UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
o | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 |
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
o | SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Date of event requiring this shell company report . |
For the transition period from ______ to ______ |
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD.
(Exact
Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
ISRAEL
(Jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
22 Hanagar Street
Neve Neeman
Industrial Zone B
Hod-Hasharon 45240
Israel
(Address of principal
executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Ordinary shares
NIS 0.10 par value per
share
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers classes of capital or common stock as of December 31, 2008: 22,067,117 ordinary shares, NIS 0.10 par value per share
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act
Yes o No x
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer x
Indicate by check mark basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP x | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board o |
Other o |
If Other has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 o Item 18 o
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):
Yes o No x
As used herein, and unless the context suggest otherwise, the terms Allot, Company, we, us or ours refer to Allot Communications Ltd.
In addition to historical facts, this annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These statements include but are not limited to:
| statements regarding the expected growth in the use of particular broadband applications; |
| statements as to our ability to meet anticipated cash needs based on our current business plan; |
| statements as to the impact of the rate of inflation and the political and security situation on our business; |
| statements regarding auction-rate securities and their expected impact on our liquidity; |
| statements regarding the price and market liquidity of our ordinary shares; |
| statements as to our ability to retain our current suppliers and subcontractors; |
| statements regarding our future performance, sales, gross margins, expenses (including stock-based compensation expenses) and cost of revenues; and |
| statements regarding whether we will be classified as a passive foreign investment company. |
These statements may be found in the sections of this annual report on Form 20-F entitled ITEM 3: Key Information Risk Factors, ITEM 4: Information on Allot, ITEM 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects, ITEM 10: Additional Information Taxation United States Federal Income Taxation Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations and elsewhere in this annual report, including the section of this annual report entitled ITEM 4: Information on Allot Business Overview Overview and ITEM 4: Information on Allot Business Overview Industry Background, which contains information obtained from independent industry sources. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including all the risks discussed in ITEM 3: Key Information Risk Factors and elsewhere in this annual report.
In addition, statements that use the terms believe, expect,plan, intend, estimate, anticipate and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this annual report reflect our current views about future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Unless we are required to do so under U.S. federal securities laws or other applicable laws, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
Page | ||
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Part I | ||
Item 1: | Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers | 1 |
Item 2: | Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable | 1 |
Item 3: | Key Information | 1 |
Selected Financial Data | 1 | |
Risk Factors | 3 | |
Item 4: | Information on Allot | 22 |
History and Development of Allot | 22 | |
Business Overview | 22 | |
Organizational Structure | 31 | |
Property, Plants and Equipment | 31 | |
Item 4A: | Unresolved Staff Comments | 32 |
Item 5: | Operating and Financial Review and Prospects | 32 |
Operating Results | 32 | |
Liquidity and Capital Resources | 49 | |
Research and Development, Patents and Licenses | 51 | |
Trend Information | 51 | |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | 51 | |
Contractual and Other Commitments | 51 | |
Item 6: | Directors, Senior Management and Employees | 52 |
Directors and Senior Management | 52 | |
Compensation of Officers and Directors | 56 | |
Board Practices | 56 | |
Employees | 64 | |
Share Ownership | 64 | |
Item 7: | Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions | 68 |
Major Shareholders | 68 | |
Related Party Transactions | 70 | |
Item 8: | Financial Information | 74 |
Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information | 74 | |
Significant Changes | 75 | |
Item 9: | The Offer and Listing | 75 |
Stock Price History | 75 | |
Markets | 76 | |
Item 10: | Additional Information | 76 |
Memorandum of Association and Amended and Restated Articles of Association | 76 | |
Material Contracts | 79 | |
Exchange Controls | 79 | |
Taxation | 79 | |
Documents on Display | 95 | |
Item 11: | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 95 |
Item 12: | Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities | 96 |
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
A. | Selected Financial Data |
You should read the following selected consolidated financial data in conjunction with ITEM 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. The consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in ITEM 18: Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements which are not included in this annual report.
Year ended December 31, |
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2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 | |||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share and share data) | |||||||||||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Operations: | |||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
Products | $ | 14,638 | $ | 18,498 | $ | 28,756 | $ | 25,073 | $ | 27,121 | |||||||
Services | 3,447 | 4,474 | 5,388 | 7,429 | 9,980 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | 18,085 | 22,972 | 34,144 | 32,502 | 37,101 | ||||||||||||
Cost of revenues(1): | |||||||||||||||||
Products | 3,942 | 4,481 | 6,435 | 6,603 | 8,198 | ||||||||||||
Services | 679 | 938 | 1,162 | 1,416 | 1,498 | ||||||||||||
Total cost of revenues | 4,621 | 5,419 | 7,597 | 8,019 | 9,696 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit | 13,464 | 17,553 | 26,547 | 24,483 | 27,405 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
Research and development, gross | 4,851 | 6,652 | 9,340 | 11,755 | 14,635 | ||||||||||||
Less royalty-bearing participation | 894 | 727 | 1,811 | 2,371 | 2,671 | ||||||||||||
Research and development, net(1) | 3,957 | 5,925 | 7,529 | 9,384 | 11,964 | ||||||||||||
Sales and marketing(1) | 10,104 | 11,887 | 15,457 | 18,081 | 19,781 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative(1) | 2,081 | 2,380 | 3,464 | 5,583 | 6,174 | ||||||||||||
Impairment of intangible assets | 366 | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
In Process Research and Development | - | - | - | - | 244 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 16,508 | 20,192 | 26,450 | 33,048 | 38,163 | ||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | (3,044 | ) | (2,639 | ) | 97 | (8,565 | ) | (10,758 | ) | ||||||||
Financing and other income (expenses), net | (241 | ) | 45 | 630 | (845 | ) | (5,517 | ) | |||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax expenses (benefit) | (3,285 | ) | (2,594 | ) | 727 | (9,410 | ) | (16,275 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax expenses (benefit) | 3 | (218 | ) | 111 | 530 | 220 | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (3,288 | ) | $ | (2,376 | ) | $ | 616 | $ | (9,940 | ) | $ | (16,495 | ) | |||
Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per share | $ | (1.18 | ) | $ | (0.81 | ) | $ | 0.04 | $ | (0.46 | ) | $ | (0.75 | ) | |||
Weighted average number of shares used | |||||||||||||||||
in computing basic net earnings | |||||||||||||||||
(loss) per share | 2,787,554 | 2,943,500 | 14,402,338 | 21,525,822 | 22,054,211 | ||||||||||||
Weighted average number of shares used in | |||||||||||||||||
computing diluted net earnings (loss) | |||||||||||||||||
per share | 2,787,554 | 2,943,500 | 16,423,227 | 21,525,822 | 22,054,211 | ||||||||||||
(1) | Includes stock-based compensation expense related to options granted to employees and others as follows: |
1
Year ended December 31, |
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2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 | |||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 15 | $ | 48 | $ | 50 | |||||||
Research and development expenses, net | 17 | 12 | 157 | 230 | 321 | ||||||||||||
Sales and marketing expenses | 25 | 251 | 650 | 340 | 465 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 116 | 42 | 539 | 743 | 866 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 158 | $ | 305 | $ | 1,361 | $ | 1,361 | $ | 1,702 | |||||||
At December 31, |
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2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 | |||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||
Consolidated balance sheet data: | |||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 4,095 | $ | 3,677 | $ | 7,117 | $ | 28,101 | $ | 40,029 | |||||||
Marketable securities | 4,846 | 4,581 | 76,114 | 42,614 | 15,319 | ||||||||||||
Working capital | 6,640 | 4,274 | 75,182 | 37,225 | 40,688 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | 17,167 | 17,591 | 99,506 | 94,655 | 82,851 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities | 8,974 | 11,465 | 15,319 | 17,470 | 19,672 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated deficit | (35,508 | ) | (37,884 | ) | (37,268 | ) | (47,208 | ) | (63,703 | ) | |||||||
Total shareholders' equity | 8,193 | 6,126 | 84,187 | 77,185 | 63,179 |
B. | Capitalization and Indebtedness |
Not applicable.
C. | Reasons for Offer and Use of Proceeds |
Not applicable.
2
D. | Risk Factors |
Investing in our ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks described below, together with the financial and other information contained in this annual report, before deciding to invest in our ordinary shares. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations would suffer. In this case, the trading price of our ordinary shares would likely decline and you might lose all or part of your investment. The risks described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks that we currently do not know about or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also impair our business operations.
We have a history of losses, may incur future losses and may not achieve profitability.
We have incurred net losses in each fiscal year since we commenced operations in 1997 and through 2008, other than 2006. We had a net loss of $16.5 million in 2008 of which $7.7 million resulted from a net impairment charge related to auction-rate securities, or ARS, compared to a net loss of $9.9 million in 2007 of which $4.9 million resulted from an impairment charge related to ARS and net income of $0.6 million in 2006. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to achieve profitability and we may incur losses in the next several years as we expand our sales and marketing activities and continue to invest in research and development. We may also incur additional impairment charges related to ARS. We may incur losses in the future and may not generate sufficient revenues in the future to achieve profitability.
Continuing unfavorable global economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
The crisis in the financial and credit markets in the United States, Europe and Asia has led to a global economic slowdown, with economies in those territories showing significant weakness. If the economies in any part of the world continue to be weak or further deteriorate, many enterprises, telecommunications carriers and service providers may reduce or postpone their capital investments significantly. This could result in reductions in sales of our products or services and longer sales cycles, slower adoption of new technologies and increased price competition. We continuously monitor market trends and intend to take such steps as we deem appropriate to adjust our operations, including measures to lower our expenditures. Since a substantial portion of our operating expenses consist of salaries, we may not be able to reduce our operating expenses in line with any reduction in revenues or may elect not to do so for business reasons. We will need to continue to generate increased revenues and manage our costs to achieve profitability. If global economic and market conditions do not improve, or continue to deteriorate, it may lead to increase in our inventories, decrease our revenues, result in additional pressure on the price of our products, prolong payment terms, and increase the risk that we incur bad debts, each of which would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flow from operations.
3
The market for our products is still in its early stage and our growth may be harmed if carriers, cable operators or mobile operators and midsize service providers, do not adopt our solutions.
Our portfolio of hardware platforms and software applications uses our technology to transform broadband pipes into smart networks that can rapidly and efficiently deploy value added Internet services. The market for our technology is still in its early stage and did not grown in 2008 in line with analysts projections. We believe that the Tier 1 carriers, as well as cable and mobile operators and midsize service providers, present a significant market opportunity and are an important element of our long term strategy. Nevertheless, they may decide that full visibility into their networks or highly granular control over content based applications is not critical to their business. They may also determine not to adopt the value added services we offer or that certain applications, such as VoIP or Internet video, can be adequately prioritized in their networks using router and switch infrastructure products without the use of our technology. They may also, in some instances, face regulatory constraints that could change the characteristics of the markets. They may also seek an embedded deep packet inspection, or DPI, solution in capital equipment devices such as routers rather than the stand-alone solution offered by us. Furthermore, widespread adoption of our products by carriers, cable operators, mobile operators and midsize service providers may require that they migrate to a new business model based on offering subscriber and application-based tiered services and market these new services successfully to consumers. If they decide not to adopt our technology, our market opportunity would be reduced and our growth rate may be harmed.
Demand for our products depends in part on the rate of adoption of bandwidth-intensive broadband applications, such as voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP), Internet video and online video gaming applications.
Our products are used by service providers and enterprises to monitor and manage bandwidth-intensive applications that cause congestion in broadband networks and impact the quality of experience of users. Demand for our products is driven particularly by the growth in applications, which are highly sensitive to network delays and therefore require efficient network management. These applications include VoIP, Internet video and online video gaming applications. If the rapid growth in adoption of VoIP and in the popularity of Internet video and online video gaming applications does not continue, the demand for our products may not grow as anticipated.
Our revenues and business will be harmed if we do not keep pace with changes in broadband applications and with advances in technology.
We will need to invest heavily in developing our DPI technology in order to keep pace with rapid changes in applications, increased broadband network speeds and with our competitors efforts to advance their technology. Designers of broadband applications that our products identify and manage are using increasingly sophisticated methods to avoid detection and management by network operators. Even if our products successfully identify a particular application, it is sometimes necessary to distinguish between different types of traffic belonging to a single application. Accordingly, we face significant challenges in ensuring that we identify new applications as they are introduced without impacting network performance, especially as networks become faster. This challenge is increased as we seek to expand sales of our products in new geographic territories because the applications vary from country to country and region to region. If we fail to address the needs of customers in particular geographic markets and if we fail to develop enhancements to our products in order to keep pace with advances in technology, our business and revenues will be adversely affected.
4
The network equipment market is subject to rapid technological progress and to compete we need to achieve widespread market acceptance.
The network equipment market is characterized by rapid technological progress, frequent new product introductions, changes in customer requirements and evolving industry standards. Developments in routers and routing software could also significantly reduce demand for our products. Alternative technologies could achieve widespread market acceptance and displace the technology on which we have based our product architecture. We can give no assurance that our technological approach will achieve broad market acceptance or that other technology or devices will not supplant our products and technology.
Demand for our products may be impacted by government regulation of the telecommunications industry.
Carriers are subject to government regulation in a number of jurisdictions in which we sell our products. There are several proposals in the United States and Europe for regulating service providers ability to prioritize applications in their networks. Advocates for regulating this industry claim that collecting premium fees from certain preferred applications would distort the market for Internet applications in favor of larger and better-funded content providers and would impact end users who purchased broadband access only to experience differing response times in interacting with various content providers. Opponents believe that content providers who support bandwidth-intensive applications should be required to pay service providers a premium in order to support further network investments. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission held hearings to discuss net neutrality, which has been defined as service providers treating Internet content equally and not interfering with download speeds, regardless of the size or source of content. To date, the Federal Communications Commission has issued limited guidance on this issue and is currently reviewing it on a case-by-case basis. In August 2008, the Federal Communications Commission issued a ruling prohibiting Comcast, the second-largest broadband provider in the United States, from delaying some peer-to-peer traffic on its network. Comcast filed a court appeal in September 2008 seeking a review of such ruling. Demand from carriers for the traffic management and subscriber management features of our products could be adversely affected if regulations prohibit, or limit, service providers from managing traffic on their networks. A decrease in demand for these features could adversely impact sales of our products.
We may be unable to compete effectively with other companies in our market who offer, or may in the future offer, competing technologies.
We compete in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive sector of the networking technology market. Our principal competitors are Cisco Systems, Inc., Sandvine Inc. and Arbor Network, Inc. (through its acquisition of Ellacoya Networks, Inc.) in the service provider market, including the segment of the largest service providers, referred to as Tier 1 carriers, and Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (through its acquisition of Packeteer Inc.) in the enterprise market. Our competitors have also identified the potential market opportunity of Tier 1 carriers and we therefore expect intensive competition in this segment in the future. We also compete with a number of smaller competitors, such as CloudShield Technologies, Inc. and Procera Networks, Inc., and we compete indirectly with router and switch infrastructure companies with features that address some of the problems that our products address. We also face competition from companies that offer partial or alternative solutions addressing only one aspect of the challenges facing broadband providers, such as network monitoring or security. Our competitors may announce new products, services or enhancements that better meet the needs of customers or changing industry requirements, or may offer alternative methods to achieve customer objectives. One of our direct competitors, Cisco Systems, is substantially larger than we are and has significantly greater financial, sales and marketing, technical, manufacturing and other resources. The entry of new competitors into our market and acquisitions of our existing competitors by companies with significant resources and established relationships with our potential customers could result in increased competition and harm our business. Increased competition may cause price reductions, reduced gross margins and loss of market share, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or result of operations.
5
We need to increase the functionality of our products and offer additional features and value added services in order to maintain or increase our profitability.
The market in which we operate is highly competitive and unless we continue to enhance the functionality of our products and add additional features, our competitiveness may be harmed and the average selling prices for our products may decrease over time. Such a decrease would generally result from the introduction by competitors of competing products and from the standardization of DPI technology. To counter this trend, we endeavor to enhance our products by offering higher system speeds, and additional features and value added services, such as additional security functions, supporting additional applications and enhanced reporting tools. We may also need to reduce our per unit manufacturing costs at a rate equal to or faster than the rate at which selling prices decline. If we are unable to reduce these costs or to offer increased functionally and features, our profitability may be adversely affected.
Under the current laws of the United States, Israeli and other jurisdiction in which we operate, we may not be able to enforce employees covenants not to compete and therefore may be unable to prevent our competitors from benefiting from the expertise of some of our former employees.
It is our practice to have our employees sign appropriate non-compete agreements. These agreements prohibit our employees, if they cease working for us, from competing directly with us or working for our competitors for a limited period. Under the current laws of the United States, Israel and other jurisdictions in which we operate, we may be unable to enforce these agreements and it may be difficult for us to restrict our competitors from gaining the expertise our former employees gained while working for us.
We depend on third parties to market, sell, install, and provide initial technical support for our products.
We depend on third party channel partners, such as distributors, resellers, OEMs and system integrators, to market and sell our products to end-customers. Our channel partners are also responsible for installing our products and providing initial customer support for them. As a result, we depend on the ability of our channel partners to market and sell our products successfully to end-customers. If any significant channel partners fail, individually or in the aggregate, to perform as we expect, our sales may suffer. We also depend on our ability to maintain our relationships with existing channel partners and develop relationships in key markets with new channel partners. We cannot assure you that our channel partners will market our products effectively, receive and fulfill customer orders of our products on a timely basis or continue to devote the resources necessary to provide us with effective sales, marketing and technical support. In addition, any failure by our channel partners to provide adequate initial support to end-customers could result in customer dissatisfaction with us or our products, which could result in a loss of customers, harm our reputation and delay or limit market acceptance of our products. Our products are complex and it takes time for a new channel partner to gain experience in their operation and installation. Therefore, it may take a period of time before a new channel partner can successfully market, sell and support our products if an existing channel partner ceases to sell our products.
6
Our agreements with channel partners are generally not exclusive and our channel partners may market and sell products that compete with our products. Our agreements with our distributors and resellers are usually for an initial one-year term and following the expiration of this term, they can be terminated by either party. We can give no assurance that these agreements will not be terminated upon proper notice and any such termination may adversely affect our profitability and results of operations.
Sales of our products to large service providers can involve a lengthy sales cycle, which may impact the timing of our revenues and result in us expending significant resources without making any sales.
The length of our sales cycles to large service providers, including carriers, cable operators and mobile operators, is generally lengthy because these end-customers consider our products to be capital equipment and undertake significant testing to assess the performance of our products within their networks. As a result, we may invest significant time from initial contact with a large service provider until that end-customer decides to incorporate our products in its network. We may also expend significant resources attempting to persuade large service providers to incorporate our products into their networks without success. Even after deciding to purchase our products, initial network deployment of our products by a large service provider may last up to three years. If a competitor succeeds in convincing a large service provider to adopt that competitors product, it may be difficult for us to displace the competitor because of the cost, time, effort and perceived risk to network stability involved in changing solutions. As a result, we may incur significant expense without generating any sales.
We are dependent on our traffic management systems and network management application suites for the substantial majority of our revenues.
We currently derive the substantial majority of our revenues from sales of our NetEnforcer traffic management system, NetXplorer network management application suite, the Service Gateway platform, and from maintenance and support contracts related to these products. In 2008, we increased sales of our Service Gateway platform, which combines a powerful DPI engine and array of services into a fully integrated, carrier-class platform; however, sales of our NetEnforcer traffic management system and NetXplorer network management system continued to account for a significant portion of our revenues in 2008 and we currently expect these systems will continue to account for a significant portion of our revenues for the immediate future. As a result, any factor adversely affecting our ability to sell, or the pricing of or demand for, our NetEnforcer traffic management system and NetXplorer network management system would severely harm our ability to generate revenues.
7
We integrate various third-party solutions into, or together with, our Service Gateway platform and may integrate or offer additional third-party solutions in the future. If we lose the right to use such solutions, we would have to spend additional capital to replace such components.
We integrate various third-party solutions into, or together with, our Service Gateway platform and may integrate or offer additional third-party solutions in the future. Sales of the Service Gateway platform could be disrupted if such third party solutions were either no longer available to us or no longer offered to us on commercially reasonable terms. In either case, we would be required to spend additional capital to either redesign our products to function with alternate third party solutions or develop substitute components ourselves. We might as a result be forced to limit the features available in our current or future product offerings.
Our products are highly technical, and any undetected software or hardware errors in our products could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Our products are complex and are incorporated into broadband networks which are a major source of revenue for service providers and which support critical applications for subscribers and enterprises. Due to the complexity of our products and variations among customers network environments, we may not detect product defects until full deployment in our customers networks. Regardless of whether warranty coverage exists for a product, we may be required to dedicate significant technical resources to resolve any defects. If we encounter significant product problems, we could experience, among other things, loss of major customers, cancellation of product orders, increased costs, delay in recognizing revenue, and damage to our reputation. In addition, we could face claims for product liability, tort, or breach of warranty. Defending a lawsuit, regardless of its merit, is costly and may divert managements attention. In addition, if our business liability insurance is inadequate or future coverage is unavailable on acceptable terms or at all, our financial condition could be harmed.
The complexity and scope of the solutions and services we provide to larger service providers is increasing. Larger projects entail greater operational risk and an increased chance of failure.
The complexity and scope of the solutions and services we provide to larger service providers is increasing. The larger and more complex such projects are, the greater the operational risks associated with such projects. These risks include failure to fully integrate our products into the service providers network, with third party products and complex environments, and our dependence on subcontractors and partners for the successful and timely completion of such projects. Failure to complete a larger project successfully could expose us to potential contractual penalties, claims for breach of contract and in extreme cases, to cancellation of the entire project, or increase the likelihood we have difficulty in collecting payment and recognizing revenues.
8
We currently depend on a single subcontractor to manufacture and provide hardware warranty support for our NetEnforcer traffic management systems and another subcontractor to provide similar services for our Service Gateway platform. If either subcontractor experiences delays, disruptions, quality control problems or a loss in capacity, it could materially adversely affect our operating results.
We currently depend on a single subcontractor, R.H. Electronics Ltd., to manufacture, assemble, test, package and provide hardware warranty support for all of our NetEnforcer traffic management systems, and another subcontractor, Flextronics (Israel) Ltd., a subsidiary of Flextronics, a global electronics manufacturing, services company, to provide similar services for our Service Gateway platform and our NetEnforcer AC-10000. In addition, our agreements with Flextronics (Israel) and R.H. Electronics requires them to procure and store key components for our products at their facilities. If either of them experiences delays, disruptions or quality control problems in manufacturing our products, or if we fail to effectively manage the relationship with them, shipments of products to our customers may be delayed and our ability to deliver products to customers could be materially adversely affected. Our agreements with Flextronics (Israel) and R.H. Electronics are automatically renewed annually for additional one-year terms. R.H. Electronics may elect not to renew our agreement with them by giving us at least 90 days prior notice to the expiration of any such term. Furthermore, R.H. Electronics may terminate our agreement with them at any time during the term upon 120 days prior notice. Flextronics (Israel) may terminate our agreement at any time during the term upon 180 days prior notice. We expect that it would take approximately six months to transition manufacturing of our products to an alternate manufacturer and our inventory of completed products may not be sufficient for us to continue delivering products to our customers on a timely basis during any such transition. Therefore, the loss of either R.H. Electronics or Flextronics (Israel) would adversely affect our sales and operating results, and harm our reputation.
The facilities of both R.H. Electronics and Flextronics (Israel) are located in northern Israel and are in range of rockets that were fired during 2006 from Lebanon into Israel. In the event that the facilities of either contractor are damaged as a result of hostile action, our ability to deliver products to customers could be materially adversely affected. See also Conditions in Israel could adversely affect our business, and Our operations may be disrupted by the obligations of personnel to perform military service.
Certain hardware components for our products come from single or limited sources, and we could lose sales if these sources fail to satisfy our supply requirements.
Certain hardware components used in our products are obtained from single or limited sources. Since our systems have been designed to incorporate these specific components, any change in these components due to an interruption in supply or our inability to obtain such components on a timely basis would require engineering changes to our products before we could incorporate substitute components. Such changes could be costly and result in lost sales. In particular, the central processing unit for out NetEnforcer AC-400 and our NetEnforcer AC-800 is from Intel Corporation, the network processor for our NetEnforcer AC-1000 and our NetEnforcer AC-2500 is from Hifn Inc., and the central processing unit for our Service Gateway platforms and our NetEnforcer-10000 is from Raza Microelectronics, Inc.
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If we or our contract manufacturer fail to obtain components in sufficient quantities when required, our business could be harmed. Our suppliers also sell products to our competitors. Our suppliers may enter into exclusive arrangements with our competitors, stop selling their products or components to us at commercially reasonable prices or refuse to sell their products or components to us at any price. Our inability to obtain sufficient quantities of single-source or limited-sourced components, or to develop alternative sources for components or products would harm our ability to maintain and expand our business.
If we fail to attract and retain skilled employees, we may not be able to timely develop, sell or support our products.
Our success depends in large part on the continued contribution of our research and development, sales and marketing and managerial personnel. If our business continues to grow, we will need to hire additional qualified research and development, sales and marketing and managerial personnel to succeed. The process of hiring, training and successfully integrating qualified personnel into our operation is a lengthy and expensive one. The market for qualified personnel is very competitive because of the limited number of people available with the necessary technical skills, sales skills and understanding of our products and technology. This is particularly true in Israel, where competition for qualified personnel is intense. Our failure to hire and retain qualified personnel could cause our revenues to decline and impair our ability to meet our research and development and sales objectives.
We may expand our business or enhance our technology through acquisitions that could result in diversion of resources and extra expenses. This could disrupt our business and adversely affect our financial condition.
Part of our strategy is to selectively pursue partnerships and acquisitions that provide us access to complementary technologies and accelerate our penetration into new markets. In 2008, we acquired the business of Esphion, a developer of network protection solutions for carriers and internet service providers, which increased the scope of our product offering. The negotiation of acquisitions, investments or joint ventures, as well as the integration of acquired or jointly developed businesses or technologies, could divert our managements time and resources. Acquired businesses, technologies or joint ventures may not be successfully integrated with our products and operations. We may not realize the intended benefits of any acquisition, investment or joint venture and we may incur future losses from any acquisition, investment or joint venture.
In addition, acquisitions could result in:
| substantial cash expenditures; |
| potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities; |
| the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities; |
| a decrease in our profit margins; |
| amortization of intangibles and potential impairment of goodwill; and |
| write-offs of in-process research and development. |
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If acquisitions disrupt our operations, our business may suffer.
The European Union and China have issued statutes relating to the sale of electrical and electronic equipment, including products sold by us. If our products fail to comply with these statues, we could be subject to penalties and sanctions that could materially adversely affect our business.
A directive issued by the European Union, or EU, on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment, referred to as the EU RoHS directive, came into effect on July 1, 2006. The EU RoHS directive, lists a number of substances, including lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium, which must either be removed, or reduced to maximum permitted concentrations, in any products containing electrical or electronic components that are sold within the EU. Our products fall within the scope of the EU RoHS directive. In addition, the Peoples Republic of China has enacted a law on Management Methods for Controlling Pollution by Electronic Information Products, referred to as the China RoHS directive, that is equivalent of the bans implemented in the EU, but the marking and product certification requirements exceed the requirement of the EU RoHS directive. Furthermore, the scope of this legislation is broader than the EU RoHS directive, covering even medical devices and measurement instruments. We believe that our products are currently compliant with the EU RoHS directive and the China RoHS directive requirements. There can, however, be no assurance that we will continue to comply with the EU RoHS directive, the China RoHS directive or any similar directives in other jurisdictions in the future.
In 2003, the EU approved a directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, or WEEE directive, which promotes waste recovery with a view to reducing the quantity of waste for disposal and saving natural resources, in particular by reuse, recycling, composting and recovering energy from waste. The WEEE directive covers all electrical and electronic equipment used by consumers and electronic equipment intended for professional use. The WEEE directive, which went into effect in August 2005, requires that all new electrical and electronic equipment placed for sale in the EU be appropriately labeled regarding waste disposal and contains other obligations regarding the collection and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Our products fall within the scope of the WEEE directive, with which we believe we are compliant and are taking all requisite steps to ensure continued compliance.
The countries of the EU and the Peoples Republic of China form the large markets for our products. If our products fail to comply with the WEEE directive, the EU RoHS directive or the China RoHS directive, we could be subject to heavy penalties and other sanctions that could have a material adverse affect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Carriers, especially in North America, may condition a purchase of our products upon our receipt of a certification that such products meet the Network Equipment Building System (NEBS) requirements.
Carriers, especially in North America, often require that products they purchase meet Network Equipment Building System (NEBS) certification requirements, which relate the reliability of telecommunications equipment. Our Service Gateway platform, NetEnforcer AC-1000, NetEnforcer AC-2500 and NetEnforcer AC-10000 are designed to meet NEBS certification requirements, but carriers may not choose to use our systems until we receive the certification.
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If we are unable to successfully protect the intellectual property embodied in our technology, our business could be harmed significantly.
Know-how relating to networking protocols, building carrier-grade systems and identifying applications is an important aspect of our intellectual property. To protect our know-how, we customarily require our employees, distributors, resellers, software testers and contractors to execute confidentiality agreements or agree to confidentiality undertakings when their relationship with us begins. Typically, our employment contracts also include the following clauses: assignment of intellectual property rights for all inventions developed by employees, non-disclosure of all confidential information, and non-compete clauses, which generally restrict the employee for six months following termination of employment. The enforceability of non-compete clauses in Israel and certain other jurisdictions in which we operate is limited. We cannot provide any assurance that the terms of these agreements are being observed and will be observed in the future. Because our product designs and software are stored electronically and thus are highly portable, we attempt to reduce the portability of our designs and software by physically protecting our servers through the use of closed networks, which prevent external access to our servers. We cannot be certain, however, that such protection will adequately deter individuals or groups from wrongful access to our technology. Monitoring unauthorized use of intellectual property is difficult, and some foreign laws do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as the law of the United States. We cannot be certain that the steps we have taken to protect our proprietary information will be sufficient. In addition, to protect our intellectual property, we may become involved in litigation, which could result in substantial expenses, divert the attention of management, cause significant delays, materially disrupt the conduct of our business or adversely affect our revenue, financial condition and results of operations.
As of December 31, 2008, we had a limited patent portfolio. We had two issued U.S. patents and two pending U.S. patent applications. While we plan to protect our intellectual property with, among other things, patent protection, there can be no assurance that:
| current or future U.S. or foreign patents applications will be approved; |
| our issued patents will protect our intellectual property and not be held invalid or unenforceable if challenged by third parties; |
| we will succeed in protecting our technology adequately in all key jurisdictions in which we or our competitors operate; |
| the patents of others will not have an adverse effect on our ability to do business; or |
| others will not independently develop similar or competing products or methods or design around any patents that may be issued to us. |
The failure to obtain patents, inability to obtain patents with claims of a scope necessary to cover our technology, or the invalidation of our patents, may weaken our competitive position and may adversely affect our revenues.
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We may be subject to claims of intellectual property infringement by third parties that, regardless of merit, could result in litigation and our business, operating results or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
There can be no assurance that we will not receive communications from third parties asserting that our products and other intellectual property infringe, or may infringe their proprietary rights. We are not currently subject to any proceedings for infringement of patents or other intellectual property rights and are not aware of any parties that intend to pursue such claims against us. Any such claims, regardless of merit, could result in litigation, which could result in substantial expenses, divert the attention of management, cause significant delays and materially disrupt the conduct of our business. As a consequence of such claims, we could be required to pay a substantial damage award, develop non-infringing technology, enter into royalty-bearing licensing agreements, stop selling our products or re-brand our products. If it appears necessary, we may seek to license intellectual property that we are alleged to infringe. Such licensing agreements may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. Litigation is inherently uncertain and any adverse decision could result in a loss of our proprietary rights, subject us to significant liabilities, require us to seek licenses from others and otherwise negatively affect our business. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to develop non-infringing technology or license the infringed or similar technology, our business, operating results or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
We use certain open source software tools that may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, the assertion of which could impair our product development plans, interfere with our ability to support our clients or require us to pay licensing fees.
Certain of our products contain open source code and we may use more open source code in the future. Open source code is code that is covered by a license agreement that permits the user to liberally copy, modify and distribute the software without cost, provided that users and modifiers abide by certain licensing requirements. The original developers of the open source code provide no warranties on such code.
As a result of our use of open source software, we could be subject to suits by parties claiming ownership of what we believe to be open source code and we may incur expenses in defending claims that we did not abide by the open source code license. If we are not successful in defending against such claims, we may be subject to monetary damages or be required to remove the open source code from our products. Such events could disrupt our operations and the sales of our products, which would negatively impact our revenues and cash flow. In addition, under certain conditions, the use of open source code to create derivative code may obligate us to make the resulting derivative code available to others at no cost. If we are required to publicly disclose the source code for such derivative products or to license our derivative products that use an open source license, our previously proprietary software products would be available to others, including our customers and competitors without charge.
We monitor our use of such open source code to avoid subjecting our products to conditions we do not intend. The use of such open source code, however, may ultimately subject some of our products to unintended conditions so that we are required to take remedial action that may divert resources away from our development efforts.
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We have invested a substantial portion of our cash in auction-rate securities, or ARS, which subjects us to liquidity and investment risk. Due to uncertainties in the capital markets regarding auction-rate securities, we recorded impairment charges in 2007 and 2008, and, if the fair value of these investments were to decline further, we could be required to record further impairment charges related to these investments.
As of December 31, 2008, we had $27.9 million of principal invested in ARS, which consist of interests in collateralized debt obligations supported by pools of residential and commercial mortgages or credit cards, insurance securitizations and other structured credits, including corporate bonds. In 2008, we monetized $12.4 million of ARS at par value. We also recorded a net impairment charge of $7.7 million resulting from the monetization of ARS. As of December 31, 2008, the fair value of the ARS on our balance sheet was $15.3 million. We determined the fair value of the ARS based on third party valuation using a discounted cash flow model, whose inputs include interest rate curves, credit spreads, bond prices, volatilities and illiquidity considerations. Unobservable inputs used in these models are significant to the fair value of the investments. Based on recent valuations, as of March 31, 2009, the fair value of the ARS had further declined by $1.2 million, net, to $14.1 million. While certain ARS in our portfolio further devalued, the value of other ARS appreciated. As a result, we expect to record an additional impairment charge of $1.6 million in our statement of operations and unrealized gain of $0.4 million to other comprehensive income in our balance sheet in the first quarter of 2009.
We cannot predict if or when the liquidity of these ARS will improve. We continue to monitor the market for ARS although there is currently a very limited secondary market for such securities. If these investments continue to experience further devaluation, we will record further impairment charges that could adversely affect our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if the fair value of certain investments that have not experienced any devaluation were to decline, management would be required to evaluate whether such decline is other than temporary. The amount of any impairment loss which is determined to be other than temporary would be immediately recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. Such an impairment charge could materially and adversely affect our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for further information.
We may have liquidity difficulties and may suffer losses from our cash investments if the banks we are working with suffer from financial difficulties or go bankrupt.
We hold most of our cash, cash equivalents, restricted deposit and short time bank deposits in certain Israeli and U.S. banks. Such amounts, in the United States, may be in excess of insured limits and are not insured in other jurisdictions. Generally, the cash and cash equivalent and short-term deposits may be redeemed upon demand, and therefore, bear minimal risk. Due to the crisis in the financial and credit markets, the risk of banks having financial difficulties has risen. If the banks we are working with face financial difficulties, we may have liquidity difficulties and may lose part or all of our investments in case these banks go bankrupt.
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Our international operations expose us to the risk of fluctuation in currency exchange rates.
In 2008, we derived our revenues principally in U.S. dollars. Although a substantial part of our expenses were denominated in U.S. dollars, a significant portion of our expenses were denominated in shekels and to a lesser extent in euros and other Asian currencies. Our shekel-denominated expenses consist principally of salaries and related personnel expenses. We anticipate that a material portion of our expenses will continue to be denominated in shekels. If the U.S. dollar weakens against the shekel or other currencies we are exposed to, there will be a negative impact on our results of operations. In addition, if we wish to maintain the dollar-denominated value of our products in non-U.S. markets, devaluation in the local currencies of our customers relative to the U.S. dollar could cause our customers to cancel or decrease orders or default on payment. See ITEM 11: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
We may receive much lower interest income on our interest bearing investments due to changes in interest rates.
We have significant amount of cash that is currently invested primarily in interest bearing investments such as bank time deposits, money market funds, ARS and as of the beginning of 2009, also U.S. government treasury bills. These investments expose us to the changes in interest rates. If interest rates further decline, our results of operations may be adversely affected due to lower interest income from these investments.
The share price of our ordinary shares has been and may continue to be volatile.
Our quarterly financial performance is likely to vary in the future, and may not meet our expectations or the expectations of analysts or investors, which may lead to additional volatility in our share price. The market price of our ordinary shares may be volatile and could fluctuate substantially due to many factors, including:
| announcements or introductions of technological innovations or new products, or product enhancements or pricing policies by us or our competitors; |
| disputes or other developments with respect to our or our competitors' intellectual property rights; |
| announcements of strategic partnerships, joint ventures or other agreements by us or our competitors; |
| recruitment or departure of key personnel; |
| regulatory developments in the markets in which we sell our products; |
| our sale of ordinary shares or other securities in the future; |
| changes in the estimation of the future size and growth of our markets; |
| market conditions in our industry, the industries of our customers and the economy as a whole; and |
| implementation of a share buyback plan. |
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Share price fluctuations may be exaggerated if the trading volume of our ordinary shares is too low. The lack of a trading market may result in the loss of research coverage by securities analysts. Moreover, we cannot assure you that any securities analysts will initiate or maintain research coverage of our company and our ordinary shares. If our future quarterly operating results are below the expectations of securities analysts or investors, the price of our ordinary shares would likely decline. Securities class action litigation has often been brought against companies following periods of volatility. In April 2007, we announced that our revenue and earnings estimates for the first quarter of 2007 and that the 2007 fiscal year would be lower than previously projected. The closing price of our ordinary shares on the date following the announcement was $2.04, or 22%, lower than the closing price on the previous day. Subsequently, in May and June 2007, we and certain of our officers and directors were named as defendants in a number of purported securities class action lawsuits filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. See ITEM 8: Financial InformationConsolidated Statements and Other Financial InformationLegal Proceedings.
If we cannot meet NASDAQs continued listing requirements, NASDAQ may delist our ordinary shares, which would have an adverse impact on the liquidity and market price of our ordinary shares.
Our ordinary shares are currently listed on NASDAQ Global Market. Under NASDAQ rules, shares can be delisted and not allowed to trade on NASDAQ if the closing bid price of the stock over a 30 consecutive trading-day period is less than $1.00. Since the beginning of the financial markets crisis, we have experienced substantial decreases in the price of our ordinary shares. NASDAQ has implemented a temporary suspension of the rules requiring a minimum $1.00 closing bid price. The temporary extension currently expires on July 19, 2009. If the suspension is not extended further, there is a risk in light of the continued depressed state of the economy and credit and capital markets that the price of our ordinary shares could further decline below the minimum listing requirement, and thus be delisted from the NASDAQ Global Market. A delisting of our ordinary shares could negatively impact us by reducing their liquidity and market price and the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our ordinary shares. This could negatively impact our ability to raise equity financing.
Our shareholders do not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of a U.S. listed company because we have elected to use an exemption available to foreign private issuers from certain NASDAQ corporate governance requirements.
As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5615(a)(3) to follow Israeli corporate governance practices instead of the NASDAQ Global Market requirements that apply to U.S. listed companies. As a condition to following Israeli corporate governance practices, we must disclose which requirements we are not following and the equivalent Israeli requirement. We must also provide NASDAQ with a letter from our outside counsel in our home country, Israel, certifying that our corporate governance practices are not prohibited by Israeli law. We rely on this foreign private issuer exemption with respect to the following two items: First, we follow the requirements of Israeli law with respect to the quorum requirement for meetings of our shareholders, which are different from the requirements of Rule 5620(c). As a result, the quorum required for an ordinary meeting of shareholders consists of at least two shareholders present in person, by proxy or by written ballot, who hold or represent between them at least 25% of the voting power of our shares. Second, we follow Israeli law requirements with respect to the requirement to seek shareholder approval for equity compensation plans, which are significantly different the requirements of Rule 5635(c). Under Israeli law, we may amend our 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan by approval of our board of directors and without shareholder approval as is generally required under Rule 5635(c). As a result of these exemptions, our shareholders do not have the same protections as are afforded to shareholders of a U.S. listed company. We may in the future provide NASDAQ with an additional letter or letters notifying NASDAQ that we are following our home country practices, consistent with Israeli law and practices, in lieu of other requirements of Rule 5600.
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Defending securities class action litigation requires extensive management attention and resources, and an unfavorable outcome could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Defending the purported securities class action lawsuits to which we are subject could be expensive, lengthy and disruptive to normal business operations, and could require extensive management attention and resources, regardless of the merit of these lawsuits. Moreover, we cannot predict the results of legal proceedings, and an unfavorable resolution of these lawsuits as a result of a settlement, or a court decision, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
A small number of significant beneficial owners of our shares acting together will have a significant influence over matters requiring shareholder approval, which could delay or prevent a change of control.
Our executive officers and directors and their affiliates beneficially own approximately 23.9% of our outstanding ordinary shares. As a result, these shareholders, acting together, could exercise significant influence over our operations and business strategy and will have sufficient voting power to influence the outcome of matters requiring shareholder approval.
These matters may include:
| the composition of our board of directors which has the authority to direct our business and to appoint and remove our officers; |
| approving or rejecting a merger, consolidation or other business combination; |
| raising future capital; and |
| amending our articles of association which govern the rights attached to our ordinary shares. |
This concentration of ownership of our ordinary shares could delay or prevent proxy contests, mergers, tender offers, open-market purchase programs or other purchases of our ordinary shares that might otherwise give you the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price of our ordinary shares. This concentration of ownership may also adversely affect our share price.
Future sales of our ordinary shares in the public market and low trading volume could adversely affect our share price.
As of December 31, 2008, we had 22,067,117 ordinary shares outstanding. Approximately 42.0% of these shares are restricted securities available for resale on the NASDAQ Global Market subject, however, to volume limitations under Rule 144. Most of these restricted securities are held by the largest beneficial owners of our shares. Future sales of these restricted shares, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares. We have experienced a low trading volume of our ordinary shares since our initial public offering and if one or a small number of parties buys or sells a large number of our ordinary shares, we may experience volatility in our share price and the price and liquidity of our shares may be adversely affected.
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Our U.S. shareholders may suffer adverse tax consequences if we are characterized as a passive foreign investment company
Generally, if for any taxable year 75% or more of our gross income is passive income, or the average percentage of our assets which produce passive income or which are held for the production of passive income (passive assets) is at least 50%, we would be characterized as a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes for such taxable year. Publicly traded corporations must determine the percentage of assets on the basis of the value of their assets. No definitive guidance has been issued by the U.S. government concerning how to value the assets of a foreign public company for PFIC testing purposes. It can be inferred from the legislative history that the fair market value of the total assets of a publicly traded foreign corporation can be more easily measured, and is therefore likely to be less burdensome to taxpayers, by applying the market capitalization method. Under the market capitalization method, the total asset value of a company would be considered to equal the aggregate fair market value of its outstanding stock (i.e., its market capitalization) plus its outstanding liabilities, as of a relevant testing date. However, the legislative history did not specify the circumstances under which it would be appropriate to use the market capitalization method, or that such method was an exclusive means for valuing the total assets of a publicly traded corporation. Accordingly, if the market capitalization approach is found to be insufficient in the context of the facts and circumstances of a particular case, other reasonable valuation methods may be employed to determine the fair market value of a corporations assets. In certain circumstances, including extremely volatile market conditions, it may be appropriate to apply alternative valuation methods, to more accurately determine the fair market value of our assets, such as a valuation of the assets by an independent qualified expert. We have obtained an opinion from a U.S. Tax Counsel that, applying the results of an independent valuation of our company which employed an approach other than the market capitalization approach, and which provided the reasoning underlying the use of such approach, we should not be a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2008. There can be no certainty that the IRS will not challenge such a position, however, and determine that based on the IRS interpretation of the asset test, we were a PFIC in 2008. Thus, there can be no assurance that we will not be considered a PFIC for 2008 or for any other taxable year. We are not providing any U.S. tax opinion to any U.S. Holder concerning any potential PFIC status of our company, and U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the implication of the PFIC rules in his, her or its particular circumstances. See ITEM 10: TaxationUnited States Federal Income TaxationPassive Foreign Investment Company Considerations.
