XML 279 R34.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 26, 2025

Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, investments, accounts receivable, and contract assets. We maintain cash, cash equivalents, and investments with multiple financial institutions that have high credit standing, and that we believe are financially sound and have minimal credit risk exposure, although at times our balances may exceed the applicable insurance coverage limits. We monitor and manage the overall counterparty credit risk exposure of our cash balances to individual financial institutions on an ongoing basis. Our investment portfolio may consist of investment-grade securities diversified amongst security types, industries, and issuers. All of our securities are held in custody by large national financial institutions. Our investment policy limits the amount of credit exposure to a maximum of 5% of our total portfolio to any one issuer, except for the U.S. Treasury, and we believe no significant concentration risk exists

with respect to these investments. We also mitigate counterparty risk through entering into derivative contracts with high-credit-quality financial institutions. Actual or potential defaults of one or more financial institutions could impact our results of operations or financial position, and make it challenging to find alternative qualified counterparties.

The majority of our licensing revenue is generated from customers outside of the United States ("U.S."). We manage the credit risk posed by non-U.S. customers by performing regular evaluations of the creditworthiness of our licensing customers and recognize revenue in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

In fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023, we did not have any individual customers that accounted for 10% of our total revenue.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of funds held in general checking accounts and money market accounts.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheets consists of royalties payable to third-party licensors through certain Via LA-administered patent pools. Restricted cash also consists of cash contributed by Dolby and third-party licensors to Via LA, our subsidiary, that may only be used for licensor enforcement actions or licensee compliance activities related to certain Via LA-administered patent pools, as well as to disperse costs associated with any audit of Via LA for the Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) patent pool

Investments

Our investments primarily consist of our equity securities and our mutual fund investments held in our SERP, which are classified as trading securities. Investments that have an original maturity of 91 days or more at the date of purchase and a current maturity of less than one year are classified as short-term investments, while investments with a current maturity of more than one year are classified as long-term investments. AFS securities, if any, and trading securities held in our SERP are recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities are reported as a component of AOCI, while realized gains and losses and credit losses are reported as a component of net income. Upon sale, gains and losses are reclassified from AOCI into earnings, and are determined based on specific identification of securities sold.

We evaluate our investment portfolio for impairment by comparing the fair value with the cost basis for each of our investment securities. If the fair value of the AFS securities, if any, is less than amortized cost, such securities are considered impaired. If we have the intent to sell the debt security, or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost, the difference between the amortized cost (net of allowance, if any) and the fair value of the securities is reported as an impairment loss in net income. Impaired debt securities that we intend to hold are evaluated to determine whether we need to recognize an allowance for credit losses, limited to the difference between the fair value and amortized cost of the security.

Equity Securities

Equity securities for which we possess the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over operating and financing decisions are accounted for under the equity method. In applying the equity method, we record the investment at cost and subsequently increase or decrease the carrying amount of the investment by our proportionate share of the investee's net earnings or losses. We record dividends or other equity distributions as reductions in the carrying value of the investment. Our share of the equity method investee's net income or loss is included in other income/(expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations. Our equity method investments are included within long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets.

We also hold several investments in equity securities of privately-held companies without a readily determinable fair value, and equity securities of publicly traded companies with a readily determinable fair value. The equity securities without a readily determinable fair value are accounted for using the measurement alternative, which is cost, less any impairment, adjusted for changes in fair value resulting from observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. We perform a qualitative assessment at each reporting date to determine whether there are triggering events for impairment. The equity securities with a readily determinable fair value are

measured at fair value, with any gains or losses recognized in other income, net on the consolidated statements of operations. These equity securities are included within short-term and long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Credit Losses

We maintain a provision for estimated credit losses on receivables resulting from our customers' inability to make required payments. In determining the provision, we pool receivables with similar risk characteristics to evaluate the collectability of our receivables. Risk characteristics considered in creating these risk pools include assessing historical or expected loss patterns, credit ratings, current macroeconomic conditions that could impact collectability of cash flows, and structure of customer agreements. In cases where circumstances have changed such that specific customers no longer share similar risk characteristics, customers are excluded from their current pool and their risk profiles are evaluated separately. We recognize allowances for credit losses based on our actual historical loss information, the current business environment, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Actual future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ from our estimates.

