) Aggregate intrinsic value is based on the closing stock price of our Class A common stock on March 26, 2021 of $98.22 and excludes the impact of options that were not in-the-money.
Summary Of Restricted Stock Units Issued To Officers, Directors And Employees Under 2005 Stock Incentive Plan	The following table summarizes information about RSUs issued under our 2020 Stock Plan: Shares Weighted-Average (in thousands) Non-vested at September 25, 2020 2,979 $ 62.70 Granted 1,383 89.75 Vested (1,012) 60.18 Forfeitures (90) 65.54 Non-vested at March 26, 2021 3,260 $ 74.88
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Stock-Based Awards Estimated Using Weighted-Average Assumptions	The weighted-average assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of our stock options were as follows: Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended March 27, March 26, March 27, Expected term (in years) 4.91 4.88 4.91 Risk-free interest rate 0.6 % 0.4 % 1.7 % Expected stock price volatility 25.8 % 28.7 % 24.0 % Dividend yield 1.3 % 1.1 % 1.3 %
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs	The following two tables separately present stock-based compensation expense both by award type and classification in our condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands): Expense - By Award Type Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended March 26, March 27, March 26, March 27, Compensation expense Stock options $ 3,224 $ 3,974 $ 7,710 $ 8,520 Restricted stock units 19,853 15,850 40,246 32,817 Employee stock purchase plan 1,336 1,127 2,770 2,228 Total stock-based compensation 24,413 20,951 50,726 43,565 Benefit from income taxes (3,859) (3,521) (8,071) (7,115) Total stock-based compensation, net of tax $ 20,554 $ 17,430 $ 42,655 $ 36,450 Expense - By Income Statement Line Item Classification Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended March 26, March 27, March 26, March 27, Compensation expense Cost of products and services $ 489 $ 507 $ 1,123 $ 1,050 Research and development 7,190 6,179 15,123 13,166 Sales and marketing 9,110 7,702 $ 18,906 $ 15,876 General and administrative 7,624 6,563 15,574 13,473 Total stock-based compensation expense 24,413 20,951 50,726 43,565 Benefit from income taxes (3,859) (3,521) (8,071) (7,115) Total stock-based compensation, net of tax $ 20,554 $ 17,430 $ 42,655 $ 36,450
Schedule of Tax Benefit from Exercise of Options
Schedule of Stock Repurchase Authorizations	The following table summarizes the initial amount of authorized repurchases as well as additional repurchases approved by our Board of Directors as of March 26, 2021 (in thousands): Authorization Period Authorization Amount Fiscal 2010: November 2009 $ 250,000 Fiscal 2010: July 2010 300,000 Fiscal 2011: July 2011 250,000 Fiscal 2012: February 2012 100,000 Fiscal 2015: October 2014 200,000 Fiscal 2017: January 2017 200,000 Fiscal 2018: July 2018 350,000 Fiscal 2019: July 2019 350,000 Total $ 2,000,000
Schedule of Stock Repurchase Activity	The following table provides information regarding share repurchase activity under the program during fiscal 2021: Quarterly Repurchase Activity Shares Cost in thousands (1) Average Price Paid Per Share (2) Q1 - Quarter ended December 25, 2020 450,399 $ 39,985 $ 88.78 Q2 - Quarter ended March 26, 2021 757,019 70,790 93.51 Total 1,207,418 $ 110,775 (1) Cost of share repurchases includes the price paid per share and applicable commissions. (2) Average price paid per share excludes commission costs.
Dividends Declared	The following table summarizes dividends declared under the program during fiscal 2021: Fiscal Period Announcement Date Record Date Payment Date Cash Dividend Per Common Share Estimated Dividend Payment (1) Fiscal 2021 Q1 - Quarter ended December 25, 2020 January 28, 2021 February 9, 2021 February 19, 2021 $ 0.22 $22.4 million Q2 - Quarter ended March 26, 2021 May 4, 2021 May 17, 2021 May 25, 2021 $ 0.22 $22.3 million (1) The dividend payment amount is estimated based on the number of shares of our Class A and Class B common stock that we estimate will be outstanding as of the Record Date.

