<PAGE> 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 Commission file number 0-27890
MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 58-2113290
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
1430 WEST PEACHTREE, SUITE 400 30309
ATLANTA, GEORGIA (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
(404) 815-0770
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
(Not applicable)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE
(Title of Class)
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 (the "Exchange Act") 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. [ ]
Based upon the closing price of the registrant's Common Stock as of March 23,
1998 the aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant is $276,024,426.*
The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 23, 1998 was
7,556,630.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on June 17, 1998, to be filed within 120 days after
the end of the registrant's fiscal year, are incorporated by reference into
Part III, Items 10 - 13 of this Form 10-K.
- ---------------
* Solely for purposes of this calculation, all executive officers and
directors of the registrant and all shareholders reporting beneficial
ownership of more than 5% of the registrant's Common Stock are considered
to be affiliates.
<PAGE> 2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
<S> <C>
PART I Item 1. Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Item 2. Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Item 3. Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders . . . . . . . . . 19
PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Stock and
Related Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Item 6. Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant . . . . . . . . . . 28
Item 11. Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports
on Form 8-K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SIGNATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-1
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-1
</TABLE>
I
<PAGE> 3
Certain statements contained in this Form 10-K constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Such
statements include management's expectations and objectives regarding the
Company's future financial position, operating results and business strategy.
These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or
industry results, to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those set forth under the
caption "Business--Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The Company
assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information to reflect
actual results or changes in the factors affecting such forward-looking
information.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. ("MindSpring" or the "Company") is a
national Internet access provider that focuses on serving individual
subscribers, including individuals with little or no prior on-line experience.
MindSpring provides easy-to-use Internet access by offering customized
software, reliable network facilities, and responsive customer support. The
Company believes that there is a growing and unsatisfied demand for
high-quality Internet access for individuals. Trends contributing to this
growth in demand include the heightened consumer awareness of the Internet, the
increasing number of individuals who have computers with modems, and the
expanding diversity of information, entertainment, and commercial offerings
available on the Internet. Management believes that few, if any, of the
Company's major competitors have developed a comparable level of service
quality and customer support for individual subscribers and that by targeting
individual subscribers, rather than attempting to serve all segments of the
Internet access market, MindSpring can continue to increase its subscriber base
rapidly while maintaining superior-quality service.
At December 31, 1997, the Company served a total of approximately
278,300 subscribers. The Company offers local Internet access to subscribers in
most major metropolitan areas of the United States, either through company-owned
points of presence ("POPs") or through access to third-party POPs in accordance
with network services agreements between the Company and third-party network
providers. Currently, the Company has agreements with and provides services
through the network POPs of PSINet, Inc. ("PSINet") and GridNet International,
L.L.C. ("GridNet"). Pursuant to the network services agreements between the
Company and PSINet and GridNet (the "PSINet Services Agreement" and "GridNet
Services Agreement," respectively), the Company has the flexibility to offer
Internet access in overlapping POP locations through a MindSpring POP, a PSINet
or GridNet POP, or a combination of all three. Company-owned POPs, which served
approximately 207,000 subscribers as of December 31, 1997, are located primarily
in the southeastern United States, New York City, and California. Management
believes that as a result of the Company's reputation for reliability and high
quality, MindSpring has become recognized as a leading national provider of
high-quality Internet access services to individual subscribers.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
MindSpring believes that excellent customer support is critical to its
success in retaining existing subscribers and in attracting new subscribers.
MindSpring currently provides customer support through a call center located at
its headquarters, which is open for service from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m.
eastern time seven days a week (excluding holidays), and through a call center
near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (the "Harrisburg facility"), which is open
1
<PAGE> 4
for service 24 hours a day, seven days a week (excluding holidays).
Subscribers can call these centers through a local Atlanta telephone number or
a toll-free "800" number. Subscribers can also e-mail their questions directly
to a customer support address at the Company. In addition, the Company
maintains MindSpring-specific newsgroups on the Internet where subscribers can
post requests for help and other subscribers, as well as MindSpring support
personnel, can respond. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had a staff of
over 301 customer support employees.
SALES AND MARKETING
The Company believes that the market for individual Internet access is
heavily influenced by person-to-person referrals. Accordingly, the Company's
marketing efforts have been geared, among other things, toward generating
positive referrals and stimulating subscriber growth and retention by providing
an exceptionally high-quality service to its existing subscribers. The Company
also offers a $10 credit to existing subscribers each time a new subscriber
names the existing subscriber as the referral source. During 1996 and 1997, a
significant number of the Company's new subscribers (not including the
subscriber accounts obtained through acquisitions) indicated that an existing
subscriber referred them.
In addition to encouraging referrals from existing subscribers, the
Company has attempted to establish a nationwide presence and nationwide name
recognition through moderate amounts of print publication, radio, and direct
mail advertising and by pursuing nationwide strategic alliances available to the
Company as a result of the Company's nationwide access and reputation for
reliability and high quality. Such nationwide marketing opportunities may
include, among others, entering into large-scale bundling arrangements with
complementary products, such as computers, software products, multimedia books,
and CD-ROM merchandise, and seeking strategic alliances available with
complementary businesses operating in its service areas, such as
Internet-oriented training organizations and consulting firms, World Wide Web
content developers, computer networking firms, media companies,
telecommunications companies, local area network and World Wide Web consulting
companies, and other Internet access companies that specialize in providing
dedicated connections. Such alliances are of varying natures and terms. The
Company seeks to forge these alliances through:
Trade arrangements with media companies. The Company establishes
trade arrangements with a variety of media companies, including newspapers,
radio and television stations, cable television stations, and
telecommunications companies in the areas in which the Company provides
service. These arrangements may involve, among other things, commission
arrangements, "wholesale" purchases of Company services for resale, private
branding of Company services, or an exchange of MindSpring Internet services
for advertising or other promotional services.
Speaking appearances and presentations. MindSpring marketing
personnel spend considerable time meeting with and making presentations to
groups representing potential subscribers, such as computer user associations,
high-technology business associations, and educational institutions.
The Company also intends to continue to expand its marketing and
distribution efforts by exploiting newly available marketing opportunities as
well as traditional advertising media. The Company will continue to closely
monitor the results of its marketing techniques as part of an ongoing effort to
increase the cost-effectiveness of its marketing efforts.
The Company has attempted to maintain a high degree of personal
contact with the communities that it serves, and the Company has a staff of
regional managers who are responsible for generating interest in MindSpring in
these communities. The Company plans to
2
<PAGE> 5
continue these efforts in the southeastern United States, New York and
California and to selectively expand them to include key metropolitan areas in
other regions of the country.
Sales are consummated by the Company's telephone sales force, which
responds to incoming subscription inquiries, as well as through an on-line
sign-up procedure. The on-line registration module, which is available in the
Company's retail software package, through the Company's Web site and through
various Original Equipment Manufacturer ("OEM") arrangements, enables a user to
become a MindSpring subscriber by selecting service plans and billing methods
on-line, without the need to speak to a MindSpring employee.
MINDSPRING SERVICES
MindSpring's primary subscribers are individuals within local dialing
range of one of the MindSpring or third-party provider POPs and Web-hosting
service subscribers. The Company's objective is to offer its service in a way
that enables subscribers to have a positive experience with MindSpring and the
Internet, even if they are not expert computer users or have no on-line
experience. Accordingly, the Company provides extensive customer support
services, helpful and easily understood documentation, and a software starter
kit that is designed to be easy to install and easy to use and that supports
both Windows and Macintosh users.
Dial-Up Internet Access. MindSpring's primary service offering is
dial-up Internet access. The basic equipment requirements for an individual
dial-up subscriber are a Windows 3.x or later or Macintosh computer with at
least 8MB of RAM and a working modem of 14.4 Kbps speed or faster. The
subscriber's MindSpring connection is a direct PPP connection, enabling the
subscriber to use any standard Internet capable software that will run on the
subscriber's computer.
The Company currently offers the following four price plans for
dial-up subscribers in order to accommodate both heavy and light Internet
users. Each plan requires a start-up fee of up to $25, depending upon the
promotional method by which the subscriber is acquired.
The Works. For $26.95 per month, individual subscribers receive
unlimited use (not intended to be a full-time connection) as well as 10MB of
Web space, a personal Web page editor that lets subscribers create and upload
their own Web pages, and two additional mailboxes.
Unlimited Access. Individual subscribers pay $19.95 per month for
unlimited use, with the restriction that the subscriber must disconnect when
not actively accessing the Internet. The subscriber is not permitted, for
example, to maintain a full-time computer connection as a World Wide Web
server.
Standard. Subscribers pay $14.95 per month for 20 hours of use and $1
per hour for each additional hour. Subscribers also receive 5MB of Web space.
Light. Subscribers pay $6.95 per month for 5 hours of use and $2 per
hour for each additional hour. Subscribers also receive 5MB of Web space.
The Company has also established a discount program for organizations
that open a group of at least ten individual accounts. The Company expects
that the typical user of this program will be a corporation or other
organization that wishes to purchase Internet access for its employees.
Substantially all of the Company's subscribers are on month-to-month
subscriptions. The Company offers a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee
for new subscribers. Billing is made to the majority of subscribers by
automatic charges to subscribers' credit cards each
3
<PAGE> 6
month in advance, although some subscribers are invoiced (for an extra charge).
Subscribers, as well as the Company, may cancel an account at any time, with
the cancellation taking effect as of the first day of the following month.
Certain provisions in the Company's standard form of service agreement may
limit the Company's liability in connection with a subscriber's use of the
Company's services.
A user who is within local dialing range of one of the MindSpring POPs
or a third-party provider POP can access the Internet with a local telephone
call. The Company also offers access to its services through an "800" number
for an additional charge. All dial-up subscribers can connect to the
MindSpring network (including the third-party provider POPs) via modem at
speeds up to 36.6 Kbps. Subscribers who access the Company's network through a
MindSpring POP and who use the latest-generation U.S. Robotics modem can
connect at speeds up to 56 Kbps. In some cities that the Company serves,
individual subscribers, except subscribers to the Unlimited Access plan, can
also choose to connect via ISDN at 64 Kbps or 128 Kbps. There is a one-time
extra start-up fee of $25 for ISDN users who subscribe to the Standard and
Light plans; otherwise, ISDN pricing is the same as for modem subscribers. All
dial-up subscribers, except subscribers to the Unlimited Access plan, also have
the option of using MindSpring servers to publish information on the Internet
through the World Wide Web or FTP. MindSpring subscribers may use the space
made available on MindSpring's servers to make World Wide Web pages or computer
files available to the Internet.
Web-Hosting. MindSpring also offers Web-hosting accounts for
companies and other organizations that wish to create their own World Wide Web
sites without maintaining their own Web servers and high-speed Internet
connections. Web-hosting subscribers can use their own domain names in their
World Wide Web addresses. This type of Web hosting is sometimes called
"virtual hosting." Web-hosting subscribers are responsible for building their
Web sites themselves and then uploading the pages to a MindSpring Web server.
The Company's Web-hosting service features state-of-the-art Web servers for
high speed and reliability, a high-quality connection to the Internet,
specialized customer support, advanced services features, such as secure
transactions and VRML (Virtual Reality Markup Language, a feature which allows
Web site visitors to navigate through a three-dimensional "virtual" world), and
detailed statistical reporting on hits to the site. Average monthly fees for
Web-hosting accounts are approximately $60. MindSpring had approximately 9,360
Web-hosting subscribers as of December 31, 1997.
Other Services. MindSpring also offers other Internet-related services
to its subscribers, including Web page design and colocation services. In the
fourth quarter of 1997, the Company began to offer Web page design services to
its subscribers by offering four standard design packages from which a
subscriber can choose. The subscriber provides the text for the Web site, and
custom design work is available from the Company, including logo design,
additional html pages, and database integration. The Company also offers
colocation services at its headquarters in Atlanta for subscribers who want to
maintain their own Web servers in MindSpring's state-of-the-art telephony
environment and to receive a high-speed, full-time connection to the Internet.
MindSpring's colocation services include 24-hour security monitoring, an
uninterrupted power supply (UPS), climate control, remote access for the
subscriber, tape swap, and secure tape storage. The Company also offers
dedicated access connections to the Internet and domain registration.
NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
Geographic Coverage. As of December 31, 1997, MindSpring offered
Internet access service through MindSpring POPs and through third-party
provider POPs located in 45 states and the District of Columbia.
4
<PAGE> 7
The MindSpring Network. Users located within local dialing range of a
MindSpring POP connect to the POP through telephone lines provided by the local
telephone company. Each MindSpring POP generally connects to the Company's
Atlanta hub, or directly to the Internet, via a leased data communication line.
The equipment located in the remote POPs consists primarily of a router,
rack-mounted terminal servers, and modems.
In order to continue to build its base of individual dial-up
subscribers, the Company intends to continue to evaluate the need to expand
existing MindSpring POPs, to open new MindSpring POPs, and to place servers in
remote locations to optimize network traffic. The number and location of
additional POPs that the Company may actually open depend on such factors as
subscriber demand, relative costs of telecommunications facilities,
competitive considerations, and other factors, including the ability to provide
service through access to third-party POPs.
MindSpring's network hub is currently connected to the Internet
through leased data communications lines from Internet backbone providers that
carry data traffic for MindSpring and other subscribers and deliver it either
to its end destination (if that destination is connected directly to their
networks) or to the Internet gateway points where the traffic is routed onward
to its ultimate destination. As MindSpring grows, it will need to increase the
bandwidth of its connection to the rest of the Internet. This may be done
through increasing the bandwidth of the Company's connections through current
providers, by adding new connections through other providers, or by
establishing leased line connections directly to the Internet gateway points.
The Company maintains a Network Management Center at its Atlanta
headquarters through which the Company's technical staff monitors network
traffic, service quality, and security, as well as equipment at individual
POPs, to ensure reliable Internet access. The Network Management Center is
staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, the Company is continuing
to invest in improved network monitoring software and hardware systems.
MindSpring Connection to Third-Party Providers. In addition to its
MindSpring POPs, the Company provides Internet access to its subscribers
through a nationwide network resulting from service agreements with PSINet and
GridNet. The Company believes that these arrangements enable it to provide
Internet access services on a nationwide basis while reducing capital
expenditures. However, the Company intends to maintain the flexibility to
expand or open MindSpring POPs or make other capital investments as and where
subscriber demand or strategic considerations warrant.
MINDSPRING SOFTWARE
An important component of the Company's offering for dial-up
subscribers is the MindSpring starter kit. The starter kit includes the
MindSpring installation program, front-end software and documentation, an
on-line registration module (retail version only), network software that
enables a subscriber to connect to the Internet, and application programs.
See "Subscriber Applications."
The Company's objectives in developing and providing this starter kit
are to:
Simplify installation. The MindSpring software package automatically
configures all the individual Internet access programs after one-time entry by
the user of a few required fields of information (name, user name, password,
etc.).
Provide a convenient and intuitive starting place for subscribers.
The MindSpring front-end software allows subscribers to connect and disconnect,
see any current messages from
5
<PAGE> 8
MindSpring, check their monthly usage, see if they have any E-mail, and launch
any of their Internet application programs, all from one screen. "Help" files
and the accompanying documentation contain information on troubleshooting and
things to do on the Internet.
Enhance efficiency of the Company's support services. High-quality
software with which the Company's customer support representatives are familiar
makes it easier for the Company to provide fast and efficient customer support.
Software that is reliable and easy to install and use also tends to reduce
subscriber need for extensive customer support services.
Provide state-of-the-art applications. The Company uses
already-existing applications in its software package. MindSpring believes
that this approach will enable it to include state-of-the-art software in its
package and to keep pace with technology developments by replacing applications
with newer or better programs as they become available without diverting
resources by attempting to develop new applications programs.
SUBSCRIBER APPLICATIONS
MindSpring subscribers use their accounts for communicating, retrieving
information, and publishing information on the Internet. In Company surveys of
its subscribers, a substantial number of the Company's individual subscribers
report that they use their MindSpring accounts for personal as well as business
purposes. The subscriber's MindSpring connection is a direct PPP connection,
enabling subscribers to use any standard Internet-capable software that will run
on their computers. A complete set of the most popular Internet applications
are part of the MindSpring starter kit software package, including:
Electronic Mail. E-mail allows subscribers to exchange electronic
messages with anyone else who has an Internet e-mail address. These messages
are usually text only but can also include other kinds of computer files (such
as images, computer programs, or word processing documents), which are sent as
attachments. The Company's software package includes the Eudora Light E-mail
application.
The World Wide Web. The World Wide Web allows a multimedia
presentation of material (i.e., text, graphic, sound, and video). Users can
move from one World Wide Web site to another by clicking on hypertext links and
can interact with the World Wide Web information providers through typed input.
The software programs that allow users to explore the World Wide Web are known
as "browsers." The browser applications currently included in the Company's
software package are Microsoft's Internet Explorer for use with computers
running Windows software, and Nescape Navigator for use with Macintosh
computers.
Network News. Network News provides Internet-wide, subject-specific
forums on thousands of different subjects, where users can post information and
review posted information from other users.
FTP. File transfer protocol, or FTP, is a standard Internet tool that
allows users to send and retrieve computer files. FTP is often used for
retrieving software from various archive sites on the Internet.
Internet Relay Chat. Internet Relay Chat allows users to participate
in chat sessions, in which typed comments from all participants appear on the
screen, allowing simultaneous multiperson real-time conversations.
The Company has obtained permission and, in certain cases, licenses
from each manufacturer of the software that the Company bundles in its
front-end software product for Windows and Macintosh subscribers. See
"Proprietary Rights."
6
<PAGE> 9
BILLING AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Most of the Company's individual subscribers pay their MindSpring fees
automatically by credit card each month. The Company generally sends monthly
invoices to commercial accounts with multiple users. Billing calculations and
payment transactions are managed on the Company's automated billing system.
The Company expects to continue to modify and upgrade its billing system as
needed in order to maintain its ability to bill and collect amounts due and to
be responsive to changes in the market.
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
General. Although the Company believes that its success is more
dependent upon its technical expertise than its proprietary rights, the
Company's success and ability to compete are dependent in part upon its
technology. The Company relies on a combination of copyright, trademark and
trade secret laws, and contractual restrictions to establish and protect its
technology. It is the Company's policy to require employees and consultants
and, when possible, suppliers to execute confidentiality agreements upon the
commencement of their relationships with the Company. These agreements provide
that confidential information developed or made known during the course of a
relationship with the Company must be kept confidential and not disclosed to
third parties except in specific circumstances. There can be no assurance that
the steps taken by the Company will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of
its technology or that the Company's competitors will not independently develop
technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to the Company's
technology.
Licenses. The Company has obtained authorization to use the products
of each manufacturer of software that the Company bundles in its front-end
software product for Windows and Macintosh subscribers. The particular
applications included in the MindSpring starter kit have, in some cases, been
licensed. The Company currently intends to maintain or negotiate renewals of,
as the case may be, all existing software licenses and authorizations as
necessary. The Company may also want or need to license other applications in
the future. License fees charged to the Company upon enrollment of additional
subscribers are included in the cost of subscriber start-up fees. Other
applications included in the MindSpring starter kit are shareware that the
Company has obtained permission to distribute or that are from the public
domain and are freely distributable. MindSpring developed the front-end
software programs in MindSpring's starter kit for Windows, Win95, and
Macintosh.