Inventories

Inventories are accounted for using the first-in, first-out method, and are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. We evaluate our ending inventories for estimated excess quantities and obsolescence. Our evaluation includes the analysis of future sales demand by product within specific time horizons. Inventories in excess of projected future demand are written down to their net realizable value. In addition, we assess the impact of changing technology on our inventory balances and write-off inventories that are considered obsolete. Write-downs and write-offs of inventory are recorded as a cost of products in our consolidated statements of operations. We classify inventory that we do not expect to sell within twelve months as other non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheets.

Property, Plant, and Equipment

PP&E is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis according to estimated useful lives assigned to each of our different categories of PP&E as summarized within the following table:


PP&E Category			Useful Life
Computer equipment and software			3 to 5 years
Machinery and equipment			3 to 8 years
Furniture and fixtures			5 to 8 years
Leasehold improvements			Lesser of useful life or related lease term
Equipment provided under operating leases			15 years
Buildings and building improvements			20 to 40 years

We may encounter scenarios where assets we acquire may deviate from the established standard useful life provided above. Such occurrences are evaluated on a case by case basis, and are assigned a useful life commensurate with the facts and circumstances associated with the specific PP&E being acquired. We capitalize certain costs incurred during the construction phase of a project or asset into construction-in-progress until the construction process is complete. Once the related asset is placed into service, we transfer its carrying value into the appropriate fixed asset category and begin depreciating the value over its useful life.

Equipment Provided Under Operating Leases. In arrangements that we assess as operating leases, we recognize our equipment installed at third-party sites as PP&E and depreciate the asset on a straight-line basis.

Internal Use Software

Internal-use Software. We capitalize qualifying internal-use software development costs, consisting primarily of external and internal labor, including stock based compensation, incurred during the application development stage. Costs incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages are charged to expense. Capitalized costs are included in PP&E, net of accumulated amortization in our consolidated balance sheets. Our capitalized internal-use software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of three years, unless another systematic and rational basis is more representative of the software’s useful life.

Business Combination

Business Combinations

For business combinations, we recognize the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interests in an acquiree, which are measured based on the acquisition date fair value. Goodwill is

measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net amounts of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the acquisition date.

We use significant estimates and assumptions to determine the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, any contractual obligations assumed, pre-acquisition contingencies, and contingent consideration, and the related useful lives of the acquired assets, when applicable, as of the acquisition date. These estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain and may be subject to change as additional information is received and certain tax returns are finalized.

As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. After the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.

Acquisition costs are recorded in general and administrative and sales and marketing expenses on the consolidated statements of operations, and are recognized as incurred.

Goodwill, Intangible Assets, and Long-Lived Assets

We perform an assessment of goodwill for potential impairment annually during our third fiscal quarter or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. For our annual goodwill test as of the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2025, a qualitative assessment was performed and we concluded that it was more likely than not that its fair value was in excess of its carrying amount. Accordingly, no quantitative assessment was performed and no impairment was recorded. We did not incur any goodwill impairment losses in any of the periods presented.

Intangible assets are stated at their original cost less accumulated amortization, and those with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Our intangible assets principally consist of acquired technology, patents, customer relationships and contracts, the majority of which are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives using a range from three to eighteen years.

We review long-lived assets, including intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or a change in circumstances indicate an asset or asset group’s carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset or asset group is measured by comparing its carrying amount to the total future undiscounted cash flows that it is expected to generate. If it is determined that an asset or asset group is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded in the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value.

Revenue Recognition

We enter into revenue arrangements with our customers to license technologies, trademarks and patents for sound and imaging solutions, and to sell products and services. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over the use of a license, product, or service to a customer.

For additional financial information and a summary of our accounting policy, refer to Note 3 "Revenue Recognition" to our consolidated financial statements.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of licensing. Cost of licensing primarily consists of amortization expenses associated with purchased intangible assets and intangible assets acquired in business combinations. Cost of licensing also includes IP royalty obligations to third parties, depreciation of our Dolby Cinema equipment provided under operating leases in collaborative arrangements, and direct fees incurred.

