As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 21, 1999
Registration No. 333-______
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 54-1322110
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
22000 AOL Way, Dulles, Virginia 20166-9323 (703) 265-1000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone, including area code,
of registrant's principal executive offices)
Stephen M. Case
Chief Executive Officer
America Online, Inc.
22000 AOL Way
Dulles, Virginia 20166-9323
(703) 265-1000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Sheila A. Clark, Esquire
Senior Vice President and
Acting General Counsel
America Online, Inc.
22000 AOL Way
Dulles, Virginia 20166-9323
(703) 265-1000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant
to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. |X|
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list
the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering.
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier registration statement for
the same offering.
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
Title of Securities to be Amount Proposed Proposed Amount of
Registered(1) to be Maximum Offering Maximum Aggregate Offering Registration Fee
Registered Price Per Share(2) Price(2)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock,
$.01 par value 2,863,053 $120.46875 $344,908,416.09 $95,884.54
</TABLE>
(1) Common Stock being registered hereby includes associated Preferred
Share Purchase Rights, which initially are attached to and traded with
the shares of the Registrant's Common Stock. Value attributable to such
rights, if any, is reflected in the market price of the Common Stock.
(2) Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457(c) based on the average of the high and low prices
of America Online's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on July
19, 1999.
The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date
or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may
not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PROSPECTUS
(Subject to completion, dated July 21, 1999)
2,863,053 Shares of Common
Stock AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
This prospectus relates to the public offering, which is not being
underwritten, of 2,863,053 shares of our common stock which is held by the
selling stockholders listed on pages 8 and 9. The selling stockholders may
offer their shares of common stock through public or private transactions, on
or off the New York Stock Exchange, at prevailing market prices, or at
privately negotiated prices. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the
sale of the shares.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, under the
symbol "AOL." On July 20, 1999, the last reported sale price for the common
stock was $113.1875 per share.
You should carefully consider the risk factors beginning on page 3 of
this prospectus before purchasing any of the securities offered by this
prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities, or determined if
this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 1999.
The Company
Founded in 1985, America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is
the world leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies, and
e-commerce services.
America Online has two major lines of Internet businesses organized
into four product groups:
- - the interactive online services business, comprised of the Interactive
Services Group, the Interactive Properties Group and the AOL International
Group, and
- - the enterprise solutions business, comprised of the Netscape Enterprise
Group.
The product groups are described below.
The Interactive Services Group develops and operates branded
interactive services, including:
- - the AOL service, a worldwide Internet online service with more than 17
million members
- - the CompuServe service, a worldwide Internet online service with
approximately 2 million members
- - the Netscape Netcenter, an Internet portal with more than 15 million
registered users
- - the AOL.COM portal
- - the Netscape Navigator and Communicator browsers
The Interactive Properties Group is built around branded properties
that operate across multiple services and platforms, such as:
- - Digital City, Inc., the No. 1 branded local content network and community
guide on the AOL service and the Internet
- - ICQ, a portal that provides instant communications and chat technology
- - MovieFone, Inc., a movie guide and ticketing service provided through an
interactive telephone service and on the AOL service and the Internet
The AOL International Group oversees the AOL and CompuServe operations
outside the United States.
The Netscape Enterprise Group focuses on providing businesses a range
of software products, technical support, consulting and training services. These
products and services historically have enabled businesses and users to share
information, manage networks and facilitate electronic commerce.
In November 1998, America Online entered into a strategic alliance with
Sun Microsystems, Inc., a leader in network computing products and services, to
accelerate the growth of enterprise-class e-commerce, and to use Sun's Java
technology to develop selected next-generation Internet devices that will help
Internet users access America Online's brands through a variety of hardware
devices. The strategic alliance provides that, over a three year period, we will
develop and market, together with Sun, client software and network application
and server software for electronic commerce, extended communities and
connectivity, including software based in part on the Netscape code base, on Sun
code and technology and on certain America Online services features, to business
enterprises.
America Online was incorporated in Delaware on May 24, 1985. The
principal executive offices are located at 22000 AOL Way, Dulles, Virginia
20166-9323. Our telephone number at that address is (703) 265-1000.
Risk Factors
Before purchasing the shares offered by this prospectus, you should
carefully consider the risks described below, in addition to the other
information presented in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this
prospectus. If any of the following risks actually occur, they could seriously
harm our business, financial condition or results of operations. In such case,
the trading price of our common stock could decline and you may lose all or part
of your investment.
