Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

(Mark One)

þ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File number 0-27275

Akamai Technologies, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware   04-3432319

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

8 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA   02142
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 444-3000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, $.01 par value

  NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  þ    No  ¨

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes  ¨    No  þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  þ    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

 

Large accelerated filer  þ

   Accelerated Filer  ¨
Non-accelerated filer  ¨ (Do not check if smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).    Yes  ¨    No  þ

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $5,674.7 million based on the last reported sale price of the common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on June 30, 2008.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, as of February 25, 2009: 170,493,271 shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission relative to the registrant’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 19, 2009 are incorporated by reference into Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of this annual report on Form 10-K.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2008

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

     

Item 1.

   Business    2

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    10

Item 1B.

   Unresolved Staff Comments    19

Item 2.

   Properties    19

Item 3.

   Legal Proceedings    20

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    20

PART II

     

Item 5.

  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

  

21

Item 6.

   Selected Consolidated Financial Data    22

Item 7.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    24

Item 7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    43

Item 8.

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    45

Item 9.

   Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    97

Item 9A.

   Controls and Procedures    97

Item 9B.

   Other Information    98

PART III

     

Item 10.

   Directors and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance    99

Item 11.

   Executive Compensation    100

Item 12.

  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

  

100

Item 13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence    100

Item 14.

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services    100

PART IV

     

Item 15.

   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules    101

Signatures

   102

 

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PART I

Forward-Looking Statements

This annual report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of our management based on information currently available to them. Use of words such as “believes,” “continues,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “should,” “likely” or similar expressions indicates a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those set forth under the heading “Risk Factors.” We disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Item 1. Business

Overview

Akamai provides services for accelerating and improving the delivery of content and applications over the Internet ranging from live and on-demand streaming video capabilities to conventional content on websites, to tools that help people transact business and reach out to new and existing customers. Hundreds of customers worldwide use our services to help sell, inform, entertain, market, advertise, deliver software, and conduct their business online.

Our solutions are designed to help companies, government agencies and other enterprises improve communications with people they are trying to reach, enhance their revenue streams and reduce costs by maximizing the performance of their online businesses. We believe that our solutions offer the superior reliability, sophistication and insight that businesses with an Internet presence demand. At the same time, by relying on our infrastructure, customers can reduce expenses associated with internal infrastructure build-outs. In short, we strive to help our customers efficiently offer better websites that improve visitor experiences and increase the effectiveness of their Internet-focused operations.

We were incorporated in Delaware in 1998 and have our corporate headquarters at 8 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts. We have been offering content delivery services and streaming media services since 1999. In subsequent years, we introduced private content delivery networks; Internet-based delivery of applications such as store/dealer locators and user registration; large-scale software distribution capabilities; content targeting technology and enhanced security features.

In 2008, we launched our Advertising Decision Solutions, or ADS, which provides information that is intended to help online advertisers better target potential customers. Our first service — Insight for Publishers — provides cross-site audience intelligence, enabling real-time ad targeting across different websites. The introduction of ADS was complemented by our acquisition of aCerno, Inc., which we call acerno, in November 2008. We view this acquisition as giving us the capacity to offer a unique online co-operative of shopping and purchase data that is structured to enable more targeted online advertising.

Our Internet website address is www.akamai.com. We make available, free of charge, on or through our Internet website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, periodic reports on Form 8-K and amendments thereto that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Commission, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with the Commission. We are not, however, including the information contained on our website, or information that may be accessed through links on our website, as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this annual report on Form 10-K.

 

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Meeting the Challenges of the Internet

The Internet plays a crucial role in the way companies, government agencies and other entities conduct business and reach the public. The Internet, however, is a complex system of networks that was not originally created to accommodate the volume or sophistication of today’s communication demands. As a result, information is frequently delayed or lost on its way through the Internet due to many factors, including:

 

   

inefficient or nonfunctioning peering points, or points of connection, between Internet service providers, or ISPs;

 

   

traffic congestion at data centers;

 

   

Internet traffic exceeding the capacity of routing equipment;

 

   

increasingly dynamic and personalized websites;

 

   

growth in the transmission of rich content due to the increasingly widespread use of broadband connectivity to the Internet for videos, music and games; and

 

   

Internet bandwidth constraints between an end user and the end user’s network provider, such as an ISP, cable provider or digital subscriber line provider.

The challenges inherent in delivering content over the Internet are compounded by the internal technology challenges facing enterprises. Driven by competition, globalization and cost-containment strategies, companies need an agile Internet-facing infrastructure that cost-effectively meets real-time strategic and business objectives. For example, many companies use the Internet as a key marketing tool for product launches, distribution of promotional videos or contests. These one-time events may draw millions of visitors to a company’s website over a brief period of time so the enterprise must have in place the capacity to deal with a flood of visitors seeking to view content or use applications. At the same time, budget limitations may preclude a company from putting in place extensive internal infrastructure, knowing that it will not always need such capacity. In addition, as reliance on the Internet has become more pervasive, website operators have been experiencing higher levels of traffic to their sites on a constant basis, which place extensive demands on infrastructure.

To address these challenges, we have developed solutions designed to help companies, government agencies and other enterprises increase revenues and reduce costs by improving the performance, reliability and security of their Internet-facing operations. We particularly seek to address the following market needs:

Superior Performance. Commercial enterprises invest in websites to attract customers, transact business and provide information about themselves. If, however, a company’s Internet site fails to provide visitors with a fast and dependable experience, they will likely abandon that site, potentially leading to lost revenues and damage to the enterprise’s reputation. Through a combination of people, processes and technology, we help our customers improve the scalability and predictability of their websites without the need for them to spend a lot of money to develop their own Internet-related infrastructure. Instead, we have a presence in more than 900 networks around the world so that content can be delivered from Akamai servers located closer to website visitors — from what we call the “edge” of the Internet. We are thus able to reduce the impact of traffic congestion, bandwidth constraints and capacity limitations for our customers. At the same time, our customers have access to control features to enable them to provide content to end users that is current and customized for visitors accessing the site from different parts of the world.

Scalability. We believe that scalability is one of the keys to reliability. Many Akamai customers experience seasonal or erratic demand for access to their websites and almost all websites experience demand peaks at different points during the day. With the proliferation of Internet video, enterprises of all types must be able to cope with rapidly increasing numbers of requests for bandwidth-intensive digital media assets and the storage of those assets. In all of these instances, it can be difficult and expensive to plan for, and deploy solutions to meet,

 

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such peaks and valleys. With more than 40,000 servers deployed worldwide managed by our proprietary software technology, our network is designed with the robustness and flexibility to handle planned and unplanned traffic peaks and related storage needs, without additional hardware investment and configuration on the part of our customers. As a result, we are able to provide an on-demand solution to address our customers’ capacity needs in the face of unpredictable traffic spikes, which helps them avoid expensive investment in a centralized infrastructure.

Security. Security is one of the most significant challenges facing use of the Internet for business and government processes. Security threats — in the form of attacks, viruses, worms and intrusions — can impact every measure of performance, including information security, speed, reliability and customer confidence. Unlike traditional security strategies that can negatively impact performance, Akamai’s approach is designed to allow for proactive monitoring and rapid response to security incidents and anomalies. We rely on both built-in defense mechanisms and the ability to route traffic around potential security issues so performance may not be compromised. Perhaps most significantly, our distributed network of thousands of servers is designed to eliminate a single point of failure and can reduce the impact of security attacks.

Functionality. Websites have become increasingly dynamic, complex and sophisticated. To meet these challenges, we have added solutions through both internal investment and acquisitions. These new solutions have included services designed to help our customers accelerate dynamic content and applications; more effectively manage their online media assets; and improve the quality of their online advertising initiatives.

Our Core Solutions

We offer application performance services, services and solutions for digital media and software distribution and storage, content and application delivery, online advertising-related services and other specialized Internet-based offerings.

Application Performance Solutions

Akamai’s Application Performance Solutions are designed to improve the performance of highly dynamic applications used by enterprises to connect with their employees, suppliers and customers. Traditionally, this market has been addressed primarily by hardware and software products. We believe our managed service approach offers a more cost-effective and comprehensive solution in this area without requiring customers to make significant infrastructure investments. In addition to reducing infrastructure costs, our Application Performance Solutions are intended for customers that want to offer effective and reliable portal applications and other Web-based systems for communicating with their customers, employees and business partners. Our Application Performance Solutions consist of the following:

Web Application Accelerator

Our Web Application Accelerator service is designed to improve the performance of Web-based applications through a combination of dynamic caching, routing and connection optimization and compression of content before it is sent. This service is appropriate for companies involved in technology, business services, travel and leisure, manufacturing and other industries where there is a movement to Internet-based communication with remote customers, suppliers and franchisees. Enterprise customers are using the Web Application Accelerator service to run applications such as online airline reservations systems, training tools, customer relationship management and human resources applications. Akamai’s Web Application Accelerator is designed to allow enterprise customers and their remote customers, suppliers and franchisees to enjoy more reliable performance through connection and route optimization techniques that avoid problem spots on the Internet and otherwise accelerate application performance without the enterprise customer needing to undertake significant internal infrastructure build-out.

 

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IP Application Accelerator

With a growing global workforce accessing IP-based applications online and from mobile devices, enterprises that rely on such applications find high quality and performance to be crucial. Examples of IP-based applications include voice over IP calling, email hosting services and sales order processing tools. While enterprises have been using the Internet to support communication needs for Web-based applications for some time, businesses are increasingly relying on the Internet to support connection needs for IP-based applications. Akamai’s IP Application Accelerator solution is designed to address core Internet weaknesses to optimize the performance, availability and real-time sensitivity associated with IP-enabled applications delivered over Internet-related protocols such as SSL, IPSec, UDP and FTP. IP Application Accelerator uses Akamai’s global network of servers and optimized routing and connection technologies to improve the stability and reliability of connections between end users and the IP-based application.

Digital Asset Solutions

The Internet provides end users with access to new and varied types of media, and content providers continue to seek ways to monetize the content they offer. Akamai’s Digital Asset Solutions are designed to enable enterprises to execute their large file management and distribution strategies by improving the end-user experience, boosting reliability and scalability and reducing the cost of Internet-related infrastructure. Within our Digital Asset Solutions, customers can choose from the following:

Akamai Media Delivery

As the demand for Internet access to music, movies, games, streaming news, sports events and social networking communities grows, there are many challenges to profitably offering media assets online, particularly with respect to user-generated content. In particular, media companies need cost-effective means to deliver large files to millions of users in different formats compatible with multiple end-user devices and platforms. Akamai Media Delivery addresses these challenges by delivering media content on behalf of our customers. By relying on our technology, customers are able to bypass internal constraints such as traditional server and bandwidth limitations to better handle peak traffic conditions and provide their site visitors with access to larger file sizes. We support all major streaming formats, and our technology and breadth of deployment provide capacity levels that individual enterprises or other outsourced providers may not be able to cost-effectively replicate on their own. Complementary features include digital rights management protections, storage, media management tools and reporting functionalities.

Our Akamai Media Delivery solution is primarily used by companies in the following industries: entertainment, including television, radio, sports, music and media; gaming; social networking; and Internet search/portal access. The solution can accommodate the many different business models used by our customers including pay-per-view, subscription, advertising and syndication.

Electronic Software Delivery

Due to the expanding prevalence of broadband access, distribution of computer software is increasingly occurring over the Internet. As a result, companies no longer need to mail CDs with new software to their many customers. Internet traffic conditions and high loads can, however, dramatically impact software download speed and reliability. Furthermore, surges in traffic from product launches or periodic distributions of anti-virus security updates can overwhelm traditional centralized software delivery infrastructure, adversely affecting website performance and causing users to be unable to download software. Our Electronic Software Delivery solution handles the distribution of software for our customers. Our network is designed to withstand large surges in traffic related to software launches and other distributions with a goal of improved customer experiences, increased use of electronic delivery and successful online product launches. We also offer a number of tools to enhance the effectiveness of this distribution model including electronic download receipts, storage, a download

 

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manager to provide end users with control over the handling of files received and reporting. This solution is appropriate for software companies of all types including consumer, enterprise, anti-virus and gaming software companies.

Stream OS

Stream OS is a Web-based suite of configurable tools that enables publishing of rich media to the Web. Stream OS can be used with all major media formats, software downloads and delivery of electronic documents and incorporated tools such as:

 

   

Content Manager for uploading, storing, managing and editing media files and information about those files;

 

   

RSS Manager for managing, delivering and distributing content via automatically-generated Really Simple Syndication, or RSS, feeds;

 

   

Tools for scheduling and provisioning live streaming events; and

 

   

Digital rights management and profile tools for targeting, protecting and controlling the distribution of content based on business rules, licensing terms, geography and other criteria.

Stream OS customers include all types of media content owners seeking to reach consumers over the Web, including sports leagues, music companies and broadcasters of news, sports and other forms of entertainment.

Advertising Decision Solutions (ADS)

Akamai ADS is designed to enable more effective online advertising by helping advertisers reach their target audiences. Our solutions are intended to address some of the fundamental challenges in the advertising industry today — enabling advertisers, agencies, publishers, and networks to buy and sell advertising in an effective, scalable, easy-to-use way. At the same time, our platform is architected so that none of the user data tracked by us consists of personally identifiable information; therefore, customers can maintain the integrity of their data and privacy policies.

Dynamic Site Solutions

Akamai’s Dynamic Site Solutions — particularly our core Dynamic Site Accelerator offering — are designed for accelerating business-to-consumer websites that integrate rich, collaborative content and applications into their online architecture. Leveraging our international network of servers and sophisticated mapping and routing technologies, we provide whole-site and object delivery for our customers’ websites. As a result, our customers have access to a more efficient way to implement and maintain a global Internet presence. While site owners maintain a source copy of their content and applications, Dynamic Site Accelerator provides global delivery, load balancing and storage of content and applications, enabling businesses to focus valuable resources on strategic matters, rather than on technical infrastructure issues.

Our Dynamic Site Solutions include advanced site delivery service features such as:

 

   

Secure Content Distribution — distribution of content over the Internet using SSL transport, a protocol to secure transmission of content over the Internet.

 

   

Site Failover — delivery of default content in the event that the primary, or source, version of the website of a customer becomes unavailable.

 

   

Content Targeting — a feature that enables content providers to deliver localized content, customized store-fronts, targeted advertising and adaptive marketing to their customers.

 

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EdgeComputing — a service that enables enterprises to deliver Java (J2EE) Web applications that scale on demand and are designed to perform more quickly and reliably than a customer’s own internal information technology, or IT, infrastructure.

 

   

Cache Optimization — features designed to enhance the cacheability of content including expiration dates and other parameters for the handling of stored content.

 

   

Compression — compression of content before it is sent to an end user in an effort to reduce transfer times for users.

 

   

Capacity On-Demand — offers dynamic load-balancing decisions that are based on real-time analysis of an end user’s location, Internet conditions, server and data center infrastructure capacity and overall demand.

Akamai’s Dynamic Site Accelerator solution is appropriate for any enterprise that has a website, particularly, retail and travel companies dependent on their commerce-related websites and enterprises that rely on the Internet for brand-building through research, discussion and other interactive tools for their current and potential customers.

Other Solutions

Site Intelligence Offerings

Akamai’s offerings in this area include our network data feeds and our website analytics offering, which provide customers with real time data about the performance of their content and applications over the Internet and Akamai’s network. In addition, our business performance management services help customers better understand their Web operations with tools that measure all aspects of an application’s performance. For example, a customer could use website data feeds from Akamai’s customer portal to assist in managing their online distribution costs and budget. The core of these offerings is our EdgeControl tools, which provide comprehensive reporting and management capabilities.

EdgeControl tools are Web-portal based and can be integrated with existing enterprise management systems, allowing our customers to manage their distributed content and applications. EdgeControl also allows integration with third-party network management tools, including those offered by IBM, Hewlett-Packard and BMC Software. Having created one of the industry’s first commercially proven utility computing platforms, Akamai now provides a global network of servers that can be utilized by customers for troubleshooting, monitoring and reporting, all based on their individual business requirements.

Custom Solutions

In addition to our core commercial services, we are able to leverage the expertise of our technology, networks and support personnel to provide custom solutions to both commercial and government customers. These solutions include replicating our core technologies to facilitate content delivery behind the firewall, combining our technology with that of other providers to create unique solutions for specific customers and supporting mission-critical applications that rely on the Internet and intranets. Additionally, numerous federal government agencies rely on Akamai for tailored solutions to their content delivery needs as well as information about traffic conditions and activity on the Internet.

Our Technology and Network

Our expansive network infrastructure and sophisticated technology are the foundation of our services. We believe Akamai has deployed the world’s largest globally distributed computing platform, with more than 40,000

 

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servers located in more than 900 networks around the world. Applying our proprietary technology, we deliver our customers’ content and computing applications across a system of widely distributed networks of servers; the content and applications are then processed at the most efficient places within the network. Servers are deployed in networks ranging from large, backbone network providers to medium and small ISPs, to cable modem and satellite providers to universities and other networks. By deploying servers within a wide variety of networks, we are better able to manage and control routing and delivery quality to geographically diverse users. We also have more than 1,000 peering relationships that provide us with direct paths to end user networks, which reduces data loss, while also potentially giving us more options for delivery at reduced cost.

To make this wide-reaching deployment effective, we use specialized technologies, such as advanced routing, load balancing, data collection and monitoring. Our intelligent routing software is designed to ensure that website visitors experience fast page loading, access to applications and content assembly wherever they are on the Internet, regardless of global or local traffic conditions. Dedicated professionals staff our Network Operations Control Center on a 24/7 basis to monitor and react to Internet traffic patterns and trends. We frequently deploy enhancements to our software globally to introduce new service offerings, which are designed to improve the effectiveness of our network. Technology updates are efficiently replicated across our system. Customers are also able to control the extent of their use of Akamai services to scale on demand, using as much or as little capacity of the global platform as they require, to support widely varying traffic and rapid growth without the need for an expensive and complex internal infrastructure.

Business Segments and Geographic Information

We operate in one industry segment: providing services for accelerating and improving delivery of content and applications over the Internet. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, approximately 25%, 23% and 22%, respectively, of our total revenues was derived from our operations outside the United States, of which 18%, 17% and 18% of overall revenues, respectively, was derived from Europe. No single country outside of the United States accounted for 10% or more of our revenues in any of such years. For more segment and geographic information, including total long-lived assets for each of the last two fiscal years, see our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K, including Note 19 thereto.

Customers

Our customer base is centered on enterprises. As of December 31, 2008, our customers included many of the world’s leading corporations, including Adobe, Apple, Audi, Best Buy, Burger King, EMC, Hitachi, L’Oreal, Microsoft, MTV Networks, MySpace, the National Basketball Association, Nintendo, SAP and Victoria’s Secret. We also actively sell to government agencies. As of December 31, 2008, our public sector customers included the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor. No customer accounted for 10% or more of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 or 2006. Less than 10% of our total revenues in each of the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was derived from contracts or subcontracts terminable at the election of the federal government, and we do not expect such contracts to account for more than 10% of our total revenues in 2009.

Sales, Service and Marketing

Our sales and service professionals are located in 20 offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. We market and sell our services and solutions domestically and internationally through our direct sales and services organization and through more than 100 active channel partners including Electronic Data Systems Corporation, IBM Corporation, Verizon and Telefonica Group. In addition to entering into agreements with resellers, we have several other types of sales- and marketing-focused alliances with entities such as system integrators, application service providers, sales agents and referral partners. By aligning with these companies, we believe we are better able to market our services and encourage increased adoption of our technology throughout the industry.

 

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Our sales and service organization includes employees in direct and channel sales, professional services, account management and technical consulting. As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately 720 employees in our sales and support organization, including 142 direct sales representatives whose performance is measured on the basis of achievement of quota objectives. Our ability to achieve revenue growth in the future will depend in large part on whether we successfully recruit, train and retain sufficient global sales, technical and services personnel, and how well we establish and maintain our reseller and strategic alliances. We believe that the complexity of our services will continue to require a number of highly trained global sales and services personnel.

To support our sales efforts and promote the Akamai brand, we conduct comprehensive marketing programs. Our marketing strategies include an active public relations campaign, print advertisements, online advertisements, participation at trade shows, strategic alliances and on-going customer communication programs. As of December 31, 2008, we had 50 employees in our global marketing organization, which is a component of our sales and support organization.

Research and Development

Our research and development personnel are continuously undertaking efforts to enhance and improve our existing services, strengthen our network and create new services in response to our customers’ needs and market demand. As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately 390 research and development engineers, many of whom hold advanced degrees in their fields. Our research and development expenses were $39.2 million, $44.1 million and $33.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. In addition, for each of the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, we capitalized $23.9 million, $17.8 million and $11.7 million, respectively, net of impairments, of external consulting and payroll and payroll-related costs related to the development of internal-use software used by us to deliver our services and operate our network. Additionally, during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, we capitalized $7.4 million, $6.4 million and $4.3 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation attributable to our research and development personnel.

Competition

The market for our services is intensely competitive and characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and frequent new product and service installations. We expect competition for our services to increase both from existing competitors and new market entrants. We compete primarily on the basis of:

 

   

performance of services;

 

   

return on investment in terms of cost savings and new revenue opportunities for our customers;

 

   

reduced infrastructure complexity;

 

   

sophistication and functionality of our offerings;

 

   

scalability;

 

   

ease of implementation and use of service;

 

   

customer support; and

 

   

price.

We compete primarily with companies offering products and services that address Internet performance problems, including companies that provide Internet content delivery and hosting services, streaming content delivery services and equipment-based solutions to Internet performance problems, such as load balancers and

 

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server switches. Some of our competitors also resell our services. Other companies have recently emerged that offer online distribution of digital media assets through advertising-based billing or revenue-sharing models that may represent an alternative method for charging for the delivery of content and applications over the Internet. In addition, potential customers may decide to purchase or develop their own hardware, software and other technology solutions rather than rely on an externally-managed services provider like Akamai.

With respect to our new ADS offerings, we compete with a range of other companies that provide targeted advertising solutions. At the same time, some of the companies that offer competitive solutions have entered into strategic agreements with us that we believe are mutually beneficial. We compete on the basis of our technology, the availability of our data co-operative, our predictive analytics capabilities, the ability to leverage existing business relationships and price.

We believe that we compete favorably with other companies in our industry, as well as alternative approaches to content and application delivery over the Internet, on the basis of the quality of our offerings, our customer service and price.

Proprietary Rights and Licensing

Our success and ability to compete are dependent on our ability to develop and maintain the proprietary aspects of our technology and operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of others. We rely on a combination of patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright laws and contractual restrictions to protect the proprietary aspects of our technology. We currently have numerous issued United States and foreign-country patents covering our content and application delivery technology, and we have numerous additional patent applications pending. Our issued patents extend to various dates between approximately 2015 and 2020. In October 1998, we entered into a license agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, under which we were granted a royalty-free, worldwide right to use and sublicense the intellectual property rights of MIT under various patent applications and copyrights relating to Internet content delivery technology. We seek to limit disclosure of our intellectual property by requiring employees and consultants with access to our proprietary information to execute confidentiality agreements with us and by restricting access to our source code.

Employees

As of December 31, 2008, we had a total of approximately 1,500 full-time and part-time employees. Our future success will depend in part on our ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified technical and management personnel for whom competition is intense. Our employees are not represented by any collective bargaining unit. We believe our relations with our employees are good.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The following are certain of the important factors that could cause our actual operating results to differ materially from those indicated or suggested by forward-looking statements made in this annual report on Form 10-K or presented elsewhere by management from time to time.

The markets in which we operate are highly competitive, and we may be unable to compete successfully against new entrants with innovative approaches and established companies with greater resources.

We compete in markets that are intensely competitive, highly fragmented and rapidly changing. We have experienced and expect to continue to experience increased competition. Many of our current competitors, as well as a number of our potential competitors, have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, broader customer relationships and industry alliances and substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. Some of our existing resellers are competitors. If one or more other resellers that generate substantial revenues for us were to terminate our relationship or become a competitor or a reseller for a competitor, our business could be adversely affected. Other competitors may attract customers by offering less-sophisticated versions of services than we provide at lower prices than those we charge. Given the relative ease with which some customers can potentially switch to another content delivery network provider, any

 

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differentiated offerings or lower pricing by competitors could lead to a rapid loss of customers. Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly than we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. Some of our current or potential competitors may bundle their offerings with other services, software or hardware in a manner that may discourage website owners from purchasing any service we offer. Increased competition could result in price and revenue reductions, loss of customers and loss of market share, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, potential customers may decide to purchase or develop their own hardware, software and other technology solutions rather than rely on an external provider like Akamai. As a result, our competitors include hardware manufacturers, software companies and other entities that offer Internet-related solutions that are not service-based. It is an important component of our growth strategy to educate enterprises and government agencies about our services and convince them to entrust their content and applications to an external service provider, and Akamai in particular. If we are unsuccessful in such efforts, our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer.

Prices we have been charging for some of our services have declined in recent years. This decline may continue in the future as a result of, among other things, existing and new competition in the markets we serve.

In recent quarters, we have lowered the prices we charge many of our customers for our content delivery services in order to remain competitive. This has been particularly true for the digital media services. Consequently, our historical revenue rates may not be indicative of future revenues based on comparable traffic volumes. In addition, our operating expenses have increased on an absolute basis in each of 2006, 2007 and 2008. If we are unable to sell our services at acceptable prices relative to our costs or if we are unsuccessful with our strategy of selling additional services and features to new or existing content delivery customers, our revenues and gross margins will decrease, and our business and financial results will suffer.

Failure to increase our revenues and keep our expenses consistent with revenues could prevent us from maintaining profitability at recent levels or at all.

We believe our revenue growth rate will decline in 2009 as a result of a number of factors including increasing competition, the inevitable decline in growth rates as our revenues increase to higher levels and macroeconomic factors affecting certain aspects of our business. We also believe our operating margins will decrease because we have large fixed expenses and expect to continue to incur significant bandwidth, sales and marketing, product development, administrative and other expenses. As a result, we may not be able to continue to maintain our current level of profitability in 2009 or on a quarterly or annual basis thereafter. We announced a restructuring in November 2008 that included termination of the employment of approximately seven percent of our global workforce, which resulted in a charge of approximately $2.5 million in 2008. There is no guarantee that the restructuring will be sufficient to improve the alignment of our expenses with revenues or that future restructurings will not be required. Therefore, we will need to generate higher revenues to maintain profitability at recent levels or at all.

There are numerous factors that could, alone or in combination with other factors, impede our ability to increase revenues and/or moderate expenses, including:

 

   

market pressure to decrease our prices;

 

   

significant increases in bandwidth costs or other operating expenses;

 

   

failure to increase sales of our core services;

 

   

any failure of our current and planned services and software to operate as expected;

 

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loss of any significant customers or loss of existing customers at a rate greater than we increase our number of, and sales to, new customers or our sales to existing customers;

 

   

unauthorized use of or access to content delivered over our network or network failures;

 

   

failure of a significant number of customers to pay our fees on a timely basis or at all or failure to continue to purchase our services in accordance with their contractual commitments; and

 

   

inability to attract high-quality customers to purchase and implement our current and planned services.

General global market and economic conditions may have an adverse impact on our operating performance and results of operations.