If we were characterized as a passive foreign investment company, a U.S. Holder (as defined under ITEM 10: Additional InformationTaxationUnited States Federal Income TaxationPassive Foreign Investment Company Considerations) could avoid certain adverse passive foreign investment company consequences by making a qualified electing fund election to be taxed currently on its proportionate share of the passive foreign investment companys ordinary income and net capital gains. However, we do not intend to comply with the necessary accounting and record keeping requirements that would allow a U.S. Holder to make a qualified electing fund election with respect to the Company. See ITEM 10: Additional InformationTaxationUnited States Federal Income TaxationPassive Foreign Investment Company Considerations.
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We are incorporated under Israeli law and our principal offices, and research and development facilities are located in Israel. Accordingly, political, economic and military conditions in Israel directly affect our business. Since the State of Israel was established in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have occurred between Israel and its Arab neighbors. In recent years, there has been an escalation in violence among Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Palestinian Authority and other groups, including extensive hostilities along Israels border with Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009. Furthermore, several countries, principally in the Middle East, still restrict doing business with Israel and Israeli companies, and additional countries may impose restrictions on doing business with Israel and Israeli companies if hostilities in Israel continue or increase. These restrictions may limit materially our ability to sell our solutions to companies in these countries. Any hostilities involving Israel or the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its present trading partners, or a significant downturn in the economic or financial condition of Israel, could adversely affect our operations and product development, cause our revenues to decrease and adversely affect the share price of publicly traded companies having operations in Israel, such as us. Additionally, any hostilities involving Israel may have a material adverse effect on either of our principal subcontractors and their facilities in which event, all or a portion of our inventory may be damaged, and our ability to deliver products to customers may be materially adversely affected.
Our operations may be disrupted by the obligations of personnel to perform military service.
As of December 31, 2008, we employed 243 people, of whom 174 were based in Israel. Some of our executive officers and employees in Israel are obligated to perform annual military reserve duty in the Israel Defense Forces, depending on their age and position in the army. Additionally, they may be called to active reserve duty at any time under emergency circumstances for extended periods of time. Our operations could be disrupted by the absence for a significant period of one or more of our executive officers or key employees due to military service, and any significant disruption in our operations could harm our business. The full impact on our workforce or business if some of our executive officers and employees will be called upon to perform military service, especially in times of national emergency, is difficult to predict. Additionally, the absence of a significant number of the employees at either of our principal subcontractors related to military service may disrupt their operations in which event our ability to deliver products to customers may be materially adversely affected.
The tax benefits that are available to us require us to meet several conditions and may be terminated or reduced in the future, which would increase our costs and taxes.
Our investment program in equipment at our facility in Hod-Hasharon, Israel has been granted approved enterprise status and we are therefore eligible for tax benefits under the Israeli Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, referred to as the Investment Law. We expect to utilize these tax benefits after we utilize our net operating loss carry forwards. As of December 31, 2008, our net operating loss carry forwards for Israeli tax purposes amounted to approximately $40 million. To remain eligible for these tax benefits, we must continue to meet certain conditions stipulated in the Investment Law and its regulations and the criteria set forth in the specific certificate of approval, including, among other conditions, that the approved enterprise be operated over a seven-year period and that at least 30% of our investment in fixed assets of the approved enterprise be funded by additional paid-up ordinary share capital. If we do not meet the conditions stipulated in the Investment Law and its regulations and the criteria set forth in the specific certificate of approval in the future, the tax benefits would be canceled and we could be required to refund any tax benefits that we have received. These tax benefits may not be continued in the future at their current levels or at any level.
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Effective April 1, 2005, the Investment Law was amended. As a result, the criteria for new investments qualified to receive tax benefits were revised. No assurance can be given that we will, in the future, be eligible to receive additional tax benefits under this law. The termination or reduction of these tax benefits would increase our tax liability in the future, which would reduce our profits or increase our losses. Additionally, if we increase our activities outside of Israel, for example, by future acquisitions, our increased activities might not be eligible for inclusion in Israeli tax benefit programs. See ITEM 10: Additional InformationTaxationIsraeli Tax Considerations and Government ProgramsLaw for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959.
The government grants we have received for research and development expenditures restrict our ability to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel and require us to satisfy specified conditions. If we fail to comply with such restrictions or these conditions, we may be required to refund grants previously received together with interest and penalties, and may be subject to criminal charges.
We have received royalty-bearing grants from the government of Israel through the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, for the financing of a portion of our research and development expenditures in Israel, pursuant to the provisions of The Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development Law, 1984, referred to as the Research and Development Law. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, we received and accrued grants totaling $1.8, $2.4 and $2.7 million from the Office of the Chief Scientist, representing 19.4%, 20.2% and 18.3%, respectively, of our gross research and development expenditures in these periods. We may not receive future grants or may receive significantly smaller grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist and our failure to receive grants in the future could adversely affect our profitability.
The terms of the grants prohibit us from manufacturing products outside of Israel or transferring intellectual property rights in technologies developed using these grants inside or outside of Israel without special approvals. Even if we receive approval to manufacture our products outside of Israel, we may be required to pay an increased total amount of royalties, which may be up to 300% of the grant amount plus interest, depending on the manufacturing volume that is performed outside of Israel. This restriction may impair our ability to outsource manufacturing or engage in similar arrangements for those products or technologies. Know-how developed under an approved research and development program may not be transferred to any third parties, except in certain circumstances and subject to prior approval. In addition, if we fail to comply with any of the conditions and restrictions imposed by the Research and Development Law or by the specific terms of under which we received the grants, we may be required to refund any grants previously received together with interest and penalties, and may be subject to criminal charges. In recent years, the government of Israel has accelerated the rate of repayment of the Office of Chief Scientist grants and may further accelerate them in the future.
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It may be difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against us, our officers and directors in Israel or the United States, or to assert U.S. securities laws claims in Israel or serve process on our officers and directors.
We are incorporated in Israel. The majority of our executive officers and directors are not residents of the United States, and the majority of our assets and the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. Therefore, it may be difficult for an investor, or any other person or entity, to enforce a U.S. court judgment based upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us or any of these persons in a U.S. or Israeli court, or to effect service of process upon these persons in the United States. Additionally, it may be difficult for an investor, or any other person or entity, to assert U.S. securities law claims in original actions instituted in Israel. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on a violation of U.S. securities laws on the grounds that Israel is not the most appropriate forum in which to bring such a claim. Even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law and not U.S. law is applicable to the claim. If U.S. law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable U.S. law must be proved as a fact which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Certain matters of procedure will also be governed by Israeli law. There is little binding case law in Israel addressing the matters described above.
Provisions of Israeli law and our articles of association may delay, prevent or make undesirable an acquisition of all or a significant portion of our shares or assets.
Our articles of association contain certain provisions that may delay or prevent a change of control, including a classified board of directors. In addition, Israeli corporate law regulates acquisitions of shares through tender offers and mergers, requires special approvals for transactions involving significant shareholders and regulates other matters that may be relevant to these types of transactions. These provisions of Israeli law could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control and may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our shareholders, and may limit the price that investors may be willing to pay in the future for our ordinary shares. Furthermore, Israeli tax considerations may make potential transactions undesirable to us or to some of our shareholders. See ITEM 10: Additional InformationMemorandum of Association and Articles of AssociationAnti-Takeover Measures and Acquisitions under Israeli Law.
As a result of the financial market crisis and the decline in the price of our ordinary shares, we may be more vulnerable to an unsolicited or hostile acquisition bid.
Notwithstanding provisions of our articles of association and Israeli law, the decline in the price of our ordinary shares may result in us becoming subject to an unsolicited or hostile acquisition bid. In the event that such a bid is publicly disclosed, it may result in increased speculation regarding our company and volatility in our share price even if our board of directors decides not to pursue a transaction. If our board does wish to pursue a transaction, there can be no assurance that it will be consummated successfully or that the price paid will represent a premium above the original price paid for our shares by all of our shareholders. See ITEM 10: Additional InformationDescription of Share CapitalAnti-Takeover Measures and Acquisitions under Israeli Law.
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ITEM 4: Information on Allot
A. | History and Development of Allot |
Our legal and commercial name is Allot Communications Ltd. We are a company limited by shares organized under the laws of the State of Israel. Our principal executive offices are located at 22 Hanagar Street, Neve Neeman Industrial Zone B, Hod-Hasharon 45240, Israel, and our telephone number is +972 (9) 761-9200. We have irrevocably appointed Allot Communications, Inc. as our agent to receive service of process in any action against us in any United States federal or state court. The address of Allot Communications, Inc. is 300 TradeCenter, Suite 4680, Woburn, MA 01801-7422.
We were incorporated in late 1996 as Ariadne Ltd. and commenced operations in 1997. In September 1997, we changed our name to Allot Communications Ltd. In 2007, we introduced our Service Gateway platform that enables broadband providers to build efficient, secure, manageable and profitable intelligent networks that are optimized to deliver Internet-based content and services. In January 2008, we completed the acquisition of the business of Esphion Limited, a developer of network protection solutions for carriers and internet service providers.
We had capital expenditures of $1.7 million in 2008, $3.5 million in 2007 and $2.2 million in 2006. We have financed our capital expenditures with cash generated through net proceeds from our initial public offering, private placements of our equity securities and from operations.
Our capital expenditures during 2006, 2007 and 2008 consisted primarily of investments in lab equipment for research and development, as well as customer support and demo units.
B. | Business Overview |
We are a leading provider of intelligent IP service optimization solutions for DSL, wireless and mobile broadband carriers, cable operator service providers, and enterprises. Our portfolio of hardware platforms and software applications utilizes advanced deep packet inspection, or DPI, technology to transform broadband pipes into smart networks that can rapidly and efficiently deploy value added Internet services. Our scalable, carrier-grade solutions provide the visibility, security, application control and subscriber management that are vital to managing Internet service delivery, guaranteeing quality of experience, or QoE, containing operating costs, and maximizing revenue in broadband networks.
The rapid proliferation of broadband networks in recent years has been largely driven by demand from users for faster and more reliable access to the Internet and by the proliferation in the number and complexity of broadband applications.
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Rising Network Operational Costs Due to the Rapid Adoption of Broadband Applications
The increasing adoption of broadband access has enabled significant advances in the sophistication of applications delivered over broadband networks. In contrast to traditional applications, such as e-mail and web-browsing, many newer applications, such as P2P, VoIP, Internet video, online video gaming and online content sites, require large amounts of bandwidth and are highly sensitive to network delays. In response to these challenges, service providers have been forced to invest heavily in network infrastructure upgrades and customer support services in order to maintain the quality of experience for subscribers.
Service Providers Demand for the Ability to Offer Premium and Differentiated Services
Most service providers offer flat-fee broadband access, regardless of the type of applications and data used by subscribers. These operators provide the same level of service to all subscribers and do not guarantee access quality, regardless of a subscribers willingness to pay for premium services and network performance. In addition, competition among service providers has increased because of multiple broadband delivery options, such as cable, DSL, wireless and satellite. As a result of these factors, broadband access has become a commodity, contributing to downward price pressure and high churn rates.
To address these issues and increase the average revenue per user, or ARPU, service providers have begun to offer premium, differentiated applications, such as VoIP, Internet video and new online content services. By offering such tiered services and charging subscribers according to the value of these services, service providers can capitalize on the revenue enhancement opportunities enabled by broadband applications. To offer premium services and to guarantee service levels for those services, service providers need enhanced visibility into network traffic, including visibility into the type of applications used on the network and levels of traffic generated by different subscribers.
Increasing Enterprise Demand for Visibility and Delivery of Mission-Critical Applications
The proliferation of network applications also presents significant challenges for enterprises operating wide-area networks. Applications such as e-mail, customer relationship management, or CRM, enterprise resource planning and other online transactional and business applications are critical to enterprises ability to operate efficiently. Enterprises have also become increasingly dependent on broadband Internet and Intranet access, as content distribution between partners and customers, employee remote access, and even VoIP, have become more common. At the same time, the openness of the Internet allows employees to use a wide variety of recreational and non-business applications on enterprise networks, resulting in network congestion and negatively impacting employee productivity. As a result, enterprises have experienced diminished performance of their mission-critical applications.
Network Security Threats
As reliance on the Internet has grown, service providers and subscribers have become increasingly vulnerable to a wide range of security threats, including denial of service attacks. The attacks hinder the ability of service providers to provide high quality broadband access to subscribers, prevent enterprises from using mission-critical applications and compromise network and data integrity. We believe that users increasingly expect service providers to protect them from these threats. Therefore, it has become imperative for service providers and enterprises to identify and block malicious traffic at very early stages.
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The Challenge of Implementing Intelligent Networks
Service providers are seeking to transform generic access broadband networks into intelligent broadband networks. The ability to identify, distinguish and prioritize different applications plays a major role in intelligent network management, allowing service providers to optimize bandwidth usage and reduce operational costs, while maintaining high quality of service. Application designers are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to avoid detection by network operators who desire to manage network use. Traditional network infrastructure devices, such as routers and switches, do not generally have sufficient computing resources or the required algorithms to distinguish between different and rapidly evolving applications. The dilemma of implementing intelligent networks is further complicated by todays higher speed broadband networks, which carry tremendous amounts of data and serve millions of customers. Unlike traditional network infrastructure devices, such as switches and routers, which can perform only a very limited examination of packets, DPI solutions offer active management of each application and subscriber in the network requiring significant processing power and speed, greater memory and special algorithms.
Our solutions employ advanced DPI, which identifies applications by examining the content encapsulated in packets, including header and application information. By correlating data from multiple packets and flows, searching for application signatures and recognizing application behavior, our solutions identify each subscriber and application in the network and provide in-depth, real time information about their behavior. Once an application has been identified, it can be managed using predetermined policies that determine the level of network resources allocated for that application based on the business strategy of the service provider or enterprise. We have developed market-leading DPI technology that accurately identifies hundreds of application protocols at higher speeds and creates customized detailed usage analyses and reports. Our vision is that DPI technology will become a platform for a range of value-added services, rather than an added feature on a router. Once our DPI engine is able to provide information regarding applications running over the network, we believe our platform will enable service providers to use this information to drive additional revenues by enabling additional functionalities on our DPI platform. In 2008, we acquired the business of Esphion, a developer of network protection solutions for carriers and internet service providers, which increased the scope of our product offering.
Traffic Management Systems
Our traffic management systems consist of the Service Gateway platform and the NetEnforcer product line.
The Service Gateway platform is an open standards-based platform for broadband service control and optimization based on DPI. It is based on an AdvancedTCA®-compliant chassis with modular, hot-swappable DPI blades. A single platform provides up to eight 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports, that manage up to four 10 Gigabit Ethernet lines, supporting up to 40 Gigabits per second (Gbps) of traffic. Within the Service Gateway, the application and subscriber information for each traffic flow is identified by a single DPI process that can then dispatch the flow to an array of additional services and actions. These actions may, through additional blades on the platform, include traffic prioritization and Quality of Service, or QoS, optimization, filtering (including parental control), blocking security threats (Clean Line and denial-of-service-prevention), media caching or collecting records for real-time charging or offline usage-based charging.
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The Service Gateway is designed to reduce the cost and complexity of developing new services. It increases operation efficiency by enabling service providers to deploy multiple services through a single multi-purpose platform rather than by using multiple single purpose appliances. Using the Service Gateway, service providers are able to manage all services using the same policy control rules and management application. The Service Gateway enables providers to minimize the number of packets handled by each application for all services by leveraging a single DPI process.
The Service Gateway platform also leverages our powerful NetXplorer centralized management software and is fully integrated with our Subscriber Management Platform, described below.
Our NetEnforcer traffic management system inspects, monitors and controls network traffic by application and by user. NetEnforcer devices are positioned at multiple strategic network locations where the most traffic traverses and can be monitored and managed. These locations include network access points, or peering points, where the network connects to other networks and data centers. NetEnforcer includes its own management software and can also be managed by other vendor management applications through an interface that integrates with the end-customers operating environment. These applications include policy servers, provisioning systems, customer care and billing applications.
Our traffic management devices are available in several different models to address the needs of a wide range of service providers and enterprises:
Series |
Target Market |
Operation Speeds |
Subscribers(1) |
---|---|---|---|
NetEnforcer AC-400 | Small to medium enterprise networks and | Up to 200 Mbps | Up to 4,000 |
service provider networks | |||
NetEnforcer AC-800 | Medium and large enterprise networks and | Up to 620 Mbps | Up to 28,000 |
medium service provider networks | |||
NetEnforcer AC-1000/ | Carrier-class solutions used by medium and | Up to 2 Gbps and 5 | Up to 80,000 |
AC-2500 | large service provider networks | Gbps, respectively | |
NetEnforcer AC-10000 | Carrier-class solutions used by medium and | Up to 20 Gbps | Up to 800,000 |
large service provider networks with 1G and | |||
10GE networks | |||
Service Gateway - | Carrier-class solutions used by medium and | Up to 40 Gbps | Up to 2,000,000 |
Omega/Sigma | large service provider networks |
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(1) | Represents the maximum number of subscribers that a system can handle simultaneously. Typically, due to network topology, redundancy requirements and other constraints, such as total bandwidth available per subscriber, the actual number per product unit is lower. |
Our Service Gateway platforms are designed to meet NEBS Level 3 certification requirements to ensure operation in extreme environmental conditions.
Network Management Application Suites
Our network management application suites consist of the NetXplorer management application and the Subscriber Management Platform.
The NetXplorer management application suite provides service providers and enterprise customers a highly granular, real time view of all traffic on the network. This centralized management suite, works in conjunction with our Service Gateway and NetEnforcer products to provide network traffic intelligence and enable enterprises and service providers to effectively manage broadband services and set policies for the use of their networks. The data provided from multiple systems are aggregated, analyzed and conveyed using our NetXplorer management application suite.
NetXplorer architecture consists of four elements: first, the client element is the NetXplorer graphical user interface application; second, the server element consisting of the actual NetXplorer application, including the database; third, the optional collector element, which assists in collecting large amounts of data from multiple Service Gateways or NetEnforcers; and fourth, an agent element that is an add-on to the Service Gateway or the NetEnforcer that enables them to be managed by the NetXplorer and support all network management functions.
Our Subscriber Management Platform, or SMP, is a scalable system that helps service providers build an intelligent service network designed to deliver the QoE that each subscriber expects, while allowing providers to manage network usage. The SMP monitors subscriber behavior to identify, track and report short- or long-term usage trends. Behavior can be tracked on an individual basis or for groups of subscribers. By analyzing these trends, providers can know which services are the most popular and with whom. This allows the provider to quickly roll out new or packaged services based on individual subscriber demand and preferred delivery. The SMP supports per-subscriber QoS policy definition, enabling providers to rapidly create and deploy tiered service plans that allow different subscribers to have different quality parameters on a per-service basis. This capability, together with the SMPs tiered services control and quota management features, create unlimited opportunity for innovative service packaging and pricing based on individual subscriber demand and preferred delivery. This flexible and customized delivery helps service providers increase ARPU, reduce churn and facilitate the introduction of new revenue-generating services without service interruption.
ServiceProtector
Our ServiceProtector ensures service continuity and guards network integrity against known and unknown threats. Through immediate identification of Denial of Service (DoS/DDoS) attacks, Zero Day attacks, worms, zombie and spambot behavior, the ServiceProtector enables fast, surgical mitigation by automatically blocking, limiting or isolating only the offending traffic while allowing legitimate traffic to flow. The ServiceProtectors scalable, carrier-grade performance supports up to 10GBPS throughput and is compatible with 1 GE and 10 GE networks.
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We have a global, diversified end-customer base consisting primarily of service providers and enterprises. Our direct customers are generally distributors, resellers, OEMs and system integrators, who we refer to as our channel partners. In 2008, we derived 40.3% of our revenues from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 30.3% from Asia and Oceania and 29.4% from the Americas. We generally only have direct contact with end-customers in the case of larger projects, as smaller projects are driven by our channel partners.
We market and sell our products to end-customers through variety of channels, including direct sales and through our channel partners, which include distributors, resellers, OEMs and system integrators. Our channel partners generally purchase our products from us upon receiving orders from end-customers and are responsible for installing and providing initial customer support for our products. Our channel partners are located around the world and address most major markets. Our channel partners target a range of end-users, including carriers, alternative carriers, cable operators, private networks, data centers and enterprises in a wide range of industries, including government, financial institutions and education. Our agreements with channel partners that are distributors or resellers are generally non-exclusive and are for an initial term of one year and automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless terminated. After the first year, such agreements may be terminated by either party upon ninety days prior notice.
We offer support to our channel partners. This support includes the generation of leads through marketing events, seminars and web-based leads and incentive programs as well as technical and sales training.
Our sales staffs direct contact with end-customers consists mainly of developing leads for our channel partners. A vast majority of our sales occur through our channel partners.
The sales and deployment cycle for our products varies based upon the intended use by the end-customer. The sales cycle for initial network deployment may generally last between one and three years for large and medium service providers, six to twelve months for small service providers, and one to six months for enterprises. Follow-on orders and additional deployment of our products usually require shorter cycles. Large and medium service providers generally take longer to plan the integration of DPI solutions into their existing networks and to set goals for the implementation of the technology.
We focus our marketing efforts on product positioning, increasing brand awareness, communicating product advantages and generating qualified leads for our sales organization. We rely on a variety of marketing communications channels, including our website, trade shows, industry research and professional publications, the press and special events to gain wider market exposure.
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We have organized our worldwide sales efforts into the following three territories: North and South America, Europe the Middle East and Africa, and Asia and Oceania. We have regional offices in the U.S., Israel, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan and China, and a dedicated regional presence in Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong and Australia. We also maintain a regional presence in Mexico and Brazil.
As of December 31, 2008, our sales and marketing staff, including product management and business development functions, consisted of 53 employees.
We believe our technical support and professional services capabilities are a key element of our sales strategy. Our technical staff assists in presales activities and advises channel partners on the integration of our solutions into end-user networks. Our basic warranty extended to end-customers through our channel partners is three months for software and twelve months for hardware. Generally, end-customers are also offered, through our channel partners, a choice of one year or three-year customer support programs when they purchase our products. These warranties can be renewed at the end of their terms. Our end-customer support plans offer the following features:
| expedited replacement units in the event of a warranty claim; and |
| software updates and upgrades offering new features and addressing new network applications. |
Our channel partner support plans are designed to maximize network up-time and minimize operating costs. Our channel partners and their end-customers are entitled to take advantage of our around-the-clock technical support which we provide through our four help desks, located in France, Israel, Singapore and the United States. We also offer our channel partners 24-hour access to an external web-based technical knowledge base, which provides technical support information and enables them to support their customers independently and obtain follow up and support from us. We manage our channel partner and customer support efforts through a single database which enables us to track seamlessly any response provided to a channel partner or end-customer from a different office and to escalate automatically any customer inquiry after a predetermined period of time.
The expenditures associated with the technical support staff are allocated in our statements of operations between sale and marketing expenses and cost of goods sold based on the roles of and tasks performed by personnel.
As of December 31, 2008, our technical staff consisted of 48 employees.
Our research and development activities take place in Israel and New Zealand. As of December 31, 2008, 94 of our employees were engaged primarily in research and development. We devote a significant amount of our resources towards research and development to introduce and continuously enhance products to support our growth strategy. We have assembled a core team of experienced engineers, many of whom are leaders in their particular field or discipline and have technical degrees from top universities and experience working for leading Israeli networking companies. These engineers are involved in advancing our core technologies, as well as in applying these core technologies to our product development activities. Our research and development efforts have benefited from royalty-bearing grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist. The State of Israel does not own any proprietary rights in technology developed with the Office of the Chief Scientist funding and there is no restriction related to the Office of the Chief Scientist on the export of products manufactured using technology developed with Office of the Chief Scientist funding. For a description of restrictions on the transfer of the technology and with respect to manufacturing rights, please see ITEM 3: Key InformationRisk FactorsThe government grants we have received for research and development expenditures restrict our ability to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel and require us to satisfy specified conditions. If we fail to comply with such restrictions or these conditions, we may be required to refund grants previously received together with interest and penalties, and may be subject to criminal charges.
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We subcontract the manufacture and repair of our NetEnforcer products, other than the NetEnforcer AC-10000 to R.H. Electronics, an Israeli manufacturer and manufacture and repair of our Service Gateway platforms and our NetEnforcer AC-10000 to Flextronics (Israel) Ltd., a subsidiary of Flextronics, a global electronics manufacturing services company. This strategy enables us to reduce our fixed costs, focus on our core research and development competencies and provide flexibility in meeting market demand. R.H. Electronics and Flextronics (Israel) are contractually obligated to provide us with manufacturing services based on agreed specifications, including manufacturing, assembling, testing, packaging and procuring the raw materials for our devices. We submit advance forecasts of our projected requirements and our contractors are required to maintain an inventory of components sufficient to support the manufacture of an agreed number of our units beyond these projections. We are not required to provide any minimum orders. Our agreement with each contractor is automatically renewed annually for additional one-year terms. R.H. Electronics may elect not to renew our agreement with them by giving us at least 90 days prior notice to the expiration of any such term. Furthermore, R.H. Electronics may terminate our agreement at any time during the term upon 120 days prior notice. Flextronics (Israel) may terminate our agreement with them at any time during the term upon 180 days prior notice. We retain the right to procure independently any of the components used in our products. Both contractors have U.S. affiliates to which they can, with the prior consent of the Office of the Chief Scientist, transfer manufacturing of our products if necessary, in which event we may be required to pay increased royalties to the Office of the Chief Scientist. We expect that it would take approximately six months to transition manufacturing of our products to an alternate manufacturer.
We design and develop internally a number of the key components for our products, including printed circuit boards and software. Some of our products hardware components are obtained from single or limited sources. Since our products have been designed to incorporate these specific components, any change in these components due to an interruption in supply or our inability to obtain such components on a timely basis would require engineering changes to our products before we could incorporate substitute components. In particular, we purchase the central processing unit for our Service Gateway platforms and for our NetEnforcer AC-10000 from Raza Microelectronics, Inc. and for our NetEnforcer AC-400 and our NetEnforcer AC-800 from Intel Corporation and we have agreed to purchase the network processor for our NetEnforcer AC-1000 and our NetEnforcer AC-2500 from Hifn Inc. We carry approximately three to six months of inventory of key components. We also work closely with our suppliers to monitor the end-of-life of the product cycle for integral components, and believe that in the event that they announce end of life, we will be able to increase our inventory to allow enough time for replacing the products. We have been informed by Hifn that it is their general policy to provide their customers with a six-month last-time-buy option and twelve months to take delivery of the product in the event that Hifn decides to discontinue production of the network processor. Product testing and quality assurance is performed by our contract manufacturer using tests and automated testing equipment and according to controlled test documentation we specify. We also use inspection testing and statistical process controls to assure the quality and reliability of our products.
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Our principal competitors are Cisco Systems, Sandvine and Arbor Networks, Inc. (through its acquisition of Ellacoya Networks) in the service provider market, and Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (through its acquisition of Packeteer) in the enterprise market. We also compete with a number of smaller competitors such as CloudShield Technologies, Inc. and Procera Networks, Inc. and we compete indirectly with router and switch infrastructure companies that offer features, which address some of the problems that our products address. We also face competition from companies that offer partial solutions addressing only one aspect of the challenges facing broadband providers, such as network monitoring or security. We compete on the basis of product performance, such as speed and number of applications identified, ease of use and installation, and customer support. Price is also an important, although not the principal, basis on which we compete. See ITEM 3: Key InformationRisk FactorsWe may be unable to compete effectively with other companies in our market who offer, or may in the future offer, competing technologies.
Our intellectual property rights are very important to our business. We believe that the complexity of our products and the know-how incorporated in them makes it difficult to copy them or replicate their features. We rely on a combination of confidentiality and other protective clauses in our agreements, copyright and trademarks to protect our know-how. We also restrict access to our servers physically and through closed networks since our product designs and software are stored electronically and thus are highly portable.
We customarily require our employees, distributors, resellers, software testers and contractors to execute confidentiality agreements or agree to confidentiality undertakings when their relationship with us begins. Typically, our employment contracts also include the following clauses: assignment of intellectual property rights for all inventions developed by employees, non-disclosure of all confidential information, and non-compete clauses, which generally restrict the employee for six months following termination of employment. The enforceability of non-compete clauses in Israel and certain other jurisdictions in which we operate is limited. Because our product designs and software are stored electronically and thus are highly portable, we attempt to reduce the portability of our designs and software by physically protecting our servers through the use of closed networks, which prevent external access to our servers.
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The communications equipment industry is characterized by constant product changes resulting from new technological developments, performance improvements and lower hardware costs. We believe that our future growth depends to a large extent on our ability to be an innovator in the development and application of hardware and software technology. As we develop the next generation products, we intend to pursue patent protection for our core technologies in the telecommunications segment. We plan to seek patent protection in our largest markets and our competitors markets, for example in the United States and Europe. As we continue to move into markets, such as Japan, Korea and China, we will evaluate how best to protect our technologies in those markets. We intend to vigorously prosecute and defend the rights of our intellectual property.
As of December 31, 2008, we had two U.S. patents and two pending patent applications in the United States. We expect to formalize our evaluation process for determining which inventions to protect by patents or other means. We cannot be certain that patents will be issued as a result of the patent applications we have filed.
We have obtained U.S. trademark registrations for certain of our key marks that we use to identify our products or services, including NetEnforcer and Allot Communications.
See ITEM 5: OverviewGovernment Grants for a description of grants received from the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor.
C. | Organizational Structure |
We conduct our global operations through six wholly-owned subsidiaries: (1) Allot Communications, Inc., headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts; (2) Allot Communication Europe SARL, headquartered in Sophia, France; (3) Allot Communications Japan K.K., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan; (4) Allot Communication (UK) Limited, headquartered in Bedford, England; (5) Allot Communications (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd., headquartered in Singapore; and (6) Allot Communications (New Zealand) Limited, headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand. Our U.S. subsidiary commenced operations in 1997 and engages in the sale, marketing and technical support services in the United States, Canada and Central and Latin America of products manufactured by and imported from our company. Our French, U.K., Japanese and Singapore subsidiaries engage in marketing and technical support services of our products in Europe, Japan and Asia Pacific, respectively. Our New Zealand subsidiary engages in development and technical support services.
D. | Property, Plants and Equipment |
Our principal administrative and research and development activities are located in a 39,245 square foot (3,646 square meter) facility in Hod-Hasharon, Israel. The lease for this facility commenced in August 2006 and will expire in August 2013. We believe that this facility will be adequate to meet our needs in Israel for at least the next twelve months.
We also lease a 5,519 square foot (513 square meter) facility in Woburn, MA, for the purposes of our U.S. sales and marketing operations pursuant to a lease that expires in August 2014. We lease other smaller facilities for the purpose of our development, sales and marketing and support activities in the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Singapore, Spain, China, Japan and New Zealand.
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Not applicable.
A. | Operating Results |
We are a leading designer and developer of broadband service optimization solutions using advanced DPI technology. Our solutions provide broadband service providers and enterprises with real-time, highly granular visibility into, and control of, network traffic, and enable them to efficiently and effectively manage and optimize their networks. End-customers use our solutions to create sophisticated policies to monitor network applications, enforce quality of service policies that guarantee mission-critical application performance, mitigate security risks and leverage network infrastructure investments. Our carrier-class products are used by service providers to offer subscriber-based and application-based tiered services that enable them to optimize their service offerings, reduce churn rates and increase ARPU. We market and sell our products through a variety of channels, including direct sales and through our channel partners, which include distributors, resellers, OEMs and system integrators. End customers of our products include carriers, mobile operators, cable operators, wireless, wireline and satellite Internet service providers, educational institutions, governments and enterprises.
There has been a rapid proliferation of broadband networks in recent years, which has been largely driven by demand from users for faster and more reliable access to the Internet and by the proliferation in the number and complexity of broadband applications. The Internet, which was designed originally to support web surfing and e-mail applications, now supports numerous advanced services, such as interactive gaming, video conferencing and IPTV. In addition, there has been an exponential increase in over-the-top Internet services, such VoIP and video streaming. These new applications are driving large service providers to explore ways to efficiently manage bandwidth resources in view of these and other bandwidth-heavy applications. As a result, a number of these service providers are considering deploying DPI technology in their networks. We believe that large service providers, as well as cable operators and mobile operators, present a significant market opportunity and are an important element of our long term strategy.
In 2008, our Service Gateway platform, which combines a powerful DPI engine and array of services into a fully integrated, carrier-class platform, gained market acceptance in accordance with our expectations. In addition, we witnessed a growing interest by the mobile sector in our products, and specifically in our Service Gateway and Subscriber Management Platform, due to the rapid increase in bandwidth consumption over mobile networks.
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Acquisition of Esphion
In 2008, we acquired the business of Esphion Limited, a developer of network protection solutions for carriers and internet service providers. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for further information.
Revenues
We generate revenues from two sources: (1) sales of our network traffic management systems and our application suites, and (2) maintenance and support services, including installation and training. We generally provide maintenance and support services pursuant to a one- or three-year maintenance and support program, which may be purchased by customers at the time of product purchase or on a renewal basis.
We recognize revenues from product sales when persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery of the product has occurred, no significant obligations with respect to implementation remain, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collection is probable. We grant a one-year hardware warranty and a three-month software warranty on all of our products and record a liability at the time the products revenue is recognized. We estimate the liability of possible warranty claims based on our historical experience. Warranty claims have to date been immaterial to our results of operations. We recognize revenues associated with our maintenance and support programs on a straight-line basis over the term of the maintenance and support agreement. See Critical Accounting Policies and EstimatesRevenue Recognition below.
Customer concentration. In 2008 and 2007, no single customer accounted for 10% or more of our revenues. In 2006, we derived 20% of our revenues from a single system integrator in the United Kingdom in connection with the deployment of our products by NTL Group Limited, a leading cable operator.
Geographical breakdown. The following table sets forth the geographic breakdown of our revenues for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 | |||||||||
United Kingdom | 25 | % | 6 | % | 5 | % | |||||
United States | 22 | 20 | 21 | ||||||||
Europe (excluding United Kingdom) | 24 | 27 | 28 | ||||||||
Asia and Oceania | 20 | 30 | 30 | ||||||||
Middle East and Africa | 5 | 6 | 7 | ||||||||
Americas (excluding United States) | 4 | 11 | 9 | ||||||||
Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||
The decrease in our revenues in the United Kingdom in 2007 and 2008 compared to 2006 is principally attributable to NTL Group Limited, a large United Kingdom service provider, having completed its deployment of our products throughout its network in 2006.
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Cost of revenues and gross margins
Our product cost of revenues consists primarily of costs of materials, manufacturing services and overhead, warehousing, testing and royalties paid primarily to the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. Our services cost of revenues consist primarily of salaries and related personnel costs for our customer support staff as well as royalty payments mentioned above. We expect cost of revenues to increase as a result of the increase in our product and service revenues, the increased sales of our higher end products, primarily consisting of our Service Gateway platforms and sale of extended service suites to large scale customers that will require additional personnel hiring and other expenditures. As a result, our gross margins as a percentage of revenues may decrease.
Operating expenses
Research and development. Our research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and related personnel costs, costs for subcontractor services, depreciation, rent and costs of materials consumed in connection with the design and development of our products. We expense all of our research and development costs as they are incurred. Our net research and development expenses are our gross research and development expenses offset by financing through royalty-bearing grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist. Such participation grants are recognized at the time at which we are entitled to such grants on the basis of the costs incurred and included as a deduction of research and development expenses (See Government Grants below). We believe that significant investment in research and development is essential to our future success and expect that in future periods our research and development expenses will increase on an absolute basis. The acquisition of Esphions business contributed to the increase in our research and development expenses in fiscal year 2008.
Sales and marketing. Our sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and related personnel costs, travel expenses, costs associated with promotional activities such as public relations, conventions and exhibitions, rental expenses, depreciation and commissions paid to third parties. We intend to continue our activities to target the service provider market and therefore we expect that sales and marketing expenses will increase on an absolute basis in the future as we hire additional sales, marketing and presale support personnel, continue to promote our brand, establish marketing channels and expand our presence worldwide.
General and administrative. Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related personnel costs, rental expenses, costs for professional services and depreciation. We expect these expenses to increase on an absolute basis as we hire additional personnel and incur additional costs related to the growth of our business as we increase our global presence. These expenses include additional costs associated with corporate governance, tax compliance, compliance with the rules implemented by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ, premiums for our director and officer liability insurance and for defending the class action lawsuit filed against us and certain of our directors and officers. See ITEM 8: Financial InformationConsolidated Statements and Other Financial InformationLegal Proceedings.
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Stock-based compensation. We have granted options to purchase our ordinary shares to our employees and consultants at prices below the fair market value of the underlying ordinary shares on the grant date. These options were considered compensatory because the deemed fair market value of the underlying ordinary shares was greater than the exercise prices determined by our board of directors on the option grant date. The determination of the fair market value of the underlying ordinary shares prior to our initial public offering involved subjective judgment, third party valuations and the consideration by our board of directors of a variety of factors. Because there was no public market for our ordinary shares prior to our initial public offering, the amount of the compensatory charge was not based on an objective measure, such as the trading price of our ordinary shares. We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123(R), "Share-Based Payment" ("SFAS No. 123(R)"). SFAS No. 123(R) requires companies to estimate the fair value of equity-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite service periods in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations. We applies SFAS No. 123(R) and Emerging Issues Task Force No. 96-18, "Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services" ("EITF No. 96-18"), with respect to options and warrants issued to non-employees. Accordingly, option valuation models to measure the fair value of the options and warrants at the measurement date as defined in EITF No. 96-18.
We recognize compensation expenses for the value of awards granted based on the straight-line method over the requisite service period of each of the awards, net of estimated forfeitures. SFAS No. 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of the grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
As of January 1, 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R) Share Based Payment, or SFAS No. 123(R), which requires us to expense the fair value of employee stock options. We adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), using the modified prospective method for grants that were measured using the fair value method and adopted SFAS No. 123(R) using the prospective-transition method for grants that were measured using the Minimum Value method in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, or SFAS No. 123, for either recognition or pro forma disclosures. The fair value of stock-based awards granted after January 1, 2006, was estimated using the binominal model.
In connection with the grant of options, we recorded total stock-based compensation expense of $1.4 million in 2006, $1.4 million in 2007 and $1.7 million in 2008. In 2008, $50,000, $321,000, $465,000 and $866,000 of our stock-based compensation expense resulted from cost of revenue, research and development expenses, sales and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses, respectively, based on the department in which the recipient of the option grant was employed. As of December 31, 2008, we had an aggregate of $4.1 million of deferred unrecognized stock-based compensation remaining to be recognized. We estimate that this deferred unrecognized stock-based compensation balance will be amortized as follows: $2.1 million in 2009, $1.4 million in 2010 and $0.6 million in 2011 and thereafter.
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Financial income (expenses), net
Financial income (expenses), net consists primarily of interest earned on our cash balances and other financial investments, foreign currency exchange gains or losses, devaluation of marketable securities and bank fees.
As of December 31, 2008, we held $27.9 million of principal invested in ARS, which were rated AAA and AA at the time of purchase. Due to the continued deterioration of, and uncertainties in, the credit and capital markets, our ARS have experienced multiple failed auctions due to a lack of liquidity in the market. A number of our ARS have had their credit rating downgraded. To date, our ARS have paid all their interest payments. In 2008, we monetized $12.4 million of ARS at par value. In addition, based on an analysis of their fair value, we have recorded in 2008 an impairment charge, net of a capital gain from monetization of certain ARS, of $7.7 million to financial and other expenses, net, in our statement of operations with respect to devaluation, which is considered other than temporary. If the credit and capital markets further deteriorate or we experience any additional ratings downgrades on any ongoing investments in our portfolio, including of ARS, we may incur additional impairments to our investment portfolio and record further impairment charges to our financial and other expenses, net, in our statement of operations.
In addition, the financial and other income (expenses), net, may fluctuate due to foreign currency exchange gains or losses, as well as the interest rate changes. See ITEM 11: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Foreign Currency Exchange Risk and Risk of Interest Rate Fluctuation.
Approved Enterprise
Our facilities in Hod-Hasharon, Israel have been granted Approved Enterprise status under the Investment Law and enjoy certain tax benefits. We expect to utilize these tax benefits after we utilize our net operating loss carry forwards. As of December 31, 2008, our net operating loss carry forwards for Israeli tax purposes amounted to approximately $40 million. Income derived from other sources, other than the Approved Enterprise, during the benefit period will be subject to tax at the regular corporate tax rate. For more information about the tax benefits available to us as an Approved Enterprise see ITEM 10: Additional InformationTaxation and Government ProgramsLaw for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959.
Government Grants
Our research and development efforts have been financed, in part, through grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist under our approved plans in accordance with the Israeli Law for Encouragement of Research and Development in the Industry, 1984, or the Research and Development Law. Through December 31, 2008, we had received approval and recorded in our books grants totaling $14.8 million from the Office of the Chief Scientist, excluding $4.1 million attributed to NetReality products. Under Israeli law and the approved plans, royalties on the revenues derived from sales of all of our products are payable to the Israeli government, generally at the rate of 3.0% during the first three years and 3.5% beginning with the fourth year, up to the amount of the received grants as adjusted for fluctuation in the U.S. dollar/shekel exchange rate. The amounts received after January 1, 1999 bear interest at twelve month LIBOR as at the beginning of the year in which a grant is approved. Our obligation to pay these royalties is contingent upon actual consolidated sales of our products and no payment is required if no sales are made. As of December 31, 2008, we had an outstanding contingent obligation to pay royalties in the amount of $7.8 million.
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The government of Israel does not own proprietary rights in knowledge developed using its funding and there is no restriction related to such funding on the export of products manufactured using the know-how. The know-how is, however, subject to other legal restrictions, including the obligation to manufacture the product based on the know-how in Israel and to obtain the Office of the Chief Scientists consent to transfer the know-how to a third party, whether in or outside Israel. These restrictions may impair our ability to outsource manufacturing or enter into similar arrangements for those products or technologies and they continue to apply even after we have paid the full amount of royalties payable for the grants.
If the Office of the Chief Scientist consents to the manufacture of the products outside Israel, the regulations allow the Office of the Chief Scientist to require the payment of increased royalties, ranging from 120% to 300% of the amount of the grant plus interest, depending on the percentage of foreign manufacture. If the manufacturing is performed outside of Israel by us, the rate of royalties payable by us on revenues from the sale of products manufactured outside of Israel will increase by 1% over the regular rates. If the manufacturing, marketing and distribution is carried outside of Israel, the rate of royalties payable by us on those revenues will be calculated in accordance with the proportion between the grant received and the grant plus the amount of our own investments in research and development for such technology. The Research and Development Law further permits the Office of the Chief Scientist, among other things, to approve the transfer of manufacturing or manufacturing rights outside Israel in exchange for an import of certain manufacturing or manufacturing rights into Israel as a substitute, in lieu of the increased royalties.
The Research and Development Law provides that the consent of the Office of the Chief Scientist for the transfer outside of Israel of know-how derived out of an approved plan may only be granted under special circumstances and subject to fulfillment of certain conditions specified in the Research and Development Law as follows: (a) the grant recipient pays to the Office of the Chief Scientist an amount based on the scope of the support received, the royalties that were paid by the company, the amount of time that elapsed since the date on which the grants were received, and the sale price (according to certain formulas), except if the grantee receives from the transferee of the know-how an exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual unlimited license to fully utilize the know-how and all related rights; (b) the grant recipient receives know-how from a third party in exchange for its Office of the Chief Scientist funded know-how; or (c) such transfer of Office of the Chief Scientist funded know-how arises in connection with certain types of cooperation in research and development activities.
In September 2002, we acquired the assets of NetReality, an Israeli manufacturer, from a receiver pursuant to a court ruling. In connection with the NetReality acquisition, we assumed a commitment to pay royalties to the Office of the Chief Scientist up to the amount of the contingent liabilities derived from the grants that had been received by NetReality prior to the acquisition. Following the acquisition of NetReality, the Office of the Chief Scientist merged the NetReality approved plans with our other approved plans under a unified file. In April 2007, the Office of the Chief Scientist notified us of its decision, per our request, to separate the NetReality related approved plans from other approved plans. The Office of the Chief Scientist also approved the discontinuation of the NetReality related approved plans and as a result we were released from the obligation to pay the balance of the royalties in the amount of $4.7 million.
