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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
We may from time to time be subject to certain legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, including claims of alleged infringement of trademarks, patents, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights; employment claims; and general contract or other claims. We may also, from time to time, be subject to various legal or government claims, demands, disputes, investigations, or requests for information. Such matters may include, but not be limited to, claims, disputes, or investigations related to warranty, refund, breach of contract, employment, intellectual property, government regulation, or compliance or other matters.

On March 1, 2023, Plaintiff Shiva Stein, derivatively on behalf of Chegg, filed a stockholder derivative complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (Case No. 2023-0244-NAC) asserting breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and waste of corporate asset claims against members of Chegg’s Board and certain Chegg officers. The matter is stayed. The Company disputes these claims and intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter.

On February 14, 2023, Plaintiff Brian Stansell, individually and on behalf of other similarly situated stockholders of Chegg, filed a putative class action complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (Case No. 2023-0180) on behalf of all Chegg stockholders who were eligible to vote at Chegg's 2022 Annual Stockholders' Meeting, asserting breach of fiduciary duty claims against the members of Chegg's Board. The Court dismissed this matter pursuant to the Company's motion to dismiss and the matter is concluded.

On December 22, 2022, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMC) asserted a demand for repayment by the Company of certain investment proceeds received by the Company in its capacity as an investor in TAPD, Inc. (more commonly known as “Frank”). JPMC seeks such repayment pursuant to certain provisions in the existing Support Agreement between JPMC and the Company that was entered into in connection with JPMC's acquisition of Frank. JPMC has alleged fraud on the part of certain former Frank executives regarding the quantity and quality of its customer accounts. The Company is not at fault, however is pursuing a settlement agreement with JPMC.

On March 30, 2022, Joseph Robinson, derivatively on behalf of Chegg, filed a shareholder derivative complaint against Chegg and certain of its current and former directors and officers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging violations of securities laws and breaches of fiduciary duties. On February 22, 2023, Plaintiff filed an Amended Shareholder Derivative Complaint. This matter has been consolidated with Choi, below, and both matters are stayed. The Company disputes these claims and intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter.

On January 12, 2022, Rak Joon Choi, derivatively on behalf of Chegg, filed a shareholder derivative complaint against Chegg and certain of its current and former directors and officers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging violations of securities laws, breaches of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, and waste of corporate assets. On February 22, 2023, Plaintiff filed an Amended Shareholder Derivative Complaint. This matter has been consolidated with Robinson, above, and both matters are stayed. The Company disputes these claims and intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter.

On December 22, 2021, Steven Leventhal, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a purported securities fraud class action on behalf of all purchasers of Chegg common stock between May 5, 2020 and November 1, 2021,
inclusive, against Chegg and certain of its current and former officers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (Case No. 5:21-cv-09953), alleging that Chegg and several of its officers made materially false and misleading statements in violation of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the Exchange Act). On September 7, 2022, KBC Asset Management and The Pompano Beach Police & Firefighters Retirement System were appointed as lead plaintiff in the case. On December 8, 2022, Plaintiff filed his Amended Complaint seeking unspecified compensatory damages, costs, and expenses, including counsel and expert fees. On September 26, 2024, the parties participated in an in-person mediation and reached a settlement in principle to pay $55.0 million wherein the Company denies any and all allegations of fault, liability, wrongdoing, or damages. On November 6, 2024, Plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary approval of the settlement. The Court preliminarily approved the settlement on December 19, 2024. The estimated contingent liability for the loss contingency recorded was $55.0 million as of September 30, 2024 and was included within accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. The same amount was recorded for expected insurance loss recoveries, which is included within other current assets on our consolidated balance sheets.

On September 13, 2021, Pearson Education, Inc. (Pearson) filed a complaint captioned Pearson Education, Inc. v. Chegg, Inc. (Pearson Complaint) in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against the Company (Case 2:21-cv-16866), alleging infringement of Pearson’s registered copyrights and exclusive rights under copyright in violation of the United States Copyright Act. Pearson is seeking injunctive relief, monetary damages, costs, and attorneys’ fees. The Company filed its answer to the Pearson Complaint on November 19, 2021. Pearson’s June 29, 2022 Motion for Leave to File Amended Complaint seeking to add Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishing Group, LLC d/b/a Macmillan Learning as a plaintiff was denied. Pearson filed an Amended Complaint on May 10, 2023, and the Company filed an amended answer on June 7, 2023. Chegg and Pearson have resolved this litigation. Pursuant to the terms of the parties' confidential settlement, the Court dismissed the case with prejudice on December 20, 2024. While the terms of the settlement are confidential, Chegg’s decision to settle the lawsuit was driven by the expense, burden and uncertainty of ongoing protracted litigation.

On June 18, 2020, we received a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding certain alleged deceptive or unfair acts or practices related to consumer privacy and/or data security. On October 31, 2022, the FTC published the parties’ agreed-upon consent order regarding Chegg’s privacy and data security practices. On January 27, 2023, the FTC finalized its order ("Final Order") requiring Chegg to implement a comprehensive information security program, limit the data the Company can collect and retain, offer users multi factor authentication to secure their accounts, and allow users to request access to and delete their data. We are currently cooperating with the FTC on an investigation as to whether we have violated certain terms of the Final Order.

We record a contingent liability for loss contingencies related to legal matters when a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable. Additionally, we record an insurance loss recovery up to the recognized loss contingency when realization is probable. Related to the above matters, as of December 31, 2024, the net impact of contingent liabilities less the related insurance loss recovery is $7.0 million. For those matters upon which we have sufficient insurance coverage, we have recorded contingent liabilities within accrued liabilities and the loss recovery from insurance within other current assets on our consolidated balance sheets. We are not aware of any other pending legal matters or claims, individually or in the aggregate, which are expected to have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Our analysis of whether a claim will proceed to litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, nor can the results of litigation be predicted with certainty. Nevertheless, defending any of these actions, regardless of the outcome, may be costly, time consuming, distract management personnel and have a negative effect on our business. In the ordinary course of business and for certain of the above matters, we are actively pursuing all avenues and strategies to resolve these matters, including available legal remedies, remediation and settlement negotiations with the parties. An adverse outcome in any of these actions, including a judgment or settlement, may cause a material adverse effect on our future business, operating results or financial condition.