We Face Competition for Subscription Revenues and the Development and Sale of
Electronic Commerce Infrastructure and Applications
We face competition from a wide range of other companies in the
communications, advertising, entertainment, information, media, Web-based
services, software, technology, direct mail and electronic commerce fields for
subscription, advertising, and commerce revenue, for the development and sale of
electronic commerce infrastructure and applications and in the development of
distribution technologies and equipment.
- Competitors for subscription revenues include:
- -- online services such as the Microsoft Network, AT&T Worldnet and Prodigy
Classic
- -- national and local Internet service providers, such as MindSpring and
EarthLink
- -- long distance and regional telephone companies offering access as part of
their telephone service, such as AT&T Corp., MCI WorldCom, Inc., Sprint
Corporation and regional Bell operating companies
- -- cable television companies
- -- cable Internet access services offered by companies such as Excite@Home and
Road Runner Group
- Competitors for advertising and commerce revenues include:
- -- online services such as the Microsoft Network, AT&T Worldnet and Prodigy
Classic
- -- Web-based navigation and search service companies such as Yahoo! Inc.,
Infoseek Corporation, Lycos, Inc. and Excite@Home.
- -- global media companies including newspapers, radio and television stations
and content providers, such as the National Broadcasting Corporation, CBS
Corporation, The Walt Disney Company, Time Warner Inc., The Washington Post
Company and Conde Nast Publications, Inc.
- -- cable Internet access services offered by companies such as Excite@Home and
Road Runner Group
- Competitors in the development and sale of electronic commerce
infrastructure and applications include:
- -- providers of electronic commerce infrastructure such as server software,
including International Business Machines Corporation, Microsoft
Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Novell, Inc., Software.com, Inc., BEA
Systems, Inc. and the provider of the Apache Web Server
- -- providers of electronic commerce applications including International
Business Machines Corporation, Oracle Corporation, General Electric
Information Systems, Microsoft Corporation, PeopleSoft, Inc., SAP A.G.,
Open Market, Inc., Ariba Technologies, CommerceOne, Sterling Commerce, Inc.
and BroadVision, Inc.
- Competition in the development of distribution technologies and
equipment includes:
- -- broadband distribution technologies used in cable Internet access services
offered by companies such as AtHome Corporation and Road Runner Group
- -- advanced telephone-based access services offered through digital subscriber
line technologies offered by local telecommunications companies
- -- other advanced digital services offered by broadcast, satellite and
wireless companies
- -- television-based interactive computer services, such as those offered by
Microsoft's WebTV
- -- personal digital assistants, enhanced mobile phones and other equipment
offering functional equivalents to our features
Some of our present competitors and potential future competitors may
have greater financial, technical, marketing or personnel resources than us. The
competitive environment could have a variety of adverse effects on us. For
example, it could:
- - require price reductions in the subscription fees for online services and
require increased spending on marketing, network capacity, content
procurement and product development
- - negatively impact our ability to generate greater revenues and profits from
sources other than online service subscription revenues, such as
advertising and electronic commerce
- - limit our opportunities to enter into or renew agreements with content
providers and distribution partners
- - limit our ability to develop new products and services
- - limit our ability to continue to grow or sustain our subscriber base
- - require price reductions in our enterprise software products
- - result in a loss of our market share in the enterprise software industry
- - require an increase in our sales and marketing expenditures, and result in
a reduction in our advertising revenues, relating to our Netcenter Internet
portal
Any of the foregoing events could have an adverse impact on revenues or
result in an increase in costs as a percentage of revenues, either of which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
operating results.
We Need to Manage Integration of Our Mergers and Acquisitions
In March 1999 we completed the merger with Netscape Communications
Corporation, a leading provider of software and services for Internet users,
including Netscape Netcenter, and the Netscape Navigator and Netscape
Communicator browsers. The Netscape merger involves risks, including successful
integration and management of the acquired technology, operations and personnel
of Netscape. The integration of America Online and Netscape will be a complex,
time consuming process and may result in a disruption of the combined company if
not completed in a timely and efficient manner. The combined company must
operate as a combined organization utilizing common information and
communications systems, operating procedures, financial controls, human
resources practices and other shared infrastructure. There may be substantial
difficulties, costs and delay involved in integrating America Online and
Netscape, including potential incompatibility of business cultures, perceived
adverse changes in client service standards or business focus, potential sales
channel conflicts, the loss of key employees and diversion of attention of
management from other ongoing business concerns. There can be no assurance we
will be able to successfully manage and operate Netscape. Any of these factors
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
operating results.