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Our business, financial position and results of operations, as well as the period-to-period comparability of our financial results, are significantly affected by a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:
Size of end-customers and sales cycles. We have a global, diversified end-customer base consisting primarily of service providers and enterprises. We are making efforts to increase our sales to large service providers. The deployment of our products by small and midsize enterprises and service providers can be completed relatively quickly with a limited number of NetEnforcer and/or Service Gateway systems compared to the number required by large service providers. Large service providers take longer to plan the integration of our solutions into their existing networks and to set goals for the implementation of the technology. Sales to large service providers are therefore more complicated as they involve a relatively larger number of network elements and solutions, as well as NetEnforcer and/or Service Gateway systems. We are seeking to achieve significant customer wins in the large service provider market that would positively impact our future performance. However, our performance is also influenced by sales cycles for our products, which typically fluctuate based upon the size and needs of end-customers that purchase our products. We expect that increased sales to large service providers of Service Gateway platforms will result in longer sales cycles that will increase unpredictability regarding the timing of our sales and may cause our quarterly and annual operating results to fluctuate if a significant customer delays its purchasing decision and/or defers an order. Furthermore, longer sales cycles may result in delays from the time we increase our operating expenses and make investments in inventory, until the time that we generate revenue from related product sales.
Average selling prices. Our performance is affected by the selling price of our products. We price our products based on several factors, including manufacturing costs, the stage of the products life cycle, competition, technical complexity of the product, discounts given to channel partners in certain territories, customization and other special considerations in connection with larger projects. We typically are able to charge the highest price for a product when it is first introduced to the market. We expect that the average selling prices for our products will decrease over the products life cycle as our competitors introduce new products and DPI technology becomes more standardized. In order to maintain or increase our current price, we expect that we will need to enhance the functionality of our existing products by offering higher system speeds, additional value added services and features, such as additional security functions, supporting additional applications and enhanced reporting tools. We also from time to time introduce enhanced products, typically higher end models that include new architecture and design and new capabilities, primarily to higher end models. Such enhanced products typically increase our average selling price. To further offset such declines, we sell maintenance and support programs on our products, and as our customer base and number of field installations grow our related service revenues are expected to increase.
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Cost of revenues and cost reductions. Our cost of revenues as a percentage of total revenues was 22.2% for 2006, 24.7% for 2007 and 26.1% for 2008. Our products use off-the-shelf components and typically the prices of such components decline over time. However, the introduction and sale of new or enhanced products and services may result in an increase in our costs of revenues. We make a continuous effort to identify cheaper components of comparable performance and quality. We also seek improvements in engineering and manufacturing efficiency that will reduce costs. Since our cost of revenues also include royalties paid to the Office of the Chief Scientist, our cost of sales may be impacted positively or negatively by actions of the Israeli government changing the royalty rate. Our products incorporate features that require payment of royalties to third parties. In addition, new products, such as the Service Gateway series, usually have higher costs during the initial introduction period. We generally expect such costs to decline as the product matures and sales volume increases. The growth of our customer base is usually coupled with increased service revenues and demand for extended service suites by large services providers. Providing services to Tier 1 carriers may require us to hire additional personnel and incur other expenditures. However, these additional expenses, handled efficiently, may be utilized to further support the growth of our customer base and increase service revenues.
Currency exposure. A majority of our revenues and a substantial portion of our expenses are denominated in the U.S. dollar. However, a significant portion of the expenses associated with our global operations, including personnel and facilities related expenses, are incurred in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. This is the case primarily in Israel and to a lesser extent in other countries in Europe and Asia. Consequently, a decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to local currencies will increase the dollar cost of our operations in these countries. A relative decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar would be partially offset to the extent that we generate revenues in such currencies. In order to partially mitigate this exposure we made in the past and may decide from time to time to enter into hedging transactions. We may discontinue hedging activities at any time. As such decisions involve substantial judgment and assessments primarily regarding future trends in foreign exchange markets which are very volatile as well as our future level and timing of cash flows of these currencies, we cannot provide any assurance that such hedging transactions will not affect our results of operations when they are materialized. See Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements for further information.
Interest rates exposure. We have a significant amount of cash that is currently invested primarily in interest bearing vehicles, such as bank time deposits, money market funds, ARS and as of the beginning of 2009, U.S. government treasury bills. These investments expose us to the risk of changes in interest rates. If interest rates further decline, our results of operations may be adversely affected due to lower interest income from these investments.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty and actual results may differ. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. Certain of our accounting policies are particularly important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations. In applying these critical accounting policies, our management uses its judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in making certain estimates. Those estimates are based on our historical experience, the terms of existing contracts, our observance of trends in our industry, information provided by our customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. With respect to our policies on revenue recognition and warranty costs, our historical experience is based principally on our operations since we commenced selling our products in 1998. Our estimates are primarily guided by observing the following critical accounting policies:
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| Revenue Recognition |
| Allowance for Doubtful Accounts |
| Stock Based Compensation |
| Inventories |
| Marketable Securities |
| Impairment of Goodwill and other Long Lived Assets |
| Contingencies |
Since each of the accounting policies listed above, require exercise of certain judgment and use of estimates, actual results may differ from our estimations and as a result would increase or decrease our future revenues and net income.
Revenue recognition. We generate revenues primarily from the sale of hardware and software products and from the provision of maintenance and support services. We sell our products primarily through resellers, distributors, OEMs, system integrators and value added resellers, all of whom are considered end-customers from our perspective. We recognize revenues from sales of our products in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position, or SOP, 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, as modified by SOP 98-9, Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, with Respect to Certain Transactions. When an arrangement does not require significant production, modification or customization of software or does not contain services considered to be essential to the functionality of the software, revenue is recognized when the following four criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred; (iii) the fee is fixed and determinable; and (iv) collection is probable.
Many of our product sales include multiple elements. Such elements typically include several or all of the following: hardware, software licenses, hardware and software maintenance, technical support and training services. For multiple-element arrangements that do not involve significant modification or customization of the software and do not involve services that are considered essential to the functionality of the software, we use the residual method to allocate value to each element when sufficient specific objective evidence exists for all undelivered elements, but does not exist for the delivered element, typically the hardware appliance and software license. Under the residual method, each undelivered element is allocated with a value based on vendor specific objective evidence of fair value for that element and the remainder of the total arrangement fee is allocated to the delivered element(s). If sufficient customer specific objective evidence does not exist for all undelivered elements, revenue is deferred for the entire arrangement until all revenue recognition criteria are met for such undelivered elements.
Maintenance and support revenue, including any portion deferred from multiple element arrangements based on the principles mentioned above are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the applicable maintenance and support agreement.
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We provide a provision for sales incentives, product returns and stock rotation based on the specific arrangements, if any, and our experience with historical sales returns, stock rotations and other known factors, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 48, Revenues Recognition When Right of Return Exists (SFAS No. 48) at the time the related revenue is recognized.
We grant a one-year hardware warranty and three-month software warranty on all of our products. We estimate the costs that may be incurred under our warranty arrangements and record a liability in the amount of such costs at the time product revenue is recognized. We periodically assess the adequacy of the recorded warranty liabilities and adjust the amounts as necessary.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable on a specific basis. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customers inability to meet its financial obligations to us, we record a specific allowance against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. We account for stock based compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (SFAS No. 123(R)). SFAS No. 123(R) requires companies to estimate the fair value of equity-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite service periods in the Companys Consolidated Statement of Operations. We applies SFAS No. 123(R) and Emerging Issues Task Force No. 96-18, Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services (EITF No. 96-18), with respect to options and warrants issued to non-employees. Accordingly, option valuation models to measure the fair value of the options and warrants at the measurement date as defined in EITF No. 96-18. We recognize compensation expenses for the value of its awards granted based on the straight-line method over the requisite service period of each of the awards, net of estimated forfeitures. SFAS No. 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of the grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
Inventories. We value our inventories at the lower of cost or estimated market value. Cost being determined on the basis of First In, First Out (FIFO) cost method for raw materials and out-of-pocket manufacturing costs. Indirect costs are allocated on average basis. We estimate market value based on our current pricing, market conditions and specific customer information. We write off inventory for slow-moving items or technological obsolescence. We also assess our inventories for obsolescence based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Actual future results may differ from our assessments and result in further devaluations or write-downs that will affect our future results of operations. Once inventory is written off, a new cost basis for these assets is established for future periods. Inventory write offs totaled $0.3 million in 2006, $0.2 million in 2007 and $0.2 million in 2008.
Marketable securities. We account for our investments in marketable securities using Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, or SFAS No. 115. Our management determines the appropriate classification of marketable securities at the time of purchase and evaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. To date, all debt securities have been classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair market value. Fair value is determined based on observable market value quotes or, if market values are not available, using valuation models including assessments of counterparty credit worthiness, credit default risk, underlying security type of collaterals risk premium and overall capital market liquidity conditions. Declines in fair value that are considered other-than-temporary are charged to earnings and those that are considered temporary are reported, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders equity. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.
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Following SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 59, EITF 03-1 and FAS 115-1, management evaluated in each period whether declines in the market value of its securities are other than temporary. Where such declines are determined to be other than temporary, the related unrealized loss is recorded as a write-down included in financial expenses.
As of December 31, 2008, we held marketable securities in U.S. dollars in the United States. Securities consisting of ARS were classified as long term investments. We hold ARS with par value of $27.9 million that bear interest linked to LIBOR. We determined the fair value of the ARS as of December 31, 2008, at $15.3 million, based on a third party valuation using a discounted cash flow model, whose inputs include interest rate curves, credit spreads, bond prices, volatilities and illiquidity considerations. During 2008, we monetized $12.4 million of ARS at par value and recorded a net impairment charge of $7.7 million in our statement of operations as a result of a further devaluation that was considered other than temporary. See ITEM 3: Key InformationRisk FactorsWe have invested a substantial portion of our cash in auction-rate securities, which subjects us to liquidity and investment risk. Due to uncertainties in the capital markets regarding auction-rate securities, we recorded impairment charges in 2007 and 2008, and, if the fair value of these investments were to decline further, we could be required to record further impairment charges related to these investments. .. If the fair value of these ARS was to decline further, we could be required to record further impairment charges related to these ARS in the future.
Impairment of Goodwill and Long Lived Assets. Goodwill represent the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets of purchased businesses is recorded as goodwill. Under Statement of Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (SFAS No. 142) goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are tested for impairment annually, or more often if there are indicators to impairment present.
We perform our annual impairment analysis of goodwill as of December 31 of each year, or more often as applicable. The provisions of SFAS No. 142 require that a two-step impairment test be performed on goodwill at the level of the reporting units. In the first step, or Step 1, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value of the net assets, goodwill is considered not impaired, and we are not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the net assets exceeds the fair value, then we must perform the second step, or Step 2, of the impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then we would record an impairment loss equal to the difference. If and when we are required to perform a Step 2 analysis, determining the fair value of its net assets and its off-balance sheet intangibles would require it to make judgments that involve the use of significant estimates and assumptions.
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We believe that our business activity and management structure meet the criterion of being a single reporting unit for accounting purposes. In the Step 1 test, we estimated our fair value as of December 31, 2008 using a third party valuation study. Our estimated fair value is based on a simple average of two valuation results using two different approaches that we believe are the most applicable approaches at the valuation time; the income approach using discounted cash flow method (DCF) and the market approach using guideline company method. Developing estimates of fair value, under the methods we have used, requires significant judgments, including but not limited to making assumptions about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates, relevant comparable market multiples and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The cash flows employed in our valuation analysis are based on managements best estimates at the time of the valuation process based on existing marketplace factors and risks, as well as assumptions of growth rates, profitability, capital investments required to support the business in future years and other inputs. There is no assurance that actual results in the future will approximate these forecasts, hence our conclusion with regard to the goodwill impairment may differ accordingly. Based on the results of this valuation study we determined that the goodwill was not impaired.
Additionally, we evaluated the reasonableness of the estimated fair value by reconciling to our market capitalization. Our reconciliation of the gap between our market capitalization and the estimated fair value depends on various factors, some of which are qualitative and involve management judgment. Factors taken into account were primarily, the stock price and its behavior, its trading volume, recent events that could have a substantial impact on the stock price, comparable companies performance, analysts expectations, estimated control premium that an investor would be willing to pay for a controlling interest in us, primarily based on recent transactions and other factors. Because our market capitalization is similar to its value as of December 31, 2008, we will continue to monitor our market capitalization and perform impairment testing if deemed necessary.
Our long lived assets consist primarily of property and equipment and other intangible assets. Our long lived assets are amortized using the straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The carrying amount of these assets to be held and used is reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset. As this test requires considerable judgment and estimation of future cash flows, changes in these estimations may affect our results of operations significantly. Based on the impairment test performed as of December 31, 2008, no impairment was identified.
Contingencies. From time to time, we are defendant or plaintiff in various legal actions, which arise in the normal course of business. We are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of reserves required for these contingencies, if any, which would impact our results of operations, is made after considered analysis of each individual action together with our legal advisors. The required reserves may change in the future due to new developments in each matter or changes in circumstances and estimations. A change in the required reserves would impact our results of operations in the period the change is made.
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In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 141R, Business Combinations (SFAS No. 141R). SFAS No. 141R establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. SFAS No. 141R also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statement to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Accordingly, any business combinations we execute will be recorded and disclosed following existing GAAP until January 1, 2009. We expect that SFAS No. 141R will have an impact on our consolidated financial statements when effective, but the nature and magnitude of the specific effects will depend upon the nature, terms and size of the acquisitions we consummate after the effective date. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 141R to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS No. 161) an amendment to SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 161 changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entitys financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Early application is encouraged. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 161 to have a significant effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (FSP No. 142-3). FSP No. 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. FSP No. 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We do not expect the adoption of FSP No. 142-3 will have a significant effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In May 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (SFAS No. 162). SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP. It is effective 60 days following the SECs approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We are currently evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 162 on our financial statements, and the adoption of this statement is not expected to have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements.
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In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP EITF No. 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities (EITF No. 03-6-1). Under EITF No. 03-6-1, unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities, and should be included in the two-class method of computing EPS. EITF No. 03-6-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years, and is not expected to have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements.
The following table sets forth our statements of operations as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:
Year ended December 31, |
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2006 |
2007 |
2008 | |||||||||
Revenues: | |||||||||||
Products | 84.2 | % | 77.1 | % | 73.1 | % | |||||
Services | 15.8 | 22.9 | 26.9 | ||||||||
Total revenues | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | ||||||||
Cost of revenues: | |||||||||||
Products | 18.8 | 20.3 | 22.1 | ||||||||
Services | 3.4 | 4.4 | 4 | ||||||||
Total cost of revenues | 22.2 | 24.7 | 26.1 | ||||||||
Gross profit | 77.8 | 75.3 | 73.9 | ||||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||
Research and development, net | 22.1 | 28.9 | 32.2 | ||||||||
Sales and marketing | 45.3 | 55.6 | 53.3 | ||||||||
General and administrative | 10.2 | 17.2 | 16.6 | ||||||||
In Process Research and Development | - | - | 0.7 | ||||||||
Total operating expenses | 77.5 | 101.7 | 102.8 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 0.3 | (26.4 | ) | (29 | ) | ||||||
Financing and other income (expenses), net | 1.9 | (2.6 | ) | (14.9 | ) | ||||||
Income (loss) before income tax benefit (expense) | 2.2 | (29.0 | ) | (43.9 | ) | ||||||
Income tax benefit (expense) | 0.3 | 1.6 | 0.6 | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | 1.8 | (30.6 | ) | (44.5 | ) | ||||||
Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007
Revenues
Products. Product revenues increased by $2.0 million, or 8%, to $27.1 million in 2008 from $25.1 million in 2007. The increase is primarily attributable to successful deployment of our first product of the Service Gateway series.
Services. Service revenues increased by $2.6 million, or 35.1%, to $10 million in 2008 from $7.4 million in 2007. The increase in service revenues is primarily attributable to an increase in our installed base.
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Revenues from products, which comprised 73.1% of our total revenues in 2008, decreased by 4% compared to 2007, while the service revenues increased by a similar percentage.
Cost of revenues and gross margin
Products. Cost of product revenues increased by $1.6 million, or 24.2%, to $8.2 million in 2008 from $6.6 million in 2007. This increase is consistent with the increase in revenues. Product gross margin was 69.7% in 2008 compared to 73.7% in 2007. This decrease is primarily attributable to higher sales volume of our high-end products, which require higher material and labor costs.
Services. Service cost of revenues increased by $0.1 million, or 7.1%, to $1.5 million in 2008 from $1.4 million in 2007. This increase is primarily attributable to increased royalties. Services gross margin was 85.0% in 2008 compared to 81.0% in 2007.
Total gross margin was 73.9% in 2008 compared to 75.3% in 2007.
Operating expenses
Research and development. Gross research and development expenses increased by $2.8 million, or 23.7%, to $14.6 million in 2008 from $11.8 million in 2007. This increase is primarily attributable to an increase in salaries and labor costs of approximately $1.3 million, which principally resulted from salary raises and the devaluation of the U.S. dollar relative to the shekel as well as the acquisition of the business of Esphion; an increase in other expenses, principally consisting of employee related expenses and overhead, of approximately $1.2 million; and an increase in depreciation of $0.3 million.
Research and development expenses, net of received and accrued grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist, increased by approximately $2.7 million, or 28%, to $12.0 million in 2008 from $9.3 million in 2007. Grants totaled $2.7 million in 2008 compared to $2.4 million in 2007. The increase in grants received is primarily attributable to the devaluation of U.S. dollar relative to the shekel. Research and development expenses, net, as a percentage of revenues increased to 32.2% in 2008 from 28.9% in 2007.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased by $1.7 million in 2008, or 9.4%, to $19.8 million in 2008 from $18.1 million in 2007. This increase resulted from an increase in salaries and related expenses of $0.8 million, primarily related to an increase in presale support personnel, increased commissions resulting from increased sales, an increase of $0.6 million in travel expenses primarily due to increased sales and an increase of $0.3 million in depreciation.
Sales and marketing expenses, as a percentage of revenues decreased to 53.3% in 2008 from 55.6% in 2007.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by $0.6 million, or 10.7%, to $6.2 million in 2008 from $5.6 million in 2007. This increase is primarily attributable to an increase of $0.3 million in salaries and related expenses primarily due to devaluation of the U.S. dollar relative to the shekel, an increase in employee relate expenses and overhead expenses of $0.4 million and an increase in bad debt expenses of $0.1 million partially offset by a decrease in professional service and travel expenses of $0.2 million.
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General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 16.6% in 2008 from 17.2% in 2007.
Financial and other income (expenses), net. Financial and other expenses, net were $5.5 million in 2008 compared to $0.9 million in 2007. The increase in financial and other expenses, net is primarily attributable to a net impairment charge of $7.7 million compared to a net impairment charge of $4.9 million in 2007 related to our investment in ARS, a decrease in interest received on cash balances and marketable securities of $1.6 million, which is primarily attributable to the decline in interest rates in 2008, and an increase in interest and other expenses partially offset by a decrease in foreign currency transactions differences, net of $0.2 million.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense was $0.2 million in 2008 compared to an income tax expense of $0.5 million in 2007. The decrease is primarily attributable to a write-down of a withholding tax asset in 2007.
Year Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2006
Revenues
Products. Product revenues decreased by $3.7 million, or 13%, to $25.1 million in 2007 from $28.8 million in 2006. The majority of our product revenue in 2007 was derived from sales of our NetEnforcer AC-1000 and AC-2500, and to a lesser extent, from the Service Gateway Omega, which are targeted primarily at large and medium service providers. The decrease is primarily attributable to the completion in 2006 of a project that generated revenues of $6.9 million from a single system integrator.
Services. Service revenues increased by $2.0 million, or 37%, to $7.4 million in 2007 from $5.4 million in 2006. The increase in service revenues resulted primarily from a larger customer base and increased field installations covered by maintenance and support contracts.
Revenues from products, which comprised 77.1% of our total revenues in 2007, decreased by 7.1% compared to 2006, while the service revenues increased by a comparable amount.
Cost of revenues and gross margin
Products. Cost of product revenues increased by $0.2 million, or 3%, to $6.6 million in 2007 from $6.4 million in 2006. This increase resulted primarily from growth in salaries and overhead expenses. Product gross margin was 73.7% in 2007 compared to 77.6% in 2006. This decrease is primarily attributable to increased expenses attributable to salaries, third-party royalties and overhead expenses combined with higher sales volume of our high-end products, which require higher material and labor costs than other products.
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Services. Service cost of revenues increased by $0.2 million, or 17%, to $1.4 million in 2007 from $1.2 million in 2006. This increase resulted primarily from an increase in post-sales support expenses caused by employing additional post-sale support engineers and salary increases. Services gross margin was 80.9% in 2007 compared to 78.4% in 2006.
Total gross margin was 75.3% in 2007 compared to 77.8% in 2006.
Operating expenses
Research and development. Gross research and development expenses increased by $2.5 million, or 26.9%, to $11.8 million in 2007 from $9.3 million in 2006. This increase was primarily attributed to an increase of salaries of approximately $1.4 million, which resulted principally from salary raises and the devaluation of the U.S. dollar relative to the NIS; an increase in depreciation of $0.3 million; and an increase in other expenses, principally consisted of rent and overhead, of approximately $0.8 million. The increase in gross research and development expenses is primarily driven by the development of our NetXplorer management application suite and the Service Gateway platform.
Research and development expenses, net of received and accrued grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist, increased by $1.9 million, or 24.6%, to $9.4 million in 2007 from $7.5 million in 2006. Grants totaled $2.4 million in 2007 compared to $1.8 million in 2006. The increase in grants received was due to a larger grant approved by the Office of the Chief Scientist and the devaluation of U.S. dollar relative to the NIS. Research and development expenses, net, as a percentage of revenues increased to 28.9% in 2007 from 22.1% in 2006.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased by $2.6 million in 2007, or 16.9%, to $18.1 million in 2007 from $15.5 million in 2006. This increase resulted from growth in salaries and related expenses of $1.9 million, primarily related to hiring of additional sales, marketing and presale support personnel to provide broader geographical coverage and increased focus on the service provider market, an increase of $0.4 million in facilities-related and overhead expenses and an increase of $0.6 million in consulting, travel and other expenses, partially offset by a decrease of $0.3 million in amortization of stock-based compensation. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenues increased to 55.6% in 2007 from 45.3% in 2006.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by $2.1 million, or 61.2%, to $5.6 million in 2007 from $3.5 million in 2006. This increase is primarily attributable to: an increase of $1.1 million in professional services expenses primarily associated with corporate governance compliance under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ; director and officer liability insurance premiums and defending the class action law suits filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against us and certain of our directors and officers; an increase of $0.5 million in personnel expenses due to the hiring of additional personnel as well as salary increases; an increase of $0.3 million in other expenses mainly depreciation and travel; and an increase of $0.2 million in amortization of stock-based compensation.
General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues increased to 17.2% in 2007 from 10.2% in 2006.
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Financial and other income (expenses), net. Financial and other expenses, net were $845,000 in 2007 compared to a net income of $630,000 in 2006. The decrease in financial and other income (expenses), net is primarily due to the $4.9 million impairment charge against our investment in auction-rate securities, and was partially offset by an increase in interest received on cash balances and marketable securities of $3.3 million that is primarily attributable to the increase in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as a result of our initial public offering and decrease in interest and other expenses of $0.1 million.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense was $0.5 million in 2007 compared to income tax expense of $0.1 million in 2006. The increase in income tax expense is primarily attributable to a write-down of a withholding tax asset, which resulted from our assessment as to our ability to utilize them in the foreseeable future.
B. | Liquidity and Capital Resources |
From inception until consummation of our initial public offering we financed our operations primarily through private placements of our equity securities and, to a lesser extent, through borrowings from financial institutions. Sales of our equity securities including the consummation of our initial public offering resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $112.7 million, net of issuance expenses.
As of December 31, 2008, we had $40.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, $2.1 million in restricted deposit and short term bank deposits and $15.3 million in marketable securities representing investment in ARS. As of December 31, 2008, our working capital, which we calculate by subtracting our current liabilities from our current assets, was $40.7 million.
Based on our current business plan, we believe that our existing cash balances, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months. In addition, we believe that the current lack of liquidity of the ARS will not have a material impact on our liquidity, cash flow or our ability to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months. If our estimates of revenues, expenses or capital or liquidity requirements change or are inaccurate and are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or arrange additional debt financing. In addition, we may seek to sell additional equity or arrange debt financing to give us financial flexibility to pursue attractive acquisition or investment opportunities that may arise in the future, although we currently do not have any specific acquisitions or investments planned.
Operating activities. Net cash used in operating activities in 2008 was $0.4 million. Net cash used in operating activities was primarily attributable to our net loss of $16.5 million and was partially offset by non-cash expenses consisting primarily of a $7.7 million impairment charge, net against ARS, $2.4 million of depreciation and amortization of intangible assets, including a write-down of in process research and development, $1.7 million of stock-based compensation expense. In addition, a decrease of $2.6 million in other receivables and prepaid expenses primarily attributable to collection of receivable from the Office of Chief Scientist, an increase of $1.4 million in deferred revenues and an increase of $1.5 million in other payables and accrued expenses, partially offset by changes in other balance sheet items, net of $0.1 million caused a further decrease of the net cash used in operating activities.
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Net cash used in operating activities in 2007 was $5.7 million. Net cash used in operating activities was primarily attributable to our net loss of $9.9 million and was partially offset by non-cash expenses that primarily consisted of a $4.9 million impairment charge against ARS, $1.5 million of depreciation and amortization and $1.4 million of stock-based compensation expenses. In addition, an increase of $1.9 million in trade receivables, an increase of $1.8 million in other receivables and prepaid expenses, which is primarily attributable to the increase of a receivable from the Office of Chief Scientist, an increase of $1.2 million in inventories balances, a decrease of $1.0 million in trade payables and changes in other balance sheet items, net of $0.4 million, partially offset by the increase of $1.0 million in employees and payroll accruals and an increase of $1.7 million in deferred revenues, caused a further increase of the net cash used in operating activities.
Net cash provided by the operating activities in 2006 was $1.4 million. This net cash was generated primarily from our net income of $0.6 million adjusted for non-cash expenses of $2.2 million and by an increase in trade and other accounts payable of $2.8 million, an increase of $1.1 million in deferred revenues, partially offset by an increase of $2.3 million in trade receivables, an increase of $1.9 million in inventories, and by an increase of $1.1 million in other receivables and prepaid expenses and other assets due to prepaid payments for the lease on our current offices in Hod-Hasharon, Israel.
Investing activities. Net cash provided by investing activities in 2008 was $11.0 million, primarily attributable to redemption and sale of available-for-sale marketable securities in the amount of $19.6 million, partially offset by $3.8 million attributable to the acquisition of Esphion, $2.3 million of capital investments related primarily to research and development equipment, and a $1.1 million increase in restricted deposit primarily for securing hedging transactions and $1.0 million investment in short term bank deposits. Net cash provided by investing activities in 2007 was $25.6 million, primarily due to redemption and sale of available-for-sale marketable securities in the amount of $115.7 million, partially offset by investment in available-for-sale marketable securities in the amount of $87.1 million, and $3.0 million of capital investment primarily in research and development equipment. Net cash used in investing activities in 2006 was $73.9 million and consisted primarily of $104.1 million investments in available-for-sale marketable securities, partially offset by $32.5 million of redemption and sales of available-for-sale marketable securities, $2.1 million of capital investments primarily in research and development equipment and $0.3 million of investment in severance pay funds.
We expect that our capital expenditures will total approximately $2.5 million in 2009. We anticipate that these capital expenditures will be primarily related to further investments in lab equipment for research and development, as well as customer support and demo units.
Financing activities. Net cash provided by financing activities in 2008 was $90,000, which is primarily attributable to the issuance of share capital through stock options and warrant exercises. Net cash provided by financing activities in 2007 was $1.5 million and was generated primarily by the issuance of share capital through stock options and warrant exercises. Net cash provided by financing activities in 2006 was $76.1 million and was primarily attributable to the net funds raised in our initial public offering of $70.5 million, issuance of share capital prior to our initial public offering of $5.4 million and other issuances of share capital due to stock option and warrant exercises including related stock based compensation tax benefits of $0.2 million.
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C. | Research and Development, Patents and Licenses |
Our research and development activities take place in Israel and New Zealand. As of December 31, 2008, 94 of our employees were engaged primarily in research and development. We devote a significant amount of our resources towards research and development to introduce and continuously enhance products to support our growth strategy.
Our research and development efforts have benefited from royalty-bearing grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist. The State of Israel does not own any proprietary rights in technology developed with the Office of the Chief Scientist funding and there is no restriction related to the Office of the Chief Scientist on the export of products manufactured using technology developed with Office of the Chief Scientist funding. For a description of restrictions on the transfer of the technology and with respect to manufacturing rights, see ITEM 3: Key InformationRisk FactorsThe government grants we have received for research and development expenditures restrict our ability to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel and require us to satisfy specified conditions. If we fail to comply with such restrictions or these conditions, we may be required to refund grants previously received together with interest and penalties, and may be subject to criminal charges.
Total research and development expenses, before royalty bearing grants, were approximately $9.3 million, $11.8 million and $14.6 million in the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Royalty bearing grants amounted to $1.8 million, $2.4 million and $2.7 million in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
D. | Trend Information |
See ITEM 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects above.
E. | Off Balance Sheet Arrangements |
We are not a party to any material off-balance sheet arrangements. In addition, we have no unconsolidated special purpose financing or partnership entities that are likely to create material contingent obligations.
F. | Contractual and Other Commitments |
The following table of our material contractual and other obligations known to us as of December 31, 2008, summarizes the aggregate effect that these obligations are expected to have on our cash flows in the periods indicated.
Payments due by period | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contractual Obligations |
Total |
Less than 1 year |
1 - 3 years |
3 - 5 years |
Over 5 years | ||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||
Operating leases - offices(1) | $ | 3,664 | 1,011 | $ | 2,181 | $ | 472 | $ | - | ||||||||
Operating leases - vehicles | 193 | 99 | 94 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Purchase obligations | 1,790 | 1,790 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Accrued severance pay(2) | 3,536 | - | - | - | 3,536 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 9,183 | $ | 2,900 | $ | 2,275 | $ | 472 | $ | 3,536 | |||||||
(1) | Consists primarily of an operating lease for our facilities in Hod-Hasharon, Israel, as well as operating leases for facilities leased by our subsidiaries. |
(2) | Accrued severance pay relates to obligations to our Israeli employees as required under Israeli labor laws. These obligations are payable, among others, upon termination, retirement or death of the respective employee. |
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ITEM 6: Directors, Senior Management and Employees
A. | Directors and Senior Management |
Our directors and executive officers, their ages and positions as of May 1, 2009, are as follows:
Name |
Age |
Position | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Directors | ||||||
Shraga Katz | 57 | Chairman of the Board | ||||
Rami Hadar | 45 | Director, Chief Executive Officer and President | ||||
Dr. Eyal Kishon(1)(2) | 49 | Director | ||||
Nurit Benjamini(1)(2) | 42 | Director | ||||
Shai Saul(1) | 47 | Director | ||||
Steven D. Levy(2) | 52 | Director | ||||
Yigal Jacoby | 48 | Director | ||||
Executive Officers | ||||||
Amir Hochbaum | 49 | Vice President - Research and Development | ||||
Anat Shenig | 40 | Vice President - Human Resources | ||||
Andrei Elefant | 35 | Vice President - Product Management and Marketing | ||||
Doron Arazi | 45 | Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Elazar (Azi) Ronen | 47 | Executive Vice President - Corporate Development | ||||
Eli Cohen | 40 | Vice President - International Sales | ||||
Jay Klein | 45 | Vice President - Chief Technology Officer | ||||
Pini Gvili | 43 | Vice President - Operations | ||||
Ramy Moriah | 53 | Vice President - Customer Care and Information Technology | ||||
Vin Costello | 51 | Vice President and General Manager - The Americas |
(1) | Member of our compensation and nomination committee. |
(2) | Member of our audit committee. |
Directors
Shraga Katz has served as the Chairman of our board of directors since 2008. Mr. Katz is a Venture Partner of Magma Venture Partners, a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in communication, semiconductors, internet and media. Mr. Katz has over 30 years of experience in the technology sector and has specialized for over 20 years in the communications industry. In 1996, Mr. Katz founded Ceragon Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: CRNT), a global provider of high capacity wireless networking solutions for mobile and fixed operators and private networks, and served as its President and CEO until mid 2005. Prior to founding Ceragon, Mr. Katz served in the Israeli Defense Forces for 17 years. Mr. Katz was head of the Electronic Research and Development Department of the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Mr. Katz is a two-time winner of the Israel Defense Award, Israels most prestigious recognition for research and development. Mr. Katz holds a B.Sc. from the Technion Israel Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from Tel Aviv University.
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Rami Hadar has served as our Chief Executive Officer and President since 2006 and is a member of our board of directors. Prior to joining us, Mr. Hadar founded CTP Systems, a developer of cordless telephony systems in 1989 and served as Chief Executive Officer until its acquisition by DSP Communications in 1995. Mr. Hadar continued with DSP Communications executive management team for two years, and thereafter, in 1999, the company was acquired by Intel. In 1997, Mr. Hadar co-founded Ensemble Communications, a pioneer in the broadband wireless space and the WiMax standard, where he served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing until 2002. Mr. Hadar also served as Chief Executive Officer of Native Networks from 2002 to 2005, which was successfully sold and integrated to Alcatel. Mr. Hadar holds a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Technion Israel Institute of Technology.
Dr. Eyal Kishon has served as a director since 1998. In 1996, Dr. Kishon co-founded Genesis Partners, an Israeli technology-driven venture capital fund, and currently serves as Founder and Managing Partner. From 1993 to 1996, Dr. Kishon served as the Associate Director of the Polaris Fund, now Pitango. Prior to that, Dr. Kishon served as Chief Technology Officer at Yozma Venture Capital from 1992 to 1993. From 1991 to 1992, he worked at the IBM Research Center, and from 1989 to 1991 he worked at the AT&T Bell Laboratories Robotics Research Department. Dr. Kishon also serves as a director of AudioCodes Ltd. (NASDAQ: AUDC) and Celtro Inc. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Robotics from the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University and a B.A. in Computer Science from the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. Dr. Kishon has written a number of scientific publications and holds a patent for signature verification for interactive security systems.
Nurit Benjamini has served as an outside director since 2007. Ms. Benjamini has served as the Chief Financial Officer of CopperGate Communications Ltd., a system-on-chip company that develops markets and sells chipsets for the home networking and MDU/MTU Broadband Access markets, since 2007. Previously, Ms. Benjamini served as the Chief Financial Officer of Compugen Ltd. (NASDAQ: CGEN) from 2000 to 2007. Prior to her position with Compugen Ltd., from 1998 to 2000, Ms. Benjamini served as the Chief Financial Officer of Phone-Or Ltd. Between 1993 and 1998, Ms. Benjamini served as the Chief Financial Officer of Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd.. Ms. Benjamini holds a B.A. in Economics and Business and an M.B.A. in Finance, both from Bar Ilan University, Israel.
Shai Saul has served as a director since 2000. Mr. Saul is currently Managing General Partner of Tamir Fishman Ventures. During 2001, he acted as interim-CEO for CopperGate Communications Ltd. From 1994 to 1999, Mr. Saul acted as Executive Vice President for Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ALDN, acquired by Vector in 2009), a leading provider of digital security solutions. From 1993 to 1994, he served as CEO of Cleantech vendor Ganot Ltd., Mr. Saul also serves as Chairman of the Board of CopperGate Communications Ltd., and as member of the board of EZChip Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ: EZCH), SuperFish Inc., Aniboom Ltd., Polls Boutique Ltd., Internet Fields Forever Ltd. and Tamir Fishman Ventures Management II Ltd. Mr. Saul holds an LL.B. from Tel Aviv University.
Steven D. Levy has served as an outside director since 2007. Mr. Levy served as a Managing Director and Global Head of Communications Technology Research at Lehman Brothers from 1998 to 2005. Before joining Lehman Brothers, Mr. Levy was a Director of Telecommunications Research at Salomon Brothers from 1997 to 1998, Managing Director and Head of the Communications Research Team at Oppenheimer & Co. from 1994 to 1997 and a senior communications analyst at Hambrecht & Quist from 1986 to 1994. Mr. Levy has served as a director of PCTEL, a broadband wireless technology company since January 2006 and of Zhone Technologies, Inc., a U.S. provider of telecommunications equipment, since April 2006. Mr. Levy holds a B.Sc. in Materials Engineering and an M.B.A., both from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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Yigal Jacoby co-founded our company in 1996 and serves as member of our board of directors. Mr. Jacoby was Chairman of our board of directors until 2008. Prior to co-founding Allot, Mr. Jacoby served as General Manager of Bay Networks Network Management Division in Santa Clara from 1996 to 1997. In 1992, he founded Armon Networking, a manufacturer of RMON-based network management solutions, which was sold to Bay Networks in 1996. He also held various engineering and marketing management positions at Tekelec, a manufacturer of Telecommunication monitoring and diagnostic equipment, including Director, OSI & LAN Products from 1989 to 1992 and Engineering Manager from 1987 to 1989. Mr. Jacoby has founded several startups in the communications field and served on their boards. Mr. Jacoby has a B.A., cum laude, in Computer Science from Technion Israel Institute of Technology and an M.Sc. in Computer Science from University of Southern California.
Executive Officers
Amir Hochbaum has served as our Vice President Research and Development since 2008. Before joining Allot, Mr. Hochbaum served as the Chief Operating Officer of Axerra Networks. From 2005 to 2007, Mr. Hochbaum was Senior Vice President, Research, Development and Operations of Vyyo Israel (NASDAQ: VYYO) where he also served as a member of Vyyos executive management team. Prior to Vyyo, between 1994 and 2005, Mr. Hochbaum held a succession of management positions at Avaya (formerly Lucent, Madge and Lannet) including Managing Director and Vice President of R&D. Between 1984 and 1994, Mr. Hochbaum held a succession of management positions at ServiceSoft, including management of engineering, product development, product management and customer service . Mr. Hochbaum holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science and an M.S. in Computer Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Anat Shenig joined our company in 2000 and has served as our Vice President Human Resources since 2007. Ms. Shenig is responsible for human resources recruiting, welfare policy and employees training. Prior to joining us, Ms. Shenig served as Human Resource Manager for Davidoff insurance company and as an organizational consultant for Aman Consulting. Ms. Shenig holds bachelor degrees in Psychology and Economics from Tel Aviv University and an M.B.A. in organizational behavior from Tel Aviv University.
Andrei Elefant joined our company in 2000 and has served as our VP Product Management since 2007. Mr. Elefant assumed responsibility to our marketing activities in 2008. Mr. Elefant is responsible for product management, product marketing and strategic project management. Prior to joining us, Mr. Elefant served as officer in the Israeli air force. Mr. Elefant holds a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the Technion Israel Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from Tel-Aviv University.
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Doron Arazi has served as our Chief Financial Officer since 2007. Prior to joining us, Mr. Arazi held various financial positions at Verint Systems Ltd., one of the largest subsidiaries of Verint System Inc., an analytic software-based solutions provider. For the last three years, Mr. Arazi has served as Vice President Finance of Verint Systems Ltd. Mr. Arazi is a certified public accountant and he holds a B.A. in Accounting and Economics and an M.B.A. from Tel Aviv University.
Eli Cohen has served as our Vice President International Sales since 2008. Prior to joining us, from 2006 through 2008, Mr. Cohen was general manager of the Access Line business and before that the Vice President of Sales and Sales Operations for the Broadband Access Division at ECI Telecom, a supplier of networking infrastructure for carriers and service provider networks. Previously, Mr. Cohen held various senior positions in sales and marketing from 2002 to 2006 at ECI. Before that, between 1999 and 2002, Mr. Cohen was CEO and Director of Sales & Marketing of GigaSpaces Technologies, an e-commerce start-up company in the field of infrastructure for business and residential applications. Mr. Cohen has a B.Sc. in Electronic Engineering from Coventry University and an M.B.A. from Manchester University.
Elazar (Azi) Ronen has served as our Executive Vice President Corporate Development since 2005 and served as Executive Vice President Technology and Marketing from 1999 to 2005. Prior to joining us, from 1998 through 1999, Mr. Ronen was the Vice President of Marketing at VocalTec Communications, a vendor of VoIP networking equipment. Previously, Mr. Ronen was the Vice President of Research and Development at RADLINX, a member of the RAD group, a vendor of remote access servers and fax over IP networking equipment from 1990 to 1998. Mr. Ronen has a B.Sc., cum laude, in Computer Sciences from the Technion Israel Institute of Technology.
Jay Klein joined our company in 2006 and has served as our VP and CTO since 2007. Mr. Klein is responsible for driving our technology strategy, expanding our core algorithmic competence and driving intellectual property development, industry standards involvement and academic cooperation. Prior to joining us, between 2004 and 2006, Mr. Klein served as VP at DSPG (VoIP and multimedia silicon solutions) where he was responsible for strategic technology acquisitions. Between 1997 and 2003, Mr. Klein was Co-Founder and CTO of Ensemble Communications, a wireless access systems manufacturer and was one of the founders and creators of WiMAX and IEEE 802.16. Prior to that, between 1993 and 1997, he served as CTO and VP of R&D at CPT Systems, a cellular systems manufacturer, which was acquired by DSP Communications and later by Intel. Mr. Klein holds a B.Sc. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Tel-Aviv University.
Pini Gvili has served as our Vice President Operations since 2006. Prior to joining us, from 2004 to 2006, he served as Vice President Operations for Celerica, a start-up company specializing in solutions for cellular network optimization. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Gvili was the Vice President Operations and IT at Terayon Communication Systems, and from 1998 to 2000, held the position of Manager of Integration and Final Testing at Telegate. Mr. Gvili was also a hardware/software engineer at Comverse/Efrat, a world leader of voice mail and digital recording systems, from 1994 to 1997. Mr. Gvili has a B.Sc. in Computer Science from Champlain University and was awarded a practical electronics degree from ORT Technical College.
Ramy Moriah has served as our Vice President Customer Care & IT since 2005. Prior to joining us, Mr. Moriah was a founding member of Daisy Systems Design Center in Israel, in 1984. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Moriah held the position of Manager of Software Development at Orbot Instruments, a world leader of Automatic Optical Inspection manufacturer for the VLSI Chip Industry. Mr. Moriah was also the acting General Manager at ACA, 3D CAD/solid modeling software for architecture from 1995 to 1997, and served there as Vice President Research and Development from 1995 to 1997. Mr. Moriah holds a B.Sc., cum laude , in Computer Engineering from the Technion Israel Institute of Technology and an M.Sc. in Management and Information Systems from the Tel Aviv University School of Business Administration.
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Vin Costello has served as our VP and & General Manager Americas since 2006. Mr. Costello began his career with NYNEX and rapidly rose through the ranks achieving the title of Vice President, Business Network Solutions and Vice President Global Sales. Mr. Costello founded and headed NYNEX Network Integration and upon the merger with Bell Atlantic, was named President and CEO of Bell Atlantic Network Integration. Mr. Costello departed Verizon for an optical networking start-up where he served as VP of Sales and assisted Corvis Corporation, in their successful initial public offering. Mr. Costello was subsequently named VP and General Manager of the Managed Storage Division after Corvis purchased Broadwing and reinvented itself as a service provider. Mr. Costello holds a B.Sc. in Computer Applications and Information Systems as well as Business Management (double major) from New York University and earned an M.Sc. in Telecommunications and Computing Management from Polytechnic University.
B. | Compensation of Officers and Directors |
The aggregate compensation paid to or accrued on behalf of our directors and executive officers as a group during 2008 consisted of approximately $2.7 million in salary, fees, bonus, commissions and directors fees and approximately $136,000 in amounts set aside or accrued to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits, but excluding amounts we expended for automobiles made available to our officers, expenses, including dues for professional and business associations, business travel and other expenses, and other benefits commonly reimbursed or paid by companies in Israel.
We pay each of our outside directors an annual fee of $10,000, paid in four equal installments of $2,500, at the beginning of each calendar quarter with respect to the preceding quarter (with a pro-rata payment for the first and last calendar quarters of service, to the extent the outside director did not serve as such during the entire calendar quarter). Each outside director also was granted upon his or her election options to purchase 15,000 of our ordinary shares, which vest on a quarterly basis over a period of three years.
During 2008, our officers and directors received, in the aggregate, options to purchase 680,000 ordinary shares under our equity based compensation plans. These options have a weighted average exercise price of approximately $2.51 and the options will expire ten years after the date the options were granted
C. | Board Practices |
As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5615(a)(3) to follow Israeli corporate governance practices instead of the NASDAQ Global Market requirements, provided we disclose which requirements we are not following and the equivalent Israeli requirement. See ITEM 16F: Corporate Governance Requirements for a discussion of those ways in which our corporate governance practices differ from those required by NASDAQ for domestic companies.
