Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

 v2.3.0.11
Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies  
Commitments and Contingencies

(11)              Commitments and Contingencies

 

Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is party to various legal proceedings, including those noted below. Management cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, or their resulting effect on the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows as litigation and related matters are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. Were an unfavorable outcome to occur, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on the business, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows for the period in which the ruling occurs and/or future periods. The Company maintains directors’ and officers’ liability, product liability, general liability and excess liability insurance coverage. However, no assurances can be given that such insurance will continue to be available at an acceptable cost to the Company, that such coverage will be sufficient to cover one or more large claims, or that the insurers will not successfully disclaim coverage as to a pending or future claim.

 

NutriPlus Arbitration

 

In 1999 and 2000, the Company and Nutriplus LLC (“NutriPlus”) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement and subsequent Settlement Agreement (together the “Purchase Agreement”) under which the Company acquired certain assets in order to establish its Russian business, and Nutriplus acquired rights to receive certain royalty payments from the Company expressed as a percentage of the Company’s net sales in its Russian business.

 

On July 12, 2010, the Company submitted a demand for arbitration to the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) naming NutriPlus as respondent. The Company sought a declaration of its rights and obligations, including with respect to royalty payments, and the calculation thereof, arising out of the Purchase Agreement.

 

On July 20, 2010, NutriPlus submitted its own demand for arbitration to the AAA naming the Company as respondent. NutriPlus alleged that the Company underpaid NutriPlus for royalties arising out of the Purchase Agreement. In arbitration, NutriPlus sought damages related to the alleged underpayment and a declaratory judgment with respect to the method the Company must use in determining the amount of royalties to pay NutriPlus in the future.

 

The arbitration demands were consolidated into a single proceeding, and the hearing was scheduled for July 2011.

 

On July 8, 2011, the Company and NutriPlus entered into a Settlement Agreement, wherein both parties settled all claims in the arbitration and bore their own costs associated with the arbitration. As a result of the settlement, the Company will pay NutriPlus $21,700 and all of the Company’s ongoing obligations under the Purchase Agreement were extinguished, including all obligations with respect to accrued unpaid royalties and all obligations to pay future royalties to NutriPlus in perpetuity. In 2010, the Company recorded total royalty costs for the year of approximately $5,553. The Company recorded royalty costs of approximately $1,290 and $1,259 for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $2,894 and $2,762for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  As of June 30, 2011, the Company had accrued $6,950 related to the liability for unpaid royalties to NutriPlus for the period from April 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. The Company will apply such accrual to the settlement payment.

 

Other Litigation

 

The Company is party to various other legal proceedings in several foreign jurisdictions related to VAT assessments and other civil litigation. Although there is a reasonable possibility that a material loss may be incurred, the Company cannot at this time estimate the loss, if any. Therefore, no provision for losses has been provided. The Company believes future payments related to these matters could range from $0 to approximately $1,700.

 

Non-income Tax Contingencies

 

The Company has reserved for certain state sales and use tax and foreign non-income tax contingencies based on the likelihood of an obligation in accordance with accounting guidance for probable loss contingencies. Loss contingency provisions are recorded for probable losses at management’s best estimate of a loss, or when a best estimate cannot be made, a minimum loss contingency amount is recorded. The Company provides provisions for potential payments of tax to various tax authorities for contingencies related to non-income tax matters, including value added taxes and sales tax. The Company provides provisions for U.S. state sales taxes in each of the states where the Company has nexus. As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, accrued liabilities include $9,262 and $10,235, respectively, related to non-income tax contingencies. While management believes that the assumptions and estimates used to determine this liability are reasonable, the ultimate outcome of those matters cannot presently be determined. The Company is not able at this time to predict the ultimate outcomes of those matters or to estimate the effect the ultimate outcomes, if greater than the amounts accrued, would have on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

 

Government Regulations

 

The Company is subject to governmental regulations pertaining to product formulation, labeling and packaging, product claims and advertising, and to the Company’s direct selling system. The Company is also subject to the jurisdiction of numerous foreign tax and customs authorities. Any assertions or determinations that either the Company or the Company’s Distributors are not in compliance with existing statutes, laws, rules or regulations could potentially have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations. In addition, in any country or jurisdiction, the adoption of new statutes, laws, rules or regulations, or changes in the interpretation of existing statutes, laws, rules or regulations could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its operations. Although management believes that the Company is in compliance, in all material respects, with the statutes, laws, rules and regulations of every jurisdiction in which it operates, no assurance can be given that the Company’s compliance with applicable statutes, laws, rules and regulations will not be challenged by foreign authorities or that such challenges will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.