OUR COMPANY
Sohu.com Inc. (NASDAQ: SOHU), a Delaware corporation organized in 1996, is a leading Chinese online media, search and game service group providing
comprehensive online products and services on PCs and mobile devices in the Peoples Republic of China (the PRC or China). Our businesses are conducted by Sohu.com Inc. and its subsidiaries and VIEs (collectively
referred to as the Sohu Group or the Group). The Sohu Group consists of Sohu, which when referred to in this report, unless the context requires otherwise, excludes the businesses and the corresponding subsidiaries and VIEs
of Sogou Inc. (Sogou) and Changyou.com Limited (Changyou), Sogou and Changyou. Sogou and Changyou are indirect controlled subsidiaries of Sohu.com Inc. Sohu is a leading Chinese language online media content and services
provider. Sogou is a leading online search, client software and mobile Internet product provider in China. Changyou is a leading online game developer and operator in China as measured by the popularity of its PC game Tian Long Ba Bu
(TLBB) and its mobile game TLBB 3D, and engages primarily in the development, operation and licensing of online games for PCs and mobile devices. Most of our operations are conducted through our China-based subsidiaries and VIEs.
In August 1996, we were incorporated in Delaware as Internet Technologies China Incorporated, and in January 1997 we launched our original Website,
itc.com.cn. In February 1998, we
re-launched
our Website under the domain name Sohu.com and, in September 1999, we renamed our company Sohu.com Inc. On July 17, 2000, we completed our initial public
offering on NASDAQ.
OUR BUSINESS
Through the
operation of Sohu, Sogou and Changyou, we generate online advertising revenues (including brand advertising revenues and search and search-related revenues), online games revenues and other revenues. Online advertising and online games are our core
businesses. In the year ended December 31, 2016, total revenues generated by Sohu, Sogou and Changyou were approximately $1.65 billion, including:
Sohu:
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$408.6 million in brand advertising revenues, of which $181.8 million was from Sohu Media Portal, $123.1 million was from Sohu Video, and $103.7 million was from Focus; and
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$56.0 million in other revenues, mainly attributable to revenues from paid subscription services, interactive broadcasting services,
sub-licensing
of purchased video content
to third parties, content provided through the platforms of the three main telecommunications operators in China, and the filming business.
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Total revenues generated by Sohu were $464.6 million.
Sogou:
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$597.1 million in search and search-related revenues; and
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$63.3 million in other revenues, primarily attributable to Sogous offering of Internet value-added services (or IVAS) with respect to the operation of Web games and mobile games developed by third
parties, as well as other services and products provided to users.
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Total revenues generated by Sogou were $660.4 million.
Changyou:
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$395.7 million in online game revenues;
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$39.4 million in brand advertising revenues, mainly attributable to Changyous 17173.com Website; and
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$90.3 million in other revenues attributable to Changyous cinema advertising business and IVAS business.
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Total revenues generated by Changyou were $525.4 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, our total brand advertising revenues were $448.0 million, total search and search-related revenues were
$597.1 million, total online game revenues were $395.7 million, and total other revenues were $209.6 million.
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Sohus Business
Brand Advertising Business
Sohus main business is
the brand advertising business, which offers to users, over our matrices of Chinese language online media, various content, products and services across multiple Internet-enabled devices, such as PCs, mobile phones and tablets. The majority of our
products and services are provided through Sohu Media Portal, Sohu Video and Focus.
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Sohu
Media
Portal.
Sohu Media Portal is a leading online news and information provider in China. Sohu Media Portal provides users comprehensive content through www.sohu.com for PCs, the mobile phone
application Sohu News APP and the mobile portal m.sohu.com;
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Sohu
Video.
Sohu Video is a leading online video content and service provider in China through tv.sohu.com for PCs and the mobile phone application Sohu Video APP; and
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Focus.
Focus (www.focus.cn) is a leading online real estate information and services provider in China.
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Revenues generated by the brand advertising business are classified as brand advertising revenues in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Other Business
Sohu also engages in the other business,
which consists primarily of paid subscription services, interactive broadcasting services,
sub-licensing
of purchased video content to third parties, providing content through the platforms of the three main
telecommunications operators in China, and the filming business. Revenues generated by Sohu from the other business are classified as other revenues in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Sogous Business
Search and Search-related
Business
The search and search-related business primarily offers advertisers
pay-for-click
services, as well as online marketing services on Web directories operated by Sogou.
Pay-for-click
services enable advertisers promotional links to be displayed on the Sogou search result pages and Sogou Website Alliance members Internet
properties where the links are relevant to the subject and content of such properties. Both
pay-for-click
services and online marketing services on Web directories
operated by Sogou expand the distribution of our advertisers promotional links and advertisements by leveraging traffic on Sogou Website Alliance members Internet properties, including Web content, software and mobile applications. Our
search and search-related business benefits from our collaboration with Tencent Holdings Limited (Tencent), which provides us access to traffic and content generated from users of products and services provided by Tencent.
Revenues generated by the search and search-related business are classified as search and search-related revenues in our consolidated statements of
comprehensive income.
Other Business
Sogou also
engages in the other business, primarily by offering IVAS with respect to the operation of Web games and mobile games developed by third parties, as well as other services and products provided to users. Revenues generated by Sogou from the other
business are classified as other revenues in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Changyous Business
Changyous business lines consist of the online game business; the platform channel business, which consists primarily of online advertising and also
includes IVAS; and the cinema advertising business.
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Online Game Business
Changyous online game business offers to game players (a) PC games, which are interactive online games that are accessed and played simultaneously
by hundreds of thousands of game players through personal computers and require that local
client-end
game access software be installed on the computers used and (b) mobile games, which are played on
mobile devices and require an Internet connection. Prior to the sale of Shenzhen 7Road Technology Co., Ltd., or Shenzhen 7Road, in August 2015, Changyous online games also included Web games, which became an insignificant part of its online
games business following the sale. All of Changyous games are operated under the item-based revenue model, meaning that game players can play the games for free, but can choose to pay for virtual items, which are
non-physical
items that game players can purchase and use within a game, such as gems, pets, fashion items, magic medicine, riding animals, hierograms, skill books and fireworks. Revenues derived from the
operation of online games are classified as online game revenues in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Platform Channel Business
Changyous platform channel business consists primarily of the operation of the 17173.com Website, one of the leading information portals in
China, which provides news, electronic forums, online videos and other information services on online games to game players. Changyous platform channel business also offers a number of software applications for PCs and mobile devices through
RaidCall and the Dolphin Browser. RaidCall provides online music and entertainment services, primarily in Taiwan. The Dolphin Browser, which is operated by MoboTap, is a gateway to a host of user activities on mobile devices, with the majority of
its users based in Europe, Russia and Japan. As Changyou management had determined that the Dolphin Browser was unable to provide expected synergies with Changyous platform channel business, in 2016, Changyous Board of Directors approved
the disposal of Changyous 51% equity interest in MoboTap Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries and VIEs MoboTap), which is the mobile technology developer behind the Dolphin Browser. As of December 31, 2016, Changyou has
been negotiating with a potential buyer on the terms of disposal. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities attributable to MoboTap are classified as assets and liabilities held for sale and measured at the lower of their carrying amounts or their
fair value, less cost to sell, in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016. All revenues generated by the 17173.com Website are classified as brand advertising revenues, IVAS revenues generated by the Dolphin Browser and by
RaidCall are classified as other revenues and a relatively small amount of online game revenues generated by the Dolphin Browser are included in online game revenues in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Cinema Advertising Business
Changyou also operates a
cinema advertising business, which consists primarily of the acquisition, from operators of movie theaters, and the sale, to advertisers, of
pre-film
advertising slots, which are advertisements shown before
the screening of a movie in a cinema theatre. Revenues generated by Changyous cinema advertising business are classified as other revenues in the Sohu Groups consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Sohus Business
Brand Advertising Business
Sohus main
business is the brand advertising business, which offers to users, over our matrices of Chinese language online media, various content, products and services across multiple Internet-enabled devices, such as PCs, mobile phones and tablets. The
majority of our products and services are provided through Sohu Media Portal, Sohu Video and Focus.
Sources
Sohu Media Portal
Sohu Media Portal is a leading
online news and information provider in China. Sohu Media Portal provides users comprehensive content through www.sohu.com for PCs, the mobile phone application Sohu News APP and the mobile portal m.sohu.com. We provide content by aggregating
content from other media organizations and partnering with independent contributors, and also use content generated by our
in-house
editorial teams. We use algorithms to recommend to users personalized content
that may interest them.
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Sohu Video
Sohu Video (tv.sohu.com) is a leading online video content and service provider in China. We deliver premium purchased video content, self-developed video
content, and user-generated content (UGC). Professional generated content (PGC) is a
sub-category
of UGC where the content is made by a large group of professional or semi-professional
content studios. We provide users free access to the majority of our extensive and comprehensive video content library, which includes popular domestic and overseas television dramas, variety shows, movies, animations, PGC, documentaries,
interactive broadcasting, and self-developed video content. We also offer selected
fee-based
content, which includes overseas television dramas, self-developed video content, and movies. Users can access our
video content via PCs through tv.sohu.com, or via mobile devices by visiting our mobile video site or installing Sohu Video APP, our mobile video application.
Focus
Focus (www.focus.cn) is a leading online
real estate information and services provider in China. Focus provides diversified online content consisting of new homes for sale, properties for
re-sale
and home furnishing services, and other comprehensive
services and solutions for house seekers, homeowners and buyers. Focus membership cards allow potential home buyers to purchase specified properties from real estate developers at a discount greater than the price that Focus charges for the card.
Focus has also developed a transaction platform to offer online and offline services that facilitate the purchase of new homes by buyers.
Business
Model
In the brand advertising business, we enjoy a strong competitive position as one of the leading Internet companies in China. Through the
platforms described above, we have built a sizeable user base through good user experiences provided by our products and services. This user base is appealing to advertisers. Through PCs and mobile devices, we provide advertisement placements to our
advertisers on different Internet platforms and in different formats, which include banners, links, logos, buttons, full screen,
pre-roll,
mid-roll,
post-roll video
screens, pause video screens, loading page ads, news feed ads and
in-feed
video infomercial ads. We rely on both direct sales by our internal sales force and sales by advertising agents for advertising on our
Internet platforms. Our advertisers include multinational companies and Chinese domestic
medium-sized
and small companies.
Currently we have four main types of pricing models, consisting of the Fixed Price model, the Cost Per Impression (CPM) model, the
E-commerce
model, and the Cost Per click (CPC) model.
Fixed Price model
Under the Fixed Price model, a contract is signed to establish a fixed price for the advertising services to be provided.
CPM model
Under the CPM model, the unit price for each
qualifying display is fixed, but there is no overall fixed price for the advertising services stated in the contract with the advertiser. A qualifying display is defined as the appearance of an advertisement, where the advertisement meets criteria
specified in the contract. Advertising fees are charged to the advertisers based on the unit prices and the number of qualifying displays.
E-commerce
model
Under the
e-commerce
model, revenues are mainly generated from
sales of membership cards which allow potential home buyers to purchase specified properties from real estate developers at a discount greater than the price that Focus charges for the card. Membership fees are refundable until the potential home
buyers use the discounts to purchase properties. Focus recognizes such revenues upon obtaining confirmation that a membership card has been redeemed to purchase a property.
CPC model
Under the CPC model, there is no overall fixed price
for advertising services stated in the contract with the advertiser. We charge advertisers on a
per-click
basis when the users click on the advertisements. The unit price for each click is auction-based.
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Other Business
Sohu also engages in the other business, which consists primarily of paid subscription services, interactive broadcasting services,
sub-licensing
of purchased video content to third parties, providing content through the platforms of the three main telecommunications operators in China, and the filming business. Revenues generated by Sohu from
the other business are classified as other revenues in the Sohu Groups consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Sogous Business
Search and search-related Business
Products and Services for Users
Sogous main
business is the search and search-related business. Sogou is a leading online search, client software and mobile Internet product provider in China. Sogou offers extensive products and services, including Sogou Search, Sogou Input Method, Sogou
Browser and Sogou Web Directory to Chinas online users.
Sogou Search
Sogou Search is Sogous proprietary search engine and is conducted through Sogou.com on both PCs and mobile devices. Upon a search query, users are taken
through an interactive process to reach the most relevant selection of integrated Websites and search results pages based on advanced algorithms. Sogou Search provides users with high updating speed, short response time and accurate search results.
We also provide direct answers to search queries that integrate relevant information from massive data. To better serve mobile users, Sogou mobile search supports voice and image search, intuitive display of search results and personalized features.
In addition, we have made solid progress in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including natural language processing, and voice and image recognition. Such technologies have been applied to optimize our general search results ranking and
voice and image search to improve search quality.
Sogou Search is dedicated to providing users with high quality and unique search results. Through our
partnership with Tencent, one of Sogous major shareholders, Sogou Search allows users to access content on many of Tencents social platforms, including content published on Weixin/WeChat accounts, and also empowers users with enhanced
vertical search capabilities. As the exclusive search partner of Zhihu Technology Limited (Zhihu), which operates an online question and answer-based knowledge and information-sharing platform, we are able to give our users easy access
to the content available on Zhihus platform. We partner with Microsoft to allow our users to conduct English and academic searches on Microsofts Bing search engine. We also collaborate with credible online healthcare information
platforms to improve the quality of healthcare search results for our users.