COMPETITION
The market for the provision of Internet access to individuals is
extremely competitive and highly fragmented. There are no substantial barriers
to entry, and the Company expects that competition will continue to intensify.
The Company believes that the primary competitive factors determining success
in this market are a reputation for reliability and service, effective customer
support, pricing, easy-to-use software, and geographic coverage. Other
important factors include the timing of introductions of new products and
services and industry and general economic trends. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to compete successfully against current or future
competitors or that competitive pressures faced by the Company will not
materially adversely affect its business, financial condition, and results of
operations.
The Company's current and prospective competitors include many large
companies that have substantially greater market presence and financial,
technical, marketing and other resources than the Company. In addition, every
local market the Company has entered or intends to enter is served by multiple
local Internet access providers. The Company currently competes or expects to
compete with the following types of Internet access providers: (i) national
commercial Internet access providers, such as EarthLink Network, Inc., (ii)
established
7
<PAGE> 10
on-line commercial information service providers, such as America Online, Inc.,
(iii) numerous regional and local commercial Internet access providers which
vary widely in quality, service offerings, and pricing, (iv) cable operators,
(v) national long-distance carriers, such as AT&T Corp. and MCI Communications
Corporation, (vi) regional telephone companies, (vii) computer hardware and
software and other technology companies, such as International Business
Machines Corporation and Microsoft Corp, and (viii) nonprofit or educational
Internet access providers.
The Company believes that new competitors, including large computer
hardware and software, media, and telecommunications companies, will continue
to enter the Internet access market. In addition, as consumer awareness of the
Internet grows, existing competitors are likely to further increase their
emphasis on their Internet access services, resulting in even greater
competition for the Company. In addition, telecommunications companies may be
able to offer customers reduced communications costs in connection with their
Internet access services, reducing the overall cost of their Internet access
solutions and significantly increasing price pressures on the Company. The
ability of the Company's competitors to enter into strategic alliances or joint
ventures or to bundle services and products with Internet access could also put
the Company at a significant competitive disadvantage. Competition could
result in increased selling and marketing expenses, related subscriber
acquisition costs, and increased subscriber attrition, all of which could
adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, and results of
operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to offset
the effects of any such increased costs through an increase in the number of
its subscribers or higher revenue from enhanced services or that the Company
will have the resources to continue to compete successfully.
Moreover, the Company faces competition from companies that provide
connections to consumers' homes, including local and long-distance telephone
companies, cable television companies, electric utility companies, and wireless
communications companies. For example, technologies have been developed to
enable cable television operators to offer high-speed Internet access through
their cable facilities. These broadband technologies promise significantly
higher access rates than existing modem speeds. Such companies could include
Internet access in their basic bundle of services or could offer such access
for a nominal additional charge and could prevent the Company from delivering
Internet access through the wire and cable connections that such companies own.
Any such developments could materially adversely affect the Company's business,
financial condition, and results of operations.
The Company does not currently compete internationally. To the extent
that the ability to provide Internet access internationally becomes a
competitive advantage in the Internet access industry, the Company may be at a
competitive disadvantage relative to other competitors.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The Company provides Internet access, in part, through transmissions
over public telephone lines. These transmissions are governed by regulatory
policies establishing charges and terms for communications. The Company, as an
Internet access provider, is not currently subject to direct regulation by the
Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC") or any other agency, other than
regulations applicable to businesses generally. However, the Company could
become subject in the future to regulations by the FCC and/or other regulatory
commissions as a provider of basic telecommunications services.
Such regulations could affect the charges that the Company pays to
connect to the local telephone network or for other purposes. Currently,
Internet access providers, such as the Company, are not required to pay carrier
access charges. Access charges are assessed by local telephone companies to
long-distance companies for the use of the local telephone network to
8
<PAGE> 11
originate and terminate long-distance calls, generally on a per minute basis.
Access charges have been a matter of continuing dispute, with long-distance
companies complaining that the rates are substantially in excess of cost and
local telephone companies arguing that access rates are justified to subsidize
lower local rates for end users and other purposes. In May 1997, the FCC
reaffirmed its decision that Internet access providers should not be required
to pay carrier access charges. In a related order, the FCC also concluded that
Internet access providers should not be required to contribute to a new
universal service fund established to replace current local rate subsidies and
to meet other public policy objectives, such as enhanced communications systems
for schools, libraries, and certain health care providers. As a result, unlike
telecommunications carriers and other telecommunications providers, Internet
access providers will not have to contribute a percentage of their revenues to
the federal universal service fund and are not likely to be required to
contribute to similar funds being established at the state level. However,
both the access charge and universal service treatment of Internet access
providers are the subjects of further proceedings and could change. Telephone
companies are actively seeking reconsideration or reversal of the FCC
decisions, and their arguments are gaining more support as Internet-based
telephony begins to compete with conventional telecommunications companies.
The Company is not in a position to predict how these matters will be resolved,
but it could be adversely affected if, in the future, it and other Internet
access providers are required to pay access charges or contribute to universal
service support.
The law relating to the liability of Internet access providers and
on-line services companies for information carried on or disseminated through
their networks is unsettled. Although no claims seeking to impose such
liability have been asserted against the Company to date, there can be no
assurance that such claims will not be asserted in the future or, if asserted,
will not be successful. As the law in this area develops, the potential
imposition of liability upon the Company for information carried on and
disseminated through its network could require the Company to implement
measures to reduce its exposure to such liability, which may require the
expenditure of substantial resources or the discontinuation of certain products
or service offerings. Any costs that are incurred as a result of contesting
any such asserted claims or the consequent imposition of liability could
materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, and
results of operations.
Due to the increasing popularity and use of the Internet, it is
possible that additional laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to
the Internet, covering issues such as content, user privacy, pricing, and
copyright infringement. The Company cannot predict the impact, if any, that
any future regulatory changes or developments may have on its business,
financial condition, and results of operations. Changes in the regulatory
environment relating to the Internet access industry, including regulatory
changes that directly or indirectly affect telecommunication, costs or increase
the likelihood or scope of competition from regional telephone companies or
others, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition, and results of operations.
RISK FACTORS
Limited Operating History; Operating Losses. The Company was
incorporated on February 24, 1994 and commenced offering Internet access in
June 1994. The Company has experienced operating losses since its inception,
although it generated positive cash flows from operations during 1997 and had
its first profitable quarter in the fourth quarter of 1997. The Company has
had net losses of approximately $1,959,000, $7,612,000, and $4,083,000 for the
years ended December 31, 1995, 1996, and 1997, respectively. As of December
31, 1997, the Company had an accumulated deficit of approximately $13,729,000.
The Company's ability to maintain profitability and positive cash flow is
dependent upon a number of factors, including the Company's ability to increase
revenue while reducing per subscriber costs by achieving economies of scale.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
9
<PAGE> 12
increasing or maintaining revenue or achieving or sustaining economies of scale
and positive cash flow in the future, and any such failure could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, and
results of operations. See "-- Factors Affecting Operating Results; Potential
Fluctuations in Quarterly Results," and "Business -- Competition."
Dependence on Third-Party Providers. The Company provides Internet
access exclusively through third-party POPs in a significant number of markets.
PSINet's or GridNet's inability or unwillingness to provide POP access to
MindSpring's subscribers or the Company's inability to secure alternative POP
arrangements upon partial or complete termination of either the PSINet Services
Agreement or the GridNet Services Agreement or other loss of access to such
POPs could significantly limit the Company's ability to provide Internet access
to its subscribers and could limit the Company's ability to further expand
nationally, which could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition, and results of operations. Other than
its intention to retain the flexibility to open new MindSpring POPs on an
as-needed basis, the Company does not currently have any plans or commitments
with respect to such alternative POP arrangements. There can be no assurance
that any such alternative arrangements will be available if and when the
Company requires them or, if available, that such arrangements will be on terms
acceptable to the Company.
Pursuant to the PSINet Services Agreement and the GridNet Services
Agreement, the Company expects to continue to rely on PSINet and GridNet to
provide connectivity to MindSpring subscribers through their respective
networks of POPs. The future success of the Company's business will depend, in
part, on the capacity, reliability, and security of PSINet's and GridNet's
network infrastructures, over which the Company has no control. In the event of
disruptions in PSINet's or GridNet's network, the Company may have no means of
replacing these services on a timely basis or at all in the event of such
disruption. Any accident, incident, system failure, or discontinuance of
operations involving PSINet's or GridNet's network that causes interruptions in
the Company's operations could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
ability to provide Internet services to its subscribers and, in turn, on the
Company's business, financial condition, and results of operations. See "--
Dependence on Network Infrastructure; Capacity; Risk of System Failure"; "--
Dependence on Telecommunications Carriers and Other Suppliers" and "-- Security
Risks."
Factors Affecting Operating Results; Potential Fluctuations in
Quarterly Results. The Company's future success depends on a number of
factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. These factors
include, among others, the rates of and costs associated with new subscriber
acquisition, subscriber retention, capital expenditures, and other costs
relating to the expansion of operations; the timing of new product and service
announcements; changes in the Company's pricing policies and those of its
competitors; market acceptance of new and enhanced versions of the Company's
products and services; changes in operating expenses; changes in the Company's
strategy; personnel changes; the introduction of alternative technologies; the
viability of the Company's arrangements with PSINet and GridNet under their
services agreements; and the effect of potential acquisitions, increased
competition in the Company's markets, and other general economic factors.
The Company's operating results, cash flows, and liquidity may
fluctuate significantly in the future. The Company's revenue depends on its
ability to attract and retain subscribers who purchase access on a
month-to-month basis. MindSpring generally offers its new subscribers a 30-day
money-back satisfaction guarantee, and subscribers have the option of
discontinuing their service at the end of any given month for any reason. The
Company's expense levels are based, in part, on its expectations as to future
revenue. To the extent that revenue is below expectations, the Company may be
unable or unwilling to reduce expenses proportionately, and operating results,
cash flows, and liquidity are likely to be adversely affected. Due to all of
the foregoing factors, it is likely that in some future quarter, the Company's
operating results
10
<PAGE> 13
and/or growth rate will be below the expectations of public market analysts and
investors. In such event, the price of the common stock will likely be
materially adversely affected.
Risks Associated With Additional Acquisitions and Purchases of
Subscriber Accounts. As part of its business strategy, the Company will
continue to evaluate additional strategic acquisitions of businesses and
subscriber accounts principally relating to its current operations. Such
transactions commonly involve certain risks, including, among others, the
difficulty of assimilating the acquired operations and personnel; the potential
disruption of the Company's ongoing business; the possible inability of
management to maximize the financial and strategic position of the Company by
the successful incorporation of acquired technology and rights into the
Company's service offerings and to maintain uniform standards, controls,
procedures, and policies; the risks of entering markets in which the Company
has little or no direct prior experience; and the potential impairment of
relationships with employees and subscribers as a result of changes in
management. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with
future transactions. In addition, any such transactions could materially
adversely affect the Company's operating results due to dilutive issuances of
equity securities, the incurrence of additional debt, and the amortization of
expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets, if any.
Management and Risks of Growth. The rapid execution necessary for the
Company to fully exploit the market for its products and services requires an
effective planning and management process. MindSpring's rapid growth is
placing, and is expected to continue to place, a significant strain on the
Company's managerial, operational, and financial resources. In order to
effectively manage its operations, the Company will be required to continue to
implement and improve its operational, financial, and management information
systems and to attract, identify, train, integrate, and retain qualified
personnel. These demands will require the addition of new management personnel
and the development of additional expertise by existing management. In
particular, the successful integration of newly acquired assets and the
implementation of a nationwide strategy and network will require close
monitoring of service quality (particularly through third-party POPs) and, to
the extent management deems necessary, identification and acquisition of
physical sites, acquisition and installation of necessary equipment and
telecommunications facilities, implementation of marketing efforts in new as
well as existing locations, employment of qualified personnel to provide
technical and marketing support for such sites, and continued expansion of the
Company's managerial, operational, and financial resources to support such
development. The demands on the Company's customer support resources have
grown rapidly due to the Company's rapidly expanding subscriber base. There
can be no assurance that the Company's customer support or other resources will
be sufficient to manage any future growth in the Company's business or that the
Company will be able to implement its expansion program in whole or in part.
Dependence on Network Infrastructure; Capacity; Risk of System
Failure. The future success of the Company's business will depend on the
capacity, reliability, and security of its network infrastructure, including
the third-party POPs. The Company will have to expand and adapt its network
infrastructure as the number of subscribers and the amount and type of
information they wish to transfer increase. Such expansion and adaptation of
the Company's network infrastructure will require substantial financial,
operational, and management resources. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to expand or adapt its network infrastructure to meet
additional demand or changing subscriber requirements on a timely basis and at
a commercially reasonable cost, or at all.
Capacity constraints have occurred and may occur in the future, both
at the level of particular POPs (affecting only subscribers attempting to use
the particular POP) and in connection with systemwide services (such as E-mail
and news group services). From time to time, the Company has experienced
delayed delivery from suppliers of new telephone lines,
11
<PAGE> 14
modems, terminal servers, and other equipment. If delays of this nature are
severe, all incoming modem lines may become full during peak times, resulting
in busy signals for subscribers who are trying to connect to MindSpring.
Similar problems can occur if the Company is unable to expand the capacity of
its information servers (for E-mail, news, and the World Wide Web) fast enough
to keep up with demand from the Company's rapidly expanding subscriber base.
If the capacity of such servers is exceeded, subscribers will experience delays
when trying to use a particular service. Further, if the Company does not
maintain sufficient bandwidth capacity in its network connections, subscribers
will perceive a general slowdown of all services on the Internet. While the
Company's objective is to maintain substantial excess capacity, any failure of
the Company to expand or enhance its network infrastructure on a timely basis
or to adapt it to an expanding subscriber base, changing subscriber
requirements, or evolving industry standards could materially adversely affect
the Company's business, financial condition, and results of operations. In
addition, while the third-party providers are contractually obligated to
provide commercially reliable service to MindSpring's subscribers with a
significant assurance of accessibility to the Internet, there can be no
assurance that such services or Internet access will meet the Company's
requirements, which could materially adversely affect the Company's business,
financial condition, and results of operations. In order to protect the
service levels for current members, the Company will sometimes temporarily
delay adding new subscribers in cities experiencing significant capacity
constraints until such capacity constraints can been alleviated.
The Company's operations and services are dependent on the extent to
which the computer equipment of the Company and its third-party network
providers is protected against damage from fire, earthquakes, power loss,
telecommunications failures, and similar events. A significant portion of the
Company's computer equipment, including critical equipment dedicated to its
Internet access services, is located at a single facility in Atlanta, Georgia.
A significant amount of critical equipment is also located at the Harrisburg
facility. Despite precautions taken by the Company and its third-party network
providers (over which the Company has no control), the occurrence of a natural
disaster or other unanticipated problems at the Company's headquarters, network
hub, the Harrisburg facility, or a MindSpring or third-party network provider
POP could cause interruptions in the services provided by the Company. In
addition, failure of the Company's telecommunications providers to provide the
data communications capacity required by the Company as a result of a natural
disaster, or operational disruption or for any other reason could cause
interruptions in the services provided by the Company. See "Business --
Network Infrastructure." The Company does not currently maintain fully
redundant or back-up Internet services or backbone facilities or other fully
redundant computing and telecommunications facilities. Any accident, incident,
or system failure that causes interruptions in the Company's operations could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to provide Internet
services to its subscribers and, in turn, on the Company's business, financial
condition, and results of operations.
Dependence on Telecommunications Carriers and Other Suppliers. The
Company relies on local telephone companies and other companies to provide data
communications capacity via local telecommunications lines and leased
long-distance lines. The Company also relies on its third-party network
providers to provide connectivity to MindSpring subscribers through their
networks of POPs. The Company is subject to potential disruptions or capacity
constraints in these telecommunications services and may have no means of
replacing these services, on a timely basis or at all, in the event of such
disruption or capacity constraints. In addition, local phone service is
sometimes available only from the local monopoly telephone company in each of
the markets served by the Company. Management believes that the 1996
Telecommunications Act generally will lead to increased competition in the
provision of local telephone service, but the Company cannot predict the timing
or extent of any such developments or the effect thereof on pricing or supply.
12
<PAGE> 15
The Company is dependent on certain third-party suppliers of hardware
components. Certain components used by the Company in providing its networking
services are currently acquired from only one source, including modems and
terminal servers manufactured by 3Com, Inc. and high-performance routers
manufactured by Cisco Systems, Inc. Expansion of network infrastructure by the
Company and others is placing, and will continue to place, a significant demand
on the Company's suppliers, some of which have limited resources and production
capacity. Failure of the Company's suppliers to adjust to meet such increasing
demand may prevent them from continuing to supply components and products in
the quantities, at the quality levels and at the times required by the Company,
or at all. The Company's inability to develop alternative sources of supply,
if required, could result in delays and increased costs in expanding the
Company's network infrastructure.
The Company's suppliers and telecommunications carriers also sell or
lease products and services to the Company's competitors and may be, or in the
future may become, competitors of the Company themselves. There can be no
assurance that the Company's suppliers and telecommunications carriers will not
enter into exclusive arrangements with the Company's competitors or stop
selling or leasing their products or services to the Company at commercially
reasonable prices or at all.
Security Risks. Despite the implementation of security measures, both
MindSpring's and its third-party network providers' infrastructures are
vulnerable to computer viruses or similar disruptive problems caused by their
subscribers or other Internet users. Computer viruses or problems caused by
third parties could lead to interruptions, delays, or cessation in service to
MindSpring's subscribers. Inappropriate use of the Internet by third parties
could also potentially jeopardize the security of confidential information
stored in the computer systems of the Company or its subscribers, which could
cause losses to the Company or its subscribers or deter certain persons from
subscribing to the Company's services. Such inappropriate use of the Internet
would include attempting to gain unauthorized access to information or systems,
commonly known as "cracking" or "hacking." Although the Company intends to
continue to implement security measures, such measures have been circumvented
in the past, and there can be no assurance that measures implemented by the
Company or its third-party network providers will not be circumvented in the
future. Alleviating problems caused by computer viruses or other inappropriate
uses or security breaches may require interruptions, delays, or cessation in
service to the Company's subscribers, which could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition, and results of
operations. In addition, the Company expects that its subscribers will
increasingly use the Internet for commercial transactions in the future. Any
network malfunction or security breach could cause these transactions to be
delayed, not completed at all, or completed with compromised security. There
can be no assurance that subscribers or others will not assert claims of
liability against the Company as a result of any such failure. Further, until
more comprehensive security technologies are developed, the security and
privacy concerns of existing and potential subscribers may inhibit the growth
of the Internet service industry in general and MindSpring's subscriber base
and revenue in particular.