Our business has been and could continue to be affected by general global economic and market conditions. Weakness in the United States and/or worldwide economy has had and could continue to have a negative effect on our operating results, including decreases in revenues and operating cash flows. In particular, weakness in the online advertising market has affected and could continue to affect the success of our ADS initiatives and could have a negative impact on our media and other customers. To the extent customers are unable to profitably monetize the content we deliver on their behalf, they may reduce or eliminate the traffic we deliver on their behalf. Such reductions in traffic would lead to a reduction in our revenues. Additionally, in a down-cycle economic environment, we may experience the negative effects of increased competitive pricing pressure, customer loss and failures by customers to pay amounts owed to us on a timely basis or at all. Suppliers on which we rely for servers, bandwidth, co-location and other services could also be negatively impacted by economic conditions which, in turn, could have a negative impact on our operations or expenses. There can be no assurance, therefore, that current economic conditions or worsening economic conditions or a prolonged or recurring recession will not have a significant adverse impact on our operating results.

Our failure to manage growth, diversification and changes to our business could harm us.

We have continued to grow, diversify and evolve our business both in the United States and internationally. It is unclear, however, whether such growth will continue. In the event of a slowing in our rate of growth, we must also address the challenges of establishing an appropriate organizational size while maintaining the quality of our services. As a result of the diversification of our business, personnel growth, acquisitions and international expansion in recent years, many of our employees are now based outside of our Cambridge, Massachusetts headquarters. If we are unable to effectively manage a large and geographically dispersed group of employees or to anticipate our future personnel needs, our business may be adversely affected.

As our business evolves, we must also expand and adapt our operational infrastructure. Our business relies on our data systems, billing systems, and other operational and financial reporting and control systems. All of these systems have become increasingly complex in the recent past due to the diversification and complexity of our business, acquisitions of new businesses with different systems and increased regulation over controls and procedures. To effectively manage our technical support infrastructure, we will need to continue to upgrade and improve our data systems, billing systems and other operational and financial systems, procedures and controls. These upgrades and improvements will require a dedication of resources and in some cases are likely to be complex. If we are unable to adapt our systems and organization in a timely and cost-effective manner to accommodate changing circumstances, our business may be adversely affected.

Any unplanned interruption in the functioning of our network or services could lead to significant costs and disruptions that could reduce our revenues and harm our business, financial results and reputation.

Our business is dependent on providing our customers with fast, efficient and reliable distribution of applications and content over the Internet. For our core services, we currently provide a standard guarantee that

 

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our networks will deliver Internet content 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If we do not meet this standard, affected customers will be entitled to credits. Our network or services could be disrupted by numerous events, including natural disasters, unauthorized access to our servers, failure or refusal of our third-party network providers to provide the necessary capacity, power losses and intentional disruptions of our services, such as disruptions caused by software viruses or attacks by unauthorized users. Although we have taken steps to prevent such disruptions, there can be no assurance that attacks by unauthorized users will not be attempted in the future, that our security measures will be effective, or that a successful attack would not be damaging. Any widespread interruption of the functioning of our network or services would reduce our revenues and could harm our business, financial results and reputation.

We may have insufficient transmission and server capacity, which could result in interruptions in our services and loss of revenues.

Our operations are dependent in part upon transmission capacity provided by third-party telecommunications network providers. In addition, our distributed network must be sufficiently robust to handle all of our customers’ traffic. We believe that, absent extraordinary circumstances, we have access to adequate capacity to provide our services; however, there can be no assurance that we are adequately prepared for unexpected increases in bandwidth demands by our customers. In addition, the bandwidth we have contracted to purchase may become unavailable for a variety of reasons, including payment disputes or network providers going out of business. Any failure of these network providers to provide the capacity we require, due to financial or other reasons, may result in a reduction in, or interruption of, service to our customers. If we do not have access to third-party transmission capacity, we could lose customers. If we are unable to obtain transmission capacity on terms commercially acceptable to us or at all, our business and financial results could suffer. We may not be able to deploy on a timely basis enough servers to meet the needs of our customer base or effectively manage the functioning of those servers. In addition, damage or destruction of, or other denial of access to, a facility where our servers are housed could result in a reduction in, or interruption of, service to our customers.

Because our services are complex and are deployed in complex environments, they may have errors or defects that could seriously harm our business.

Our services are highly complex and are designed to be deployed in and across numerous large and complex networks that we do not control. From time to time, we have needed to correct errors and defects in our software. In the future, there may be additional errors and defects in our software that may adversely affect our services. We may not have in place adequate quality assurance procedures to ensure that we detect errors in our software in a timely manner. If we are unable to efficiently and cost-effectively fix errors or other problems that may be identified, or if there are unidentified errors that allow persons to improperly access our services, we could experience loss of revenues and market share, damage to our reputation, increased expenses and legal actions by our customers.

As part of our business strategy, we have entered into and may enter into or seek to enter into business combinations and acquisitions that may be difficult to integrate, disrupt our business, dilute stockholder value and divert management attention.

In late 2006 and early 2007, we acquired Nine Systems Corporation, or Nine Systems, Netli and Red Swoosh. Additionally, we completed the acquisition of acerno in November 2008. If attractive acquisition opportunities arise in the future, we may seek to enter into additional business combinations or purchases. Acquisitions are accompanied by a number of risks, including the difficulty of integrating the operations and personnel of the acquired companies, the potential disruption of our ongoing business, the potential distraction of management, expenses related to the acquisition and potential unknown liabilities associated with acquired businesses. Any inability to integrate completed acquisitions in an efficient and timely manner could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. In addition, we may not be able to recognize any expected synergies

 

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or benefits in connection with a future acquisition. If we are not successful in completing acquisitions that we may pursue in the future, we may incur substantial expenses and devote significant management time and resources without a successful result. In addition, future acquisitions could require use of substantial portions of our available cash, as in the acerno acquisition, or, as in the Nine Systems, Netli and Red Swoosh acquisitions, dilutive issuances of securities.

Our stock price has been volatile.

The market price of our common stock has been volatile. Trading prices may continue to fluctuate in response to a number of events and factors, including the following:

 

   

quarterly variations in operating results and announcements of innovations;

 

   

introduction of new products, services and strategic developments by us or our competitors;

 

   

business combinations and investments by us or our competitors;

 

   

variations in our revenue, expenses or profitability;

 

   

changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts;

 

   

failure to meet the expectations of public market analysts;

 

   

unfavorable media coverage;

 

   

macro-economic factors;

 

   

our customers’ inability to access equity and credit markets;

 

   

performance by other companies in our industry; and

 

   

geopolitical conditions such as acts of terrorism or military conflicts.

Any of these events may cause the price of our common stock to fall. In addition, the stock market in general, and the market prices for technology companies in particular, have experienced significant volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance.

If we are unable to continue to innovate and respond to emerging technological trends and customers’ changing needs, our operating results may suffer.

The market for our services is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and new product and service introductions. Our ability to provide new and innovative solutions is important to our future growth; other companies are also looking to offering Internet-related solutions, such as cloud computing, to generate growth. These other companies may develop technological or business model innovations in the markets we seek to address that are, or are perceived to be, equivalent or superior to our services. In addition, our customers’ business models may change in ways that we do not anticipate and these changes could reduce or eliminate our customers’ needs for our services. Our operating results depend on our ability to adapt to market changes and develop and introduce new services into existing and emerging markets. The process of developing new technologies is complex and uncertain; we must commit significant resources to developing new services or enhancements to our existing services before knowing whether our investments will result in services the market will accept. Furthermore, we may not execute successfully our technology initiatives because of errors in planning or timing, technical hurdles that we fail to overcome in a timely fashion, misunderstandings about market demand or a lack of appropriate resources. Failures in execution or market acceptance of new services we introduce could result in competitors providing those solutions before we do and, consequently, loss by us of market share, revenues and earnings.

 

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If the accounting estimates we make, and the assumptions on which we rely, in preparing our financial statements prove inaccurate, our actual results may be adversely affected.

Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments about, among other things, taxes, revenue recognition, stock-based compensation costs, capitalization of internal-use software, investments, contingent obligations, allowance for doubtful accounts, intangible assets and restructuring charges. These estimates and judgments affect the reported amounts of our assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, the amounts of charges accrued by us, such as those made in connection with our restructuring charges, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances and at the time they are made. If our estimates or the assumptions underlying them are not correct, actual results may differ materially from our estimates and we may need to, among other things, accrue additional charges that could adversely affect our results of operations, which in turn could adversely affect our stock price.

Future changes in financial accounting standards may adversely affect our reported results of operations.

A change in accounting standards can have a significant effect on our reported results. New accounting pronouncements and interpretations of accounting pronouncements have occurred and may occur in the future. These new accounting pronouncements may adversely affect our reported financial results.

A substantial portion of our marketable securities are invested in auction rate securities. Continued failures in the auctions for these securities may affect our liquidity.

We held $287.1 million in par value of auction rate securities, or ARS, as of December 31, 2008, which represented approximately 47% of our total short- and long-term marketable securities of $615.6 million as of that date. ARS are securities that are structured to allow for short-term interest rate resets but with contractual maturities that can be well in excess of ten years. At the end of each reset period, which typically occurs every seven to 35 days, investors can sell or continue to hold the securities at par. Beginning in February 2008, the majority of ARS in the marketplace, including the ARS that we hold in our portfolio, failed auction due to sell orders exceeding buy orders. Such failures resulted in the interest rate on these ARS resetting to predetermined rates in accordance with the underlying loan agreement, which might be lower than the current market rate of interest. In the event we need to liquidate our investments in these types of securities including for purposes of funding our operations, we will not be able to do so until a future auction on these investments in which demand equals or exceeds the supply of such securities being offered, the issuer redeems the outstanding securities, a buyer is found outside the auction process, the securities mature or there is a default requiring immediate payment from the issuer. These alternative liquidation measures may require that we sell our ARS at a substantial discount to par value. In the future, should the ARS we hold be subject to prolonged auction failures and we determine that the decline in value of ARS is other-than-temporary, we would recognize a loss in our consolidated statement of operations, which could be material. In addition, any future failed auctions may adversely impact the liquidity of our investments and our ability to fund our operations. Furthermore, if one or more of the issuers of the ARS held in our portfolio are unable to successfully close future auctions and their credit ratings deteriorate, we may be required to adjust the carrying value of these investments through additional impairment charges, which could be material.

If we are unable to retain our key employees and hire qualified sales and technical personnel, our ability to compete could be harmed.

Our future success depends upon the continued services of our executive officers and other key technology, sales, marketing and support personnel who have critical industry experience and relationships. There is increasing competition for talented individuals in the regions in which our primary offices are located. This

 

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affects both our ability to retain key employees and hire new ones. None of our officers or key employees is bound by an employment agreement for any specific term. We compensate our officers and employees in part through equity incentives, including stock options. A significant portion of these stock options held by our officers and employees have exercise prices in excess of the current market price of our common stock, which has diminished the retentive value of such options. The loss of the services of any of our key employees could hinder or delay the implementation of our business model and the development and introduction of, and negatively impact our ability to sell, our services.

We may need to defend our intellectual property and processes against patent or copyright infringement claims, which would cause us to incur substantial costs.

Other companies or individuals, including our competitors, may hold or obtain patents or other proprietary rights that would prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use or sell our services or develop new services, which could make it more difficult for us to increase revenues and improve or maintain profitability. Companies holding Internet-related patents or other intellectual property rights are increasingly bringing suits alleging infringement of such rights against both technology providers and customers that use such technology.

We have agreed to indemnify our customers if our services infringe specified intellectual property rights; therefore, we could become involved in litigation brought against customers if our services and technology are implicated. Any litigation or claims, whether or not valid, brought against us or pursuant to which we indemnify our customers could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and require us to do one or more of the following:

 

   

cease selling, incorporating or using products or services that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;

 

   

pay substantial damages and incur significant litigation expenses;

 

   

obtain a license from the holder of the infringed intellectual property right, which license may not be available on reasonable terms or at all; or

 

   

redesign products or services.

If we are forced to take any of these actions, our business may be seriously harmed. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to obtain a license to the infringed technology, our business and operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Our business will be adversely affected if we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights from unauthorized use or infringement by third parties.

We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and restrictions on disclosure to protect our intellectual property rights. These legal protections afford only limited protection. We have previously brought lawsuits against entities that we believe are infringing our intellectual property rights. Such lawsuits can be expensive and require a significant amount of attention of our management and technical personnel, and the outcomes are unpredictable. Monitoring unauthorized use of our services is difficult, and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent unauthorized use of our technology, particularly in foreign countries where the laws may not protect our proprietary rights as fully as in the United States. Although we have licensed from other parties proprietary technology covered by patents, we cannot be certain that any such patents will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented. Such licenses may also be non-exclusive, meaning our competition may also be able to access such technology. Furthermore, we cannot be certain that any pending or future patent applications will be granted, that any future patent will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, or that rights granted under any patent that may be issued will provide competitive advantages to us.

 

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If our license agreement with MIT terminates, our business could be adversely affected.

We have licensed from MIT technology that is covered by various patents, patent applications and copyrights relating to Internet content delivery technology. Some of our core technology is based in part on the technology covered by these patents, patent applications and copyrights. Our license is effective for the life of the patents and patent applications; however, under limited circumstances, such as a cessation of our operations due to our insolvency or our material breach of the terms of the license agreement, MIT has the right to terminate our license. A termination of our license agreement with MIT could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We face risks associated with international operations that could harm our business.

We have operations in numerous foreign countries and may continue to expand our sales and support organizations internationally. Such expansion could require us to make significant expenditures. We are increasingly subject to a number of risks associated with international business activities that may increase our costs, lengthen our sales cycle and require significant management attention. These risks include:

 

   

increased expenses associated with marketing services in foreign countries;

 

   

currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

   

unexpected changes in regulatory requirements resulting in unanticipated costs and delays;

 

   

interpretations of laws or regulations that would subject us to regulatory supervision or, in the alternative, require us to exit a country, which could have a negative impact on the quality of our services or our results of operations;

 

   

uncertainty regarding liability for content or services;

 

   

adjusting to different employee/employer relationships and different regulations governing such relationships;

 

   

longer accounts receivable payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable; and

 

   

potentially adverse tax consequences.

Any failure to meet our debt obligations would damage our business.

We have long-term debt. As of December 31, 2008, our total long-term debt was $199.9 million. If we are unable to remain profitable or if we use more cash than we generate in the future, our level of indebtedness could adversely affect our future operations by increasing our vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic and industry conditions and by limiting or prohibiting our ability to obtain additional financing for future capital expenditures, acquisitions and general corporate and other purposes. In addition, if we are unable to make interest or principal payments when due, we would be in default under the terms of our long-term debt obligations, which would result in all principal and interest becoming due and payable which, in turn, would seriously harm our business.

Changes in regulations or user concerns regarding privacy and protection of user data could adversely affect our business.

Federal, state, foreign and international laws and regulations may govern the collection, use, retention, sharing and security of data that we receive from our customers, visitors to their websites and others. In addition, we have and post on our website our own privacy policy concerning the collection, use and disclosure of user data. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with our posted privacy policies or with any privacy- related laws, government regulations or directives, or industry self-regulatory principles could result in damage to our reputation or proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others, which could potentially have an adverse effect on our business.

 

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A large number of legislative proposals pending before the United States Congress, various state legislative bodies and foreign governments concern data privacy and retention issues related to our business, particularly the advertising-related services we have begun to offer. It is not possible to predict whether, when, or the extent to which such legislation may be adopted. In addition, the interpretation and application of user data protection laws are currently unsettled. These laws may be interpreted and applied inconsistently from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and inconsistently with our current data protection policies and practices. Complying with these varying international requirements could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business.

Internet-related and other laws could adversely affect our business.

Laws and regulations that apply to communications and commerce over the Internet are becoming more prevalent. In particular, the growth and development of the market for online commerce has prompted calls for more stringent tax, consumer protection and privacy laws, both in the United States and abroad, that may impose additional burdens on companies conducting business online or providing Internet-related services such as ours. The adoption of an of these measures could negatively affect both our business directly as well as the businesses of our customers, which could reduce their demand for our services. Local tax laws that might apply to our servers, which are located in many different jurisdictions, could require us to pay additional taxes in those jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our continued profitability. We have recorded certain tax reserves to address potential exposures involving our sales and use and franchise tax positions. These potential tax liabilities result from the varying application of statutes, rules, regulations and interpretations by different jurisdictions. Our reserves, however, may not be adequate to reflect our total actual liability. Congress has been contemplating net neutrality legislation. The adoption of laws regulating the operation of the Internet could affect our business. As a government contractor, we are also subject to numerous laws and regulations. If we fail to comply with applicable requirements, then we could face penalties, contract terminations and damage to our reputation. We also may be required to devote substantial resources to the development and improvement of procedures to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.

If our ability to deliver media files in popular proprietary content formats were to become restricted or cost-prohibitive, demand for our content delivery services could decline, we could lose customers and our financial results could suffer.

Our business depends on our ability to deliver media content in all major formats. If our legal right or technical ability to store and deliver content in one or more popular proprietary content formats, such as Adobe® Flash® or Windows® Media®, was limited, our ability to serve our customers in these formats would be impaired and the demand for our content delivery services would decline by customers using these formats. Owners of propriety content formats may be able to block, restrict or impose fees or other costs on our use of such formats, which could lead to additional expenses for us and for our customers, or which could prevent our delivery of this type of content altogether. Such interference could result in a loss of existing customers, increased costs and impairment of our ability to attract new customers, which would harm our revenue, operating results and growth.

Provisions of our charter documents, our stockholder rights plan and Delaware law may have anti-takeover effects that could prevent a change in control even if the change in control would be beneficial to our stockholders.

Provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated by-laws and Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our stockholders. In addition, our Board of Directors has adopted a stockholder rights plan the provisions of which could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer of Akamai to consummate an acquisition transaction without the approval of our Board of Directors.

 

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If we are required to seek additional funding, such funding may not be available on acceptable terms or at all.

If we seek to acquire significant businesses or technologies or require more cash to fund our future plans, we may need to obtain funding from outside sources. The current economic environment makes it difficult for companies to obtain financing, particularly raising debt financing or implementing credit facilities. Therefore, we may not be able to raise additional capital, which could limit future actions we may want to take. Even if we were to find outside funding sources, we might be required to issue securities with greater rights than the securities we have outstanding today or issue debt that places restrictions on our future activities. We might also be required to take other actions that could lessen the value of our common stock, including borrowing money on terms that are not favorable to us.

A class action lawsuit has been filed against us and an adverse resolution of such action could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations in the period in which the lawsuit is resolved.

We are named as a defendant in a purported class action lawsuit filed in 2001 alleging that the underwriters of our initial public offering received undisclosed compensation in connection with our initial public offering of common stock in violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. See Note 11 to the financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K for more information. Any conclusion of these matters in a manner adverse to us could have a material adverse affect on our financial position and results of operations.

We may become involved in other litigation that may adversely affect us.

In the ordinary course of business, we are or may become involved in litigation, administrative proceedings and governmental proceedings. Such matters can be time-consuming, divert management’s attention and resources and cause us to incur significant expenses. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the results of any of these actions will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

 

Item 2. Properties

Our headquarters are located in approximately 175,000 square feet of leased office space in Cambridge, Massachusetts; the leases for such space are scheduled to expire in December 2019. Of this space, we have subleased approximately 12,000 square feet to another company. Our primary west coast office is located in approximately 67,000 square feet of leased office space in San Mateo, California; the lease for such space is scheduled to expire in October 2015. We maintain offices in several other locations in the United States, including in or near each of Los Angeles and San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Dallas, Texas; Reston, Virginia and Seattle, Washington. We also maintain offices in Europe and Asia in or near the following cities: Bangalore, India; Beijing, China; Munich, Germany; Paris, France; London, England; Tokyo, Japan; Singapore; Madrid, Spain; Sydney, Australia; Milan, Italy; Stockholm, Sweden; and Seoul, South Korea. All of our facilities are leased. The square footage amounts above are as of December 31, 2008. We believe our facilities are sufficient to meet our needs for the foreseeable future and, if needed, additional space will be available at a reasonable cost.

 

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

We are subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not expect the ultimate costs to resolve these matters to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In addition to ordinary-course litigation, we are a party to the litigation described below.

Between July 2, 2001 and November 7, 2001, purported class action lawsuits seeking monetary damages were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against us as well as against the underwriters of our October 28, 1999 initial public offering of common stock. The complaints were filed allegedly on behalf of persons who purchased our common stock during different time periods, all beginning on October 28, 1999 and ending on various dates. The complaints are similar and allege violations of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, primarily based on the allegation that the underwriters received undisclosed compensation in connection with our initial public offering. On April 19, 2002, a single consolidated amended complaint was filed, reiterating in one pleading the allegations contained in the previously filed separate actions. The consolidated amended complaint defines the alleged class period as October 28, 1999 through December 6, 2000. A Special Litigation Committee of our Board of Directors authorized management to negotiate a settlement of the pending claims substantially consistent with a Memorandum of Understanding that was negotiated among class plaintiffs, all issuer defendants and their insurers. The parties negotiated a settlement that was subject to approval by the Court. On February 15, 2005, the Court issued an Opinion and Order preliminarily approving the settlement, provided that the defendants and plaintiffs agree to a modification narrowing the scope of the bar order set forth in the original settlement agreement. The parties agreed to a modification narrowing the scope of the bar order, and on August 31, 2005, the Court issued an order preliminarily approving the settlement. On December 5, 2006, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit overturned the District Court’s certification of the class of plaintiffs who are pursuing the claims that would be settled in the settlement against the underwriter defendants. Thereafter, the District Court ordered a stay of all proceedings in all of the lawsuits pending the outcome of plaintiffs’ petition to the Second Circuit for rehearing en banc and resolution of the class certification issue. On April 6, 2007, the Second Circuit denied plaintiffs’ rehearing petition, but clarified that the plaintiffs may seek to certify a more limited class in the District Court. On June 25, 2007, the District Court signed an order terminating the settlement. We believe that we have meritorious defenses to the claims made in the complaint, and we intend to contest the lawsuit vigorously. An adverse resolution of this action could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations in the period in which the lawsuit is resolved. We are not presently able to estimate potential losses, if any, related to this lawsuit.

In addition, on or about October 3, 2007, Vanessa Simmonds, a purported Akamai shareholder, filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, against the underwriters involved in our 1999 initial public offering of common stock, alleging violations of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. The complaint alleges that the combined number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by the lead underwriters and certain unnamed officers, directors, and principal shareholders exceeded ten percent of our outstanding common stock from the date of our initial public offering on October 29, 1999, through at least October 28, 2000. The complaint further alleges that those entities and individuals were thus subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) and the short-swing trading prohibition of Section 16(b) and failed to comply with those provisions. The complaint seeks to recover from the lead underwriters any “short-swing profits” obtained by them in violation of Section 16(b). Akamai was named as a nominal defendant in the action, but has no liability for the asserted claims. None of our directors or officers serving in such capacities at the time of our initial public offering are currently named as defendants in this action, but there can be no guarantee that the complaint will not be amended or a new complaint or suit filed to name such directors or officers as defendants in this action or another action alleging a violation of the same provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We do not expect the results of this action to have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

 

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PART II

 

Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, trades under the symbol “AKAM” on The NASDAQ Global Select Market. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sale price per share of the common stock on The NASDAQ Global Select Market:

 

     High    Low

Fiscal 2007:

     

First Quarter

   $ 59.69    $ 46.60

Second Quarter

   $ 56.25    $ 41.02

Third Quarter

   $ 50.98    $ 27.75

Fourth Quarter

   $ 41.45    $ 28.26

Fiscal 2008:

     

First Quarter

   $ 36.00    $ 25.06

Second Quarter

   $ 40.90    $ 29.02

Third Quarter

   $ 35.72    $ 14.60

Fourth Quarter

   $ 17.95    $ 9.25

As of February 25, 2009, there were 698 holders of record of our common stock.

We have never paid or declared any cash dividends on shares of our common stock or other securities and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all future earnings, if any, for use in the operation of our business. We did not repurchase any equity securities in 2008.

 

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Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data

The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other financial data included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K. The consolidated statement of operations and balance sheet data for all periods presented is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K or in annual reports on Form 10-K for prior years on file with the Commission.

Statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 included a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $1.4 million and $6.8 million, respectively, as a result of our repurchase of $56.6 million and $169.4 million in aggregate principal amount of our 5 1/2% convertible subordinated notes, respectively, in those years.

In 2005, we acquired Speedera Networks, Inc., or Speedera, which was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, for a purchase price of $142.2 million, comprised primarily of our common stock. We allocated $137.4 million of the cost of this acquisition to goodwill and other intangible assets. Net income from operations for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 included $5.1 million, $8.3 million, $7.4 million and $6.1 million, respectively, for the amortization of other intangible assets related to this acquisition.

In 2005, we released nearly all of our United States and foreign deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Based upon our cumulative operating results and an assessment of our expected future results, we determined at that time that it was more likely than not that our deferred tax assets would be realized. During 2005, the total valuation allowance release recorded as an income tax benefit in the statement of operations was $285.8 million.

In December 2003 and January 2004, we issued $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 1% senior convertible notes due December 15, 2033, which we refer to as our 1% senior convertible notes, for proceeds of $194.1 million net of offering expenses. Additionally, in 2005, we completed an equity offering of 12.0 million shares of our common stock at a price of $16.855 per share for proceeds of $202.1 million, net of offering expenses.

On January 1, 2006, we adopted, on a modified prospective basis, the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” or SFAS No. 123R, which requires us to record compensation expense for employee stock awards at fair value at the time of grant. As a result, our stock-based compensation expense increased significantly in 2006 as compared to prior years, causing our net income to decrease significantly as well. For the year ended December 31, 2006, our pre-tax stock-based compensation expense was $49.6 million.

In 2006, we acquired Nine Systems for a purchase price of $157.5 million, comprised primarily of our common stock. This acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. We allocated $168.4 million of the cost of this acquisition to goodwill and other intangible assets. Net income from operations for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 included $0.1 million, $3.3 million and $4.1 million, respectively, for the amortization of other intangible assets related to this acquisition.

In March 2007, we acquired Netli for a purchase price of $154.4 million, comprised primarily of our common stock. This acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. We allocated $148.4 million of the cost of this acquisition to goodwill and other intangible assets. Net income from operations for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 included $0.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively, for the amortization of other intangible assets related to this acquisition.

 

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In April 2007, we acquired Red Swoosh for a purchase price of $18.7 million, comprised primarily of our common stock. This acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. We allocated $16.9 million of the cost of this acquisition to goodwill and other intangible assets. Net income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 included $0.1 million for the amortization of other intangible assets related to this acquisition.

In November 2008, we acquired acerno for a purchase price of $90.7 million in cash, of which $5.8 million was subsequently paid in the first quarter of 2009. This acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. We allocated $99.7 million of the cost of this acquisition to goodwill and other intangible assets. Net income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 included $0.5 million for the amortization of other intangible assets related to this acquisition.

