UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
x |
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001
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 0-30961
SOHU.COM INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware |
98-0204667 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction |
(I.R.S. Employer | |
| of incorporation) |
Identification No.) |
7 Jianguomen Nei Avenue
Suite 1519, Tower 2
Bright China Chang An Building
Beijing 100005
People’s Republic of China
(Address of principal executive
offices)
(011) 8610-6510-2160
(Registrant’s
Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock,
$0.001 Par Value
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 x 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 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. ¨
The aggregate market value of
common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the last sale price on March 1, 2001 as reported on the Nasdaq National Market, was approximately $12 million.
As of March 1, 2001, there were 35,625,716 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Proxy Statement for Sohu’s 2002
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed on or about April 17, 2002 are incorporated into Part III of this report.
PART I
As used in this report, references to “us,” “we,” “our,” “our company,” “Sohu” and”Sohu.com” are to Sohu.com Inc., our subsidiaries ChinaRen Inc. (or ChinaRen), Sohu.com (Hong
Kong) Limited (or Sohu Hong Kong), Sohu ITC Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (or Beijing ITC), Sandhill Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (or Beijing Sandhill), and our affiliates Beijing Century High-Tech Company Limited ( or
High Century), and Beijing Sohu Online Network Information Services, Ltd. (or Beijing Sohu), and these references should be interpreted accordingly. Except where the context requires otherwise, these references include all of our subsidiaries.
Unless otherwise specified, references to “China” or “PRC” refer to the People’s Republic of China and do not include the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macau Special Administrative Region or Taiwan. This
report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, beliefs,
intentions or future strategies that are signified by the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” or similar language. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on
information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Our business and financial performance are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ
materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating our business, you should carefully consider the information set forth below under the caption “Risk Factors.” Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
We are a leading Internet
portal in China in terms of brand recognition, page views and registered users. Our portal consists of sophisticated Chinese language Web navigational and search capabilities, 15 main content channels, Web-based communications and community services
and a platform for e-commerce and short messaging services. Each of our interest-specific main channels contains multi-level sub-channels that cover a comprehensive range of topics, including news, business, entertainment, sports and career. We also
offer free Web-based e-mail. We offer a universal registration system, whereby a user that has registered for our e-mail service is automatically registered for our chat, bulletin board, instant messaging and other services. Our portal attracts
consumers and merchants alike because it is designed to meet the specific needs and interests of Internet users in China. Key features include proprietary Web navigational and search capabilities that reflect the unique cultural characteristics and
thinking and viewing habits of PRC Internet users. On October 18, 2000, we acquired ChinaRen to further expand our online network. ChinaRen is an online portal located in China that targets mainland Chinese Internet users with its strong community
products.
As of December 31, 2001 our online directory contained over 300,000 active Chinese language Web listings,
approximately the same as January 1, 2001. Membership of registered e-mail users has increased 247% since
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January 1, 2001, rising from 12.4 million as of January 1, 2001 to 43 million as of December 31, 2001. The average daily number of page views has also increased
from approximately 79.2 million per day during December 2000 to over 135 million per day during December 2001. To further attract users and encourage viewership, we added additional content to our portal. We now have contractual content
relationships with over 60 Chinese language media and information providers.
We derive revenues primarily through the sale of
advertising, e-commerce, subscription services, and e-technology solutions. We mainly rely on an internal sales force to market our Web site and increase brand awareness. As of December 31, 2001, our direct sales organization consisted of sales
staff located in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong.
We were organized in 1996 as Internet Technologies China
Incorporated, and launched our original Web site, itc.com.cn, in January 1997. In February 1998, we re-launched our Web site under Sohu.com. In September 1999, we renamed our company Sohu.com Inc. Substantially all of our operations are conducted
through our wholly owned PRC subsidiary Beijing ITC.
Products and Services
The following is a brief description of the products and services we offer under the main categories of home page and navigational context, aggregated content, communication tools,
e-commerce services and subscription services including short messaging. We intend to continue to add new products and services to our portal, to better integrate our products and services and to expand the function/solution aspects of our content
channels.
Home Page and Navigational Context |
Aggregated Content |
Online Directory |
News |
Search Engine |
Business and Finance |
Sports |
Communication Tools |
Information Technology |
Free E-Mail |
Women |
Chat Rooms |
Entertainment |
Instant Messaging |
Health |
Message Boards |
Automobile |
Online Polling |
Campus |
Alumni Club |
Travel |
Photo Album |
Comics |
Online Games |
Learning |
Cartoon Chatroom |
Career |
Address Book |
Real Estate |
Homepage Builder |
Lifestyle |
Calendar |
Greeting Cards |
E-Commerce Services |
Short Messaging Services |
Home Page and Navigational Context
Our portal is organized around the Sohu.com home page and the central feature of our home page is our online directory.
Online Directory. Our online directory was designed and has been continuously refined to reflect the unique cultural
characteristics and thinking and viewing habits of PRC Internet users. We are the first site in China to introduce manual Web classification, and Chinese Web site classification remains one of our key strengths. As of December 31, 2001, our
directory contained over 300,000 Chinese language Web listings under the following 18 principal categories:
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| Arts Business/Finance Computer/Internet Country/Region Education Entertainment/Leisure |
Literature Living
Science Medicine/Health News/Media
Politics/Law Reference |
Science/Technology Social
Sciences Society/Culture Sports/Exercise Travel/Transportation Personal Homepage |
Our Web sites are further organized under these principal categories within
approximately 550 hierarchical subcategories and, as appropriate, individual Web items are referenced under multiple subcategories. Each site sits at the end point of, on average, three different paths in our directory. In addition, each site has
been reviewed and classified by our editorial staff, and our basic Web site listings are in most cases supplemented by a brief descriptive commentary. As a result, our directory is highly complex, proprietary and China-specific, and we believe it
offers comprehensiveness and relevance that would be very difficult for our competitors to duplicate.
Search
Engine. Users can browse our directory listings through a Chinese keyword search request that scans the contents of the entire directory or within any category or subcategory. Our search software enables us to build and
continuously fine-tune a large database of Chinese synonyms and closely associated phrases, which is essential for the accurate and efficient execution of Chinese key word searches. We believe our large database is also difficult for our competitors
to duplicate.
In addition, we offer a function called ‘‘Global Web Search.’’ The Global Web Search uses our
proprietary association database to browse the World Wide Web and collect and organize Chinese language Web content. We also offer English language search functions.
Aggregated Content
We
aggregate content on a variety of topics, organized around 15 main channels. Each main channel contains numerous sub-channels and features news, commentaries and various utilities and solutions relating to a specific topic. We also have regional Web
sites in 18 different cities. As of December 31, 2001, we had over 60 content suppliers, which enable us to provide a wide range of content offerings. Our content suppliers are leading Chinese language media and information providers in a variety of
fields with coverage over major cities in China. The arrangements we have with our content suppliers are typically short-term and not exclusive, and may provide for revenue sharing as compensation to our content suppliers.
All of our channels, including co-branded third party content on our portal, are defined by the following features that together constitute the distinct
Sohu ‘‘look and feel’’: the Sohu.com logo, our ‘‘search fox’’ mascot that displays different postures in different channels, the navigation bar, the color combination, the size and type of the Chinese
characters, the large spacing used in our directories and the reporting style. The first row of the navigation bar remains the same in each channel, listing the 15 main channels as set forth above, but the links in the second row of the navigation
bar are selected to reflect users’ interests in that specific channel. Below are descriptions of some of our main channels.
News
Delivers a comprehensive selection of local, national and international news from newspapers, magazines and other information providers throughout China. Full text search is
available on each page. |
Business and Finance
Features business and financial news provided by leading financial information services in China. Users can retrieve real-time stock quotes, exchange rates, annual reports,
research reports and other information on selected companies on this channel. |
Sports
Provides the latest in national and international sports headlines, results, commentaries and analyses. Users can also compete in contests regarding national soccer tournament
rankings and participate on our sports bulletin board. |
Information Technology
4
Features information technology news, product reviews and software downloads. This channel also provides Web navigation handbooks for Internet novices.
|
Women
Covers a broad range of lifestyle-related topics that are of particular interest to Chinese women. This channel includes content from fashion publications, such as the Chinese
editions of Cosmopolitan and Trends magazines, as well as publications covering beauty, society, emotion and other areas. |
Entertainment
Contains extensive coverage of the entertainment arenas that are of interest to Chinese users, including dining, movies, television programs, plays and operas and popular and
classic music. |
Learning
Provides educational resources and information. This channel also provides certain remote education and training programs. We have an extensive relationship with top providers
of Internet education programs in China. |
Career
Provides job listings and resume databases, as well as career advice and career-related news and reports. |
Real Estate
Offers a directory of apartment and other residential housing listings, and publishes advice on general real estate matters. |
Communication and Community Tools
We offer a variety of communication and community tools for our Chinese online users which are important in promoting user affinity to our portal:
Free E-Mail
As of December 31, 2001, we had 43 million registered e-mail users. |
Chat Room
Our Java-based chat services enable participants to interact in real-time group discussions or create their own private one-on-one chat rooms. We currently have chat rooms
covering 14 broad interest areas such as sports, romance, finance and current events. |
Instant Messaging
Our instant messaging service enables our users to detect whether their friends and other users with similar interests are online, as well as send messages in Chinese directly
to them. Our users can subscribe for specific interest groups and communicate with people who share similar interests. |
Message Boards
Users can post and exchange information on message boards covering 16 main topics ranging from education and immigration to fashion and sports. On average, 50,000 messages are
posted online each day. |
Online Polling
From time to time our channels place short, focused polls covering a variety of topics that are of interest to our users and advertisers. |
Alumni Club
Alumni Club is a data base service containing information on schools, classes and classmates which allows classmates to communicate and find each other.
|
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At December 31, 2001, the Alumni Club had 694,000 schools, 3.7 million classes and 17.1 million registered members. |
E-Commerce Services
In 2001, we established store.sohu.com where we undertake fulfillment e-commerce activities and conduct e-commerce transactions. Our e-commerce products consist of over 4,000 consumer
products such as books, health care products, cosmetics, videos, music and computer equipment. We purchase products from suppliers, stock the goods in our warehouse and, upon receiving the orders from our website, arrange for delivery to our
customers, most of whom are individuals in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Fulfillment is provided by a third party delivery company or through postal services. Substantially all sales are done on a cash on delivery basis. We plan to leverage our
brand and position as a leading PRC Internet portal and utilize our heavy visitor traffic to continue to develop e-commerce business.
Short Messaging Services
In 2001, we began providing
short messaging services for mobile phone users through sms.sohu.com. Through sms.sohu.com our users can subscribe for paid services, which include over 200 different products such as news, ring and logo downloads and games. Because of restrictions
on foreign companies working in the PRC telecommunications industry, we have used Beijing Sohu to contract on our behalf with PRC mobile network operators who provide the gateway for sending messages and collect our short messaging fees, which range
from $.01 to $.25 per message. We pay the mobile network operators a fee for each message sent and a percentage of revenues based on cash collections. We record our short messaging fees as subscription
revenue.
Advertising Sales
Advertising Programs
We derive most of our revenues from online advertising contracts which are normally less than one year in duration. Online advertising includes banners, links, logos and buttons placed on our Web sites and sponsorship
of a particular Web site area. Revenues from banner advertising are based on standard charges in terms of cost per thousand impressions (commonly referred to as CPM’s). Banner advertising normally includes guarantees of a minimum number of
impressions, or times that an advertisement appears in pages viewed by users. We charge advertisers daily rates for links, logos and buttons. Sponsorship contracts for a particular area of the Web site may require fixed payments over the contract
period. Our standard advertising charges vary depending on the terms of the contract and the advertisement’s location within our portal. Discounts from standard rates are typically provided for higher volume, longer-term advertising contracts,
and may be provided for promotional purposes.
Advertising Customers
During the year ended December 31, 2001, over 600 companies advertised on our portal. Advertising revenue was split among
(a) domestic Chinese companies which contributed 57% of total advertising revenue, (b) multinational companies which accounted for 34% of total advertising revenues and (c) dotcom companies which accounted for 9% of total advertising revenue. Our
customers included Motorola, Nokia, Compaq, IBM and Intel, as well as numerous Chinese domestic companies such as TCL, Wahaha, Unicom and Kejian. In 2001, our five largest advertisers accounted for approximately 20% of total advertising revenues. We
will continue to target Chinese domestic and multinational companies as our key advertisers.
During the first quarter of 2000,
two entities which were purchasers of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock committed to each purchase $1,500,000 of advertising and technical services and one entity which was a purchaser of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock committed to purchase
$6,000,000 of advertising and technical services from us in 2000, 2001 and 2002. The detailed description of specific services to be provided under the agreements was to be decided over the term of the contracts, with the individual fees for
specific services to be set at rates consistent with those charged to our most preferred customers. The contracts were generally terminable by either us or the customer where the counter party had breached the contract and where the breach was not
satisfactorily cured within a specified period of time. In addition, one of the advertising contracts was terminable at the discretion of the customer during the second and third year of the contract if Sohu’s Web site was not ranked within the
top five Web sites in China based on the level of average monthly impressions.
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During the year ended December 31, 2000, Sohu recognized revenue of $433,000 under one of the $1,500,000 advertising
contracts. The remaining services and payments of $1,067,000 pursuant to this contract were cancelled in December 2000.
In July
2000, Dr. Charles Zhang reached an agreement with Pacific Century Cyberworks Limited, an affiliate of the purchaser of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock which had previously committed to purchase $6,000,000 of advertising and technical services
from Sohu. The agreement required Dr. Zhang to procure Sohu.com Inc. to purchase within a period of three years not less than $6.0 million of services, including but not limited to, broadband, Web distribution, advertising, consultancy services and
such other services, from Pacific Century Cyberworks Limited and its affiliated group companies at their then current fees and charges. On April 20, 2001, Sohu, Dr. Charles Zhang, Pacific Century Cyberworks Limited and its affiliate which had
purchased Series D Convertible Preferred Stock agreed to terminate the agreement in exchange for the cancellation of the affiliate’s obligation to purchase advertising and technical services from Sohu. As of December 31, 2001, no purchases or
payments had been made under the agreement.
Sohu has not performed services, recognized revenue, or received payments under the
remaining $1,500,000 advertising and technical services contract with a purchaser of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock. It appears doubtful that payments will be received and services provided under this remaining contract.
Sales Organization
We mainly rely on direct sales by our internal sales force for the placement of our online advertisement inventory. As of December 31, 2001, our sales and marketing organization
consisted of 57 staff located in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. We intend to expand and develop our sales organization in the China market.
Marketing and Brand Awareness
The focus of our
marketing strategy is to generate brand awareness for Sohu.com with advertisers, Chinese Internet users and the Chinese public at large. During the year ended December 31, 2001, we spent approximately $2.2 million in advertising expenses. As a
result of the media attention afforded to us a pioneer of the PRC Internet industry, we have been able to generate substantial public awareness of Sohu in China.
Shareholder Rights Plan
On July 25, 2001, Sohu
adopted a shareholder rights plan under the terms of which, in general, if a person or group acquires without the approval of the Board of Directors more than 20% of the outstanding shares of common stock, all other Sohu stockholders would have the
right to purchase securities from Sohu at a substantial discount to those securities’ fair market value, thus causing substantial dilution to the holdings of the person or group which acquires more than 20%.
Competition
There are many companies that distribute online content and services targeting Chinese users. We compete with distributors of content and services over the Internet, including Web directories, search engines, content sites, Internet service
providers and sites maintained by government and educational institutions. These sites compete with us for visitor traffic, advertising dollars, e-commerce transactions, short messaging services and potential partners. The Internet market in China
is new and rapidly evolving. Competition is intense and is expected to increase significantly in the future because there are no substantial barriers to entry in our market.
We have many competitors in the PRC Internet portal market, including China.com, Netease, Sina.com and Yahoo! China. In addition, a number of existing or new PRC Internet portals,
including those controlled or sponsored by PRC government entities, may have competitive advantages over us in terms of:
• |
global brand recognition; |
• |
financial and technical resources; and |
• |
better access to original content. |
7
However, we believe we have competitive advantages over our competitors because of:
• |
our brand name, which is one of the most recognized among PRC Internet companies; |
• |
our exclusive focus on China; |
• |
our ability to offer products and services that are tailored to the specific interests, needs and viewing habits of PRC Internet users; and |
• |
the experience and quality of our management team. |
We compete with other portals in China for advertising, short messaging and e-commerce revenues primarily on the following basis:
• |
brand recognition; |
• |
volume of traffic and users; |
• |
quality of Web site and content; |
• |
strategic relationships; |
• |
quality of online advertising and e-commerce services; |
• |
effectiveness of sales and marketing efforts; and |
• |
price. |
Our existing competitors may in the future achieve greater market acceptance and
gain additional market share. It is also possible that new competitors may emerge and acquire significant market share. In particular, our online directory also faces competition from software and other Internet products and services incorporating
search and retrieval capabilities. In addition, operators of leading Web sites or Internet service providers, including large corporations such as Microsoft/MSN, Yahoo!, Terra Lycos and America Online, currently offer, and could expand, their online
products and services targeting China. We believe the rapid increase in China’s online population will draw more attention from these multinational players to the PRC Internet market. We also compete with traditional forms of media, like
newspapers, magazines, radio and television for advertisers and advertising revenue. Please refer to ‘‘Risk Factors’’ for a more detailed discussion of the risks we face from our competitors.
Government Regulation And Legal Uncertainties
The following description of PRC laws and regulations is based upon the opinions of TransAsia Lawyers, our PRC counsel. For a description of legal risks relating to our ownership
structure and business, see “Risk Factors.”
Overview
Certain areas related to the Internet, such as telecommunications, international connections to computer information networks, information
security and censorship are covered in detail by a number of existing laws and regulations. The PRC Internet industry is regulated by various governmental authorities, such as the Ministry of Information Industry, or MII (formerly the Ministry of
Post and Telecommunications, or MPT), the State Administration of Industry and Commerce, or SAIC, and the Ministry of Public Security.
On October 1, 2000, the TelecommunicationsRegulations of the People’s Republic of China, or the Telecom Regulations, went into effect. The Telecom Regulations set out the general framework under which domestic Chinese
companies may engage in various types of telecommunications services in the PRC. The Telecom Regulations reiterate the long-standing principle that telecommunications service providers need to procure an operating license as a mandatory precondition
for the commencement of operations. A distinction is drawn between “basic telecommunications services” and “value-added telecommunications services.” “Value-added telecommunications services” are defined as
telecommunications and information services provided through
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public networks. A “Catalogue of Telecommunications Business,” which is attached to the Telecom Regulations and was updated on June 2001, categorizes
various types of telecommunications and telecommunications-related activities into basic or value-added services. The Catalogue lists the following services as being of a value-added nature: (a) e-mail, (b) voice mail, (c) online information storage
and retrieval, (d) electronic data interchange, (e) online data processing and exchange, (f) value-added fax, (g) Internet access services, (h) Internet information services, (i) Internet data center services, Internet virtual private network
services, (j) video-conferencing, (k) call center and voice mail services, and (l) certain mobile and satellite telecommunications services.
On December 20, 2001, the PRC State Council promulgated the Regulations for the Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, or the FITE Regulations, which became effective on January 1,
2002. The FITE Regulations stipulate that foreign-invested telecommunications enterprises, or FITEs, must be established as Sino-foreign equity joint ventures. FITEs can undertake operations in basic telecom services and value-added telecom
services; the geographical scope in which FITEs may provide services will be determined by the MII separately. Under the FITE Regulations and in accordance with WTO-related documentation, the foreign party to an FITE may hold up to 30% equity right
after China’s Accession to WTO, to be increased at an unspecified time to a maximum of 49% (in the case of basic FITEs) and 50% (in the case of value-added FITEs). In accordance with the FITE Regulations and Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture
Law, we may consider establishing a foreign-invested telecom entity at an appropriate time.
The Administrative Measures for Telecommunications Business Operating License, or Telecom License Measures, were promulgated by MII on January 4, 2002 to supplement the FITE
Regulations. The Telecom License Measures confirm that there will be 2 types of telecom operating licenses for operators in China (including FITEs), namely: licenses for basic services and licenses for value-added services. With respect to the
latter, a distinction is made as to whether a license is granted for intra-provincial or “trans-regional” (inter-provincial) activities. An appendix to the license will detail the permitted activities of the enterprise to which it was
granted. An approved telecom service operator must conduct its business (whether basic or value-added) in accordance with the specifications recorded on its Telecom Service Operating License. The Telecommunications License Measures also confirm that
the MII is the competent approval authority for foreign-invested telecom enterprises.
Beijing ITC entered into a series of
agreements with Beijing Sohu and Beijing Sohu’s two shareholders to provide Internet-related services in compliance with the PRC laws. Beijing Sohu is a PRC company that is 80% owned by Dr. Charles Zhang, our founder, President and Chief
Executive Officer, and 20% owned by Ms. Jinmei He, another employee of our company. Beijing Sohu is structured as an Internet content provider, or ICP, and has obtained approval from the MII to develop Internet information services. Subject to the
promulgation of additional regulations on foreign investment in the PRC telecom sector, Sohu.com Inc. might therefore undertake other restructuring measures in order to increase the solidity and flexibility of our structure and optimize our position
under current Chinese law.
In the opinion of TransAsia Lawyers, the ownership structures of Beijing ITC, Beijing
Sandhill and Beijing Sohu and the business and operations of Beijing ITC, Beijing Sandhill, and Beijing Sohu as described herein, comply with all existing laws, rules and regulations of the PRC. In addition, no consent, approval or license other
than those already obtained by us is required under any of the existing laws, rules and regulations of the PRC for such ownership structures, business and operations.
Internet Information Services and Online News Dissemination
On September 25, 2000, the State Council approved the Measures for the Administration of Internet Information Services, or the ICP Measures. Under the ICP Measures, any entity
that provides information to online users of the Internet is obliged to obtain an operating license from the MII or its local branch at the provincial level in accordance with the Telecom Regulations described above.
The ICP Measures stipulate further that entities providing online information services regarding news, publishing, education, medicine, health,
pharmaceuticals and medical equipment must procure the consent of the national authorities responsible for such areas prior to applying for an operating license from the MII or its local branch at the provincial level. Moreover, ICPs must display
their operating license numbers in a conspicuous location on their home page. ICPsare obliged to police their Web sites in order to remove categories of harmful content that are broadly defined. This obligation reiterates Internet content
restrictions that have been promulgated by other ministries over the past few years.
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Most importantly for foreign investors, the ICP Measures stipulate that ICPs must obtain the
prior consent of the MII prior to establishing an equity or cooperative joint venture with a foreign partner.
On December 29,
2000, the Beijing Telecommunications Administration issued to Beijing Sohu a Telecommunications and Information Services Operating License.
Online News Dissemination
In October 2000, the
Provisional Regulations for the Administration of Web Site Operation of News Publication Services were jointly promulgated by the State Council Information Office and MII. These regulations stipulate that general Web sites established by
non-news organizations, such as Sohu.com, may publish news released by certain official news agencies, if they satisfy the requirements set forth in Article 9, but may not publish news items produced by themselves or news sources from elsewhere. The
aforementioned requirements include the following:
• |
they must have a purpose and guidelines with respect to online news services that comply with laws and regulations; |
• |
they must have the necessary news editorial departments, funds, equipment and premises; |
• |
they must have professional staff in charge of editing who are experienced in journalism and are qualified at a medium or higher level to hold technical positions in
journalism, and an appropriate number of editorial staff who are qualified at a medium or higher level to hold technical positions in journalism; and |
• |
they shall have news sources such as State news agencies, news bureau of departments under the State Council or news agencies directly under the provinces, autonomous regions
or directly-administered municipalities. |
The above regulations also require the general Web sites of
non-news organizations to apply to the State Council Information Office for approval after securing the consent of the State Council Information Office at the provincial level, before they commence operating news dissemination services. Also, the
general Web sites intending to publish the news released by the aforementioned news agencies or bureaus must enter into agreements with them and submit copies of those agreements to the relevant administration department.