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Terms of Directors
Our current board of directors consists of seven directors, each of whom was appointed by a certain group of shareholders pursuant to rights of appointment granted in our previous articles of association, except for Mr. Hadar, who serves on our board of directors by virtue of his position as Chief Executive Officer and the outside directors, Ms. Benjamini and Mr. Levy, who were elected by our shareholders in 2007 and Mr. Katz, who was elected by our shareholders in 2008. Our articles of association provide that we may have not less than five directors and up to nine directors. The members of our board of directors do not receive any additional remuneration upon termination of their services as directors.
Under our articles of association our directors (other than the outside directors, whose appointment is required under the Companies Law; see Outside Directors) are divided into three classes. Each class of directors consists, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the entire board of directors (other than the outside directors). At each annual general meeting of our shareholders, the election or re-election of directors following the expiration of the term of office of the directors of that class of directors, will be for a term of office that expires on the third annual general meeting following such election or re-election, such that each year the term of office of only one class of directors will expire. Shraga Katz who is a Class I director, will hold office until our annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2010. Class II directors, consisting of Dr. Eyal Kishon and Shai Saul, will hold office until our annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2011. Class III directors, consisting of Yigal Jacoby and Rami Hadar, will hold office until our annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2009. The directors shall be elected by a vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power present and voting at that meeting. Each director, will hold office until the annual general meeting of our shareholders for the year in which his term expires and until his successor is elected and qualified, unless the tenure of such director expires earlier pursuant to the Companies Law or unless he is removed from office as described below.
Under our articles of association the approval of a special majority of the holders of at least 75.0% of the voting rights present and voting at a general meeting is generally required to remove any of our directors from office. The holders of a majority of the voting power present and voting at a meeting may elect directors in their stead or fill any vacancy, however created, in our board of directors. In addition, vacancies on our board of directors, other than vacancies created by an outside director, may be filled by a vote of a simple majority of the directors then in office. A director so chosen or appointed will hold office until the next annual general meeting of our shareholders, unless earlier removed by the vote of a majority of the directors then in office prior to such annual meeting. See Outside Directors for a description of the procedure for election of outside directors.
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Qualifications of Outside Directors
Under the Israeli Companies Law, companies incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel that are public companies, which also includes companies with shares listed on the NASDAQ Global Market, are required to appoint at least two outside directors.
A person may not serve as an outside director if at the date of the persons appointment or within the prior two years, the person, the persons relatives, entities under the persons control, any person or entity to whom such person is subordinated (whether directly or indirectly) or the persons partners or employer, have or had any affiliation with us or any entity controlled by or under common control with us during the prior two years, or which controls us at the time of such persons appointment.
The term affiliation includes:
| an employment relationship; |
| a business or professional relationship maintained on a regular basis; |
| control; and |
| service as an office holder, excluding service as a director in a private company prior to the first offering of its shares to the public if such director was appointed as a director of the private company in order to serve as an outside director following the public offering. |
The term relative is defined as spouses, siblings, parents, grandparents, descendants, spouses descendants and the spouses of each of these persons.
The term office holder is defined as a director, general manager, chief business manager, deputy general manager, vice general manager, executive vice president, vice president, other manager directly subordinate to the general manager or any other person assuming the responsibilities of any of the foregoing positions, without regard to such persons title. Each person listed under Directors and Senior Management is an office holder.
No person can serve as an outside director if the persons position or other business create, or may create, a conflict of interests with the persons responsibilities as a director or may otherwise interfere with the persons ability to serve as a director. If at the time an outside director is appointed all current members of the board of directors are of the same gender, then that outside director must be of the other gender.
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The Companies Law provides that each outside director must meet certain professional qualifications or have financial and accounting expertise, and that at least one outside director must have financial and accounting expertise. However, if at least one of our directors meets the independence requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the standards of the NASDAQ Global Market rules for membership on the audit committee and also has financial and accounting expertise as defined in the Companies Law and applicable regulations, then our outside directors are required to meet the professional qualifications only. Under applicable regulations, a director with financial and accounting expertise is a director who, by reason of his or her education, professional experience and skill, has a high level of proficiency in and understanding of business accounting matters and financial statements. He or she must be able to thoroughly comprehend the financial statements of the company and initiate debate regarding the manner in which financial information is presented. The regulations define a director with the requisite professional qualifications as a director who satisfies one of the following requirements: (1) the director holds an academic degree in either economics, business administration, accounting, law or public administration, (2) the director either holds an academic degree in any other field or has completed another form of higher education in the companys primary field of business or in an area which is relevant to the office of an outside director, or (3) the director has at least five years of cumulative experience serving in one or more of the following capacities: (a) a senior business management position in a corporation with a substantial scope of business, (b) a senior position in the companys primary field of business or (c) a senior position in public administration. An outside director that ceases to meet the statutory requirements for his or her appointment must immediately notify us of the same and his or her office will become vacated upon such notice.
Until the lapse of two years from termination of office, a company may not engage an outside director to serve as an office holder and cannot employ or receive professional services for payment from that person, either directly or indirectly, including through a corporation controlled by that person.
Election of Outside Directors
Outside directors are elected by a majority vote at a shareholders meeting, provided that either:
| the majority of shares voted at the meeting, including at least one-third of the shares of non-controlling shareholders voted at the meeting, excluding abstentions, vote in favor of the election of the outside director; or |
| the total number of shares of non-controlling shareholders voted against the election of the outside director does not exceed one percent of the aggregate voting rights in the company. |
For a company such as ours, the initial term of an outside director is three years and may be extended for additional three-year terms by the shareholders, if certain conditions are met. An outside director can be removed from office only by the same majority of shareholders that is required to elect an outside director, or by a court (if the outside director ceases to meet the statutory qualifications with respect to his or her appointment, or if he or she violates his or her duty of loyalty to the company). Each committee of a companys board of directors which is authorized to exercise the board of directors authorities is required to include at least one outside director, except for the audit committee, which is required to include all outside director.
An outside director is entitled to compensation as provided in regulations promulgated under the Companies Law and is otherwise prohibited from receiving any other compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with services provided as an outside director.
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NASDAQ Requirements
Under the rules of the NASDAQ Global Market, a majority of directors must meet the definition of independence contained in those rules. Our board of directors has determined that all of our directors, other than Shraga Katz, Yigal Jacoby and Rami Hadar, meet the independence standards contained in the rules of the NASDAQ Global Market. We do not believe that any of these directors have a relationship that would preclude a finding of independence under these rules and, in reaching its determination, our board of directors determined that the other relationships that these directors have with us do not impair their independence.
Companies Law Requirements
Under the Companies Law, the board of directors of any public company must also appoint an audit committee comprised of at least three directors including all of the outside directors, but excluding the:
| chairman of the board of directors; |
| controlling shareholder or a relative of a controlling shareholder; and |
| any director employed by the company or who provides services to the company on a regular basis. |
NASDAQ Requirements
Under the NASDAQ Global Market rules, we are required to maintain an audit committee consisting of at least three independent directors, all of whom are financially literate and one of whom has accounting or related financial management expertise. Our audit committee members are required to meet additional independence standards, including minimum standards set forth in rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and adopted by the NASDAQ Global Market.
Approval of Transactions with Office Holders and Controlling Shareholders
The approval of the audit committee is required to effect specified actions and transactions with office holders and controlling shareholders. The term controlling shareholder means a shareholder with the ability to direct the activities of the company, other than by virtue of being an office holder. A shareholder is presumed to be a controlling shareholder if the shareholder holds 50.0% or more of the voting rights in a company or has the right to appoint the majority of the directors of the company or its general manager. For the purpose of approving transactions with controlling shareholders, the term also includes any shareholder that holds 25.0% or more of the voting rights of the company if the company has no shareholder that owns more than 50.0% of its voting rights. For purposes of determining the holding percentage stated above, two or more shareholders who have a personal interest in a transaction that is brought for the companys approval are deemed as joint holders. The audit committee may not approve an action or a transaction with a controlling shareholder or with an office holder unless at the time of approval two outside directors are serving as members of the audit committee and at least one of them was present at the meeting at which the approval was granted.
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Audit Committee Role
Our board of directors has adopted an audit committee charter setting forth the responsibilities of the audit committee consistent with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and The NASDAQ Global Market rules, which include:
| retaining and terminating the company's independent auditors, subject to shareholder ratification; |
| pre-approval of audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditors; and |
| approval of transactions with office holders and controlling shareholders, as described above, and other related-party transactions. |
Additionally, under the Companies Law, the role of the audit committee is to identify irregularities in the business management of the company in consultation with the internal auditor or the companys independent auditors and suggest an appropriate course of action to the board of directors and to approve the yearly or periodic work plan proposed by the internal auditor to the extent required. The audit committee charter states that in fulfilling this role the committee is entitled to rely on interviews and consultations with our management, our internal auditor and our independent auditor, and is not obligated to conduct any independent investigation or verification.
Our audit committee consists of our directors, Ms. Nurit Benjamini, Mr. Steven Levy and Dr. Eyal Kishon. The financial expert on the audit committee pursuant to the definition of the Securities and Exchange Commission is Ms. Benjamini.
We have established a compensation and nominating committee consisting of our directors, Dr. Eyal Kishon, Ms. Nurit Benjamini and Mr. Shai Saul. This committee also oversees matters related to our corporate governance practices. Our board of directors has adopted a compensation and nominating committee charter setting forth the responsibilities of the committee consistent with the NASDAQ Global Market rules, which include:
| determining the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers; |
| granting options to our employees and the employees of our subsidiaries; |
| recommending candidates for nomination as members of our board of directors; and |
| developing and recommending to the board corporate governance guidelines and a code of business ethics and conduct in accordance with applicable laws. |
Under the Companies Law, the board of directors of a public company must appoint an internal auditor nominated by the audit committee. The role of the internal auditor is, among other things, to examine whether a companys actions comply with applicable law and orderly business procedure. Under the Companies Law, the internal auditor may be an employee of the company but not an interested party or an office holder or a relative of an interested party or an office holder, nor may the internal auditor be the companys independent auditor or the representative of the same. An interested party is defined in the Companies Law as a holder of 5.0% or more of the issued share capital or voting power in a company, any person or entity who has the right to designate one director or more or the chief executive officer of the company or any person who serves as a director or as a chief executive officer. In February 2007, our board of directors approved the appointment of the firm of Haikin, Rubin, Cohen & Gilboa as the internal auditor of the Company.
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Under the Companies Law, a company may not exculpate an office holder from liability for a breach of the duty of loyalty. However, a company may approve an act performed in breach of the duty of loyalty of an office holder provided that the office holder acted in good faith, the act or its approval does not harm the company, and the office holder discloses the nature of his or her personal interest in the act and all material facts and documents a reasonable time before discussion of the approval. An Israeli company may exculpate an office holder in advance from liability to the company, in whole or in part, for damages caused to the company as a result of a breach of duty of care but only if a provision authorizing such exculpation is inserted in its articles of association. Our articles of association include such a provision. An Israeli company may not exculpate a director for liability arising out of a prohibited dividend or distribution to shareholders.
An Israeli company may indemnify an office holder in respect of certain liabilities either in advance of an event or following an event provided a provision authorizing such indemnification is inserted in its articles of association. Our articles of association contain such an authorization. An undertaking provided in advance by an Israeli company to indemnify an office holder with respect to a financial liability imposed on him or her in favor of another person pursuant to a judgment, settlement or arbitrators award approved by a court must be limited to events which in the opinion of the board of directors can be foreseen based on the companys activities when the undertaking to indemnify is given, and to an amount or according to criteria determined by the board of directors as reasonable under the circumstances, and such undertaking shall detail the above mentioned events and amount or criteria. In addition, a company may undertake in advance to indemnify an office holder against the following liabilities incurred for acts performed as an office holder:
| reasonable litigation expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred by the office holder as a result of an investigation or proceeding instituted against him or her by an authority authorized to conduct such investigation or proceeding, provided that (i) no indictment was filed against such office holder as a result of such investigation or proceeding; and (ii) no financial liability, such as a criminal penalty, was imposed upon him or her as a substitute for the criminal proceeding as a result of such investigation or proceeding or, if such financial liability was imposed, it was imposed with respect to an offense that does not require proof of criminal intent; and |
| reasonable litigation expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred by the office holder or imposed by a court in proceedings instituted against him or her by the company, on its behalf or by a third party or in connection with criminal proceedings in which the office holder was acquitted or as a result of a conviction for an offense that does not require proof of criminal intent. |
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An Israeli company may insure an office holder against the following liabilities incurred for acts performed as an office holder if and to the extent provided in the companys articles of association:
| a breach of duty of loyalty to the company, to the extent that the office holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not prejudice the company; |
| a breach of duty of care to the company or to a third party, including a breach arising out of the negligent conduct of the office holder; and |
| a financial liability imposed on the office holder in favor of a third party. |
An Israeli company may not indemnify or insure an office holder against any of the following:
| a breach of duty of loyalty, except to the extent that the office holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not prejudice the company; |
| a breach of duty of care committed intentionally or recklessly, excluding a breach arising out of the negligent conduct of the office holder; |
| an act or omission committed with intent to derive illegal personal benefit; or |
| a fine or forfeit levied against the office holder. |
Under the Companies Law, exculpation, indemnification and insurance of office holders must be approved by our audit committee and our board of directors and, in respect of our directors, by our shareholders.
Our articles of association allow us to indemnify and insure our office holders to the fullest extent permitted by the Companies Law. Our office holders are currently covered by a directors and officers liability insurance policy. In May 2007, we and certain of our officers and directors were named as defendants in a number of purported securities class action lawsuits filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and that were consolidated to In re Allot Communications Ltd. Securities Litigation. under Master File No. 07-cv-03455 (RJH). See ITEM 8: Financial Information Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information Legal Proceedings. As of the date of this annual report, no other claims for directors and officers liability insurance have been filed under our policies and we are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors or officers in which indemnification is sought.
We have entered into agreements with each of our directors and with certain of our office holders exculpating them, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from liability to us for damages caused to us as a result of a breach of duty of care, and undertaking to indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by law. This indemnification is limited to events determined as foreseeable by the board of directors based on our activities, and to an amount or according to criteria determined by the board of directors as reasonable under the circumstances, and the insurance is subject to our discretion depending on its availability, effectiveness and cost. The current maximum amount set forth in such agreements is the greater of (1) with respect to indemnification in connection with a public offering of our securities, the gross proceeds raised by us and/or any selling shareholder in such public offering, and (2) with respect to all permitted indemnification, including a public offering of our securities, an amount equal to 50% of the our shareholders equity on a consolidated basis, based on our most recent financial statements made publicly available before the date on which the indemnity payment is made.
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In the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, however, indemnification of directors and office holders for liabilities arising under the Securities Act is against public policy and therefore unenforceable.
D. | Employees |
As of December 31, 2008, we had 243 employees of whom 174 were based in Israel, 29 in the United States and the remainder in Asia and Europe. The breakdown of our employees by department is as follows:
December 31, | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Department |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 | ||||||||
Manufacturing and operations | 16 | 16 | 16 | ||||||||
Research and development | 98 | 92 | 94 | ||||||||
Sales, marketing, service and support | 95 | 102 | 102 | ||||||||
Management and administration | 27 | 32 | 31 | ||||||||
Total | 236 | 242 | 243 |
Under applicable Israeli law, we and our employees are subject to protective labor provisions such as restrictions on working hours, minimum wages, minimum vacation, sick pay, severance pay and advance notice of termination of employment as well as equal opportunity and anti-discrimination laws. Orders issued by the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor make certain industry-wide collective bargaining agreements applicable to us. These agreements affect matters such as cost of living adjustments to salaries, length of working hours and week, recuperation, travel expenses, and pension rights. Our employees are not represented by a labor union. We provide our employees with benefits and working conditions which we believe are competitive with benefits and working conditions provided by similar companies in Israel. We have never experienced labor-related work stoppages and believe that our relations with our employees are good.
E. | Share Ownership |
Beneficial Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of May 1, 2009, of each of our directors and executive officers.
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Name of Beneficial Owner |
Number of Shares Beneficially Held(1) |
Percent of Class | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Directors | ||||||
Shai Saul(2) | 2,345,343 | 10.6% | ||||
Dr. Eyal Kishon(3) | 2,042,260 | 9.3% | ||||
Yigal Jacoby(4) | 1,844,722 | 8.0% | ||||
Rami Hadar | 446,065 | 2.0% | ||||
Nurit Benjamini | * | * | ||||
Shraga Katz | * | * | ||||
Steven D. Levy | * | * | ||||
Executive Officers | ||||||
Amir Hochbaum | * | * | ||||
Anat Shenig | * | * | ||||
Andrei Elefant | * | * | ||||
Doron Arazi | * | * | ||||
Elazar (Azi) Ronen | * | * | ||||
Eli Cohen | * | * | ||||
Jay Klein | * | * | ||||
Pini Gvili | * | * | ||||
Ramy Moriah | * | * | ||||
Vin Costello | * | * | ||||
All directors and executive officers as a group | 7,050,859 | 31.1% |
|
* | Less than one percent of the outstanding ordinary shares. |
(1) | As used in this table, beneficial ownership means the sole or shared power to vote or direct the voting or to dispose or direct the disposition of any security. For purposes of this table, a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired within 60 days from May 1, 2009 through the exercise of any option or warrant. Ordinary shares subject to options or warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding for computing the ownership percentage of the person holding such options or warrants, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the ownership percentage of any other person. The amounts and percentages are based upon 22,069,438 ordinary shares outstanding as of May 1, 2009. |
(2) | Consists of 2,331,593 shares held by the Tamir Fishman Ventures and options to purchase 13,750 shares held by Shai Saul. Mr. Saul is a managing partner of Tamir Fishman and, by virtue of his position, may be deemed to have voting and investment power, and thus beneficial ownership, with respect to the shares held by the Tamir Fishman Ventures. Mr. Saul disclaims such beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. |
(3) | Consists of 2,028,510 shares held by the Genesis Group and an option to purchase 13,750 shares held by Dr. Eyal Kishon. Dr. Kishon is a managing partner of Genesis Partners and, by virtue of his position, may be deemed to have voting and investment power, and thus beneficial ownership, with respect to the shares held by the Genesis Group. Dr. Kishon disclaims such beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. |
(4) | Consists of 835,410 shares held by Odem Rotem Holdings Ltd., a company wholly-owned and controlled by Yigal Jacoby, 58,548 shares jointly held by Yigal Jacoby and his spouse, Anat Jacoby, and an option to purchase 481,794 shares held by Odem Rotem Holdings. Also consists of options held directly by Mr. Jacoby to purchase 222,491 shares and a right held by Mr. Jacoby to purchase 246,479 shares currently held by a trustee. See ITEM 7: Major Shareholders and Related Party TransactionsRelated Party TransactionsEscrow Agreement with Yigal Jacoby. |
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Our directors and executive officers hold, in the aggregate, options exercisable into 2,295,154 ordinary shares. The 2,295,154 options have a weighted average exercise price of approximately $3.14 per share and have expiration dates until 2018.
We have adopted four share option plans and, as of May 1, 2009, we had 4,726,075 ordinary shares reserved for issuance under these plans, with respect to which (i) options to purchase 3,984,518 ordinary shares at a weighted average exercise price of $3.44 per share were outstanding, and (ii) options to purchase 1,759,169 ordinary shares were already exercised by certain of the grantees and such shares were issued by us. As of May 1, 2009, options to purchase 2,347,412 ordinary shares were vested and exercisable.
We will only grant options or other equity incentive awards under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan, although previously-granted options will continue to be governed by our other plans.
2006 Incentive Compensation Plan
The 2006 plan is intended to further our success by increasing the ownership interest of certain of our and our subsidiaries employees, directors and consultants and to enhance our and our subsidiaries ability to attract and retain employees, directors and consultants.
The number of ordinary shares that we may issue under the 2006 plan will increase on the first day of each fiscal year during the term of the 2006 plan, in each case in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 1,000,000 shares, (ii) 3.5% of our outstanding ordinary shares on the last day of the immediately preceding year, or (iii) an amount determined by our board of directors. The number of shares subject to the 2006 plan is also subject to adjustment if particular capital changes affect our share capital. Ordinary shares subject to outstanding awards under the 2006 plan or our 2003 plan or 1997 plans that are subsequently forfeited or terminated for any other reason before being exercised will again be available for grant under the 2006 plan. As of May 1, 2009, options or other awards to purchase 2,324,399 ordinary shares had been granted under the 2006 plan and 738,607 remained available for future options or other awards.
Israeli participants in the 2006 plan may be granted options subject to Section 102 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance. Section 102 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance, allows employees, directors and officers, who are not controlling shareholders and are considered Israeli residents to receive favorable tax treatment for compensation in the form of shares or options. Our non-employees service providers and controlling shareholders may only be granted options under another section of the Tax Ordinance, which does not provide for similar tax benefits. Section 102 includes two alternatives for tax treatment involving the issuance of options or shares to a trustee for the benefit of the grantees and also includes an additional alternative for the issuance of options or shares directly to the grantee. The most favorable tax treatment for the grantees is under Section 102(b)(2) of the Tax Ordinance, the issuance to a trustee under the capital gain track. However, under this track we are not allowed to deduct an expense with respect to the issuance of the options or shares. Any stock options granted under the 2006 plan to participants in the United States will be either incentive stock options, which may be eligible for special tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or options other than incentive stock options (referred to as nonqualified stock options), as determined by our compensation and nominating committee and stated in the option agreement.
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Our compensation and nominating committee administers the 2006 plan and it will select which of our and our subsidiaries and affiliates eligible employees, directors and/or consultants shall receive options or other awards under the 2006 plan and will determine the terms of the grant, including, exercise prices, method of payment, vesting schedules, acceleration of vesting and the other matters necessary in the administration of the plan.
If we undergo a change of control, as defined in the 2006 plan, subject to any contrary law or rule, or the terms of any award agreement in effect before the change of control, (a) the compensation and nominating committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the vesting, exercisability and payment, as applicable, of outstanding options and other awards; and (b) the compensation and nominating committee, in its discretion, may adjust outstanding awards by substituting ordinary shares or other securities of any successor or another party to the change of control transaction, or cash out outstanding options and other awards, in any such case, generally based on the consideration received by our shareholders in the transaction.
Allot Communications Ltd. Key Employee Share Incentive Plan (2003)
Our 2003 share option plan provides for the grant of options to our and our affiliates employees, directors, officers, consultants, advisers and service providers. As of May 1, 2009, there were outstanding options to purchase 2,086,918 ordinary shares under the plan, of which options to purchase 1,843,560 ordinary shares were vested and exercisable and options to purchase 998,702 ordinary shares were already exercised for ordinary shares. We no longer grant options under this plan, and ordinary shares underlying any option granted under this plan that terminates without exercise become available for future issuance under our 2006 plan.
The terms of the 2003 plan are in compliance with Section 102 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance, which allows employees, directors and officers, who are not controlling shareholders and are considered Israeli residents to receive favorable tax treatment for compensation in the form of shares or options. Our non-employees service providers and controlling shareholders may only be granted options under another section of the Tax Ordinance, which does not provide for similar tax benefits.
We have elected to issue our options under the capital gain track and, accordingly, all options granted under this plan to Israeli residents have been granted under the capital gain track. Section 102 also provides for an income tax track, under which, among other things, the benefits to the employees would be taxed as ordinary income, we would be allowed to recognize expenses for tax purposes and the minimum holding period for the trustee will be twelve months from the end of the calendar year in which such options are granted, and if granted after January 1, 2006, twelve months after the date of grant. In order to comply with the terms of the capital gain track, all options, as well as the ordinary shares issued upon exercise of these options and other shares received subsequently following any realization of rights with respect to such options, such as stock dividends and stock splits are granted to a trustee and should be held by the trustee for the lesser of thirty months from the date of grant, or two years following the end of the tax year in which the options were granted and if granted after January 1, 2006 only two years after the date of grant. Under this plan, all options, whether or not granted pursuant to said Section 102, the ordinary shares issued upon their exercise and other shares received subsequently following any realization of rights are issued to a trustee.
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The plan is administered by our board of directors which has delegated certain responsibilities to our compensation and nomination committee.
In the event of our being acquired by means of merger with or into another entity, in which our outstanding shares are exchanged for securities or other consideration issued, or caused to be issued, by the acquiring company or its subsidiary, or in the event of the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, to the extent it has not been previously exercised, each vested or unvested option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction. The plan further provides that, in the event of our consolidation or merger with or into another corporation, the compensation committee may, in its absolute discretion and without obligation, agree that instead of termination: (i) each unexercised option, if possible, will be assumed or an equivalent option will be substituted by our successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of our successor corporation; or (ii) we will pay to the grantee an amount equivalent to the valuation of the grantees unexercised options on an as converted basis at that time.
Allot Communications Ltd. Key Employees Share Incentive Plan and Key Employees of Subsidiaries andConsultants Share Incentive Plan (1997)
Our Key Employees Share Incentive Plan, adopted in 1997, provides for the grant of options to any of our directors, officers and employees, and our Key Employees of Subsidiaries and Consultants Share Incentive Plan, also adopted in 1997, provides for the grant of options to any of our or our subsidiaries directors, officers, employees, or consultants. The terms of both plans are identical, except that the grant of options under the first plan was made in compliance with the provisions of Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance, as was in effect in 1997 and prior to its amendments in 2003, which allows employees who are considered Israeli residents to receive favorable tax treatment.
As of May 1, 2009, there were outstanding options to purchase 8,554 ordinary shares under the two plans, all of which were vested, and options to purchase 757,517 ordinary shares that were already exercised for ordinary shares. We no longer grant options under these plans, and ordinary shares underlying any option granted under these plans that terminate without exercise become available for future issuance under our 2006 plan.
The plans are administered by our compensation and nominating committee.
A. | Major Shareholders |
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our outstanding ordinary shares as of May 1, 2009, by each person who we know beneficially owns 5.0% or more of the outstanding ordinary shares. Each of our shareholders has identical voting rights with respect to its shares. All of the information with respect to beneficial ownership of the ordinary shares is given to the best of our knowledge.
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Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned(1) |
Percentage of Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned | |
---|---|---|
Brookside Capital Fund(2) | 3,426,638 | 15.5% |
Tamir Fishman Ventures(3) | 2,345,343 | 10.6% |
Zohar Zisapel(4) | 2,292,319 | 10.4% |
Genesis Partners(5) | 2,042,260 | 9.3% |
Yigal Jacoby(6) | 1,844,722 | 8.0% |
Gemini Group(7) | 1,702,679 | 7.7% |
Partech International Group(8) | 1,268,181 | 5.8% |
|
(1) | As used in this table, beneficial ownership means the sole or shared power to vote or direct the voting or to dispose or direct the disposition of any security. For purposes of this table, a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired within 60 days from May 1, 2009 through the exercise of any option or warrant. Ordinary shares subject to options or warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding for computing the ownership percentage of the person holding such options or warrants, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the ownership percentage of any other person. The amounts and percentages are based upon 22,069,438 ordinary shares outstanding as of May 1, 2009. |
(2) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 17, 2009. Consists of 3,426,638 shares held by Brookside Capital Partners Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. Brookside Capital Investors, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership is the sole general partner of the Brookside Capital Partners Fund, L.P. Brookside Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the sole general partner of Brookside Capital Investors, L.P. Domenic J. Ferrante is the sole managing member of Brookside Capital Management, LLC. The address of the Brookside entities and the foregoing individual is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199. |
(3) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2008. Consists of 1,165,014 shares held by Tamir Fishman Ventures II L.P., 804,842 shares held by Tamir Fishman Venture Capital II Ltd., 155,904 shares held by Tamir Fishman Ventures II (Israel) L.P., 138,310 shares held by Tamir Fishman Ventures II (Cayman Islands) L.P., 54,543 shares held by Tamir Fishman Ventures II CEO Funds (U.S.) L.P., 12,980 shares held by Tamir Fishman Ventures II CEO Funds L.P. and an option to purchase 13,750 shares held by Shai Saul. Tamir Fishman Ventures II, LLC is the sole general partner of each of the foregoing limited partnerships and has management rights over the shares held by Tamir Fishman Venture Capital II Ltd. by virtue of a management agreement with Tamir Fishman Ventures II, LLC. The managing members of Tamir Fishman Ventures II, LLC are Shai Saul, Michael Elias and Tamir Fishman & Co. Ltd. Eldad Tamir and Danny Fishman are Co-Presidents and Co-Chief Executive Officers of Tamir Fishman & Co. Ltd. and, by virtue of their positions, may be deemed to be beneficial owners of the securities held thereby. Each of the foregoing entities and individuals disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities except to the extent of its or his pecuniary interest therein. The address of the Tamir Fishman entities and the foregoing individuals is 21 Haarbaa, Tel Aviv 64739 Israel. |
(4) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on March 30, 2009. Consists of 2,227,428 shares are held by Zohar Zisapel and 64,891 shares are held by Lomsha Ltd., an Israeli company controlled by Zohar Zisapel. The address of Mr. Zisapel and Lomsha Ltd. is 24 Raoul Wallenberg Street, Tel Aviv 69719, Israel. |
(5) | Based on a Schedule 13G filed on February 14, 2007. Consists of 1,312,770 shares held by Genesis Partners I L.P., 715,740 shares held by Genesis Partners (Cayman) L.P. and an option to purchase 13,750 shares held by Dr. Eyal Kishon. Eddy Shalev and Dr. Kishon are the directors of E. Shalev Management Ltd., a general partner of these funds. These individuals each have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by the Genesis entities and may be deemed to be beneficial owners of the securities held thereby. Each individual disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. The address of the Genesis entities and the foregoing individuals is 11 HaMenofim Street, Herzliya Pituach 46725, Israel. |
(6) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on March 24, 2009. Consists of 30,000 ordinary shares personally held by Yigal Jacoby, 58,528 ordinary shares held jointly by Yigal Jacoby and his wife, Anat Jacoby. Also consists of options held directly by Mr. Jacoby to purchase 222,491 shares and a right held by Mr. Jacoby to purchase 246,479 shares currently held by a trustee. Also consists of 835,410 shares held by Odem Rotem Holdings Ltd., a company wholly-owned and controlled by Mr. Jacoby, and an option to purchase 481,794 shares held by Odem Rotem Holdings. The address of Mr. Jacoby is 22 Hanagar Street, Neve Neeman Industrial Zone B, Hod-Hasharon 45240, Israel. The address of Odem Rotem Holdings Ltd. and Anat Jacoby is 9 Nordau Street, Rannana, Israel. |
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(7) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2008. Consists of 880,295 shares held by Gemini Israel II L.P., 690,669 shares held by Gemini Israel II Parallel Fund L.P., 112,216 shares held by Advent PGGM Gemini L.P. and 19,499 shares held by Gemini Partner Investors L.P. The board of directors of Gemini Israel Funds Ltd. has sole investment control with respect to these entities and is comprised of Steve Kahn, Amram Rasiel, Dr. A.I. (Ed) Mlavsky, Yossi Sela and David Cohen. These individuals share voting power over the shares and held by the Gemini entities and may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of the securities held thereby. Each individual disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. The address of the Gemini entities and the foregoing individuals is 9 HaMenofim Street, Herzliya Pituach 46725, Israel. |
(8) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 17, 2009. Consists of 469,537 shares held by Partech International Growth Capital I LLC, 533,565 shares held by Partech International Growth Capital III LLC, 224,098 shares held by AXA Growth Capital II L.P., 32,016 shares held by Double Black Diamond II LLC and 21,346 shares held by Multinvest LLC. 46th Parallel, LLC is the managing member of each of Partech International Growth Capital I, LLC and Partech International Growth Capital III, LLC. 48th Parallel, LLC is the general partner of AXA Growth Capital II L.P. ParVenture Japan Managers, LLC is the managing member of Multinvest, LLC. Thomas G. McKinley and Vincent Worms are the managing members of Double Black Diamond II, LLC. PAR SF, LLC is the managing member of each of 46th Parallel, LLC and 48th Parallel, LLC. Vincent Worms and Vendome Capital, LLC are the managing members of each of PAR SF, LLC and ParVenture Japan Managers, LLC. Thomas G. McKinley is the managing member of Vendome Capital, LLC. Thomas G. McKinley and Vincent Worms share voting power over the shares held by the Partech International Group and may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of the securities held thereby. Each individual disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. The address of the Partech International entities and the foregoing individuals is 50 California Street, Suite 3200, San Francisco, California. |
As of May 1, 2009 and as of December 31, 2008, Brookside Capital Partners Fund, L.P. was the beneficial owner of 3,426,638, or 15.5%, of our ordinary shares. As of December 31, 2007, Brookside Capital Partners was the beneficial owner of 2,204,921. 10.5%. As of December 31, 2006, Brookside Capital Partners was not a major shareholder. As of May 1, 2009, Zohar Zisapel was the beneficial owner of 2,292,319, or 10.4%, of our ordinary shares. As of December 31, 2006 and 2007, Zohar Zisapel was not a major shareholder.
Based on a review of the information provided to us by our transfer agent, as of May 1, 2009, there were 38* record holders of ordinary shares, of which 14,975,356 represented United States* record holders holding approximately 67% of our outstanding ordinary shares.
* | Including the Depository Trust Company. |
B. | Related Party Transactions |
Our policy is to enter into transactions with related parties on terms that, on the whole, are no more favorable, or no less favorable, than those available from unaffiliated third parties. Based on our experience in the business sectors in which we operate and the terms of our transactions with unaffiliated third parties, we believe that all of the transactions described below met this policy standard at the time they occurred.
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We have entered into an amended and restated investors rights agreement with certain of our shareholders, pursuant to which such holders are entitled to certain registration rights as described below. This amount does not include shares issuable upon the exercise of options and warrants, which are also entitled to registration rights as described under Registration RightsCertain Options and Warrants. In accordance with such agreement, the following entities, which beneficially own more than 5.0% of our ordinary shares, are entitled to registration rights: the Tamir Fishman Ventures; the Gemini Group; the Genesis Group; the Partech International Group; and our founder and member of the board of directors, Yigal Jacoby and Odem Rotem Holdings, a company wholly-owned and controlled by Mr. Jacoby.
Demand registration rights. We are required to file a registration statement in respect of ordinary shares held by our former preferred shareholders as follows:
| two registrations at the request of one or more of our shareholders holding ordinary shares representing in the aggregate a majority of ordinary shares resulting from conversion of our Series A preferred shares, Series B preferred shares, collectively, referred to as the B Registrable Securities, and Series C preferred shares and all ordinary shares issued in respect of such shares; |
| one registration at the request of one of more of our shareholders holding ordinary shares representing in the aggregate a majority of ordinary shares resulting from conversion of our Series D preferred shares and all ordinary shares issued in respect of such shares; |
| one registration at the request of one of more of our shareholders holding ordinary shares representing in the aggregate a majority of ordinary shares resulting from conversion of our Series E preferred shares and all ordinary shares issued in respect of such shares; and |
| provided that (1) the aggregate proceeds from any such registration are estimated in good faith to be in excess of $5.0 million and (2) we are not required to effect a registration within 180 days after the effective date of our initial public offering or a registration statement for any subsequent offering. |
Following a request to effect a registration by our shareholders as described above, we are required to offer the other shareholders that are entitled to registration rights an opportunity to include their shares in the registration statement. In the event that the managing underwriter advises the registering shareholders in writing that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of shares that can be included in the registration statement, certain preferences will apply with respect to the inclusion of the registrable securities.
Registration on Form F-3. Shareholders holding registrable securities may request that we register such registrable securities on Form F-3, provided that each such registration generates proceeds of at least $2.0 million. This right may be exercised up to twice in any twelve-month period. We are required to give notice of any such request to the other holders of registrable securities and offer them an opportunity to include their shares in the registration statement. In the event that the managing underwriter advises in writing that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of shares that can be included in the registration statement, the shares will be included in the registration statement in an agreed order of preference between the shareholders holding registrable securities.
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Piggyback registration rights. Shareholders holding registrable securities also have the right to request that we include their registrable securities in any registration statements filed by us in the future for the purposes of a public offering, subject to specified exceptions. In the event that the managing underwriter advises in writing that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of shares that can be included in the registration statement, the shares will be included in the registration statement in an agreed order of preference between the shareholders holding registrable securities.
Termination. All registration rights granted to holders of registrable securities will terminate on the fifth anniversary of the closing of our initial public offering and, with respect to any of our holders of registrable securities, when the shares held by such shareholder can be sold within a ninety-day period under Rule 144.
Expenses. We will pay all expenses in carrying out the above registrations.
Certain options. We have also granted the following registration rights with respect to246,479 ordinary shares that have been issued, but are held in trust for the benefit of our founder and member of the board of directors, Yigal Jacoby, pending his payment of the purchase price of such shares, will be entitled, upon the payment of the purchase price, to the same registration rights as the Series A preferred shares.
Employment of Shraga Katz. In June 2008, we entered into an agreement with Shraga Katz governing the terms of his employment with us for the provision of consulting services. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Katz was required to devote 20% of his time to his position with us. In November 2008, Mr. Katz was elected as the Chairman of our board of directors and his monthly compensation was increased. The agreement contains standard employment provisions, including provisions relating to confidentiality and assignment of inventions. We may terminate Mr. Katzs employment on a prior notice pursuant to applicable law, or we may terminate Mr. Katzs employment without notice if we give a pay in lieu of notice.
Employment of Yigal Jacoby. In October 2006, we entered into an agreement with Yigal Jacoby governing the terms of his employment with us for the provision of management and guidance services with regard to our strategy, long term vision and key objectives. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Jacoby was required to devote 75% of his time to his position with us. In November 2008, the agreement was amended such that Mr. Jacobys scope of engagement was reduced to 12.5% of a full time position and his monthly compensation was reduced. The agreement contains standard employment provisions, including provisions relating to confidentiality and assignment of inventions. We may terminate Mr. Jacobys employment on thirty days prior notice, or we may terminate Mr. Jacobys employment without notice if we give him thirty days pay in lieu of notice.
Prior to his transition to a direct employment relationship, Mr. Jacoby provided substantially identical services to us pursuant to a consulting agreement, dated December 2001. The agreement was terminated in October 2006. The agreement contained standard confidentiality provisions that survived the agreements termination.
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Escrow Agreement with Yigal Jacoby. A right to purchase 246,479 ordinary shares was granted to Mr. Jacoby in connection with our Series A financing. The shares are issued, but are held in trust for the benefit of the Mr. Jacoby pursuant to an escrow agreement entered into on January 28, 1998, amended on October 26, 2006 and November 13, 2008, by and among the Company, Mr. Jacoby and an escrow agent. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, the escrow agent is holding such shares for which Mr. Jacoby has paid nominal value. While these shares are held in trust, neither Mr. Jacoby nor the trustee has voting or economic rights with respect to such shares. Mr. Jacoby may exercise his right to purchase the shares in trust, in whole or in part, by paying any portion of the full $600,000 purchase price (less $475 previously paid in respect of the nominal value of the shares) for the respective portion of the shares. Mr. Jacoby has the right to pay any portion of the purchase price for the respective portion of shares by net payment of his right to purchase. Mr. Jacobys right to purchase expires upon November 15, 2010. See Note 8b(3) to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Technical Training Services Agreement with Experteam. We have received technical writing services from Experteam Ltd., a company owned and controlled by the wife of our founder and member of the board of directors, Yigal Jacoby. We began using Experteam in 2004 and our expenses incurred in connection with the engagement of Experteam were approximately $78,000 in 2006, $36,000 in 2007 and $39,848 in 2008.
Employment Agreements. We have entered into employment agreements with each of our officers who work for us as employees. These agreements all contain provisions standard for a company in our industry regarding noncompetition, confidentiality of information and assignment of inventions. The enforceability of covenants not to compete in Israel is limited.
Exculpation, Indemnification and Insurance. Our articles of association permit us to exculpate, indemnify and insure our office holders to the fullest extent permitted by the Companies Law. We have entered into agreements with each of our directors and certain office holders, exculpating them from a breach of their duty of care to us to the fullest extent permitted by law and undertaking to indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by law, to the extent that these liabilities are not covered by insurance. See ITEM 6: Directors, Senior Management and EmployeesBoard PracticesExculpation, Insurance and Indemnification of Office Holders.
C. | Interests of experts and counsel |
Not applicable.
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A. | Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information. |
For our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008, please see pages F-2 to F-36 of this report.
See ITEM 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects under the caption Geographic Breakdown of Revenues for certain details of export sales for the last three fiscal years.
On May 1, 2007, a securities class action complaint, Brickman Investment Inc. v. Allot Communications Ltd. et al., was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. A number of substantially similar complaints were filed in the same court after the original action was filed. We and certain of our directors and officers are named as defendants. The securities class action complaints allege that the defendants violated Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 by making false and misleading statements and omissions in our registration statement for our initial public offering in November 2006. The claims are purportedly brought on behalf of persons who purchased our stock pursuant to and/or traceable to the initial public offering on or about November 15, 2006 through April 2, 2007. The plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory damages against the defendants, as well as attorneys fees and costs. Motions for consolidation and for appointment of lead plaintiff were filed on July 2, 2007 and were decided on March 27, 2008, with an order granting consolidation and appointing co-lead plaintiffs. The Consolidated Amended Compliant was served on June 9, 2008. The defendants moved to dismiss the Consolidated Amended Compliant on August 8, 2008, the plaintiffs filed their opposition thereto on October 21, 2008 and the defendants filed their reply on December 15, 2008. We believe that we have meritorious defenses to the pleaded claims. We intend to vigorously defend against those claims.
We may, from time to time in the future be involved in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business.
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the future. We currently intend to retain all future earnings to finance our operations and to expand our business. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and future prospects and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant.
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B. | Significant Changes |
Since the date of our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report, there have not been any significant changes in our financial position.
Not applicable, except for Items 9.A.4 and 9.C, which are detailed below.
Our ordinary shares began trading publicly on November 16, 2006. Prior to that date, there was no public market for our ordinary shares. The following table lists the high and low closing sale prices for our ordinary shares for the periods indicated as reported by The NASDAQ Global Market.
Year |
High |
Low | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | $ | 13.81 | $ | 10.10 | ||||
2007 | 11.50 | 4.35 | ||||||
2008 | 4.81 | 1.60 | ||||||
2009 | 2.33 | 1.42 | ||||||
2007 | ||||||||
First Quarter | $ | 11.50 | $ | 8.42 | ||||
Second Quarter | 8.31 | 6.45 | ||||||
Third Quarter | 8.06 | 5.63 | ||||||
Fourth Quarter | 6.96 | 4.35 | ||||||
2008 | ||||||||
First Quarter | $ | 4.85 | $ | 2.24 | ||||
Second Quarter | 3.54 | 2.50 | ||||||
Third Quarter | 2.88 | 2.29 | ||||||
Fourth Quarter | 2.45 | 1.60 | ||||||
2009 | ||||||||
First Quarter | $ | 1.80 | $ | 1.42 | ||||
Second Quarter | 2.33 | 1.52 | ||||||
Most Recent Six Months | ||||||||
May 2009 | $ | 2.33 | $ | 2.22 | ||||
April 2009 | 2.10 | 1.52 | ||||||
March 2009 | 1.71 | 1.42 | ||||||
February 2009 | 1.64 | 1.49 | ||||||
January 2009 | 1.80 | 1.48 | ||||||
December 2008 | 2.05 | 1.60 |
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Our ordinary shares have been quoted on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "ALLT" since November 16, 2006.
A. | Share Capital |
Not applicable.
B. | Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association |
We are registered with the Israeli Registrar of Companies in Jerusalem. Our registration number is 51-239477-6.
A description of our memorandum and articles of association was previously provided in our registration statement on Form F-1 (Registration Statement 333-138313) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2006, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Full Tender Offer. A person wishing to acquire shares of a public Israeli company and who would as a result hold over 90.0% of the target companys issued and outstanding share capital is required by the Companies Law to make a tender offer to all of the companys shareholders for the purchase of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the company. A person wishing to acquire shares of a public Israeli company and who would as a result hold over 90.0% of the issued and outstanding share capital of a certain class of shares is required to make a tender offer to all of the shareholders who hold shares of the same class for the purchase of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the same class. If the shareholders who do not accept the offer hold less than 5.0% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the company or of the applicable class, all of the shares that the acquirer offered to purchase will be transferred to the acquirer by operation of law. However, a shareholder that had its shares so transferred may, within three months from the date of acceptance of the tender offer, petition the court to determine that tender offer was for less than fair value and that the fair value should be paid as determined by the court. If the shareholders who did not accept the tender offer hold at least 5.0% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the company or of the applicable class, the acquirer may not acquire shares of the company that will increase its holdings to more than 90.0% of the companys issued and outstanding share capital or of the applicable class from shareholders who accepted the tender offer.