 

    For the Years Ended December 31,  
    2008   2007   2006   2005   2004  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

         

Revenues

  $ 790,924   $ 636,406   $ 428,672   $ 283,115   $ 210,015  

Total costs and operating expenses

    578,660     491,478     345,566     209,740     161,048  

Operating income

    212,264     144,928     83,106     73,375     48,967  

Net income

    145,138     100,967     57,401     327,998     34,364  

Net income per weighted average share:

         

Basic

  $ 0.87   $ 0.62   $ 0.37   $ 2.41   $ 0.28  

Diluted

  $ 0.79   $ 0.56   $ 0.34   $ 2.11   $ 0.25  

Weighted average shares used in per share calculation:

         

Basic

    167,673     162,959     155,366     136,167     124,407  

Diluted

    186,685     185,094     176,767     156,944     146,595  
    As of December 31,  
    2008   2007   2006   2005   2004  
    (In thousands)  

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

         

Cash, cash equivalents and unrestricted marketable securities

  $ 768,014   $ 629,895   $ 430,247   $ 309,574   $ 103,763  

Restricted marketable securities

    3,613     3,613     4,207     4,555     4,654  

Working capital

    401,453     606,667     285,409     293,122     61,903  

Total assets

    1,880,951     1,656,047     1,247,932     891,499     182,743  

Other long-term liabilities

    11,870     9,265     3,657     3,565     3,035  

1% convertible senior notes

    199,855     199,855     200,000     200,000     200,000  

5 1/2% convertible subordinated notes

    —       —       —       —       56,614  

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

  $ 1,568,770   $ 1,358,552   $ 954,693   $ 624,214   $ (125,931 )

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

We provide services for accelerating and improving the delivery of content and applications over the Internet. We primarily derive income from the sale of services to customers executing contracts with terms of one year or longer, which we refer to as recurring revenue contracts or long-term contracts. These contracts generally commit the customer to a minimum monthly level of usage with additional charges applicable for actual usage above the monthly minimum. In recent years, however, we have entered into increasing numbers of customer contracts that have minimum usage commitments that are based on quarterly, twelve-month or longer periods. Our goal of having a consistent and predictable base level of income is important to our financial success. Accordingly, to be successful, we must maintain our base of recurring revenue contracts by eliminating or reducing lost monthly or annual recurring revenue due to customer cancellations or terminations and build on that base by adding new customers and increasing the number of services, features and functions that our existing customers purchase. At the same time, we must ensure that our expenses do not increase faster than, or at the same rate as, our revenues. Accomplishing these goals requires that we compete effectively in the marketplace on the basis of quality, price and the attractiveness of our services and technology.

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, or MD&A, should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto which appear elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K. See “Risk Factors” elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K for a discussion of certain risks associated with our business. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements do not include the potential impact of any mergers, acquisitions, or divestitures of business combinations that may be announced after the date hereof.

Our increase in net income in 2008 as compared to 2007 and 2006 reflects the success of our efforts to increase our monthly and annual recurring revenues while limiting the expenses needed to support such growth. The following sets forth, as a percentage of revenues, consolidated statements of operations data for the years indicated:

 

     2008     2007     2006  

Revenues

   100 %   100 %   100 %
                  

Cost of revenues

   28     26     22  

Research and development

   5     7     8  

Sales and marketing

   21     23     28  

General and administrative

   17     19     21  

Amortization of other intangible assets

   2     2     2  

Restructuring charge (benefit)

   —       —       —    
                  

Total costs and operating expenses

   73     77     81  
                  

Income from operations

   27     23     19  

Interest income

   3     4     4  

Interest expense

   —       —       (1 )

Other income (expense), net

   —       —       —    

Gain (loss) on investments, net

   —       —       —    

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

   —       —       —    
                  

Income before provision for income taxes

   30     27     22  

Provision for income taxes

   11     11     9  
                  

Net income

   19 %   16 %   13 %
                  

 

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We were profitable for fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006; however, we cannot guarantee continued profitability or profitability at the levels we have recently experienced for any period in the future. We have observed the following trends and events that are likely to have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations in the foreseeable future:

 

   

During each quarter of 2008, the dollar volume of new recurring revenue contracts that we booked exceeded the dollar volume of the contracts we lost through cancellations, terminations and non-payment. A continuation of this trend would lead to increased revenues.

 

   

During each quarter of 2008, unit prices offered to some new and existing customers declined, including contracts signed with certain customers at higher committed service levels that reflected volume discounts. Additionally, increased competition from new entrants into the market that are willing to use low unit prices as a method of differentiation contributed to these price declines. If we continue to experience decreases in unit prices for new and existing customers, our operating profit percentage could decrease.

 

   

During each quarter of 2008, we reduced our network bandwidth costs per unit by entering into new supplier contracts with lower pricing and amending existing contracts to take advantage of price reductions offered by our existing suppliers. Additionally, we continue to invest in internal-use software development to improve the performance and efficiency of our network. Due to increased traffic delivered over our network, however, our total bandwidth costs increased during these quarters. We believe that our overall bandwidth costs will continue to increase as a result of expected higher traffic levels, but we anticipate continued reductions in bandwidth costs per unit. If we do not experience lower per unit bandwidth pricing or we are unsuccessful at effectively routing traffic over our network through lower cost providers, total network bandwidth costs could increase in excess of our expectations in 2009.

 

   

During each quarter of 2008, no customer accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues. We expect that customer concentration levels will continue to decline compared to those in prior years if our customer base continues to grow.

 

   

During the year ended December 31, 2008, revenues derived from customers outside the United States accounted for 25% of our total revenues. We expect revenues from such customers as a percentage of our total revenues to be between 25% and 30% in 2009.

 

   

As of January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123R, which requires us to record compensation expense for employee stock awards at fair value at the time of grant. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, our stock-based compensation expense was $57.9 million, $66.6 million and $49.6 million, respectively. We expect that stock-based compensation expense will continue at the current level, because we have a significant number of unvested employee awards outstanding that we expect will be offset by grants of stock-based compensation awards in the future at lower fair values than those previously granted. As of December 31, 2008, our total unrecognized compensation costs for stock-based awards were $75.9 million, which we expect to recognize as expense over a weighted average period of 1.2 years. This expense is expected to be recognized through 2012.

 

   

Depreciation and amortization expense related to our network equipment and internal-use software development costs increased by $18.1 million during 2008 as compared to 2007. Due to expected future purchases of network equipment during 2009, we believe that depreciation expense related to our network equipment will continue to increase in 2009. We expect to continue to enhance and add functionality to our service offerings and capitalize stock-based compensation expense attributable to employees working on such projects, which would increase the amount of capitalized internal-use software costs. As a result, we believe that the amortization of internal-use software development costs, which we include in cost of revenues, will increase in 2009 as compared to 2008.

 

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As of December 31, 2008, we have recorded a pre-tax cumulative unrealized loss in stockholders’ equity of $38.1 million related to the temporary impairment of our marketable security investments and $12.9 million of realized loss in our statement of operations related to the other-than-temporary impairment of our investments in auction rate securities, or ARS. We also recorded a realized gain of $12.5 million related to an agreement we entered into with one of our investment advisors. Under the terms of the agreement, the investment advisor agreed to repurchase, in June 2010, the ARS it previously sold to us. The gain represented by the put option incorporated into this agreement was included in gain (loss) on investments, net in our statement of operations. Based upon our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance of $771.6 million and expected operating cash flows, we do not anticipate that the lack of liquidity associated with our ARS will adversely affect our ability to conduct business during 2009. We believe we have the ability to hold these ARS until a recovery of the auction process, a buyer is found outside the auction process, the securities are called or refinanced by the issuer, or until maturity.

 

   

During the year ended December 31, 2008, our effective income tax rate was 38.1%. While we expect our annual effective income tax rate to remain relatively consistent during 2009, we do not expect to make significant cash tax payments due to the continued utilization of our deferred tax assets.

In November 2008, we announced a workforce reduction affecting 110 employees across all functional areas. We recorded $2.0 million as a restructuring charge for the amount of one-time benefits provided to affected employees. Included in these costs is a net reduction in non-cash stock-based compensation of $0.8 million, reflecting a modification to certain stock-based awards previously granted to affected employees. Additionally, in December 2008, in connection with excess and vacated facilities under long-term non-cancelable leases, we recorded $0.5 million as a restructuring charge for the estimated future lease payments, less estimated sublease income, for these vacated facilities. We expect that $1.7 million of these liabilities will be paid in 2009.

Based on our analysis of, among other things, the aforementioned trends and events, as of the date of this annual report on Form 10-K, we expect to continue to generate net income on a quarterly and annual basis during 2009; however, our future results are likely to be affected by many factors identified in the section captioned “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K, including our ability to:

 

   

increase our revenue by adding customers through long-term contracts and limiting customer cancellations and terminations;

 

   

offset unit price declines for our services with higher volumes of traffic delivered on our network as well as increased sales of our value-added solutions;

 

   

prevent disruptions to our services and network due to accidents or intentional attacks; and

 

   

maintain our network bandwidth costs and other operating expenses consistent with our revenues.

As a result, there is no assurance that we will achieve our expected financial objectives, including generating positive net income, in any future period.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Overview

Our MD&A is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These principles require us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, cash flow and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Our estimates include those related to revenue recognition, accounts receivable and related reserves, valuation and impairment of investments and marketable securities, capitalized internal-use software costs, goodwill and other intangible assets, tax reserves, impairment

 

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and useful lives of long-lived assets, loss contingencies and stock-based compensation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances at the time such estimates are made. Actual results may differ from these estimates. For a complete description of our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.

Definitions

We define our “critical accounting policies” as those accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America that require us to make subjective estimates and judgments about matters that are uncertain and are likely to have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations as well as the specific manner in which we apply those principles. Our estimates are based upon assumptions and judgments about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate is made and applied and require us to assess a range of potential outcomes.

Review of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Revenue Recognition:

We recognize service revenue in accordance with the Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition,” and the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, Issue No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” Revenue is recognized only when the price is fixed or determinable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the service is performed and collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

We primarily derive revenues from the sale of services to customers executing contracts with terms of one year or longer. These contracts generally commit the customer to a minimum monthly, quarterly or annual level of usage and specify the rate at which the customer must pay for actual usage above the monthly, quarterly or annual minimum. For these services, we recognize the monthly minimum as revenue each month provided that an enforceable contract has been signed by both parties, the service has been delivered to the customer, the fee for the service is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Should a customer’s usage of our service exceed the monthly minimum, we recognize revenue for such excess usage in the period of the usage. For annual or other non-monthly period revenue commitments, we recognize revenue monthly based upon the customer’s actual usage each month of the commitment period and only recognize any remaining committed amount for the applicable period in the last month thereof.

We typically charge customers an installation fee when the services are first activated. The installation fees are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue ratably over the estimated life of the customer arrangement. We also derive income from services sold as discrete, non-recurring events or based solely on usage. For these services, we recognize revenue when the event or usage has occurred.

When more than one element is contained in a single arrangement, we allocate revenue between the elements based on each element’s relative fair value, provided that each element meets the criteria as a separate unit of accounting. An item is considered a separate unit of accounting if it has value to the customer on a standalone basis and there is objective and verifiable evidence of the fair value of the separate elements. Fair value is generally determined based upon the price charged when the element is sold separately. If the fair value of each element cannot be objectively determined, the total value of the arrangement is recognized ratably over the entire service period commencing when all services have begun to be provided. For most multi-element service arrangements we have entered into to date, the fair value of each element has not been objectively determinable. Therefore, all revenue under these arrangements has been recognized ratably over the related service period commencing when we have begun to provide all services ordered.

 

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At the inception of a customer contract for service, we make an estimate as to that customer’s ability to pay for the services provided. We base our estimate on a combination of factors, including the successful completion of a credit check or financial review, our collection experience with the customer and other forms of payment assurance. Upon the completion of these steps, we recognize revenue monthly in accordance with our revenue recognition policy. If we subsequently determine that collection from the customer is not reasonably assured, we record an allowance for doubtful accounts and bad debt expense for all of that customer’s unpaid invoices and cease recognizing revenue for continued services provided until cash is received. Changes in our estimates and judgments about whether collection is reasonably assured would change the timing of revenue or amount of bad debt expense that we recognize.

We also sell our services through a reseller channel. Assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met, we recognize revenue from reseller arrangements based on the reseller’s contracted non-refundable minimum purchase commitments over the term of the contract, plus amounts sold by the reseller to its customers in excess of the minimum commitments. These excess commitments are recognized as revenue in the period in which the service is provided.

From time to time, we enter into contracts to sell our services or license our technology to unrelated companies at or about the same time we enter into contracts to purchase products or services from the same companies. If we conclude that these contracts were negotiated concurrently, we record as revenue only the net cash received from the vendor, unless the product or service received has a separate and identifiable benefit and the fair value to us of the vendor’s product or service can be objectively established.

We may from time to time resell licenses or services of third parties. We record revenue for these transactions on a gross basis when we have risk of loss related to the amounts purchased from the third party and we add value to the license or service, such as by providing maintenance or support for such license or service. If these conditions are present, we recognize revenue when all other revenue recognition criteria are satisfied.

Deferred revenue represents amounts billed to customers for which revenue has not been recognized. Deferred revenue primarily consists of the unearned portion of monthly billed service fees; prepayments made by customers for future periods; deferred installation and activation set-up fees; and amounts billed under customer arrangements with extended payment terms.

Accounts Receivable and Related Reserves:

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amounts and do not bear interest. In addition to trade accounts receivable, our accounts receivable balance includes unbilled accounts that represent revenue recorded for customers that is typically billed within one month. We record reserves against our accounts receivable balance. These reserves consist of allowances for doubtful accounts and revenue from certain customers on a cash basis. Increases and decreases in the allowance for doubtful accounts are included as a component of general and administrative expenses. Increases in the reserve for cash basis customers are recorded as reduction of revenue. The reserve for cash basis customers increases as services are provided to customers for which collection is no longer assured. The reserve decreases and revenue is recognized when and if cash payments are received.

Estimates are used in determining these reserves and are based upon our review of outstanding balances on a customer-specific, account-by-account basis. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon a review of customer receivables from prior sales with collection issues where we no longer believe that the customer has the ability to pay for prior services provided. We perform on-going credit evaluations of our customers. If such an evaluation indicates that payment is no longer reasonably assured for services provided, any future services provided to that customer will result in creation of a cash basis reserve until we receive consistent payments.

 

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Valuation and Impairment of Investments and Marketable Securities:

Effective January 1, 2008, we implemented SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurement,” or SFAS No. 157, for our financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at each reporting period, and non-financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at least annually. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. We have certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value (principally cash equivalents and short- and long-term marketable securities) that have been classified as Level 1, 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy as described in SFAS No. 157. Fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable such as quoted prices, interest rates and yield curves. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs utilize unobservable data points for the asset or liability.

Investments and marketable securities are considered to be impaired when a decline in fair value below cost basis is determined to be other-than-temporary. We periodically evaluate whether a decline in fair value below cost basis is other-than-temporary by considering available evidence regarding these investments including, among other factors, the duration of the period that, and extent to which, the fair value is less than cost basis; the financial health of and business outlook for the issuer, including industry and sector performance and operational and financing cash flow factors; overall market conditions and trends; and our intent and ability to retain our investment in the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in market value. Once a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, a write-down is recorded and a new cost basis in the security is established. Assessing the above factors involves inherent uncertainty. Write-downs, if recorded, could be materially different from the actual market performance of investments and marketable securities in our portfolio, if, among other things, relevant information related to our investments and marketable securities was not publicly available or other factors not considered by us would have been relevant to the determination of impairment.

Included in our short- and long-term marketable securities at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are ARS that are primarily AAA-rated bonds, most of which are collateralized by federally guaranteed student loans. ARS are long-term variable rate bonds tied to short-term interest rates that may reset through a “Dutch auction” process that is designed to occur every seven to 35 days. Historically, the carrying value (par value) of ARS approximated fair market value due to the resetting of variable interest rates. Beginning in mid-February 2008 and continuing throughout the period ended December 31, 2008, however, the auctions for ARS then held by us were unsuccessful. As a result, the interest rates on ARS reset to the maximum rate per the applicable investment offering statements. We will not be able to liquidate affected ARS until a future auction on these investments is successful, a buyer is found outside the auction process, the securities are called or refinanced by the issuer, or the securities mature. Due to the long-term nature of the underlying student loan bonds and the failure of the auction process to provide a current market, we classified these investments as long-term on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008.

In light of these liquidity issues, we performed a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the estimated fair value of these ARS investments. The discounted cash flow analysis we performed considered the timing of expected future successful auctions, the impact of extended periods of maximum interest rates, collateralization of underlying security investments and the creditworthiness of the issuer. The discounted cash flow analysis performed as of December 31, 2008 assumes a weighted average discount rate of 6.275% and expected term of five years. The discount rate was determined using a proxy based upon the current market rates for similar debt offerings within the AAA-rated ARS market. The expected term was based on management’s estimate of future liquidity. As a result, as of December 31, 2008, we have estimated an aggregate loss of $50.1 million, of which $37.2 million was related to the impairment of ARS deemed to be temporary and included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity and of which $12.9 million was related to the

 

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impairment of ARS deemed other-than-temporary and included in gain (loss) on investments, net in the consolidated statement of operations.

Despite the failed auctions, we continue to receive cash flows in the form of specified interest payments from the issuers of ARS. In addition, except for ARS with respect to which we have entered into an agreement allowing us to sell such ARS in June 2010, we have the intent and ability to hold our ARS until a recovery of the impairment because we believe we have sufficient cash and other marketable securities on-hand and from projected cash flows from operations such that we do not anticipate a need to sell our ARS prior to a recovery to par value. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.

Impairment and Useful Lives of Long-Lived Assets:

We review our long-lived assets, such as fixed assets and intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Events that would trigger an impairment review include a change in the use of the asset or forecasted negative cash flows related to the asset. When such events occur, we compare the carrying amount of the asset to the undiscounted expected future cash flows related to the asset. If this comparison indicates that impairment is present, the amount of the impairment is calculated as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset. If a readily determinable market price does not exist, fair value is estimated using discounted expected cash flows attributable to the asset. The estimates required to apply this accounting policy include forecasted usage of the long-lived assets, the useful lives of these assets and expected future cash flows. Changes in these estimates could materially impact results from operations.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

We test goodwill for impairments on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We concluded that we had one reporting unit and assigned the entire balance of goodwill to this reporting unit as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. The fair value of the reporting unit was determined using our market capitalization as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. We performed an impairment test of goodwill as of each of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. These tests did not result in an impairment of goodwill. Other intangible assets consist of completed technologies, customer relationships, trademarks and non-compete agreements arising from acquisitions of businesses and acquired license rights. Purchased intangible assets, other than goodwill, are amortized over their estimated useful lives based upon the economic value derived from the related intangible assets. Goodwill is carried at its historical cost.

Loss Contingencies:

We define a loss contingency as a condition involving uncertainty as to a possible loss related to a previous event that will not be resolved until one or more future events occur or fail to occur. Our primary loss contingencies relate to pending or threatened litigation. We record a liability for a loss contingency when we believe that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. When we believe the likelihood of a loss is less than probable and more than remote, we do not record a liability. Material loss contingencies are disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

Tax Reserves:

Our provision for income taxes is comprised of a current and a deferred portion. The current income tax provision is calculated as the estimated taxes payable or refundable on tax returns for the current year. The deferred income tax provision is calculated for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards using expected tax rates in effect in the years during which the differences are expected to reverse or the carryforwards are expected to be realized.

 

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We currently have significant deferred tax assets, comprised of net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards and deductible temporary differences. Our management periodically weighs the positive and negative evidence to determine if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

We have recorded certain tax reserves to address potential exposures involving our income tax and sales and use tax positions. These potential tax liabilities result from the varying application of statutes, rules, regulations and interpretations by different taxing jurisdictions. Our estimate of the value of our tax reserves contains assumptions based on past experiences and judgments about the interpretation of statutes, rules and regulations by taxing jurisdictions. It is possible that the costs of the ultimate tax liability or benefit from these matters may be materially more or less than the amount that we estimated.

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation, or FIN, No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.” FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a two-step process to determine the amount of tax benefit to be recognized. First, the tax position must be evaluated to determine the likelihood that it will be sustained upon external examination. If the tax position is deemed more-likely-than-not to be sustained, the tax position is then assessed to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The amount of the benefit that may be recognized is the largest amount that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. As of the date of adoption, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $2.1 million, including accrued interest and penalties, and did not record any cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as a result of adopting FIN 48. As of December 31, 2008, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $6.1 million, including accrued interest and penalties.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation:

We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123R. Under the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123R, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the vesting period. We have selected the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine fair value of stock option awards. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date requires judgment, including estimating the expected life of the stock awards and the volatility of the underlying common stock. Our assumptions may differ from those used in prior periods because of adjustments to the calculation of such assumptions based upon the guidance of SFAS No. 123R and Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, “Share-Based Payment.” Changes to the assumptions may have a significant impact on the fair value of stock options, which could have a material impact on our financial statements. In addition, judgment is also required in estimating the amount of stock-based awards that are expected to be forfeited. Should our actual forfeiture rates differ significantly from our estimates, our stock-based compensation expense and results of operations could be materially impacted.

For stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and deferred stock units, we recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the awards’ vesting periods for those awards that contain only a service vesting feature. For awards with a performance condition vesting feature, we recognize compensation cost on a graded-vesting basis over the awards’ expected vesting periods.

Capitalized Internal-Use Software Costs:

We capitalize the salaries and payroll-related costs of employees and consultants who devote time to the development of internal-use software projects. If a project constitutes an enhancement to previously developed software, we assess whether the enhancement is significant and creates additional functionality to the software, thus qualifying the work incurred for capitalization. Once the project is complete, we estimate the useful life of the internal-use software, and we periodically assess whether the software is impaired. Changes in our estimates related to internal-use software would increase or decrease operating expenses or amortization recorded during the period.

 

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Results of Operations

Revenues. Total revenues increased 24%, or $154.5 million, to $790.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $636.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Total revenues increased 48%, or $207.7 million, to $636.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $428.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The increases in revenue during the years presented were primarily attributable to an increase in the number of customers under recurring revenue contracts, as well as increases in traffic and additional services sold to new and existing customers. Increased sales to existing customers contributed to increases in the average revenue per customer during each year, partially offset by reduced unit prices offered to new and renewing customers. We believe that the continued growth in use of the Internet by businesses and consumers was the principal factor driving increased purchases of our services. We expect this trend to continue in 2009 but at lower rates of growth due to general economic conditions and a leveling off of the rate of increased growth in use of the Internet. Also contributing to the increase in revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were revenues generated through our acquisitions of acerno, which added $6.9 million of revenue during the fourth quarter of 2008, Netli, Nine Systems and Red Swoosh. As of December 31, 2008, we had 2,858 customers under recurring revenue contracts as compared to 2,645 at December 31, 2007 and 2,347 at December 31, 2006.

For 2008 and 2007, 25% and 23%, respectively, of our total revenues was derived from our operations located outside of the United States, of which 18% and 17% of total revenues, respectively, was derived from operations in Europe. For 2006, 22% of our total revenues was derived from our operations located outside of the United States, of which 18% of total revenues was derived from operations in Europe. Other than the United States, no single country accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues during these periods. We expect international sales to increase slightly as a percentage of our total sales in 2009 as compared to prior years. Resellers accounted for 16% of revenues in 2008, 18% in 2007 and 20% in 2006. For 2008, 2007 and 2006, no single customer accounted for 10% or more of total revenues.

Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues includes fees paid to network providers for bandwidth and co-location of our network equipment. Cost of revenues also includes payroll and related costs and stock-based compensation expense for network operations personnel, cost of software licenses, depreciation of network equipment used to deliver our services and amortization of internal-use software.

Cost of revenues was comprised of the following (in millions):

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,
     2008    2007    2006

Bandwidth, co-location and storage fees

   $ 136.8    $ 103.2    $ 59.2

Payroll and related costs of network operations personnel

     10.8      8.8      5.8

Stock-based compensation

     2.4      3.3      2.0

Depreciation and impairment of network equipment

     55.2      41.1      19.4

Amortization of internal-use software

     17.4      11.0      7.7
                    

Total cost of revenues

   $ 222.6    $ 167.4    $ 94.1
                    

Cost of revenues increased 33%, or $55.2 million, to $222.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $167.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Cost of revenues increased 78%, or $73.3 million, to $167.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $94.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. These increases were primarily due to an increase in the amounts paid to network providers due to higher traffic levels, partially offset by reduced bandwidth costs per unit, and increases in depreciation expense of network equipment and amortization of internal-use software as we continued to invest in our infrastructure. Additionally, in 2008, 2007 and 2006, cost of revenues included stock-based compensation expense; such expense decreased by $0.9 million in 2008 as compared to 2007 and increased by $1.4 million in 2007 as compared to 2006. Cost of revenues during 2008, 2007 and 2006 also included credits received of approximately $3.3 million, $3.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively, from settlements and renegotiations entered into in connection with billing disputes related to bandwidth contracts. Credits of this nature may occur in the future; however, the timing and amount of future credits, if any, will vary.

 

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We have long-term purchase commitments for bandwidth usage and co-location with various networks and Internet service providers. For the years ending December 31, 2009 and 2010, the minimum commitments related to bandwidth usage and co-location services are approximately $42.4 million and $8.0 million, respectively.

We believe cost of revenues will increase in 2009. We expect to deliver more traffic on our network, which would result in higher expenses associated with the increased traffic; however, such costs are likely to be partially offset by lower bandwidth costs per unit. Additionally, for 2009, we anticipate increases in depreciation expense related to our network equipment and amortization of internal-use software development costs, along with increased payroll and related costs, as we continue to make investments in our network with the expectation that our customer base will continue to expand.

Research and Development. Research and development expenses consist primarily of payroll and related costs and stock-based compensation expense for research and development personnel who design, develop, test, deploy and enhance our services and our network. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred, except for certain internal-use software development costs eligible for capitalization. During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, we capitalized software development costs of $23.9 million, $17.8 million and $11.7 million, respectively, net of impairments. These development costs consisted of external consulting, payroll and payroll-related costs for personnel involved in the development of internal-use software used to deliver our services and operate our network. Additionally, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, we capitalized as internal-use software $7.4 million, $6.4 million and $4.3 million, respectively, of non-cash stock-based compensation. These capitalized internal-use software costs are amortized to cost of revenues over their estimated useful lives of two years.

Research and development expenses decreased 11%, or $4.9 million, to $39.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $44.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Research and development expenses increased 33%, or $11.0 million, to $44.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, as compared to $33.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The research and development expense decrease in 2008 as compared to 2007 was due to decreases in stock-based compensation expense and travel costs as well as an increase in amount of costs capitalized as internal-use software, partially offset by an increase in payroll and related costs resulting from higher headcount. The research and development expense increase in 2007 as compared to the prior year was due to increases in payroll and related costs resulting from higher headcount, as well as additional stock-based compensation expense.

The following table quantifies the net changes in the various components of our research and development expenses for the periods presented (in millions):

 

     Increase (Decrease) in
Research and
Development Expenses
 
     2008 to 2007     2007 to 2006  

Payroll and related costs

   $ 6.2     $ 12.5  

Stock-based compensation

     (4.6 )     4.2  

Capitalized salaries and other

     (6.5 )     (5.7 )
                

Total net (decrease) increase

   $ (4.9 )   $ 11.0  
                

We believe that research and development expenses will increase in 2009 because we expect to continue to hire additional development personnel in order to make improvements in our core technology, develop new services and make refinements to our other service offerings.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of payroll and related costs, stock-based compensation expense and commissions for personnel engaged in marketing, sales and support functions, as well as advertising and promotional expenses.

 

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Sales and marketing expenses increased 11%, or $16.8 million, to $164.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $147.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Sales and marketing expenses increased 23%, or $27.9 million, to $147.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $119.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase in sales and marketing expenses during these periods was primarily due to higher payroll and related costs, particularly commissions for sales and marketing personnel, attributable to revenue growth and as a result of higher marketing-related costs, particularly for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.

The following table quantifies the net increase in the various components of our sales and marketing expenses for the periods presented (in millions):

 

     Increase (Decrease) in
Sales and
Marketing Expenses
     2008 to 2007    2007 to 2006

Payroll and related costs

   $ 8.8    $ 12.6

Stock-based compensation

          7.8

Marketing and related costs

     4.5      2.9

Other expense

     3.5      4.6
             

Total net increase

   $ 16.8    $ 27.9
             

We expect that sales and marketing expenses will increase in 2009 due to an expected increase in commissions on higher forecasted sales of our services, offset by a reduction in payroll and related costs due to a decrease in our sales and marketing personnel and other marketing costs such as advertising.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of the following components:

 

   

payroll, stock-based compensation expense and other related costs, including expenses for executive, finance, business applications, network management, human resources and other administrative personnel;

 

   

depreciation of property and equipment we use internally;

 

   

fees for professional services;

 

   

rent and other facility-related expenditures for leased properties;

 

   

the provision for doubtful accounts;

 

   

insurance costs; and

 

   

non-income related taxes.