Sogou Input Method
Sogou Input Method is
in-house
developed software for the input of Chinese characters on PCs and mobile devices. It is
among the most popular Internet products in China and has a dominant market share. Sogou Input Method uses search engine technology to capture and generate vocabularies and language models and can present the latest trends in words used by Internet
users. In December 2016, Sogou Input Methods monthly active users on PCs reached 514 million, with a penetration rate over 95% in China, according to iResearch. Sogou Mobile Keyboard, the mobile version of Sogou Input Method, provides
tailored features for smart phones, such as multimedia (voice and image) input, handwriting recognition, and vocabulary sync between mobile devices and PCs. In December 2016, Sogou Mobile Keyboard remained the third largest mobile application in
China in terms of daily active users, according to iResearch.
Sogou Browser
Sogou Browser is our self-developed browser that is designed with technologies to make
Web-navigation
faster, safer,
and easier for PCs and mobile devices. Sogou Browser for PCs has an original dual-core network-layer system and a seven-stage acceleration mechanism, which can accelerate browsing speed for users accessing the Internet. Sogou mobile browser has
mobile-specific features, including file transfer from PC to mobile and news feed flow.
Sogou Web Directory
Sogou Web Directory is a popular Chinese Web directory navigation site for both PCs and mobile devices which serves as a key access point to popular and
preferred Websites.
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Products and Services for Advertisers
Search and search-related services include primarily
pay-for-click
services, as
well as online marketing services on Web directories operated by Sogou.
Pay-for-click
Services
Pay-for-click
services are services that enable our advertisers
promotional links to be displayed on Sogou search result pages and on Sogou Website Alliance members Internet properties where the links are relevant to the subject and content of such members properties. For
pay-for-click
services, we introduce Internet users to our advertisers through our auction-based
pay-for-click
systems and charge advertisers on a
per-click
basis when the users click on the displayed links. Revenue for
pay-for-click
services is recognized on a
per-click
basis when the users click on the displayed links.
Online Marketing Services on Web Directories Operated by Sogou
Online marketing services on Web directories operated by Sogou mainly consist of displaying advertisers promotional links on the Web pages of Web
directories. Revenue for online marketing services on Web directories operated by Sogou is normally recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period, provided our obligations under the contract and all revenue recognition criteria have
been met.
Both
pay-for-click
services and online marketing services on
Web directories operated by Sogou expand the distribution of advertisers promotional links or advertisements by leveraging traffic on Sogou Website Alliance members Internet properties, including Web content, software and mobile
applications. We recognize gross revenue for the amount of fees we receive from advertisers, as we have the primary responsibility for fulfillment and acceptability. Payments made to Sogou Website Alliance members are included in cost of search and
search-related revenues as traffic acquisition costs. We pay Sogou Website Alliance members based on either revenue-sharing arrangements, under which we pay a percentage of
pay-for-click
revenues generated from clicks by users of their properties, or on a
pre-agreed
unit price.
Other Business
Sogou also engages in the other
business, primarily by offering IVAS with respect to the operation of Web games and mobile games developed by third parties, as well as other services and products provided to users. Revenues generated by Sogou from the other business are classified
as other revenues in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Changyous Business
Online Game Business
Business Model
Changyous game players typically access Changyous games through personal computers and mobile devices, such as mobile phones and tablets, connected
to the Internet. In order to access Changyous PC games, game access software must be installed in the computer being used. Game players using PCs can typically download Changyous game access software, interim updates and expansion packs
directly from its official game Website. Game players access Changyous mobile games by downloading its mobile game applications, primarily from third-party mobile application stores or, to a lesser extent, from Changyous game Website.
Prior to the sale of Shenzhen 7Road in August 2015, Changyous online games also included Web games, which became a relatively insignificant part of its online games business following the sale.
Changyous online games include a variety of game genres, including massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), CCGs, TPSs and
other genres. Changyou is also developing, and plans to expand its game portfolio with, new genres such as
S-RPGs,
MOBAs, SLGs and advanced casual games. MMORPGs are massive multiplayer online role playing
games that allow a large number of players to take on the role of a character and interact with one another within a virtual world. CCGs are collectible card games in which players collect cards and compete to win by using card sets with different
functions. TPSs are third person shooter games that are structured around shooting, where a player can see and control an avatar
on-screen
in a third-person view.
S-RPGs
are a new innovative subset of role playing games that place emphasis on their storylines. MOBAs are multiplayer online battle arena games, which allow a player to join a team and work with his or her teammates to compete in a mapped field in order
to achieve a common goal. SLGs are simulation games, which allow players to control, manage and use game characters and items and to design and implement their own strategies to win the games.
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Changyous games are operated under the item-based revenue model, meaning game players can play
Changyous games for free, but may choose to pay for virtual items, which are
non-physical
items that game players can purchase and use within a game, such as gems, pets, fashion items, magic medicine,
riding animals, hierograms, skill books and fireworks. Through virtual items, players are able to enhance or personalize their game environments or game characters, accelerate their progress in Changyous games and share and trade with friends.
For players who choose to purchase virtual goods, Changyou delivers enhanced gameplay experiences and benefits, such as:
Accelerated
Progress.
Many of Changyous games offer players the option to purchase items that can accelerate their progress in the game
and increase their capabilities, so that they level up more quickly and compete more effectively against others in the game. While Changyou sells many items that accelerate progress in its games, Changyou monitors and carefully balances the
disparity in capabilities between paying and
non-paying
game players to avoid discouraging
non-paying
game players and to keep the game challenging and interesting for
paying game players.
Enhanced
Social
Interaction.
Changyou uses a variety of virtual items to promote interaction and to facilitate
relationship-building among game players in its games.
Personalized
and
Customized
Appearance.
Many of Changyous games
offer players the option to purchase decorative and functional items to customize the appearance of their characters, pets, vehicles, houses and other
in-game
possessions to express their individuality.
Gifts.
Many of Changyous games offer players the option to purchase gift items to send to their friends. Examples of gift items include
decorative items and time-limited items for special holiday events and festivals, such as Valentines Day, Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) and Christmas.
Changyous online game business includes games that it self-operates and games that it licenses out to third-party operators.
Self-Operated Games
For self-operated games,
Changyou determines the price of virtual items based on the demand or expected demand for such virtual items. Changyou may change the pricing of certain virtual items based on its consumption patterns. Changyou hosts the games on its own servers and
is responsible for sales and marketing of the games as well as customer service. Changyous self-operated games include PC games and mobile games developed in house as well as PC games and mobile games that Changyou licenses from or jointly
develops with third party developers.
Licensed Out Games
Changyou also authorizes third parties to operate its online games. Changyou currently licenses TLBB to third- party operators, including operators in Hong
Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Changyou licenses its mobile games TLBB 3D, Fengyun, Legend of Sword and Fairy 5 to third-party operators, including operators in Hong Kong, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Changyou also licenses some of its games, including Feng Yun, to third-party operators in China.
The licensed-out games include PC games and mobile games
developed in house as well as mobile games licensed from and jointly developed with third-party developers. Under Changyous licensing arrangements with third-party operators, the operators pay Changyou upfront license fees and Changyou has
revenue sharing rights over the terms of the licenses. The licenses are typically for a term of one to three years. Changyou provide updates and expansion packs for the licensed games, typically after it launches the updates and expansion packs in
China.
For
licensed-out
games, the third-party operators are responsible for all operations and costs, including
marketing and customer service, as well as the leasing and maintenance of servers.
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Platform Channel Business
Changyous platform channel business consists primarily of the operation of the 17173.com Website. The 17173.com Website, which is one of the leading game
information portals in China, provides news, electronic forums, online videos and other information services on online games to game players. Changyous platform channel business also offers a number of software applications for PCs and mobile
devices through RaidCall and the Dolphin Browser. RaidCall provides online music and entertainment services, primarily in Taiwan. The Dolphin Browser is a gateway to a host of user activities on mobile devices, with the majority of its users based
in Europe, Russia and Japan. As Changyou management had determined that the Dolphin Browser was unable to provide expected synergies with Changyous platform channel business, in 2016, Changyous Board of Directors approved the disposal
ofChangyous 51% equity interest in MoboTap, which is the mobile technology developer behind the Dolphin Browser. As of December 31, 2016, Changyou has been negotiating with a potential buyer on the terms of disposal. Accordingly, the
assets and liabilities attributable to MoboTap are classified as assets and liabilities held for sale and measured at the lower of their carrying amounts or their fair value, less cost to sell, in our consolidated balance sheet as of
December 31, 2016. All revenues generated by the 17173.com Website are classified as brand advertising revenues and IVAS revenues generated by the Dolphin Browser and by RaidCall are classified as other revenues in our consolidated statements
of comprehensive income. A relatively small amount of online game revenues generated by the Dolphin Browser are included in our online game revenues.
Cinema Advertising Business
Changyou also
operates a cinema advertising business, which consists primarily of the acquisition, from operators of movie theaters, and the sale, to advertisers, of
pre-film
advertising slots, which are advertisements
shown before the screening of a movie in a cinema theatre. Revenues generated by Changyous cinema advertising business are classified as other revenues in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
COMPETITION
The Internet and Internet-related markets in
China are rapidly evolving. We believe the rapid increase in Chinas online population will draw more attention to the PRC Internet market from both domestic and multinational competitors. Our existing competitors may in the future achieve
greater market acceptance and gain additional market share. It is also possible that new competitors may emerge and acquire significant market share. In addition, our competitors may leverage their existing Internet platforms to cross-sell newly
launched products and services. It is also possible that, as a result of deficiencies in legal protections afforded intellectual property in the Internet industry in China, or inadequate enforcement of existing PRC laws protecting such intellectual
property, we may not be able to prevent existing or new competitors from accessing and using our
in-house
developed Web content or technologies.
In recent years there have emerged three large conglomerates, Tencent, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (Alibaba) and Baidu, Inc.
(Baidu), that have a wide reach in the Internet industry in China, and between them tend to dominate key aspects of the industry through their own operations or through strategic investments in other companies. Each of these companies is
in a position to compete very effectively against us. For example, Alibaba alone competes with us in almost every key aspect of our business, competing with us in media through its investment in Sina Corporation (Sina); in online video
through its subsidiary Youku Tudou Inc. (Youku Tudou); and in online search through its subsidiary UCWeb Inc. (UCWeb).
During
July 2016, Qihoo 360 Technology Co., Ltd. (Qihoo), with which we compete in our search and search-related business, has completed a going private transaction resulting in the delisting of its shares from the New York Stock
Exchange, which could enhance Qihoos competitive position relative to ours by giving Qihoo greater flexibility in its business operations and an opportunity to seek high valuations on alternative share exchanges, such as PRC exchanges, which
could in turn provide Qihoo with increased capital resources, the ability to offer more valuable equity incentives for purposes of personnel recruiting, and valuable equity to use as consideration for strategic acquisitions.
Sohus Business
In the PRC Internet space,
competition for brand advertising business is intense and is expected to increase significantly in the future. We compete with our peers and competitors in China primarily on the following basis:
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access to financial resources;
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gateway to host of Internet users activities;
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technological advancements;
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attractiveness of products;
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volume of traffic and users;
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quality of Internet platforms and content;
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quality and quantity of purchased video content, self-developed video content, and user-generated content;
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strategic relationships;
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effectiveness of sales and marketing efforts;
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Over time, our competitors may gradually build certain competitive advantages over us in terms of:
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greater brand recognition among Internet users and clients;
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better products and services;
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larger user and advertiser bases;
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more extensive and well developed marketing and sales networks; and
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substantially greater financial and technical resources.
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There are a number of existing or new PRC Internet
companies, including those controlled or sponsored by private entities and by PRC government entities. As an Internet portal, we compete with various portals, including Tencent, Sina, NetEase.com, Inc. (NetEase), TouTiao.com and Phoenix
New Media Limited (Phoenix), and vertical sites, such as Autohome Inc.(Autohome), Bitauto Holdings Limited (BitAuto), Youku Tudou, Beijing Xin Lian Xin De Advertising Media Co., Ltd. (iQIYI), SouFun
Holdings Limited (SouFun), Leju Holdings Limited (Leju), and YY Inc. (YY).
We also compete with traditional forms of
media, such as newspapers, magazines, radio and television, for advertisers, advertising revenues and content. Some of these traditional media, such as CCTV, Xinhua News Agency and Peoples Daily, have extended their businesses into the
Internet market. As a result, we expect to face more intense competition with traditional media companies in both their traditional media and in the Internet-related markets.
Sogous Business
Our search and
search-related business mainly consists of
pay-for-click
services, as well as online marketing services on the Web directories operated by Sogou.
Pay-for-click
services face intense competition from other search engines, powered by Baidu, Qihoo, UCWeb and Google Inc. (Google). Online marketing services on
Web directories operated by Sogou also face intense competition from other Chinese Web directories, such as the 360 Personal
Start-up
Page of Qihoo and Hao123.com of Baidu.
Moreover, we compete with other technology-driven companies on developing and promoting
client-end
software and mobile
Internet products. For example, for the Sogou Input Method, we face competition from Baidu, IFLYTEK Co., Ltd. Microsoft and Google. For the Sogou Browser, we compete with Baidu, Alibaba, Qihoo, Cheetah, Microsoft and Google.
