Commitments And Contingencies (Note) |
9 Months Ended |
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Sep. 30, 2017 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments And Contingencies |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
On September 7, 2017, a putative class action complaint was filed by a purported HSNi stockholder in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware: McClure v. HSN, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:17-cv-01279. The complaint names as defendants HSNi and members of the HSNi board. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and alleges that HSNi and the members of the HSNi board caused a registration statement that allegedly omitted material information to be filed in connection with the merger, which allegedly rendered the registration statement false and misleading. The complaint further alleges that the members of the HSNi board acted as controlling persons of HSNi and had knowledge of the allegedly false statements contained in the registration statement or were negligent in not knowing that material information was allegedly omitted from the registration statement. Among other relief, the complaint seeks a declaration certifying a class, an injunction to prevent the merger from proceeding unless and until HSNi discloses the material information allegedly omitted from the registration statement, unspecified damages, and unspecified costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees. Defendants believe the claims are without merit and intend to defend vigorously against all claims asserted. Defendant's deadline to respond to the complaint is on or before November 13, 2017.
On September 28, 2017, a putative class action complaint was filed by a purported HSNi stockholder in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida: Palkon v. HSN, Inc., et al., Case No. 8:17-cv-2271. The complaint names as defendants HSNi, members of the HSNi board, Liberty Interactive Corporation, and Liberty Horizon, Inc. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and alleges that HSNi and the members of the HSNi board caused a registration statement that omitted material information to be filed in connection with the merger, which allegedly rendered the registration statement false and misleading. The complaint further alleges that the members of the HSNi board, Liberty Interactive Corporation, and Liberty Horizon, Inc. acted as controlling persons of HSNi, were involved in the making and composition of the registration statement, and had knowledge of the allegedly false statements contained in the registration statement. The complaint seeks, among other relief, an injunction to prevent the merger from proceeding, rescission of the merger, an order directing HSNi to disseminate a registration statement that does not contain any untrue statements of material fact, a judgment declaring a violation of Sections 14(a) and/or 20(a) of the Exchange Act, as well as Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder, unspecified damages, and unspecified costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees. Defendants believe the claims are without merit and intend to defend vigorously against all claims asserted.
In the ordinary course of business, HSNi is a party to various audits, claims and lawsuits. These audits or litigation may relate to claims involving property, personal injury, contract, intellectual property (including patent infringement), sales tax, product recalls, regulatory compliance, employment matters and other claims. HSNi has established reserves for specific legal, tax or other compliance matters for which it has determined the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is probable and the loss is reasonably estimable. Management has also identified certain legal, tax or other matters where it believes an unfavorable outcome is not probable and, therefore, no reserve is established. Although management currently believes that an unfavorable resolution of claims against HSNi, including claims where an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible, will not have a material impact on its liquidity, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and management’s view of these matters may change in the future and an unfavorable resolution of such a proceeding could have a material impact. Moreover, any claims or regulatory actions against HSNi, whether meritorious or not, could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources.
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