Cost of products and services. Cost of products primarily consists of the cost of materials related to products sold, applied labor, and manufacturing overhead. Our cost of products also includes third party royalty obligations paid to license IP that we include in our products. Cost of services primarily consists of the personnel and personnel-related costs of employees performing our professional services, and those of outside consultants, and reimbursable expenses incurred on behalf of customers.

Stock-Based Compensation

We measure expenses associated with all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair-value method and record such expense in our consolidated financial statements on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

Advertising and Promotional Costs

Advertising and promotional costs are charged primarily to S&M expense as incurred. Our advertising and promotional costs were as follows (in thousands):


	Fiscal Year Ended
	September 26, 2025		September 27, 2024		September 29, 2023
Advertising and promotional costs	$	51,021	$	57,338	$	59,821

Income Taxes

We use the asset and liability method, under which deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, and NOL carryforwards are measured using the enacted tax rate expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the differences are expected to be reversed. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is additionally dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable income in making this assessment, and we record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

We record an unrecognized tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. We include interest and penalties related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within our provision for income taxes. To the extent accrued interest and penalties do not ultimately become payable, amounts accrued are reversed in the period that such determination is made and are reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

We continually assess any ASUs or other new accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB to determine their applicability and impact on us. Where it is determined that a new accounting pronouncement will result in a change to our financial reporting, we take the appropriate steps to ensure that such changes are properly reflected in our consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

Adopted Standards

Segment Reporting. In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which enhances the disclosures required for operating segments by requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, among other expanded disclosures. We adopted this standard during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 on a retrospective basis. The adoption did not have a material impact on consolidated financial statements. See Note 16, "Operating Segments and Geographic Information," for more information.

Standards Not Yet Effective

Income Taxes. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires further enhancement of income tax disclosures, primarily through standardization and disaggregation of rate reconciliation categories and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. This standard is effective for Dolby beginning September 27, 2025 on a prospective basis. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the standard's adoption on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Income Statement. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which requires public companies to disclose, in interim and annual reporting periods, additional information about certain expenses in notes to financial statements, including purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, and selling expenses. In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Clarifying the Effective Date, which clarified the effective date of ASU 2024-03. This standard will be effective for Dolby's annual period beginning September 25, 2027 and interim periods beginning September 30, 2028, with early adoption permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the standard's adoption on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Intangibles. In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-06, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other — Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software, which eliminates references to the previous stage-based model, and requires capitalization of software costs when

management has committed to the software project and it is probable the software will be completed and perform its intended use. This standard is effective for Dolby beginning September 30, 2028, and may be applied prospectively, retrospectively, or using a modified transition approach, with early adoption permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the standard's adoption on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Revenue Recognition

A. Identification of the Contract or Contracts with Customers

We generally determine that a contract with a customer exists upon the execution of an agreement and after consideration of collectability, which could include an evaluation of the customer's payment history, the existence of a standby letter of credit between the customer’s financial institution and our financial institution, public financial information, and other factors. At contract inception, we also evaluate whether two or more non-standard agreements with a customer should be combined and accounted for as a single contract.

B. Identification of Performance Obligations in a Contract

We generate revenue principally from the following sources, which represent performance obligations in our contracts with customers:

•Licensing. We license our technologies, including patents, to a range of customers who incorporate them into their products for enhanced audio and imaging functionality across broadcast, mobile, CE, PC, gaming, and other markets.

•Product Sales. We design and provide audio and imaging products for the cinema, television, broadcast, and entertainment industries.

•Services. We provide various services to support theatrical and television production for cinema exhibition, broadcast, and home entertainment, including equipment training, mixing room alignment, equalization, as well as audio, color and light image calibration. We also offer solutions through our platform Dolby OptiView (previously named Dolby.io) to companies building real-time digital experiences that increase audience engagement. Our solution provides the capability to stream high quality audiovisual content in ultra-low latency which reduces the delay between the action and the viewer.

•PCS. We provide PCS for products sold and for equipment leased, and we support the implementation of our licensing technologies in our licensees’ products.

•Equipment Leases. We collaborate with established cinema exhibitors to offer Dolby Cinema, a branded premium cinema offering for movie audiences by leasing equipment and licensing our IP.

•Licensing Administration Fees. We generate administrative fees for managing patent pools on behalf of third party patent owners through our subsidiary, Via LA.