Special Tender Offer. The Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares of a public Israeli company must be made by means of a special tender offer if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would become a holder of at least 25.0% of the voting rights in the company. This rule does not apply if there is already another holder of at least 25.0% of the voting rights in the company. Similarly, the Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would become a holder of more than 45.0% of the voting rights in the company, if there is no other shareholder of the company who holds more than 45.0% of the voting rights in the company. These requirements do not apply if the acquisition (i) occurs in the context of a private placement by the company that received shareholder approval, (ii) was from a shareholder holding at least 25.0% of the voting rights in the company and resulted in the acquirer becoming a holder of at least 25.0% of the voting rights in the company or (iii) was from a holder of more than 45.0% of the voting rights in the company and resulted in the acquirer becoming a holder of more than 45.0% of the voting rights in the company. The special tender offer may be consummated only if (a) at least 5.0% of the voting rights attached to the companys outstanding shares will be acquired by the offeror and (b) the number of shares tendered in the offer exceeds the number of shares whose holders objected to the offer.
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In the event that a special tender offer is made, a companys board of directors is required to express its opinion on the advisability of the offer, or shall abstain from expressing any opinion if it is unable to do so, provided that it gives the reasons for its abstention. An office holder in a target company who, in his or her capacity as an office holder, performs an action the purpose of which is to cause the failure of an existing or foreseeable special tender offer or is to impair the chances of its acceptance, is liable to the potential purchaser and shareholders for damages, unless such office holder acted in good faith and had reasonable grounds to believe he or she was acting for the benefit of the company. However, office holders of the target company may negotiate with the potential purchaser in order to improve the terms of the special tender offer, and may further negotiate with third parties in order to obtain a competing offer.
If a special tender offer was accepted by a majority of the shareholders who announced their stand on such offer, then shareholders who did not announce their stand or who had objected to the offer may accept the offer within four days of the last day set for the acceptance of the offer.
In the event that a special tender offer is accepted, then the purchaser or any person or entity controlling it or under common control with the purchaser or such controlling person or entity shall refrain of making a subsequent tender offer for the purchase of shares of the target company and cannot execute a merger with the target company for a period of one year from the date of the offer, unless the purchaser or such person or entity undertook to effect such an offer or merger in the initial special tender offer.
Merger. The Companies Law permits merger transactions if approved by each partys board of directors and, unless certain requirements described under the Companies Law are met, a certain percentage of each partys shareholders. The board of directors of a merging company is required pursuant to the Companies Law to discuss and determine whether in its opinion there exists a reasonable concern that as a result of a proposed merger, the surviving company will not be able to satisfy its obligations towards its creditors, such determination taking into account the financial status of the merging companies. If the board has determined that such a concern exists, it may not approve a proposed merger. Following the approval of the board of directors of each of the merging companies, the boards must jointly prepare a merger proposal for submission to the Israeli Registrar of Companies.
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Under the Companies Law, if the approval of a general meeting of the shareholders is required, merger transactions may be approved by holders of a simple majority of our shares (including the separate vote of each class of shares of the party to the merger which is not the surviving entity) present, in person, by proxy or by written ballot, at a general meeting and voting on the transaction. In determining whether the required majority has approved the merger, if shares of the company are held by the other party to the merger, or by any person holding at least 25.0% of the voting rights or 25.0% of the means of appointing directors or the general manager of the other party to the merger, then a vote against the merger by holders of the majority of the shares present and voting, excluding shares held by the other party or by such person, or any person or entity acting on behalf of, related to or controlled by either of them, is sufficient to reject the merger transaction. If the transaction would have been approved but for the separate approval of each class or the exclusion of the votes of certain shareholders as provided above, a court may still approve the merger upon the request of holders of at least 25.0% of the voting rights of a company, if the court holds that the merger is fair and reasonable, taking into account the value of the parties to the merger and the consideration offered to the shareholders.
Under the Companies Law, each merging company must inform its secured creditors of the proposed merger plans. Creditors are entitled to notice of the merger pursuant to the regulations adopted under the Companies Law. Upon the request of a creditor of either party to the proposed merger, the court may delay or prevent the merger if it concludes that there exists a reasonable concern that, as a result of the merger, the surviving company will be unable to satisfy the obligations of any of the parties to the merger, and may further give instructions to secure the rights of creditors.
In addition, a merger may not be completed unless at least fifty days have passed from the date that a proposal for approval of the merger was filed with the Israeli Registrar of Companies and thirty days from the date that shareholder approval of both merging companies was obtained.
Undesignated preferred stock. The Companies Law allows us to create and issue shares having rights different to those attached to our ordinary shares, including shares providing certain preferred or additional rights to voting, distributions or other matters and shares having preemptive rights. We do not have any authorized or issued shares other than ordinary shares. In the future, if we do create and issue a class of shares other than ordinary shares, such class of shares, depending on the specific rights that may be attached to them, may delay or prevent a takeover or otherwise prevent our shareholders from realizing a potential premium over the market value of their ordinary shares. The authorization of a new class of shares will require an amendment to our articles of association which requires the prior approval of a simple majority of our shares represented and voted at a general meeting.
Supermajority voting. Our articles of association require the approval of the holders of at least two thirds of our combined voting power to effect certain amendments to our articles of association.
Classified board of directors. Our articles of association provide for a classified board of directors. See "ITEM 6: Directors, Senior Management and Employees - Board Practices - Term of Directors."
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The transfer agent and registrar for our ordinary shares is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. Its address is 59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038 and its telephone number is (718) 921-8200.
C. | Material Contracts |
Summaries of the following material contracts and amendments to these contracts are included in this annual report in the places indicated:
Material Contract |
Location |
---|---|
Agreement with Flextronics (Israel) Ltd. | "ITEM 4.B: Information on the Company-Business Overview-Manufacturing." |
Agreement with R.H. Electronics Ltd. | "ITEM 4.B: Information on the Company-Business Overview-Manufacturing." |
Esphion Limited | "ITEM 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects-Operating Results-Overview." |
Second Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement | "ITEM 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions-Related Party Transactions-Registration Rights." |
D. | Exchange Controls |
In 1998, Israeli currency control regulations were liberalized significantly, so that Israeli residents generally may freely deal in foreign currency and foreign assets, and non-residents may freely deal in Israeli currency and Israeli assets. There are currently no Israeli currency control restrictions on remittances of dividends on the ordinary shares or the proceeds from the sale of the shares provided that all taxes were paid or withheld; however, legislation remains in effect pursuant to which currency controls can be imposed by administrative action at any time.
Non-residents of Israel may freely hold and trade our securities. Neither our memorandum of association nor our articles of association nor the laws of the State of Israel restrict in any way the ownership or voting of ordinary shares by non-residents, except that such restrictions may exist with respect to citizens of countries which are in a state of war with Israel. Israeli residents are allowed to purchase our ordinary shares.
E. | Taxation |
The following is a general discussion only and is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations. It is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal or professional tax advice and should not be relied upon for tax planning purposes. In addition, this discussion does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to purchasers of our ordinary shares in light of their particular circumstances, or certain types of purchasers of our ordinary shares subject to special tax treatment. Examples of this kind of investor include residents of Israel and traders in securities who are subject to special tax regimes not covered in this discussion. Each individual/entity should consult its own tax or legal advisor as to the Israeli tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares.
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To the extent that part of the discussion is based on new tax legislation, which has not been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, we cannot assure that the tax authorities or the courts will accept the views expressed in this section.
The following summary describes the current tax structure applicable to companies in Israel, with special reference to its effect on us. The following also contains a discussion of the material Israeli tax consequences to holders of our ordinary shares.
General Corporate Tax Structure in Israel
Israeli companies were generally subject to corporate tax at the rate of 27% of their taxable income in 2008. The corporate tax rate is scheduled to decline to 26% in 2009 and 25% in 2010 and thereafter. However, the effective tax rate payable by a company that derives income from an approved enterprise (as discussed below) may be considerably less.
Tax Benefits and Grants for Research and Development
Israeli tax law allows, under certain conditions, a tax deduction for expenditures, including capital expenditures, for the year in which they are incurred. Expenditures are deemed related to scientific research and development projects, if:
| The expenditures are approved by the relevant Israeli government ministry, determined by the field of research; |
| The research and development must be for the promotion of the company; and |
| The research and development is carried out by or on behalf of the company seeking such tax deduction. |
The amount of such deductible expenses is reduced by the sum of any funds received through government grants for the finance of such scientific research and development projects. No deduction under these research and development deduction rules is allowed if such deduction is related to an expense invested in an asset depreciable under the general depreciation rules of the income Tax Ordinance, 1961. Expenditures not so approved are deductible in equal amounts over three years.
We intend to apply the Office of the Chief Scientist for approval to allow a tax deduction for all research and development expenses during the year incurred. There can be no assurance that our application will be accepted.
Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 1969
The Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 1969, generally referred to as the Industry Encouragement Law, provides several tax benefits for industrial companies. We believe that we currently qualify as an Industrial Company within the meaning of the Industry Encouragement Law. The Industry Encouragement Law defines Industrial Company as a company resident in Israel, of which 90% or more of its income in any tax year, other than of income from defense loans, capital gains, interest and dividend, is derived from an Industrial Enterprise owned by it. An Industrial Enterprise is defined as an enterprise whose major activity in a given tax year is industrial production activity.
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The following corporate tax benefits, among others, are available to Industrial Companies:
| Amortization of the cost of purchased know-how and patents and of rights to use a patent and know-how which are used for the development or advancement of the company, over an eight-year period; |
| Accelerated depreciation rates on equipment and buildings; |
| Under specified conditions, an election to file consolidated tax returns with additional related Israeli Industrial Companies; and |
| Expenses related to a public offering on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and, as of January 1, 2003, also on recognized stock markets outside Israel, are deductible in equal amounts over three years. |
Under certain tax laws and regulations, an Industrial Enterprise may be eligible for special depreciation rates for machinery, equipment and buildings. These rates differ based on various factors, including the date the operations begin and the number of work shifts. An Industrial Company owning an approved enterprise may choose between these special depreciation rates and the depreciation rates available to the approved enterprise.
Eligibility for the benefits under the Industry Encouragement Law is not subject to receipt of prior approval from any governmental authority. We can give no assurance that we qualify or will continue to qualify as an Industrial Company or that the benefits described above will be available in the future.
Special Provisions Relating to Taxation Under Inflationary Conditions
The Income Tax Law (Inflationary Adjustments), 1985, generally referred to as the Inflationary Adjustments Law, represents an attempt to overcome the problems presented to a traditional tax system by an economy undergoing rapid inflation. The Inflationary Adjustments Law is highly complex. Its features, which are material to us, can be generally described as follows:
| Where a companys equity, as calculated under the Inflationary Adjustments Law, exceeds the depreciated cost of its fixed assets (as defined in the Inflationary Adjustments Law), a deduction from taxable income is permitted equal to the excess multiplied by the applicable annual rate of inflation. The maximum deduction permitted in any single tax year is 70% of taxable income, with the unused portion permitted to be carried forward, linked to the Israeli consumer price index. The unused portion that is carried forward may be deducted in full in the following year. |
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| Where a companys depreciated cost of fixed assets exceeds its equity, then the excess multiplied by the applicable annual rate of inflation is added to the companys ordinary income, provided that the inflation supplement will only be added to the corporate income and not to other sources of income such as capital gains. |
| Subject to certain limitations, depreciation deductions on fixed assets and losses carried forward are adjusted for inflation based on the change in the consumer price index. |
The Minister of Finance may, with the approval of the Knesset Finance Committee, determine by decree, during a certain fiscal year (or until February 28th of the following year) in which the rate of increase of the Israeli consumer price index would not exceed or did not exceed, as applicable, 3%, that some or all of the provisions of the Inflationary Adjustments Law shall not apply with respect to such fiscal year, or, that the rate of increase of the Israeli consumer price index relating to such fiscal year shall be deemed to be 0%, and to make the adjustments required to be made as a result of such determination.
According to the Inflationary Adjustments Law, until 2007, the results for tax purposes were adjusted for the changes in the Israeli CPI. In February 2008, the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, passed an amendment to the Inflationary Adjustments Law, which limits the scope of the law starting 2008 and thereafter. Starting 2008, the results for tax purposes are measured in nominal values, excluding certain adjustments for changes in the Israeli CPI carried out in the period up to December 31, 2007. The amendment to the Inflationary Adjustments Law includes, inter alia, the elimination of the inflationary additions and deductions and the additional deduction for depreciation starting 2008.
Tax Benefits Under the Law for Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959
Tax benefits prior the 2005 amendment
The Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, as amended (effective as of April 1, 2005), generally referred to as the Investments Law, provides that a proposed capital investment in eligible facilities may, upon application to the Investment Center of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the State of Israel, be designated as an Approved Enterprise. The Investment Center bases its decision as to whether or not to approve an application, among other things, on the criteria set forth in the Investments Law and regulations, the policy of the Investment Center, and the specific objectives and financial criteria of the applicant. Each certificate of approval for an Approved Enterprise relates to a specific investment program delineated both by its financial scope, including its capital sources, and by its physical characteristics, such as the equipment to be purchased and utilized pursuant to the program.
The Investments Law provides that an approved enterprise is eligible for tax benefits on taxable income derived from its approved enterprise programs. The tax benefits under the Investments Law also apply to income generated by a company from the grant of a usage right with respect to know-how developed by the Approved Enterprise, income generated from royalties, and income derived from a service which is auxiliary to such usage right or royalties, provided that such income is generated within the Approved Enterprises ordinary course of business. If a company has more than one approval or only a portion of its capital investments are approved, its effective tax rate is the result of a weighted average of the applicable rates. The tax benefits under the Investments Law are not, generally, available with respect to income derived from products manufactured outside of Israel. In addition, the tax benefits available to an Approved Enterprise are contingent upon the fulfillment of conditions stipulated in the Investments Law and regulations and the criteria set forth in the specific certificate of approval, as described above. In the event that a company does not meet these conditions, it would be required to refund the amount of tax benefits, plus a consumer price index linkage adjustment and interest.
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The Investments Law also provides that an Approved Enterprise is entitled to accelerated depreciation on its property and equipment that are included in an Approved Enterprise program in the first five years of using the equipment.
Taxable income of a company derived from an Approved Enterprise is subject to corporate tax at the maximum rate of 25%, rather than the regular corporate tax rate, for the benefit period. This period is ordinarily seven years commencing with the year in which the approved enterprise first generates taxable income after the commencement of production, and is limited to twelve years from commencement of production or fourteen years from the date of approval, whichever is earlier. This time limitation does not apply to the exemption period described below.
Should we derive income from sources other than the Approved Enterprise during the relevant period of benefits, such income will be taxable at the regular corporate tax rates.
Under certain circumstances (as further detailed below), the benefit period may extend to a maximum of ten years from the commencement of the benefit period.
A company may elect to receive an alternative package of benefits. Under the alternative package of benefits, a companys undistributed income derived from the Approved Enterprise will be exempt from corporate tax for a period of between two and ten years from the first year the company derives taxable income under the program, after the commencement of production, depending on the geographic location of the Approved Enterprise within Israel, and such company will be eligible for a reduced tax rate for the remainder of the benefits period. The years limitation does not apply to the exemption period.
A company that has elected the alternative package of benefits, such as us, that subsequently pays a dividend out of income derived from the approved enterprise(s) during the tax exemption period will be subject to corporate tax in the year the dividend is distributed in respect of the gross amount distributed, at the rate which would have been applicable had the company not elected the alternative package of benefits, (generally 10%-25%, depending on the percentage of the companys ordinary shares held by foreign shareholders). The dividend recipient is subject to withholding tax at the reduced rate of 15% applicable to dividends from approved enterprises, if the dividend is distributed during the tax exemption period or within twelve years thereafter. In the event, however, that the company is qualifies as a foreign investors company, there is no such time limitation. This tax must be withheld by the company at source, regardless of whether the dividend is converted into foreign currency.
As of December 31, 2008, we believe that we are meeting the aforementioned conditions and, therefore, we elected the status of Beneficiary Enterprise under the Amendment, for our third plan for the year ending December 31, 2007.
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Foreign Investors Company (FIC)
A company that has an Approved Enterprise program is eligible for further tax benefits if it qualifies as a foreign investors company. A foreign investors company is a company of which, among other criteria, more than 25% of its share capital and combined share and loan capital is owned by non-Israeli residents. A company that qualifies as a foreign investors company and has an approved enterprise program is eligible for tax benefits for a ten-year benefit period. As specified above, depending on the geographic location of the approved enterprise within Israel, income derived from the approved enterprise program may be entitled to the following:
| Extension of the benefit period to up to ten years. |
| An additional period of reduced corporate tax liability at rates ranging between 10% and 25%, depending on the level of foreign (that is, non-Israeli) ownership of our shares. Those tax rates and the related levels of foreign investment are as set forth in the following table: |
Region A |
Rate of Reduced Tax |
Reduced Tax Period |
Tax Exemption Period |
Percent of Foreign Ownership | |
---|---|---|---|---|
25 | 0 years | 10 years | 0-25% | |
25 | 0 years | 10 years | 25-48.99% | |
20 | 0 years | 10 years | 49-73.99% | |
15 | 0 years | 10 years | 74-89.99% | |
10 | 0 years | 10 years | 90-100% |
Region B |
Rate of Reduced Tax |
Reduced Tax Period |
Tax Exemption Period |
Percent of Foreign Ownership | |
---|---|---|---|---|
25 | 1 years | 6 years | 0-25% | |
25 | 4 years | 6 years | 25-48.99% | |
20 | 4 years | 6 years | 49-73.99% | |
15 | 4 years | 6 years | 74-89.99% | |
10 | 4 years | 6 years | 90-100% |
Other Regions |
Rate of Reduced Tax |
Reduced Tax Period |
Tax Exemption Period |
Percent of Foreign Ownership | |
---|---|---|---|---|
25 | 5 years | 2 years | 0-25% | |
25 | 8 years | 2 years | 25-48.99% | |
20 | 8 years | 2 years | 49-73.99% | |
15 | 8 years | 2 years | 74-89.99% | |
10 | 8 years | 2 years | 90-100% |
| The twelve years limitation period for reduced tax rate of 15% on dividend from the approved enterprise will not apply. |
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Subject to applicable provisions concerning income under the alternative package of benefits, dividends paid by a company are considered to be attributable to income received from the entire company and the companys effective tax rate is the result of a weighted average of the various applicable tax rates, excluding any tax-exempt income. Under the Investments Law, a company that has elected the alternative package of benefits is not obliged to distribute retained profits, and may generally decide from which years profits to declare dividends.
We currently intend to reinvest any income derived from our Approved Enterprise program and not to distribute such income as a dividend. As of December 31, 2008, we did not generate income under the provisions of the Amendment.
Tax Benefits under the 2005 Amendment
A recent amendment to the Investments Law, generally referred as the 2005 Amendment, effective as of April 1, 2005 has significantly changed the provisions of the Investments Law. The amendment includes revisions to the criteria for investments qualified to receive tax benefits as an Approved Enterprise. The 2005 Amendment applies to new investment programs and investment programs commencing after 2004, and does not apply to investment programs approved prior to December 31, 2004, and therefore to benefits included in any certificate of approval that was granted before the 2005 Amendment came into effect, which will remain subject to the provisions of the Investments Law as they were on the date of such approval.
However, a company that was granted benefits according to Section 51 of the Investments Law (prior the 2005 Amendment) will not be allowed to choose new tax year as a Year of Election, referred to below, under the 2005 Amendment, for a period of three years from the companys previous Commencement Year (referred to below) under the old Investments Law.
The 2005 Amendment simplifies the approval process for the approved enterprise. According to the 2005 Amendment, only approved enterprises receiving cash grants require the approval of the Investment Center. The Investment Center will be entitled to approve such programs only until December 31, 2007.
As a result of the 2005 Amendment, it is no longer necessary for a company to acquire Approved Enterprise status in order to receive the tax benefits previously available under the Alternative Route, and therefore such companies need not apply to the Investment Center for this purpose. Rather, a company may claim the tax benefits offered by the Investment Law directly in its tax returns or by notifying the Israeli Tax Authority within twelve months of the end of that year, provided that its facilities meet the criteria for tax benefits set out by the 2005 Amendment. Such enterprise is referred to as the Benefited Enterprise. Companies are also granted a right to approach the Israeli Tax Authority for a pre-ruling regarding their eligibility for benefits under the 2005 Amendment. The 2005 Amendment includes provisions attempting to ensure that a company will not enjoy both Government grants and tax benefits for the same investment program.
Tax benefits are available under the 2005 Amendment to production facilities (or other eligible facilities), which are generally required to derive more than 25% of their business income from export. In order to receive the tax benefits, the 2005 Amendment states that a company must make an investment in the Benefited Enterprise exceeding a certain percentage or a minimum amount specified in the Investments Law. Such investment may be made over a period of no more than three years ending at the end of the year in which the company requested to have the tax benefits apply to the Benefited Enterprise, or the Year of Election. Where the company requests to have the tax benefits apply to an expansion of existing facilities, then only the expansion will be considered a Benefited Enterprise and the companys effective tax rate will be the result of a weighted average of the applicable rates. In this case, the minimum investment required in order to qualify as a Benefited Enterprise is required to exceed a certain percentage or a minimum amount of the companys production assets at the end of the year before the expansion.
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The duration of tax benefits is subject to a limitation of the earlier of seven to ten years from the Commencement Year, or twelve years from the first day of the Year of Election. The Commencement Year is defined as the later of (a) the first tax year in which a company had derived income for tax purposes from the Beneficiary Enterprise or (b) the year in which a company requested to have the tax benefits apply to the Beneficiary Enterprise Year of Election. The tax benefits granted to a Benefited Enterprise are determined, as applicable to its geographic location within Israel, according to one of the following new tax routes, which may be applicable to us:
| Similar to the currently available alternative route, exemption from corporate tax on undistributed income for a period of two to ten years, depending on the geographic location of the Benefited Enterprise within Israel, and a reduced corporate tax rate of 10% to 25% for the remainder of the benefits period, depending on the level of foreign investment in each year. Benefits may be granted for a term of seven to ten years, depending on the level of foreign investment in the company. If the company pays a dividend out of income derived from the Benefited Enterprise during the tax exemption period, such income will be subject to corporate tax at the applicable rate (10%-25%) in respect of the gross amount of the dividend that we may be distributed. The company is required to withhold tax at the source at a rate of 15% from any dividends distributed from income derived from the Benefited Enterprise; and |
| A special tax route, which enables companies owning facilities in certain geographical locations in Israel to pay corporate tax at the rate of 11.5% on income of the Benefited Enterprise. The benefits period is ten years. Upon payment of dividends, the company is required to withhold tax at source at a rate of 15% for Israeli residents and at a rate of 4% for foreign residents. |
Generally, a company that is Abundant in Foreign Investment (owned by at least 74% foreign shareholders and has undertaken to invest a minimum sum of $20 million in the Beneficiary Enterprise as defined in the Investments Law) is entitled to an extension of the benefits period by an additional five years, depending on the rate of its income that is derived in foreign currency.
The 2005 Amendment changes the definition of foreign investment in the Investments Law so that the definition now requires a minimal investment of NIS 5 million by foreign investors. Furthermore, such definition now also includes the purchase of shares of a company from another shareholder, provided that the companys outstanding and paid-up share capital exceeds NIS 5 million. Such changes to the aforementioned definition will take effect retroactively from 2003.
The 2005 Amendment will apply to approved enterprise programs in which the year of election under the Investments Law is 2004 or later, unless such programs received approval from the Investment Center on or prior to December 31, 2004, in which case the 2005 Amendment provides that terms and benefits included in any certificate of approval already granted will remain subject to the provisions of the law as they were on the date of such approval.
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As a result of the 2005 Amendment, tax-exempt income generated under the provisions of the Investments Law, as amended, will subject us to taxes upon distribution or liquidation and we may be required to record deferred tax liability with respect to such tax-exempt income.
A substantial portion of our taxable operating income is derived from our approved enterprise program and we expect that a substantial portion of any taxable operating income that we may realize in the future will be also derived from such program.
On November 29, 2006, Income Tax Regulations (Determination of Market Terms), 2006, promulgated under Section 85A of the Tax Ordinance, came into effect (TP Regulations). Section 85A of the Tax Ordinance and the TP Regulations generally requires that all cross-border transactions carried out between related parties be conducted on an arms length principle basis and will be taxed accordingly. The TP Regulations are not expected to have a material affect on us.
Israeli Transfer Pricing Regulations
Following an additional amendment to the Tax Ordinance, which came into effect on January 1, 2009, an Israeli corporation may elect a 5% rate of corporate income tax (instead of 25%) for income from dividend distributions received from a foreign subsidiary which is distributed and used in Israel in 2009, or within one year after actual receipt of the dividend, whichever is later.
Capital Gains Tax on Sales of Our Ordinary Shares
Israeli law generally imposes a capital gains tax on the sale of any capital assets by residents of Israel, as defined for Israeli tax purposes, and on the sale of assets located in Israel, including shares in Israeli companies, by both residents and non-residents of Israel, unless a specific exemption is available or unless a tax treaty between Israel and the shareholders country of residence provides otherwise. The law distinguishes between real gain and inflationary surplus. The inflationary surplus is a portion of the total capital gain which is equivalent to the increase of the relevant assets purchase price which is attributable to the increase in the Israeli consumer price index or, in certain circumstances, a foreign currency exchange rate, between the date of purchase and the date of sale. The real gain is the excess of the total capital gain over the inflationary surplus.
Generally, until the 2006 tax year, capital gains tax was imposed on Israeli resident individuals at a rate of 15% on real gains derived on or after January 1, 2003, from the sale of shares in, among others, Israeli companies publicly traded on NASDAQ or on a recognized stock exchange or regulated market in a country that has a treaty for the prevention of double taxation with Israel. This tax rate was contingent upon the shareholder not claiming a deduction for financing expenses in connection with such shares (in which case the gain was generally be taxed at a rate of 25%), and did not apply to: (i) the sale of shares to a relative (as defined in the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance); (ii) the sale of shares by dealers in securities; (iii) the sale of shares by shareholders that report in accordance with the Inflationary Adjustments Law (that were taxed at corporate tax rates for corporations and at marginal tax rates for individuals); or (iv) the sale of shares by shareholders who acquired their shares prior to an initial public offering (that may be subject to a different tax arrangement).
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As of January 1, 2006, the tax rate applicable to capital gains derived from the sale of shares, whether or not listed on a stock market, is 20% for Israeli individuals, unless such shareholder claims a deduction for financing expenses in connection with such shares, in which case the gain will generally be taxed at a rate of 25%. Additionally, if such shareholder is considered a material shareholder at any time during the twelve-month period preceding such sale, that is, such shareholder holds directly or indirectly, including with others, at least 10% of any means of control in the company, the tax rate shall be 25%. Israeli companies are subject to the corporate tax rate on capital gains derived from the sale of shares, unless such companies were not subject to the Inflationary Adjustments Law (or certain regulations) at the time of publication of the aforementioned amendment to the Tax Ordinance that came into effect on January 1, 2006, in which case the applicable tax rate is 25%. However, the foregoing tax rates do not apply to: (i) dealers in securities; and (ii) shareholders who acquired their shares prior to an initial public offering (that may be subject to a different tax arrangement).
The tax basis of shares acquired prior to January 1, 2003 will be determined in accordance with the average closing share price in the three trading days preceding January 1, 2003. However, a request may be made to the tax authorities to consider the actual adjusted cost of the shares as the tax basis if it is higher than such average price.
Non-Israeli residents are exempt from Israeli capital gains tax on any gains derived from the sale of shares of Israeli companies publicly traded on a recognized stock exchange or regulated market outside of Israel, provided, however, that such capital gains are not derived from a permanent establishment in Israel, such shareholders are not subject to the Inflationary Adjustments Law, and such shareholders did not acquire their shares prior to an initial public offering. However, non-Israeli corporations will not be entitled to such exemption if an Israeli resident (i) has a controlling interest of 25% or more in such non-Israeli corporation, or (ii) is the beneficiary or is entitled to 25% or more of the revenues or profits of such non-Israeli corporation, whether directly or indirectly.
In some instances where our shareholders may be liable to Israeli tax on the sale of their ordinary shares, the payment of the consideration may be subject to the withholding of Israeli tax at the source.
Pursuant to the Convention Between the government of the United States of America and the government of Israel with Respect to Taxes on Income, as amended, generally referred to as the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, the sale, exchange or disposition of ordinary shares by a person who (i) holds the ordinary shares as a capital asset, (ii) qualifies as a resident of the United States within the meaning of the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty and (iii) is entitled to claim the benefits afforded to such person by the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, generally, will not be subject to the Israeli capital gains tax. Such exemption will not apply if (a) such Treaty U.S. Resident holds, directly or indirectly, shares representing 10% or more of our voting power during any part of the twelve-month period preceding such sale, exchange or disposition, subject to certain conditions, or (b) the capital gains from such sale, exchange or disposition can be allocated to a permanent establishment in Israel. In such case, the sale, exchange or disposition of ordinary shares would be subject to Israeli tax, to the extent applicable; however, under the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, such Treaty U.S. Resident would be permitted to claim a credit for such taxes against the U.S. federal income tax imposed with respect to such sale, exchange or disposition, subject to the limitations in U.S. laws applicable to foreign tax credits. The U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty does not relate to U.S. state or local taxes.
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Taxation of Non-Resident Holders of Shares
Non-residents of Israel are subject to income tax on income accrued or derived from sources in Israel. Such sources of income include passive income such as dividends, royalties and interest, as well as non-passive income from services rendered in Israel. As of 2006, distributions of dividends other than bonus shares, or stock dividends, income tax is withheld at the source at the rate of 20%, 15% for dividends generated by an approved enterprise (if the dividend is distributed during the tax exemption period or within 12 years thereafter). In the event, however, that the company qualifies as a Foreign Investors Company, there is no such time limitation, unless a different rate is provided in a treaty between Israel and the shareholders country of residence.
Under the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, the maximum tax on dividends paid to a holder of ordinary shares who is a Treaty U.S. Resident is 20%. However, under the Investments Law, dividends generated by an Approved Enterprise (or Benefited Enterprise) are taxed at the rate of 15%. Furthermore, dividends not generated by an Approved Enterprise (or Benefited Enterprise) paid to a U.S. corporation holding at least 10% of our issued voting power during the part of the tax year which precedes the date of payment of the dividend and during the whole of its prior tax year, are generally taxed at a rate of 12.5%.
The following is a description of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares. This description addresses only the United States federal income tax considerations of holders that are initial purchasers of our ordinary shares pursuant to the offering and that will hold such ordinary shares as capital assets. This description does not address tax considerations applicable to holders that may be subject to special tax rules, including:
| financial institutions or insurance companies; |
| real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies or grantor trusts; |
| dealers or traders in securities or currencies; |
| tax-exempt entities; |
| certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States; |
| persons that will hold our shares through a partnership or other pass-through entity; |
| persons that received our shares as compensation for the performance of services; |
| persons that will hold our shares as part of a hedging or conversion transaction or as a position in a straddle for United States federal income tax purposes; |
| persons whose "functional currency" is not the United States dollar; or |
| holders that own directly, indirectly or through attribution 10.0% or more of the voting power or value of our shares. |
Moreover, this description does not address the United States federal estate and gift or alternative minimum tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares.
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This description is based on the Code, existing, proposed and temporary United States Treasury Regulations and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, in each case as in effect and available on the date hereof. All of the foregoing are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below.
For purposes of this description, a U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares that, for United States federal income tax purposes, is:
| a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, including the District of Columbia; |
| an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| a trust if such trust has validly elected to be treated as a United States person for United States federal income tax purposes or if (1) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and (2) one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of the substantial decisions of such trust. |
A Non-U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes).
If a partnership (or any other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds our ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner or partnership should consult its tax advisor as to its tax consequences.
You should consult your tax advisor with respect to the United States federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of our ordinary shares.
Distributions
Subject to the discussion below under Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations, if you are a U.S. Holder, for United States federal income tax purposes, the gross amount of any distribution made to you, with respect to your ordinary shares before reduction for any Israeli taxes withheld therefrom, other than certain distributions, if any, of our ordinary shares distribute pro rata to all our shareholders, will be includible in your income as dividend income to the extent such distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Subject to the discussion below under Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations, non-corporate U.S. Holders may qualify for the lower rates of taxation with respect to dividends on ordinary shares applicable to long-term capital gains (that is, gains from the sale of capital assets held for more than one year) with respect to taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010, provided that certain conditions are met, including certain holding period requirements and the absence of certain risk reduction transactions. However, such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to corporate U.S. Holders. Subject to the discussion below under Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations, to the extent, if any, that the amount of any distribution by us exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined under United States federal income tax principles, it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your adjusted tax basis in your ordinary shares and thereafter as capital gain. We do not expect to maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under United States federal income tax principles and, therefore, if you are a U.S. Holder you should expect that the entire amount of any distribution generally will be reported as dividend income to you.
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If you are a U.S. Holder, dividends paid to you with respect to your ordinary shares will be treated as foreign source income, which may be relevant in calculating your foreign tax credit limitation. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, Israeli tax withheld on dividends may be deducted from your taxable income or credited against your United States federal income tax liability. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends that we distribute generally should constitute passive category income, or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, general category income. A foreign tax credit for foreign taxes imposed on distributions may be denied when you do not satisfy certain minimum holding period requirements. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex, and you should consult your personal tax advisors to determine whether and to what extent you would be entitled to this credit.
Subject to the discussion below under Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting Requirements, if you are a Non-U.S. Holder, you generally will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on dividends received by you on your ordinary shares, unless you conduct a trade or business in the United States and such income is effectively connected with that trade or business.
Sales Exchange or other Disposition of Ordinary Shares
Subject to the discussion below under Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations, if you are a U.S. Holder, you generally will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of your ordinary shares equal to the difference between the amount realized on such sale, exchange or other disposition and your adjusted tax basis in your ordinary shares. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. If you are a non corporate U.S. Holder, capital gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares is eligible for the preferential rate of taxation applicable to long-term capital gains, with respect to taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010, if your holding period for such ordinary shares exceeds one year (that is, such gain is long-term capital gain). Gain or loss, if any, recognized by you generally will be treated as United States source income or loss for United States foreign tax credit purposes. The deductibility of capital losses for U.S. federal income tax purposes is subject to limitations.
Subject to the discussion below under Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting Requirements, if you are a Non-U.S. Holder, you generally will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on any gain realized on the sale or exchange of such ordinary shares unless:
| such gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States; or |
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| you are an individual and have been present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of such sale or exchange and certain other conditions are met. |
Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations
A non-U.S. corporation will be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or a PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which, after applying certain look-through rules, either:
| at least 75 percent of its gross income is "passive income"; or |
| at least 50 percent of the average value of its gross assets (based on the quarterly value of such gross assets) is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. |
Passive income for this purpose generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents, gains from commodities and securities transactions, the excess of gains over losses from the disposition of assets which produce passive income, and includes amounts derived by reason of the temporary investment of funds raised in offerings of our ordinary shares.
PFIC status is an annual determination that is based on tests which are factual in nature and our status in future years will depend on our income, assets and activities in each of those years. Therefore there can be no assurance that we will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year. While public companies often employ a market capitalization method to value their assets, the IRS has not issued guidance concerning how to value a foreign public companys assets for PFIC purposes. The market price of our ordinary shares is likely to fluctuate and the market price of the shares of technology companies has been especially volatile. In certain circumstances, including volatile market conditions, it may be appropriate to employ alternative methods to more accurately determine the fair market value of our assets other than the market capitalization method. Based on certain estimates of our gross income and the average value of our gross assets, the latter determined by employing alternative valuation methods, we believe that we should not be classified as a PFIC for the taxable year ending December 31, 2008. We have obtained an opinion from U.S. Tax Counsel that, applying the results of an independent valuation of our company which employed an approach other than the market capitalization approach, and which provided the reasoning underlying the use of such approach,, we should be not a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2008. There can be no certainty, however, that the IRS will agree with our position. If we were a PFIC, and you are a U.S. Holder, you generally would be subject to ordinary income tax rates, imputed interest charges and other disadvantageous tax treatment (including the denial of the taxation of such dividends at the lower rates applicable to long-term capital gains, as discussed above under Distributions) with respect to any gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of, and certain distributions with respect to, your ordinary shares. We are not providing any U.S. tax opinion to any U.S. Holder concerning our status as a PFIC for 2008, or any other tax year. A U.S. Holder should consult his, her or its own tax advisor with respect to the potential application of the PFIC rules in his, her or its particular circumstances.
Because the market price of our ordinary shares is likely to fluctuate and the market price of the shares of technology companies has been especially volatile, and because that market price may affect the determination of whether we will be considered a PFIC, we cannot assure you that we will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year.
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Under the PFIC rules, unless a U.S. Holder makes one of the elections described in the next paragraphs, a special tax regime will apply to both (a) any excess distribution by us (generally, the U.S. Holders ratable portion of distributions in any year which are greater than 125% of the average annual distribution received by such U.S. Holder in the shorter of the three preceding years or the U.S. Holders holding period) and (b) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the ordinary shares. Under this regime, any excess distribution and realized gain will be treated as ordinary income and will be subject to tax as if (a) the excess distribution or gain had been realized ratably over the U.S. Holders holding period, (b) the amount deemed realized had been subject to tax in each year of that holding period, and (c) the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax had been imposed on the taxes deemed to have been payable in those years. In addition, dividend distributions made to you will not qualify for the lower rates of taxation applicable to long term capital gains discussed above under Distributions.
Certain elections are available to U.S. Holders of shares that may serve to alleviate some of the adverse tax consequences of PFIC status. If we agreed to provide the necessary information, you could avoid the interest charge imposed by the PFIC rules by making a qualified electing fund, or a QEF election, which election may be made retroactively under certain circumstances, in which case you generally would be required to include in income on a current basis your pro rata share of our ordinary earnings as ordinary income and your pro rata share of our net capital gains as long-term capital gain. We do not expect to provide to U.S. Holders the information needed to report income and gain pursuant to a QEF election, and we make no undertaking to provide such information in the event that we are a PFIC.
Under an alternative tax regime, you may also avoid certain adverse tax consequences relating to PFIC status discussed above by making a mark-to-market election with respect to your ordinary shares annually, provided that the shares are marketable. Shares will be marketable if they are regularly traded on certain U.S. stock exchanges (including NASDAQ) or on certain non-U.S. stock exchanges. For these purposes, the shares will generally be considered regularly traded during any calendar year during which they are traded, other than in negligible quantities, on at least fifteen days during each calendar quarter.
If you choose to make a mark-to-market election, you would recognize as ordinary income or loss each year an amount equal to the difference as of the close of the taxable year between the fair market value of the PFIC shares and your adjusted tax basis in the PFIC shares. Losses would be allowed only to the extent of net mark-to-market gain previously included by you under the election for prior taxable years. If the mark-to-market election were made, then the PFIC rules set forth above relating to excess distributions and realized gains would not apply for periods covered by the election. If you make a mark-to-market election after the beginning of your holding period of our ordinary shares, you would be subject to interest charges with respect to the inclusion of ordinary income attributable to the period before the effective date of such election.
Under certain circumstances, ordinary shares owned by a Non-U.S. Holder may be attributed to a U.S. person owning an interest, directly or indirectly, in the Non-U.S. Holder. In this event, distributions and other transactions in respect of such ordinary shares may be treated as excess distributions with respect to such U.S. person, and a QEF election may be made by such U.S. person with respect to its indirect interest in us, subject to the discussion in the preceding paragraphs.
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We may invest in stock of non-U.S. corporations that are PFICs. In such a case, provided that we are classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder would be treated as owning its pro rata share of the stock of the PFIC owned by us. Such a U.S. Holder would be subject to the rules generally applicable to shareholders of PFICs discussed above with respect to distributions received by us from such a PFIC and dispositions by us of the stock of such a PFIC (even though the U.S. Holder may not have received the proceeds of such distribution or disposition). Assuming we receive the necessary information from the PFIC in which we own stock, certain U.S. Holders may make the QEF election discussed above with respect to the stock of the PFIC owned by us, with the consequences discussed above. However, no assurance can be given that we will be able to provide U.S. Holders with such information.
If we were a PFIC, a holder of ordinary shares that is a U.S. Holder must file United States Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 for each tax year in which the U.S. Holder owns the ordinary shares.
You should consult your own tax advisor regarding our potential status as a PFIC and the tax consequences that would arise if we were treated as a PFIC.
Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting Requirements
United States backup withholding tax and information reporting requirements generally apply to certain payments to certain non-corporate holders of stock. Information reporting generally will apply to payments of dividends on, and to proceeds from the sale or redemption of, ordinary shares made within the United States, or by a United States payor or United States middleman, to a holder of ordinary shares, other than an exempt recipient (including a corporation, a payee that is not a United States person that provides an appropriate certification and certain other persons). A payor will be required to withhold backup withholding tax from any payments of dividends on, or the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, ordinary shares within the United States, or by a United States payor or United States middleman, to a holder, other than an exempt recipient, if such holder fails to furnish its correct taxpayer identification number or otherwise fails to comply with, or establish an exemption from, such backup withholding tax requirements. The backup withholding tax rate is 28.0% for years through 2010.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or credit against the beneficial owners United States federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
The above description is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of all tax consequences relating to acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares. You should consult your tax advisor concerning the tax consequences of your particular situation.
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F. | Dividends and Paying Agents |
Not applicable.
G. | Statement by Experts |
Not applicable.
H. | Documents on Display |
We are currently subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, generally referred to as the Exchange Act, and file periodic reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission through its electronic data gathering, analysis and retrieval (EDGAR) system. Our securities filings, including this annual report and the exhibits thereto, are available for inspection and copying at the public reference facilities of the Securities and Exchange Commission located at Room 1580, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the Securities and Exchange Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The Commission also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov from which certain filings may be accessed.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act relating to the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will be exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission as frequently or as promptly as United States companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.
I. | Subsidiary Information |
Not applicable.
Market risk is the risk of loss related to changes in market prices, including interest rates and foreign exchange rates, of financial instruments that may adversely impact our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
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We do not have any long-term borrowings. We have a significant amount of cash that is currently invested primarily in interest bearing investment such as bank time deposits, money market funds, ARS and as of the beginning of 2009, also U.S. government treasury bills. These investments expose us to the changes in interest rates. If interest rates further decline, our results of operations may be adversely affected due to lower interest income from these investments. See ITEM 3: Key InformationRisk FactorsWe have invested a substantial portion of our cash in auction-rate securities, which subjects us to liquidity and investment risk. Due to uncertainties in the capital markets regarding auction-rate securities, we recorded impairment charges in 2007 and 2008, and, if the fair value of these investments were to decline further, we could be required to record further impairment charges related to these investments and We may receive much lower interest income on our interest bearing investments and suffer from losses due to the macro economic situation that may cause interest rates to remain at their current low level or further decline and ITEM 5: Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsOperating ResultsOverviewFinancial income (expenses), net for further information regarding our investments in auction rate securities. The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while maximizing the income that we receive from our investments without significantly increasing risk and loss. Our investments are exposed to market risk due to fluctuation in interest rates, which may affect our interest income and the fair market value of our investments. We manage this exposure by performing ongoing evaluations of our investments. Due to the short and medium-term maturities of our investments to date, their carrying value approximates the fair value. We generally hold investments to maturity in order to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations.
Our foreign currency exposures give rise to market risk associated with exchange rate movements of the U.S. dollar, our functional and reporting currency, mainly against the shekel. In 2008, we derived our revenues principally in U.S. dollars. Although a substantial part of our expenses were denominated in U.S. dollars, a significant portion of our expenses were denominated in shekels and to a lesser extent in euros and other Asian currencies. Our shekel-denominated expenses consist principally of salaries and related personnel expenses. We monitor foreign currency exposure and, from time to time, may use various instruments to preserve the value of sales transactions and commitments; however, this cannot assure our protection against risks of currency fluctuations. For more information regarding foreign currency related risks, please refer to General Business Risks Relating to Our Business and Market.
We anticipate that a material portion of our expenses will continue to be denominated in shekels.
We use currency forward contracts together with currency options primarily to hedge payments in NIS. These transactions constitute a future cash flow hedge. As of December 31, 2008, we had outstanding forward contracts in the amount of $16.2 million. In addition, we had an outstanding option contract of $0.8 million. These transactions were for a period of up to twelve months. As of December 31, 2008, the fair value of the above mentioned foreign currency derivative contracts was $0.7 million.
Not applicable.
None.
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ITEM 14: Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceed
A. | Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders |
None.
