sv1za
As Filed With The United States Securities and Exchange
Commission on September 16, 2005
Registration No. 333-123228
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1 to
Form S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Spark Networks plc
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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England and Wales |
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7375 |
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98-0200628 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
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(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
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(IRS Employer
Identification Number) |
8383 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 800
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(323) 836-3000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of Registrants principal executive offices)
David E. Siminoff
President and Chief Executive Officer
Spark Networks plc
8383 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 800
Beverly Hills, California 90211
Telephone: (323) 836-3000
Fax: (323) 836-3333
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Thomas J. Poletti, Esq.
Katherine J. Blair, Esq.
Anh Q. Tran, Esq.
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP
10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, 7th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90067
Telephone: (310) 552-5000
Fax: (310) 552-5001
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the
public: From time to time after this Registration Statement
is declared effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, please check
following box: þ
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an
offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act
of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same
offering: o
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to
Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, please check
the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same
offering: o
If this form is a post effective amendment filed pursuant to
Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, please check
the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earliest effective registration
statement for the same
offering: o
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to
Rule 434 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the
following
box: o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Maximum |
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Proposed Maximum |
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Amount to be |
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Offering Price |
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Aggregate Offering |
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Amount of |
Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered |
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Registered(1) |
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Per Share(2) |
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Price |
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Registration Fee |
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Ordinary Shares, par value 1p per share(3)
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26,144,160 |
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$7.12 |
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$186,146,419 |
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$21,909 |
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Ordinary Shares, par value 1p per share(3)(4)
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7,125,000 |
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$7.12 |
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$50,730,000 |
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$5,971 |
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Total Registration Fee
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$27,880(5) |
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(1) |
In accordance with Rule 416(a), the Registrant is also
registering hereunder an indeterminate number of additional
shares of common stock that shall be issuable pursuant to
Rule 416 to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits,
stock dividends or similar transactions. |
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(2) |
Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, solely for the purpose of computing the amount
of the registration fee based on the average of the high and low
sales prices of the ordinary shares traded in the form of Global
Depositary Receipts, or GDRs, as reported by the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange in Germany on September 15, 2005. For purposes of
this calculation the sales price of the GDRs is converted into
U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of
0.81413 per
$1.00, which is based on the average bid and ask currency
exchange price as reported by OANDA on September 15, 2005. |
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(3) |
Consists of ordinary shares that are to be offered and sold in
the form of American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, by the selling
shareholders identified in this prospectus. The ADSs, each
representing one ordinary share, evidenced by American
Depositary Receipts, or ADRs, upon deposit of the ordinary
shares registered hereby, are being registered under a separate
registration statement on Form F-6. |
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(4) |
Represents shares of the Registrants ordinary shares being
registered for resale that have been or may be acquired upon the
exercise of warrants or options issued to the selling
stockholders named in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement. |
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(5) |
Previous partial payment. Pursuant to Rule 457(p), the
registration fee is being partially offset by a previously paid
filing fee of $12,670 paid in connection with the filing on
August 4, 2004 by MatchNet, Inc. of a registration
statement on Form S-1 (file number 333-117940). |
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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on
such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective
date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall
thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration
Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission,
acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in
this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling
shareholders may not sell these securities until the Securities
and Exchange Commission declares our registration statement
effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these
securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
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Subject to completion, dated
September 16, 2005
33,269,160 American Depositary Shares
SPARK NETWORKS PLC
Representing 33,269,160 Ordinary Shares
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The selling shareholders identified in this prospectus are
offering 33,269,160 ordinary shares in the form of American
Depositary Shares, or ADSs. Each ADS represents the right to
receive one ordinary share. We will not receive any proceeds
from the sale of our shares by the selling shareholders, except
for funds received from the exercise of warrants and options
held by selling shareholders, if and when exercised. |
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No public market for our ordinary shares or ADSs currently
exists in the United States of America. |
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Our ordinary shares in the form of Global Depositary Shares, or
GDSs, currently trade on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the
symbol MHJG. The last reported sales price of the
GDSs on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on September 15, 2005
was
5.61 per
GDS, or $6.89 per GDS. |
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Proposed trading symbol for the ADSs: Nasdaq National
Market SPRK. |
This investment involves risk. See Risk Factors
beginning on page 5.
Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor
any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of
anyones investment in these securities or determined if
this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus
is ,
2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should rely only on information contained in this
prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide
you with different information. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell, nor is it seeking an offer to buy, these securities in
any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. The
information in this prospectus is complete and accurate as of
the date on the front cover, but the information may have
changed since that date.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights information continued elsewhere in
this prospectus and does not contain all the information you
should consider in your investment decision. You should read
this summary, which includes material information, with the more
detailed information set out in this prospectus and the
financial statements and related notes. You should carefully
consider, among other things, the matters discussed in
Risk Factors. We were incorporated in September 1998
under the laws of England and Wales as a public limited company.
Throughout this prospectus, we refer to Spark Networks plc
(known as MatchNet plc until January 10, 2005) and our
subsidiaries as we, us, our,
our company, Spark Networks and
MatchNet unless otherwise indicated. Spark Networks,
MatchNet, JDate, AmericanSingles and MingleMatch are our
trademarks. Trade names, trademarks and service marks of other
companies appearing in this prospectus are the property of the
respective holders.
Our Business
We are a leading provider of online personals services in the
United States and internationally. Our Web sites enable adults
to meet online and participate in a community, become friends,
date, form a long-term relationship or marry. We provide this
opportunity through the many features on our Web sites, such as
detailed profiles, onsite email centers, real-time chat rooms,
and instant messaging services. According to comScore Media
Metrix, we averaged approximately 3.6 million total unique
visitors per month to our Web sites in the United States during
the first six months of 2005, which ranked us as the third
largest provider of online personals services in the United
States in terms of total unique visitors. comScore Media Metrix
defines total unique visitors as the estimated
number of different individuals that visited any content of a
website, a category, a channel, or an application during the
reporting period. Currently, our key Web sites are JDate.com and
AmericanSingles.com. We operate several international websites
and maintain operations in both the United States and Israel.
Information regarding the geographical source of our revenues
can be found in our Consolidated Financial Statements included
in this prospectus. Membership on our sites is free and allows a
registered user to post a personal profile and to access our
searchable database of member profiles and our 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week customer service. The ability to
initiate most communication with other members requires the
payment of a monthly subscription fee, which represents our
primary source of revenue. Our subscription fees are charged on
a monthly basis, with discounts for longer-term subscriptions
ranging from three to twelve months, and subscriptions renew
automatically for subsequent one-month periods until paying
subscribers terminate them.
We believe that online personals fulfill significant needs for
Americas single adults who are looking to meet a companion
or date. Traditional methods such as printed personals
advertisements, offline dating services and public gathering
places often do not meet the needs of time-constrained single
people. Printed personals advertisements offer individuals
limited personal information and interaction before meeting.
Offline dating services are time-consuming, expensive and offer
a smaller number of potential partners. Public gathering places
such as restaurants, bars and social venues provide a limited
ability to learn about others prior to an in-person meeting. In
contrast, online personals services facilitate interaction
between singles by allowing them to screen and communicate with
a large number of potential companions. With features such as
detailed personal profiles, email and instant messaging, this
medium allows users to communicate with other singles at their
convenience and affords them the ability to meet multiple people
in a safe and secure online setting.
For the six months ended June 30, 2005, we had
approximately 219,200 average paying subscribers.
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We intend to grow our business in the following ways:
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Increasing our base of members in the United States and
internationally through consistent and targeted marketing
efforts and geographic expansion; |
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Increasing the number of our members who become paying
subscribers by offering improved technology and communications
features and by utilizing our strong customer service
focus; and |
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Extending into new vertical affinity markets that we believe
will be receptive to paid online personals and are large enough
to enable us to attain enough paying subscribers sufficient to
support an online community. We view vertical affinity markets
as identifiable groups of people who share common interests and
the desire to meet companions or dates with similar interests,
backgrounds or traits. |
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Office Location
Our principal executive offices are located at 8383 Wilshire
Boulevard, Suite 800, Beverly Hills, California 90211. Our
telephone number at that location is (323) 836-3000. Our
registered office is located at 24/26 Arcadia Avenue,
N3 2JU, England. Our corporate Web site address is
www.spark.net. This is a textual reference only. We do not
incorporate the information on our Web site into this
prospectus, and you should not consider any information on, or
that can be accessed through, our Web site as part of this
prospectus.
The Offering
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ADSs offered by selling shareholders |
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33,269,160
ADSs(1) |
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Total ordinary shares outstanding after the offering, including
ordinary shares underlying ADSs and GDSs |
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26,144,160 Ordinary
Shares(2) |
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Use of Proceeds |
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We will not receive any of the net proceeds from the sale of our
shares by the selling shareholders. See Use of
Proceeds. |
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Proposed Nasdaq National Market symbol |
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SPRK |
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(1) |
Consists of 26,144,160 ordinary shares, 6,595,000 ordinary
shares underlying options and 530,000 ordinary shares underlying
warrants. The ordinary shares are to be offered and sold in the
form of American Depositary Shares, or ADSs. The ADSs, each
representing one ordinary share, evidenced by American
Depositary Receipts, or ADRs, upon deposit of the ordinary
shares registered hereby, are being registered under a separate
registration statement on Form F-6. |
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(2) |
The total number of ordinary shares to be outstanding
immediately after this offering is based on 26,144,160 ordinary
shares outstanding as of August 31, 2005. This information
excludes: |
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8,997,750 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of
outstanding options as of August 31, 2005, with exercise
prices ranging from $0.90 to $9.74 per share and a weighted
average exercise price of $4.16 per share; |
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530,000 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants
outstanding as of August 31, 2005, with an exercise price
an exercise price of $2.57 per share; and |
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14,157,000 ordinary shares available for issuance under our
share option schemes. |
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Summary Consolidated Financial Data
The following summary consolidated financial data should be read
in conjunction with Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
and the consolidated financial statements, related notes, and
other financial information included herein.
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Six months ended | |
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Year ended December 31,(1) | |
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June 30,(1) | |
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2002 | |
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2003 | |
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2004 | |
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2004 | |
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2005 | |
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(unaudited) | |
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(unaudited) | |
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(in thousands, except per share and paying subscriber data) | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
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Net revenues
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$ |
16,352 |
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$ |
36,941 |
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$ |
65,052 |
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$ |
30,862 |
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$ |
$31,990 |
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Direct marketing expenses
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5,396 |
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18,395 |
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31,240 |
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15,864 |
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11,279 |
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Contribution margin
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10,956 |
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18,546 |
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33,812 |
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14,998 |
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20,711 |
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Operating expenses:
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Indirect marketing
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403 |
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907 |
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2,451 |
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1,051 |
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503 |
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Customer service
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1,207 |
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2,536 |
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3,379 |
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1,878 |
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1,137 |
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Technical operations
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1,587 |
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4,341 |
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7,162 |
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3,318 |
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2,950 |
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Product development
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603 |
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959 |
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2,013 |
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871 |
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1,890 |
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General and administrative (excluding share-based
compensation)(2)
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7,996 |
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16,885 |
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27,727 |
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12,078 |
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12,512 |
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Share-based compensation
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1,871 |
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1,704 |
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2,401 |
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(28 |
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Amortization of goodwill and intangible assets
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524 |
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555 |
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860 |
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482 |
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411 |
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Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill
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1,532 |
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208 |
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Total operating expenses
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12,320 |
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29,586 |
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45,504 |
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22,079 |
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19,375 |
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Operating income (loss)
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(1,364 |
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(11,040 |
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(11,692 |
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(7,081 |
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1,336 |
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Interest (income) and other expenses, net
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(840 |
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(188 |
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(66 |
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32 |
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144 |
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Loss before income taxes
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(524 |
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(10,852 |
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(11,626 |
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(7,113 |
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1,192 |
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Provision for income taxes
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1 |
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1 |
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64 |
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Net loss
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$ |
(524 |
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$ |
(10,852 |
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$ |
(11,627 |
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$ |
(7,114 |
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$ |
1,128 |
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Net loss per share basic and diluted
(3)
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$ |
(0.03 |
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$ |
(0.57 |
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$ |
(0.51 |
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$ |
(0.33 |
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$ |
0.04 |
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Weighted average shares outstanding basic and
diluted(3)
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18,460 |
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18,970 |
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22,667 |
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21,521 |
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25,389 |
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29,080 |
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Other Financial Data:
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Depreciation
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$ |
874 |
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$ |
1,441 |
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$ |
3,065 |
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$ |
1,369 |
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$ |
1,767 |
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Additional Information:
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Average paying
subscribers(4)
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58,700 |
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125,800 |
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226,100 |
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217,900 |
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219,200 |
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3
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December 31, | |
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June 30, | |
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2002 | |
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2003 | |
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2004 | |
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2005 | |
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Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
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Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities
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$ |
7,755 |
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$ |
5,815 |
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$ |
7,423 |
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$ |
8,292 |
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Total assets
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17,461 |
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16,969 |
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27,359 |
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41,485 |
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Deferred revenue
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1,535 |
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3,232 |
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3,933 |
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3,925 |
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Capital lease obligations and notes payable
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487 |
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1,873 |
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11,978 |
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Total liabilities
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3,998 |
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11,659 |
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16,872 |
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26,340 |
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Shares subject to
rescission(5)
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3,819 |
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3,819 |
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Accumulated deficit
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(21,156 |
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(32,008 |
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(43,635 |
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(42,507 |
) |
Total shareholders equity
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13,463 |
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5,310 |
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6,668 |
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11,326 |
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(1) |
Refer to Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a
discussion of certain asset and business acquisitions. |
(2) |
In 2004, general and administrative expenses included an expense
of approximately $2.4 million related to an employee
severance, $2.1 million related to the United States
initial public offering of MatchNet, Inc. that was planned for
mid-2004, but which was withdrawn shortly after the related
registration statement was filed in the third quarter of 2004,
as well as one legal settlement resulting in the recognition of
$900,000 in expenses in the third quarter and two legal
settlements resulting in the recognition of $2.1 million in
expenses in the fourth quarter of 2004. In 2003, general and
administrative expenses included a charge of $1.7 million
primarily related to a settlement with Comdisco. |
(3) |
For information regarding the computation of per share amounts,
refer to note 1 of our consolidated financial statements. |
(4) |
Average paying subscribers for each month are calculated as the
sum of the paying subscribers at the beginning and the end of
the month, divided by two. Average paying subscribers for
periods longer than one month are calculated as the sum of the
average paying subscribers for each month, divided by the number
of months in such period. Additionally, refer to
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations for a discussion of
other business metrics we use to evaluate our business. |
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(5) |
Under our 2000 Executive Share Option Scheme (2000 Option
Scheme), we granted options to purchase ordinary shares to
certain of our employees, directors and consultants. The
issuances of securities upon exercise of options granted under
our 2000 Option Scheme may not have been exempt from
registration and qualification under federal and California
state securities laws, and as a result, we may have potential
liability to those employees, directors and consultants to whom
we issued securities upon the exercise of these options. In
order to address that issue, we may elect to make a rescission
offer to those persons who exercised all, or a portion, of those
options and continue to hold the shares issued upon exercise, to
give them the opportunity to rescind the issuance of those
shares. However, the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission is of the opinion that a rescission offer will not
bar or extinguish any liability under the Securities Act of 1933
with respect to these options and shares, nor will a rescission
offer extinguish a holders right to rescind the issuance
of securities that were not registered or exempt from the
registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933. As
of June 30, 2005, assuming every eligible person that
continues to hold the securities issued upon exercise of options
granted under the 2000 Option Scheme were to accept a rescission
offer, we estimate the total cost to us to complete the
rescission would be approximately $3.8 million including
statutory interest at 7% per annum, accrued since the date
of exercise of the options. The rescission acquisition price is
calculated as equal to the original exercise price paid by the
optionee to our company upon exercise of their option. |
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Presentation of Financial Information
We report our financial statements in U.S. dollars and
prepare our financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States. In this
prospectus, except where otherwise indicated, references to
$ or U.S. dollars are to the lawful
currency of the United States, references to
or
euro are to the single currency of the European
Union, and references to £ or pound
sterling are to the currency of the United Kingdom. Unless
otherwise noted, the exercise prices of options and warrants as
outstanding on June 30, 2005 noted in this prospectus are
presented on an as converted basis into U.S. dollars at an
exchange rate of
0.82898 per
$1.00 or £ 0.55426 per $1.00, each of which is
based on the average bid and ask exchange price as reported by
OANDA for the day June 30, 2005. The exercise prices of
options and warrants as outstanding on August 31, 2005
utilize the exchange rate as of August 31, 2005, which as
0.81800 per
$1.00 or £ 0.55972 per $1.00.
4
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks described below
together with all of the other information included in this
prospectus and the related registration statement before making
an investment decision. The risks and uncertainties described
below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and
uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently deem
immaterial, also may become important factors that adversely
affect us. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our
business, financial condition or results of operations could be
materially adversely affected. In that case, the trading price
of our ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs, would decline and
you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related To Our Business
We have significant operating losses and we may incur
additional losses in the future.
We have historically generated significant operating losses. As
of June 30, 2005, we had an accumulated deficit of
approximately $42.5 million. We had net income of
approximately $1.1 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2005 and a loss of $11.6 million for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. We also had negative
operating cash flow in 2004. We expect that our operating
expenses will continue to increase during the next several years
as a result of the promotion of our services, the hiring of
additional key personnel, the expansion of our operations,
including the launch of new Web sites, and entering into
acquisitions, strategic alliances and joint ventures. If our
revenues do not grow at a substantially faster rate than these
expected increases in our expenses or if our operating expenses
are higher than we anticipate, we may not be profitable and we
may incur additional losses, which could be significant.
Our limited operating history and relatively new business
model in an emerging and rapidly evolving market makes it
difficult to evaluate our future prospects.
We derive nearly all of our net revenues from online
subscription fees for our services, which is an early-stage
business model for us that has undergone, and continues to
experience, rapid and dramatic changes. As a result, we have
very little operating history for you to evaluate in assessing
our future prospects. You must consider our business and
prospects in light of the risks and difficulties we will
encounter as an early-stage company in a new and rapidly
evolving market. Our performance will depend on the continued
acceptance and evolution of online personal services and other
factors addressed herein. We may not be able to effectively
assess or address the evolving risks and difficulties present in
the market, which could threaten our capacity to continue
operations successfully in the future.
If our efforts to attract a large number of members, convert
members into paying subscribers and retain our paying
subscribers are not successful, our revenues and operating
results would suffer.
Our future growth depends on our ability to attract a large
number of members, convert members into paying subscribers and
retain our paying subscribers. This in turn depends on our
ability to deliver a high-quality online personals experience to
these members and paying subscribers. As a result, we must
continue to invest significant resources in order to enhance our
existing products and services and introduce new high-quality
products and services that people will use. If we are unable to
predict user preferences or industry changes, or if we are
unable to modify our products and services on a timely basis, we
may lose existing members and paying subscribers and may fail to
attract new members and paying subscribers. Our revenue and
expenses would also be adversely affected if our innovations are
not responsive to the needs of our members and paying
subscribers or are not brought to market in an effective or
timely manner.
5
Our subscriber acquisition costs vary depending upon
prevailing market conditions and may increase significantly in
the future.
Costs for us to acquire paying subscribers are dependent, in
part, upon our ability to purchase advertising at a reasonable
cost. Our advertising costs vary over time, depending upon a
number of factors, many of which are beyond our control.
Historically, we have used online advertising as the primary
means of marketing our services.
In general, the costs of online advertising have recently
increased substantially and we expect those costs to continue to
increase as long as the demand for online advertising remains
robust. If we are not able to reduce our other operating costs,
increase our paying subscriber base or increase revenue per
paying subscriber to offset these anticipated increases, our
profitability will be adversely affected.
Competition presents an ongoing threat to the performance of
our business.
We expect competition in the online personals business to
continue to increase because there are no substantial barriers
to entry. For example, an article in the USA Today stated
that there are signs of fierce competition among online
personals sites, and that an Internet tracking firm found that
the number of online personals sites it monitors had reached 836
in February 2005, up from 611 in January 2004. We believe that
our ability to compete depends upon many factors both within and
beyond our control, including the following:
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the size and diversity of our member and paying subscriber bases; |
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the timing and market acceptance of our products and services,
including the developments and enhancements to those products
and services relative to those offered by our competitors; |
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customer service and support efforts; |
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selling and marketing efforts; and |
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our brand strength in the marketplace relative to our
competitors. |
We compete with traditional personals services, as well as
newspapers, magazines and other traditional media companies that
provide personals services. We compete with a number of large
and small companies, including Internet portals and
specialty-focused media companies that provide online and
offline products and services to the markets we serve. Our
principal online personals services competitors include Yahoo!
Personals, Match.com, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
InterActiveCorp., and eHarmony, all of which operate primarily
in North America. In addition, we face competition from social
networking Web sites such as MySpace and Friendster. Many of our
current and potential competitors have longer operating
histories, significantly greater financial, technical, marketing
and other resources and larger customer bases than we do. These
factors may allow our competitors to respond more quickly than
we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer
requirements. These competitors may engage in more extensive
research and development efforts, undertake more far-reaching
marketing campaigns and adopt more aggressive pricing policies
which may allow them to build larger member and paying
subscriber bases than we have. Our competitors may develop
products or services that are equal or superior to our products
and services or that achieve greater market acceptance than our
products and services. These activities could attract members
and paying subscribers away from our Web sites and reduce our
market share.
In addition, current and potential competitors are making, and
are expected to continue to make, strategic acquisitions or
establishing cooperative and, in some cases, exclusive
relationships with significant companies or competitors to
expand their businesses or to offer more comprehensive products
and services. To the extent these competitors or potential
competitors establish exclusive relationships with major
portals, search engines and Internet service providers, or ISPs,
our ability to reach potential members through online
advertising may be restricted. Any of these competitors could
6
cause us difficulty in attracting and retaining members and
converting members into paying subscribers and could jeopardize
our existing affiliate program and relationships with portals,
search engines, ISPs and other Web properties.
Our efforts to capitalize upon opportunities to expand into
new vertical affinity markets may fail and could result in a
loss of capital and other valuable resources.
One of our strategies is to expand into new vertical affinity
markets to increase our revenue base. We view vertical affinity
markets as identifiable groups of people who share common
interests and the desire to meet companions or dates with
similar interests, backgrounds or traits. Our planned expansion
into such vertical affinity markets will occupy our
managements time and attention and will require us to
invest significant capital resources. The results of our
expansion efforts into new vertical affinity markets are
unpredictable, and there is no guarantee that our efforts will
have a positive effect on our revenue base. We face many risks
associated with our planned expansion into new vertical affinity
markets, including but not limited to the following:
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competition from pre-existing competitors with significantly
stronger brand recognition in the markets we enter; |
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our improper evaluations of the potential of such markets; |
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diversion of capital and other valuable resources away from our
core business and other opportunities that are potentially more
profitable; and |
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weakening our current brands by over expansion into too many new
markets. |
If we fail to keep pace with rapid technological change, our
competitive position will suffer.
We operate in a market characterized by rapidly changing
technologies, evolving industry standards, frequent new product
and service announcements, enhancements and changing customer
demands. Accordingly, our performance will depend on our ability
to adapt to rapidly changing technologies and industry
standards, and our ability to continually improve the speed,
performance, features, ease of use and reliability of our
services in response to both evolving demands of the marketplace
and competitive service and product offerings. There have been
occasions when we have not been as responsive as many of our
competitors in adapting our services to changing industry
standards and the needs of our members and paying subscribers.
Our industry has been subject to constant innovation and
competition. Historically, new features may be introduced by one
competitor, and if they are perceived as attractive to users,
they are often copied later by others. Over the last few years,
such new feature introductions in the industry have included
instant messaging, message boards, ecards, personality profiles,
and mobile content delivery. We do not believe we have suffered
materially for failure, or delay in implementing new features;
however, we are currently unable to deliver mobile features
until completion of our new system architecture. Introducing new
technologies into our systems involves numerous technical
challenges, substantial amounts of capital and personnel
resources and often takes many months to complete. We intend to
continue to devote efforts and funds toward the development of
additional technologies and services. For example, in 2003 and
2004 we introduced a number of new Web sites and features, and
we anticipate the introduction of additional Web sites and
features in 2005 and 2006. We may not be able to effectively
integrate new technologies into our Web sites on a timely basis
or at all, which may degrade the responsiveness and speed of our
Web sites. Such technologies, even if integrated, may not
function as expected.
7
Our business depends on establishing and maintaining strong
brands and if we are not able to maintain and enhance our
brands, we may be unable to expand or maintain our member and
paying subscriber bases.
We believe that establishing and maintaining our brands is
critical to our efforts to attract and expand our member and
paying subscriber bases. We believe that the importance of brand
recognition will continue to increase, given the growing number
of Internet sites and the low barriers to entry for companies
offering online personals services. For example, an article in
the USA Today stated that there are signs of fierce competition
among online personals sites, and that an Internet tracking firm
found that the number of online personals sites it monitors had
reached 836 in February 2005, up from 611 in January 2004. To
attract and retain members and paying subscribers, and to
promote and maintain our brands in response to competitive
pressures, we intend to substantially increase our financial
commitment to creating and maintaining distinct brand loyalty
among these groups. If visitors, members and paying subscribers
to our Web sites and our affiliate and distribution associates
do not perceive our existing services to be of high quality, or
if we introduce new services or enter into new business ventures
that are not favorably received by such parties, the value of
our brands could be diluted, thereby decreasing the
attractiveness of our Web sites to such parties. In addition, we
changed our corporate name in January 2005 from
MatchNet plc to Spark Networks plc, however, we did
not change the names of our Web sites or brand names. Our
adoption of a new corporate name may prevent us from taking
advantage of goodwill that potential and existing customers may
have associated with our old corporate name. As a result, our
results of operations may be adversely affected by decreased
brand recognition.
We may have potential liability under California state and
federal securities laws with respect to the grant of share
options to certain of our employees, directors and consultants
and the exercise of these options.
Under our 2000 Executive Share Option Scheme (2000 Option
Scheme), we granted options to purchase ordinary shares to
certain of our employees, directors and consultants. These
option grants may not have been exempt from qualification under
California state securities laws. As a result, we may have
potential liability to those employees, directors and
consultants to whom we granted options under the 2000 Option
Scheme. In order to address that issue, we may elect to make a
rescission offer to the holders of outstanding options under the
2000 Option Scheme to give them the opportunity to rescind the
grant of their options.
As of June 30, 2005, assuming every eligible optionee were
to accept a rescission offer, we estimate the total cost to us
to complete the rescission would be approximately
$4.0 million including statutory interest at 7% per
annum. These amounts reflect the costs of offering to rescind
the issuance of the outstanding options by paying an amount
equal to 20% of the aggregate exercise price for the entire
option.
In addition, issuances of securities upon exercise of options
granted under our 2000 Option Scheme may not have been exempt
from registration and qualification under federal and California
state securities laws. As a result, we may have potential
liability to those employees, directors and consultants to whom
we issued securities upon the exercise of these options. In
order to address that issue, we may elect to make a rescission
offer to those persons who exercised all, or a portion, of those
options and continue to hold the shares issued upon exercise, to
give them the opportunity to rescind the issuance of those
shares.
As of June 30, 2005, assuming every eligible person that
continues to hold the securities issued upon exercise of options
granted under the 2000 Option Scheme were to accept a rescission
offer, we estimate the total cost to us to complete the
rescission would be approximately $3.8 million including
statutory interest at 7% per annum, accrued since the date
of exercise of the options. These amounts are calculated by
reference to the acquisition price of the shares.
8
A holder could argue that this process does not represent an
adequate remedy for issuance of an option and securities issued
upon exercise of an option in violation of California state or
federal securities laws and, if a court were to impose a greater
remedy, our financial exposure could be greater. In addition, it
is the Securities and Exchange Commissions position that a
rescission offer will not bar or extinguish any liability under
the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to these options and
shares, nor will a rescission offer extinguish a holders
right to rescind the issuance of securities that were not
registered or exempt from the registration requirements under
the Securities Act of 1933. If any or all of the holders reject
or fail to respond to our rescission offer, the holders will
keep their options and securities and we may continue to be
liable under federal and California state securities laws for up
to an amount equal to the value of the options and securities
granted or issued plus any statutory interest we may be required
to pay. Further, claims or actions based on fraud may not be
waived or barred pursuant to a rescission offer and there can be
no assurance that we will be able to enforce any waivers that we
may receive in connection with the rescission offer in order to
bar such claims or other causes of action until the applicable
statute of limitations has run. In addition, despite a
rescission offer, whether accepted or not, if it is determined
that we offered securities without properly registering them
under federal or state law, or securing an exemption from
registration, regulators could impose monetary fines or other
sanctions as provided under these laws.
We have terminated and no longer grant options under our 2000
Option Scheme, but options previously granted under the 2000
Option Scheme remain in full force and effect. We intend to file
a registration statement on Form S-8 to cover the issuance
of future shares upon exercise of presently unexercised options
under the 2000 Option Scheme.
If we are unable to attract, retain and motivate key
personnel or hire qualified personnel, or such personnel do not
work well together, our growth prospects and profitability will
be harmed.
Our performance is largely dependent on the talents and efforts
of highly skilled individuals. We have recently recruited many
of our directors, executive officers and other key management
talent, some of which have limited or no experience in the
online personals industry. For example, David E. Siminoff, our
President and Chief Executive Officer, joined us in August 2004
and each of our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer
and General Counsel, and Chief Technology Officer joined us in
October 2004. Because members of our executive management have
only worked together as a team for a limited time, there are
inherent risks in the management of our company with respect to
decision-making, business direction, product development and
strategic relationships. In the event that the members of our
executive management team are unable to work well together or
agree on operating principles, business direction or business
transactions or are unable to provide cohesive leadership, our
business could be harmed and one or more of those individuals
may discontinue their service to our company, and we would be
forced to find a suitable replacement. The loss of any of our
management or key personnel could seriously harm our business.
Furthermore, we have recently experienced significant turnover
on our board of directors. We currently have seven members
serving on our board of directors. Since October 2004, we have
had two directors resign from our board of directors and five
directors join our board of directors. Alon Carmel, one of our
companys co-founders and co-chairmen, resigned from his
position in February 2005 to pursue other entrepreneurial and
philanthropic interests.
In August 2004, we initiated a cost reduction program and
terminated the employment of 40 full-time and temporary
employees, and, as a result, our future recruiting efforts may
become more difficult. We may also encounter difficulties in
recruiting personnel as we become a more mature company in a
competitive industry. Competition in our industry for personnel
is intense, and we are aware that our competitors have directly
targeted our employees. We do not have non-competition
agreements with most employees and, even in cases where we do,
these agreements are of limited enforceability in California. We
also do not maintain any key-person life insurance policies on
our executives. The incentives to attract, retain and motivate
employees provided by our option grants or by future
9
arrangements, such as cash bonuses, may not be as effective as
they have been in the past. If we do not succeed in attracting
necessary personnel or retaining and motivating existing
personnel, we may be unable to grow effectively.
Our inability to effectively manage our growth could have a
materially adverse effect on our profitability.
We have experienced rapid growth since inception. The growth and
expansion of our business and service offerings places a
continuous significant strain on our management, operational and
financial resources. We are required to manage multiple
relations with various strategic associates, technology
licensors, members, paying subscribers and other third parties.
In the event of further growth of our operations or in the
number of our third-party relationships, our computer systems or
procedures may not be adequate to support our operations and our
management may not be able to manage such growth effectively. To
effectively manage our growth, we must continue to implement and
improve our operational, financial and management information
systems and to expand, train and manage our employee base. If we
fail to do so, our management, operational and financial
resources could be overstrained and adversely impacted.
We expect our growth rates to decline and our operating
margins could deteriorate.
We believe our revenue growth rate will decline as our net
revenues increase to higher levels and as the growth of the
online personals industry begins to slow. We have seen a decline
in our growth rates during the latter stages of 2004 and first
half of 2005. A February 2005 report by Jupiter Research
forecasts the online personals industry will experience single
digit growth in 2005 as compared to 77% growth in 2003. It is
possible that our operating margins will deteriorate if revenue
growth does not exceed planned increases in expenditures for all
aspects of our business in an increasingly competitive
environment, including sales and marketing, general and
administrative and technical operations expenses.
Our business depends on our server and network hardware and
software and our ability to obtain network capacity; our current
safeguard systems may be inadequate to prevent an interruption
in the availability of our services.
The performance of our server and networking hardware and
software infrastructure is critical to our business and
reputation, to our ability to attract visitors and members to
our Web sites, to convert them into paying subscribers and to
retain paying subscribers. An unexpected and/or substantial
increase in the use of our Web sites could strain the capacity
of our systems, which could lead to a slower response time or
system failures. Although we have not yet experienced many
significant delays, any future slowdowns or system failures
could adversely affect the speed and responsiveness of our Web
sites and would diminish the experience for our visitors,
members and paying subscribers. We face risks related to our
ability to scale up to our expected customer levels while
maintaining superior performance. If the usage of our Web sites
substantially increases, we may need to purchase additional
servers and networking equipment and services to maintain
adequate data transmission speeds, the availability of which may
be limited or the cost of which may be significant. Any system
failure that causes an interruption in service or a decrease in
the responsiveness of our Web sites could reduce traffic on our
Web sites and, if sustained or repeated, could impair our
reputation and the attractiveness of our brands as well as
reduce revenue and negatively impact our operating results.
Furthermore, we rely on many different hardware systems and
software applications, some of which have been developed
internally. If these hardware systems or software applications
fail, it would adversely affect our ability to provide our
services. If we are unable to protect our data from loss or
electronic or magnetic corruption, or if we receive a
significant unexpected increase in usage and are not able to
rapidly expand our transaction-processing systems and network
infrastructure without any systems interruptions, it could
seriously harm our business and reputation. We have experienced
10
occasional systems interruptions in the past as a result of
unexpected increases in usage, and we cannot assure you that we
will not incur similar or more serious interruptions in the
future. From time to time, our company and our websites have
been subject to delays and interruptions due to software
viruses, or variants thereof, such as internet worms. To date,
we have not experienced delays or systems interruptions that
have had a material impact on our business.
In addition, we do not currently have adequate disaster recovery
systems in place, which means in the event of any catastrophic
failure involving our Web sites, we may be unable to serve our
Web traffic for a significant period of time. Our servers
primarily operate from only a single site in Southern California
and the absence of a backup site could exacerbate this
disruption. Any system failure, including network, software or
hardware failure, that causes an interruption in the delivery of
our Web sites and services or a decrease in responsiveness of
our services would result in reduced visitor traffic, reduced
revenue and would adversely affect our reputation and brands.
The failure to establish and maintain affiliate agreements
and relationships could limit the growth of our business.
We have entered into, and expect to continue to enter into,
arrangements with affiliates to increase our member and paying
subscribers bases, bring traffic to our Web sites and enhance
our brands. Pursuant to our arrangements, an affiliate generally
advertises or promotes our website on its website, and earns a
fee whenever visitors to its website click though the
advertisement to one of our websites and registers or subscribes
on our website. Affiliate arrangements constitute over half of
our marketing program. These affiliate arrangements are easily
cancelable, often with one day notice. We do not typically have
any exclusivity arrangements with our affiliates, and some of
our affiliates may also be affiliates for our competitors. None
of these affiliates, individually, represents a material portion
of our revenue. If any of our current affiliate agreements is
terminated, we may not be able to replace the terminated
agreement with an equally beneficial arrangement. We cannot
assure you that we will be able to renew any of our current
agreements when they terminate or, if we are able to do so, that
such renewals will be available on acceptable terms. We also do
not know whether we will be able to enter into additional
agreements or that any relationships, if entered into, will be
on terms favorable to us.
We rely on a number of third-party providers and their
failure or unwillingness to continue to perform could harm
us.
We rely on third parties to provide important services and
technologies to us, including a third party that manages and
monitors our offsite data center located in Southern California,
ISPs, search engine marketing providers and credit card
processors. In addition, we license technologies from third
parties to facilitate our ability to provide our services. Any
failure on our part to comply with the terms of these licenses
could result in the loss of our rights to continue using the
licensed technology, and we could experience difficulties
obtaining licenses for alternative technologies. Furthermore,
any failure of these third parties to provide these and other
services, or errors, failures, interruptions or delays
associated with licensed technologies, could significantly harm
our business. Any financial or other difficulties our providers
face may have negative effects on our business, the nature and
extent of which we cannot predict. Except to the extent of the
terms of our contracts with such third party providers, we
exercise little or no control over them, which increases our
vulnerability to problems with the services and technologies
they provide and license to us. In addition, if any fees charged
by third-party providers were to substantially increase, such as
if ISPs began charging us for email sent by our paying
subscribers to other members or paying subscribers, we could
incur significant additional losses.
If we fail to develop or maintain an effective system of
internal controls over financial reporting, we may not be able
to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As
a result, current and
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potential shareholders could lose confidence in our financial
reporting, which would harm the value of our shares.
Effective internal controls over financial reporting are
necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports,
effectively prevent fraud and operate as a public company. If we
cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our
reputation and operating results would be harmed. We have, in
the past, discovered and may, in the future, discover areas of
our internal controls over financial reporting that need
improvement. For example, during our audit of 2003 results, our
external auditors brought to our attention a need to restate
2001 and 2002 results and also noted, in a letter to management,
certain conditions involving internal controls and operations,
none of which were a material weakness.