New and Uncertain Market; Uncertain Acceptance of the Internet as a
Medium of Commerce and Communication. The market for Internet access and
related products is in an early stage of growth. The Company's success will
depend upon the continuing development and expansion of the Internet and the
market for Internet access. Critical issues concerning commercial and personal
use of the Internet (including security, reliability, cost, ease of use,
access, and quality of service) remain unresolved and may affect the growth of
Internet use. The acceptance of the Internet for commerce and communications,
particularly by those individuals and enterprises that have historically relied
upon alternative means of commerce and communication, generally requires that
such subscribers accept a new way of conducting business and exchanging
information, that industry participants continue to provide new and compelling
content and applications, and that the Internet provide a reliable and secure
13
<PAGE> 16
computer platform. It is difficult to predict with any assurance the rate at
which the market will grow or at which new or increased competition will result
in market saturation. The novelty of the market for Internet access may also
adversely affect the Company's ability to retain new subscribers, as
subscribers unfamiliar with the Internet may be more likely to discontinue the
Company's services after an initial trial period than other subscribers. If
demand for Internet services fails to continue to grow, grows more slowly than
anticipated, or becomes saturated with competitors, the Company's business,
financial condition, and results of operations will be materially adversely
affected.
Risks of Technology Trends and Evolving Industry Standards. The
market for Internet access is characterized by rapidly changing technology,
evolving industry standards, changes in subscriber needs, and frequent new
service and product introductions. The Company's future success will depend,
in part, on its ability to use leading technologies effectively, to continue to
develop its technical expertise, and to enhance its existing services and
develop new services to meet changing subscriber needs on a timely and
cost-effective basis. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
successful in using new technologies effectively, in developing new services,
or in enhancing existing services on a timely basis or that such new
technologies or enhancements will achieve market acceptance.
The Company believes that its ability to compete successfully is also
dependent upon the continued compatibility and interoperability of its services
with products and architectures offered by various vendors. Although the
Company intends to support emerging standards in the market for Internet
access, there can be no assurance that industry standards will be established
or, if they become established, that the Company will be able to conform to
these new standards in a timely fashion and maintain a competitive position in
the market. In addition, there can be no assurance that services or
technologies developed by others will not render the Company's services or
technology noncompetitive or obsolete.
The Company is also at risk to fundamental changes in the way Internet
access is delivered. Currently, Internet services are accessed primarily by
computers connected by telephone lines. Several companies have developed cable
television modems. These cable television modems have the ability to transmit
data at substantially faster speeds than the modems the Company and its
subscribers currently use. As the Internet becomes accessible through these
cable television modems and by screen-based telephones, wireless products,
televisions, and other consumer electronic devices or as subscriber
requirements change the way Internet access is provided, the Company will have
to develop new technology or modify its existing technology to accommodate
these developments. The Company's pursuit of these technological advances may
require substantial time and expense, and there can be no assurance that the
Company will succeed in adapting its Internet access business to alternate
access devices and conduits.
Proprietary Rights; Infringement Claims. The Company's success
depends in part upon its software and related documentation. The Company
principally relies upon copyright, trade secret, and contract laws to protect
its proprietary technology. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by
the Company will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of its technology or
that the Company's competitors will not independently develop technologies that
are substantially equivalent or superior to the Company's technology. See
"Business -- Proprietary Rights."
The Company has obtained permission and, in certain cases, licenses
from each manufacturer of the software that the Company bundles in its
front-end software product for subscribers. Although the Company does not
believe that the software or the trademarks it uses infringe on the proprietary
rights of any third parties, there can be no assurance that third parties will
not assert such claims against the Company in the future or that such claims
will not be successful. The Company could incur substantial costs and
diversion of
14
<PAGE> 17
management resources with respect to the defense of any claims relating to
proprietary rights, which could materially adversely affect the Company's
business, financial condition, and results of operations. Parties making such
claims could secure a judgment awarding substantial damages as well as
injunctive or other equitable relief that could effectively block the Company's
ability to license its products in the United States or abroad. Such a
judgment could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition, and results of operations. In the event a claim relating
to proprietary technology or information is asserted against the Company, the
Company may seek licenses to such intellectual property. There can be no
assurance, however, that licenses could be extended or obtained on commercially
reasonable terms, if at all, or that the terms of any offered licenses will be
acceptable to the Company. The failure to obtain the necessary licenses or
other rights could materially adversely affect the Company's business,
financial condition, and results of operations. See "Business -- Proprietary
Rights -- Licenses."
Dependence on Key Personnel. The Company's success depends upon the
continued efforts of its senior management team and its technical, marketing,
and sales personnel. Such employees may voluntarily terminate their employment
with the Company at any time. The Company's success also depends on its
ability to attract and retain additional highly qualified management, technical,
marketing, and sales personnel. The process of hiring employees with the
combination of skills and attributes required to carry out the Company's
strategy can be extremely competitive and time-consuming. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to retain or integrate existing
personnel or identify and hire additional personnel. The loss of the services
of key personnel or the inability to attract additional qualified personnel
could materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition,
and results of operations.
Control of Company. As of February 28, 1998, ITC Holding Company, Inc.
("ITC Holding"), through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, beneficially
owned approximately 30.1% and the Company's officers and directors beneficially
owned approximately 14.9% of the outstanding voting stock of the Company. As a
result, these stockholders, acting together, are able to exercise significant
control over most matters requiring approval by the stockholders of the Company,
including the election of a majority of the directors and the approval of
significant corporate matters, such as certain change-of-control transactions.
ITC Holding, through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, has pledged all of
its stock in the Company to certain lenders in connection with a credit
facility. In the event of a default by ITC Holding's wholly-owned subsidiaries
under such credit facility, the lenders or another third-party may obtain
ownership of all of ITC Holding's stock in the Company. In addition, the
Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Restated
Certificate") authorizes the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of
Directors") to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock of the
Company, in one or more series, which the Board of Directors could issue without
further stockholder approval and upon such terms and conditions and having such
rights, privileges, and preferences as the Board of Directors may determine.
The Company has no current plans to issue any such preferred stock. These
factors could have the effect of delaying, deferring, dissuading, or preventing
a change of control of the Company.
Potential Conflicts of Interest. ITC Holding, as a significant
stockholder of the Company, and Campbell B. Lanier, III, William H. Scott, III,
and O. Gene Gabbard, who are directors, stockholders, and officers of ITC
Holding and directors of the Company, are in positions involving the possibility
of conflicts of interest with respect to certain transactions concerning the
Company. Certain decisions concerning the operations or financial structure of
the Company may present conflicts of interest between the Company and ITC
Holding and/or its affiliates. For example, if the Company is required to raise
additional capital from public or private sources in order to finance its
anticipated growth and contemplated capital expenditures, the interests of the
Company might conflict with those of ITC Holding and/or its affiliates with
respect to the particular type of financing sought. In addition, the Company
may
15
<PAGE> 18
have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures, financings, or other
transactions that, in the Company's judgment, could be beneficial to the
Company, even though such transactions might conflict with the interests of ITC
Holding and/or its affiliates. If such conflicts do occur, ITC Holding and its
affiliates may exercise their influence in their own best interests.
The Company currently engages and expects in the future to engage in
transactions with ITC Holding and/or its affiliates. In addition, the Company
provides Internet access to various companies controlled by ITC Holding,
although the revenue the Company derives from these sources is not substantial.
The Company has adopted a policy requiring that any material transaction
between the Company and persons or entities affiliated with officers,
directors, or principal stockholders of the Company be on terms no less
favorable to the Company than reasonably could have been obtained in
arm's-length transactions with independent third parties. The Company believes
that each current transaction in which it is engaged with an affiliate complies
with this policy. See "Executive Compensation -- Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation" and "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions."
Anti takeover Provisions. Certain provisions of the Restated
Certificate, the Company's Amended and Restated Bylaws (the "Bylaws"), and the
Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Delaware Corporation Law") could delay
or impede the removal of incumbent directors and could make more difficult a
merger, tender offer, or proxy contest involving the Company or could
discourage a third-party from attempting to acquire control of the Company,
even if such events would be beneficial to the interests of the stockholders.
In particular, the classification of the Board of Directors could have the
effect of delaying a change in control of the Company. In addition, the
Restated Certificate authorizes the Board of Directors to provide for the
issuance of shares of preferred stock of the Company, in one or more series,
which the Board of Directors could issue without further stockholder approval
and upon such terms and conditions and having such rights, privileges, and
preferences as the Board of Directors may determine. The Company has no
current plans to issue any such preferred stock. The Company is also subject
to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware Corporation Law. In general,
Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a
"business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three
years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an
interested stockholder, unless certain conditions are met.
Volatility of Stock Price. Since the common stock has been publicly
traded, the market price of the common stock has fluctuated over a wide range
and may continue to do so in the future. See "Market for Registrant's Common
Stock and Related Stockholder Matters." The market price of the common stock
could be subject to significant fluctuations in response to various factors and
events, including, among other things, the depth and liquidity of the trading
market for the common stock, quarterly variations in actual or anticipated
operating results, growth rates, changes in estimates by analysts, market
conditions in the industry (including demand for Internet access),
announcements by competitors, regulatory actions, and general economic
conditions. In addition, the stock market has from time to time experienced
significant price and volume fluctuations, which have particularly affected the
market prices of the stocks of high-technology companies and which may be
unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. Furthermore,
the Company's operating results and prospects from time to time may be below
the expectations of public market analysts and investors. Any such event could
result in a material adverse effect on the price of the common stock.
The Year 2000 Issue. The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer
programs using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year.
Date-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
than the year 2000. This could result in system
16
<PAGE> 19
failures or miscalculations, causing disruptions of operations, including, among
others, a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices, or engage
in similar normal business activities. The Company has addressed and continues
to assess the impact of the Year 2000 issue on its reporting and operating
systems. The Company has addressed programming issues to ensure that its
programs are capable of handling the change that will result from the turn of
the century. In addition, due to the proprietary nature of many of the
Company's operating platforms, including its billing and accounts receivable
systems, the Company has limited reliance on external vendors or third party
network service providers with Year 2000 exposure. To the extent that the
Company does rely on significant external vendors or third-party network service
providers, the Company does not anticipate that such third parties Year 2000
problems will significantly impact the Company's operations. To the extent that
the Company does rely on external vendors or third-party network service
providers with Year 2000 exposure, however, any failure by such vendors or
third-party network service providers to resolve any Year 2000 issues on a
timely basis or in a manner that is compatible with the Company's systems could
have a material adverse effect on the Company.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1997, the Company had 502 employees, including
approximately 5 part-time employees. The Company anticipates that the
development of its business will require the hiring of a substantial number of
new employees. None of the Company's current employees are represented by a
labor organization, and the Company's management considers its employee
relations to be good.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The following is a list of the executive officers of the Company,
together with biographical summaries of their experience. The ages of the
persons set forth below are as of February 28, 1998.
CHARLES M. BREWER, 39, founded the Company and has served as Chief
Executive Officer and Director of the Company since its inception in February
1994 and as Chairman since March 1996. He also served as the President of the
Company from its inception until March 1996 and as the Secretary and Treasurer
of the Company from its inception until January 1995. From May 1993 to January
1994, Mr. Brewer developed the concept for the Company and evaluated its
prospects. Prior to starting the Company, he served as Chief Executive Officer
of AudioFax, Inc. ("AudioFax"), a software company providing fax server
software, from May 1992 to April 1993 and was the Chief Financial Officer of
AudioFax from May 1989 to April 1992. From March 1988 to April 1989, Mr.
Brewer explored potential business opportunities. Mr. Brewer was Vice
President of Sanders & Company, a venture capital firm, from September 1987 to
February 1988. From November 1984 to August 1987, Mr. Brewer primarily worked
toward his M.B.A., managed a retail store and traveled. From November 1981 to
October 1984, he was employed by Wertheim & Company, an investment banking
firm, and worked in institutional sales. Mr. Brewer received a B.A. degree in
Economics from and was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Amherst College and
received a Masters in Business Administration degree from Stanford University.
MICHAEL S. MCQUARY, 38, has been the President of the Company since
March 1996, the Chief Operating Officer of the Company since September 1995,
and a Director of the Company since December 1995. He also served as the
Company's Executive Vice President from October 1995 to March 1996 and the
Company's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing from July 1995 to
September 1995. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. McQuary served in a variety
of management positions with Mobil Chemical Co., a petrochemical company, from
August 1984 to June 1995, including Regional Sales Manager from April 1991 to
February 1994 and Manager of Operations (Reengineering) from February 1994 to
June 1995. From September 1981 to July 1984, Mr. McQuary served as a Sales
Representative, Territory Manager and then Product Sales Manager for Lily
Tulip, Inc., a food service packaging company. Mr. McQuary received a B.A.
degree in Psychology from the University of Virginia and a Masters in Business
Administration degree from Pepperdine University.
17
<PAGE> 20
MICHAEL G. MISIKOFF, 45, has served as Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and a Director of the Company since January 1995.
From January 1992 to December 1994, Mr. Misikoff was the Acting Chief Financial
Officer and a Director of InterCall Corporation, a subsidiary of ITC Holding
that provides conference call services. From March 1991 to January 1992, Mr.
Misikoff worked as an independent financial consultant. Mr. Misikoff served as
Chief Financial Officer of Async Corporation ("Async"), a provider of voice
messaging services, from its start-up in February 1985 until March 1991. From
March 1979 to February 1985, Mr. Misikoff served as Vice President of Finance
for TransDesigns, Inc., a multilevel marketing company. Mr. Misikoff was a
Certified Public Accountant with the firm of Arthur Young & Co. from July 1975
until March 1979. He received a B.B.A. degree in Accounting from Georgia State
University.
JAMES T. MARKLE, 38, has served as the Company's Executive Vice
President of Network Operations since March 1998 and as Vice President of
Network Operations since he joined the Company in April 1995. Prior to joining
the Company, Mr. Markle served as the Director of Technical Support for Concert
Communications, Co., a telecommunications company, from April 1994 until April
1995. From August 1990 to April 1994, Mr. Markle served as Senior Manager of
Network Operations for MCI Communications, a telecommunications company. Mr.
Markle served in various operation positions at SouthernNet/Telecom*USA,
including Director of Operations for a multistate region, from July 1985 until
July 1990. Mr. Markle attended Maryville College.
ROBERT D. SANDERS, 24, has been the Company's Vice President since
September 1996 and its Chief Technical Officer since January 1995. Mr. Sanders
served as the Company's Vice President of Network Engineering from December
1995 to September 1996 and the Company's Senior Engineer from June 1994 to
January 1995. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Sanders worked as the Software
Engineer and System Administrator of Harry's Farmers Market, Inc. from March
1994 to May 1994. He served as Co-Op Engineer in the Line Card Development
Group of Bell Northern Research, Inc., a research subsidiary of Northern
Telecom, Inc., from March 1992 to December 1993. Mr. Sanders attended the
Georgia Institute of Technology.
GREGORY J. STROMBERG, 45, has served as the Company's Executive Vice
President of Customer Service since March 1998 and as Vice President of Customer
Service since he joined the Company in October 1995. From June 1993 to
September 1994, he served as a Regional Manager for Digital Financial Services,
a computer leasing company, after which he traveled. Mr. Stromberg worked for
Digital Equipment Corporation, a computer manufacturer, and served as a Senior
Sales Representative from June 1983 to May 1987, Program Manager from May 1987
to May 1990, and District Operations Manager from May 1990 to June 1993. In
addition, Mr. Stromberg served as a Large Account Sales Representative and
Product Manager for Burroughs Corp., a computer hardware company, from June 1978
to June 1983. Mr. Stromberg received a B.S. degree in Business Management and a
Masters in Business Administration degree from the University of Utah.
ALAN J. TAETLE, 34, has been the Company's Executive Vice President of
Marketing and Business Development since June 1997. He served as the Company's
Vice President of Marketing from September 1996 to June 1997 and as the
Company's Vice President of Business Development from March 1995 to September
1996. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Taetle served as the Director of
Operations and Product Management at CogniTech Corporation, makers of a retail
series of Contact Management software products, from November 1992 to March
1995. Mr. Taetle was the Director of MIS of a subsidiary of Itochu
International ("Itochu"), a Japanese trading company, from September 1989 until
November 1991 and served as the Assistant to the Executive Vice President of
Itochu from November 1991 to November 1992. From July 1985 to August 1987, Mr.
Taetle served as Systems Engineer with Electronic Data Systems, a systems
integration consulting company. Mr. Taetle received a B.A. degree in Economics
from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Business Administration degree
from Harvard Business School.
18
<PAGE> 21
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company maintains its corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
The lease for this space expires March 31, 1999. The Company has the option to
extend this lease for an additional two years. The Company has arranged for
expansion space within the building that houses its current headquarters. The
Company also leases additional office space in the vicinity of its Atlanta
headquarters in order to meet the Company's anticipated additional space
requirements. The lease for this additional office space expires on March 31,
2002. The Company believes that these facilities will provide sufficient
capacity for the Company's operations for the foreseeable future. Equipment
for POPs other than the Atlanta POP site is generally colocated with and in
space leased from other companies operating in the area of the particular POP.
MindSpring employees in remote offices are expected to continue to work from
their homes until the scope of the Company's operations in the related market
warrants multiple employees there.
The Company also maintains the Harrisburg facility, which it primarily
uses to augment its current sales and customer support operations. The lease
for the Harrisburg facility expires on December 14, 1999. The Company has the
option to extend this lease for an additional one year.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is not currently involved in any pending legal proceedings
likely to have a material impact on the Company.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
PART II
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
The Company completed its initial public offering on March 14, 1996.
Since that date, the Company's common stock has traded on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "MSPG." The following table sets forth for the periods
indicated the high and low sales prices per share of the common stock as
reported by the Nasdaq National Market.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997 High Low
---- ---
<S> <C> <C>
First Quarter $10.25 $ 5.75
Second Quarter 11.38 6.63
Third Quarter 24.63 10.63
Fourth Quarter 34.63 18.25
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1996 High Low
---- ---
First Quarter $ 8.88 $7.88
Second Quarter 13.00 7.88
Third Quarter 12.75 8.38
Fourth Quarter 11.75 5.25
</TABLE>
On March 23, 1998, the last reported sale price of the common stock on
the Nasdaq National Market was $63.375 per share. At March 23, 1998, there
were 261 holders of record of the common stock.
19
<PAGE> 22
The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its
capital stock and does not anticipate paying cash dividends on its common stock
in the foreseeable future. It is the current policy of the Board of Directors
to retain earnings to finance the expansion of the Company's operations.
Future declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be determined in
light of the then-current conditions, including the Company's earnings,
operations, capital requirements, financial condition, restrictions in
financing agreements, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of
Directors.