E. | Use of Proceeds |
The effective date of the registration statement (file no. 333-138313) for our initial public offering of ordinary shares, par value NIS 0.10, was November 15, 2006. The offering commenced on November 15, 2006 and terminated after the sale of all the securities registered. Lehman Brothers Inc. acted as the sole book-running manager for the offering, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. acted as co-lead manager and, CIBC World Markets Corp. and RBC Capital Markets Corporation acted as co-managers. We registered 6,500,000 ordinary shares in the offering. We sold 6,500,000 ordinary shares at an aggregate offering price of $78 million at a price per share of $12.00. Under the terms of the offering, we incurred aggregate underwriting discounts of $5.5 million. We also incurred expenses of $2 million in connection with the offering. The net proceeds that we received as a result of the offering were $70.5 million.
From the effective date of the registration statement and until December 31, 2008, the net proceeds had been invested in cash equivalents, marketable securities, capital expenditure and other corporate purposes.
None of the net proceeds of the offering was paid directly or indirectly to any director, officer, general partner of ours or to their associates, persons owning ten percent or more of any class of our equity securities, or to any of our affiliates.
(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2008. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2008, we have in place effective controls and procedures designed to ensure that information disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms.
(b) Managements Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
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| pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; |
| provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; |
| provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
Our management recognizes that there are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or override of internal control. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation, and may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Our management has concluded, based on its assessment, that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Companys registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Managements report was not subject to attestation by the Companys registered public accounting firm pursuant to the temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only managements report in this annual report. Our financial statements have been audited by Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kasierer (a Member of Ernst & Young Global), an independent registered public accounting firm.
(c) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. During the period covered by this report, no material changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) have occurred that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
The board of directors has determined that Nurit Benjamini is the financial expert serving on its audit committee and that Ms. Benjamini is independent under the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market.
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We have adopted a code of ethics applicable to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, controller and persons performing similar functions. This code has been posted on our website, www.allot.com.
The following table sets forth, for each of the years indicated, the fees billed by our independent registered public accounting firm.
Year ended December, 31, | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007 |
2008 | |||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||
Audit Fees(1) | $ | 265 | $ | 139 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees(2) | 15 | 40 | ||||||
Tax Fees(3) | 29 | 35 | ||||||
All Other Fees(4) | 25 | 49 | ||||||
Total | $ | 334 | $ | 263 | ||||
(1) | Audit fees include fees for services performed by our independent public accounting firm in connection with our annual audit for 2007 and 2008 (including the audit required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for 2007), certain procedures regarding our quarterly financial results submitted on Form 6-K and consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting standards. |
(2) | Audit-Related fees include fees for the performance of due diligence investigations. |
(3) | Tax fees include fees for professional services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm for tax compliance and tax advice on actual or contemplated transactions. |
(4) | Other fees include fees for services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm with respect to government incentives. |
Our audit committee pre-approved all audit and non-audit services provided to us and to our subsidiaries during the periods listed above.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
None.
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As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5615(a)(3) to follow Israeli corporate governance practices instead of the NASDAQ Global Market requirements, provided we disclose which requirements we are not following and the equivalent Israeli requirement. We must also provide NASDAQ with a letter from outside counsel in our home country, Israel, certifying that our corporate governance practices are not prohibited by Israeli law.
We rely on this foreign private issuer exemption with respect to the following items:
| We follow the requirements of Israeli law with respect to the quorum requirement for meetings of our shareholders, which are different from the requirements of Rule 5620(c). Under our articles of association, the quorum required for an ordinary meeting of shareholders consists of at least two shareholders present in person, by proxy or by written ballot, who hold or represent between them at least 25% of the voting power of our shares, instead of 33 1/3% of the issued share capital provided by under the NASDAQ Global Market requirements. This quorum requirement is based on the default requirement set forth in the Israeli Companies Law, 1999, or the Companies Law. We submitted a letter from our outside counsel in connection with this item prior to our initial public offering in November 2006. |
| We do not seek shareholder approval for equity compensation plans in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Law, which does not fully reflect the requirements of Rule 5635(c). Under Israeli law, we may amend our 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan by the approval of our board of directors, and without shareholder approval as is generally required under Rule 5635(c). Under Israeli law, the adoption and amendment of equity compensation plans, including changes to the reserved shares, do not require shareholder approval. We submitted a letter from our outside counsel in connection with this item in June 2008. |
We otherwise comply with the NASDAQ Global Market rules requiring that listed companies have a majority of independent directors and maintain a compensation and nominating committee composed entirely of independent directors. We are also subject to Israeli corporate governance requirements applicable to companies incorporated in Israel whose securities are listed for trading on a stock exchange outside of Israel.
We may in the future provide NASDAQ with an additional letter or letters notifying NASDAQ that we are following our home country practices, consistent with the Israeli Companies Law and practices, in lieu of other requirements of Rule 5600.
Not applicable.
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See Financial Statements included at the end of this report.
See exhibit index incorporated herein by reference.
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The registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Allot Communications Ltd. By: /s/ Rami Hadar Rami Hadar Chief Executive Officer and President |
Dated: May 7, 2009
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Number | Description |
1.1 | Articles of Association of the Registrant (1) |
1.2 | Certificate of Name Change (1) |
2.1 | Specimen share certificate (1) |
2.2 | Second Amended and Restated Investors Rights Agreement, dated October 26, 2006, by and among the parties thereto and the Registrant (1) |
3.1 | Escrow Agreement, dated January 28, 1998 by and among Yigal Jacoby, Ravillan Benzur & Co., Law Offices and the Registrant; Escrow Letter of Resignation and Appointment, dated January 31, 2004 by and among Yigal Jacoby, Yolovelsky, Dinstein, Sneh & Co. and the Registrant; and Assignment of Escrow Agreement, dated May 21, 2006 by and among Yodan Trust Company Ltd., Oro Trust Company Ltd., Yigal Jacoby and the Registrant (1) |
3.2 | Addendum, dated October 26, 2006, to Escrow Agreement, dated January 28, 1998, by and between Yigal Jacoby and the Registrant (1) |
3.3 | Addendum, dated November 13, 2008, to Escrow Agreement, dated January 28, 1998, by and between Yigal Jacoby and the Registrant |
4.1 | Share Purchase Agreement, dated May 18, 2006, by and among the parties thereto and the Registrant (1) |
4.2 | Non-Competition Agreement, dated August 24, 2004, by and among Odem Rotem Holdings Ltd., Yigal Jacoby and the Registrant (1) |
4.3 | Experteam Training Services Proposal, dated as of March 2006, by Experteam to the Registrant (1) |
4.4 | Warrant to Purchase Series C-1 Shares, dated November 27, 2001, by and between the Company and Yigal Jacoby (1) |
4.5 | Manufacturing Agreement, dated September 4, 2002, by and between R.H. Electronics Ltd. and the Registrant* (1) |
4.6 | Non-Stabilized Lease Agreement, dated February 13, 2006, by and among, Aderet Hod Hasharon Ltd., Miritz, Inc., Leah and Israel Ruben Assets Ltd., Tamar and Moshe Cohen Assets Ltd., Drish Assets Ltd., S. L. A. A. Assets and Consulting Ltd., Iris Katz Ltd., Y. A. Groder Investments Ltd., Ginotel Hod Hasharon 2000 Ltd. and Allot Communications Ltd. (1) |
4.7 | Key Employees of Subsidiaries and Consultants Share Incentive Plan (1997) (1) |
4.8 | Key Employees Share Incentive Plan (1997) (1) |
4.9 | Key Employees Share Incentive Plan (2003) (1) |
4.10 | 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan |
4.11 | Manufacturing Agreement, dated July 19, 2007, by and between Flextronics (Israel) Ltd. and the Registrant* (3) |
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Number | Description |
4.12 | Agreement relating to the sale and purchase of the Business and Assets dated January 1, 2008 by and between Esphion Limited and the Registrant(4) |
8.1 | List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant |
11.1 | Code of Ethics (2) |
12.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) (Section 302 Certifications) |
12.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) (Section 302 Certifications) |
13.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) and Rule 15d-14(b) (Section 906 Certifications) (4) |
14.1 | Consent of Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer |
(1) | Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2006 pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-138313) and incorporated by reference herein. |
(2) | Previously filled with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2008 on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein. |
(3) | Previously filled with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2008 on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein. |
(4) | This document was furnished in accordance with SEC Release Nos. 33-8212 and 34-47551. |
* | Portions of this exhibit were omitted and have been filed separately with the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Registrants application requesting confidential treatment under Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act. |
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Page | |
---|---|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F - 2 |
Consolidated Balance Sheets | F - 3 - F - 4 |
Consolidated Statements of Operations | F - 5 |
Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity | F - 6 |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | F - 7 - F - 8 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | F - 9 - F - 36 |
Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer 3 Aminadav St. Tel-Aviv 67067, Israel Tel: 972 (3)6232525 Fax: 972 (3)5622555 www.ey.com/il |
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Allot Communications Ltd. (the Company) and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer | |
Tel-Aviv, Israel | KOST FORER GABBAY & KASIERER |
May 7, 2009 | A Member of Ernst & Young Global |
F - 2
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
December 31, | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 40,029 | $ | 28,101 | ||||
Restricted deposit | 1,058 | - | ||||||
Short-term bank deposit | 1,063 | 62 | ||||||
Marketable securities | - | 7,243 | ||||||
Trade receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $ 180 and $ 49 at | ||||||||
December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively) | 6,163 | 6,122 | ||||||
Other receivables and prepaid expenses | 1,959 | 3,799 | ||||||
Inventories | 4,259 | 4,215 | ||||||
Total current assets | 54,531 | 49,542 | ||||||
LONG-TERM ASSETS: | ||||||||
Marketable securities | 15,319 | 35,371 | ||||||
Severance pay fund | 3,402 | 3,302 | ||||||
Deferred taxes | 365 | 264 | ||||||
Other assets | 509 | 744 | ||||||
Total long-term assets | 19,595 | 39,681 | ||||||
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET | 4,970 | 5,193 | ||||||
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET | 3,755 | 239 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 82,851 | $ | 94,655 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F - 3
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
December 31, | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 | |||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
Trade Payables | $ | 2,902 | $ | 3,409 | ||||
Employees and payroll accruals | 3,324 | 3,590 | ||||||
Deferred revenues | 4,475 | 3,968 | ||||||
Other payables and accrued expenses | 3,142 | 1,924 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 13,843 | 12,891 | ||||||
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
Deferred revenues | 2,293 | 1,404 | ||||||
Accrued severance pay | 3,536 | 3,175 | ||||||
Total long-term liabilities | 5,829 | 4,579 | ||||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: | ||||||||
Share capital - | ||||||||
Ordinary shares of NIS 0.1 par value - Authorized: 200,000,000 shares at | ||||||||
December 31, 2008 and 2007; Issued: 22,313,596 and 22,254,728 shares at | ||||||||
December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively; Outstanding: 22,067,117 and | ||||||||
22,008,249 shares at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively | 482 | 480 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 125,703 | 123,913 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive Income | 697 | - | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (63,703 | ) | (47,208 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders' equity | 63,179 | 77,185 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 82,851 | $ | 94,655 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F - 4
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 | |||||||||
Revenues: | |||||||||||
Products | $ | 27,121 | $ | 25,073 | $ | 28,756 | |||||
Services | 9,980 | 7,429 | 5,388 | ||||||||
Total revenues | 37,101 | 32,502 | 34,144 | ||||||||
Cost of revenues: | |||||||||||
Products | 8,198 | 6,603 | 6,435 | ||||||||
Services | 1,498 | 1,416 | 1,162 | ||||||||
Total cost of revenues | 9,696 | 8,019 | 7,597 | ||||||||
Gross profit | 27,405 | 24,483 | 26,547 | ||||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||
Research and development, net | 11,964 | 9,384 | 7,529 | ||||||||
Sales and marketing | 19,781 | 18,081 | 15,457 | ||||||||
General and administrative | 6,174 | 5,583 | 3,464 | ||||||||
In-process research and development | 244 | - | - | ||||||||
Total operating expenses | 38,163 | 33,048 | 26,450 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) | (10,758 | ) | (8,565 | ) | 97 | ||||||
Financial and other income (expenses), net | (5,517 | ) | (845 | ) | 630 | ||||||
Income (loss) before income tax expenses (benefit) | (16,275 | ) | (9,410 | ) | 727 | ||||||
Income tax expenses | 220 | 530 | 111 | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (16,495 | ) | $ | (9,940 | ) | $ | 616 | |||
Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per share | $ | (0.75 | ) | $ | (0.46 | ) | $ | 0.04 | |||
Weighted average number of shares used in computing basic net | |||||||||||
earnings (loss) per share | 22,054,211 | 21,525,822 | 14,402,338 | ||||||||
Weighted average number of shares used in computing diluted net | |||||||||||
earnings (loss) per share | 22,054,211 | 21,525,822 | 16,423,227 | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F - 5
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data |
Ordinary shares |
Convertible Preferred shares |
Additional paid-in Capital |
Deferred stock compensation |
Accumulated other comprehensive (Loss) income |
Accumulated deficit |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shares |
Amount |
Shares |
Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2006 | 2,724,087 | $ | 32 | 4,357,769 | $ | 103 | $ | 43,972 | $ | (75 | ) | $ | (22 | ) | $ | (37,884 | ) | $ | 6,126 | ||||||||||
Issuance of share capital (net of expenses of $ 68) | - | - | 452,157 | 10 | 5,422 | - | - | - | 5,432 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants and employee stock options | 488,027 | 9 | - | - | 85 | - | - | - | 94 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation related to warrants and options granted to non-employees | - | - | - | - | 635 | - | - | - | 635 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of stock-based compensation | - | - | - | - | 685 | 41 | - | - | 726 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities | - | - | - | - | - | - | (14 | ) | - | (14 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Tax benefit related to exercise of stock options | - | - | - | - | 99 | - | - | - | 99 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Share dividend | 342,588 | 8 | 6,131,170 | 139 | (147 | ) | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of share capital upon Initial Public Offering, net of expenses of $ 7,527 | 6,500,000 | 150 | - | 70,323 | - | - | - | 70,473 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of Convertible Preferred Shares | 11,177,588 | 257 | (10,941,096 | ) | (252 | ) | (5 | ) | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
Net income | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 616 | 616 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2006 | 21,232,290 | 456 | - | - | 121,069 | (34 | ) | (36 | ) | (37,268 | ) | 84,187 | |||||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants and employee stock options and repayment of non-recourse loan | 1,022,438 | 24 | - | - | 1,448 | - | - | - | 1,472 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses related to issuance of share capita upon Initial Public Offering | - | - | - | - | (58 | ) | - | - | - | (58 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Compensation related to options granted to non-employees | - | - | - | - | (172 | ) | - | - | - | (172 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation related to options granted to employees | - | - | - | - | 1,499 | 34 | - | - | 1,533 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Realized loss on available-for-sale securities | - | - | - | - | - | - | 36 | - | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tax benefit related to exercise of stock options | - | - | - | - | 127 | - | - | - | 127 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | (9,940 | ) | (9,940 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2007 | 22,254,728 | 480 | - | - | 123,913 | - | - | (47,208 | ) | 77,185 | |||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants and employee stock options | 58,868 | 2 | - | - | 88 | - | - | - | 90 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation related to options granted to non-employees | - | - | - | - | (198 | ) | - | - | - | (198 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation related to options granted to employees | - | - | - | - | 1,900 | - | - | - | 1,900 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain on hedging derivative instruments | - | - | - | - | - | - | 697 | - | 697 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | (16,495 | ) | (16,495 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2008 | 22,313,596 | $ | 482 | - | $ | - | $ | 125,703 | $ | - | $ | 697 | $ | (63,703 | ) | $ | 63,179 | ||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F - 6
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 | |||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (16,495 | ) | $ | (9,940 | ) | $ | 616 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by | |||||||||||
(used in) operating activities: | |||||||||||
Depreciation | 1,988 | 1,486 | 893 | ||||||||
Stock-based compensation related to options granted to employees | |||||||||||
and non-employees | 1,702 | 1,361 | 1,361 | ||||||||
In-process research and development | 244 | - | - | ||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 119 | - | 24 | ||||||||
Capital loss | 3 | 2 | - | ||||||||
Decrease (increase) accrued severance pay, net | 261 | 144 | (75 | ) | |||||||
Decrease (increase) in other assets | 235 | 19 | (659 | ) | |||||||
Accrued interest on marketable securities | (27 | ) | (82 | ) | (223 | ) | |||||
Decrease in other long-term liabilities | - | (228 | ) | - | |||||||
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables | 20 | (1,944 | ) | (648 | ) | ||||||
Decrease (increase) in other receivables and prepaid expenses | 2,564 | (1,795 | ) | (1,042 | ) | ||||||
Increase in inventories | (44 | ) | (1,154 | ) | (1,915 | ) | |||||
Decrease (increase) in long-term deferred taxes | (101 | ) | 102 | (90 | ) | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in trade payables | (507 | ) | (1,006 | ) | 2,122 | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in employees and payroll accruals | (266 | ) | 980 | 938 | |||||||
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues | 1,396 | 1,684 | (531 | ) | |||||||
Increase (decrease) in other payables and accrued expenses | 1,032 | (211 | ) | 560 | |||||||
Amortization of premium on marketable securities | - | 38 | 46 | ||||||||
Other than temporary loss on marketable securities, net | 7,700 | 4,881 | - | ||||||||
Interest on short-term bank deposit | - | (3 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (176 | ) | (5,666 | ) | 1,376 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||
Cash paid in connection with the acquisition of Esphion | (3,802 | ) | - | - | |||||||
Increase in restricted deposit | (1,058 | ) | - | - | |||||||
Decrease (increase) in short-term deposits | (1,001 | ) | - | 62 | |||||||
Purchase of property and equipment | (1,720 | ) | (3,466 | ) | (2,210 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | - | - | 4 | ||||||||
Investment in marketable securities | - | (87,134 | ) | (104,118 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from redemption or sale of marketable securities | 19,595 | 115,751 | 32,525 | ||||||||
Investment in severance pay fund | - | - | (271 | ) | |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 12,014 | 25,151 | (74,008 | ) | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F - 7
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 | |||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||
Issuance of share capital upon initial public offering | - | - | 70,473 | ||||||||
Bank credit (repayment) | - | (6 | ) | 6 | |||||||
Exercise of warrants and employee stock options and repayment of | |||||||||||
non-recourse loan | 90 | 1,436 | 94 | ||||||||
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation | - | 127 | 67 | ||||||||
Expenses related to issuance of share capital upon Initial Public | |||||||||||
offering | - | (58 | ) | - | |||||||
Issuance of share capital, net | - | - | 5,432 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 90 | 1,499 | 76,072 | ||||||||
Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 11,928 | 20,984 | 3,440 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year | 28,101 | 7,117 | 3,677 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year | $ | 40,029 | $ | 28,101 | $ | 7,117 | |||||
Supplementary cash flow information: | |||||||||||
(a) Non-cash activities: | |||||||||||
Exercise of options on account of other receivables | $ | - | $ | 36 | $ | - | |||||
Increase in goodwill on account of earn out included in | |||||||||||
other liabilities and accrued expenses | $ | 186 | $ | 140 | $ | - | |||||
(b) Cash paid during the year for: | |||||||||||
Interest | $ | 12 | $ | 1 | $ | 3 | |||||
Taxes | $ | 69 | $ | 69 | $ | 184 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F - 8
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 1: | - | GENERAL |
Allot Communications Ltd. (the Company) was incorporated in November 1996 under the laws of the State of Israel. The Company is engaged in developing, selling and marketing broadband service optimization solutions using advanced deep packet inspection, or DPI, technology. The solutions provide broadband service providers and enterprises with real-time, highly granular visibility into, and control of, network traffic, and enable them to efficiently and effectively manage and optimize their networks. The Companys solutions are used to create policies to monitor network applications, enforce quality of service policies that guarantee mission-critical application performance, mitigate security risks and leverage network infrastructure investments. The Companys products consist of the Service Gateway and NetEnforcer traffic management systems, the NetXplorer and Subscribe Management Platform application management suites and the Service Protector network protection solution. The products are also used by service providers to offer subscriber-based and application-based tiered services that enable them to optimize their service offerings. On November 16, 2006, trading in the Companys ordinary shares commenced on the NASDAQ Stock Market. |
The Company holds six wholly-owned subsidiaries (the Company together with said subsidiaries shall collectively be referred to as Allot): Allot Communications, Inc. in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United-States (the U.S. subsidiary), which was incorporated in 1997 under the laws of the State of California, Allot Communication Europe SARL in Sophia, France (the European subsidiary), which was incorporated in 1998 under the laws of France, Allot Communications Japan K.K. in Tokyo, Japan (the Japanese subsidiary), which was incorporated in 2004 under the laws of Japan, Allot Communication (UK) Limited (the UK subsidiary), which was incorporated in 2006 under the laws of England and Wales, Allot Communications (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd. (the Singaporean subsidiary), which was incorporated in 2006 under the laws of Singapore, Allot Communications New Zealand Limited. (the NZ subsidiary), which was incorporated in 2007 under the laws of New Zealand. |
The U.S. subsidiary commenced operations in 1997. It engages in the sale, marketing and technical support services in the Americas of products manufactured and imported by the Company. The European, Japanese, UK and Singaporean subsidiaries are engaged in marketing and technical support services of the Companys products in Europe, Japan UK and Asia Pacific, respectively. The NZ subsidiary commenced its operations in 2008 and is engaged in the research and development activities related to the Service Protector and technical support services for this product. |
During 2006, approximately 20% of Allots revenues derived from a single customer. During 2008 and 2007, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Companys revenues. |
Allot currently depends on two subcontractors to manufacture and provide hardware warranty support for its traffic management systems. If they experiences delays, disruptions, quality control problem or a loss in capacity, it could materially adversely affect Allots operating results (see also Note 9d). Certain components for the Service Gateway and NetEnforcer traffic management systems come from single or limited sources, and Allot could lose sales if these sources fail to satisfy its supply requirements. |
F - 9
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 2: | - | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). |
a. | Use of estimates: |
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements, in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from such estimates. |
b. | Financial statements in U.S. dollars: |
The majority of the revenues of the Company and its subsidiaries are generated in U.S. dollars (dollar) or linked to the dollar. In addition, a major portion of the Companys and certain of its subsidiaries costs are incurred or determined in dollars. The Companys management believes that the dollar is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate. Thus, the functional and reporting currency of the Company and its subsidiaries is the dollar. |
Accordingly, monetary accounts maintained in currencies other than the dollar are remeasured into U.S. dollars in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation. All transactions gains and losses from the remeasurement of monetary balance sheet items are reflected in the statements of operations as financial income or expenses as appropriate. |
c. | Principles of consolidation: |
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. |
d. | Cash and cash equivalents: |
Allot considers all unrestricted highly liquid investments which are readily convertible into cash with maturity of three months or less, at the date of acquisition, to be cash equivalents. |
e. | Restricted deposit: |
Restricted deposit is mainly held in favor of financial institutions and towards fulfillments of forward contract obligations. |
f. | Short-term deposit: |
A short-term bank deposit is a deposit with a maturity of more than three months but less than one year. The deposit is in dollars and bears interest at annual weighted average rate of 2.4% and 4.9% at December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively. The short-term deposit is presented at cost, including accrued interest. |
F - 10
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 2: | - | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
g. | Marketable securities: |
The Company accounts for its investments in marketable securities using Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (SFAS No. 115). |
The Companys management determines the appropriate classification of marketable securities at the time of purchase and evaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. The Company classifies all of its marketable securities as available for sale. Available for sale securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders equity. Realized gains and losses on sale of investments are included in earnings and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities. Capital gains were presented net of impairment for the year ended December 31, 2008. The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization together with interest and dividends on securities are included in financial income, net. |
In accordance with the Companys policy and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB) Staff Position (FSP) Nos. SFAS 115-1 (FSP No. 115-1) and SFAS No. 124-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments, and SEC staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5M Other Than Temporary Impairment of Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, the Company recognizes an impairment charge when a decline in the fair value of its investments below the cost basis is judged to be other than temporary. The Company considers various factors in determining whether to recognize an impairment charge, including the Companys intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the cost basis, the credit ratings of the securities and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuers. During 2008 and 2007, an other than temporary net impairment on marketable securities of $ 7,700 and $ 4,881 was recorded, respectively. (See also Note 4) |
As of December 31, 2008, the Company held marketable securities in U.S. dollars in the United States, which were classified as available-for-sale. The balance was composed of Auction Rate Securities (ARS). The ARS bear interest at rates ranging from 3.99% to 4.57% per annum. |
h. | Inventories: |
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Inventory write-offs are provided to cover risks arising from slow moving items or technological obsolescence for which recoverability is not probable. Inventory write-offs due to slow moving items and technological obsolescence totaled $ 234, $ 175 and $ 289 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. |
Cost is determined as follows: |
Raw materials using the first in, first out (FIFO) cost method. |
Finished goods on the basis of raw materials, manufacturing cost and allocable indirect cost. |
F - 11
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 2: | - | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
i. | Property and equipment: |
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets at the following annual rates: |
% | ||
---|---|---|
Lab equipment | 25-33 | |
Computers and peripheral equipment | 15-33 | |
Office furniture | 6-15 | |
Leasehold improvements | By the shorter of term of the lease | |
or the useful life of the asset |
j. | Goodwill and intangible assets: |
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets of purchased businesses is recorded as goodwill. Under Statement of Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (SFAS No. 142) goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are tested for impairment annually, or more often if there are indicators to impairment present. |
The Company performs annual impairment analysis of goodwill as of December 31 of each year, or more often as applicable. The provisions of SFAS No. 142 require that a two-step impairment test be performed on goodwill at the level of the reporting units. In the first step, or Step 1, the Company compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value of the net assets, goodwill is considered not impaired, and no further testing is required to be performed. If the carrying value of the net assets exceeds the fair value, then the Company must perform the second step, or Step 2, of the impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then the Company would record an impairment loss equal to the difference. |
The Company believes that their business activity and management structure meet the criterion of being a single reporting unit for accounting purposes. In Step 1 test the Company has estimated the fair value as of December 31, 2008 using a third party valuation study. The estimated fair value was based on an average of two valuation results using two different approaches that the Company believes are the most applicable approaches at the valuation time; the income approach using discounted cash flow method (DCF) and the market approach using guideline company method. Developing estimates of fair value, under the methods used, requires significant judgments, including but not limited to making assumptions about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates, relevant comparable market multiples and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The cash flows employed in the valuation analysis are based on managements best estimates at the time of the valuation process, considering existing marketplace factors and risks as well as assumptions of growth rates, profitability capital investments required to support the business in future years and others. There is no assurance that actual results in the future will approximate these forecasts, hence the conclusion with regard to the goodwill impairment may differ accordingly. Based on the results of this valuation study the Company determined that the goodwill was not impaired. |
F - 12
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 2: | - | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
Additionally, the Company evaluated the reasonableness of the estimated fair value by reconciling to its market capitalization. The reconciliation of the gap between the market capitalization and the estimated fair value depends on various factors, some of which are qualitative and involve management judgment. Factors taken into account were primarily, the stock price and its behavior, its trading volume, recent events that could have a substantial impact on the stock price, comparable companies performance, analysts expectations, estimated control premium that an investor would be willing to pay for a controlling interest in the Company, primarily based on recent transactions and others. As currently, the market capitalization is similar to its value as of December 31, 2008, the Company will continue to monitor the market capitalization and perform impairment testing if deemed necessary. |
k. | Impairment of long-lived assets: |
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (SFAS No. 144), whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. As of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, no impairment loss was recorded. |
l. | Revenue recognition: |
Allot generates revenues mainly from the sale of hardware and software products along with related maintenance and support services. Allot sells its products mostly through resellers, distributors, OEMs, system integrators and value added resellers, all of whom are considered end-customers from Allots perspective. |
The software components of Allots products are deemed to be more than incidental to the products as a whole, in accordance with Statement of Position 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition (SOP 97-2) and EITF 03-5, Applicability of AICPA Statement of Position 97-2 to Non-Software Deliverables in an Arrangement Containing More-Than-Incidental Software. Therefore, Allot accounts for its product sales in accordance with SOP 97-2. Revenues from product sales are recognized when persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery of the product has occurred, no significant obligations with regard to implementation remain, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is probable. |
SOP 97-2 generally requires revenue earned on software arrangements involving multiple elements to be allocated to each element based on the relative objective fair value of the elements. Allot has adopted Statement of Position 98-9, Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition with Respect to Certain Transactions (SOP 98-9). According to SOP 98-9, revenues should be allocated to the different elements in the arrangement under the residual method when Vendor Specific Objective Evidence (VSOE) of fair value exists for all undelivered elements and no VSOE exists for the delivered elements. Under the residual method, at the outset of the arrangement with a customer, Allot defers revenue for the fair value of its undelivered elements (maintenance and support) and recognizes revenue for the remainder of the arrangement fee attributable to the elements initially delivered in the arrangement (hardware and software products) when all other criteria in SOP 97-2 have been met. Any discount in the arrangement is allocated to the delivered element. If sufficient VSOE does not exist for all undelivered elements, revenue is deferred for the entire arrangement until all revenue recognition criteria are met for such undelivered elements. |
F - 13
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 2: | - | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
Maintenance and support revenue included in multiple element arrangements is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the applicable maintenance and support agreement. The VSOE of fair value of the maintenance and support services is determined based on the price charged when sold separately. Deferred revenues are classified as short and long terms and recognized as revenues at the time respective elements are provided. |
The Company provides a provision for product returns and stock rotation based on their experience with historical sales returns, stock rotations and other known factors, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 48, Revenues Recognition When Right of Return Exists (SFAS No. 48). |
Allot grants a one-year hardware warranty and three-month software warranty on all of its products. Allot estimates the costs that may be incurred under its warranty arrangements and records a liability in the amount of such costs at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect Allots warranty liability include the number of installed units, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims and cost per claim. Allot periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary. |
m. | Research and development costs: |
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 86, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed, requires capitalization of certain software development costs subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility. |
Based on Allots product development process, technological feasibility is established upon the completion of a working model. Allot does not incur material costs between the completion of a working model and the point at which the products are ready for general release. Therefore, research and development costs are charged to the statement of operations as incurred. |
n. | Severance pay: |
The Companys liability for severance pay for its Israeli employees is calculated pursuant to Israels Severance Pay Law, based on the most recent monthly salary of its employees multiplied by the number of years of employment as of the balance sheet date for such employees. The Companys liability is partly provided by monthly deposits with severance pay funds and insurance policies and the remainder by an accrual. |
The deposited funds may be withdrawn only upon the fulfillment of the obligation pursuant to Israels Severance Pay law, labor agreements and/or applicable case law. The value of the deposited funds and insurance policies is based on the cash surrendered value and includes profits accumulated up to the balance sheet date. |
Severance expenses for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, amounted to approximately $ 957, $ 952 and $ 819, respectively. |
o. | Accounting for stock-based compensation: |
The Company accounts for stock based compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (SFAS No. 123(R)). SFAS No. 123(R) requires companies to estimate the fair value of equity-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite service periods in the Companys Consolidated Statement of Operations. |
F - 14
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 2: | - | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
The Company applies SFAS No. 123(R) and Emerging Issues Task Force No. 96-18, Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services (EITF No. 96-18), with respect to options and warrants issued to non-employees. Accordingly, option valuation models to measure the fair value of the options and warrants at the measurement date as defined in EITF No. 96-18. |
The Company recognizes compensation expenses for the value of its awards granted based on the straight-line method over the requisite service period of each of the awards, net of estimated forfeitures. SFAS No. 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of the grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. |
The following table sets forth the total stock-based compensation expense resulting from stock options granted to employees and non-employees included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006: |
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 | ||||||||||
Cost of revenues | $ | 50 | $ | 48 | $ | 15 | ||||||
Research and development expenses, net | 321 | 230 | 157 | |||||||||
Sales and marketing expenses | 465 | 340 | 650 | |||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 866 | 743 | 539 | |||||||||
Total stock-based compensation expense | $ | 1,702 | $ | 1,361 | $ | 1,361 | ||||||
The Company selected the binomial option pricing model as the most appropriate fair value method for its stock-based compensation awards (except for RSUs, which are valued based on the market value of the underlying share at the date of grant) with the following weighted-average assumptions for the year ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006: |
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 | ||||||||
Suboptimal exercise multiple | 2 - 3.6 | 2 - 3 | 2 - 3 | |||||||
Interest rate | 1.07% - 6.81% | 3.18% - 5.38% | 4.4% - 5.3% | |||||||
Volatility | 62% - 75% | 75% | 80% - 85% | |||||||
Dividend yield | 0% | 0% | 0% | |||||||
Weighted-average fair value at grant date | 2.46 | 8.57 | 4.37 |
The computation of expected volatility is based on the average of the Companys realized historical stock price volatility and certain peer companies that the Company considered to be comparable based on market capitalization and type of technology platform. The computation of the suboptimal exercise multiple and the forfeiture rates are based on the employees expected exercise prior and post vesting termination behavior. The interest rate for period within the contractual life of the award is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The Company currently has no plans to distribute dividends and intends to retain future earnings to finance the development of its business. |
p. | Concentration of credit risks: |
Financial instruments that potentially subject Allot to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted deposit, marketable securities, short-term deposits, trade receivables and hedging arrangements. |
F - 15
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 2: | - | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
The majority of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, marketable securities and short-term deposits of Allot are invested in dollar deposits in major U.S. and Israeli banks. Such deposits in the United States may be in excess of insured limits and are not insured in other jurisdictions. Generally, the cash and cash equivalent and short-term deposits may be redeemed upon demand, and therefore, bear minimal risk. |
Allots trade receivables are primarily derived from sales to distributors located mainly in the United States, Europe and Asia. Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited by credit limits, ongoing credit evaluation and account monitoring procedures. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts on a specific basis. Allowance for doubtful accounts amounted to $ 180 and $ 49 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. |
The Company has no significant off balance sheet concentration of credit risk, except for hedging arrangements to cover the currency exposure of the New Israeli Shekel (NIS) on identified cash flow items (see also Note 2u). |
q. | Royalty bearing grants: |
Participation grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor in Israel (OCS) for research and development activity are recognized at the time the Company is entitled to such grants on the basis of the costs incurred and included as a deduction of research and development costs. Research and development grants recognized amounted to $ 2,671, $ 2,371 and $ 1,811 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. |
r. | Income taxes: |
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS No. 109). SFAS No. 109 prescribes the use of the liability method, whereby deferred tax asset and liability account balances are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company provides a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to their estimated realizable value if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. |
Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainties in income taxes by establishing minimum standards for the recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Under the requirements of FIN 48, the Company must review all of its tax positions and make a determination as to whether its position is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by regulatory authorities. If a tax position meets the more-likelythan-not standard, then the related tax benefit is measured based on a cumulative probability analysis of the amount that is more-likely-than-not to be realized upon ultimate settlement or disposition of the underlying issue. As of January 1, 2007 there was no difference between the provisions of SFAS No. 5 and FIN 48 therefore no adjustment was recorded to the accumulated deficit. |
F - 16
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 2: | - | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
s. | Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per share: |
The Company accounts for earnings per share based on Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings per Share (SFAS No. 128). SFAS No. 128 requires companies to compute earnings per share under two different methods, basic and diluted earnings per share, and to disclose the methodology used for the calculations. Basic earnings per share are calculated using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding and the effect of dilutive potential shares of Ordinary shares considered outstanding during the period. |
For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, all outstanding options and warrants have been excluded from the calculation of the diluted loss per share since their effect was anti-dilutive. |
For the year ended December 31, 2006, the total number of shares related to outstanding options excluded from the calculation of diluted net earnings per share was 572,790, because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. |
t. | Fair value of financial instruments: |
The following methods and assumptions were used by Allot in estimating the fair value disclosures for financial instruments: |
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term deposits, trade receivables, other receivable, trade payables and other payables approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturities of such instruments. |
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS No. 157) and, effective October 10, 2008, adopted FSP No. SFAS No. 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active, except as it applies to the nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities subject to FSP No. 157-2. SFAS No. 157 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, SFAS No. 157 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value: |
Level 1 Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. |
Level 2 Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace. |
Level 3 Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity. |
The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. |
F - 17
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 2: | - | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
u. | Derivatives and hedging: |
The Company accounts for derivatives and hedging based on Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS No. 133), as amended and related Interpretations. SFAS No. 133 requires the Company to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. If a derivative meets the definition of a hedge and is so designated, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative will either be offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivatives change in fair value is recognized in earnings. If a derivative does not meet the definition of a hedge the changes in the fair value will be included in earnings. |
v. | Reclassification: |
Certain comparative numbers were reclassified in order to conform to the classification in the current year. |
w. | Impact of recently issued accounting standards: |
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 141R, Business Combinations, (SFAS No. 141R). SFAS No. 141R establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. SFAS No. 141R also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statement to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Accordingly, any business combinations the Company executes will be recorded and disclosed following existing GAAP until January 1, 2009. |
The Company expects that SFAS No. 141R will have an impact on its consolidated financial statements when effective, but the nature and magnitude of the specific effects will depend upon the nature, terms and size of the acquisitions it consummates after the effective date. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 141R to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. |
In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS No. 161) an amendment to SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 161 changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entitys financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Early application is encouraged. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 161 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. |
F - 18
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 2: | - | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (FSP No. 142-3). FSP No. 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. FSP No. 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect the adoption of FSP 142-3 will have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. |
In May 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (SFAS No. 162). SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP. It is effective 60 days following the SECs approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 162 on its financial statements, and the adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements. |
In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP EITF No. 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities (EITF No. 03-6-1). Under EITF No. 03-6-1, unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities, and should be included in the two-class method of computing EPS. EITF No. 03-6-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years, and is not expected to have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements. |
NOTE 3: | - | ACQUISITIONS |
On January 8, 2008, the Company completed an acquisition of the business of Esphion Limited, (Esphion) a New Zealand based, developer of network protection solutions for carriers and internet service providers. The total consideration including direct transaction costs for the acquisition was approximately $ 3,802, plus potential earn-outs based on performance milestones amounting to a maximum of an additional $ 2,000 payable through December 31, 2008. |
The total purchase price of Esphion was composed of the following: |
Cash paid | $ | 3,500 | ||||
Acquisition related transaction costs | 302 | |||||
Total | $ | 3,802 | ||||
Acquisition related transaction costs include investment banking fees, legal and accounting fees and other external costs directly related to the acquisition. |
F - 19
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 3: | | ACQUISITIONS (Cont.) |
As of December 31, 2008, Esphion met certain milestones in accordance with the acquisition agreement. Consequently, out of the maximum additional $ 2,000, the Company recorded an accrued liability of $ 186 and increased its goodwill accordingly. |
Purchase price allocation: |
Under business combination accounting, the total purchase price was allocated to Esphions net tangible and identifiable intangible assets based on their estimated fair values as set forth below. The excess of the purchase price over the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets was recorded as goodwill. |
Market value | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tangible assets: | ||||||
Current assets | $ | 61 | ||||
Property and equipment | 49 | |||||
Net tangible assets | 110 | |||||
Intangible assets: | ||||||
Core technology | 726 | |||||
In process research and development | 244 | |||||
Goodwill | 2,722 | |||||
Total assets acquired | $ | 3,802 | ||||
In performing the purchase price allocation, the Company considered, among other factors, the intention for future use of acquired assets, analyses of historical financial performance and estimates of future revenues to be generated from the Service Protector. The fair value of intangible assets was based on a valuation of a third party valuation firm using an income approach and estimates and assumptions provided by management. |
Core technology represents a combination of Esphion processes and patents related to the design and development of the Service Protector. This proprietary know-how can be leveraged to develop new technology and improve the Companys products (see also Note 8a). |
The Company expensed in-process research and development (IPR&D) in the amount of $ 244 upon acquisition as it represents incomplete Esphion research and development projects that had not reached technological feasibility and had no alternative future use as of the date of the acquisition. In accordance with FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 4 Applicability of FASB Statement No. 2 to Business Combination Accounted for by the Purchase Method. The value assigned to IPR&D was determined by considering the importance of the project to the Companys overall development plan, estimating costs to develop the purchased IPR&D into commercially viable products, estimating the resulting net cash flow from the project when completed and discounting the net cash flow to its present value based on the percentage of completion of the IPR&D projects. |
Pro forma information in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, Business Combinations (SFAS No. 141) has not been provided, since Esphions results for 2008, 2007 and 2006, were not material in relation to total consolidated revenues and net income (loss). |
F - 20
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 4: | | MARKETABLE SECURITIES |
The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities: |
December 31, 2008 |
December 31, 2007 |
||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carrying value |
Unrealized losses |
Market value |
Carrying value |
Unrealized losses |
Market value | ||||||||||||||||
Auction rate securities(*) | $ | 15,319 | $ | - | $ | 15,319 | $ | 35,371 | $ | - | $ | 35,371 | |||||||||
Corporate bonds | - | - | - | 7,243 | - | 7,243 | |||||||||||||||
Total securities | $ | 15,319 | $ | - | $ | 15,319 | $ | 42,614 | $ | - | $ | 42,614 | |||||||||
December 31, 2008 |
December 31, 2007 |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carrying Value |
Market value |
Carrying value |
Market value | ||||||||||||
Marketable securities with contractual | |||||||||||||||
maturities of less than one year | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 7,243 | $ | 7,243 | |||||||
Marketable securities with contractual | |||||||||||||||
maturities of more than one year | 15,319 | 15,319 | 35,371 | 35,371 | |||||||||||
Total securities | $ | 15,319 | $ | 15,319 | $ | 42,614 | $ | 42,614 | |||||||
(*) | Auction Rate Securities (ARS) held by the Company are private placement securities with long-term nominal maturities for which the interest rates are reset through a Dutch auction each month. The monthly auctions historically have provided a liquid market for these securities. The Companys investments in ARS represent interests in collateralized debt obligations supported by pools of residential and commercial mortgages or credit cards, insurance securitizations and other structured credits. |
The balance is comprised of auction rate securities, which suffer from failed auctions since September 2007. As a result of the auction failures, these ARS do not have a readily determinable market value. In 2008, for determining the fair values of these securities, the Company obtained a third party valuation (see also Note 5). |
The Company reviews various factors in determining whether it should recognize an impairment charge for its marketable securities, including its intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient for any anticipated recovery in market value, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than its cost basis, the credit ratings of the securities, the nature of underlying collateral, as applicable and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Based on the Companys consideration of these factors, the Company recognized in 2008 and 2007 an other-than-temporary net impairment in a total amount of $ 7,700 and $ 4,881, related to ARS, respectively. The Company may recognize additional losses in the future should the market prospects of the issuers of these securities continue to deteriorate. |
As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, interest receivable amounted to $ 27 and $ 333, respectively, and is included within other receivables in the balance sheets. |
F - 21
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 4: | | MARKETABLE SECURITIES (Cont.) |
Historically, given the liquidity created by the auctions, ARS were presented as current assets under marketable securities on the Companys balance sheet. As a result of the failed auctions, the Companys ARS are illiquid until there is a successful auction for them. Since there is uncertainty about the Companys ability to liquidate these ARS in a short time, the entire amount of such remaining ARS has been reclassified from current to non-current assets on the Companys balance sheet. In addition, during 2008, the Company redeemed at par value $ 12,352 and $ 7,243 ARS and corporate bonds, respectively. Following such redemption, the Company recorded capital gain of $ 5,346. The capital gain is presented in the Companys income statement net of other than temporary impairment. |
NOTE 5: | | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS |
In accordance with SFAS No. 157, the Company measures its cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term deposits, marketable securities and foreign currency derivative contracts at fair value. Cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term deposits, except for investments in marketable securities are classified within Level 1 or Level 2. This is because these assets are valued using quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs. Investments in marketable securities are classified within Level 3 because they are valued using valuation techniques. Some of the inputs to these models are unobservable in the market and are significant. |