If we become a U.S. public company, we will be subject to
the reporting requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Beginning December 31, 2006, we will be required to
annually assess and report on our internal controls over
financial reporting. If we are unable to adequately establish or
improve our internal controls over financial reporting, we may
report that our internal controls are ineffective and our
external auditors will not be able to issue an unqualified
opinion on the effectiveness of our internal controls.
Ineffective internal controls over financial reporting could
also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported
financial information, which would likely have a negative effect
on the trading price of our securities or could affect our
ability to access the capital markets and which could result in
regulatory proceedings against us by, among others, the
U.S. Securities Exchange Commission.
We face risks related to our recent accounting restatements,
which could result in costly litigation or regulatory
proceedings against us.
Our ordinary shares in the form of GDSs trade on the Frankfurt
Stock Exchange in Germany. Pursuant to the laws governing this
exchange, we publicly report our quarterly and annual operating
results. On April 28, 2004, we publicly announced that we
had discovered accounting inaccuracies in previously reported
financial statements. As a result, following consultation with
our new auditors, we restated our financial statements for the
nine months ended September 30, 2003 and for each of the
years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 to correct
inappropriate accounting entries.
The restatements primarily related to the timing of recognition
of deferred revenue and the capitalization of bounty costs,
which are the amounts paid to online marketers to acquire
members. The restatements are in accordance with United States
generally accepted accounting principles and pertain primarily
to timing matters and had no impact on cash flow from operations
or our ongoing operations. The impact on net loss for 2001 and
2002 was an increase of $1.5 million and $1.0 million,
respectively.
The restatement of the financial statements may lead to
litigation claims and/or regulatory proceedings against us. The
defense of any such claims or proceedings may cause the
diversion of managements attention and resources, and we
may be required to pay damages if any such claims or proceedings
are not resolved in our favor. Any litigation or regulatory
proceeding, even if resolved in our favor, could cause us to
incur significant legal and other expenses. Moreover, we may be
the subject of negative publicity focusing on the financial
statement inaccuracies and resulting restatement. The occurrence
of any of the foregoing could divert our resources, harm our
reputation and cause the price of our securities to decline.
Acquisitions could result in operating difficulties, dilution
and other harmful consequences.
In May 2005, we acquired MingleMatch, Inc., and we plan, during
the next few years, to further extend and develop our presence,
both within the United States and internationally, partially
through acquisitions of entities offering online personals
services and related businesses. We have limited experience
acquiring companies and the companies we have acquired have been
small. We have evaluated, and continue to evaluate, a wide array
of potential strategic transactions. From time to
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time, we may engage in discussions regarding potential
acquisitions, some of which may divert significant resources
away from our daily operations. In addition, the process of
integrating an acquired company, business or technology is risky
and may create unforeseen operating difficulties and
expenditures. For example, we have been engaged in significant
litigation in the past, but which has since settled, with
respect to our acquisition of SocialNet, Inc. in 2001. Some
areas where we may face risks include:
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the need to implement or remediate controls, procedures and
policies of acquired companies that lacked appropriate controls,
procedures and policies prior to the acquisition; |
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diversion of management time and focus from operating our
business to acquisition integration challenges; |
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cultural challenges associated with integrating employees from
an acquired company into our organization; |
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retaining employees from the businesses we acquire; and |
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the need to integrate each companys accounting, management
information, human resource and other administrative systems to
permit effective management. |
The anticipated benefit of many of our acquisitions may not
materialize. Future acquisitions could result in potentially
dilutive issuances of our equity securities, the incurrence of
debt, contingent liabilities or amortization expenses, or
write-offs, any of which could harm our financial condition.
Future acquisitions may require us to obtain additional equity
or debt financing, which may not be available on favorable terms
or at all.
We may not be effective in protecting our Internet domain
names or proprietary rights upon which our business relies or in
avoiding claims that we infringe upon the proprietary rights of
others.
We regard substantial elements of our Web sites and the
underlying technology as proprietary, and attempt to protect
them by relying on trademark, service mark, copyright, patent
and trade secret laws, and restrictions on disclosure and
transferring title and other methods. We also generally enter
into confidentiality agreements with our employees and
consultants, and generally seek to control access to and
distribution of our technology, documentation and other
proprietary information. Despite these precautions, it may be
possible for a third party to copy or otherwise obtain and use
our proprietary information without authorization or to develop
similar or superior technology independently. Effective
trademark, service mark, copyright, patent and trade secret
protection may not be available in every country in which our
services are distributed or made available through the Internet,
and policing unauthorized use of our proprietary information is
difficult. Any such misappropriation or development of similar
or superior technology by third parties could adversely impact
our profitability and our future financial results.
We believe that our Web sites, services, trademarks, patent and
other proprietary technologies do not infringe upon the rights
of third parties. However, there can be no assurance that our
business activities do not and will not infringe upon the
proprietary rights of others, or that other parties will not
assert infringement claims against us. We are aware that other
parties utilize the Spark name, or other marks that
incorporate it, and those parties may have rights to such marks
that are superior to ours. From time to time, we have been, and
expect to continue to be, subject to claims in the ordinary
course of business including claims of alleged infringement of
the trademarks, service marks and other intellectual property
rights of third parties by us. Although such claims have not
resulted in any significant litigation or had a material adverse
effect on our business to date, any such claims and resultant
litigation might subject us to temporary injunctive restrictions
on the use of our products, services or brand names and could
result in significant liability for damages for intellectual
property infringement, require us to enter into royalty
agreements, or restrict us from using infringing software,
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services, trademarks, patents or technologies in the future.
Even if not meritorious, such litigation could be time-consuming
and expensive and could result in the diversion of
managements time and attention away from our day-to-day
business.
We currently hold various Web domain names relating to our
brands and in the future may acquire new Web domain names. The
regulation of domain names in the United States and in foreign
countries is subject to change. Governing bodies may establish
additional top level domains, appoint additional domain name
registrars or modify the requirements for holding domain names.
As a result, we may be unable to acquire or maintain relevant
domain names in all countries in which we conduct business.
Furthermore, the relationship between regulations governing
domain names and laws protecting trademarks and similar
proprietary rights is unclear. We may be unable to prevent third
parties from acquiring domain names that are similar to,
infringe upon or otherwise decrease the value of our existing
trademarks and other proprietary rights or those we may seek to
acquire. Any such inability to protect ourselves could cause us
to lose a significant portion of our members and paying
subscribers to our competitors.
We may face potential liability, loss of users and damage to
our reputation for violation of our privacy policy.
Our privacy policy prohibits the sale or disclosure to any third
party of any members personal identifying information,
except to the extent expressly set forth in the policy. Growing
public concern about privacy and the collection, distribution
and use of information about individuals may subject us to
increased regulatory scrutiny and/or litigation. In the past,
the Federal Trade Commission has investigated companies that
have used personally identifiable information without permission
or in violation of a stated privacy policy. If we are accused of
violating the stated terms of our privacy policy, we may be
forced to expend significant amounts of financial and managerial
resources to defend against these accusations and we may face
potential liability. Our membership database holds confidential
information concerning our members, and we could be sued if any
of that information is misappropriated or if a court determines
that we have failed to protect that information.
We may be liable as a result of information retrieved from or
transmitted over the Internet.
We may be sued for defamation, civil rights infringement,
negligence, copyright or trademark infringement, invasion of
privacy, personal injury, product liability or under other legal
theories relating to information that is published or made
available on our Web sites and the other sites linked to it.
These types of claims have been brought, sometimes successfully,
against online services in the past. We also offer email
services, which may subject us to potential risks, such as
liabilities or claims resulting from unsolicited email or
spamming, lost or misdirected messages, security breaches,
illegal or fraudulent use of email or personal information or
interruptions or delays in email service. Our insurance does not
specifically provide for coverage of these types of claims and,
therefore, may be inadequate to protect us against them. In
addition, we could incur significant costs in investigating and
defending such claims, even if we ultimately are not held
liable. If any of these events occurs, our revenues could be
materially adversely affected or we could incur significant
additional expense, and the market price of our securities may
decline.
Our quarterly results may fluctuate because of many factors
and, as a result, investors should not rely on quarterly
operating results as indicative of future results.
Fluctuations in operating results or the failure of operating
results to meet the expectations of public market analysts and
investors may negatively impact the value of our ordinary shares
and depositary shares. Quarterly operating results may fluctuate
in the future due to a variety of factors that could affect
revenues or expenses in any particular quarter. Fluctuations in
quarterly operating results could cause the value of our
securities to decline. Investors should not rely on
quarter-to-quarter
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comparisons of results of operations as an indication of future
performance. Factors that may affect our quarterly results
include:
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the demand for, and acceptance of, our online personals services
and enhancements to these services; |
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the timing and amount of our subscription revenues; |
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the introduction, development, timing, competitive pricing and
market acceptance of our Web sites and services and those of our
competitors; |
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the magnitude and timing of marketing initiatives and capital
expenditures relating to expansion of our operations; |
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the cost and timing of online and offline advertising and other
marketing efforts; |
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the maintenance and development of relationships with portals,
search engines, ISPs and other Web properties and other entities
capable of attracting potential members and paying subscribers
to our Web sites; |
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technical difficulties, system failures, system security
breaches, or downtime of the Internet, in general, or of our
products and services, in particular; |
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costs related to any acquisitions or dispositions of
technologies or businesses; and |
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general economic conditions, as well as those specific to the
Internet, online personals and related industries. |
As a result of the factors listed above and because the online
personals business is still immature, making it difficult to
predict consumer demand, it is possible that in future periods
results of operations may be below the expectations of public
market analysts and investors. This could cause the market price
of our securities to decline.
We may need additional capital to finance our growth or to
compete, which may cause dilution to existing shareholders or
limit our flexibility in conducting our business activities.
We currently anticipate that existing cash, cash equivalents and
marketable securities and cash flow from operations will be
sufficient to meet our anticipated needs for working capital,
operating expenses and capital expenditures for at least the
next 12 months. We may need to raise additional capital in
the future to fund expansion, whether in new vertical affinity
or geographic markets, develop newer or enhanced services,
respond to competitive pressures or acquire complementary
businesses, technologies or services. Such additional financing
may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. To the
extent that we raise additional capital by issuing equity
securities, our shareholders may experience substantial
dilution, and to the extent we engage in debt financing, if
available, we may become subject to restrictive covenants that
could limit our flexibility in conducting future business
activities. If additional financing is not available or not
available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to fund our
expansion, promote our brands, take advantage of acquisition
opportunities, develop or enhance services or respond to
competitive pressures.
Our limited experience outside the United States increases
the risk that our international expansion efforts and operations
will not be effective.
One of our strategies is to expand our presence in international
markets. Although we currently have offices in Germany, Israel
and the United Kingdom and Web sites that serve the Australian,
Canadian, German, Israeli and United Kingdom markets, we have
only limited experience with operations outside the United
States. Our primary international operations are in Israel,
which carries additional risk for our business as a result of
continuing hostilities there. Expansion into international
markets requires
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management time and capital resources. In addition, we face the
following additional risks associated with our expansion outside
the United States:
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challenges caused by distance, language and cultural differences; |
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local competitors with substantially greater brand recognition,
more users and more traffic than we have; |
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our need to create and increase our brand recognition and
improve our marketing efforts internationally and build strong
relationships with local affiliates; |
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longer payment cycles in some countries; |
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credit risk and higher levels of payment fraud in some countries; |
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different legal and regulatory restrictions among jurisdictions; |
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political, social and economic instability; |
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potentially adverse tax consequences; and |
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higher costs associated with doing business internationally. |
Our international operations subject us to risks associated
with currency fluctuations.
Our foreign operations may subject us to currency fluctuations
and such fluctuations may adversely affect our financial
position and results. However, sales and expenses to date have
occurred primarily in the United States. For this reason, we
have not engaged in foreign exchange hedging. In connection with
our planned international expansion, currency risk positions
could change correspondingly and the use of foreign exchange
hedging instruments could become necessary. Effects of exchange
rate fluctuations on our financial condition, operations, and
profitability may depend on our ability to manage our foreign
currency risks. There can be no assurance that steps taken by
management to address foreign currency fluctuations will
eliminate all adverse effects and, accordingly, we may suffer
losses due to adverse foreign currency fluctuation.
Our business could be significantly impacted by the
occurrence of natural disasters and other catastrophic
events.
Our operations depend upon our ability to maintain and protect
our network infrastructure, hardware systems and software
applications, which are housed primarily at a data center
located in Southern California that is managed by a third party.
Our business is therefore susceptible to earthquakes, tsunamis
and other catastrophic events, including acts of terrorism. We
currently lack adequate redundant network infrastructure,
hardware and software systems supporting our services at an
alternate site. As a result, outages and downtime caused by
natural disasters and other events out of our control, which
affect our systems or primary data center, could adversely
affect our reputation, brands and business.
We hold a fixed amount of insurance coverage, and if we were
found liable for an uninsured claim, or claim in excess of our
insurance limits, we may be forced to expend a significant
capital to resolve the uninsured claim.
We contract for a fixed amount of insurance to cover potential
risks and liabilities, including, but not limited to, property
and casualty insurance, general liability insurance, and errors
and omissions liability insurance. Although we have not recently
experienced any significantly increased premiums as a result of
changing policies of our providers, we have experienced
increasing insurance premiums due to the increasing size of our
business, and thus the increased potential risk to underwriters
for insuring our business. If we decide to obtain additional
insurance coverage in the future, it is possible that we may not
be able to get enough insurance to meet our needs, we may have
to pay very high prices for
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the coverage we do get, or we may not be able to acquire any
insurance for certain types of business risk or may have gaps in
coverage for certain risks. This could leave us exposed to
potential uninsured claims for which we could have to expend
significant amounts of capital resources. Consequently, if we
were found liable for a significant uninsured claim in the
future, we may be forced to expend a significant amount of our
operating capital to resolve the uninsured claim.
Our services are not well-suited to many alternate Web access
devices, and as a result the growth of our business could be
negatively affected.
The number of people who access the Internet through devices
other than desktop and laptop computers, including mobile
telephones and other handheld computing devices, has increased
dramatically in the past few years, and we expect this growth to
continue. The lower resolution, functionality and memory
currently associated with such mobile devices may make the use
of our services through such mobile devices more difficult and
generally impairs the member experience relative to access via
desktop and laptop computers. If we are unable to attract and
retain a substantial number of such mobile device users to our
online personals services or if we are unable to develop
services that are more compatible with such mobile
communications devices, our growth could be adversely affected.
Risks Related to Our Industry
The percentage of canceling paying subscribers in comparison
to other subscription businesses requires that we continuously
seek new paying subscribers to maintain or increase our current
level of revenue.
Internet users in general, and users of online personals
services specifically, freely navigate and switch among a large
number of Web sites. Monthly subscriber churn represents the
ratio expressed as a percentage of (a) the number of paying
subscriber cancellations during the period divided by the
average number of paying subscribers during the period and
(b) the number of months in the period. The number of
average paying subscribers is calculated as the sum of the
paying subscribers at the beginning and end of the month,
divided by two. Average paying subscribers for periods longer
than one month are calculated as the sum of the average paying
subscribers for each month, divided by the number of months. For
the quarters ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, the monthly
subscriber churn for (1) the JDate segment was 26.5% and
25.8%, respectively, (2) the AmericanSingles segment was
37.8% and 35.6%, respectively, and (3) the Web sites in our
Other Businesses segment was 18.6% and 17.9%, respectively. We
cannot assure you that our monthly average subscriber churn will
remain at such levels, and it may increase in the future. This
makes it difficult for us to have a stable paying subscriber
base and requires that we constantly attract new paying
subscribers at a faster rate than subscription terminations to
maintain or increase our current level of revenue. If we are
unable to attract new paying subscribers on a cost-effective
basis, our business will not grow and our profitability will be
adversely affected.
Our network is vulnerable to security breaches and
inappropriate use by Internet users, which could disrupt or
deter future use of our services.
Concerns over the security of transactions conducted on the
Internet and the privacy of users may inhibit the growth of the
Internet and other online services generally, and online
commerce services, like ours, in particular. To date, we have
not experienced any material breach of our security systems;
however, our failure to effectively prevent security breaches
could significantly harm our business, reputation and results of
operations and could expose us to lawsuits by state and federal
consumer protection agencies, by governmental authorities in the
jurisdictions in which we operate, and by consumers. Anyone who
is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate
proprietary information, including customer credit card and
personal data, cause interruptions in our operations or damage
our brand and reputation. Such breach of our security measures
could involve the disclosure of personally identifiable
information and could expose us to a material risk of
litigation, liability or
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governmental enforcement proceeding. We cannot assure you that
our financial systems and other technology resources are
completely secure from security breaches or sabotage, and we
have occasionally experienced security breaches and attempts at
hacking. We may be required to incur significant
additional costs to protect against security breaches or to
alleviate problems caused by such breaches. Any well-publicized
compromise of our security or the security of any other Internet
provider could deter people from using our services or the
Internet to conduct transactions that involve transmitting
confidential information or downloading sensitive materials,
which could have a detrimental impact on our potential customer
base.
Computer viruses may cause delays or other service interruptions
and could damage our reputation, affect our ability to provide
our services and adversely affect our revenues. The inadvertent
transmission of computer viruses could also expose us to a
material risk of loss or litigation and possible liability.
Moreover, if a computer virus affecting our system were highly
publicized, our reputation could be significantly damaged,
resulting in the loss of current and future members and paying
subscribers.
We face certain risks related to the physical and emotional
safety of our members and paying subscribers.
The nature of online personals services is such that we cannot
control the actions of our members and paying subscribers in
their communication or physical actions. There is a possibility
that one or more of our members or paying subscribers could be
physically or emotionally harmed following interaction with
another of our members or paying subscribers. We warn our
members and paying subscribers that we do not and cannot screen
other members and paying subscribers and, given our lack of
physical presence, we do not take any action to ensure personal
safety on a meeting between members or paying subscribers
arranged following contact initiated via our Web sites. If an
unfortunate incident of this nature occurred in a meeting of two
people following contact initiated on one of our Web sites or a
Web site of one of our competitors, any resulting negative
publicity could materially and adversely affect us or the online
personals industry in general. Any such incident involving one
of our Web sites could damage our reputation and our brands.
This, in turn, could adversely affect our revenues and could
cause the value of our ordinary shares and depositary shares to
decline. In addition, the affected members or paying subscribers
could initiate legal action against us, which could cause us to
incur significant expense, whether we were successful or not,
and damage our reputation.
We face risks of litigation and regulatory actions if we are
deemed a dating service as opposed to an online personals
service.
We supply online personals services. In many jurisdictions,
companies deemed dating service providers are subject to
additional regulation, while companies that provide personals
services are not generally subject to similar regulation.
Because personals services and dating services can seem similar,
we are exposed to potential litigation, including class action
lawsuits, associated with providing our personals services. In
the past, a small percentage of our members have alleged that we
are a dating service provider, and, as a result, they claim that
we are required to comply with regulations that include, but are
not limited to, providing language in our contracts that may
allow members to (1) rescind their contracts within a
certain period of time, (2) demand reimbursement of a
portion of the contract price if the member dies during the term
of the contract and/or (3) cancel their contracts in the
event of disability or relocation. If a court holds that we have
provided and are providing dating services of the type the
dating services regulations are intended to regulate, we may be
required to comply with regulations associated with the dating
services industry and be liable for any damages as a result our
past and present non-compliance.
Three separate yet similar class action complaints have been
filed against us. On June 21, 2002, Tatyana Fertelmeyster
filed an Illinois class action complaint against us in the
Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, based on an alleged
violation of the Illinois Dating Referral Services Act. On
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September 12, 2002, Lili Grossman filed a New York class
action complaint against us in the Supreme Court in the State of
New York based on alleged violations of the New York Dating
Services Act and the Consumer Fraud Act. On November 14,
2003, Jason Adelman filed a nationwide class action complaint
against us in the Los Angeles County Superior Court based on an
alleged violation of California Civil Code section 1694 et
seq., which regulates businesses that provide dating services.
In each of these cases, the complaint included allegations that
we are a dating service as defined by the applicable statutes
and, as an alleged dating service, we are required to provide
language in our contracts that allows (i) members to
rescind their contracts within three days,
(ii) reimbursement of a portion of the contract price if
the member dies during the term of the contract and/or
(iii) members to cancel their contracts in the event of
disability or relocation. Causes of action include breach of
applicable state and/or federal laws, fraudulent and deceptive
business practices, breach of contract and unjust enrichment.
The plaintiffs are seeking remedies including declaratory
relief, restitution, actual damages although not quantified,
treble damages and/or punitive damages, and attorneys fees
and costs.
Huebner v. InterActiveCorp., Superior Court of the State
of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC 305875
involves a similar action, involving the same
plaintiffs counsel as Adelman, brought against
InterActiveCorps Match.com that has been ruled related to
Adelman, but the two cases have not been consolidated.
Adelman and Huebner each seek to certify a
nationwide class action based on their complaints. Because the
cases are class actions, they have been assigned to the Los
Angeles Superior Court Complex Litigation Program. The court has
ordered a bifurcation of the liability issue. At an
August 15, 2005 Status Conference, the court set the
bifurcated trial on the issue of liability for March 27,
2006. If the court determines that the California Dating
Services Act is inapplicable, all further expenses associated
with discovery and class certification can be avoided.
On March 25, 2005, the court in Fertelmeyster
entered its Memorandum Opinion and Order (Memorandum
Opinion) granting summary judgment in our favor on the
grounds that Fertelmeyster lacks standing to seek injunctive
relief or restitutionary relief under the Illinois Dating
Services Act, Fertelmeyster did not suffer any actual damages,
and we were not unjustly enriched as a result of our contract
with Fertelmeyster. The Memorandum Opinion disposes of all
matters in controversy in the litigation and also provides
that we are subject to the Illinois Dating Services Act and, as
such, our subscription agreements violate the act and are void
and unenforceable. Fertelmeyster filed a Motion for
Reconsideration of the Memorandum Opinion and, on
August 26, 2005, the court issued its opinion denying
Fertelmeysters Motion for Reconsideration. In the opinion,
the court, among other things: (i) decertified the class,
eliminating the last remnant of the litigation;
(ii) rejected each of the plaintiffs arguments based
on the arguments and law that we provided in our opposition;
(iii) stated that the court would not judicially amend the
Illinois statute to provide for restitution when the legislature
selected damages as the sole remedy; (iv) noted that the
cases cited by plaintiff in connection with plaintiffs
Motion for Reconsideration actually support the courts
prior order granting summary judgment in our favor; and
(v) denied plaintiffs Motion for Reconsideration in
its entirety.
In December 2002, the Supreme Court of New York dismissed the
case brought by Ms. Grossman. Although the plaintiff
appealed the decision, in October 2004, the New York Supreme
Court, Appellate Division upheld the lower courts
dismissal. In addition, two Justices wrote concurring opinions
stating their opinion that our services were not covered under
the New York Dating Services Act.
We intend to defend vigorously against each of the pending
lawsuits, however, no assurance can be given that these matters
will be resolved in our favor.
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We are exposed to risks associated with credit card fraud and
credit payment, which, if not properly addressed, could increase
our operating expenses.
We depend on continuing availability of credit card usage to
process subscriptions and this availability, in turn, depends on
acceptable levels of chargebacks and fraud performance. We have
suffered losses and may continue to suffer losses as a result of
subscription orders placed with fraudulent credit card data,
even though the associated financial institution approved
payment. Under current credit card practices, a merchant is
liable for fraudulent credit card transactions when, as is the
case with the transactions we process, that merchant does not
obtain a cardholders signature. Our failure to adequately
control fraudulent credit card transactions would result in
significantly higher credit card-related costs and, therefore,
increase our operating expenses and may preclude us from
accepting credit cards as a means of payment.
We face risks associated with our dependence on computer and
telecommunications infrastructure.
Our services are dependent upon the use of the Internet and
telephone and broadband communications to provide high-capacity
data transmission without system downtime. There have been
instances where regional and national telecommunications outages
have caused us, and other Internet businesses, to experience
systems interruptions. Any additional interruptions, delays or
capacity problems experienced with telephone or broadband
connections could adversely affect our ability to provide
services to our customers. The temporary or permanent loss of
all, or a portion, of the telecommunications system could cause
disruption to our business activities and result in a loss of
revenue. Additionally, the telecommunications industry is
subject to regulatory control. Amendments to current
regulations, which could affect our telecommunications
providers, could disrupt or adversely affect the profitability
of our business.
In addition, if any of our current agreements with
telecommunications providers were terminated, we may not be able
to replace any terminated agreements with equally beneficial
ones. There can be no assurance that we will be able to renew
any of our current agreements when they expire or, if we are
able to do so, that such renewals will be available on
acceptable terms. We also do not know whether we will be able to
enter into additional agreements or that any relationships, if
entered into, will be on terms favorable to us.
Our business depends, in part, on the growth and maintenance
of the Internet, and our ability to provide services to our
members and paying subscribers may be limited by outages,
interruptions and diminished capacity in the Internet.
Our performance will depend, in part, on the continued growth
and maintenance of the Internet. This includes maintenance of a
reliable network backbone with the necessary speed, data
capacity and security for providing reliable Internet services.
Internet infrastructure may be unable to support the demands
placed on it if the number of Internet users continues to
increase, or if existing or future Internet users access the
Internet more often or increase their bandwidth requirements. In
addition, viruses, worms and similar programs may harm the
performance of the Internet. We have no control over the
third-party telecommunications, cable or other providers of
access services to the Internet that our members and paying
subscribers rely upon. There have been instances where regional
and national telecommunications outages have caused us to
experience service interruptions during which our members and
paying subscribers could not access our services. Any additional
interruptions, delays or capacity problems experienced with any
points of access between the Internet and our members could
adversely affect our ability to provide services reliably to our
members and paying subscribers. The temporary or permanent loss
of all, or a portion, of our services on the Internet, the
Internet infrastructure generally, or our members and
paying subscribers ability to access the Internet could
disrupt our business activities, harm our business reputation,
and result in a loss of revenue. Additionally, the Internet,
electronic communications and telecommunications industries are
subject to federal, state and foreign governmental regulation.
New laws and regulations governing such matters
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could be enacted or amendments may be made to existing
regulations at any time that could adversely impact our
services. Any such new laws, regulations or amendments to
existing regulations could disrupt or adversely affect the
profitability of our business.
We are subject to burdensome government regulations and legal
uncertainties affecting the Internet that could adversely affect
our business.
Legal uncertainties surrounding domestic and foreign government
regulations could increase our costs of doing business, require
us to revise our services, prevent us from delivering our
services over the Internet or slow the growth of the Internet,
any of which could increase our expenses, reduce our revenues or
cause our revenues to grow at a slower rate than expected and
materially adversely affect our business, financial condition
and results of operations. Laws and regulations related to
Internet communications, security, privacy, intellectual
property rights, commerce, taxation, entertainment, recruiting
and advertising are becoming more prevalent, and new laws and
regulations are under consideration by the United States
Congress, state legislatures and foreign governments. For
example, during 2004 and 2005, legislation related to the use of
background checks for users of online personals services was
proposed in Ohio, Texas, California, Michigan, Florida and
Virginia. None of these states enacted these proposed laws,
however, state legislatures are still considering the
implementation of such legislation. The enactment of any of
these proposed laws could require us to alter our service
offerings. Any legislation enacted or restrictions arising from
current or future government investigations or policy could
dampen the growth in use of the Internet, generally, and
decrease the acceptance of the Internet as a communications,
commercial, entertainment, recruiting and advertising medium. In
addition to new laws and regulations being adopted, existing
laws that are not currently being applied to the Internet may
subsequently be applied to it and, in several jurisdictions,
legislatures are considering laws and regulations that would
apply to the online personals industry in particular. Many areas
of law affecting the Internet and online personals remain
unsettled, even in areas where there has been some legislative
action. It may take years to determine whether and how existing
laws such as those governing consumer protection, intellectual
property, libel and taxation apply to the Internet or to our
services.
In the normal course of our business, we handle personally
identifiable information pertaining to our members and paying
subscribers residing in the United States and other countries.
In recent years, many of these countries have adopted privacy,
security, and data protection laws and regulations intended to
prevent improper uses and disclosures of personally identifiable
information. In addition, some jurisdictions impose database
registration requirements for which significant monetary and
other penalties may be imposed for noncompliance. These laws may
impose costly administrative requirements, limit our handling of
information, and subject us to increased government oversight
and financial liabilities. Privacy laws and regulations in the
United States and foreign countries are subject to change and
may be inconsistent, and additional requirements may be imposed
at any time. These laws and regulations, the costs of complying
with them, administrative fines for noncompliance and the
possible need to adopt different compliance measures in
different jurisdictions could materially increase our expenses
and cause the value of our securities to decline.
Risks Related to Owning Our Securities
The price of our ADSs may be volatile, and if an active
trading market for our ADSs does not develop, the price of our
ADSs may suffer and decline.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our
securities in the United States. Accordingly, we cannot assure
you that an active trading market will develop or be sustained
or that the market price of our ADSs will not decline. The price
at which our ADSs will trade after this offering is likely to be
highly volatile and may fluctuate substantially due to many
factors, some of which are outside of our control.
In addition, the stock market has experienced significant price
and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price for
the stock of many technology, communications and entertainment
and
21
media companies. Those market fluctuations were sometimes
unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of
these companies. Any significant stock market fluctuations in
the future, whether due to our actual performance or prospects
or not, could result in a significant decline in the market
price of our securities.
Our principal shareholders can exercise significant influence
over us, and, as a result, may be able to delay, deter or
prevent a change of control or other business combination.
As of August 31, 2005, Joe Y. Shapira, Alon Carmel, and
Tiger Technology Management, L.L.C. and their respective
affiliates beneficially owned approximately, in the aggregate,
51.4% of our outstanding share capital. As a result, these
shareholders possess significant influence over our company.
Such share ownership and control may have the effect of delaying
or preventing a change in control of our company, impeding a
merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination
involving our company or discourage a potential acquirer from
making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control
of our company.
You may not be able to exercise your right to vote the
ordinary shares underlying your ADSs.
Under the terms of the ADSs, you have a general right to direct
the exercise of the votes on the ordinary shares underlying ADSs
that you hold, subject to limitations on voting ordinary shares
contained in our Memorandum of Association and Articles of
Association, as amended. You may instruct the depositary bank,
Bank of New York, to vote the ordinary shares underlying our
ADSs, but only if we request Bank of New York to ask for your
instructions. Otherwise, you will not be able to exercise your
right to vote unless you withdraw the ordinary shares underlying
the ADSs. However, you may not receive voting materials in time
to ensure that you are able to instruct Bank of New York to vote
your shares or receive sufficient notice of a shareholders
meeting to permit you to withdraw your ordinary shares to allow
you to cast your vote with respect to any specific matter. In
addition, Bank of New York and its agents may not be able to
timely send out your voting instructions or carry out your
voting instructions in the manner you have instructed. As a
result, you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and
you may lack recourse if your ordinary shares are not voted as
you requested.
Your right or ability to transfer your ADSs may be limited in
a number of circumstances.
Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary.
However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time
or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with
the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may
refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs
generally when our books or the books of the depositary are
closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deem it advisable
to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government
or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit
agreement, or for any other reason.
Our ordinary shares in the form of ADSs or GDSs will be
traded on more than one market and this may result in price
variations.
Our ordinary shares are currently traded on the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange in the form of GDSs and we expect our ordinary shares
will be traded on the Nasdaq National Market in the form of ADSs
upon completion of this offering. Trading in our ordinary shares
in the form of ADSs or GDSs on these markets will be made in
different currencies (dollars on the Nasdaq National Market and
euros on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange), and at different times
(resulting from different time zones, different trading days and
different public holidays in the U.S. and Germany). The trading
prices of our ordinary shares in the form of ADSs or GDSs on
these two markets may differ due to these and other factors. Any
decrease in the trading price of our ordinary shares in the form
of ADSs or GDSs on one of these markets could cause a decrease
in the trading price of our ordinary shares in the form of ADSs
or GDSs on the other market. Any difference in prices of our
ordinary shares in the form of ADSs or GDSs on these two markets
could create an arbitrage opportunity whereby an investor could
22
take advantage of the price difference by trading between the
markets, thereby potentially increasing the volatility of
trading prices of our ADSs and having an adverse affect on the
price of our ADSs.
If we offer any subscription rights to our shareholders, your
right or ability to perform a sale, deposit, cancellation or
transfer of any ADSs issued after exercise of rights might be
restricted.
If we offer holders of our ordinary shares any rights to
subscribe for additional shares or any other rights, the
depositary may make these rights available to you after
consultation with us. However, the depositary may allow rights
that are not distributed or sold to lapse. In that case, you
will receive no value for them. In addition,
U.S. securities laws may restrict the sale, deposit,
cancellation and transfer of the ADSs issued after exercise of
rights. However, we cannot make rights available to you in the
United States unless we register the rights and the securities
to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an
exemption from the registration requirements is available. In
addition, under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not
distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and
sale of rights and the securities to which the rights relate are
either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with
respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the
provisions of the Securities Act. We can give no assurance that
we can establish an exemption from registration under the
Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a
registration statement with respect to these rights or
underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration
statement declared effective. Accordingly, you may be unable to
participate in our rights offerings, if any, and may experience
dilution of your holdings as a result.
Investors may be subject to both United States and United
Kingdom taxes.
Investors are strongly urged to consult with their tax advisors
concerning the consequences of investing in our company by
purchasing ADSs. Our ADSs are being sold in the United States,
but we are incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. A
U.S. holder of our ADSs will generally be treated as the
beneficial owner of the underlying ordinary shares, as
represented by ADSs, for purposes of U.S. and U.K. tax laws.
Therefore, U.S. federal, state and local tax laws and U.K.
tax laws will generally apply to ownership and transfer of our
ADSs and the underlying ordinary shares. Tax laws of other
jurisdictions may also apply.
If you hold shares in the form of ADSs, you may have less
access to information about our company and less opportunity to
exercise your rights as a shareholder than if you held ordinary
shares.
There are risks associated with holding our shares in the form
of ADSs, since we are a public company incorporated under the
laws of England and Wales. We are subject to the Companies Act
1985, as amended, our Memorandum and Articles of Association,
and other aspects of English company law. The depositary, the
Bank of New York and/or its various nominees, will appear in our
records as the holder of all our shares represented by the ADSs
and your rights as a holder of ADSs will be contained in the
deposit agreement. Your rights as a holder of ADSs will differ
in various ways from a shareholders rights, and you may be
affected in other ways, including:
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you may not be able to participate in rights offers or dividend
alternatives if, in the discretion of the depositary, after
consultation with us, it is unlawful or not practicable to do so; |
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you may not receive certain copies of reports and information
sent by us to the depositary and may have to go to the office of
the depositary to inspect any reports issued; |
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the deposit agreement may be amended by us and the depositary,
or may be terminated by us or the depositary, each with thirty
(30) days notice to you and without your consent in a
manner that could prejudice your rights, and the deposit
agreement limits our obligations and liabilities and those of
the depositary. |
23
Your rights as a shareholder will be governed by English law
and differ from the rights of shareholders under U.S. law.
In addition, you may have difficulty in effecting service of
process in the United States or enforcing judgments obtained in
the United States.
We are a public limited company incorporated under the laws of
England and Wales. Our corporate affairs are governed by our
Memorandum and Articles of Association, by the Companies Act
1985, as amended, and other common and statutory laws in England
and Wales. The rights of shareholders to take action against the
directors and actions by minority shareholders are to a large
extent governed by the common law and statutory laws of England
and Wales. These rights differ from the typical rights of
shareholders in U.S. corporations. Facts that, under
U.S. law, would entitle a shareholder in a
U.S. corporation to claim damages may give rise to an
alternative cause of action under English law entitling a
shareholder in an English company to claim damages in an English
court. However, this will not always be the case. For example,
the rights of shareholders to bring proceedings against us or
against our directors or officers in relation to public
statements are different under English law than the civil
liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws. In
addition, shareholders of English companies may not have
standing to initiate shareholder derivative actions in various
courts, including before the federal courts of the United
States. As a result, our public shareholders may face different
considerations in protecting their interests in actions against
our company, management, directors or our controlling
shareholders, than would shareholders of a corporation
incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States, and our
ability to protect our interests if we are harmed in a manner
that would otherwise enable us to sue in a United States federal
court, may be limited.
You may have difficulties enforcing, in actions brought in
courts in jurisdictions located outside the United States,
liabilities under the U.S. securities laws. In particular,
if you sought to bring proceedings in England based on
U.S. securities laws, the English court might consider:
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that it did not have jurisdiction; and/or |
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that it was not the appropriate forum for such proceedings;
and/or |
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that, applying English conflict of laws rules, U.S. law
(including U.S. securities laws) did not apply to the
relationship between you and us or our directors and officers;
and/or |
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that the U.S. securities laws were of a public or penal
nature and should not be enforced by the English court. |
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Alternatively, if you were to bring an action in a U.S. Court,
and we were to bring a competing action in an English Court, the
English Court may grant an order seeking to prohibit you from
pursuing the action before the U.S. court.