On December 27, 2000, the State Council Information Office approved Beijing Sohu to develop online news dissemination services.
Accordingly, in the opinion of TransAsia Lawyers, Beijing Sohu is in proper compliance with the aforementioned requirements.
Online Advertising
The State AIC, the government authority responsible for the Chinese advertising industry, is currently considering adopting new regulations governing online advertising. However, Beijing
AIC had already in 2000 released and adopted a handful of regulations in this area, namely, Circular Regarding the Standardization for Qualifications for the Operation of Online Advertising, Notice regarding Applications by Network Economic
Organizations for an Advertising Business License, Mandatory Regulations for the Administration Systems of Advertising Enterprises and Qualification Standards for the Registration of Online Advertising Business. We cannot predict the
timing and effects of new State regulations. However, according to the Circular Regarding the Standardization for Qualifications for the Operation of Online Advertising, those companies that have already obtained an advertising operating
license may undertake design, production and agency work in relation to online advertising and may carry out advertising publication business via their own Web sites.
On May 18, 2000, the State AIC issued to Beijing ITC a one-year advertising operating license, which enables us to conduct our online advertising business. That license was renewed by
the State AIC in May 2001.
Accordingly, in the opinion of TransAsia Lawyers, the current and proposed Web-based services
provided by us comply with the existing PRC laws, rules and regulations.
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International Connections for Computer Information Networks
The State Council and the MII have promulgated regulations governing international connections for PRC computer networks, including:
• |
Measures for the Administration of International Connections to China’s Public Computer Interconnected Networks (1996); |
• |
Provisional Regulations of the People’s Republic of China for the Administration of International Connections to Computer Information Networks (1997) and their
Implementing Measures (1998); and |
• |
Reply Concerning the Verification and Issuance of Operating Permits for Business Relating to International Connections for Computer Information Networks and for Public
Multimedia Telecommunications Business (1998). |
Under the above regulations, any entity wishing to access
international connections for their computer information networks in the PRC, such as Beijing ITC, Beijing Sandhill, and Beijing Sohu, must comply with the following requirements:
• |
be a PRC legal person; |
• |
have the appropriate equipment, facilities and technical and administrative personnel; |
• |
have implemented and registered a system of information security and censorship; and |
• |
effect all international connections with an authorized Internet service provider in China. |
In the opinion of TransAsia Lawyers, Beijing ITC, Beijing Sandhill, and Beijing Sohu are in proper compliance with all of these requirements.
Information Security and Censorship
The principal pieces of PRC legislation concerning information security and censorship are:
• |
The Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Preservation of State Secrets (1988) and its Implementing Rules (1990); |
• |
The Law of the People’s Republic of China Regarding State Security (1993) and its Implementing Rules (1994); |
• |
Rules of the People’s Republic of China for Protecting the Security of Computer Information Systems (1994); |
• |
Notice Concerning Work Relating to the Filing of Computer Information Systems with International Connections (1996); |
• |
Administrative Regulations for the Protection of Secrecy on Computer Information Systems Connected to International Networks (1999); |
• |
Regulations for the Protection of State Secrets for Computer Information Systems on the Internet (2000); |
• |
Notice issued by the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China Regarding issues Relating to the Implementation of the Administrative Measure for the
Security Protection of International Connections to Computer Information Networks (2000); and |
• |
The Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Regarding the Safeguarding of Internet Security (2000). |
These regulations specifically prohibit the use of Internet infrastructure where it results in a breach of public
11
security, the provision of socially destabilizing content or the divulgence of State secrets, as follows:
• |
“A breach of public security” includes breach of national security or disclosure of state secrets; infringement on state, social or collective interests or the
legal rights and interests of citizens; or illegal or criminal activities. |
• |
“Socially destabilizing content” includes any action that incites defiance or violation of Chinese laws; incites subversion of state power and the overturning
of the socialist system; fabricates or distorts the truth, spreads rumors or disrupts social order; or spreads feudal superstition, involves obscenities, pornography, gambling, violence, murder, horrific acts or instigates criminal acts.
|
• |
“State secrets” are defined as ‘‘matters that affect the security and interest of the state.’’ The term covers such broad areas as national
defense, diplomatic affairs, policy decisions on state affairs, national economic and social development, political parties and ‘‘other State secrets that the State Secrecy Bureau has determined should be safeguarded.”
|
According to the aforementioned regulations, it is mandatory for Internet companies in the PRC to complete security filing
procedures with the local public security bureau and for them to update regularly with the local public security bureau regarding information security and censorship systems for their Web sites. In the opinion of TransAsia Lawyers, Beijing Sohu has,
as agreed under the restructuring agreements, established an internal security committee and adopted security maintenance measures, employed a full-time BBS supervisor and exchanged information with the local public security bureau with regard to
sensitive or censored information and Web sites on a regular basis, and is therefore fully compliant with the above regulations.
In addition, the State Security Bureau has issued regulations authorizing the blocking of access to any site it deems to be leaking State secrets or failing to meet the relevant legal legislation regarding the protection of State secrets in
the distribution of information online. Specifically, Internet companies in China with BBS, chat rooms or similar services, such as Sohu, must apply for the approval of the State Secrets Bureau prior to operating such services. As implementing rules
for the regulations have not been issued, however, details concerning how Web sites should comply with them remain to be clarified.
In December 2000, the National People’s Congress also promulgated Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Regarding the Safeguarding of Internet Security and updated the Criminal Law of the PRC such
that participating in or disseminating harmful or inappropriate information may also be subject to criminal liabilities.
Encryption Software
In October 1999, the State Encryption
Administration Commission promulgated the Regulations for the Administration of Commercial Encryption, followed in November 1999 by the Notice of the General Office of the State Encryption Administration Commission. Both of these regulations address
the use in China of software with encryption functions. According to these regulations, encryption products purchased for use must be reported. Violation of the encryption regulations may result in the issuance of a warning, levying of a penalty,
confiscation of the encryption products and even criminal liabilities. Since there are currently no announcements of, or detailed implementing rules for, these regulations, it is unclear how PRC Internet companies should comply with these
regulations. However, on March 18, 2000, the Office of the State Commission for the Administration of Cryptography issued a public announcement regarding the implementation of those regulations. The relevant departments of the PRC government are
mindful of the concerns felt in commercial circles in some countries with regard to the above-mentioned regulations and announcement. The announcement clarifies the encryption regulations as below:
• |
Only specialized hardware and software, the core functions of which are encryption and decoding, fall within the administrative scope of the regulations as “encryption
products and equipment containing encryption technology.” Other products such as wireless telephone, Windows software and browsers do not fall within this scope. |
• |
The PRC government has already begun to sort out and research the laws in question in accordance with WTO rules and China’s external commitments, and will make revisions
wherever necessary. The Administrative Regulationson Commercial Encryption will also be subject to such scrutiny and revision. |
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Business License and Approval for Foreign Investment
Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill are structured as a technology-oriented companies engaged in the development of Internet technologies and related
software, as well as online advertising business and e-commerce activities. Under current PRC law, the legal establishment of such a company must be approved by the relevant local Commission for Foreign Economic Relations and Trade, and may commence
operations only upon the issuance of a business license by the SAIC. In the opinion of TransAsia Lawyers, Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill have satisfied both of the aforementioned requirements and are fully authorized to undertake their business
operations.
Beijing Sohu is structured as an Internet information services company engaged in online information services and
content development. The establishment of Beijing Sohu with these business activities was approved by the MII. In the opinion of TransAsia Lawyers, Beijing Sohu has thus satisfied all relevant regulations and MII requirements.
Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights
We regard our copyrights, service marks, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property as critical to our success. We rely on trademark and copyright law, trade secret protection, non-competition and confidentiality and/or
license agreements with our employees, customers, partners and others to protect our intellectual property rights. Despite our precautions, it may be possible for third parties to obtain and use our intellectual property without authorization.
Furthermore, the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property rights in Internet-related industries are uncertain and still evolving. The laws of the PRC and certain other countries do not protect intellectual property
to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.
We have registered the domain names
‘‘www.Sohu.com’’ and “www.ChinaRen.com” with Network Solutions and the domain names ‘‘www.Sohu.com.cn’’ and “www.ChinaRen.com.cn” with China Internet Network Information Center, a domain
name registration service in China, and have full legal rights over these domain names.
We received the registration
certificate for the mark “Sohu.com” issued by the China Trademark Office in October 2000. We have also filed trademark applications for the mark “R” and the Chinese character meaning people with the China Trademark Office, and
Beijing Sandhill received registration certificates for the two marks issued by the China Trademark Office in January 2001.
We
have registered three service marks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. They are (i) Sohu.com, registered on August 1, 2000; (2) Sohu.com (stylized), registered on August 1, 2000; and (3) Sohu, registered on June 13, 2000. We have also filed
service mark applications in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and are in the process of applying for registration in Malaysia and Singapore. Policing unauthorized use of our marks, however, is difficult and expensive. In addition, it is possible that our
competitors will adopt product or service names similar to ours, thereby impeding our ability to distinguish our brand and possibly leading to customer confusion.
Many parties are actively developing chat, homepage, search and related Web technologies. We expect these parties to continue to take steps to protect these technologies, including
seeking patent protection. There may be patents issued or pending that are held by others and that cover significant parts of our technology, business methods or services. For example, we are aware that a number of patents have been issued in the
areas of e-commerce, Web-based information indexing and retrieval and online direct marketing. Disputes over rights to these technologies are likely to arise in the future. We cannot be certain that our products do not or will not infringe valid
patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. We may be subject to legal proceedings and claims from time to time relating to the intellectual property of others in the ordinary course of our business.
We also intend to continue licensing technology from third parties. The market is evolving and we may need to license
additional technologies to remain competitive. We may not be able to license these technologies on commercially reasonable terms or at all. In addition, we may fail to successfully integrate any licensed technology into our services. Our inability
to obtain any of these licenses could delay product and service development until alternative technologies can be identified, licensed and integrated.
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Technology Infrastructure
We maintain most of our servers at the premises of the Beijing Telecom Administration (or BTA), pursuant to one-year server hosting agreements and we do not maintain any backup servers
outside Beijing. The BTA is the administrator of the central hub of the ChinaNet backbone, and is currently the only provider of interconnection services to the ChinaNet backbone in Beijing. Internet access rates in China, when compared to rates in
the United States and other more developed countries, remain relatively expensive.
We have developed a close working
relationship with the BTA. Our operations depend on the ability of the BTA to protect their systems against damage from fire, power loss, telecommunications, failure, break-ins, or other events. The BTA provides us with support services 24 hours per
day, 7 days per week. The BTA also provides connectivity for our servers through multiple high-speed connections. All facilities are protected by multiple power supplies.
For reliability, availability, and serviceability, we have created an environment in which each server can function separately. Key components of our server architecture are served by
multiple redundant machines. We also employ in-house and third-party monitoring software. Reporting and tracking systems generate daily traffic, demographic, and advertising reports.
Our portal must accommodate a high volume of traffic and deliver frequently updated information. Components or features of our portal have in the past suffered outages or experienced
slower response time because of equipment or software down time. These have not had a material adverse effect on our business, but such events could have a material adverse effect in the future.
Employees
As of December 31, 2001, we had 440 full-time and temporary
employees. From time to time, we employ independent contractors to support our research and development, marketing, sales and editorial departments. None of our personnel are represented under collective bargaining agreements. We consider our
relations with our employees to be good.
Our senior management and key executives have entered into confidentiality,
non-competition and non-solicitation agreements with us. In addition, most of our employees have employment agreements with Beijing ITC, our PRC operating subsidiary, which contain similar confidentiality and non-competition undertakings. However,
the degree of protection afforded to an employer pursuant to confidentiality and non-competition undertakings governed by PRC law may be more limited when compared to the degree of protection afforded under the laws of other jurisdictions. A
significant number of our employees hold stock options in Sohu, which provide financial opportunities to them that generally vest over a period of one to four years.
Subsequent Event
In November 2001, Sohu entered into a loan and share pledge agreement
with Dr. Charles Zhang and Li Wei, one of our employees, to lend $4.6 million to them for the purpose of funding their equity investments in High Century. Pursuant to the loan agreement, in December 2001 Sohu disbursed $1.5 million to them, and in
January and February 2002, Sohu disbursed an additional $1.9 million to them for purposes of increasing their equity investments in High Century. In March 2002, Sohu approved High Century’s committing $3.1 million for investment in a PRC joint
venture. We expect that we will continue to be involved in and provide financial support to High Century.
Risk Factors
Risks relating to Sohu.com
We have incurred net losses since inception and anticipate that losses will continue.
We have incurred
significant net losses since our inception in August 1996 and had an accumulated deficit of approximately $72.2 million at December 31, 2001. We anticipate that we will continue to incur substantial net losses due to a high level of planned
operating and capital expenditures, including sales and marketing costs, personnel hires, and product development. Our net losses may continue to increase in the future and we may never achieve or sustain profitability.
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We have a limited operating history, which may make it difficult for investors to
evaluate our business.
We began offering products and services under the www.Sohu.com Web site in February 1998.
Accordingly, we have a limited operating history upon which investors can evaluate our business. In addition, our senior management and employees have worked together at our company for only a relatively short period of time. As an early stage
company in the new and rapidly evolving PRC Internet market, we face numerous risks and uncertainties. Some of these risks relate to our ability to:
• |
increase our online advertising revenues and successfully build our e-commerce, short messaging and subscription services business, given the early stage of development of the
PRC Internet industry; |
• |
continue to attract a larger audience to our portal by expanding the type and technical sophistication of the content and services we offer; and
|
• |
maintain our current, and develop new, strategic relationships to increase our revenue streams as well as product and service offerings. |
PRC Internet laws and regulations are unclear and will likely change in the near future. If we are found to be in violation of current
or future PRC laws or regulations, we could be subject to severe penalties.
We conduct our Internet business solely in
the PRC through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill. Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill are wholly foreign owned enterprises, or WFOEs, under PRC law. We are a Delaware corporation and a foreign person under PRC law.
Accordingly, our Internet business is 100% foreign-owned. In addition, pursuant to our restructuring, we transferred certain of our assets and operations to Beijing Sohu, a PRC company that is 80% owned by our chief executive officer. In 2001, we
made a commitment to provide loans of $4.6 million to Dr. Charles Zhang and an employee of the company to establish High Century for the purposes of undertaking additional investments in the PRC where foreign ownership is prohibited. We do not have
any ownership interest in Beijing Sohu or High Century.
The PRC has recently begun to regulate its Internet sector by making
pronouncements or enacting regulations regarding the legality of foreign investment in the PRC Internet sector and the existence and enforcement of content restrictions on the Internet. We believe that our current ownership structure complies with
all existing PRC laws, rules and regulations. There are, however, substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation of current PRC Internet laws and regulations. In addition, new PRC Internet laws and regulations were recently adopted.
Accordingly, it is possible that the PRC government will ultimately take a view contrary to ours.
Issues, risks and
uncertainties relating to PRC government regulation of the PRC Internet sector include the following:
• |
The PRC recently enacted regulations applying to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these recently-enacted regulations remain
unclear, they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information services. If these new regulations are interpreted to be inconsistent with our restructuring, our business will be severely impaired.
|
• |
A limitation on foreign investment in businesses providing value-added telecommunication services, including computer information services or electronic mail box services, is
expected to be applied to Internet businesses such as ours. However, under regulations published to date, the extent of the limitation is unclear. In the past, some officials of the Ministry of Information Industry or MII have taken the position
that foreign investment in the Internet sector is prohibited. |
• |
Under the agreement reached in November 1999 between the PRC and the United States concerning the United States’ support of China’s entry into the World Trade
Organization, or WTO, foreign investment in PRC Internet services will be liberalized to allow for 30% foreign ownership in key telecommunication services, including PRC Internet ventures, for the first year after China’s entry into the WTO,
49% in the second year and 50% thereafter. However, the implementation of this agreement is still subject to various conditions. |
• |
The MII has also stated that the activities of Internet content providers are subject to regulation by
|
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various PRC government authorities, depending on the specific activities conducted by the Internet content provider. Various government authorities have stated publicly that they are in the
process of preparing new laws and regulations that will govern these activities. The areas of regulation may include online advertising and online news reporting.
The interpretation and application of existing PRC laws and regulations, the stated positions of the MII and the possible new laws or regulations have created substantial uncertainties
regarding the legality of existing and future foreign investments in, and the businesses and activities of, PRC Internet companies, including us.
Accordingly, it is possible that the relevant PRC authorities could, at any time, assert that any portion or all of our, Beijing ITC’s, Beijing Sandhill’s, Beijing Sohu’s or High Century’s existing
or future ownership structure and businesses violate existing or future PRC laws, regulations or policies. It is also possible that the new laws or regulations governing the PRC Internet sector that have been adopted or may be adopted in the future
will prohibit or restrict foreign investment in, or other aspects of, any of our, Beijing ITC’s, Beijing Sandhill’s, Beijing Sohu’s or High Century’s current or proposed businesses and operations. In addition, these new laws and
regulations may be retroactively applied to us, Beijing ITC, Beijing Sandhill, High Century or Beijing Sohu.
If we, Beijing
ITC, Beijing Sandhill, High Century or Beijing Sohu are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, the relevant PRC authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violation, including, without
limitation, the following:
• |
levying fines; |
• |
confiscating our, Beijing ITC’s, Beijing Sandhill’s, High Century’s or Beijing Sohu’s income; |
• |
revoking our, Beijing ITC’s, Beijing Sandhill’s, High Century’s or Beijing Sohu’s business license; |
• |
shutting down our, Beijing ITC’s, Beijing Sandhill’s or Beijing Sohu’s servers and/or blocking our Web sites; |
• |
requiring us, Beijing ITC, Beijing Sandhill, High Century or Beijing Sohu to restructure our ownership structure or operations; and |
• |
requiring us, Beijing ITC, Beijing Sandhill, High Century or Beijing Sohu to discontinue any portion or all of our Internet business. |
We may be unable to collect long term loans to related parties or exercise management influence associated with Beijing Sohu or High
Century.
At December 31, 2001 Sohu had entered into agreements with commitments to provide long term loans of $4.8
million to Dr. Charles Zhang, Sohu’s Chief Executive Officer and a major Sohu stockholder, and certain of our employees. The long-term loans are used to finance investments in Beijing Sohu and High Century, which are owned 80% by Dr. Charles
Zhang and 20% by certain of our employees. Beijing Sohu and High Century are used to facilitate our participation in telecommunications, Internet content and certain other businesses in China where foreign ownership is either prohibited or
restricted. We expect that we will continue to be involved in and provide additional financial support under similar arrangements in the future.
The agreements contain provisions that, subject to PRC law, (i) the loans can only be repaid to Sohu by transferring the shares of High Century or Beijing Sohu to Sohu, (ii) the shares of High Century or Beijing Sohu
cannot be transferred without the approval of Sohu, and (iii) Sohu has the right to appoint all directors and senior management personnel of High Century and Beijing Sohu. Dr. Charles Zhang and the other employee borrowers have pledged all of their
shares in High Century and Beijing Sohu as collateral for the loans and the loans bear no interest and are due on demand after November 2003, in the case of High Century, and the earlier of a demand or 2010, in the case of Beijing Sohu, or, in
either case, at such time as Dr. Charles Zhang or the other employee borrowers, as the case may be, is not an employee of Sohu. Sohu does not intend to request repayment of the loans as long as PRC regulations prohibit it from directly investing in
businesses being undertaken by High Century and Beijing Sohu.
Our ability to ultimately collect these loans will depend on the profitability of Beijing Sohu and High Century, which is uncertain. Furthermore, because of uncertainty associated with PRC law, ultimate enforcement of the
16
loan agreements is uncertain. Accordingly, we may never be able to collect these loans or exercise influence over High Century and Beijing
Sohu.
We have attempted to comply with
restrictions on foreign investment in the PRC Internet sector imposed by the PRC government by transferring our content-related assets and operations to, and entering into agreements with, Beijing Sohu, a PRC company controlled by our President and
Chief Executive Officer. If the PRC government finds that these agreements do not comply with the relevant foreign investment restrictions, our business in the PRC will be adversely affected.
Because the PRC government restricts foreign investment in Internet-related businesses, we have restructured our Internet operations by having Beijing
Sohu acquire appropriate government approvals to conduct our content-related operations. In addition, we have transferred our content-related assets and operations to Beijing Sohu. The legal uncertainties associated with PRC government regulations
and our restructuring may be summarized as follows:
• |
whether the PRC government may view our restructuring as being in compliance with its laws and regulations; |
• |
whether the PRC government may impose additional regulatory requirements with which we or Beijing Sohu may not be in compliance; and |
• |
whether the PRC government will permit Beijing Sohu to acquire future licenses necessary in order to conduct operations in the PRC. |
We cannot be sure that our restructured operations and activities will be viewed by PRC regulatory authorities as in compliance with applicable PRC laws
and regulations. Our business will be adversely affected if our business license is revoked as a result of non-compliance. In addition, we cannot be sure that we and Beijing Sohu will be able to obtain all of the licenses we or Beijing Sohu may need
in the future. Future changes in PRC government policies affecting the provision of information services, including the provision of online services and Internet access, may impose additional regulatory requirements on us or Beijing Sohu or our
service providers or otherwise harm our business.
We depend upon contractual arrangements with Beijing Sohu for the
success of our business and these arrangements may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct ownership of these businesses and may be difficult to enforce.
Because we conduct our Internet business only in the PRC, and because we are restricted by the PRC government from owning Internet content or telecommunication operations in the PRC, we
are dependent on Beijing Sohu, in which we have no ownership interest, to provide those services through contractual agreements between the parties. This arrangement may not be as effective in providing control over our Internet content operations
as direct ownership of these businesses. For example, Beijing Sohu could fail to take actions required for our business, such as entering into content development contracts with potential content suppliers or failing to maintain the necessary permit
for the content servers. If Beijing Sohu fails to perform its obligations under these agreements, we may have to rely on legal remedies under PRC law, which we cannot assure you would be effective or sufficient.
Beijing Sohu is controlled by Charles Zhang, our chief executive officer. As a result, our contractual relationships with Beijing Sohu could be viewed
as entrenching his management position or transferring certain value to him, especially if any conflict arises with him.
Even if we are in compliance with PRC governmental regulations relating to licensing and foreign investment prohibitions, the PRC government may prevent us from distributing, and we may be subject to liability for, content that it
believes is inappropriate.
The PRC has enacted regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of news and
other information. In the past, the PRC government has stopped the distribution of information over the Internet that it believes to violate PRC law, including content that is obscene, incites violence, endangers national security, is contrary to
the national interest or is defamatory. In addition, we may not publish certain news items, such as news relating to national security, without permission from the PRC government. Furthermore, the Ministry of Public Security has the authority to
cause any local Internet service provider to block any Web site maintained outside the PRC at
17
its sole discretion. Even if we comply with PRC governmental regulations relating to licensing and foreign investment prohibitions, if the PRC government were to take any action to limit or
prohibit the distribution of information through our network or to limit or regulate any current or future content or services available to users on our network, our business would be harmed.