20
<PAGE> 23
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected financial and operating data
for the Company. The selected historical statements of operations data for the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995 and for the period from February 24,
1994 (inception) to December 31, 1994 (the "Inception Period") and the selected
historical balance sheet data as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 have been
derived from financial statements of the Company, which have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, whose report with respect
thereto is included elsewhere in this filing. The selected historical
financial and operating data set forth below should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," the Company's financial statements and notes thereto, and other
financial and operating data included elsewhere in this filing. Dollar amounts
(except per share data) are shown in thousands.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, INCEPTION
1997 1996 1995 PERIOD
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue $ 52,557 $ 18,132 $ 2,227 $ 103
----------- ----------- ----------- -----
Cost and expenses:
Selling, general, and administrative 30,784 14,161 2,230 121
Cost of revenue 16,823 8,208 966 52
Depreciation and amortization 8,695 3,285 265 5
----------- ----------- ----------- -----
Total costs and expenses 56,302 25,654 3,461 178
----------- ----------- ----------- -----
Operating loss (3,745) (7,522) (1,234) (75)
Interest expense, net (338) (90) (725) 0
----------- ----------- ----------- -----
Net loss $ (4,083) $ (7,612) $ (1,959) $ (75)
=========== =========== =========== =====
PER SHARE DATA:
Diluted net loss per share $ (0.54) $ (1.45) $ (0.59)
Weighted average common shares outstanding 7,514,155 5,252,611 3,309,785
OPERATING DATA:
Approximate number of subscribers at end of period 278,300 121,794 12,410 1,000
Number of company employees at end of period 502 321 95 8
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital (5,351) 5,027
Property and equipment, net 23,638 11,583
Total assets 44,286 35,232
Total liabilities 22,873 9,825
Accumulated deficit (13,729) (9,646)
Total stockholders' equity 21,414 25,407
</TABLE>
21
<PAGE> 24
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
MindSpring is a national provider of Internet access. At December 31, 1997,
the Company served a total of approximately 278,300 subscribers. The Company
offers local Internet access to subscribers in most major metropolitan areas of
the United States, either through Company-owned POPs or through access to
third-party POPs in accordance with network services agreements between the
Company and third-party network providers. Currently, the Company has
agreements with, and provides services through the network POPs of, PSINet and
GridNet. Pursuant to the PSINet Services Agreement and the GridNet Services
Agreement, the Company has the flexibility to offer Internet access in
overlapping POP locations through a MindSpring POP, a PSINet or GridNet POP, or
a combination of all three. The Company-owned POPs, which served approximately
207,000 subscribers as of December 31, 1997, are located primarily in the
southeastern United States, New York City, and California. The Company does
not currently plan to open a significant number of new MindSpring POPs during
1998. Management will, however, evaluate on a POP-by-POP basis the closing or
expansion of existing MindSpring POPs or the opening of new MindSpring POPs
based on subscriber demand and strategic considerations.
The Company derives revenue primarily from monthly subscriptions and start-up
fees from individuals for dial-up access to the Internet. Monthly subscription
fees vary by billing plan. Under the Company's current pricing plans, customers
have a choice of two "flat rate" plans (The Works and Unlimited Access) and two
"usage-sensitive" plans (Standard and Light). For the years ended December 31,
1996 and 1997, the average monthly recurring revenue per dial-up subscriber was
approximately $20 (monthly recurring revenue plus usage charges for non-"flat
rate" subscribers, divided by total subscribers). Start-up fees for new
subscribers vary depending on the promotional method by which the subscriber is
acquired, ranging up to a maximum of $25. Aggregate subscriber start-up fees
are sufficient to cover the aggregate costs of direct materials, mailing
expenses, and licensing fees associated with new subscribers. Most of the
Company's individual subscribers pay their MindSpring fees automatically by
preauthorized monthly charges to the subscriber's credit card.
In addition, the Company earns revenue by providing Web-hosting and Web page
design services, colocation and full-time dedicated access connections to the
Internet and domain registration. The Company's Web-hosting services allow a
business or individual to post information on the World Wide Web so that the
information is available to anyone who has access to the Internet. Through its
domain registration services, the Company provides subscribers the ability to
personalize electronic mail addresses and URLs (Uniform Resource Locators).
The services described in this paragraph have been classified as business
services in the statements of operations and the "Results of Operations" table
set forth below.
The Company's costs include (i) costs of revenue that are primarily related
to the number of subscribers; (ii) selling, general, and administrative
expenses that are associated more generally with operations and (iii)
depreciation and amortization, which are related to the size of the Company's
network and the deferred costs associated with acquired customer bases.
Costs of revenue that are primarily related to the number of subscribers
include both recurring costs and subscriber start-up expenses. Recurring costs
of revenue consist primarily of the costs of telecommunications facilities
necessary to provide service to subscribers and certain monthly licensing fees
per subscriber for the right to receive and make available certain proprietary
on-line services. Telecommunications facilities costs include the costs of
providing local telephone lines into each Company-owned POP, costs related to
the use of third-party networks pursuant to services agreements and costs
associated with leased lines connecting
22
<PAGE> 25
each Company-owned POP and third-party network to the Company's hub and
connecting the Company's hub to the Internet backbone. Start-up expenses for
each subscriber include one-time license fees paid to third parties for the
right to bundle other capabilities into the Company's software, cost of
diskettes, and other product media, manuals, and packaging and delivery costs
associated with the materials provided to new subscribers. The Company does
not defer any such subscriber start-up expenses.
Selling, general, and administrative costs are incurred in the areas of sales
and marketing, customer support, network operations and maintenance,
engineering, accounting, and administration. Selling, general, and
administrative costs will increase over time as the Company's scope of
operations increases. However, the Company expects that such costs will be more
than offset by anticipated increases in revenue attributable to overall
subscriber growth. In addition, significant levels of marketing activity may be
necessary in order for the Company to build or increase its subscriber base in a
given market to a size large enough to generate sufficient revenue to offset
such marketing expenses. The Company may determine to significantly increase
the level of marketing activity in order to increase the rate of subscription
growth. Any such increase would have a short-term negative impact on earnings.
The Company does not defer any start-up expenses related to entering new
markets.
As the Company expands into new markets, both costs of revenue and selling,
general and administrative expenses will increase. To the extent the Company
opens MindSpring POPs in new markets, such expenses may also increase as a
percentage of revenue in the short term after a new MindSpring POP is opened
because many of the fixed costs of providing service in a new market are
incurred before significant revenue can be expected from that market. However,
to the extent that the Company expands into new markets by using third-party
POPs instead of opening its own POPs, the Company's incremental monthly
recurring costs will consist primarily of the fees to be paid to third parties
as provided in the PSINet Services Agreement and the GridNet Services
Agreement. The margins on such subscribers will initially be higher than if
the Company had developed its own POP in new markets. Once a new market
matures, costs of revenue as a percentage of revenue will tend to be higher in
markets served through utilization of purchased network services rather than
Company-owned POPs, since the full costs of utilizing such network services is
included in costs of revenue while a portion of the costs of utilizing
Company-owned POPs is included in depreciation and amortization.
The Company has added, and may in the future continue to add, MindSpring
subscribers by purchasing customer bases from other Internet service providers.
The Company amortizes such purchased customer bases using the straight-line
method over a period of three years, commencing when the purchase is completed.
Customer base purchases and related amortization for 1997 were not material to
the Company's results of operations.
The year 2000 issue is a problem resulting from computer programs being
written using two digits rather than four digits to define the applicable year.
Date-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
than the year 2000. This could result in system failures or miscalculations
causing disruptions of operations, including, among other, a temporary inability
to process transactions, send invoices, or engage in similar normal business
activities. The Company has addressed and continues to assess the impact of the
year 2000 issue on its reporting and operating systems. The Company has
addressed programming issues to ensure that its programs are capable of handling
the change that will result from the turn of the century. In addition, due to
the proprietary nature of many of the Company's operating platforms, including
its billing and accounts receivable systems, the Company has limited reliance on
external vendors with Year 2000 exposure. To the extent that the Company does
rely on significant external vendors or third-party network service providers,
the Company does not anticipate that such third parties' Year 2000 problems will
significantly impact the Company's operations. Any costs incurred with the year
2000 compliance are being expensed as incurred and are not expected to be
material to the Company's results of operations.
While the Company has experienced operating losses since its inception as a
result of efforts to build its network infrastructure and internal staffing,
develop its systems, and expand into new markets, it generated positive cash
flows from operations during 1997 and had its
23
<PAGE> 26
first profitable quarter in the fourth quarter of 1997. The Company expects to
continue to focus on increasing its subscriber base, which will cause its costs
of revenue, selling, general, and administrative expenses and capital
expenditures to increase in addition to its revenues. There can be no
assurance, however, that growth in the Company's revenue or subscriber base
will continue or that the Company will be able to sustain profitability or
positive cash flows.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth certain financial data for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995. Operating results for any period are not
necessarily indicative of results for any future period. Dollar amounts
(except per share data) are shown in thousands.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, 1997 December 31, 1996 December 31, 1995
----------------------- ----------------- ------------------------
(000's) % of (000's) % of (000's) % of
Revenue Revenue Revenue
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statements of Operations Data:
URevenue:
Dial-up access to Internet ................... $ 40,925 78 $ 13,420 74 $ 1,455 65
Business services ............................ 7,711 15 2,286 13 260 12
Start-up fees ................................ 3,921 7 2,426 13 512 23
----------- -------- -------- ---- ----------- ----------
Total revenue ............................ 52,557 100 18,132 100 2,227 100
----------- -------- -------- ---- ----------- ----------
Cost and expenses:
Cost of revenue-recurring .................... 15,203 29 6,332 35 627 28
Cost of revenue-start-up fees ................ 1,620 3 1,876 10 339 15
Selling, general, and administrative ......... 30,784 59 14,161 78 2,230 100
Depreciation and amortization ................ 8,695 16 3,285 18 265 12
----------- -------- -------- ---- ----------- ----------
Total costs and expenses ................. 56,302 107 25,654 141 3,461 155
----------- -------- -------- ---- ----------- ----------
Operating loss ................................. (3,745) (7) (7,522) (41) (1,234) (55)
Interest expense, net .......................... (338) (1) (90) (1) (725) (33)
----------- -------- -------- ---- ----------- ----------
Net loss ....................................... $ (4,083) (8) $ (7,612) (42) $ (1,959) (88)
=========== ======== ======== ==== =========== ==========
PER SHARE DATA:
Diluted net loss per share ..................... $ (0.54) $ (1.45) $ (0.59)
Weighted average common shares outstanding ..... 7,514,155 5,252,611 3,309,785
OPERATING DATA:
Approximate number of subscribers at end of year 278,300 121,794 12,410
Number of company employees at end of year ..... 502 321 95
</TABLE>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
Revenue: Revenue for the year ended December 31, 1997 totaled approximately
$52,557,000, as compared to approximately $18,132,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1996. The approximately 190% increase in period revenue resulted
primarily from an approximately 129% increase in subscribers. Revenues
increased in a greater proportion than subscribers due to the subscribers
acquired in the PSINet Transaction (as described herein) being added in the
later portion of 1996. See "--Liquidity and Capital Resources". Revenues
24
<PAGE> 27
from dial-up access to the Internet for the year ended December 31, 1997
represented approximately 78% of the revenue, compared to approximately 74% for
the year ended December 31, 1996. Business services revenue increased slightly
to approximately 15% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 1997, compared
to approximately 13% for the year ended December 31, 1996. This increase is
primarily attributable to the increase in the number of the Company's web
hosting customers. Subscriber start-up fees accounted for 7% of revenue for
the year ended December 31, 1997, as compared to approximately 13% for the
year ended December 31, 1996. The Company anticipates that as its customer
base continues to expand, subscriber start-up fees will progressively represent
a smaller percentage of revenue.
Costs of revenue-recurring: For the year ended December 31, 1997, costs of
revenue-recurring decreased to approximately 29% of total revenue, compared to
approximately 35% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 1996. Costs
of revenue-recurring also decreased as a percentage of dial-up access revenue
from approximately 47% for the year ended December 31, 1996 to approximately
37% for the year ended December 31, 1997. Exclusive of $2,050,000 in discounts
received in 1997 pursuant to the PSINet Services Agreement, costs of
revenue-recurring would have been approximately 42% of total dial-up revenue
for the year ended December 31, 1997, compared to approximately 47% for the
year ended December 31, 1996. This decrease of costs of revenue-recurring as a
percentage of total revenue and as a percentage of dial-up access revenue
resulted primarily from increased efficiency and reduced network costs in the
Company's own network.
Costs of revenue-start-up fees: For the year ended December 31, 1997,
subscriber start-up expenses decreased to approximately 3% of total revenue,
compared to approximately 10% of total revenue for the year ended December 31,
1996, and decreased to approximately 41% of start-up fee revenue for the year
ended December 31, 1997, compared to approximately 77% of start-up fee revenue
for the year ended December 31, 1996. The Company had abnormally high customer
start-up costs in 1996 due to expenditures for license fees and starter kits
related to the acquisition of certain individual subscriber accounts of PSINet.
The Company anticipates that start-up expenses will continue to decrease as a
percentage of total revenue to the extent that the number of new subscribers
decreases as a percentage of the entire subscriber base. The decrease in
start-up expenses as a percentage of start-up fees resulted from reduced
expenditures per new subscriber for licenses and start-up kit materials.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses: Selling, general, and
administrative expenses were approximately 59% of revenue for the year ended
December 31, 1997, compared to approximately 78% of revenue for the year ended
December 31, 1996. The decrease in selling, general, and administrative
expenses as a percentage of revenue resulted from the Company's benefiting from
economies of scale with respect to such costs as employee compensation that do
not increase in direct proportion to increases in revenue and to cost control
efforts implemented by management.
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization expenses
decreased to approximately 16% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 1997,
compared to approximately 18% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 1996.
Amortization expense remained steady at approximately 8% of revenue for both
the years ended December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996. Amortization expense
resulted primarily from acquired customer bases which are being amortized over
three years. Depreciation expense was approximately 8% of total revenue for
the year ended December 31, 1997, compared to approximately 10% for the year
ended December 31, 1996. The decrease in depreciation expense as a percentage
of total revenue resulted from efficiencies within Company-owned POPs resulting
from reductions in cost of new equipment and improved utilization within the
Company's network and the addition of capacity through increased utilization of
purchased network services as opposed to increasing capacity by the
construction of additional Company-owned POPs.
25
<PAGE> 28
Interest expense: The following table details the increase in interest
expense in 1997 versus 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Event 1997 1996
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Interest on capital leases . . . . . . . . (473,000) (91,000)
Interest on PSINet notes . . . . . . . . . (276,000) (324,000)
Interest income - other . . . . . . . . . 411,000 325,000
---------- --------
Interest expense, net . . . . . . . . . . $ (338,000) $(90,000)
========== =========
</TABLE>
Interest on capital leases increased for the year ended December 31, 1997,
compared to the year ended December 31, 1996, as the Company entered into
several new capital leases for equipment. See "Liquidity and Capital
Resources". Interest income increased in 1997 due to the increase in
outstanding cash balances available for investment as a result of positive
operating cash flows.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
Revenue: Revenue for the year ended December 31, 1996 totaled approximately
$18,132,000, as compared to approximately $2,227,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1995. The 714% increase in period revenue resulted primarily from
an 881% increase in subscribers offset by a decrease in revenue per subscriber
resulting from price changes implemented in May 1996. Revenues from dial-up
access to the Internet for the year ended December 31, 1996 represented
approximately 74% of the revenue, compared to approximately 65% for the year
ended December 31, 1995. Subscriber start-up fees accounted for 13% of revenue
for the year ended December 31, 1996, as compared to 23% for the year ended
December 31, 1995. Business services revenue increased slightly to 13% of
revenue for the year ended December 31, 1996, compared to 12% for the year
ended December 31, 1995. This increase was primarily attributable to the
increase in the number of the Company's web hosting customers.
Costs of revenue-recurring: For the year ended December 31, 1996, costs of
revenue-recurring increased to approximately 35% of total revenue, compared to
approximately 28% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 1995. Costs
of revenue-recurring also increased as a percentage of dial-up access revenue
from approximately 43% for the year ended December 31, 1995 to approximately
47% for the year ended December 31, 1996. This increase was primarily
associated with expanding the Company's network into 40 markets at the end of
1996 compared to seven markets at the end of 1995.
Costs of revenue-start-up fees: For the year ended December 31, 1996,
subscriber start-up expenses decreased to approximately 10% of total revenue,
compared to approximately 15% of total revenue for the year ended December 31,
1995, and increased to approximately 77% of start-up fee revenue for the year
ended December 31, 1996, compared to approximately 66% of start-up fee revenue
for the year ended December 31, 1995. This increase was attributable to the
additional expenditures such as license fees and starter kits related to the
purchase of certain individual subscriber accounts of PSINet in the third
quarter of 1996.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses: Selling, general, and
administrative expenses represented approximately 78% of revenue for the year
ended December 31, 1996, compared to approximately 100% of revenue for the year
ended December 31, 1995. The decrease in selling, general and administrative
expenses as a percentage of revenue resulted from the Company's benefiting from
economies of scale with respect to such costs as employee compensation that do
not increase in direct proportion to increases in revenue and cost control
efforts implemented by management.
26
<PAGE> 29
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization expenses
increased to approximately 18% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 1996,
compared to approximately 12% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 1995.
The increase is attributable to the 227% increase in property, plant and
equipment and the amortization of acquired customer bases. The Company is
amortizing the costs of acquired customer bases over a three-year period.
Amortization expense related to the acquired customer bases for the year ended
December 31, 1996 was approximately $1,521,000.
Interest expense: The following table details the decrease in interest
expense in 1996 versus 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EVENT 1996 1995
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Charge for Class C convertible preferred 0 (637,000)
ITC stock Holding processing fee . . . . . 0 (50,000)
Interest on capital leases . . . . . . . . (91,000)
Interest on PSINet notes . . . . . . . . . (324,000) 0
Interest income - other . . . . . . . . . 325,000 (38,000)
---------- ---------
Interest expense, net . . . . . . . . . . $ (90,000) $(725,000)
========== =========
</TABLE>
Interest income increased in 1996 due to the increase in outstanding cash
balances available for investment as a result of the proceeds from two public
offerings.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company generated net cash from operations in the amount of $11,354,000
for the year ended December 31, 1997 versus using cash of approximately
$2,005,000 to support operating activities during the year ended December 31,
1996. The operating cash flow has been used in the current period primarily to
cover the Company's investing activities of approximately $9,002,000 primarily
related to purchases of telecommunications equipment necessary for the
provision of service to subscribers. In addition to the purchased equipment,
the Company acquired approximately $8,443,000 of equipment under capital lease
agreements in 1997, compared to acquiring approximately $1,473,000 in capital
leases in 1996. The Company also used approximately $960,000 to acquire
customer bases during the year ended December 31, 1997. The Company's primary
financing activities of approximately $2,618,000 for the year ended December
31, 1997 consisted of cash paid for capital lease obligations and cash paid to
PSINet in connection with a transaction between the Company and PSINet in 1996
in which the Company purchased certain individual subscriber accounts of PSINet
and related assets (the "PSINet Transaction"). Total cash provided from
financing activities for the year ended December 31, 1996 was approximately
$32,570,000, consisting primarily of the net proceeds of the Company's initial
public offering in March 1996 and a second public offering in October 1996.
On October 14, 1996, the Company and Monorail Inc. ("Monorail"), an
Internet-ready computer manufacturer, entered into an agreement, pursuant to
which the Company's software is to be included on the personal computers
manufactured by Monorail. The Company provided a $500,000 prepayment to
Monorail for potential subscribers to be acquired by the Company pursuant to
this agreement (the "Monorail Prepayment"). As of December 31, 1997, Monorail
had earned approximately $69,000 of the Monorail Prepayment. Monorail may
continue to offset the Monorail Prepayment by referring subscribers to the
Company or may repay all or part of the balance of the Monorail Prepayment at
any time. The Company has agreed to accept warrants to purchase Monorail stock
in lieu of interest on the balance of the Monorail Prepayment outstanding.