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances during the period, and includes information regarding the manner in which the reclassifications out of AOCI into earnings affect our condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands): Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended Investment Securities Cash Flow Hedges Currency Translation Adjustments Total Investment Securities Cash Flow Hedges Currency Translation Adjustments Total Beginning Balance $ 653 $ 6,115 $ (7,376) $ (608) $ 818 $ 3,969 $ (15,381) $ (10,594) Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications: Unrealized losses (423) (4,974) — (5,397) (607) (3,910) — (4,517) Foreign currency translation gains/(losses) (1) — — (837) (837) — — 7,640 7,640 Income tax effect - benefit/(expense) 52 116 (35) 133 56 65 (507) (386) Net of tax (371) (4,858) (872) (6,101) (551) (3,845) 7,133 2,737 Amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings: Realized gains (1) 184 2,650 — 2,834 201 4,022 — 4,223 Income tax effect - expense (2) (8) (156) — (164) (10) (395) — (405) Net of tax 176 2,494 — 2,670 191 3,627 — 3,818 Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss) (195) (2,364) (872) (3,431) (360) (218) 7,133 6,555 Ending Balance $ 458 $ 3,751 $ (8,248) $ (4,039) $ 458 $ 3,751 $ (8,248) $ (4,039) Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended Investment Securities Cash Flow Hedges Currency Translation Adjustments Total Investment Securities Cash Flow Hedges Currency Translation Adjustments Total Beginning Balance $ 1,036 $ 284 $ (19,380) $ (18,060) $ 2,198 $ — $ (22,823) $ (20,625) Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications: Unrealized gains/(losses) 135 (4,078) — (3,943) (2,074) (3,763) — (5,837) Foreign currency translation losses (1) — — (9,780) (9,780) — — (6,377) (6,377) Income tax effect - benefit/(expense) 70 37 (40) 67 70 — — 70 Net of tax 205 (4,041) (9,820) (13,656) (2,004) (3,763) (6,377) (12,144) Amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings: Realized gains (1) 84 33 — 117 1,392 39 — 1,431 Income tax effect - expense (2) (16) — — (16) (277) — — (277) Net of tax 68 33 — 101 1,115 39 — 1,154 Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss) 273 (4,008) (9,820) (13,555) (889) (3,724) (6,377) (10,990) Ending Balance $ 1,309 $ (3,724) $ (29,200) $ (31,615) $ 1,309 $ (3,724) $ (29,200) $ (31,615) (1) Realized gains or losses, if any, from the sale of our AFS investment securities or from foreign currency translation adjustments are included within other income/expense, net in our consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains or losses on foreign currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges are included in operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. (2) The income tax benefit or expense is included within provision for income taxes in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Per Share Data (Tables)

Per Share Data (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (in thousands, except per share amounts): Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year-To-Date Ended March 26, March 27, March 26, March 27, Numerator: Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. $ 76,217 $ 88,496 $ 211,415 $ 137,249 Denominator: Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic 101,464 100,854 101,090 100,595 Potential common shares from options to purchase common stock 2,102 1,471 1,980 1,591 Potential common shares from restricted stock units 939 408 1,258 905 Potential common shares from employee stock purchase plan 76 40 86 42 Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted 104,581 102,773 104,414 103,133 Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.: Basic $ 0.75 $ 0.88 $ 2.09 $ 1.36 Diluted $ 0.73 $ 0.86 $ 2.02 $ 1.33 Antidilutive awards excluded from calculation: Stock options 283 3,446 159 3,035 Restricted stock units 2 72 47 40

Restructuring (Tables)

Restructuring (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Costs	The table presented below summarizes the changes in our restructuring accruals (in thousands): Severance Leased facility exit costs and other costs Total Balance at September 27, 2019 $ 128 $ 15,723 $ 15,851 Restructuring charges — 1,821 1,821 Cash payments (75) (22,119) (22,194) Non-cash and other adjustments (53) 4,575 4,522 Balance at September 25, 2020 $ — $ — $ — Restructuring charges 9,437 1,327 10,764 Cash payments and adjustments (7,708) (623) (8,331) Balance at March 26, 2021 $ 1,729 $ 704 $ 2,433

Commitments And Contingencies (

Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Contractual Obligations And Commitments	The following table presents a summary of our contractual obligations and commitments as of March 26, 2021 (in thousands): Payments Due By Fiscal Period Remainder of Fiscal 2021 Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Thereafter Total Naming rights $ 1,979 $ 8,015 $ 8,116 $ 8,219 $ 8,322 $ 61,277 $ 95,928 Purchase obligations 8,838 5,169 1,566 979 — — 16,552 Donation commitments 2,052 1,740 44 44 44 114 4,038 Total $ 12,869 $ 14,924 $ 9,726 $ 9,242 $ 8,366 $ 61,391 $ 116,518

Basis Of Presentation (Details)

Basis Of Presentation (Details) - segment	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 26, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of weeks in fiscal year	13 years
Number of Operating Segments		1

Summary Of Significant Accoun_3

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Sep. 25, 2020
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 71,976		$ 71,976		$ 76,515
Total lease liabilities	76,478		76,478
Revenues	319,558	$ 351,815	709,432	$ 643,692
Gross margin	287,180	314,985	641,750	569,547
Provision for income taxes	(9,022)	(22,105)	(33,294)	(27,968)
Net income (loss) attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$ 76,217	$ 88,496	$ 211,415	$ 137,249
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.73	$ 0.86	$ 2.02	$ 1.33
Accounts receivable, net	$ 283,505		$ 283,505		180,340
Contract assets, net of allowance for credit losses of $189 and $0	233,379		233,379		161,357
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	47,305		47,305		53,022
Other non-current assets	87,546		87,546		91,245
Accrued liabilities	254,163		254,163		219,974
Contract liabilities	20,029		20,029		15,436
Non-current contract liabilities	23,369		23,369		24,342
Other non-current liabilities	118,559		118,559		122,154
Retained earnings	2,591,870		2,591,870		$ 2,443,138
Net income	$ 76,345	$ 88,674	219,035	$ 137,265
Deferred income taxes			(16,992)	(15,141)
Accounts receivable, net			(102,791)	(60,870)
Contract assets			(72,197)	(28,086)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			10,552	(16,068)
Accounts payable and other liabilities			26,926	(21,431)
Contract liabilities			3,589	452
Net cash provided by operating activities			$ 165,628	$ 96,899

Revenue Recognition (Performanc

Revenue Recognition (Performance Obligation) (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021USD ($)country
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Performance obligation, description of timing	one year or less
Remaining performance obligation | $	$ 41.8
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Countries technologies are licensed in | country	60
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-03-27
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction period	6 months
Remaining performance obligation, percent	30.00%
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-09-25
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction period	1 year
Remaining performance obligation, percent	26.00%
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-10-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction period	1 year
Remaining performance obligation, percent	44.00%