We are also subject to potential liability for content on our Web sites that is deemed inappropriate and for any unlawful actions of our subscribers and other users of our systems
under regulations promulgated by the MII.
Furthermore, we are required to delete content that clearly violates the laws of the
PRC and report content that we suspect may violate PRC law. It is difficult to determine the type of content that may result in liability for us, and if we are wrong, we may be prevented from operating our Web sites.
We may have to register our encryption software with PRC regulatory authorities, and if they request that we change our encryption software, our
business operations will be disrupted as we develop or license replacement software.
Pursuant to the Regulations for
the Administration of Commercial Encryption promulgated at the end of 1999, foreign and domestic PRC companies operating in the PRC are required to register and disclose to PRC regulatory authorities the commercial encryption products they use.
Because these regulations have just recently been adopted and because they do not specify what constitutes encryption products, we are unsure as to whether or how they apply to us and the encryption software we utilize. We may be required to
register, or apply for permits with the relevant PRC regulatory authorities for, our current or future encryption software. If PRC regulatory authorities request that we change our encryption software, we may have to develop or license replacement
software, which could disrupt our business operations. In addition, we may be subject to potential liability for using software that is subsequently deemed to be illegal by the relevant PRC regulatory authorities. These potential liabilities might
include fines, product confiscation and criminal sanctions.
We depend on online advertising for a substantial portion of
our revenues.
We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from the sale of advertising on our Web sites. For the
years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, advertising revenues represented approximately 71% and 98%, respectively, of our total revenues. In addition, our business plan is dependent on the anticipated expansion of online advertising in China and the
growth of our revenue is dependent on online advertising.
The online advertising market in China is new and relatively small.
Our ability to generate and maintain significant online advertising revenues in China will depend, among other things, on:
• |
the development of a large base of users possessing demographic characteristics attractive to advertisers; |
• |
downward pressure on online advertising prices; |
• |
the development of independent and reliable means of verifying traffic; and |
• |
the effectiveness of our advertising delivery, tracking and reporting systems. |
The development of Web software that blocks Internet advertisements before they appear on a user’s screen may hinder the growth of online advertising. The expansion of ad blocking
on the Internet may decrease our revenues because when an ad is blocked, it is not downloaded from our ad server. As a result, such advertisements will not be tracked as a delivered advertisement. In addition, advertisers may choose not to advertise
on the Internet or on our portal because of the use by third parties of Internet advertisement blocking software.
In addition,
an element of our strategy is to diversify our revenue stream by entering into more Web site sponsorship arrangements, by e-business solutions services, by introducing e-commerce services and by generating e-commerce revenue. We may not be
successful in implementing this strategy.
Accordingly, we may not be successful in generating significant future online
advertising revenue or in diversifying our revenue stream.
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Our operating results are likely to fluctuate significantly and may differ from market
expectations.
Our annual and quarterly operating results have varied significantly in the past, and may vary
significantly in the future, due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. As a result, we believe that year-to-year and quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results are not a good indication of our future performance.
It is likely that in some future quarter, our operating results may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. In this event, the trading price of our common stock may fall.
We will not be able to attract visitors, advertisers and short messaging and e-commerce customers if we do not maintain and develop the Sohu
brand.
Maintaining and further developing our brand is critical to our ability to expand our user base and our
revenues. We believe that the importance of brand recognition will increase as the number of Internet users in China grows. In order to attract and retain Internet users, advertisers and short messaging and e-commerce customers, we intend to
increase substantially our expenditures for creating and maintaining brand loyalty. If our revenues do not increase proportionately, our results of operations and liquidity will suffer.
Our success in promoting and enhancing our brand, as well as our ability to remain competitive, will also depend on our success in offering high quality content, features and
functionality. If we fail to promote our brand successfully or if visitors to our portal or advertisers do not perceive our content and services to be of high quality, we may not be able to continue growing our business and attracting visitors,
advertisers and e-commerce partners.
We may need additional capital and we may not be able to obtain it.
Our capital requirements are difficult to plan in our rapidly changing industry. We currently expect that we will need
capital to fund additions to our portal and computer infrastructure, including any acquisitions of complementary assets, technologies or businesses we may pursue, as well as the expansion of our sales and marketing activities.
Our ability to obtain additional financing in the future is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including:
• |
investors’ perceptions of and appetite for Internet-related securities; |
• |
conditions in the U.S. and other capital markets in which we may seek to raise financing; |
• |
our future results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; |
• |
the amount of capital that other PRC entities may seek to raise in foreign capital markets; |
• |
PRC governmental regulation of foreign investment in Internet companies; |
• |
economic, political and other conditions in the PRC; |
• |
PRC governmental policies relating to foreign currency borrowings; and |
• |
any new laws and regulations that may require various PRC government approvals for securities offerings by companies engaged in the Internet sector in the PRC.
|
Our inability to raise additional funds on favorable terms, or at all, could force us to scale back our planned
expenditures, which could adversely affect our growth prospects.
If we fail to establish and maintain relationships with
content and technology providers and mobile network operators, we may not be able to attract and retain users.
We rely on a number of third party relationships to attract traffic and provide content in order to make our portal more attractive to users and advertisers. Some content providers have
recently increased the fees they charge us for their content. This trend could increase our operating expenses and could adversely affect our ability to obtain content at an economically acceptable cost. Most of our arrangements with content
providers are short-term and may be terminated at the convenience of the other party. In addition, much of the third party content provided to
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our portal is also available from other sources or may be provided to other Internet companies. If other Internet companies present the same or similar content in a superior manner, it would
adversely affect our visitor traffic.
Substantially all of our subscription revenue is generated through short messaging
services where we depend on mobile network operators for message delivery and payment collection. If we were unable to continue this arrangement, our short messaging services would be severely disrupted.
Our business also depends significantly on relationships with leading technology and infrastructure providers and the licenses that the technology
providers have granted to us. Our competitors may seek to establish the same relationships as we have, which may adversely affect us. We may not be able to maintain these relationships or replace them on commercially attractive terms.
We depend on key personnel and our business may be severely disrupted if we lose the services of our key executives.
Our future success is heavily dependent upon the continued service of our key executives, particularly Dr. Charles
Zhang, who is the founder, President and chief executive officer of our company and the founder and President of Beijing Sohu. We rely on his expertise in our business operations and on his personal relationships with some of our principal
stockholders, the relevant regulatory authorities, our customers and suppliers, Beijing Sohu and High Century. If one or more of our key executives are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to easily replace
them and our business may be severely disrupted. In addition, if any of these key executives joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose customers and suppliers and incur additional expenses to recruit and train personnel. Each of
our executive officers has entered into a confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation agreement with us. These officers also have employment agreements with Beijing ITC, our PRC operating subsidiary, which contain substantially similar
confidentiality and non-competition undertakings. However, the degree of protection afforded to an employer pursuant to confidentiality and non-competition undertakings governed by PRC law may be more limited when compared to the degree of
protection afforded under the laws of other jurisdictions. We do not maintain key-man life insurance for any of our key executives.
Rapid growth and a rapidly changing operating environment strain our limited resources.
We have limited
operational, administrative and financial resources, which may be inadequate to sustain the growth we want to achieve. As our audience and their Internet use increase, as the demands of our audience and the needs of our customers change and as the
volume of online advertising and e-commerce activities increases, we will need to increase our investment in our network infrastructure, facilities and other areas of operations. If we are unable to manage our growth and expansion effectively, the
quality of our services could deteriorate and our business may suffer. Our future success will depend on, among other things, our ability to:
• |
adapt our services and maintain and improve the quality of our services; |
• |
continue training, motivating and retaining our existing employees and attracting and integrating new employees; and |
• |
developing and improving our operational, financial, accounting and other internal systems and controls. |
Our advertising pricing model, which is based on charging a fixed fee to display advertisements for a specified time period, may not be
profitable.
There are currently no industry standard pricing models used to sell advertising on the Internet. This
makes it difficult to project our future advertising rates and revenues. The models we adopt may prove not to be profitable. A significant portion of our advertising revenues in 2000 and 2001 were derived from charging a fixed fee to display an
advertisement over a given time period. To the extent that minimum guaranteed impression levels are not met, we are required to provide additional impressions after the contract term and we accordingly defer the related revenue.
We may not be able to track the delivery of advertisements through our portal, which may make us less attractive to potential
advertisers.
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It is important to advertisers that we accurately measure the demographics of our user base and
the delivery of advertisements through our portal. Companies may choose not to advertise on our portal or may pay less for advertising if they do not perceive our portal to be reliable. We depend on third parties to provide us with some of these
measurement services. If they are unable to provide these services in the future, we would need to perform these services ourselves or obtain these services from other providers. This could cause us to incur additional costs or cause interruptions
or slowdowns in our business during the time we are replacing these services. We are currently implementing additional systems designed to collect information on our users. We may not be able to implement these systems successfully.
The loss of one of our significant advertisers would reduce our advertising revenues as well as materially and adversely affect our
financial conditions and results of operations.
We depend on a small group of advertisers for a significant portion of
our total revenues. During the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, our five largest advertisers accounted for approximately 20% and 19% of our total advertising revenues, respectively. Our business, financial condition and results of operations
would be adversely affected by the loss of one or more of our significant advertisers or a decrease in the volume of advertising by any these advertisers.
Our strategy of acquiring complementary assets, technologies and businesses may fail and may result in equity or earnings dilution.
As a component of our growth strategy, we have acquired and intend to actively identify and acquire assets, technologies and businesses that are complementary to our existing portal
business. Our acquisitions could result in the use of substantial amounts of cash, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, significant amortization expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets and exposure to undisclosed or
potential liabilities of acquired companies. Moreover the resources expended in identifying and consummating acquisitions may be significant. Furthermore, any acquisitions we decide to pursue may be subject to the approval of the relevant PRC
governmental authorities, as well as any applicable PRC rules and regulations.
We will rely on dividends and other
distributions on equity paid by our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries to fund any cash requirements we may have.
We
are a holding company with no operating assets other than the shares of Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill, our wholly-owned subsidiaries in the PRC that own and conduct our Internet business. We will rely on dividends and other distributions on
equity paid by Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill for our cash requirements in excess of any cash raised from investors and retained by us. If Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the
debt may restrict Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill’s ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. In addition, PRC legal restrictions permit payment of dividends by Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill only out of their net income,
if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill are also required to set aside a portion of their net income each year to fund certain reserve funds. These reserves are
not distributable as cash dividends.
Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill have incurred losses since their inceptions and are
expected to continue to incur losses in the foreseeable future. Therefore, we have not received any dividends or other distributions from Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill in the past and do not expect any dividends in the foreseeable future.
We may not have exclusive rights over the mark ‘‘Sohu.com’’ in certain areas.
We have applied for registration of the ‘‘Sohu.com’’ mark in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and plan to apply for registration in
Malaysia and Singapore. Completion of these applications is subject to prior rights in the relevant jurisdictions. Any rejection of those applications may adversely affect our legal rights over the mark ‘‘Sohu.com’’ in those
countries and regions.
Unauthorized use of our intellectual property by third parties, and the expenses incurred in
protecting our intellectual property rights, may adversely affect our business.
We regard our copyrights, service
marks, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property as critical to our success. Unauthorized use of our intellectual property by third parties may adversely affect our business and
21
reputation. We rely on trademark and copyright law, trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements with our employees, customers, business partners and others to protect our intellectual
property rights. Despite our precautions, it may be possible for third parties to obtain and use our intellectual property without authorization. Furthermore, the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property in
Internet-related industries is uncertain and still evolving. In particular, the laws of the PRC and certain other countries are uncertain or do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.
Moreover, litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Future litigation could result in substantial
costs and diversion of resources.
We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may force us to
incur substantial legal expenses and, if determined adversely against us, materially disrupt our business.
We cannot be
certain that our products and services do not or will not infringe valid patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. We have in the past been, and may in the future be, subject to legal proceedings and claims
from time to time relating to the intellectual property of others in the ordinary course of our business. In particular, if we are found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we may be enjoined from using such intellectual
property, and we may incur licensing fees or be forced to develop alternatives. We may incur substantial expenses in defending against these third party infringement claims, regardless of their merit. Successful infringement claims against us may
result in substantial monetary liability or may materially disrupt the conduct of our business.
We may be subject to, and
may expend significant resources in defending against, claims based on the content and services we provide over our portal.
As our services may be used to download and distribute information to others, there is a risk that claims may be made against us for defamation, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement or other claims based on the nature and content
of such information. Furthermore, we could be subject to claims for the online activities of our visitors and incur significant costs in their defense. In the past, claims based on the nature and content of information that was posted online by
visitors have been made in the United States against companies that provide online services. We do not carry any liability insurance against such risks.
We could be exposed to liability for the selection of listings that may be accessible through our portal or through content and materials that our visitors may post in classifieds, message boards, chat rooms or other
interactive services. If any information provided through our services contains errors, third parties may make claims against us for losses incurred in reliance on the information. We also offer Web-based e-mail services, which expose us to
potential liabilities or claims resulting from:
• |
unsolicited e-mail; |
• |
lost or misdirected messages; |
• |
illegal or fraudulent use of e-mail; or |
• |
interruptions or delays in e-mail service. |
Investigating and defending any such claims may be expensive, even if they do not result in liability.
Risks
relating to our markets
We rely on online advertising sales for a significant portion of our future revenues, but the
Internet has not been proven as a widely accepted medium for advertising.
We expect to derive most of our revenue for
the foreseeable future from online advertising, and to a lesser extent, from e-commerce. If the Internet is not accepted as a medium for advertising, our ability to generate revenues will be adversely affected.
The acceptance of the Internet as a medium for advertising depends on the development of a measurement standard. No standards have been widely accepted
for the measurement of the effectiveness of online advertising. Industry-wide standards may not develop sufficiently to support the Internet as an effective advertising medium.
22
If these standards do not develop, advertisers may choose not to advertise on the Internet in general or through our portals or search engines.
Many of our current and potential advertising, e-commerce and short messaging customers have only limited experience using the Internet for
advertising or commerce purposes, and may not be willing to fully embrace the products and services we offer, which would adversely affect our future revenues and business expansion.
The online advertising, short messaging and e-commerce markets are new and rapidly evolving, particularly in China. As a result, many of our current and potential advertising, short
messaging and e-commerce customers have limited experience using the Internet for advertising or commerce purposes and historically have not devoted a significant portion of their advertising and sales budgets to Internet-based advertising and
e-commerce. Moreover, customers that have invested substantial resources in other methods of conducting business may be reluctant to adopt a new strategy that may limit or compete with their existing efforts. In addition, companies may choose not to
advertise or sell their products on our portal if they do not perceive our online advertising and e-commerce platform to be effective or our audience demographics to be desirable. The failure to successfully address these risks or execute our
business strategy would significantly reduce our profitability.
We face intense competition which could reduce our market
share and adversely affect our financial performance.
The PRC Internet market is characterized by an increasing number
of entrants because, among other reasons, the barriers to entry are relatively low. The market for Internet services and products, particularly Internet search and retrieval services, short messaging and e-commerce services and online advertising,
is intensely competitive. In addition, the Internet industry is relatively new and constantly evolving and, as a result, our competitors may better position themselves to compete in this market as it matures.
There are many companies that provide or may provide Web sites and online destinations targeted at Internet users in China. Some of our major
competitors in China are major United States Internet companies, such as Yahoo! Inc. In addition, we may face competition from existing or new domestic PRC Internet companies that are either affiliated with large corporations such as Legend
Computer, America Online and Softbank Corporation, or controlled or sponsored by PRC government entities. These competitors may have certain advantages over us, including:
• |
substantially greater financial and technical resources; |
• |
more extensive and well developed marketing and sales networks; |
• |
better access to original content; |
• |
greater global brand recognition among consumers; and |
• |
larger customer bases. |
With these
advantages, our competitors may be better able to:
• |
develop, market and sell their products and services; |
• |
adapt more quickly to new and changing technologies; and |
• |
more easily obtain new customers. |
We may not be able to compete successfully against our current or future competitors.
The telecommunications
infrastructure in China, which is not as well developed as in the United States, may limit our growth.
The
telecommunications infrastructure in China is not well developed. Our growth will depend on the PRC government and state-owned enterprises establishing and maintaining a reliable Internet and telecommunications infrastructure to reach a broader base
of Internet users in China. The Internet infrastructure, standards, protocols
23
and complementary products, services and facilities necessary to support the demands associated with continued growth may not be developed on a timely basis or at all by the PRC government and
state-owned enterprises.
We depend on ChinaNet, China Telecom and the Beijing Telecom Administration for
telecommunications services, and any interruption in these services may result in severe disruptions to our business.
Although private Internet service providers exist in China, almost all access to the Internet is maintained through ChinaNet, currently owned by China Telecom, under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of the MII. In
addition, local networks connect to the Internet through a government-owned international gateway. This international gateway is the only channel through which a domestic Chinese user can connect to the international Internet network. We rely on
this infrastructure and China Telecom to provide data communications capacity primarily through local telecommunications lines. Although the government has announced aggressive plans to develop the national information infrastructure, this
infrastructure may not be developed and the Internet infrastructure in China may not be able to support the continued growth of Internet usage. In addition, we will have no access to alternative networks and services, on a timely basis if at all, in
the event of any infrastructure disruption or failure.
We may not be able to lease additional bandwidth from the Beijing
Telecom Administration on acceptable terms, on a timely basis or at all. In addition, we will have no means of getting access to alternative networks and services on a timely basis, if at all, in the event of any disruption or failure of the
network.
The high cost of Internet access may limit the growth of the Internet in China and impede our growth.
Access to the Internet in China remains relatively expensive, and may make it less likely for users to access and
transact business over the Internet. Unfavorable rate developments could further decrease our visitor traffic and our ability to derive revenues from transactions over the Internet.
The acceptance of the Internet as a commerce platform in China depends on the resolution of problems relating to fulfillment and electronic payment.
Our future growth of revenues depends in part on the anticipated expansion of e-commerce activities in China. As China currently does not
have a reliable nationwide product distribution network, the fulfillment of goods purchased over the Internet will continue to be a factor constraining the growth of e-commerce. An additional barrier to the development of e-commerce in China is the
lack of reliable payment systems. In particular, the use of credit cards or other viable means of electronic payment in sales transactions is not as well developed in China as in some other countries, such as the United States. Various government
entities and businesses are working to resolve these fulfillment and payment problems, but these problems are expected to continue to hinder the acceptance and growth of the Internet as a commerce platform in China, which could in turn hinder our
growth.
Risks Related to the Internet and Our Technology Infrastructure
To the extent we are unable to scale our systems to meet the increasing PRC Internet population, we will be unable to expand our user base and
increase our attractiveness to advertisers and merchants.
As Web page volume and traffic increase in China, we may not
be able to scale our systems proportionately. To the extent we do not successfully address our capacity constraints, our operations may be severely disrupted, and we may not be able to expand our user base and increase our attractiveness to
advertisers and merchants.
Unexpected network interruptions caused by system failures may result in reduced visitor
traffic, reduced revenue and harm to our reputation.
Our portal operations are dependent upon Web browsers, Internet
service providers, content providers and other Web site operators in China, which have experienced significant system failures and system outages in the past. Our users have in the past experienced difficulties due to system failures unrelated to
our systems and services. Any system failure or inadequacy that causes interruptions in the availability of our services, or increases the response time of our services, as a result of increased traffic or otherwise, could reduce our user
satisfaction, future traffic and our attractiveness to users and advertisers.
Our operations are vulnerable to natural
disasters and other events, as we only have limited backup systems and do not maintain any backup servers outside of China.
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We have limited backup systems and have experienced system failures and electrical outages from
time to time in the past, which have disrupted our operations. All of our servers and routers are currently hosted in a single location within the premises of Beijing Telecom Administration. We do not maintain any back up servers outside Beijing. We
do not have a disaster recovery plan in the event of damage from fire, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins and similar events. If any of the foregoing occurs, we may experience a complete system
shutdown. We do not carry any business interruption insurance. To improve the performance and to prevent disruption of our services, we may have to make substantial investments to deploy additional servers or one or more copies of our Web sites to
mirror our online resources. Although we carry property insurance with low coverage limits, our coverage may not be adequate to compensate us for all losses, particularly with respect to loss of business and reputation, that may occur.
Concerns about security of e-commerce transactions and confidentiality of information on the Internet may increase our costs, reduce
the use of our portal and impede our growth.
A significant barrier to e-commerce and confidential communications over
the Internet has been the need for security. Internet usage could decline if any well-publicized compromise of security occurred. We may incur significant costs to protect against the threat of security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by
these breaches. If unauthorized persons are able to penetrate our network security, they could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in our services. As a result, we may be required to expend capital and resources to protect
against or to alleviate these problems.
Our network operations may be vulnerable to hacking, viruses and other
disruptions, which may make our products and services less attractive and reliable.
Internet usage could decline if any
well-publicized compromise of security occurs. ‘‘Hacking’’ involves efforts to gain unauthorized access to information or systems or to cause intentional malfunctions or loss or corruption of data, software, hardware or other
computer equipment. Hackers, if successful, could misappropriate proprietary information or cause disruptions in our service. We may be required to expend capital and other resources to protect our Web site against hackers. We cannot assure you that
any measures we may take will be effective. In addition, the inadvertent transmission of computer viruses could expose us to a material risk of loss or litigation and possible liability, as well as materially damage our reputation and decrease our
user traffic.
Political, Economic and Regulatory Risks
Regulation and censorship of information distribution in China may adversely affect our business.
China has enacted regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of news and other information. Furthermore, the Propaganda Department of the Chinese Communist Party has been
given the responsibility to censor news published in China to ensure, supervise and control a particular political ideology. In addition, the MII has published implementing regulations that subject online information providers to potential liability
for content included on their portals and the actions of subscribers and others using their systems, including liability for violation of PRC laws prohibiting the distribution of content deemed to be socially destabilizing. Because many PRC laws,
regulations and legal requirements with regard to the Internet are relatively new and untested, their interpretation and enforcement may involve significant uncertainty. In addition, the PRC legal system is a civil law system in which decided legal
cases have limited binding force as legal precedents. As a result, in many cases it is difficult to determine the type of content that may result in liability for a Web site operator.
Periodically, the Ministry of Public Security has stopped the distribution over the Internet of information which it believes to be socially destabilizing. The Ministry of Public
Security has the authority to cause any local Internet service provider to block any Web site maintained outside China at its sole discretion. If the PRC government were to take action to limit or eliminate the distribution of information through
our portal or to limit or regulate current or future applications available to users of our portal, our business would be affected.
The State Secrecy Bureau, which is directly responsible for the protection of state secrets of all PRC government and Chinese Communist Party organizations, is authorized to block any Web site it deems to be leaking state secrets or failing
to meet the relevant regulations relating to the protection of state secrets in the distribution of online information. Under the applicable regulations, we may be held liable for any content transmitted on our portal. Furthermore, where the
transmitted content clearly violates the laws of the PRC, we will be required to delete it. Moreover, where the transmitted content is considered suspicious, we are required to report such
25
content. We must also undergo computer security inspections, and if we fail to implement the relevant safeguards against security breaches, we may be shut down. In addition, under recently
adopted regulations, Internet companies which provide bulletin board systems, chat rooms or similar services, such as our company, must apply for the approval of the State Secrecy Bureau. As the implementing rules of these new regulations have not
been issued, however, we do not know how or when we will be expected to comply, or how our business will be affected by the application of these regulations.