General and administrative expenses increased 12%, or $14.9 million, to $136.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $121.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. General and administrative expenses increased 34% or $30.9 million, to $121.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $90.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase in general and administrative expenses during both periods was primarily due to an increase in payroll and related costs as a result of headcount growth. Additionally, facilities-related costs increased due to office expansions, and we incurred increased expenditures for professional services, particularly legal and consulting fees. This increase was offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation expense during 2008 in comparison to 2007.

 

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The following table quantifies the net increase in various components of our general and administrative expenses for the periods presented (in millions):

 

     Increase (Decrease) in
General and
Administrative Expenses
 
     2008 to 2007     2007 to 2006  

Payroll and related costs

   $ 4.7     $ 7.8  

Stock-based compensation

     (3.2 )     3.5  

Non-income taxes

     2.0       (0.5 )

Facilities-related costs

     3.6       5.2  

Depreciation and amortization

     3.2       3.4  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     (0.1 )     1.2  

Legal fees

     0.4       6.9  

Consulting and advisory services

     1.1       0.8  

Other expenses

     3.2       2.6  
                

Total net increase

   $ 14.9     $ 30.9  
                

We expect general and administrative expenses to increase in 2009 due to increased payroll and related costs attributable to increased hiring and an increase in rent and facilities costs, offset by an expected reduction in litigation-related expenses.

Amortization of Other Intangible Assets. Amortization of other intangible assets consists of the amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations and amortization of acquired license rights. Amortization of other intangible assets increased 22%, or $2.5 million, to $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $11.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Amortization of other intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased by $2.9 million, or 35%, over amortization of other intangible assets in the year ended December 31, 2006 of $8.5 million. The increase in amortization of other intangible assets in 2008 as compared to 2007 was due to the amortization of intangible assets from the acquisitions of acerno in November 2008 and a full year of amortization of intangible assets from the Red Swoosh acquisition in April 2007. The increase in amortization of intangible assets in 2007 as compared to 2006 was due to the amortization of intangible assets from the acquisition of Netli in March 2007 and a full year of amortization of intangible assets from the Nine Systems acquisition in December 2006. Based on our currently-owned intangible assets, we expect amortization of other intangible assets to be approximately $16.7 million, $16.4 million, $16.4 million, $15.4 million and $12.6 million for the years ending December 31, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Interest Income. Interest income includes interest earned on invested cash balances and marketable securities. Interest income decreased 4%, or $1.0 million, to $24.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $25.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Interest income increased 46%, or $8.1 million, to $25.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $17.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The decrease in 2008 as compared to 2007 was primarily due to a decrease in the interest rates, offsetting higher cash and marketable securities balances driven by an increase in our cash from operations. The increase in 2007 as compared to 2006 was primarily due to an increase in our total invested marketable securities as a result of an increase in our cash from operations.

Interest Expense. Interest expense includes interest paid on our debt obligations as well as amortization of deferred financing costs. Interest expense decreased 8%, or $0.3 million, to $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Interest expense decreased 3%, or $85,000, to $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $3.2 million for the year

 

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ended December 31, 2006. Interest expense during these periods was primarily attributable to interest payable on the outstanding amount of our 1% convertible senior notes. Based upon our outstanding indebtedness at December 31, 2008, we believe that interest expense on our debt obligations, including deferred financing amortization, will not exceed $3.1 million in 2009.

Other Income (Expense), net. Other income (expense), net primarily represents net foreign exchange gains and losses incurred during the periods presented as well as gains on legal settlements. Other income, net decreased 13%, or $66,000, to other income, net of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to other income, net of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Other income, net was $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Other income, net for the year ended December 31, 2008 consisted of $0.5 million of foreign exchange gains and $4,000 of net gains on legal settlements. Other income, net of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 consisted of approximately $35,000 of foreign exchange gains and $0.5 million of net gains on legal settlements. For the year ended December 31, 2006, other income, net of $0.6 million consisted of approximately $90,000 of foreign exchange losses, offset by $0.5 million of net gains on legal settlements. Other income (expense), net may fluctuate in the future based upon movements in foreign exchange rates, the outcome of legal proceedings and other events.

Gain (Loss) on Investments, net. During the year ended December 31, 2008, we recorded a net loss on investments of $0.2 million, which reflects a loss of $12.9 million due to other-than-temporary impairments on marketable securities; a gain of $12.5 million realized on a put option received from one of our investment advisors in November 2008; and a gain of $0.2 million on the sale of marketable securities. During the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, we recorded a net gain on investments of $24,000 and $0.3 million, respectively, from the sale of marketable securities. We do not expect significant gains or losses on investments in 2009.

Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt. During 2007, we recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt in the amount of $3,000, as a result of conversions to common stock of $0.1 million in principal amount of our 1% convertible notes in August 2007 and $40,000 in principal amount of such notes in January 2007. We did not record any loss on the early extinguishment of debt in the 2006 or 2008.

Provision for Income Taxes. For the year ended December 31, 2008, our effective tax rate of 38.1% was higher than the 35% statutory federal income tax rate applicable to corporations due primarily to state income taxes and the effect of non-deductible stock-based compensation, partially offset by the benefit recorded for research and development tax credits. For the years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, our effective tax rates of 40.0% and 41.5% respectively, were higher than the 35% statutory federal income tax rate due primarily to state income taxes and the effect of non-deductible stock-based compensation, partially offset by the benefit recorded for research and development tax credits.

Provision for income taxes increased by 33%, or $22.2 million, to $89.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $67.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2007. Provision for income taxes increased by 64%, or $26.2 million, to $67.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $41.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2006. These increases were primarily due to increases in our operating income.

While we expect our consolidated annualized effective tax rate in 2009 to remain relatively consistent with 2008, this expectation does not take into consideration the effect of discrete items recorded as a result of our compliance with SFAS No. 123R or any potential tax planning strategies. Our effective tax rate could be materially different depending on the nature and timing of the disposition of incentive and other employee stock options. Further, our effective tax rate may fluctuate within a fiscal year and from quarter to quarter, due to items arising from discrete events, including settlements of tax audits and assessments, the resolution or identification of tax position uncertainties and acquisitions of other companies.

 

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Because of the availability of NOLs, a significant portion of our future provision for income taxes is expected to be a non-cash expense; consequently, the amount of cash paid with respect to income taxes is expected to be a relatively small portion of the total annualized tax expense during periods in which the NOLs are utilized. In determining our net deferred tax assets and valuation allowances, annualized effective tax rates, and cash paid for income taxes, management is required to make judgments and estimates about domestic and foreign profitability, the timing and extent of the utilization of NOL carryforwards, applicable tax rates, transfer pricing methodologies and tax planning strategies. Judgments and estimates related to our projections and assumptions are inherently uncertain; therefore, actual results could differ materially from our projections.

We have recorded certain tax reserves to address potential exposures involving our income tax and sales and use tax positions. These potential tax liabilities result from the varying application of statutes, rules, regulations and interpretations by different taxing jurisdictions. Our estimate of the value of these tax reserves reflects assumptions based on past experiences and judgments about the interpretation of statutes, rules and regulations by taxing jurisdictions. It is possible that the ultimate tax liability or benefit from of these matters may be materially greater or less than the amount that we have estimated.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

To date, we have financed our operations primarily through the following transactions:

 

   

private sales of capital stock and subordinated notes, which notes were repaid in 1999;

 

   

an initial public offering of our common stock in October 1999, which generated net proceeds of $217.6 million;

 

   

the sale in June 2000 of an aggregate of $300 million in principal amount of our 5 1/2% convertible subordinated notes, which generated net proceeds of $290.2 million and were repaid or redeemed in full between December 2003 and September 2005;

 

   

the sale in December 2003 and January 2004 of an aggregate of $200 million in principal amount of our 1% convertible senior notes, which generated net proceeds of $194.1 million;

 

   

the public offering of 12.0 million shares of our common stock in November 2005, which generated net proceeds of $202.1 million;

 

   

proceeds from the exercise of stock awards; and

 

   

cash generated by operations.

As of December 31, 2008, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, which consisted of corporate debt securities, U.S. treasury and government agency securities, commercial paper, corporate debt securities and student loan-backed ARS, totaled $771.6 million. We place our cash investments in instruments that meet high credit quality standards, as specified in our investment policy. Our investment policy also limits the amount of our credit exposure to any one issue or issuer and seeks to manage these assets to achieve our goals of preserving principal, maintaining adequate liquidity at all times, and maximizing returns subject to our investment policy.

We held approximately $287.1 million and $280.0 million in par value of ARS at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The ARS are primarily AAA-rated bonds, most of which are guaranteed by the U.S. government as part of the Federal Family Education Loan Program through the U.S. Department of Education. None of the auction rate securities in our portfolio are mortgage-backed or collateralized debt obligations. In mid-February 2008, all of our ARS experienced failed auctions, which failures continued throughout the rest of 2008. As a result, we have been unable to liquidate most of our holdings of ARS. Based on our ability to access our cash and other short-term investments, our expected operating cash flows, and our other sources of cash, we do not anticipate the current lack of liquidity on these investments to have a material impact on our financial

 

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condition or results of operations in 2009. In November 2008, we entered into an agreement with one of our investment advisors that provides for the repurchase in June 2010 of $76.5 million of the ARS we hold if we have been unable to achieve liquidity with respect to such securities before that time.

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $106.5 million to $343.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $237.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Cash provided by operating activities increased $104.2 million to $237.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $132.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. We expect that cash provided by operating activities will continue to increase as a result of an expected increase in cash collections related to higher revenues, partially offset by an expected increase in operating expenses that require cash outlays such as salaries and higher commissions. Current economic conditions could negatively impact our cash provided by operating activities if we are unable to manage our days sales outstanding or our business otherwise deteriorates.

Net cash used in investing activities was $364.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to $226.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Net cash used in investing activities was $205.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Cash used in investing activities for 2008 reflects the purchase of acerno in November 2008 for $83.7 million, net purchases of short- and long-term marketable securities of $533.1 million and purchases of property and equipment of $115.4 million, including the capitalization of internal-use software development costs. Amounts attributable to these purchases and investments were offset, in part, by the proceeds from the sales and maturities of short- and long-term marketable securities of $367.7 million. Net cash used in investing activities for 2007 reflects net purchases of short- and long-term marketable securities of $550.6 million and purchases of property and equipment of $100.5 million, including the capitalization of internal-use software development costs. Amounts attributable to these purchases and investments were offset, in part, by the proceeds from the sales and maturities of short- and long-term marketable securities of $415.8 million and $7.9 million of net cash acquired through our acquisitions of Netli in March 2007 and Red Swoosh in April 2007. Additionally, net cash used in investing activities during 2007 included a decrease of $0.7 million in restricted investments previously held for security deposits. Net cash used in investing activities for 2006 reflects net purchases of short- and long-term investments of $395.9 million and purchases of property and equipment of $69.3 million, including the capitalization of internal-use software development costs. In addition, approximately $5.1 million of cash, including transaction costs, was used to acquire Nine Systems in December 2006. These purchases and investments were offset by the proceeds from the sales and maturities of short- and long-term securities of $264.3 million and a decrease of $0.4 million in restricted investments previously held for security deposits. For 2009, we expect total capital expenditures, a component of cash used in investing activities, to be approximately 15% of total revenue for the year. We expect to fund such capital expenditures through cash generated from operations.

Cash provided by financing activities was $33.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to $52.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Cash provided by financing activities was $60.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 included proceeds of $22.0 million from the issuance of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and the sale of shares under our employee stock purchase plan. Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 also included $11.2 million related to excess tax benefits resulting from the exercise of stock options. Cash provided by financing activities was $52.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to $60.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 included proceeds of $31.6 million from the issuance of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and the sale of shares under our employee stock purchase plan. Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 also included $20.9 million related to excess tax benefits resulting from the exercise of stock options. Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2006 included proceeds of $27.9 million from the issuance of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and the sale of shares under our employee stock purchase plan. Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2006 also included $32.5 million related to excess tax benefits resulting from the exercise of stock options.

 

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Changes in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are dependent upon changes in, among other things, working capital items such as deferred revenue, accounts payable, accounts receivable and various accrued expenses, as well as changes in our capital and financial structure, including debt repurchases and issuances, stock option exercises, sales of equity investments and similar events.

The following table represents the net inflows and outflows of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities for the periods presented (in millions):

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively

   $ 633.5     $ 434.5     $ 314.1  
                        

Changes in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities:

      

Receipts from customers

     786.6       627.8       412.3  

Payments to vendors

     (366.4 )     (319.0 )     (197.5 )

Payments for employee payroll

     (184.2 )     (179.6 )     (134.6 )

Realized loss on investments and other investment-related assets

     (0.2 )     —         —    

Debt interest and premium payments

     (2.0 )     (2.0 )     (2.0 )

Stock option exercises and employee stock purchase plan issuances

     22.0       31.6       27.9  

Cash (used) acquired in business acquisitions

     (83.7 )     8.8       (4.5 )

Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of unrealized gains

     (38.1 )     —         —    

Interest income

     24.8       25.8       17.7  

Taxes paid

     (11.9 )     (3.1 )     (3.5 )

Other

     (8.8 )     8.7       4.6  
                        

Net increase

     138.1       199.0       120.4  
                        

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively

   $ 771.6     $ 633.5     $ 434.5  
                        

As part of an agreement entered into with one of our investment advisors under which it agreed to repurchase $76.5 million of our ARS in June 2010, we were also offered the ability to enter into a line of credit that would be collateralized by the underlying ARS investments. In January 2009, the line of credit for $76.5 million was approved by the investment advisor. We have not yet used the line of credit.

We believe, based on our present business plan, that our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and forecasted cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures for at least the next 24 months. If the assumptions underlying our business plan regarding future revenue and expenses change or if unexpected opportunities or needs arise, we may seek to raise additional cash by selling equity or debt securities. We may not, however, be able to sell equity or debt securities on terms we consider reasonable or at all. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity or debt securities, these securities could have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those accruing to holders of common stock, and the terms of such debt could impose restrictions on our operations. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt securities would also result in additional dilution to our existing stockholders. See “Risk Factors” elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K for a discussion of additional factors that could affect our liquidity.

 

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Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities and Commercial Commitments

The following table presents our contractual obligations and commercial commitments, as of December 31, 2008, for the next five years and thereafter (in millions):

 

     Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligations

   Total    Less than
12 Months
   12 to 36
Months
   36 to 60
Months
   More than
60 Months

1% convertible senior notes assuming no early redemption or repurchases

   $ 199.9    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 199.9

Interest on convertible notes outstanding assuming no early redemption or repurchases

     50.0      2.0      4.0      4.0      40.0

Real estate operating leases

     167.8      18.1      38.8      31.0      79.9

Bandwidth and co-location agreements

     50.4      42.4      8.0      —        —  

Open vendor purchase orders

     15.0      15.0      —        —        —  
                                  

Total contractual obligations

   $ 483.1    $ 77.5    $ 50.8    $ 35.0    $ 319.8
                                  

In accordance with FIN No. 48, as of December 31, 2008, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $6.1 million, which included approximately $1.3 million of accrued interest and penalties. We do not expect to recognize any of these tax benefits in 2009. We are not, however, able to provide a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of future payments relating to these obligations.

Letters of Credit

As of December 31, 2008, we had outstanding $8.6 million in irrevocable letters of credit issued by us in favor of third-party beneficiaries, primarily related to facility leases. Approximately $3.6 million of these letters of credit are collateralized by restricted marketable securities, of which $3.4 million are classified as short-term marketable securities and $0.2 million are classified as long-term marketable securities on our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2008. The restrictions on these marketable securities lapse as we fulfill our obligations or as such obligations expire under the terms of the letters of credit. These restrictions are expected to lapse at various times through May 2011. The remaining $5.0 million of irrevocable letters of credit are unsecured and are expected to remain in effect until December 2019.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have entered into various indemnification arrangements with third parties, including vendors, customers, landlords, our officers and directors, shareholders of acquired companies, joint venture partners and third party licensees of our technology. Generally, these indemnification agreements require us to reimburse losses suffered by third parties due to various events, such as lawsuits arising from patent or copyright infringement or our negligence. These indemnification obligations are considered off-balance sheet arrangements in accordance with FASB Interpretation 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.” To date, we have not encountered material costs as a result of such obligations and have not accrued any significant liabilities related to such indemnification obligations in our financial statements. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K for further discussion of these indemnification agreements.

The conversion features of our 1% convertible senior notes due December 15, 2033 are equity-linked derivatives. As such, we recognize these instruments as off-balance sheet arrangements. The conversion features associated with these notes would be accounted for as derivative instruments, except that they are indexed to our common stock and classified in stockholders’ equity. Therefore, these instruments meet the scope exception of paragraph 11(a) of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and are

 

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accordingly not accounted for as derivatives for purposes of SFAS No. 133. See Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K for more information.

Litigation

We are party to litigation that we consider routine and incidental to our business. Management does not currently expect the results of any of these litigation matters to have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. See “Legal Proceedings” elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K for further discussion on litigation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

We adopted SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a methodology for measuring fair value and expands the required disclosure for fair value measurements. During 2008, the FASB issued the following amendments to SFAS No. 157:

 

   

FASB Staff Position No. 157-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement under Statement 13,” or FSP FAS No. 157-1, which amends SFAS No. 157 to remove certain leasing transactions from its scope. The adoption of FSP FAS No. 157-1 did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations in 2008.

 

   

FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 from 2008 to 2009 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). We are currently evaluating the potential impact of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities on our financial position and results of operations.

 

   

FASB Staff Position No. 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active,” or FSP FAS No. 157-3, which clarifies the application of SFAS No. 157 in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP FAS No. 157-3 became effective in October 2008. The adoption of FSP FAS No. 157-3 did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations in 2008.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations,” or SFAS No. 141R. SFAS No. 141R establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer in a business combination (i) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree, (ii) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase and (iii) determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R became effective for us on January 1, 2009. The impact of the standard on our financial position and results of operations will be dependent upon the number of and magnitude of the acquisitions that are consummated once the standard is effective.

In December 2007, the FASB released SFAS No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51.” This statement will change the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be re-characterized as non-controlling interests and classified as a component of equity. This new consolidation method will significantly change the accounting for transactions with minority interest holders. This statement is effective for us on January 1, 2009. As of December 31, 2008, we did not have any minority interests.

In April 2008, the FASB issued an FASB Staff Position on SFAS No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets,” or FSP FAS No. 142-3. FSP FAS No. 142-3 amends the factors that should be

 

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considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” or SFAS No. 142. FSP FAS No. 142-3 is intended to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141R and other generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. FSP FAS No. 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We do not expect FSP FAS No. 142-3 will have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In June 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position, or FSP, EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities.” This FSP provides that unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Upon adoption, we are required to retrospectively adjust our earnings per share data (including any amounts related to interim periods, summaries of earnings and selected financial data) to conform with the provisions in this FSP. This FSP became effective for us on January 1, 2009. We have not yet determined the impact, if any, of this FSP on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our debt and investment portfolio. In our investment portfolio, we do not use derivative financial instruments. We place our investments with high quality issuers and, by policy, limit the amount of risk by investing primarily in money market funds, United States Treasury obligations, high-quality corporate and municipal obligations and certificates of deposit. Our investment policy also limits the amount of our credit exposure to any one issue or issuer and seeks to manage these assets to achieve our goals of preserving principal, maintaining adequate liquidity at all times and maximizing returns subject to our investment policy.

At December 31, 2008, we held $287.1 million in par value of ARS that have experienced failed auctions, which has prevented us from liquidating those investments. As a result, we have classified these investments as long-term marketable securities on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008. Due to these liquidity issues, we performed a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the estimated fair value of these ARS investments. The discounted cash flow analysis we performed considered the timing of expected future successful auctions, the impact of extended periods of maximum interest rates, collateralization of underlying security investments and the creditworthiness of the issuer. The discounted cash flow analysis performed as of December 31, 2008 assumes a weighted average discount rate of 6.275% and expected term of five years. The discount rate was determined using a proxy based upon the current market rates for similar debt offerings within the AAA-rated ARS market. The expected term was based on management’s estimate of future liquidity. As a result, as of December 31, 2008, we have estimated an aggregate loss of $50.1 million, of which $37.2 million was related to the impairment of ARS deemed to be temporary and included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity and of which $12.9 million was related to the impairment of ARS deemed other-than-temporary and included in gain (loss) on investments, net in the consolidated statement of operations. Based on our ability to access our cash and short-term investments and our expected cash flows, we do not anticipate the current lack of liquidity on these ARS will have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations during 2009 or our ability to operate our business in 2009.

Our valuation of the ARS is sensitive to market conditions and management’s judgment and could change significantly based on the assumptions used. If we had used a term of three years or seven years and discount rate of 6.275%, the gross unrealized loss on the $210.6 million in par value of ARS classified as available-for-sale would have been $23.7 million or $49.1 million, respectively. If we had used a term of five years and discount rate of 5.275% or 7.275%, the gross unrealized loss on the $210.6 million in par value of ARS classified as available-for-sale would have been $28.8 million or $45.1 million, respectively.

During November 2008, we entered into an agreement with one of our investment advisors providing for it to repurchase the ARS held through such advisor at par value beginning on June 30, 2010. The ARS covered by this agreement had a par value of $76.5 million at December 31, 2008. We expect to continue to hold these long-term debt instruments until the earlier of the settlement date or the date on which the market for active trading of ARS at par value is re-established. At any time during the period up until the June 2010, our investment advisor can call the ARS at par value. We elected to apply the fair value option under SFAS No. 159 to the put option incorporated in this repurchase agreement. The $12.5 million fair value of such put option is grouped with other long-term marketable securities on our consolidated balance sheet with the resultant gain offsetting $12.9 million of the related ARS impairment included in other income, net. The fair value of the put option is determined by comparing the fair value of the related ARS, as described above, to their par values and also considers the credit risk associated with our investment advisor. This put option will be adjusted on each balance sheet date based on its then fair value.

The valuation of our $76.5 million in par value of ARS subject to the put option is also sensitive to market conditions and management’s judgment and could change significantly based on assumptions used, resulting in a change in the realized loss on investments recorded in our consolidated statement of operations. Any change in the realized loss on the ARS would, however, be offset by a corresponding change in the realized gain on the valuation of the put option related to these ARS recorded in our consolidated statement of operations. Any net gain (loss) from future changes in market conditions is not expected to be material because the changes in valuations of the ARS and related put option will generally offset each other.

 

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Our 1% convertible senior notes are subject to changes in market value. Under certain conditions, the holders of our 1% convertible senior notes may require us to redeem the notes on or after December 15, 2010. As of December 31, 2008, the aggregate outstanding principal amount and the fair value of the 1% convertible senior notes were $199.9 million and $221.0 million, respectively.

We have operations in Europe, Asia, Australia and India. As a result, we are exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. Additionally, we may continue to expand our operations globally and sell to customers in foreign locations, which may increase our exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations. We do not have any foreign currency hedge contracts.

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule

 

     Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   46

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007

   47

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

   48

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

   49

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

   50

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   52

Schedule:

  

Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

   S-1

Note: All other financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Akamai Technologies, Inc.:

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Akamai Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

As discussed in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for uncertain tax positions in 2007.