You should also be aware that English law does not allow for any
form of legal proceedings directly equivalent to the class
action available in U.S. courts. In addition, awards of
punitive damages (or their nearest English law equivalent), are
rare in English courts.
Some of our directors and some of the experts named in this
prospectus are residents of countries other than the United
States. Furthermore, all or a substantial portion of their
assets may be located outside the United States. As a result, it
may not be possible for you to:
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effect service of process within the United States upon such
directors and experts; or |
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enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against such
directors and experts in the U.S. courts in any action,
including actions under the civil liability provisions of
U.S. securities laws; or |
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enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against such
directors and experts in courts of jurisdictions outside the
United States in any action, including actions under the civil
liability provisions of U.S. securities laws. |
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24
You may also have difficulties enforcing in courts outside the
United States judgments obtained in the U.S. courts against
any of our directors and some of the experts named in this
prospectus or us (including actions under the civil liability
provisions of the U.S. securities laws). In particular,
there is doubt as to the enforceability in England of
U.S. civil judgments predicated purely on
U.S. securities laws. In any event, there is no system of
reciprocal enforcement in England and Wales of judgments
obtained in the U.S. courts. Accordingly, a judgment
against any of those persons or us may only be enforced in
England and Wales by the commencement of an action before the
English court, seeking the recognition of the judgment of the
U.S. court at common law in England. Judgment against any
of those persons or us, as the case may be, may be granted by
the English court without requiring the issues on the merits in
the U.S. litigation to be reopened on the basis that those
matters have already been decided by the U.S. court. To
recognize a U.S. court Judgment, the English court must be
satisfied that:
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that the judgment is final and conclusive; |
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that the U.S. court had jurisdiction (as a matter of
English law); |
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that the U.S. judgment is not impeachable for fraud and is
not contrary to English rules of natural justice; |
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that the enforcement of the judgment will not be contrary to
public policy or statute in England; |
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that the judgment is for a liquidated sum; |
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that the English proceedings were commenced within the relevant
limitation period; |
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that the judgment is not directly or indirectly for the payment
of taxes or other charges of a like nature or a fine or penalty; |
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that the judgment remains valid and enforceable in the court in
which it was obtained unless and until it is stayed or set
aside; and |
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that, before the date on which the U.S. court gave
judgment, the issues in question had not been the subject of a
final judgment of an English court or of a court of another
jurisdiction whose judgment is enforceable in England. |
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In addition, we are required by the Companies Act 1985 to
prepare for each financial year audited accounts which comply
with the requirements of that Act. These UK audited accounts are
distributed to holders of our ordinary shares in advance of our
annual shareholder meeting at which the UK audited accounts are
voted on by our shareholders and are then filed with the
Registrar of Companies for England and Wales. The UK audited
accounts will be audited by an accounting firm eligible under UK
statutory requirements, currently the UK firm Ernst &
Young LLP. The UK audited accounts are likely to be materially
different to the US GAAP financial statements which will be
prepared in a form similar to those included within this
prospectus and which will be filed with the US Securities and
Exchange Commission. Our shareholders will not have an
opportunity to vote on our US GAAP financial statements. Our
ability to pay future dividends will be determined by reference
to the distributable reserves shown by our UK audited accounts
and this may restrict our ability to pay such dividends.
25
We have never paid any dividend and we do not intend to pay
dividends in the foreseeable future.
To date, we have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our
ordinary shares and currently intend to retain any future
earnings for funding growth. We do not anticipate paying any
dividends in the foreseeable future. Moreover, companies
incorporated under the laws of England and Wales cannot pay
dividends unless they have distributable profits as defined in
the Companies Act 1985 as amended. As a result, you should not
rely on an investment in our shares if you require dividend
income. Capital appreciation, if any, of our shares may be your
sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.
Currency fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the
ADSs relative to the price of our GDSs.
The price of our GDSs is quoted in euros. Movements in the euro/
U.S. dollar exchange rate may adversely affect the
U.S. dollar price of our ADSs and the U.S. dollar
equivalent of the price of our GDSs. For example, if the euro
weakens against the U.S. dollar, the U.S. dollar price
of the ADSs could decline, even if the price of our GDSs in
euros increases or remains unchanged.
26
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including the sections entitled
Prospectus Summary, Risk Factors,
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and
Business, contains forward-looking statements that
involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements
other than statements of historical facts contained in this
prospectus, including statements regarding our future financial
position, business strategy and plans and objectives of
management for future operations, are forward-looking
statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking
statements by terminology such as believes,
expects, anticipates,
intends, estimates, may,
will, continue, should,
plan, predict, potential or
the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. We
have based these forward-looking statements on our current
expectations and projections about future events and financial
trends that we believe may affect our financial condition,
results of operations, business strategy and financial needs.
Our actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements, which are
subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions
described in Risk Factors section and elsewhere in
this prospectus, regarding, among other things:
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our significant operating losses and uncertainties relating to
our ability to generate positive cash flow and operating profits
in the future; |
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difficulty in evaluating our future prospects based on our
limited operating history and relatively new business model; |
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our ability to attract members, convert members into paying
subscribers and retain our paying subscribers, in addition to
maintain paying subscribers; |
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the highly competitive nature of our business; |
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our ability to keep pace with rapid technological change; |
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the strength of our existing brands and our ability to maintain
and enhance those brands; |
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our ability to effectively manage our growth; |
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our dependence upon the telecommunications infrastructure and
our networking hardware and software infrastructure; |
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risks related to our recent accounting restatements; |
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uncertainties relating to potential acquisitions of companies; |
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the volatility of the price of our ADSs after this offering; |
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the strain on our resources and management team of being a
public company in the United States; |
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the ability of our principal shareholders to exercise
significant influence over our company; and |
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other factors referenced in this prospectus and other reports. |
The risks included above are not exhaustive. Other sections of
this prospectus may include additional factors that could
adversely impact our business and operating results. Moreover,
we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing
environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and we
cannot predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the
impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to
which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual
results to differ materially from those contained in any forward
looking statements.
You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as
predictions of future events. We cannot assure you that the
events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking
statements will be achieved or
27
occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in
the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot
guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or
achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assume
responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the
forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we
undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking
statements for any reason after the date of this prospectus to
conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our
expectations.
You should read this prospectus, and the documents that we
reference in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the
related registration statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, completely and with the understanding that our
actual future results, levels of activity, performance and
achievements may materially differ from what we expect. We
qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these
cautionary statements.
28
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of ordinary
shares in the form of ADSs by the selling security holders
listed in this prospectus, except for funds received from the
exercise of warrants and options held by selling security
holders, if and when exercised. We plan to use the net proceeds
received from the exercise of any warrants and options for
working capital and general corporate purposes. The actual
allocation of proceeds realized from the exercise of these
securities will depend upon the amount and timing of such
exercises, our operating revenues and cash position at such time
and our working capital requirements. There can be no assurances
that any of the outstanding warrants and options will be
exercised.
RESCISSION OFFER
Under our 2000 Option Scheme, we granted options to purchase
ordinary shares to certain of our employees, directors and
consultants. These option grants may not have been exempt from
qualification under California state securities laws. As a
result, we may have potential liability to those employees,
directors and consultants to whom we granted options under the
2000 Option Scheme. In order to address that issue, we may elect
to make a rescission offer to the holders of outstanding options
under the 2000 Option Scheme to give them the opportunity to
rescind the grant of their options.
As of June 30, 2005, assuming every eligible optionee were
to accept a rescission offer, we estimate the total cost to us
to complete the rescission would be approximately
$4.0 million including statutory interest at 7% per
annum,. These amounts reflect the costs of offering to rescind
the issuance of the outstanding options by paying an amount
equal to 20% of the aggregate exercise price for the entire
option.
In addition, issuances of securities upon exercise of options
granted under our 2000 Option Scheme may not have been exempt
from registration and qualification under federal and California
state securities laws. As a result, we may have potential
liability to those employees, directors and consultants to whom
we issued securities upon the exercise of these options. In
order to address that issue, we may elect to make a rescission
offer to those persons who exercised all, or a portion, of those
options and continue to hold the shares issued upon exercise, to
give them the opportunity to rescind the issuance of those
shares.
As of June 30, 2005, assuming every eligible person that
continues to hold the securities issued upon exercise of options
granted under the 2000 Option Scheme were to accept a rescission
offer, we estimate the total cost to us to complete the
rescission would be approximately $3.8 million including
statutory interest at 7% per annum, accrued since the date
of exercise of the options. These amounts are calculated by
reference to the acquisition price of the shares.
For the purposes of English company law, a rescission offer in
respect of our shares would take the form of a purchase by our
Company of the relevant shares. The Companies Act 1985
(Companies Act) provides that we may only purchase
our own shares using our distributable profits or
the proceeds from the issuance of new shares for that purpose.
Due to the deficit on our profit and loss account as a
consequence of our previous accumulated losses, we do not
currently have sufficient distributable profits to effect the
rescission offer. However, under the Companies Act, if we
receive the approval of our shareholders and the High Court of
Justice in England and Wales (the Court), we can
reduce the deficit on the profit and loss account on our balance
sheet by effecting a reduction of our share capital or share
premium account and offsetting the amount of such reduction
against the deficit on the profit and loss account. This process
is known as a reduction of capital. The reduction of
capital must be approved by at least 75% of the shares held by
the shareholders that vote on the resolution and by the Court.
In order to satisfy the Court that our creditors will be
properly protected we propose to give an undertaking to the
Court to transfer to a special non-distributable reserve (the
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Special Reserve) the excess of the amount of the
reduction of share premium account over the deficit on our
profit and loss account at the date when the reduction of
capital takes effect (the Effective Date) and not to
distribute the Special Reserve until all of our creditors as at
the Effective Date are paid off or have otherwise consented to
the reduction of capital. Any profits made prior to the
Effective Date will be credited to the Special Reserve and will
not be distributable unless and until all of our creditors as of
the Effective Date have been paid off or have otherwise
consented to the reduction of capital.
As of June 30, 2005, the balance on our share premium
account was approximately $54 million and we intend to
effect the reduction of capital by reducing the balance on our
share premium account by approximately $44 million and
offsetting this amount against the deficit on the profit and
loss account on our UK GAAP statutory accounts.
We have terminated and no longer grant options under our 2000
Option Scheme, but options previously granted under 2000 Option
Scheme remain in full force and effect. We intend to file a
registration statement on Form S-8 to cover the issuance of
future shares upon exercise of presently unexercised options
under the 2000 Option Scheme.
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PRICE RANGE OF GLOBAL DEPOSITARY SHARES
Our GDSs are currently traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
under the symbol MHJG.
The following table summarizes the high and low sales prices of
our GDSs in euros as reported by the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
for the periods noted below, and as translated into
U.S. dollars at the currency exchange rate in effect on the
date the price was reported on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The
currency exchange rate is based on the average bid and ask
exchange price as reported by OANDA for such date.
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Year ended December 31, 2003
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First Quarter
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1.73 |
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$ |
1.85 |
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1.36 |
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$ |
1.45 |
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Second Quarter
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1.79 |
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$ |
2.10 |
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1.55 |
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$ |
1.69 |
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Third Quarter
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4.05 |
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$ |
4.53 |
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1.60 |
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$ |
1.85 |
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Fourth Quarter
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5.05 |
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$ |
6.31 |
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2.85 |
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$ |
3.37 |
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Year ended December 31, 2004
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First Quarter
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11.85 |
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$ |
14.68 |
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4.20 |
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$ |
5.39 |
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Second Quarter
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9.85 |
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$ |
11.79 |
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6.30 |
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$ |
7.63 |
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Third Quarter
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8.00 |
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$ |
9.62 |
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2.85 |
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$ |
3.49 |
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Fourth Quarter
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7.33 |
|
|
$ |
9.68 |
|
|
|
4.75 |
|
|
$ |
6.06 |
|
Year ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
8.25 |
|
|
$ |
10.66 |
|
|
|
6.16 |
|
|
$ |
8.02 |
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
8.00 |
|
|
$ |
10.37 |
|
|
|
5.26 |
|
|
$ |
6.47 |
|
|
Third Quarter (through September 15, 2005)
|
|
|
7.50 |
|
|
$ |
9.28 |
|
|
|
5.61 |
|
|
$ |
6.89 |
|
The last reported sales price of our GDSs on the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange on September 15, 2005 was
5.61 per GDS, or
$6.89 per GDS.
As of September 7, 2005, there were approximately
123 holders of record of our shares, including each account
held by our depository and its record holder. These figures do
not include beneficial owners who hold shares in nominee name.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our ordinary
shares. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our
ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. We currently intend
to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund
the development and growth of our business.
Under English law, any payment of dividends would be subject to
the Companies Act 1985, as amended, which requires that all
dividends be approved by our board of directors and, in some
cases, our shareholders. Moreover, under English law, we may pay
dividends on our shares only out of profits available for
distribution determined in accordance with the Companies Act
1985, as amended, and accounting principles generally accepted
in the United Kingdom, which differ in some respects from
U.S. GAAP. We also may incur indebtedness in the future
that may prohibit or effectively restrict the payment of
dividends on our ordinary shares. Any future determination
related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of
our Board of Directors. In the event that dividends are paid in
the future, holders of the ADSs will be entitled to receive
payments in U.S. dollars in respect of dividends on the
underlying shares in accordance with the deposit agreement. See
Description of Share Capital Description of
Ordinary Shares Dividends and
Description of Share Capital Description of
American Depositary Shares Dividends and
Distributions.
31
CAPITALIZATION
The following table summarizes our cash, cash equivalents and
marketable securities and capitalization as of June 30,
2005.
You should read this table in conjunction with Selected
Consolidated Financial Data, Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations and our consolidated financial statements and
related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands | |
|
|
except per share | |
|
|
data) | |
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities
|
|
$ |
8,292 |
|
|
|
|
|
Notes payable, including current portion
|
|
$ |
11,775 |
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
203 |
|
Shares subject to rescission
|
|
|
3,819 |
|
Shareholders equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares, £0.01 par value,
80,000,000 shares authorized; 25,901,160 shares issued
and outstanding
|
|
|
426 |
|
|
Additional paid-in-capital
|
|
|
53,921 |
|
|
Deferred share-based compensation
|
|
|
(41 |
) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(270 |
) |
|
Notes receivable from employees
|
|
|
(203 |
) |
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(42,507 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
11,326 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total capitalization
|
|
$ |
41,485 |
|
|
|
|
|
The number of our ordinary shares shown above is based on
25,901,160 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2005.
This information excludes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,949,000 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of
outstanding options as of June 30, 2005, with exercise
prices ranging from $0.90 to $9.54 per share and a weighted
average exercise price of $3.97 per share; |
|
|
|
|
|
530,000 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants
outstanding as of June 30 2005, with an exercise price of
$2.52 per share; and |
|
|
|
|
|
15,072,500 ordinary shares available for issuance under our
share option schemes. |
|
32
DILUTION
Since this offering is being made solely by the selling
shareholders and none of the proceeds will be paid to us, except
for funds received from the exercise of warrants and options
held by selling shareholders, if and when exercised, our net
tangible book value per share will not be affected by this
offering.
33
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth our selected consolidated
financial data. The data should be read in conjunction with
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated
financial statements, related notes, and other financial
information included herein. The following selected consolidated
statement of operations data and balance sheet data for the six
months ended June 30, 2005 and June 30, 2004 are
derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements
presented elsewhere is this registration statement. The
following selected consolidated statement of operations data for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
2004, and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of
December 31, 2003 and 2004, are derived from the audited
consolidated financial statements of our company included
elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated statement of
operations data for the year ended December 31, 2001 and
the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of
December 31, 2001 and 2002 are derived from the audited
consolidated financial statements of our company not included in
this prospectus. The consolidated statement of operations data
for the year ended December 31, 2000 and the selected
consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2000 are
derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements not
included in this prospectus. Our ordinary shares in the form of
GDSs currently trade on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, in
Germany. Pursuant to the laws governing this exchange, we
publicly reported our quarterly and annual operating results. On
April 28, 2004, we publicly announced that we had
discovered accounting inaccuracies in previously reported
financial statements. As a result, following consultation with
our new auditors, we restated our financial statements for the
first three quarters of 2003 and for each of the years ended
December 31, 2002 and 2001 to correct inappropriate
accounting entries. Based in part on the fact that our 2001 and
2002 annual and 2003 interim financial statements were restated,
it is likely that our 2000 unaudited financial statements would
have been subject to adjustments, which could have been
material, had they been subjected to an audit and do not reflect
accounting treatment or presentation consistent with audited
financial statements for the years ended and as of
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004. You should therefore not
rely on data derived from such financial statements. The
historical results are not necessarily indicative of results to
be expected in any future period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended | |
|
|
Year ended December 31,(1) | |
|
June 30,(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(unaudited) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(unaudited) | |
|
|
(in thousands, except per share data and paying subscriber data) | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues
|
|
$ |
6,670 |
|
|
$ |
10,434 |
|
|
$ |
16,352 |
|
|
$ |
36,941 |
|
|
$ |
65,052 |
|
|
$ |
30,862 |
|
|
$ |
31,990 |
|
Direct marketing expenses
|
|
|
5,257 |
|
|
|
2,044 |
|
|
|
5,396 |
|
|
|
18,395 |
|
|
|
31,240 |
|
|
|
15,864 |
|
|
|
11,279 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contribution margin
|
|
|
1,413 |
|
|
|
8,390 |
|
|
|
10,956 |
|
|
|
18,546 |
|
|
|
33,812 |
|
|
|
14,998 |
|
|
|
20,711 |
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indirect marketing
|
|
|
953 |
|
|
|
540 |
|
|
|
403 |
|
|
|
907 |
|
|
|
2,451 |
|
|
|
1,051 |
|
|
|
503 |
|
|
Customer service
|
|
|
402 |
|
|
|
641 |
|
|
|
1,207 |
|
|
|
2,536 |
|
|
|
3,379 |
|
|
|
1,878 |
|
|
|
1,137 |
|
|
Technical operations
|
|
|
628 |
|
|
|
1,772 |
|
|
|
1,587 |
|
|
|
4,341 |
|
|
|
7,162 |
|
|
|
3,318 |
|
|
|
2,950 |
|
|
Product development
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
|
359 |
|
|
|
603 |
|
|
|
959 |
|
|
|
2,013 |
|
|
|
871 |
|
|
|
1,890 |
|
|
General and administrative (excluding share-based compensation)
(2)
|
|
|
6,215 |
|
|
|
5,496 |
|
|
|
7,996 |
|
|
|
16,885 |
|
|
|
27,727 |
|
|
|
12,078 |
|
|
|
12,512 |
|
|
Share-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,871 |
|
|
|
1,704 |
|
|
|
2,401 |
|
|
|
(28 |
) |
|
Amortization intangible assets other than goodwill
|
|
|
1,127 |
|
|
|
2,137 |
|
|
|
524 |
|
|
|
555 |
|
|
|
860 |
|
|
|
482 |
|
|
|
411 |
|
34
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended | |
|
|
Year ended December 31,(1) | |
|
June 30,(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(unaudited) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(unaudited) | |
|
|
(in thousands, except per share data and paying subscriber data) | |
|
Impairment of long-lived assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,997 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,532 |
|
|
|
208 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
9,463 |
|
|
|
14,942 |
|
|
|
12,320 |
|
|
|
29,586 |
|
|
|
45,504 |
|
|
|
22,079 |
|
|
|
19,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
(8,050 |
) |
|
|
(6,552 |
) |
|
|
(1,364 |
) |
|
|
(11,040 |
) |
|
|
(11,692 |
) |
|
|
(7,081 |
) |
|
|
1,336 |
|
Interest (income) and other expenses, net
|
|
|
1,113 |
|
|
|
1,627 |
|
|
|
(840 |
) |
|
|
(188 |
) |
|
|
(66 |
) |
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes
|
|
|
(9,163 |
) |
|
|
(8,179 |
) |
|
|
(524 |
) |
|
|
(10,852 |
) |
|
|
(11,626 |
) |
|
|
(7,113 |
) |
|
|
1,192 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(9,163 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,179 |
) |
|
$ |
(524 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,852 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,627 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,114 |
) |
|
$ |
1,128 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share basic and
diluted(3)
|
|
$ |
(0.69 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.47 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.03 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.57 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.51 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding basic and
diluted(3)
|
|
|
13,213 |
|
|
|
17,460 |
|
|
|
18,460 |
|
|
|
18,970 |
|
|
|
22,667 |
|
|
|
21,521 |
|
|
|
25,389 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,080 |
|
Other Financial Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
$ |
160 |
|
|
$ |
544 |
|
|
$ |
874 |
|
|
$ |
1,441 |
|
|
$ |
3,065 |
|
|
$ |
1,369 |
|
|
$ |
1,767 |
|
Additional Information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average paying
subscribers(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,700 |
|
|
|
125,800 |
|
|
|
226,100 |
|
|
|
217,900 |
|
|
|
219,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(unaudited) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(unaudited) | |
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities
|
|
$ |
11,410 |
|
|
$ |
7,569 |
|
|
$ |
7,755 |
|
|
$ |
5,815 |
|
|
$ |
7,423 |
|
|
$ |
8,292 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
23,409 |
|
|
|
16,352 |
|
|
|
17,461 |
|
|
|
16,969 |
|
|
|
27,359 |
|
|
|
41,485 |
|
Deferred revenue
|
|
|
362 |
|
|
|
993 |
|
|
|
1,535 |
|
|
|
3,232 |
|
|
|
3,933 |
|
|
|
3,925 |
|
Capital lease obligations and notes payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
487 |
|
|
|
1,873 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
6,156 |
|
|
|
3,238 |
|
|
|
3,998 |
|
|
|
11,659 |
|
|
|
16,872 |
|
|
|
26,340 |
|
Shares subject to rescission
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,819 |
|
|
|
3,819 |
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(12,453 |
) |
|
|
(20,632 |
) |
|
|
(21,156 |
) |
|
|
(32,008 |
) |
|
|
(43,635 |
) |
|
|
(42,507 |
) |
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
17,253 |
|
|
|
13,114 |
|
|
|
13,463 |
|
|
|
5,310 |
|
|
|
6,668 |
|
|
|
11,326 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Refer to Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a
discussion of certain asset and business acquisitions. |
(2) |
In 2004, general and administrative expenses included an expense
of approximately $2.4 million related to an employee
severance, $2.1 million related to the United States
initial public offering of MatchNet, Inc. that was planned for
mid-2004, but which was withdrawn shortly after the related
registration statement was filed in the third quarter of 2004,
as well as one legal settlement resulting in the recognition of
$900,000 in expenses in the third quarter and two legal
settlements resulting in the recognition of $2.1 million in
expenses in the fourth quarter of 2004. In 2003, general and
administrative expenses included a charge of $1.7 million
primarily related to a settlement with Comdisco. |
|
(3) |
For information regarding the computation of per share amounts,
refer to note 1 of our consolidated financial statements. |
|
(4) |
Average paying subscribers for each month are calculated as the
sum of the paying subscribers at the beginning and the end of
the month, divided by two. Average paying subscribers for
periods longer than one month are calculated as the sum of the
average paying subscribers for each month, divided by the number
of months in such period. Additionally, refer to |
35
|
|
|
|
Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations for a discussion of business metrics we use to
evaluate our business. We did not track data for the years ended
December 31, 2000 and 2001 sufficient to accurately set
forth the number of average paying subscribers for the
respective periods.
|
|
|
(5) |
Under our 2000 Executive Share
Option Scheme (2000 Option Scheme), we granted
options to purchase ordinary shares to certain of our employees,
directors and consultants. The issuances of securities upon
exercise of options granted under our 2000 Option Scheme may not
have been exempt from registration and qualification under
federal and California state securities laws, and as a result,
we may have potential liability to those employees, directors
and consultants to whom we issued securities upon the exercise
of these options. In order to address that issue, we may elect
to make a rescission offer to those persons who exercised all,
or a portion, of those options and continue to hold the shares
issued upon exercise, to give them the opportunity to rescind
the issuance of those shares. However, it is the Securities and
Exchange Commissions position that a rescission offer will
not bar or extinguish any liability under the Securities Act of
1933 with respect to these options and shares, nor will a
rescission offer extinguish a holders right to rescind the
issuance of securities that were not registered or exempt from
the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933.
As of August 31, 2005, assuming every eligible person that
continues to hold the securities issued upon exercise of options
granted under the 2000 Option Scheme were to accept a rescission
offer, we estimate the total cost to us to complete the
rescission would be approximately $3.8 million including
statutory interest at 7% per annum, accrued since the date
of exercise of the options. The rescission acquisition price is
calculated as equal to the original exercise price paid by the
optionee to our company upon exercise of their option.
|
|
36
PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The following unaudited pro forma combined financial information
gives effect to the acquisition on May 19, 2005, by Spark
Networks plc (formerly MatchNet plc) of MingleMatch, Inc., a
corporation based in Provo, Utah. The purchase price for the
acquisition was $12 million in cash, which will be paid
over 12 months (as discussed further in note 5, notes
payable), as well as 150,000 shares of the Companys
ordinary shares which, on the date of the acquisition, carried a
value of approximately $1.2 million. For the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2004, MingleMatch reported net revenues
of approximately $2.5 million and a loss of $443,000.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial information is for
illustrative purposes only and reflects certain estimates and
assumptions. These unaudited pro forma combined financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the accompanying
notes, our historical consolidated financial statements and
MingleMatchs historical financial statements, including
the notes thereto, and Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,
all of which are included elsewhere in this prospectus.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial statement of
operation for the year ended December 31, 2004 and six
months ended June 30, 2005 gives effect to the acquisition
of MingleMatch, Inc. as if it had been completed on
January 1, 2004. Our combined financial statements include
the results of operation of MingleMatch, Inc. from its
acquisition date (May 19, 2005) to June 30, 2005.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements are not
necessarily indicative of operating results which would have
been achieved had the foregoing transaction actually been
completed at the beginning of the subject periods and should not
be construed as representative of future operating results.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2004 | |
|
Six Months ended June 30, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Spark | |
|
Mingle | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Spark | |
|
Mingle | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Networks | |
|
Match | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Consolidated | |
|
Networks | |
|
Match | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Consolidated | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands except per share amounts) | |
|
(in thousands except per share amounts) | |
Net revenues
|
|
$ |
65,052 |
|
|
$ |
2,504 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
67,556 |
|
|
$ |
31,990 |
|
|
$ |
1,453 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
33,443 |
|
Direct marketing expenses
|
|
|
31,240 |
|
|
|
1,432 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,672 |
|
|
|
11,279 |
|
|
|
741 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contribution margin
|
|
|
33,812 |
|
|
|
1,072 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,884 |
|
|
|
20,711 |
|
|
|
712 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,423 |
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indirect marketing
|
|
|
2,451 |
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,505 |
|
|
|
503 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
582 |
|
|
Customer service
|
|
|
3,379 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,479 |
|
|
|
1,137 |
|
|
|
147 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,284 |
|
|
Technical operations
|
|
|
7,162 |
|
|
|
353 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,515 |
|
|
|
2,950 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,300 |
|
|
Product development
|
|
|
2,013 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,090 |
|
|
|
1,890 |
|
|
|
113 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,003 |
|
|
General and administrative (excluding share-based compensation)
|
|
|
27,727 |
|
|
|
947 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,674 |
|
|
|
12,512 |
|
|
|
986 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,498 |
|
|
Share-based compensation
|
|
|
1,704 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,704 |
|
|
|
(28 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(28 |
) |
|
Amortization of intangible assets other than goodwill
|
|
|
860 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
1,197 |
(1) |
|
|
2,061 |
|
|
|
411 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
313 |
(1) |
|
|
726 |
|
|
Impairment of long lived assets
|
|
|
208 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
208 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
45,504 |
|
|
|
1,535 |
|
|
|
1,197 |
|
|
|
48,236 |
|
|
|
19,375 |
|
|
|
1,677 |
|
|
|
313 |
|
|
|
21,365 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (loss) income
|
|
|
(11,692 |
) |
|
|
(463 |
) |
|
|
(1,197 |
) |
|
|
(13,352 |
) |
|
|
1,336 |
|
|
|
(965 |
) |
|
|
(313 |
) |
|
|
58 |
|
Interest (income) and other expenses, net
|
|
|
(66 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(86 |
) |
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
(209 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(65 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-tax (loss) income
|
|
|
(11,626 |
) |
|
|
(443 |
) |
|
|
(1,197 |
) |
|
|
(13,266 |
) |
|
|
1,192 |
|
|
|
(756 |
) |
|
|
(313 |
) |
|
|
123 |
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
$ |
(11,627 |
) |
|
$ |
(443 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,197 |
) |
|
$ |
(13,267 |
) |
|
$ |
1,128 |
|
|
$ |
(756 |
) |
|
$ |
(313 |
) |
|
$ |
59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2004 | |
|
Six Months ended June 30, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Spark | |
|
Mingle | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Spark | |
|
Mingle | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Networks | |
|
Match | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Consolidated | |
|
Networks | |
|
Match | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Consolidated | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands except per share amounts) | |
|
(in thousands except per share amounts) | |
Net (loss) income per ordinary share basic
|
|
$ |
(0.51 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.58 |
) |
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
Net (loss) income per ordinary share diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.51 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.58 |
) |
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding basic
|
|
|
22,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
22,817 |
|
|
|
25,389 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,389 |
|
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding diluted
|
|
|
22,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
22,817 |
|
|
|
29,080 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,080 |
|
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of
acquisition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of May 19, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands) | |
Current assets (including cash acquired of $221)
|
|
$ |
295 |
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
162 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
8,172 |
|
Domain names and databases
|
|
|
4,655 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets acquired
|
|
|
13,284 |
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets acquired
|
|
$ |
13,243 |
|
Of the $4,655,000 of acquired intangible assets, $2,360,000 was
assigned to member databases and will be amortized over three
years, $370,000 was assigned to subscriber databases which will
be amortized over three months, $205,000 was assigned to
developed software which will be amortized over five years, and
$1,720,000 was assigned to domain names which are not subject to
amortization.
Of the $8,171,600 of acquired goodwill, $400,000 was assigned to
assembled workforce.
38
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of our financial condition and
results of operations should be read in conjunction with our
unaudited and audited consolidated financial statements and the
related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
This prospectus, including the sections entitled
Prospectus Summary, Risk Factors,
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and
Business, contains forward-looking statements that
involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements
other than statements of historical facts contained in this
prospectus, including statements regarding our future financial
position, business strategy and plans and objectives of
management for future operations, are forward-looking
statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking
statements by terminology such as believes,
expects, anticipates,
intends, estimates, may,
will, continue, should,
plan, predict, potential or
the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. We
have based these forward-looking statements on our current
expectations and projections about future events and financial
trends that we believe may affect our financial condition,
results of operations, business strategy and financial needs.
Our actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements, which are
subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions
described in Risk Factors section and elsewhere in
this prospectus.
General
We are a public limited company incorporated under the laws of
England and Wales and our ordinary shares in the form of GDSs
currently trade on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. We are a
leading provider of online personals services in the United
States and internationally. Our Web sites enable adults to meet
online and participate in a community, become friends, date,
form a long-term relationship or marry.
Our revenues have grown from $659,000 in 1999 to
$65.1 million in 2004. For the six month period ended
June 30, 2005, we had approximately 219,200 average paying
subscribers, representing an increase of 0.6% from the same
period in 2004. We define a member as an individual who has
posted a personal profile during the immediately preceding
12 months or an individual who has previously posted a
personal profile and has subsequently logged on to one of our
Web sites at least once in the preceding 12 months. Paying
subscribers are defined as individuals who have paid a monthly
fee for access to communication and Web site features beyond
those provided to our members, and average paying subscribers
for each month are calculated as the sum of the paying
subscribers at the beginning and the end of the month, divided
by two. Our key Web sites are JDate.com, which targets the
Jewish singles community in the United States, at a current
subscription fee of $34.95 for a one month subscription, and
AmericanSingles.com, which targets the U.S. mainstream
online singles community, at a current subscription fee of
$29.85 for a one month subscription. Our subscription fees are
charged on a monthly basis, with discounts for longer-term
subscriptions ranging from three to twelve months. Longer-term
subscriptions are charged up-front and we recognize revenue over
the terms of such subscriptions.
We have grown both internally and through acquisitions of
entities, and selected assets of entities, offering online
personals services and related businesses. As a result of each
of these acquisitions, we have been able to expand and
cross-promote into vertical affinity markets, combine the target
entitys existing database of online personals customers
into one of our Web sites databases, with the goal of
attracting new members to our Web sites, retaining as many of
them as possible and converting them into paying subscribers.
Through our business acquisitions, we have expanded into new
markets,
39
leveraged and enhanced our existing brands to improve our
position within new markets, and gained valuable intellectual
property. During the last three years, we made the following
acquisitions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
In May 2005, we acquired MingleMatch, Inc., a company that
operates religious, ethnic, special interest and geographically
targeted online singles communities. The acquisition of
MingleMatch fits with our strategy of creating affinity-focused
online personals that provide quality experiences for our
members. We expect that our purchase of MingleMatch will allow
for numerous cost savings and revenue synergies. |
|
|
|
|
In September 2004, we purchased a 20% equity interest, with an
option to acquire the remaining interest, in Duplo AB, an online
provider of social networking products and services in Sweden,
with the intent of expanding into new markets and strengthening
our existing brands. |
|
|
|
|
In January 2004, we purchased Point Match Ltd., a competitor of
JDate.co.il in Israel. |
|
Our future performance will depend on many factors, including:
|
|
|
|
|
continued acceptance of online personals services; |
|
|
|
|
our ability to attract a large number of new members and paying
subscribers, and retain those members and paying subscribers; |
|
|
|
|
our ability to increase brand awareness, both domestically and
internationally; |
|
|
|
our ability to sustain and, when possible, increase subscription
fees for our services; and |
|
|
|
our ability to introduce new targeted Web sites, affiliate
programs, fee-based services and advertising as additional
sources of revenues. |
Our ability to compete effectively will depend on the timely
introduction and performance of our future Web sites, services
and features, the ability to address the needs of our members
and paying subscribers and the ability to respond to Web sites,
services and features introduced by competitors. To address this
challenge, we have invested and will continue to invest existing
personnel resources, namely internet engineers and programmers,
in order to enhance our existing services and introduce new
services, which may include new Web sites as well as new
features and functions designed to increase the probability of
communication among our members and paying subscribers and to
enhance their online personals experiences. Our software
development team consisted of 34 employees as of June 30,
2005, who are focused on expanding and improving the features
and functionality of our Web sites. The Company believes that it
has sufficient cash resources on hand to accomplish the
enhancements that are currently contemplated.
Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Assumptions
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and
results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
The preparation of these financial statements requires us to
make certain estimates and judgments that affect the reported
amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and
related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an
on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those
related to revenue recognition, prepaid advertising, Web site
and software development costs, goodwill, intangible and other
long-lived assets, accounting for business combinations,
contingencies and income taxes. We base our estimates on
historical experience and on various other assumptions that we
believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of
which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying
values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent
from other sources. Actual results may differ from these
estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
40
Management has discussed the development and selection of our
critical accounting policies, estimates and assumptions with our
Board of Directors and the Board has reviewed these disclosures.
We believe the following critical accounting policies reflect
the more significant judgments and estimates we used in the
preparation of our consolidated financial statements:
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue
Substantially all of our revenues are derived from subscription
fees. Revenues are presented net of credits and credit card
chargebacks. We recognize revenue in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States and with
Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition.
Recognition occurs ratably over the subscription period,
beginning when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement,
delivery has occurred (access has been granted), the fees are
fixed and determinable, and collection is reasonably assured.
Paying subscribers primarily pay in advance using a credit card
and all purchases are final and nonrefundable. Subscription fees
collected in advance are deferred and recognized as revenue,
using the straight-line method, over the term of the
subscription. We reserve for potential credit card chargebacks
based on our historical chargeback experience.
Direct Marketing Expenses
We incur substantial expenses related to our advertising in
order to generate traffic to our Web sites. These advertising
costs are primarily online advertising, including affiliate and
co-brand arrangements, and are directly attributable to the
revenues we receive from our subscribers. We have entered into
numerous affiliate arrangements, under which our affiliate
advertises or promotes our website on its website, and earns a
fee whenever visitors to its website click though the
advertisement to one of our websites and registers or subscribes
on our website. Affiliate deals may fall in the categories of
either CPS, CPA, CPC, or CPM, as discussed below. We do not
typically have any exclusivity arrangements with our affiliates,
and some of our affiliates may also be affiliates for our
competitors. Under our co-branded arrangements, our co-brand
partners may operate their own separate websites where visitors
can register and subscribe to our websites. Our co-brand
arrangements are usually CPS type arrangements.
Our advertising expenses are recognized based on the terms of
each individual contract. The majority of our advertising
expenses are based on four pricing models:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost per subscription (CPS) where we pay an online
advertising provider a fee based upon the number of new paying
subscribers that it generates; |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost per acquisition (CPA) where we pay an online
advertising provider a fee based on the number of new member
registrations it generates; |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost per click (CPC) where we pay an online advertising
provider a fee based on the number of clicks to our Web sites it
generates; and |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost per thousand for banner advertising (CPM) where we pay
an online advertising provider a fee based on the number of
times it displays our advertisements. |
|
We estimate in certain circumstances the total clicks or
impressions delivered by our vendors in order to determine
amounts due under these contracts.
