1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 September 5, 2000 -------------------------------- Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) CIENA Corporation --------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 0-21969 23-2725311 ------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of incorporation) File No.) Identification No.) 1201 Winterson Road, Linthicum, Maryland 21090 ---------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (410) 865-8500 ----------------------------------------- Not applicable --------------------------------------- (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) 2 Item 5. Other Events. On September 5, 2000, CIENA Corporation (the "Company") announced that it learned that an administration order was issued by a London court against iaxis Limited, one of the Company's European customers. As a result of this order, up to $28.2 million in net accounts receivable currently owed to the Company from this customer may be uncollectible, and the Company therefore expects to record a one-time charge related to a provision for doubtful accounts in its fourth fiscal quarter ending October 31, 2000. A copy of the press release issued on September 5, 2000 regarding the impact of the administration order on the Company is attached as an Exhibit hereto. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits. 99.1 Press Release, issued September 5, 2000 (announcing the issuance and impact of an administration order by a London court against iaxis Limited). - 2 - 3 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. CIENA CORPORATION Date: September 5, 2000 By: /s/ MICHAEL O. MCCARTHY III ------------------------------------- Michael O. McCarthy III Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary - 3 -