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159 in 2008 and elected to measure certain financial assets at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses being reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting period.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

March 2, 2009

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,  
           2008                     2007          
   (in thousands, except share data)  

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 156,074     $ 145,078  

Marketable securities (including restricted securities of $3,460 and $511 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively)

     174,557       401,091  

Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $11,270 and $10,391 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively

     139,612       118,944  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     27,124       23,782  

Deferred income tax assets

     4,542       6,147  
                

Total current assets

     501,909       695,042  

Property and equipment, net

     174,483       134,546  

Marketable securities (including restricted securities of $153 and $3,102 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively)

     440,996       87,339  

Goodwill

     441,258       361,637  

Other intangible assets, net

     92,995       87,500  

Deferred income tax assets

     223,718       285,463  

Other assets

     5,592       4,520  
                

Total assets

   $ 1,880,951     $ 1,656,047  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 21,165     $ 18,540  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     66,132       56,233  

Deferred revenue

     11,506       12,995  

Accrued restructuring

     1,653       607  
                

Total current liabilities

     100,456       88,375  

Deferred revenue

     1,251       1,453  

Other liabilities

     10,619       7,812  

1% convertible senior notes

     199,855       199,855  
                

Total liabilities

     312,181       297,495  
                

Commitments, contingencies and guarantees (Note 11)

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 700,000 shares designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock; no shares issued or outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 700,000,000 shares authorized; 169,371,675 and 166,212,638 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively

     1,694       1,662  

Additional paid-in capital

     4,539,154       4,446,703  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (24,350 )     3,053  

Accumulated deficit

     (2,947,728 )     (3,092,866 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     1,568,770       1,358,552  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,880,951     $ 1,656,047  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
         2008                 2007                 2006        
   (in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Revenues

   $ 790,924     $ 636,406     $ 428,672  
                        

Cost and operating expenses:

      

Cost of revenues

     222,610       167,444       94,100  

Research and development

     39,243       44,141       33,102  

Sales and marketing

     164,365       147,556       119,689  

General and administrative

     136,028       121,101       90,191  

Amortization of other intangible assets

     13,905       11,414       8,484  

Restructuring charge (benefit)

     2,509       (178 )     —    
                        

Total cost and operating expenses

     578,660       491,478       345,566  
                        

Income from operations

     212,264       144,928       83,106  

Interest income

     24,792       25,815       17,703  

Interest expense

     (2,825 )     (3,086 )     (3,171 )

Other income (expense), net

     461       527       570  

Gain (loss) on investments, net

     (157 )     24       261  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     —         (3 )     —    
                        

Income before provision for income taxes

     234,535       168,205       98,469  

Provision for income taxes

     89,397       67,238       41,068  
                        

Net income

   $ 145,138     $ 100,967     $ 57,401  
                        

Net income per weighted average share:

      

Basic

   $ 0.87     $ 0.62     $ 0.37  

Diluted

   $ 0.79     $ 0.56     $ 0.34  

Shares used in per share calculations:

      

Basic

     167,673       162,959       155,366  

Diluted

     186,685       185,094       176,767  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

    For the Years Ended December 31,  
  2008     2007     2006  
  (in thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

     

Net income

  $ 145,138     $ 100,967     $ 57,401  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

     

Depreciation and amortization

    98,080       71,895       40,585  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    840       840       841  

Stock-based compensation

    57,899       66,555       49,556  

Provision for deferred income taxes, net

    81,698       65,272       38,510  

Provision for doubtful accounts

    2,575       2,901       830  

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

    (11,176 )     (20,862 )     (32,511 )

Non-cash portion of loss on early extinguishment of debt

    —         3       —    

Non-cash portion of restructuring charge (benefit)

    (842 )     (178 )     —    

Losses (gains) on investments and disposal of property and equipment, net

    242       23       (228 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:

     

Accounts receivable

    (21,474 )     (31,937 )     (28,020 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    (5,471 )     (12,009 )     (8,062 )

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    (4,181 )     (12,965 )     15,382  

Deferred revenue

    (1,492 )     5,297       343  

Accrued restructuring

    1,216       (2,722 )     (1,970 )

Other non-current assets and liabilities

    442       3,874       66  
                       

Net cash provided by operating activities

    343,494       236,954       132,723  
                       

Cash flows from investing activities:

     

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    (83,719 )     7,875       (5,127 )

Purchases of property and equipment

    (90,369 )     (81,405 )     (56,752 )

Capitalization of internal-use software costs

    (25,017 )     (19,057 )     (12,576 )

Purchases of short- and long-term marketable securities

    (533,069 )     (550,614 )     (395,871 )

Proceeds from sales and maturities of short- and long-term marketable securities

    367,652       415,771       264,308  

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

    82       —         —    

Decrease in restricted investments held for security deposits

    —         723       400  
                       

Net cash used in investing activities

    (364,440 )     (226,707 )     (205,618 )
                       

Cash flows from financing activities:

     

Proceeds from the issuance of common stock under stock option and employee stock purchase plans

    21,966       31,621       27,918  

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

    11,176       20,862       32,511  

Payments on capital leases

    —         (23 )     —    
                       

Net cash provided by financing activities

    33,142       52,460       60,429  
                       

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

    (1,200 )     1,776       1,269  
                       

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    10,996       64,483       (11,197 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

    145,078       80,595       91,792  
                       

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

  $ 156,074     $ 145,078     $ 80,595  
                       

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

     

Cash paid for interest

  $ 1,999     $ 2,005     $ 2,005  

Cash paid for income taxes

    11,870       3,147       3,455  

Non-cash financing and investing activities:

     

Capitalization of stock-based compensation, net of impairments

  $ 7,436     $ 6,353     $ 4,262  

Common stock and vested stock options issued in connection with acquisitions of businesses

    —         171,957       152,560  

Common stock issued upon conversion of 1% convertible senior notes

    —         145       —    

Common stock returned upon settlement of escrow claims related to prior business acquisitions

    (3,126 )     (177 )     —    

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

(in thousands, except share data)

 

    Common Stock   Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Deferred
Compensation
    Accu-
mulated
Other
Compre-
hensive
Income
(Loss)
  Accu-
mulated
Deficit
    Total
Stock-
holders’
Equity
    Compre-
hensive
Income
  Shares     Amount            

Balance at December 31, 2005

  152,922,092     1,529   3,880,985     (7,537 )   471   (3,251,234 )   624,214    

Comprehensive income:

               

Net income

            57,401     57,401     $ 57,401

Foreign currency translation adjustment

          756     756       756

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale marketable securities

          69     69       69
                   

Comprehensive income

                $ 58,226
                   

Issuance of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of deferred stock units

  4,182,931     42   21,383           21,425    

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan

  295,113     3   6,490           6,493    

Stock-based compensation

      53,338           53,338    

Issuance of common stock for acquisition of a business

  2,664,650     27   133,463           133,490    

Stock options issued in acquisition of a business

      19,070           19,070    

Other

  234,136     2   (2 )         —      

Reclassification of deferred compensation to additional paid-in capital upon adoption of SFAS No. 123R

      (7,537 )   7,537         —      

Tax benefits from the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted common stock

      37,944           37,944    

Stock-based compensation from awards issued to non-employees for services rendered

      493           493    
                                       

Balance at December 31, 2006

  160,298,922     1,603   4,145,627     —       1,296   (3,193,833 )   954,693    

Comprehensive income:

               

Net income

            100,967     100,967     $ 100,967

Foreign currency translation adjustment

          1,343     1,343       1,343

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale marketable securities

          414     414       414
                   

Comprehensive income

                $ 102,724
                   

Issuance of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of deferred stock units

  2,803,496     28   21,930           21,958    

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan

  279,356     3   9,667           9,670    

Stock-based compensation

      72,770           72,770    

Common stock returned upon settlement of escrow claims related to prior business acquisitions

  (3,525 )   —     (177 )         (177 )  

Issuance of common stock for acquisitions of businesses

  2,825,010     28   157,808           157,836    

Stock options issued in acquisitions of businesses

      14,121           14,121    

Issuance of common stock upon conversion of 1% convertible senior notes

  9,379     —     145           145    

Tax benefits from the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted common stock

      24,672           24,672    

Stock-based compensation from awards issued to non-employees for services rendered

      140           140    
                                       

Balance at December 31, 2007

  166,212,638     1,662   4,446,703     —       3,053   (3,092,866 )   1,358,552    

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued)

For the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

(in thousands, except share data)

 

    Common Stock     Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Deferred
Compensation
  Accu-
mulated
Other
Compre-
hensive
Income
(Loss)
    Accu-
mulated
Deficit
    Total
Stock-
holders’
Equity
    Compre-
hensive
Income
 
  Shares     Amount              

Balance at December 31, 2007

  166,212,638       1,662       4,446,703       —       3,053       (3,092,866 )     1,358,552    

Comprehensive income:

               

Net income

              145,138       145,138     $ 145,138  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

            (4,038 )       (4,038 )     (4,038 )

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale marketable securities

            (23,365 )       (23,365 )     (23,365 )
                     

Comprehensive income

                $ 117,735  
                     

Issuance of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of deferred stock units

  2,920,692       29       14,734             14,763    

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan

  348,584       4       7,199             7,203    

Stock-based compensation

        64,513             64,513    

Common stock returned upon settlement of escrow claims related to prior business acquisitions

  (110,239 )     (1 )     (3,125 )           (3,126 )  

Tax benefits from the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted common stock

        9,133             9,133    

Stock-based compensation from awards issued to non-employees for services rendered

        (3 )           (3 )  
                                                     

Balance at December 31, 2008

  169,371,675     $ 1,694     $ 4,539,154     $     —     $ (24,350 )   $ (2,947,728 )   $ 1,568,770    
                                                     

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation:

Akamai Technologies, Inc. (“Akamai” or the “Company”) provides services for accelerating and improving the delivery of content and applications over the Internet. Akamai’s globally distributed platform comprises thousands of servers in hundreds of networks in approximately 70 countries. The Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1998 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Akamai currently operates in one industry segment: providing services for accelerating and improving the delivery of content and applications over the Internet.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Akamai and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the accompanying financial statements.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

Use of Estimates

The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These principles require management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the amounts disclosed in the related notes to the consolidated financial statements. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from management’s estimates, judgments and assumptions. Significant estimates, judgments and assumptions used in these financial statements include, but are not limited to, those related to revenues, accounts receivable and related reserves, valuation and impairment of investments and marketable securities, loss contingencies, useful lives and realizability of long-lived assets and goodwill, capitalized internal-use software costs, income and other tax reserves, and accounting for stock-based compensation. Estimates are periodically reviewed in light of changes in circumstances, facts and experience. The effects of material revisions in estimates are reflected in the consolidated financial statements prospectively from the date of the change in estimate.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes service revenues in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition,” and the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” Revenue is recognized only when the price is fixed or determinable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the service is performed and collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

Akamai primarily derives revenues from the sale of services to customers executing contracts having terms of one year or longer. These contracts generally commit the customer to a minimum monthly, quarterly or annual level of usage and specify the rate at which the customer must pay for actual usage above the monthly, quarterly or annual minimum. For these services, Akamai recognizes the monthly minimum as revenue each month provided that an enforceable contract has been signed by both parties, the service has been delivered to the customer, the fee for the service is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Should a customer’s usage of Akamai services exceed the monthly, quarterly or annual minimum, Akamai recognizes revenue for such excess in the period of the usage. For annual or other non-monthly period revenue commitments, the Company recognizes revenue monthly based upon the customer’s actual usage each month of the commitment period and only recognizes any remaining committed amount for the applicable period in the last month thereof.

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The Company typically charges its customers an installation fee when the services are first activated. The installation fees are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue ratably over the estimated life of the customer arrangement. The Company also derives revenue from services sold as discrete, non-recurring events or based solely on usage. For these services, the Company recognizes revenue when the event or usage has occurred.

When more than one element is contained in a single arrangement, the Company allocates revenue between the elements based on each element’s relative fair value, provided that each element meets the criteria as a separate unit of accounting. An item is considered a separate unit of accounting if it has value to the customer on a standalone basis and there is objective and verifiable evidence of the fair value of the separate element. Fair value is generally determined based upon the price charged when the element is sold separately. If the fair value of each element cannot be objectively determined, the total value of the arrangement is recognized ratably over the entire service period commencing when all services have begun to be provided at the outset of the period. For most multi-element service arrangements to date, the fair value of each element has not been objectively determinable. Therefore, all revenue under these arrangements has been recognized ratably over the applicable service period commencing when the Company had begun providing all services ordered.

At the inception of a customer contract for service, the Company makes an assessment as to that customer’s ability to pay for the services provided. The Company bases its assessment on a combination of factors, including the successful completion of a credit check or financial review, its collection experience with the customer and other forms of payment assurance. Upon the completion of these steps, the Company recognizes revenue monthly in accordance with its revenue recognition policy. If the Company subsequently determines that collection from the customer is not reasonably assured, the Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts and bad debt expense for all of that customer’s unpaid invoices and ceases recognizing revenue for continued services provided until cash is received from the customer. Changes in the Company’s estimates and judgments about whether collection is reasonably assured would change the timing of revenue or amount of bad debt expense that the Company recognizes.

The Company also sells its services through a reseller channel. Assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met, the Company recognizes revenue from reseller arrangements based on the reseller’s contracted non-refundable minimum purchase commitments over the term of the contract, plus amounts sold by the reseller to its customers in excess of the minimum commitments. Amounts attributable to this excess usage are recognized as revenue in the period in which the service is provided.

From time to time, the Company enters into contracts to sell its services or license its technology to unrelated enterprises at or about the same time that it enters into contracts to purchase products or services from the same enterprise. If the Company concludes that these contracts were negotiated concurrently, the Company records as revenue only the net cash received from the vendor, unless the product or service received has a separate identifiable benefit and the fair value of the vendor’s product or service can be established objectively.

The Company may from time to time resell licenses or services of third parties. The Company records revenue for these transactions on a gross basis when the Company has risk of loss related to the amounts purchased from the third party and the Company adds value to the license or service, such as by providing maintenance or support for such license or service. If these conditions are present, the Company recognizes revenue when all other revenue recognition criteria are satisfied.

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Deferred revenue represents amounts billed to customers for which revenue has not been recognized. Deferred revenue primarily consists of the unearned portion of monthly billed service fees; prepayments made by customers for future periods; deferred installation and activation set-up fees; and amounts billed under customer arrangements with extended payment terms.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues consists primarily of fees paid to network providers for bandwidth and for housing servers in third-party network data centers, also known as co-location costs. Cost of revenues also includes network operation employee costs, network storage costs, cost of software licenses, depreciation of network equipment used to deliver the Company’s services, amortization of network-related internal-use software and costs for the production of live events. The Company enters into contracts for bandwidth with third-party network providers with terms typically ranging from several months to two years. These contracts generally commit Akamai to pay minimum monthly fees plus additional fees for bandwidth usage above the committed level. In some circumstances, Internet service providers (“ISPs”) make available to Akamai rack space for the Company’s servers and access to their bandwidth at discounted or no cost. In exchange, the ISP and its customers benefit by receiving content through a local Akamai server resulting in better content delivery. The Company does not consider these relationships to represent the culmination of an earnings process. Accordingly, the Company does not recognize as revenue the value to the ISPs associated with the use of Akamai’s servers, nor does the Company recognize as expense the value of the rack space and bandwidth received at discounted or no cost.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”). SFAS No. 123R requires recognizing compensation costs for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based upon the awards’ grant-date fair value. The standard covers employee stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units and employee stock purchases related to the Company’s employee stock purchase plan. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123R as of January 1, 2006 using the modified prospective transition method.

Under the modified prospective transition method, SFAS No. 123R applies to new equity awards and to equity awards modified, repurchased or canceled after the adoption date of January 1, 2006. Additionally, compensation costs for the portion of awards granted prior to the adoption date for which the requisite service was not rendered as of the adoption date are recognized as the requisite service is rendered. Compensation costs for that portion of awards are based on the grant-date fair value of those awards as calculated in the prior period pro forma disclosures under SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS No. 123”). Changes to the grant-date fair value of equity awards granted before the effective date are precluded. The compensation cost for those earlier awards is attributed to periods beginning on or after the adoption date using the attribution method that was used under SFAS No. 123, which was the straight-line method. The Company estimates an expected forfeiture rate, which is factored into the determination of the Company’s quarterly expense. Deferred compensation related to those earlier awards was eliminated against additional paid-in capital in fiscal 2006. SFAS No. 123R also changes the reporting of tax-related amounts within the statement of cash flows. The excess amount of windfall tax benefits resulting from stock-based compensation is reported as financing inflows.

For stock options, the Company has selected the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of stock option awards. For stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and deferred stock units,

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

the Company recognizes compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the awards’ vesting periods for those awards that contain only a service vesting feature. For awards with a performance condition vesting feature, the Company recognizes compensation cost on a graded-vesting basis over the awards’ expected vesting periods, commencing when achievement of the performance condition is deemed probable.

Research and Development Costs and Capitalized Internal-Use Software

Research and development costs consist primarily of payroll and related personnel costs for the design, development, deployment, testing, operation and enhancement of the Company’s services and network. Costs incurred in the development of the Company’s services are expensed as incurred, except certain software development costs eligible for capitalization. Costs incurred during the application development stage of internal-use software projects, such as those used in the Company’s network operations, are capitalized in accordance with SOP 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use.” Capitalized costs include external consulting fees and payroll and payroll-related costs for employees in the Company’s development and information technology groups who are directly associated with, and who devote time to, the Company’s internal-use software projects during the application development stage. Capitalization begins when the planning stage is complete and the Company commits resources to the software project. Capitalization ceases when the software has been tested and is ready for its intended use. Amortization of the asset commences when the software is complete and placed in service. The Company amortizes completed internal-use software to cost of revenues over an estimated life of two years. Costs incurred during the planning, training and post-implementation stages of the software development life-cycle are expensed as incurred. Costs related to upgrades and enhancements of existing internal-use software that increase the functionality of the software are also capitalized.

Concentrations of Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Measurements

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company implemented SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”), for its financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at each reporting period and non-financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at least annually (see Note 6). In accordance with the provisions of FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” the Company elected to defer until January 1, 2009 the implementation of SFAS No. 157 as it relates to its non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are recognized and disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis.

SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company has certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value (principally cash equivalents and short- and long-term marketable securities) that have been classified as Level 1, 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy as described in SFAS No. 157. Fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable, such as quoted prices, interest rates and yield curves. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs utilize unobservable data points for the asset or liability.

The amounts reflected in the consolidated balance sheets for accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other current liabilities approximate their fair values due to their short-term maturities. The fair value and the carrying amount of the Company’s 1% convertible senior notes were

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

$221.0 million and $199.9 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2008. The fair value is based upon the trading price of the debt. The Company maintains the majority of its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balances principally with domestic financial institutions that the Company believes to be of high credit standing. The Company believes that, as of December 31, 2008, its concentration of credit risk related to cash equivalents and marketable securities was not significant, except as described below with respect to its investments in auction rate securities. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are primarily limited to certain customers to which the Company makes substantial sales. The Company’s customer base consists of a large number of geographically dispersed customers diversified across several industries. To reduce risk, the Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers. Based on such assessments, the Company believes that its accounts receivable credit risk exposure is limited. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, no customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenues. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, no customer had an account receivable balance greater than 10% of total accounts receivable. The Company believes that, as of December 31, 2008, its concentration of credit risk related to accounts receivable was not significant.

Taxes

The Company’s provision for income taxes is comprised of a current and a deferred portion. The current income tax provision is calculated as the estimated taxes payable or refundable on tax returns for the current year. The deferred income tax provision is calculated for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards using expected tax rates in effect in the years during which the differences are expected to reverse or the carryforwards are expected to be realized.

The Company currently has significant deferred tax assets consisting of net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards and deductible temporary differences. Management periodically weighs the positive and negative evidence to determine if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company has recorded certain tax reserves to address potential exposures involving its income tax and sales and use tax positions. These potential tax liabilities result from the varying application of statutes, rules, regulations and interpretations by different taxing jurisdictions. The Company’s estimate of the value of its tax reserves contains assumptions based on past experiences and judgments about the interpretation of statutes, rules and regulations by taxing jurisdictions. It is possible that the costs of the ultimate tax liability or benefit from these matters may be materially more or less than the amount that the Company estimated.

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a two-step process to determine the amount of tax benefit to be recognized. First, the tax position must be evaluated to determine the likelihood that it will be sustained upon external examination. If the tax position is deemed more-likely-than-not to be sustained, the tax position is then assessed to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The amount of the benefit that may be recognized is the largest amount that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. As of the date of adoption, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $2.1 million, including accrued interest and penalties, and did not record any cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as a result of adopting FIN 48. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $6.1 million, including accrued interest and penalties (see Note 18).

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

In November 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position SFAS 123R-3, “Transition Election to Accounting for the Tax Effect of Share-Based Payment Awards.” The Company elected to adopt the modified prospective transition method for calculating the tax effects of stock-based compensation pursuant to SFAS No. 123R. Under the modified prospective transition method, no adjustment is made to the deferred tax balances associated with stock-based payments that continue to be classified as equity awards. Additionally, the Company elected to use the “long-form method,” as provided in paragraph 81 of SFAS No. 123R to determine the pool of windfall tax benefits upon adoption of SFAS 123R. The long-form method required the Company to analyze the book and tax compensation for each award separately as if it had been issued following the recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, subject to adjustments for NOL carryforwards.

Foreign Currency Translation

Akamai has determined that the functional currency of its foreign subsidiaries is each respective subsidiary’s local currency. The assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the applicable exchange rate as of the balance sheet date and revenues and expenses are translated at an average rate over the period. Resulting currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses on inter-company transactions are recorded in other income (expense), net. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded foreign currency gains of approximately $457,000, $35,000 and $90,000, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash held in bank deposit accounts and short-term, highly liquid investments with remaining maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $771.6 million and $633.5 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Short-term marketable securities consist of corporate, government and other securities with remaining maturities of more than three months at the date of purchase and less than one year from the date of the balance sheet. Long-term marketable securities consist of corporate, government and other securities with maturities of more than one year from the date of the balance sheet. Short-term and long-term marketable securities include investments that are restricted as to use. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had $3.6 million of restricted marketable securities, generally representing security for irrevocable letters of credit related to facility leases.

The Company classifies most debt securities and equity securities with readily determinable market values as “available for sale” in accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” These investments are classified as marketable securities on the consolidated balance sheet and are carried at fair market value, with unrealized gains and losses considered to be temporary in nature reported as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The Company reviews all investments for reductions in fair value that are other-than-temporary. When such reductions occur, the cost of the investment is adjusted to fair value through recording a loss on investments in the consolidated statement of operations. Gains and losses on investments are calculated on the basis of specific identification.

Investments and marketable securities are considered to be impaired when a decline in fair value below cost basis is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Company periodically evaluates whether a decline in fair

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

value below cost basis is other-than-temporary by considering available evidence regarding these investments including, among other factors: the duration of the period that, and extent to which, the fair value is less than cost basis; the financial health of and business outlook for the issuer, including industry and sector performance and operational and financing cash flow factors; overall market conditions and trends; and Akamai’s intent and ability to retain its investment in the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in market value. Once a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, a write-down is recorded and a new cost basis in the security is established. Assessing the above factors involves inherent uncertainty. Write-downs, if recorded, could be materially different from the actual market performance of investments and marketable securities in the Company’s portfolio, if, among other things, relevant information related to its investments and marketable securities was not publicly available or other factors not considered by the Company would have been relevant to the determination of impairment.

Included in the Company’s short- and long-term marketable securities at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are auction rate securities (“ARS”) that are primarily AAA-rated bonds, most of which are collateralized by federally guaranteed student loans. ARS are long-term variable rate bonds tied to short-term interest rates that may reset through a “Dutch auction” process that is designed to occur every seven to 35 days. Historically, the carrying value (par value) of ARS approximated fair market value due to the resetting of variable interest rates. Beginning in mid-February 2008 and continuing throughout the period ended December 31, 2008, however, the auctions for ARS then held by the Company were unsuccessful. As a result, the interest rates on ARS reset to the maximum rate per the applicable investment offering statements. The Company will not be able to liquidate affected ARS until a future auction on these investments is successful, a buyer is found outside the auction process, the securities are called or refinanced by the issuer, or the securities mature. Due to the long-term nature of the underlying student loan bonds and the failure of the auction process to provide a current market, the Company classified these investments as long-term on its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008.

In November 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with one of its investment advisors to repurchase the ARS it holds through such investment advisor at par value beginning on June 30, 2010. Until that time, the Company expects to continue to hold these long-term debt instruments until the earlier of the settlement date or the market for active trading in ARS at par value has been re-established. At any time during the period up until the June 2010, the Company’s investment advisor can call these ARS at par value. The agreement entered into between the parties creates a separate financial instrument that the Company has elected to measure and report at fair value per the guidance of SFAS No. 159. The underlying ARS are carried at fair value and classified as trading securities as of December 31, 2008. Previously, these securities were classified as available-for-sale. Prior to entering into such agreement, the Company’s intent was to hold the ARS until the earlier of the date on which the market recovered or payment date of the underlying security. The unrealized loss on these investments, previously was included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. Management’s decision to enter into this agreement resulted in classifying the unrealized loss on these investments as other-than-temporary. As a result, the Company recognized a loss on investments for the amount of the unrealized loss not previously recognized in earnings (see Note 6).

On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits companies to choose to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value (the “fair value option”). If the fair value option is elected, any upfront costs and fees related to the item must be recognized in earnings and cannot be deferred. The fair value election is irrevocable and may generally be made on an instrument-by-instrument basis, even if a company has similar instruments that it elects not to fair value. At the adoption date, unrealized gains and losses on existing items for which fair value has been elected are reported as a cumulative adjustment to beginning retained earnings. The Company chose not to elect the fair value option for

 

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its financial assets and liabilities existing on January 1, 2008, and did not elect the fair value option for any financial assets and liabilities transacted during the year ended December 31, 2008, except for the put option related to the Company’s ARS.

Accounts Receivable and Related Reserves

The Company’s accounts receivable balance includes unbilled amounts that represent revenues recorded for customers that are typically billed monthly in arrears. The Company records reserves against its accounts receivable balance. These reserves consist of allowances for doubtful accounts and reserves for cash-basis customers. Increases and decreases in the allowance for doubtful accounts are included as a component of general and administrative expenses. The Company’s reserve for cash-basis customers increases as services are provided to customers where collection is no longer assured. Increases to the reserve for cash-basis customers are recorded as reductions of revenues. The reserve decreases and revenue is recognized when and if cash payments are received.

Estimates are used in determining these reserves and are based upon the Company’s review of outstanding balances on a customer-specific, account-by-account basis. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon a review of customer receivables from prior sales with collection issues where the Company no longer believes that the customer has the ability to pay for services previously provided. The Company also performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers. If such an evaluation indicates that payment is no longer reasonably assured for services provided, any future services provided to that customer will result in the creation of a cash-basis reserve until the Company receives consistent payments. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers.

For presentation on the balance sheet, the Company reduces customer accounts receivable balances and deferred revenue by the amount of any deferred revenue recorded for each customer that has a balance receivable. The reductions as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 totaled $22.2 million and $18.8 million, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Property and equipment generally includes purchases of items with a per unit value greater than $1,000 and a useful life greater than one year. Depreciation and amortization are computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of related lease terms or their estimated useful lives. Property and equipment acquired under capital leases are depreciated over the shorter of the related lease terms or the estimated useful lives of the assets. The Company periodically reviews the estimated useful lives of property and equipment. Changes to the estimated useful lives are recorded prospectively from the date of the change. Upon retirement or sale, the cost of the assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in income from operations. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The Company performed an impairment test of goodwill

 

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as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. These tests did not result in an impairment to goodwill. Other intangible assets consist of completed technologies, customer relationships, trademarks, non-compete agreements arising from acquisitions of businesses and acquired license rights. Purchased intangible assets, other than goodwill, are amortized over their estimated useful lives based upon the economic value derived from the related intangible asset (see Note 3). Goodwill is carried at its historical cost.

Valuation of Other Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment under the guidance of SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS No. 144”). Under SFAS No. 144, long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as service discontinuance, technological obsolescence, a significant decrease in the Company’s market capitalization, facility closure or work-force reductions indicate that the carrying amount of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable. When such events occur, the Company compares the carrying amount of the asset to the undiscounted expected future cash flows related to the asset. If this comparison indicates that an impairment is present, the amount of the impairment is calculated as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset. The Company did not have any indications of impairment for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

Restructuring Charges

A restructuring liability related to employee terminations is recorded by the Company when a one-time benefit arrangement is communicated to an employee who is involuntarily terminated as part of a reorganization and the amount of the termination benefit is known, provided that the employee is not required to render future services in order to receive the termination benefit.

In accordance with SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” the Company records restructuring liabilities, discounted at the appropriate rate, for facility leases only when the space is both vacated and all actions needed to make the space readily available for sublease have been completed. The Company records restructuring liabilities for estimated costs to terminate a facility lease before the end of its contractual term or for estimated costs that will continue to be incurred under the lease for its remaining term where there is no economic benefit to the Company, net of an estimate of sublease income.

Litigation

The Company is currently involved in certain legal proceedings. The Company estimates the range of liability related to pending litigation where the amount and range of loss can be estimated. The Company records its best estimate of a loss when the loss is considered probable. Where a liability is probable and there is a range of estimated loss with no best estimate in the range, the Company records the minimum estimated liability related to the claim. As additional information becomes available, the Company reassesses the potential liability related to the Company’s pending litigation and revises its estimate.

Advertising Expense

The Company recognizes advertising expense as incurred. The Company recognized total advertising expense of $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 and $0.5 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.

 

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company adopted SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a methodology for measuring fair value and expands the required disclosure for fair value measurements (see Note 6). During 2008, the FASB issued the following amendments to SFAS No. 157:

 

   

FASB Staff Position No. 157-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement under Statement 13” (“FSP FAS No. 157-1”), which amends SFAS No. 157 to remove certain leasing transactions from its scope. The adoption of FSP FAS No. 157-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations in 2008.

 

   

FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”, which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 from 2008 to 2009 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

 

   

FASB Staff Position No. 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (“FSP FAS No. 157-3”), which clarifies the application of SFAS No. 157 in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP FAS No. 157-3 became effective October 2008. The adoption of FSP FAS No. 157-3 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations in 2008.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R) (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141R”). SFAS No. 141R establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer in a business combination (i) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree, (ii) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase, and (iii) determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R became effective for the Company on January 1, 2009. The impact of the standard on the Company’s financial position and results of operations will be dependent upon the number of and magnitude of the acquisitions that are consummated once the standard is effective.

In December 2007, the FASB released SFAS No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51.” This statement will change the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be re-characterized as non-controlling interests and classified as a component of equity. This new consolidation method will significantly change the accounting for transactions with minority interest holders. This statement became effective for the Company on January 1, 2009. As of December 31, 2008, the Company did not have any minority interests.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) on SFAS No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FSP FAS No. 142-3”). FSP FAS No. 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS No. 142”). FSP FAS No. 142-3 is intended to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS

 

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No. 141R and other generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. FSP FAS No. 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect FSP FAS No. 142-3 will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities.” This FSP provides that unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Upon adoption, a company is required to retrospectively adjust its earnings per share data (including any amounts related to interim periods, summaries of earnings and selected financial data) to conform with the provisions in this FSP. This FSP became effective for the Company on January 1, 2009. The Company has not yet determined the impact, if any, of this FSP on its consolidated financial statements.