Prepaid Advertising Expenses
In certain circumstances, we pay in advance for Internet-based
advertising on other Web sites, and expense the prepaid amounts
as direct marketing expenses over the contract periods as the
contracted
41
Web site delivers on its commitment. We evaluate the realization
of prepaid amounts at each reporting period and expense prepaid
amounts if the contracted Web site is unable to deliver on its
commitment.
Web Site and Software Development Costs
We capitalize costs related to developing or obtaining
internal-use software. Capitalization of costs begins after the
conceptual formulation stage has been completed. Product
development costs are expensed as incurred or capitalized into
property and equipment in accordance with Statement of Position
(SOP) 98-1 Accounting for the Costs of
Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use.
SOP 98-1 requires that costs incurred in the preliminary
project and post-implementation stages of an internal-use
software project be expensed as incurred and that certain costs
incurred in the application development stage of a project be
capitalized. We exercise judgment in determining which stage of
development a software project is in at any point in time.
In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force
(EITF) 00-2 Accounting for Web Site
Development Costs, we expense costs related to the
planning and post-implementation phases of our Web site
development efforts. Direct costs incurred in the development
phase are capitalized. Costs associated with minor enhancements
and maintenance for the Web site are included in expenses in the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Capitalized Web site and software development costs are included
in internal-use software in property and equipment and amortized
over the estimated useful life of the products, which is usually
three years. In accordance with the above accounting literature,
we estimate the amount of time spent by our engineers in
developing our software and enhancements to our Web sites.
On a regular basis, management reviews the capitalized costs of
Web sites and software developed to ensure that these costs
relate to projects that will be completed and placed in service.
Any projects determined not to be viable will be reviewed for
impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144.
Valuation of Goodwill, Identified Intangibles and Other
Long-lived Assets
We test goodwill and intangible assets for impairment in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 142, Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets and test property, plant and equipment
for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144,
Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived
Assets. We assess goodwill, and other indefinite-lived
intangible assets at least annually, or more frequently when
circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be
recoverable. Factors we consider important and which could
trigger an impairment review include the following:
|
|
|
|
|
a significant decline in actual projected revenue; |
|
|
|
a significant decline in the market value of our depositary
shares; |
|
|
|
a significant decline in performance of certain acquired
companies relative to our original projections; |
|
|
|
an excess of our net book value over our market value; |
|
|
|
a significant decline in our operating results relative to our
operating forecasts; |
|
|
|
a significant change in the manner of our use of acquired assets
or the strategy for our overall business; |
|
|
|
a significant decrease in the market value of an asset; |
|
|
|
a shift in technology demands and development; and |
|
|
|
a significant turnover in key management or other personnel. |
42
When we determine that the carrying value of goodwill, other
intangible assets and other long-lived assets may not be
recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the above
indicators of impairment, we measure any impairment based on a
projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate
determined by our management to be commensurate with the risk
inherent in our current business model. In the case of the other
intangible assets and other long-lived assets, this measurement
is only performed if the projected undiscounted cash flows for
the asset are less than its carrying value. No indicators of
impairment in goodwill were present in 2003. We had impairment
charges related to long-lived assets of $1.5 million in
2003 in accordance with SFAS No. 144.
Accounting for Business Combinations
We have acquired the stock or specific assets of a number of
companies from 1999 through 2004 some of which were considered
to be business acquisitions. Under the purchase method of
accounting, the cost, including transaction costs, are allocated
to the underlying net assets, based on their respective
estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the
estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as
goodwill.
The judgments made in determining the estimated fair value and
expected useful life assigned to each class of assets and
liabilities acquired can significantly impact net income.
Different classes of assets will have useful lives that differ.
For example, the useful life of member database, which is three
years, is not the same as the useful life of a paying subscriber
list, which is three months, or a domain name, which is
indefinite. Consequently, to the extent a longer-lived asset is
ascribed greater value under the purchase method than a
shorter-lived asset, there may be less amortization recorded in
a given period or no amortization for indefinite lived
intangibles.
Determining the fair value of certain assets and liabilities
acquired is subjective in nature and often involves the use of
significant estimates and assumptions.
The value of our intangible and other long-lived assets,
including goodwill, is exposed to future adverse changes if we
experience declines in operating results or experience
significant negative industry or economic trends or if future
performance is below historical trends. We review intangible
assets and goodwill for impairment at least annually or more
frequently when circumstances indicate that the carrying value
may not be recoverable using the guidance of applicable
accounting literature. We continually review the events and
circumstances related to our financial performance and economic
environment for factors that would provide evidence of the
impairment of goodwill, identifiable intangibles and other
long-lived assets.
We use the equity method of accounting for our investments in
affiliates over which we exert significant influence.
Significant influence is generally having a 20% to 50% ownership
interest. At June 30, 2005, we owned a 20% interest in
Duplo AB which we account for using the equity method.
Legal Contingencies
We are currently involved in certain legal proceedings, as
discussed in the notes to the financial statements and under
Business Legal Proceedings. To the
extent that a loss related to a contingency is reasonably
estimable and probable, we accrue an estimate of that loss.
Because of the uncertainties related to both the amount and
range of loss on certain pending litigation, we may be unable to
make a reasonable estimate of the liability that could result
from an unfavorable outcome of such litigation. As additional
information becomes available, we will assess the potential
liability related to our pending litigation and make or, if
necessary, revise our estimates. Such revisions in our estimates
of the potential liability could materially impact our results
of operations and financial position.
43
Accounting for Income Taxes
We account for income taxes using the asset and liability
method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets
and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of
temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases
of the assets and liabilities. In accordance with the provisions
of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income
Taxes, we record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred
tax assets to the amount expected to more likely than not be
realized in our future tax returns. As of December 31, 2004
and 2003, we had a valuation allowance that completely offset
our deferred tax asset. Should we determine in the future that
we will likely realize all or part of our net deferred tax
assets, we will adjust the valuation allowance so that we will
have a deferred tax asset available that will be realized in our
future tax returns.
At December 31, 2004, we had net operating loss
carry-forwards of approximately $42.0 million and
$38.0 million available to reduce future federal and state
taxable income, respectively. Under Section 382 of the
Internal Revenue Code, the utilization of the net operating loss
carry-forwards can be limited based on changes in the percentage
ownership of our company. Of the net operating losses available,
approximately $1.5 million and $800,000 for federal and
state purposes, respectively, are attributable to losses
incurred by an acquired subsidiary. Such losses are subject to
other restrictions on usage including the requirement that they
are only available to offset future income of the subsidiary. In
addition, the available net operating losses do not include any
amounts generated by the acquired subsidiary prior to the
acquisition date due to substantial uncertainty regarding our
ability to realize the benefit in the future.
Segment Reporting
We divide our business into three operating segments:
(1) the JDate segment, which consists of our JDate.com Web
site and its co-branded Web sites, (2) the AmericanSingles
segment, which consists of our AmericanSingles.com Web site and
its co-branded Web sites, and (3) the Other Businesses
segment, which consists of all of our other Web sites and
businesses.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended | |
|
|
Year ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands) | |
Net Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JDate
|
|
$ |
8,372 |
|
|
$ |
16,091 |
|
|
$ |
23,820 |
|
|
$ |
11,597 |
|
|
$ |
12,703 |
|
|
AmericanSingles
|
|
|
6,644 |
|
|
|
19,253 |
|
|
|
35,224 |
|
|
|
17,255 |
|
|
|
15,353 |
|
|
Other Businesses
|
|
|
1,336 |
|
|
|
1,597 |
|
|
|
6,008 |
|
|
|
2,010 |
|
|
|
3,934 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
16,352 |
|
|
$ |
36,941 |
|
|
$ |
65,052 |
|
|
$ |
30,862 |
|
|
$ |
31,990 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct Marketing Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JDate
|
|
$ |
224 |
|
|
$ |
739 |
|
|
$ |
1,740 |
|
|
$ |
697 |
|
|
$ |
1,208 |
|
|
AmericanSingles
|
|
|
3,970 |
|
|
|
15,887 |
|
|
|
24,954 |
|
|
|
13,394 |
|
|
|
7,570 |
|
|
Other Businesses
|
|
|
1,202 |
|
|
|
1,769 |
|
|
|
4,546 |
|
|
|
1,773 |
|
|
|
2,501 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
5,396 |
|
|
$ |
18,395 |
|
|
$ |
31,240 |
|
|
$ |
15,864 |
|
|
$ |
11,279 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contribution:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JDate
|
|
$ |
8,148 |
|
|
$ |
15,352 |
|
|
$ |
22,080 |
|
|
$ |
10,900 |
|
|
$ |
11,495 |
|
|
AmericanSingles
|
|
|
2,674 |
|
|
|
3,366 |
|
|
|
10,270 |
|
|
|
3,861 |
|
|
|
7,783 |
|
|
Other Businesses
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
(172 |
) |
|
|
1,462 |
|
|
|
237 |
|
|
|
1,433 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
10,956 |
|
|
$ |
18,546 |
|
|
$ |
33,812 |
|
|
$ |
14,998 |
|
|
$ |
20,711 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44
Key Business Metrics
We regularly review certain operating metrics in order to
evaluate the effectiveness of our operating strategies and
monitor the financial performance of our business. The key
business metrics that we utilize include the following:
|
|
|
|
|
Average Paying Subscribers: Paying subscribers are
defined as individuals who have paid a monthly fee for access to
communication and Web site features beyond those provided to our
members. Average paying subscribers for each month are
calculated as the sum of the paying subscribers at the beginning
and the end of the month, divided by two. Average paying
subscribers for periods longer than one month are calculated as
the sum of the average paying subscribers for each month,
divided by the number of months in such period. |
|
|
|
Average Monthly Net Revenue per Paying Subscriber:
Average monthly net revenue per paying subscriber represents the
total net subscriber revenue for the period divided by the
number of average paying subscribers for the period, divided by
the number of months in the period. |
|
|
|
Direct Subscriber Acquisition Cost: Direct
subscriber acquisition cost is defined as total direct marketing
costs divided by the number of new paying subscribers during the
period. This represents the average cost of acquiring a new
paying subscriber during the period. |
|
|
|
|
Monthly Subscriber Churn: Monthly subscriber churn
represents the ratio expressed as a percentage of (i) the
number of paying subscriber cancellations during the period
divided by the number of average paying subscribers during the
period and (ii) the number of months in the period. |
|
Unaudited selected statistical information regarding our key
operating metrics for the years ended December 31, 2002,
2003, and 2004 and the six month periods ended June 30,
2005 and 2004 is shown in the table below. The references to
Other Businesses in this table indicate metrics data
for our Other Businesses segment, excluding travel and events.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended | |
|
|
Year ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Average Paying Subscribers (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JDate
|
|
|
27.7 |
|
|
|
50.7 |
|
|
|
69.8 |
|
|
|
71.2 |
|
|
|
69.3 |
|
|
AmericanSingles
|
|
|
29.5 |
|
|
|
71.5 |
|
|
|
132.5 |
|
|
|
129.9 |
|
|
|
115.3 |
|
|
Other Businesses
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
|
|
|
23.8 |
|
|
|
16.8 |
|
|
|
34.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
58.7 |
|
|
|
125.8 |
|
|
|
226.1 |
|
|
|
217.9 |
|
|
|
219.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Monthly Net Revenue per Paying Subscriber:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JDate
|
|
$ |
25.20 |
|
|
$ |
26.44 |
|
|
$ |
28.42 |
|
|
$ |
27.14 |
|
|
$ |
30.56 |
|
|
AmericanSingles
|
|
|
18.77 |
|
|
|
22.43 |
|
|
|
22.16 |
|
|
|
22.60 |
|
|
|
22.19 |
|
|
Other Businesses
|
|
|
33.17 |
|
|
|
23.72 |
|
|
|
16.75 |
|
|
|
15.36 |
|
|
|
18.11 |
|
|
All Segments
|
|
|
22.17 |
|
|
|
24.09 |
|
|
|
23.53 |
|
|
|
23.52 |
|
|
|
24.19 |
|
Direct Subscriber Acquisition Cost:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JDate
|
|
$ |
2.90 |
|
|
$ |
4.39 |
|
|
$ |
8.09 |
|
|
$ |
6.43 |
|
|
$ |
11.30 |
|
|
AmericanSingles
|
|
|
38.68 |
|
|
|
45.70 |
|
|
|
43.29 |
|
|
|
44.40 |
|
|
|
32.68 |
|
|
Other Businesses
|
|
|
78.43 |
|
|
|
80.32 |
|
|
|
34.74 |
|
|
|
32.10 |
|
|
|
34.64 |
|
|
All Segments
|
|
|
25.56 |
|
|
|
33.84 |
|
|
|
33.85 |
|
|
|
34.13 |
|
|
|
27.35 |
|
45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended | |
|
|
Year ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Monthly Subscriber Churn:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JDate
|
|
|
18.2 |
% |
|
|
22.4 |
% |
|
|
25.8 |
% |
|
|
25.9 |
% |
|
|
26.2 |
% |
|
AmericanSingles
|
|
|
24.3 |
|
|
|
32.1 |
|
|
|
35.6 |
|
|
|
35.7 |
|
|
|
36.8 |
|
|
Other Businesses
|
|
|
32.6 |
|
|
|
33.4 |
|
|
|
26.8 |
|
|
|
40.1 |
|
|
|
23.6 |
|
|
All Segments
|
|
|
21.6 |
|
|
|
28.2 |
|
|
|
31.7 |
|
|
|
32.0 |
|
|
|
31.2 |
|
The larger increase in average paying subscribers for
AmericanSingles as compared to the increase for JDate was
primarily due to JDate possessing a larger portion of its
market, while AmericanSingles possessed a smaller portion of its
market and its average paying subscribers has, as a result,
grown more quickly.
We have embarked in increases in marketing spending for JDate,
primarily in the area of off-line marketing. Such marketing
initiatives are targeted at brand building and name recognition.
The marketing programs most prominently include print and
billboard advertising. We include the costs of these marketing
programs in the direct marketing expense for the JDate segment.
As these are new marketing initiatives and spending that we have
not previously undertaken, it has resulted in an increase in our
customer acquisition cost for JDate. Even after these increased
spending programs, the cost of customer acquisition for JDate is
significantly lower than for our other segments due to the
strong brand perception and word of mouth reputation of JDate.
Our recent marketing initiatives are targeted specifically at
maintaining that strong word of mouth name reputation and brand
recognition.
The cost of customer acquisition for JDate is significantly
lower than for our other segments due to its strong brand and we
expect the cost of customer acquisition for JDate to remain
below that for our other segments. AmericanSingles and our other
websites operate in much more competitive environments, and must
spend more on marketing to attract new subscribers.
Churn rate is somewhat independent from an increasing number of
subscribers opting for multi-month contracts. Churn rate is
calculated as the ratio of monthly subscriber cancellations
during the period, divided by the average paying subscribers in
a period. During a period where the number of total new
subscribers and subscribers canceling are both increasing, but
more new subscribers are choosing longer term contracts, then
churn rate can increase while average revenue per subscriber
falls. We are constantly striving to improve our websites to
retain our existing subscribers. However, we do not forecast
churn rates, and lack the ability to accurately do so.
46
Results of Operations
The following is a more detailed discussion of our financial
condition and results of operations for the periods presented.
The following table presents our historical operating results as
a percentage of net revenues for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended | |
|
|
Year ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
Direct marketing expenses
|
|
|
33.0 |
|
|
|
49.8 |
|
|
|
48.0 |
|
|
|
51.4 |
|
|
|
35.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contribution margin
|
|
|
67.0 |
|
|
|
50.2 |
|
|
|
52.0 |
|
|
|
48.6 |
|
|
|
64.7 |
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indirect marketing
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
|
|
|
3.4 |
|
|
|
1.6 |
|
|
Customer service
|
|
|
7.4 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
|
|
5.2 |
|
|
|
6.1 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
|
|
Technical operations
|
|
|
9.7 |
|
|
|
11.7 |
|
|
|
11.0 |
|
|
|
10.8 |
|
|
|
9.2 |
|
|
Product development
|
|
|
3.7 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
General and administrative (excluding share-based compensation)
|
|
|
48.8 |
|
|
|
45.7 |
|
|
|
42.7 |
|
|
|
39.1 |
|
|
|
39.1 |
|
|
Share-based compensation
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
5.1 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
7.8 |
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
Amortization of intangible assets other than goodwill
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
1.6 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
75.3 |
|
|
|
80.1 |
|
|
|
70.0 |
|
|
|
71.6 |
|
|
|
60.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating loss
|
|
|
(8.3 |
) |
|
|
(29.9 |
) |
|
|
(18.0 |
) |
|
|
(23.0 |
) |
|
|
4.1 |
|
Interest (income) and other expenses, net
|
|
|
(5.1 |
) |
|
|
(0.5 |
) |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss (income) before income taxes
|
|
|
(3.2 |
) |
|
|
(29.4 |
) |
|
|
(17.9 |
) |
|
|
(23.1 |
) |
|
|
3.6 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss (income)
|
|
|
(3.2 |
)% |
|
|
(29.4 |
)% |
|
|
(17.9 |
)% |
|
|
(23.1 |
)% |
|
|
3.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 Compared to Six Months
Ended June 30, 2004.
Business Metrics
For the six months ended June 30, 2005, average paying
subscribers for the JDate segment decreased 2.7% to 69,300,
compared to 71,200 for the same period last year. For the six
months ended June 30, 2005, average paying subscribers for
the AmericanSingles segment decreased 11.2% to 115,300, compared
to 129,900 for the same period last year. For the six months
ended June 30, 2005, average paying subscribers for Web
sites in our Other Businesses segment increased 106.0% 34,600,
compared 16,800 for the same period last year. The decrease in
average paying subscribers for JDate is due to an increase in
our churn rate. The decrease in average paying subscribers for
AmericanSingles is due to a decline in the total marketing
expenditures in 2005 compared to 2004. The increase in average
paying subscribers for our other web sites is due primarily to
the acquisitions of MingleMatch, Inc. in May 2005 and the growth
of our Cupid website in Israel, as well as an increase in
international Web sites which began operations in early 2004.
47
For six months ended June 30, 2005, average monthly net
revenue per paying subscriber for the JDate segment increased
12.6% to $30.56, compared to $27.14 for the six months in 2004.
The increase was due to an increase in net revenue associated
with new subscriptions at a higher price point, offset by the
decline in average paying subscribers as discussed above. For
the six months ended June 30, 2005, average monthly net
revenue per paying subscriber for the AmericanSingles segment
decreased slightly to $22.19 from $22.60 for the six months
ended June 30, 2004. For the six months ended June 30,
2005, average monthly net revenue per paying subscriber for Web
sites in our Other Businesses segment increased 17.9% to $18.11,
compared to $15.36 for the six months ended June 30, 2004.
The increase was primarily due to the addition of MingleMatch
during the second quarter of 2005.
For the six months ended June 30, 2005, direct subscriber
acquisition cost for JDate increased 75.7% to $11.30, compared
to $6.43 for the same period in 2004. The increase in direct
subscriber acquisition costs for JDate is due to new marketing
initiatives for the JDate site in order solidify and expand
JDates brand awareness. For the six months ended
June 30, 2005, direct subscriber acquisition costs for
AmericanSingles decreased 26.4% to $32.68, compared to $44.40
for the same period ended June 30, 2004 due to a decrease
in marketing expenditures associated with the AmericanSingles
Web site. For the six months ended June 30, 2005, direct
subscriber acquisition cost for the Web sites in our Other
Businesses segment increased 7.9% to $34.64, compared to $32.10
for the same period of 2004. The increase in direct subscriber
acquisition costs for our Other Businesses segment in the first
half of 2005 is due to an increased marketing effort to attract
new subscribers to the international Web sites that were
launched in early 2004.
For the six months ended June 30, 2005, monthly subscriber
churn for JDate increased slightly to 26.2%, compared to 25.9%
for the same period in 2004. For the six months ended
June 30, 2005, monthly subscriber churn for AmericanSingles
increased to 36.8%, compared to 35.7% for the same period in
2004. For the six months ended June 30, 2005, monthly
subscriber churn for the Web sites in our Other Businesses
segment decreased to 23.6%, as compared with 40.1% for the same
period in 2004. The decrease in the churn rate in the second
quarter of 2005 is due to the addition of MingleMatch.
Net Revenues
Net revenues for JDate increased 9.5% to $12.7 million for
the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to
$11.6 million for the first six months of 2004. The
increase in net revenues for JDate is due to an increase in
pricing in mid 2004 which contributed to increased revenues
despite the decline in average paying subscribers discussed
above. Net revenues for AmericanSingles decreased 11.0% to
$15.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005,
compared to $17.3 million in 2004. The decrease in
AmericanSingles net revenue is due to the decrease in average
paying subscribers for the reasons discussed above. Net revenues
for our Other Businesses segment increased 95.7% to
$3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005
compared to $2.0 million in 2004. The increase in net
revenues for our Other Businesses is attributed to the
acquisition of MingleMatch and the growth of our international
Web sites which were launched in early 2004.
Direct Marketing Expenses
Direct marketing expenses for JDate increased 73.3% to
$1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005
compared to $697,000 in 2004. The increase in marketing spend
was due to new marketing initiatives for JDate designed to
solidify and expand JDates brand awareness. Direct
marketing expenses for AmericanSingles decreased 43.5% to
$7.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005
compared to $13.4 million in the same period last year. In
the second quarter of 2004, the Company initiated an aggressive
marketing program, primarily for American Singles. Upon review,
it became apparent that such aggressive spending was not
generating sufficient incremental revenue and, accordingly our
marketing spending has been reduced, to allow us to become more
profitable. We
48
expect more stable marketing expenditures going forward. Direct
marketing expenses for our Web sites in our Other Businesses
segment increased 41.1% to $2.5 million for the six months
ended June 30, 2005 compared to $1.8 million in the
first six months of 2004. The increase in spending related to
our Web sites in our Other Businesses segment is attributed to
the acquisition of MingleMatch and additional advertising in
order to generate traffic to our newer international Web sites
which commenced operations early in 2004.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses consist primarily of indirect marketing,
customer service, technical operations, product development and
general and administrative expenses. Operating expenses
decreased 12.2% to $19.4 million in the first six months of
2005 compared to $22.1 million in the same period in 2004.
Stated as a percentage of net revenues, operating expenses
decreased to 60.6% in the first six months of 2005 compared to
71.6% in the same period last year. The decrease is due
primarily to a decrease in share-based compensation in the first
six months of 2005 which is further discussed below.
Indirect Marketing. Indirect marketing expenses consist
primarily of salaries for our sales and marketing personnel and
other associated costs such as public relations. Indirect
marketing expenses decreased 52.1% to $503,000 in the first six
months of 2005 compared to $1.1 million in the second
quarter of 2004. Stated as a percentage of net revenues,
indirect marketing expenses decreased to 1.6% in the first six
months of 2005 compared to 3.4% in the same period in 2004. The
decrease is due to a decrease in headcount in our marketing
department, and the termination of the Chief Marketing Officer
in the fourth quarter of 2004 who has not been replaced.
Customer Service. Customer service expenses consist
primarily of costs associated with our member services center.
Customer services expenses decreased 39.5% to $1.1 million
in the first six months of 2005 compared to $1.9 million in
the first six months of 2004. Stated as a percentage of net
revenues, customer service expenses decreased to 3.6% in the
quarter ended June 30, 2005 compared to 6.1% in the same
period in the prior year. The decrease is due to a decrease in
headcount from 2004 to 2005. During the first six months of
2004, we had higher staffing in our member services center in
order to better serve our customers due to the launch of new Web
sites and new platforms. During the remainder of 2004, we worked
to increase our efficiency in handling our call volume, and
therefore reduced our headcount accordingly by the first six
months of 2005.
Technical Operations. Technical operations expenses
consist primarily of the people and systems necessary to support
our network, Internet connectivity and other data and
communication support. Technical operations expenses decreased
11.1% to $3.0 million in the first six months of 2005
compared to $3.3 million in 2004. The decrease is primarily
due to a reduction in headcount as well as a restructuring of
workforce which resulted in a decrease of salary expense. This
reduction was partially offset by an increase in depreciation
expense associated with the increase in hardware to support our
network and an increase in capitalized software amortization
associated with redesigning our operating platform. As a
percentage of net revenues, technical operations decreased to
9.2% in the quarter ended June 30, 2005 compared to 10.8%
in the same period last year.
Product Development. Product development expenses consist
primarily of costs incurred in the development, creation and
enhancement of our Web sites and services. Product development
expenses increased 117.0% to $1.9 million in the first six
months of 2005 compared to $871,000 in 2004. As a percentage of
net revenues, product development expenses increased to 5.9% for
the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to 2.8% in
2004. The increase is due primarily to an increase in headcount
associated with pursuing new business opportunities as well as
improving the infrastructure of our existing businesses.
General and Administrative. General and administrative
expenses consist primarily of corporate personnel-related costs,
professional fees, credit card processing fees, and occupancy
and other overhead costs. General and administrative expenses
increased 3.6% to $12.5 million in the first six
49
months of 2005 compared to $12.1 million in the same period
in 2004. The increase in general and administrative expenses is
due primarily to increase in consulting services as well as an
increase in credit card processing fees, including charges and
fines. Stated as a percentage of net revenues, general and
administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30,
2005 and 2004 was 39.1%.
Share-Based Compensation. Share-based compensation
resulted from the issuance of warrants and options that were
treated as variable under accounting principles which, on a
quarterly basis, required us to recognize an increase or
decrease in compensation expense based on the then fair-value of
the subject securities. Share-based compensation decreased
101.2% to $(28,000) in the first six months of 2005 compared to
$2.4 million in the first six months of 2004. The
difference in expense is due to the fact that the majority of
options and warrants which were considered variable in 2004 were
fully valued and accounted for in 2004 and as a result did not
impact the results of the first six months of 2005.
Amortization of Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill.
Amortization expenses consist primarily of amortization of
intangible assets related to the MingleMatch acquisition as well
as previous acquisitions, primarily SocialNet and PointMatch.
Amortization expense decreased 14.7% to $411,000 in the first
six months of 2005 compared to $482,000 in the first six months
of 2004. The decrease is due to intangibles related to older
acquisitions being fully amortized by the first quarter of 2005
partially offset by amortization of intangible assets resulting
from the MingleMatch acquisition in the second quarter of 2005.
Interest Income/ Loss and Other Expenses, Net. Interest
income/loss and other expenses consist primarily of interest
income associated with notes payable, temporary investments in
interest bearing accounts and marketable securities and income
on our investments in non-controlled affiliates. Expenses
increased to $144,000 for the six months ended June 30,
2005 from expense of $32,000 for the same period in 2004. The
increase was due primarily to recognition of losses upon
liquidation of marketable securities and loss from Duplo.
Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2003
Business Metrics
Average paying subscribers for JDate increased 37.7%, to
approximately 69,800 for the year ended December 31, 2004
from approximately 50,700 for the year ended December 31,
2003. Average paying subscribers for AmericanSingles increased
85.3%, to approximately 132,500 for the year ended
December 31, 2004 from approximately 71,500 for the year
ended December 31, 2003. Average paying subscribers for Web
sites in our Other Businesses segment increased to approximately
23,800 for the year ended December 31, 2004 from
approximately 3,600 for the year ended December 31, 2003.
The increase in paying subscribers for all of our segments
corresponds to the increased marketing expenditures for all of
our segments, along with improved marketing efficiency, such
that greater marketing expenditures were made without
significant increases in our average subscriber acquisition
costs. The larger increase in average paying subscribers for
AmericanSingles as compared to the increase for JDate was
primarily due to JDate possessing a larger portion of its
market. The increase in paying subscribers in our Other
Businesses segment was due to growth in our international
websites, including PointMatch, which was acquired at the
beginning of 2004, and our websites in the United Kingdom and
Canada.
Average monthly net revenue per paying JDate subscriber
increased 7.5%, to $28.42 for the year ended December 31,
2004 from $26.44 for the year ended December 31, 2003.
Average monthly net revenue per paying AmericanSingles
subscriber decreased 1.2% to $22.16 for the year ended
December 31, 2004 from $22.43 for the year ended
December 31, 2003. Average monthly net revenue per paying
subscriber for Web sites in our Other Businesses segment
decreased 29.4%, to $16.75 for the year ended December 31,
2004 from $23.72 for the year ended December 31, 2003. The
increase for JDate was primarily due to a price increase which
was put into effect in January 2004. The
50
decrease for AmericanSingles was due to an increase in the
proportion of subscribers paying for multi-month subscriptions,
for which they receive a discount on the monthly rate compared
to the single-month subscription price. The decrease for Web
sites in our Other Businesses segment was primarily due to the
growth of new Web sites with lower subscription prices than
those Web sites that represented our Other Businesses segment in
2003.
Direct subscriber acquisition cost for JDate increased 84.3%, to
$8.09 in 2004 from $4.39 in 2003. Direct subscriber acquisition
cost for AmericanSingles decreased 5.3%, to $43.29 in 2004 from
$45.70 in 2003. Direct subscriber acquisition cost for the Web
sites in our Other Businesses segment decreased 56.7%, to $34.74
in 2004 from $80.32 in 2003. The increase in direct subscriber
acquisition cost for JDate was due primarily to the cost of new
marketing initiatives, including offline billboard campaigns
designed to solidify and expand JDates brand awareness.
Despite this increase, the cost of customer acquisition for
JDate is significantly lower than for our other segments due to
the strong brand perception and name recognition for and word of
mouth reputation for JDate. AmericanSingles and our other
websites operate in much more competitive environments, and must
spend more on marketing to attract new subscribers. The decrease
in direct subscriber acquisition cost for AmericanSingles and
the Web sites in our Other Businesses segment was due improved
marketing efficiency, such that greater marketing expenditures
were made without significant increases in our average
subscriber acquisition costs. For AmericanSingles, we began to
put a greater emphasis on pay for performance advertising
models, such as cost per subscription (CPS) and cost per
acquisition (CPA) arrangements, where we are better able to
monitor and manage our cost of subscriber acquisition.
Monthly subscriber churn for JDate increased to 25.8% for the
year ended December 31, 2004 from 22.4% for the year ended
December 31, 2003. Monthly subscriber churn for
AmericanSingles increased to 35.6% for the year ended
December 31, 2004 from 32.1% for the year ended
December 31, 2003. Monthly subscriber churn for Web sites
in our Other Businesses segment decreased to 26.8% for the year
ended December 31, 2004 from 33.4% for the year ended
December 31, 2003. The increase in monthly subscriber churn
for JDate and AmericanSingles was due primarily to
implementation in late 2003 of the pay-to-respond feature which
required members to upgrade to paying subscriber status before
they could respond to emails from other paying subscribers.
Members who subscribe specifically to utilize the pay-to-respond
feature are less likely to renew their subscriptions than those
who subscribe to initiate communications. The decrease in
monthly subscriber churn for the Web sites in our Other Business
segment was due to growth and maturity of those businesses. Some
of the websites in our Other Businesses segment were launched in
late 2003, including our sites in Canada and the UK. During the
early startup period for a website which requires a critical
mass of members in order to attract new members, churn rates are
higher. As subscribers see the same other members of the
community repeatedly, they are more prone to quit the service.
As the website community grows, churn rates typically decline as
subscribers take longer to feel they have exhausted their
possibilities within the community.
Net Revenues
Substantially all of our net revenues are derived from
subscription fees. The remainder of our net revenues, accounting
for less than 2% of net revenues for the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003, are attributable to certain
promotional events. Revenues are presented net of credits and
credit card chargebacks. We expect net revenues from promotional
events to comprise an even smaller percentage of net revenues in
the future. We also expect to generate revenues from advertising
on our Web sites in the future. Our subscriptions are offered in
durations of one, three, six and twelve months. Plans with
durations of longer than one month are available at discounted
rates. Most subscription programs renew automatically for
subsequent periods until subscribers terminate them.
Net revenues for JDate increased 48.0%, to $23.8 million
for the year ended December 31, 2004 from
$16.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.
Net revenues for AmericanSingles increased
51
83.0%, to $35.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2004, compared to $19.3 million for the
year ended December 31, 2003. Net revenues for our Other
Businesses segment increased 276.2%, to $6.0 million for
the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to
$1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The
increase in JDates net revenues is primarily attributable
to an increase in JDates monthly subscription price during
the first quarter of 2004. The increase in net revenues for
AmericanSingles is primarily due to an increase in
subscriptions, as discussed above. The increase in net revenues
for our Other Businesses segment is due primarily to the growth
of our businesses in Israel, whose growth was aided by our
acquisition of Point Match Ltd. in the first quarter of 2004, as
well as growth in our UK and Canada Web sites.
Direct Marketing Expenses
Direct marketing expenses primarily consist of advertising costs
and direct costs to obtain new paying subscribers. Direct
marketing expenses for JDate increased 135.5%, to
$1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from
approximately $739,000 for the year ended December 31,
2003. Direct marketing expenses for AmericanSingles increased
57.1%, to $25.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 2004 compared to $15.9 million for the
year ended December 31, 2003. Direct marketing expenses for
Web sites in our Other Businesses segment increased 157.0%, to
$4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from
$1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The
increases for JDate and AmericanSingles are due to an overall
increase in the cost of online advertising, which is our primary
source for advertising, as well as new marketing initiatives for
JDate. In addition, for our American Singles website, we
initiated an aggressive marketing program in the second quarter
of 2004. We reduced our marketing for AmericanSingles in
subsequent quarters in 2004 in order to reduce our subscriber
acquisition cost. The cost of customer acquisition for JDate is
significantly lower than for our other segments due to the
strong brand perception and name recognition for and word of
mouth reputation for JDate. AmericanSingles and our other
websites operate in much more competitive environments, and must
spend more on marketing to attract new subscribers. For Web
sites in our Other Businesses segment, in addition to the
increase in the cost of online advertising, our direct marketing
expenses also increased because of the additional expenses
associated with the Web site assets acquired in the Point Match
Ltd. acquisition.
As a percentage of revenues, total direct marketing expenses for
JDate increased to 7.3% in 2004 from 4.6% in 2003. The increase
was due to new marketing initiatives for JDate. As a percentage
of revenues, total direct marketing expenses for AmericanSingles
decreased to 70.8% in 2004 from 82.5% in 2003. The decrease was
due to improved marketing efficiency, including greater emphasis
on pay for performance advertising models, such that greater
marketing expenditures were made without significant increases
in our average subscriber acquisition costs. As a percentage of
revenues, total direct marketing expenses for our Other
Businesses segment decreased to 75.7% in 2004 from 110.8% in
2003. The decrease was due to improved marketing efficiency,
including greater emphasis on pay for performance advertising
models, as well as emphasis on making the contribution of
websites in this segment a positive number. Overall, for all of
our segments, total direct marketing expenses decreased to 48.0%
from 49.8% for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
respectively. .
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses primarily consist of indirect marketing,
customer service, technical operations, product development and
general and administrative expenses. Operating expenses
increased 53.8% to approximately $45.5 million in 2004 from
approximately $29.6 million in 2003. Stated as a percentage
of net revenues, operating expenses decreased to 70.0% for 2004
from 80.1% in 2003. The increase in total dollars was primarily
the result of a higher level of general and administrative
expenses, as well as an increase in indirect marketing and
technical operations as discussed below. The decrease as a
percentage of revenues was primarily the result of economies of
scale in customer service and technical operations costs
required to support an increasing revenue base.
52
Indirect Marketing. Indirect marketing expenses primarily
consist of salaries for our sales and marketing personnel and
other associated costs such as public relations. Indirect
marketing expenses increased 170.2%, to approximately
$2.5 million in 2004 compared to $907,000 in 2003. Stated
as a percentage of net revenues, indirect marketing expenses
increased to 3.8% for 2004 from 2.5% in 2003. The increase in
total dollars and as a percentage of net revenues was largely as
a result of an increase in headcount in our marketing
department. We expect these costs to increase in total dollars
as we expand our marketing initiatives but to decrease as a
percentage of net revenues as we add additional paying
subscribers.
Customer Service. Customer service expenses primarily
consist of costs associated with our member service center.
Customer service expenses increased 33.2%, to $3.4 million
in 2004 compared to $2.5 million in 2003. Stated as a
percentage of net revenues, customer service expenses decreased
to 5.2% for 2004 from 6.9% in 2003. The increase in total
dollars was largely as a result of an increase in headcount,
which increase was driven by the larger number of members and
paying subscribers. The decrease as a percentage of revenues was
primarily the result of increased efficiency of usage of our
customer service personnel in supporting a larger member and
subscriber base. We expect these costs to continue to increase
in total dollars as we support our increasing base of members
and subscribers but to decrease as a percentage of net revenues
as we add additional paying subscribers.
Technical Operations. Technical operations expenses
primarily consist of the people and systems necessary to support
our network, Internet connectivity and other data and
communication support. Technical operations expenses increased
65.0% to $7.2 million in 2004 from $4.3 million in
2003. Stated as a percentage of net revenues, technical
operations expenses decreased to 11.0% in 2004 from 11.7% in
2003. The increase in total dollars was due to an increase in
headcount necessary to support the growth in the number of
members, paying subscribers and traffic to our Web sites. The
decrease as a percentage of revenues was primarily the result of
economies of scale in headcount required to support a larger
member and subscriber base. We expect technical operations costs
to increase in total dollars with any increase in traffic,
members or paying subscribers but to decrease as a percentage of
net revenues as we add additional paying subscribers.