Additionally, we have acquired and merged with several smaller
companies over the last several years. The integration of these acquired
businesses may also lead to the loss of key employees of the acquired companies
and diversion of the attention of existing management from other ongoing
business concerns.
Potential Year 2000 Problems May Have an Adverse Effect on Our Operations and
Ability to Offer Products and Services Without Interruption
America Online utilizes a significant number of computer software
programs and operating systems across its entire organization, including
applications used in operating its online services and Web sites, the
proprietary software of the AOL and CompuServe services, Netscape Enterprise
Group software products, member and customer services, network access, content
providers, joint ventures and various administrative and billing functions. To
the extent that these applications contain source codes that are unable to
appropriately interpret the upcoming calendar year 2000, some level of
modification, or even possibly replacement may be necessary.
In 1997, America Online appointed a Year 2000 Task Force to perform an
audit to assess the scope of America Online's risks and bring its applications
into compliance. This Task Force is undertaking its assessment of America
Online's company-wide compliance and is overseeing testing. America Online's
system hardware components, client and host software, current versions of
Netscape Enterprise Group software products and corporate business and
information systems are currently undergoing review and testing. To date,
America Online has experienced few problems related to Year 2000 testing, and
the problems that have been identified are in the process of being addressed.
America Online intends to make Year 2000 compliant certain versions of
the client software for the AOL service and the CompuServe service that are
available on the Windows and Macintosh operating systems, as well as versions of
Netscape software products that are currently shipped. These versions of the
software expected to be certified incorporate proprietary software and
third-party component software, including a third-party Internet browser
utilized in most versions, that may not be Year 2000 compliant, and testing
continues. America Online has not tested, and does not expect to certify as Year
2000 compliant, certain older versions of this software. A patch or upgrade may
be required for members or customers using some of these versions of the client
software to achieve Year 2000 compliance. Over the coming months, America Online
will continue these efforts and will make available free patches or free
upgrades to members of the online services and will communicate their
availability. America Online has developed, and will be implementing over the
remainder of the year, a program for members to upgrade to a Year 2000 compliant
version of the browser, or to a version of the client software that contains a
Year 2000 compliant browser. With respect to America Online's Netscape
Enterprise Group software business, testing continues on currently shipped
products. America Online also will make available at no additional cost to
customers any required patch or upgrade to the versions of Netscape Enterprise
Group software products currently being shipped to customers and communicate
their availability. In addition, America Online will be encouraging members and
customers to upgrade to versions of the software that are expected to be Year
2000 compliant, if they have not already done so.
In addition, America Online is continuing to gather information from
its vendors, joint venture partners and content partners about their progress in
identifying and addressing problems that their computer systems may face in
correctly processing date information related to the Year 2000. America Online
intends to continue its efforts to seek reassurances regarding the Year 2000
compliance of vendors, joint venture partners and content partners. In the event
any third parties cannot timely provide America Online with content, products,
services or systems that meet the Year 2000 requirements, the content on America
Online's services, access to America Online's services, the ability to offer
products and services and the ability to process sales could be materially
adversely affected.
The costs incurred through March 1999 to address Year 2000 compliance
were approximately $7 million. America Online currently estimates it will incur
a total of approximately $20 million in costs to support its compliance
initiatives. America Online cannot predict the outcome of its Year 2000 program,
whether third party systems are or will be Year 2000 compliant, the costs
required to address the Year 2000 issue, or whether a failure to achieve
substantial Year 2000 compliance will have a material adverse effect on America
Online's business, financial condition or results of operations. Failure to
achieve Year 2000 compliance could result in interruptions in the work of its
employees, the inability of members and customers to access America Online's
online services and Web sites or errors and defects in the Netscape Enterprise
Group products. This, in turn, may result in the loss of subscription services
revenue, advertising and commerce revenue or enterprise solution revenue, the
inability to deliver minimum guaranteed levels of traffic, diversion of
development resources, or increased service and warranty costs. Occurrence of
any of these may also result in additional remedial costs and damage to
reputation.
America Online is in the process of developing a contingency plan to
address possible risks to its systems. It is America Online's intention to
finalize its contingency plan no later than July 1999.