27
<PAGE> 30
In June 1997, the Company entered into various agreements with BellSouth
(collectively, the "BellSouth Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company has
agreed to purchase certain telecommunications facilities from BellSouth over a
term of 24 months. The Company estimates the total commitment under the
BellSouth Agreement to be approximately $2,700,000 per year.
As of December 31, 1997, the Company had cash on hand of approximately
$9,386,000. The Company's significant capital commitments through 1998 include
approximately $2,043,000 in principal related to a non interest-bearing note
issued to PSINet in connection with the PSINet Transaction and $3,351,000 in
capital lease payments. The Company anticipates that it will continue to
generate cash flows from operations in 1998. The Company estimates that its
cash and financing needs in 1998, assuming reasonable internal growth, can be
met by cash on hand, additional capital financing arrangements, and cash flow
from operations. If such sources of financing are insufficient or unavailable,
or if the Company experiences shortfalls in anticipated revenue or increases in
anticipated expenses, the Company will be required to modify its growth and
operating plans in accordance with the extent of available funding. The Company
frequently engages in discussions involving potential business acquisitions.
Depending on the circumstances, the Company may not disclose material
acquisitions until completion of a definitive agreement. The Company may
determine to raise additional debt or equity capital to finance potential
acquisitions and/or to fund accelerated growth. Any significant acquisitions or
increases in the Company's growth rate could materially affect the Company's
operating and financial expectations and results, liquidity and capital
resources.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The Financial Statements of the Company, including the Company's Balance
Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, Statements of Operations for the years
ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, Statements of Stockholders' Equity for
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, Statements of Cash Flows for
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, and Notes to Financial
Statements, together with a report thereon of Arthur Andersen LLP, dated
February 13, 1998, are attached hereto as pages F-1 through F-17.
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
Reference is made to the information that is responsive to this Item
appearing in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on June 17, 1998 (the "Proxy Statement"), to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the
Company's fiscal year, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Information required by this Item with respect to executive
28
<PAGE> 31
officers is provided in Item 1 of this Form 10-K. See "Business-Executive
Officers of the Company."
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Reference is made to the information that is responsive to this Item
appearing in the Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year, which
information is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Reference is made to the information that is responsive to this Item
appearing in the Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year, which
information is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Reference is made to the information that is responsive to this Item
appearing in the Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year, which
information is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a)(1) The following consolidated financial statements of registrant and
its subsidiaries and report of independent auditors are included in Item 8
hereof.
Report of Independent Public Accountants.
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996.
Statements of Operations - Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995.
Statements of Stockholders' Equity - Years Ended December 31, 1997,
1996 and 1995.
Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995.
Notes to Financial Statements.
(a)(2) Except for the following, all schedules for which provision is made
in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission either have been included in the Financial Statements or are
not required under the related instructions, or are inapplicable and
therefore have been omitted:
Report of Independent Public Accountant as to Schedules
Schedule II - Valuation of Qualifying Accounts
(a)(3) The following exhibits are either provided with this Report or are
incorporated herein by reference:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
<S> <C>
3(a) - Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as
Exhibit 3(a) to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated May 3, 1996, File No. 0-27890, and
incorporated herein by reference.)
3(b) - Amended and Restated Bylaws of MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 3(b) to
Quarterly
</TABLE>
29
<PAGE> 32
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Report on Form 10-Q/A dated August 30, 1996, File No. 0-27890, and incorporated
herein by reference.)
10(a) -- Asset Purchase Agreement dated June 28, 1996 by and between MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. and
PSINet, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 28, 1996, File
No. 0-27890, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(b) -- Amendment No. 1 to Asset Purchase Agreement and Network Services Agreement dated August 23,
1996 by and between PSINet Inc. and MindSpring Enterprises, Inc., effective as of June 28,
1996. (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated August 23, 1996, File No.
0-27890, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(c) -- Amendment No. 2 to Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of September 1, 1996 by and between
PSINet Inc. and MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Current Report on Form
8-K dated October 8, 1996, File No. 0-27890, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(d) -- Amendment No. 3 to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 24, 1997. (Filed as Exhibit
10.5 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 3, 1997, File No. 0-27890, and incorporated
herein by reference.)
10(e) -- Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement by and between MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. and
The News and Observer Publishing Company dated as of September 11, 1996. (Filed as Exhibit
2(c) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-10779 (the "October
1996 S-1"), and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(f) -- Lease and Service Agreement dated as of January 1, 1995 between AvData Systems, Inc. and
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10(i) to the Company's Registration Statement
on Form S-1, File No. 333-00108 ("Initial Form S-1"), and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(g) -- Lease Agreement commencing on November 1, 1995 between West Peachtree Point Partners, L.P. and
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10(j) to Initial Form S-1, and incorporated
herein by reference.)
10(h) -- First Amendment dated February 6, 1996 to Lease Agreement dated November 1, 1995 between John
Marshall Law School, Inc. (assignee of West Peachtree Point Partners, L.P.) and MindSpring
Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10(cc) to Initial Form S-1, and incorporated herein by
reference.)
10(i) -- Agreement dated January 31, 1995 between Agis Net99 and MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed
as Exhibit 10(k) to Initial Form S-1, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(j) -- MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10(u) to Initial Form
S-1, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(k) -- Form of Stock Option Agreement. (Filed as Exhibit 10(v) to Initial Form S-1, and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10(l) -- MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. 1995 Directors Stock Option Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10(w) to
Initial Form S-1, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(m) -- Form of Director Stock Option Agreement. (Filed as Exhibit 10(x) to Initial Form S-1, and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10(n) -- Form of MindSpring Service Agreement. (Filed as Exhibit 10(y) to Initial Form S-1, and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10(o) -- Service Provider Agreement dated December 13, 1995 between BBN Planet Corporation and
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10(z) to Initial Form S-1, and incorporated
herein by reference.)
10(p) -- Form of MindSpring Director or Officer Indemnity Agreement. (Filed as Exhibit 10(dd) to
Initial Form S-1, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(q) -- Network Services Agreement dated June 28, 1996 by and between MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. and
PSINet Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 28, 1996, File
No. 0-27890, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(r) -- Amendment No. 2 to Services Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1997. (Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 3, 1997, File No. 0-27890, and incorporated herein
by reference.)
10(s) -- Master Services Agreement dated July 15, 1996 between BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. and
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10(cc) to the October 1996 S-1, and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10(t) -- Assignment and Assumption of Contracts and Leases by and between MindSpring Enterprises, Inc.
and PSINet, Inc. dated as of September 1, 1996. (Filed as Exhibit 10(ee) to the October 1996
S-1, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(u) -- Service Provider Agreement dated December 13, 1995 between BBN Planet Corporation and
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10(ff) to the October 1996 S-1, and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10(v) -- Reseller Agreement, dated as of October 14, 1996, by and between Monorail Inc. and MindSpring
Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14,
1996, File No. 0-27890, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(w) -- Lease Agreement effective as of January 1, 1997 by and between CMS Peachtree, L.P. and
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10(hh) to Annual Report on Form 10-K dated
March 26, 1997, File No. 0-27890, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(x) -- Amendment dated June 6, 1997 to Master Services Agreement dated July 15, 1996 between
BellSouth
</TABLE>
30
<PAGE> 33
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Telecommunications, Inc. and MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997, File No. 0-27890, and incorporated herein
by reference).
10(y) -- Special Service Arrangement Agreement dated June 1997 between BellSouth Telecommunications,
Inc. and MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (a substantially identical contract has been executed
for each of Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) (Filed
as Exhibit 10.2 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997, File No. 0-27890, and
incorporated herein by reference).
*10(z) -- Data Communications Products and Services Agreement dated April 30, 1997, and amended March 4,
1998, by and between MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. and GridNet International, L.L.C.
11 -- Statement regarding Computation of Per Share Earnings.
23 -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
27 -- Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)
</TABLE>
- ---------
* Confidential treatment has been requested with regard to certain provisions
of this exhibit. The copy filed as an exhibit omits the information subject
to the confidential treatment request.
(b) No current reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission during the fourth quarter of
1997.
31
<PAGE> 34
SIGNATURES
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, thereunto duly authorized as of the 30th day
of March, 1998.
MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES, INC.
By /s/ Charles M. Brewer
-----------------------
Charles M. Brewer
Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and Director
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 indicated and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signatures Title Date
- ---------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Charles M. Brewer
- ---------------------
Charles M. Brewer Chairman, Chief Executive March 30, 1998
Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Michael S. McQuary
- ----------------------
Michael S. McQuary President, Chief Operating March 30, 1998
Officer and Director
/s/ Michael G. Misikoff
- -----------------------
Michael G. Misikoff Vice President, Secretary, March 30, 1998
Treasurer, Chief Financial
Officer and Director
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ O. Gene Gabbard
- -------------------
O. Gene Gabbard Director March 30, 1998
/s/ Campbell B. Lanier, III
- ---------------------------
Campbell B. Lanier, III Director March 30, 1998
/s/ William H. Scott, III
- -------------------------
William H. Scott, III Director March 30, 1998
</TABLE>
32
<PAGE> 35
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES, INC.
Independent Auditors' Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-2
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-3
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-4
Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 1997,
1996 and 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-5
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-6
Notes to Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-7
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE> 36
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of MINDSPRING
ENTERPRISES, INC. (a Delaware corporation) as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and
the related statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for
the three years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995. 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 in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards 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. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MindSpring
Enterprises, Inc. as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31,
1997, 1996, and 1995 in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
February 13, 1998
F-2
<PAGE> 37
MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents ............................................................ $ 9,386,312 $ 9,653,234
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
$750,756 and $385,945 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively .................. 2,002,407 1,996,613
Prepaids and other current assets (Note 2) ........................................... 905,409 360,762
Inventory ............................................................................ 136,872 116,545
------------ ------------
Total current assets .............................................................. 12,431,000 12,127,154
------------ ------------
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Computer and telecommunications equipment ............................................ 18,049,910 11,509,165
Assets under capital lease ........................................................... 9,915,882 1,472,885
Other ................................................................................ 1,804,746 565,503
------------ ------------
29,770,538 13,547,553
Less: accumulated depreciation ...................................................... (6,132,745) (1,964,231)
------------ ------------
Property and equipment, net ....................................................... 23,637,793 11,583,322
------------ ------------
OTHER ASSETS:
Acquired customer base, net (Notes 2 and 3) .......................................... 7,477,638 10,727,268
Other ................................................................................ 739,768 794,633
------------ ------------
Total other assets ................................................................ 8,217,406 11,521,901
------------ ------------
$ 44,286,199 $ 35,232,377
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Trade accounts payable ............................................................... $ 4,306,499 $ 1,954,276
Current portion of capital lease liability (Note 8) .................................. 2,607,312 656,252
Telecommunications costs payable ..................................................... 2,232,934 900,674
Deferred revenue ..................................................................... 2,197,739 415,881
Current portion of notes payable (Note 7) ............................................ 2,042,742 623,922
Other accrued expenses ............................................................... 1,775,154 609,020
Accrued compensation expense ......................................................... 1,404,000 634,806
Network services payable (Note 3) .................................................... 1,215,846 1,305,152
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities ......................................................... 17,782,226 7,099,983
------------ ------------
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Notes payable (Note 7) ............................................................... 0 2,042,742
Capital lease liability (Note 8) ..................................................... 5,090,429 682,571
------------ ------------
Total long-term liabilities ....................................................... 5,090,429 2,725,313
------------ ------------
Total liabilities ................................................................. 22,872,655 9,825,296
------------ ------------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 8)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Note 4):
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized and 0 shares issued
and outstanding at December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively .......... 0 0
Common stock, $.01 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized
and 7,534,440 and 7,477,084 issued and outstanding at
December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively .............................. 75,344 74,771
Additional paid-in capital ........................................................... 35,067,209 34,978,225
Accumulated deficit .................................................................. (13,729,009) (9,645,915)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity ........................................................ 21,413,544 25,407,081
------------ ------------
$ 44,286,199 $ 35,232,377
============ ============
</TABLE>
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these
statements.
F-3
<PAGE> 38
MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996, AND 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996 1995
------------ ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES:
Access ......................... $ 40,925,091 $ 13,419,521 $ 1,454,497
Business services .............. 7,711,076 2,286,484 260,090
Subscriber start-up fees ....... 3,920,454 2,426,070 512,257
------------ ------------ -----------
Total revenues ............... 52,556,621 18,132,075 2,226,844
------------ ------------ -----------
COST AND EXPENSES:
Cost of revenues -- recurring .. 15,203,019 6,332,152 626,404
Cost of subscriber start-up fees 1,619,531 1,875,470 339,369
General and administrative ..... 22,264,856 10,072,347 1,650,979
Selling ........................ 8,518,771 4,088,727 579,123
Depreciation and amortization .. 8,695,305 3,285,436 264,683
------------ ------------ -----------
Total operating expenses ..... 56,301,482 25,654,132 3,460,558
------------ ------------ -----------
OPERATING LOSS ..................... (3,744,861) (7,522,057) (1,233,714)
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET .............. (338,233) (90,266) (724,817)
------------ ------------ -----------
NET LOSS ........................... ($4,083,094) ($7,612,323) ($1,958,531)
============ ============ ===========
NET LOSS PER SHARE:
Basic .......................... ($0.54) ($1.45) ($0.68)
============ ============ ===========
Diluted ........................ (0.54) (1.45) (0.59)
============ ============ ===========
SHARES USED FOR COMPUTING NET
LOSS PER SHARE:
Basic .......................... 7,514,155 5,252,611 2,887,724
============ ============ ===========
Diluted ........................ 7,514,155 5,252,611 3,309,785
============ ============ ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
are an integral part of these statements.
F-4
<PAGE> 39
MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996, AND 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total
Common Stock Preferred Stock Stockholders'
-------------------------- ------------------------ Accumulated Deficit
Shares Amount APIC Shares Amount Equity
----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------ ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1994 ..... 1,136,247 $ 11,362 $ (11,142) 1,187,895 $ 744,575 $ (75,061) $ 669,734
Issuance of additional
common stock ............... 131,057 1,311 131,689 -- -- -- 133,000
Issuance of Class B
convertible preferred stock -- -- -- 645,594 1,000,000 -- 1,000,000
Issuance of Class C
convertible preferred stock,
warrant .................... -- -- -- 100,000 638,000 -- 638,000
Net loss ................... (1,958,531) (1,958,531)
----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Balance, December 31, 1995 ..... 1,267,304 $ 12,673 $ 120,547 1,933,489 $ 2,382,575 $ (2,033,592) $ 482,203
Conversion of Class A
preferred stock to common .. 1,187,895 11,879 732,696 (1,187,895) (744,575) -- 0
Conversion of Class B
preferred stock to common .. 645,594 6,456 993,544 (645,594) (1,000,000) -- 0
Issuance of additional
common stock, net of
related offering expenses .. 2,025,000 20,250 14,129,439 -- -- -- 14,149,689
Conversion of Class C
preferred stock to common .. 100,000 1,000 637,000 (100,000) (638,000) -- 0
Issuance of additional
common stock, net of
related offering expenses .. 2,250,000 22,500 18,364,186 -- -- -- 18,386,686
Issuance of common stock
pursuant to exercise of
options .................... 1,291 13 813 -- -- -- 826
Net loss ................... -- -- -- -- -- (7,612,323) (7,612,323)
----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Balance, December 31, 1996 ..... 7,477,084 $ 74,771 $ 34,978,225 0 $ 0 $ (9,645,915) $ 25,407,081
Issuance of common stock
pursuant to exercise of
options .................... 57,356 573 88,984 -- -- -- 89,557
Net loss ................... -- -- -- -- -- (4,083,094) (4,083,094)
----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Balance, December 31, 1997 ..... 7,534,440 $ 75,344 $ 35,067,209 0 $ 0 $(13,729,009) $ 21,413,544
=========== =========== ============ ========== =========== ============ ============
</TABLE>
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
are an integral part of these statements.
F-5
<PAGE> 40
MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996, AND 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996 1995
-------------- -------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss................................................... $ (4,083,094) $ (7,612,323) $(1,958,531)
------------- -------------- -----------
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided
by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization.............................. 8,695,305 3,285,436 264,683
Noncash charge for warrant issuance........................ - - 637,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables..................................... (5,794) (1,477,333) (504,670)
Other current assets.................................. (564,974) (158,234) (319,073)
Trade accounts payable................................ 2,352,223 1,106,311 816,845
Telecommunications cost payable....................... 1,332,260 700,325 200,349
Deferred revenue...................................... 1,781,858 79,854 333,046
Other accrued expenses................................ 1,166,134 245,829 354,175
Accrued compensation expense.......................... 769,194 519,741 106,350
Network services payable.............................. (89,306) 1,305,152 -
------------ --------------- ------------
Total adjustments................................... 15,436,900 5,607,081 1,888,705
------------- --------------- ------------
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities 11,353,806 (2,005,242) (69,826)
------------- --------------- ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment........................ (8,042,553) (8,298,013) (3,692,004)
Purchase of customer base.................................. (960,130) (12,248,667) -
Other...................................................... 399 (789,481) (32,134)
------------- --------------- ------------
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities................. (9,002,284) (21,336,161) (3,724,138)
------------ -------------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds of loan from preferred stockholder................ - 1,000,000 2,500,000
Payments of loan from preferred stockholder............... - (3,500,000) -
Proceeds from notes payable................................ - 11,488,340 -
Payments of notes payable.................................. (623,922) (8,821,676) -
Payments of capital lease obligations...................... (2,084,079) (134,062) -
Issuance of common stock................................... 89,557 32,537,201 133,000
Issuance of preferred stock................................ - - 1,001,000
------------- --------------- -----------
Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Financing Activities... (2,618,444) 32,569,803 3,634,000
------------ -------------- ------------
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS................................................ (266,922) 9,228,400 (159,964)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year................... 9,653,234 424,834 584,798
------------- --------------- ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year......................... $ 9,386,312 $ 9,653,234 $ 424,834
============= =============== ============
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE FOR CASH FLOW
INFORMATION:
Interest paid.............................................. $ 749,185 $ 402,259 $ -
============= =============== ============
Income taxes paid.......................................... $ - $ - $ -
============= =============== ============
SUPPLEMENTAL NONCASH DISCLOSURES:
Assets acquired under capital lease........................ $ 8,442,997 $ 1,472,885 $ -
============= =============== ============
Noncash charge for warrant issuance........................ $ - $ - $ 637,000
============= =============== ============
</TABLE>
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these
statements.
F-6
<PAGE> 41
MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996, AND 1995
1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. ("MindSpring" or the "Company") is a national
provider of Internet access. The Company was incorporated in Georgia on
February 24, 1994 and began marketing its services in June 1994. The Company
reincorporated in Delaware and effected a recapitalization in December 1995, in
which shares of capital stock of the Company's predecessor Georgia corporation
were converted into shares of the Company's capital stock on the basis of
1.936199 for 1. All share information has been restated to reflect the effect
of the recapitalization.