Product Development. Product development expenses
primarily consist of costs incurred in the development, creation
and enhancement of our Web sites and services. Product
development expenses increased 109.9%, to $2.0 million in
2004 compared to $959,000 in 2003. Stated as a percentage of net
revenues, product development expenses increased to 3.1% in 2004
from 2.6% in 2003. The increase in total dollars and as a
percentage of net revenues was largely as a result of costs
associated with technical enhancements to our Web sites as well
as an increase in headcount necessary to support these
enhancements. We expense these costs as incurred unless they are
required to be capitalized under generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States. In addition to the expenses set
forth above, our capitalized product development costs were
approximately $658,000 and $825,000 in 2004 and 2003,
respectively. The amortization of those costs is included in
this line item. We expect our product development costs to
increase in total dollars as we launch new Web sites and develop
additional features and functionality on our Web sites to
enhance our members experience and satisfaction and
increase the number, and percentage, of members that become
paying subscribers but to remain constant as a percentage of net
revenues as we add additional paying subscribers.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and
administrative expenses primarily consist of corporate
personnel-related costs, professional fees, credit card
processing fees, and occupancy and other overhead costs. General
and administrative expenses increased 64.2%, to
$27.7 million in 2004 from $16.9 million in 2003.
Stated as a percentage of net revenues, general and
administrative expenses decreased to 42.7% in 2004 from 45.7% in
2003. The increase in total dollars was largely as a result of
an increase in hiring people to support our growth, an employee
severance charge of approximately $2.4 million, as well as
expenses of $2.1 million related to the United States
initial public offering of MatchNet, Inc. that was planned for
mid-2004, but which was withdrawn shortly after the related
registration statement was filed in the third quarter of 2004,
as well as one legal
53
settlement resulting in the recognition of $900,000 in expenses
in the third quarter and two legal settlements resulting in the
recognition of $2.1 million in expenses in the fourth
quarter of 2004. The decrease as a percentage of revenues was
primarily the result of economies of scale in supporting a
larger member and subscriber base. We expect these general and
administrative expenses, excluding the above-referenced
severance and expenses related to the withdrawn offering, to
increase in total dollars as we continue to hire additional
personnel, and as sales and the inherent credit card processing
fees increase. We also expect general and administrative
expenses to increase in total dollars due to the anticipated
increase in professional fees resulting from the filing of this
registration statement and related documents and our subsequent
obligations as a public reporting company in the United States.
However, we expect general and administrative expenses,
excluding credit card processing fees, to decrease as a
percentage of net revenues as we add additional paying
subscribers.
Share-based Compensation. Share-based compensation
resulted from the issuance of warrants and options that were
treated as variable under accounting principles which, on a
quarterly basis, required us to recognize an increase or
decrease in compensation expense based upon the then-fair value
of the subject securities. Share-based compensation was
approximately $1.7 million in 2004, which is net of
$1.1 million related to the cancellation of certain
warrants and options, compared to $1.9 million in 2003.
Stated as a percentage of net revenues, share-based compensation
decreased to 2.6% in 2004 from 5.1% in 2003. As a result of
recent changes in accounting rules, we expect share-based
compensation expenses to increase, beginning in the third
quarter of 2005, when we will be required to recognize
compensation expense for share options and other share-based
compensation, which expenses we had not been required to
recognize prior to the change in accounting rules.
Amortization of Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill.
Amortization expenses consist primarily of amortization of
intangible assets related to previous acquisitions, primarily
SocialNet and Point Match. Amortization expenses increased 55.0%
to $860,000 in 2004, compared to $555,000 in 2003. The increase
was primarily due to amortization related to the Point Match
acquisition, which was completed in January 2004.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets. In December 2004, based
on changes in management and reevaluation of existing projects
we determined that certain internally developed software
projects would not be completed. As such, we recorded an
impairment charge of $208,000.
Interest Income and Other Expenses, Net. Interest income
and other expenses, net primarily consist of gain (loss)
associated with temporary investments in interest bearing
accounts and marketable securities. Interest income and other
expenses, net decreased 64.9%, to approximately $66,000 in 2004
from $188,000 in 2003, principally due to foreign exchange
effects.
Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2002
Business Metrics
Average paying subscribers for JDate increased 83.0% to
approximately 50,700 for the year ended December 31, 2003,
compared to approximately 27,700 for the year ended
December 31, 2002. Average paying subscribers for
AmericanSingles increased 142.4%, to approximately 71,500 for
the year ended December 31, 2003 from approximately 29,500
for the year ended December 31, 2002. Average paying
subscribers for Web sites in our Other Businesses segment
increased 140.0%, to approximately 3,600 for the year ended
December 31, 2003 from approximately 1,500 for the year
ended December 31, 2002. The increase in paying subscribers
across all of our segments is primarily due to increases in the
number of members on our sites. The larger increase in average
paying subscribers for AmericanSingles as compared to the
increase for JDate was primarily due to JDate possessing a
larger portion of its market, while AmericanSingles possessed a
smaller portion of its market and its average paying subscribers
has, as a result, grown more quickly.
54
Average monthly net revenue per paying JDate subscriber
increased 4.9%, to $26.44 in 2003 compared to $25.20 in 2002.
Average monthly net revenue per paying AmericanSingles
subscriber increased 19.5%, to $22.43 in 2003 from $18.77 in
2002. Average monthly net revenue per paying subscriber for Web
sites in our Other Businesses segment decreased 28.5%, to $23.72
in 2003 from $33.17 in 2002. The increase for JDate was due to
an increase in the proportion of subscribers paying a one month
subscription, as opposed to multi-month subscribers, who receive
a lower price per month in exchange for their longer
commitments. The increase in AmericanSingles was primarily due
to a price increase in 2003. The decrease for Web sites in our
Other Businesses segment was primarily due to the growth of new
Web sites with lower subscription prices than those Web sites
that represented our Other Businesses segment in 2002.
Direct subscriber acquisition cost for JDate increased 51.4%, to
$4.39 for 2003 from $2.90 in 2002. Direct subscriber acquisition
cost for AmericanSingles increased 18.1%, to $45.70 in 2003
compared to $38.68 in 2002. Direct subscriber acquisition cost
for the Web sites in our Other Businesses segment increased
2.4%, to $80.32 in 2003 from $78.43 in 2002. The increase in
direct subscriber acquisition cost for all of our segments was
due primarily to an increase in online marketing efforts
designed to drive additional members to our Web sites.
Monthly subscriber churn for JDate increased to 22.4% in 2003
from 18.2% in 2002. Monthly subscriber churn for AmericanSingles
increased to 32.1% in 2003 from 24.3% in 2002. Monthly
subscriber churn for the Web sites in our Other Businesses
segment increased to 33.4% in 2003 from 32.6% in 2002. The
increase in monthly subscriber churn for all of our segments was
primarily due to the introduction, in late 2003, of our
pay-to-respond feature, which required members to upgrade to
paying subscriber status before they could respond to emails
from other paying subscribers. Members who subscribe
specifically to utilize the pay-to-respond feature are less
likely to renew their subscriptions than those who subscribe to
initiate communications.
Net Revenues
Net revenues for JDate increased 92.2%, to $16.1 million in
2003 from $8.4 million in 2002. Net revenues for
AmericanSingles increased 189.8% to $19.3 million in 2003
from $6.6 million in 2002. Net revenues for Web sites in
our Other Businesses segment increased 19.5%, to
$1.6 million in 2003 from $1.3 million in 2002. The
increase in net revenues was due to an increase in the overall
use of our services and the increase in the number of paying
subscribers. In addition, a portion of the increase in revenues
for AmericanSingles is attributable to an increase in
AmericanSingles monthly subscription price during 2003.
Direct Marketing Expenses
Direct marketing expenses for JDate increased 229.9%, to
$739,000 in 2003 from $224,000 in 2002. Direct marketing
expenses for AmericanSingles increased 300.2%, to
$15.9 million in 2003 from $4.0 million in 2002.
Direct marketing expenses for Other Businesses increased 47.2%,
to $1.8 million in 2003 from $1.2 million in 2002.
This increase was primarily the result of expanded online
advertising campaigns.
As a percentage of revenues, total direct marketing expenses for
JDate increased to 4.6% in 2003 from 2.7% in 2002. As a
percentage of revenues, total direct marketing expenses for
AmericanSingles increased to 82.5% in 2003 from 59.8% in 2003.
As a percentage of revenues, total direct marketing expenses for
our Other Businesses segment increased to 110.8% in 2003 from
90.0% in 2003. The increases in all segments were due to
increase marketing spending designed to grow revenues. Total
direct marketing expenses for all of our segments increased to
49.8% from 33.0% in 2003 and 2002, respectively.
55
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased 140.1%, to $29.6 million in
2003 from $12.3 million in 2002. Stated as a percentage of
net revenues, operating expenses increased to 80.1% in 2003
compared to 75.3% in 2002. The increase in total dollars and as
a percentage of net revenues was primarily the result of
continued investment in customer service and technical
infrastructure, as well as an increase in general and
administrative expenses as discussed below.
Indirect Marketing. Indirect marketing expenses increased
125.1%, to approximately $907,000 in 2003 from approximately
$403,000 in 2002. Stated as a percentage of net revenues,
indirect marketing expenses remained constant at 2.5% in 2003
and 2002. The increase in total dollars was largely as a result
of an increase in staffing for the marketing department.
Customer Service. Customer service expenses increased
110.1%, to $2.5 million in 2003 from $1.2 million in
2002. Stated as a percentage of net revenues, customer service
expenses decreased to 6.9% in 2003 from 7.4% in 2002. The
increase in total dollars was largely as a result of an increase
in headcount due required to support our larger numbers of
members and paying subscribers. The decrease as a percentage of
net revenues was primarily the result of increased efficiency of
usage of our customer service personnel in supporting a larger
member and subscriber base.
Technical Operations. Technical operations expenses
increased 173.5%, to $4.3 million in 2003 from
$1.6 million in 2002. Stated as a percentage of net
revenues, technical operations expenses increased to 11.7% in
2003 from 9.7% in 2002. The increase in total dollars and as a
percentage of net revenues was largely as a result of the growth
in the number of members and traffic to our Web sites.
Product Development. Product development expenses
increased 59.0%, to $959,000 in 2003 from $603,000 in 2002.
Stated as a percentage of net revenues, product development
expenses decreased to 2.6% in 2003 from 3.7% in 2002. The
increase in total dollars was largely as a result of costs
associated with technical enhancements to our Web sites. The
decrease as a percentage of net revenues was primarily the
result of economies of scale as additional product enhancements
costs are spread over a larger subscriber/member base. We
expense these costs as incurred, unless they are required to be
capitalized. Capitalized costs in 2003 and 2002 were
approximately $825,000 and $572,000, respectively. The
amortization of these costs are included in this line item.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and
administrative expenses increased 111.2%, to $16.9 million
in 2003 from $8.0 million in 2002. Stated as a percentage
of net revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased
to 45.7% in 2003 from 48.8% in 2002. The increase in total
dollars was largely as a result of an increase in hiring people
to support our growth and the addition of new Web sites, as well
as an increase in credit card processing fees as sales grew. The
decrease as a percentage of net revenues was primarily the
result of economies of scale in supporting a larger member and
subscriber base. General and administrative expenses for 2003
also included $1.7 million in charges primarily related to
a settlement with Comdisco. Pursuant to the settlement, we
issued a promissory note in September 2004 in the amount of
$1.7 million. The note bears simple interest at the rate of
2.75% per year and is payable in installments, excluding
accrued interest, on (i) September 15, 2005 in the
amount of $400,000; (ii) September 15, 2006 in the
amount of $400,000; and (iii) September 15, 2007 in
the amount of $900,000.
Share-based Compensation. Share-based compensation was
$1.9 million in 2003 compared to zero in 2002. The 2003
charge reflected non-cash expenses associated with the issuance
of share options and warrants to advisors. We treated these
options and warrants as variable in accordance with
SFAS No. 123 and, as a result, were required to
recognize an increase or decrease in operating expense based on
the fair value of such options and warrants on a quarterly basis.
Amortization of Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill.
Amortization expenses consist primarily of amortization of
purchased intangible assets related to previous acquisitions.
Amortization expenses
56
increased 5.9% to $555,000 in 2003, compared to $524,000 in
2002. The increase was primarily due to purchases of various
databases.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets. In October 2003, based
on business developments that took place in 2003 and on
managements opinion that rapid changes in technology
reduced the fair value of some of our property and equipment,
mostly computer equipment and capitalized software costs, we
recorded an impairment charge of approximately $1.5 million.
Interest Income and Other Expenses, Net. Interest income
and other expenses, net decreased 77.6%, to income of
approximately $188,000 in 2003 from income of approximately
$840,000 in 2002. Interest income and other expenses, net in
2002 was positively affected by a gain of approximately $400,000
recognized on the sale of domain names.
Quarterly Results of Operations
You should read the following tables presenting our quarterly
results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere in
this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited information on
substantially the same basis as our audited consolidated
financial statements which, in the opinion of management,
includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments, except as otherwise indicated, necessary for the
presentation of the results of operations for such periods. You
should also keep in mind, as you read the following tables, that
our operating results for any quarter are not necessarily
indicative of results for any future quarters or for a full year.
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Mar 31, | |
|
Jun 30, | |
|
Sep 30, | |
|
Dec 31, | |
|
Mar 31, | |
|
Jun 30, | |
|
Sep 30, | |
|
Dec 31, | |
|
Mar 31, | |
|
Jun 30, | |
|
|
2003(2) | |
|
2003(2) | |
|
2003(2) | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(unaudited) | |
|
(unaudited) | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues
|
|
$ |
7,036 |
|
|
$ |
8,423 |
|
|
$ |
9,792 |
|
|
$ |
11,690 |
|
|
$ |
15,050 |
|
|
$ |
15,812 |
|
|
$ |
17,138 |
|
|
$ |
17,052 |
|
|
$ |
16,526 |
|
|
$ |
15,464 |
|
Direct marketing expenses
|
|
|
3,576 |
|
|
|
4,680 |
|
|
|
3,955 |
|
|
|
6,184 |
|
|
|
6,539 |
|
|
|
9,325 |
|
|
|
8,748 |
|
|
|
6,628 |
|
|
|
5,228 |
|
|
|
6,051 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contribution margin
|
|
|
3,460 |
|
|
|
3,743 |
|
|
|
5,837 |
|
|
|
5,506 |
|
|
|
8,511 |
|
|
|
6,487 |
|
|
|
8,390 |
|
|
|
10,424 |
|
|
|
11,298 |
|
|
|
9,413 |
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indirect marketing
|
|
|
(61 |
) |
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
488 |
|
|
|
349 |
|
|
|
529 |
|
|
|
522 |
|
|
|
881 |
|
|
|
519 |
|
|
|
265 |
|
|
|
238 |
|
|
Customer service
|
|
|
563 |
|
|
|
458 |
|
|
|
736 |
|
|
|
779 |
|
|
|
975 |
|
|
|
903 |
|
|
|
723 |
|
|
|
778 |
|
|
|
577 |
|
|
|
560 |
|
|
Technical operations
|
|
|
819 |
|
|
|
994 |
|
|
|
1,024 |
|
|
|
1,504 |
|
|
|
1,344 |
|
|
|
1,974 |
|
|
|
1,861 |
|
|
|
1,983 |
|
|
|
1,402 |
|
|
|
1,548 |
|
|
Product development
|
|
|
168 |
|
|
|
229 |
|
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
480 |
|
|
|
340 |
|
|
|
531 |
|
|
|
505 |
|
|
|
637 |
|
|
|
830 |
|
|
|
1,060 |
|
|
General and administrative (excluding share-based compensation)
|
|
|
2,483 |
|
|
|
2,628 |
|
|
|
6,025 |
|
|
|
5,749 |
|
|
|
6,383 |
|
|
|
5,695 |
|
|
|
8,469 |
|
|
|
7,180 |
|
|
|
5,992 |
|
|
|
6,520 |
|
|
Share-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,871 |
|
|
|
1,712 |
|
|
|
689 |
|
|
|
(1,239 |
) |
|
|
542 |
|
|
|
87 |
|
|
|
(115 |
) |
|
Amortization of intangible assets other than goodwill
|
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
166 |
|
|
|
244 |
|
|
|
238 |
|
|
|
188 |
|
|
|
190 |
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
301 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment of long-lived assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,532 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
208 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
4,103 |
|
|
|
4,498 |
|
|
|
8,555 |
|
|
|
12,430 |
|
|
|
11,527 |
|
|
|
10,552 |
|
|
|
11,388 |
|
|
|
12,037 |
|
|
|
9,263 |
|
|
|
10,112 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations
|
|
|
(643 |
) |
|
|
(755 |
) |
|
|
(2,718 |
) |
|
|
(6,924 |
) |
|
|
(3,016 |
) |
|
|
(4,065 |
) |
|
|
(2,998 |
) |
|
|
(1,613 |
) |
|
|
2,035 |
|
|
|
(699 |
) |
Interest (income) and other expenses, net
|
|
|
(53 |
) |
|
|
(57 |
) |
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
(56 |
) |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
(46 |
) |
|
|
(52 |
) |
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
168 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
(590 |
) |
|
|
(698 |
) |
|
|
(2,696 |
) |
|
|
(6,868 |
) |
|
|
(3,020 |
) |
|
|
(4,093 |
) |
|
|
(2,952 |
) |
|
|
(1,561 |
) |
|
|
2,059 |
|
|
|
(867 |
) |
Income taxes
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(40 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
(591 |
) |
|
$ |
(737 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,696 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,828 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,021 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,093 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,952 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,561 |
) |
|
$ |
1,987 |
|
|
$ |
(859 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Mar 31, | |
|
Jun 30, | |
|
Sep 30, | |
|
Dec 31, | |
|
Mar 31, | |
|
Jun 30, | |
|
Sep 30, | |
|
Dec 31, | |
|
Mar 31, | |
|
Jun 30, | |
|
|
2003(2) | |
|
2003(2) | |
|
2003(2) | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(unaudited) | |
|
(unaudited) | |
Net income (loss) per share
basic(3)
|
|
$ |
(0.03 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.04 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.35 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.18 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.13 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.06 |
) |
|
$ |
0.08 |
|
|
$ |
(0.03 |
) |
Weighted average shares outstanding
basic(3)
|
|
|
18,707 |
|
|
|
18,736 |
|
|
|
18,960 |
|
|
|
19,449 |
|
|
|
21,286 |
|
|
|
22,264 |
|
|
|
23,356 |
|
|
|
24,234 |
|
|
|
25,117 |
|
|
|
25,661 |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding
diluted(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,236 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other Financial Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
$ |
287 |
|
|
$ |
333 |
|
|
$ |
405 |
|
|
$ |
416 |
|
|
$ |
579 |
|
|
$ |
790 |
|
|
$ |
839 |
|
|
$ |
857 |
|
|
$ |
848 |
|
|
$ |
919 |
|
Additional Information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Paying
Subscribers(4)
|
|
|
94,700 |
|
|
|
118,000 |
|
|
|
130,700 |
|
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
|
207,400 |
|
|
|
228,400 |
|
|
|
239,600 |
|
|
|
229,000 |
|
|
|
222,600 |
|
|
|
215,600 |
|
Average monthly net revenue per paying
subscriber(5)
|
|
$ |
24.50 |
|
|
$ |
23.55 |
|
|
$ |
24.20 |
|
|
$ |
24.14 |
|
|
$ |
23.83 |
|
|
$ |
22.74 |
|
|
$ |
23.50 |
|
|
$ |
24.06 |
|
|
$ |
24.32 |
|
|
$ |
23.12 |
|
Subscriber
churn(6)
|
|
|
27.9 |
% |
|
|
28.9 |
% |
|
|
29.6 |
% |
|
|
26.8 |
% |
|
|
32.1 |
% |
|
|
30.6 |
% |
|
|
31.6 |
% |
|
|
32.4 |
% |
|
|
31.7 |
% |
|
|
30.8 |
% |
Average direct subscriber acquisition
cost(7)
|
|
$ |
33.49 |
|
|
$ |
38.38 |
|
|
$ |
31.32 |
|
|
$ |
32.69 |
|
|
$ |
27.82 |
|
|
$ |
40.53 |
|
|
$ |
37.41 |
|
|
$ |
29.37 |
|
|
$ |
23.84 |
|
|
$ |
31.11 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Certain financial information for prior periods has been
reclassified to conform to the 2004 periods presentation. |
(2) |
These amounts in consolidated statements of operations data are
restated amounts from amounts contained in previously filed
quarterly reports with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. See
Risk Factors We Face Risks Related to Our
Recent Accounting Restatements. |
(3) |
For information regarding the computation of per share amounts,
refer to note 1 of our consolidated financial statements. |
(4) |
Represents average paying subscribers calculated as the sum of
the average paying subscribers for each month, divided by the
number of months. Average paying subscribers for each month are
calculated as the sum of the paying subscribers at the beginning
and end of the month, divided by two. |
(5) |
Represents the total net subscriber revenue for the period
divided by the number of average paying subscribers for the
period, divided by the number of months in the period. |
(6) |
Represents the ratio expressed as a percentage of (i) the
number of paying subscriber cancellations during the period
divided by the number of average paying subscribers during the
period and (ii) the number of months in the period. On a
monthly basis, the average number of paying subscribers is
calculated as the sum of the paying subscribers at the beginning
and end of the period divided by two. |
(7) |
Represents direct marketing expense divided by the gross number
of subscribers added during the period. The historic direct
subscriber acquisition cost we reported included indirect
marketing costs. |
Restatement of Previous Consolidated Financial Statements for
the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003
In previous periods, we incorrectly recognized a full month of
revenue in the month in which members paid in advance for their
membership subscription fees, regardless of the effective date
of the subscription, and deferred the balance of the fees for
multi-month subscriptions. In July 2003, we began to defer and
recognize revenue on a daily basis, based on the effective date
of the subscription, and restated prior periods financial
statements to reflect that policy.
In previous periods we had capitalized bounty costs, which
represented amounts paid to third parties for members acquired
on an individual basis through third party Web sites or email
campaigns. These costs were being amortized over a three year
period, on an accelerated basis. In July 2003, we determined
that these costs should be expensed as incurred, and that we
should restate the prior years financial statements to
conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The
reason for the change was that bounty costs were meant to drive
free memberships or registrations and any resulting member was
not required to become a paying subscriber. Therefore, those
expenses should be recognized immediately, since a conversion
from non-paying member to a paying subscriber is not guaranteed.
Accordingly, we have restated the consolidated financial
statements to expense these costs as incurred.
From 1998 through 2002, we acquired several businesses and
assets. At the time of those acquisitions, the fair values of
the intangible assets acquired were not properly determined. In
2004, we hired a
58
valuation expert to measure the fair value of such assets at the
date of each acquisition. As a result of this process, we
determined that certain allocations previously reported were
inappropriate.
In addition, we did not properly and timely accrue for some
services provided and we identified certain errors in prior
years consolidation process.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2005, we had cash, cash equivalents and
marketable securities of $8.3 million. We have historically
financed our operations with internally generated funds and
offerings of equity securities. We have no revolving or term
credit facilities.
Net cash provided by operations was $1.3 million for the
six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to net cash used of
$1.2 million for the same period in 2004. The increase is
primarily due to positive net income. In 2004, we had negative
operating cash flow due mainly to increased marketing spending,
primarily for AmericanSingles, which was designed to boost
revenues for that segment. During the second half of 2004, and
in the first quarter of 2005, marketing spending on
AmericanSingles was reduced in order to reduce the subscriber
acquisition cost, and improve the contribution margin (net
revenues minus direct marketing costs), and this also resulted
in improvement in cash flow from operations. Marketing spending
for AmericanSingles was again increased somewhat in the second
quarter of 2005, while maintaining a positive contribution
margin, but this caused a decline in cash flow from operations
compared to the first quarter of 2005.
Net cash used by investing activities was $18,000 for the first
six months of 2005 compared to net cash used of
$7.4 million for the same period in 2004. The increase was
as a result of liquidating marketable securities, as well as a
reduction in capital expenditures during the first six months of
2005, partially offset by the purchase of MingleMatch in 2005
and PointMatch in 2004. During the first six months of 2004, net
cash used by investing activities included acquisition of
businesses, primarily PointMatch of $4.2 million, as well
as capital expenditures for property and equipment of
$3.6 million, mainly for increased server and internet
hosting equipment for our growing websites. During the first
half of 2005, net cash used by investing activities included
$1.8 million for the acquisition of MingleMatch (net of
cash acquired), as well as capital expenditures of
$1.2 million, primarily for hardware and software for our
websites. We anticipate that future capital expenditures for
equipment and software for our website re-architecture will
continue to be less than our pace of spending in 2004 as the
re-architecture project is primarily focused on software
architecture, and which is intended to make use of our existing
hardware capacity.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $2.6 million
for the first six months of 2005 compared to $13.0 million
for the first six months of 2004. In the first six months of
2004, we completed a private placement of 600,000 ordinary
shares which resulted in net proceeds to the Company of
$3.7 million, as well as the exercise of stock options and
warrants. Cash provided by financing activities in 2005 was due
almost entirely to the exercise of options and warrants.
The effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents during
the first six months ended June 30, 2005, was due to a
strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Israeli shekel.
As discussed in our financial statements, we issued certain
securities that may in the future be subject to a rescission
offer commenced by US. We do not believe such a rescission offer
would affect our ability to obtain financing in the future, due
to our belief that a rescission offer would not be accepted by
our shareholders or option holders in an amount that would
represent a material expenditure by us. This belief is based on
the fact that a rescission offer, if made, would result in our
offering to repurchase shares at a weighted average price of
$2.09 and to repurchase options with a weighted average exercise
price of $3.04, while our stock closed at $7.60 per share
on June 30, 2005. As of June 30, 2005, assuming every
eligible optionee were to accept a rescission offer, we estimate
the total cost to us to complete the rescission for the
unexercised options would be approximately $4.0 million,
59
including statutory interest. We anticipate conducting a
rescission within a reasonable time after the effective date of
this registration statement.
We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents,
marketable securities and cash flow from operations will be
sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for working
capital, planned capital expenditures and contractual
obligations for at least the next 12 months. We may be
required or find it desirable prior to such time to raise
additional funds through bank financing or through the issuance
of debt or equity.
The following table describes our contractual commitments and
obligations as of December 31, 2004:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than 1 year | |
|
1-3 years | |
|
4-5 years |
|
More than 5 years |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands) | |
Capital leases
|
|
$ |
173 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
173 |
|
Operating leases
|
|
|
711 |
|
|
|
674 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,385 |
|
Other commitments and obligations
|
|
|
1,217 |
|
|
|
1,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,225 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total contractual obligations
|
|
$ |
2,101 |
|
|
$ |
2,382 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,783 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other commitments and obligations is comprised of contracts with
software licensing, communications, computer hosting, and
marketing service providers. These amounts totaled $817,000 for
less than one year and $408,000 between one and three years.
Contracts with other service providers are for 30 day terms
or less. Also included in Other commitments and obligations are
payments owed to Comdisco. In September 2004, the Company issued
a promissory note to Comdisco in the amount of $1.7 million
as a final settlement for a lawsuit. The note bears simple
interest at the rate of 2.75% per year and is payable in
installments, excluding accrued interest, on
(i) September 15, 2005 in the amount of $400,000;
(ii) September 15, 2006 in the amount of $400,000; and
(iii) September 15, 2007 in the amount of $900,000.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or
financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as
structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have
been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance
sheet arrangements or other contractually, narrow or limited
purposes. We do not have any outstanding derivative financial
instruments, off-balance sheet guarantees, interest rate swap
transactions or foreign currency forward contracts.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk attributed to changes in interest
rates and foreign currency exchange rates.
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates
relates primarily to our investment portfolio. We historically
have not used derivative financial instruments to mitigate such
risk. We invest our excess cash in debt instruments of the
U.S. Government and its agencies.
Investments in both fixed-rate and floating-rate
interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate
risk. Fixed-rate securities may have their fair market values
adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while
floating-rate securities may produce less income than expected
if interest rates fall. Due in part to these factors, our future
investment income may fall short of expectations due to changes
in interest rates or we may suffer losses in principal if forced
to sell securities which have declined in market value due to
changes in interest rates. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003
we had investments in short-term mutual funds and long-term
government issued debt. We do not believe that a 10% change in
interest rates would have a material impact on the fair market
value of our investment portfolio due to our ability to
liquidate this portfolio on short notice as market circumstances
dictate.
60
Foreign Currency Risk
Our exposure to foreign currency risk is due primarily to our
international operations. Revenues and certain expenses related
to our international websites are denominated in the functional
currencies of the local countries they serve. Primary currencies
include Israeli shekels, Canadian dollars, British pound
sterling and Euros. Our foreign subsidiary in Israel conducts
business in their local currency. We translate into
U.S. dollars the assets and liabilities using period-end
rates of exchange, and revenues and expenses using average rates
of exchange for the year. Any weakening of the U.S. dollar
against these foreign currencies will result in increased
revenue, expenses and translation gains and losses in our
consolidated financial statements. Similarly, any strengthening
of the U.S. dollar against these currencies will result in
decreased revenues, expenses and translation gains and losses.
Foreign exchange gains and losses were not material to our
earnings for the years ended December 31 2002, 2003 and
2004.
Change in Accountants
On March 23, 2004, upon the authorization of our Board of
Directors, we dismissed Stonefield Josephson, Inc. as our
U.S. auditors and engaged Ernst & Young LLP as our
independent auditors. Chantrey Vellacott DFK resigned as our UK
auditors on the same date.
During the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the
subsequent period from January 1, 2004 to March 23,
2004, Stonefield Josephson, Inc. did not have any disagreement
with us on any matter of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure,
which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of
Stonefield Josephson, Inc., would have caused them to make
reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in
connection with their reports on our financial statements for
such years. The reports of Stonefield Josephson, Inc. on
financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2002
and 2001 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of
opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty,
audit scope or accounting principles. We did not consult with
Ernst & Young LLP on any financial or accounting
reporting matters before its appointment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the course of the
preparation of our financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2003, we discovered accounting inaccuracies in
previously reported financial statements, including those for
the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 that were
covered by reports issued by Stonefield Josephson, Inc.
Difficulties arose from differing views between Ernst &
Young LLP and Stonefield Josephson, Inc. regarding the necessity
and scope of a restatement of 2002 and 2001 financial
statements. Up to that point, we had expected to include
Stonefield Josephson, Inc.s reports on those years in a
registration statement that MatchNet, Inc. filed on
August 4, 2004. However, we were unable to timely obtain
concurrence from Stonefield Josephson, Inc. that restatements
were required and the extent of such restatements. As a result,
we directed Ernst & Young LLP to reaudit the years
ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 and restated our financial
statements for these years and for the first three quarters of
2003 to correct inappropriate accounting entries.
The restatements primarily related to the timing of recognition
of deferred revenue and the capitalization of bounty costs,
which are the amounts paid to online marketers to acquire
members. The restatements, which are in accordance with United
States generally accepted accounting principles, pertained
primarily to timing matters and had no impact on cash flow from
operations or our ongoing operations. The impact on net loss for
2002 and 2001 was an increase of $1.0 million and
$1.5 million, respectively.
61
Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance and Corporate Governance
As a public company, we will be subject to the reporting
requirement of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Beginning
December 31, 2006, we will be required to establish and
regularly evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls over
financial reporting. In order to maintain and improve the
effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures and internal
control over financial reporting, significant resources and
management oversight will be required. We also must comply with
all corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq National
Market, including independence of our audit committee and
independence of the majority of our Board of Directors.
We plan to timely satisfy all requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act and the Nasdaq National Market applicable to us. We have
taken, and will continue to take, actions designed to enhance
our disclosure controls and procedures. We expect to adopt a
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that will be applicable to
all of our directors, officers and employees. We will establish
a confidential and anonymous reporting process for the receipt
of concerns regarding questionable accounting, auditing, or
other business matters from our employees. We intend for our
General Counsel to assist us in the continued enhancement of our
disclosure controls and procedures. In addition, we intend to
put additional personnel and systems in place which we expect
will provide us the necessary resources to be able to timely
file the required periodic reports with the Commission as a
publicly traded company. We intend for our Chief Financial
Officer, Controller and other financial personnel to lead our
existing staff in the performance of the required accounting and
reporting functions. In addition, we plan to install a new
accounting system and implement additional controls and
procedures designed to improve our financial reporting
capabilities and improve reporting efficiencies.
On an ongoing basis we intend to conduct a controls evaluation
to identify control deficiencies and to confirm that appropriate
corrective action, including process improvements, are being
undertaken. We expect to conduct this type of evaluation on a
quarterly basis so that the conclusions concerning the
effectiveness of our controls can be reported in our periodic
reports. The overall goals of these various evaluation
activities will be to monitor our internal controls for
financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures
and to make modifications as necessary. Our intent in this
regard is that our internal controls for financial reporting and
our disclosure controls and procedures will be maintained as
dynamic systems that change, including with improvements and
corrections, as conditions warrant.
Our ability to enhance our disclosure controls and procedures,
to conduct controls evaluations and to modify controls and
procedures on an ongoing basis may be limited by the current
state of our staffing, accounting system and internal controls
since any enhancements and modifications may require additional
staffing and improved systems and controls. You should refer to
the discussion under Risk Factors If we fail
to develop or maintain an effective system of internal controls
over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately
report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result,
current and potential shareholders could lose confidence in our
financial reporting, which would harm our business and the value
of our depositary shares.
62
Recent Accounting Developments
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) issued Statement No. 123 (revised 2004),
Share-Based Payment
(SFAS No. 123(R)), a revision of
SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation. SFAS No. 123(R) requires a company
to recognize compensation expense based on the fair value at the
date of grant for stock options and other stock-based
compensation, eliminating the use of the intrinsic value method.
SFAS No. 123(R) is effective for public companies for
interim or annual reporting periods beginning after
June 15, 2005. On April 14, 2005 the Securities and
Exchange Commission issued press release 2005-57 which amends
SFAS No. 123(R) by requiring that public companies
adopt 123(R) at the beginning of their next fiscal year,
instead of the next reporting period, that begins after
June 15, 2005 or December 15, 2005. We are not
eligible to postpone the implementation of SFAS 123(R)
since it is not a SEC public company and must report
according to Frankfurt Stock Exchange reporting standards which
require that the company report using generally accepted
accounting principles as prescribed by FASB. As such, we have
adopted SFAS 123(R) as of July 1, 2005 using the
modified prospective transition method.
Since we will be required to expense the fair value of share
options rather than disclosing the pro forma effects on the
results of operations within our footnotes, our reported
earnings per share will decrease, which could negatively impact
our future share price. In addition, this could impact our
ability to utilize broad based employee share plans to reward
employees.
63
BUSINESS
Throughout this prospectus, we refer to Spark Networks plc
(known as MatchNet plc until January 10, 2005), an English
company, and our subsidiaries as we, us,
our, our company, Spark
Networks and MatchNet unless otherwise
indicated. Spark Networks, MatchNet, JDate, AmericanSingles and
MingleMatch are our trademarks. Trade names, trademarks and
service marks of other companies appearing in this prospectus
are the property of the respective holders.
Our Business
We are a leading provider of online personals services in the
United States and internationally. Our Web sites enable adults
to meet online and participate in a community, become friends,
date, form a long-term relationship or marry. We provide this
opportunity through the many features on our Web sites, such as
detailed profiles, onsite email centers, real-time chat rooms
and instant messaging services. According to comScore Media
Metrix, we averaged approximately 3.6 million total unique
visitors per month to our Web sites in the United States during
the first six months of 2005, which ranked us as the third
largest provider of online personals services in the United
States in terms of total unique visitors. comScore Media Metrix
defines total unique visitors as the estimated
number of different individuals (in thousands) that visited any
content of a website, a category, a channel, or an application
during the reporting period. Currently, our key Web sites are
JDate.com and AmericanSingles.com. We operate several
international websites and maintain operations in both the
United States and Israel. Information regarding the geographical
source of our revenues can be found in Note 12 to our
Consolidated Financial Statements included in this prospectus.
Membership on our sites is free and allows a registered user to
post a personal profile and to access our searchable database of
member profiles and our 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
customer service. The ability to initiate most communication
with other members requires the payment of a monthly
subscription fee, which represents our primary source of
revenue. We also offer discounted subscription rates for members
who subscribe for three-, six- and twelve-month periods. Our
subscription programs renew automatically for subsequent
one-month periods until paying subscribers terminate them.
For the six months ended June 30, 2005, we had
approximately 219,200 average paying subscribers.
Our Industry
Overview
We believe that online personals fulfill significant needs for
Americas single adults who are looking to meet a companion
or date. Traditional methods such as printed personals
advertisements, offline dating services and public gathering
places often do not meet the needs of time-constrained single
people. Printed personals advertisements offer individuals
limited personal information and interaction before meeting.
