Netlist Settles Patent Dispute with SK hynix for $30M

TL;DR

Netlist settles patent war with SK hynix for $30M, gets supply deal.

AI Summary

Netlist, Inc. announced on June 13, 2024, that it has entered into a settlement agreement with SK hynix Inc. to resolve all outstanding patent litigation. The agreement includes a settlement payment of $30 million, payable in installments over the next 18 months, and a supply agreement for memory products.

Why It Matters

This settlement resolves a significant legal overhang for Netlist, potentially improving its financial stability and allowing it to focus on business operations rather than protracted litigation.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: medium — While the settlement resolves litigation, the $30 million payment and ongoing supply agreement introduce financial considerations and potential execution risks.

Key Numbers

• $30 million — Settlement Payment (Amount to be paid by Netlist to SK hynix over 18 months to resolve patent litigation.)

Key Players & Entities

• Netlist, Inc. (company) — Registrant
• SK hynix Inc. (company) — Party to settlement agreement
• $30 million (dollar_amount) — Settlement payment

FAQ

Filing Documents

• tm2417289d1_8k.htm (8-K) — 29KB
• tm2417289d1_ex16-1.htm (EX-16.1) — 2KB
• tm2417289d1_8kimg001.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 9KB
• 0001104659-24-072878.txt ( ) — 223KB
• tmb-20240613.xsd (EX-101.SCH) — 3KB
• tmb-20240613_lab.xml (EX-101.LAB) — 33KB
• tmb-20240613_pre.xml (EX-101.PRE) — 22KB
• tm2417289d1_8k_htm.xml (XML) — 3KB

01

Item 4.01 Changes in the Registrant's Certifying Accountant. On May 20, 2024, the partners and professional staff of KMJ Corbin & Company LLP ("KMJ"), which was engaged as the independent registered public accounting firm of Netlist, Inc. (the "Company"), joined Crowe LLP. As a result, KMJ resigned as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm on June 13, 2024. On June 13, 2024, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company appointed Macias Gini & O'Connell LLP ("MGO") as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 28, 2024. The audit report of KMJ on the Company's consolidated financial or a disclaimer of an opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles, except for adverse opinions on internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 issued in connection with the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 as a result of the material weakness described below. During the fiscal years ended December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and the subsequent interim period through June 13, 2024, there were no disagreements (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K) with KMJ on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of KMJ, would have caused KMJ to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its' audit reports on the Company's consolidated

financial statements for such years

financial statements for such years. During the fiscal years ended December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and in the subsequent interim period through June 13, 2024, there were no reportable events (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K), except as reported in Part II, Item 9A of the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company reported a material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting during such periods due to the lack of an independent board and audit committee and lack of independent oversight of the financial reporting process to ensure adequate monitoring and oversight of internal controls. The Company has provided KMJ with a copy of the above disclosures and has requested that KMJ furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether or not it agrees with the statements made above. A copy of KMJ's letter dated June 18, 2024 is attached as Exhibit 16.1 to this report. During the fiscal years ended December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and the subsequent interim period through June 13, 2024, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf has consulted with MGO with respect to either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company's consolidated financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that MGO concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K) or a reportable event (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

Financial Statements and Exhibits

Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits. Exhibit No. Description 16.1 Letter from KMJ Corbin & Company LLP, dated June 18, 2024. 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). 2 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. NETLIST, INC. Date: June 18, 2024 By: /s/ Gail M. Sasaki Gail M. Sasaki Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 3

View Full Filing

View this 8-K filing on SEC EDGAR