Some of our revenue arrangements include multiple performance obligations, such as hardware, software, support and maintenance, and extended warranty services. We evaluate whether promised products and services are distinct performance obligations.

The majority of our arrangements with multiple performance obligations pertain to our digital cinema server and processor sales that include the following distinct performance obligations to which we allocate portions of the transaction price based on their stand-alone selling price:

•Digital cinema server hardware and embedded software, which is dependent on and interrelated with the hardware. Accordingly, the hardware and embedded software represent a single performance obligation.

•The right to support and maintenance, which is included with the purchase of the digital cinema server hardware, is a distinct performance obligation.

•The right to receive commissioning services is a distinct performance obligation within the sale of the Dolby Atmos Cinema Processor. These services consist of the review of venue designs specifying proposed speaker placement as well as calibration services performed for installed speakers to ensure optimal playback.

C. Determination of Transaction Price for Performance Obligations in a Contract

After identifying the distinct performance obligations, we determine the transaction price in accordance with the terms of the underlying executed contract which may include variable consideration such as discounts, rebates, refunds, rights of returns, and incentives. We assess and update, if necessary, the amount of variable consideration to which we are entitled for each reporting period. At the end of each reporting period, we estimate and accrue a liability for returns and adjustments as a reduction to revenue based on several factors, including past return history.

With the exception of our sales-based royalties, we evaluate whether a significant financing component exists when we recognize revenue in advance of customer payments that occur over time. For example, some of our licensing arrangements include payment terms greater than one year from when we transfer control of our IP to a licensee and the receipt of the final payment for that IP. If a significant financing component exists, we classify a portion of the transaction price as interest income, instead of recognizing all of the transaction price as revenue. We do not adjust the transaction price for the effects of financing if, at contract inception, the period between the transfer of control to a customer and final payment is expected to be one year or less.

D. Allocation of Transaction Price to Distinct Performance Obligations in a Contract

For our sales-based royalties where the license is the predominant item to which the royalties relate, we present all revenue as licensing.

For revenue arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, we determine the stand-alone selling price for each distinct performance obligation based on the actual selling prices made to customers. If the performance obligation is not sold separately, we estimate the stand-alone selling price. We do so by considering market conditions such as competitor pricing strategies, customer specific information and industry technology lifecycles, internal conditions such as cost and pricing practices, or applying the residual approach method when the selling price of the good, most commonly a license, is highly variable or uncertain.

Once the transaction price, including any variable consideration, has been determined, we allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations identified in the contract and recognize revenue as or when control is transferred for each distinct performance obligation.

E. Revenue Recognition as Control is Transferred to a Customer

We generate our licensing revenue by licensing our technologies and patents to various types of licensees, such as chip manufacturers ("implementation licensees"), consumer product manufacturers, software vendors, and communications service providers. Our revenue recognition policies for each of these arrangements are summarized below.

Initial fees from implementation licensees. Implementation licensees incorporate our technologies into their chipsets that, once approved by Dolby, are available for purchase by OEMs for use in end-user products. Implementation licensees only pay us a nominal initial fee on contract execution as consideration for the ongoing services that we provide to assist in their implementation process. Revenue from these initial fees is recognized ratably over the contractual term as a component of licensing revenue.

Sales-based licensing fees. In our royalty bearing licensing agreements with OEMs, control is transferred upon the later of contract execution or the contract’s effective date. We apply the royalty exception, which requires that we recognize sales-based royalties when the sales occur based on our estimates. These estimates involve the use of historical data and judgment for several key attributes including industry estimates of expected shipments, the percentage of markets using our technologies, and average sale prices. Generally, our estimates represent the current period’s shipments to which we expect our licensees to submit royalty statements within the following two quarters. Upon receipt of royalty statements from the licensees with the actual reporting of sales-based royalties that we estimated previously, we record a favorable or unfavorable adjustment based on the difference, if any, between estimated and actual sales. In the first and second quarters of fiscal 2025, we recorded favorable adjustments of approximately $17 million and $1 million, respectively. In the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2025, we recorded unfavorable adjustments of approximately $4 million and $1 million, respectively. Each of these adjustments is

primarily related to shipments that occurred in the prior two quarters, and is largely based on actual royalty statements received from licensees that differed from our estimates.