 

3. Business Acquisitions:

In December 2006, March 2007, April 2007 and November 2008, the Company acquired Nine Systems Corporation (“Nine Systems”), Netli, Inc. (“Netli”), Red Swoosh, Inc. (“Red Swoosh”), and aCerno, Inc. (“acerno”), respectively. The consolidated financial statements include the operating results of each business from the date of acquisition. Pro forma results of operations for these acquisitions have not been presented because the effects of the acquisitions, individually and in the aggregate, were not material to the Company’s consolidated financial results.

aCerno

On November 3, 2008, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common and preferred stock of the parent entity of acerno, including vested stock options, in exchange for approximately $90.7 million in cash. The purchase of acerno was intended to augment Akamai’s Advertising Decision Solutions (“ADS”) that enable customers to more effectively advertise online by helping them improve ad results by accessing the audiences they want. The aggregate purchase price of $90.7 million consisted of $89.5 million in cash and $1.2 million of transaction costs, which primarily consisted of fees for legal and financial advisory services.

The acquisition of acerno was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The results of operations of the acquired business have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company since November 3, 2008, the date of acquisition. The total purchase consideration was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition, as determined by management and, with respect to identifiable intangible assets, by management with the assistance of an appraisal provided by a third-party valuation firm. The purchase price allocation is preliminary pending the Company’s review of additional pre-acquisition assumed liabilities, which is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2009. The excess of the purchase price over the amounts allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recorded as goodwill. The value of the goodwill from this acquisition can be attributed to a number of business factors including, but not limited to, potential sales opportunities to provide Akamai services to acerno customers; a trained technical workforce in place in the United States; an existing sales pipeline and a trained sales force. In accordance with current accounting standards, goodwill associated with the acerno acquisition will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually as required by SFAS No. 142 (see Note 9).

 

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The following table presents the preliminary allocation of the purchase price for acerno:

 

     (In thousands)  

Total consideration:

  

Cash paid as of December 31, 2008

   $ 83,719  

Cash to be paid during the first quarter ending March 31, 2009

     5,801  

Transaction costs

     1,229  
        

Total purchase consideration

   $ 90,749  
        

Allocation of the purchase consideration:

  

Current assets

   $ 5,249  

Property and equipment

     1,828  

Identifiable intangible assets

     19,400  

Goodwill

     80,285  

Deferred tax liabilities

     (7,516 )

Other liabilities assumed

     (8,497 )
        
   $ 90,749  
        

The following were the identified intangible assets acquired and the respective estimated periods over which such assets will be amortized:

 

     Amount    Weighted
Average
useful life
     (In thousands)    (In years)

Completed technologies

   $ 9,200    2.5

Customer relationships

     4,300    4.1

Non-compete agreements

     5,600    2.5

Trade names

     300    1.5
         

Total

   $ 19,400   
         

In determining the purchase price allocation, the Company considered, among other factors, its intention to use the acquired assets and the historical and estimated future demand for acerno services. The fair value of intangible assets was based upon the income approach. In applying this approach, the values of the intangible assets acquired were determined using projections of revenues and expenses specifically attributed to the intangible assets. The income streams were then discounted to present value using estimated risk adjusted discount rates. The rate used to discount the expected future net cash flows from the intangible assets to their present values was based upon a weighted average cost of capital of 15%. The discount rate was determined after consideration of market rates of return on debt and equity capital, the weighted average return on invested capital and the risk associated with achieving forecasted sales related to the technology and assets acquired from acerno.

The customer relationships were valued using the excess earnings method of income approach. The key assumptions used in valuing the customer relationships were as follows: discount rate of 15%, tax rate of 35% and estimated average economic life of seven years.

The relief-from-royalty method was used to value the completed technologies acquired from acerno. The relief-from-royalty method estimates the cost savings that accrue to the owner of an intangible asset that would

 

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otherwise be required to pay royalties or license fees on revenues earned through the use of the asset. The royalty rate used is based on an analysis of empirical, market-derived royalty rates for guideline intangible assets. Typically, revenue is projected over the expected remaining useful life of the completed technology. The market-derived royalty rate is then applied to estimate the royalty savings. The key assumptions used in valuing the completed technologies are as follows: royalty rate of 10%, discount rate of 15%, tax rate of 35% and estimated average economic life of five years.

The lost-profits method was used to value the non-compete agreements Akamai entered into with certain members of acerno’s management team. The lost-profits method recognizes that the current value of an asset may be premised upon the expected receipt of future economic benefits protected by clauses within an agreement. These benefits are generally considered to be higher income resulting from the avoidance of a loss in revenue that would likely occur without an agreement. The key assumptions used in valuing the non-compete agreements were as follows: discount rate of 15%, tax rate of 35% and estimated average economic life of five years.

The relief-from-royalty method was used to value trade names. The relief-from-royalty method recognizes that the current value of an asset may be premised upon the expected receipt of future economic benefit in the use of trade names. These benefits are generally considered to be higher income resulting from the avoidance of a loss in revenue that would likely occur without the specific trade names. The key assumptions used in valuing trade names were as follows: royalty rate of 1%, discount rate of 15%, tax rate of 35% and estimated average economic life of three years.

The total weighted average amortization period for the intangible assets acquired from acerno is 2.8 years. The intangible assets are being amortized based upon the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are being utilized, which in general reflects the cash flows generated from such assets. None of the goodwill or identifiable intangible assets resulting from the acerno acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes.

Red Swoosh

On April 12, 2007, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common and preferred stock of Red Swoosh, including vested stock options, in exchange for approximately 350,000 shares of Akamai common stock. The purchase of Red Swoosh was intended to augment Akamai’s distributed Internet presence by combining client-side file management and distribution software with the Company’s existing network of edge servers. The aggregate purchase price was $18.7 million, which consisted of $18.4 million in shares of Akamai common stock, $4,000 in fair value of Akamai stock options issued, and transaction costs of $0.2 million, which primarily consisted of fees for legal services. In accordance with the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 99-12, “Determination of the Measurement Date for the Market Price of Acquirer Securities Issued in a Purchase Business Combination” (“EITF No. 99-12”), the value of the common stock issued in the transaction was calculated using the average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the five-day period beginning two days before and ending two days after the date on which all material aspects of the transaction were agreed to by all parties and the acquisition was announced.

The acquisition of Red Swoosh was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The results of operations of the acquired business have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company since April 12, 2007, the date of acquisition. The total purchase consideration was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition, as determined by management. The excess of the purchase price over the amounts allocated to assets acquired and liabilities

 

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assumed was recorded as goodwill. The value of the goodwill from this acquisition can be attributed to a number of business factors including, but not limited to, cost synergies expected to be realized and a trained technical workforce. In accordance with current accounting standards, goodwill associated with the Red Swoosh acquisition will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually as required by SFAS No. 142 (see Note 9).

The following table presents the allocation of the purchase price for Red Swoosh:

 

     (In thousands)  

Total consideration:

  

Value of common stock issued

   $ 18,449  

Fair value of stock options issued

     4  

Transaction costs

     237  
        

Total purchase consideration

   $ 18,690  
        

Allocation of the purchase consideration:

  

Current assets, including cash and cash equivalents of $2,677

   $ 3,236  

Long-term assets

     14  

Identifiable intangible assets

     3,731  

Deferred tax assets

     1,355  

Goodwill

     13,188  

Deferred tax liabilities

     (1,458 )

Other liabilities assumed

     (1,376 )
        
   $ 18,690  
        

In determining the purchase price allocation, the Company considered, among other factors, its intention to use the acquired assets and the estimated future demand for the acquired technology. The fair value of identifiable intangible assets was based upon both the cost avoidance and opportunity cost savings approaches. The rate used to discount the expected future net cash flows from the intangible assets to their present values was based upon a weighted average cost of capital of 20%, with a tax rate of 40%. The discount rate was determined after consideration of market rates of return on debt and equity capital, the weighted average return on invested capital and the risk associated with achieving forecasted sales and cost savings related to the technology and assets acquired.

The Company has valued the acquired completed technologies at $3.7 million with a weighted average useful life of 4.4 years. The intangible assets are being amortized based upon the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are being utilized, which in general reflects the cash flow savings from such assets. None of the goodwill or identifiable intangible assets resulting from the Red Swoosh acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes.

Netli

On March 13, 2007, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common and preferred stock, including vested and unvested stock options, of Netli in exchange for approximately 2.8 million shares of Akamai common stock and options to purchase approximately 400,000 shares of Akamai common stock. Akamai acquired Netli with a goal of expanding the Company’s application acceleration technology, as well as broadening its customer base.

 

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The aggregate purchase price was $154.4 million, consisting of $139.4 million in shares of Akamai common stock, $14.1 million in fair value of Akamai stock options issued, and transaction costs of $0.8 million, which primarily consisted of fees for financial advisory and legal services. In accordance with EITF No. 99-12, the value of the common stock issued in the transaction was calculated using the average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the five-day period beginning two days before and ending two days after the date on which all material aspects of the transaction were agreed to by all parties and the acquisition was announced.

The fair value of the Company’s stock options issued to Netli employees was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

Expected life (years)

   2.1  

Risk-free interest rate

   4.5 %

Expected volatility

   60.1 %

Dividend yield

   —    

The acquisition of Netli was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The results of operations of the acquired business have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company since March 13, 2007, the date of acquisition. The total purchase consideration was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition, as determined by management and, with respect to identifiable intangible assets, by management with the assistance of an appraisal provided by a third-party valuation firm. The excess of the purchase price over the amounts allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recorded as goodwill. The value of the goodwill from this acquisition can be attributed to a number of business factors including, but not limited to, potential sales opportunities to provide Akamai services to Netli customers; a trained technical workforce in place in the United States; an existing sales pipeline and a trained sales force; and cost synergies expected to be realized. In accordance with current accounting standards, goodwill associated with Netli will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually as required by SFAS No. 142 (see Note 9).

The following table presents the allocation of the purchase price for Netli:

 

     (In thousands)  

Total consideration:

  

Value of common stock issued

   $ 139,387  

Fair value of stock options issued

     14,117  

Transaction costs

     847  
        

Total purchase consideration

   $ 154,351  
        

Allocation of the purchase consideration:

  

Current assets, including cash and cash equivalents of $6,160

   $ 7,835  

Property and equipment

     1,989  

Deferred tax assets

     15,241  

Identifiable intangible assets

     36,500  

Goodwill

     111,913  

Deferred tax liabilities

     (13,302 )

Other liabilities assumed, including deferred revenue of $1,037

     (5,825 )
        
   $ 154,351  
        

 

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The following were the identified intangible assets acquired and the respective estimated periods over which such assets will be amortized:

 

     Amount    Weighted
Average
useful life
     (In thousands)    (In years)

Completed technologies

   $ 17,700    4.4

Customer relationships

     18,500    5.9

Non-compete agreements

     300    2.5
         

Total

   $ 36,500   
         

In determining the purchase price allocation, the Company considered, among other factors, its intention to use the acquired assets and the historical and estimated future demand for Netli services. The fair value of intangible assets was based upon the income approach. In applying this approach, the values of the intangible assets acquired were determined using projections of revenues and expenses specifically attributed to the intangible assets. The income streams were then discounted to present value using estimated risk adjusted discount rates. The rate used to discount the expected future net cash flows from the intangible assets to their present values was based upon a weighted average cost of capital of 16%. The discount rate was determined after consideration of market rates of return on debt and equity capital, the weighted average return on invested capital and the risk associated with achieving forecasted sales related to the technology and assets acquired from Netli.

The customer relationships were valued using the discounted cash flow method of income approach. The key assumptions used in valuing the customer relationships were as follows: discount rate of 16%, tax rate of 40% and estimated average economic life of 11 years.

The relief-from-royalty method was used to value the completed technologies acquired from Netli. The relief-from-royalty method estimates the cost savings that accrue to the owner of an intangible asset that would otherwise be required to pay royalties or license fees on revenues earned through the use of the asset. The royalty rate used is based on an analysis of empirical, market-derived royalty rates for guideline intangible assets. Typically, revenue is projected over the expected remaining useful life of the completed technology. The market-derived royalty rate is then applied to estimate the royalty savings. The key assumptions used in valuing the completed technologies are as follows: royalty rate of 15%, discount rate of 16%, tax rate of 40% and estimated average economic life of eight years.

The lost-profits method was used to value the non-compete agreements Akamai entered into with certain members of Netli’s management team. The lost-profits method recognizes that the current value of an asset may be premised upon the expected receipt of future economic benefits protected by clauses within an agreement. These benefits are generally considered to be higher income resulting from the avoidance of a loss in revenue that would likely occur without an agreement. The key assumptions used in valuing the non-compete agreements were as follows: discount rate of 16%, tax rate of 40% and estimated average economic life of three years.

The total weighted average amortization period for the intangible assets acquired from Netli is 5.1 years. The intangible assets are being amortized based upon the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are being utilized, which in general reflects the cash flows generated from such assets. None of the goodwill or identifiable intangible assets resulting from the Netli acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes.

 

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In connection with the acquisition of Netli, the Company promptly commenced integration activities, which resulted in recognizing, as part of the purchase price allocation, approximately $0.8 million in liabilities for employee termination benefits, most of which was paid in 2008.

Nine Systems

On December 13, 2006, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common and preferred stock, including vested and unvested stock options, of Nine Systems in exchange for approximately 2.7 million shares of Akamai common stock, approximately $4.5 million in cash and options to purchase approximately 400,000 shares of Akamai common stock. The purchase of Nine Systems was intended to increase the quantity and types of rich media management tools sold by the Company.

The aggregate purchase price, net of cash received, was approximately $157.5 million, which consisted of $133.3 million in shares of Akamai common stock, $19.1 million in fair value of Akamai’s stock options issued, $4.5 million in cash and $0.6 million of transaction costs, which primarily consisted of fees for financial advisory and legal services. In accordance with EITF No. 99-12, the value of the common stock issued in the transaction was calculated using the average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the five-day period beginning two days before and ending two days after the date on which all material aspects of the transaction were agreed to by all parties and the acquisition was announced.

The fair value of the Company’s stock options issued to Nine Systems employees was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

Expected life (years)

   —    

Risk-free interest rate

   5.2 %

Expected volatility

   67.4 %

Dividend yield

   —    

The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The total purchase consideration was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition, as determined by management and, with respect to identifiable intangible assets, by management with the assistance of an appraisal provided by a third-party valuation firm. The excess of the purchase price over the amounts allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recorded as goodwill. The value of the goodwill from this acquisition can be attributed to a number of business factors including, but not limited to, potential sales opportunities of providing Akamai services to Nine Systems customers; a trained technical workforce in place in the United States; an existing sales pipeline and a trained sales force; and cost synergies expected to be realized. In accordance with current accounting standards, goodwill associated with Nine Systems will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually as required by SFAS No. 142 (see Note 9).

 

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The following table presents the allocation of the purchase price for Nine Systems:

 

     (In thousands)  

Total consideration:

  

Value of common stock issued

   $ 133,313  

Cash paid

     4,462  

Fair value of stock options

     19,070  

Transaction costs

     634  
        

Total purchase consideration

   $ 157,479  
        

Allocation of the purchase consideration:

  

Current assets

   $ 4,553  

Property and equipment

     912  

Deferred tax assets

     5,732  

Identifiable intangible assets

     28,900  

Goodwill

     139,475  

Deferred tax liabilities

     (10,463 )

Other liabilities assumed, including deferred revenue of $830

     (11,630 )
        
   $ 157,479  
        

The following were the identified intangible assets acquired and the respective estimated periods over which the assets will be amortized:

 

     Amount    Weighted
Average
Useful Life
     (In thousands)    (In years)

Completed technologies

   $ 3,400    1.7

Customer relationships

     25,000    4.5

Trademarks

     500    2.1
         

Total

   $ 28,900   
         

In determining the purchase price allocation, the Company considered, among other factors, the Company’s intention to use the acquired assets and historical and estimated future demand for Nine Systems services. The fair value of intangible assets was based upon the income approach. The rate used to discount the net cash flows to their present values was based upon a weighted average cost of capital of 18%. The discount rate was determined after consideration of market rates of return on debt and equity capital, the weighted average return on invested capital, and the risk associated with achieving forecasted sales related to the technology and assets acquired from Nine Systems.

The customer relationships were valued using the income approach. The key assumptions used in valuing the customer relationships were as follows: discount rate of 18%, tax rate of 40% and estimated average economic life of nine years.

The relief-from-royalty method was used to value the completed technologies acquired from Nine Systems. The relief-from-royalty method estimates the cost savings that accrue to the owner of an intangible asset that would otherwise be required to pay royalties or license fees on revenues earned through the use of the asset. The

 

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royalty rate used is based on an analysis of empirical, market-derived royalty rates for guideline intangible assets. Typically, revenue is projected over the expected remaining useful life of the completed technology. The market-derived royalty rate is then applied to estimate the royalty savings. The key assumptions used in valuing the completed technologies were as follows: royalty rate of 10.5%, discount rate of 18%, tax rate of 40% and estimated average economic life of four years.

The relief-from-royalty method was used to value trademarks. The relief-from-royalty method recognizes that the current value of an asset may be premised upon the expected receipt of future economic benefit in the use of trademarks and domain names. These benefits are generally considered to be higher income resulting from the avoidance of a loss in revenue that would likely occur without the specific trademarks and domain names. The key assumptions used in valuing trademarks were as follows: royalty rate of 1%, discount rate of 18%, tax rate of 40% and estimated average economic life of five years.

The total weighted average amortization period for the intangible assets is 4.1 years. The intangible assets are being amortized based upon the pattern in which the economic benefit of the intangible assets is being utilized, which in general reflects the cash flows generated from such assets. None of the goodwill or identifiable intangible assets is deductible for income tax purposes.

In connection with the acquisition of Nine Systems, the Company commenced integration activities, which resulted in recognizing approximately $0.6 million in liabilities for employee termination benefits, most of which was paid during 2007.

 

4. Net Income per Share:

Basic net income per weighted average share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted net income per weighted average share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, plus the dilutive effect of potential common stock. Potential common stock consists of stock options, deferred stock units, restricted stock units and convertible notes.

The following table sets forth the components used in the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,
   2008    2007    2006

Numerator:

        

Net income

   $ 145,138    $ 100,967    $ 57,401

Add back of interest expense on 1% convertible senior notes (net of tax)

     1,757      2,840      2,841
                    

Numerator for diluted net income

   $ 146,895    $ 103,807    $ 60,242
                    

Denominator:

        

Denominator for basic net income per common share

     167,673      162,959      155,366

Effect of dilutive securities:

        

Stock options

     4,009      7,354      7,704

Effect of escrow contingencies

     351      1,051      —  

Restricted stock units and deferred stock units

     1,716      798      752

Assumed conversion of 1% convertible senior notes

     12,936      12,932      12,945
                    

Denominator for diluted net income per common share

     186,685      185,094      176,767
                    

Basic net income per common share

   $ 0.87    $ 0.62    $ 0.37

Diluted net income per common share

   $ 0.79    $ 0.56    $ 0.34

 

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Outstanding options to acquire an aggregate of 2.6 million, 1.4 million and 0.5 million shares of common stock as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices of these stock options were greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during the respective periods. Additionally, 1.9 million, 3.5 million and 2.3 million shares of common stock issuable in respect of outstanding restricted stock units were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, because the performance conditions had not been met as of those dates.

The calculation of assumed proceeds used to determine the diluted weighted average shares outstanding under the treasury stock method in the periods presented was adjusted by tax windfalls and shortfalls associated with all of the Company’s outstanding stock awards. Such windfalls and shortfalls are computed by comparing the tax deductible amount of outstanding stock awards to their grant-date fair values and multiplying the results by the applicable statutory tax rate. A positive result creates a windfall, which increases the assumed proceeds, and a negative result creates a shortfall, which reduces the assumed proceeds.

 

5. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss), which includes foreign currency translation adjustments and changes in unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities. For the purposes of comprehensive income disclosures, the Company does not record tax provisions or benefits for the net changes in the foreign currency translation adjustment, as the Company intends to permanently reinvest undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is reported as a component of stockholders’ equity and consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
   2008     2007

Net unrealized (loss) gain on investments, net of tax of $14,767 at December 31, 2008

   $ (23,348 )   $ 17

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (1,002 )     3,036
              

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

   $ (24,350 )   $ 3,053
              

 

6. Marketable Securities and Investments:

On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157 for its financial assets and liabilities. As permitted by FASB Staff Position No. SFAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” the Company elected to defer until January 1, 2009 the adoption of SFAS No. 157 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for financial assets and liabilities and any other assets and liabilities carried at fair value. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting this pronouncement for other non-financial assets and liabilities.

SFAS No. 157 provides a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. SFAS No. 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy that

 

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requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Observable inputs, other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques.

The following is a summary of marketable securities and other investment-related assets held at December 31, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands).

 

As of December 31, 2008

  Cost   Gross Unrealized     Realized
Gains
(Losses)
    Aggregate
Fair Value
  Classified on Balance Sheet
          Short-term
Marketable
Securities
  Long-term
Marketable
Securities
    Gains   Losses          

Available-for-sale securities:

             

Certificates of deposit

  $ 640   $ —     $ —       $ —       $ 640   $ 487   $ 153

Commercial paper

    39,357     52     —         —         39,409     39,409     —  

U.S. corporate debt securities

    216,883     681     (2,593 )     —         214,971     85,907     129,064

U.S. government agency obligations

    110,137     902     (12 )     —         111,027     48,754     62,273

Auction rate securities

    210,600     —       (37,163 )     —         173,437     —       173,437
                                             
    577,617     1,635     (39,768 )     —         539,484     174,557     364,927
                                             

Trading securities:

             

Auction rate securities

    76,500     —       —         (12,931 )     63,569     —       63,569

Other investment-related assets:

             

Put option related to ARS

    —       —       —         12,500       12,500     —       12,500
                                             
  $ 654,117   $ 1,635   $ (39,768 )   $ (431 )   $ 615,553   $ 174,557   $ 440,996
                                             

As of December 31, 2007

  Cost   Gross Unrealized     Realized
Gains
(Losses)
    Aggregate
Fair Value
  Classified on Balance Sheet
          Short-term
Marketable
Securities
  Long-term
Marketable
Securities
    Gains   Losses          

Available-for-sale securities:

             

Certificates of deposit

  $ 835   $ —     $ —       $ —       $ 835   $ 835   $ —  

Commercial paper

    47,669     27     (9 )     —         47,687     47,687     —  

U.S. corporate debt securities

    119,961     305     (423 )     —         119,843     66,190     53,653

U.S. government agency obligations

    39,998     118     (1 )     —         40,115     6,429     33,686

Auction rate securities

    279,950     —       —         —         279,950     279,950     —  
                                             
  $ 488,413   $ 450   $ (433 )   $ —       $ 488,430   $ 401,091   $ 87,339
                                             

 

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Unrealized gains and unrealized temporary losses on investments classified as available for sale are included within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net. Upon realization, those amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net to gain (loss) on investments, net. All gains and losses on investments classified as trading are included within the income statement as gain (loss) on investments, net. Realized gains and losses and other-than-temporary impairments are reflected in the income statement as gain (loss) on investments, net. As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s available-for-sale securities with gross unrealized losses have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months.

The following table details the fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial assets, including investments and cash equivalents, at December 31, 2008 (in thousands):

 

     Total Fair Value at
December 31, 2008
   Fair Value Measurements at Reporting
Date Using
        Level 1    Level 2    Level 3

Money market funds

   $ 107,772    $ 107,772    $ —      $ —  

Certificates of deposit

     664      664      —        —  

Commercial paper

     43,973      —        43,973      —  

U.S. government agency obligations

     117,995      —        117,995      —  

U.S. corporate debt securities

     214,971      —        214,971      —  

Auction rate securities

     237,006      —        —        237,006

Put option related to auction rate securities

     12,500      —        —        12,500
                           
   $ 734,881    $ 108,436    $ 376,939    $ 249,506
                           

The following table reflects the activity for the Company’s major classes of assets measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs for the year ended December 31, 2008 (in thousands):

 

     Auction Rate
Securities
    Put Option
related to
auction rate
securities
   Total  

Balance as of December 31, 2007

   $ —       $ —      $ —    

Transfers in from Level 1

     296,850       —        296,850  

Sale of securities

     (9,750 )     —        (9,750 )

Unrealized losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (37,163 )     —        (37,163 )

Realized gain on other investment-related assets

     —         12,500      12,500  

Realized loss on auction rate securities

     (12,931 )     —        (12,931 )
                       

Balance as of December 31, 2008

   $ 237,006     $ 12,500    $ 249,506  
                       

As of December 31, 2008, the Company had grouped money market funds and certificates of deposit using a Level 1 valuation because market prices are readily available in active markets. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had grouped commercial paper, U.S. government agency obligations and U.S. corporate debt securities using a Level 2 valuation because quoted prices for identical or similar assets are available in markets that are not active. As of December 31, 2008, the fair value of the Company’s assets grouped using a Level 3 valuation consisted of ARS as well as a related put option described below. ARS are long-term variable rate bonds tied to short-term interest rates that may reset through a “Dutch auction” process that are designed to occur every seven to 35 days.

 

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Historically, the carrying value (par value) of the ARS approximated fair market value due to the resetting of variable interest rates. Beginning in mid-February 2008 and continuing throughout the period ended December 31, 2008, however, the auctions for ARS then held by the Company were unsuccessful. As a result, the interest rates on ARS reset to the maximum rate per the applicable investment offering statements. The Company will not be able to liquidate affected ARS until a future auction on these investments is successful, a buyer is found outside the auction process, the securities are called or refinanced by the issuer, or the securities mature. Due to these liquidity issues, the Company performed a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the estimated fair value of these investments. The discounted cash flow analysis performed by the Company considered the timing of expected future successful auctions, the impact of extended periods of maximum interest rates, collateralization of underlying security investments and the creditworthiness of the issuer. The discounted cash flow analysis performed as of December 31, 2008 assumes a weighted average discount rate of 6.275% and expected term of five years. The discount rate was determined using a proxy based upon the current market rates for similar debt offerings within the AAA-rated ARS market. The expected term was based on management’s estimate of future liquidity. As a result, as of December 31, 2008, the Company has estimated an aggregate loss of $50.1 million, of which $37.2 million was related to the impairment of ARS deemed to be temporary and included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity, and of which $12.9 million was related to the impairment of ARS deemed other-than-temporary and included in gain (loss) on investments, net in the consolidated statement of operations.

The Company’s ARS are primarily AAA-rated bonds, most of which are collateralized by federally guaranteed student loans as part of the Federal Family Education Loan Program through the United States Department of Education. The Company believes the quality of the collateral underlying these securities will enable it to recover the Company’s principal balance.

Despite the failed auctions, the Company continues to receive cash flows in the form of specified interest payments from the issuers of ARS. In addition, except as described below for ARS related to the put option, the Company has the intent and ability to hold its ARS until a recovery of the impairment because it believes it has sufficient cash and other marketable securities on-hand and from projected cash flows from operations such that it does not anticipate a need to sell its ARS prior to a recovery to par value.

In November 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with one of its investment advisors to repurchase the $76.5 million in par value of ARS purchased through such advisor at par value beginning on June 30, 2010. Such agreement created a separate financial instrument between the two companies (the “put option”). For these particular ARS, Akamai expects to continue to hold these long-term debt instruments until the earlier of the settlement date or the date on which the market allows for active trading of ARS at par value. At any time during the period up until the June 2010, the investment advisor can call the ARS at par value.

The Company elected to apply the fair value option under SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” to the put option. The $12.5 million fair value of the put option is grouped with long-term marketable securities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet with the resultant gain offsetting $12.9 million of the related ARS impairment included in the consolidated statement of operations. The fair value of the put option was determined by comparing the fair value of the related ARS, as described above, to their par values and also considers the credit risk associated with the investment advisor. This put option will be adjusted on each balance sheet date based on its then fair value. The fair value of the put option is based on unobservable inputs and is therefore classified as Level 3 in the hierarchy.