While the Company has experienced operating losses since its inception as a
result of efforts to build its network infrastructure and internal staffing,
develop its systems, and expand into new markets, it generated positive cash
flows from operations during 1997 and had its first profitable quarter in the
fourth quarter of 1997. The Company expects to continue to focus on increasing
its subscriber base, which will cause its costs of revenue, selling, general,
and administrative expenses and capital expenditures to increase in addition to
its revenues. There can be no assurance, however, that growth in the Company's
revenue or subscriber base will continue or that the Company will be able to
sustain profitability or positive cash flows.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
PRESENTATION
Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
SOURCES OF SUPPLIES
The Company relies on third-party networks, local telephone companies and
other companies to provide data communications capacity. Although management
feels alternative telecommunications facilities could be found in a timely
manner, any disruption of these services could have an adverse effect on
operating results.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company considers all short-term, highly liquid investments with an
original maturity date of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash
and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.
F-7
<PAGE> 42
CREDIT RISK
The Company's accounts receivable potentially subject the Company to
credit risk, as collateral is generally not required. The Company's risk of
loss is limited due to advance billings to customers for services, the use of
preapproved charges to customer credit cards, and the ability to terminate
access on delinquent accounts. In addition, the concentration of credit risk
is mitigated by the large number of customers comprising the customer base.
The carrying amount of the Company's receivables approximates their fair value.
INVENTORY
Inventory consists of starter kits and purchased goods for resale and is
stated at the lower of cost or market using a specific identification method.
Starter kits consist of diskettes, manuals, and other printed material.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization
are provided for using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives
of the assets, commencing when assets are installed or placed in service. The
estimated useful life for all assets is five years or, for leasehold
improvements, the life of the lease, if shorter.
EQUIPMENT UNDER CAPITAL LEASE
The Company leases certain of its data communication and other equipment
under lease agreements accounted for as capital. The assets and liabilities
under capital leases are recorded at the lesser of the present value of
aggregate future minimum lease payments, including estimated bargain purchase
options, or the fair value of the assets under lease. Assets under capital
lease are depreciated over their estimated useful lives of five years, which
are longer than the terms of the leases.
ACQUIRED CUSTOMER BASE
The Company capitalizes specific costs incurred for the purchase of
customer bases from other Internet Service Providers ("ISPs"). The customer
acquisition costs include the actual fee paid to the selling ISP as well as
legal expenses specifically related to the transactions. The account balance at
December 31, 1997 and 1996 consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996
-----------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
PSINet (Note 3) $11,613,000 $11,613,000
Nando.Net (Note 3) 519,000 519,000
Other 1,077,000 116,000
-----------------------------
13,209,000 12,248,000
Less: Accumulated amortization (5,731,000) (1,521,000)
-----------------------------
$ 7,478,000 $10,727,000
=============================
</TABLE>
Amortization is provided using the straight-line method over three years
commencing when the customer base is received.
LONG-LIVED ASSETS
The Company periodically reviews the values assigned to long-lived assets,
such as property and equipment and customer acquisition costs, to determine
whether any impairments are other than temporary. Management believes that the
long-lived assets in the accompanying balance sheets are appropriately valued.
F-8
<PAGE> 43
INCOME TAXES
Deferred income taxes are recorded using enacted tax laws and rates for the
years in which the taxes are expected to be paid. Deferred income taxes are
provided for items when there is a temporary difference in recording such items
for financial reporting and income tax reporting.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation plans under Accounting
Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees". Effective in 1995, the Company adopted the disclosure option of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation". SFAS No. 123 requires that companies which do not
choose to account for stock-based compensation as prescribed by this statement
shall disclose the pro forma effects on earnings and earnings per share as if
SFAS No. 123 had been adopted. Additionally, certain other disclosures are
required with respect to stock compensation and the assumptions used to
determine the pro forma effects of SFAS No. 123.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company recognizes revenue when services are provided. Services are
generally billed one month in advance. Advance billings and collections
relating to future access services are recorded as deferred revenue and
recognized as revenue when earned.
BARTER TRANSACTIONS
The Company engages in certain exchanges of services for advertising and
promotional services. The Company records these transactions at the market
value of the services provided. Such transactions are not material for the
periods presented.
ADVERTISING COSTS
The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred.
NET LOSS PER SHARE
The Company adopted SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share", effective December
31, 1997. Basic loss per common share ("EPS") was computed by dividing net
loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for
the year ended. The effect of the Company's stock options (using the treasury
stock method) was not included in the computation of diluted EPS as their
effect was dilutive for both 1997 and 1996.
Additionally, in February, 1998, the Securities and Exchange Commission
issued Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 98 which superseded SAB No. 83,
pursuant to which the Company has calculated its 1995 EPS. SAB No. 98 requires
basic EPS to be presented assuming all stock options are outstanding for all
periods prior to the effective date of an initial public offering. Previously,
SAB No. 83 required the effect of all stock options be calculated using the
treasury stock method. Accordingly, previously reported EPS for 1995 of $.62
has been restated to conform with this new guidance and differs because of the
exclusion of options (basic) and not employing the treasury stock method
(diluted).
F-9
<PAGE> 44
3. CUSTOMER BASE ACQUISITIONS
On June 28, 1996, the Company entered into a purchase agreement (as
amended, the "Purchase Agreement") with PSINet Inc. ("PSINet"), pursuant to
which the Company agreed to acquire certain of the tangible and intangible
assets and rights related to the consumer dial-up Internet access services
provided by PSINet in the United States, including (i) certain of PSINet's
individual subscriber accounts and (ii) the lease for a customer support call
center near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, (the "Harrisburg Facility") and all
related telephone switches and other equipment (the "Assets").
On October 21, 1996, the Company paid PSINet approximately $9,175,000,
which consisted of $8,951,000 in principal and $224,000 in interest, in
repayment of promissory notes issued in connection with the PSINet transaction.
Effective as of January 24, 1997, the Company and PSINet further amended the
Purchase Agreement to, among other things, fix an aggregate purchase price for
the Assets in an amount equal to $12,929,000 (excluding accrued interest and
increases in principal amount under the First and Second PSINet Notes
previously paid by the Company) (the "Purchase Price"). In connection with
fixing the aggregate amount of the Purchase Price, the Company and PSINet
amended the Second PSINet Note to, among other things, reduce the principal
amount owed thereunder to $3,078,000, an amount equal to the remaining balance
of the Purchase Price as of January 24, 1997. As amended, the Second PSINet
Note no longer accrues interest, is payable over a two-year period, and has
been discounted for financial statement purposes using the same rate of
interest (Prime + 3%) as the prior PSINet Notes. The Company accretes the
difference between the principal and total payable amount of $3,078,000 over
the two years of the note.
In connection with the PSINet Transaction, the parties also entered into a
network services agreement (as amended, the "Services Agreement") which enables
MindSpring to offer nationwide Internet access through PSINet's network of over
200 points of presence ("POPs"). Pursuant to the Services Agreement, PSINet
has agreed, among other things, to provide to the Company (i) Internet
connection services which meet reasonable commercial standards, including with
respect to access and reliability, and (ii) access to PSINet's network
monitoring systems and subscriber log-in and accounting information. The term
of the Services Agreement is 5 years commencing on June 28, 1996 and is
automatically renewable annually thereafter unless either party notifies the
other in writing not less than 12 months prior to the end of such 5-year period
or any 12-month extension thereof. Subject to certain exceptions, PSINet may
not terminate the Services Agreement prior to October 31, 1998, and the Company
may terminate the Services Agreement at any time upon 60 days' written notice
to PSINet without penalty.
The Company and PSINet amended the Services Agreement effective January 1,
1997 to provide for certain discounts to the monthly service fees which
otherwise would have been payable by the Company to PSINet. The Company earned
the maximum amount of credits ($2,050,000) during 1997, and the discounts are
reflected as reductions of cost of revenue. The Company can earn up to
$200,000 per month in 1998 through September and can earn up to $300,000 in
October.
4. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
The Company has authorized 15,000,000 shares of $.01 par value common stock
and 1,000,000 shares of $.01 par value preferred stock.
COMMON STOCK
In March 1996, the Company completed an initial public offering of its
common stock (the "Initial Offering"). The Company issued 1,950,000 shares at
an initial public offering price
F-10
<PAGE> 45
of $8 per share. The total proceeds of the offering, net of underwriting
discounts and offering expenses, were approximately $13,672,000. In April
1996, the Company's underwriters exercised a portion of the over-allotment
option granted in connection with the Company's Initial Offering, electing to
purchase 75,000 additional shares of common stock. The net proceeds to the
Company were approximately $478,000.
In October 1996, the Company completed another public offering of its
common stock. The Company issued 2,250,000 shares at a public offering price
of $9.13 per share. The total proceeds of the offering, net of underwriting
discounts and offering expenses, were approximately $18,387,000.
PREFERRED STOCK
1,188,000 shares of Class A convertible preferred stock and 646,000 shares
of Class B convertible stock automatically converted into shares of common
stock on a one-for-one basis at the Initial Offering by the Company.
On December 22, 1995, the board of directors authorized the issuance of
5,000,000 shares of Class C convertible preferred stock. On December 27, 1995,
the Company issued 100,000 shares of Class C convertible preferred stock to ITC
Holding for total consideration of $1,000. The Company recorded a charge to
interest expense in 1995 for the difference between the fair market value of
the Class C convertible preferred stock and the consideration paid of $637,000.
Each share of Class C convertible preferred stock was automatically converted
into one share of common stock at the 190th day after the Initial Offering
(September 18, 1996).
5. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN
Under the Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "Stock Option Plan"), as
adopted on February 21, 1995, amended by the board of directors on April 5,
1995 and December 19, 1995 and approved by the stockholders on December 27,
1995, and subsequently amended by the board of directors on March 26, 1997 and
approved by the stockholders on May 28, 1997, 900,000 shares of common stock
are reserved and authorized for issuance upon the exercise of options. All
employees of the Company are eligible to receive options under the Stock Option
Plan. The compensation committee of the board of directors administers the
Stock Option Plan. Options granted under the Stock Option Plan are intended to
qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. Options generally become exercisable as follows:
(i) 50% of the options become exercisable two years after the date of grant or,
in certain cases, the commencement date of the holder's employment; (ii) an
additional 25% of the options become exercisable three years after the date of
grant or, in certain cases, the commencement date of the holder's employment;
and (iii) the remaining 25% of the options become exercisable four years after
the date of grant or, in certain cases, the commencement date of the holder's
employment. All options were granted at an exercise price equal to the
estimated fair value of the common stock at the dates of grant as determined by
the board of directors based on equity transactions and other analyses. The
options expire ten years from the date of grant or, in certain circumstances,
the commencement date of the option holder's employment.
DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN
Under the Company's Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Directors' Plan"),
adopted in December 1995, 70,000 shares of common stock are authorized for
issuance to nonemployee directors (in the form of 10,000 options per director)
upon their initial election or appointment to the board or, in the case of
directors who joined the board prior to the creation of the
F-11
<PAGE> 46
Directors' Plan, upon the adoption of the Directors' Plan by the board of
directors. The Directors' Plan does not provide for discretionary option
grants. Options become exercisable as follows: (i) 50% of the options become
exercisable two years after the date of grant, (ii) an additional 25% of the
options become exercisable three years after the date of grant, and (iii) the
remaining 25% of the options become exercisable four years after the date of
grant. All options were granted at an exercise price equal to the estimated
fair value of the common stock at the dates of grant as determined by the board
of directors based upon equity transactions and other analyses. The options
expire ten years from the date of grant.
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 123
During 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.123,
which defines a fair value-based method of accounting for an employee stock
option or similar equity instrument and encourages all entities to adopt that
method of accounting for all of their employee stock compensation plans.
However, it also allows an entity to continue to measure compensation cost for
those plans using the method of accounting prescribed by APB No. 25. Entities
electing to remain with the accounting in APB No. 25 must make pro forma
disclosures of net income and, if presented, earnings per share, as if the fair
value-based method of accounting defined in this statement had been applied.
The Company has elected to account for its stock-based compensation plans
under APB No. 25; however, the Company has computed for pro forma disclosure
purposes the value of all options granted during 1997, 1996, and 1995 using the
Black- Scholes option-pricing model as prescribed by SFAS No. 123 using the
following weighted average assumptions used for grants in 1997, 1996, and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996 1995
--------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Risk-free interest rate 6.4% 6.4% 7.0%
Expected dividend yield 0% 0% 0%
Expected lives 3.5 years 3.5 years 3 years
Expected volatility 58.4% 69.3% 84.5%
</TABLE>
The total value of options granted during 1997, 1996, and 1995 was computed
as approximately $3,735,000, $601,000, and $409,000, respectively, which would
be amortized on a pro forma basis over the four-year vesting period of the
options. If the Company had accounted for these plans in accordance with SFAS
No. 123, the Company's net loss and pro forma net loss per share for the years
ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995 would have been as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As Reported Pro Forma
------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C>
1995
Net loss $(1,959,000) $(2,010,000)
Pro forma net loss per share $ (0.85) $ (0.90)
1996
Net loss $(7,612,000) $(7,836,000)
Net loss per share $ (1.45) $ (1.49)
1997
Net loss $(4,083,000) $(5,402,000)
Net loss per share $ (0.54) $ (0.72)
</TABLE>
A summary of the status of the Company's two stock options plans at
December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995 and changes during the years then ended are
presented in the following table:
F-12
<PAGE> 47
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Weighted
Average
Price Per
Shares Share
--------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
December 31, 1994 0 $0.00
Grants 375,000 1.82
Forfeitures (18,000) 1.00
---------
December 31, 1995 357,000 1.86
Grants 252,000 8.60
Exercised (1,000) 0.64
Forfeitures (30,000) 6.04
---------
December 31, 1996 578,000 4.58
Grants 151,000 12.63
Exercised (57,000) 0.87
Forfeitures (58,000) 9.36
---------
December 31, 1997 614,000 6.46
=========
Weighted average fair value of options
granted in 1997 $ 24.72
=========
</TABLE>
The following table sets forth the exercise price range, number of shares,
weighted average exercise price, and remaining contractual lives by year of
grant:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Weighted Average
Year Number Exercise Weighted Remaining
of of Price Average Contractual
Grant Shares Range Price Life
----- ------ ------------ ------------ ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1997 137,000 $7.00 - 29.13 $ 12.87 9.4 years
1996 192,000 6.38 - 12.38 8.48 8.6
1995 285,000 0.64 - 6.38 2.02 7.5
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes the options exercisable as of December 31,
1997, 1996, and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Weighted
Average
Number Weighted Remaining
of Average Contractual
As of Shares Price Life
------------- --------- -------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Dec. 31, 1997 122,000 $2.19 7.5 years
Dec. 31, 1996 70,000 $0.64 8.1 years
Dec. 31, 1995 0 -- --
</TABLE>
F-13
<PAGE> 48
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
The Company has a savings plan (the "Savings Plan") that qualifies as a
deferred salary arrangement under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Under the Savings Plan, participating employees may defer a portion of their
pretax earnings, up to the Internal Revenue Service annual contribution limit.
Annually, the Company determines whether to make a discretionary matching
contribution equal to a percentage, determined by the Company, of the
employee's deferred compensation contribution. The Company has not made any
matching contributions to the Savings Plan.
6. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company has entered into certain business relationships with several
subsidiaries and affiliates of ITC Holding. Except as noted below, none of
these transactions were material for the periods presented.
The Company purchases long-distance telephone services and wide area
network transport service from ITC DeltaCom, Inc. ("ITC DeltaCom"), formerly
DeltaCom, Inc., a related party through relationships with ITC Holding.
Long-distance charges from ITC DeltaCom totaled approximately $1,942,000 and
$677,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. ITC
DeltaCom provided no long-distance services to the Company in 1995.
See Note 4 for a discussion of a preferred stock transaction with ITC
Holding.
7. DEBT
The Company's only debt obligation for the periods presented is a
promissory note issued in connection with the PSINet Transaction.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
PSINet Note, due October, 1998 $2,043,000 $2,667,000
Less: current maturities (2,043,000) (624,000)
---------- ----------
Long-term obligations $ 0 $2,043,000
========== ==========
</TABLE>
The carrying value of the PSINet Note approximates market value as of
December 31, 1997.
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
LEASES
The Company leases certain equipment under agreements which are classified
as capital leases. These leases have original terms of three years or less and
contain bargain purchase options at the end of the original lease terms. The
Company also has operating leases which relate to the lease of office and
equipment space. Rental expense attributable to these operating leases was
approximately $1,420,000, $519,000, and $65,000 for the year ended December 31,
1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.
At December 31, 1997, the Company's capital lease obligations and minimum
rental commitments under noncancelable operating leases with initial or
remaining terms of more than one year were as follows:
F-14
<PAGE> 49
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Capital Operating
Leases Leases
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
1998 $3,351,000 $1,112,000
1999 3,103,000 901,000
2000 2,601,000 575,000
2001 0 604,000
2002 and thereafter 0 158,000
---------- ----------
Total minimum lease payments 9,055,000 $3,350,000
==========
Amounts representing interest (1,358,000)
----------
Present value of net minimum
payments 7,697,000
Current portion (2,607,000)
----------
Long-term capitalized lease
obligations $5,090,000
==========
</TABLE>
BELLSOUTH PURCHASE COMMITMENT
In June 1997, the Company entered into various agreements with BellSouth
(collectively, the "BellSouth Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company has
agreed to purchase certain telecommunications facilities from BellSouth over a
term of 24 months. The Company estimates the total commitment under the
BellSouth Agreement to be approximately $2,700,000 per year.
MONORAIL AGREEMENT
On October 14, 1996, the Company and Monorail Inc. ("Monorail"), an
Internet-ready computer manufacturer, entered into an agreement pursuant to
which the Company's software is to be included on the personal computers
manufactured by Monorail. The Company provided a $500,000 prepayment to
Monorail for potential subscribers to be acquired by the Company pursuant to
this agreement (the "Monorail Prepayment"). As of December 31, 1997, Monorail
had earned approximately $69,000 of the Monorail Prepayment. Monorail may
continue to offset the Monorail Prepayment by referring subscribers to the
Company or may repay all or part of the balance of the Monorail Prepayment at
any time. The Company has agreed to accept warrants to purchase Monorail stock
in lieu of interest on the balance of the Monorail Prepayment outstanding.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the
ordinary course of business. As of December 31, 1997, management is not aware
of any asserted or pending litigation or claims against the Company that would
have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of
operations, or liquidity.
9. INCOME TAXES
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences
between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The significant
components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December
31, 1997 and 1996 are as follows:
F-15
<PAGE> 50
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards $ 3,866,000 $ 3,348,000
Acquired customer base 1,742,000 465,000
Deferred revenue 835,000 158,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts 285,000 147,000
Other accrued liabilities 126,000 188,000
----------- -----------
Total deferred tax assets 6,854,000 4,306,000
----------- -----------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation (1,608,000) (619,000)
Other (48,000) (36,000)
----------- -----------
Total deferred tax liabilities (1,656,000) (655,000)
----------- -----------
Net deferred tax asset 5,198,000 3,651,000
Valuation allowance for deferred
tax assets (5,198,000) (3,651,000)
----------- -----------
Net deferred taxes $ 0 $ 0
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The Company's net operating loss carryforwards will expire between 2009 and
2012 unless utilized. Due to the fact that the Company has incurred losses
since inception, the Company has not recognized the income tax benefit of the
net operating loss carryforwards. Management has provided a 100% valuation
reserve against its net deferred tax asset, consisting primarily of net
operating loss carryforwards. In addition, the Company's ability to recognize
the benefit from the net operating loss carryforwards could be limited under
Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code if ownership of the Company changes by
more than 50%, as defined.