Our existing and potential competitors compete with us for users and advertisers on the basis of the quality and quantity of search results, the features,
availability and ease of use of products and services, and the number of marketing and distribution channels. They also compete with us for talent with technological expertise, which is critical to the sustained development of our products and
services. We also face competition from traditional forms of media.
10
Changyous Business
Online Game Business
In the online game industry,
Changyou competes principally with the following three groups of competitors in China:
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online game developers and/or operators in China that are publicly traded in the United States and in Hong Kong, including Tencent Holdings Limited, NetEase.com, Inc., Kingsoft Corporation Limited, IGG Inc. and
NetDragon Websoft Inc;
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other companies in China devoted to game development and/or operation that are publicly traded in China, such as Kalends Inc., Perfect World Co., Ltd. and Century Cruises (formerly known as Giant Interactive Group
Inc.), or privately-held companies, usually backed by venture capital or private equity, including Shulong Technologies (formerly known as Shanda Games Limited); and
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international competitors.
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Platform Channel Business
In the platform channel business, Changyous game information portal operated through the 17173.com Website currently competes in China with, among
others, the following game information portals:
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Duowan.com, operated by YY Inc; and
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game.sina.com.cn, operated by Sina Corporation.
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Cinema Advertising Business
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Focus Film, operated by Focus Media Group; and
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China Movie Media Group, operated by Wanda Cinema Line, a Wanda Group company.
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The existing and potential
competitors in the online games industry compete with Changyou for talent, game player spending, time spent on game playing, marketing activities, quality of games, and distribution network. The existing and potential competitors in the online
advertising industry compete with Changyou for talent, advertiser spending, number of unique visitors, number of page views, visitors time spent on Websites, and quality of service. The existing and potential competitors in the cinema
advertising industry compete with Changyou for cooperative relationships with operators of movie theaters that are popular among movie-goers, market share of quality
pre-film
advertisement slots, advertiser
spending, and experienced sales and marketing personnel.
OUR CORPORATE STRUCTURE
The charts below present the principal consolidated entities of Sohu.com Inc. not including our consolidated Changyou entities, and our principal consolidated
Changyou entities.
11
12
Principal Subsidiaries
The following are our China-based principal direct or indirect operating subsidiaries, all of which were established as wholly foreign-owned enterprises (or
WFOEs) under PRC law (collectively the China-Based Subsidiaries, or the PRC Subsidiaries):
For Sohus
Business
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Sohu Era, established in 2003;
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Sohu Media, established in 2006;
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Sohu New Momentum, established in 2010; and
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Video Tianjin, established in 2011.
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For Sogous Business
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Sogou Technology, established in 2006; and
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Sogou Network, established in 2012.
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For Changyous Business
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AmazGame, established in 2007;
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ICE Information, established in 2007 and acquired by Changyou in 2010;
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Gamespace, established in 2009;
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Yang Fan Jing He, established in 2010;
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Shanghai Jingmao, established in 2009 and acquired by Changyou in 2011;
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Beijing Jingmao, established in 2010 and acquired by Changyou in 2011;
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Brilliant Imagination, established in 2014; and
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Beijing Baina Technology, acquired by Changyou in 2014.
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Principal Variable Interest Entities
The following are our principal VIEs, which we established or acquired in China to perform value-added telecommunications services because of PRC
restrictions on direct foreign investment in and operation of value-added telecommunications businesses, which restrictions are discussed further below under the heading Government Regulation and Legal Uncertainties-Specific Statutes and
Regulations-Regulation of Foreign Direct Investment in Value-Added Telecommunications Companies. We entered into contractual arrangements between our VIEs and our PRC Subsidiaries that govern a substantial portion of our operations, including
those of the brand advertising business, the search and search-related business, the online game business and the others business. These entities are consolidated in Sohus consolidated financial statements, and noncontrolling interest is
recognized when applicable.
For Sohus Business
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High Century, a PRC company that was incorporated in 2001. As of December 31, 2016, Dr. Charles Zhang, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Wei Li, one of our employees, held 80% and 20%
interests, respectively, in this entity;
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Heng Da Yi Tong, a PRC company that was incorporated in 2002. As of December 31, 2016, Dr. Charles Zhang and Wei Li held 80% and 20% interests, respectively, in this entity;
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Sohu Internet, a PRC company that was incorporated in 2003. As of December 31, 2016, High Century held a 100% interest in this entity;
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Donglin, a PRC company that was incorporated in 2010. As of December 31, 2016, Sohu Internet held a 100% interest in this entity;
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Tianjin Jinhu, a PRC company that was incorporated in 2011. As of December 31, 2016, Xiufeng Deng and Xuemei Zhang, both of whom are our employees, each held a 50% interest in this entity:
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Guangzhou Qianjun, a PRC company that we acquired in November 2014. As of December 31, 2016, Tianjin Jinhu held a 100% interest in this entity; and
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Focus Interactive, a PRC company that was incorporated in July 2014. As of December 31, 2016, Heng Da Yi Tong held a 100% interest in this entity.
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For Sogous Business
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Sogou Information, a PRC company that was incorporated in 2005. As of December 31, 2016, Xiaochuan Wang, Sogous Chief Executive Officer, High Century and Tencent held 10%, 45% and 45% interests, respectively,
in this entity.
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For Changyous Business
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Gamease, a PRC company that was incorporated in 2007. As of December 31, 2016, High Century held a 100% interest in this entity;
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Guanyou Gamespace, a PRC company that was incorporated in 2010. As of December 31, 2016, Beijing Changyou Star Digital Technology Co., Ltd (Changyou Star) held a 100% interest in this entity;
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Shanghai ICE, a PRC company that was acquired by Changyou in 2010. As of December 31, 2016, Gamease held a 100% interest in this entity;
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Wuhan Baina Information, a PRC company that Gamease acquired in July 2014. As of December 31, 2016, Changyou Star and Yongzhi Yang, the former chief executive officer of MoboTap, held 60% and 40% interests,
respectively, in this entity.
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We have extended interest-free loans to the individual shareholders of the VIEs to fund their capital investment
in the VIEs. The loans are secured by pledges of the shareholders equity interests in the VIEs, and can only be repaid by the shareholders by surrender of those equity interests to us. We have also entered into a series of agreements with the
individual shareholders to transfer their equity interests in the VIEs to us when required to do so.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND LEGAL UNCERTAINTIES
The following description of PRC laws and regulations is based upon the opinion of Haiwen & Partners, or Haiwen, our PRC legal counsel.
The laws and regulations affecting Chinas Internet industry and other aspects of our business are at an early stage of development and are evolving. There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws
and regulations. We cannot assure you that the PRC regulatory authorities would find that our corporate structure and business operations strictly comply with PRC laws and regulations. If we are found to be in violation of PRC laws and regulations
by the PRC government, we may be required to pay fines, obtain additional or different licenses or permits, and/or change, suspend or discontinue our business operations until we are found to comply with applicable laws. For a description of legal
risks relating to our ownership structure and business, see Risk Factors.
Overview
The Chinese government has enacted an extensive regulatory scheme governing Internet-related areas, such as telecommunications, Internet information services,
international connections to computer information networks, online game services, information security and censorship.
Various aspects of the PRC
Internet industry are regulated by various PRC governmental authorities, including:
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the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT);
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the Ministry of Culture (MOC);
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the Ministry of Public Security (MPS);
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the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM);
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the State Administration of Industry and Commerce (SAIC);
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the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), which resulted from the merger of the former General Administration of Press and Publication, or (GAPP), with
the former State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), in March 2013. The SAPPRFT as used in this report refers to the governmental authority that resulted from the merger, as well as to the GAPP and the SARFT
separately for periods prior to the merger;
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the PRC State Council Information Office (SCIO);
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the Cyberspace Administration of China ( CAOC); and
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the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE).
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Specific Statutes and Regulations
Requirements for Establishment of WFOEs
Under the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on Foreign Investment Enterprises (the Foreign Investment Enterprises Law), promulgated on
April 12, 1986 and amended on October 31, 2000, the establishment of a WFOE was required to be approved by MOFCOM or one of its local branches. On September 3, 2016, the Foreign Investment Enterprises Law was further amended by the
Decision of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress on Amending Four Laws including the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprises, issued by the Standing Committee of the National
Peoples Congress, and on October 8, 2016 MOFCOM issued the Interim Measures for the Administration of Filing for Establishment and Change of the Foreign Investment Enterprises (the Interim Filing Measures). The Foreign
Investment Enterprises Law, as amended, and the Interim Filing Measures provide that, with certain exceptions, the establishment of foreign-invested enterprises is only subject to certain filing requirements with, and no longer requires prior
approval by, MOFCOM or its local branches.
15
Each of our WFOEs established before September 3, 2016 was established with proper approval, and we have not
established any WFOEs since September 3, 2016.
Requirements for Obtaining Business Licenses
All China-based companies may commence operations only upon the issuance of a business license by the relevant local branch of the SAIC. All of our China-Based
Subsidiaries and VIEs have been issued business licenses by the relevant local branches of the SAIC.
In the opinion of Haiwen, our principal China-Based
Subsidiaries and principal VIEs have satisfied the requirements for business licenses.
Regulation of Value-added Telecommunications Services
The
Telecommunications
Regulations
of
the
Peoples
Republic
of
China
(Telecom
Regulations)
, implemented on September 25, 2000 and amended on July 29, 2014, are the primary PRC law governing telecommunication services, and set out the general framework for the provision of
telecommunication services by domestic PRC companies. The Telecom Regulations require that telecommunications service providers procure operating licenses prior to commencing operations. The Telecom Regulations draw a distinction between basic
telecommunications services, which we generally do not provide, and value-added telecommunications services. The Telecom Regulations define value-added telecommunications services as telecommunications and information services
provided through public networks. The
Catalogue
of
Telecommunications
Business
(Catalogue),
which was issued as an attachment to the Telecom Regulations and updated in February 2003, identifies online
data and transaction processing,
on-demand
voice and image communications, domestic Internet virtual private networks, Internet data centers, message storage and forwarding (including voice mailbox,
e-mail
and online fax services), call centers, Internet access, and online information and data search as value-added telecommunications services. We engage in various types of business activities that are
value-added telecommunications services as defined and described by the Telecom Regulations and the Catalogue.
On March 1, 2009, the MIIT issued the
Measures
on
the
Administration
of
Telecommunications
Business
Operating
Permits
(the
Telecom
License
Measures)
, which became effective on
April 10, 2009, to supplement the Telecom Regulations and replace the previous
Administrative
Measures
for
Telecommunications
Business
Operating
Licenses.
The Telecom License Measures confirm
that there are two types of telecom operating licenses for operators in China, one for basic telecommunications services and one for value-added telecommunications services. A distinction is also made as to whether a license is granted for
intra-provincial or trans-regional (inter-provincial) activities. An appendix to each license granted will detail the permitted activities of the enterprise to which it was granted. An approved telecommunication services
operator must conduct its business (whether basic or value-added) in accordance with the specifications recorded in its Telecommunications Services Operating License.
The business activities of Sohu Internet include providing content to mobile phone users through the platforms of Chinas main three telecommunications
operators. An insignificant portion of our mobile revenues are currently derived through products such as SMS, RBT and IVR. On April 25, 2004, the MIIT issued a notice stating that China mobile network operators may only provide mobile network
access to those mobile Internet service providers which have obtained licenses from the relevant local arm of the MIIT before conducting operations. On the basis of the notice, China Mobile Communication Corporation (China Mobile) has
required each of its mobile Internet service providers to first obtain a license for trans-regional value-added telecommunications services in order to gain full access to its mobile network, which is a nationwide policy in line with a similar
notice issued by the Beijing branch of China Mobile on April 12, 2004.
On August 8, 2014, January 30, 2015, and June 2, 2016,
respectively, the MIIT issued to Sohu Internet, Guangzhou Qianjun, and Sogou Information renewed Value-Added Telecommunications Services Operating Licenses, which authorize the provision of trans-regional mobile services classified as value-added
telecommunication services. The licenses are subject to annual inspection.
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Regulation of Foreign Direct Investment in Value-Added Telecommunications Companies
Various PRC regulations currently restrict foreign-invested entities from engaging in value-added telecommunication services, including providing Internet
information services and operating online games. Foreign direct investment in telecommunications companies in China is regulated by the
Regulations
for
the
Administration
of
Foreign-Invested
Telecommunications
Enterprises
(
FITE
Regulations
)
, which were issued by the PRC State Council, or State Council, on December 11, 2001, became effective on January 1, 2002
and were amended on September 10, 2008 and February 6, 2016. The FITE Regulations stipulate that foreign invested telecommunications enterprises in the PRC (FITEs) must be established as Sino-foreign equity joint ventures.
Under the FITE Regulations and in accordance with
WTO-related
agreements, the foreign party to a FITE engaging in value-added telecommunications services may hold up to 50% of the equity of the FITE, with no
geographic restrictions on the FITEs operations. On June 30, 2016, the MIIT issued an
Announcement
of
the
Ministry
of
Industry
and
Information
Technology
on
Issues
concerning
the
Provision
of
Telecommunication
Services
in
the
Mainland
by
Service
Providers
from
Hong
Kong
and
Macao
(the MIIT Announcement), which provides that investors from Hong Kong and Macau may hold more than 50% of the equity in FITEs engaging in certain specified categories of value-added telecommunications services.