Political and economic policies of the PRC government could affect our business.
All of our business, assets and operations are located in China and all of our revenues are derived from our operations in China. Accordingly, our business could be adversely affected by changes in political, economic or social conditions
in China, adjustments in PRC government policies or changes in laws and regulations.
The economy of China differs from the
economies of most countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in a number of respects, including:
• |
structure; |
• |
level of government involvement; |
• |
level of development; |
• |
level of capital reinvestment; |
• |
growth rate; |
• |
control of foreign exchange; and |
• |
methods of allocating resources. |
Since 1949, China has been primarily a planned economy subject to a system of macroeconomic management. Although the Chinese government still owns a significant portion of the productive assets in China, economic reform policies since the
late 1970s have emphasized decentralization, autonomous enterprises and the utilization of market mechanisms. We cannot predict what effects the economic reform and macroeconomic measures adopted by the Chinese government may have on our business or
results of operations.
The PRC legal system embodies uncertainties which could limit the legal protections available to
us and you.
The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike common law systems, it is a
system in which decided legal cases have little precedental value. In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. Our PRC operating subsidiaries, Beijing ITC and
Beijing Sandhill, are wholly-foreign owned enterprises, or WFOEs, which are enterprises incorporated in mainland China and wholly-owned by foreign investors. Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill are subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign
investment in mainland China. However, these laws, regulations and legal requirements are relatively recent, and their interpretation and enforcement involve uncertainties. These uncertainties could limit the legal protections available to us and
other foreign investors, including you. In addition, we cannot predict the effect of future developments in the PRC legal system, particularly with regard to the Internet, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the
interpretation or enforcement thereof, or the preemption of local regulations by national laws.
Restrictions on currency
exchange may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively.
Substantially all of our revenues and operating
expenses are denominated in Renminbi. The Renminbi is currently freely convertible under the ‘‘current account,’’ which includes dividends, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not under the
‘‘capital account,’’ which includes foreign direct investment.
Currently, Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill
may purchase foreign exchange for settlement of ‘‘current account transactions,’’ including payment of dividends, without the approval of the State Administration for Foreign Exchange, or SAFE. Beijing ITC and Beijing Sandhill
may also retain foreign exchange in its current account
26
(subject to a ceiling approved by the SAFE) to satisfy foreign exchange liabilities or to pay dividends. However, the relevant PRC governmental authorities may limit or eliminate our ability to
purchase and retain foreign currencies in the future.
Since a significant amount of our future revenues will be in the form of
Renminbi, the existing and any future restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize revenue generated in Renminbi to fund our business activities outside China, if any, or expenditures denominated in foreign currencies.
Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account are still subject to limitations and require approvals from the SAFE.
This could affect Beijing ITC’s and Beijing Sandhill’s ability to obtain foreign exchange through debt or equity financing, including by means of loans or capital contributions from us.
We may suffer currency exchange losses if the Renminbi depreciates relative to the U.S. Dollar.
Our reporting currency is the U.S. Dollar. However, substantially all of our assets and revenues are denominated in Renminbi. Our assets and revenues as expressed in our U.S. Dollar
financial statements will decline in value if the Renminbi depreciates relative to the U.S. Dollar. Very limited hedging transactions are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any
hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be
able to successfully hedge our exposure, if at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into U.S. Dollars.
It may be difficult to enforce any civil judgments against us or our board of directors or officers, because most of our assets are located
outside of the United States
Although we are incorporated in the State of Delaware, substantially all of our assets are
located in the PRC. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to enforce outside the United States in any actions brought against us in the United States, including actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal
securities laws of the United States or of the securities laws of any state of the United States. In addition, certain of our directors and officers (principally in the PRC) and all or a substantial portion of their assets may be located outside the
United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon those directors and officers, or to enforce against them or us judgments obtained in United States courts, including
judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or of the securities laws of any state of the United States. We have been advised by our PRC counsel that, in their opinion, there is doubt
as to the enforceability in the PRC, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of United States courts, of civil liabilities predicated solely upon the federal securities laws of the United States or the securities laws of any
state of the United States.
Risks Related to the Market for Our Common Stock
The market price of our common stock has been and will likely continue to be volatile.
The market price of our common stock has been volatile, and is likely to continue to be so. In addition, the Nasdaq Stock Market’s National Market
has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market prices for the securities of technology companies, particularly Internet companies. As a result, investors in our shares may experience a
decrease in the value of their shares regardless of our operating performance or prospects.
The sale or availability for
sale of substantial amounts of our common stock could adversely affect its market price.
There were approximately
35,625,716 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 1, 2002, as well as options to purchase approximately an additional 6,373,651 shares of our common stock. Of the outstanding shares, 26,624,216 were issued prior to the initial public
offering of our common stock. These shares are either freely tradable without restriction under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or are tradable subject to the notice, volume and manner of sale restrictions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
Sohu issued 4,600,000 shares of common stock in connection with the initial public offering. All of these shares are freely
tradable without restriction unless they are held by our ‘‘affiliates’’ as that term is defined in Rule 144
27
under the Securities Act.
On October 18, 2000, we issued an aggregate of
4,401,500 shares of our common stock to the former stockholders of ChinaRen in connection with our acquisition of that company. All of these shares are currently freely tradable without restriction or tradable subject to the notice, volume and
manner of sale restrictions of Rule 144.
A number of our stockholders, including some of the former stockholders of ChinaRen,
are parties to an agreement with us that provides these stockholders with the right to require us to register the sale of shares owned by them. Pursuant to that agreement, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (SEC File No. 333-67246) to
register the shares of the stockholders who requested registration, which registration statement became effective on September 24, 2001. The registration of those shares permits the sale of those shares without regard to the restrictions of Rule
144, so long as the stockholders comply with the prospectus delivery requirements under the Securities Act
We are
controlled by a small group of our existing stockholders, whose interests may differ from other stockholders.
Our three
largest stockholders currently beneficially own approximately 65% of the outstanding shares of common stock. Accordingly these three stockholders acting together will have significant influence in determining the outcome of any corporate transaction
or other matter submitted to the stockholders for approval, including mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other significant corporate actions. They will also have significant
influence in preventing or causing a change in control. In addition, without the consent of these stockholders, we could be prevented from entering into transactions that could be beneficial to us. The interests of these stockholders may differ from
the interests of the other stockholders.
Holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock are parties to an
agreement under which they have agreed to vote together in favor of a nominee of one of our stockholders to our board of directors. As a result of their voting power, they will have the ability to cause that nominee to be elected.
Anti-takeover provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation and Sohu’s Stockholder Rights
Plan could delay or deter a change in control.
Some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well
as various provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, may make it more difficult to acquire our company or effect a change in control of our company, even if an acquisition or change in control would be in the interest of our stockholders
or if an acquisition or change in control would provide our stockholders with a premium for their shares over then current market prices. For example, our certificate of incorporation provides for the division of the board of directors into two
classes with staggered two-year terms and provides that stockholders have no right to take action by written consent and may not call special meetings of stockholders, each of which may make it more difficult for a third party to gain control of our
board in connection with, or obtain any necessary stockholder approval for, a proposed acquisition or change in control.
In
addition, we have adopted a stockholder rights plan under the terms of which, in general, if a person or group acquires more than 20% of the outstanding shares of common stock, all other Sohu stockholders would have the right to purchase securities
from Sohu at a substantial discount to those securities’ fair market value, thus causing substantial dilution to the holdings of the person or group which acquires more than 20%. The stockholder rights plan may inhibit a change in control and,
therefore, could adversely affect the stockholders’ ability to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price for the common stock in connection with such a transaction.
The power of our Board of Directors to designate and issue shares of preferred stock could have an adverse effect on holders of our common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to designate and issue one or more series of preferred stock, having rights and
preferences as the board may determine, and any such designations and issuances could have an adverse effect on the rights of holders of common stock.
If the price of our common stock drops below $1.00 per share for an extended period, our common stock could be delisted.
28
The shares of our common stock are currently listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market’s National
Market. Nasdaq listing requirements include maintaining a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share. On March 1, 2002, the closing bid price for our common stock was $1.05 per share. If the closing bid price for our common stock was to remain below $1.00
per share for a period of 30 or more consecutive trading days, our common stock could be delisted from Nasdaq. Delisting could make trading our shares more difficult for investors, leading to further declines in market price. It would also make it
more difficult for us to raise additional capital.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our principal executive offices are located in approximately 26,000 square feet of office space in Beijing, China under leases that expire on December
31, 2004. We also lease sales and marketing office space in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Sohu is not currently involved in any material pending legal proceeding.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of our security holders during the last quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND
RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
Market for Common Stock
As of March 1, 2002, there were approximately 50 holders of record of our common stock. We believe that there were approximately 2,700 beneficial holders of our common stock as of that
date.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market, under the symbol “SOHU.” Public trading in our common
stock commenced on July 12, 2000. Prior to that date, there was no public market for our common stock. The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices of our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market for the quarters indicated.
| High($) |
Low($) | |||
| July 12, 2000 through September 30, 2000 |
13.13 |
5.13 | ||
| Quarter ended December 31, 2000 |
5.44 |
1.81 | ||
| Quarter ended March 31, 2001 |
2.25 |
0.78 | ||
| Quarter ended June 30, 2001 |
1.8 |
0.52 | ||
| Quarter ended September 30, 2001 |
2.08 |
0.84 | ||
| Quarter ended December 31, 2001 |
1.28 |
0.8 |
Since inception, we have not declared or paid dividends on our common stock and
we do not expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future.
The closing price of our common stock on March 1, 2002 as
reported by the Nasdaq National Market was $1.06.
29
Report of Offering of Securities and Use of Proceeds Therefrom
On July 17, 2000, we completed an underwritten initial public offering of our common stock pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC file
No. 333-96137), which became effective on July 10, 2000. Our net proceeds, after deduction of the underwriting discount of $4.2 million and offering expenses of $3.2 million, were approximately $52.4 million. None of the expense payments were made
to the underwriters, to any of our directors, officers or affiliates or to any persons owning 10% or more of any class of our equity securities.
Through the year ended December 31, 2001, we used $6.2 million of the net proceeds from the offering for operating activities, purchases of fixed assets and funding for certain equity investments. The remaining net
proceeds from the offering have been invested in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable debt securities. The use of the proceeds from the offering does not represent a
material change in the use of proceeds described in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 described above.
30
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” the consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto and the other information contained in this Form 10-K.
| Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
1998 |
1997 |
||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except for per share data) |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Statement of Operations Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising |
$ |
9,245 |
|
$ |
5,844 |
|
$ |
1,617 |
|
$ |
472 |
|
$ |
78 |
| |||||
| Non-advertising |
|
3,755 |
|
|
109 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
| |||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
| |
13,000 |
|
|
5,953 |
|
|
1,617 |
|
|
472 |
|
|
78 |
| ||||||
| Cost of revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising |
|
6,644 |
|
|
5,548 |
|
|
1,589 |
|
|
215 |
|
|
19 |
| |||||
| Non-advertising |
|
2,769 |
|
|
81 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
| |||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
| |
9,413 |
|
|
5,629 |
|
|
1,589 |
|
|
215 |
|
|
19 |
| ||||||
| Gross profit |
|
3,587 |
|
|
324 |
|
|
28 |
|
|
257 |
|
|
59 |
| |||||
| Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Product development |
|
5,365 |
|
|
2,440 |
|
|
438 |
|
|
208 |
|
|
50 |
| |||||
| Sales and marketing |
|
8,406 |
|
|
10,425 |
|
|
1,772 |
|
|
351 |
|
|
94 |
| |||||
| General and administrative |
|
4,792 |
|
|
5,356 |
|
|
1,278 |
|
|
308 |
|
|
75 |
| |||||
| Amortization of intangibles |
|
12,607 |
|
|
3,335 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
| |||||
| Impairment of intangibles |
|
17,676 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
| |||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
| Total operating expenses |
|
48,846 |
|
|
21,556 |
|
|
6,412 |
|
|
867 |
|
|
219 |
| |||||
| Operating loss |
|
(45,259 |
) |
|
(21,232 |
) |
|
(3,460 |
) |
|
(610 |
) |
|
(160 |
) | |||||
| Other non-operating expense |
|
(504 |
) |
|
(526 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
| |||||
| Interest income (expense) |
|
2,176 |
|
|
2,522 |
|
|
11 |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
— |
| |||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
| Net loss |
|
(43,587 |
) |
|
(19,236 |
) |
|
(3,449 |
) |
|
(615 |
) |
|
(160 |
) | |||||
| Accretion on Series B, C, and D Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock |
|
— |
|
|
(3,914 |
) |
|
(917 |
) |
|
(244 |
) |
|
— |
| |||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders |
$ |
(43,587 |
) |
$ |
(23,150 |
) |
$ |
(4,366 |
) |
$ |
(859 |
) |
$ |
(160 |
) | |||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders |
$ |
(1.22 |
) |
$ |
(1.14 |
) |
$ |
(0.47 |
) |
$ |
(0.09 |
) |
$ |
(0.02 |
) | |||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
| Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
35,626 |
|
|
20,286 |
|
|
9,328 |
|
|
9,224 |
|
|
9,100 |
| |||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
31
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
1998 |
1997 | |||||||||||||
| Balance Sheet Data: |
(in thousands | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
29,263 |
$ |
62,593 |
$ |
3,924 |
|
$ |
1,232 |
|
$ |
111 | |||||
| Marketable debt securities |
|
16,973 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— | |||||
| Working capital |
|
29,764 |
|
61,602 |
|
2,577 |
|
|
1,303 |
|
|
22 | |||||
| Total assets |
|
61,958 |
|
105,840 |
|
7,076 |
|
|
1,778 |
|
|
179 | |||||
| Total liabilities |
|
4,377 |
|
4,771 |
|
1,911 |
|
|
204 |
|
|
115 | |||||
| Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock |
|
— |
|
— |
|
10,207 |
|
|
2,362 |
|
|
— | |||||
| Total shareholders’ equity |
|
57,581 |
|
105,840 |
|
(5,042 |
) |
|
(788 |
) |
|
64 | |||||
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION
AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
Sohu, having introduced the first Chinese language online directory, is a leading Internet portal in China in terms of brand recognition and the largest in terms of page views and
registered users. We averaged 135 million page views per day for the month of December 2001, a 72% increase from 79.2 million per day averaged in December 2000. Registered users totaled 43 million as of December 31, 2001, up 247% from 12.4 million
as of January 1, 2001.
We were incorporated in Delaware, USA during August 1996 as Internet Technologies China Incorporated and
in September 1999 we changed our corporate name to Sohu.com Inc.
On October 18, 2000, Sohu acquired ChinaRen for total
consideration of $33 million, comprising 4,401,500 shares of Sohu common stock with an aggregate market value of approximately $31.6 million, stock options granted to ChinaRen employees to purchase 221,002 shares of Sohu common stock valued at $0.5
million and other acquisition costs aggregating $0.9 million. Revenues and expenses from ChinaRen’s operations after the acquisition date have been included in Sohu’s consolidated financial statements.
We have incurred significant net losses and have negative cash flows from operations since inception. As of December 31, 2001, we had an accumulated
deficit of $72.2 million. These losses have been funded with proceeds of preferred stock private placements and our initial public offering completed in July 2000. We intend to continue spending on marketing and brand development, content
enhancements, technology and infrastructure. As a result, we anticipate net losses to continue in the foreseeable future. We anticipate funding these expected losses with the remaining proceeds from our initial public offering.
Sohu’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon Sohu’s consolidated financial
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires Sohu to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of
assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, Sohu evaluates its estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be
reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under
different assumptions or conditions. Sohu believes accounting for advertising revenue where multiple elements exist, allowance for doubtful accounts, and impairment of intangible assets represent critical accounting policies which reflect more
significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Advertising revenues are derived principally from online advertising pursuant to short-term contracts normally less than twelve months. Online advertising includes banners, links, logos
and buttons placed on Sohu’s Web sites and sponsorship of a particular area of the Web sites. Contracts for advertising services are generally for a fixed payment over a contract period. For contracts where services are provided evenly over the
period or where Sohu is unable to reasonably determine the fair value of the individual services provided in multiple element contracts revenue is recognized on a straight line basis over the contract period. For multiple element contracts where
Sohu is able to reasonably determine the fair value of the individual services provided, the contract value is allocated among specific
32
services provided and revenue is recognized in the period the services are performed. In estimating the fair value of individual services provided, we make
estimates based on the value of similar services provided to our customers using average sell rates for the period. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if management made different judgments or
utilized different estimates.
Our management must make
estimates of the uncollectability of our accounts receivables. Management specifically analyzes accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in our customer payment terms when
evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Our accounts receivable balance was $2.7 million net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $651,000 as of December 31, 2001. If the financial condition of our customers was to
deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make payments, additional allowance might be required.
During the year ended
December 31, 2001, we recorded an impairment charge of $17.7 million to write off the remaining balance of identifiable intangibles and goodwill related to our acquisition of Chinaren. This was the result of Sohu’s impairment assessment which
was based upon expected gross cash flows over the assets’ estimated useful lives. If different judgments or estimates were utilized, material differences could have resulted in the amount and timing of the impairment charge.
Results of Operations
Revenues
Total revenues were $13 million, $6 million, and 1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999,
respectively.
Advertising Revenues
Advertising revenues were $9.2 million, $5.8 million, and $1.6 million or 71%, 98%, and 100% of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively. The
year-to-year increases in advertising revenues for the periods indicated were primarily due to the increasing number of advertisers purchasing space on our online media properties as well as larger and longer-term purchases by certain advertisers.
Sales to Sohu’s five largest advertisers were 20%, 19%, and 34% of total advertising revenues for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively. Advertising revenues for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002, and 1999
included advertising revenues from related parties of $962,000, $433,000 and $178,000, respectively. We do not record any revenue from advertising barter transactions.
Non-advertising Revenues
Non-advertising revenues were $3.8 million, $109,000, and $0 or 29%, 2%, and 0% of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively. In 2001, non-advertising revenues of $3.8 million were derived from
e-commerce services of $1.7 million, subscription fees of $1.3 million and e-technology and other services of $800,000. E-commerce revenues are earned from direct sales of consumer products through Sohu’s website. Subscription revenues are
generated mainly from short messaging services. E-technology revenues are derived from providing technology services and the sale of hardware to corporate customers. These revenues were primarily generated from business lines which were put into
operation in 2001 and, thus, the non-advertising revenues in 2000 and 1999 are not significant.
Cost of Revenues
Total cost of revenue was $9.4 million, $5.6 million, and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively.
Advertising cost of revenues
Advertising cost of revenues were $6.6 million, $5.5 million, $1.6 million, or 71%, 99%, 100% of total cost of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999,
respectively. The year-to-year increases in advertising cost of revenues for the periods indicated were a result of the ongoing development of our Web site over the past year and acquisition of ChinaRen in October 2000. We incurred additional
personnel costs associated with increasing the breadth and depth of our channel and feature offerings, higher bandwidth leasing charges due to leasing of additional bandwidth and higher hardware and software amortization costs associated
33
with the acquisition of additional servers and storage devices.
Non-advertising cost of revenues
Non-advertising cost of revenues were $2.8 million, $81,000, and $0, 29%, 1%, and 0% of total cost of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively. Non-advertising cost of revenues included $1.5 million in
e-commerce cost of revenue consisting of the purchase price of consumer products sold by Sohu and inbound and outbound shipping charges, $587,000 in subscription cost of revenue consisting of subscription collection and short message transmission
charges paid to third party network operators, and $653,000 e-technology cost of revenue consisting of employee compensation costs and related overhead, fees paid to third party for design services and, where applicable, the cost of hardware and
software.
Product Development Expenses
Product development expenses were $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. For the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, product development expenses were $2.4 million and $438,000, respectively. The
year-to-year increases in absolute dollars were primarily attributable to the acquisition of ChinaRen in October 2000, the increase in the number of personnel and related personnel costs, as well as the costs incurred during the preliminary project
stage of new product development projects, such as the development of our branded content channels and the upgrading of our Chinese key word search software and e-mail service, and launching our subscription and e-commerce services.
Sales and Marketing Expenses
Sales
and marketing expenses were $8.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. For the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, sales and marketing expenses were $10.4 million and $1.8 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2001,
the decrease from 2000 was primarily due to the reduction of $2.6 million in advertising expenses because of lower spending on Sohu branding. During the year ended December 31, 2000, the increase from 1999 was primarily due to an increase related to
the launch of new advertising campaigns, including print, radio and billboard advertising, an increase in personnel costs associated with the expansion of our sales and marketing staff in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong, and the acquisition of
ChinaRen in October 2000. Advertising expenses constituted approximately 26%, 47%, and 51% of our sales and marketing expenses for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were
$4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. For the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, general and administrative expenses were $5.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2001, the year-to-year
decrease from 2000 was primarily due to reduced spending on professional fees and office expenses, as 2000 was the year of our initial public offering. During the year ended December 31, 2000, the year-to-year increase over 1999 was primarily due to
an increase related to the hiring of additional administrative and management personnel, increased professional service fees and increased expenditure associated with the expansion of our company in 2000 including the acquisition of ChinaRen.
Amortization and Impairment of Intangible Assets
Intangible assets of $33.6 million including $392,000 for assembled workforce and $33.2 million in goodwill which arose as a result of the October 18, 2000 acquisition of ChinaRen, were originally being amortized over
two years. During 2001, Sohu performed an impairment assessment and recorded an impairment charge of approximately $17.7 million to write off identifiable intangibles and goodwill, primarily due to the overall decline in the industry growth rates
and the sustained decline in the Sohu’s stock price. The amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 was $12.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively. There was no amortization expense during the year ended December 31,
1999.
Operating Loss
As
a result of the foregoing, we had an operating loss of $45.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, as compared to $21.2 million and $3.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The operating loss for the years
ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999 included $63,000, $629,000, and $46,000
34
respectively for stock-based compensation expense recorded on the grant of certain stock options which are being amortized over the vesting period of the
options ranging from one to four years.
Other Non-operating Expense
For the year ended December 31, 2001, other non-operating expense of $504,000 primarily resulted from a $500,000 writedown of other assets. For the year ended December 31, 2000, other
non-operating expense of $526,000 included a $500,000 writedown of other assets and a $26,000 loss on the disposal of fixed assets. There was no non-operating expense during the year ended December 31, 1999.
Interest Income, Net
Interest income was $2.2
million for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to $2.5 million and $11,000 for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The decrease for the year ended December 31, 2001 from 2000 is primarily attributable to Federal Reserve
interest rate cuts and decreasing balances of cash, cash equivalents, and investments in marketable securities. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2000 from 1999 was primarily due to the higher balances of cash, cash equivalents, and
marketable debt securities resulting from investment of the net proceeds from our initial public offering completed in July 2000.
Net loss, Accretion
On Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock and Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders
As a result of the foregoing,
our net loss was $43.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to $19.2 million and $3.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
Accretion on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock was $3.9 million and $917,000 for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The majority of the accretion was
attributable to the mandatorily redeemable Series C Convertible Preferred Stock issued in October 1999 and the mandatorily redeemable Series D Convertible Preferred Stock issued in February 2000. All mandatorily redeemable preferred stock was
converted into common stock upon the completion of our initial public offering in July 2000 and thus, no accretion was booked subsequent to that date.