Revenue Recognition Narrative (

Revenue Recognition Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021USD ($)
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue adjustment	$ 16
Revenue recognized	$ 7.3

Revenue Recognition (Schedule o

Revenue Recognition (Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 319,558	$ 351,815	$ 709,432	$ 643,692
Revenue from contract with customer, percent	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
United States
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 153,267	$ 186,586	$ 254,341	$ 294,213
Revenue from contract with customer, percent	48.00%	53.00%	36.00%	46.00%
International
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 166,291	$ 165,229	$ 455,091	$ 349,479
Revenue from contract with customer, percent	52.00%	47.00%	64.00%	54.00%
Licensing
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 303,585	$ 328,865	$ 676,590	$ 586,548
Revenue from contract with customer, licensing percent	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Revenue from contract with customer, percent	95.00%	93.00%	95.00%	91.00%
Products and services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 15,973	$ 22,950	$ 32,842	$ 57,144
Revenue from contract with customer, percent	5.00%	7.00%	5.00%	9.00%
Broadcast
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 104,813	$ 128,677	$ 244,113	$ 230,810
Revenue from contract with customer, licensing percent	35.00%	39.00%	36.00%	39.00%
PC
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 51,104	$ 45,791	$ 83,839	$ 77,634
Revenue from contract with customer, licensing percent	17.00%	14.00%	12.00%	13.00%
Mobile
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 65,673	$ 75,697	$ 171,296	$ 110,178
Revenue from contract with customer, licensing percent	22.00%	23.00%	25.00%	19.00%
CE
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 48,284	$ 49,199	$ 100,205	$ 98,044
Revenue from contract with customer, licensing percent	16.00%	15.00%	15.00%	17.00%
Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 33,711	$ 29,501	$ 77,137	$ 69,882
Revenue from contract with customer, licensing percent	10.00%	9.00%	12.00%	12.00%

Revenue Recognition - Summary o

Revenue Recognition - Summary of Contract Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, net	$ 283,505	$ 180,340
Contract assets, net	233,379	161,357
Contract liabilities	20,029	15,436
Non-current contract liabilities	23,369	$ 24,342
Change ($)
Accounts receivable, net	103,165
Contract assets, net	72,022
Contract liabilities - current	4,593
Contract liabilities - non-current	$ (973)
Change (%)
Accounts receivable, net	57.00%
Contract assets, net	45.00%
Contract liabilities - current	30.00%
Contract liabilities - non-current	(4.00%)

Composition Of Certain Financ_3

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Accounts Receivable) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 26, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable	$ 171,383	$ 147,618
Accounts receivable related to patent administration program	123,793	48,630
Contract assets	233,568	161,357
Accounts receivable, gross	528,744	357,605
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	(11,860)	(15,908)
Accounts receivable, net	516,884	341,697
Unbilled Receivables, Current	$ 118,200	$ 62,100

Composition Of Certain Financ_4

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Allowance For Doubtful Accounts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Fiscal Year	$ 15,908	$ 9,775
Charged to Operations	(65)	7,689
Deductions	(3,983)	(1,556)
Balance at End of Fiscal Year	$ 11,860	$ 15,908

Composition Of Certain Financ_5

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Inventories) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 26, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 3,517	$ 3,770
Work in process	6,082	9,214
Finished goods	5,282	12,566
Inventories	$ 14,881	$ 25,550

Composition Of Certain Financ_6

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 26, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Raw materials	$ 3,517	$ 3,517	$ 3,770
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Raw materials	2,100	$ 2,100	2,600
Land and Building [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Land and building held for sale			$ 2,200
Gain on sale of property	$ 13,900
Percent of property owned by our controlling interest and percent of gain recognized attributed to our controlling interest		51.00%

Composition Of Certain Financ_7

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 26, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]
Prepaid assets	$ 20,078	$ 17,884
Other current assets	27,227	35,138
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$ 47,305	$ 53,022

Composition Of Certain Financ_8

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Accrued Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 26, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]
Amounts payable to patent administration program partners	$ 79,089	$ 60,427
Accrued compensation and benefits	97,296	89,684
Accrued professional fees	11,541	10,344
Unpaid property, plant, and equipment additions	16,444	15,102
Accrued customer refunds	4,824	10,053
Accrued market development funds	19,860	6,612
Other accrued liabilities	25,109	27,752
Total	$ 254,163	$ 219,974

Composition Of Certain Financ_9

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Other Non-Current Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 26, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]
Supplemental retirement plan obligations	$ 4,447	$ 4,181
Non-current tax liabilities	88,222	85,943
Other liabilities	25,890	32,030
Other non-current liabilities	$ 118,559	$ 122,154

