| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Legal Matters — The Company is involved in various claims, suits, assessments, investigations, and legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of its business, including those identified below, consisting of matters involving consumer, antitrust, tax, intellectual property, and other issues on a global basis. The Company accrues a liability when it believes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and that it can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. The Company reviews these accruals at least quarterly and adjusts them to reflect ongoing negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other relevant information. To the extent new information is obtained and the Company's views on the probable outcomes of claims, suits, assessments, investigations, or legal proceedings change, changes in the Company's accrued liabilities would be recorded in the period in which such determination is made. For some matters, the amount of liability is not probable or the amount cannot be reasonably estimated and therefore accruals have not been made. The following is a discussion of the Company's significant legal matters and other proceedings: EMC Merger Litigation — The Company, Dell, and Universal Acquisition Co. (“Universal”) have been named as defendants in fifteen putative class-action lawsuits brought by purported EMC shareholders and VMware stockholders challenging the proposed merger between the Company, Dell, and Universal on the one hand, and EMC on the other. Those suits are captioned as follows: (1) IBEW Local No. 129 Benefit Fund v. Tucci, Civ. No. 1584-3130-BLS1 (Mass. Super. Ct., Suffolk Cnty. filed Oct. 15, 2015); (2) Barrett v. Tucci, Civ. No. 15-6023-A (Mass. Super. Ct, Middlesex Cnty. filed Oct. 16, 2015); (3) Graulich v. Tucci, Civ. No. 1584-3169-BLS1 (Mass. Super. Ct, Suffolk Cnty. filed Oct. 19, 2015; (4) Vassallo v. EMC Corp., Civ. No. 1584-3173-BLS1 (Mass. Super. Ct, Suffolk Cnty. filed Oct. 19, 2015); (5) City of Miami Police Relief & Pension Fund v. Tucci, Civ. No. 1584-3174-BLS1 (Mass. Super. Ct. Suffolk Cnty. filed Oct. 19, 2015); (6) Lasker v. EMC Corp., Civ. No. 1584-3214-BLS1 (Mass. Super. Ct. Suffolk Cnty. filed Oct. 23, 2015); (7) Walsh v. EMC Corp., Civ. No. 15-13654 (D. Mass. filed Oct. 27, 2015); (8) Local Union No. 373 U.A. Pension Plan v. EMC Corp., Civ. No. 1584-3253-BLS1 (Mass. Super. Ct. Suffolk Cnty. filed Oct. 28, 2015); (9) City of Lakeland Emps.’ Pension & Ret. Fund v. Tucci, Civ. No. 1584-3269-BLS1 (Mass. Super. Ct. Suffolk Cnty. filed Oct. 28, 2015); (10) Ma v. Tucci, Civ. No. 1584-3281-BLS1 (Mass. Super. Ct. Suffolk Cnty. filed Oct. 29, 2015); (11) Stull v. EMC Corp., Civ. No. 15-13692 (D. Mass. filed Oct. 30, 2015); (12) Jacobs v. EMC Corp., Civ. No. 15-6318-H (Mass. Super. Ct. Middlesex Cnty. filed Nov. 12, 2015); (13) Ford v. VMware, Inc., C.A. No. 11714-VCL (Del. Ch. filed Oct. 17, 2015); (14) Pancake v. EMC Corp., Civ. No. 16-10040 (D. Mass. filed Jan. 11, 2016); and (15) Booth Family Trust v. EMC Corp. Civ. No. 16-10114 (D. Mass. filed Jan. 26, 2016). The fifteen lawsuits seek, among other things, injunctive relief enjoining the EMC merger, rescission of the EMC merger if consummated, an award of fees and costs, or an award of damages. The complaints in the IBEW, Barrett, Graulich, Vassallo, City of Miami, Lasker, Local Union No. 373, City of Lakeland, and Ma actions generally allege that the EMC directors breached their fiduciary duties to EMC shareholders in connection with the EMC merger by, among other things, failing to maximize shareholder value and agreeing to provisions in the EMC merger agreement that discourage competing bids. The complaints generally further allege that there were various conflicts of interest in the proposed transaction. The IBEW, Graulich, City of Miami, and Ma plaintiffs brought suit against the Company, Dell, and Universal for injunctive relief. The Barrett, Vassallo, Lasker, Lakeland, and Local Union No. 373 plaintiffs brought suit against the Company, Dell, and Universal as alleged aiders and abettors. After consolidating the nine complaints, by decision dated December 7, 2015, the Suffolk County, Massachusetts Superior Court, Business Litigation Session, dismissed all nine complaints for failure to make a demand on the EMC board of directors. On January 21, 2016, the plaintiffs in the consolidated actions appealed. That appeal is pending before the Massachusetts Supreme Court. The complaints in the Walsh, Stull, Pancake, and Booth actions allege that the EMC directors breached their fiduciary duties to EMC shareholders in connection with the EMC merger by, among other things, failing to maximize shareholder value and agreeing to provisions in the EMC merger agreement that discourage competing bids. The complaints generally further allege that there were various conflicts of interest in the proposed transaction and that the preliminary SEC Form S-4 filed by the Company on December 14, 2015 in connection with the transaction contained material misstatements and omissions, in violation of Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act”) and SEC Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder (“Rule 14a-9”). Under the amended complaints, the plaintiffs in the Walsh, Stull, and Pancake actions have brought suit against the Company, Dell, and Universal under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act as alleged controlling persons of EMC. The plaintiffs in the Booth action have brought