Net loss attributable to common stockholders increased to $43.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, as compared to $23.2 millionand $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
35
Quarterly Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, our unaudited quarterly results of operations for the eight quarters ended December 31, 2001. The data has been derived from
our consolidated financial statements, and in our management’s opinion, they have been prepared on substantially the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the financial results for the periods presented. This information should be read in conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The operating
results in any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.
| Three Months Ended |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec. 31, 2001 |
Sept. 30, 2001 |
Jun. 30, 2001 |
Mar. 31, 2001 |
Dec. 31, 2000 |
Sept. 30, 2000 |
Jun. 30, 2000 |
Mar. 31, 2000 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited, in thousands) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising |
$ |
2,506 |
|
$ |
2,425 |
|
$ |
2,227 |
|
$ |
2,087 |
|
$ |
2,070 |
|
$ |
1,602 |
|
$ |
1,330 |
|
$ |
842 |
| ||||||||
| Non-advertising |
|
1,600 |
|
|
1,138 |
|
|
651 |
|
|
366 |
|
|
109 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
| ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
| Total revenues |
|
4,106 |
|
|
3,563 |
|
|
2,878 |
|
|
2,453 |
|
|
2,179 |
|
|
1,602 |
|
|
1,330 |
|
|
842 |
| ||||||||
| Cost of revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising |
|
1,456 |
|
|
1,575 |
|
|
1,762 |
|
|
1,851 |
|
|
1,981 |
|
|
1,578 |
|
|
1,172 |
|
|
817 |
| ||||||||
| Non-advertising |
|
1,127 |
|
|
823 |
|
|
522 |
|
|
297 |
|
|
81 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
| ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
| Total cost of revenue |
|
2,583 |
|
|
2,398 |
|
|
2,284 |
|
|
2,148 |
|
|
2,062 |
|
|
1,578 |
|
|
1,172 |
|
|
817 |
| ||||||||
| Gross profit |
|
1,523 |
|
|
1,165 |
|
|
594 |
|
|
305 |
|
|
117 |
|
|
24 |
|
|
158 |
|
|
25 |
| ||||||||
| Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Product development |
|
1,225 |
|
|
1,207 |
|
|
1,295 |
|
|
1,638 |
|
|
942 |
|
|
603 |
|
|
543 |
|
|
352 |
| ||||||||
| Sales and marketing |
|
1,840 |
|
|
1,949 |
|
|
2,141 |
|
|
2,476 |
|
|
3,503 |
|
|
2,421 |
|
|
2,951 |
|
|
1,550 |
| ||||||||
| General and administrative |
|
1,272 |
|
|
1,070 |
|
|
1,197 |
|
|
1,253 |
|
|
1,757 |
|
|
1,421 |
|
|
1,488 |
|
|
690 |
| ||||||||
| Amortization of intangibles |
|
— |
|
|
4,202 |
|
|
4,202 |
|
|
4,203 |
|
|
3,335 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
| ||||||||
| Impairment of intangibles |
|
— |
|
|
17,676 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
| ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
| Total operating expenses |
|
4,337 |
|
|
26,104 |
|
|
8,835 |
|
|
9,570 |
|
|
9,537 |
|
|
4,445 |
|
|
4,982 |
|
|
2,592 |
| ||||||||
| Operating loss |
|
(2,814 |
) |
|
(24,939 |
) |
|
(8,241 |
) |
|
(9,265 |
) |
|
(9,420 |
) |
|
(4,421 |
) |
|
(4,824 |
) |
|
(2,567 |
) | ||||||||
| Other non-operating income (expense) |
|
3 |
|
|
(507 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(526 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
| ||||||||
| Interest income |
|
322 |
|
|
462 |
|
|
593 |
|
|
799 |
|
|
1,152 |
|
|
937 |
|
|
402 |
|
|
31 |
| ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
| Net loss |
|
(2,489 |
) |
|
(24,984 |
) |
|
(7,648 |
) |
|
(8,466 |
) |
|
(8,268 |
) |
|
(4,010 |
) |
|
(4,422 |
) |
|
(2,536 |
) | ||||||||
| Accretion on Series B, C, and D Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(249 |
) |
|
(2,106 |
) |
|
(1,559 |
) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders |
$ |
(2,489 |
) |
$ |
(24,984 |
) |
$ |
(7,648 |
) |
$ |
(8,466 |
) |
$ |
(8,268 |
) |
$ |
(4,259 |
) |
$ |
(6,528 |
) |
$ |
(4,095 |
) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders |
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
$ |
(0.70 |
) |
$ |
(0.21 |
) |
$ |
(0.24 |
) |
$ |
(0.24 |
) |
$ |
(0.16 |
) |
$ |
(0.69 |
) |
$ |
(0.43 |
) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
| Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
35,626 |
|
|
35,626 |
|
|
35,626 |
|
|
35,626 |
|
|
34,765 |
|
|
27,194 |
|
|
9,416 |
|
|
9,416 |
| ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
36
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have financed our operations principally through private sales of preferred stock and our initial public offering. From inception through December 31, 2001, we have raised net
proceeds of $39.2 million through the sale of preferred stock in private placements and $52.4 million from the sale of common stock in our initial public offering. Sohu invests its excess cash in marketable debt securities of high quality investment
grade. As of December 31, 2001, we had cash, cash equivalents, and investments in marketable debt securities totaling approximately $46.2 million compared to $62.6 million and $3.9 million as of December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2001, net cash used in operating activities of $10 million was primarily attributable to our
net loss of $43.6 million and the payment of $1.1 million for accounts payable, largely offset by the non-cash amortization and impairment of intangible assets of $30.3 million, depreciation and amortization of $4.2 million and an increase in
payables to related parties of $1.2 million. For the year ended December 31, 2000, net cash used in operating activities of $15.9 million was primarily attributable to our net loss of $19.2 million, an increase in accounts receivable of $1.9
million, and an increase in prepaid and other current assets of $1.2 million, offset by amortization of intangible assets of $3.3 million and depreciation and amortization of $1.6 million and other non-cash expenses of $1.6 million. For the year
ended December 31, 1999, net cash used in operating activities of $1.7 million was primarily due to our net loss of $3.4 million largely offset by an increase in accrued liabilities of $1.2 million.
Net cash used in investing activities was $23.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, primarily due to long-term investments in marketable debt
securities of $17 million and the acquisition of fixed assets of $4 million, long-term loans to related parties of $1.6 million for financing an investment in High Century and the acquisition of other assets of $797,000. We classify the investments
in marketable debt securities with maturities greater than twelve months from the balance sheet date as held-to-maturity investments. We have both the intent and the ability to hold these marketable securities until maturity. Net cash used in
investing activities was $7.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2000, primarily due to the purchase of fixed assets of $5.8 million and cash used in the acquisition of ChinaRen, Inc. of $1 million.Net cash used in investing activities was $2.5
million for the year ended December 31, 1999, primarily due to the purchase of fixed assets of $1 million and the acquisition of other assets of $1.5 million.
There was no significant cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2001. Net cash provided by financing activities was $82.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 primarily due to
net proceeds of approximately $29.9 million from the issuance of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock in February 2000 and of approximately $52.4 million from the completion of our initial public offering in July 2000. Net cash provided by financing
activities was $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 primarily due to net proceeds of $1.5 million from issuance of convertible promissory notes and $5.4 million from issuance of Series C Convertible Preferred stock.
Our principal commitments consist of obligations under various operating leases for office facilities. We expect that capital expenditures
totaling $4.5 million in 2002 will primarily consist of purchases of additional servers, computer software, workstations and technological improvements to network infrastructure.
We believe that current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to meet anticipated significant increases in working capital (net cash used in operating activities), commitments and
capital expenditures cash needs for at least the next twelve months. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to
pursue. If these sources are insufficient to satisfy cash requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or to obtain a credit facility. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt securities could result in additional
dilution to shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financial covenants that would restrict operations. Financing may not be available in amounts or on terms
acceptable to us, if at all.
In November 2001, Sohu entered into a loan and share pledge agreement with Dr. Charles Zhang, and
Li Wei, one of our employees, to lend $4.6 million to them for the purpose of funding their equity investments in High Century. Pursuant to the loan agreement, in December 2001 Sohu disbursed $1.5 million to them, and in January and February 2002,
Sohu disbursed an additional $1.9 million to them for purposes of increasing their equity investments in High Century. In March 2002, Sohu approved High Century’s committing $3.1 million for investment in a PRC joint venture. We expect that we
will continue to be involved in and provide financial
37
support to High Century.
Foreign Currency Exchange
Losses
While our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, to date virtually all of our revenues and costs are denominated in
Renminbi and a significant portion of our assets and liabilities are denominated in Renminbi. As a result, we are exposed to foreign exchange risk as our revenues and results of operations may be impacted by fluctuations in the exchange rate between
U.S. Dollars and Renminbi. If the Renminbi depreciates against the U.S. Dollar, the value of our Renminbi revenues and assets as expressed in our U.S. Dollar financial statements will decline. We do not hold any derivative or other financial
instruments that expose us to substantial market risk. See ‘‘Risk Factors—We may suffer currency exchange losses if the Renminbi depreciates relative to the U.S. Dollar.’’
The Renminbi is currently freely convertible under the ‘‘current account,” which includes dividends, trade and service-related foreign
exchange transactions, but not under the ‘‘capital account,” which includes foreign direct investment. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.
While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exposure at all. Accordingly, we may incur economic losses in the future due to
foreign exchange rate fluctuations which may have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
ITEM
7a. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
The majority of our revenues, expenses and liabilities are denominated in Chinese Renminbi. Thus, revenues and operating results may be
impacted by exchange rate fluctuations in the Renminbi when financial results are translated in U.S. dollars on consolidation. Currency fluctuations and restrictions on currency exchange may adversely affect our business, including limiting the
ability to convert Chinese Renminbi into foreign currencies and, if the Renminbi were to decline in value, reducing revenue in U.S. dollar terms. We have not tried to reduce exposure to exchange rate fluctuations by using hedging transactions but
may choose to do so in the future. We may not be able to do this successfully. Accordingly, we may experience economic losses and negative impacts on earnings and equity as a result of foreign exchange rate fluctuations. The effect of foreign
exchange rate fluctuations on us in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 was not material.
Investment Risk
a) Investments in High Century
We have entered into arrangements with Dr. Charles Zhang, our Chief Executive Officer and a major Sohu stockholder, and certain of our employees to satisfy PRC regulations which prohibit or restrict foreign companies
from owning or operating telecommunications, internet content and certain other businesses in China. We expect that we will continue to be involved in and provide additional financial support under similar arrangements in the future.
In November 2001, we entered into a loan and share pledge agreement with Dr. Charles Zhang, and Li Wei, another Sohu employee, for the
purpose of funding an equity investment of $4,595,000 in High Century, a company incorporated in the PRC which engages in investment holding in the PRC on behalf of Sohu. Pursuant to the loan agreement, Sohu is required to extend total loans
amounting to $4,595,000 of which $3,676,000 and $919,000 would be loaned to Charles Zhang and Li Wei, respectively. As of December 31, 2001, Sohu had remitted $1,330,000 and $242,000 to Dr. Charles Zhang and Li Wei, respectively. In January and
February 2002, Sohu loaned an additional $1,200,000 to Dr. Charles Zhang and $677,000 to Li Wei under the loan agreement for purposes of increasing their equity investments in High Century to $3,449,000. In March 2002, Sohu approved High
Century’s committing $3,100,000 for investment in a PRC joint venture.
The loan agreement, which is subject to PRC law, includes provisions that (i) the loans can only be repaid to Sohu by transferring the shares of High Century to Sohu, (ii) the shares of High Century cannot be
transferred without the approval of Sohu, and (iii) Sohu has the right to appoint all directors and senior management personnel of High Century. Charles Zhang and Li Wei have pledged all of their shares in High Century as collateral for the loans
and the loans bear no interest and are due on demand after November 2003 or at such time as Dr. Charles Zhang or Li Wei, as the case may be, is not an employee of Sohu. Sohu does not intend to request
38
repayment of the loans as long as PRC regulations prohibit Sohu from directly investing in businesses being undertaken by High Century. These loans are included
in long term loans to related parties.
As of December 31, 2001, payable to related party includes $1,208,000 payable to High
Century for amounts borrowed by Sohu from High Century. The entire payable was remitted by Sohu to High Century in January 2002.
PRC regulations currently restrict Sohu from holding direct equity interests in High Century; therefore, the financial statements of these entities are
not consolidated with those of Sohu. As of December 31, 2001, these loans are carried at cost which approximate the net assets of High Century. If the investment in High Century had been consolidated, there would have been no material impact to the
consolidated net assets of Sohu.
(b) Investments in a privately-held company
In the year 2000, we invested $1 million in a
privately-held company for business and strategic purposes. This investment was included in other assets and accounted for under the cost method as ownership is less than 5%, and we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over its
operations. In each of the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, we identified and recorded impairment losses of $500,000. Thus, as of December 31,2001 the investment has been fully written off.
(c) Investment in marketable debt securities
Sohu invests in marketable debt securities to preserve principal while at the same time maximizing yields without significantly increasing risk. These marketable debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity. As
of December 31, 2001, the difference between the recorded cost and the fair value was not significant.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Reference is made to the Index of Consolidated Financial Statements which appears on page
F-1 of this report. The Report of Independent Accountants, Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial statements which are listed in the Index of Consolidated Financial Statements and which appear beginning on page F-2 of
this report are incorporated into this Item 8.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND
DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information required by this item will be included in the Proxy Statement for
Sohu’s 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about April 17, 2002 under the headings “Election of Directors” and “Executive Officers” and is incorporated herein by
reference.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item will be included in the Proxy Statement for Sohu’s 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the heading “Executive Compensation” and
is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information required by this item will be included in the Proxy Statement for Sohu’s 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the
heading “Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock” and is incorporated herein by reference.
39
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by this item will be included in the Proxy Statement for Sohu’s 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the heading
“Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a)(1) Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Please see the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements which appears on page F-1 of this report. The Report of Independent Accountants, Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements which
are listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and which appear beginning on page F-2 of this report are included in Item 8 above.
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedule
Financial Statement Schedules have been
omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
In July 2001, we filed a Current Report on Form 8-K
announcing the adoption of a Shareholder Rights Plan.
(c) Exhibits
See the Exhibit Index following the signature pages of this report.
40
SOHU.COM INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| Page | ||
| CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: |
||
| Report of Independent Accountants |
F-2 | |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2001 and 2000 |
F-3 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years ended December 31, 2001 |
F-4 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2001 |
F-5 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2001 |
F-6 | |
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
F-7 | |
| FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES: |
||
| All schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the
Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes. |
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Sohu.com Inc.:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, of cash flows and of shareholders’ equity present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of Sohu.com Inc. (the ‘‘Company’’) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2001, in conformity
with accounting principles which, as described in Note 2(a), are generally accepted in the United States. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in the United States, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes 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. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS
Beijing, People’s Republic of China
February 1, 2002
F-2
SOHU.COM INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands of US dollars, except share data)
| December 31, 2001 |
December 31, 2000 |
|||||||
| ASSETS |
||||||||
| Current assets: |
||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
29,263 |
|
$ |
62,593 |
| ||
| Accounts receivable, net |
|
2,710 |
|
|
2,092 |
| ||
| Prepaid and other current assets |
|
2,168 |
|
|
1,688 |
| ||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| Total current assets |
|
34,141 |
|
|
66,373 |
| ||
| Fixed assets, net |
|
7,953 |
|
|
7,404 |
| ||
| Long-term investments in marketable debt securities |
|
16,973 |
|
|
— |
| ||
| Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $3,335 as of December 31, 2000 |
|
— |
|
|
30,283 |
| ||
| Long-term loans to related parties |
|
1,815 |
|
|
242 |
| ||
| Other assets, net |
|
1,076 |
|
|
1,538 |
| ||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| $ |
61,958 |
|
$ |
105,840 |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
||||||||
| Current liabilities: |
||||||||
| Accounts payable |
$ |
366 |
|
|
1,459 |
| ||
| Payable to related party |
|
1,208 |
|
|
— |
| ||
| Accrued liabilities and deferred revenues |
|
2,803 |
|
|
3,312 |
| ||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| Total current liabilities |
|
4,377 |
|
|
4,771 |
| ||
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 14) |
||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: |
||||||||
| Common Stock: $0.001 par value per share (75,400,000 authorized, 35,625,716 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2001 and
2000) |
|
36 |
|
|
36 |
| ||
| Additional paid-in capital |
|
129,852 |
|
|
129,759 |
| ||
| Deferred compensation and other |
|
(156 |
) |
|
(162 |
) | ||
| Accumulated deficit |
|
(72,151 |
) |
|
(28,564 |
) | ||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| Total shareholders’ equity |
|
57,581 |
|
|
101,069 |
| ||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| $ |
61,958 |
|
$ |
105,840 |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-3
SOHU.COM INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands of US dollars, except per share data)
| Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
| 2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
||||||||||
| Revenues: |
||||||||||||
| Advertising |
$ |
9,245 |
|
$ |
5,844 |
|
$ |
1,617 |
| |||
| Non-advertising |
|
3,755 |
|
|
109 |
|
|
— |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Total revenues |
|
13,000 |
|
|
5,953 |
|
|
1,617 |
| |||
| Cost of revenues: |
||||||||||||
| Advertising |
|
6,644 |
|
|
5,548 |
|
|
1,589 |
| |||
| Non-advertising |
|
2,769 |
|
|
81 |
|
|
— |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Total cost of revenues |
|
9,413 |
|
|
5,629 |
|
|
1,589 |
| |||
| Gross profit |
|
3,587 |
|
|
324 |
|
|
28 |
| |||
| Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||
| Product development |
|
5,365 |
|
|
2,440 |
|
|
438 |
| |||
| Sales and marketing |
|
8,406 |
|
|
10,425 |
|
|
1,772 |
| |||
| General and administrative |
|
4,792 |
|
|
5,356 |
|
|
1,278 |
| |||
| Amortization of intangibles |
|
12,607 |
|
|
3,335 |
|
|
— |
| |||
| Impairment of intangibles |
|
17,676 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Total operating expenses |
|
48,846 |
|
|
21,556 |
|
|
3,488 |
| |||
| Operating loss |
|
(45,259 |
) |
|
(21,232 |
) |
|
(3,460 |
) | |||
| Other non-operating expense |
|
(504 |
) |
|
(526 |
) |
|
— |
| |||
| Interest income |
|
2,176 |
|
|
2,522 |
|
|
11 |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Net loss |
|
(43,587 |
) |
|
(19,236 |
) |
|
(3,449 |
) | |||
| Accretion on Series B, C, and D Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock |
|
— |
|
|
(3,914 |
) |
|
(917 |
) | |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders |
|
(43,587 |
) |
$ |
(23,150 |
) |
$ |
(4,366 |
) | |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders |
$ |
(1.22 |
) |
$ |
(1.14 |
) |
$ |
(0.47 |
) | |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
35,626 |
|
|
20,286 |
|
|
9,328 |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
SOHU.COM INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands of US dollars)
| Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
| 2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||||||
| Net loss |
$ |
(43,587 |
) |
|
(19,236 |
) |
$ |
(3,449 |
) | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||||||
| Amortization and impairment of intangible assets |
|
30,283 |
|
|
3,335 |
|
|
— |
| |||
| Depreciation and amortization of other assets |
|
4,238 |
|
|
1,645 |
|
|
277 |
| |||
| Writedown of other assets |
|
500 |
|
|
500 |
|
|
— |
| |||
| Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
190 |
|
|
435 |
|
|
26 |
| |||
| Stock-based compensation expense |
|
63 |
|
|
629 |
|
|
46 |
| |||
| Loss on disposal of fixed assets |
|
4 |
|
|
26 |
|
|
6 |
| |||
| Services rendered by shareholder |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
60 |
| |||
| Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect of ChinaRen, Inc. acquisition: |
||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable |
|
(808 |
) |
|
(1,964 |
) |
|
(238 |
) | |||
| Prepaid and other current assets |
|
(480 |
) |
|
(1,165 |
) |
|
(77 |
) | |||
| Other assets |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(78 |
) | |||
| Accounts payable |
|
(1,093 |
) |
|
471 |
|
|
428 |
| |||
| Payable to related party |
|
1,208 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
| |||
| Accrued liabilities and deferred revenues |
|
(509 |
) |
|
(534 |
) |
|
1,279 |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities |
|
(9,991 |
) |
|
(15,858 |
) |
|
(1,720 |
) | |||
| Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||||||
| Long-term investments in marketable debt securities |
|
(16,973 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
| |||
| Acquisition of fixed assets |
|
(4,025 |
) |
|
(5,877 |
) |
|
(942 |
) | |||
| Long-term loans to related parties |
|
(1,573 |
) |
|
(242 |
) |
|
— |
| |||
| Acquisition of other assets |
|
(797 |
) |
|
(871 |
) |
|
(1,580 |
) | |||
| Cash used in acquisition of ChinaRen, Inc. |
|
— |
|
|
(995 |
) |
|
— |
| |||
| Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets |
|
— |
|
|
122 |
|
|
1 |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities |
|
(23,368 |
) |
|
(7,863 |
) |
|
(2,521 |
) | |||
| Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||||||
| Issuance of Convertible Promissory Notes |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
1,500 |
| |||
| Issuance of Series C Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
5,426 |
| |||
| Issuance of Series D Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock |
|
— |
|
|
29,947 |
|
|
— |
| |||
| Issuance of Common Stock |
|
— |
|
|
59,800 |
|
|
7 |
| |||
| Cash used for initial public offering costs |
|
— |
|
|
(7,357 |
) |
||||||
| Short-term loan |
|
— |
|
|
2,899 |
|
|
— |
| |||
| Repayment of short-term loan |
|
— |
|
|
(2,899 |
) |
|
— |
| |||
| Other |
|
29 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
29 |
|
|
82,390 |
|
|
6,933 |
| |||
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
(33,330 |
) |
|
58,669 |
|
|
2,692 |
| |||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
62,593 |
|
|
3,924 |
|
|
1,232 |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ |
29,263 |
|
$ |
62,593 |
|
$ |
3,924 |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
SOHU.COM INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands of US dollars, except share data)
| Series A Preferred Stock |
Common Stock |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares Issued |
Amount |
Shares Issued |
Amount |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
Deferred Compensation and Other |
Accumulated Deficit |
Total Shareholders’ Equity |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 1999 |
2,925,000 |
|
$ |
3 |
|
9,265,347 |
$ |
9 |
$ |
248 |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
(1,048 |
) |
$ |
(788 |
) | ||||||||
| Issuance of Common Stock |
— |
|
|
— |
|
150,319 |
|
— |
|
7 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
7 |
| ||||||||
| Accretion of Series B and C Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stocks |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
(917 |
) |
|
(917 |
) | ||||||||
| Issuance of compensatory stock options |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
67 |
|
(67 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
| ||||||||
| Amortization of deferred compensation |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
46 |
|
|
— |
|
|
46 |
| ||||||||
| Services rendered by shareholder |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
60 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
60 |
| ||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
(1 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
(1 |
) | ||||||||
| Net loss |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
(3,449 |
) |
|
(3,449 |
) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 1999 |
2,925,000 |
|
$ |
3 |
|
9,415,666 |
$ |
9 |
$ |
382 |
$ |
(22 |
) |
$ |
(5,414 |
) |
$ |
(5,042 |
) | ||||||||
| Accretion of Series B, C, and D Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
(3,914 |
) |
|
(3,914 |
) | ||||||||
| Conversion of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock |
(2,925,000 |
) |
|
(3 |
) |
2,925,000 |
|
3 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
| ||||||||
| Conversion of Series B Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock into Common Stock |
— |
|
|
— |
|
8,414,843 |
|
8 |
|
3,068 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
3,076 |
| ||||||||
| Conversion of Series C Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock into Common Stock |
— |
|
|
— |
|
3,846,718 |
|
4 |
|
8,109 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
8,113 |
| ||||||||
| Conversion of Series D Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock into Common Stock |
— |
|
|
— |
|
2,021,989 |
|
2 |
|
32,877 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
32,879 |
| ||||||||
| Issuance of Common Stock in initial public offering, net of offering cost |
— |
|
|
— |
|
4,600,000 |
|
5 |
|
52,438 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
52,443 |
| ||||||||
| Issuance of Common Stock compensatory stock options for acquisition of ChinaRen, Inc. |
— |
|
|
— |
|
4,401,500 |
|
5 |
|
32,176 |
|
(59 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
32,122 |
| ||||||||
| Compensatory stock options |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
709 |
|
(709 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
| ||||||||
| Amortization of deferred compensation |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
629 |
|
|
— |
|
|
629 |
| ||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
(1 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
(1 |
) | ||||||||
| Net loss |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
(19,236 |
) |
|
(19,236 |
) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2000 |
— |
|
|
— |
|
35,625,716 |
$ |
36 |
$ |
129,759 |
$ |
(162 |
) |
$ |
(28,564 |
) |
$ |
101,069 |
| ||||||||
| Compensatory stock options |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
64 |
|
(64 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
| ||||||||
| Amortization of deferred compensation |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
63 |
|
|
— |
|
|
63 |
| ||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
7 |
|
|
— |
|
|
7 |
| ||||||||
| Other |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
29 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
29 |
| ||||||||
| Net loss |
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
(43,587 |
) |
|
(43,587 |
) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2001 |
— |
|
|
— |
|
35,625,716 |
$ |
36 |
$ |
129,852 |
$ |
(156 |
) |
$ |
(72,151 |
) |
$ |
57,581 |
| ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization and Nature of Operations
Sohu.com Inc. (the ‘‘Company’’) was incorporated in Delaware, USA under the name of Internet
Technologies China, Inc. The Company changed its name to Sohu.com Inc. in September 1999. The Company does not have any substantive operations of its own and substantially all of its primary business operations are conducted through its wholly owned
subsidiaries, Sohu ITC Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Sohu.com (Hong Kong) Limited, ChinaRen, Inc., and Sandhill Information Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. ChinaRen, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Sandhill Information Technology
(Beijing) Co., Ltd. were acquired by the Company on October 18, 2000.