Investments & Fair Value Meas_3

Investments & Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Financial Assets and Liabilities Carried At Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$ 1,104,570
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 1,071,876
Cash and cash equivalents	1,104,570	1,071,876
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	409,543	309,067
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	410,117	310,058
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Gain	0
Investment Owned, Unrecognized Unrealized Depreciation	(23)	(16)
Cash Cash Equivalents And Investments Total	1,205,340	1,170,973
Financial assets carried at fair value	1,104,570	1,071,876
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	8,926	8,103
Long-term investments	42,188	52,149
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	25,122	9,581
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(22)	(16)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, within One Year, Amortized Cost	371,358	261,839
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, within One Year, Fair Value	371,608	262,085
Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After One Through Two Years Amortized Cost	23,164	29,328
Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After One Through Two Years Fair Value	23,459	29,814
Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Two Through Three Years Amortized Cost	15,021	17,900
Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Two Through Three Years Fair Value	15,050	18,159
Investment Owned, at Cost	1,204,766	1,169,983
Investment Owned, Unrecognized Unrealized Appreciation	597	1,006
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	1,104,570	1,070,976
Financial assets carried at fair value	1,106,297	1,073,979
Derivative Asset		0
Derivative Liability		0
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	900
Financial assets carried at fair value	95,365	92,818
Derivative Asset		4,267
Derivative Liability		(79)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset		0
Derivative Liability		0
Cash [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	791,545
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	791,545	856,740
Cash [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	791,545	856,740
Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure		900
Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	312,685
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	312,685	214,111
Money Market Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	312,685	214,111
Government Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	340
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	340
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Gain	0
Government Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	340
Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure		214,111
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	630	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0	0
U.S. Agency Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	555	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(1)	0
U.S. Agency Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Noncurrent, Fair Value Disclosure		0
US Government Agencies Short-term Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	1,417	1,011
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Gain	20
US Government Agencies Short-term Debt Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,417
Government Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure		125
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,929	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(6)	0
Government Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure		125
Government Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure		0
Commercial Paper [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure		900
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	14,261	7,076
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(13)	(10)
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(2)	(6)
Investment Owned, at Cost	5,747	2,505
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Gain		248
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Noncurrent, Fair Value Disclosure	3,700	4,200
Investments Held In Supplemental Retirement Plan [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial assets carried at fair value	4,545	4,279
Financial liabilities carried at fair value	4,545	4,279
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss		(3)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost		46,703
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale		46,948
Short-term Investments [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	100	1,370
Short-term Investments [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	58,482	45,578
Short-term Investments [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	1,825	2,277
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	1,825
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Gain	0	1
Available-for-sale Securities		2,278
Short-term Investments [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,825	2,278
Short-term Investments [Member] | U.S. Agency Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost		999
Short-term Investments [Member] | US Government Agencies Short-term Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	1,397
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Gain		12
Short-term Investments [Member] | US Government Agencies Short-term Debt Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		1,011
Short-term Investments [Member] | Government Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	1,645	5,118
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	1,656	5,165
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Gain	11	47
Short-term Investments [Member] | Government Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	100	1,370
Short-term Investments [Member] | Government Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,556	3,795
Short-term Investments [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	6,079	4,727
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	6,081	4,731
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Gain	2	4
Short-term Investments [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	6,081	4,731
Short-term Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss	(3)	(3)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	24,461	18,754
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	24,574	18,838
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Gain	116	87
Short-term Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	24,574	18,838
Short-term Investments [Member] | Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss	(1)	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	22,925	14,828
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	23,029	14,925
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Gain	105	97
Short-term Investments [Member] | Municipal Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	23,029	14,925
Short-term Investments [Member] | Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss	(4)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	58,332
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	58,582
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Gain	254
Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis		51,404
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax		758
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax		(13)
Available-for-sale Securities		52,149
Long-term Investments [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Noncurrent, Fair Value Disclosure	1,627	1,633
Long-term Investments [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Noncurrent, Fair Value Disclosure	36,883	46,340
Long-term Investments [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	630
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	630
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Gain	0
Long-term Investments [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	630
Long-term Investments [Member] | U.S. Agency Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,961	2,214
Available-for-sale Securities	1,979	2,270
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain	19	56
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss	(1)	0
Long-term Investments [Member] | U.S. Agency Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Noncurrent, Fair Value Disclosure	1,979	2,270
Long-term Investments [Member] | Government Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	7,731	5,137
Available-for-sale Securities	7,781	5,217
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain	56	80
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss	(6)	0
Long-term Investments [Member] | Government Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Noncurrent, Fair Value Disclosure	1,627	1,633
Long-term Investments [Member] | Government Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Noncurrent, Fair Value Disclosure	6,154	3,584
Long-term Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	19,477	24,657
Available-for-sale Securities	19,652	25,069
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain	186	419
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss	(11)	(7)
Long-term Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Noncurrent, Fair Value Disclosure	19,652	25,069
Long-term Investments [Member] | Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	8,387	15,220
Available-for-sale Securities	8,468	15,417
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain	82	203
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss	(1)	(6)
Long-term Investments [Member] | Municipal Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Noncurrent, Fair Value Disclosure	8,468	15,417
Long-term Investments [Member] | Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	3,678	4,176
Available-for-sale Securities	3,678	4,176
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss	0	0
Long-term Investments [Member] | Other Long-term Investments [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Investments, Noncurrent, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Long-term Investments [Member] | Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	41,864
Available-for-sale Securities	42,188
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain	343
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss	(19)
Other Current Assets [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0
Other Current Assets [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	4,977
Other Current Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset		0
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset		369
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset		0
Other Accrued Liabilities | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Liability	0
Other Accrued Liabilities | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Liability	(112)
Other Accrued Liabilities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Liability	0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets, Amortized Cost Basis		0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Unrealized Gain		4,267
Derivative Financial Instruments, Unrealized Loss		0
Derivative Asset		4,267
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets, Amortized Cost Basis	0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Unrealized Gain	4,977
Derivative Financial Instruments, Unrealized Loss	0
Derivative Asset	4,977
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets, Amortized Cost Basis		0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Unrealized Gain		369
Derivative Financial Instruments, Unrealized Loss		0
Derivative Asset		369
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Financial Instruments, Unrealized Gain		0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Unrealized Loss		(79)
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Amortized Cost Basis		0
Derivative Liability		$ (79)
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Other Accrued Liabilities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Financial Instruments, Unrealized Gain	0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Unrealized Loss	(112)
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Amortized Cost Basis	0
Derivative Liability	$ (112)