suit against the Company, Dell, and Universal under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-9. On April 26, 2016, the Court consolidated the actions and entered an order appointing Plaintiff Stull as lead plaintiff and his choice of counsel as lead and liaison counsel. On June 6, 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared effective the Company’s registration statement on Form S-4 relating to the EMC merger (the “SEC Form S-4”), including the amendments thereto. On June 17, 2016, the parties to the Walsh, Stull, Pancake, and Booth actions submitted to the Court a Stipulation and Proposed Order Dismissing Action and Retaining Jurisdiction to Determine Plaintiffs’ Counsel’s Application for an Award of Attorneys’ Fees and Reimbursement of Expenses. In the stipulation, the plaintiffs represented to the Court that they believe sufficient information had been disclosed to warrant dismissal of the actions as moot in light of the disclosures in the SEC Form S-4, including the amendments thereto. The Court has not yet entered the proposed order. The amended complaints in the Jacobs and Ford actions allege that EMC, as the majority stockholder of VMware, and the individual defendants, who are directors of EMC, VMware, or both, breached their fiduciary duties to minority stockholders of VMware, Inc. ("VMware"), in connection with the proposed EMC merger by allegedly entering into or approving a merger that favors the interests of EMC and Dell at the expense of the minority stockholders. Under the amended complaint, the plaintiffs in the Jacobs action have brought suit against the Company, Dell, and Universal as alleged aiders and abettors. No oral argument date has been set for the motions to dismiss/motions to stay the Jacobs action. Under the amended complaint, the plaintiffs in the Ford action have brought suit against the Company and individual defendants for alleged breach of fiduciary duties to VMware and its stockholders, or, alternatively, against the Company, Dell, and Universal for aiding and abetting the alleged breach of fiduciary duties by EMC and VMware’s directors. On November 17, 2015, the plaintiffs in the Ford action moved for a preliminary injunction and for expedited discovery. Certain defendants filed motions to dismiss the amended complaint in the Ford action on February 26, 2016 and February 29, 2016. On March 7, 2016, the defendants moved to stay or dismiss the Jacobs action in favor of the Ford action. On April 19, 2016, EMC, the Company, Dell, Universal, and certain of the individual defendants filed briefs in support of the previously filed motions to dismiss. The parties are still in the process of briefing the motion to dismiss. No trial dates have been set in any of these actions. The outcome of these lawsuits is uncertain, and additional lawsuits may be brought or additional claims advanced concerning the EMC merger. An adverse judgment for monetary damages could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operations. A preliminary injunction could delay or jeopardize the completion of the EMC merger, and an adverse judgment granting permanent injunctive relief could indefinitely enjoin the completion of the EMC merger. Appraisal Proceedings — Holders of shares of Dell common stock who did not vote on September 12, 2013 in favor of the proposal to adopt the amended going-private transaction agreement and who properly demanded appraisal of their shares and who otherwise comply with the requirements of Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporate Law ("DGCL") are entitled to seek appraisal for, and obtain payment in cash for the judicially determined "fair value" (as defined pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL) of, their shares in lieu of receiving the going-private transaction consideration. This appraised value could be more than, the same as, or less than the $13.75 per share going-private transaction consideration. Dell initially recorded a liability of $13.75 for each share with respect to which appraisal has been demanded and as to which the demand has not been withdrawn, together with interest at the statutory rate discussed below. As of July 29, 2016 , this liability was approximately $129 million , compared to approximately $593 million as of January 29, 2016 , as the Company settled a substantial portion of the liability during the three months ended July 29, 2016 . Also during the three months ended July 29, 2016 , as discussed further below, the Court of Chancery ruled that that the fair value of the appraisal shares as of October 29, 2013, the date on which the going-private transaction became effective, was $17.62 per share. The Company expects to appeal this ruling. The Company believes it was adequately reserved for the appraisal proceedings as of July 29, 2016 . Between October 29, 2013 and February 25, 2014, former Dell stockholders filed petitions in thirteen separate matters commencing appraisal proceedings in the Delaware Court of Chancery in which they seek a determination of the fair value of a total of approximately 38 million shares of Dell common stock plus interest, costs, and attorneys' fees. These matters have been consolidated as In Re Appraisal of Dell (C.A. No. 9322-VCL). The trial took place during the week of October 5, 2015. The appraisal proceedings were conducted in accordance with the rules of the Delaware Court of Chancery. In these proceedings, the Court of Chancery determined the fair value of the shares as to which appraisal has been properly