The Price of Our Common Stock is Volatile
The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be
subject to wide fluctuations over short and long periods of time. During the
last year, the closing sale prices of our common stock on the New York Stock
Exchange ranged from $17.25 to $175.25. Our stock price may fluctuate in
response to a number of events and factors, such as:
- - quarterly variations in financial results and membership growth and usage
- - the announcement of technological innovations, mergers, acquisitions,
strategic partnerships or new product offerings by America Online or its
competitors
- - the entrance of new competitors into the online services market
- - changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts
and news reports relating to trends in the Internet-related markets
- - the operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors
may deem comparable
In addition, the market prices for Internet-related companies have
experienced volatility that often has not been directly related to the operating
performance of such companies. Market and industry fluctuations may adversely
affect the price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance.
Where You Can Find More Information
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and
copy any document we file with the Commission at the Commission's public
reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call
the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference
room. Our Commission filings are also available to the public at the
Commission's web site at http://www.sec.gov.
The Commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information
we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you
by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference
is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file later
with the Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we
will make with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c ), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act prior to the termination of the offerings described in
this prospectus:
(a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998
(SEC file number 001-12143 and filing date of September 28, 1998);
(b) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarterly period ended
September 30, 1998 (SEC file number 001-12143 and filing date of
November 6, 1998);
(c) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarterly period ended December
31, 1998 (SEC file number 001-12143 and filing date of February 10,
1999);
(d) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31,
1999 (SEC file number 001-12143 and filing date of May 7, 1999);
(e) Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 1998 Annual Meeting (SEC file
number 001-12143 and filing date of September 28, 1998);
(f) Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 1998 (SEC file number
001-12143 and filing date of August 5, 1998);
(g) Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 28, 1998 (SEC file number
001-12143 and filing date of September 29, 1998);
(h) Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 23, 1998 (SEC file number
001-12143 and filing date of November 24, 1998);
(i) Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 1, 1999 (SEC file number
001-12143 and filing date of February 11, 1999);
(j) Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 9, 1998 (SEC file number
001-12143 and filing date of February 17, 1999);
(k) Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 17, 1999 (SEC file number
001-12143 and filing date of March 26, 1999);
(l) Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated March 17, 1999 (SEC file number
001-12143 and filing date of April 21, 1999);
(m) Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 21, 1999 (SEC file number
001-12143 and filing date of April 21, 1999);
(n) Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 21, 1999 (SEC file number
001-12143 and filing date of May 27, 1999); and
(o) The descriptions of our capital stock, including preferred share
purchase rights, which are contained in registration statements on
Form 8-A under the Exchange Act, including any amendments or reports
filed for the purpose of updating such descriptions.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or
telephoning as follows:
America Online, Inc.
Attention: Investor Relations
22000 AOL Way
Dulles, VA 20166
(703) 265-2741
[email protected]
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 we
filed with the SEC under the Securities Act. You should rely only on the
information or representations provided in this prospectus. We have authorized
no one to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of
these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not
assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other
than the date on the front of the document.
Forward-Looking Statements
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this
prospectus contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our
industry, management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by us. Words such as
"anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates"
and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that
are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially
from those expressed or forecasted in any forward-looking statements as a result
of a variety of factors, including those set forth in "Risk Factors" above and
elsewhere in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus. We undertake
no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason,
even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.
Use Of Proceeds
The selling stockholders are offering all of the shares of common stock
covered by this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of
these shares.
Selling Stockholders
The following table sets forth the number of shares owned by each of
the selling stockholders. All information contained in the table below is based
upon their beneficial ownership as of July 21, 1999. We are not able to estimate
the amount of shares that will be held by the selling stockholders after the
completion of this offering because the selling stockholders may offer all or
some of their shares and because there currently are no agreements, arrangements
or understandings with respect to the sale of any of their shares. The following
table assumes that all of the shares being registered will be sold. The selling
stockholders are not making any representation that any shares covered by the
prospectus will be offered for sale. The selling stockholders reserve the right
to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any proposed sale of shares.
