SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
August 11, 2005
DATE OF REPORT
(DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED)
AMAZON.COM, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
| DELAWARE | 000-22513 | 91-1646860 | ||
| (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION) |
(COMMISSION FILE NO.) | (IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.) |
1200 12TH AVENUE SOUTH, SUITE 1200, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98144
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES, INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
(206) 266-1000
(REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
ITEM 7.01. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE
ITEM 7.01. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE
On August 11, 2005, Amazon.com announced that it has entered into a settlement with Soverain Software, LLC of a lawsuit alleging patent infringement by Amazon.com. The litigation was settled on terms that include, among other things, a one-time payment of $40 million in third quarter 2005, dismissal of all claims and counterclaims, mutual releases, and a non-exclusive license to Soverain’s patent portfolio. Amazon.com expects to record a previously unanticipated charge to “Other operating expense” of up to $40 million in third quarter 2005 in connection with this settlement. The litigation was originally filed on January 12, 2004 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
Forward Looking Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management’s expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to potential future losses, significant amount of indebtedness, competition, management of growth, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions, and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, consumer trends, inventory, limited operating history, government regulation and taxation, fraud, and new business areas. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com’s financial results is included in Amazon.com’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and all subsequent filings.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| AMAZON.COM, INC. (REGISTRANT) | ||
| By: | /s/ MARK S. PEEK | |
| Mark S. Peek | ||
| Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer | ||
Dated: August 11, 2005