A reconciliation of the income tax provision computed at statutory tax
rates to the income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 1997, 1996,
and 1995 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income tax benefit at statutory rate 34% 34% 34%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit 4 4 4
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance (38) (38) (38)
--- --- ---
Total income tax provision 0% 0% 0%
=== === ===
</TABLE>
10. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results for 1997,
1996, and 1995:
F-16
<PAGE> 51
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operating Net Net Income
Quarter Ended Revenue Income (Loss) Income (Loss) (Loss) Per Share
- ------------------- ----------- -------------- ------------------------------------------
Basic Diluted
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 1997 $17,209,000 $646,000 $498,000 $.07 $.06
September 30, 1997 13,967,000 (465,000) (627,000) (.08) (.08)
June 30, 1997 11,600,000 (1,421,000) (1,430,000) (.19) (.19)
March 31, 1997 9,780,000 (2,505,000) (2,525,000) (.34) (.34)
December 31, 1996 $8,524,000 ($2,379,000) ($2,411,000) ($.33) ($.33)
September 30, 1996 5,301,000 (2,600,000) (2,702,000) (.53) (.53)
June 30, 1996 2,495,000 (1,577,000) (1,460,000) (.29) (.29)
March 31, 1996 1,812,000 (966,000) (1,039,000) (.30) (.30)
December 31, 1995 $1,125,000 ($582,000) ($1,307,000) ($.41) ($.36)
September 30, 1995 590,000 (388,000) (389,000) (.12) (.11)
June 30, 1995 340,000 (170,000) (169,000) (.07) (.06)
March 31, 1995 172,000 (94,000) (93,000) (.04) (.03)
</TABLE>
See Note 2 for a discussion of earnings per share.
F-17
<PAGE> 52
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS AS TO SCHEDULES
We have audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
the financial statements of MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES, INC. included in this Form
10-K and have issued our report thereon dated February 13, 1998. Our audits
were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial
statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed in the index is the
responsibility of the Company's management and is presented for purposes of
complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part
of the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the
auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements
and, in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data
required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements
taken as a whole.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
February 13, 1998
<PAGE> 53
SCHEDULE 2
MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES, INC.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E
-------------------------- ----------------- ----------------------------- --------- ---------
ADDITIONS
----------------------------
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO CHARGED TO BALANCE AT
BEGINNING COSTS AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS END
DESCRIPTION OF PERIOD EXPENSES ACCOUNTS (A) OF PERIOD
----------- ----------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DEDUCTION IN THE BALANCE SHEET
FROM THE ASSET TO WHICH IT
APPLIES:
Allowance for uncollectible accounts
Receivable................... . . $386 $1,459 $0 ($1,094) $751
</TABLE>
(a) Represents specific accounts written-off considered to be uncollectible.
MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES, INC.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E
-------------------------- ----------------- ----------------------------- --------- ---------
ADDITIONS
----------------------------
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO CHARGED TO BALANCE AT
BEGINNING COSTS AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS END
DESCRIPTION OF PERIOD EXPENSES ACCOUNTS (A) OF PERIOD
----------- ----------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DEDUCTION IN THE BALANCE SHEET
FROM THE ASSET TO WHICH IT
APPLIES:
Allowance for uncollectible accounts
Receivable.......................... $46 $380 $0 ($40) $386
</TABLE>
(a) Represents specific accounts written-off considered to be uncollectible.
S-2
<PAGE> 54
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
3(a) -- Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as
Exhibit 3(a) to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated May 3, 1996, File No. 0-27890, and
incorporated herein by reference.)
3(b) -- Amended and Restated Bylaws of MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 3(b) to
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A dated August 30, 1996, File No. 0-27890, and incorporated
herein by reference.)
10(a) -- Asset Purchase Agreement dated June 28, 1996 by and between MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. and
PSINet, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 28, 1996, File
No. 0-27890, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(b) -- Amendment No. 1 to Asset Purchase Agreement and Network Services Agreement dated August 23,
1996 by and between PSINet Inc. and MindSpring Enterprises, Inc., effective as of June 28,
1996. (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated August 23, 1996, File No.
0-27890, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(c) -- Amendment No. 2 to Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of September 1, 1996 by and between
PSINet Inc. and MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Current Report on Form
8-K dated October 8, 1996, File No. 0-27890, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(d) -- Amendment No. 3 to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 24, 1997. (Filed as Exhibit
10.5 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 3, 1997, File No. 0-27890, and incorporated
herein by reference.)
10(e) -- Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement by and between MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. and
The News and Observer Publishing Company dated as of September 11, 1996. (Filed as Exhibit
2(c) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-10779 (the "October
1996 S-1"), and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(f) -- Lease and Service Agreement dated as of January 1, 1995 between AvData Systems, Inc. and
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10(i) to the Company's Registration Statement
on Form S-1, File No. 333-00108 ("Initial Form S-1"), and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(g) -- Lease Agreement commencing on November 1, 1995 between West Peachtree Point Partners, L.P. and
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10(j) to Initial Form S-1, and incorporated
herein by reference.)
10(h) -- First Amendment dated February 6, 1996 to Lease Agreement dated November 1, 1995 between John
Marshall Law School, Inc. (assignee of West Peachtree Point Partners, L.P.) and MindSpring
Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10(cc) to Initial Form S-1, and incorporated herein by
reference.)
10(i) -- Agreement dated January 31, 1995 between Agis Net99 and MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed
as Exhibit 10(k) to Initial Form S-1, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(j) -- MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10(u) to Initial Form
S-1, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(k) -- Form of Stock Option Agreement. (Filed as Exhibit 10(v) to Initial Form S-1, and incorporated
herein by reference.)
10(l) -- MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. 1995 Directors Stock Option Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10(w) to
Initial Form S-1, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(m) -- Form of Director Stock Option Agreement. (Filed as Exhibit 10(x) to Initial Form S-1, and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10(n) -- Form of MindSpring Service Agreement. (Filed as Exhibit 10(y) to Initial Form S-1, and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10(o) -- Service Provider Agreement dated December 13, 1995 between BBN Planet Corporation and
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10(z) to Initial Form S-1, and incorporated
herein by reference.)
10(p) -- Form of MindSpring Director or Officer Indemnity Agreement. (Filed as Exhibit 10(dd) to
Initial Form S-1, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(q) -- Network Services Agreement dated June 28, 1996 by and between MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. and
PSINet Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 28, 1996, File
No. 0-27890, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(r) -- Amendment No. 2 to Services Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1997. (Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 3, 1997, File No. 0-27890, and incorporated herein
by reference.)
10(s) -- Master Services Agreement dated July 15, 1996 between BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. and
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exihbit 10(cc) to the October 1996 S-1, and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10(t) -- Assignment and Assumption of Contracts and Leases by and between MindSpring Enterprises, Inc.
and PSINet, Inc. dated as of September 1, 1996. (Filed as Exhibit 10(ee) to the October 1996
S-1, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(u) -- Service Provider Agreement dated December 13, 1995 between BBN Planet Corporation and
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 55
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10(ff) to the October 1996 S-1, and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10(v) -- Reseller Agreement, dated as of October 14, 1996, by and between Monorail Inc. and MindSpring
Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14,
1996, File No. 0-27890, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(w) -- Lease Agreement effective as of January 1, 1997 by and between CMS Peachtree, L.P. and
MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10(hh) to Annual Report on Form 10-K dated
March 26, 1997, File No. 0-27890, and incorporated herein by reference.)
10(x) -- Amendment dated June 6, 1997 to Master Services Agreement dated July 15, 1996 between
Bellsouth Telecommunications, Inc. and MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997, File No. 0-27890, and incorporated herein
by reference).
10(y) -- Special Service Arrangement Agreement dated June 1997 between BellSouth Telecommunications,
Inc. and MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (a substantially identical contract has been executed
for each of Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) (Filed
as Exhibit 10.2 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997, File No. 0-27890, and
incorporated herein by reference).
*10(z) -- Data Communications Products and Services Agreement dated April 30, 1997, and amended March 4,
1998 by and between MindSpring Enterprises, Inc., and GridNet International, L.L.C.
11 -- Statement regarding Computation of Per Share Earnings.
23 -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
27 -- Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)
</TABLE>
________
* Confidential treatment has been requested with regard to certain provisions
of this exhibit. The copy filed as an exhibit omits the information subject to
the confidential treatment request.
<PAGE> 1
***PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT MARKED BY BRACKETS ("[ ]") OR OTHERWISE
IDENTIFIED HAVE BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT.
THE OMITTED PORTIONS HAVE BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION.***
EXHIBIT 10(z)
GRIDNET INTERNATIONAL
DATA COMMUNICATIONS
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AGREEMENT
THESE DATA COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TERMS AND CONDITIONS are
made this 1st day of May 1997 (the "Effective Date"), by and between GridNet
International, L.L.C. ("GridNet") and MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. ("Customer")
and are part of their agreement for Data Communication Products or Services
(the "Agreement"). These Terms and Conditions apply when GridNet agrees to
provide and Customer agrees to accept enhanced network services and/or other
associated services (collectively the "Services") which are accepted
hereunder. In accordance with the Agreement, charges to Customer for Service
obtained thereunder shall be subject to the rates set forth below and the
Agreement shall also be subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
The purpose of this Agreement is to provide a means whereby GridNet may
offer local dial access origination and Internet enhanced data network services
to Customer's customers ("End Users") in consideration of the terms set forth
herein. End Users whose default Internet access is provided over GridNet's
dial access network under this agreement shall be defined as "Subscribers".
End Users whose default Internet access is provided over some network other
than GridNet but who incidentally access the Internet through GridNet's dial
access network shall be defined as "Roamers".
1. Term
(A) Effective Date. This Agreement shall be effective between the parties
as of the first day of the month following execution by both parties
(the "Effective Date") and shall continue for [ ] (the "Term").
Upon the expiration of the Term, the Agreement shall automatically
renew for successive one hundred twenty (120) day periods, subject to
termination by either party upon thirty (30) days prior written notice
to the other party. Customer shall be liable for all charges
associated with actual usage of the Services during the Term and any
extension thereof.
2. Cancellation.
(A) Cancellation Charge. In the event Customer terminates this Agreement
prior to the end of the Term or ceases to use the Services to a
material extent, Customer acknowledges that GridNet's damages shall be
difficult or impossible to ascertain. Therefore, this provision is to
establish a reasonable Cancellation Charge and is not intended as a
penalty. The Cancellation Charge will be based on amount of the
initial [ ] term remaining and GridNet's average monthly
revenues for Services for the previous two months. The Cancellation
Charge shall be equal to the number of contract months remaining in the
initial [ ] contract term from the date of termination or the
date upon which Customer is deemed to no longer be using the Services
to a material extent, divided by six (6), multiplied by GridNet's
average monthly revenues for Services from the previous two contract
months.
(B) Cancellation Without Charge. Customer may cancel this Agreement
without incurring any cancellation charge if (i) GridNet fails to
provide the Services contracted for under this Agreement; or (ii)
GridNet fails to provide a network as warranted in Section 4(B) and
Section 9 (iii) Customer shall provide [ ] notice prior to
migrating Subscribers to newly deployed Customer owned and operated
POPs. Customer must, however, give GridNet written notice of any such
default as detailed in (i), (ii) or (iii) above and an opportunity to
cure such default within the Stated Interval of the notice. Default is
defined here as a problem with the service to be provided or with the
<PAGE> 2
network which is controllable by GridNet, and not as a result of a
force majeure occurrence. For local dial access port availability, the
Stated Interval shall be 30 working days. For all other defaults, the
Stated Interval shall be 24 hours. In the event GridNet fails to cure
any such default within the Stated Interval on more than three (3)
occasions within any six (6) month period. Customer may cancel this
Agreement without incurring any cancellation charge.
3. Customer's Responsibilities.
(A) Subscriber Customer Relationship. The Customer shall maintain the
vendor/customer relationship with the Subscribers and all associated
responsibilities, except as specified herein; including but not
limited to sales, marketing, fulfillment, first level customer
service, brand identity, billing, collections, accounts receivables,
and technical support.
(B) Subscriber Activation and Forecasting. As soon as practical, Customer
agrees that it intends to migrate [ ] of its End Users, within the
constraints of GridNet's available capacity and Customer's ability to
migrate End Users. GridNet and Customer agree to cooperate in
determining the distribution of the Subscribers over GridNet's
available local dial access cities. At the beginning of each contract
month, Customer agrees to provide a rolling forecast of Customer's
anticipated Subscribers by month by local dial market by retail service
for the next three month period. GridNet will apply Customer's
historical average usage profiles to estimate the expected usage load
for the purposes of deploying local dial access facilities necessary to
fulfill its Dial Service Level objective as specified in Section 4(B).
For the purposes of this Agreement, an Accurate Forecast is defined as
follows: actual subscribers plus 1) [ ] for local dial accessp
markets where the actual number of Subscribers is less than [ ] 2)
[ ] for markets where the actual number of Subscribers is between
[ ] OR 3) [ ] for markets where the actual number of
Subscribers is greater than [ ].
(C) Expedite Charges. In the event Customer requests expeditious Service
and/or changes to Service and GridNet agrees to such request, GridNet
will pass through the charges assessed by any supplying parties
involved at the same rate to Customer. GridNet may further condition
its performance of such request upon Customer's payment of additional
charges to GridNet.
(D) Fraudulent Transactions. Customer shall indemnify and hold GridNet
harmless from all costs, expenses, claims or actions arising from
fraudulent transactions or use of Services which may comprise a
portion of the Service to the extent that the party claiming the
transaction(s) or use of Services in question to be fraudulent is an
End User of the Service through Customer or an End User of the
Service through Customer's distribution channels. Customer shall not
be excused from paying GridNet for Services provided to Customer or
any portion thereof on the basis that fraudulent transactions or use
of Services comprised a corresponding portion of the Service. In the
event GridNet discovers fraudulent transactions or use of Services
occurring (or reasonably believes such), nothing contained herein
shall prohibit GridNet from taking immediate action (without notice
to Customer) that is reasonably necessary to prevent such fraudulent
use of Services from taking place, including without limitation,
denying or terminating Service to and from specific locations. In the
event Customer discovers fraudulent transactions or use of Services
occurring (or reasonably believes such) and informs GridNet of such
activity. GridNet shall be required to take immediate action as
reasonably necessary to prevent such fraudulent use of Services from
taking place, including without limitation, denying or terminating
Service to and from specific locations.
(E) Use of Equipment. Customer shall properly use Equipment provided by
GridNet and shall surrender the Equipment not purchased by the
customer to GridNet upon expiration or termination of the Agreement.
Except for purchased Equipment, Customer shall be liable for any and
all damage to or loss of Equipment located on Customer's premises.
<PAGE> 3
(F) Use of Products and Services. Customer shall not, nor shall it permit or
assist others to: (i) use Services for any purpose other than that for
which they are intended or in violation of the law or in aid of any
unlawful act; (ii) use Services so as to interfere with the use of the
GridNet network by other customers or authorized users; (iii) use Services
to access, alter, destroy or any attempt thereof any information of another
GridNet customer; (iv) fail to maintain a suitable environment specified by
GridNet; or (v) alter, tamper with, adjust or repair the Services. Upon the
occurrence of any of the above, GridNet shall be completely released from
any liability or obligation (including any warranty or indemnity
obligation) to Customer relative to the Services and this Agreement, and
Customer shall be liable to GridNet for costs or damages incurred by
GridNet resulting therefrom.
(G) Retail Price Plan Adjustments. If Customer determines that the prices for
its retail price should be adjusted or new plans added. Customer shall
provide written notice to GridNet with its proposed adjustments. The
parties agree to negotiate in good faith in order to reach agreement as to
the proposed price adjustment. If the parties fail to reach agreement
within 60 days after the date of the aforementioned written notice,
Customer has the right to impose its proposed retail price plan adjustments
and GridNet has the right to terminate this Agreement without incurring any
termination liabilities.
(H) Network Interconnection. Customer shall provide, at its own expense, a
telecommunications circuit for the connection of its network to GridNet's
network through the GridNet POP located in Atlanta, Georgia and from time
to time, in other locations. Customers shall provide to GridNet an estimate
of the traffic it expects between GridNet's network and Customer's network.
The parties will use these circuits only for traffic originating within one
party's network (or the networks of its customers) and destined only to the
other party's network (or the networks of its customers). GridNet shall
impose no additional fees or charges with respect to use by Customer or its
customers of these facilities (including, without limitation, access or
port charges).
4. GridNet Responsibilities.
(A) Enhanced Data Network Services. GridNet shall provide local dial access
origination and Internet interconnection services to Customer's Subscribers
and Roamers. GridNet shall allow access via any of its public analog V.34
and ISDN (64 Kbps and 128 Kbps) local dial IP access Points of Presence
(POPs), as available, supporting either PPP or SLIP Subscriber sessions.
GridNet shall route each session as appropriate to one of three diverse
Internet exchange points maintained on GridNet's backbone network.
(B) Performance. GridNet's Services shall meet reasonable commercial standards
with respect to accessibility, latency, packet loss, and throughput. The
commercial standard metrics shall be measured using an unbiased, mutually
agreed upon third party, such as Inverse Technologies. GridNet agrees to a
service level objective of [ ]. In the event GridNet fails to provide
[ ] to Customer's Subscribers, Customer may provide written notice to
GridNet of the specific local dial markets where the service level
objective is not being met. Upon notification, GridNet will have thirty
(30) working days to cure the situation. If GridNet fails to cure [ ]
within 30 working days of notification and Customer had previously provided
an Accurate Forecast for that market sixty days in advance of the month
where the service level objective was not met, Customer will be eligible
for a credit. The amount of the credit will be equal to [ ]
<PAGE> 4
[ ]
(C) Network Management. GridNet shall provide 24 x 7 network management and
monitoring from its Network Operation Center in Roswell, GA. GridNet shall
provide to Customer prompt notification of any GridNet network outages that
affect Subscribers. When possible, at least three days advance notice of
planned outages shall be given to Customer so that Subscribers may be
alerted.
(D) Virtual NOC Service Package. GridNet shall make available its Virtual NOC
Service Package as an optional service to Customer. The Virtual NOC Service
Package shall provide the Customer a custom PC application which provides
the ability to monitor, in real-time, the dial access activity of its
Subscribers, the total number of ports available, and the total number of
ports in use by Subscribers. The Service Package also includes a custom PC
application which provides Customer the capability to add, delete, or
otherwise modify the User IDs for Customer's Subscribers in GridNet Network
Access Control Systems on a real-time basis. The Service Package also
includes the ability to connect to GridNet's IP SNMP Network Management
Systems (read-only), including GridNet's HP Open View systems. The Service
Package also includes Alarm Feed Service and Denied Access Alarm service,
both of which provide alarms via SNMP from GridNet's Network Operations
Center.
(E) Customer Daily Call Detail Records. GridNet shall make Customer's call
detail records (CDDRs) available on a near real-time basis but no less than
daily basis from GridNet's secured ftp site. Each call record shall specify
the User Name, date, start time, duration, access type, and access city.