Property, Plant and Equipment_2

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 26, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant And Equipment, Gross	$ 1,048,294	$ 1,018,029
Less: accumulated depreciation	(505,592)	(476,066)
Property, Plant And Equipment, Net	542,702	541,963
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant And Equipment, Gross	42,047	41,955
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant And Equipment, Gross	283,357	283,617
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant And Equipment, Gross	84,830	83,764
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant And Equipment, Gross	124,644	126,942
Computer Systems and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant And Equipment, Gross	244,946	230,800
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant And Equipment, Gross	32,476	31,845
Equipment Leased to Other Party [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant And Equipment, Gross	207,506	199,561
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant And Equipment, Gross	$ 28,488	$ 19,545

Leases (Narrative) (Details)

Leases (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Sep. 25, 2020
Lessor, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lesse lease term	11 years		11 years
Lessee lease renewal term	9 years		9 years
Lessee lease termination period			1 year
Variable operating lease income	$ 1.3	$ 3.8	$ 0.8	$ 11.1
Fixed operating lease income	1.1	$ 0.8	2.2	$ 1.5
Unguaranteed residual value of sales-type leases	$ 0.8		$ 0.8		$ 0.7
Minimum [Member]
Lessor, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessor lease term	4 years		4 years
Lessor lease renewal term	1 year		1 year
Maximum [Member]
Lessor, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessor lease term	10 years		10 years
Lessor lease renewal term	5 years		5 years

Leases (Lease Cost Components)

Leases (Lease Cost Components) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 4,953	$ 5,797	$ 9,747	$ 11,153
Variable lease cost	142	183	233	577
Total lease cost	$ 5,095	$ 5,980	$ 9,980	$ 11,730

Leases (Supplemental Cash Flow

Leases (Supplemental Cash Flow Information Schedule) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020
REMOVE
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities	$ 5,143	$ 5,525	$ 10,064	$ 10,766
REMOVE
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations	$ 883	$ 16,044	$ 1,719	$ 28,860

Leases (Supplemental Balance Sh

Leases (Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Schedule) (Details)	Mar. 26, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
Operating Leases
Weighted-average remaining lease term	6 years 2 months 12 days	6 years 6 months
Weighted-average discount rate	3.10%	3.10%

Leases (Maturities of Lessee Le

Leases (Maturities of Lessee Lease Liabilities Schedule) (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 26, 2021USD ($)
Operating Leases
Remainder of Fiscal 2021	$ 9,001
Fiscal 2022	16,502
Fiscal 2023	14,295
Fiscal 2024	13,279
Fiscal 2025	9,565
Thereafter	23,221
Total undiscounted lease payments	85,863
Less: imputed interest	(9,385)
Total lease liabilities	$ 76,478

Leases (Maturities of Lessor Le

Leases (Maturities of Lessor Lease Payments Schedule) (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 26, 2021USD ($)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of Fiscal 2021	$ 1,342
Fiscal 2022	2,690
Fiscal 2023	2,611
Fiscal 2024	1,049
Fiscal 2025	394
Thereafter	1,704
Total undiscounted cash flows	9,790
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of Fiscal 2021	1,610
Fiscal 2022	1,624
Fiscal 2023	1,623
Fiscal 2024	810
Fiscal 2025	397
Thereafter	396
Total undiscounted cash flows	6,460
Less: present value of lease payments (recognized as lease receivables)	(5,155)
Difference	$ 1,305

Goodwill and Intangible Asset_2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill Rollforward (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at September 25, 2020	$ 336,945
Translation adjustments	1,290
Balance at March 26, 2021	$ 338,235

Goodwill and Intangible Asset_3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Dec. 25, 2020	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Sep. 25, 2020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$ 430,529			$ 430,529		$ 430,346
Accumulated Amortization	(293,585)			(293,585)		(277,915)
Total	136,944			136,944		152,431
Purchases of intangible assets		$ 2,900
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life		14 years
Amortization of Intangible Assets	7,300		$ 7,600	14,600	$ 14,800
Acquired Patents And Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	342,807			342,807		342,637
Accumulated Amortization	(220,006)			(220,006)		(206,123)
Total	122,801			122,801		136,514
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	64,746			64,746		64,740
Accumulated Amortization	(50,807)			(50,807)		(49,062)
Total	13,939			13,939		15,678
Other Intangibles [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	22,976			22,976		22,969
Accumulated Amortization	(22,772)			(22,772)		(22,730)
Total	$ 204			$ 204		$ 239

Goodwill and Intangible Asset_4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Future Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 26, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder of 2021	$ 15,448
2018	28,291
2019	23,923
2020	21,894
2021	6,840
Thereafter	40,548
Total	$ 136,944	$ 152,431

Goodwill and Intangible Asset_5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Intangible Assets, Additions (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 25, 2020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	14 years

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_3

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)