For a FITE to acquire any equity interest in a value-added telecommunications business in China, it must satisfy a number of stringent performance and
operational experience requirements, including demonstrating a track record and experience in operating a value-added telecommunications business overseas. FITEs that meet these requirements must obtain approvals from the MIIT and the MOFCOM or
their authorized local counterparts, which retain considerable discretion in granting approvals.
On July 13, 2006, the MIIT issued the
Notice
of
the
Ministry
of
Information
Industry
on
Intensifying
the
Administration
of
Foreign
Investment
in
Value-added
Telecommunications
Services
(the
MIIT
Notice),
which reiterates certain provisions of the FITE Regulations. Under the MIIT Notice, if a FITE intends to invest in a PRC value-added telecommunications business, the FITE must be
established and must apply for a telecommunications business license applicable to the business. Under the MIIT Notice, a domestic company that holds a license for the provision of Internet content services, or an ICP license, is considered to be a
type of value-added telecommunications business in China, and is prohibited from leasing, transferring or selling the license to foreign investors in any form, and from providing any assistance, including providing resources, sites or facilities, to
foreign investors to conduct value-added telecommunications businesses illegally in China. Trademarks and domain names that are used in the provision of Internet content services must be owned by the ICP license holder. The MIIT Notice requires each
ICP license holder to have appropriate facilities for its approved business operations and to maintain such facilities in the regions covered by its license. In addition, all value-added telecommunications service providers are required to maintain
network and information security in accordance with standards set forth in relevant PRC regulations. Our VIEs, rather than our subsidiaries, hold ICP licenses, own our domain names, and hold or have applied for registration in the PRC of trademarks
related to our business and own and maintain facilities that we believe are appropriate for our business operations.
In view of these restrictions on
foreign direct investment in the value-added telecommunications sector, we established or acquired several domestic VIEs to engage in value-added telecommunications services. For a detailed discussion of our VIEs, please refer to Our Corporate
Structure above. Due to a lack of interpretative materials from the relevant PRC authorities, there are uncertainties regarding whether PRC authorities would consider our corporate structure and contractual arrangements to constitute foreign
ownership of a value-added telecommunications business. See Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure. In order to comply with PRC regulatory requirements, we operate our main business through companies with which we have contractual
relationships but in which we do not have an actual ownership interest. If our current ownership structure is found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding the legality of foreign investment in the PRC
Internet sector, we could be subject to severe penalties.
In the opinion of Haiwen, subject to the uncertainties and risks disclosed elsewhere in this
report under the heading Risk Factors and Government Regulation and Legal Uncertainties, the ownership structures of our principal PRC Subsidiaries and our principal VIEs comply with all existing laws, rules and regulations
of the PRC and each of such companies has the full legal right, power and authority, and has been duly approved, to carry on and engage in the business described in its business license.
Regulation of the Provision of Internet Content
Internet Information Services
On September 25, 2000,
the State Council issued the
Measures
for
the
Administration
of
Internet
Information
Services
(ICP
Measures).
Under the ICP Measures, entities that provide information
to online users on the Internet, or ICPs, are obliged to obtain an operating license from the MIIT or its local branch at the provincial or municipal level in accordance with the Telecom Regulations described above.
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The ICP Measures further stipulate that entities providing online information services regarding news,
publishing, education, medicine, health, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment must procure the consent of the national authorities responsible for such areas prior to applying for an operating license from the MIIT or its local branch at the
provincial or municipal level. Moreover, ICPs must display their operating license numbers in conspicuous locations on their home pages. ICPs are required to police their Internet platforms and remove certain prohibited content. Many of these
requirements mirror Internet content restrictions that have been announced previously by PRC ministries, such as the MIIT, the MOC, and the SAPPRFT, that derive their authority from the State Council.
Sogou Information, Sohu Internet, Focus Interactive, Guangzhou Qianjun, Shanghai ICE, Guanyou Gamespace, Gamease and Wuhan Baina Information hold
Telecommunications and Information Services Operating Licenses (each an ICP license), each of which is subject to annual inspection.
In 2000,
the MIIT promulgated the
Internet
Electronic
Bulletin
Service
Administrative
Measures
(BBS Measures). The BBS Measures required ICPs to obtain specific approvals before they provided BBS
services, which included electronic bulletin boards, electronic forums, message boards and chat rooms. On September 23, 2014, the MIIT abolished the BBS Measures in a
Decision
on
Abolishment
and
Amendment
Certain
Regulations
and
Rules
. However, in practice certain local authorities still require operating companies to obtain approvals or make filings for the operation of BBS services. The ICP licenses held by Sohu
Internet, Sogou Information, Focus Interactive, Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace include such specific approval of the BBS services that they provide.
On
December 29, 2011, the MIIT issued
Several
Provisions
for
Standardizing
the
Market
Order
of
Internet
Information
Services
(the Several Provisions) which
took effect on March 15, 2012. With the aim of promoting the healthy development of the Internet information services market in China, the Several Provisions strengthen the regulation of the operations of Internet information service providers,
including prohibiting Internet information service providers from infringing the rights and interests of other Internet information service providers, regulating evaluations provided by Internet information service providers regarding the services
and products of other Internet information service providers, and regulating the installation and running of software by Internet information service providers. The Several Provisions also provide various rules to protect the interests of Internet
information users, such as requesting Internet information service providers to take measures to protect the privacy information of their users and prohibiting Internet information service providers from cheating and misleading their users.
Online News Dissemination
On September 25, 2005,
the
Administrative
Regulations
for
Internet
News
Information
Services
(News Regulations) were jointly promulgated by the SCIO and the MIIT to replace the previous
Provisional
Rules
for
the
Administration
of
the
Operation
of
News
Publication
Services
by
Web
Sites
(Old News Rules) issued on November 7, 2000.
The News Regulations stipulate that general Websites established by
non-news
organizations, such as Sohu, may publish news released by certain official news agencies if such Websites satisfy the requirements
set forth in Article 8 of the News Regulations but may not publish news items produced by themselves or other news sources. The News Regulations also require the general Websites of
non-news
organizations to
apply to the SCIO at the national level for approval after securing the consent of the SCIO at the provincial level before they commence providing news dissemination services.
Requirements specified in the News Regulations include the following:
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non-news
organizations Websites must comply with the constitution, laws and regulations of the PRC, uphold and not mislead the societys public opinion, and safeguard
national and public interests;
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non-news
organizations must have sound administrative rules and regulations concerning Internet news services;
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non-news
organizations must have the necessary premises, equipment and legally-raised funds;
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non-news
organizations must have ten or more professional news editors, at least five of whom have worked at a news agency for a minimum of three years;
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non-news
organizations must be legal persons who have been legally established for at least two years, engaged in the operation of Internet news services and have not had
administrative penalties imposed due to violation of laws and regulations on the administration of Internet news services within the last two years;
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if the applicant for the SCIO approval is an entity, its registered capital must not be less than RMB10,000,000 (or approximately $1.5 million); and
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non-news
organizations must only republish or disseminate to the public news regarding current events and political affairs that has been published by State news agencies or news
agencies directly subordinate to the respective governments of the provinces, autonomous regions or directly-administered municipalities, without distorting the news as reported by those agencies, and indicate the source of such news information;
and shall not publish news gathered and edited by themselves.
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In addition, general Websites intending to publish news released by approved
agencies must enter into agreements with those agencies and submit copies of those agreements to the relevant administration department.
On July 3,
2016, the CAOC issued a Notice on Further Strengthening the Management and Prevention of Fake News (the Fake News Notice). The Fake News Notice requires all providers of online news services, including news applications, Weibo and
WeChat, to establish and maintain rigorous internal supervision and management systems and to not provide any news without identifying the sources of the news, invent news, report news based on hearsay or distort facts.
On May 11, 2004, Sohu Internet obtained a permit to engage in online news dissemination services, which was issued by the Information Office of the
Beijing Municipal Government (the local arm of the SCIO) under the Old News Rules. On June 6, 2006, the permit was updated by the SCIO in accordance with the News Regulations.
Internet Publishing
On February 4, 2016, the
SAPPRFT and MIIT jointly issued the Rules for the Administration for Internet Publishing Services (the Internet Publishing Rules) to replace the Provisional Rules for the Administration for Internet Publishing that had been jointly
issued by the SAPPRFT and the MIIT on June 27, 2002. The Internet Publishing Rules define Internet publications as digital works that are edited, produced or processed to be published and provided to the public through the Internet,
including (a) original digital works, such as pictures, maps, games, and comics; (b) digital works with content that is consistent with the type of content that, prior to the Internet age, typically was published in media such as books,
newspapers, periodicals, audio-visual products, and electronic publications; (c) digital works in the form of online databases compiled by selecting, arranging and compiling other types of digital works; and (d) other types of digital
works identified by the SAPPRFT. Under the Internet Publishing Rules, Web portals such as ours are required to apply to and register with the SAPPRFT before distributing Internet publications.
On December 22, 2010, Sohu Internet obtained an Internet publishing license issued by the SAPPRFT, and has recently applied to the SAPPRFT to have the
license renewed. For the details of the Internet publishing licenses held by Changyous VIEs, see Specific Statutes and Regulations - Regulation of Online Game Services Online Games and Cultural Products.
Online Audiovisual Transmission Through the Public Internet
On December 20, 2007, the SAPPRFT and the MIIT jointly issued
Rules
for
the
Administration
of
Internet
Audiovisual
Program
Services
(Document 56), which came into effect as of January 31, 2008. Document 56 requires all online audio and video service providers to be either state-owned or state-controlled and to
obtain a permit for the Network Transmission of Audiovisual Programs. However, at a press conference held on February 3, 2008 the SAPPRFT and the MIIT clarified that online audio-visual service providers that were already lawfully operating
prior to the issuance of Document 56 may
re-register
and continue to operate without becoming state-owned or controlled, provided that such providers do not engage in any unlawful activities. This exemption
will not be granted to service providers set up after Document 56 was issued. As we were already engaged in online audiovisual transmission prior to the issuance of Document 56, we are presumably exempted from the requirement of being state-owned or
state-controlled. Sohu Internet and Guangzhou Qianju currently hold permits, both for PC and for Mobile Apps, for the Network Transmission of Audiovisual Programs.
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On March 30, 2009, the SAPPRFT released a
Notice
on
Strengthening
the
Administration
of
Online
Audiovisual
Content
(the March 2009 SAPPRFT notice). March 2009 SAPPRFT notice requires the operators of audiovisual Websites to enhance their processes for protecting
copyrights, and to take appropriate measures to protect the rights and interests of copyright holders. Operators of such sites must hold, or have a license to, the copyright to all content that they transmit. In addition, the March 2009 SAPPRFT
notice stipulates that only those films or TV programs that have already obtained from the SAPPRFT a Film Public Screening Permit, TV Drama Distribution Permit, TV Animation Distribution Permit, or TV Documentary Film Screening Permit are allowed to
be transmitted via audiovisual Websites. These permits are mandatory for all films and programs shown on TV and in cinemas in China and must be obtained before such film or TV or program is allowed to be released. The approval applications for the
Film Public Screening Permit, Television Drama Distribution Permit, Television Animation Distribution Permit or Television Documentary Film Screening Permit are extremely difficult and time-consuming, and the SAPPRFT previously did not enforce very
strictly the requirements regarding these permits. However, on September 2, 2014, the SAPPRFT issued a
Notice
on
Further
Strengthening
the
Administration
of
Online
Foreign
Audiovisual
Content
(September 2014 SAPPRFT Notice), which requires that operators of audiovisual Websites to obtain from the SAPPRFT a Film Public Screening Permit, TV Drama Distribution Permit, or TV Animation
Distribution Permit for all foreign films and TV dramas before they are transmitted via the Internet in China. The September 2014 SAPPRFT Notice further stipulates that before any foreign films or TV dramas for transmission exclusively via the
Internet are purchased after the promulgation of the September 2014 SAPPRFT Notice, operators of audiovisual Websites must declare their annual purchasing plans with the SAPPRFT before the end of the year preceding the year of the intended broadcast
and obtain the SAPPRFTs approval. The September 2014 SAPPRFT Notice also states that the number of foreign films and TV dramas to be purchased by an operator and transmitted via its Website in a single year may not exceed 30% of the total
amount of the Chinese films and TV dramas purchased and transmitted by the same Website in the previous year.
On April 1, 2010, SAPPRFT issued a
Catalogue
of
Classification
of
Internet
Audio-Video
Program
Services
(Trial)
(the Internet Audio-Video Program Catalogue). The Internet Audio-Video Program Catalogue
classifies Internet audio-video program services (excluding IPTV, Internet TV and mobile TV services) into four categories, consisting of (i) Internet audio-video programs sponsored and broadcast through Internet radio and television stations,
including political news, political talk shows, self-produced news programs and live programs of vital political, military, economic, social and sports activities; (ii) reprints of political news, Internet hosting, interviews, report and
commentary services in entertainment, technology, financial, sports and educational audio-video programs, production and broadcasting of Internet dramas, compilation and broadcasting of entertainment, technology, financial, sports and education
audio-video programs, and live broadcasting of cultural and sports activities; (iii) aggregation and broadcasting of Internet audio-video programs and
user-uploaded
audio-video programs; and
(iv) retransmission of Internet audio-video programs. A permit for the Network Transmission of Audiovisual Programs specifies the scope of the services under one or more of these categories that the holder of the permit is allowed to provide.