<TABLE>
Number of Shares Number of Shares Percent of Outstanding
Beneficially Registered for Shares After the
Name of Selling Stockholder Owned Sale Hereby Offering
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Charles Frankel (1) 130,664 130,664 --
Justin Frankel (1) 522,661 522,661 --
Lighthouse Communications (1) 7,423 7,423 --
Rex Manz (1) 22,272 22,272 --
Thomas Aaron Pepper (1) 37,120 37,120 --
Adam Ventures, L.P. 1,643 1,479 --
Allen & Company Incorporated (2) 189,737 170,764 --
Craig Allen 1,294 1,164 --
Robert Allison 8,627 7,765 --
Angel Investors, L.P. 1,643 1,479 --
ATGF II 52,592 47,333 --
Fritz Beesemyer 11,020 9,918 --
Edward Bennett 46,552 41,897 --
Joni Berkley 1,552 1,397 --
David Brill 1,863 1,677 --
Gaby Brink 1,034 931 --
Rebecca Cherkoss 310 279 --
Digital Ventures Limited 256,841 231,157 --
Scott Epstein 34,391 30,952 --
Fayette High Tech Partnership 95,623 86,061 --
Joshua Felser 143,891 129,502 --
Jon Gavenman 196 177 --
Robert Grady 1,583 1,425 --
Timothy Hodges 724 652 --
Imagine Media, Inc. 202,768 182,492 --
Intel Corporation 131,481 118,333 --
Edward Koller 6,762 6,086 --
Bryant Levin 138,150 124,335 --
Steven Lewis 46,593 41,934 --
Linc Capital, Inc. 13,087 11,779 --
Dana Lyon 1,643 1,479 --
Emeric McDonald 13,147 11,833 --
Brian McLoughlin 8,627 7,765 --
New Millenium Partners 16,435 14,791 --
Janet Noel 827 745 --
Pacific Technology Ventures USA L.P. 238,558 214,703 --
The Phoenix Partners III L.P. (3) 30,453 27,408 --
The Phoenix Partners IIIB L.P. (4) 16,434 14,791
The Phoenix Partners IV L.P. (5) 79,758 71,783 --
Joshua Pickus 985 887 --
Scott Pinizzotto 2,484 2,236 --
Ronald Posner 35,297 31,768 --
David Samuel 270,115 243,104 --
Schibsted ASA 25,728 23,156 --
Robert Senoff 12,942 11,648 --
David Shuman (2) 1,552 1,397 --
Sony Music Entertainment, Inc. 169,146 152,232 --
Staenburg Private Capital 13,147 11,833 --
Steven Tonsfeldt 196 177 --
Trans Cosmos USA, Inc. 32,870 29,583 --
James Van Huysse 18,844 16,960 --
VLG Investments 1999 920 828 --
Thomas Wang 621 559 --
Douglas Weaver 310 279 --
</TABLE>
(1) Pursuant to an Escrow Agreement with America Online dated May 28, 1999, 10%
of the shares of common stock held by the selling stockholder and being
registered hereby may not be sold until May 28, 2000.
(2) The shares held of record by Allen & Company are beneficially owned by
certain directors and officers of Allen & Company, including David Shuman.
(3) The Phoenix Management Partners III is the general partner of The Phoenix
Partners III L.P., and the general partner of The Phoenix Management
Partners III is David Johnston. Mr. Johnston disclaims beneficial ownership
of the shares held by The Phoenix Partners III L.P.
(4) The Phoenix Management Partners III is the general partner of The Phoenix
Partners IIIB L.P., and the general partner of The Phoenix Management
Partners III is David Johnston. Mr. Johnston disclaims beneficial ownership
of the shares held by The Phoenix Partners III L.P.
(5) The Phoenix Management IV LLC is the general partner of The Phoenix
Partners IV L.P., and the managing member of The Phoenix Management IV LLC
is David Johnston. Mr. Johnston disclaims beneficial ownership of the
shares held by The Phoenix Partners IV L.P.
The selling stockholders received their shares of common stock pursuant
to either our merger with Spinner Networks, Inc. or our merger with Nullsoft,
Inc., both of which occurred in May 1999.
The stockholders who received their shares pursuant to the Spinner
merger are parties to a Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 28, 1999,
in which we agreed to register their shares in a registration statement, and to
keep such registration statement effective for a period of one year. Several of
those selling stockholders currently hold positions with America Online. Joshua
Felser and David Samuel are each vice presidents of America Online and Joni
Berkley, David Brill, Janet Noel and Thomas Wang also are employed by America
Online.
The stockholders who received their shares pursuant to the Nullsoft
merger are parties to a Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 28, 1999,
in which we agreed to include their shares in any registration statement we
filed within one year of the date of the Registration Rights Agreement (other
than on Forms S-4 or S-8), and to keep such registration statement effective for
a period of 90 days. One of those selling stockholders, Justin Frankel,
currently holds a position with America Online.