May 04, 2021$ / shares

Jan. 28, 2021$ / shares

Dec. 15, 2020shares

Dec. 16, 2019shares

Dec. 15, 2018shares

Dec. 15, 2017shares

Dec. 15, 2016shares

Dec. 15, 2015shares

Mar. 26, 2021USD ($)vote$ / sharesshares

Mar. 27, 2020$ / shares

Mar. 26, 2021USD ($)vote$ / sharesshares

Mar. 27, 2020$ / shares

Oct. 31, 2010

Mar. 28, 2014

Sep. 25, 2020shares

Jul. 31, 2019USD ($)

Jul. 25, 2018USD ($)

Jan. 25, 2017USD ($)

Oct. 31, 2014USD ($)

Feb. 29, 2012USD ($)

Jul. 31, 2011USD ($)

Jul. 31, 2010USD ($)

Nov. 30, 2009USD ($)

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Options outstanding to purchase

6,599,000

Year end stock price | $ / shares

$ 98.22

Percentage of vesting per year

50.00%

Common stock, dividends declared (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 0.22

$ 0.22

$ 0.22

$ 0.44

$ 0.44

Remaining authorization to purchase additional shares | $

$ 76,400,000

$ 76,400,000

Authorization Amount | $

2,000,000,000

2,000,000,000

$ 250,000,000

Subsequent Event [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Common stock, dividends declared (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 0.22

Employee Stock Option [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Stock options expected to vest | $

$ 22,500,000

$ 22,500,000

Employee stock options expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period

2 years 2 months 12 days

Performance-Based Stock Options [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Shares exercisable (in shares)

815,962

815,962

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

7 years

Compensation requisite measurement period

3 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures

755,687

Performance-Based Stock Options [Member] | Executive Officer [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Percentage Of Target Award

125.00%

Performance-Based Stock Options [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | Awarded Fiscal 2018 [Member] [Domain]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Shares exercisable (in shares)

253,440

Percentage Of Target Award

96.00%

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures

264,000

Performance-Based Stock Options [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | Awarded Fiscal 2016 [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Percentage Of Target Award

125.00%

Options vested and exercisable

334,623

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures

419,623

Performance-Based Stock Options [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | Awarded Fiscal 2017 [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Shares exercisable (in shares)

240,539

Percentage Of Target Award

95.00%

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures

276,199

Performance-Based Stock Options [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | Awarded Fiscal 2019 [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Shares exercisable (in shares)

301,375

Percentage Of Target Award

125.00%

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures

241,100

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Compensation requisite measurement period

3 years

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Executive Officer [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Shares exercisable (in shares)

132,276

124,000

Percentage Of Target Award

200.00%

200.00%

Options outstanding to purchase

66,138

62,000

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

4 years

Stock options expected to vest | $

$ 187,100,000

$ 187,100,000

Employee stock options expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period

2 years 9 months 18 days

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Employees and Officers [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

4 years

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Awards Granted Prior to November 2010 [Member] | Directors [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

3 years

1 year

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Awards Granted After November 2010 [Member] | Directors [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

2 years

Awards Granted Under 2005 Stock Plan Prior To February 2011 [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Terms for issuance of stock

2

Awards Granted Under 2005 Stock Plan From February 2011 [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Terms for issuance of stock

1.6

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Percentage of compensation withheld by employees to purchase common stock

10.00%

Common stock purchase price determined over percentage of closing price

15.00%

Additional Stock Approved [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Authorization Amount | $

$ 350,000,000

$ 350,000,000

$ 200,000,000

$ 200,000,000

$ 100,000,000

$ 250,000,000

$ 300,000,000

Class A Common Stock [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Common stock, shares authorized (shares)

500,000,000

500,000,000

500,000,000

Common stock, shares issued (shares)

65,206,586

65,206,586

64,167,725

Common stock, number of votes per share | vote

1

1

Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)

65,206,586

65,206,586

64,167,725

Class A Common Stock [Member] | 2005 Stock Plan. [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Shares authorized under plan

55,000,000

55,000,000

Options outstanding to purchase

5,502,000

5,502,000

Weighted average remaining contractual life

6 years 1 month 13 days

Options vested and exercisable

3,572,000

3,572,000

Class A Common Stock [Member] | Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Maximum value of common stock available for eligible employees | $

$ 25,000

Maximum number of common stock available for eligible employees

1,000

Purchase period

6 months

Look back commencement period

1 year

Class B Common Stock [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Common stock, shares authorized (shares)

500,000,000

500,000,000

500,000,000

Common stock, shares issued (shares)

36,107,779

36,107,779

36,128,720

Common stock, number of votes per share | vote

10

10

Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)

36,107,779

36,107,779

36,128,720

Options Granted From June Two Thousand Eight Member | Employee Stock Option [Member] | One year anniversary date

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

1 year

Percentage of stock option becoming exercisable subjected to date of grant

25.00%

Options Granted From June Two Thousand Eight Member | Employee Stock Option [Member] | Over 36 equally installment periods following one year anniversary date

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

36 months

Awards Granted Prior To November Two Thousand Ten Member [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

3 years

Awards Granted After November 2010 and Prior To Fiscal 2014 Member [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

2 years

Awards Granted After November 2010 Member [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

1 year

Options Granted After June Two Thousand Eight Member [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

4 years

Minimum [Member] | Performance-Based Stock Options [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Percentage Of Target Award

0.00%

Minimum [Member] | Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Percentage Of Target Award

0.00%

Minimum [Member] | Options Granted From June Two Thousand Eight Member | Employee Stock Option [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Options expiration period