Our permit for the Network Transmission of Audiovisual Programs allows us to provide services mostly under the categories described in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) above.
On July 6, 2012, the SAPPRFT issued a
Notice
on
Further
Strengthening
the
Administration
of
Internet
Dramas,
Micro
Movies
and
Other
Internet
Audiovisual
programs
(the 2012 SAPPRFT Notice 53), which reiterates that online audio-visual service providers must obtain a
Permit for the Network Transmission of Audiovisual Programs from the SAPPRFT. The 2012 SAPPRFT Notice 53 further stipulates that online audio-visual service providers must review the content of Internet audiovisual programs prior to their
transmission and must file certain information, such as the names of the Internet audiovisual programs, summaries of their content and names of the persons conducting the reviews, with the appropriate provincial office of the SAPPRFT.
On January 2, 2014, the SAPPRFT issued a
Supplemental
Notice
on
2012
SAPPRFT
Notice
53
, which stipulates
that producers of Internet dramas, micro movies and other Internet audiovisual programs must obtain a Permit for Radio and Television Program Production and Operation. Online audio-visual service providers may only retransmit dramas and micro movies
produced and uploaded by individuals whose identities have been verified and the content of which complies with relevant regulations. Online audio-visual service providers must file with the provincial SAPPRFT the content of Internet audiovisual
programs proposed for transmission prior to transmitting the programs.
On November 4, 2016, the SAPPRFT issued a
Notice
on
Further
Strengthening
the
Planning,
Development
and
Administration
of
Original
Internet
Audiovisual
Programs
(Document 198). Document 198 stipulates that
if online service providers plan to produce and disseminate audiovisual programs that are considered to be key audiovisual programs under Document 198, the service providers must, during the early planning and development stage, file a summary of
the programs and their titles, producer names, themes, and duration with the SAPPRFT and, for audiovisual programs with sensitive themes such as politics, military, diplomacy, national security, national sovereignty, religion, the PRC justice system
and public security, consult with designated PRC governmental authorities before production of the programs.
20
Private Network and Targeted Communication Audiovisual Program Services
On April 25, 2016, the SAPPRFT issued
the
Provisions
on
the
Administration
of
Private
Network
and
Targeted
Communication
Audiovisual
Program
Services
(the Private Network Audiovisual Programs Administration Provisions), effective on June 1, 2016, to replace the
Measures
for
the
Administration
of
the
Transmission
of
Audiovisual
Programs
over
Internet
and
other
Information
Networks
that had been issued by the
SAPPRFT on July 6, 2004. The Private Network Audiovisual Programs Administration Provisions stipulate that private network and targeted communication audiovisual program services include the provision, integrated control, transmission and
distribution of audiovisual content through IPTV, targeted mobile television, television network and other targeted channels. The Private Network Audiovisual Programs Administration Provisions provide that operators engaging in private network and
targeted communication audiovisual program services must obtain a permit for the Network Transmission of Audiovisual Programs from the SAPPRFT. The Private Network Audiovisual Programs Administration Provisions provide that only PRC
state-owned
or state-controlled entities may engage in private network and targeted communication audiovisual program services. We provide a small amount of audiovisual program services through private network
and/or targeted communication channels, such as IPTVs and television networks. In order to comply with the Private Network Audiovisual Programs Administration Provisions, we partner with PRC state-owned entities for the provision of such services
through private network and targeted communication channels. According to a press conference of SAPPRFT regarding the Private Network Audiovisual Programs Administration Provisions, Internet audiovisual program services provided through the public
Internet, which include our main online video services, other than private network and targeted communication channels should comply with Document 56. See Government Regulation and Legal Uncertainties - Specific Statutes and Regulations -
Regulation of the Provision of Internet Content Online Audiovisual Transmission through Public Internet for a description of regulations affecting Internet Audio-video program services provided through the public Internet.
Online Cultural Products
On May 10, 2003, the MOC
issued the
Provisional
Regulations
for
the
Administration
of
Online
Culture
(Online Culture Regulations), which took effect on July 1, 2003 and were amended on July 1,
2004. On February 17, 2011, the MOC issued the new
Provisional
Regulations
for
the
Administration
of
Online
Culture
(New Online Culture Regulations), which took effect on
April 1, 2011, to replace the previous regulations. The New Online Culture Regulations apply to entities engaging in activities related to Internet cultural products, which include those cultural products that are produced specially
for Internet use, such as online music and entertainment, online games, online plays, online performances, online works of art and Web animations, and those cultural products that, through technical means, produce or reproduce music, entertainment,
games, plays and other art works for Internet dissemination. Pursuant to the New Online Culture Regulations, commercial entities are required to apply to the relevant local branch of the MOC for an Online Culture Operating Permit if they engage in
any of the following types of activities:
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the production, duplication, importation, release or broadcasting of Internet cultural products;
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the dissemination of online cultural products on the Internet or transmission thereof via Internet or mobile phone networks to user terminals such as computers, fixed-line or mobile phones, television sets ,gaming
consoles and Internet surfing service sites such as Internet cafés for the purpose of browsing, using or downloading such products; or
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the exhibition or holding of contests related to Internet cultural products.
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On January 6, 2017, the MOC
issued Trial Measures of Administration of Cultural Market Blacklist (the Blacklist Measures), which stipulate that cultural products containing prohibited content, including content so specified by the New Online Culture Regulations,
that has a material adverse effect on society will be listed in a cultural product blacklist published by the MOC or its local branches. Any future application made to the MOC or its local branches by an online cultural operator that has
engaged in the distribution of cultural products included in the blacklist will be subject to heightened scrutiny.
On July 1, 2016, the MOC issued a
Notice
on
Strengthening
the
Administration
of
Online
Performanc
e (the Online Performance Notice) and on December 2, 2016, issued the
Measures
of
Administration
of
Online
Performance
Operating
Activities
(the Online Performance Measures), which became effective on January 1, 2017. The Online Performance Notice and the Online
Performance Measures both stipulate that online performance service providers must obtain an Online Culture Operating Permit and that online performances must not contain any content that is horrific, cruel, violent, vulgar or humiliating in nature,
mocks persons with disabilities, includes photographs or video clips that infringe third parties privacy or other rights, features animal abuse, or presents characters and other features of online games that have not been registered and
approved for publication by applicable PRC governmental authorities.
21
On September 2, 2016, the SAPPRFT issued the
Notice
on
Strengthening
the
Management
of
Live
Online
Social
Video
Services
(the Live Online Notice), which requires interactive broadcasting service providers to procure a permit for the Network Transmission of
Audiovisual Programs. Sohu Internet and Guangzhou Qianju currently hold permits for the Network Transmission of Audiovisual Programs. The Live Online Notice also stipulates that a service provider must make a filing with the local SAPPRFT branch at
least five days before making any live broadcast of any significant political, military, economic, social, cultural or sports activities and at least 48 hours before making any live broadcast of other cultural or sports activities. On
November 4, 2016, the CAOC issued the Provisions on the Administration of Online Live Social Video Services (the Live Social Video Provisions) effective December 1, 2016. The Live Social Video Provisions provide that business
entities such as us that offer interactive broadcasting services on their Internet platforms have the primary responsibility for monitoring content disseminated by interactive broadcasting hosts and viewers through such services, and must allocate
sufficient staff in line with the scale of such services and establish and maintain adequate internal policies and procedures for, among other things, content review, information security management, emergency management and technical support. The
Live Social Video Provisions also require that Internet providers verify the real-name identity of interactive broadcasting hosts and viewers before allowing them to establish user accounts with the Internet providers and take appropriate remedial
actions, such as issuing warnings, removing posted content, or terminating the users account, with respect to interactive broadcasting content or activity that is prohibited by the Live Social Video Provisions. Internet providers are subject
to administrative penalties and other sanctions for noncompliance with the Live Social Video Provisions.
Sohu Internet, Guangzhou Qianjun, Focus
Interactive, Sogou Information, Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace, Shanghai ICE and Wuhan Baina information currently hold Online Culture Operating Permits, each of which is subject to annual inspection.
Mobile Internet Applications Information Services
On
June 28, 2016, the CAOC issued the
Provisions
on
the
Administration
of
Mobile
Internet
Applications
Information
Services
(the APP Provisions), which became
effective on August 1, 2016. Under the APP Provisions, mobile application providers and application store service providers are prohibited from engaging in any activity that may endanger national security, disturb the social order, or infringe
the legal rights of third parties, and may not produce, copy, issue or disseminate through mobile applications any content prohibited by laws and regulations. The APP Provisions also require application providers to procure relevant approval to
provide services through such applications and require application store service providers to register with local branch offices of the CAOC within 30 days after they start providing application store services. We have procured the required
approvals for services that we provide through our mobile applications. Sogou has filed an application for registration with the applicable local branch of the CAOC with respect to Sogous provision of application store services.
Internet Map Services
Under the
Opinions
on
Stren
g
thening
the
Supervision
of
Internet
Map
and
Geographic
Information
Services
and the
Notices
on
Further
Strengthening
the
Management
of
Internet
Map
Services
Permit
issued on February 25, 2008 and December 23, 2011, respectively, by the State Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geo-information (the
SASMG, formerly known as the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping) and the
Administrative
Regulations
on
Maps
issued by the State Council on November 26, 2015, effective on January 1, 2016, any
provider of Internet map services that is not a professional surveying and mapping enterprise must obtain the approval of the SASMG or its local branches and a Surveying and Mapping Qualification Certificate in order to provide such services. In
addition, providers of Internet map services must use maps obtained through government-approved channels and display the SASMG approval number, the Surveying and Mapping Qualification Certificate number and the Telecommunications Services Operating
License number in conspicuous locations on their Websites.
On January 1, 2014, the SASMG issued new
Administrative
Regulations
on
Surveying
and
Mapping
Qualification
Certificate
and
Classification
Standard
on
Surveying
and
Mapping
Qualification
Certificate
(the
SASMG Regulations and Standards) to replace previous regulations issued on June 1, 2004 and April 12, 2010. Under the SASMG Regulations and Standards, there are two types of Surveying and Mapping Qualification certificates that
may be issued to providers of Internet map services. A Class A certificate allows a holder to provide (i) map-location services,
(ii) geo-information
uploading and dimension services, and
(iii) geo-information
database development services, while a holder of a Class B certificate may only provide the first two types of services.
22
On July 26, 2016, the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping (the SBSM) and the Office of the
Central Leading Group for Cyberspace Affairs (the OCLGCA) jointly issued a
Notice
on
Standardizing
the
Usage
of
Maps
by
Internet
Services
Providers
(the
Maps Usage Notice), which stipulates that all the Internet service providers must review and use maps in accordance with the PRC
Surveying
and
Mapping
Law
and
Administrative
Regulations
on
Maps
. The Maps Usage Notice requires that maps displayed by Internet service providers be obtained through government-approved channels and identify their sources and censor numbers. Internet service providers are prohibited from using maps
obtained from unaccredited sources, including foreign Websites. All maps, other than scenic maps, block maps, subway maps and other specified maps, must be reviewed by PRC governmental authorities before they are published, and must not contain any
information or content specified as prohibited in the Maps Usage Notice.
Internet Medical, Health and Pharmaceuticals Information Dissemination
Under the
Measures
for
the
Administration
of
Internet
Pharmaceuticals
Information
Services
(the Pharmaceuticals Information Services Measures) issued by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) on July 8, 2004, the formal approval of the SFDA or one of its local branches is required before
a Website may disseminate information concerning pharmaceuticals.
Under the Pharmaceuticals Information Services Measures, medical, health and
pharmaceutical information provided by Websites must be scientific and accurate and must indicate the sources of such information. Websites that have received approval to disseminate such information must also publish or reprint health policies,
information on epidemics and major health-related incidents, and other health-related information in accordance with law. Furthermore, medical and pharmaceutical advertisements published by such Websites must not exaggerate the efficacy or promote
the medical uses of such products.
Sohu Internet, Guangzhou Qianjun, and Sogou Information received renewed SFDA approval on November 26, 2014,
April 30, 2014 and November 10, 2016, respectively.
Regulation of Online Advertising Services
Brand Advertising Services
On April 24, 2015, the
Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress enacted the
Advertising
Law
of
the
Peoples
Republic
of
China
(New Advertising Law). The New Advertising Law, which
was a major overhaul of an advertising law enacted in 1994, increases the potential legal liability of providers of advertising services, and includes provisions intended to strengthen identification of false advertising and the power of regulatory
authorities. On July 4, 2016, the SAIC issued the
Interim
Measures
of
the
Administration
of
Online
Advertising
(the SAIC Interim Measures), effective on September 1, 2016.
The New Advertising Law and the SAIC Interim Measures both provide that advertisements posted or published through the Internet may not affect users normal usage of a network, and advertisements published in the form of
pop-up
windows on the Internet must display a close sign prominently and ensure
one-key
closing of the
pop-up
windows. The
SAIC Interim Measures provide that all online advertisements must be marked Advertisement so that viewers can easily identify them as such. Moreover, the SAIC Interim Measures treat
pay-for-click
search results as advertisements that are subject to PRC advertisement laws, and require that
pay-for-click
search
results be conspicuously identified on search result pages as advertisements. The New Advertising Law and SAIC Interim Measures will require us to conduct more stringent examination and monitoring of our advertisers and the content of their
advertisements.
