v3.7.0.1
Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company is regularly involved in litigation, both as a plaintiff and as a defendant, relating to its business and operations. The Company assesses the likelihood of any judgments or outcomes with respect to these matters and determines loss contingency assessments on a gross basis after assessing the probability of incurrence of a loss and whether a loss is reasonably estimable. In addition, the Company considers other relevant factors that could impact its ability to reasonably estimate a loss. A determination of the amount of reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after analyzing each matter. The Company’s reserves may change in the future due to new developments or changes in strategy in handling these matters. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company currently believes the final outcome of the matters listed below will not have a material adverse effect on its business, consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can adversely impact the Company as a result of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.

Moore, et al. v. Angie’s List, Inc., 2:15cv-01243-SD. On March 11, 2015, a lawsuit seeking class action status was filed against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The lawsuit alleged claims for breaches of contract and the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraud and fraudulent inducement, unjust enrichment and violation of Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law premised on the allegations that the Company does not disclose that it accepts advertising payments from service providers or that the payments allegedly impact the service provider letter-grade ratings, the content and availability of reviews about the provider and the provider’s place in search-result rankings. The Company filed a motion to dismiss on May 13, 2015, which was granted in part on August 7, 2015. In particular, the plaintiff’s claims for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing and unjust enrichment were dismissed from the action. On April 19, 2016, the parties agreed to settle the claims on a class-wide basis. Among other relief, the settlement provided for a cash payment of up to $2,350 to create a fund for the payment of cash to settlement class members and for the payment of plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and costs as approved by the Court. Settlement class members were given the option of sharing in the cash fund or selecting a free period of membership of up to four months depending on the date and length of their membership with Angie’s List. The settlement also provided certain prospective relief in the form of enhanced explanations in the Company’s membership agreement and in responses to frequently asked questions concerning, among other things, the advertising revenue earned from service providers. The Company recorded a $3,500 contingent liability related to this matter in the first quarter of 2016, and this amount included the estimated cost of the cash fund described above as well as the payment of reasonable notice and administration costs, attorneys’ fees and an assumption of revenue the Company would forego as a result of certain class members selecting the option for a free period of membership. On December 12, 2016, the Court entered an order granting final approval of the settlement. One class member appealed the order, but the plaintiff settled with the class member, and the class member stipulated to dismiss the appeal. On January 13, 2017, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals entered an order dismissing the appeal, and the settlement became final and effective as of that date.
The Company, with the assistance of its third-party settlement administrator, is now in the process of administering the settlement. On January 30, 2017, the Company made the above-referenced cash payment into an escrow account to be paid to the class members who selected the cash class benefit, as well as to plaintiffs’ counsel. On February 13, 2017, the Company updated its membership agreement and relevant website FAQs to include the above-referenced enhanced explanations regarding advertising revenue earned from service providers. Also, in February 2017, the Company provided instructions on how to redeem membership extensions to the class members who selected the membership extension class benefit. The aforementioned contingent legal liability was subsequently reduced by $671 following completion of the election period for settlement class members during the fourth quarter of 2016. The Company’s accrual for this matter was $2,601 and $145 as of December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2017, respectively. Although class members may redeem their membership extension class benefit for up to two years, the Company considers this matter closed.

Williams, et al. v. Angie’s List, Inc., 1:16-cv-878. On April 20, 2016, a group of former employees filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The lawsuit alleges the Company failed to pay (i) wages earned in a timely manner as required under Indiana Wage Statutes and (ii) overtime wages in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. §§ 206-07) and is requesting payment of all damages, including unpaid wages, interest, attorneys’ fees and other charges. Six amended complaints were filed, adding additional named plaintiffs, and the Company filed its answer to the sixth amended complaint on April 10, 2017. The plaintiffs filed a motion for conditional certification on June 10, 2016, and the Company filed its response brief in opposition on July 15, 2016. The Court denied the plaintiffs’ motion for conditional certification on November 30, 2016 but allowed the plaintiffs to refile with a more narrow class definition. On December 9, 2016, the plaintiffs filed a renewed motion for conditional certification. The Company filed its response to the renewed motion on January 6, 2017, and the plaintiffs filed their reply on January 17, 2017. The Court denied the plaintiffs’ renewed motion for conditional certification on April 28, 2017. The Company is currently unable to determine the likely outcome or reasonably estimate the amount or range of potential liability, if any, related to this matter, and accordingly, has not established any reserve for this matter.

Crabtree, et al. v. Angie’s List, Inc., 1:16-cv-877. On April 20, 2016, three former employees filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The lawsuit alleges the Company failed to pay (i) wages earned in a timely manner as required under Indiana Wage Statutes and (ii) overtime wages in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. §§ 206-07) and is requesting payment of all damages, including unpaid wages, interest, attorneys’ fees and other charges. The plaintiffs filed a first amended complaint in May 2016, adding one additional Indiana wage statute claim. The Company filed its answer and defenses on June 9, 2016. Discovery with respect to this matter is ongoing. The Company is currently unable to determine the likely outcome or reasonably estimate the amount or range of potential liability, if any, related to this matter, and accordingly, has not established any reserve for this matter.