This prospectus also covers any additional shares of common stock that
become issuable in connection with the shares being registered by reason of any
stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction
effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in
the number of our outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, this
prospectus covers the preferred stock purchase rights that currently trade with
America Online's common stock and entitle the holder to purchase additional
shares of common stock under certain circumstances.
Plan Of Distribution
We are registering the common stock on behalf of the selling
stockholders. As used in this prospectus, the term "selling stockholders"
includes pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares
received from the selling stockholders as pledgors, borrowers or in connection
with other non-sale-related transfers after the date of this prospectus. This
prospectus may also be used by transferees of the selling stockholders,
including broker-dealers or other transferees who borrow or purchase the shares
to settle or close out short sales of shares of common stock. The selling
stockholders will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to
the timing, manner, and size of each sale or non-sale related transfer. We will
not receive any of the proceeds of this offering.
The selling stockholders are offering shares of common stock that they
received either in connection with our merger with Spinner or Nullsoft. This
prospectus covers their resale of up to 2,863,053 shares of common stock.
The selling stockholders may sell their shares of common stock directly
to purchasers from time to time. Alternatively, they may from time to time offer
the common stock to or through underwriters, broker/dealers or agents, who may
receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts, concessions or
commissions from the selling stockholders or the purchasers of such securities
for whom they may act as agents. The selling stockholders and any underwriters,
broker/dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of common stock
may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act and
any profit on the sale of such securities and any discounts, commissions,
concessions or other compensation received by any such underwriter,
broker/dealer or agent may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions under the Securities Act.
The common stock may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale,
at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. The
sale of the common stock may be effected by means of one or more of the
following transactions (which may involve crosses or block transactions):
- - on any national securities exchange, such as the NYSE, or quotation service
on which the common stock may be listed or quoted at the time of sale,
- - in the over-the-counter market,
- - in transactions otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the
over-the-counter market or
- - through the purchase and sale of over-the-counter options.
In connection with sales of the common stock or otherwise, the selling
stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker/dealers, which may
in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the
positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell common stock short
and deliver common stock to close out such short positions, or loan or pledge
common stock to broker/dealers that in turn may sell such securities.
At the time a particular offering of the common stock is made, a
prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the
aggregate amount common stock being offered and the terms of the offering,
including the name or names of any underwriters, broker/dealers or agents, any
discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the
selling stockholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to broker/dealers.
To comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, if
applicable, the common stock will be offered or sold in such jurisdictions only
through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.
The selling stockholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, which provisions may
limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the common stock by the
selling stockholders. The foregoing may affect the marketability of such
securities.
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement with the selling
stockholders who received their shares of common stock in the mergers with
Spinner and Nullsoft, all expenses of the registration of the common stock will
be paid by us, including, without limitation, Commission filing fees; provided,
however, that the selling stockholders will pay all underwriting discounts and
selling commissions, if any. The selling stockholders will be indemnified by us
against certain civil liabilities, including certain liabilities under the
Securities Act, or will be entitled to contribution in connection therewith. We
will be indemnified by the selling stockholders severally against certain civil
liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or will be
entitled to contribution in connection therewith.
Legal Matters
The validity of the Securities offered hereby is being passed upon by
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. The Vice Chairman of America
Online also serves as Of Counsel to Mintz, Levin and owns an aggregate of 1,259
shares of common stock and options to purchase 2,592,000 shares of common stock.
Attorneys of Mintz Levin and certain members of their families and trusts for
their own benefit own an aggregate of approximately 5,600 shares of America
Online common stock.
Experts
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited our consolidated
financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended June 30, 1998, and supplemented in our Current Reports on Form 8-K dated
November 9, 1998 and on Form 8-K/A dated March 17, 1999, as set forth in their
reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in
the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by
reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's reports, given on their authority
as experts in accounting and auditing.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following sets forth the expenses in connection with the issuance
and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting
discounts and commissions. All such expenses shall be borne by America Online.
All amounts set forth below are estimates, other than the SEC registration fee.
SEC Registration Fee $95,885
New York Stock Exchange additional listing fee 14,750
Accounting Fees and Expenses 10,000
Miscellaneous 10,000
------
TOTAL $130,635
========
Item 15. Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Section 145(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
("Delaware Corporation Law") provides, in general, that a corporation shall have
the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be
made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action
by or in the right of the corporation), because the person is or was a director
or officer of the corporation. Such indemnity may be against expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding, if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation and if, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the
person did not have reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was
unlawful.