On April 13, 2016, the SAIC and sixteen other PRC government agencies jointly issued a
Notice
of
Campaign
to
Crack
Down
on
Illegal
Internet
Finance
Advertisements
and
Other
Financial
Activities
in
the
Name
of
Investment
Management
(the Campaign Notice), pursuant to which a campaign was conducted between April 2016 and January 2017 targeting, among other things, online advertisements for Internet finance and other financial activities
posted on Internet search portals and other portal, financial, real estate, P2P and investment product sales services Websites.
Search and
search-related Services
On August 18, 2009, the MOC issued a
Notice
on
Strengthening
and
Improving
the
Content
Censorship
of
Online
Music
Content
(MOC Notice). The MOC Notice provides that providing direct links to online music will constitute engaging in the online music business, and that
therefore an Online Culture Operating Permit is required for providing such search services. Sogou Information applied for an Online Culture Operating Permit and received it on November 9, 2010. The permit was renewed on December 2, 2016.
23
On June 25, 2016, the CAOC issued
Measures
for
the
Administration
of
Online
Information
Search
Services
(the CAOC Interim Measures), which came into effect on August 1, 2016. The CAOC Interim Measures, like the SAIC Interim Measures, require that providers of online search
services verify the credentials of
pay-for-click
advertisers, specify a maximum percentage that
pay-for-click
search results may represent of results on a search page, and require that providers of search services conspicuously identify
pay-for-click
search results as such.
Regulation of Online Game Services
Online Games and Cultural Products
In
September 2009, the SAPPRFT, together with the National Copyright Administration and the National Office of Combating Pornography and Illegal Publications, jointly issued a
Notice
on
Further
Strengthening
on
the
Administration
of
Pre-examination
and
Approval
of
Online
Game
and
the
Examination
and
Approval
of
Imported
Online
Game
(the SAPPRFT Online Game Notice). The SAPPRFT Online Game Notice states that foreign investors are not permitted to invest in online game operating businesses in China via wholly foreign-owned
entities, China-foreign equity joint ventures or cooperative joint ventures or to exercise control over or participate in the operation of domestic online game businesses through indirect means, such as other joint venture companies or contractual
or technical arrangements. If the VIE structure of Changyou was deemed under the SAPPRFT Online Game Notice to be an indirect means for foreign investors to exercise control over or participate in the operation of a domestic online game
business, the VIE structure of Changyou might be challenged by the SAPPRFT. We are not aware of any online game companies which use the same or similar VIE contractual arrangements as those Changyou uses having been challenged by the SAPPRFT as
using those VIE arrangements as an indirect means for foreign investors to exercise control over or participate in the operation of a domestic online game business or having been penalized or ordered to terminate operations since the
SAPPRFT Online Game Notice first became effective. However, it is unclear whether and how the SAPPRFT Online Game Notice might be interpreted or implemented in the future.
On February 21, 2008, the SAPPRFT issued Rules for the Administration of Electronic Publications (the Electronic Publication Rules), which
were amended on August 28, 2015. The Electronic Publication Rules regulate the production, publishing and importation of electronic publications in the PRC and outline a licensing system for business operations involving electronic publishing.
Under the Electronic Publication Rules and other related regulations issued by the SAPPRFT, online games are classified as a type of electronic publication or Internet publication that may only be provided by a licensed electronic publishing entity
with a standard publication code, and the establishment of an electronic publishing entity must be approved by the SAPPRFT. Electronic publishing entities are responsible for assuring that the content of electronic publications comply with relevant
PRC law and regulations, and must obtain the approval of the SAPPRFT before publishing foreign electronic publications. The Measures of Internet Publication Service Administration issued by the SAPPRFT and the MIIT (the New Internet
Publication Measures), which became effective on March 10, 2016 and replaced the Temporary Measures for Internet Publication Administration that had become effective in 2002, require that entities in the Internet publishing business apply
for an online publication license and obtain approval from the SAPPRFT prior to the publication of new online games. In addition, under the New Internet Publication Measures, Sino-foreign joint ventures and foreign-invested entities are not
permitted to engage in Internet publication services, and the legal representative of an entity providing Internet publication services may not be a foreigner.
Gamease, which is the operator of TLBB, BO, BH2 and certain other licensed PC games, and Guanyou Gamespace, which provides online game services, obtained
Internet publishing licenses on December 10, 2010 and October 13, 2011, respectively. TLBB, BO, BH2 and some of Changyous other games were historically published through third parties that were licensed electronic publishing
entities, because Gamease had not obtained an Internet publishing license at the time those online games were made publicly available. TLBB, BO and BH2 and certain of Changyous other existing games are currently published under an Internet
publishing license held by Gamease. Current PRC regulations are not clear as to the consequences of obtaining authorization codes through third-party electronic publishing entities. While we believe that arrangements like Changyous are
acknowledged by the SAPPRFT, in view of the lack of formal interpretation regarding this issue, the SAPPRFT might challenge Changyous current and past practices and could subject Changyou to various penalties, including fines, confiscation of
publishing equipment and the revenues generated from the publishing activities, the revocation of Changyous business license, or the forced discontinuation of or restrictions on its operations.
24
On May 24, 2016, the SAPPRFT issued the Mobile Game Notice, which became effective on July 1, 2016 and
sets forth requirements for the publication and operation of mobile games online, including requiring that mobile game publishers and operators, including joint operators, review the content of the games that they publish and operate, and apply for
publication and authorization codes at least 20 business days before first publishing and operating domestic recreational and educational mobile games through open beta testing. The Mobile Game Notice, as updated by a subsequent notice, specified
that game publishers and game operators were required to review the content of mobile games that were published and operated online before July 1, 2016, and to complete approval procedures for those games before December 31, 2016, or to
cease operating the games. Changyou completed prior to December 31, 2016 all of the approval procedures required by the SAPPRFT for its mobile games that were in operation before July 1, 2016.
The MOC issued the
New
Provisional
Regulations
for
the
Administration
of
Online
Culture
, or the
Online Culture Regulations, which took effect on April 1, 2011 and replaced the
Provisional
Regulations
for
the
Administration
of
Online
Culture
. The Online Culture Regulations apply to
entities engaging in activities related to Internet cultural products, which include cultural products that are produced specifically for Internet use, such as online music and entertainment, online games, online plays, online
performances, online works of art and Web animation, and other online cultural products that through technical means, produce or reproduce music, entertainment, games, plays and other art works for Internet dissemination. Under the New Online
Culture Regulations, commercial entities are required to apply to the relevant local branch of the MOC for an Online Culture Operating Permit if they engage in the production, duplication, importation, release or broadcasting of Internet cultural
products; the dissemination of online cultural products on the Internet or the transmission of such products via Internet or mobile phone networks to user terminals, such as computers, phones, television sets and gaming consoles, or Internet surfing
service sites such as Internet cafés; or the holding or exhibition of contests related to Internet cultural products. In January 2008 Gamease obtained an Online Culture Operating Permit, which was
re-certified
in October 2015; in June 2011 Guanyou Gamespace obtained an Online Culture Operating Permit, which was
re-certified
in October 2015; and in December 2010
Shanghai ICE obtained an Online Culture Operating Permit, which was
re-certified
in January 2014.
The Interim
Measures for the Administration of Online Games (Online Game Measures), issued by the MOC, which took effect on August 1, 2010, regulate a broad range of activities related to the online games business, including the development,
production and operation of online games, the issuance of virtual currencies used for online games, and the provision of virtual currency trading services. The Online Game Measures provide that any entity that is engaged in online game operations
must obtain an Online Culture Operating Permit, and require the content of an imported online game to be examined and approved by the MOC prior to the games launch and a domestic online game to be filed with the MOC within 30 days after its
launch. The
Notice
of
the
Ministry
of
Culture
on
the
Implementation
of
the
Interim
Measures
for
the
Administration
of
Online
Games,
which was issued by the MOC on July 29, 2010 to implement the Online Game Measures (i) requires online game operators to protect the interests of online game users and specifies certain terms that must be
included in service agreements between online game operators and the users of their online games, (ii) specifies content review of imported online games and filing procedures for domestic online games, (iii) emphasizes the importance of
the protection of minors playing online games, and (iv) requests online game operators to promote real-name registration by their game users. On December 1, 2016, the MOC issued the Online Game Operation Notice, which will become effective
on May 1, 2017. The Online Game Operation Notice includes clarification of products and services that will be considered to be within the scope of the operation of online games, provides enhanced standards for the issuance of and payment for
virtual items used in online games and enhanced protection of online games users, and announces more stringent supervision of the operation of online games and penalties for violations by online game operators of regulations with respect to the
operation of online games. The Online Game Operation Notice stipulates that game operators are prohibited from providing lucky draws or lotteries that are conducted on the condition that participants contribute cash or virtual currency in exchange
for virtual items and services; must timely publish the name, properties, description, amount, and probability of winning for such lucky draws or lotteries on either the Website of the game or the Web page on which such lucky draws or lotteries are
provided; must require real-name registration of game players who wish to enter such lucky draws or lotteries; and must publish the results of such lucky draws or lotteries on the Website of or other conspicuous location in the game; and must
maintain all relevant records for at least 90 days. The Online Game Operation Notice also stipulates that online game operators must require real-name registration of online game players and may sell game points and virtual items only to real-name
registered game players, must set limits on the maximum amount of game points for a particular game that game players may purchase in a single transaction, must require confirmation of transaction information by game players placing orders and must
maintain all relevant records for at least 180 days. Changyou filed its games TLBB, BO, BH2, and certain of its other existing games with the MOC. If Changyou fails to maintain any of its permits, approvals or registrations, to make any necessary
filings, or to apply for and obtain any required new permits, approvals or registrations or make any new filings on a timely basis, it may be subject to various penalties, including fines and a requirement that it discontinue or limit its
operations.
25
The
Notice
on
Strengthening
the
Approval
and
Administration
of
Imported
Online
Games
(the SAPPRFT Imported Online Game Notice), which was issued by the SAPPRFT and took effect in July 2009, states that the SAPPRFT is the only governmental department authorized by the
State Council to approve the importation of online games from offshore copyright owners, and that any enterprise which engages in online game publication and operation services within China must have the game examined and approved by the SAPPRFT and
receive from the SAPPRFT an Internet publishing license. Changyous VIEs Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace have obtained Internet publishing licenses from the SAPPRFT. In addition, the Imported Online Game Notice states that activities which
involve the showing, exhibition, trading and promotion of offshore online games in China must be examined and approved by the SAPPRFT.
The
Notice
Regarding
Improving
and
Strengthening
the
Administration
of
Online
Game
Content
(the Online Game Content Notice), issued by the MOC in November 2009, calls for online
game operators to improve and adapt their game models by (i) mitigating the predominance of the upgrade by monster fighting model, (ii) limiting the use of the player kill model (where one players character
attempts to kill another players character), (iii) limiting
in-game
marriages among game players, and (iv) improving their compliance with legal requirements for the registration of minors and
game time-limits.
The
Administrative
Measures
for
Content
Self-Review
by
Internet
Culture
Business
Entities
, which took effect in December 2013, require Internet culture business entities to review the content of products and services to be provided prior to providing such content and services to the public. The content
management system of an Internet culture business entity is required to specify the responsibilities, standards and processes for content review as well as accountability measures, and is required be filed with the local provincial branch of the
MOC.
In January 2014, the SAIC promulgated the
Administrative
Measures
for
Online
Trading
(the Online Trading
Measures), which took effect on March 15, 2014, and replaced the Interim Measures for the
Administration
of
Online
Commodities
Trading
and
Relevant
Services
, issued by the SAIC,
which had taken effect on July 1, 2010. The Online Trading Measures regulate online commodity trading and related activities. The Online Trading Measures require that online transactions in commodities or services comply with the provisions of
all applicable laws, regulations and rules. When selling commodities or providing services to consumers, online operators must comply with all applicable laws with respect to the protection of consumer rights and interests, the protection of
intellectual property rights of others and the prevention of unfair competition. Information provided with respect to commodities and services provided by online commodity operators or related service operators must be authentic and accurate. If
Changyou fails to comply with all requirements of the Online Trading Measures, the local branch of the SAIC or another governmental authority with jurisdiction might impose penalties, such as fines.
Registration of Software Products
The
Measures
Concerning
Software
Products
Administration
(the Software Measures) issued by the MIIT, which became effective in April 2009 and replaced measures which had been in effect since 2000, permit software
developers and producers to sell or license their software products independently or through agents, and software products developed in the PRC can be registered with the local provincial government authorities in charge of the information industry
and filed with the MIIT. Upon registration, the software products are granted registration certificates which are valid for five years and may be renewed upon expiration. Under policies promulgated by the State Council, software products developed
in the PRC which satisfy the requirements of the Software Measures and have been registered and filed in accordance with the Software Measures may enjoy certain types of preferential treatment. State Council policies provide that the MIIT and other
relevant departments may supervise and inspect the development, production, sale, import and export of software products in the PRC. Changyou has registered software copyrights covering all of its significant copyrightable products and enhancements.