The Company offers content, advertising, e-commerce, and
subscription services through its Internet portal sites, Sohu.com and Chinaren.com. The Company also provides e-technology solutions to corporate clients. The Company markets its products and services to clients primarily in the People’s
Republic of China.
In July 2000, the Company completed an underwritten initial public offering of 4,600,000 shares of common
stock at $13 per share for total proceeds of $59.8 million. All shares of common stock were offered by the Company. After deducting underwriting commissions of $4.2 million and other offering expenses of approximately $3.2 million, net proceeds to
the Company were $52.4 million. Simultaneously with the closing of the initial public offering, all 14,194,440 shares of preferred stock outstanding prior to the offering were converted automatically into 17,208,550 shares of common stock.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Accounting Standards
The consolidated
financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis to reflect the financial position and results of operations of the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
(b) Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (commencing from the respective acquisition dates), Sohu ITC Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Sohu
(Hong Kong) Limited, ChinaRen, Inc and Sandhill Information Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
(c) Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.
The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these
financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company
evaluates its estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and
liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company believes our methods of accounting for advertising revenue where multiple elements
exist, allowance for doubtful accounts, and impairment of intangible assets are among the critical accounting policies which reflect significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial
statements.
Advertising revenues are derived
principally from online advertising pursuant to short-term contracts normally less than twelve months. Online advertising includes banners, links, logos and buttons placed on the Company’s
F-7
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Web sites and sponsorship of a particular area of the Web sites. Contracts for advertising services are
generally for a fixed payment over a contract period. For contracts where services are provided evenly over the period or where the Company is unable to reasonably determine the fair value of the individual services provided in multiple element
contracts revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period. For multiple element contracts where the Company is able to reasonably determine the fair value of the individual services provided, the contract value is allocated
among specific services provided and revenue is recognized in the period the services are performed. In estimating the fair value of individual services provided, the Company makes estimates based on the value of similar services provided to our
customers using average sell rates for the period. Material differences could result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if management made different judgments or utilized different
estimates.
Our management must make estimates of the
uncollectability of our accounts receivables. Management specifically analyzes accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in our customer payment terms when evaluating the
adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Our accounts receivable balance was $2,710,000 net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $651,000 as of December 31, 2001. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to
deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make payments, additional allowance may be required.
During the year ended
December 31, 2001, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $17,676,000 to write off the remaining balance of identifiable intangibles and goodwill related to its acquisition of Chinaren, Inc. This was the result of the Company’s impairment
assessment which was based upon expected gross cash flows over the assets’ estimated useful lives. If different judgments or estimates were utilized, material differences could have resulted in the amount and timing of the impairment charge.
(d) Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are composed primarily of
investments in money market accounts stated at cost, which approximates fair value.
(e) Long-term investments in
marketable debt securities
The Company invests in certain marketable debt securities of high-quality corporate issuers.
Investments in marketable debt securities with maturities greater than twelve months from the balance sheet date are considered long-term investments. The Company has both the intent and the ability to hold these marketable securities until maturity
and has accordingly classified them as held-to-maturity investments which are reported at amortized cost as of the balance sheet date. As of December 31, 2001, the difference between the recorded cost and the fair value was not significant.
(f) Fixed assets and depreciation
Fixed assets, comprising computer hardware, office furniture and equipment, and leasehold improvements, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using
the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally two to five years.
(g) Intangible assets, net
Intangible assets, which include work force and goodwill arising from the
acquisition of ChinaRen, Inc., were being amortized using the straight-line method over a period of two years from the October 18, 2000 acquisition date. The Company reviews long-lived assets based upon expected gross cash flows and will reserve for
impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. As a result of the Company’s impairment assessment, in September 2001 the Company recorded an impairment charge of
approximately $17.7 million to write off the remaining balance of identifiable intangibles and goodwill related to the acquisition of Chinaren, Inc.
(h) Long-term loans to related parties
Long-term loans to related parties
were made to an officer and two employees of the Company. As of December 31, 2001, $242,000 of the balance related to loans extended as a result of the Company’s transfer of certain assets to Beijing Sohu Online Network Information Services,
Ltd. (“Beijing Sohu”), a company owned
F-8
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
by an officer and an employee of the Company. The Company expects that it will continue to be involved in and provide financial support to Beijing
Sohu. Accordingly, to the extent losses are incurred by Beijing Sohu, the Company accrues for such losses by recording a valuation allowance against long-term loans to related parties.
Also included in the balance of long terms loans to related parties at December 31, 2001, was $1,573,000 related to loans extended to fund the officer’s and an employee’s
equity interest in Beijing Century High-Tech Company, Ltd. (“High Century”), a company that was established in December 2001. As of December 31, 2001, these loans are carried at cost, which approximate the net assets of High
Century.
(i) Other assets, net
Other assets include computer software, capitalized Web site development costs and a long-term investment. Computer software includes purchases from unrelated third parties and software
acquired in the ChinaRen, Inc. acquisition. The Company amortizes computer software over its estimated useful life of two or three years and amortizes Web site development costs over the estimated useful life of three years. Long-term investments
are initially recorded at cost. The carrying value is reviewed and an impairment is recorded when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable.
(j) Foreign currency translation
Foreign
currency transactions are translated at the applicable rates of exchange in effect at the transaction dates. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated at the applicable rates of
exchange in effect at that date. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses were not material for any period presented.
The
Company’s functional and reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries in China is the Renminbi (‘‘RMB’’). Sales and purchase and other expense transactions are generally
denominated in RMB. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of the China subsidiaries are translated at the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates in effect
during the reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency translation, are recorded in a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Foreign currency translation adjustments are not material for any period presented and are
included in Deferred Compensation and Other in the consolidated statement of shareholders equity for the years presented.
(k) Revenue recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an
arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company derives revenue from both advertising and non-advertising
sources.
i) Advertising revenues
Advertising revenues are derived principally from online advertising pursuant to short-term contracts normally less
than twelve months. Online advertising includes banners, links, logos and buttons placed on the Company’s Web sites and sponsorship of a particular area of the Web sites. Contracts for advertising services are generally for a fixed payment over
a contract period. For contracts where services are provided evenly over the period or where the Company is unable to reasonably determine the fair value of the individual services provided in multiple element contracts, revenue is recognized on a
straight-line basis over the contract period. For multiple element contracts where the Company is able to reasonably determine the fair value of the individual services provided, the contract value is allocated among specific services provided and
revenue is recognized in the period the services are performed. In estimating the fair value of individual services provided, the Company makes estimates based on the value of similar services provided to our customers using average sell rates for
the period. Material differences could result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates. Company obligations typically include guarantees of a minimum number of
impressions or times that an advertisement appears in pages viewed by users. To the extent that minimum guaranteed impressions are not met within the contractual time period, the Company defers recognition of the corresponding revenues until the
remaining guaranteed impression levels are achieved.
Revenue from barter transactions will be recognized during the period in
which the advertisements are displayed on the Company’s Web sites. Barter transactions are recorded at the lower of the fair value of the goods or services received or the fair value of the advertisement given, provided the fair value of the
transactions can be reliably measured. The Company has not recorded any revenues from advertising barter transactions.
F-9
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Deferred revenue represents payments made from customers prior to the recognition
of revenue or the provision of services.
For all advertising services, revenue is only recognized provided that no significant
Company obligations remain at the end of the period.
ii) Non-advertising revenues
Non-advertising revenues are derived from e-commerce services, subscription fees and e-technology services. The Company evaluates its
non-advertising revenues using the criteria outlined in EITF Issue No. 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent,” in determining whether it is appropriate to record the gross amount of service revenues or
product sales and related costs or the net amount earned as commissions. Generally, when the Company is the primary obligor in a transaction, is subject to inventory and credit risk, has latitude in establishing prices and selecting suppliers, or
has several but not all of these indicators, revenue is recorded gross as a principal. If the Company is not the primary obligor and amounts earned are determined using a fixed percentage, a fixed-payment schedule, or a combination of the two, the
Company generally records the net amounts as commissions earned.
E-commerce revenues are earned from direct sales of consumer
products through the Company’s website. Product sales, net of return allowances, are recorded when the products are shipped and title passes to customers. Outbound shipping charges to customers of $82,000 are included in revenue for the year
ended December 31, 2001.
Subscriptions revenues are
generated from fee based services including short messaging and other Web-based products. Subscription revenues are recognized in the month in which the service is performed, provided that no significant Company obligations
remain.
E-technology revenues from providing technology
services and the sale of hardware are recognized on a completed contract basis, provided that no significant Company obligations remain.
(l) Cost of revenues
i) Advertising
Advertising cost of revenues consists of compensation and related overhead
costs for employees, depreciation expenses, fees for bandwidth leasing charges, content and services. Royalties paid to content providers are expensed as incurred and included as cost of revenues. Contracts with content providers generally range
from 3 to 12 months in duration and may be terminated by either party upon notice. Most contracts provide for a guaranteed minimum fee to be paid to the content provider over a specified period of time; such minimum fixed fees are charged to expense
over the period in which content is received. In addition to minimum fixed fee arrangements, certain contracts require payments to content providers based on a stated percentage, generally ranging from 15% to 50%, of the related advertising revenues
generated. Such payments are expensed as incurred and included as cost of revenues. During the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999, cost of revenues includes $233,000, $288,000, and $94,000, respectively, for fixed fees under content
provider agreements and $94,000, $118,000, and $24,000, respectively, for variable royalties paid to content providers based on revenues generated.
ii) Non-advertising
E-commerce cost of revenue consists of the
purchase price of consumer products sold by the Company and inbound and outbound shipping charges. Subscription cost of revenue consists of subscription collection charges and short message transmission fees paid to third party network operators.
E-technology cost of revenue consists of employee compensation costs and related overhead, fees paid to third parties for design services and, where applicable, the cost of hardware and
software.
(m) Product development
Cost incurred in the enhancement of the Company’s Web site and the classification and organization of listings within
Internet properties and enhancements to existing products are charged to product development expense as
F-10
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
incurred. Material software development costs incurred during the application development stage, including the costs related to the development of
the Company’s Web site, are capitalized as other assets once technological feasibility has been established. Web site development costs are amortized over three years. During the year ended December 31, 1999, capitalized Web site development
costs were $131,000. No Web site development costs were capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000.
(n) Advertising expense
Advertising expenses are charged to the income statement when incurred.
Included in sales and marketing expenses are advertising costs of $2,208,000, $4,877,000, and $597,000 for each of three years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively.
(o) Stock-based compensation
The Company
accounts for stock-based employee compensation arrangements in accordance with APB No. 25, ‘‘Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (‘‘APB No. 25’’), and complies with the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123,
‘‘Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation’’ (‘‘SFAS No. 123’’). In general, compensation cost under APB No. 25 is recognized based on the difference, if any, between the estimated fair value of the
Company’s common stock and the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock, as determined on the date the option is granted. Total compensation cost as determined at the date of option grant is recorded in Shareholders’ Equity as
Additional Paid-in-Capital with an offsetting entry to Deferred Compensation. Deferred Compensation is amortized on an accelerated basis and charged to expense in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 28 (“FIN 28”) over the vesting
period of the underlying options, generally ranging from one to four years.
(p) Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach which requires the recognition of income taxes payable or refundable for
the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary,
by the amount of any tax benefits that, based on available evidence, are not expected to be realized. As the Company has incurred losses since inception, no provision for income taxes has been made.
(q) Net loss per share
The basic net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per
share is computed by dividing the net loss for the period by the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Common equivalent shares, composed of incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise
of stock options and warrants and the conversion of preferred stock, are included in diluted net loss per share to the extent such shares are dilutive. The diluted net loss per share is the same as the basic net loss per share for all periods
presented as all common equivalent shares have the effect of reducing the net loss per share and thus have not been included.
(r) Comprehensive income
Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity of a company during
a period from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments from owners and distributions to owners. For the Company, the difference between comprehensive loss and net loss is attributable to
foreign currency translation gain/(loss) of $7,000, ($1,000), and ($1,000) for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively. Accordingly, comprehensive loss did not differ materially from net loss for the periods presented.
(s) Stock split
The Company’s Board of Directors declared and effected a 2.6-for-one stock split and a five-for-one stock split of the issued and outstanding common stock and preferred stock on June 22, 2000 and October 15,
1999, respectively. All shares and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect these stock splits.
F-11
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(t) Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made in prior years’ financial statements to conform to classifications used in the current year.
(u) Recent accounting pronouncements
In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141 “Business Combinations”
and No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. SFAS No. 141 addresses financial accounting and reporting for business combinations and requires all business combinations to be accounted for using one method, the purchase method. SFAS
No. 142 addresses financial accounting for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets and how such assets should be accounted for in financial statements upon their acquisition and after they have been initially recognized in the financial
statements. The Company does not believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 141 and No. 142 will have a significant impact on its financial statements.
In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” (SFAS 144) which addresses financial accounting and reporting for the recognition and
measurement of impairment of long-lived assets and for the measurement of the disposal of long-lived assets. SFAS 144 supersedes SFAS No. 121. The Company does not believe the adoption of SFAS 144 will have a significant impact on its financial
statements.
3. Acquisition of ChinaRen, Inc.
On October 18, 2000, the Company acquired ChinaRen, Inc. (“ChinaRen”), a company incorporated in California, and Sandhill Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.,
ChinaRen’s wholly owned China incorporated subsidiary, for total consideration of approximately $33,016,000, comprising 4,401,500 shares of Sohu common stock valued at $31,581,000, stock options granted to ChinaRen employees to purchase 221,002
shares of Sohu common stock valued at $541,000, and other acquisition costs aggregating approximately $894,000. The acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase business combination and the results of operations from the acquisition date have
been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The allocation of the purchase price is as follows (in
thousands):
| Current assets |
$ |
1, 610 |
| |
| Fixed assets |
|
1,954 |
| |
| Other assets |
|
414 |
| |
| Assembled workforce |
|
392 |
| |
| Goodwill |
|
33,226 |
| |
| Liabilities assumed |
|
(4,580 |
) | |
| |
|
| ||
| $ |
33,016 |
| ||
| |
|
|
The excess of purchase price over tangible and identifiable intangible assets
acquired and liabilities assumed was recorded as goodwill. Identifiable intangible assets and goodwill associated with the acquisition were originally amortized over their expected useful lives of two years.
The Company performed an impairment assessment of the identifiable intangibles and goodwill associated with the acquisition of ChinaRen, Inc. The
assessment was performed primarily due to an overall decline in industry growth rates, negative industry and economic trends, and the sustained decline in the Company’s stock price which has resulted in the Company’s market capitalization
falling below net book value. As a result of the Company’s impairment assessment, during the year ended December 31, 2001 the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $17,676,000 to write off certain identifiable intangibles and
goodwill. The charge was based upon the estimated discounted cash flows over the remaining useful life of the identifiable intangibles and goodwill. The assumptions supporting the cash flows and the discount rate were determined using the
Company’s best estimates as of such date.
The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information
reflects the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 1999, and after giving effect to purchase accounting adjustments. These pro forma results have been prepared for
comparative
F-12
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of what operating results would have been had the acquisition actually taken place on January 1,
1999, and may not be indicative of future operating results.
| Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||
| 2000 |
1999 |
|||||||
| (Unaudited, in thousands) |
||||||||
| Net Revenue |
$ |
6,114 |
|
$ |
1,617 |
| ||
| Operating loss |
$ |
(45,761 |
) |
$ |
(21,393 |
) | ||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders |
$ |
(51,141 |
) |
$ |
(22,299 |
) | ||
4. Stockholder Rights Plan
In July 2001, the Company adopted a stockholder rights plan (the “Plan”). The Plan is designed to deter coercive takeover tactics, including
the accumulation of shares in the open market or through private transactions, and to prevent an acquirer from gaining control of the Company without offering a fair and adequate price and terms to all of the Company’s stockholders. In general,
the Plan vests stockholders of Sohu with rights to purchase preferred stock of the Company at a substantial discount to those securities’ fair market value upon a person or group acquiring without the approval of the Board of Directors more
than 20% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. Any person or group who triggers the purchase right distribution becomes ineligible to participate in the Plan, causing substantial dilution of such person or group’s holdings.
The rights will expire on July 25, 2011.
5. Risks and
Uncertainties
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk
consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and investments in long-term marketable debt securities. As of December 31, 2001, substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were held in two financial
institutions; one institution is a federally insured financial institution located in the United States and the second institution is located in the People’s Republic of China. At various times, the Company maintains cash balances in excess of
United States federally insured limits or in institutions in the People’s Republic of China. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured, denominated in Chinese RMB, and are derived from revenues earned from customers primarily located in the
People’s Republic of China. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and, if necessary, maintains reserves for potential credit losses. Historically, such losses have been within management’s expectations.
Investments in long-term marketable debt securities consist of marketable debt securities in high-quality corporate issuers. As of December 31, 2001, the difference between the recorded cost and the fair market value was not significant.
The Company’s client base is limited. Revenues from its five largest customers represented 20%, 19%, and 34% of total
advertising revenues for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively. These same five customers represent 5% and 15% of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
The Company’s sales and purchase and expense transactions are generally denominated in RMB and a significant portion of the Company’s assets
and liabilities are denominated in RMB. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. In China, foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions at exchange rates set by the
Bank of China. Remittances in currencies other than RMB by the Company’s subsidiary in China must be processed through the Bank of China or other PRC foreign exchange regulatory bodies and require certain supporting documentation in order to
effect the remittance.
The Company faces certain macro-economic and regulatory risks and uncertainties relating to the
Company’s China operations (see Note 14).
F-13
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
6. Balance Sheet Components (in thousands)
| December 31, 2001 |
December 31, 2000 |
|||||||
| Accounts receivable, net |
||||||||
| Accounts receivable |
$ |
3,361 |
|
$ |
2,553 |
| ||
| Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
(651 |
) |
|
(461 |
) | ||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| $ |
2,710 |
|
$ |
2,092 |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| Fixed assets, net |
||||||||
| Computer equipment |
$ |
11,988 |
|
$ |
8,037 |
| ||
| Office furniture and equipment |
|
290 |
|
|
290 |
| ||
| Leasehold improvements |
|
531 |
|
|
461 |
| ||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| |
12,809 |
|
|
8,788 |
| |||
| Accumulated depreciation |
|
(4,856 |
) |
|
(1,384 |
) | ||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| $ |
7,953 |
|
$ |
7,404 |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| Other assets, net |
||||||||
| Computer software |
$ |
1,919 |
|
$ |
1,144 |
| ||
| Website development costs |
|
131 |
|
|
131 |
| ||
| Accumulated amortization |
|
(992 |
) |
|
(233 |
) | ||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| $ |
1,058 |
|
$ |
1,042 |
| |||
| Others |
|
18 |
|
|
496 |
| ||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| |
1,076 |
|
|
1,538 |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| Accrued liabilities and deferred revenues |
||||||||
| Accrued liabilities to suppliers |
$ |
800 |
|
$ |
— |
| ||
| Compensation and benefits |
|
676 |
|
|
782 |
| ||
| Deferred revenues |
|
462 |
|
|
1,147 |
| ||
| Professional services |
|
243 |
|
|
725 |
| ||
| Others |
|
622 |
|
|
658 |
| ||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| $ |
2,803 |
|
$ |
3,312 |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
7. China Contribution Plan and Profit Appropriation
The Company’s subsidiaries in China participate in a government-mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain
retirement, medical and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require the Company’s subsidiaries to pay to the local labor bureau a monthly contribution at a stated contribution rate based on the monthly
basic compensation of qualified employees. The relevant local labor bureau is responsible for meeting all retirement benefit obligations; the Company has no further commitments beyond its monthly contribution. During 2001, 2000, and 1999, the
Company contributed a total of $799,000, $1,047,000, and $470,000, respectively, to these funds.
Pursuant to the laws
applicable to China’s Foreign Investment Enterprises, the Company’s subsidiary in China must make appropriations from after-tax profit to non-distributable reserve funds as determined by the Board of Directors. These reserve funds include
a (i) general reserve, (ii) enterprise expansion fund and (iii) staff bonus and welfare fund. The general reserve fund requires annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax profit (as determined under PRC GAAP); the other fund appropriations are at the
Company’s discretion. Since the Company’s PRC subsidiaries under PRC GAAP are in a loss position, no appropriations have been made to the general reserve fund.
8. Borrowings
In March 2000, the Company entered into a
$2,899,000 short-term loan agreement with a PRC financial institution. The loan was denominated in Renminbi and bore annual interest at 6.14%. This loan was repaid in April 2000.