The underlying ARS are carried at fair value and classified as trading securities as of December 31, 2008. Previously, these securities were classified as available-for-sale. Prior to the Company’s agreement with its investment advisor, its intent was to hold the ARS until the market recovered. The unrealized loss on these

 

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investments previously was included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. Management’s decision to enter into the agreement with the Company’s investment advisor resulted in classifying the unrealized loss on these investments as other-than-temporary. As a result, the Company recognized a loss of $12.9 million.

As of December 31, 2007, the Company held $280.0 million of ARS and classified these as short-term investments. As of December 31, 2008, the Company classified all of its ARS as long-term marketable securities on its consolidated balance sheet due to management’s estimate of its inability to liquidate these investments within the following twelve months. Expected maturities of the Company’s marketable securities and other investment-related assets held at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

 

     December 31,
     2008    2007

Available-for-sale securities:

     

Due in one year or less

   $ 174,710    $ 124,243

Due after 1 year through 5 years

     191,337      84,237

Due after 5 years

     173,437      279,950

Trading securities:

     

Due after 5 years

     63,569      —  

Other investment-related assets:

     

Due after 1 year through 5 years

     12,500      —  
             
   $ 615,553    $ 488,430
             

As of December 31, 2008, $3.6 million of the Company’s marketable securities were classified as restricted. These securities primarily represent security for irrevocable letters of credit in favor of third-party beneficiaries, mostly related to facility leases. The letters of credit are collateralized by restricted marketable securities, of which $3.4 million are classified as short-term marketable securities and $0.2 million are classified as long-term marketable securities on the consolidated balance sheets. The restrictions on these marketable securities lapse as the Company fulfills its obligations or such obligations expire under the terms of the letters of credit. These restrictions are expected to lapse at various times through May 2011.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded net losses on investments of $157,000. For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded net gains on investments of $24,000 and $261,000, respectively, on sales of marketable securities.

 

7. Accounts Receivable:

Net accounts receivable consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
   2008     2007  

Trade accounts receivable

   $ 138,286     $ 113,357  

Unbilled accounts

     12,596       15,978  
                

Gross accounts receivable

     150,882       129,335  
                

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (6,943 )     (6,878 )

Reserve for cash basis customers

     (4,327 )     (3,513 )
                

Total accounts receivable reserves

     (11,270 )     (10,391 )
                

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 139,612     $ 118,944  
                

 

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8. Property and Equipment:

Property and equipment consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

     December 31,     Estimated
Useful
Lives in Years
   2008     2007    

Computer and networking equipment

   $ 302,213     $ 264,949     3

Purchased software

     26,987       24,776     3

Furniture and fixtures

     8,286       6,265     5

Office equipment

     3,834       3,870     3

Leasehold improvements

     22,095       11,344     5-7

Internal-use software

     106,075       73,622     2
                  
     469,490       384,826    

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (295,007 )     (250,280 )  
                  
   $ 174,483     $ 134,546    
                  

Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment and capitalized internal-use software for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $84.2 million, $60.5 million and $32.1 million, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company wrote off $40.2 million and $25.7 million, respectively, of long-lived asset costs, with accumulated depreciation and amortization costs of $39.0 million and $25.2 million, respectively. These write-offs were primarily related to purchased software and computer and networking equipment that were no longer in use.

During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company capitalized $25.0 million, $19.1 million and $12.6 million, net of impairments, respectively, of external consulting fees and payroll and payroll-related costs for the development and enhancement of internal-use software applications. Additionally, during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company capitalized $7.4 million, $6.4 million and $4.3 million, respectively, of non-cash stock-based compensation related to employees who developed and enhanced internal-use software applications. The internal-use software is used by the Company primarily to operate, manage and monitor its deployed network and deliver its services to customers.

The following table summarizes capitalized internal-use software costs (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
   2008     2007  

Gross costs capitalized

   $ 107,125     $ 74,672  

Less: cumulative impairments

     (1,050 )     (1,050 )
                
     106,075       73,622  

Less: accumulated amortization

     (56,778 )     (38,390 )
                

Net book value of capitalized internal-use software

   $ 49,297     $ 35,232  
                

 

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9. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

The Company acquired goodwill and other intangible assets through business acquisitions during 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2000. The Company also acquired license rights from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1999. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded goodwill of $80.3 million and acquired intangible assets of $19.4 million as a result of the acquisition of acerno. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recorded goodwill of $125.1 million and acquired intangible assets of $40.2 million as a result of the acquisitions of Netli and Red Swoosh.

During 2008, the Company made purchase accounting adjustments of $0.7 million to reflect the return in 2008 of approximately 59,000 shares of Akamai common stock previously held in escrow in connection with its acquisition of Speedera. The shares were previously included in the purchase price. Consequently, the Company reduced stockholders’ equity by $0.7 million for the value of the shares as of the date of acquisition and reduced goodwill by the same amount.

During 2007, the Company made purchase accounting adjustments to reflect the net deferred tax assets recorded as a result of filing the final pre-acquisition income tax return for Nine Systems. Consequently, the Company increased its net deferred tax assets by $3.0 million and reduced goodwill by the same amount.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

     In thousands  

Ending balance, December 31, 2006

   $ 239,580  

Netli acquisition

     111,913  

Red Swoosh acquisition

     13,188  

Tax assets recorded in connection with the Nine Systems acquisition

     (3,044 )
        

Ending balance, December 31, 2007

     361,637  

acerno acquisition

     80,285  

Purchase price adjustment in connection with the Speedera acquisition

     (664 )
        

Ending balance, December 31, 2008

   $ 441,258  
        

The Company reviews goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may exceed their fair value. The Company concluded that it had one reporting unit and assigned the entire balance of goodwill to this reporting unit as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 for purposes of performing an impairment test. The fair value of the reporting unit was determined using the Company’s market capitalization as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. The fair value on December 31, 2008 and 2007 exceeded the net assets of the reporting unit, including goodwill, as of both dates. Accordingly, the Company concluded that no impairment existed as of these dates. Unless changes in events or circumstances indicate that an impairment test is required, the Company will next test goodwill for impairment as of December 31, 2009.

 

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Other intangible assets that are subject to amortization consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2008
   Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Amount

Completed technologies

   $ 35,031    $ (5,659 )   $ 29,372

Customer relationships

     88,700      (31,291 )     57,409

Non-compete agreements

     7,200      (1,529 )     5,671

Trademarks and trade names

     800      (257 )     543

Acquired license rights

     490      (490 )     —  
                     

Total

   $ 132,221    $ (39,226 )   $ 92,995
                     
     December 31, 2007
   Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Amount

Completed technologies

   $ 25,831    $ (2,631 )   $ 23,200

Customer relationships

     84,400      (21,029 )     63,371

Non-compete agreements

     1,600      (1,108 )     492

Trademarks

     500      (109 )     391

Acquired license rights

     490      (444 )     46
                     

Total

   $ 112,821    $ (25,321 )   $ 87,500
                     

Aggregate expense related to amortization of other intangible assets was $13.9 million, $11.4 million and $8.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Based on current circumstances, amortization expense is expected to be approximately $16.7 million, $16.4 million, $16.4 million, $15.4 million and $12.6 million for the years ending December 31, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

 

10. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities:

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
   2008    2007

Payroll and other related benefits

   $ 26,377    $ 27,381

Bandwidth and co-location

     16,642      12,968

Property, use and other taxes

     13,317      10,182

Legal professional fees

     1,475      1,781

Other

     8,321      3,921
             

Total

   $ 66,132    $ 56,233
             

 

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11. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees:

Operating Lease Commitments

The Company leases its facilities under non-cancelable operating leases. These operating leases expire at various dates through December 2019 and generally require the payment of real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance and operating costs. In October 2007, the Company entered into facility lease agreements with its landlord to expand its corporate headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As of June 1, 2009, the Company will be occupying an additional 110,000 square feet at its current location in Cambridge. These lease obligations have been included in the future lease commitment table below.

The minimum aggregate future obligations under non-cancelable leases as of December 31, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Operating
Leases

2009

   $ 18,131

2010

     21,281

2011

     17,518

2012

     15,742

2013

     15,243

Thereafter

     79,910
      

Total

   $ 167,825
      

Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $14.8 million, $11.0 million and $6.6 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $8.6 million related to certain of its real estate leases. Approximately $3.6 million of these letters of credit are collateralized by marketable securities that have been restricted as to use (see Note 6). The letters of credit expire as the Company fulfills its operating lease obligations. Certain of the Company’s facility leases include rent escalation clauses. The Company normalizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease for known changes in lease payments over the life of the lease. In the event that the landlord provided funding for leasehold improvements to leased facilities, the Company amortizes such amount as part of rent expense on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease.

Purchase Commitments

The Company has long-term commitments for bandwidth usage and co-location with various networks and ISPs. For the years ending December 31, 2009 and 2010, the minimum commitments were, as of December 31, 2008, approximately $42.4 million and $8.0 million, respectively. Additionally, as of December 31, 2008, the Company had entered into purchase orders with various vendors for aggregate purchase commitments of $15.0 million, which are expected to be paid in 2009.

Litigation

Between July 2, 2001 and November 7, 2001, purported class action lawsuits seeking monetary damages were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company as well

 

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as against the underwriters of its October 28, 1999 initial public offering of common stock. The complaints were filed allegedly on behalf of persons who purchased the Company’s common stock during different time periods, all beginning on October 28, 1999 and ending on various dates. The complaints are similar and allege violations of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, primarily based on the allegation that the underwriters received undisclosed compensation in connection with the Company’s initial public offering. On April 19, 2002, a single consolidated amended complaint was filed, reiterating in one pleading the allegations contained in the previously filed separate actions. The consolidated amended complaint defines the alleged class period as October 28, 1999 through December 6, 2000. A Special Litigation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors authorized management to negotiate a settlement of the pending claims substantially consistent with a Memorandum of Understanding that was negotiated among class plaintiffs, all issuer defendants and their insurers. The parties negotiated a settlement that was subject to approval by the Court. On February 15, 2005, the Court issued an Opinion and Order preliminarily approving the settlement, provided that the defendants and plaintiffs agree to a modification narrowing the scope of the bar order set forth in the original settlement agreement. The parties agreed to a modification narrowing the scope of the bar order, and on August 31, 2005, the Court issued an order preliminarily approving the settlement. On December 5, 2006, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit overturned the District Court’s certification of the class of plaintiffs who are pursuing the claims that would be settled in the settlement against the underwriter defendants. Thereafter, the District Court ordered a stay of all proceedings in all of the lawsuits pending the outcome of plaintiffs’ petition to the Second Circuit for rehearing en banc and resolution of the class certification issue. On April 6, 2007, the Second Circuit denied plaintiffs’ rehearing petition, but clarified that the plaintiffs may seek to certify a more limited class in the District Court. On June 25, 2007, the District Court signed an order terminating the settlement. There were no material developments in these proceedings during the year ended December 31, 2008. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims made in the complaint, and it intends to contest the lawsuit vigorously. An adverse resolution of this action could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations in the period in which the lawsuit is resolved. The Company is not presently able to estimate potential losses, if any, related to this lawsuit.

In addition, on or about October 3, 2007, a purported Akamai shareholder filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, against the underwriters involved in its 1999 initial public offering of common stock, alleging violations of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. The complaint alleges that the combined number of shares of the Company’s common stock beneficially owned by the lead underwriters and certain unnamed officers, directors and principal shareholders exceeded ten percent of its outstanding common stock from the date of the Company’s initial public offering on October 29, 1999, through at least October 28, 2000. The complaint further alleges that those entities and individuals were thus subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) and the short-swing trading prohibition of Section 16(b) and failed to comply with those provisions. The complaint seeks to recover from the lead underwriters any “short-swing profits” obtained by them in violation of Section 16(b). Akamai was named as a nominal defendant in the action but has no liability for the asserted claims. None of the Company’s directors or officers serving in such capacities at the time of its initial public offering are currently named as defendants in this action, but there can be no guarantee that the complaint will not be amended or a new complaint or suit filed to name such directors or officers as defendants in this action or another action alleging a violation of the same provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company does not expect the results of this action to have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition.

The Company is party to various other litigation matters that management considers routine and incidental to its business. Management does not expect the results of any of these routine actions to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

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Guarantees

The Company has identified the guarantees described below as disclosable in accordance with FASB Interpretation 45 (“FIN 45”), “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, an interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57, and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34.” The Company evaluates estimated losses for guarantees under SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies, as Interpreted by FIN 45.” The Company considers such factors as the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. To date, the Company has not encountered material costs as a result of such obligations and has not accrued any liabilities related to such guarantees in its financial statements.

As permitted under Delaware law, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that Akamai indemnify each of its officers and directors during his or her lifetime for certain events or occurrences that happen by reason of the fact that the officer or director is or was or has agreed to serve as an officer or director of the Company. In addition, the Company has acquired other companies that had similar director and officer indemnification provisions in their bylaws. The Company has generally become responsible for such indemnification obligations as a result of the acquisition. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification obligations is unlimited; however, the Company has a director and officer insurance policy that limits its exposure and may enable the Company to recover a portion of certain future amounts paid. In the case of obligations assumed as a result of acquisitions, the Company may have the right to be indemnified by the selling stockholders of such acquired companies for director and officer indemnification expenses incurred by the Company for matters arising prior to the acquisition which may eliminate or mitigate the impact of any such obligations.

The Company enters into standard indemnification agreements in the ordinary course of business. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and reimburse the indemnified party for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party, generally Akamai’s business partners or customers, in connection with Akamai’s provision of its services and software. Generally, these obligations are limited to claims relating to infringement of a patent, copyright or other intellectual property right or the Company’s negligence, willful misconduct or violation of the law (provided that there is not gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the other party). Subject to applicable statutes of limitation, the term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual from the time of execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company carries insurance that covers certain third party claims relating to its services and could limit the Company’s exposure. There can, however, be no certainty that such insurance would cover a portion or any amount of such liability.

The Company has acquired all of the stock of numerous companies since 2000. As part of those acquisitions, the Company assumed the liability for undisclosed claims and losses previously incurred by such companies. Subject to applicable statutes of limitations, these obligations are generally perpetual from the time of execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make in connection with these obligations is unlimited. The Company may have the right to be indemnified by the selling stockholders of such acquired companies for losses and expenses incurred by the Company for matters arising prior to the acquisition, which may eliminate or mitigate the impact of any such obligations.

The Company leases space in certain buildings, including a corporate headquarters building, under operating leases. The Company has standard indemnification arrangements under such operating leases that require it to indemnify each landlord against losses, liabilities, and claims incurred in connection with the premises covered

 

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by the Company leases, its use of the premises, property damage or personal injury, and breach of the lease agreement, as well as occurrences arising from the Company’s negligence or willful misconduct. The Company also subleases certain space and agrees to indemnify the sublessee for losses caused by the Company’s employees on the premises. Subject to applicable statutes of limitation, the terms of these indemnification agreements are generally perpetual from the time of execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited. The Company has never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements.

The Company entered into three joint ventures in 2001 and 2002, which have since terminated. The terms of the joint venture agreements generally provide that the Company indemnify the joint venture partner against property damage or bodily injury arising from the Company’s negligence or willful misconduct; third party claims of copyright infringement or trade secret theft associated with the software or marks licensed from the Company by the partner; and losses arising from any breach by the Company of its representations and warranties. Subject to applicable statutes of limitation, the term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual from the time of execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited. The Company has never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements.

The Company leases certain equipment under operating leases that require it to indemnify the lessor against losses, liabilities and claims in connection with the lease agreement, possession or use of the leased equipment, and in some cases certain tax issues. Subject to applicable statutes of limitation, the term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual from the time of execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited. The Company has never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements.

The Company licenses technology to certain third parties under license agreements that provide for Akamai to indemnify the third parties against claims of patent and copyright infringement. This indemnity generally does not apply in the event that the licensed technology has been modified by the third party or combined with other technology, hardware, or data that the Company has not approved. Subject to applicable statutes of limitation, the term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual from the time of execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited. The Company has never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements.

The Company licenses technology from third parties under agreements that contain standard indemnification provisions that require the Company to indemnify the third party against losses, liabilities and claims arising from the Company’s unauthorized use or modification of the licensed technology. Subject to applicable statutes of limitation, the term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual from the time of execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited. The Company has never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements.

Based upon the Company’s historical experience and information known as of December 31, 2008, the Company believes its liabilities related to the above guarantees and indemnifications are immaterial.

 

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12. Convertible Notes:

1% Convertible Senior Notes

In January 2004 and December 2003, Akamai issued $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 1% convertible senior notes due December 15, 2033 for aggregate proceeds of $194.1 million, net of an initial purchaser’s discount and offering expenses of $5.9 million. The initial conversion price of the 1% convertible senior notes was $15.45 per share (equivalent to 64.7249 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 1% convertible senior notes). During 2007, the Company issued 9,379 shares of common stock in connection with the conversion of $145,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 1% convertible senior notes (at a conversion price of $15.45 per share). As of December 31, 2008, the carrying amount and fair value of the 1% convertible senior notes were $199.9 million and $221.0 million, respectively.

The notes may be converted at the option of the holder in the following circumstances:

 

   

during any calendar quarter commencing after March 31, 2004, if the closing sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days in the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding calendar quarter is more than 120% of the conversion price in effect on such last trading day;

 

   

if the convertible notes are called for redemption;

 

   

if the Company makes specified distributions on its common stock or engages in specified transactions; and

 

   

during the five trading day period immediately following any ten-consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of the convertible notes for each day of such ten-day period is less than 95% of the product of the closing sale price per share of the Company’s common stock on that day multiplied by the number of shares of its common stock issuable upon conversion of $1,000 principal amount of the convertible notes.

The Company may redeem the 1% convertible senior notes on or after December 15, 2010 at the Company’s option at 100% of the principal amount together with accrued and unpaid interest. Conversely, holders of the 1% convertible senior notes may require the Company to repurchase the notes at par value on certain specified dates beginning on December 15, 2010. In the event of a change of control, the holders may require Akamai to repurchase their 1% convertible senior notes at a repurchase price of 100% of the principal amount plus accrued interest. Interest on the 1% convertible senior notes began to accrue as of the issue date and is payable semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year. Deferred financing costs of $5.9 million, including the initial purchaser’s discount and other offering expenses, for the 1% convertible senior notes are being amortized over the first seven years of the term of the notes to reflect the put and call rights discussed above. Amortization of deferred financing costs of the 1% convertible senior notes was approximately $0.8 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. The Company records the amortization of deferred financing costs using the effective interest method as interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

13. Restructurings and Lease Terminations:

As of December 31, 2008, the Company had $1.7 million of accrued restructuring liabilities. In November 2008, the Company announced a workforce reduction of 110 employees from all areas of the Company. The Company recorded $2.0 million as a restructuring charge for the amount of one-time benefits provided to affected employees. Included in these costs is a net reduction in non-cash stock-based compensation of $0.8 million, reflecting a modification to certain stock-based awards previously granted to the affected

 

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employees. Additionally, in December 2008, in connection with excess and vacated facilities under long-term non-cancelable leases, the Company recorded $0.5 million as a restructuring charge for the estimated future lease payments, less estimated sublease income, for these vacated facilities. The Company expects that the remaining $1.7 million of these liabilities will be paid in 2009.

As of December 31, 2007, the Company had $0.6 million of accrued restructuring liabilities. In connection with the Speedera, Nine Systems, Netli and Red Swoosh acquisitions, the Company’s management committed to plans to exit certain activities of these entities. In accordance with EITF No. 95-3, “Recognition of Liabilities in Connection with a Purchase Business Combination,” the Company recorded, as part of the purchase prices, liabilities of $1.4 million related to workforce reductions during the year ended December 31, 2007. These liabilities primarily consisted of employee severance and outplacement costs. As of December 31, 2008, these liabilities had been paid.

The following table summarizes the accrual and usage of the restructuring charges (in millions):

 

     Leases     Severance     Total  

Ending balance, December 31, 2005

   $ 2.3     $ 1.3     $ 3.6  

Accrual recorded in purchase accounting

     —         0.5       0.5  

Cash payments

     (1.4 )     (0.6 )     (2.0 )
                        

Ending balance, December 31, 2006

     0.9       1.2       2.1  

Accrual recorded in purchase accounting

     —         1.4       1.4  

Restructuring benefit

     (0.2 )     —         (0.2 )

Cash payments

     (0.7 )     (2.0 )     (2.7 )
                        

Ending balance, December 31, 2007

     —         0.6       0.6  

Restructuring charge

     0.5       2.0       2.5  

Cash payments

     (0.2 )     (1.2 )     (1.4 )
                        

Ending balance, December 31, 2008

   $ 0.3     $ 1.4     $ 1.7  
                        

 

14. Rights Plan and Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock:

On September 10, 2002, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) declared a dividend of one preferred stock purchase right for each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock held by stockholders of record at the close of business on September 23, 2002. To implement the rights plan, the Board of Directors designated 700,000 shares of the Company’s 5.0 million authorized shares of undesignated preferred stock as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share. Each right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of preferred stock at a purchase price of $9.00 in cash, subject to adjustment. No shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are outstanding as of December 31, 2008. In January 2004, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to the rights plan in which the purchase price of each right issued under the plan increased from $9.00 per share to $65.00 per share.

 

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15. Stockholders’ Equity:

Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote per share. At December 31, 2008, the Company had reserved approximately 5.9 million shares of common stock for issuance under its 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “1999 ESPP”) and upon the exercise of options and vesting of deferred stock units and restricted stock units under its other stock incentive plans. Additionally, the Company had reserved approximately 12.9 million shares issuable upon conversion of its 1% senior convertible notes.

 

16. Stock-Based Compensation:

Equity Plans

In 1998, the Board of Directors adopted the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1998 Plan”) for the issuance of incentive and nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards and other types of equity awards. Options to purchase common stock and other equity awards are granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof. In October 2005, the Board of Directors delegated to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer the authority to grant equity incentive awards to employees of the Company below the level of Vice President, subject to certain specified limitations. In December 2001, the Board of Directors adopted the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2001 Plan”) for the issuance of nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards and other types of equity awards. In March 2006, the Board of Directors adopted the Akamai Technologies, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) for the issuance of incentive and nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and other types of equity awards. The total numbers of shares of common stock issuable under the 1998 Plan, the 2001 Plan and the 2006 Plan are 48,255,600, 5,000,000 and 7,500,000 shares, respectively. Equity incentive awards may not be issued to the Company’s directors or executive officers under the 2001 Plan.

Under the terms of the 1998 Plan and the 2006 Plan, the exercise price of incentive stock options may not be less than 100% (110% in certain cases) of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Incentive stock options may not be issued under the 2001 Plan. The exercise price of nonqualified stock options issued under the 1998 Plan, the 2001 Plan and the 2006 Plan may be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the effective date of grant, as determined by the Board of Directors, but in no case may the exercise price be less than the statutory minimum. Stock option vesting typically occurs over four years under all of the plans, and options are granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Under the 1998 Plan and 2001 Plan, the term of options granted may not exceed ten years, or five years for incentive stock options granted to holders of more than 10% of the Company’s voting stock. Under the 2006 Plan, the term of options granted may not exceed seven years.

The Company has assumed certain stock option plans and the outstanding stock options of companies that it has acquired (“Assumed Plans”). Stock options outstanding as of the date of acquisition under the Assumed Plans have been exchanged for the Company’s stock options and adjusted to reflect the appropriate conversion ratio as specified by the applicable acquisition agreement, but are otherwise administered in accordance with the terms of the Assumed Plans. Stock options under the Assumed Plans generally vest over four years and expire ten years from the date of grant.

In August 1999, the Board of Directors adopted the 1999 ESPP. The Company reserved 3,100,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the 1999 ESPP. In May 2002, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the 1999 ESPP that allows for an automatic increase in the number of shares of common stock available under the 1999 ESPP each June 1 and December 1 to restore the number of shares available for

 

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issuance to 1,500,000 shares, provided that the aggregate number of shares issued under the 1999 ESPP shall not exceed 20,000,000. In April 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors approved amendments to the 1999 ESPP as follows: the duration of the offering periods was decreased from 24 months to six months; the number of times a participant may elect to change his or her percentage during an offering period was changed from four times to two times; the definition of “compensation” was amended to clarify that it includes cash bonuses and other cash incentive programs; and a provision was added to clarify that upon termination of an offering period, each eligible participant will be automatically enrolled in the next offering period. These amendments became effective in June 2005. The 1999 ESPP allows participants to purchase shares of common stock at a 15% discount from the fair market value of the stock as determined on specific dates at six-month intervals. During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company issued 348,584, 279,356 and 295,113 shares under the 1999 ESPP, respectively, with a weighted average purchase price per share of $20.66, $34.62 and $22.0, respectively. Total cash proceeds from the purchase of shares under the 1999 ESPP in 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $7.2 million, $9.7 million and $6.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, approximately $763,000 had been withheld from employees for future purchases under the 1999 ESPP.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The following table summarizes the components of total stock-based compensation expense included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
   2008     2007     2006  

Stock-based compensation expense by type of award:

      

Stock options

   $ 22,381     $ 29,171     $ 24,572  

Deferred stock units

     1,885       925       1,976  

Restricted stock units

     37,005       38,958       25,410  

Shares issued under the 1999 ESPP

     4,064       3,854       1,903  

Amounts capitalized as internal-use software

     (7,436 )     (6,353 )     (4,293 )
                        

Total stock-based compensation before income taxes

     57,899       66,555       49,568  

Less: Income tax benefit

     (22,069 )     (20,380 )     (16,011 )
                        

Total stock-based compensation, net of tax

   $ 35,830     $ 46,175     $ 33,557  
                        

Effect of stock-based compensation on income by line item:

      

Cost of revenues

   $ 2,415     $ 3,349     $ 1,960  

Research and development expense

     11,088       15,658       11,435  

Sales and marketing expense

     26,273       26,252       18,403  

General and administrative expense

     18,123       21,296       17,770  

Provision for income taxes

     (22,069 )     (20,380 )     (16,011 )
                        

Total cost related to stock-based compensation, net of tax

   $ 35,830     $ 46,175     $ 33,557  
                        

In addition to the amounts of stock-based compensation reported in the table above, the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 also included stock-based compensation reflected as a component of amortization of capitalized internal-use software; such additional stock-based compensation was $4.2 million, $1.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively, before tax.

Akamai has selected the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of the Company’s stock option awards. This model requires the input of subjective assumptions, including expected stock price

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

volatility and estimated life of each award. The estimated fair value of Akamai’s stock-based awards, less expected forfeitures, is amortized over the awards’ vesting period on a straight-line basis. Expected volatilities are based on the Company’s historical stock price volatility and implied volatility from traded options in its stock. The Company uses historical data to estimate the expected life of options granted within the valuation model. The risk-free interest rate for periods commensurate with the expected life of the option is based on the United States Treasury yield rate in effect at the time of grant.

The grant-date fair values of Akamai’s stock option awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,
     2008    2007    2006

Expected life (years)

   4.1    4.0    3.9

Risk-free interest rate (%)

   2.7    4.5    4.7

Expected volatility (%)

   51.5    60.5    67.5

Dividend yield (%)

   —      —      —  

For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the weighted average fair value of Akamai’s stock option awards granted was $12.34 per share, $24.24 per share and $18.10 per share, respectively.