Regulation of Internet Content
The PRC government
has promulgated measures relating to Internet content through a number of government authorities, including the MIIT, the MOC, the SAPPRFT and the MPS. These measures prohibit certain specified Internet activities, including the operation of online
games that result in the publication of any content which is found to, among other things, propagate obscenity, gambling or violence, instigate crimes, undermine public morality or the cultural traditions of the PRC, or compromise State security or
secrets. If an ICP license holder violates these measures, the PRC government may revoke its ICP license and shut down its Websites.
26
Protection of Minors
On April 15, 2007, the SAPPRFT and several other governmental authorities issued a circular requiring the implementation of an anti-fatigue
system and a real-name registration system by all PRC online game operators, in an effort to curb addictive online game play behaviors of minors. Under the anti-fatigue system, three hours or less of continuous play by minors is considered to
be healthy, three to five hours to be fatiguing, and five hours or more to be unhealthy. Game operators are required to reduce the value of
in-game
benefits to a game player
by half if the game player has reached fatiguing level, and to zero in the case of unhealthy level.
To identify whether a game
player is a minor and thus subject to the anti-fatigue system, there was adopted a real-name registration system, which requires online game players to register their real identity information before they play online games and requires an online
game operator such as Changyou to submit the identity information of game players to the public security authorities for verification. On July 1, 2011, the SAPPRFT, the MIIT, the Ministry of Education and five other governmental authorities
issued
a
Notice
on
Initializing
the
verification
of
Real-name
Registration
for
Anti-Fatigue
System
on
Internet
Games
(the Real-Name
Registration Notice), which took effect on October 1, 2011, to strengthen the implementation of the anti-fatigue system and real-name registration. The Real-name Registration Notices main focus is to prevent minors from using an
adults ID to play Internet games and, accordingly, the notice imposes stringent punishments on online game operators that do not implement the required anti-fatigue and real-name registration measures properly and effectively. The most severe
punishment contemplated by the Real-name Registration Notice is to require termination of the operation of the online game if it is found to be in violation of the Anti-Fatigue Notice, the Monitor System Circular or the Real-Name Registration
Notice. Changyou developed its own anti-fatigue and real-name registration systems for its games, and implemented them beginning in 2007. Under Changyous system, game players must use real identification in order to create accounts, and in
this way Changyou generally is able to tell which of its game players are minors and thus subject to these regulations. For game players who do not register, Changyou assumes that they are minors. As required by the anti-fatigue rules, Changyou
reduces the value of
in-game
benefits of game players under 18 years based on the amount of their continuous play.
On January 15, 2011, the MOC, the MIIT and six other central government authorities jointly issued a circular entitled
Implementation
of
Online
Game
Monitor
System
of
the
Guardians
of
Minors
(the Monitor System Circular), aiming to provide protection measures to monitor the online game activities of minors and
curb addictive online game playing behaviors of minors. Under the Monitor System Circular, online game operators are required to adopt various measures to maintain a system to communicate with the parents or other guardians of minors playing online
games and online game operators are required to monitor the online game activities of minors, and must suspend the account of a minor if so requested by the minors parents or guardians. The monitor system was formally implemented commencing
March 1, 2011.
In February 2013, 15 PRC government authorities, including the SAPPRFT, the Ministry of Education, the MOC and the MIIT, jointly
issued
the
Work
Plan
for
the
Integrated
Prevention
of
Minors
Online
Game
Addiction
(the Work Plan), integrating measures issued by various different
authorities to prevent minors from being addicted to online games. Under the Work Plan, the current relevant regulations regarding online games will be further clarified and additional implementation rules will be issued; and as a result, online
game operators will be required to implement additional measures to protect minors.
On July 25, 2014, the SAPPRFT promulgated a
Notice
on
Further
Carrying
out
the
Verification
of
Real-name
Registration
for
Anti-Fatigue
System
on
Internet
Games
(the Verification of
Real-Name Registration Notice), which took effect on October 1, 2014. The Verification of Real-Name Registration Notice requires local press and publication administrative departments to strengthen their administration over enterprises
engaged in online game publication and operations, and requires such enterprises to abide by anti-fatigue and real-name registration requirements when developing and promoting online games, but excluding, at present, mobile games.
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Information Security and Censorship
Internet content in China is also regulated and restricted from a State security standpoint. The Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress
enacted the
Decision
on
Internet
Security
Protection
in 2000, and amended it in August, 2009. The decision makes it unlawful to: (i) gain improper entry into a computer or system of strategic importance;
(ii) disseminate politically disruptive information; (iii) leak State secrets; (iv) spread false commercial information; or (v) infringe intellectual property rights. The MPS has promulgated measures that prohibit the use of the
Internet in ways which, among other things, result in a leakage of State secrets or distribution of socially destabilizing content. The MPS has supervision and inspection rights in this regard, and Changyou may be subject to the jurisdiction of
local security bureaus. If an ICP license holder violates these measures, the PRC government may revoke its ICP license and shut down its Websites. On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress issued the
Internet Security Law, which will take effect on June 1, 2017. The Internet Security Law will require providers of services over Internet networks to keep user information that they have collected in strict confidence and to establish improved
systems for the protection of user information. Such service providers must provide notice of the purpose, methods and scope of their collection and use of user information, and obtain the consent of each person whose personal information will be
collected. Service providers may not collect any personal information that is not related to the services they provide, or disclose or tamper with personal information that they have collected, unless such information is encoded to prevent
identification of individuals whose information is so disclosed or tampered with. Service providers who do not comply with the Internet Security Law may be subject to fines, suspension of their businesses, shutdown of their websites, and revocation
of their business licenses.
In 2004, the MOC issued a
Notice
Regarding
the
Strengthening
of
Online
Game
Censorship
. This notice mandates the establishment of a new committee under the MOC that will screen the content of imported online games. In addition, all imported and domestic online games are required to be filed with the MOC. Changyou has
submitted the relevant documents to the MOC for the filing of all of its online games in operation.
In 2005, the MOC and the MIIT promulgated the
Opinions
on
the
Development
and
Administration
of
Online
Games
emphasizing the PRC governments intent to foster and control the development of the online game industry in China and
providing that the MOC will censor online games that threaten state security, disturb the social order, or contain obscenity or violence.
In April, 2009, the MOC issued a
Public
Announcement
on
Regulating
Applications
for
the
Examination
of
the
Content
of
Imported
Online
Games
(the Announcement). The Announcement emphasizes that enterprises operating imported online games must have the content of those games examined and
approved by the MOC.
Virtual Currency
On
February 15, 2007, the MOC, the PBOC and other relevant government authorities jointly issued the Internet Cafés Notice. Under the Internet Cafés Notice, the PBOC is directed to strengthen the administration of virtual currency in
online games to avoid any adverse impact on the economy and financial system. The Internet Cafés Notice limits the total amount of virtual currency that may be issued by online game operators and the amount that may be purchased by individual
game players, and includes a clear division between virtual transactions and real transactions carried out by way of electronic commerce. The Internet Cafés Notice also provides that virtual currency may only be used to purchase virtual
items.
On June 4, 2009, the MOC and the MOFCOM jointly issued the Virtual Currency Notice, to regulate the trading of online game virtual
currencies. The Virtual Currency Notice defines the meaning of virtual currency and places a set of restrictions on the trading and issuance of virtual currency. The Virtual Currency Notice also states that online game operators are not allowed to
give out virtual items or virtual currency through lottery-based activities, such as lucky draws, betting or random computer sampling, in exchange for users cash or virtual money. The Virtual Currency Notice is mainly targeted at lottery-based
activities relating to the treasure boxes found in some online games.
On July 20, 2009, the MOC promulgated
Filing
Guidelines
on
Online
Game
Virtual
Currency
Issuing
Enterprise
and
Online
Game
Virtual
Currency
Trading
Enterprise
, which define the terms
issuing enterprise and trading enterprise and stipulate that the same enterprise may not be both an issuing enterprise and a trading enterprise.
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On December 1, 2016, the MOC issued the Online Game Operation Notice, which will become effective on
May 1, 2017. The Online Game Operation Notice standardizes rules regarding the issuance of virtual items used for online games. The Online Game Operation Notice provides that the issuance and exchange of virtual items issued by online game
operators must be administered in accordance with the regulations applicable to virtual currency; that online game operators generally may not allow online game virtual currency to be exchanged for real currency or physical items; requires that,
when online game operators allow users to exchange small-value physical items for virtual items, the content and value of such physical items must comply with applicable laws and regulations; and stipulates that online game operators are prohibited
from providing lucky draws or lotteries that are conducted on the condition that participants contribute cash or virtual currencies in exchange for virtual items and services, must publish the results of such lucky draws or lotteries on the Website
of or other conspicuous location in the game and must maintain all relevant records for at least 90 days.
Import and Export of Software Technology
China imposes controls on the import and export of technology and software products. Under the
Regulations
on
Administration
of
Import
and
Export
of
Technologies
promulgated by the State Council, the term technology import and export is defined to include, among other things, the transfer or licensing of patents and
know-how,
and the provision of services related to technology. Depending on the nature of the relevant technology, the import and export of technology require either approval by or registration with the relevant PRC
governmental authorities. Under the
Software
Export
Management
and
Statistics
Measures
promulgated in October 2001, if a company is classified as a software enterprise and has a minimum of RMB1 million
(or approximately $145,000) in registered capital, it may engage in an export business after being registered with the relevant PRC governmental authorities. All contracts which relate to the export of software products, transfer of technology or
provision of related services must be filed with the relevant PRC governmental authorities. The
Measures
for
the
Administration
of
Registration
of
Technology
Import
and
Export
Contracts,
issued by the MOFCOM in February 2009, specify registration requirements related to the import and export of technology.
Changyou has entered into license agreements with third parties outside of China to license its games, which may be deemed to constitute the export of
technology under the regulations. As a result, such licenses are required to be registered with applicable PRC governmental authorities. Although there are no explicit penalties set forth in these regulations for lack of such registration, failure
to register an agreement where such registration is required may result in restrictions concerning foreign exchange, banking and taxation matters relating to such agreements. Changyou has not registered all of the game license agreements under which
it authorizes overseas third-party online game operators to operate its online games, and so far Changyou has not encountered any problems with respect to foreign exchange, banking or taxation matters relating to its license agreements, nor has
Changyou received any notice from any governmental authority requiring it to complete the registration of its game license agreements.
Regulation
of Other Services
Real Estate Services
On
March 10, 2015, the National Development and Reform Commission (the NDRC) and the MOFCOM issued a new Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue (the New Catalogue), which became effective on April 10, 2015.
The New Catalogue removed from the category of industries where foreign investment is restricted real estate agency and brokerage services, which had been included in the restricted category in the previous Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance
Catalogue issued in 2011. The New Catalogue loosened existing restrictions on foreign ownership of real estate agency and brokerage services in China, and as a result we may conduct real estate agency and brokerage services directly.
On April 4, 2001, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development promulgated the
Regulatory
Measures
on
the
Sale
of
Commercial
Houses
, pursuant to which a real estate developer may engage a real estate services organization as a broker to
pre-sell
or sell primary residential housing. The regulatory
measures provide that a real estate broker must not make any false statements regarding a property to clients and must present clients with relevant title certificates or sale permits for the properties and a related letter of authorization.
On December 29, 2006, the Ministry of Construction and the PBOC jointly issued the
Circular
Concerning
Strengthening
the
Management
of
Real
Estate
Services
and
Regulating
the
Trade
Settlement
Capital
Account
, which provides a number of directives regulating the real estate services
industry. Under the circular, a real estate services company is not permitted to receive cash purchase payments on behalf of clients in secondary real estate transactions and is required to establish separate security deposit accounts for clients.
29
On January 20, 2011, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MHURD), the NDRC, and
the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security jointly issued the
Measures
for
Administration
on
Real
Estate
Brokerage
(the Brokerage Measures), which became effective on
April 1, 2011 and were amended on April 1, 2016, and govern the activities of real estate brokerages and real estate brokerage personnel in providing intermediary, agency and related services and charging commissions. Furthermore, pursuant
to the Brokerage Measures, a real estate brokerage company and its branches must have a sufficient number of licensed real estate brokers. The Brokerage Measures also require real estate brokerage companies to file with real estate regulatory
authorities at the county level or above within 30 days after their business registration with the relevant local counterparts of the SAIC. Focus Interactive has made the required filings.
On July 29, 2016, the MHURD issued the
Opinions
on
Strengthening
the
Administration
of
Sound
Development
of
Real
Estate
Brokerage
(the MHURD Opinions), to further regulate real estate brokerage services. The MHURD Opinions stipulate that real estate brokers are obligated to censor specified
real estate-related information, including ownership, price, area, and location, and may not provide, directly or through agencies, loans for down payments and other similar financial services.
On September 30, 2016, Beijing MHURD and five other governmental authorities jointly issued the
Measures
for
the
Promotion
of
Stable
and
Healthy
Development
of
the
Local
Real
Estate
Market
(the Beijing Measures), with the goal of tempering rampant increases in housing prices by
balancing land supply in favor of residential use and owner-occupied apartments, providing guidance for real estate developers and brokers as to the setting of prices and the conduct of advertising, selling and financing activities, and providing
for enhanced enforcement measures with respect to false and misleading advertisements and pricing information and other illegal selling and financing activities in the local real estate market. Certain other cities, including Tianjin, Suzhou,
Zhengzhou, Chengdu, Hefei, and Wuhan, adopted similar measures. One effect of these regulations has been to make real estate developers more cautious with respect to advertising housing on Internet platforms and cooperating on real estate-related
e-commerce
programs with Internet service providers such as us. In some cases, our real estate developer clients have suspended or discontinued their collaboration with us on our program that allows our users to
purchase Focus membership cards and later purchase real estate properties from the real estate developers at a discount greater than the price of the membership cards, and as a result users have asked us to reimburse them for the fees for their
cards.