The Company values the Level 3 investments based on an externally developed valuation using discounted cash flow model, whose inputs include interest rate curves, credit spreads, bond prices, volatilities and illiquidity considerations. Unobservable inputs used in these models are significant to the fair value of the investments. |
The Companys financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, excluding accrued interest components; consisted of the following types of instruments as of December 31, 2008: |
Fair value measurements using input type | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Total | ||||||||||||
Money market funds | $ | 27,273 | $ | $ | $ | 27,273 | |||||||||
Restricted deposit | 1,058 | 1,058 | |||||||||||||
Short-term deposits | 1,063 | 1,063 | |||||||||||||
Marketable securities | 15,319 | 15,319 | |||||||||||||
Foreign currency derivative contracts | 697 | 697 | |||||||||||||
Total financial assets | $ | 29,394 | $ | 697 | $ | 15,319 | $ | 45,410 | |||||||
The following table presents the changes in Level 3 instruments measured on a recurring basis for the year ended December 31, 2008. The Companys Level 3 instruments consist of Marketable Securities classified as available-for-sale. |
F - 22
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 5: | | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Cont.) |
Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3): |
Marketable securities | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beginning balance | $ | 35,371 | ||||
Redemption of marketable securities during the year | (12,352 | ) | ||||
Net realized loss included in earning (other than temporary impairment) | (7,700 | ) | ||||
Ending balance | $ | 15,319 | ||||
NOTE 6: | | INVENTORIES |
December 31, |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 | ||||||||
Raw materials | $ | 550 | $ | 676 | |||||
Finished products | 3,709 | 3,539 | |||||||
$ | 4,259 | $ | 4,215 | ||||||
NOTE 7: | | PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT |
December 31, |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 | ||||||||
Cost: | |||||||||
Lab equipment | $ | 6,983 | $ | 6,453 | |||||
Computers and peripheral equipment | 4,160 | 2,984 | |||||||
Office furniture and equipment | 401 | 355 | |||||||
Leasehold improvements | 284 | 271 | |||||||
11,828 | 10,063 | ||||||||
Accumulated depreciation | 6,858 | 4,870 | |||||||
Depreciated cost | $ | 4,970 | $ | 5,193 | |||||
Depreciation expenses for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, were $ 1,988, $ 1,486 and $ 893, respectively. |
F - 23
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 8: | | INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET |
a. | The following table shows the Companys intangible assets for the periods presented: |
December 31, |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 | ||||||||||
Cost: | ||||||||||||
Customer base (1) | $ | 261 | $ | 261 | $ | 261 | ||||||
Core technology (2) | 726 | - | - | |||||||||
987 | 261 | 261 | ||||||||||
Accumulated amortization | 380 | 261 | 261 | |||||||||
Amortized cost | $ | 607 | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
(1) | Customer base was recorded in 2002 following the acquisition of the tangible and the intangible assets of NetReality Ltd. (NetReality), an Israeli manufacturer of traffic management solutions. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, such intangible assets were fully amortized. |
(2) | Core Technology was recorded in 2008 following the acquisition of the tangible and the intangible assets of Esphion. The Company amortizes the intangible assets using the straight-line method over a period of six years, which constitutes the number of years that approximate the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets will be consumed (see also Note 3). |
b. | Amortization expenses for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, were $ 119, $ 0 and $ 24, respectively. |
NOTE 9: | | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES |
a. | Royalties: |
The Company received research and development grants from the OCS. |
The Company is participating in programs sponsored by the Israeli Government for the support of research and development activities. Currently, the Company is obligated to pay royalties to the OCS, amounting to 3.5% of the sales of products of the Company and other related revenues generated, up to 100% of the grants received, linked to the U.S. dollar and for grants received after January 1, 1999 also bearing interest at the rate of LIBOR. The obligation to pay these royalties is contingent on actual sales of products of the Company and in the absence of such sales no payment is required. |
Through December 31, 2008, the Company has paid or accrued royalties to the OCS in the amount of $ 6,110, which was recorded to cost of revenues. |
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had an outstanding contingent obligation to pay royalties to the OCS in the amount of approximately $ 7, 850. |
F - 24
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 9: | | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Cont.) |
b. | Lease commitments: |
In February 2006, the Company signed an agreement to rent new offices for a period of seven years, starting July 2006. The rental expenses are $ 39 per month and a management fee of costs plus 15% of the expenses incurred by the building management company as stipulated in the lease agreement. |
The U.S. subsidiary has an operating lease for office facilities in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The lease expires on September 30, 2009. The Companys subsidiaries maintain smaller offices in United States, China, Japan, New Zealand and various locations in Europe. |
In addition, Allot signed motor vehicle operating lease agreements. The terms of the lease agreements range from 36 to 39 months. |
Operating leases (offices and motor vehicles) expenses for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, were $ 2,667, $ 2,484 and $ 1,403, respectively. |
As of December 31, 2008, the aggregate future minimum lease obligations (offices and motor vehicles) under non-cancelable operating leases agreements were as follows: |
Year ended December 31, | |||||||
2009 | $ | 1,110 | |||||
2010 | 828 | ||||||
2011 | 739 | ||||||
2012 | 708 | ||||||
2013 and thereafter | 472 | ||||||
$ | 3,857 | ||||||
c. | Lawsuit: |
On May 1, 2007, a securities class action complaint, Brickman Investment Inc. v. Allot Communications Ltd. et al., was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. A number of substantially similar complaints were filed in the same court after the original action was filed. The Company and certain of its directors and officers are named as defendants. The securities class action complaints allege that the defendants violated Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 by making false and misleading statements and omissions in its registration statement for its initial public offering in November 2006. The claims are purportedly brought on behalf of persons who purchased the Companys Ordinary shares pursuant to and/or traceable to the initial public offering on or about November 15, 2006 through April 2, 2007. The plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory damages against the defendants, as well as attorneys fees and costs. Motions for consolidation and for appointment of lead plaintiff were filed on July 2, 2007 and were decided on March 27, 2008, with an order granting consolidation and appointing co-lead plaintiffs. The consolidated amended compliant was served on June 9, 2008. The defendants moved to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint on August 8, 2008. The plaintiffs filed their opposition thereto on October 21, 2008, and the defendants filed their reply on December 15, 2008. No provision has been provided since the Company believes that the claims have no merit. |
F - 25
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 9: | | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Cont.) |
d. | Other: |
The Company is dependent upon two subcontractors for acquiring components and assembling its products. The subcontractors maintain net suppliers inventory in accordance with the Companys selling forecasts. In the event that the Company terminates its business connection with the subcontractors, it will have to compensate the subcontractors for certain inventory costs, as specified in the agreement with the subcontractors. |
NOTE 10: | | SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
a. | On October 26, 2006, the Companys shareholders approved a 10-for-1 reverse share split by way of consolidation of every 10 shares of each class of shares into one share of the same class and, accordingly, all shares (Ordinary and Preferred), options, warrants and earnings (losses) per share amounts were adjusted to reflect this reverse share split. Following such reverse share split, each share has a par value of NIS 0.1 instead of NIS 0.01. |
Effective as of October 29, 2006, following the above shareholders approval, the Companys Board of Directors approved, in accordance with the Companys Interim Articles of Association (as approved by the Companys shareholders on October 26, 2006) (Pre-IPO Articles of Association), the following: (i) all Ordinary shares, options to purchase Ordinary shares and earnings (losses) per share amounts were adjusted to reflect a share dividend of approximately 1.275 Ordinary share for each Ordinary share; and (ii) the conversion price of each series A Ordinary share and Preferred share was adjusted to reflect such share dividend. Accordingly, all such amounts have been retroactively adjusted in previous financial statements. |
It was further resolved to increase the Companys authorized share capital to NIS 200,000,000. |
b. | (1) | immediately prior to the closing of the Companys initial public offering, all of the then outstanding Preferred shares were converted into Ordinary shares. Ordinary shares confer upon their holders the right to receive notice of, and participate and vote such shares in general meetings of shareholders of the Company, the right to receive dividends, if and when declared and the right to receive the remaining assets of the Company upon liquidation. |
(2) | Shares held in trust: |
246,479 Ordinary shares resulting from conversion of series A Preferred shares that were converted immediately prior to the closing of the Companys initial public offering, are held in trust for the benefit of a Founder and a member of the Board of Directors pursuant to a right to purchase pending his payment of the full purchase price of approximately $ 600. For the purposes of calculating shareholders equity, the Company has not considered such shares to be outstanding because neither the Founder nor the trustee has voting or economic rights with respect to such shares. |
F - 26
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 10: | | SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (Cont.) |
In October 2006, the Companys shareholders and the Board of Directors approved an addendum to the escrow agreement with the Founder regarding these shares. According to the addendum, if the right is not exercised prior to the consummation of a Liquidity Event as defined in the escrow agreement, or November 15, 2008, the right and the underlying shares will be forfeited. It was further approved that the Founder has the right to pay for any portion of the shares by net payment. As a result of the modification of the right, the Company recorded a total expense of $ 150 in the year ended December 31, 2006. In November 2008, the Companys Audit Committee, Board of Directors and shareholders approved another addendum to the escrow agreement with the Founder pursuant to which the right to exercise these shares has been extended to the earlier of a Liquidation event or November 15, 2010. For such transaction, the Company recorded a total expense of $ 15 during 2008. |
c. | Stock option plans: |
A summary of the Companys stock option activity, pertaining to its option plans for employees and non-employees, and related information is as follows: |
Year ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Number of shares upon exercise |
Weighted average exercise price |
Number of shares upon exercise |
Weighted average exercise price |
Number of shares upon exercise |
Weighted average exercise price | ||||||||||||||||
Outstanding at | |||||||||||||||||||||
beginning of year | 3,221,494 | $ | 4.42 | 3,383,930 | $ | 2.33 | 2,467,177 | $ | 1.56 | ||||||||||||
Granted *) | 1,299,150 | $ | 2.46 | 989,249 | $ | 8.57 | 1,138,517 | $ | 3.79 | ||||||||||||
Forfeited | (392,271 | ) | $ | 7.49 | (169,381 | ) | $ | 5.37 | (103,182 | ) | $ | 2.12 | |||||||||
Exercised | (58,868 | ) | $ | 1.53 | (982,304 | ) | $ | 1.22 | (118,582 | ) | $ | 0.76 | |||||||||
Outstanding at end of year | 4,069,505 | $ | 3.54 | 3,221,494 | $ | 4.42 | 3,383,930 | $ | 2.33 | ||||||||||||
Exercisable at end of year | 2,050,911 | $ | 3.34 | 1,532,506 | $ | 4.42 | 1,877,544 | $ | 1.52 | ||||||||||||
*) Including 11,800 restricted stock units (RSUs) granted during 2008. |
The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total intrinsic value (the difference between the Companys closing stock price on the last trading day of the fiscal year 2008 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2008. This amount may change based on the fair market value of the Companys stock. The total intrinsic value of options outstanding at December 31, 2008, was $ 287. The total intrinsic value of exercisable options at December 31, 2008 was approximately $ 147. The total intrinsic value of options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2008 was approximately $ 147. |
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2008 was approximately $ 89. The number of options vested during the year ended December 31, 2008 was 564,363. The weighted-average remaining contractual life of the outstanding options as of December 31, 2008 is 7.67 years. The weighted-average remaining contractual life of exercisable options as of December 31, 2008, was 6.76 years. As of December 31, 2008, $ 4,093 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.1 years. |
F - 27
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 10: | | SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (Cont.) |
The options outstanding as of December 31, 2008, have been classified by exercise price, as follows: |
Exercise price |
Shares upon exercise of options outstanding as of December 31, 2008 |
Weighted average remaining contractual life |
Shares upon exercise of options exercisable as of December 31, 2008 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Years |
||||||||||||
$ 9.7-11.34 | 108,317 | 7.98 | 60,174 | |||||||||
$ 7.45-9.25 | 305,195 | 8.14 | 134,016 | |||||||||
$ 5.7-6.52 | 283,783 | 8.42 | 93,954 | |||||||||
$ 4.16-4.62 | 209,153 | 7.46 | 134,599 | |||||||||
$ 2.97-3.52 | 1,182,505 | 8.92 | 450,941 | |||||||||
$ 2.05-2.49 | 1,569,668 | 7.51 | 852,728 | |||||||||
$ 1.22-1.37 | 315,672 | 4.26 | 315,672 | |||||||||
$ 0.009-0.03 | 95,212 | 8.22 | 8,827 | |||||||||
4,069,505 | 2,050,911 | |||||||||||
The Company has three option plans under which outstanding options as of December 31, 2008, are as follows: (i) under the 1997 option plan, the outstanding options are exercisable for 9,737 Ordinary shares; (ii) under the 2003 option plan, the outstanding options are exercisable for 2,101,259 Ordinary shares, and (iii) under the 2006 option plan, the outstanding options and RSUs are exercisable for 1,958,509 Ordinary shares. |
Under the terms of the above option plans, options may be granted to employees, officers, directors and various service providers of the Company and its subsidiaries. The options generally become exercisable monthly over a four-year period, commencing one year after date of the grant, subject to the continued employment of the employee. The options generally expire no later than ten years from the date of the grant. The exercise price of the options granted under the plans may not be less than the nominal value of the shares into which such options are exercised. Any options, which are forfeited or cancelled before expiration, become available for future grants. |
In addition to granting stock options, the Company granted in 2008 RSUs under the 2006 Plan. RSUs vest over a four year period subject to the continued employment of the employee. RSUs that are cancelled or forfeited become available for future grants. |
The fair value assigned to the Ordinary shares in order to calculate the compensation resulting from employee option grants prior to the IPO, was determined primarily by management. In determining fair value, management has considered a number of factors, including independent valuations and appraisals. |
F - 28
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 10: | | SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (Cont.) |
d. | The Companys outstanding rights, warrants and options to non-employees as of December 31, 2008, are as follows: |
Issuance date |
Number of shares to be issued |
Class of shares |
Exercise price per share |
Exercisable through | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 1998 (1) | 246,479 | Ordinary shares | $ | 2.43 | The earlier between a liquidity event and November 15, 2010 | ||||||||||
October 2005 (2) | 11,374 | Ordinary shares | $ | 2.24 | October 2009 | ||||||||||
(1) | Granted to a Founder and a member of the Board of Directors who also served as Chief Executive Officer at the time of the grant. The underlying shares are issued and held in trust for the benefit of the former Founder, pending his payment of the full purchase price of approximately $ 600. The Company does not consider these shares to be outstanding since, while these shares are held in trust neither the Founder nor the trustee has voting or economic rights with respect to such shares. |
(2) | 56,868 options were granted to non-employees in connection with advisory provided to the Board of Directors out of which 11,374 are outstanding and exercisable. The exercise price for all the options granted was determined based on the share price at the date of grant. |
NOTE 11: | | TAXES ON INCOME |
a. | Income Tax (Inflationary Adjustments) Law, 1985: |
According to the law, until 2007, the results for tax purposes were adjusted for the changes in the Israeli consumer price index (Israeli CPI). In February 2008, the Knesset (Israeli parliament) passed an amendment to the Income Tax (Inflationary Adjustments) Law, 1985, which limits the scope of the law starting 2008 and thereafter. Starting 2008, the results for tax purposes are measured in nominal values, excluding certain adjustments for changes in the Israeli CPI carried out in the period up to December 31, 2007. The amendment to the law includes, inter alia, the elimination of the inflationary additions and deductions and the additional deduction for depreciation starting 2008. |
b. | Corporate tax rates: |
Generally, Israeli companies are subject to corporate tax on their taxable income. On July 25, 2005, the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) approved the Law of the Amendment of the Income Tax Ordinance (No. 147), 2005, which prescribes, among others, a gradual decreased in the corporate tax rate in Israel to the following tax rates: in 2006 31%, in 2007 29%, in 2008 27%, in 2009 26% and in 2010 and thereafter 25%. However, the effective tax rate payable by a company which derives income from an approved enterprise may be considerably less, (see also Note 11c). |
F - 29
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 11: | | TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.) |
c. | Tax benefits under Israels law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959 (the Law): |
In 1998, the production facilities of the Company related to its computational technologies were granted the status of an Approved Enterprise under the Law. In 2004, expansion program was granted the status of Approved Enterprise. According to the provisions of the Law, the Company has elected the alternative package of benefits and has waived Government grants in return for tax benefits. |
According to the provisions of the Law, the Companys income is tax-exempt for a period of two years commencing with the year it first earns taxable income, and subject to corporate taxes at the reduced rate of 10% to 25%, for an additional period of five to eight years depending upon the level of foreign ownership of the Company. The benefit period of tax benefit has not yet commenced, since the Company has not yet reported taxable income. |
The period of tax benefits, detailed above, is limited to the earlier of 12 years from the commencement of production, or 14 years from the approval date, (the years limitation does not apply to the exemption period). |
The Law was significantly amended effective April 1, 2005 (the Amendment). The Amendment includes revisions to the criteria for investments qualified to receive tax benefits as a Beneficiary Enterprise and among other things, simplifies the approval process. The Amendment applies to new investment programs. Therefore, investment programs commencing after December 31, 2004, do not affect the approved programs of the Company. |
In addition, the Law provides that terms and benefits included in any letter of approval already granted will remain subject to the provisions of the Law as they were on the date of such approval. Therefore the Companys existing Approved Enterprise will generally not be subject to the provisions of the Amendment. |
The entitlement to the above benefits is contingent upon the fulfillment of the conditions stipulated in the Law, regulations published there under and the criteria set forth in the specific letters of approval. In the event of failure to comply with these conditions, the benefits may be canceled and the Company may be required to refund the amount of the benefits, in whole or in part, including interest and linked to changes in the Israeli CPI. As of December 31, 2008, management believes that the Company is meeting the aforementioned conditions. |
If the Company pays a dividend out of income derived from the Approved and Beneficiary Enterprise during the tax exemption period, it will be subject to corporate tax in respect of the amount distributed, including any taxes thereon, at the rate which would have been applicable had it not enjoyed the alternative benefits, generally 10%-25%, depending on the percentage of the Companys Ordinary shares held by foreign shareholders. The dividend recipient is subject to withholding tax at the rate of 15% applicable to dividends from approved enterprises, if the dividend is distributed during the tax exemption period or within twelve years thereafter. The Company currently has no plans to distribute dividends and intends to retain future earnings to finance the development of its business. |
F - 30
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 11: | | TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.) |
Income from sources other than the Approved and Beneficiary Enterprise during the benefit period will be subject to tax at the regular corporate tax rate. |
d. | Tax
benefits under the law for the Encouragement of Industry (taxes), 1969 (the
Encouragement Law): The Encouragement Law, provides several tax benefits for industrial companies. An industrial company is defined as a company resident in Israel, at least 90% of the income of which in a given tax year exclusive of income from specified Government loans, capital gains, interest and dividends, is derived from an industrial enterprise owned by it. An industrial enterprise is defined as an enterprise whose major activity in a given tax year is industrial production activity. |
Management believes that the Company is currently qualified as an industrial companyunder the Encouragement Law and as such, enjoys tax benefits, including: (1) Deduction of purchase of know-how and patents and/or right to use a patent over an eight-year period; (2) The right to elect, under specified conditions, to file a consolidated tax return with additional related Israeli industrial companies and an industrial holding company; (3) Accelerated depreciation rates on equipment and buildings; and (4) Expenses related to a public offering on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange and as of January 1, 2003 on recognized stock markets outside of Israel, are deductible in equal amounts over three years. |
Eligibility for benefits under the Encouragement Law is not subject to receipt of prior approval from any Governmental authority. No assurance can be given that the Israeli tax authorities will agree that the Company qualifies, or, if the Company qualifies, then the Company will continue to qualify as an industrial company or that the benefits described above will be available to the Company in the future. |
e. | Pre-tax income (loss) is comprised as follows: |
Year ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 | ||||||||||
Domestic | $ | (16,525 | ) | $ | (9,318 | ) | $ | (1,144 | ) | |||
Foreign | 250 | (92 | ) | 1,871 | ||||||||
$ | (16,275 | ) | $ | (9,410 | ) | $ | 727 | |||||
F - 31
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 11: | | TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.) |
f. | A reconciliation of the theoretical tax expenses, assuming all income is taxed at the statutory tax rate applicable to the income of the Company and the actual tax expenses is as follows: |
Year ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes on income | $ | (16,275 | ) | $ | (9,410 | ) | $ | 727 | ||||
Theoretical tax expense (benefit) computed at | ||||||||||||
the statutory tax rate (31%, 29% and 27% for | ||||||||||||
the years 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively) | $ | (4,394 | ) | $ | (2,729 | ) | $ | 225 | ||||
Losses and timing differences, net in respect | ||||||||||||
of which no deferred taxes were recorded | 3,811 | 2,207 | (565 | ) | ||||||||
Tax benefit related to exercise of options | - | - | (67 | ) | ||||||||
Taxes with respect to prior years | (23 | ) | (1 | ) | 85 | |||||||
Impairment of withholding tax asset | 74 | 250 | - | |||||||||
Non-deductible expenses and other | 265 | 181 | 99 | |||||||||
Non-deductible share-based compensation expenses | 454 | 478 | 357 | |||||||||
Other | 33 | 144 | (23 | ) | ||||||||
Actual tax expenses | $ | 220 | $ | 530 | $ | 111 | ||||||
Taxes on income are comprised as follows: | ||||||||||||
Current taxes | $ | 343 | $ | 179 | $ | 111 | ||||||
Deferred taxes | (174 | ) | 102 | (85 | ) | |||||||
Taxes and deferred taxes in respect of previous | ||||||||||||
years | (23 | ) | (1 | ) | 85 | |||||||
Impairment of withholding tax asset | 74 | 250 | - | |||||||||
$ | 220 | $ | 530 | $ | 111 | |||||||
g. | Net operating losses carry forward: |
The Company has accumulated losses for tax purposes as of December 31, 2008, in the amount of approximately $ 40,000, which may be carried forward and offset against taxable income in the future for an indefinite period. The Company expects that during the period in which these tax losses are utilized its income would be substantially tax exempt. Accordingly, there will be no tax benefit available from such losses and no deferred income taxes have been included in these financial statements. |
The European subsidiary is subject to French income taxes and has a net operating loss carry forward amounting to approximately $ 1,500 as of December 31, 2008. |
F - 32
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 11: | | TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.) |
h. | Deferred income taxes: |
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Companys deferred income tax are as follows: |
December 31, |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 | ||||||||
Deferred tax assets: | |||||||||
Operating loss carry forward | $ | 11,366 | $ | 9,986 | |||||
Reserves and allowances | 2,925 | 320 | |||||||
Deferred tax asset before valuation allowance | 14,291 | 10,306 | |||||||
Valuation allowance | (13,821 | ) | (10,010 | ) | |||||
Net deferred tax asset | $ | 470 | $ | 296 | |||||
i. | The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. Prior to 2007 the company used the provisions of SFAS No. 5 to determine tax contingencies. As of January 1, 2007, there was no material difference between the provision under FIN 48 therefore there was no effect on the companys shareholders equity upon the companys adoption of FIN 48. |
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows: |
Gross unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1, 2008 | $ | 250 | ||||
Increase in tax position for current years | 35 | |||||
Gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2008 | $ | 285 | ||||
The Company conducts business globally and, as a result, the Company or one or more of its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world, including such major jurisdictions as Israel, France, and the United States. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to Israeli final tax assessment through the year 2003 and the European and U.S. subsidiaries have final tax assessment through 2005 and 2002, respectively. |
F - 33
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 12: | | NET EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER SHARE |
The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per share: |
a. | Numerator: |
Year ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) as reported | $ | (16,495 | ) | $ | (9,940 | ) | $ | 616 | ||||
b. | Denominator: |
Number of shares |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weighted average number of Ordinary shares | 22,054,211 | 21,525,822 | 14,402,338 | |||||||||
Denominator for basic net losses per Ordinary | ||||||||||||
share | 22,054,211 | 21,525,822 | 14,402,338 | |||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities: | ||||||||||||
Employee stock options and warrants | *) - | *) - | 2,020,889 | |||||||||
Denominator for diluted net earnings (losses) | ||||||||||||
per Ordinary share | 22,054,211 | 21,525,822 | 16,423,227 | |||||||||
*) | Anti-dilutive. |
NOTE 13: | | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION |
Allot operates in a single reportable segment. Revenues are based on the customers location: |
Year ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 | ||||||||||
United Kingdom | $ | 1,971 | $ | 1,915 | $ | 8,566 | ||||||
Europe (excluding United Kingdom) | 10,250 | 8,581 | 8,030 | |||||||||
Middle East and Africa | 2,752 | 2,061 | 1,662 | |||||||||
United States of America | 7,582 | 6,435 | 7,628 | |||||||||
Americas (excluding United States of America) | 3,311 | 3,636 | 1,236 | |||||||||
Asia and Oceania | 11,235 | 9,874 | 7,022 | |||||||||
$ | 37,101 | $ | 32,502 | $ | 34,144 | |||||||
F - 34
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 13: | | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Cont.) |
The following presents total long-lived assets as of December 31, 2007 and 2008: |
December 31, |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 | ||||||||
Long-lived assets: | |||||||||
Israel | $ | 8,910 | $ | 5,310 | |||||
United States of America | 114 | 170 | |||||||
Other | 210 | 122 | |||||||
$ | 9,234 | $ | 5,602 | ||||||
NOTE 14: | | FINANCIAL AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES) |
Year ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 | ||||||||||
Financial and other income: | ||||||||||||
Interest income | $ | 2,571 | $ | 4,193 | $ | 845 | ||||||
Financial and other expenses: | ||||||||||||
Interest expenses and other | (335 | ) | (79 | ) | (155 | ) | ||||||
Foreign currency transactions differences | (53 | ) | (78 | ) | (60 | ) | ||||||
Impairment related to Auction Rate Securities, net | (7,700 | ) | (4,881 | ) | - | |||||||
$ | (5,517 | ) | $ | (845 | ) | $ | 630 | |||||
NOTE 15: | | DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS |
The Companys outstanding foreign exchange forward and option contracts are summarized as follows: |
December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
2007 |
||||||||||||||
Notional amount |
Fair value |
Notional amount |
Fair value | ||||||||||||
Number of shares |
|||||||||||||||
Forward contracts: | |||||||||||||||
Assets | $ | (15,709 | ) | $ | 684 | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
Options contracts: | |||||||||||||||
Assets | - | 13 | - | - | |||||||||||
$ | (15,709 | ) | $ | 697 | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||
F - 35
ALLOT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data |
NOTE 15: | | DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Cont.) |
The Company enters into hedge transactions with a major financial institution, using derivative instruments, primarily forward contracts and options to purchase and sell foreign currencies, in order to reduce the net currency exposure associated with anticipated expenses (primarily salaries and related expenses) in currencies other than U.S. dollar. The Company currently hedges such future exposures for a maximum period of one year. |
These derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges as defined by SFAS 133, as amended, and are all highly effective as hedges for these expenses when these expenses are recorded. The effectiveness of hedge transactions that are designated for accounting purposes as cash flow hedges is evaluated on a quarterly basis. Since the critical terms of the cash flow hedges and the hedged transactions are matched at inception, the hedges effectiveness is generally assessed by comparing the changes in the fair value of the cash flow hedges to the changes in the fair value of the cash flows associated with the underlying hedged transactions as of the assessment date. The effective portion of the derivative instruments is included in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) item and is reclassified into the relevant expense item in the statement of operations when the hedged transaction is recognized as an expense. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded a loss of $ 230 in its statement of operations from hedge transactions. As of December 31, 2008, the Company recorded an asset of $ 697 reflecting the fair value of outstanding cash flow hedge transactions that are expected to affect its earnings statement during the coming year. |
F - 36
Exhibit 3.3
This Second Addendum to Escrow Agreement (this Addendum) is entered into as of November 13, 2008 (the Effective Date), by and between Allot Communications Ltd. (the Company) and Yigal Jacoby (Jacoby, and together with the Company, the Parties).
WHEREAS, the Parties have entered into that certain Escrow Agreement of January 1998 (the Agreement), as amended by that certain Addendum to Escrow Agreement dated October 26, 2006, (the First Addendum), pursuant to which Jacoby is currently entitled to purchase 246,479 Ordinary Shares of the Company par value NIS 0.10 each, which are currently held in escrow by ORO Trust Company Ltd.; and
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to amend the terms of the Agreement as previously amended by the First Addendum, as described herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. | Further to the approval of the shareholders of the Company in the general meeting of the shareholders dated November 13, 2008, the text of Section 3 of the First Addendum is replaced in its entirety by the following text: |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated in the Agreement, including without limitation Section 4 thereto, Jacoby shall be entitled to exercise the right to purchase the Jacoby Shares until the earlier of: (i) a date that is four years following the closing of an initial public offering of the Companys securities (IPO), i.e. November 15, 2010, and (ii) the consummation of any event other than an IPO which is deemed a Liquidity Event, as such term is defined in the Agreement (each, the Expiration Date). |
2. | Except as expressly stated herein, all terms and conditions of the Agreement as amended by the First Addendum shall remain in full force and effect. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Addendum at the date set forth above.
/s/ Rami Hadar Allot Communications Ltd. Rami Hadar President & CEO |
/s/ Yigal Jacoby Yigal Jacoby |
We acknowledge and agree to the aforesaid:
/s/ ORO Trust Company Ltd. ORO Trust Company Ltd. |
Exhibit 4.10
Allot Communications Ltd., an Israeli corporation (the Company), has adopted the Allot Communications Ltd. 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan (the Plan) for the benefit of non-employee directors of the Company, officers and eligible employees and consultants of the Company and any Subsidiaries and Affiliates (as each term is defined below), as follows:
ARTICLE I.
ESTABLISHMENT;
PURPOSES; AND DURATION
1.1. Establishment of the Plan. The Company hereby establishes this incentive compensation plan to be known as the Allot Communications Ltd. 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan, as set forth in this document. The Plan permits the grant of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares, Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. The Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors (as defined below) on October 29, 2006. The Plan shall become effective immediately prior to the effective date of the initial public offering of the Shares pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act (the Effective Date), provided that the Plan is approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares which are present and voted at a meeting, which approval must occur within the period ending twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. The effectiveness of any Awards granted prior to such shareholder approval shall be specifically subject to and conditioned upon, and no Award shall be vested or exercisable until, such shareholder approval. If the Plan is not so approved by the Companys shareholders or the Companys initial public offering of Shares does not occur prior to December 31, 2006, the Plan shall not become effective, and shall terminate immediately, and any Awards previously granted shall thereupon be automatically canceled and deemed to have been null and void ab initio. The Plan shall remain in effect as provided in Section 1.3.
1.2. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of the Plan are to provide additional incentives to non-employee directors of the Company and to those officers, employees and consultants of the Company, Subsidiaries and Affiliates whose substantial contributions are essential to the continued growth and success of the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries and Affiliates, in order to strengthen their commitment to the Company and the Subsidiaries and Affiliates, and to attract and retain competent and dedicated individuals whose efforts will result in the long-term growth and profitability of the Company and to further align the interests of such non-employee directors, officers, employees and consultants with the interests of the shareholders of the Company. To accomplish such purposes, the Plan provides that the Company may grant Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares, Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards.
1.3. Duration of the Plan. The Plan shall commence on the Effective Date, as described in Section 1.1, and shall remain in effect, subject to the right of the Board of Directors to amend or terminate the Plan at any time pursuant to Article XV, until all Shares subject to it shall have been delivered, and any restrictions on such Shares have lapsed, pursuant to the Plans provisions. However, in no event may an Award be granted under the Plan on or after ten years from the Effective Date.
ARTICLE II.
DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below, and when the meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word shall be capitalized:
2.1. Affiliate means any entity other than the Company and any Subsidiary that is affiliated with the Company through stock or equity ownership or otherwise and is designated as an Affiliate for purposes of the Plan by the Committee.
2.2. Assumed means that pursuant to a transaction resulting in a Change of Control, either (a) the Award is expressly affirmed by the Company or (b) the contractual obligations represented by the Award are expressly assumed (and not simply by operation of law) by the surviving or successor corporation or entity to the Company, or any parent or subsidiary of either thereof, or any other corporation or entity that is a party to the transaction resulting in the Change of Control, in connection with such Change of Control, with appropriate adjustments to the number and kind of securities of such surviving or successor corporation or entity, or such other applicable parent, subsidiary, corporation or entity, subject to the Award and the exercise or purchase price thereof, which preserves the compensation element of the Award existing at the time of such Change of Control transaction, and provides for subsequent payout in accordance with the same (or more favorable) payment and vesting schedule applicable to such Award, as determined in accordance with the instruments evidencing the agreement to assume the Award. The determination of Award comparability for this purpose shall be made by the Committee, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
2.3. Award means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Cash-Based Awards, and Other Stock-Based Awards.
2.4. Award Agreement means either: (a) a written agreement entered into by the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan, or (b) a written or electronic statement issued by the Company to a Participant describing the terms and provisions of such Award, including any amendment or modification thereof. The Committee may provide for the use of electronic, internet or other non-paper Award Agreements, and the use of electronic, internet or other non-paper means for the acceptance thereof and actions thereunder by a Participant.
2.5. Beneficial Ownership (including correlative terms) shall have the meaning given such term in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.
2.6. Board or Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.7. Cash-Based Award means an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Article IX.
2.8. Cause shall have the definition given such term in a Participants Award Agreement, or in the absence of any such definition, as determined in good faith by the Committee.
2.9. Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) an acquisition in one transaction or a series of related transactions (other than directly from the Company or pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan or compensatory options or other similar awards granted by the Company) by any Person of any Voting Securities of the Company, immediately after which such Person has Beneficial Ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding Voting Securities; provided, however, that in determining whether a Change of Control has occurred pursuant to this Section 2.9(a), Voting Securities of the Company which are acquired in a Non-Control Acquisition shall not constitute an acquisition that would cause a Change of Control; or |
(b) the consummation of any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization involving the Company unless: |
(i) the shareholders of the Company, immediately before such merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization, own, directly or indirectly, immediately following such merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Securities of the corporation resulting from such merger or consolidation or reorganization (the Company Surviving Corporation) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities of the Company immediately before such merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization; and |
(ii) the individuals who were members of the Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Company Surviving Corporation, or a corporation Beneficially Owning, directly or indirectly, a majority of the voting securities of the Company Surviving Corporation, and |
(iii) no Person, other than (A) the Company, (B) any Related Entity, (C) any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof) that, immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization, was maintained by the Company, the Company Surviving Corporation, or any Related Entity or (D) any Person who, together with its Affiliates, immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization had Beneficial Ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the then outstanding Voting Securities of the Company, owns, together with its Affiliates, Beneficial Ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company Surviving Corporations then outstanding Voting Securities |
(a transaction described in clauses (d)(i) through (d)(iii) above is referred to herein as a Non-Control Transaction); or |
(c) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company to any Person (other than (A) a transfer or distribution to a Related Entity, or (B) a transfer or distribution to the Companys shareholders of the stock of a Related Entity or any other assets). |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the Subject Person) acquired Beneficial Ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Securities of the Company as a result of the acquisition of Voting Securities of the Company by the Company which, by reducing the number of Voting Securities of the Company then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Persons, provided that if a Change of Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of Voting Securities by the Company and (1) before such share acquisition by the Company the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any new or additional Voting Securities of the Company in a related transaction or (2) after such share acquisition by the Company the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any new or additional Voting Securities of the Company which in either case increases the percentage of the then outstanding Voting Securities of the Company Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change of Control shall be deemed to occur.
Solely for purposes of this Section 2.9, (1) Affiliate shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, and (2) control (including with correlative meanings, the terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise. Any Relative (for this purpose, Relative means a spouse, child, parent, parent of spouse, sibling or grandchild) of an individual shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of such individual for this purpose. None of the Company or any Person controlled by the Company shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any holder of Shares.
2.10. Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors or a subcommittee thereof, or such other committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan.
2.11. Company Surviving Corporation has the meaning provided in Section 2.9(b)(i).
2.12. Consultant means an independent contractor who performs services for the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate in a capacity other than as an Employee or Director.
2.13. Director means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.14. Dividend Equivalents means the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends that would otherwise be paid on the Shares subject to an Award but that have not been issued or delivered, as described in Article XI.
2.15. Effective Date shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.1.
2.16. Employee means any person designated as an employee of the Company, a Subsidiary and/or an Affiliate on the payroll records thereof. An Employee shall not include any individual during any period he or she is classified or treated by the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate as an independent contractor, a consultant, or any employee of an employment, consulting, or temporary agency or any other entity other than the Company, a Subsidiary and/or an Affiliate without regard to whether such individual is subsequently determined to have been, or is subsequently retroactively reclassified as a common-law employee of the Company, a Subsidiary and/or an Affiliate during such period. As further provided in Section 18.4, for purposes of the Plan, upon approval by the Committee, the term Employee may also include Employees whose employment with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate has been terminated subsequent to being granted an Award under the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, a Director who would otherwise be an Employee within the meaning of this Section 2.16 shall be considered an Employee for purposes of the Plan.
2.17. Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions and rules and regulations thereto.
2.18. Fair Market Value means the fair market value of the Shares as determined by the Committee by the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method, consistently applied, as the Committee deems appropriate.
2.19. Fiscal Year means the calendar year, or such other consecutive twelve-month period as the Committee may select.
2.20. Freestanding SAR means an SAR that is granted independently of any Options, as described in Article VII.
2.21. Good Reason shall have the definition given such term in a Participants Award Agreement, or in the absence of any such definition, as determined in good faith by the Committee.
2.22. Grant Price means the price established at the time of grant of an SAR pursuant to Article VII, used to determine whether there is any payment due upon exercise of the SAR.
2.23. Insider means an individual who is, on the relevant date, an officer, director or ten percent (10%) Beneficial Owner of any class of the Companys equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as determined by the Committee in accordance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
2.24. Non-Control Acquisition means an acquisition (whether by merger, stock purchase, asset purchase or otherwise) by (a) an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (i) the Company or (ii) any corporation or other Person of which fifty percent (50%) or more of its total value or total voting power of its Voting Securities or equity interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company (a Related Entity); (b) the Company or any Related Entity; (c) any Person in connection with a Non-Control Transaction; or (d) any Person that owns, together with its Affiliates, Beneficial Ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding Voting Securities of the Company on the Effective Date.
2.25. Non-Control Transaction shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.9(b).
2.26. Non-Employee Director means a Director who is not an Employee.
2.27. Notice means notice provided by a Participant to the Company in a manner prescribed by the Committee.
2.28. Option or Stock Option means a Stock Option, as described in Article VI.
2.29. Option Price means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to an Option.
2.30. Other Stock-Based Award means an equity-based or equity-related Award described in Section 10.1, granted in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Article X.
2.31. Participant means any eligible individual as set forth in Article V who holds one or more outstanding Awards.
2.32. Performance Period means the period of time during which the performance goals must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to, or the amount or entitlement to, an Award.
2.33. Performance Share means an Award of a performance share granted to a Participant, as described in Article IX.
2.34. Performance Unit means an Award of a performance unit granted to a Participant, as described in Article IX.
2.35. Period of Restriction means the period during which Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, and, in the case of Restricted Stock, the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock is limited in some way, as provided in Article VIII.
2.36. Person means person as such term is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, including any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity or any group of persons.
2.37. Prior Option Plans means the Allot Communications Ltd. Stock Option Plan (2003), the Allot Communications Ltd. Key Employees Share Incentive Plan and the Allot Communications Ltd. Key Employees of subsidiaries and consultants Share Incentive Plan.
2.38. Replaced means that pursuant to a transaction resulting in a Change of Control, the Award is replaced with a comparable stock award or a cash incentive program by the Company, the surviving or successor corporation or entity to the Company, or any parent or subsidiary of either thereof, or any other corporation or entity that is a party to the transaction resulting in the Change of Control, in connection with such Change of Control, which preserves the compensation element of the Award existing at the time of such Change of Control transaction, and provides for subsequent payout in accordance with the same (or more favorable) payment and vesting schedule applicable to such Award, as determined in accordance with the instruments evidencing the agreement to assume the Award. The determination of Award comparability for this purpose shall be made by the Committee, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
2.39. Restricted Stock means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article VIII.
2.40. Restricted Stock Unit means an Award, whose value is equal to a Share, granted to a Participant pursuant to Article VIII.
2.41. Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule, as the same may be amended from time to time.
2.42. Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as it may be amended from time to time, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions and rules and regulations thereto.
2.43. Share means an Ordinary Share, par value NIS0.10 per share, of the Company (including any new, additional or different stock or securities resulting from any change in corporate capitalization as listed in Section 4.2).
2.44. Stock Appreciation Right or SAR means an Award, granted alone (a Freestanding SAR) or in connection with a related Option (a Tandem SAR), designated as an SAR, pursuant to the terms of Article VII.
2.45. Subject Person has the meaning provided in Section 2.9.
2.46. Subsidiary means any present or future corporation which is or would be a subsidiary corporation of the Company as determined by the Committee.
2.47. Substitute Awards means Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, options or other awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to grant future options or other awards, by a company acquired by the Company, a Subsidiary and/or an Affiliate or with which the Company, a Subsidiary and/or an Affiliate combines, or otherwise in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, or reorganization involving the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate.
2.48. Tandem SAR means an SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option pursuant to Article VII.
2.49. Termination means the time when a Participant ceases the performance of services for the Company, any Affiliate or Subsidiary, as applicable, for any reason, with or without Cause, including a Termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability or Retirement, but excluding (a) a Termination where there is a simultaneous reemployment (or commencement of service) or continuing employment (or service) of a Participant by the Company, Affiliate or any Subsidiary, (b) at the discretion of the Committee, a Termination that results in a temporary severance, and (c) at the discretion of the Committee, a Termination of an Employee that is immediately followed by the Participants service as a Non-Employee Director.
2.50. Voting Securities shall mean, with respect to any Person that is a corporation, all outstanding voting securities of such Person entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of such Person.
ARTICLE III.
ADMINISTRATION
3.1. General. The Committee shall have exclusive authority to operate, manage and administer the Plan in accordance with its terms and conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights, duties and responsibilities of the Committee under the Plan, including establishing procedures to be followed by the Committee, but excluding matters which under any applicable law, regulation or rule, including any exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3), are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. If and to the extent that the Committee does not exist or cannot function, the Board may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee, subject to the limitations set forth in the immediately preceding sentence.
3.2. Committee. The members of the Committee shall be appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the discretion of, the Board of Directors.
3.3. Authority of the Committee. The Committee shall have full discretionary authority to grant or, when so restricted by applicable law, recommend the Board to grant, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, Awards to those individuals who are eligible to receive Awards under the Plan. Except as limited by law or by the Articles of Association of the Company, and subject to the provisions herein, the Committee shall have full power, in accordance with the other terms and provisions of the Plan, to:
(a) select Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants who may receive Awards under the Plan and become Participants; |
(b) determine eligibility for participation in the Plan and decide all questions concerning eligibility for, and the amount of, Awards under the Plan; |
(c) determine the sizes and types of Awards; |
(d) determine the terms and conditions of Awards, including the Option Prices of Options and the Grant Prices of SARs; |
(e) grant Awards as an alternative to, or as the form of payment for grants or rights earned or payable under, other bonus or compensation plans, arrangements or policies of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate; |
(f) grant Substitute Awards on such terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe; |
(g) make all determinations under the Plan concerning Termination of any Participants employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate, including whether such Termination occurs by reason of Cause, Good Reason, disability, retirement or in connection with a Change of Control and whether a leave constitutes a Termination; |
(h) construe and interpret the Plan and any agreement or instrument entered into under the Plan, including any Award Agreement; |
(i) establish and administer any terms, conditions, restrictions, limitations, forfeiture, vesting or exercise schedule, and other provisions of or relating to any Award; |
(j) establish and administer any performance goals in connection with any Awards, including performance criteria and applicable Performance Periods, determine the extent to which any performance goals and/or other terms and conditions of an Award are attained or are not attained; |
(k) construe any ambiguous provisions, correct any defects, supply any omissions and reconcile any inconsistencies in the Plan and/or any Award Agreement or any other instrument relating to any Awards; |
(l) establish, adopt, amend, waive and/or rescind rules, regulations, procedures, guidelines, forms and/or instruments for the Plans operation or administration; |
(m) make all valuation determinations relating to Awards and the payment or settlement thereof; |
(n) grant waivers of terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations under the Plan or applicable to any Award, or accelerate the vesting or exercisability of any Award; |
(o) subject to the provisions of Article XV, amend or adjust the terms and conditions of any outstanding Award and/or adjust the number and/or class of shares of stock subject to any outstanding Award; |
(p) at any time and from time to time after the granting of an Award, specify such additional terms, conditions and restrictions with respect to such Award as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to ensure compliance with any and all applicable laws or rules, including terms, restrictions and conditions for compliance with applicable securities laws or listing rules, methods of withholding or providing for the payment of required taxes and restrictions regarding a Participants ability to exercise Options through a cashless (broker-assisted) exercise; |
(q) offer to buy out an Award previously granted, based on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish with and communicate to the Participant at the time such offer is made; |
(r) determine whether, and to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in cash, Shares or other property or canceled or suspended; and |
(s) exercise all such other authorities, take all such other actions and make all such other determinations as it deems necessary or advisable for the proper operation and/or administration of the Plan. |
3.4. Award Agreements. The Committee shall, subject to applicable laws and rules, determine the date an Award is granted. Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement; however, two or more Awards granted to a single Participant may be combined in a single Award Agreement. An Award Agreement shall not be a precondition to the granting of an Award; provided, however, that (a) the Committee may, but need not, require as a condition to any Award Agreements effectiveness, that such Award Agreement be executed on behalf of the Company and/or by the Participant to whom the Award evidenced thereby shall have been granted (including by electronic signature or other electronic indication of acceptance), and such executed Award Agreement be delivered to the Company, and (b) no person shall have any rights under any Award unless and until the Participant to whom such Award shall have been granted has complied with the applicable terms and conditions of the Award. The Committee shall prescribe the form of all Award Agreements, and, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, shall determine the content of all Award Agreements. Any Award Agreement may be supplemented or amended in writing from time to time as approved by the Committee; provided that the terms and conditions of any such Award Agreement as supplemented or amended are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan. In the event of any dispute or discrepancy concerning the terms of an Award, the records of the Committee or its designee shall be determinative.