Section 145(b) of the Delaware Corporation Law provides, in general,
that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a
party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor because the person is or was a director or officer of the
corporation, against any expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement
of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the
person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation.
Section 145(g) of the Delaware Corporation Law provides, in general,
that a corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation
against any liability asserted against the person in any such capacity, or
arising out of the person's status as such, whether or not the corporation would
have the power to indemnify the person against such liability under the
provisions of the law.
Article Ninth of the Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
(incorporated by reference herein) provides for indemnification of directors,
officers and other persons as follows:
To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, the
Corporation shall indemnify, and advance expenses to, its directors and
officers and any person who is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director or officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The
Corporation, by action of its board of directors, may provide
indemnification or advance expenses to employees and agents of the
Corporation or other persons only on such terms and conditions and to
the extent determined by the board of directors in its sole and
absolute discretion.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by,
or granted pursuant to, this Article Ninth shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or
advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement,
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as
to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity
while holding such office.
The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the
request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by
him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether
or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against
such liability under this Article Ninth.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by,
or granted pursuant to, this Article Ninth shall, unless otherwise
provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has
ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of
the heirs, executors and administrators of such officer or director.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses that may have been
provided to an employee or agent of the Corporation by action of the
board of directors, pursuant to the last sentence of Paragraph 1 of
this Article Ninth, shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or
ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be an employee or
agent of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such a person, after the time such
person has ceased to be an employee or agent of the Corporation, only
on such terms and conditions and to the extent determined by the board
of directors in its sole discretion.
Article Five of the Registrant's Restated By-Laws (incorporated by
reference herein) provides that:
Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a
party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved
in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, because he is or was a director or an
officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan
(hereinafter an "Indemnitee"), whether the basis of such proceeding is
alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee
or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer,
employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the
Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but,
in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such
amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification
rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide before such
amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including
attorney's fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and
amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such
Indemnitee in connection therewith; provided, however, that, except as
provided in the section "Right of Indemnitees to Bring Suit" of this
Article with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to
indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such Indemnitee in
connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such
Indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by
the board of directors of the Corporation.
Right to Advancement of Expenses. The right to indemnification
conferred in the section "Right to Indemnification" of this Article
shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses
(including attorney's fees) incurred in defending any such proceeding
in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, if the
Delaware General Corporation Law requires, an advancement of expenses
incurred by an Indemnitee in his capacity as a director or officer (and
not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such
Indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee
benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an
undertaking, by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts
so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial
decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such
Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under
this section or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and to the
advancement of expenses conferred in this section and the section
"Right to Indemnification" of this Article shall be contract rights and
such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a
director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of
the Indemnitee's heirs, executors and administrators. Any repeal or
modification of any of the provisions of this Article shall not
adversely affect any right or protection of an Indemnitee existing at
the time of such repeal or modification.
Right of Indemnitees to Bring Suit. If a claim under the
section "Right to Indemnification" or "Right to Advancement of
Expenses" of this Article is not paid in full by the Corporation within
sixty (60) days after a written claim has been received by the
Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of
expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty (20)
days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the
Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in
whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the
Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms
of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the
expenses of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (1) any suit brought
by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but
not in a suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to an
advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (2) in any
suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses
pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be
entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the
Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set
forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law. Neither the failure of
the Corporation (including its board of directors, independent legal
counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the
commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is
proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General
Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation
(including its board of directors, independent legal counsel, or its
stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard
of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met
the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit
brought by the Indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit
brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to
an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to
recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an
undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled
to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this
Article or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification and
to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article shall not be
exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter
acquire under any statute, the Corporation's Certificate of
Incorporation as amended from time to time, these By-Laws, any
agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise.
Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its
expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent
of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss,
whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such
person against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware
General Corporation Law.
Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation.
The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the
board of directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the
advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation to
the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article with respect to
the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and
officers of the Corporation.
The directors and officers of the Registrant are covered by a policy of
liability insurance.
Item 16. Exhibits.
Exhibit No. Description
4.1 Article 4, Article 6 and Article 8 of the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of America Online, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1
to America Online's Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
Year ended June 30, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.2 Amendment of Section A of Article 4 of the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of America Online, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 4.1
to America Online's Registration Statement on Form S-3,
Registration No. 333- 46633 and incorporated herein by
reference.)