The grant-date fair values of Akamai’s ESPP awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,
   2008    2007    2006

Expected life (years)

   0.5    0.5    1.1

Risk-free interest rate (%)

   1.8    4.6    4.0

Expected volatility (%)

   59.2    47.4    77.7

Dividend yield (%)

   —      —      —  

For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the weighted average fair value of Akamai’s ESPP awards granted was $4.58 per share, $6.24 per share and $7.39 per share, respectively.

As of December 31, 2008, total pre-tax unrecognized compensation cost for stock options, restricted stock units, deferred stock units and stock issued under ESPP was $75.9 million. This non-cash expense will be recognized through 2012 over a weighted average period of 1.2 years. Nearly all of the Company’s employees have received grants through these equity compensation programs.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table summarizes stock option activity during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:

 

     Shares
(in thousands)
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

   16,276     $ 8.65

Granted (including those for business acquisitions)

   1,932       26.96

Exercised

   (4,153 )     5.18

Forfeited and expired

   (808 )     12.19
        

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

   13,247       12.33

Granted (including those for business acquisitions)

   1,629       36.97

Exercised

   (2,493 )     8.80

Forfeited and expired

   (349 )     26.17
        

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

   12,034       15.83

Granted

   1,162       28.20

Exercised

   (2,445 )     5.84

Forfeited and expired

   (371 )     38.97
        

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

   10,380       18.76
        

Exercisable at December 31, 2008

   7,994       14.60
        

The total pre-tax intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $63.5 million, $91.7 million and $131.6 million, respectively. The total fair value of options vested for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $15.0 million, $22.7 million and $20.3 million, respectively. The aggregate fair values of stock options vested for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were calculated net of capitalized stock-based compensation of $7.4 million and $6.4 million, respectively. The aggregate fair value of stock options vested for the year ended December 31, 2006 was calculated net of capitalized stock-based compensation of $4.3 million. Cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $14.2 million, $22.0 million and $21.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Income tax benefits realized from the exercise of stock options during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were approximately $44.9 million, $83.2 million and $103.3 million, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table summarizes stock options that are outstanding and expected to vest and stock options exercisable at December 31, 2008:

 

Range of Exercise Price ($)

  Options Outstanding and Expected to Vest   Options Exercisable
  Number of
Options
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
  Number of
Options
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
   

(In

thousands)

  (In years)      

(In

thousands)

 

(In

thousands)

  (In years)      

(In

thousands)

0.01-0.92

  486   3.8   $ 0.75   $ 6,975   482   3.8   $ 0.75   $ 6,914

0.96-1.65

  384   3.9     1.58     5,181   384   3.9     1.58     5,181

2.27-4.08

  316   3.9     3.26     3,737   296   3.6     3.27     3,497

4.10-5.44

  1,338   4.1     4.84     13,712   1,307   4.1     4.85     13,375

5.49-8.28

  59   4.3     6.07     535   49   3.4     5.74     457

8.55-12.81

  671   5.8     11.87     2,163   602   5.6     11.82     1,965

12.85-14.90

  3,350   5.8     14.29     2,672   3,209   5.8     14.29     2,569

15.22-22.47

  673   5.0     17.17     —     495   4.3     16.97     —  

22.97-34.45

  1,521   8.0     28.85     —     548   7.0     27.15     —  

35.05-52.46

  945   7.1     43.56     —     375   6.5     44.58     —  

54.26-76.06

  484   5.7     56.13     —     233   5.6     56.70     —  

85.00-93.94

  24   1.5     85.65     —     24   1.5     85.65     —  
                           
  10,251   5.7     18.59   $ 34,975   8,004   5.2     14.60   $ 33,958
                         

Expected forfeitures

  129              
                 

Total options outstanding

  10,380              
                 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on Akamai’s closing stock price of $15.09 on December 31, 2008, that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their “in-the-money” options as of that date. The total number of shares related to “in-the-money” options exercisable as of December 31, 2008 was approximately 7.2 million.

Deferred Stock Units

In May 2008, the Company granted an aggregate of 47,291 deferred stock units (“DSUs”) to non-employee members of its Board of Directors and its Executive Chairman. During each of 2007 and 2006, the Company granted an aggregate of approximately 56,000 DSUs to non-employee members of its Board of Directors and to the Company’s Executive Chairman. Each DSU represents the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock upon vesting. The holder may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the vested shares of stock represented by the DSU for a period for at least one year but not more than ten years from the grant date. The DSUs typically vest 50% upon the first anniversary of grant date, with the remaining 50% vesting in equal installments of 12.5% each quarter thereafter.

In September 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a policy (the “Policy”) with respect to the payment of compensation to a director in good standing upon such director’s departure from the Board. Pursuant to the Policy, upon a director’s departure from the Board, such director will receive a cash payment equal to the annual cash retainer payable to such director under the Company’s non-employee director compensation plan pro-rated through the date of departure and 100% of the unvested shares underlying the DSUs held by such director will accelerate at the time of departure and become exercisable in full. In addition, if a director has completed three years of Board service at the time of departure, 100% of the unvested options initially granted to such director upon joining the Board will accelerate at the time of departure and become fully exercisable.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the DSU activity for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands, except grant-date fair values):

 

     Units     Weighted Average
Grant-Date

Fair Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

   194     $ 9.34

Granted

   34       31.15

Vested and distributed

   (30 )     40.63
        

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

   198       12.55

Granted

   22       42.30

Vested and distributed

   (24 )     18.87
        

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

   196       15.03

Granted

   47       39.86

Vested and distributed

   (36 )     7.96
        

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

   207       24.86
        

The total fair value of DSUs that vested during the year ended December 31, 2008 was $1.9 million. The grant-date fair value is calculated based upon the Company’s closing stock price on the date of grant. As of December 31, 2008, 52,762 DSUs were unvested, with an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $3.1 million and a weighted average remaining contractual life of approximately 1.3 years. These units are expected to vest through May 2010. All DSUs vest upon fulfilling service conditions or upon a director’s departure from the Board under the terms of the Policy. The total fair value of DSUs that vested during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $0.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes the different types of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted by the Company (in thousands):

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,
     2008        2007        2006  

RSUs with service-based vesting conditions

   1,529    588    834

RSUs with performance-based vesting conditions

   898    1,409    2,412
              

Total

   2,427    1,997    3,246
              

Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock upon vesting. The fair value of these RSUs was calculated based upon the Company’s closing stock price on the date of grant, and the stock-based compensation expense is being recognized over the vesting period. Most RSUs with service-based vesting provisions vest in installments over a three- or four-year period following the grant date.

The Company also granted performance-based RSUs in 2008, 2007 and 2006 to certain employees. These performance-based RSUs will only vest if the Company exceeds specified cumulative revenue and earnings per share targets over a period of three consecutive fiscal years commencing with the year in which the RSU was granted. For performance-based RSUs granted in 2006 and 2007, the maximum number of performance-based RSUs that may vest is equal to 300% of the number of non-performance-based RSUs granted on the same date.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

For performance-based RSUs granted in 2008, the maximum number of performance-based RSUs that may vest is equal to 50% of the number of non-performance-based RSUs granted on the same date. In each case, such maximum vesting would only occur if the Company meets or exceeds a specified percentage of both its cumulative revenue and earnings per share targets for the three designated fiscal years and no performance-based RSUs will vest if the Company fails to exceed the applicable targets. If the Company’s cumulative revenue and/or earnings per share results for the applicable years are between 100% and the specified percentage of the targets, the holder would receive between zero performance-based RSUs and the maximum deliverable amount set forth above. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, management measured compensation expense for these performance-based RSUs based upon a review of the Company’s expected achievement of future cumulative performance. Such compensation cost is being recognized ratably over three years for each series of grants, as these awards vest only in their entirety upon achievement of the specified targets. Management will continue to review the Company’s expected performance and adjust the compensation cost, if needed, at such time.

The following table summarizes the RSU activity for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands, except grant-date fair values):

 

     Units     Weighted Average
Grant-Date

Fair Value

Granted

   3,246     $ 25.45

Forfeited

   (106 )     25.54
        

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

   3,140       25.44

Granted

   1,997       52.67

Exercised

   (286 )     26.66

Forfeited

   (256 )     35.78
        

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

   4,595       36.67

Granted

   2,427       30.33

Exercised

   (434 )     36.96

Forfeited

   (389 )     39.74
        

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

   6,199       34.64
        

The grant-date fair value of each RSU is calculated based upon the Company’s closing stock price on the date of grant. As of December 31, 2006, 3.1 million RSUs were outstanding and unvested, with an aggregate intrinsic value of $166.8 million and a weighted average remaining contractual life of approximately 2.1 years. As of December 31, 2007, 4.6 million RSUs were outstanding and unvested, with an aggregate intrinsic value of $159.0 million and a weighted average remaining contractual life of approximately 1.5 years. As of December 31, 2008, 6.2 million RSUs were outstanding and unvested, with an aggregate intrinsic value of $93.6 million and a weighted average remaining contractual life of approximately 1.1 years. These RSUs are expected to vest on various dates through November 2011.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

17. Employee Benefit Plan:

In January 1999, the Company established a savings plan for its employees that is designed to be qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Eligible employees are permitted to contribute to the 401(k) plan through payroll deductions within statutory and plan limits. Participants may select from a variety of investment options. Investment options do not include Akamai common stock. For 2007 and 2006, the Company made matching contributions of 1/2 of the first 2% of employee contributions in each year and then matched 1/4 of the next 4% of employee contributions. The maximum amount of the Company match was $1,000 per employee per year for the years 2007 and 2006. Effective January 1, 2008, the Company amended its matching contribution to 1/2 of the first 8% of employee contributions in each year, with the maximum amount of the Company match at $2,000 per employee per year. The Company’s contributions vest 25% per annum. The Company contributed approximately $1.9 million, $0.9 million and $0.6 million of cash to the savings plan for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

18. Income Taxes:

The components of income before provision for income taxes were as follows (in thousands):

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,
   2008    2007    2006

Domestic

   $ 225,079    $ 156,219    $ 90,009

Foreign

     9,456      11,986      8,460
                    

Income before provision for income taxes

   $ 234,535    $ 168,205    $ 98,469
                    

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
   2008    2007    2006  

Current tax provision

        

Federal

   $ 2,099    $ —      $ —    

State

     2,974      292      203  

Foreign

     2,626      1,685      2,383  

Deferred tax provision (benefit)

        

Federal

     79,045      51,567      30,624  

State

     1,776      6,764      8,740  

Foreign

     825      1,640      (882 )

Change in valuation allowance

     52      5,290      —    
                      
   $ 89,397    $ 67,238    $ 41,068  
                      

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The Company’s effective rate differed from the statutory rate as follows:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
   2008     2007     2006  

United States federal income tax rate

   35.0 %   35.0 %   35.0 %

State taxes

   3.8     4.4     4.5  

Nondeductible stock-based compensation

   1.6     2.7     5.8  

United States federal and state research and development credits

   (1.3 )   (4.6 )   (4.2 )

Change in state tax rates

   0.6     —       1.7  

Foreign earnings

   —       0.1     0.2  

Other

   (1.6 )   (0.7 )   (1.5 )

Change in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance

   —       3.1     —    
                  
   38.1 %   40.0 %   41.5 %
                  

The components of the net deferred tax asset and the related valuation allowance were as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
   2008     2007  

Net operating loss and credit carryforwards

   $ 150,041     $ 225,324  

Depreciation and amortization

     68,502       77,893  

Compensation costs

     40,227       28,089  

Impairment loss on marketable securities

     14,767       —    

Other

     15,539       17,982  
                

Deferred tax assets

     289,076       349,288  
                

Acquired intangible assets not deductible

     (36,271 )     (34,418 )

Internal-use software capitalized

     (17,449 )     (12,102 )
                

Deferred tax liabilities

     (53,720 )     (46,520 )
                

Valuation allowance

     (7,096 )     (11,158 )
                

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 228,260     $ 291,610  
                

As of December 31, 2008, the Company had United States federal NOL carryforwards of approximately $319.1 million and state NOL carryforwards of approximately $186.4 million, which expire at various dates through 2026. The Company also had foreign NOL carryforwards of approximately $3.4 million as of December 31, 2008. The majority of the foreign NOL carryforwards have no expiration dates. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had United States federal NOL carryforwards of $539.6 million, state NOL carryforwards of $186.5 million, and foreign NOL carryforwards of $4.5 million. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had United States federal and state research and development tax credit carryforwards of $25.6 million and $24.8 million, respectively, which will expire at various dates through 2028. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had foreign tax credit carryforwards of $7.0 million and $5.2 million, respectively, which expire at various dates through 2018.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company had a total valuation allowance of $7.1 million. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company recorded a decrease in valuation allowance of $2.9 million against capital loss

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

carryforwards that expired unused. The other $1.1 million reduction in the valuation allowance in 2008 was due to a reclassification of that amount to unrecognized tax benefits of prior periods, as reflected in the table below.

The Company plans to reinvest indefinitely its undistributed foreign earnings. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had approximately $10.8 million of undistributed foreign earnings.

In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a two-step process to determine the amount of tax benefit to be recognized. First, the tax position must be evaluated to determine the likelihood that it will be sustained upon external examination. If the tax position is deemed more-likely-than-not to be sustained, the tax position is then assessed to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The amount of the benefit that may be recognized is the largest amount that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. As of the date of adoption, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $2.1 million, including accrued interest and penalties, and did not record any cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as a result of adopting FIN 48.

The following is a roll-forward of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits (in millions):

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
       2008             2007      
     (in millions)  

Unrecognized tax benefits — at beginning of year

   $ 3.2     $ 1.5  

Gross increases — tax positions of prior periods

     1.1       1.3  

Gross decreases — tax positions of prior periods

     —         (0.6 )

Gross increases — current-period tax positions

     1.0       1.6  

Lapse of statute of limitations

     (0.5 )     (0.6 )
                

Unrecognized tax benefits — at end of year

   $ 4.8     $ 3.2  
                

As of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $6.1 million and $4.0 million, respectively, of total unrecognized tax benefits, including $1.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of accrued interest and penalties. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded in income tax expense. If recognized, all amounts of unrecognized tax benefits would have resulted in a reduction of income tax expense, impacting the effective income tax rate.

The Company’s foreign subsidiaries file income tax returns in various foreign jurisdictions. Certain of these foreign subsidiaries have unrecognized tax benefits related to transfer pricing policies that existed in prior years. The statute of limitations expired in these foreign jurisdictions in 2008, which resulted in the recognition of approximately $0.5 million of benefit.

Generally, all tax years are open for examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject including federal, state and foreign jurisdictions due to net operating losses and the limited number of prior year audits by taxing jurisdictions. The Company is currently under tax examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for the tax year ended December 31, 2006.

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

19. Segment and Geographic Information:

Akamai’s chief decision-maker, as defined under SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (“SFAS No. 131”), is the Chief Executive Officer and the executive management team. As of December 31, 2008, Akamai operated in one industry segment: providing global services for accelerating and improving the delivery of content and applications over the Internet. The Company is not organized by market, and is managed and operated as one business. A single management team that reports to the Chief Executive Officer comprehensively manages the entire business. The Company does not operate any material separate lines of business or separate business entities with respect to its services. Accordingly, the Company does not accumulate discrete financial information with respect to separate product lines and does not have separately reportable segments as defined by SFAS No. 131.

The Company deploys its servers into networks worldwide. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had approximately $138.6 million and $35.9 million of property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, located in the United States and foreign locations, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $107.9 million and $26.6 million of property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, located in the United States and foreign locations, respectively.

Akamai sells its services and licenses through a sales force located both domestically and abroad. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, approximately 25%, 23% and 22%, respectively, of revenues was derived from the Company’s operations outside the United States, of which 18%, 17% and 18% of overall revenues, respectively, were related to Europe. Other than the United States, no single country accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues for any reported period.

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

20. Quarterly Financial Results (unaudited):

The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly results of operations of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. In the opinion of management, this information has been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and all necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, have been included in the amounts below for a fair statement of the quarterly information when read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes.

 

     For the Three Months Ended
   March 31,
2008
   June 30,
2008
   Sept. 30,
2008
   Dec. 31,
2008
   (In thousands, except per share data)

Revenues

   $ 187,019    $ 194,004    $ 197,347    $ 212,554

Cost of revenues

   $ 51,575    $ 53,688    $ 56,659    $ 60,688

Net income

   $ 36,911    $ 34,334    $ 33,360    $ 40,533

Basic net income per share

   $ 0.22    $ 0.21    $ 0.20    $ 0.24

Diluted net income per share

   $ 0.20    $ 0.19    $ 0.18    $ 0.22

Basic weighted average common shares

     165,959      167,417      168,474      168,843

Diluted weighted average common shares

     185,744      187,641      187,769      186,694

 

     For the Three Months Ended
   March 31,
2007
   June 30,
2007
   Sept. 30,
2007
   Dec. 31,
2007
   (In thousands, except per share data)

Revenues

   $ 139,274    $ 152,654    $ 161,240    $ 183,238

Cost of revenues

   $ 34,480    $ 39,759    $ 43,811    $ 49,394

Net income

   $ 19,179    $ 21,646    $ 24,264    $ 35,878

Basic net income per share

   $ 0.12    $ 0.13    $ 0.15    $ 0.22

Diluted net income per share

   $ 0.11    $ 0.12    $ 0.13    $ 0.20

Basic weighted average common shares

     161,569      164,798      165,474      164,768

Diluted weighted average common shares

     183,157      185,601      185,106      185,294

 

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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2008. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2008, our disclosure controls and procedures were (1) effective in that they were designed to ensure that material information relating to us, including our consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report was being prepared, as appropriate to allow timely discussions regarding required disclosure therein and (2) effective, in that they provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

 

   

Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;

 

   

Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and

 

   

Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

To assist management, we have established an internal audit function to verify and monitor our internal controls and procedures. Because of its inherent limitations, however, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework.

Based on our assessment, management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, as of December 31, 2008, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria at the reasonable assurance level.

 

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The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included in Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

No changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

 

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PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The complete response to this Item regarding the backgrounds of our executive officers and directors and other information required by Items 401, 405 and 407 of Regulation S-K will be contained in our definitive proxy statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the captions “Executive Compensation Matters,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Corporate Governance Matters” and is incorporated herein.

Our executive officers and directors and their positions as of March 2, 2009, are as follows:

 

Name

  

Position

Paul Sagan

   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

George H. Conrades

   Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors

F. Thomson Leighton

   Chief Scientist and Director

Debra Canner

   Senior Vice President — Human Resources

Melanie Haratunian

   Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Robert W. Hughes

   Executive Vice President, Global Sales, Services and Marketing

J. Donald Sherman

   Chief Financial Officer

Martin M. Coyne II

   Director

C. Kim Goodwin

   Director

Ronald L. Graham

   Director

Jill A. Greenthal

   Director

David W. Kenny

   Director

Peter J. Kight

   Director

Geoffrey Moore

   Director

Frederic V. Salerno

   Director

Naomi O. Seligman

   Director

We have adopted a written code of business ethics, as amended, that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial or accounting officer or person serving similar functions and all of our other employees and members of our Board of Directors. The text of our amended code of ethics is available on our website at www.akamai.com. We did not waive any provisions of the code of business ethics during the year ended December 31, 2008. If we amend, or grant a waiver under, our code of business ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial or accounting officer, or persons performing similar functions, we intend to post information about such amendment or waiver on our website at www.akamai.com.

 

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Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference herein to our definitive proxy statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the sections captioned “Executive Compensation Matters,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “Director Compensation.”

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference herein to our definitive proxy statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the sections captioned “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans.”

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships, Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference herein to our definitive proxy statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the sections captioned “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” “Corporate Governance Matters” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.”

 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference herein to our definitive proxy statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the section captioned “Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditors.”

 

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PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

  (a) The following documents are included in this annual report on Form 10-K.

 

  1. Financial Statements (see Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data included in this annual report on Form 10-K).

 

  2. The schedule listed below and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Financial Statement Schedule are filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K:

 

     Page

Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

   S-1

All other schedules are omitted as the information required is inapplicable or the information is presented in the consolidated financial statements and the related notes.

 

  3. The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K and Item 15(b) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits and are incorporated herein.

 

  (b) The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits and are incorporated herein.

 

  (c) Not applicable.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

March 2, 2009     AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    By:   /s/    J. DONALD SHERMAN        
     

J. Donald Sherman

Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    PAUL SAGAN        

Paul Sagan

   President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal executive officer)   March 2, 2009

/s/    J. DONALD SHERMAN        

J. Donald Sherman

   Chief Financial Officer (Principal financial and accounting officer)   March 2, 2009

/s/    GEORGE H. CONRADES        

George H. Conrades

   Director   March 2, 2009

/s/    MARTIN M. COYNE II        

Martin M. Coyne II

   Director   March 2, 2009

/s/    C. KIM GOODWIN        

C. Kim Goodwin

   Director   March 2, 2009

/s/    RONALD L. GRAHAM        

Ronald L. Graham

   Director   March 2, 2009

/s/    JILL A. GREENTHAL        

Jill A. Greenthal

   Director   March 2, 2009

/s/    DAVID W. KENNY        

David W. Kenny

   Director   March 2, 2009

/s/    PETER J. KIGHT        

Peter J. Kight

   Director   March 2, 2009

/s/    F. THOMSON LEIGHTON        

F. Thomson Leighton

   Director   March 2, 2009

/s/    GEOFFREY MOORE        

Geoffrey Moore

   Director   March 2, 2009

/s/    FREDERIC V. SALERNO        

Frederic V. Salerno

   Director   March 2, 2009

/s/    NAOMI O. SELIGMAN        

Naomi O. Seligman

   Director   March 2, 2009

 

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AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

 

Description

   Balance at
beginning of
period
   Charged to
operations
    Other     Deductions     Balance at
end of
period

Year ended December 31, 2006:

           

Allowances deducted from asset accounts:

           

Reserves for accounts receivable

   $ 4,815    3,019 2   115     (2,481 )3   $ 5,468

Deferred tax asset valuation allowance

   $ 6,861    —       4,439 1   (4,962 )   $ 6,338

Year ended December 31, 2007:

           

Allowances deducted from asset accounts:

           

Reserves for accounts receivable

   $ 5,468    6,434 2   337     (1,848 )3   $ 10,391

Deferred tax asset valuation allowance

   $ 6,338    5,290     75 1   (545 )   $ 11,158

Year ended December 31, 2008:

           

Allowances deducted from asset accounts:

           

Reserves for accounts receivable

   $ 10,391    7,303 2   (308 )   (6,116 )3   $ 11,270

Deferred tax asset valuation allowance

   $ 11,158    52     (1,109 )1   (3,005 )   $ 7,096

 

1

Amounts related to items with no income statement effect such as the impact of stock options, acquired intangible assets and acquired net operating losses.

2

Amounts represent charges to bad debt expense and reductions to revenue for increases to the allowance for doubtful accounts and to the reserve for cash-basis customers.

3

Amounts represent cash collections from customers for accounts previously reserved and write-offs of accounts receivable recorded against the allowance for doubtful accounts or the reserve for cash-basis customers.

 

S-1


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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

  3.1(A)   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant
  3.2(B)   Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant, as amended
  3.3(C)   Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Registrant
  4.1(D)   Specimen common stock certificate
  4.2(E)   Indenture, dated as of December 12, 2003 by and between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association
  4.3(F)   Rights Agreement, dated September 10, 2002, by and between the Registrant and Equiserve Trust Company, N.A.
  4.4(G)   Amendment No. 1, dated as of January 29, 2004, to the Rights Agreement, dated as of September 10, 2002, between the Registrant and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent
10.1(H)@   Second Amended and Restated 1998 Stock Incentive Plan of the Registrant, as amended
10.2(I)@   Amended and Restated 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of the Registrant, as amended
10.3(J)@   2001 Stock Incentive Plan of the Registrant
10.4(K)   2006 Stock Incentive Plan of the Registrant
10.5(L)   Speedera Networks, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan
10.6(M)   Nine Systems Corporation (formerly known as Streaming Media Corporation) 2002 Stock Option Plan
10.7(N)   Netli, Inc. Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan
10.8(N)   Netli, Inc. 2002 Equity Incentive Plan
10.9(D)@   Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement granted under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan of the Registrant
10.10(D)@   Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement granted under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan of the Registrant
10.11(O)@   Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement granted under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan of the Registrant
10.12(O)@   Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement granted under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan of the Registrant
10.13   Form of Deferred Stock Unit Agreement for Directors of the Registrant
10.14@   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement with Annual Vesting
10.15@   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement with Performance-Based Vesting
10.16@†   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement with Annual Performance-Based Vesting
10.17(P)   Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Compensation Plan of Acerno Intermediate Holdings, Inc.
10.18(R)   Summary of the Registrant’s Compensatory Arrangements with Non-Employee Directors
10.19   Summary of the Registrant’s Compensatory Arrangements with Executive Officers
10.20(W)@   Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement with Financial Performance-Related Vesting Provisions


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10.21   Office Lease Agreement dated March 31, 2008 between the Registrant and Locon San Mateo, LLC
10.22(Q)   Four Cambridge Center Lease Agreement dated October 1, 2007
10.23(Q)   Eight Cambridge Center Lease Agreement dated October 1, 2007
10.24(D)†   Patent and Copyright License Agreement, dated as of October 26, 1998, between the Registrant and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
10.25(Q)@   Incentive Stock Option Agreement, dated February 8, 2008, by and between the Registrant and Robert W. Hughes
10.26(R)@   Incentive Stock Option Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2002, by and between the Registrant and Paul Sagan
10.27(S)@   Employment Offer Letter Agreement dated January 4, 2005 by and between the Registrant and Paul Sagan
10.28(T)@   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated August 9, 2006 between the Registrant and Paul Sagan
10.29@   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated December 31, 2008 between the Registrant and Paul Sagan
10.30(T)@   Incentive Stock Option Agreement dated February 14, 2005 between the Registrant and Paul Sagan
10.31(U)@   Employment Offer Letter Agreement dated October 14, 2005 between the Registrant and J. Donald Sherman
10.32(V)@   Form of J. Donald Sherman Restricted Stock Unit Agreement
10.33@†   Form of 2009 Executive Bonus Plan
10.34@   Akamai Technologies, Inc. Executive Severance Pay Plan
10.35@   Form of Executive Change of Control and Severance Agreement
10.36(T)@   Akamai Technologies, Inc. Policy on Departing Director Compensation
10.37@†   Form of Robert W. Hughes 2009 Executive Bonus Plan
21.1(R)   Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23.1   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a- 14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a- 14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
99.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger dated October 20, 2008, by and among the Registrant, Arrow Acquisition Corp., IB Holdco Inc., I-Behavior, Inc., IB Spinco LLC and the representative of the selling equity holders.


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(A) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on August 14, 2000.
(B) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 12, 2008.
(C) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on November 14, 2002.
(D) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-85679), as amended, filed with the Commission on August 20, 1999.
(E) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 16, 2003.
(F) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 11, 2002.
(G) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 2, 2004.
(H) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on August 9, 2004.
(I) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 16, 2006.
(J) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on February 27, 2002.
(K) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 26, 2006.
(L) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on June 24, 2005.
(M) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-139408) filed with the Commission on December 15, 2006.
(N) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-141854) filed with the Commission on April 3, 2007.
(O) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 1, 2007.
(P) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on November 18, 2008.
(Q) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 3, 2008.
(R) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on November 14, 2002.
(S) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 16, 2005.
(T) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on November 9, 2006.
(U) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 20, 2005.
(V) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 8, 2006.
(W) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 27, 2005.
@ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Item 15(b) of this Annual Report.
Confidential Treatment has been requested as to certain portions of this Exhibit. Such portions have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.