Offline dating services are time-consuming, expensive and offer
a smaller number of potential partners. Public gathering places
such as restaurants, bars and social venues provide a limited
ability to learn about others prior to an in-person meeting. In
contrast, online personals services facilitate interaction
between singles by allowing them to screen and communicate with
a large number of potential companions. With features such as
detailed personal profiles, email and instant messaging, this
medium allows users to communicate with other singles at their
convenience and affords them the ability to meet multiple people
in a safe and secure online setting.
Our Competitive Strengths
|
|
|
|
|
Strength of JDate Brand. We believe that JDate and
its strong brand recognition in the Jewish community is a
valuable asset. According to the National Jewish Population
Survey, there are approximately 1.8 million Jewish singles
in the United Sates. As of June 30, 2005, JDate had
approximately 575,000 members of which over 300,000 were in the
United States. We believe the strength of the JDate brand will
continue to allow us |
64
|
|
|
|
|
|
to market to the Jewish community profitably while maintaining a
high penetration rate. Because of the strength of the JDate
brand, we are not required to spend as much on marketing JDate
as we are our other websites, and other personals websites in
the industry. |
|
|
|
|
Web Site Functionality. We continually evaluate
the functionality of our Web sites to improve our members
online personals experience. Many of the features that we offer,
such as onsite emails, real-time chat rooms and instant
messaging, increase the probability of communication between our
members, which we believe increases the number and percentage of
members who become paying subscribers. We believe this
functionality drives return visits to our Web sites and helps
retain paying subscribers who might otherwise consider switching
to our competitors Web sites. |
|
|
|
|
Customer Service Focus. We believe that our
customer service offers a competitive advantage and
differentiates us from our major competitors. Our multi-lingual
call center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
with customer service consultants. These consultants help
members with such matters as completing personal profiles and
choosing photos for their profiles, as well as answering
questions about billing and technical issues. We believe that
the quality of our customer service increases member
satisfaction, which improves the number and percentage of
members that become and remain paying subscribers. |
|
Our Online Personals Services
Our online personals services offer single adults a convenient
and secure setting for meeting other singles. Visitors to our
Web sites are encouraged to become registered members by posting
profiles. Posting a profile is a process where visitors are
asked various questions about themselves, including information
such as their tastes in food, hobbies and desired attributes of
potential partners. Members are also urged to post photos, since
this is likely to improve their chances of making successful
contact with other members. Members can perform detailed
searches of other profiles and save their preferences, and their
profiles can be viewed by other members. In most cases, in order
for a member to initiate email and instant message communication
with others, that member must purchase a subscription. A
subscription affords access to the paying subscribers
on-site email and instant messaging systems, enabling such
subscribers to communicate with other members and paying
subscribers. Our subscription fees are charged on a monthly
basis, with discounts for longer-term subscriptions ranging from
three to twelve months.
Our Web Sites. We believe we are a unique company in the
online personals industry because, in addition to servicing mass
markets, we operate Web sites targeted at selected vertical
affinity markets. We currently offer Web sites in English,
German and Hebrew. Our key Web sites are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
JDate.com. JDate was our first Web site and is dedicated
to the Jewish community and culture, and those who are seeking
to be part of it. According to the National Jewish Population
Survey, there are approximately 1.8 million Jewish singles
in the United Sates. As of June 30, 2005, JDate had
approximately 575,000 members worldwide, of which over 300,000
were in the United States. JDate members are primarily
concentrated in the New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago
metropolitan areas. The current fee for a one-month subscription
on JDate is $34.95. |
|
|
|
|
|
AmericanSingles.com. AmericanSingles is our mainstream
U.S. online personals community, targeted at an audience of
singles between the ages of 25 and 49. The Web site caters to
singles of all races, ethnicities and interests. AmericanSingles
members are primarily concentrated in major metropolitan areas
across the United States. The current fee for a one-month
subscription on AmericanSingles is $29.85. |
|
65
|
|
|
Web site |
|
Target markets |
|
|
|
AdventistSinglesConnection.com*
|
|
Adventist singles |
AsianSinglesConnection.com*
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Asian singles |
BBWPersonalsPlus.com*
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Big beautiful women and admirers |
BlackSinglesConnection.com*
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African American singles |
CanadianPersonals.net*
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Canadian singles |
CatholicMingle.com*
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Catholic singles |
ChristianMingle.com*
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Christian singles |
CollegeLuv.com
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College singles |
Cupid.co.il
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Jewish singles (Israel only) |
Date.ca
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Canadian singles |
DeafSinglesConnection.com*
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Deaf singles |
FaceLink.com
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Individuals wishing to share photographs |
Glimpse.com
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Gay, lesbian and transgender singles |
GreekSinglesConnection.com*
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|
Greek singles |
IndianMatrimonialNetwork.com*
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Indian singles |
InterracialSingles.net*
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Interracial singles |
ItalianSinglesConnection.com*
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Italian singles |
JDate.co.il
|
|
Jewish singles (Israel only) |
JewishMingle.com*
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Jewish singles |
LatinSinglesConnection.com*
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Latin singles |
LDSMingle.com*
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Mormon singles |
MatchNet.co.uk
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UK singles |
MatchNet.com.au
|
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Australian singles |
MatchNet.de
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German singles |
MilitarySinglesConnection.com*
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Military singles |
PrimeSingles.net*
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Mature singles |
SilverSingles.com
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Aging baby boomers |
SingleParentsMingle.com*
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Single parents |
UKSinglesConnection.com*
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UK singles |
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* |
Acquired through our acquisition of MingleMatch, Inc. |
Web Site Features. We strive to offer traditional
as well as new and different ways for our members to
communicate. Examples of ways our members and paying subscribers
can communicate include:
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On-site Email. We provide all paying subscribers with
private message centers, dedicated exclusively to communications
with other paying subscribers. These personal on-site email
boxes offer features such as customizable folders for storing
correspondence, the ability to know when sent messages were
read, as well as block and ignore functions, which afford a
paying subscriber the ability to control future messages from
specific paying subscribers. |
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Hot Lists and Favorites. Among the most popular features
on our Web sites, Hot Lists enable paying
subscribers to see whos interested in them and to save
those favorite members that they are interested in. Lists
include (1) who has viewed your profile, (2) your
favorites and (3) who has emailed you. Paying subscribers
can group their |
66
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favorites into customized folders and add their own notes,
including details included in a members profile. |
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Real-time Chat Rooms. Paying subscribers can utilize our
exclusive chat rooms to mix and mingle in real-time, building a
sense of community through group discussions. |
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Additional features enable users to add customized graphics such
as emoticons to their conversations. |
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Ice Breakers. Members can send pre-packaged opening
remarks, referred to on the Web sites as flirts and
teases, to other members or paying subscribers. |
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Click!. Our patented Click! feature connects
members who think they would be compatible with each other. A
member simply clicks yes, no or
maybe in another members profile. When two
members click yes in each others profiles, our
patented feature sends an email to both of them alerting them of
a possible match. |
Travel and Events. As a complement to our online
services, we offer travel and other promotional events which
allow individuals to meet in a more personal environment. Our
travel and events are typically cruises, dinners or other mixer
events designed to facilitate social interaction. Less than 2%
of our revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2005 were
generated from travel and events.
Business Strategy
We intend to grow our subscription-based revenue by driving
additional traffic to our Web sites, through integrated and
targeted marketing geographic expansion and cross-promotion into
vertical affinity markets such as those acquired in the
MingleMatch, Inc. acquisition. In addition, by providing strong
customer service and improved features and functionality on our
websites, we intend to provide more reasons for visitors to our
websites to become subscribers.
Drive Traffic. We believe there are significant
opportunities to drive additional traffic to our Web sites and
identify new markets, where we can leverage our existing
infrastructure to increase subscriptions.
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Integrated and targeted marketing. We believe that
targeting potential members with consistent and compelling
marketing messages, delivered through a broad mix of marketing
channels, will be effective in driving more traffic and a higher
percentage of relationship-oriented singles to our Web sites. We
intend to use a variety of channels to build our brand and
increase our base of subscribers including online and offline
advertising customer relationship management tools, public
relations, promotional alliances and special events. |
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Geographic expansion. We plan to expand into new
geographic markets where we can introduce one or more of our
existing products in multiple languages. We believe that our
recently introduced multi-currency payment system will aid the
growth in our international subscriber base. |
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Cross-Promote Into Vertical Affinity Markets. Our
large base of members provides us with a significant amount of
consumer data to evaluate cross-promotion opportunities for
growth into vertical affinity markets such as those acquired in
the MingleMatch acquisition. We are able to analyze different
groups of members by key metrics such as total potential
subscribers and average revenue per paying subscriber and
identify those targeted groups that may prefer a service
dedicated to their particular affinity groups. We intend to
target and cross-promote into vertical affinity markets that we
believe are receptive to paid online personals and are large
enough to attain a critical mass of members and paying
subscribers. |
|
67
Increase Subscription Rates. We had approximately
219,200 average paying subscribers for the six months ended
June 30, 2005. We believe that a significant growth
opportunity lies in our ability to increase the number of
visitors to our Web sites who become paying subscribers.
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Improved technology. We believe that the more successful
members are in finding matches in our database, the more likely
they are to want to communicate with those members. To initiate
email and instant message communication, members must become
paying subscribers. We intend to continue to enhance our
technology and the quality and relevance of our search results
to provide fast, relevant suggestions. |
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Leveraging strong customer service. Each time a member or
potential member contacts our customer service center by email
or phone, he or she represents a potential new paying subscriber
to our services. By training our customer service
representatives on upselling opportunities, we believe they will
continue to be successful in selling and building loyalty to our
subscription-based services. |
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Improved member communications. We believe that enhanced
member communications is a key component to growing our
business. We continue to focus on improving and enhancing our
Web site functionality and features to encourage communications
between members. Most of these communications require that
members become paying subscribers. We will also continue to
inform members of new features and functions with the goal of
increasing the number of visitors to our Web sites who become
paying subscribers. |
|
Customer Service
Our customer support and service function operates 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week. As of June 30, 2005, we employed
43 customer service representatives at our Beverly Hills,
California facility, 15 representatives in Provo, Utah and
13 customer service representatives at our Israeli facility
who serve our Hebrew-speaking members. Our team of customer
service representatives helps members with matters such as
completing personal essays and choosing photos for their
profiles, as well as answering questions about billing and
technical issues. Customer service representatives receive
ongoing training in an effort to better personalize the
experience for members and paying subscribers that call in and
to capitalize on upselling opportunities. On average, our
customer service center receives approximately 1,500 phone calls
and 5,000 emails per day, and our average wait time for phone
calls and response time for emails are approximately three
minutes and four hours, respectively.
Marketing
We engage in a variety of marketing activities intended to drive
consumer traffic to our Web sites and to allow us the
opportunity to introduce our products and services to
prospective members. Our marketing efforts are principally
focused online, where we employ a combination of banner and
other display advertising on Web portals and other specialized
sites. We also rely on commercial search listings and direct
email campaigns to attract potential members and paying
subscribers, and utilize a network of online affiliates, through
which we acquire traffic. None of these affiliates individually
represent a material portion of our revenue. These affiliate
arrangements are easily cancelable, often with only one day
notice. Typically, we do not have any exclusivity arrangement
with our affiliates, and some of our affiliates may also be
affiliates for our competitors.
In addition to our current online marketing efforts, we
supplement our online marketing by employing a variety of
offline marketing activities. These include print and outdoor
advertising, public relations, event sponsorship and promotional
alliances. We believe that a more targeted marketing message,
delivered through an array of available marketing channels, will
improve consumer awareness of our brands, drive more traffic to
our Web sites and, therefore, increase the numbers of our
members and paying subscribers. We have embarked in increases in
marketing spending for JDate, primarily in the
68
area of offline marketing. Such marketing initiatives are
targeted at brand building and name recognition. The JDate
marketing programs most prominently include print and billboard
advertising.
Technology
Our software development team consisted of 34 employees as
of June 30, 2005, who are focused on expanding and
improving the features and functionality of our Web sites. Since
feature and functionality development is an important element of
our strategy, we plan to expand that team. In addition to our
development team, an additional 30 technology employees
maintain our software and hardware infrastructure.
Our network infrastructure and operations are designed to
deliver high levels of availability, performance, security and
scalability in a cost-effective manner. The majority of our
software architecture is based on standard modular Microsoft
technology, and is designed for maximum flexibility and
scalability, which we believe facilitates the addition of new
Web sites and features.
We are in the process of completing a re-architecture of our
primary system based on distributed Service Oriented
Architecture principles and built using the Microsoft.Net
platform. This re-architecture includes changes to our server
and network configurations, database schemas and deployment, web
presentation methodologies and introduces a variety of new
application services. We believe that this new architecture will
enable us to more rapidly develop new capabilities and enhance
our ability to scale our Web sites.
Our primary email system runs on dedicated appliances with each
server capable of sending approximately 2 million messages
per hour. In addition to our email servers, we operate other Web
and database servers, which are co-located at a data center
facility in El Segundo, California that is operated by a third
party. We plan to increase redundant hardware and software
systems supporting our services within the next nine months.
Intellectual Property
We rely on a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and
trade secret laws in the United States and other jurisdictions
as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions
to protect our proprietary technology and our brands. We also
enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements
with our employees and consultants and confidentiality
agreements with other third parties.
Spark Networks, JDate, AmericanSingles and MatchNet are some of
our trademarks, whether registered or not, in the United States
and several other countries. AmericanSingles, MatchNet, and
JDate are registered trademarks in the United States. MatchNet
and JDate are also registered trademarks in the EU and Australia
and JDate is also a registered trademark in Israel and Canada.
We have filed trademark applications for Spark Networks in the
United States and EU. Our rights to these registered trademarks
are perpetual as long as we use them and renew them
periodically. We also have a number of other registered and
unregistered trademarks. In addition, we hold a United States
patent to Click!, which lasts until January 24,
2017, that pertains to an automated process for confidentially
determining whether people feel mutual attraction or have mutual
interests. Click! is important to our business in that it
is a method and apparatus for detection of reciprocal interests
or feelings and subsequent notification of such results. The
patent describes the method and apparatus for the identification
of a persons level of attraction and the subsequent
notification when the feeling or attraction is mutual.
Competition
We operate in a highly competitive environment with minimal
barriers to entry. We believe that the primary competitive
factors in creating a community on the Internet are
functionality, brand recognition, critical mass of members,
member affinity and loyalty, ease-of-use, quality of service and
69
reliability. We compete with a number of large and small
companies, including vertically integrated Internet portals and
specialty-focused media companies that provide online and
offline products and services to the markets we serve. Our
principal online personals services competitors include Yahoo!
Personals, Match.com, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
InterActiveCorp., and eHarmony, all of which operate primarily
in North America. In addition, we face competition from social
networking Web sites such as MySpace and Friendster. There are
also numerous other companies offering online personals services
that compete with us, but are smaller than we are in terms of
paying subscribers and annual revenue generation.
Employees
As of June 30, 2005, we had 202 full-time employees.
We are not subject to any collective bargaining agreements and
we believe that our relationship with our employees is good.
Facilities
We do not own any real property. Our headquarters are located in
Beverly Hills, California, where we occupy approximately
26,500 square feet of office space that houses our
technology department, customer service operations, and most of
our corporate and administrative personnel. This lease expires
on July 31, 2006. Our monthly base rent for this facility
is $53,850 per month. We also lease office space in Provo,
Utah; Cupertino, California; Israel; England and Germany. We
believe that our facilities are adequate for our current needs
and suitable additional or substitute space will be available in
the future to replace our existing facilities, if necessary, or
accommodate expansion of our operations.
Legal Proceedings
Three separate yet similar class action complaints have been
filed against us. On June 21, 2002, Tatyana Fertelmeyster
filed an Illinois class action complaint against us in the
Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, based on an alleged
violation of the Illinois Dating Referral Services Act. On
September 12, 2002, Lili Grossman filed a New York class
action complaint against us in the Supreme Court in the State of
New York based on alleged violations of the New York Dating
Services Act and the Consumer Fraud Act. On November 14,
2003, Jason Adelman filed a nationwide class action complaint
against us in the Los Angeles County Superior Court based on an
alleged violation of California Civil Code section 1694 et
seq., which regulates businesses that provide dating services.
In each of these cases, the complaint included allegations that
we are a dating service as defined by the applicable statutes
and, as an alleged dating service, we are required to provide
language in our contracts that allows (i) members to
rescind their contracts within three days,
(ii) reimbursement of a portion of the contract price if
the member dies during the term of the contract and/or
(iii) members to cancel their contracts in the event of
disability or relocation. Causes of action include breach of
applicable state and/or federal laws, fraudulent and deceptive
business practices, breach of contract and unjust enrichment.
The plaintiffs are seeking remedies including declaratory
relief, restitution, actual damages although not quantified,
treble damages and/or punitive damages, and attorneys fees
and costs.
Huebner v. InterActiveCorp., Superior Court of the State
of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC 305875
involves a similar action, involving the same
plaintiffs counsel as Adelman, brought against
InterActiveCorps Match.com that has been ruled related to
Adelman, but the two cases have not been consolidated.
Adelman and Huebner each seek to certify a
nationwide class action based on their complaints. Because the
cases are class actions, they have been assigned to the Los
Angeles Superior Court Complex Litigation Program. The court has
ordered a bifurcation of the liability issue. At an
August 15, 2005 Status Conference, the court set the
bifurcated trial on the issue of liability for March 27,
2006. If the court determines that the California Dating
Services Act is inapplicable, all further expenses associated
with discovery and class certification can be avoided.
70
On March 25, 2005, the court in Fertelmeyster
entered its Memorandum Opinion and Order (Memorandum
Opinion) granting summary judgment in our favor on the
grounds that Fertelmeyster lacks standing to seek injunctive
relief or restitutionary relief under the Illinois Dating
Services Act, Fertelmeyster did not suffer any actual damages,
and we were not unjustly enriched as a result of our contract
with Fertelmeyster. The Memorandum Opinion disposes of all
matters in controversy in the litigation and also provides
that we are subject to the Illinois Dating Services Act and, as
such, our subscription agreements violate the act and are void
and unenforceable. Fertelmeyster filed a Motion for
Reconsideration of the Memorandum Opinion and, on
August 26, 2005, the court issued its opinion denying
Fertelmeysters Motion for Reconsideration. In the opinion,
the court, among other things: (i) decertified the class,
eliminating the last remnant of the litigation;
(ii) rejected each of the plaintiffs arguments based
on the arguments and law that we provided in our opposition;
(iii) stated that the court would not judicially amend the
Illinois statute to provide for restitution when the legislature
selected damages as the sole remedy; (iv) noted that the
cases cited by plaintiff in connection with plaintiffs
Motion for Reconsideration actually support the courts
prior order granting summary judgment in our favor; and
(v) denied plaintiffs Motion for Reconsideration in
its entirety.
In December 2002, the Supreme Court of New York dismissed the
case brought by Ms. Grossman. Although the plaintiff
appealed the decision, in October 2004, the New York Supreme
Court, Appellate Division upheld the lower courts
dismissal. In addition, two Justices wrote concurring opinions
stating their opinion that our services were not covered under
the New York Dating Services Act.
A lawsuit has been filed against us in the United States
District Court for the Central District of California by
Datingcity, Ltd, Case No. CV05-4463 SJO (SSx). The
Complaint alleges causes of action for (1) Breach of
Contract, (2) Unjust Enrichment, (3) Promissory
Estoppel, and (4) Accounting. Datingcity alleges that it
entered into a contract with us for the sale of a database owned
by Datingcity. Datingcity further alleges that we did not pay
Datingcity the agreed upon price for the purchase of the
database. We contend that the contract at issue was signed in
error, Datingcity misrepresented the quality of its database,
and the information contained in the database was virtually
useless and without value. Accordingly, on July 15, 2005,
we filed an Answer and Counterclaim against Datingcity alleging
claims for (1) Rescission based on Unilateral Mistake,
(2) Rescission based on Mutual Mistake, (3) Rescission
based on Failure of Consideration, (4) Rescission based on
Fraud in the Inducement, (5) Fraud, (6) Negligent
Misrepresentation, and (7) Declaratory Relief. We plan to
file a motion to require Datingcity to post a bond that provides
security for obligations of Datingcity in connection with the
pending litigation under the Code of Civil Procedure
(Motion for Security). The Motion for Security will
be based, in substantial part, on the relative merits of the
respective claims of Datingcity and us. At this time, it is not
possible to predict with any certainty the outcome of the Motion
for Security. At a status conference that was held on
August 22, 2005, the court scheduled this matter for a jury
trial on April 25, 2006.
On July 21, 2005, Leonard Kristal (Kristal) and
MatchPower Ltd. (MatchPower) filed an action in the
Los Angeles County Superior Court, Civil Action
No. SC086367, entitled LEONDARD KRISTAL, and
MATCHPOWER, LTD., Plaintiffs, v. MATCHNET, PLC; SPARK
NETWORKS, PLC, and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive,
Defendants (the Kristal/MatchPower Action). In their
complaint, Kristal and MatchPower assert claims for a breach of
contract, wrongful termination in violation of public policy,
and solicitation of employee by misrepresentation. MatchPower
alleges that it entered into an agreement with us to pay
MatchPower the sum of $15,000 per month from March 30, 2004
through April 2005 and that we now owe MatchPower the sum of
$90,000 under the agreement. We have filed a Motion to Dismiss
and/or for Forum Non Conveniens under the MatchPower agreement,
which provides that the exclusive jurisdiction for disputes is
the English courts, in order to require that
MatchPower litigate its claims, if any, in England. Kristal
alleges that (i) we entered into an employment agreement
pursuant to which Kristal was employed on a part-time basis at
the rate of $10,000 per month through April 2005,
(ii) the employment agreement was amended in July 2004 to
71
increase Kristals monthly salary to $15,000 per
month, (iii) Kristal was required to move and establish
residency in Los Angeles and (iv) the employment agreement
was terminated on December 22, 2004. Kristal alleges that
we owe him $85,000 under the agreement, plus a waiting time
penalty of $15,000. Kristal also alleges that, in August 2004,
we orally promised Kristal the right to purchase at least
110,000 shares of the our stock at a purchase price of
$2.50 and that he was terminated because he made a written
complaint that he had not been paid according to his contract
and as a result, his termination was a retaliatory termination
in violation of public policy. Kristal claims that he is
entitled to recover damages for pain and suffering and emotional
distress and punitive damages based on his retaliatory
termination. In addition, Kristal claims that he was induced to
move to Los Angeles for the purpose of accepting employment from
us in Los Angeles and that we promised Kristal employment at
least through April 2005, together with wages for employment at
the rate of $15,000 per month. According to Kristal, we
misrepresented to Kristal the length of his employment and the
compensation therefore, and as a result, he claims he is
entitled to double damages caused by misrepresentations
allegedly made by us to Kristal pursuant to California Labor
Code § 972. At this early stage of the
Kristal/MatchPower Action, no motions have been filed or heard
and no discovery has yet been taken.
We intend to defend vigorously against each of the lawsuits,
however, no assurance can be given that these matters will be
resolved in our favor.
We have additional existing legal claims and may encounter
future legal claims in the normal course of business. We believe
that the resolution of the existing legal claims are not
expected to have a material impact on our financial position or
results of operations. We believe the Company has accrued
appropriate amounts where necessary in connection with the above
litigation.
72
MANAGEMENT
Executive Officers and Directors
As of August 31, 2005, our executive officers and directors
are set forth below.
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Name |
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Age | |
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Position |
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| |
|
|
David E. Siminoff
|
|
|
41 |
|
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President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Joe Y. Shapira
|
|
|
51 |
|
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Executive Chairman of the Board |
Michael Brown
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
Director |
Martial Chaillet
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
Director |
Benjamin Derhy
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
Director |
Laura Lauder
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
Director |
Scott Shleifer
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
Director |
Gregory R. Liberman
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel and Company Secretary |
Philip Nelson
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
Chief Technology Officer |
Mark Thompson
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
David E. Siminoff has served as our President and
Chief Executive Officer since August 2004 and as a member of our
Board of Directors since March 2004. From October 2003 to
February 2004, Mr. Siminoff was Chief Financial Officer of
PayByTouch, a company that produces biometric payment services
and during interim periods of employment, Mr. Siminoff was
a private investor of several start-up companies. From August
1994 to January 2003, Mr. Siminoff served as a Research
Analyst and Portfolio Manager for Capital Research and
Management Company, where he dealt primarily with Media and
Internet technologies. In 1998 he was named Best of the
Buyside by Institutional Investor Magazine. Prior to his
work with Capital Research, Mr. Siminoff founded EastNet, a
global syndicate barter company. Mr. Siminoff received both
BA and MBA degrees from Stanford University and a Masters degree
in Fine Arts from the University of Southern California film
school.
Joe Y. Shapira has served as our Executive
Chairman of the Board of Directors since February 2005. From
February 2004 to February 2005, Mr. Shapira served as our
Executive Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors. From our
inception in September 1998 to February 2004, Mr. Shapira
served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. He
was a co-founder and director of NetCorp, the original developer
and owner of JDate. In 1995, Mr. Shapira developed a
concept for dating over the Internet and oversaw the software
development, design and implementation of the business model of
JDate.com. Previously, from 1991 until 1994, Mr. Shapira
co-founded and served as a director and officer of Matrix Video
Duplication Corporation, a publicly listed company on the
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. From 1987 until 1991,
Mr. Shapira co-founded and served as a director and officer
of Video Tape Industries, Inc. From 1983 to 1987,
Mr. Shapira was a principal in Sha-Rub Investment Co., a
Southern California real estate development company.
Mr. Shapira graduated from the Ort Singlavosky Institution
of Technology in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1972.
Michael A. Brown has served as a member of our
Board of Directors since December 2004. Since September 2002,
Mr. Brown has been a managing partner at government and
public affairs consulting firm Alcalde & Fay, based in
Washington, D.C. At Alcalde & Fay, Mr. Brown
is focused on international trade, foreign relations, federal
and state representation and public policy. In addition to
serving on the Board of Directors of Spark Networks,
Mr. Brown serves on the Board of Directors of Comcast of
Washington, DC. From June 1996 to September 2002, he
practiced law at Washington-based Patton Boggs LLP, where he
concentrated on a range of municipal issues. Mr. Brown has
twice been appointed as a member to the U.S. Presidential
Delegations to Africa and serves as the president of the Ronald
H. Brown Foundation, which seeks to carry on the work of
Mr. Browns father, who
73
was U.S. Secretary of Commerce under former President Bill
Clinton. Mr. Brown earned a BA degree from Clark University
and a JD from Widener University School of Law.
Martial Chaillet has served as a member of our
Board of Directors since February 2005. Mr. Chaillet
founded MediaWin & Partners in January 2003. MediaWin
is a private investment firm that focuses primarily on
investments in media and media-related companies. Prior to
founding MediaWin, Mr. Chaillet served in a variety of
roles at The Capital Group for thirty years, most recently as
Senior Vice President and Global Portfolio Manager of Capital
Research and Management, the mutual fund arm of the financial
institution. In addition to serving on our Board of Directors,
Mr. Chaillet sits on the Boards of Directors of Infosearch,
Wisekey, Snap TV and Media Partners. Mr. Chaillet earned a
degree in Econometrics from the University of Geneva and
graduated, with honors, from the Swiss Technical School.
Benjamin Derhy has served as a member of our Board
of Directors since October 2004. Over the last five years,
Mr. Derhy has not held any employment positions but has
been a private investor and entrepreneur, focusing on Internet,
consumer products and real estate sectors as well as start-up
companies in Europe and Israel. His experience also includes
working with American companies and their expansion
internationally. In 1984, Mr. Derhy co-founded Turbo
Sportswear, a successful clothing manufacturer, and was employed
there until 1997. Previously, he was controller at the Hebrew
University in Jerusalem, responsible for annual budgets,
financial planning and cost accounting. Mr. Derhy holds
both BA and MBA degrees from the Hebrew University.
Laura Lauder has served as a member of our Board
of Directors since January 2005. Mrs. Lauder has served as
a General Partner at Lauder Partners, a Silicon Valley-based
venture capital fund, for the past ten years. At Lauder
Partners, Mrs. Lauder focuses primarily on Internet and
cable-related investments. In addition to her work at Lauder
Partners, Mrs. Lauder is involved in a variety of
philanthropic initiatives, particularly in the Jewish community.
In the past, she has served on the boards of numerous
organizations, including the San Francisco Jewish Community
Federation and its Endowment Committee, the Jewish Education
Service of North America, the Jewish Funders Network, American
Jewish World Service and the National Public Radio Foundation.
In 2004, Mrs. Lauder was named one of 10 Women to
Watch by Jewish Woman magazine. Mrs. Lauder
earned a BA in International Relations from the University of
North Carolina Chapel Hill and the Universidad de
Sevilla, Spain.
Scott L. Shleifer has served as a member of our
Board of Directors since December 2004. Mr. Shleifer joined
Tiger Technology Management, L.L.C. in July 2002. Tiger
Technology is an equity investment firm currently managing
approximately $1 billion. Mr. Shleifer is a Managing
Director focusing primarily on investments in the Internet,
for-profit education, and business services sectors. In addition
to serving on the Board of Directors of Spark Networks,
Mr. Shleifer sits on the Board of Directors of PRC.EDU, an
online, for-profit education company in China. Prior to joining
Tiger Technology, Mr. Shleifer was a private equity
investor at The Blackstone Group from July 1999 to June 2002. He
received a BS in Economics from the Wharton School at the
University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated magna cum laude.
Gregory R. Liberman was appointed Chief Operating
Officer in September 2005 and has served as our General Counsel
since October 2004 and Company Secretary since January 2005.
From January 2004 to May 2004 Mr. Liberman served as
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of CytRx Corporation, a
publicly-traded biotechnology company based in Los Angeles.
During his tenure there, Mr. Liberman oversaw legal
affairs, policy and strategy for the company. From January 2002
to December 2003, Mr. Liberman served as an independent
strategic consultant. Immediately prior to that consulting work,
from September 2001 to November 2001, he attended and completed
the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business
School. From March 1999 to August 2001, Mr. Liberman served
in a variety of senior legal and corporate development roles at
telecommunications firm Global Crossing and Internet
infrastructure providers GlobalCenter (then, a
74
subsidiary of Global Crossing) and Exodus Communications.
Mr. Liberman joined Exodus, where he ultimately served as
Vice President, Legal & Corporate Affairs, after Global
Crossings sale of GlobalCenter to Exodus. Immediately
prior to Exodus acquisition of GlobalCenter,
Mr. Liberman served as GlobalCenters Vice President,
Corporate Development and Associate General Counsel. While at
Global Crossing, Mr. Liberman served as Director, Business
Development Counsel. Mr. Liberman earned a JD, with Honors,
from The Law School at the University of Chicago and an AB, with
University Distinction and Honors in Economics, from Stanford
University.
Philip Nelson has served as our Chief Technology
Officer since October 2004. Previously, Mr. Nelson was
Entrepreneur in Residence at Accel Partners, a Silicon Valley
venture capital firm from June 2003 to October 2004. In May
2001, Mr. Nelson founded and became the CEO of Anteros,
which offers innovative integration technology to connect
personal productivity tools to enterprise applications. From
January 1998 to May 2001 he was technical co-founder of Impresse
Corp, a provider of hosted marketing collaboration and spend
management solutions. At Impresse, he served in a technical and
customer facing role. Earlier in his career, Mr. Nelson
held a role similar to the one at Impresse with Verity, corp. He
was also a software engineer with Advanced Decision Systems, and
won awards for his work at Harvard Medical School improving the
design of artificial hip and knee implants. Mr. Nelson
holds an SB from MIT in computer science.
Mark Thompson has served as our Chief Financial
Officer since October 2004. He brings 16 years of financial
management and capital markets experience to his current role.
From December 2002 to October 2003 and from February 2004 to
September 2004 Mr. Thompson served as CFO of Pay By Touch,
the leading provider of biometric payment authentication and
payment processing services. From October 2003 to February 2004
Mr. Thompson was Vice President Finance of Pay By Touch.
From August 2001 to October 2002 Mr. Thompson was CFO of
Vectiv and from July 1999 to July 2001 he was CFO of
MarketTools, a provider of online marketing research.
Previously, he was Corporate Treasurer of PeopleSoft and
Assistant Treasurer of Chiron. Mr. Thompson also held
senior positions in finance and engineering at Chevron. He holds
a BS degree in electrical engineering from Texas A&M
University and an MBA from The Haas School of Business at The
University of California at Berkeley.
There are no family relationships among any of our executive
officers or directors.
Compensation of Directors
We pay non-employee directors an annual compensation of $30,000
for their services, except Scott Shleifer who does not receive
compensation as a director. In addition, non-employee directors
receive a fee of $1,000 for each board and committee meeting
attended in person and $500 for each such meeting attended by
phone. Non-employee directors are also reimbursed for reasonable
costs and expenses that are approved and incurred in the
performance of their duties. Officers of our company who are
members of the Board of Directors are not paid any
directors fees. Directors are eligible to receive, from
time to time, grants of options to purchase shares under our
2004 Share Option Scheme as determined by the Board of
Directors. In 2004, we granted options to purchase 80,000
ordinary shares, which vest over a four-year period, to Michael
Brown and Benjamin Derhy, and in February 2005 we made a similar
grant of options to purchase 80,000 ordinary shares to
Laura Lauder and Martial Chaillet.
Election of Directors
Our Articles of Association provide that all directors appointed
by the Board since the last annual general meeting are subject
to election by shareholders at the first annual general meeting
following their appointment. Our Articles of Association also
provide that the re-election of our Board of Directors shall be
performed through a retirement by rotation system.
At each annual general meeting one-third, or the number nearest
to but not exceeding one-third, of our Board of Directors
75
shall retire from office by rotation. Any retiring
director shall be eligible for re-election. Our directors who
retire by rotation include (1) any director who wishes to
retire and not to offer himself for re-election and (2) any
further directors who retire by rotation are those who have been
longest in office since their last election or re-election.
Where two or more persons became or were re-elected as directors
on the same day, those to retire, unless they otherwise agree
among themselves, are determined by lot.
Board Committees
Audit Committee. The audit committee consists of
Martial Chaillet, Michael Brown and Benjamin Derhy, each of whom
are independent directors. Mr. Chaillet, Chairman of the
audit committee, is an audit committee financial
expert as defined under Item 401(h) of
Regulation S-K. The purpose of the audit committee is to
represent and assist our Board of Directors in its general
oversight of our accounting and financial reporting processes,
audits of the financial statements and internal control and
audit functions. The audit committees responsibilities
include:
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The appointment, replacement, compensation, and oversight of
work of the independent auditor, including resolution of
disagreements between management and the independent auditor
regarding financial reporting, for the purpose of preparing or
issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or
attest services. |
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Reviewing and discussing with management and the independent
auditor various topics and events that may have significant
financial impact on our company or that are the subject of
discussions between management and the independent auditors. |
Compensation Committee. The compensation committee
consists of Scott Shleifer, Benjamin Derhy and Laura Lauder,
each of whom are independent directors. Mr. Shleifer is the
Chairman of the compensation committee. The compensation
committee is responsible for the design, review, recommendation
and approval of compensation arrangements for our directors,
executive officers and key employees, and for the administration
of our share option schemes, including the approval of grants
under such schemes to our employees, consultants and directors.
The compensation committee also reviews and determines
compensation of our executive officers, including our Chief
Executive Officer.
Nominating Committee. The nominating committee
consists of Michael Brown, Martial Chaillet and Laura Lauder,
each of whom are independent directors. Mr. Brown is the
Chairman of the nominating committee. The nominating committee
assists in the selection of director nominees, approves director
nominations to be presented for shareholder approval at our
annual general meeting and fills any vacancies on our Board of
Directors, considers any nominations of director candidates
validly made by shareholders, and reviews and considers
developments in corporate governance practices.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
To date, we have not had a compensation committee or other Board
committee performing equivalent functions. All members of our
Board of Directors, some of whom were executive officers,
participated in deliberations concerning executive officer
compensation. No interlocking relationship exists between our
Board of Directors and the board of directors or compensation
committee of any other company.
Summary Executive Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning the annual
and long-term compensation earned by our Chief Executive Officer
and each of the other executive officers who served during the
year
76
ended December 31, 2004, and whose annual salary and bonus
during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and
2004 exceeded $100,000 (the Named Executive
Officers).
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Long-Term | |
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Compensation | |
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Annual Compensation | |
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Securities | |
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Other Annual | |
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Underlying | |
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All Other | |
Name and Principal Position |
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Year | |
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Salary | |
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Bonus | |
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Compensation(6) | |
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Options | |
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Compensation | |
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David E.
Siminoff(1)
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2004 |
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$ |
164,701 |
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$ |
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$ |
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1,275,000 |
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$ |
800 |
(7) |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Todd
Tappin(2)
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2004 |
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185,261 |
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1,200,000 |
(2) |
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112,891 |
(8) |
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Former President and |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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Joe Y.