4.3 Restated By-Laws of America Online, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 3.5
to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.4 Rights Agreement dated as of May 12, 1998, between America
Online, Inc. and BankBoston, N.A., as Rights Agent (Filed as
Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by
reference.)
5.1 Opinion of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.,
regarding the legality of securities being offered
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2 Consent of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
(included in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 and
incorporated herein by reference)
24.1 Powers of Attorney (included in the signature pages to the
Registration Statement)
Item 17. Undertakings.
A. Rule 415 Offering
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act of 1933.
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not
apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form
S-8, and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section
13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
that are incorporated by reference in the registration
statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
B. Filings Incorporating Subsequent Exchange Act Documents by Reference
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
C. Request for Acceleration of Effective Date
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has
duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the County of Loudoun, Commonwealth
of Virginia, on July 21, 1999.
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
By: /s/ J. MICHAEL KELLY
J. Michael Kelly, Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Stephen M. Case, Kenneth J. Novack, J.
Michael Kelly, Sheila A. Clark and James F. MacGuidwin and each of them, his
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments)
to this registration statement (and any other registration statement for the
same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under
the Securities Act of 1933) and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and
all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of
attorney may be executed in counterparts.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated in one or more counter-parts.
<TABLE>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ STEPHEN M. CASE Chairman of the Board and Chief July 21, 1999
Stephen M. Case Executive Officer (principal executive
officer)
July 21, 1999
/s/ ROBERT W. PITTMAN President, Chief Operating Officer and
Robert W. Pittman Director
/s/ J. MICHAEL KELLY Senior Vice President, Chief Financial July 21, 1999
J. Michael Kelly Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
(principal financial officer)
July 21, 1999
/s/ JAMES F. MACGUIDWIN Vice President, Controller, Chief
James F. MacGuidwin Accounting and Budget Officer (principal
accounting officer)
July 21, 1999
/s/ DANIEL F. AKERSON Director
Daniel F. Akerson
Director
James L. Barksdale
July 21, 1999
/s/ FRANK J. CAULFIELD Director
Frank J. Caufield
July 21, 1999
/s/ ALEXANDER M. HAIG, JR. Director
Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
July 21, 1999
/s/ WILLIAM N. MELTON Director
William N. Melton
Director
Thomas Middelhoff
July 21, 1999
/s/ COLIN L. POWELL Director
Colin L. Powell
/s/ FRANKLIN D. RAINES Director July 21, 1999
Franklin D. Raines
</TABLE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
5.1 Opinion of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.,
regarding the legality of securities being offered
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2 Consent of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
(included in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
July 21, 1999
America Online, Inc.
22000 AOL Way
Dulles, Virginia 20166-9323
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to America Online, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") of a Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement"), pursuant to which the
Company is registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, a total of
2,863,053 previously issued shares (the "Shares") of its common stock, $.01 par
value per share (the "Common Stock") and the associated preferred stock purchase
rights that accompany the Common Stock (the "Rights"). The Shares and the
accompanying Rights are to be sold by certain shareholders of the Company
identified in the Registration Statement (the "Selling Shareholders"). This
opinion is being rendered in connection with the filing of the Registration
Statement.
In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and Restated By-Laws, as amended to date; such
records of the corporate proceedings of the Company as we deemed relevant; and
the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal
capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us
as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to
us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of
such copies.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid
and non-assessable.
2. The Rights have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the
Company and are validly issued.
Our opinion is limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
and we express no opinion with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction. No
opinion is expressed herein with respect to the qualification of the Shares and
the Rights under the securities or blue sky laws of any state or any foreign
jurisdiction.
We understand that you wish to file this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and we hereby consent thereto. We hereby further consent
to the reference to us under the caption "Legal Matters" in the prospectus
included in the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris,
Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris,
Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Auditors
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333- ) and related Prospectus of America
Online, Inc. for the registration of its common stock and to the incorporation
by reference therein of our report dated September 25, 1998, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of America Online, Inc. included in its Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1998, our report dated September
25, 1998 (except for the last paragraph of Note 17, as to which the date is
February 15, 1999) with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
America Online, Inc., included in its Current Report on Form 8-K dated November
9, 1998, and our report dated September 25, 1998 (except for the second
paragraph of Note 19, as to which the date is February 15, 1999 and the third
paragraph of Note 19, as to which the date is April 15, 1999), with respect to
the supplemental consolidated financial statements of America Online, Inc.
included in its Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated March 17, 1999, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Vienna, Virginia
July 19, 1999