3 months

Maximum [Member] | Performance-Based Stock Options [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Percentage Of Target Award

125.00%

Maximum [Member] | Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Percentage Of Target Award

200.00%

Maximum [Member] | Options Granted From June Two Thousand Eight Member | Employee Stock Option [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Options expiration period

10 years

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_4

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Stock Options Issued To Officers, Directors, And Employees Under 2000 Stock Incentive Plan And 2005 Stock Plan) (Details) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Shares
Shares, Options outstanding at beginning of period | shares	6,599
Shares, Grants | shares	283
Shares, Exercises | shares	(1,371)
Shares, Forfeitures and cancellations | shares	(9)
Shares, Options vested and expected to vest | shares	5,313
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options outstanding at beginning of period	$ 53.30
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Grants (in usd per share)	92.08
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercises (in usd per share)	46.19
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeitures and cancellations (in usd per share)	62.36
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options outstanding at end of period	57.05
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options vested and expected to vest (in usd per share)	56.51
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options exercisable (in usd per share)	$ 50.31
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options vested and expected to vest at end of period	6 years 14 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options exercisable	5 years 1 month 13 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options outstanding | $	$ 225,563
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options vested and expected to vest | $	221,624
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options exercisable | $	$ 171,130

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_5

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Restricted Stock Units Issued To Officers, Directors, And Employees Under 2005 Stock Incentive Plan) (Details) shares in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021$ / sharesshares
Shares
Shares, Non-vested at beginning of period | shares	2,979
Shares, Granted | shares	1,383
Shares, Vested | shares	(1,012)
Shares, Forfeitures | shares	(90)
Shares, Non-vested at end of period | shares	3,260
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted Average Fair Value, Non-vested at beginning of period | $ / shares	$ 62.70
Weighted Average Fair Value, Granted | $ / shares	89.75
Weighted Average Fair Value, Vested | $ / shares	60.18
Weighted Average Fair Value, Forfeitures | $ / shares	65.54
Weighted Average Fair Value, Non-vested at end of period | $ / shares	$ 74.88

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_6

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Fair Value Of Stock-Based Awards Estimated Using Weighted-Average Assumptions) (Details)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Expected life (in years)	4 years 10 months 28 days	4 years 10 months 17 days	4 years 10 months 28 days
Risk-free interest rate	0.60%	0.40%	1.70%
Expected stock price volatility	25.80%	28.70%	24.00%
Dividend yield	1.30%	1.10%	1.30%

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_7

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense By Plan) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 24,413	$ 20,951	$ 50,726	$ 43,565
Share-based Compensation			50,726	43,565
Benefit from income taxes	(3,859)	(3,521)	(8,071)	(7,115)
Total stock-based compensation, net of tax	20,554	17,430	42,655	36,450
Stock Option [Member]
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	3,224	3,974	7,710	8,520
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	19,853	15,850	40,246	32,817
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	1,336	1,127	2,770	2,228
Cost of Sales [Member]
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	489	507	1,123	1,050
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	7,190	6,179	15,123	13,166
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	9,110	7,702	18,906	15,876
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 7,624	$ 6,563	$ 15,574	$ 13,473

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_8

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation By Classification) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 24,413	$ 20,951	$ 50,726	$ 43,565
Benefit from income taxes	(3,859)	(3,521)	(8,071)	(7,115)
Total stock-based compensation, net of tax	20,554	17,430	42,655	36,450
Cost of products [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	489	507	1,123	1,050
Research and development [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	7,190	6,179	15,123	13,166
Sales and marketing [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	9,110	7,702	18,906	15,876
General and administrative [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 7,624	$ 6,563	$ 15,574	$ 13,473

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_9

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Repurchase Authorizations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 26, 2021	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 25, 2018	Jan. 25, 2017	Oct. 31, 2014	Feb. 29, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Nov. 30, 2009
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Authorization Amount	$ 2,000,000								$ 250,000
Additional Stock Approved [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Authorization Amount		$ 350,000	$ 350,000	$ 200,000	$ 200,000	$ 100,000	$ 250,000	$ 300,000

Stockholders' Equity And Sto_10

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Repurchase) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Dec. 25, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares repurchased (in shares)			1,207,418
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	$ 70,790	$ 39,985	$ 110,775	$ 101,672
Repurchase of common stock			$ 110,775
Stock Repurchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares repurchased (in shares)	757,019	450,399
Average Price Paid per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 93.51	$ 88.78	$ 93.51

Stockholders' Equity and Sto_11

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Dividends (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	May 25, 2021	May 04, 2021	Feb. 19, 2021	Jan. 28, 2021	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Common stock, dividends declared (in dollars per share)				$ 0.22	$ 0.22	$ 0.22	$ 0.44	$ 0.44
Dividend Payment			$ 22.4
Subsequent Event [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Common stock, dividends declared (in dollars per share)		$ 0.22
Dividend Payment	$ 22.3