Shapira(3)
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2004 |
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370,207 |
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20,000 |
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12,645 |
(7) |
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Executive Chairman |
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2003 |
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528,000 |
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1,372,000 |
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20,000 |
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14,000 |
(7) |
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of the Board |
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2002 |
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480,000 |
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375,000 |
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20,000 |
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2,000,000 |
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11,000 |
(7) |
Alon
Carmel(4)
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2004 |
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373,207 |
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20,000 |
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12,121 |
(7) |
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Former Executive |
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2003 |
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528,000 |
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1,372,000 |
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20,000 |
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12,000 |
(7) |
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Co-Chairman of the |
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2002 |
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480,000 |
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375,000 |
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20,000 |
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2,000,000 |
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11,000 |
(7) |
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Board |
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Michael Riddell
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2004 |
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184,207 |
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25,000 |
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8,105 |
(7) |
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Executive Vice President, |
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2003 |
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180,000 |
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25,000 |
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12,000 |
(7) |
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New Product Development |
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2002 |
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113,000 |
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6,000 |
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250,000 |
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4,800 |
(7) |
Peter
Voutov(5)
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2004 |
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235,138 |
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2,000 |
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39,497 |
(9) |
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Former Chief |
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2003 |
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233,000 |
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11,000 |
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12,000 |
(7) |
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Technology Officer |
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2002 |
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214,000 |
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100,000 |
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11,000 |
(7) |
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(1) |
Mr. Siminoff became our President and Chief Executive
Officer in August 2004 and has served on the Board of Directors
since March 2004. |
(2) |
Mr. Tappin resigned as our President and Chief Executive
Officer in August 2004, a position he held since February 2004.
Upon his resignation, Mr. Tappin forfeited all of his
unvested options. Prior to this forfeiture, 218,281 of his
options had vested. |
(3) |
Mr. Shapira served as our Chief Executive Officer in 2004,
2003 and 2002 and until he became Executive Co-Chairman in
February 2004. Mr. Shapira became sole Executive Chairman
in February 2005. |
(4) |
Mr. Carmel served as our President in 2003, 2002 and 2001
and became Executive Co-Chairman in February 2004.
Mr. Carmel resigned as Executive Co-Chairman in February
2005. |
(5) |
Mr. Voutov resigned as our Chief Technology Officer in
October 2004. |
(6) |
Represents an annual automobile allowance. |
(7) |
Represents the amount of our annual matching contribution to
each individuals 401(k) account. |
(8) |
Consists of $106,591 in severance and $6,300 in annual matching
contribution to Mr. Tappins 401(k) account. |
(9) |
Consists of $31,250 in severance and $8,247 in annual matching
contribution to Mr. Voutovs 401(k) account. |
Employment Agreements
We hired David E. Siminoff as our President and Chief Executive
Officer in August 2004 at an annual salary of $480,000. In
addition, we granted Mr. Siminoff options to
purchase 1,250,000 ordinary shares at a per share exercise
price of $4.24. Of these options, 156,250 vested and became
exercisable on February 12, 2005, and 156,250 options vest
on August 12, 2005 and 312,500 vest each of the three
12-month periods thereafter. If Mr. Siminoff is terminated,
including voluntary termination, within six months after a
change of control, which is defined in Mr. Siminoffs
option agreement as an acquisition of more than 45% of our then
outstanding shares, or other acquisition of effective control of
our company, all of his options will vest immediately. If
Mr. Siminoff is terminated without cause or if he
terminates his employment with us for good reason, 30% of his
unvested options will be accelerated and he will also be
entitled to payment of his monthly salary in effect at the time
of termination for a period of nine months following such
termination. Pursuant to the terms of his Employment Agreement,
Mr. Siminoff may not directly or indirectly compete with us
or solicit our
77
customers during the term of his Employment Agreement and he may
not disclose any confidential information during or after his
employment. In August 2004, Mr. Siminoff also agreed to
continue to serve as a member of our Board of Directors. For his
services as director, Mr. Siminoff received options to
purchase 25,000 ordinary shares at a per share exercise
price of $9.55, all of which are currently vested.
Pursuant to the offer letter and executive employment agreement
with Mark Thompson, we hired Mr. Thompson as our Chief
Financial Officer in October 2004 at an annual salary of
$200,000 and upon a successful listing of our shares or a
derivative security of our shares on a national exchange or the
Nasdaq National Market in the United States, we will pay him a
bonus of $80,000. In addition, we granted Mr. Thompson
options to purchase 250,000 ordinary shares at a per share
exercise price of $6.69. Those options will vest at a rate of
12,500 shares per quarter for quarterly periods commencing
three months after the date his employment commenced; provided,
however, that options to purchase 50,000 of those shares
will accelerate upon a successful listing of our shares or a
derivative security of our shares on a national exchange or the
Nasdaq National Market in the United States. In addition, all of
the options will accelerate upon a change of control of our
company, which is defined in Mr. Thompsons employment
agreement as the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding
shares. Pursuant to the terms of his Employment Agreement,
Mr. Thompson may not directly or indirectly solicit our
customers using confidential information for a period of
12 months following the termination of his Employment
Agreement and he may not disclose any confidential information
during or after his employment.
We hired Philip Nelson as our Chief Technology Officer in
October 2004 at an annual salary of $250,000. In addition, we
granted Mr. Nelson options to purchase 250,000
ordinary shares at a per share exercise price of $6.69.
Mr. Nelsons options will vest at a rate of
15,625 shares per quarter, with the first vesting date
occurring in January 2005. In addition, all unvested options
will become vested upon a change of control of our company,
which is defined in Mr. Nelsons employment agreement
as the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding shares.
Pursuant to the terms of his Employment Agreement,
Mr. Nelson may not directly or indirectly solicit our
customers using confidential information for a period of
12 months following the termination of his Employment
Agreement and he may not disclose any confidential information
during or after his employment.
Pursuant to the Executive Employment Agreement with Joe Y.
Shapira, effective March 1, 2005, Mr. Shapira serves
as the Executive Chairman of our Board of Directors at an annual
salary of $350,000. In addition, pursuant to the employment
agreement, we granted Mr. Shapira options to
purchase 250,000 ordinary shares at a per share exercise
price of $10.50. The options vest at a rate of
31,250 shares per quarter commencing June 1, 2005. All
unvested options will become vested upon a change in control of
our company, which is defined in Mr. Shapiras
employment agreement as the acquisition of more than 50% of our
outstanding shares. In addition, for his prior services as Chief
Executive Officer, Mr. Shapira holds options to
purchase 2,000,000 ordinary shares at a per share exercise
price of $2.28, all of which are currently vested. If
Mr. Shapira is terminated without cause or if he terminates
his employment with us for good reason, he will be entitled to
payment of his monthly salary in effect at the time of
termination for a period of nine months following such
termination. Pursuant to the terms of his Employment Agreement,
Mr. Shapira may not directly or indirectly compete with us
or solicit our customers during the term of his Employment
Agreement and he may not disclose any confidential information
during or after his employment.
In August 2005, we entered into an executive employment
agreement with Gregory R. Liberman, our General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary, making Mr. Liberman our Chief
Operating Officer. Pursuant to terms of the employment
agreement, Mr. Liberman will be compensated at an annual
salary of $200,000, and upon a successful listing of our shares
or a derivative security of our shares on a national exchange or
the Nasdaq National Market in the United States, we will pay him
a bonus of $25,000. We also granted Mr. Liberman options,
in addition to options granted to him prior to becoming our
Chief Operating Officer, to purchase 115,000 ordinary
shares at a per share exercise price of $8.74. Those options
will vest at a rate of 6.25% per quarter for quarterly
periods commencing three months after the date his employment
commenced; provided, however, that options to
purchase 50,000 of those shares will accelerate upon a
successful listing of our shares or a derivative security of our
shares on a national exchange or the Nasdaq National Market in
the United States. In addition, all of the options will
accelerate upon a change of control of our company, which
78
is defined in Mr. Libermans employment agreement as
the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding shares.
Pursuant to the terms of his Employment Agreement,
Mr. Liberman may not directly or indirectly solicit our
customers using confidential information for a period of
12 months following the termination of his Employment
Agreement and he may not disclose any confidential information
during or after his employment.
Options Granted in the Year Ended December 31, 2004
The following table sets forth information concerning individual
grants of stock options in 2004 to the Named Executive Officers:
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Individual Grants | |
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Potential Realizable | |
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Value at Assumed | |
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Number of | |
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Annual Rates of Stock | |
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Securities | |
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Percent of | |
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Price Appreciation | |
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Underlying | |
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Total Options | |
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Exercise or | |
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for Option Term(4) | |
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Options | |
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Granted to | |
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Base Price | |
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Expiration | |
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Granted | |
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Employees(2) | |
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Per Share(3) | |
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Date | |
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5% | |
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10% | |
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David E. Siminoff
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300,000 |
(1) |
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5.8 |
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$ |
9.55 |
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03/15/09 |
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$ |
791,547 |
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$ |
1,749,111 |
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1,250,000 |
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24.3 |
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4.24 |
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08/12/09 |
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773,588 |
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1,709,428 |
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Todd Tappin
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1,200,000 |
(5) |
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23.3 |
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7.09 |
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02/19/05 |
(6) |
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2,350,604 |
(7) |
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5,194,219 |
(7) |
Joe Y. Shapira
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Alon Carmel
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Michael Riddell
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25,000 |
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0.5 |
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9.34 |
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07/08/09 |
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64,512 |
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142,554 |
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Peter Voutov
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(1) |
Mr. Siminoff originally received options to
purchase 300,000 ordinary shares and this grant was
subsequently reduced to 25,000 ordinary shares by amendment when
Mr. Siminoff became our President and Chief Executive
Officer in August 2004. |
(2) |
The total number of options granted to our employees, excluding
160,000 shares underlying options granted to non-employee
directors, during 2004 was 5,141,500 shares underlying
options. |
(3) |
The exercise price per share of options granted represents the
fair market value of the underlying shares on the date the
options were granted. |
(4) |
In order to comply with the rules of the SEC, we are including
the gains or option spreads that would exist for the
respective options we granted to the Named Executive Officers.
We calculated these gains by assuming an annual compound stock
price appreciation of 5% and 10% from the date of the option
grant until the termination date of the option. These gains do
not represent our estimate or projection of the future price of
the ordinary shares. |
(5) |
Upon his resignation as our President and Chief Executive
Officer in August 2004, Mr. Tappin forfeited all of his
unvested options. Prior to this forfeiture, 218,181 of his
options had vested. |
(6) |
The option term of Mr. Tappins options accelerated
upon his resignation as our President and Chief Executive
Officer in August 2004. |
(7) |
Based on the original option term of five years. |
Options Exercises and Options Values for Year Ended
December 31, 2004
The following table sets forth information concerning option
exercises in 2004 and option values as of December 31, 2004
to the Named Executive Officers:
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Number of Securities | |
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Value of Unexercised | |
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Shares | |
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Underlying Unexercised | |
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In-the-Money Options | |
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Acquired | |
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Options at Fiscal Year-End | |
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at Fiscal Year-End(3) | |
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on | |
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Value | |
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Name |
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Exercise(1) | |
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Realized(2) | |
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Exercisable | |
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Un-exercisable | |
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Exercisable | |
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Un-exercisable | |
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| |
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| |
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| |
|
| |
David E. Siminoff
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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25,000 |
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1,250,000 |
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$ |
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|
$ |
5,904,940 |
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Todd Tappin
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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218,181 |
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|
|
|
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413,452 |
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|
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Joe Y. Shapira
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
2,083,746 |
|
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|
2,500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
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17,068,492 |
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Alon Carmel
|
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900,000 |
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3,759,942 |
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2,000,000 |
|
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|
|
|
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|
13,346,180 |
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|
|
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Michael Riddell
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
888,290 |
|
|
|
126,428 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
830,217 |
|
|
|
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|
Peter Voutov
|
|
|
109,000 |
|
|
|
591,250 |
|
|
|
41,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
307,449 |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
(1) |
Shares acquired on exercise includes all shares underlying the
share option or portion of the option exercised, without
deducting shares held to satisfy tax obligations, if any, sold
to pay the exercise price or otherwise disposed of. |
(2) |
The value realized of exercised options is the product of
(a) the excess of the per share fair market value of the
ordinary share on the date of exercise over the per share option
exercise price and (b) the number of shares acquired upon
exercise. |
79
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|
(3) |
The value of unexercised in-the-money options is
based on a price per share of $8.93, which was the price of a
share as quoted on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange at the close of
business on December 31, 2004, minus the exercise price,
multiplied by the number of shares underlying the option. |
Benefit Plans
2004 Share Option Scheme
Our 2004 Share Option Scheme (2004 Option
Scheme) provides us the ability to grant share options to
employees, consultants and directors, and is administered by our
Board of Directors, which determines the option grant date,
option price and vesting schedule of each option in accordance
with the terms of our 2004 Option Scheme. Although our Board of
Directors determines the exercise prices of options granted
under the 2004 Option Scheme, the exercise price per share may
not be less than 85% of the fair market value, as
defined in the 2004 Option Scheme, on the date of grant. Options
granted under the 2004 Option Scheme vest and terminate over
various periods at the discretion of our Board of Directors, but
subject to the terms of the 2004 Option Scheme. Moreover, the
exercise of options may be made subject to such performance or
other conditions as our Board of Directors may determine.
Options granted under the 2004 Option Scheme are personal to the
option holder to whom they are granted and no transfer or
assignment is permitted, other than a transfer to the option
holders personal representatives on death.
Our 2004 Option Scheme terminates on September 20, 2014,
unless our Board of Directors terminates it earlier.
Nevertheless, options granted under the 2004 Option Scheme may
extend beyond the date of termination. Our Board of Directors
has the discretion, subject to limitations set forth in the 2004
Option Scheme, to determine different exercise and lapse
provisions. If a third party makes an offer to all shareholders
to acquire all or a majority of our issued and outstanding
shares, other than those shares which are already owned by the
offeror, an option holder under the 2004 Option Scheme may
exercise any of his or her options at any time within six months
of the offeror obtaining control of us; provided, however that
the options do not lapse pursuant to a separate provision under
the 2004 Option Scheme prior to exercise. If an effective
resolution in general meeting for our voluntary winding-up is
passed before the date on which an option lapses, such an
outstanding option then becomes exercisable for a period of
three months after such resolution becomes effective. However,
no exercise of an option is permitted at any time after the
option has lapsed under a separate provision of the 2004 Option
Scheme. At the end of the three month period all options will
lapse.
In addition to the terms described above, options granted to
employees and service providers of our Israeli subsidiary who
are resident in Israel are also subject to the Sub-Plan for
Israeli Employees and Service Providers. The Sub-Plan, which
incorporates the 2004 Plan by reference, provides additional
rules applicable to options granted to those Israeli Employees
and Service Providers, as defined by the Sub-Plan.
As of June 30, 2005, 2,647,500 share options were
outstanding under the 2004 Option Scheme at prices ranging from
$5.91 to $9.35 per share.
2000 Share Option Scheme
Under the terms of our 2000 Executive Share Option Scheme
(2000 Option Scheme), our Board of Directors was
able to grant options, in their discretion, to our employees,
directors and consultants. The Board of Directors determined the
option price, vesting schedule and termination provisions of
each option, subject to limitations contained in the 2000 Option
Scheme. In September 2004, our Board of Directors resolved to
cease granting options under the 2000 Option Scheme although,
pursuant to the provisions of the 2000 Option Scheme, all
outstanding options previously granted under the 2000 Option
Scheme continue in full force and effect. Our Board of Directors
intends to use our 2004 Option Scheme to grant options to
employees, consultants and directors in the future.
As of June 30, 2005, 6,301,500 share options were
outstanding under the 2000 Option Scheme at prices ranging from
$0.90 to $9.52 per share.
80
Employee Benefit Plan
We have a defined contribution plan under Section 401(k) of
the U.S. Internal Revenue Code covering all full-time
employees, and providing for matching contributions by us, as
defined in the plan. Participants in the plan may direct the
investment of their personal accounts to a choice of mutual
funds consisting of various portfolios of stocks, bonds, or cash
instruments. Contributions made by us to the plan for the years
ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 were approximately
$88,000, $110,000 and $184,000, respectively.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers and Limitation of
Liability
Pursuant to our Articles of Association and in accordance with
the Companies Act 1985, we provide the following indemnification
to our directors and other officers:
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(a) Indemnification of directors in
respect of proceedings brought by third parties (covering both
legal costs and the financial costs of any adverse judgment,
except for the legal costs of unsuccessful defenses of criminal
proceedings, fines imposed in criminal proceedings and penalties
imposed by certain regulatory bodies); |
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(b) Payment of directors
defense costs as they are incurred, including if the action is
brought by the company itself. A director in this situation
would still be liable to pay any damages awarded to our company
and to repay his defense costs to the company if his defense
were unsuccessful, other than where the company chooses to
indemnify him in respect of legal costs incurred in certain
types of civil third party proceedings; and |
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(c) Indemnification of our officers
who are not directors without the restrictions that apply to
indemnification of directors. |
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We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our
directors and executive officers that will require us to
indemnify them from and against all liabilities, costs,
including legal costs, claims, actions, proceedings, demands,
expenses and damages arising in connection with the performance
by them of their respective duties to the fullest extent
permitted by our Memorandum and Articles of Association and
applicable law, each as modified from time to time.
We are required to disclose such indemnities in our annual
directors report which is publicly filed with the
Registrar of Companies for England and Wales. Shareholders are
able to inspect any relevant indemnification agreement.
We maintain a directors and officers insurance
policy. The policy insures directors and other officers against
unindemnified losses arising from certain wrongful acts in their
capacities as directors and officers and reimburses our company
for those losses for which we have lawfully indemnified our
directors and officers. The policy contains various exclusions.
81
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Advances to Executives
Pursuant to then-existing compensation arrangements, we made
advances to two executive employees, Joe Y. Shapira and Alon
Carmel, of approximately $700,000 each as payments under
guaranteed compensation arrangements as of December 31,
2002. During 2003, our Board of Directors declared the
guarantees to have been earned during the year and the
receivable was charged against operating results. As of
December 31, 2003, Joe Y. Shapira was our Chief Executive
Officer and is currently our Executive Chairman of the Board.
Alon Carmel was our President as of December 31, 2003 and
is no longer employed by our company.
Remote Concepts LLC
In 2003, we entered into a verbal marketing arrangement with
Remote Concepts LLC, an entity owned 32.5% by each of Joe
Y. Shapira and Alon Carmel. Remote Concepts LLC has
developed a table top wireless paging system for use by patrons
at restaurants. Further to the verbal arrangement, we expensed
approximately $120,000 paid to Remote Concepts LLC for ad
placement on these systems.
Severance of Former General Counsel
In 2004, Adam Kravitz resigned as our General Counsel. In
connection with his resignation and further to the terms of his
employment agreement, we paid Mr. Kravitz as severance an
aggregate of approximately $2.4 million. Mr. Kravitz
resigned from our Board of Directors in June 2004.
Efficient Frontier
In 2004, we entered into an agreement with Efficient Frontier, a
provider of online marketing optimization services to procure
and manage a portion of our online paid search and keyword
procurement efforts. The Chief Executive Officer of Efficient
Frontier is Ms. Ellen Siminoff, who is the wife of our
Chief Executive Officer, David E. Siminoff. We paid
approximately $169,000 to Efficient Frontier in the first half
of 2005 and $61,000 in 2004.
Yobon, Inc.
In 2004, we invested $250,000 in Yobon, Inc., a provider of web
toolbar technology. In exchange for our investment in Yobon, we
received a secured convertible promissory note. The note will
automatically convert into equity of Yobon upon its completion
of an equity financing of at least $1,000,000, if such equity
financing is completed within certain timeframes. Our Chief
Technology Officer, Phil Nelson, is the Chairman of Yobon.
Other Relationships
Until August 31, 2005, we employed Elraz Sela, the nephew
of Alon Carmel, our former Co-Executive Chairman of the Board,
in an executive position for which we compensated him
$120,000 per year. In addition, several other relatives of
each of Joe Y. Shapira, our Executive Chairman of the Board, and
Alon Carmel hold non-executive positions with us and Spark
Networks Israel for which they are compensated less than $60,000.
82
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
This prospectus covers the offer and sale by the selling
shareholders from time to time of up to an aggregate of
33,269,160 ordinary shares in the form of ADSs, including
6,595,000 ordinary shares underlying options that were issued to
selling shareholders and 530,000 ordinary shares underlying
warrants that were issued to selling shareholders.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares, as of
August 31, 2005, for:
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each selling shareholder; |
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each person or entity who we know beneficially owns more than 5%
of our ordinary shares; |
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each of our Named Executive Officers and each of our
directors; and |
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all of our executive officers and directors as a group. |
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission and includes voting or
investment power with respect to the securities. The number of
shares of ordinary shares outstanding, on an as-converted basis,
used in calculating the percentage for each listed person or
entity includes ordinary shares underlying options or a warrant
held by the person or entity, all of which are being registered
in this registration statement, but excludes ordinary shares
underlying options or warrants held by any other person or
entity. In addition, each persons or entitys
warrants and options that exercisable within 60 days of
August 31, 2005 is disclosed below. Percentage of
beneficial ownership is based on 26,144,160 ordinary shares
outstanding as of August 31, 2005.
Each of the selling shareholders has acquired his, her or its
shares solely for investment and not with a view to or for
resale or distribution of such securities. Unless otherwise
indicated, the address of each beneficial owner is
c/o: Spark Networks plc, 8383 Wilshire Blvd.,
Suite 800, Beverly Hills, California 90211.
The term selling shareholders also includes any
transferees, pledges, donees, or other successors in interest to
the selling shareholders named in the table below. To our
knowledge, except as indicated by footnote and subject to
applicable community property laws, each person named in the
table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the
ordinary shares set forth opposite such persons name.
Each of person and entity listed below will not hold any shares
after completion of this offering based on the assumption that
all shares registered for sale hereby will be sold. However, the
selling shareholders may offer all, some or none of the shares
pursuant to this prospectus.
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Ordinary Shares | |
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Beneficially Owned Prior | |
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to the Offering | |
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| |
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Number of | |
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Percentage | |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
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Shares | |
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of Shares | |
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5% stockholders:
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Tiger Global Management,
L.L.C.(1)
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6,631,085 |
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25.4 |
% |
Capital Research and Management
Company(2)
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2,505,000 |
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9.6 |
|
Criterion Capital Management
LLC(3)
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3,266,877 |
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12.5 |
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FM Fund Management
Limited(4)
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2,253,888 |
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8.6 |
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83
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|
Ordinary Shares | |
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|
Beneficially Owned Prior | |
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|
to the Offering | |
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| |
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|
Number of | |
|
Percentage | |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
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Shares | |
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of Shares | |
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Named Executive Officers and Directors:
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David E.
Siminoff(5)
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1,887,000 |
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6.8 |
|
Todd Tappin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Joe Y.
Shapira(6)
|
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4,512,639 |
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15.9 |
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Alon
Carmel(7)
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4,581,848 |
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16.2 |
|
Michael Riddell
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* |
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Peter Voutov
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* |
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Scott
Shleifer(8)
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* |
|
Michael
Brown(9)
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80,000 |
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* |
|
Benjamin
Derhy(10)
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80,000 |
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* |
|
Laura
Lauder(11)
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180,000 |
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* |
|
Martial
Chaillet(12)
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200,000 |
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* |
|
All directors and executives as a group
(10 persons)(13)
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7,689,639 |
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25.0 |
% |
Other Selling Stockholders:
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(1) |
Consists of 5,183,695 shares held by Tiger Global, L.P.;
1,313,392 shares held by Tiger Global, Ltd.; and
133,998 shares held by Tiger Global II, L.P. Each entity
has sole voting power over the shares it holds; Tiger Global
Management, L.L.C. is the investment manager of Tiger Global,
L.P., Tiger Global, Ltd. and Tiger Global II, L.P. and it
has shared investment power over the 6,631,085 shares;
Charles P. Coleman III is the sole managing member of the
Tiger Global Management, L.L.C. Tiger Global Performance, L.L.C.
is the sole general partner of Tiger Global, L.P.; Charles P.
Coleman III is the sole managing member of the general
partner of Tiger Global, L.P.; Tiger Global Performance, L.L.C.
is the sole general partner of Tiger Global II, L.P.;
Charles P. Coleman III is the sole managing member of Tiger
Global II, L.P. The address for Tiger Global Management,
L.L.C., Tiger Global, L.P. and Tiger Global II, L.P. is 101
Park Avenue, 48th Floor, New York, New York 10178. The
address for Tiger Global, Ltd. is c/o Ironshore Corporate
Services Limited, Queensgate House, South Church Street,
P.O. Box 1234, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman
Islands. |
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(2) |
Capital Research and Management Company, an investment adviser
registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940, is deemed to be the beneficial owner of
2,505,000 shares as a result of acting as investment
adviser to various investment companies registered under
Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Capital
Research and Management Company has sole dispositive power over
these shares. Included in the holdings of Capital Research and
Management Company is the holding of SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc.,
an investment company registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, which is advised by Capital Research and Management
Company. SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc. is the beneficial owner of
1,850,000 shares, of which it has sole voting power. The
persons controlling the investment decisions with respect to the
shares held by Capital Research and Management Company and
SMALLCAP World Fund are Gordon Crawford, J. Blair Frank,
J. Dale Harvey, Claudia Huntington , Jonathan Knowles and
Mark Denning. The address for both entities is 333 South
Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071. |
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(3) |
Criterion Capital Management LLC, of which Christopher H. Lord
is the sole manager, purchased shares on the open market with no
special arrangements with the Company. |
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(4) |
The registered office of FM Fund Management Limited is
Queensgate House, South Church Street, George Town, Grand
Cayman, Cayman Islands. |
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(5) |
Includes 1,275,000 shares issuable upon exercise of share
options, 337,500 shares of which underlie options
exercisable within 60 days of August 31, 2005. |
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(6) |
Includes (i) 2,250,000 shares issuable upon exercise
of share options, 2,062,500 shares of which underlie
options exercisable within 60 days of August 31, 2005,
(ii) 1,062,415 shares held by the Joe Shapira Family
Trust of which Mr. Shapira is trustee,
(iii) 550,000 shares held by the Shapira
Childrens Trust of which Mr. Shapira is trustee, and
(iv) 12,000 shares, of which he disclaims beneficial
ownership, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest, held
by a custodian for Mr. Shapiras children. |
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(7) |
Includes (i) 2,000,000 shares issuable upon exercise
of share options exercisable within 60 days of
August 31, 2005, and (ii) 8,000 shares held by
his spouse. |
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84
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(8) |
Excludes 5,183,695 shares held by Tiger Global, L.P. and
133,998 shares held by Tiger Global II, L.P., of which
Scott Shleifer is a limited partner. Mr. Shleifer holds the
position of Managing Director at Tiger Global Management, L.L.C. |
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(9) |
Represents shares issuable upon exercise of share options,
15,000 shares of which underlie options exercisable within
60 days of August 31, 2005. |
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(10) |
Represents shares issuable upon exercise of share options,
20,000 shares of which underlie options exercisable within
60 days of August 31, 2005. |
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(11) |
Includes 80,000 shares issuable upon exercise of share
options, 10,000 shares of which underlie options
exercisable within 60 days of August 31, 2005. |
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(12) |
Includes 80,000 shares issuable upon exercise of share
options, 10,000 shares of which underlie options
exercisable within 60 days of August 31, 2005. |
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(13) |
Shares beneficially owned by all executive officers and
directors as a group include options to
purchase 4,595,000 shares, 2,596,875 shares of
which are currently exercisable or exercisable within
60 days of August 31, 2005. |
|
85
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
Description of Ordinary Shares
We are providing you with a summary description of our
ordinary shares and the material rights of holders of our
ordinary shares. Please remember that summaries by their nature
lack the precision of the information summarized and that a
persons rights and obligations as a holder of our ordinary
shares will be determined by reference to our Memorandum and
Articles of Association and applicable English law, each as
modified from time to time, and not by this summary. We urge you
to review our Memorandum and Articles of Association in their
entirety and to seek appropriate professional advice regarding
their interpretation and applicable English law.
General
Our authorized share capital is £800,000 divided into
80,000,000 ordinary shares of £0.01 each. Set forth below
is information concerning the share capital and related summary
information concerning the material provisions of our Memorandum
and Articles of Association, or Memorandum and Articles, and
applicable English company law.
Voting rights
Every holder of ordinary shares who, being an individual, is
present in person or by proxy or, being a corporation, has an
authorized representative present who is not himself a
shareholder, at a general meeting has one vote on a show of
hands. Proxies voting on a show of hands do not have more than
one vote each, even if they hold a number of proxies or are
shareholders themselves. On a poll, every holder of ordinary
shares present in person, by its authorized representative or by
proxy has one vote for each share held. Voting at a general
meeting is by a show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll
may be demanded by:
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the chairman of the meeting; |
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not less than three shareholders present at the meeting in
person, by proxy or represented by an authorized representative
and entitled to vote; |
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any shareholder or shareholders present at the meeting in
person, by proxy or represented by an authorized representative
and representing not less than one-tenth of the total voting
rights of all shareholders having the right to vote at such
meeting; or |
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any shareholder or shareholders present in person, by proxy or
represented by an authorized representative and holding a number
of ordinary shares conferring a right to vote at the meeting,
being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to
not less than one-tenth of the total sum paid up on all of the
shares conferring that right. |
Where a poll is not demanded, the interests of beneficial owners
of ordinary shares who hold through a nominee may not be
reflected in votes cast on a show of hands if that nominee does
not attend the meeting or receives conflicting voting
instructions from different beneficial owners for whom it holds
the shares as nominee. Since, under English law, voting rights
are only conferred on registered holders of shares, a person
holding through a nominee may not directly demand a poll.
Unless otherwise required by law or the Memorandum and Articles,
voting in a general meeting is by ordinary resolution. An
ordinary resolution, for example, a resolution for the
appointment of directors, the declaration of a final dividend,
the appointment of the auditors, the increase of authorized
share capital or grant of authority to allot shares, requires
the affirmative vote of a majority of the shareholders
(a) present in person or by an authorized representative or
by proxy, excluding the chairman of the meeting in his role as
proxy, in the case of a vote by show of hands or
(b) present in person, by an authorized representative or
by proxy and holding shares conferring in the aggregate a
86
majority of the votes actually cast on the ordinary resolution,
in the case of a vote by poll. In the case of a tied vote,
whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of the
meeting is entitled to cast a deciding vote. A special
resolution, for example, a resolution amending the Memorandum
and Articles, changing the name of our company or waiving
statutory pre-emption rights on the issue of shares for cash, or
an extraordinary resolution, for example, modifying the rights
of any class of shares at a meeting of the holders of such class
or relating to matters concerning the liquidation of our
company, requires the affirmative vote of not less than
three-quarters of shareholders present in person, represented by
an authorized representative or by proxy and holding shares
conferring in aggregate at least three-quarters of the votes
actually cast on the resolution, on a vote by poll.
Unless our Board of Directors determines otherwise, no
shareholder is entitled to vote in respect of any share held by
him either personally or by proxy or to exercise any other right
conferred by membership in relation to any shareholders
meetings, if any sum is payable by him to us in respect of that
share. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association do not contain
restrictions on the right of non-UK residents or foreign owners
to be registered holders or exercise voting rights in respect of
our ordinary shares.
Notices of Shareholder Meetings
An Annual General Meeting and any Extraordinary General Meeting
at which it is proposed to pass a Special Resolution or a
resolution of which special notice has been given to our company
shall be called on least 21 days written notice and
any other Extraordinary General Meeting is required to be called
on at least 14 days written notice. The period of
notice in each case is exclusive of the day on which the notice
is served or deemed to be served and of the day of the meeting
itself.
General Meetings may be held on shorter notice than that
specified above if such shorter notice is approved by
(i) in the case of an Annual General Meeting, all the
shareholders entitled to attend and vote at that meeting; and
(ii) in the case of an Extraordinary General Meeting by a
majority in number of the shareholders entitled to attend and
vote at the meeting, such majority holding at least 95% in
nominal value of the shares giving the right to attend and vote
at that meeting.
The accidental omission to give notice to or the non-receipt of
a notice by any shareholder will not invalidate the proceedings
at the relevant meeting.
Our articles provide that where a notice or other document is
served or sent by post, service or delivery is deemed to be
effected on the expiry of 24 hours after the relevant
document is posted.
Dividends
The payment of final dividends with respect to any financial
year must be recommended by our Board of Directors and approved
by the shareholders by ordinary resolution, provided that no
such dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by our Board
of Directors. If, in the opinion of our Board of Directors, our
financial position justifies such payments, the Board of
Directors may also from time to time pay interim dividends of
amounts, on dates and in respect of periods as they think fit.
No dividend can be paid other than out of profits available for
distribution under the provisions of the Companies Act 1985, as
amended, and accounting principles generally accepted in the
United Kingdom, which differ in some respects from
U.S. GAAP. In addition, as a public limited company, we may
make a distribution only if and to the extent that, at the time
of distribution and following the distribution, the amount of
our net assets is not less than the aggregate of the called-up
share capital and undistributable reserves (as such terms are
defined in the Companies Act 1985) and if, and to the extent
that, the distribution does not reduce the amount of those
assets to less than that aggregate. No dividend or other moneys
payable on or in respect of a share shall bear interest as
against us unless otherwise provided by the rights attached to
the share. Any dividend unclaimed after a period of
12 years from the date on which it was declared or became
due for payment will be forfeited and will
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revert to us. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association do not
contain restrictions on the right of non-UK resident holders of
our ordinary shares to receive dividends and other payments.
Winding up
If our company is wound up, the liquidator may, pursuant to the
authority given by an extraordinary resolution of our company
and any other sanction required by English statutory law, divide
among the members, in specie or in kind, the whole or any part
of our assets and, for that purpose, value any assets as he
deems fair and determine how the division is carried out among
shareholders or different classes of shareholders. No
shareholder will be compelled to accept any shares or other
property in respect of which there is a liability. Distributions
to shareholders on a winding up are only usually made after the
settlement of claims of the various classes of creditor and
subject to applicable company and insolvency laws. Early
distributions can be made subject to shareholders providing
appropriate forms of indemnity. Where a distribution is proposed
to be made to a particular class of shareholders on a winding
up, such a distribution is usually made pro rata to their
holdings of shares in the company.
Shareholder Derivative Suits
Under English law, our shareholders generally have no right to
sue on our behalf. When a wrong has been done to or against us,
we are usually the proper plaintiff. There are exceptions
including in the case of fraud on minority shareholders, the
case of a breach of a duty owed personally to a shareholder
where that shareholder has suffered personal loss separate and
distinct from any loss suffered by the company and when the act
complained of is illegal or ultra vires. English law permits an
individual shareholder of ours to apply for a court order when
our affairs are being or have been conducted in a manner
unfairly prejudicial to the interests of one or more of our
shareholders or when any actual or proposed act or omission by
us is or would be prejudicial. When granting relief, a court has
wide discretion and may authorize civil proceedings to be
brought on our behalf by a shareholder on such terms as the
court may direct.
Issues of shares and pre-emption rights
The directors of English companies may only allot shares and
disapply statutory pre-emption rights if authorized by the
shareholders. The current authority for this purpose expires on
December 10, 2009 but we may, before such expiry, make an
offer or agreement which would or might require equity
securities to be allotted after such expiry and our Board of
Directors may allot equity securities pursuant to any such offer
or agreement as if the authority had not expired.
Transfer of shares
Any holder of shares in a certified form may transfer in writing
all, or any, of its shares in any usual or common form or in any
other form which our Board of Directors may approve. The
instrument of transfer of a share must be signed by or on behalf
of the transferor and, except in the case of fully paid shares,
by or on behalf of the transferee. The transferor will remain
the holder of the shares concerned until the name of the
transferee is entered in our register of shareholders. The
transfer of uncertificated shares may be made in accordance with
and be subject to the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995.
Our Board of Directors may, in their absolute discretion and
without assigning any reason, refuse to register any transfer of
shares, not being fully paid shares. Our Board of Directors may
also refuse to register an allotment or transfer shares, whether
fully paid or not, to more than four persons jointly. Moreover,
the registration of transfers may be suspended at such times and
for such periods, but not exceeding thirty days in any year, as
our Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
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Our Board of Directors may decline to recognize any instrument
of transfer unless it is in respect of only one class of shares
and is lodged, duly stamped if required, at the Registrars
Office accompanied by the relevant share certificate(s) together
with such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to
show the right of the transferor to make the transfer. In the
case of a transfer by a recognized clearing house or a nominee
of a recognized clearing house or of a recognized investment
exchange, the lodgment of share certificates is only necessary
if and to the extent that certificates have been issued in
respect of the shares in question.
Disclosure of transactions of ownership
The Companies Act 1985 provides that a person, including a
company and other legal entities, that acquires any interest of
3% or more of any class of our relevant share
capital, which includes ADSs and GDSs representing shares,
is required to notify us in writing of its interest within two
days following the day on which the obligation arises. Relevant
share capital, for these purposes, means our issued share
capital carrying the right to vote in all circumstances at a
general meeting. After the 3% level is exceeded, similar
notifications must be made where the interest falls below the 3%
level or otherwise in respect of increases or decreases of a
whole percentage point.
For purposes of the notification obligation, the interest of a
person in shares means any kind of interest in shares including
interests in any shares:
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in which a spouse, or child or stepchild under the age
of 18, is interested; |
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in which a company is interested, which includes interests held
by other companies over which that company has effective voting
power, and either (a) that company or its directors
generally act in accordance with that persons directions
or instructions or (b) that person controls one-third or
more of the voting power of that company at general
meetings; or |
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in which another party is interested and the person
and that other party are parties to an agreement under
section 204 of the Companies Act 1985. Such an agreement is
one which provides for two or more parties to acquire interests
in shares of a particular public company and imposes obligations
or restrictions on any of the parties as to the use, retention
or disposal of such interests acquired pursuant to such
agreement, if any interest in the companys shares is in
fact acquired by any of the parties pursuant to the agreement. |
Some non-material interests may be disregarded for
the purposes of calculating the 3% threshold, but the obligation
of disclosure will still apply where such interests exceed 10%
or more of any class of our relevant share capital and to
increases or decreases through a whole percentage point.