F-14
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
9. Series B and Series B-1 Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
Prior to the initial public offering and at December 31, 1999, there were 5,400,733 shares of Series B and Series B-1
Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (‘‘Series B Preferred Stock’’) authorized, issued, and outstanding. The following table sets forth the activity related to the Series B Preferred Stock (in thousands except share
data):
| Series B |
Series B-1 |
Total |
||||||||||||||||
| Shares |
Amount |
Shares |
Amount |
Shares |
Amount |
|||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 1999 |
4,521,166 |
|
2,370 |
|
879,567 |
|
461 |
|
5,400,733 |
|
2,831 |
| ||||||
| Accretion to estimated redemption value |
— |
|
205 |
|
— |
|
40 |
|
— |
|
245 |
| ||||||
| Conversion to Common Stock |
(4,521,166 |
) |
(2,575 |
) |
(879,567 |
) |
(501 |
) |
(5,400,733 |
) |
(3,076 |
) | ||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2000 |
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
| ||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
The holders of Series B Preferred Stock had various rights and preferences as
follows:
Voting
Each holder of Series B Preferred Stock had voting rights equal to the number of shares of Common Stock then issuable upon its conversion into Common Stock. Each holder of Series B Preferred Stock generally voted
together with holders of the Common Stock.
Dividends
No dividends, whether in cash, in property or in shares of the Common Stock of the Company could be declared on outstanding common shares unless the Board of Directors had declared a
dividend for Series B Preferred Stock. If dividends on Series B Preferred Stock had been declared, dividends would have been allocated to shares of Series B Preferred Stock based on the equivalent number of shares of Common Stock into which such
shares of Series B Preferred Stock could have been converted. The Board had declared no dividends on Series B Preferred Stock through its conversion in full into Common Stock on July 17, 2000.
Liquidation
In the event of any liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock would have been entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets of the Company to the holders of
Series A Preferred Stock, an amount equal to $0.3979 per share of Series B Preferred Stock, plus declared but unpaid dividends. After the liquidation preference of the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock had been satisfied, the holders of the
Series A Preferred Stock would have been entitled to receive an amount equal to $0.0769 per share, plus declared but unpaid dividends. After setting apart or paying in full the preferential amounts due to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock and
Series A Preferred Stock as noted above, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock would have been entitled to receive an amount equal to $0.1990 per share, plus declared but unpaid dividends. Had the Company’s legally available assets be
insufficient to satisfy the liquidation preferences, the entire amount of assets would have been distributed ratably to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock.
Conversion
Each share of Series B-1 Preferred Stock was
convertible, at the option of the holder commencing from the date of issuance, into shares of Common Stock on a share for share basis.
In conjunction with the Company’s initial public offering in July 2000, all 879,567 shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock were converted into 879,567 shares of Common Stock on a share for share basis, and all 4,521,166 shares of Series
B Preferred Stock were converted into 7,535,276 shares of Common Stock on a basis of one share Series B Preferred Stock for 1.6667 shares of Common Stock.
Redemption
F-15
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Prior to the conversion into Common Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock was being
accreted to its estimated redemption value through charges to retained earnings; such charges totaled $245,000 and $467,000 for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
Warrants
In connection with the issuance of the
Company’s Series B Preferred Stock in 1998, the Company granted an option to purchase 6,279 shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $0.398 per share. This option was exercised in 1999 and converted into
Common Stock on a basis of one share of Series B Preferred Stock for 1.6667 shares of Common Stock.
10. Series C Mandatorily
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
Prior to the initial public offering and at December 31, 1999, there were 4,807,101
shares of Series C Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (‘‘Series C Preferred Stock’’) authorized, and 3,846,718 issued and outstanding.
The holders of Series C Preferred Stock had various rights and preferences as follows:
Voting
Each holder of Series C Preferred Stock had voting rights equal to the number of
shares of Common Stock then issuable upon its conversion into Common Stock. Each holder of Series C Preferred Stock generally voted together with holders of the Common Stock.
Dividends
No dividends, whether in cash, in property or
in shares of the Common Stock of the Company could be declared on outstanding common shares unless the Board of Directors had declared a dividend for Series C Preferred Stock. If dividends on Series C Preferred Stock had been declared, dividends
would have been allocated to shares of Series C Preferred Stock based on the equivalent number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of Series C Preferred Stock could have been be converted. The Board had declared no dividends on Series C
Preferred Stock through its conversion in full into Common Stock on July 17, 2000.
Liquidation
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Series C Preferred Stock
would have been entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets of the Company to the holders of the Common Stock, an amount equal to $1.808 per share, plus declared but unpaid dividends.
Conversion
Each share of Series C Preferred Stock was convertible, at the option of the holder commencing from the date of issuance, into shares of Common Stock on a share for share basis. In conjunction with the Company’s initial public offering
in July 2000, all 3,846,718 shares of Series C Preferred Stock were converted into Common Stock on a share for share basis.
Redemption
Prior to the conversion into Common Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock was being accreted to its
estimated redemption value through charges to retained earnings; such charges totaled $736,000 and $450,000 for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999. The redemption rights of the Series C Preferred Stock were subordinate to the Series B
Preferred Stock.
11. Series D Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
In January and February 2000, the Company entered into a Series D Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, whereby the Company authorized and issued
2,021,989 shares of the Company’s Series D Mandatorily
F-16
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (‘‘Series D Preferred Stock’’) at an issue price
of $14.837 per share.
The holders of Series D Preferred Stock had various rights and preferences as follows:
Voting
Each
holder of Series D Preferred Stock had voting rights equal to the number of shares of Common Stock then issuable upon its conversion into Common Stock. Each holder of Series D Preferred Stock generally voted together with holders of the Common
Stock.
Dividends
No dividends, whether in cash, in property or in shares of the Common Stock of the Company could be declared on outstanding common shares unless the Board of Directors had declared a dividend for Series D Preferred
Stock. If dividends on Series D Preferred Stock had been declared, dividends would have been allocated to Series D Preferred shares based on the equivalent number of shares of Common Stock into which such Series D Preferred Stock could have been
converted. The Board had declared no dividends on Series D Preferred Stock through its conversion in full into Common Stock on July 17, 2000.
Liquidation
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Series D Preferred Stock would have been entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets of the Company to the holders of the Common Stock, an amount equal to
$14.837 per share, plus declared but unpaid dividends.
Conversion
Each share of Series D Preferred Stock was convertible, at the option of the holder commencing from the date of issuance, into shares of Common Stock on a share for share basis. In
conjunction with the Company’s initial public offering in July 2000, all 2,021,989 shares of Series D Preferred Stock were converted into 2,021,989 shares of Common Stock.
Redemption
Prior to the conversion into Common Stock, the
Series D Preferred Stock was being accreted to its estimated redemption value through charges to retained earnings; such charges totaled $2,933,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000. The redemption rights of the Series D Preferred Stock were
subordinate to the Series C Preferred Stock.
Advertising contracts
During the first quarter of 2000, two persons who were purchasers of Series D Preferred Stock committed to each purchase $1,500,000 of advertising and
technical services and one person who was a purchaser of Series D Preferred Stock committed to purchase $6,000,000 of advertising and technical services from the Company in 2000, 2001 and 2002. The detailed description of specific services to be
provided under the agreements will be decided over the term of the contracts, with the individual fees for specific services to be set at rates consistent with those charged to the Company’s most preferred customers. The contracts are generally
terminable by either the Company or the customer where the counter party has breached the contract and where the breach is not satisfactorily cured within a specified period of time. In addition, one of the advertising contracts is terminable at the
discretion of the customer during the second and third year of the contract if the Company’s Web site is not ranked within the top five Web sites in China based on the level of average monthly
impressions.
During the year ended December 31, 2000,
the Company recognized revenue of $433,000 under one of the $1,500,000 advertising contracts. The remaining services and payments of $1,067,000 pursuant to this contract were cancelled in December 2000. During the year ended December 31, 1999, the
Company provided advertising services of $178,000 to this purchaser of the Series D Preferred Stock. The Company has not performed services, recognized revenue, or received payments under any of the other advertising contracts with the purchasers of
the Series D Preferred Stock and is uncertain whether payments will be received and services provided.
F-17
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
On April 20, 2001, the Company, Dr. Charles Zhang, and two affiliates of one of the
Company’s stockholders agreed to cancel Dr. Charles Zhang’s July 2000 agreement to procure Sohu to purchase $6 million of services from one such affiliate and to cancel a contract which requires the other affiliate to purchase an aggregate
of $6 million of advertising and technical services from the Company in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
12. Series A Preferred Stock
At December 31, 1999, there were 2,925,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at an issue price of
$0.077 per share.
The holders of Series A Preferred Stock had various rights and preferences as follows:
Voting
Each
holder of Series A Preferred Stock had voting rights equal to the number of shares of Common Stock then issuable upon its conversion into Common Stock. Each holder of Series A Preferred Stock generally voted together with holders of the Common
Stock.
Dividends
No dividends, whether in cash, in property or in shares of the capital stock of the Company could be declared for Series A Preferred Stock unless the Board of Directors had declared a dividend on outstanding Common
Stock. If dividends on Series A Preferred Stock had been declared, dividends would have been allocated to shares of Series A Preferred Stock based on the equivalent number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of Series A Preferred Stock
could have been converted. The Board had declared no dividends on Series A Preferred Stock through its conversion in full into Common Stock on July 17, 2000.
Liquidation
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock would have been entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets or surplus funds of the Company to the holders of the Common Stock or to
the holders of the Series B, B-1 and C Preferred Stock after the satisfaction of the liquidation preference indicated in Notes 9 and 10 above, an amount equal to $0.077 per share, plus declared but unpaid dividends.
Conversion
In
conjunction with the Company’s initial public offering in July 2000, all 2,925,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were converted into 2,925,000 shares of Common Stock on a share for share basis.
F-18
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
13. Segment Information
Based on the criteria established by SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” the Company operates in four principal business
segments. The Company does not allocate any operating costs or assets to its three non-advertising segments as management does not use this information to measure the performance of the operating segments.
Summarized information by segment for 2001, 2000, and 1999, as excerpted from the internal management reports, is as follows (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
| |
2001 |
2000 |
1999 | |||
| Revenues: |
||||||
| Advertising |
9,245 |
5,844 |
1,617 | |||
| Non-advertising: |
||||||
| E-commerce |
1,703 |
— |
— | |||
| Subscription |
1,252 |
109 |
— | |||
| E-technology and other |
800 |
— |
— | |||
| |
|
| ||||
| Subtotal of non-advertising revenues |
3,755 |
109 |
— | |||
| |
|
| ||||
| Total of revenues |
13,000 |
5,953 |
1,617 | |||
| |
|
| ||||
| Cost of revenues: |
||||||
| Advertising |
6,644 |
5,548 |
1,589 | |||
| Non-advertising: |
||||||
| E-commerce |
1,529 |
— |
— | |||
| Subscription |
587 |
81 |
— | |||
| E-technology and other |
653 |
— |
— | |||
| |
|
| ||||
| Subtotal of non-advertising cost of revenues |
2,769 |
81 |
— | |||
| |
|
| ||||
| Total of cost of revenues |
9,413 |
5,629 |
1,589 | |||
| |
|
| ||||
| Gross profit |
3,587 |
324 |
28 | |||
| |
|
| ||||
14. Commitments and Contingencies
In July 2000, Dr. Charles Zhang, the Company’s founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, agreed with an affiliate of one of the
Company’s Series D Preferred stockholders, to procure Sohu.com Inc. to purchase within a period of three years not less than $6.0 million of services, including but not limited to, broadband, Web distribution, advertising, consultancy services
and such other services, from its affiliated group companies at their then current fees and charges. As of December 31, 2001, no purchases or payments had been made under this agreement. On April 20, 2001, the Company, Dr. Charles Zhang, and two
affiliates of one of the Company’s stockholders agreed to cancel Dr. Charles Zhang’s July 2000 agreement to procure Sohu to purchase $6 million of services from one such affiliate and to cancel a contract which requires the other affiliate
to purchase an aggregate of $6 million of advertising and technical services from the Company in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
As of
December 31, 2001, the Company had future minimum rental lease payments of $567,000, $461,000, and $461,000 for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively, under non-cancelable operating leases. The Company recognized $698,000,
$642,000, and $205,000 of rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively.
The Chinese market
in which the Company operates poses certain macro-economic and regulatory risks and uncertainties. These uncertainties extend to the ability of the Company to operate an Internet business, to conduct advertising, e-commerce and subscription services
in the People’s Republic of China. Though the People’s Republic of China has, since 1978, implemented a wide range of market-oriented economic reforms, continued reforms and progress towards a full market-oriented economy are uncertain. In
addition, the telecommunication, information, and media industries remain highly regulated. Restrictions are currently in place or are unclear regarding in what specific segments of these industries foreign owned entities, like the
F-19
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Company, may operate. The Company’s legal structure and scope of operations in China could be subjected to restrictions which could result in severe limits to the Company’s ability to
conduct business in the People’s Republic of China.
15. Related Party Transactions
(a) Transactions with Shareholders
In connection with a warrant issued by the Company on October 18, 1999 for the purchase of 212,675 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.351 per share, one of the Company’s shareholders arranged for
certain of its affiliates to provide certain professional and managerial services to the Company. The estimated fair value of such services of approximately $60,000 for the year ended December 31, 1999 was determined by the Company by reference to
salaries paid to comparable employees and has been charged to expense and credited to additional paid-in capital. The warrant has not been exercised and expired on October 18, 2001.
Pursuant to a one-year agreement that commenced in December 1999, the Company provided a link from its Web site to the Web site of a shareholder. In addition, the shareholder provided
Internet content on an updated daily basis to the Company’s business channel. The link allowed for certain news and other informational content to be made available to users of the Company’s Internet portal site, with revenues generated
from advertising placed in conjunction with the service to be allocated between both parties on a contractually agreed basis. For the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, the Company recognized expense of $113,000 and $16,000, respectively, as a
result of this collaborative arrangement.
During the years ended 2001, 2000 and 1999 the Company purchased advertising of
$862,000, $1,943,000 and $365,000 respectively, from a company controlled by one of its shareholders.
During the year ended
December 31, 1999, the Company borrowed $1,500,000 through the issuance of a convertible promissory note to a preferred shareholder. The note bore interest at an annual rate of 4.79%. During the year ended December 31, 1999, the Company recognized
interest expense of $14,000. The entire principal amount of the note plus accrued interest was converted automatically into Series C Preferred Stock upon the issuance of Series C Preferred Stock in October 1999.
(b) Transactions with Officers and Employees of the Company to finance investments in Affiliated Companies
The Company has entered into the following arrangements with Dr. Charles Zhang, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and a major Sohu shareholder,
and certain employees of the Company to satisfy PRC regulations which prohibit foreign companies from owning or operating telecommunications, internet content and certain other businesses in China. The Company expects that it will continue to be
involved in and provide additional financial support under similar arrangements in the future.
In June 2000, the Company
extended loans in the amount of $193,000 to Dr. Charles Zhang and $49,000 to He Jinmei, another employee of the Company, to finance their investments in Beijing Sohu Online Network Information Services, Ltd. (‘‘Beijing Sohu’’), a
company incorporated in the PRC. The shareholders of Beijing Sohu have pledged their shares in Beijing Sohu as collateral for the loan. These loans are included in long term loans to related parties, bear no interest and are due in full on the
earlier of demand, in 2010 or at such time as Dr. Charles Zhang or He Jinmei, as the case may be, is not an employee of the Company. A subsidiary of the Company has entered into an option agreement giving it the right, at any time, subject to PRC
law, to purchase the entire ownership in Beijing Sohu from the two Beijing Sohu shareholders for $242,000.
Pursuant to the
agreements with Beijing Sohu and the shareholders of Beijing Sohu, certain operations related to the Company’s online content were transferred to Beijing Sohu in order to allow Beijing Sohu to develop and provide content to the Company for a
monthly service fee, which will be subject to periodic adjustment as agreed between the parties. During the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, the Company paid $181,000 and $145,000, respectively, in such service fees. In 2001, because of PRC
regulations which prohibit foreign companies from operating in the telecommunications industry, Beijing Sohu contracted with network operators on behalf of the Company its total subscription revenues of $1,252,000. At December 31, 2001 prepaid and
other current assets included accounts receivable from Beijing Sohu of $505,000, primarily related to subscription revenues ultimately due from third party network operators.
In November 2001, the Company entered into a Loan and Share Pledge Agreement (the “Century Loan
F-20
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Agreement”) with Dr. Charles Zhang, and Li Wei, another employee of the Company, for the purpose of funding an equity investment of $4,595,000 in Beijing Century High-Tech Company Limited
(“High Century”), a company incorporated in the PRC which engages in investment holding in the PRC on behalf of the Company. Pursuant to the Century Loan Agreement, the Company is required to extend total loans amounting to $4,595,000 of
which $3,676,000 and $919,000 would be loaned to Charles Zhang and Li Wei, respectively. As of December 31, 2001, the Company had remitted $1,330,000 and $242,000 to Dr. Charles Zhang and Li Wei, respectively. In January and February 2002, the
Company loaned an additional $1,200,000 to Dr. Charles Zhang and $677,000 to Li Wei under the Century Loan Agreement for purposes of increasing their equity investments in High Century to $3,449,000. In March 2002, the Company approved High
Century’s committing $3,100,000 for investment in a PRC joint venture.
The Century Loan Agreement, which is subject to PRC law, includes provisions that (i) the loans can only be repaid to the Company by transferring the shares of High Century to the Company, (ii) the shares of High
Century cannot be transferred without the approval of the Company, and (iii) the Company has the right to appoint all directors and senior management personnel of High Century. Charles Zhang and Li Wei have pledged all of their shares in High
Century as collateral for the loans and the loans bear no interest and are due on demand after November 2003 or at such time as Dr. Charles Zhang or Li Wei, as the case may be, is not an employee of the Company. The Company does not intend to
request repayment of the loans as long as PRC regulations prohibit the Company from directly investing in businesses being undertaken by High Century. These loans are included in long-term loans to related parties.
As of December 31, 2001, payable to related party includes $1,208,000 payable to High Century for amounts borrowed by the Company from High Century. The
entire payable was remitted by the Company to High Century in January 2002.
PRC regulations currently restrict the Company from holding direct equity interests in Beijing Sohu and High Century; therefore, the financial statements of these entities are not consolidated with those of the
Company. As the shareholders of these entities are also officers and shareholders of the Company, these entities are related parties and, thus, transactions with these entities are disclosed in accordance with SFAS 57, “Related Party
Disclosures.” The Company expects that it will continue to be involved in and provide financial support to these entities.
(c) Transactions with investees
In December 2000 the Company received $962,000 of cash from an investee under an agreement with that investee to provide technical and advertising services to the investee or its affiliates in 2001. During the year
ended December 31, 2001, the Company recognized advertising revenues of $962,000 under this agreement.
F-21
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
17. Income Taxes
The Company is subject to taxes in the United States, the People’s Republic of China, and Hong Kong. The Company’s subsidiaries in China are governed by the Income Tax Law of
the People’s Republic of China concerning Foreign Investment Enterprises and Foreign Enterprises and various local income tax laws (the ‘‘PRC Income Tax Law’’). Pursuant to the PRC Income Tax Law, wholly-owned foreign
enterprises are subject to income tax at a statutory rate of 33% (30% State income tax plus 3% local income tax) on PRC taxable income. The Company is in a loss position in all jurisdictions. No provision or benefit for income taxes have been
provided in any periods. The following is the reconciliation between the U.S. federal statutory rate and the Company’s effective tax rate:
| Year Ended December 31, |
||||||
| 2001 |
2000 |
|||||
| U.S. federal statutory rate: |
(34 |
%) |
(34 |
%) | ||
| Foreign tax difference from U.S. rate |
0 |
% |
1 |
% | ||
| Permanent book-tax differences |
24 |
% |
12 |
% | ||
| Change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets |
10 |
% |
21 |
% | ||
| |
|
|
| |||
| 0 |
% |
0 |
% | |||
| |
|
|
| |||
Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities
consist of the following (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||
| 2001 |
2000 |
|||||||
| Deferred tax assets: |
||||||||
| Net operating loss carrying forwards |
$ |
12,971 |
|
$ |
11,358 |
| ||
| Investment reserve |
|
340 |
|
|
170 |
| ||
| Others |
|
739 |
|
|
215 |
| ||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| Total deferred tax assets |
|
14,050 |
|
|
11,743 |
| ||
| Valuation allowance |
|
(14,050 |
) |
|
(11,515 |
) | ||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| |
— |
|
|
228 |
| |||
| Deferred tax liabilities: |
||||||||
| Capitalized expenses |
|
— |
|
|
(228 |
) | ||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
| $ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
| |||
The Company has provided a full valuation allowance against net deferred tax
assets due to the uncertainty surrounding their realization.
As of December 31, 2001, the Company had federal net operating
loss (‘‘NOL’’) and Chinese NOL of approximately $18,275,000 and $38,368,000, respectively, available to offset future federal and Chinese income tax liabilities, respectively. The U.S. NOL will expire from 2012 to 2022 and the
Chinese NOL will expire from 2003 to 2007.
18. Financial Instruments
The carrying amount of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents approximates their fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments. The carrying value of receivables
and payables approximated their market values based on their short-term maturities. As of December 31, 2001, the difference between the carrying amount of long-term investments and their fair market value was not significant.
19. Stock Options
The Company has adopted a stock option plan which provides for the issuance of up to 7,000,000 shares of common stock. The stock option plan allows for the grant of options qualifying as “incentive stock options” under Section 422
of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and non-qualified stock options, which do not so qualify.
F-22
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 |
2000 |
1999 | ||||||||||||||||
| Options Outstanding |
Weighted Average Exercise Price ($) |
Options Outstanding |
Weighted Average Exercise Price ($) |
Options Outstanding |
Weighted Average Exercise Price ($) | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding at beginning of period |
2,739,474 |
|
$ |
5.54 |
1,028,682 |
|
$ |
2.30 |
210,444 |
|
$ |
0.04 | ||||||
| Granted |
3,869,876 |
|
|
0.87 |
2,072,668 |
|
|
7.37 |
952,377 |
|
|
2.48 | ||||||
| Exercised |
— |
|
|
— |
— |
|
|
— |
(120,250 |
) |
|
0.04 | ||||||
| Canceled |
(1,631,277 |
) |
|
3.98 |
(361,876 |
) |
|
6.79 |
(13,889 |
) |
|
0.38 | ||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Outstanding at end of period |
4,978,073 |
|
$ |
2.42 |
2,739,474 |
|
$ |
5.54 |
1,028,682 |
|
$ |
2.30 | ||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Exercisable at end of Period |
1,319,321 |
|
$ |
3.73 |
692,669 |
|
$ |
2.19 |
248,238 |
|
$ |
0.76 | ||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Options Outstanding at December 31, 2001 |
Options Exercisable at December 31, 2001 | |||||||||||
| Range of Exercise Price |
Number Outstanding |
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
Weighted Average Exercise Price ($) |
Number Exercisable |
Weighted Average Exercise Price ($) | |||||||
| $0.04–$0.38 |
215,644 |
6.36 |
$ |
0.24 |
208,006 |
$ |
0.23 | |||||
| $0.86–$0.95 |
3,080,090 |
9.23 |
$ |
0.87 |
212,196 |
$ |
0.86 | |||||
| $1.81–$4.12 |
963,349 |
8.15 |
$ |
3.22 |
526,790 |
$ |
3.19 | |||||
| $5.77–$7.28 |
450,062 |
8.54 |
$ |
6.07 |
258,995 |
$ |
5.97 | |||||
| $13.00 |
268,928 |
8.41 |
$ |
13.00 |
113,334 |
$ |
13.00 | |||||
| |
|
|||||||||||
| 4,978,073 |
1,319,321 |
|||||||||||
| |
|
|||||||||||
Stock-based compensation. In connection with
certain stock option grants during the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999, the Company recognized deferred stock compensation totaling $63,000, $768,000, and $67,000, respectively, which is being amortized over the vesting periods of the
related options, which generally range from two to four years. Compensation expense recognized during the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999 totaled $63,000, $629,000, and $46,000, respectively.