demanded, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the going-private transaction. Interest on such fair value from the effective time of the going-private transaction through the date of payment of the judgment will be compounded quarterly and will accrue at a per annum rate of 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate (including any surcharge) as established from time to time. Any payment in respect of the shares subject to appraisal rights will be required to be paid in cash. The petitioners sought $28.61 per share, plus interest. Dell, by contrast, believes that the fair value of Dell on the day the going-private transaction was completed was $12.68 per share. The number of shares subject to appraisal demands, including shares held by those parties who have sought appraisal but not filed petitions, originally was 38,766,982 . By orders dated June 27 and September 10, 2014, and May 13, May 14, July 13 and July 28, 2015, the Court of Chancery dismissed claims of holders of approximately 2,530,322 shares for failure to comply with the statutory requirements for seeking appraisal. On July 30, 2015, Dell moved for summary judgment seeking to dismiss claims of holders of an additional 30,730,930 shares (as well as a number of shares previously disqualified on other grounds) because those shares were voted in favor of the going-private transaction, and thus failed to comply with the statutory requirements for seeking appraisal. On May 11, 2016, the Court of Chancery granted Dell's motion and dismissed the appraisal claims of the holders of the 30,730,930 shares, determining that they were entitled to the merger consideration without interest. On May 18, 2016, the petitioners filed a motion for an equitable award of interest, which was denied by the Court on May 31, 2016. The Court of Chancery ruled on May 31, 2016, that the fair value of shares as of October 29, 2013, the date on which the going-private transaction became effective, was $17.62 per share. This ruling would entitle the holders of the remaining 5,505,730 shares to $17.62 per share, plus interest at a statutory rate, compounded quarterly. On June 6, 2016, the petitioners filed a motion to amend the Court’s memorandum opinion, which was denied by the Court on June 16, 2016. The Court of Chancery’s decisions are subject to review on appeal when final judgment is entered. On June 29, 2016, the Company, Dell and certain funds affiliated with T. Rowe entered into a settlement agreement to resolve a dispute regarding the fair value and interest due on approximately 31,653,905 shares held by the funds, representing the 30,730,930 shares subject to claims that were dismissed on May 11, 2016 plus an additional 922,975 shares that had been previously disqualified on other grounds. The terms of the T. Rowe settlement, among other matters, provide that, in exchange for a release and dismissal of all asserted claims, the Company pay $13.75 per share for a total sum of approximately $463 million , including interest. On June 29, 2016, the Court entered an order approving the settlement, which was subsequently consummated. The remaining 5,505,730 shares not subject to the settlement agreement remain subject to the appraisal proceedings. Securities Litigation — On May 22, 2014, a securities class action seeking compensatory damages was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, captioned the City of Pontiac Employee Retirement System vs. Dell Inc. et. al. (Case No. 1:14-cv-03644). The action names as defendants Dell Inc. and certain current and former executive officers, and alleges that Dell made false and misleading statements about Dell’s business operations and products between February 22, 2012 and May 22, 2012, which resulted in artificially inflated stock prices. The case was transferred to the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, where the defendants filed a motion to dismiss. The motion is fully briefed and a ruling is expected in 2016. The defendants believe the claims asserted are without merit and the risk of material loss is remote. Copyright Levies — The Company's obligation to collect and remit copyright levies in certain European Union ("EU") countries may be affected by the resolution of legal proceedings pending in Germany against various companies, including Dell's German subsidiary, and elsewhere in the EU against other companies in Dell's industry. The plaintiffs in those proceedings, some of which are described below, generally seek to impose or modify the levies with respect to sales of such equipment as multifunction devices, phones, personal computers, and printers, alleging that such products enable the copying of copyrighted materials. Some of the proceedings also challenge whether the levy schemes in those countries comply with EU law. Certain EU member countries that do not yet impose levies on digital devices are expected to implement legislation to enable them to extend existing levy schemes, while some other EU member countries are expected to limit the scope of levy schemes and their applicability in the digital hardware environment. Dell, other companies, and various industry associations have opposed the extension of levies to the digital environment and have advocated alternative models of compensation to rights holders. The Company continues to collect levies in certain EU countries where it has determined that based on local laws it is probable that it has a payment obligation. The amount of levies is generally based on the number of products sold