(F) Local Dial POP Notification. GridNet will provide a minimum of 90 days
written notice to Customer before closing a previously available local dial
access market.
5. Charges and Payment terms.
(A) Charges. At the end of each contract month, Customer will pay to GridNet
fees as shown in the table below. The total number of subscribers for the
month shall be considered as subscribers of record on the first of that
month. Customer will not incur charges for usage incurred by Roamers
provided that the total hours of usage generated by Roamers does not exceed
[ ]. In the event that the total hours of usage generated by Roamers
does exceed [ ], Customer will pay to GridNet [ ] per hour for
each hour of usage in excess of the [ ] generated by Roamers, in
addition to all other charges. Additionally, 800 dial access to GridNet's
network within the 48 contiguous US states will be charged on a per hour
basis at a rate of [ ] per hour; 800 dial access to GridNet's network
from Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, will
be charged on a per hour basis at a rate of [ ] per hour. If Customer
elects to purchase the Virtual NOC Service Package, Customer will be
charged [ ] per month for GridNet's Virtual NOC Service Package, as
specified in Section 4(C).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Customer Retail Plan Base Charge Charge per Unit
-------------------- ----------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Light [ ] [ ]
Standard [ ] [ ]
Unlimited Access [ ] [ ]
The Works [ ] [ ]
Complimentary [ ] [ ]
</TABLE>
(B) Charge Adjustments. Should Customer's overall average usage per Subscriber
(total monthly hours--roamers hours divided by total month end subscribers.
Subscriber numbers to not include roamers.) exceed [ ] hours per month
for [ ] consecutive billing periods, GridNet may propose an
<PAGE> 5
adjustment to the charges specified in Section 5(A). GridNet shall
provide Customer written notice of its proposed changes and the parties
agree to negotiate in good faith in order to reach agreement on any and
all proposed adjustments. If the parties fail to reach agreement
within 60 days after the date of the aforementioned written notice,
GridNet has the right to impose its proposed adjustments and Customer
has the right to terminate this Agreement without incurring any
termination liabilities.
(C) Payment. Payment for all charges for a contract month during which
the Service is provided is due within thirty (30) days from the receipt
of invoice. Customer agrees to remit payment to GridNet at the notice
address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement. In the event
Customer fails to pay GridNet's invoice in full or remit payment to the
proper address on or before thirty (30) days after the due date,
Customer shall also pay a late fee in the amount of the lesser of one
and one-quarter percent (1 1/4%) of the unpaid balance per month or the
maximum lawful rate under applicable state law. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, late fees shall apply to, but shall not be due and payable
for, amounts reasonably disputed by Customer for a period of ninety (90)
days following the due date therefor, provided: (i) Customer notifies
GridNet of the basis for such dispute in writing on or before thirty
(30) days after the due date; and (ii) negotiates in good faith with
GridNet for the purpose of resolving such dispute within said ninety
(90) day period. In the event, such dispute is resolved in favor of
GridNet, Customer will pay to GridNet the once disputed amounts together
with the applicable late fees within (10) business days of the
resolution. In the event such dispute is resolved in favor of the
Customer, Customer will receive a credit for the amounts determined not
to be owed together with a credit for the applicable fees. In the event
dispute cannot be resolved within such ninety (90) day period, all
disputed amounts together with late fees shall become due and payable,
and this provision shall not be construed as preventing Customer from
pursuing any available legal remedies.
(D) Suspension of Service. In the event payment in full is not received
from Customer on or before thirty (30) days following the due date with
respect to undisputed amounts or on or before ninety (90) days following
the due date with respect to amounts reasonably disputed in accordance
with the prescriptions of Subsection 4(A), GridNet shall have the right
after giving Customer ten (10) days notice ("Suspension Notice") and
opportunity to cure to suspend all or any portion of the Service to
Customer, or upon subsequent notice, all or any additional portions of
the Service to Customer; and, in either event, until such time as
Customer has paid in full all charges then due, including any late fees
as specified herein. Following such payment, GridNet shall be required
to reinstitute Service to Customer only upon the provision by Customer
to GridNet of satisfactory assurance (such as a deposit) of Customer's
ability to pay for Service and Customer's advance payment of the cost of
reinstituting Service. If Customer fails to make such payment by a date
determined by and acceptable to GridNet, Customer will be deemed to have
canceled the Service suspended effective the date of such suspension.
Such cancellation shall not relieve Customer for payment of applicable
cancellation charges as described in Section 2.
6. Credit. Customer's execution of this Agreement signifies Customer's
acceptance of GridNet's initial and continuing credit approval
procedures and policies. GridNet reserves the right to withhold
initiation or full implementation of Service under this Agreement
pending GridNet's initial satisfactory credit review and approval
thereof which may be conditioned upon terms specified by GridNet,
including but not limited to, security for payments due hereunder in the
form of cash deposit or other means. GridNet reserves the right to
modify its requirements, if any, with respect to any security or other
assurance provided by Customer for payments due hereunder in light of
Customer's actual usage when compared to projected usage levels upon
which any security or assurance requirement was based.
7. Creditworthiness. If at anytime there is a material adverse change in
Customer creditworthiness, then in addition to any other remedies available
to GridNet, GridNet may elect, in its sole discretion, to exercise one or
more of the following remedies: (i) cease providing Service pursuant to a
Suspension Notice; (iii) decline to accept a Service request or other
requests from Customer to provide service unless Customer's gives an
assurance of payment which shall be a deposit or such other means to
<PAGE> 6
establish reasonable assurance of payment. An adverse material change in
Customer's creditworthiness shall include, but not be limited to: (a) Customer's
default of its obligations to GridNet under this or any other agreement with
GridNet; (b) failure of Customer to make full payment of charges due hereunder
on or before the Due Date on three (3) or more occasions during any period of
twelve (12) or fewer months or Customer's failure to make such payment on or
before the Due Date in any two (2) consecutive months; (c) acquisition of
Customer (whether in whole or by majority or controlling interest) by an entity
which is insolvent, which is subject to bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings,
which owes past due amounts to GridNet or any entity affiliated with Gridnet or
which is a materially greater credit risk than Customer; or, (d) Customer's
being subject to or having filed for bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or the
legal insolvency of Customer.
8. Remedies for Breach. In the event Customer is in breach of this Agreement,
including without limitation, failure to pay charges due hereunder by the
date stated in the Suspension Notice described in Subsection 4(F), GridNet
shall have the right, after giving Customer five (5) days prior notice, and
in addition to foreclosing any security interest GridNet may have, to (i)
terminate this Agreement; (ii) withhold billing information from Customer;
(iii) retake possession of any and all Products and Services; and/or, if
applicable (iv) contact the Subscribers (for whom calls are originated and
terminated solely over facilities comprising the GridNet network and with
information provided by Customer at GridNet's request) directly and bill
such Subscribers directly until such time as GridNet has been paid in full
for the amount owed by Customer. If Customer fails to make payment by the
date stated in the Suspension Notice and GridNet, after giving Customer
five (5) days prior notice, terminates this Agreement as provided in this
Section 8, such termination shall not relieve Customer from payment of
applicable cancellation charges as described in Section 2 above.
9. Warranty. GridNet warrants to provide, install, operate and maintain
Products and Services as required herein. GridNet shall not be responsible
for cabling to connect equipment not provided by Gridnet to GridNet's
Products and Services. GridNet warrants that all Products and Services
will be in good working order and ready for use on the day installed, and
will conform to industry standards. Customer's sole remedy for performance
or non-performance of Products and Services pursuant to a breach of
standards shall be replacement or repair of Products and Services. GRIDNET
MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES ABOUT THE SERVICE PROVIDED HEREUNDER EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE.
10. Limitation of Liability
(A) Limited Liability. In no event shall GridNet be liable, either in
contract or in tort, for protection from unauthorized access of
Customer's transmission facilities or Customer premise equipment; or
from unauthorized access to or alteration, theft or destruction of
Customer's data files, programs, procedure or information through
accident, fraudulent means or devices, or any other method. Whether
caused by GridNet or otherwise, GridNet will use reasonable efforts
under the circumstances to remedy any delays, interruptions,
omissions, mistakes, accidents, or errors in the Service (hereinafter
"Defect" or "Defects") and restore the Service. EXCEPT AS DEFINED
IN SECTION 4(B), GRIDNET SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT,
CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY LOST
PROFITS OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN
TORT, AND CUSTOMER'S SOLE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS:
Following Start of Service, if Customer reports a Defect to GridNet at
GridNet's Operations Center and GridNet is unable to restore the
Service as warranted within four (4) hours of such report, in the case
of non-usage sensitive charges, Customer shall, upon request directed
to Customer's designated Customer Service Representative, receive a
credit at the rate of 1/720th of the monthly charges applicable to the
affected Service for each hour or major fraction thereof in excess of
the first eight (8) hours that the affected Service fails to conform
to the Technical Standards. In the
<PAGE> 7
case of usage sensitive charges, the provisions of Section 4(B) shall
be the Customer's sole and exclusive remedy.
(B) Negligence. Except to the extent caused by the negligence of
GridNet, GridNet shall not be liable for claims or damages resulting
from or caused by: (i) Customer's fault, negligence or failure to
perform Customer's responsibility; (ii) claims against Customer by
any other party; (iii) any act or omission of any other party; or
(iv) equipment or services furnished by any other party.
(C) Indemnity. Customer agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend
GridNet, its directors, officers, agents, employees and/or
representatives from and against any and all claims, demands, causes
of action, losses, expenses or liabilities, including reasonable
attorney's fees, on account of injury or death of any person or loss
of or damage to any and all property arising, directly or
indirectly, out of the negligent acts or omissions of Customer, any
subcontractor, director, officer, agent, employee and/or
representative of each of them, in the performance of any work under
this Agreement, except to the extent such cause of action, loss,
expense or liability is caused by the sole negligence of GridNet.
(D) Exclusive Remedy. Except as otherwise specifically provided for
herein, the remedies set forth in this Agreement comprise the
exclusive remedies available to either party at law or in equity.
11. Force Majeure. If GridNet's performance of this Agreement or any
obligation hereunder is prevented, restricted or interfered with by causes
beyond its reasonable control including, but not limited to, acts of God,
fire, explosion, vandalism, cable out, terrorism, storm or other similar
occurrence, any law, order, regulation, direction, action or request of the
United States government, or state or local governments, or of any agency,
commission, court, bureau, corporation or other instrumentality of any one
or more such governments, or of any civil or military authority, or by
national emergency, insurrection, riot, war, strike, lockout or work
stoppage or other labor difficulties, or supplier failure, shortage, breach
or delay, then GridNet shall be excused from such performance on a
day-to-day basis to the extent of such restriction or interference. GridNet
shall use reasonable efforts under the circumstances to avoid or remove
such causes of nonperformance and shall proceed to perform with reasonable
dispatch whenever such cases are removed or cease.
12. Notices. Notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered by
certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person identified in the
Service Request at the offices of the parties or as otherwise provided for
by proper notice hereunder. Customer shall notify GridNet in writing if
Customer's billing address is different from the address shown on the
Service Request. The effective date for any notice under this Agreement
shall be the date of actual receipt of such notice by the appropriate
party, notwithstanding the date of mailing.
13. No-Waiver. No term or provision of this Agreement shall be deemed waived
and no breach or default shall be deemed excused unless such waiver or
consent shall be in writing and signed by the party claimed to have waived
or consented. A consent to waiver of or excuse for a breach or default by
either party, whether express or implied, shall not constitute a consent
to, waiver of, or excuse for any different or subsequent breach or default.
14. Partial Invalidity: Government Action.
(A) Partial Invalidity. If any part of any provision of this Agreement or
any other agreement, document or writing given pursuant to or in
connection with this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable
under applicable law, rule or regulation, that part shall be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity only, without in any way
affecting the remaining parts of that provision or the remaining
provisions of this Agreement. In such event, Customer and GridNet
will negotiate in good faith with respect to any such invalid or
unenforceable part to the extent necessary to render such part valid
and enforceable.
<PAGE> 8
(B) Government Action. Upon thirty (30) days prior notice, either party
shall have the right, without liability to the other, to cancel an
affected portion of the Service if any material rate or term
contained herein and relevant to the affected Service is
substantially changed (to the detriment of the terminating party) or
found to be unlawful or the relationship between the parties
hereunder is found to be unlawful by the highest court of competent
jurisdiction to which the matter is appealed, the FCC, (if it has
jurisdiction), or other local, state or federal government authority
of competent jurisdiction.
15. Use of Service. GridNet will provide the Service specified therein to
Customer upon condition that the Service shall not be used for any
unlawful purpose. The provision of Service will not create a
partnership or joint venture between the parties or result in a joint
communications service offering to any third parties. Only upon
express written consent shall Customer be permitted to use GridNet's
name, trademarks, tradename, service marks or any other tangible
property owned by GridNet for the promotion of Customer's use of the
Service.
16. Choice of Law: Forum: Limitation.
(A) Law. This Agreement shall be construed under the laws of the State of
Georgia without regard to choice of law principles.
(B) Forum. Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement
may be brought in the Courts of the State of Georgia in and for the
County of Fulton or the United States of America for the Northern
District of Georgia. By execution of this Agreement, both Customer
and GridNet hereby submit to such jurisdiction, hereby expressly
waiving whatever rights may correspond to either of them by reason of
their present or future domicile. In furtherance of the foregoing,
Customer and GridNet hereby agree to service by U.S. Mail at the
notice addresses referenced in Section 12. Such service shall be
deemed effective upon the earlier of actual receipt or seven (7) days
following the date of posting.
(C) Limitation of Action. Any legal action rising out of failure,
malfunction or defect in Products or Services shall be brought within
one (1) year of the occurrence.
17. Proprietary Information.
(A) Confidential Information. The parties understand and agree that the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, all documents referenced
(including invoices to Customer for Service provided hereunder)
herein, communications between the parties regarding this Agreement
or the Service to be provided hereunder (including price quotes to
Customer for any Service proposed to be provided or actually provided
hereunder), as well as such information relevant to any other
agreement between the parties (collectively "Confidential
Information"), are confidential as between Customer and GridNet.
(B) Limited Disclosure. A party shall not disclose Confidential
Information unless subject to discovery or disclosure pursuant to
legal process, or to any other party other than the directors,
officers, and employees of a party; or a party's agents including
their respective brokers, lenders, insurance carriers or bona fide
prospective purchasers who have specifically agreed in writing to
nondisclosure of the terms and conditions hereof. Any disclosure
hereof required by legal process shall only be made after providing
the non-disclosing party with notice thereof in order to permit the
non-disclosing party to seek an appropriate protective order or
exemption. Violation by a party or its agents of the foregoing
provisions shall entitle the non-disclosing party, at its option, to
obtain injunctive relief without a showing of irreparable harm or
injury and without bond.
<PAGE> 9
(C) Survival of Confidentially. The provisions of this Section 16 will be
effective as of the date of this Agreement and remain in full force and
effect for a period which will be the longer of (i) one (1) year
following the date of this Agreement, or (ii) one (1) year from the
termination of all Service hereunder.
18. Successors and Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors
or assigns, provided, however, that Customer shall not assign or transfer
its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written
consent of GridNet, which consent shall not be reasonably withheld, and
further provided that any assignment or transfer without such consent shall
be void.
19. General.
(A) Survival of Terms. The terms and provisions contained in this
Agreement that by their sense and contest are intended to survive the
performance thereof by the parties hereto shall so survive the
completion of performance and termination of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, provisions for Indemnification and the making of
any and all payments due hereunder.
(B) Headings. Descriptive headings in this Agreement are for convenience
only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.
(C) Industry Terms. Words having well-known technical or trade meanings
shall be so construed, and all listings of items shall not be taken
to be exclusive, but shall include other items, whether similar or
dissimilar to those listed, as the context reasonably requires.
(D) Rules of Construction. No rule of construction requiring
interpretation against the drafting party hereof shall apply in the
interpretation of this Agreement.
20. Entire Agreement. This Agreement consists of (i) all the terms and
conditions contained herein, and, (ii) all documents incorporated herein
specifically by reference. This Agreement constitutes the complete and
exclusive statement of the understandings between the parties and supersedes
all proposals and prior agreements (oral or written) between the parties
relating to Service provided hereunder. No subsequent agreement between the
parties concerning the Service shall be effective or binding unless it is
made in writing and subscribed to by authorized representatives of Customer
and GridNet.
Any notices required to be given in conjunction with this Agreement as detailed
herein shall be sent to the addresses listed following the parties' hereto
signatures.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed these Data Communications Product
and Services Agreement on the date first written above.
GRIDNET INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C. MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES, INC.
By: By: /s/ Michael S. McQuary
-------------------------- -------------------------
(Signature) (Signature)
Lee Provow, Vice President Michael S. McQuary
-------------------------- -------------------------
(Printed Name, Title) (Printed Name, Title)
Address: Address:
<PAGE> 10
GRIDNET INTERNATIONAL
DATA COMMUNICATIONS
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AGREEMENT
EXTENSION
THIS DATA COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AGREEMENT EXTENSION is made and
entered into this fourth day of March, 1998, by and between Gridnet
International, Inc. ("GridNet") and MindSpring Enterprises, Inc.
("MindSpring").
WHEREAS, GridNet and MindSpring entered into an Agreement for services dated
May 1, 1997.
WHEREAS, that Agreement had an initial term of [ ] years and was to expire
unless automatically renewed on [ ].
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein
set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which the parties hereby acknowledge, the parties hereto herby
agree as follows:
The Term of the GridNet International Data Communications Products and Services
Agreement will be extended from its initial due date of [ ] until [ ].
Upon Expiration of the new Term, the Agreement will automatically extend for
successive one hundred twenty (120) day periods, subject to termination by
either party upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the other party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Data Communications Products
And Services Agreement Extension on the date first written above.
GRIDNET INTERNATIONAL, INC. MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES, INC.
By: /s/ LEE PROVOW By: /s/ MICHAEL S. MCQUARY
--------------------- ------------------------
Lee Provow Michael S. McQuary
Executive Vice President President and CEO
- ------------------------ ------------------------
(Printed Name: Title) (Printed Name: Title)
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 11
EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Year
Ended
December 31, 1997 December 31, 1996
----------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 7,514,155 5,252,611
----------- -----------
Total Shares for Primary Loss Per Share 7,514,155 5,252,611
Net Loss $(4,083,094) $(7,612,323)
----------- -----------
Primary Loss Per Share (0.54) (1.45)
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
use of our reports dated February 13, 1998 included in this Form 10-K, into the
Company's previously filed Registration Statement File No. 333-17807.
Atlanta, Georgia
March 30, 1998
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997
<CASH> 9,386,312
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 2,753,163
<ALLOWANCES> 750,756
<INVENTORY> 136,872
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 12,431,000
<PP&E> 29,770,538
<DEPRECIATION> 6,132,745
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 44,286,199
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 17,782,226
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 75,344
<OTHER-SE> 21,338,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 44,286,199
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 52,556,621
<CGS> 16,822,550
<TOTAL-COSTS> 56,301,482
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 1,458,498
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 338,233
<INCOME-PRETAX> (4,083,094)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,083,094)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (4,083,094)
<EPS-PRIMARY> (0.54)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.54)
</TABLE>