3.5. Discretionary Authority; Decisions Binding. The Committee shall have full discretionary authority in all matters related to the discharge of its responsibilities and the exercise of its authority under the Plan. All determinations, decisions, actions and interpretations by the Committee with respect to the Plan and any Award Agreement, and all related orders and resolutions of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all Participants, the Company and its shareholders, any Subsidiary or Affiliate and all persons having or claiming to have any right or interest in or under the Plan and/or any Award Agreement. The Committee shall consider such factors as it deems relevant to making or taking such decisions, determinations, actions and interpretations, including the recommendations or advice of any Director or officer or employee of the Company, any director, officer or employee of a Subsidiary or Affiliate and such attorneys, consultants and accountants as the Committee may select. A Participant or other holder of an Award may contest a decision or action by the Committee with respect to such person or Award only on the grounds that such decision or action was arbitrary or capricious or was unlawful, and any review of such decision or action shall be limited to determining whether the Committees decision or action was arbitrary or capricious or was unlawful.
3.6. Attorneys; Consultants. The Committee may consult with counsel who may be counsel to the Company. The Committee may, with the approval of the Board, employ such other attorneys and/or consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers, agents and other persons, any of whom may be an Employee, as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate. The Committee, the Company and its officers and Directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons. The Committee shall not incur any liability for any action taken in good faith in reliance upon the advice of such counsel or other persons.
3.7. Delegation of Administration. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, including any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3), or the applicable rules of a stock exchange, the Committee may, in its discretion, allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers under this Article III to any one or more of its members and/or delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers under this Article III to any person or persons selected by it; provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate its authority to correct defects, omissions or inconsistencies in the Plan. Any such authority delegated or allocated by the Committee under this Section 3.7 shall be exercised in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan and any rules, regulations or administrative guidelines that may from time to time be established by the Committee, and any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time. |
ARTICLE IV.
SHARES SUBJECT TO
THE PLAN
4.1. Number of Shares Available for Grants. The shares of stock subject to Awards granted under the Plan shall be Shares. Such Shares subject to the Plan may be either authorized and unissued shares or previously issued shares acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2, the total number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be (x) 89,732 Shares, representing all Shares remaining available for issuance and not subject to outstanding awards under the Prior Option Plans on the Effective Date (as may be increased by no more than 3,451,439 Shares subject to outstanding awards under the Prior Option Plans on the Effective Date that are subsequently forfeited or terminate for any other reason before being exercised) and (y) an annual increase on the first day of each fiscal year during the term of the Plan, beginning January 1, 2007, in each case in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 1,000,000 Shares, (ii) 3.5% of the outstanding Shares on the last day of the immediately preceding year, or (iii) an amount determined by the Board. If (a) any Shares are subject to an Option, SAR, or other Award which for any reason expires or is terminated or canceled without having been fully exercised or satisfied, or are subject to any Restricted Stock Award (including any Shares subject to a Participants Restricted Stock Award that are repurchased by the Company at the Participants cost), Restricted Stock Unit Award or other Award granted under the Plan which are forfeited, or (b) any Award based on Shares is settled for cash, expires or otherwise terminates without the issuance of such Shares, the Shares subject to such Award shall, to the extent of any such expiration, termination, cancellation, forfeiture or cash settlement, be available for delivery in connection with future Awards under the Plan. Any Shares delivered under the Plan upon exercise or satisfaction of Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares available for delivery under the Plan.
4.2. Adjustments in Authorized Shares. In the event of any reclassification, recapitalization, merger or consolidation (other than if resulting in a Change of Control), reorganization, , stock dividend or other distribution in securities of the Company, stock split or reverse stock split, combination or exchange of shares, repurchase of shares, or other like change in corporate structure, that proportionally apply to all shares of the Company, the Committee, shall substitute or adjust, as applicable, the number, class and kind of securities which may be delivered under Section 4.1; the number, class and kind, and/or price (such as the Option Price of Options or the Grant Price of SARs) of securities subject to outstanding Awards; and other value determinations applicable to outstanding Awards, as determined by the Committee, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants rights under the Plan; provided, however, that the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number. The Committee, shall also make appropriate adjustments and modifications, as determined by the Committee, in the terms of any outstanding Awards to reflect or related to any such events, adjustments, substitutions or changes, including modifications of performance goals and changes in the length of Performance Periods. All determinations of the Committee as to adjustments or changes, if any, under this Section 4.2 shall be conclusive and binding on the Participants.
4.3. No Limitation on Corporate Actions. The existence of the Plan and any Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in its capital structure or business structure, any merger or consolidation, any issuance of debt, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Shares, additional shares of capital stock or other securities or subscription rights thereto, any dissolution or liquidation, any sale or transfer of all or part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.
ARTICLE V.
ELIGIBILITY AND
PARTICIPATION
5.1. Eligibility. Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants shall be eligible to become Participants and receive Awards in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.
5.2. Actual Participation. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select Participants from all eligible Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award.
ARTICLE VI.
STOCK OPTIONS
6.1. Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee may grant an Option or provide for the grant of an Option, either from time to time in the discretion of the Committee or automatically upon the occurrence of specified events, including the achievement of performance goals, the satisfaction of an event or condition within the control of the recipient of the Option or within the control of others. The granting of an Option shall take place when the Committee by resolution, written consent or other appropriate action determines to grant such Option for a particular number of Shares to a particular Participant at a particular Option Price.
6.2. Award Agreement. Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Option Price, the maximum duration of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, the conditions upon which the Option shall become exercisable and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine, which are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.
6.3. Option Price. The Option Price for each Option shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided that Substitute Awards or Awards granted in connection with an adjustment provided for in Section 4.2, in the form of stock options, shall have an Option Price per Share that is intended to maintain the economic value of the Award that was replaced or adjusted, as determined by the Committee.
6.4. Duration of Options. Each Option granted to a Participant shall expire at such time as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that no Option shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10th) anniversary of its date of grant.
6.5. Exercise of Options. Options shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall in each instance determine and set forth in the Award Agreement, which need not be the same for each grant or for each Option or Participant.
6.6. Payment. Options shall be exercised by the delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Company, in a form specified or accepted by the Committee, or by complying with any alternative exercise procedures that may be authorized by the Committee, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for such Shares, which shall include applicable taxes, if any, in accordance with Article XVI. The Option Price upon exercise of any Option shall be payable to the Company in full either: (a) in cash or its equivalent; (b) subject to such terms, conditions and limitations as the Committee may prescribe, by tendering (either by actual delivery or attestation) unencumbered Shares previously acquired by the Participant exercising such Option having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price, (c) by a combination of (a) and (b); or (d) by any other method approved or accepted by the Committee in its sole discretion, including, if the Committee so determines, (x) a cashless (broker-assisted) exercise that complies with all applicable laws or (y) withholding of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant pursuant to the Option having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price. Subject to any governing rules or regulations, as soon as practicable after receipt of a written notification of exercise and full payment in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Section 6.6, the Company shall deliver to the Participant exercising an Option, in the Participants name, evidence of book entry Shares, or, upon the Participants request, Share certificates, in an appropriate amount based upon the number of Shares purchased under the Option, subject to Section 18.10.
6.7. Rights as a Shareholder. No Participant or other person shall become the beneficial owner of any Shares subject to an Option, nor have any rights to dividends or other rights of a shareholder with respect to any such Shares, until the Participant has actually received such Shares following exercise of his or her Option in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
6.8. Termination of Employment or Service. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, an Option may be exercised only to the extent that it is then exercisable, and if at all times during the period beginning with the date of granting of such Option and ending on the date of exercise of such Option the Participant is an Employee or Non-Employee Director, and shall terminate immediately upon a Termination of the Participant. An Option shall cease to become exercisable upon a Termination of the holder thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.8 to the contrary, the Committee may determine in its discretion that an Option may be exercised following any such Termination, whether or not exercisable at the time of such Termination; provided, however, that in no event may an Option be exercised after the expiration date of such Option specified in the applicable Award Agreement, except as determined by the Committee.
ARTICLE VII.
STOCK APPRECIATION
RIGHTS
7.1. Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, SARs may be granted to Participants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee may grant an SAR (a) in connection and simultaneously with the grant of an Option (a Tandem SAR) or (b) independent of, and unrelated to, an Option (a Freestanding SAR). The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Shares to which an SAR pertains (subject to Article IV) and, consistent with the provisions of the Plan, in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to any SAR.
7.2. Grant Price. The Grant Price for each SAR shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, subject to the limitations of this Section 7.2. The Grant Price for each Freestanding SAR shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date such Freestanding SAR is granted, except in the case of Substitute Awards or Awards granted in connection with an adjustment provided for in Section 4.2. The Grant Price of a Tandem SAR shall be equal to the Option Price of the related Option.
7.3. Exercise of Tandem SARs. Tandem SARs may be exercised for all or part of the Shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option. A Tandem SAR shall be exercisable only when and to the extent the related Option is exercisable and may be exercised only with respect to the Shares for which the related Option is then exercisable. A Tandem SAR shall entitle a Participant to elect, in the manner set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, in lieu of exercising his or her unexercised related Option for all or a portion of the Shares for which such Option is then exercisable pursuant to its terms, to surrender such Option to the Company with respect to any or all of such Shares and to receive from the Company in exchange therefor a payment described in Section 7.7. An Option with respect to which a Participant has elected to exercise a Tandem SAR shall, to the extent of the Shares covered by such exercise, be canceled automatically and surrendered to the Company. Such Option shall thereafter remain exercisable according to its terms only with respect to the number of Shares as to which it would otherwise be exercisable, less the number of Shares with respect to which such Tandem SAR has been so exercised.
7.4. Exercise of Freestanding SARs. Freestanding SARs may be exercised upon whatever terms and conditions the Committee, in its sole discretion, in accordance with the Plan, determines and sets forth in the Award Agreement.
7.5. Award Agreement. Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the number of Shares to which the SAR pertains, the Grant Price, the term of the SAR, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in accordance with the Plan.
7.6. Term of SARs. The term of an SAR granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the term of any Tandem SAR shall be the same as the related Option and no SAR shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years after it is granted.
7.7. Payment of SAR Amount. An election to exercise SARs shall be deemed to have been made on the date of Notice of such election to the Company. Upon exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:
(a) The excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the Grant Price of the SAR; by |
(b) The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. |
Notwithstandingthe foregoing provisions of this Section 7.7 to the contrary, the Committee may establish and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement a maximum amount per Share that will be payable upon the exercise of an SAR. At the discretion of the Committee, such payment upon exercise of an SAR shall be in cash, in Shares of equivalent Fair Market Value, or in some combination thereof.
7.8. Rights as a Shareholder. A Participant receiving an SAR shall have the rights of a Shareholder only as to Shares, if any, actually issued to such Participant upon satisfaction or achievement of the terms and conditions of the Award, and in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, and not with respect to Shares to which such Award relates but which are not actually issued to such Participant.
7.9. Termination of Employment or Service. Each SAR Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the SAR following such Participants Termination, if at all, subject to Section 6.8, as applicable to any Tandem SAR. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all SARs issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for Termination.
ARTICLE VIII.
RESTRICTED STOCK AND
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
8.1. Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units to Participants in such amounts as the Committee shall determine. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article VIII and the Award Agreement, upon delivery of Shares of Restricted Stock to a Participant, or creation of a book entry evidencing a Participants ownership of Shares of Restricted Stock, pursuant to Section 8.6, the Participant shall have all of the rights of a shareholder with respect to such Shares, subject to the terms and restrictions set forth in this Article VIII or the applicable Award Agreement or as determined by the Committee. Restricted Stock Units shall be similar to Restricted Stock, except no Shares are actually awarded to a Participant who is granted Restricted Stock Units on the date of grant, and such Participant shall have no rights of a shareholder with respect to such Restricted Stock Units.
8.2. Award Agreement. Each Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares of Restricted Stock or the number of Restricted Stock Units granted, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine in accordance with the Plan. Any Restricted Stock Award must be accepted by the Participant within a period of ninety (90) days (or such shorter period as determined by the Committee at the time of award) after the award date, by executing such Restricted Stock Award Agreement and providing the Committee or its designee a copy of such executed Award Agreement and payment of the applicable purchase price of such Shares of Restricted Stock, if any, as determined by the Committee.
8.3. Nontransferability of Restricted Stock. Except as provided in this Article VIII, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, encumbered, alienated, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction established by the Committee and specified in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
8.4. Period of Restriction and Other Restrictions. The Period of Restriction shall lapse based on continuing service as a Non-Employee Director or Consultant or continuing employment with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate, the achievement of performance goals, the satisfaction of other conditions or restrictions or upon the occurrence of other events, in each case, as determined by the Committee, at its discretion, and stated in the Award Agreement.
8.5. Delivery of Shares, Payment of Restricted Stock Units. Subject to Section 18.10, after the last day of the Period of Restriction applicable to a Participants Shares of Restricted Stock, and after all conditions and restrictions applicable to such Shares of Restricted Stock have been satisfied or lapse (including satisfaction of any applicable withholding tax obligations), pursuant to the applicable Award Agreement, such Shares of Restricted Stock shall become freely transferable by such Participant. After the last day of the Period of Restriction applicable to a Participants Restricted Stock Units, and after all conditions and restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock Units have been satisfied or lapse (including satisfaction of any applicable withholding tax obligations), pursuant to the applicable Award Agreement, such Restricted Stock Units shall be settled by delivery of Shares, a cash payment determined by reference to the then-current Fair Market Value of Shares or a combination of Shares and such cash payment as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine, either by the terms of the Award Agreement or otherwise.
8.6. Forms of Restricted Stock Awards. Each Participant who receives an Award of Shares of Restricted Stock shall be issued a stock certificate or certificates evidencing the Shares covered by such Award registered in the name of such Participant, which certificate or certificates may contain an appropriate legend. The Committee may require a Participant who receives a certificate or certificates evidencing a Restricted Stock Award to immediately deposit such certificate or certificates, together with a stock power or other appropriate instrument of transfer, endorsed in blank by the Participant, with signatures guaranteed in accordance with the Exchange Act if required by the Committee, with the Secretary of the Company or an escrow holder as provided in the immediately following sentence. The Secretary of the Company or such escrow holder as the Committee may appoint shall retain physical custody of each certificate representing a Restricted Stock Award until the Period of Restriction and any other restrictions imposed by the Committee or under the Award Agreement with respect to the Shares evidenced by such certificate expire or shall have been removed. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, the Committee may, in its discretion, provide that a Participants ownership of Shares of Restricted Stock prior to the lapse of the Period of Restriction or any other applicable restrictions shall, in lieu of such certificates, be evidenced by a book entry (i.e., a computerized or manual entry) in the records of the Company or its designated agent in the name of the Participant who has received such Award. Such records of the Company or such agent shall, absent manifest error, be binding on all Participants who receive Restricted Stock Awards evidenced in such manner. The holding of Shares of Restricted Stock by the Company or such an escrow holder, or the use of book entries to evidence the ownership of Shares of Restricted Stock, in accordance with this Section 8.6, shall not affect the rights of Participants as owners of the Shares of Restricted Stock awarded to them, nor affect the restrictions applicable to such shares under the Award Agreement or the Plan, including the Period of Restriction.
8.7. Voting Rights. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in a Participants Award Agreement, to the extent permitted or required by law, as determined by the Committee, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock may be granted the right to exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares during the Period of Restriction. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units.
8.8. Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall be credited with any cash dividends paid with respect to such Shares while they are so held, unless determined otherwise by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee may apply any restrictions to such dividends that the Committee deems appropriate. Except as set forth in the Award Agreement, in the event of (a) any adjustment as provided in Section 4.2, or (b) any shares or securities are received as a dividend, or an extraordinary dividend is paid in cash, on Shares of Restricted Stock, any new or additional Shares or securities or any extraordinary dividends paid in cash received by a recipient of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the same terms and conditions, including the Period of Restriction, as relate to the original Shares of Restricted Stock.
8.9. Termination of Employment or Service. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.9, during the Period of Restriction, any Restricted Stock Units and/or Shares of Restricted Stock held by a Participant shall be forfeited and revert to the Company (or, if Shares of Restricted Sock were sold to the Participant, the Participant shall be required to resell such Shares to the Company at cost) upon the Participants Termination or the failure to meet or satisfy any applicable performance goals or other terms, conditions and restrictions to the extent set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Each applicable Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which, if any, the Participant shall have the right to retain Restricted Stock Units and/or Shares of Restricted Stock following such Participants Termination. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the applicable Award Agreement, need not be uniform among all such Awards issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for, or circumstances of, such Termination.
ARTICLE IX.
PERFORMANCE UNITS,
PERFORMANCE SHARES, AND CASH-BASED AWARDS
9.1. Grant of Performance Units, Performance Shares and Cash-Based Awards. Subject to the terms of the Plan, Performance Units, Performance Shares, and/or Cash-Based Awards may be granted to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Committee, in accordance with the Plan. A Performance Unit, Performance Share or Cash-Based Award entitles the Participant who receives such Award to receive Shares or cash upon the attainment of performance goals and/or satisfaction of other terms and conditions determined by the Committee when the Award is granted and set forth in the Award Agreement. Such entitlements of a Participant with respect to his or her outstanding Performance Unit, Performance Share or Cash-Based Award shall be reflected by a bookkeeping entry in the records of the Company, unless otherwise provided by the Award Agreement. The terms and conditions of such Awards shall be consistent with the Plan and set forth in the Award Agreement and need not be uniform among all such Awards or all Participants receiving such Awards.
9.2. Value of Performance Units, Performance Shares and Cash-Based Awards. Each Performance Unit shall have an initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. Each Performance Share shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. Each Cash-Based Award shall have a value as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number and/or value of Performance Units and Performance Shares and Cash-Based Awards that will be paid out to the Participant.
9.3. Earning of Performance Units, Performance Shares and Cash-Based Awards. Subject to the terms of the Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units, Performance Shares or Cash-Based Awards shall be entitled to receive payment on the number and value of Performance Units, Performance Shares or Cash-Based Awards earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance goals and/or other terms and conditions have been achieved or satisfied. The Committee shall determine the extent to which any such pre-established performance goals and/or other terms and conditions of a Performance Unit, Performance Share or Cash-Based Award are attained or not attained following conclusion of the applicable Performance Period. The Committee may, in its discretion, waive any such performance goals and/or other terms and conditions relating to any such Award.
9.4. Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units, Performance Shares and Cash-Based Awards. Payment of earned Performance Units, Performance Shares and Cash-Based Awards shall be as determined by the Committee and as set forth in the Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units, Performance Shares and Cash-Based Awards in the form of cash or in Shares (or in a combination thereof) which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units, Performance Shares or Cash-Based Awards as soon as practicable after the end of the Performance Period and following the Committees determination of actual performance against the performance goals and/or other terms and conditions established by the Committee. Such Shares may be granted subject to any restrictions imposed by the Committee, including pursuant to Section 18.10. The determination of the Committee with respect to the form of payment of such Awards shall be set forth in the Award Agreement pertaining to the grant of the Award.
9.5. Rights as a Shareholder. A Participant receiving a Performance Unit, Performance Share or Cash-Based Award shall have the rights of a shareholder only as to Shares, if any, actually received by the Participant upon satisfaction or achievement of the terms and conditions of such Award and not with respect to Shares subject to the Award but not actually issued to such Participant.
9.6. Termination of Employment or Service. Each Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to retain Performance Units, Performance Shares and/or Cash-Based Award following such Participants Termination, if at all. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the applicable Award Agreement, need not be uniform among all such Awards issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for Termination.
ARTICLE X.
OTHER STOCK-BASED
AWARDS
10.1. Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may grant types of equity-based or equity-related Awards not otherwise described by the terms of the Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted Shares), in such amounts (subject to Article IV) and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine. Such Other Stock-Based Awards may involve the transfer of actual Shares to Participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of Shares and may include Awards designed to comply with or take advantage of the applicable local laws of jurisdictions in which the Participants are located.
10.2. Value of Other Stock-Based Awards. Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be expressed in terms of Shares or units based on Shares, as determined by the Committee. The Committee may establish performance goals in its discretion, and any such performance goals shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. If the Committee exercises its discretion to establish performance goals, the number and/or value of Other Stock-Based Awards that will be paid out to the Participant will depend on the extent to which such performance goals are met.
10.3. Payment of Other Stock-Based Awards. Payment, if any, with respect to an Other Stock-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award, as set forth in the Award Agreement, in cash or Shares as the Committee determines.
10.4. Termination of Employment or Service. The Committee shall determine the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to receive Other Stock-Based Awards following the Participants Termination, if at all. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, such provisions may be included in the applicable Award Agreement, but need not be uniform among all Other Stock-Based Awards issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for Termination.
ARTICLE XI.
DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS
11.1. Dividend Equivalents. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, no adjustment shall be made in the Shares issuable or taken into account under Awards on account of cash dividends that may be paid or other rights that may be issued to the holders of Shares prior to issuance of such Shares under such Award. The Committee may grant Dividend Equivalents based on the dividends declared on Shares that are subject to any Award, including any Award the payment or settlement of which is deferred pursuant to Section 18.6. Dividend Equivalents may be credited as of the dividend payment dates, during the period between the date the Award is granted and the date the Award becomes payable or terminates or expires. Dividend Equivalents may be subject to any limitations and/or restrictions determined by the Committee. Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Shares by such formula and at such time, and shall be paid at such times, as may be determined by the Committee.
ARTICLE XII.
TRANSFERABILITY OF
AWARDS; BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION
12.1. All Other Awards. Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.5 or Section 12.3 or a Participants Award Agreement or otherwise determined at any time by the Committee, no Award granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; provided that the Committee may permit further transferability, on a general or a specific basis, and may impose conditions and limitations on any permitted transferability, subject to any applicable Period of Restriction. Further, except as otherwise provided in a Participants Award Agreement or otherwise determined at any time by the Committee, or unless the Committee decides to permit further transferability, subject any applicable Period of Restriction, all Awards granted to a Participant under the Plan, and all rights with respect to such Awards, shall be exercisable or available during his or her lifetime only by or to such Participant. With respect to those Awards, if any, that are permitted to be transferred to another individual, references in the Plan to exercise or payment related to such Awards by or to the Participant shall be deemed to include, as determined by the Committee, the Participants permitted transferee. In the event any Award is exercised by or otherwise paid to the executors, administrators, heirs or distributees of the estate of a deceased Participant, or such a Participants beneficiary, or the transferee of an Award, in any such case, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Agreement and in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified from time to time by the Committee, the Company shall be under no obligation to issue Shares thereunder unless and until the Company is satisfied, as determined in the discretion of the Committee, that the person or persons exercising such Award, or to receive such payment, are the duly appointed legal representative of the deceased Participants estate or the proper legatees or distributees thereof or the named beneficiary of such Participant, or the valid transferee of such Award, as applicable. Any purported assignment, transfer or encumbrance of an Award that does not comply with this Section 12.1 shall be void and unenforceable against the Company.
12.2. Beneficiary Designation. Each Participant may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries who shall be permitted to exercise his or her Option or SAR or to whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid in case of the Participants death before he or she fully exercises his or her Option or SAR or receives any or all of such benefit. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participants lifetime. In the absence of any such beneficiary designation, a Participants unexercised Option or SAR, or amounts due but remaining unpaid to such Participant, at the Participants death, shall be exercised or paid as designated by the Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
ARTICLE XIII.
RIGHTS OF
PARTICIPANTS
13.1. Rights or Claims. No individual shall have any rights or claims under the Plan except in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement. The grant of an Award under the Plan shall not confer any rights upon the Participant holding such Award other than such terms, and subject to such conditions, as are specified in the Plan as being applicable to such type of Award, or to all Awards, or as are expressly set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing contained in the Plan or in any Award Agreement shall be deemed to:
(a) | Give any Employee or Non-Employee Director the right to be retained in the service of the Company, an Affiliate and/or a Subsidiary, whether in any particular position, at any particular rate of compensation, for any particular period of time or otherwise; |
(b) | Restrict in any way the right of the Company, an Affiliate and/or a Subsidiary to terminate, change or modify any Employees employment or any Non-Employee Directors service as a Director at any time with or without Cause; |
(c) | Confer on any Consultant any right of continued relationship with the Company, an Affiliate and/or a Subsidiary, or alter any relationship between them, including any right of the Company or an Affiliate or Subsidiary to terminate, change or modify its relationship with a Consultant; |
(d) | Give any Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant the right to receive any bonus, whether payable in cash or in Shares, or in any combination thereof, from the Company, an Affiliate and/or a Subsidiary, nor be construed as limiting in any way the right of the Company, an Affiliate and/or a Subsidiary to determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not it shall pay any Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant bonuses, and, if so paid, the amount thereof and the manner of such payment; or |
(e) | Give any Participant any rights whatsoever with respect to an Award except as specifically provided in the Plan and the Award Agreement. |
13.2. Adoption of the Plan. The adoption of the Plan shall not be deemed to give any Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant or any other individual any right to be selected as a Participant or to be granted an Award, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.
13.3. Vesting. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, a Participants right or entitlement to exercise or otherwise vest in any Award not exercisable or vested at the time of grant shall only result from continued services as a Non-Employee Director or Consultant or continued employment, as the case may be, with the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or satisfaction of any other performance goals or other conditions or restrictions applicable, by its terms, to such Award.
13.4. No Effects on Benefits. Payments and other compensation received by a Participant under an Award are not part of such Participants normal or expected compensation or salary for any purpose, including calculating termination, indemnity, severance, resignation, redundancy, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments under any laws, plans, contracts, arrangements or otherwise. No claim or entitlement to compensation or damages arises from the termination of the Plan or diminution in value of any Award or Shares purchased or otherwise received under the Plan.
13.5. One or More Types of Awards. A particular type of Award may be granted to a Participant either alone or in addition to other Awards under the Plan.
ARTICLE XIV.
CHANGE OF CONTROL
14.1. Treatment of Outstanding Awards. In the event of a Change of Control, unless otherwise specifically prohibited by any applicable laws, rules or regulations or otherwise provided in any applicable Award Agreement, as in effect prior to the occurrence of the Change of Control, specifically with respect to a Change of Control:
(a) In its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control, that any Options, SARs and Other Stock-Based Awards (if applicable) which are outstanding shall become exercisable as determined by the Committee, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Award Agreement. |
(b) In its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control, that restrictions, performance goals or other conditions applicable to Restricted Stock Units, Shares of Restricted Stock and Other Stock-Based Awards previously awarded to Participants shall be canceled or deemed achieved, the Period of Restriction applicable thereto shall terminate, and restrictions on transfer, sale, assignment, pledge or other disposition applicable to any such Shares of Restricted Stock shall lapse, in each case, to the extent provided by the Committee, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Award Agreement. |
(c) In its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control, that any Awards which are outstanding shall, in whole or in part, immediately become vested and nonforfeitable. |
(d) In its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control, that the target payment opportunities attainable under any outstanding Awards of Performance Units, Performance Shares, Cash-Based Awards and other Awards shall be deemed to have been fully or partially earned for any Performance Period(s), as determined by the Committee, immediately prior to the effective date of the Change of Control. |
(e) In its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement applicable to any Award or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control, that any Award the payment or settlement of which was deferred under Section 18.6 or otherwise may be paid or distributed immediately prior to the Change of Control, except as otherwise provided by the Committee in accordance with Section 16.1(f). |
(f) In its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement applicable to any Award or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of the Change of Control, that any outstanding Award shall be adjusted by substituting for each Share subject to such Award immediately prior to the transaction resulting in the Change of Control the consideration (whether stock or other securities of the surviving corporation or any successor corporation to the Company, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or that may be issuable by another corporation that is a party to the transaction resulting in the Change of Control) received in such transaction by holders of Shares for each Share held on the closing or effective date of such transaction, in which event the aggregate Option Price or Grant Price, as applicable, of the Award shall remain the same; provided, however, that if such consideration received in such transaction is not solely stock of a successor, surviving or other corporation, the Committee may provide for the consideration to be received upon exercise or payment of an Award, for each Share subject to such Award, to be solely stock or other securities of the successor, surviving or other corporation, as applicable, equal in fair market value, as determined by the Committee, to the per-Share consideration received by holders of Shares in such transaction. |
(g) In its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, the Committee may provide, either by the terms of the Award Agreement applicable to any Award or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of the Change of Control, that any outstanding Award (or portion thereof) shall be converted into a right to receive cash, on or as soon as practicable following the closing date or expiration date of the transaction resulting in the Change of Control in an amount equal to the highest value of the consideration to be received in connection with such transaction for one Share, or, if higher, the highest Fair Market Value of a Share during the thirty (30) consecutive business days immediately prior to the closing date or expiration date of such transaction, less the per-Share Option Price, Grant Price or outstanding unpaid purchase price, as applicable to the Award, multiplied by the number of Shares subject to such Award, or the applicable portion thereof. |
(h) The Committee may, in its discretion, provide that an Award can or cannot be exercised after, or will otherwise terminate or not terminate as of, a Change of Control. |
14.2. No Implied Rights; Other Limitations. No Participant shall have any right to prevent the consummation of any of the acts described in Section 4.2 or 14.1 affecting the number of Shares available to, or other entitlement of, such Participant under the Plan or such Participants Award. Any actions or determinations of the Committee under this Article XVI need not be uniform as to all outstanding Awards, nor treat all Participants identically. Notwithstanding the adjustments described in Section 14.1, in no event may any Option or SAR be exercised after ten (10) years from the date it was originally granted.
ARTICLE XV.
AMENDMENT,
MODIFICATION, AND TERMINATION
15.1. Amendment, Modification, and Termination. The Board may, at any time and with or without prior notice, amend, alter, suspend, or terminate the Plan, and the Committee may, to the extent permitted by the Plan, amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, including any Award Agreement, in each case, retroactively or prospectively.
In addition, no such amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan or any Award theretofore granted, including any Award Agreement, shall be made which would materially impair the previously accrued rights of a Participant under any outstanding Award without the written consent of such Participant, provided, however, that the Board may amend or alter the Plan and the Committee may amend or alter any Award, including any Agreement, either retroactively or prospectively, without the consent of the applicable Participant, (x) so as to preserve or come within any exemptions from liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, pursuant to the rules and releases promulgated by the SEC (including Rule 16b-3), or (y) if the Board or the Committee determines in its discretion that such amendment or alteration either (I) is required or advisable for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy, comply with or meet the requirements of any law, regulation, rule or accounting standard or (II) is not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award, or that such diminishment has been or will be adequately compensated.
ARTICLE XVI.
TAX WITHHOLDING AND
OTHER TAX MATTERS
16.1. Tax Withholding. The Company and/or any Subsidiary or Affiliate are authorized to withhold from any Award granted or payment due under the Plan the amount of all taxes due in respect of such Award or payment and take any such other action as may be necessary or appropriate, as determined by the Committee, to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes. The recipient of any payment or distribution under the Plan shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company, as determined in the Committees discretion, for the satisfaction of any tax obligations that arise by reason of any such payment or distribution. The Company shall not be required to make any payment or distribution under or relating to the Plan or any Award until such obligations are satisfied or such arrangements are made, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.
16.2. Withholding or Tendering Shares. Without limiting the generality of Section 16.1, the Committee may in its discretion permit a Participant to satisfy or arrange to satisfy, in whole or in part, the tax obligations incident to an Award by: (a) electing to have the Company withhold Shares or other property otherwise deliverable to such Participant pursuant to his or her Award (provided, however, that the amount of any Shares so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy required withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income) and/or (b) tendering to the Company Shares owned by such Participant (or by such Participant and his or her spouse jointly) and purchased or held for the requisite period of time as may be required to avoid the Companys or the Affiliates or Subsidiaries incurring an adverse accounting charge, based, in each case, on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the payment date as determined by the Committee. All such elections shall be irrevocable, made in writing, signed by the Participant, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
16.3. Restrictions. The satisfaction of tax obligations pursuant to this Article XVI shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose, including any restrictions required by applicable law or the rules and regulations of the SEC, and shall be construed consistent with an intent to comply with any such applicable laws, rule and regulations.
ARTICLE XVII.
LIMITS OF LIABILITY;
INDEMNIFICATION
17.1. Limits of Liability.
(a) Any liability of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate to any Participant with respect to any Award shall be based solely upon contractual obligations created by the Plan and the Award Agreement. |
(b) None of the Company, any Subsidiary, any Affiliate, any member of the Board or the Committee or any other person participating in any determination of any question under the Plan, or in the interpretation, administration or application of the Plan, shall have any liability, in the absence of bad faith, to any party for any action taken or not taken in connection with the Plan, except as may expressly be provided by statute. |
(c) Each member of the Committee, while serving as such, shall be considered to be acting in his or her capacity as a director of the Company. Members of the Board of Directors and members of the Committee acting under the Plan shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the advice of counsel and shall incur no liability except for gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of their duties. |
(d) The Company shall not be liable to a Participant or any other person as to: (i) the non-issuance of Shares as to which the Company has been unable to obtain from any regulatory body having relevant jurisdiction the authority deemed by the Committee or the Companys counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, and (ii) any tax consequence expected, but not realized, by any Participant or other person due to the receipt, exercise or settlement of any Option or other Award. |
17.2. Indemnification. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, each individual who is or shall have been a member of the Committee or of the Board, or an officer of the Company to whom authority was delegated in accordance with Article III, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Companys approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf, unless such loss, cost, liability, or expense is a result of the individuals own willful misconduct or except as provided by statute. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such individual may be entitled under the Companys Articles of Association, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify or hold harmless such individual.
ARTICLE XVIII.
MISCELLANEOUS
18.1. Drafting Context. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural. The words Article, Section, and paragraph herein shall refer to provisions of the Plan, unless expressly indicated otherwise. The words include, includes, and including herein shall be deemed to be followed by without limitation whether or not they are in fact followed by such words or words of similar import, unless the context otherwise requires.
18.2. Forfeiture Events.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee shall have the authority to determine (and may so provide in any Agreement) that a Participants (including his or her estates, beneficiarys or transferees) rights (including the right to exercise any Option or SAR), payments and benefits with respect to any Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment in the event of the Participants Termination for Cause or due to voluntary resignation; serious misconduct; violation of the Companys or a Subsidiarys or Affiliates policies; breach of fiduciary duty; unauthorized disclosure of any trade secret or confidential information of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate; breach of applicable noncompetition, nonsolicitation, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants; or other conduct or activity that is in competition with the business of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or otherwise detrimental to the business, reputation or interests of the Company and/or any Subsidiary or Affiliate; or upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the applicable Award Agreement (in any such case, whether or not the Participant is then an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant). The determination of whether a Participants conduct, activities or circumstances are described in the immediately preceding sentence shall be made by the Committee in its good faith discretion, and pending any such determination, the Committee shall have the authority to suspend the exercise, payment, delivery or settlement of all or any portion of such Participants outstanding Awards pending an investigation of the matter. |
(b) If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement (x) due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, if a Participant knowingly or grossly negligently engaged in such misconduct, or knowingly or grossly negligently failed to prevent such misconduct, or if a Participant is one of the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Participant shall reimburse the Company the amount of any payment in settlement of an Award earned or accrued during the twelve- (12-) month period following the first public issuance or filing with the SEC (whichever just occurred) of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement, and (y) the Committee may in its discretion provide that if the amount earned under any Participants Award is reduced by such restatement, such Participant shall reimburse the Company the amount of any such reduction previously paid in settlement of such Award. |
18.3. Severability. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
18.4. Transfer, Leave of Absence. The Committee shall have the discretion to determine the effects upon any Award, upon an individuals status as an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant for purposes of the Plan (including whether a Participant shall be deemed to have experienced a Termination or other change in status) and upon the exercisability, vesting, termination or expiration of any Award in the case of: (a) any Participant who is employed by an entity that ceases to be an Affiliate or Subsidiary (whether due to a spin-off or otherwise), (b) any transfer of a Participant between locations of employment with the Company, an Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary or between the Company, an Affiliate or Subsidiary or between Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (c) any leave of absence of a Participant, (d) any change in a Participants status from an Employee to a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director, or vice versa, (e) any increase or decrease in the scope of engagement of a Participant; and (f) upon approval by the Committee, any Employee who experiences a Termination but becomes employed by a partnership, joint venture, corporation or other entity not meeting the requirements of an Affiliate or Subsidiary.
18.5. Exercise and Payment of Awards. An Award shall be deemed exercised or claimed when the Secretary of the Company or any other Company official or other person designated by the Committee for such purpose receives appropriate written notice from a Participant, in form acceptable to the Committee, together with payment of the applicable Option Price, Grant Price or other purchase price, if any, and compliance with Article XVI, in accordance with the Plan and such Participants Award Agreement.
18.6. Deferrals. To the extent provided in the Award Agreement, the Committee may permit or require a Participant to defer such Participants receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant by virtue of the lapse or waiver of the Period of Restriction or other restrictions with respect to Restricted Stock or the payment or satisfaction of Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares, Cash-Based Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards. If any such deferral election is required or permitted, (a) such deferral shall represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company and shall not confer the rights of a shareholder unless and until Shares are issued thereunder; (b) the number of Shares subject to such deferral shall, until settlement thereof, be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 4.2; and (c) the Committee shall establish rules and procedures for such deferrals and payment or settlement thereof, which may be in cash, Shares or any combination thereof, and such deferrals may be governed by the terms and conditions of any deferred compensation plan of the Company or Affiliate specified by the Committee for such purpose.
18.7. Loans. The Company may, in the discretion of the Committee, extend one or more loans to Participants in connection with the exercise or receipt of an Award granted to any such Participant; provided, however, that the Company shall not extend loans to any Participant if prohibited by law or the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Companys securities are listed. The terms and conditions of any such loan shall be established by the Committee.
18.8. No Effect on Other Plans. Neither the adoption of the Plan nor anything contained herein shall affect any other compensation or incentive plans or arrangements of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or prevent or limit the right of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for their directors, officers, eligible employees or consultants or grant or assume options or other rights otherwise than under the Plan.
18.9. Section 16 of Exchange Act. Unless otherwise stated in the Award Agreement, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Award granted to an Insider shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule, and the Plan and the Award Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such limitations.
18.10. Requirements of Law; Limitations on Awards.
(a) The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. |
(b) If at any time the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration and/or qualification of Shares upon any securities exchange or under any law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the sale or purchase of Shares hereunder, the Company shall have no obligation to allow the grant, exercise or payment of any Award, or to issue or deliver evidence of title for Shares issued under the Plan, in whole or in part, unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, consent and/or approval shall have been effected or obtained, or otherwise provided for, free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee. |
(c) If at any time counsel to the Company shall be of the opinion that any sale or delivery of Shares pursuant to an Award is or may be in the circumstances unlawful or result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate under the statutes, rules or regulations of any applicable jurisdiction, the Company shall have no obligation to make such sale or delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain any qualification or registration under the Securities Act, or otherwise with respect to Shares or Awards and the right to exercise or payment of any Option or Award shall be suspended until, in the opinion of such counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful or will not result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate. |
(d) Upon termination of any period of suspension under this Section 18.10, any Award affected by such suspension which shall not then have expired or terminated shall be reinstated as to all Shares available before such suspension and as to the Shares which would otherwise have become available during the period of such suspension, but no suspension shall extend the term of any Award. |
(e) The Committee may require each person receiving Shares in connection with any Award under the Plan to represent and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring such Shares for investment without a view to the distribution thereof, and/or provide such other representations and agreements as the Committee may prescribe. The Committee, in its absolute discretion, may impose such restrictions on the ownership and transferability of the Shares purchasable or otherwise receivable by any person under any Award as it deems appropriate. Any such restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, and the certificates evidencing such shares may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any such restrictions. |
(f) An Award and any Shares received upon the exercise or payment of an Award shall be subject to such other transfer and/or ownership restrictions and/or legending requirements as the Committee may establish in its discretion and may be referred to on the certificates evidencing such Shares, including restrictions under applicable securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, and under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares. |
18.11. Participants Deemed to Accept Plan. By accepting any benefit under the Plan, each Participant and each person claiming under or through any such Participant shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated their acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and any action taken under the Plan by the Board, the Committee or the Company, in any case in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.
18.12. Governing Law. The Plan and, except as provided below or in an applicable subplan, each Award Agreement to a Participant shall be governed by the laws of the State of Israel, excluding any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan to the substantive law of another jurisdiction. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, Participants are deemed to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts in Tel-Aviv, Israel, to resolve any and all issues that may arise out of or relate to the Plan or any related Award Agreement.
18.13. Plan Unfunded. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of assets to assure the issuance of Shares or the payment of cash upon exercise or payment of any Award. Proceeds from the sale of Shares pursuant to Options or other Awards granted under the Plan shall constitute general funds of the Company.
18.14. Administration Costs. The Company shall bear all costs and expenses incurred in administering the Plan, including expenses of issuing Shares pursuant to any Options or other Awards granted hereunder.
18.15. Uncertificated Shares. To the extent that the Plan provides for issuance of certificates to reflect the transfer of Shares, the transfer of such Shares may nevertheless be effected on a noncertificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange.
18.16. No Fractional Shares. An Option or other Award shall not be exercisable with respect to a fractional Share or the lesser of fifty (50) shares or the full number of Shares then subject to the Option or other Award. No fractional Shares shall be issued upon the exercise or payment of an Option or other Award and any such fractions shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.
18.17. Participants. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws or practices of countries in which the Company, any Affiliate, and/or any Subsidiary operates or has Employees, Non-Employee Directors or Consultants, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to:
(a) Determine which Affiliates and Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan; |
(b) Determine which Employees, Non-Employee Directors and/or Consultants are eligible to participate in the Plan; |
(c) | Grant Awards (including substitutes for Awards), and modify the terms and conditions of any Awards, on such terms and conditions as the Committee determines necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by individuals otherwise eligible to so participate, or otherwise to comply with applicable laws or conform to applicable requirements or practices of the applicable jurisdictions; |
(d) | Establish subplans and adopt or modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable. Any subplans and modifications to Plan terms and procedures established under this Section 18.18 by the Committee shall be attached to the Plan as appendices; and |
(e) | Take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Committee, in its discretion, deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local government regulatory exemptions or approvals. |
Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate any applicable law. |
Updated: November 2008
Exhibit 8.1
Company |
Jurisdiction of Incorporation |
---|---|
Allot Communications, Inc. | United States |
Allot Communication Europe SARL | France |
Allot Communications (Asia Pacific) Pte. Limited | Singapore |
Allot Communication (UK) Limited | United Kingdom |
Allot Communications Japan K.K. | Japan |
Allot Communications (New Zealand) Limited | New Zealand |
Exhibit 12.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT
TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Rami Hadar, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Allot Communications Ltd.; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The companys other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have: |
(a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
(b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
(c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the companys disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
(d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the companys internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The companys other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the companys auditors and the audit committee of the companys board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
(a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the companys ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
(b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the companys internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: May 7, 2009
/s/ Rami Hadar Rami Hadar President and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 12.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT
TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Doron Arazi, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Allot Communications Ltd.; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The companys other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have: |
(a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
(b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
(c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the companys disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
(d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the companys internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The companys other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the companys auditors and the audit committee of the companys board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
(a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the companys ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
(b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the companys internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: May 7, 2009 |
/s/ Doron Arazi Doron Arazi Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 13.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION
906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Allot Communications Ltd. (the Company) on Form 20-F for the period ending December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), I, Rami Hadar and I, Doron Arazi, each certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1. | The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
2. | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
Date: May 7, 2009
/s/ Rami Hadar Rami Hadar President and Chief Executive Officer |
Date: May 7, 2009
/s/ Doron Arazi Doron Arazi Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 14.1
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 Nos. 333-140701 and 333-149237) pertaining to the Employees stock option plan of Allot Communications Ltd. of our report dated May 7, 2009, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Allot Communications Ltd. included in this Annual Report (Form 20-F) for the year ended December 31, 2008.
May 7, 2009 Tel-Aviv, Israel |
/s/ Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer KOST FORER GABBAY & KASIERER A Member of Ernst & Young Global |