and the per-product amounts of the levies, which vary. The Company accrues a liability when it believes that it is both probable that a loss has been incurred and when it can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. On December 29, 2005, Zentralstelle für private Überspielungsrechte ("ZPÜ"), a joint association of various German collecting societies, instituted arbitration proceedings against Dell's German subsidiary before the Board of Arbitration at the German Patent and Trademark Office in Munich, and subsequently filed a lawsuit in the German Regional Court in Munich on February 21, 2008, seeking levies to be paid on each personal computer sold by Dell in Germany through the end of calendar year 2007. On December 23, 2009, ZPÜ and the German industry association, BCH, reached a settlement regarding audio-video copyright levy litigation (with levies ranging from €3.15 to €13.65 per unit). Dell joined this settlement on February 23, 2010, and has paid the amounts due under the settlement. On March 25, 2014, ZPÜ and Dell reached a settlement for levies to be paid on each personal computer sold for the period of January 2, 2011 through December 31, 2016. The amount of the settlement is not material to the Company. The amount of any levies payable after calendar year 2016, as well as the Company's ability to recover such amounts through increased prices, remains uncertain. German courts are also considering a lawsuit originally filed in July 2004 by VG Wort, a German collecting society representing certain copyright holders, against Hewlett-Packard Company in the Stuttgart Civil Court seeking levies on printers, and a lawsuit originally filed in September 2003 by the same plaintiff against Fujitsu Siemens Computer GmbH in Munich Civil Court in Munich, Germany seeking levies on personal computers. In each case, the civil and appellate courts held that the subject classes of equipment were subject to levies. In July 2011, the German Federal Supreme Court, to which the lower court holdings have been appealed, referred each case to the Court of Justice of the European Union, submitting a number of legal questions on the interpretation of the European Copyright Directive which the German Federal Supreme Court deems necessary for its decision. In August 2014, the German Supreme Court delivered an opinion ruling that printers and personal computers are subject to levies, and referred the case back to the Court of Appeals. Dell joined the industry settlement in the Fujitsu Siemens case, and Dell believes it has no remaining material obligations in either case. Proceedings seeking to impose or modify copyright levies for sales of digital devices also have been instituted in courts in other EU member states. Even in countries where Dell is not a party to such proceedings, decisions in those cases could impact Dell's business and the amount of copyright levies Dell may be required to collect. The ultimate resolution of these proceedings and the associated financial impact to the Company, if any, including the number of units potentially affected, the amount of levies imposed, and the ability of the Company to recover such amounts, remain uncertain at this time. Should the courts determine there is liability for previous units shipped beyond the amount of levies the Company has collected or accrued, the Company would be liable for such incremental amounts. Recovery of any such amounts from others by the Company would be possible only on future collections related to future shipments. Other Litigation - The various legal proceedings in which Dell is involved include commercial litigation and a variety of patent suits. In some of these cases, Dell is the sole defendant. More often, particularly in the patent suits, Dell is one of a number of defendants in the electronics and technology industries. Dell is actively defending a number of patent infringement suits, and several pending claims are in various stages of evaluation. While the number of patent cases has grown over time, Dell does not currently anticipate that any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. As of July 29, 2016 , the Company does not believe there is a reasonable possibility that a material loss exceeding the amounts already accrued for these or other proceedings or matters has been incurred. However, since the ultimate resolution of any such proceedings and matters is inherently unpredictable, the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows could be materially affected in any particular period by unfavorable outcomes in one or more of these proceedings or matters. Whether the outcome of any claim, suit, assessment, investigation, or legal proceeding, individually or collectively, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows will depend on a number of variables, including the nature, timing, and amount of any associated expenses, amounts paid in settlement, damages, or other remedies or consequences. Indemnifications — In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into contractual arrangements under which it may agree to indemnify the third party to such arrangements from any losses incurred relating to the services it performs on behalf of the Company or for losses arising from certain events as defined in the particular contract, such as litigation or claims relating to past performance. Such indemnification obligations may not be subject to maximum loss clauses. Historically, payments related to these indemnifications have not been material to the Company. |