In addition, pursuant to section 212 of the Companies Act
1985, we may, as a public company and by written notice, require
a person whom we know or have reasonable cause to believe to be,
or to have been at any time during the three years immediately
preceding the date on which the notice is issued, interested in
shares comprised in our relevant share capital to
confirm that fact or to indicate whether or not that is the case.
Where a person holds or during the previous three years had held
an interest in the shares, that person must give any further
information that may be required relating to this interest and
any other interest in the shares of which this person is aware.
Where we serve a notice under the foregoing provisions on a
person who is or was interested in the shares and that person
fails to give us any information required by the notice within
the time specified in the notice, we may apply to the English
courts for an order directing that the shares in question be
subject to restrictions prohibiting, among other things, any
transfer, the exercise of voting rights, the taking up of rights
and, other than during a liquidation, payments in respect of
those shares.
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A person who fails to fulfill the obligations imposed by
sections 198 and 212 of the Companies Act 1985 may be subject to
criminal penalties.
Variation of rights and alteration of share capital
Whenever our share capital is divided into different classes of
shares, the special rights attached to any class may, subject to
the provisions of English statutory law, be varied or abrogated,
either with the consent in writing of the holders of
three-quarters in nominal value of the issued shares of the
class, or with the sanction of an extraordinary resolution
passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the
shares of the class, but not otherwise, and may be so varied or
abrogated either while our company is a going concern or during
or in contemplation of a winding up. At every such separate
general meeting, the necessary quorum is at least two persons
holding or representing by proxy issued shares of the class and
any holder of shares of the class present in person or by proxy
may demand a poll and will have one vote for every share of the
class held by him. At any adjourned meeting any holder of shares
of the class present in person or by proxy is a quorum.
We may from time to time by ordinary resolution at a general
meeting:
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increase the share capital by the creation of new shares of such
amount as the resolution shall prescribe with such preferred,
deferred or other special rights, or subject to such
restrictions, whether as regards dividend, return of capital,
voting or otherwise as may be determined and which may be
redeemable; |
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consolidate and divide all or any of the share capital into
shares of larger amount than our existing shares; |
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cancel shares which, at the date of the passing of the
resolution, have not been taken, or agreed to be taken, by any
person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the
amount of shares so cancelled; and |
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subdivide all or any of the shares into shares of a smaller
amount than is fixed by the Memorandum and Articles and may by
resolution determine that as between the holders of the shares
resulting from such subdivision one or more of the shares may,
as compared with the others, have any such preferred, deferred
or other special rights or be subject to any restrictions, as we
have the power to attach to unissued or new shares. |
Subject to English statutory law, we may purchase our own shares
of any class, including redeemable shares, but so that if there
shall be in issue any shares convertible into equity share
capital of our own company then no purchase of our own shares
shall be made unless it has first been approved by an
extraordinary resolution passed at a separate meeting of the
holders of such convertible shares.
Subject to the provisions of English statutory law, we may, by
special resolution, reduce our share capital, capital redemption
reserve, share premium account or other undistributable reserve
in any way.
Directors
Unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution of the
holders of ordinary shares, our Articles provide that there
shall not be less than three directors. At each annual general
meeting one-third (or the number nearest to but not exceeding
one-third) of our Board of Directors shall retire from office by
rotation. Our directors who retire by rotation include any
director who wishes to retire and not to offer himself for
re-election. Any further directors who retire by rotation are
those who have been longest in office since their last
re-election, but, as between persons who become directors on the
same day, those to retire (unless they otherwise agree among
themselves) are determined by lot. A retiring director is
eligible for re-election. Any director may be removed from
office at any time by an ordinary
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resolution of which special notice has been given in accordance
with the Act. Our Memorandum and Articles do not provide for a
maximum age for directors.
Our Articles provide that a director may be party to or be
interested in any contract or transaction to which we are a
party, and a director, or any firm of which he is a member, may
be remunerated for any services provided to us or any office
held (other than the office of Auditor) relating to us. In any
such case, the director may retain all profits and advantages
accruing to him. Our Articles also provide that (subject to
certain exceptions), a director who is in any way interested in
a contract or proposed contract with our company shall declare
his interest to the Board, and, subject to certain exceptions,
will not be entitled to vote at Board meetings in respect of any
contract, arrangement or proposal in which that Director has a
material interest, nor will that Director be counted
towards the quorum in relation to any resolution on which he is
prohibited from voting.
Our Articles provide that our Board of Directors may exercise
all of our powers to borrow money and to mortgage or charge our
undertaking, property, and uncalled capital and, subject to
applicable English law, to issue debentures and other
securities. The Board is required to restrict our borrowings, in
the absence of shareholders approval, in accordance with a
formula set out in the Articles.
The ordinary remuneration of our directors for holding office as
such shall from time to time be determined by our Board of
Directors. However, such remuneration may not exceed
£200,000 per annum in aggregate or such higher amount
as the shareholders may, by ordinary resolution, determine and
will be divisible among our Board of Directors as they agree.
Our Board of Directors may also grant additional remuneration to
any director who holds any executive office or who serves on any
committee of our Board of Directors and, have the power to pay
and agree to pay gratuities, pensions or other retirement, death
or disability benefits to any Director or ex-Director. Our Board
of Directors are also entitled to be repaid all reasonable
expenses incurred by them respectively in the performance of
their duties.
Description of American Depositary Shares
The Bank of New York is the depositary of the American
Depositary Shares. The American Deposit Agreement is available
for inspection at the Corporate Trust Office of the Bank of
New York. The Bank of New Yorks principal executive office
is located at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286.
American Depositary Shares are frequently referred to as
ADSs and represent ownership interests in securities
that are on deposit with the depositary bank. ADSs are normally
represented by certificates that are commonly known as
American Depositary Receipts or ADRs.
The depositary bank typically appoints a custodian to safekeep
the securities on deposit.
We are providing you with a summary description of the material
terms of the ADSs and of your material rights as an owner of
ADSs. Please remember that summaries by their nature lack the
precision of the information summarized and that a holders
rights and obligations as an owner of ADSs will be determined by
reference to the terms of the deposit agreement and not by this
summary. We urge you to review the deposit agreement in its
entirety.
Each ADS represents the right to receive one ordinary share on
deposit with the custodian. An ADS will also represent the right
to receive any other property received by the depositary bank or
the custodian on behalf of the owner of the ADS but that has not
been distributed to the owners of ADSs because of legal
restrictions or practical considerations.
If you become an owner of ADSs, you will become a party to the
deposit agreement and therefore will be bound to its terms and
to the terms of the ADR that represents your ADSs. The deposit
agreement and the ADR specify our rights and obligations as well
as your rights and obligations as an owner of ADSs and those of
the depositary bank. As an ADS holder you appoint the depositary
bank to act on your behalf in certain circumstances. The deposit
agreement and the ADRs are governed by New York
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law. However, our obligations to the holders of ordinary shares
will continue to be governed by the laws of the United Kingdom,
which may be different from the laws in the United States.
As an owner of ADSs, you may hold your ADSs either by means of
an ADR registered in your name or through a brokerage or
safekeeping account. If you decide to hold your ADSs through
your brokerage or safekeeping account, you must rely on the
procedures of your broker or bank to assert your rights as an
ADS owner. Please consult with your broker or bank to determine
what those procedures are. This summary description assumes you
have opted to own the ADSs directly by means of an ADR
registered in your name and, as such, we will refer to you as
the holder. When we refer to you, we
assume the reader owns ADSs and will own ADSs at the relevant
time.
Dividends and Distributions
As a holder, you generally have the right to receive the
distributions we make on the securities deposited with the
custodian. To date, we have never declared or paid cash
dividends on our ordinary shares, and we do not anticipate
paying any cash dividends on our ordinary shares or the ADSs
that represent our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. In
addition, your receipt of any dividends and distributions may be
limited, by practical considerations and legal limitations.
These practical considerations and legal limitations include
situations such as where the value of ordinary shares or rights
to be distributed is too low to justify the expense of making
the distribution, as well as the inability to distribute rights
or other securities to holders of ADSs in a jurisdiction where
such distribution would require registration of the securities
to be distributed. Holders will receive such distributions under
the terms of the deposit agreement in proportion to the number
of ADSs held as of a specified record date.
Distributions of Cash
If and whenever we make a cash distribution for the securities
on deposit with the custodian, we will notify the depositary
bank and deposit the funds with the custodian. Upon receipt of
such notice and confirmation of the deposit of the requisite
funds, the depositary bank will arrange for the funds to be
converted into U.S. dollars and for the distribution of the
U.S. dollars to the holders, subject to any restrictions
imposed by the laws and regulations of the United Kingdom.
The conversion into U.S. dollars will take place only if
practicable and if the U.S. dollars are transferable to the
United States. For example, it may not be practicable to convert
foreign currency into U.S. dollars where the depositary
determines the cash to be distributed is too low to be
distributed in light of expenses of conversion into dollars, or
where such conversion or distribution can be effected only with
the approval or license of any government or agency that is
denied or not obtainable. Where a conversion does take place,
the amounts distributed to holders will be net of the fees,
expenses, taxes and governmental charges payable by holders
under the terms of the deposit agreement. The depositary will
apply the same method for distributing the proceeds of the sale
of any property, such as undistributed rights, held by the
custodian in respect of securities on deposit.
Distributions of Shares
If and whenever we make a free distribution of ordinary shares
for the securities on deposit with the custodian, we will notify
the depositary bank and deposit the applicable number of
ordinary shares with the custodian. Upon receipt of notice of
such deposit, the depositary bank will either distribute to
holders new ADSs representing the ordinary shares deposited or
modify the ADS-to-ordinary shares ratio, in which case each ADS
you hold will represent rights and interests in the additional
ordinary shares so deposited. Only whole new ADSs will be
distributed. Fractional entitlements will be sold and the
proceeds of such sale will be distributed as in the case of a
cash distribution.
The distribution of new ADSs or the modification of the
ADS-to-ordinary shares ratio upon a distribution of ordinary
shares will be made net of the fees, expenses, taxes and
governmental charges
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payable by holders under the terms of the deposit agreement. In
order to pay such taxes or governmental charges, the depositary
bank may sell all or a portion of the new ordinary shares so
distributed.
No such distribution of new ADSs will be made if it would
violate a law (e.g., the U.S. securities laws) or if
it is not reasonably practicable. It may not be reasonably
practicable to distribute shares where the value of such shares
to be distributed is too low to justify the expense of making
the distribution. If the depositary bank does not distribute new
ADSs as described above, it may sell the ordinary shares
received upon the terms described in the deposit agreement and
will distribute the proceeds of the sale as in the case of a
distribution of cash.
Distributions of Rights
If and whenever we intend to distribute rights to purchase
additional ordinary shares, we will give prior notice to the
depositary bank and we will assist the depositary bank in
determining whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to
distribute rights to purchase additional ADSs to holders. It may
not be reasonably practicable to distribute rights where the
value of such rights to be distributed is too low to justify the
expense of making the distribution. Moreover, if registration
under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or
the Securities Act, or other applicable law is required, the
depositary bank will not offer you the rights unless a
registration statement covering the distribution of the rights
and the underlying securities to all our ADS holders is
effective. We are under no obligation to file a registration
statement for any of these rights or underlying securities or to
endeavor to cause a registration statement to be declared
effective.
The depositary bank will establish procedures to distribute
rights to purchase additional ADSs to holders and to enable such
holders to exercise such rights if it is lawful and reasonably
practicable to make the rights available to holders of ADSs, and
if we provide all of the documentation contemplated in the
deposit agreement, such as opinions to address the lawfulness of
the transaction. You may have to pay fees, expenses, taxes and
other governmental charges to subscribe for the new ADSs upon
the exercise of your rights. The depositary bank is not
obligated to establish procedures to facilitate the distribution
and exercise by holders of rights to purchase new ordinary
shares other than in the form of ADSs.
The depositary bank will not distribute the rights to you if:
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We do not timely request that the rights be distributed to you
or we request that the rights not be distributed to you; or |
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We fail to deliver satisfactory documentation to the depositary
bank; or |
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The depositary bank determines that it is not reasonably
practicable to distribute the rights, such as where the value of
the rights to be distributed is too low to justify the expense
of making the distribution. |
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The depositary bank will sell the rights that are not exercised
or not distributed if such sale is lawful and reasonably
practicable. The proceeds of such sale will be distributed to
holders as in the case of a cash distribution. If the depositary
bank is unable to sell the rights, it will allow the rights to
lapse.
Elective Distributions
If and whenever we intend to distribute a dividend payable at
the election of shareholders either in cash or in additional
shares, we will give prior notice thereof to the depositary bank
and will indicate whether we wish the elective distribution to
be made available to you. In such case, we will assist the
depositary bank in determining whether such distribution is
lawful and reasonably practicable.
The depositary bank will make the election available to you only
if it is reasonably practical and if we have provided all of the
documentation contemplated in the deposit agreement. In such
case, the
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depositary bank will establish procedures to enable you to elect
to receive either cash or additional ADSs, in each case as
described in the deposit agreement.
If the election is not made available to you, you will receive
either cash or additional ADSs, depending on what a holder of
our ordinary shares would receive upon failing to make an
election, as more fully described in the deposit agreement.
Other Distributions
If and whenever we intend to distribute property other than
cash, ordinary shares or rights to purchase additional ordinary
shares, we will notify the depositary bank in advance and will
indicate whether we wish such distribution to be made to you. If
so, we will assist the depositary bank in determining whether
such distribution to holders is lawful and reasonably
practicable. Lawful and practicable considerations include
situations such as where the value of distribution is too low to
justify the expense of making the distribution, as well as the
inability to make a distribution to holders of ADSs in a
jurisdiction where such distribution would require registration
of the securities to be distributed.
If it is reasonably practicable to distribute such property to
you and if we provide all of the documentation contemplated in
the deposit agreement, the depositary bank will distribute the
property to the holders in the manner it deems practicable.
The distribution will be made net of fees, expenses, taxes and
governmental charges payable by holders under the terms of the
deposit agreement. In order to pay such taxes and governmental
charges, the depositary bank may sell all or a portion of the
property received.
The depositary bank will not distribute the property to you and
will sell the property if:
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We do not request that the property be distributed to you or if
we ask that the property not be distributed to you; |
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We do not deliver satisfactory documentation to the depositary
bank; or |
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The depositary bank determines that all or a portion of the
distribution to you is not reasonably practicable. |
The proceeds of such a sale will be distributed to holders as in
the case of a cash distribution.
Redemption
If and whenever we decide to redeem any of the securities on
deposit with the custodian, we will notify the depositary bank.
If it is reasonably practicable and if we provide all of the
documentation contemplated in the deposit agreement, the
depositary bank will distribute the property to you in a manner
it deems practicable. The custodian will be instructed to
surrender the ordinary shares being redeemed against payment of
the applicable redemption price. The depositary bank will
convert the redemption funds received into U.S. dollars
upon the terms of the deposit agreement and will establish
procedures to enable you to receive the net proceeds from the
redemption upon surrender of your ADSs to the depositary bank.
You may have to pay fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental
charges upon the redemption of your ADSs. If less than all ADSs
are being redeemed, the ADSs to be retired will be selected by
lot or on a pro rata basis, as the depositary bank may determine.
Changes Affecting Ordinary Shares
The ordinary shares held on deposit for your ADSs may change
from time to time. For example, there may be a change in nominal
or par value, a split-up, cancellation, consolidation or
reclassification of such ordinary shares or a recapitalization,
reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale of assets.
If any such change were to occur, your ADSs would, to the extent
permitted by law, represent the right to receive the property
received or exchanged in respect of the ordinary shares held on
deposit.
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The depositary bank may in such circumstances deliver new ADSs
to you or call for the exchange of your existing ADSs for new
ADSs. If the depositary bank may not lawfully distribute such
property to you, the depositary bank may sell such property and
distribute the net proceeds to you as in the case of a cash
distribution.
Issuance of ADSs Upon Deposit of Ordinary Shares
The depositary bank may create ADSs on your behalf if you or
your broker deposit ordinary shares with the custodian. The
depositary bank will deliver these ADSs to the person you
indicate only after you pay any applicable issuance fees and any
charges and taxes payable for the transfer of the ordinary
shares to the custodian, including stamp duty stamp duty reserve
tax and stock transfer taxes or fees. Your ability to deposit
ordinary shares and receive ADSs may be limited by U.S. and U.K.
legal considerations applicable at the time of deposit.
The issuance of ADSs may be delayed until the depositary bank or
the custodian receives confirmation that all required approvals
have been given and that the ordinary shares have been duly
transferred to the custodian. The depositary bank will only
issue ADSs in whole numbers.
When you make a deposit of ordinary shares, you will be
responsible for transferring good and valid title to the
depositary bank. As such, you will be deemed to represent and
warrant that:
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The ordinary shares are duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid, non-assessable and legally obtained; |
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All preemptive, and similar, rights, if any, with respect to
such ordinary shares have been validly waived or exercised; |
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You are duly authorized to deposit the ordinary shares; |
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The ordinary shares presented for deposit are free and clear of
any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or
adverse claim, and are not, and the ADSs issuable upon such
deposit will not be, restricted securities, as
defined in the deposit agreement; and |
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The ordinary shares presented for deposit have not been stripped
of any rights or entitlements. |
If any of the representations or warranties are incorrect in any
way, we and the depositary bank may, at your cost and expense,
take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences
of the misrepresentations.
Transfer, Combination and Split-Up of ADRs
As an ADR holder, you will be entitled to transfer, combine or
split up your ADRs and the ADSs evidenced thereby. For transfers
of ADRs, you will have to surrender the ADRs to be transferred
to the depositary bank and also must:
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Ensure that the surrendered ADR certificate is properly endorsed
or otherwise in proper form for transfer; |
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Provide such proof of identity and genuineness of signatures as
the depositary bank deems appropriate; |
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Provide any transfer stamps required by the State of New York or
the United States; and |
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Pay all applicable fees, charges, expenses, taxes and other
government charges payable by ADR holders pursuant to the terms
of the deposit agreement, upon the transfer of ADRs. |
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To have your ADRs either combined or split up, you must
surrender the ADRs in question to the depositary bank with your
request to have them combined or split up, and you must pay all
applicable fees, charges and expenses payable by ADR holders,
pursuant to the terms of the deposit agreement, upon a
combination or split-up of ADRs.
Withdrawal of Ordinary Shares Upon Cancellation of
ADSs
As a holder, you will be entitled to present your ADSs to the
depositary bank for cancellation and then receive the
corresponding number of underlying ordinary shares at the
custodians offices. Your ability to withdraw the ordinary
shares may be limited by U.S. and U.K. legal considerations
applicable at the time of withdrawal. In order to withdraw the
ordinary shares represented by your ADSs, you will be required
to pay to the depositary the fees for cancellation of ADSs and
any charges and taxes payable upon the transfer of the ordinary
shares being withdrawn, including stamp duty, stamp duty reserve
tax and stock transfer taxes or fees. You assume the risk for
delivery of all funds and securities upon withdrawal. Once
canceled, the ADSs will not have any rights under the deposit
agreement.
If you hold an ADR registered in your name, the depositary bank
may ask you to provide proof of identity and genuineness of any
signature and such other documents as the depositary bank may
deem appropriate before it will cancel your ADSs. The withdrawal
of the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs may be delayed
until the depositary bank receives satisfactory evidence of
compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The
depositary bank will only accept ADSs for cancellation that
represent a whole number of securities on deposit. If you
surrender a number of ADSs for withdrawal representing other
than a whole number of ordinary shares, the depositary bank will
either return the number of ADSs representing any remaining
fractional ordinary shares or sell the ordinary shares
represented by the ADSs you surrendered and remit the net
proceeds of that sale to you as in the case of a distribution in
cash.
You will have the right to withdraw the securities represented
by your ADSs at any time except for:
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Temporary delays that may arise because (1) the transfer
books for the ordinary shares or ADSs are closed, or
(2) ordinary shares are immobilized on account of a
shareholders meeting or a payment of dividends; |
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Obligations to pay fees, taxes and similar charges; and |
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Restrictions imposed because of laws or regulations applicable
to ADSs or the withdrawal of securities on deposit. |
The deposit agreement may not be modified to impair your right
to withdraw the securities represented by your ADSs except to
comply with mandatory provisions of law.
Voting Rights
As a holder, you generally have the right under the deposit
agreement to instruct the depositary bank to exercise the voting
rights for the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs. For a
description of the voting rights of holders of ordinary shares,
see Description of Ordinary Shares
Voting Rights.
At our request and at our expense, the depositary will
distribute to you any notice of shareholders meeting
received from us together with information explaining how to
instruct the depositary bank to exercise the voting rights of
the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs.
The depositary bank will set a record date by which it must
receive valid voting instructions from a holder of ADSs. Upon
the timely receipt of written instructions of a holder of ADSs
in the manner specified by the depositary bank, the depositary
bank shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under
applicable law and our Memorandum and Articles, to vote the
ordinary shares represented by such holders ADSs in
accordance with such holders instructions.
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The depositary bank will only vote or attempt to vote the
ordinary shares underlying your ADSs as you instruct. Securities
for which no voting instructions have been received will not be
voted.
We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials
in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary bank to
vote your shares. In addition, the depositary bank and its
agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting
instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting
instructions as long as they act in good faith and are not
negligent.
Notices and Reports
The depositary bank will make available for inspection by
registered holders at its corporate trust office any reports and
communications, including any proxy soliciting material,
received from us, which are both (a) received by the
depositary bank as the holder of the deposited ordinary shares,
and (b) made generally available to the holders of such
deposited ordinary shares by us. The depositary bank will also,
upon written request, send to the registered holders copies of
such reports when furnished by us pursuant to the deposit
agreement. Any such reports and communications, including any
proxy soliciting materials, furnished to the depositary bank by
us will be furnished in English.
Fees and Charges
As an ADS holder, you will be required to pay the following
service fees to the depositary bank:
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Service |
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Fees |
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Issuance of ADSs
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Up to
$ per
ADS issued |
Cancellation of ADSs
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Up to
$ per
ADS canceled |
Distribution of cash dividends or other cash distributions
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Up to
$ per
ADS held |
Distribution of ADSs pursuant to stock dividends, free stock
distributions or exercise of rights
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Up to
$ per
ADS issued |
Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase
additional ADSs
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Up to
$ per
ordinary share (or share equivalent) distributed |
Annual Depositary Services Fee
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Annually up to
$ per
ADS held at the end of each calendar year, except to the extent
of any cash dividend fee(s) charged during such calendar year |
Transfer of ADRs
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$ per
certificate presented for transfer |
As an ADS holder you will also be responsible to pay certain
fees and expenses incurred by the depositary bank and certain
taxes and governmental charges such as:
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Fees for the transfer and registration of ordinary shares
charged by the registrar and transfer agent for the ordinary
shares in the United Kingdom, e.g., upon deposit and
withdrawal of ordinary shares; |
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Expenses incurred for converting foreign currency into
U.S. dollars; |
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Fees and expenses incurred by the depositary in compliance with
exchange controls or other regulatory requirements; |
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Expenses for cable, telex and fax transmissions and for delivery
of securities; |
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Taxes and duties upon the transfer of securities, i.e., when
ordinary shares are deposited or withdrawn from deposit; and |
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Fees and expenses incurred in connection with the delivery or
servicing of ordinary shares on deposit. |
We have agreed to pay certain other charges and expenses of the
depositary bank. Note that the fees and charges you may be
required to pay may vary over time and may be changed by
agreement between us and the depositary bank. You will receive
prior notice of such changes.
Amendments and Termination
We may agree with the depositary bank to modify the deposit
agreement at any time without your consent. We undertake to give
holders 30 days prior notice of any modifications
that would materially prejudice any of their substantial rights
under the deposit agreement. We will not consider to be
materially prejudicial to your substantial rights any
modifications or supplements that are reasonably necessary for
the ADSs to be registered under the Securities Act or to be
eligible for book-entry settlement, in each case without
imposing or increasing the fees and charges you are required to
pay. In addition, we may not be able to provide you with prior
notice of any modifications or supplements that are required to
accommodate compliance with applicable provisions of law.
You will be bound by the modifications to the deposit agreement
if you continue to hold your ADSs after the modifications to the
deposit agreement become effective. The deposit agreement cannot
be amended to prevent you from withdrawing the ordinary shares
represented by your ADSs except to comply with applicable law.
We have the right to direct the depositary bank to terminate the
deposit agreement. Similarly, the depositary bank may in certain
circumstances on its own initiative terminate the deposit
agreement. In either case, the depositary bank must give notice
to the holders at least 30 days before termination.
Upon termination, the following will occur under the deposit
agreement:
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For a period of six months after termination, you will be
able to request the cancellation of your ADSs and the withdrawal
of the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs and the delivery
of all other property held by the depositary bank in respect of
those ordinary shares on the same terms as prior to the
termination. During this six-month period, the depositary bank
will continue to collect all distributions received on the
ordinary shares on deposit, i.e., dividends, but will not
distribute any property to you until you request the
cancellation of your ADSs. |
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After the expiration of this six-month period, the
depositary bank may sell the securities held on deposit. The
depositary bank will hold the proceeds from such sale and any
other funds then held for the holders of ADSs in a non-interest
bearing account. At that point, the depositary bank will have no
further obligations to holders other than to account for the
funds then held for the holders of ADSs still outstanding. |
Books of Depositary
The depositary bank will maintain ADS holder records at its
depositary office. You may inspect such records at that office
during regular business hours solely for the purpose of
communicating with other holders in the interest of business
matters relating to the ADSs and the deposit agreement.
The depositary bank will maintain in The City of New York
facilities to record and process the issuance, cancellation,
combination, split-up and transfer of ADRs. These facilities may
be closed from time to time, except to the extent prohibited by
law.
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Limitations on Obligations and Liabilities
The deposit agreement limits our obligations and the depositary
banks obligations to you. Please note the following:
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We and the depositary bank are obligated only to take the
actions specifically stated in the deposit agreement without
negligence or bad faith. |
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The depositary bank disclaims any liability for any failure to
carry out voting instructions, for any manner in which a vote is
cast or for the effect of any vote, provided it acts in good
faith and in accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement. |
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The depositary bank disclaims any liability for any failure to
determine the lawfulness or practicality of any action, for the
content of any document forwarded to you on our behalf or for
the accuracy of any translation of such a document, for the
investment risks associated with investing in ordinary shares,
for the validity or worth of the ordinary shares, for any tax
consequences that result from the ownership of ADSs, for the
creditworthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to
lapse under the terms of the deposit agreement, for the
timeliness of any of our notices or for our failure to give
notice. |
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We and the depositary bank will not be obligated to perform any
act that is inconsistent with the terms of the deposit agreement. |
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We and the depositary bank disclaim any liability if we are
prevented or forbidden from acting on account of any law or
regulation, any provision of our memorandum or articles of
association, any provision of any securities on deposit or by
reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond
our control. |
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We and the depositary bank disclaim any liability by reason of
any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided
for in the deposit agreement or in our memorandum or articles of
association or in any provisions of securities on deposit. |
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We and the depositary bank further disclaim any liability for
any action or inaction in reliance on the advice or information
received from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting
ordinary shares for deposit, any holder of ADSs or authorized
representatives thereof, or any other person believed by either
of us in good faith to be competent to give such advice or
information. |
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We and the depositary bank also disclaim liability for the
inability by a holder to benefit from any distribution,
offering, right or other benefit which is made available to
holders of ordinary shares but is not, under the terms of the
deposit agreement, made available to you. |
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We and the depositary bank may rely without any liability upon
any written notice, request or other document believed to be
genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper
parties. |
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We and the depositary bank also disclaim liability for any
consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of
the deposit agreement. |
Pre-Release Transactions
The depositary bank may, in certain circumstances, to the extent
permitted by applicable laws and regulations, issue ADSs before
receiving a deposit of ordinary shares or release ordinary
shares before receiving ADSs for cancellation. These
transactions are commonly referred to as pre-release
transactions. The deposit agreement limits the aggregate
size of pre-release transactions and imposes a number of
conditions on such transactions, i.e., the need to receive
collateral, the type of collateral required, the representations
required from brokers, etc. The depositary bank may retain the
compensation received from the pre-release transactions.
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Taxes
You will be responsible for the taxes and other governmental
charges payable on your ADSs and the securities represented by
your ADSs. We, the depositary bank and the custodian may deduct
from any distribution the taxes and governmental charges payable
by holders and may sell any and all property on deposit to pay
the taxes and governmental charges payable by holders. You will
be liable for any deficiency if the sale proceeds do not cover
the taxes that are due on your ADSs and the securities
represented by your ADSs.
The depositary bank may refuse to issue ADSs, to deliver,
transfer, split and combine ADRs or to release securities on
deposit until all taxes and charges are paid by you. The
depositary bank and the custodian may take reasonable
administrative actions to obtain tax refunds and reduced tax
withholding for any distributions on your behalf. However, you
may be required to provide to the depositary bank and to the
custodian proof of taxpayer status and residence and such other
information as the depositary bank and the custodian may require
to fulfill legal obligations. You are required to indemnify us,
the depositary bank and the custodian for any claims with
respect to taxes based on any tax benefit obtained for you.
Foreign Currency Conversion
The depositary bank will arrange for the conversion of all
foreign currency received into U.S. dollars if such
conversion is practical, and it will distribute the
U.S. dollars in accordance with the terms of the deposit
agreement. You may be required to pay fees and expenses incurred
in converting foreign currency, such as fees and expenses
incurred in complying with currency exchange controls and other
governmental requirements.
If the conversion of foreign currency is not practical or
lawful, or if any required approvals are denied or not
obtainable at a reasonable cost or within a reasonable period,
the depositary bank may take the following actions in its
discretion:
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Convert the foreign currency to the extent practical and lawful
and distribute the U.S. dollars to the holders for whom the
conversion and distribution is lawful and practical. |
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Distribute the foreign currency to holders for whom the
distribution is lawful and practical. |
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Hold the foreign currency without liability for interest for the
applicable holders. |
The Custodian
The depositary bank has agreed with the custodian that the
custodian will receive and hold the deposited securities for the
account of the depositary bank in accordance with the deposit
agreement. If the custodian resigns or is discharged from its
duties under the deposit agreement, the depositary bank will
promptly appoint a successor custodian. The resigning or
discharged custodian will deliver the deposited securities and
related records to the custodian designated by the depositary
bank. The depositary bank will immediately give you and us
written notice of these changes. If the depositary bank resigns
or is discharged from its duties under the deposit agreement,
the custodian will continue to act as custodian and will be
obligated to comply with the direction of the successor
depositary.
Governing Law
The deposit agreement is governed by the laws of the State of
New York. We and the depositary bank have agreed that the
federal or state courts in The City of New York shall have
jurisdiction to hear and determine any suit, action or
proceeding and to settle any dispute between us that may arise
out of or in connection with the deposit agreement. We also
submitted to the jurisdiction of these courts and we have
appointed an agent for service of process in The City of New
York.
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Warrants
As of June 30, 2005, warrants to purchase a total of
530,000 ordinary shares were outstanding with exercise prices of
$2.52 per share. Each warrant contains provisions for the
adjustment of the exercise price and the number of shares
issuable upon the exercise of the warrant in the event of
certain types of reorganizations and significant corporate
transactions. Warrant holders have certain registration rights
once the only trading market for our securities is located
within the United States. These registration rights expire when
the shares can be sold pursuant to Rule 144 of the
Securities Act of 1933.
Depository and Registrar
The registrar for our ordinary shares is Capita IRG, plc and the
depository for our depositary shares is the Bank of New York.
Listing
We intend to apply to have our ADSs approved for quotation on
the Nasdaq National Market under the trading symbol
SPRK.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
As of August 31, 2005, we had 26,144,160 ordinary shares
issued and outstanding, including those represented by GDSs.
This registration statement registers all of our ordinary shares
including those represented by ADSs and GDSs, under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. All of our ordinary shares,
represented by ADSs, will be freely tradable within the United
States without restriction or further registration under the
Securities Act, unless these ordinary shares are purchased by
affiliates as that term is defined in Rule 144
under the Securities Act. Immediately prior to this offering,
there was no public market for ADSs in the United States. Our
ordinary shares in the form of GDSs are freely tradable on the
Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Germany. Upon effectiveness, this
registration statement would also have the effect of allowing
holders of our GDSs to convert their GDSs to ADSs and publicly
trade such ADSs in the United States subject to volume and
manner of sales limitations as set forth in Rule 144 with
respect to affiliates. Future sales of substantial amounts of
ADSs or GDSs in the public markets could adversely affect
prevailing market prices of our ADSs.
Rule 144
All 26,144,160 of our ordinary shares are being registered in
this offering and will be freely tradable without restriction or
further registration under the Securities Act of 1933. If shares
are being sold by our affiliates, as that term is
defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, their
sales of shares would be governed by the limitations and
restrictions that are described below.
In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, a
person who owns ordinary shares that were acquired from us or an
affiliate of us at least one year prior to the proposed sale is
entitled to sell within any three-month period, a number of
ordinary shares that does not exceed the greater of:
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1% of the number of ordinary shares then outstanding, which as
of August 31, 2005 will equal approximately 261,442
ordinary shares; or |
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the average weekly trading volume of our ordinary shares in the
form of ADSs on the Nasdaq National Market during the four
calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144
with respect to such sale. |
Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to certain manner of
sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability
of current public information about us.
Rule 144(k)
Under Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been
one of our affiliates for purposes of the Securities Act at any
time during the 90 days preceding a sale and who has
beneficially owned the ordinary shares proposed to be sold for
at least two years, including the holding period of any prior
owner other than an affiliate of us, is entitled to sell such
ordinary shares without complying with the manner of sale,
public information, volume limitation or notice provisions of
Rule 144. Therefore, unless otherwise restricted,
144(k) shares may be sold immediately upon the
completion of this offering.
Rule 701
In general, under Rule 701 as currently in effect, any of
our employees, consultants or advisors who purchase ordinary
shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock or option
plan or other written agreement will be eligible to resell such
ordinary shares 90 days after the effective date of this
offering in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance
with certain restrictions, including the holding period,
contained in Rule 144. Grants of options under the 2000
Option Scheme, and the
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exercise thereof, do not comply with the requirements of
Rule 701 and therefore Rule 701 is not applicable to
ordinary shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of such
options.
Additional Registration of Ordinary Shares
As of June 30, 2005, options to purchase 8,949,000
ordinary shares were issued and outstanding under our share
option schemes and 15,072,500 ordinary shares were available for
issuance under our share option schemes. We plan to file a
registration statement under the Securities Act on Form S-8
covering ordinary shares issued or reserved for issuance under
our share option schemes. After such registration statement
becomes effective, shares registered under that registration
statement will, subject to vesting provisions and Rule 144
volume limitation, manner of sale, notice and public information
requirements applicable to our affiliates, be available for sale
in the open market.
We also had 530,000 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise
of warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2005. All of the
ordinary shares underlying these warrants are being registered
in this registration statement.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling shareholders, and any of their pledgees, assignees
and successors-in-interest, may, from time to time, sell any or
all of their shares of our ordinary shares in the form of ADSs
on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the
shares are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be
at fixed or negotiated prices. The selling shareholders may use
any one or more of the following methods when selling shares:
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ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the
broker-dealer solicits purchasers; |
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block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the
shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the
block as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
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purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the
broker-dealer for its account; |
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an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the
applicable exchange; |
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privately negotiated transactions; |
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settlement of short sales entered into after the date of this
prospectus; |
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broker-dealers may agree with the selling shareholders to sell a
specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share; |
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a combination of any such methods of sale; |
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through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging
transactions, whether through an options exchange or
otherwise; or |
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any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
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The selling shareholders may also sell shares under
Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, if available,
rather than under this prospectus.
Broker-dealers engaged by the selling shareholders may arrange
for other brokers-dealers to participate in sales.
Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the
selling shareholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for
the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be
negotiated. Each selling shareholder does not expect these
commissions and discounts relating to its sales of shares to
exceed what is customary in the types of transactions involved.
In connection with the sale of our ordinary shares in the form
of ADSs or interests therein, the selling shareholders may enter
into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial
institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the
ADSs in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The
selling shareholders may also sell shares of our ADSs short and
deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or
loan or pledge the ADSs to broker-dealers that in turn may sell
these securities. The selling shareholders may also enter into
option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other
financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative
securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or
other financial institution of shares offered by this
prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial
institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as
supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
The selling shareholders and any broker-dealers or agents that
are involved in selling the shares may be deemed to be
underwriters within the meaning of the Securities
Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any
commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any
profit on the resale of the shares purchased by them may be
deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the
Securities Act. Each selling shareholders has informed us that
it does not have any agreement or understanding, directly or
indirectly, with any person to distribute our ADSs.
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We are required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by us
incident to the registration of the shares. We have agreed to
indemnify the selling shareholders against certain losses,
claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.