Minimum value disclosures. The Company calculated the minimum value of stock option grants on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes pricing method with the following assumptions:
| Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||
| 2001 |
2000 |
|||||||
| Risk-free interest rate |
|
2-6.4 |
% |
|
5.37-6.4 |
% | ||
| Expected life (years) |
|
1-4 |
|
|
1-4 |
| ||
| Expected dividend yield |
|
— |
|
|
— |
| ||
| Volatility |
|
0-96 |
% |
|
0-75 |
% | ||
| Fair value of options at grant date |
$ |
0.03-$6.56 |
|
$ |
0.03-$6.56 |
| ||
Had compensation cost for the Company’s stock-based compensation plan been
determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for the stock option awards as prescribed by SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net loss per share would have resulted in the pro forma amounts disclosed below (in thousands except per share data):
F-23
SOHU.COM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
| Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
| 2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to common shareholders: |
||||||||||||
| As reported |
$ |
(43,587 |
) |
$ |
(23,150 |
) |
$ |
(4,366 |
) | |||
| Pro forma |
$ |
(45,292 |
) |
$ |
(24,197 |
) |
$ |
(4,411 |
) | |||
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted: |
||||||||||||
| As reported |
$ |
(1.22 |
) |
$ |
(1.14 |
) |
$ |
(0.47 |
) | |||
| Pro forma |
$ |
(1.27 |
) |
$ |
(1.19 |
) |
$ |
(0.47 |
) | |||
The effects of applying SFAS No. 123 methodology in this pro forma disclosure may
not be indicative of future amounts. Additional stock option awards in future years are expected.
On January 31, 2002, the
Board of Directors approved grants of options, pursuant to the Company’s 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, to purchase an aggregate of 1,395,578 shares of Sohu common stock, at an exercise price of $1.07 per share, except for the options issued to Dr.
Charles Zhang which have an exercise price of $1.18.
20. Net Loss Per Share
Net loss per share. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the periods
indicated (in thousands except per share data):
| Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
| 2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
||||||||||
| Numerator: |
||||||||||||
| Net loss |
$ |
(43,587 |
) |
$ |
(19,236 |
) |
$ |
(3,449 |
) | |||
| Accretion of Series B, C and D Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock to redemption value |
|
— |
|
|
(3,914 |
) |
|
(917 |
) | |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders |
$ |
(43,587 |
) |
$ |
(23,150 |
) |
$ |
(4,366 |
) | |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Denominator: |
||||||||||||
| Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
35,626 |
|
|
20,286 |
|
|
9,328 |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders |
$ |
(1.22 |
) |
$ |
(1.14 |
) |
$ |
(0.47 |
) | |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
| Antidilutive securities including options not included in net loss per share calculation |
|
231 |
|
|
9,957 |
|
|
12,820 |
| |||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
F-24
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, thereto duly authorized.
Date: March 15, 2001
| SOHU.COM INC. | ||
| By: |
/S/ DEREK
PALASCHUK | |
| Derek Palaschuk Chief Financial Officer and
Senior Vice President | ||
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below
hereby constitutes and appoints Charles Zhang and Derek Palaschuk, and each of them, his true and lawful proxies, attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to (i) act on, sign and title with the SEC any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, together with all exhibits thereto, (ii) act, sign and file such certificates, instruments, agreements and other documents as may
be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, and (iii) take any and all actions which may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, granting unto such agents, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, and each of them and his and their
substitute or substitutes, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or appropriate to be done in connection therewith, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
approving, ratifying and confirming all that such agents, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, any of them or any of his or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
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/ CHARLES ZHANG Charles Zhang |
Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
March 15, 2001 | ||
| /S/ DEREK PALASCHUK Derek Palaschuk |
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
|
March 15, 2001 | ||
| /s/ EDWARD B. ROBERTS Edward B. Roberts |
Director |
March 15, 2001 | ||
| /s/ JAMES MCGREGOR James McGregor |
Director |
March 15, 2001 | ||
| /s/ GEORGE CHANG George Chang |
Director |
March 15, 2001 | ||
| /s/ THOMAS GURNEE Thomas Gurnee |
Director |
March 15, 2001 |
II-1
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit No. |
Description | |
| ****3.1 |
Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Sohu.com Inc. as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on July
17, 2000. | |
| ***3.2 |
Amended and Restated By-Laws of Sohu.com Inc., effective July 17, 2000. | |
| ******4.1 |
Rights Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2001, between Sohu.com Inc. and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent
| |
| *****10.1 |
2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended. | |
| *10.2 |
Form of Stock Option Agreement. | |
| *10.3 |
Form of Non-Competition, Confidential Information and Work Product Agreement with the Registrant’s Executive
Officers. | |
| *10.4 |
English Translation of Form of Employment Agreement for Employees of Beijing ITC. | |
| *10.5 |
Second Amended and Restated Stockholders’ Voting Agreement. | |
| *10.6 |
Third Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement. | |
| *10.7 |
Technical Services Agreement between Hikari Tsushin, Inc. and Sohu ITC Information Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd.
| |
| *10.8 |
Technical Services Agreement between Legend (Beijing) Limited and Sohu ITC Information Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd.
| |
| *10.9 |
Technical Services Agreement between PCCW International Marketing Limited and Sohu ITC Information Technology (Beijing) Co.
Ltd. | |
| *10.10 |
Assets and Business Restructuring Agreement between Sohu ITC Information Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. and Beijing Sohu Online
Network Information Services, Ltd. | |
| *10.11 |
Cooperation Agreement between Sohu ITC Information Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. and Beijing Sohu Online Network Information
Services Ltd. | |
| *10.12 |
Option Agreement among Sohu ITC Information Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. and Charles Zhang and Jinmei He.
| |
| *10.13 |
Loan Agreement between Sohu.com Inc. and Charles Zhang | |
| *10.14 |
Loan Agreement between Sohu.com and Jinmei He. | |
| **10.15 |
Interim Loan Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2000, among Sohu.com Inc., as lender, ChinaRen, Inc. as Borrower, and Joseph
Chen, Nick Yang and Yunfan Zhou, as pledgors. | |
| **10.16 |
Agreement and Plan of Merger among Sohu.com Inc., Alpha Sub Inc. and ChinaRen, Inc. dated as of September 13,
2000. | |
| *****10.17 |
Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2000 between Charles Zhang and Pacific Century Cyberworks. | |
| 10.18 |
Loan and Share Pledge Agreement dated November 19, 2001 among Sohu.com Inc., Dr. Charles Zhang and Li Wei
| |
| *****21.1 |
Subsidiaries of the registrant. | |
| 23.1 |
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers (filed herewith). | |
| 24.1 |
Power of Attorney (included in signature page to this Form 10-K) |
* |
Incorporated herein by reference to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-96137). |
** |
Incorporated herein by reference to the registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed on September 28, 2000. |
*** |
Incorporated herein by reference to the registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed on November 2, 2000. |
**** |
Incorporated herein by reference to the registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2000. |
***** |
Incorporated herein by reference to the registrant’s Report on Form 10-K filed on March 19, 2001. |
****** |
Incorporated herein by reference to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on July 30, 2001. |
EXHIBIT 10.18
THIS LOAN AND SHARE PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into on this 19th day of November 2001 in Beijing, People’s Republic of China (“PRC”)
among
(1) Sohu.com, Inc., a U.S. corporation, of Delaware, U.S. (“Party A”),
and
(2) Charles Zhang, a PRC citizen whose passport number is 2729176 and residential address is Hui Hao Ge
Apartments, Henderson Centre, 18 Jianguomen Nei Avenue, Beijing, 100005, PRC (“Party B”),
and
(3) Wei Li, a PRC citizen whose PRC identity card no. is 110108721201576. (“Party C”)
(individually a “Party” and together the “Parties”).
RECITALS
A. Party B and Party C wish to establish
Beijing Century High-Tech Company Limited a domestic limited liability company in Beijing, PRC (“Domestic Company”), in which they will hold 80% and 20% equity, respectively.
B. The Domestic Company will be established to engage in the business of investment, investment management, enterprise management consulting, investment consulting, and
undertaking business operations of other entities with agency capacity within the PRC.
C. Party B and Party C wish to borrow the amount specified in Article 2.1 below (the “Loan”)
from Party A, and Party A has agreed to provide the Loan to Party B and Party C on an interest-free basis, for the sole purpose of establishing the Domestic Company and developing the Domestic Company’s business, which shall specifically
include the entering into of a series of agreements with Party A and its Affiliates (as defined below).
D. As security for the Loan and their performance of this Agreement, Party B and Party C have agreed to
pledge their respective equity interests in the Domestic Company (the “Shares”) to Party A.
NOW,
THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
1.1 Definitions. Unless otherwise indicated, the following terms in this Agreement shall have the meanings set
forth below:
| “Affiliate” any affiliate entity or business associate of Party A, including without limitation the WFOE
– Sohu ITC Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. | ||
| “Certificate” as defined in Article 3.1.9; |
||
| “Conversion Date” As defined in Article 7.2.1; | ||
| “Conversion Notice” as defined in Article 7.1; | ||
| “Designee” an individual, corporation or other appropriate entity designated by Party A to be the
recipient of a Share |
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| Transfer; | ||
| “Event of Default” As defined in Article 6; | ||
| “Loan Date” with respect to Party B and Party C, the date on which the portion of the Loan amount
borrowed by such Party is paid into his designated bank account; | ||
| “PRC Law” any published and available laws and regulations of the PRC; | ||
| “Repayment Date” as defined in Article 2.3; | ||
| “RMB” Renminbi, the lawful currency of the PRC; | ||
| “Share Transfer” as defined in Article 7.2.1; |
||
| “USD” United States Dollar, the lawful currency of the United States of America. | ||
| “WFOE” A wholly-owned subsidiary established by Party A in the PRC. |
1.2 Interpretations. The headings herein
are for reference purposes only and do not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision hereof. Any reference herein to an Article or Appendix is to an article or appendix of this Agreement. The use of the plural shall include the use of
the singular, and vice versa. Unless otherwise indicated, a reference herein to a day, month or year is to a calendar day, month or year. A reference to a business day is to a day on which commercial banks are open for business in both the PRC and
the U.S. The use of the masculine shall include the use of the feminine, and vice versa.
2. AMOUNT AND REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN
2.1 Loan Amount. Party A agrees, subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, to extend the Loan to Party B and Party C in a total amount of USD4.595 million that is equivalent to RMB 38,000,000, of which 80% shall be for the benefit of Party B and the remaining 20% shall be for the benefit of Party C. The Loan
shall be interest-free.
2.2 Provision of Loan. The Loan shall be deemed to have been
provided to Party B and Party C on the Loan Date.
2.3 Date of Repayment. The Loan,
together with any other moneys owing under this Agreement by Party B and Party C, shall become repayable upon the earliest to occur of any of the following events (each a “Repayment Date”):
2.3.1 in full, on the occurrence of an Event of Default;
2.3.2 in full, on the resignation or removal of Party B or Party C from the position of director, general manager, supervisor of the Domestic Company;
2.3.3 in full, with respect to Party B or Party C, the date on which such Party’s employment
relationship with Party A or any Affiliate terminates for any reason;
2.3.4 In full, where Party A
intends to replace this Agreement with another agreement, the date of the written notice from Party A to Party B and Party C confirming such intention; or
2.3.5 In full or in part, at Party A’s sole discretion upon any date selected by Party A after the second anniversary of the date of signing of this
Agreement.
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2.4 Method of Repayment. Repayment will be made only
by means of converting the Loan into Shares, as described in Article 7 below, with the final amount of the Loan being due and repayable on the final Conversion Date. The Loan may not be repaid prior to the Repayment Date or by any means not
specifically permitted in this Article 2.4 without the express written consent of Party A.
3. UNDERTAKINGS AND WARRANTIES OF
PARTY B AND PARTY C
3.1 Undertakings and Warranties. Each of Party B and Party C hereby
undertakes and warrants to Party A that:
3.1.1 the Loan will be used solely for the purpose of
establishing the Domestic Company and developing its business activities;
3.1.2 he shall use the
proceeds from the Loan solely for the purpose of contributing his amount of the registered capital in the Domestic Company;
3.1.3 he has and shall maintain the full power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to borrow the Loan and to perform his obligations hereunder;
3.1.4 there are no civil or criminal, claims, actions, suits, investigations or proceedings pending or, to his knowledge, threatened against him;
3.1.5 there is no provision of any Agreement, enforceable judgement or order of any court binding
on him or affecting his property, which would in any way prevent or materially adversely affect his execution or performance of this Agreement;
3.1.6 the execution and performance of this Agreement and the realization of Party A’s rights hereunder will not violate any mortgage right, contract,
judgement, decree or law which is binding upon him or his assets;
3.1.7 upon his investment in the
Domestic Company, he shall be the sole legal and beneficial owner of his Shares, free and clear of all pledges and encumbrances other than the security interest created by this Agreement;
3.1.8 he shall cause the pledge of his respective Shares to Party A to be recorded on the Domestic Company’s register of shareholders;
3.1.9 upon the establishment of the Domestic Company, he shall provide to Party A a certificate from the
Domestic Company evidencing his ownership of the Shares (a “Certificate”) together with an Assignment Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as an Appendix;
3.1.10 for duration of this Agreement, he will not cause the Domestic Company, without the written consent of Party A, to engage directly or indirectly in
any business activities which compete with those of Party A other than those described in Recital B above;
3.1.11 he will, at any time and at Party A’s expense, defend the Shares against any third party claims;
3.1.12 without the consent of Party A, except as expressly permitted hereunder, he will not arrange for or otherwise permit or cause the issuance of any new shares of capital stock of the Domestic Company;
3.1.13 he shall do or cause to be done all such acts, and execute or cause to be executed any
necessary documents and registrations, such that the conversion of the Loan, the Share Transfers and all other transactions contemplated hereunder are effected in a legal and valid manner; and
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3.1.14 he shall maintain as strictly confidential the existence
and provisions of this Agreement, as well as of any correspondence, resolutions, ancillary agreements and any other documentation associated herewith.
4. COVENANTS
4.1 Affirmative Covenants. Each of
Party B and Party C hereby covenants that he will furnish to Party A, within 10 days after the end of each month after the Domestic Company has been established, with financial statements of the Domestic Company and such additional information as
Party A may from time to time reasonably request
4.2 Further Covenants. Each of Party
B and Party C further covenants that, from the date hereof until full repayment of the Loan has been effected, he will not, and will ensure that the Domestic Company does not, except with the prior written consent of Party A:
4.2.1 incur or assume any debt that is not due and payable in the ordinary course of its business (except
indebtedness to Party A hereunder or as otherwise specifically permitted hereunder);
4.2.2 incur
or assume any mortgage, pledge or other encumbrance of any kind upon any assets of the Domestic Company, whether now owned or hereafter acquired;
4.2.3 enter into any agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding to, or actually acquire all or part of the substantial assets of any third party;
4.2.4 enter into any agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding to, or actually sell,
lease, or otherwise dispose of any assets of the Domestic Company except in the ordinary course of business;
4.2.5 enter into any agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding to, or actually, make loans or advances to any third party;
4.2.6 enter into any agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding to, or actually, assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable for the
obligation of any third party or other entity; or
4.2.7 permit the Domestic Company to conduct any business
not expressly described in Recital B of this Agreement.
4.3 Rights of Party A.
4.3.1 Party B and Party C agree that they shall obtain Party A’s written approval prior to undertaking any of the
following, namely:
4.3.1.1 appointing and removing the directors of the Domestic Company;
4.3.1.2 appointing and removing the general manager of the Domestic Company; and
4.3.1.3 approving the terms of employment of the general manager.
4.3.2 Party B and Party C agree that they shall obtain Party A’s written approval prior to undertaking any of the
following, namely:
4.3.2.1 appointing and removing of the senior management personnel and any key
personnel of the Domestic Company; and
4.3.2.2 approving the terms of employment of the senior
management personnel and key personnel of the Domestic Company.
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5. SHARE PLEDGE
5.1 Share Pledge. As security for the performance in full of the obligations of Party B and Party C under this Agreement, Party B and Party C
each hereby pledges to Party A, and creates in favor of Party A or the Designee (as appropriate), a first priority security interest in all of the rights, title and interest in and to:
5.1.1 the Shares; and
5.1.2 all of his incidental rights with respect to the Shares, now or hereafter acquired.
Such security interest to be perfected by
compliance by Party B and Party C with Article 3.1.9 of this Agreement.
5.2 Power of
Attorney. Each of Party B and Party C hereby irrevocably grants to Party A or the Designee (as appropriate) full power of attorney for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement, as well as taking any
action and executing any instrument which Party A in good faith deems necessary to accomplish for purposes of this Agreement.
6. EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute a
default of the Loan hereunder and a breach of this Agreement by Party B or Party C (as appropriate) (an “Event of Default”):
6.1 a Share Transfer has not been effected by either Party B or Party C within 20 working days after the corresponding Conversion Date or such time as may otherwise be agreed upon by the Parties;
6.2 either Party B or Party C is in breach of any of the terms and conditions hereof, and such breach has not been
rectified for a period of 10 days after receipt of Party A’s written notice requesting such rectified;
6.3 any
undertaking or warranty made by either Party B or Party C herein shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect;
6.4 Party B or Party C makes any arrangement with his respective creditors or takes or suffers any similar action in consequence of debt; or
6.5 any judgment is made under any applicable law against Party B or Party C which exceeds USD 50,000.
7. LOAN CONVERSION
7.1 Share
Conversion. As of the Repayment Date, the Loan shall be convertible into Shares on the basis that 100 percent of the Loan amount equals 100 percent of the Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, if 10 percent of the Loan were
repayable by Party B and/or Party C, then such Party or Parties, as the case may be, would be required to transfer 10% of the total number of the Shares to Party A. The Loan shall become repayable to such extent as Party A may from time to time
request, until the entire Loan amount has been repaid. Party A shall request to convert all or a percentage of the Loan by means of a written notice to Party B and Party C that specifies the percentage of the Loan to be converted into Shares
(“Conversion Notice”).
7.2 Share Transfer.
7.2.1 Within 20 working days after receipt of a Conversion Notice (“Conversion Date”), Party B and Party C
shall effect the transfer of the portion of the Shares designated in the Conversion Notice, either to Party A directly or to the Designee specified by Party A in the Conversion Notice (each a “Share Transfer”).
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7.2.2 For the avoidance of doubt, upon the completion of the
conversion of the Loan and the transfer of all of the Shares of Party B and Party C (whether pursuant to this Article 7 or an Event of Default), Party A shall hold as many of the Shares as is permissible under PRC Law, and the remainder of the
Shares (if applicable) shall be held by the Designees, with Party B and Party C no longer holding any Shares. At such time, this Agreement shall be deemed to have terminated, and the obligations of Party B and Party C hereunder to have been
fulfilled (with the exception of those under 3.1.13 and 3.1.14).
7.3 Delay. Party B
and Party C each undertakes to notify Party A immediately of any delay in effecting a Share Transfer or completing the procedures described in Article 7.2 above, together with the reason for such delay and revised effective date of the Share
Transfer.
7.4 Repayment of Loan. The corresponding portion of the Loan shall be deemed
to have been repaid as of the effective date of each Share Transfer. Once Party B and Party C have completed the Share Transfers in accordance with the provisions of this Article 7, the Loan shall be deemed to have been repaid in full and Party B
and Party C shall be deemed to have performed their repayment obligations hereunder.
8. MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 Notices and Delivery. All notices and communications among the Parties shall be made in writing
and in the English language by facsimile transmission with confirmation of transmission, delivery in person (including courier service) or registered airmail letter to the appropriate correspondence addresses set forth below:
Party A
Sohu.com, Inc.
15/F, Tower 2, Bright China Chang An Building, 7 Jianguomen Nei Avenue, Beijing 100005
Tel : 8610-6510-2160
Fax : 8610-6510-2159
Party B
Charles Zhang
Tel : 8610-6510-2160
Party C
Wei Li
Tel : 8610-6510-2160
8.2 Timing. The time of receipt of the notice or communication shall be deemed to be:
8.2.1 If by facsimile transmission with confirmation of transmission, at the time displayed in the corresponding
transmission record, unless such facsimile is sent after 5:00 p.m. or on a non-business day in the place where it is received, in which case the date of receipt shall be deemed to be the following business day;
8.2.2 if in person (including express mail), on the date that the receiving Party or a person at the receiving Party’s
address signs for the document; or
8.2.3 if by registered mail, on the 10th day after the date that is printed on the receipt of the registered mail.
8.3 Foreign Exchange. All amounts payable by Party B and Party C hereunder shall be paid in USD. If, as a result of foreign exchange
restrictions in the PRC, it becomes illegal for either Party B or Party C to make any payment to Party A in USD, then he shall make that payment
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in any other currency permitted for such purposes, as shall be stipulated by Party A at its sole discretion. In such an event, the amount of the payment shall be calculated at the rate published
by the Bank of China on the relevant payment date, and shall be free and clear of all expenses, withholding taxes and commissions.
8.4 Amendments. The provisions of this Agreement may not be waived, modified or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by the Parties (which instrument shall be attached as an Appendix
hereto).
8.5 No Waiver. Failure or delay on the part of any Party to exercise any
right under this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
8.6 Severability. The invalidity of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity of any other provision of this Agreement which is unrelated to that provision.
8.7 Survival. The confidentiality obligations of the Parties hereunder shall remain in full force
and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement for any reason.
8.8 Taxes and
Duties. Party A shall be responsible for all stamp duties and other governmental fees, taxes and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable legal fees) incurred by the Parties in connection with the conversion
of the Loan and each Share Transfer made hereunder and in the preparation of this Agreement.
8.9 Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties and upon their respective successors and assigns (if any).
8.10 Assignment. Neither Party B nor Party C may assign or otherwise transfer his rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior
written consent of Party A.
8.11 Governing Law. The execution, validity,
interpretation and implementation of this Agreement and the settlement of disputes thereunder shall be governed by PRC Law.
8.12 Arbitration. All disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreementshall be finally settled under the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce as
administered by the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong by a sole arbitrator appointed in accordance with the said Rules conducted in the English language.
8.13 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Appendix hereto constitute the entire agreement between the
Parties and supersede all prior discussions, negotiations and agreements. The Appendix form an integral part hereof and have the same legal effect as this Agreement. If there is any inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and any of
the Appendix, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail to the extent of such inconsistency.
8.14 Language. This Agreement will be signed in 3 sets of originals in the Chinese and English language, with 1 original for each Party. The two language versions shall have equal validity and the
wording of each version shall be deemed to carry the same meaning. In the event of any discrepancy between the wordings of the said two versions, such discrepancy shall be interpreted according to the purpose of this Agreement and based on the
English text.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed or caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly authorised representatives (as the case may be) as of the date first indicated above.
| FOR AND ON BEHALF OF SOHU.COM,
INC. | ||
| By: |
/s/ DEREK PALASCHUK | |
| Derek Palaschuk Chief Financial Officer |
||
| By: |
/s/ CHARLES ZHANG | |
| Charles Zhang |
| By: |
/s/ WEI LI | |
| Wei Li |
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EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-61814) and the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to The Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-67246) of our report dated February 1, 2002, relating to the financial statements as of December 31, 2001 and 2000 and for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001, which appears in this Form 10-K.
/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Beijing, China
March 15, 2002