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning Of Period	$ (608)	$ (18,060)	$ (10,594)	$ (20,625)
Unrealized Gains (Losses)	(5,397)	(3,943)	(4,517)	(5,837)
Income Tax Effect - Benefit/(Expense)	133	67	(386)	70
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(6,101)	(13,656)	2,737	(12,144)
Realized (Gains) - Investment Securities	2,834	117	4,223	1,431
Income Tax Effect - (Benefit)/Expense	(164)	(16)	(405)	(277)
Net Of Tax	2,670	101	3,818	1,154
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	(3,431)	(13,555)	6,555	(10,990)
Balance, End Of Period	(4,039)	(31,615)	(4,039)	(31,615)
Unrealized Gains/Losses On Available-For-Sale Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning Of Period	653	1,036	818	2,198
Unrealized Gains (Losses)	(423)	135	(607)	(2,074)
Income Tax Effect - Benefit/(Expense)	52	70	56	70
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(371)	205	(551)	(2,004)
Realized (Gains) - Investment Securities	184	84	201	1,392
Income Tax Effect - (Benefit)/Expense	(8)	(16)	(10)	(277)
Net Of Tax	176	68	191	1,115
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	(195)	273	(360)	(889)
Balance, End Of Period	458	1,309	458	1,309
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning Of Period	6,115	284	3,969	0
Unrealized Gains (Losses)	(4,974)	(4,078)	(3,910)	(3,763)
Income Tax Effect - Benefit/(Expense)	116	37	65	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(4,858)	(4,041)	(3,845)	(3,763)
Realized (Gains) - Investment Securities	2,650	33	4,022	39
Income Tax Effect - (Benefit)/Expense	(156)	0	(395)
Net Of Tax	2,494	33	3,627	39
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	(2,364)	(4,008)	(218)	(3,724)
Balance, End Of Period	3,751	(3,724)	3,751	(3,724)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning Of Period	(7,376)	(19,380)	(15,381)	(22,823)
Unrealized Gains (Losses)	(837)	(9,780)	7,640	(6,377)
Income Tax Effect - Benefit/(Expense)	(35)	(40)	(507)	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(872)	(9,820)	7,133	(6,377)
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	(872)	(9,820)	7,133	(6,377)
Balance, End Of Period	$ (8,248)	$ (29,200)	$ (8,248)	$ (29,200)

Per Share Data (Details)

Per Share Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$ 76,217	$ 88,496	$ 211,415	$ 137,249
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic (in shares)	101,464	100,854	101,090	100,595
Potential common shares from options to purchase common stock (in shares)	2,102	1,471	1,980	1,591
Potential common shares from restricted stock units (in shares)	939	408	1,258	905
Potential common shares from ESPP (in shares)	76	40	86	42
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted (in shares)	104,581	102,773	104,414	103,133
Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. - Basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.75	$ 0.88	$ 2.09	$ 1.36
Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. - Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.73	$ 0.86	$ 2.02	$ 1.33
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities, excluded from calculations (in shares)	283	3,446	159	3,035
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities, excluded from calculations (in shares)	2	72	47	40

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detai

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 27, 2020	Sep. 25, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits, gross	$ 66,900		$ 66,900		$ 60,700
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate	$ 44,600		44,600		$ 42,000
Effective tax rate (as a percent)	10.60%	20.00%		16.90%
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$ (9,022)	$ (22,105)	$ (33,294)	$ (27,968)
Federal tax rate	21.00%

Restructuring (Details)

Restructuring (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 26, 2021USD ($)employee	Mar. 27, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2020USD ($)
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance			$ 0	$ 15,851	$ 15,851
Restructuring charges/(credits)	$ 741	$ (331)	10,764	344	1,821
Cash payments					(22,194)
Non-cash and other adjustments					4,522
Cash payments and adjustments			(8,331)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	2,433		2,433		0
Severance
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance			0	128	128
Restructuring charges/(credits)			9,437	9,400	0
Cash payments					(75)
Non-cash and other adjustments					(53)
Cash payments and adjustments			(7,708)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	1,729		$ 1,729		0
Number of employees impacted | employee			100
Leased facility exit costs and other costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance			$ 0	$ 15,723	15,723
Restructuring charges/(credits)			1,327		1,821
Cash payments					(22,119)
Non-cash and other adjustments					4,575
Cash payments and adjustments			(623)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	$ 704		$ 704		$ 0

Commitments And Contingencies_2

Commitments And Contingencies (Schedule Of Contractual Obligations And Commitments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 26, 2021USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder of Fiscal 2018	$ 1,979
Naming rights, Fiscal 2019	8,015
Naming rights, Fiscal 2020	8,116
Naming rights, Fiscal 2021	8,219
Naming rights, Fiscal 2022	8,322
Naming rights, Thereafter	61,277
Naming rights, Total	95,928
Purchase obligation, Remainder of 2018	8,838
Purchase obligation, Fiscal 2019	5,169
Purchase obligation, Fiscal 2020	1,566
Purchase Obligation, Fiscal 2021	979
Purchase obligation, Fiscal 2022	0
Purchase obligation, Thereafter	0
Purchase obligation, Total	16,552
Donation commitments, Remainder of Fiscal 2018	2,052
Donation commitments, Fiscal 2019	1,740
Donation commitments, Fiscal 2020	44
Donation commitments, Fiscal 2021	44
Donation commitments, Fiscal 2022	44
Donation commitments, Thereafter	114
Donation commitments, Total	4,038
Total, due in Remainder of Fiscal 2018	12,869
Total, due in Fiscal 2019	14,924
Total, due in Fiscal 2020	9,726
Total, due in Fiscal 2021	9,242
Total, due in Fiscal 2022	8,366
Total, due Thereafter	61,391
Total due	$ 116,518

Commitments And Contingencies_3

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021
Naming Rights [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Term of agreement	20 years
Donation Commitments [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Term of agreement	15 years