Fixed and guaranteed licensing fees. In certain cases, our arrangements require the licensee to pay fixed, non-refundable fees. In these cases, control is transferred and fees are recognized upon the later of contract execution or the effective date. Additionally and separate from initial fees from implementation licensees, our sales- and usage-based licensing agreements include a nominal fee, which is also recognized at a point in time in which control of the IP has been transferred. Revenue from these arrangements is included as a component of licensing revenue.

Recoveries. Through compliance efforts, we identify misreported licensed activity related to non-current periods. We may record a favorable or unfavorable revenue adjustment in connection with the findings from these compliance efforts generally upon resolution with the licensee through agreement of the findings, or upon receipt of the licensee’s correction statement. Revenue from these arrangements is included as a component of licensing revenue.

We undertake activities aimed at identifying potential unauthorized uses of our technologies, which, when successful, result in the recognition of revenue. Recoveries stem from third parties who agree to remit payments to us based on past use of our technology. In these scenarios, a legally binding contract did not exist at the time of use of our technology, and therefore, we recognize revenue recoveries upon execution of the agreement as that is the point in time at which a contract exists and control is transferred. This revenue is classified as licensing revenue.

In general, we classify legal costs associated with activities aimed at identifying potential unauthorized uses of our technologies, auditing existing licensees, and on occasion, pursuing litigation as S&M in our consolidated statements of operations.

We recognize licensing revenue gross of withholding taxes, which our licensees remit directly to their local tax authorities, and for which we receive a partial foreign tax credit in our income tax provision.

In addition to our licensing arrangements, we also enter into arrangements to deliver products and services.

Product Sales. Revenue from the sale of products is recognized when the customer obtains control of the promised good or service, which is generally upon shipment. Payments are generally made within 90 days of sale.

Services. We provide various services, such as engineering services related to movie soundtrack print mastering, equipment training and maintenance, mixing room alignment, equalization, and image calibration, which we bill on a fixed fee and time and materials basis. Most of these services are of a short duration and are recognized as control of the performance obligations are transferred which is when the related services are performed.

Cloud Services. We offer solutions through our Dolby OptiView platform as well as cloud encoding services, generally, on either a consumption or subscription basis. Revenue related to cloud services provided on a consumption basis is recognized when the customer utilizes the services, based on the quantity of services consumed. Revenue related to cloud services provided on a subscription basis is recognized ratably over the contract term as the customer receives and consumes the benefits of the cloud services.

Collaborative Arrangements. We collaborate with established cinema exhibitors to offer Dolby Cinema, a branded premium cinema offering for movie audiences. Under such collaborations, Dolby and the exhibitor are both active participants, and share the risks and rewards associated with the business. Accordingly, these collaborations are governed by revenue sharing arrangements under which Dolby receives revenue based on box office receipts, in exchange for our proprietary designs and trademarks as well as for the use of our equipment at the exhibitor's venue. The use of our product solution meets the definition of a lease, and for the related portion of Dolby's share of revenue, we apply ASC 842, Leases, and recognize revenue based on monthly, or quarterly, box office reports from exhibitors. Our revenue share is recognized as licensing revenue in our consolidated statements of operations.

In addition, we also enter into hybrid agreements where a portion of our revenue share involves guaranteed payments, which in some cases result in classifying the arrangement as a sales-type lease. In such arrangements, we consider control to transfer at the point in time to which we have installed and tested the equipment, at which point we record such guaranteed payments as product revenue.

Licensing Administration Fee. We generate administrative fees for managing patent pools on behalf of third party patent owners through our subsidiary, Via LA. As an agent to licensors in the patent pool, Via LA receives a

share of the sales-based royalty that the patent pool licensors earn from licensees. As such, we apply the sales-based royalty exception as the service provided is directly related to the patent pool licensors’ provision of IP, which results in recognition based on estimates of the licensee’s quarter shipments that use the pool’s patents. In addition to sales-based royalties, Via LA also has contracts where the fees are fixed. The revenue share Via LA receives from licensors on fixed fee contracts is recognized over the term in which we are providing services associated with the fixed fee contract. We recognize our administrative fees net of the consideration paid to the patent licensors in the pool as licensing revenue.