Online Payment Services
On June 14,
2010, the PBOC issued the
Measures
for
the
Administration
of
Payment
Services
Provided
by
Non-financial
Institutions
(the
Payment Services Measures), which took effect on September 1, 2010 and were amended on February 3, 2016. On December 1, 2010, the PBOC promulgated the
Implementing
Rules
for
the
Payment
Services
Measures
. The Payment Services Measures and their implementing rules require any
non-financial
institution engaging in payment services, such as online payments, issuance and acceptance
of prepaid cards, and bill collection via bank cards, to obtain a Payment Service License. Applications for Payment Service Licenses are examined by the local branches of the PBOC and then submitted to the PBOC for approval. To further regulate the
operation of online payment services, the PBOC issued the
Administration
of
Online
Payment
Services
Provided
by
Non-Bank
Payment
Institutions
(the Online Payment Services Measures), which took effect on July 1, 2016. The Online Payment Services Measures classify personal payment accounts at entities that already hold a Payment Service License into
three categories based on the extent to which the holders of the accounts have completed identity verification procedures, and provide that those account holders who have completed more of the identity verification process are entitled to a broader
range of payment options through their accounts. The Online Payment Services Measures prohibit
non-bank
payment institutions from engaging in securities, insurance, financing, trusts and other unauthorized
financial business.
Non-bank
payment institutions are also required to develop risk control systems, including a risk rating system for users, a dispute resolution system, and a risk reserve.
In addition, on January 20, 2015, the SAFE issued the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on the Pilot Scheme of Cross-border Foreign
Exchange Payment Services Provided by Payment Institutions (the Pilot Notice), replacing the Guiding Opinions on the Pilot Services of Cross-Border
E-commerce
Foreign Exchange Payment by Payment
Institutions issued by the SAFE on February 1, 2013, pursuant to which a payment institution is required to obtain approval from the SAFE and to be registered in the Enterprise Directory for Foreign Exchange Receipts and Payments in Trade in
order to provide pilot foreign exchange payment services for cross-border
e-commerce
transactions. Any institution applying for such registration and approval must first obtain a Payment Services License that
authorizes it to engage in the online payments business.
30
Lottery Sales
On May 4, 2009, the State Council issued the
Regulation on Administration of Lottery
stating that lottery issuance agencies and
lottery sales agencies may authorize other entities to conduct lottery sales. On September 26, 2010, the Ministry of Finance (the MOF) issued the
Interim Measures on the Administration of Internet Lottery Sale
(the Lottery Measures), which set forth detailed requirements for the administration of online lottery sales as well as requirements for qualified online lottery service providers. Pursuant to the Lottery Measures, the MOF is the
supervisory and regulatory department for online lottery sales. Lottery issuance agencies may collaborate with other entities or authorize lottery sales agencies to conduct online lottery sales, or appoint qualified entities as their online lottery
sales agents. The Lottery Measures require qualified online lottery service providers to meet certain criteria, including having obtained an Internet content provider license. Lottery issuance agencies are required to apply to the MOF for approval
of online lottery service providers that the lottery service agencies propose to engage to conduct an online lottery business.
On January 18, 2012,
the MOF, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the General Administration of Sports jointly issued the
Implementing Rules of the Regulation on Administration of Lottery
(the Lottery Implementing Rules), which became effective on
March 1, 2012 and stipulate that lotteries sold without the MOFs approval and a lottery issuing agencys or a lottery sales agencys authorization may be categorized as illegal lotteries.
On February 28, 2012, the General Administration of Sports issued the
Urgent Notice on the Strengthening Execution of the Lottery Implementing
Rules
, reiterating that lotteries sold via the Internet without the approval of the MOF will be deemed to be illegal lotteries. In December 2012, the MOF issued the
Lottery Distribution and Sale Administration Measures
, which became
effective on January 1, 2013 and expressly permit Internet lottery sales.
On March 27, 2014, the MOF issued the
Interim Measures on the
Administration of the Sale of Lotteries via Telephone
(the Telephone Lottery Measures) to replace the MOFs former version promulgated on September 26, 2010. Under the Telephone Lottery Measures, sale of lotteries via
telephone refers to the use of fixed-line telephones and mobile telephones to sell lotteries through short messages, voice calls and applications. Properly qualified lottery sales agencies may authorize other entities (Telephone Sales
Agents) to carry out the business of sale of lotteries via telephone. The lottery sales agencies and the Telephone Sales Agent must enter into a commission agreement. A qualified Telephone Sales Agent is required to meet certain criteria,
including having obtained a Value-Added Telecommunications Services Operating License. The Telephone Lottery Measures further provide that a Telephone Sales Agent must conduct business in accordance with parameters approved by the MOF and an
pursuant to a commission agreement.
On January 15, 2015, the MOF, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the General Administration of Sports jointly
promulgated the Notice related to Self-inspection and Self-Remedy of Unauthorized Online Lottery Sales (the Self-inspection Notice), which requires provincial and municipal government branches, including financial, civil affairs and
sports bureaus, to conduct inspections and take remedial measures for unauthorized online lottery sales within their respective jurisdictions. The scope of inspection includes, among other things, commission contracts, online lottery products,
exchange of lottery sales data, online lottery sales channels, and sales commission fees in connection with unauthorized engagements of online sales agents by lottery sales agencies. The Notice further requires that a formal report on the result of
the inspections and the remedial measures be submitted by each provincial or municipal government to the MOF, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the General Administration of Sports by March 1, 2015.
On April 3, 2015, eight governmental authorities consisting of the MOF, the MPS, the SAIC, the MIIT, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Peoples
Bank of China (PBOC), the General Administration of Sports and the China Banking Regulatory Commission jointly released a public announcement with regard to unauthorized online lottery sales (the Public Announcement). The
Public Announcement provides, among other things, that (i) all lottery institutions, internet companies, and other institutions or individuals provide unauthorized online lottery sales services, either directly or through agents, must
immediately cease such services; (ii) the local governmental authorities for finance, civil affairs and sports must investigate and sanction unauthorized online lottery sales in their respective jurisdictions in accordance with applicable laws
and regulations; (iii) the local governmental authorities for public security and industry and commerce must investigate any issuances or sales of illegal lotteries within their respective jurisdictions, with necessary assistance from local
governmental authorities for finance, communication, banking regulation, civil affairs and sports, and local branches of the PBOC, and report any criminal activities to judicial authorities for prosecution; (iv) the lottery issuance authorities
that plan to sell lottery products online must obtain approval from the Ministry of Civil Affairs or the General Administration of Sports by submitting an application to the MOF for written approval, and (v) no entity may provide online lottery
sales services without the approval of the MOF. On April 28, 2016, the MOF, the MPS and the SAIC, and on May 5, 2015 the SAIC, issued notices regarding unauthorized online lottery sales and further emphasized the requirements specified in
the Public Announcement. Online lottery sales are an insignificant business for us.
31
Production of Radio and Telecommunications Equipment
On September 11, 1993, the State Council and Central Military Commission jointly issued the
Regulations on the Management of Radio Operations
,
which were amended on November 11, 2016, under which the working frequencies, bands, and related technical indices of radio transmission equipment must conform to relevant regulations regarding radio and are required to be submitted to the
state radio administration authority or its local branches. Pursuant to the
Regulation on the Penalties of Radio Management
issued by State Radio Regulatory Commission on October 28, 1995, failure to submit such information will result
in the imposition of a fine.
On October 7, 1997, the State Radio Regulatory Bureau (formerly the State Radio Regulatory Commission), together with
the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (formerly the State Bureau of Quality) promulgated
Regulations on the Production of Radio Transmitting Equipment
(the Radio Transmitting Equipment
Regulations) ,which took effect on January 1,1999. Pursuant to the Radio Transmitting Equipment Regulations, each type of radio transmission equipment is subject to approval from State Radio Regulatory Bureau (SRRC
Certificate) prior to production.
On May 10, 2001, MIIT promulgated the
Administration Measures of the Network Entry of Telecommunication
Equipment
(the Telecommunication Equipment Measures), which was amended on September 23, 2014. Pursuant to the Telecommunication Equipment Measures, the State requires all telecommunications terminal equipment to be connected to
a public telecommunications network to obtain network connection permits. A Permit of Network Connection, or China Type Approval Certificate (CTA Certificate), issued by the MIIT must be obtained for such telecommunications equipment.
When a producer of such telecommunications terminal equipment applies for a CTA Certificate, it must submit a test report or product quality certificate (namely SRRC Certificate). If a CTA Certificate has not been obtained for such equipment, it may
not be connected to a public telecommunications network and may not be used or sold domestically.
Miscellaneous
Laws and Regulations Related to International Connections for Computer Information Networks
The State Council and the MIIT have promulgated regulations governing international connections for PRC computer networks, including:
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Provisional Regulations of the Peoples Republic of China for the Administration of International Connections to Computer Information Networks (1997) and related Implementing Measures (1998); and
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Administrative Measures for International Communications Gateways (2002).
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Under the above regulations,
any entity wishing to access international connections for their computer information networks in the PRC must comply with the following requirements:
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have the appropriate equipment, facilities and technical and administrative personnel;
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have implemented and registered a system of information security and censorship; and
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effect all international connections through an international communications gateway established with the approval of the MIIT.
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We have adopted measures necessary to ensure that we are in compliance with all of these requirements.
Laws and Regulations Related to Intellectual Property Protection
China has adopted comprehensive legislation governing intellectual property rights, including copyrights, patents and trademarks.
Copyright
On September 7, 1990, The National
Peoples Congress promulgated
the Copyright Law
, which took effect on June 1, 1991 and was amended in 2001 and in 2010. The amended Copyright Law extends copyright protection to Internet activities, products disseminated over the
Internet and software products. In addition, there is a voluntary registration system administered by the China Copyright Protection Center. The amended Copyright Law also requires registration of the pledge of a copyright.
32
In order to further implement the
Computer Software Protection Regulations
, promulgated by the State
Council on December 20, 2001 and amended on January 30, 2013, the National Copyright Administration (the NCA) issued
Computer Software Copyright Registration
Procedures
on February 20, 2002, which specify
detailed procedures and requirements with respect to the registration of software copyrights.
To address the problem of copyright infringement related to
content posted or transmitted over the Internet, on April 29, 2005 the NCA and the MIIT jointly promulgated the
Measures for Administrative Protection of Copyright Related to Internet
, which became effective on May 30, 2005. These
measures apply to situations where an ICP operator (i) allows another person to post or store any works, recordings, audio or video programs on the Websites operated by such ICP operator, or (ii) provides links to, or search results for,
the works, recordings, audio or video programs posted or transmitted by such person, without editing, revising or selecting the content of such material. Upon receipt of an infringement notice from a legitimate copyright holder, an ICP operator must
take remedial actions immediately by removing or disabling access to the infringing content. If an ICP operator knowingly transmits infringing content or fails to take remedial actions after receipt of a notice of infringement harming public
interest, the ICP operator could be subject to administrative penalties, including an order to cease infringing activities; confiscation by the authorities of all income derived from the infringement activities; or payment of fines.
On May 18, 2006, the State Council promulgated the
Regulations on the Protection of the Right to Network Dissemination of Information
(as amended
in 2013). Under these regulations, an owner of the network dissemination rights with respect to written works or audio or video recordings who believes that information storage, search or link services provided by an Internet service provider
infringe his or her rights may require that the Internet service provider delete, or disconnect the links to, such works or recordings.
Since 2005, the
NCA, together with certain other PRC governmental authorities, have jointly launched annual campaigns, which normally last for three to four months every year, specifically aiming to crack down on Internet copyright infringement and piracy in China.
According to the
Notice of 2010 Campaign to Crack Down on Internet Infringement and Piracy
promulgated by the NCA, the MPS and the MIIT on July 19, 2010, one of the main targets, among others, of the 2010 campaign was Internet audio and
video programs. From the time the 2010 campaign commenced in late July, the local branches of the NCA focused on popular movies and television series, newly published books, online games and animation, music and software and illegal uploading or
transmission of a third partys works without proper license or permission, sales of pirated audio/video and software through
e-commerce
platforms, providing search links, information storage, Web hosting
or Internet access services for third parties engaging in copyright infringement or piracy and infringement by the use of mobile media. In serious cases, the operating permits of the Websites engaging in illegal activities may be revoked, and such
Websites may be ordered to shut down. On July 12, 2016, the NCA, the State Internet Information Office, the MIIT and the MPS jointly announced the 2016 Campaign to Crack Down on Internet Infringement and Piracy (the Jian Wang 2016
Campaign), targeting the infringement of rights to, and piracy of, online literary works and infringement activities using mobile application programs, and strengthening the supervision and regulation of the Website Alliance, to enhance
copyright protection.
On April 17, 2015, the NCA issued
the
Circular on Regulating the Order of Internet Reproduction of Copyrighted
Works
(Internet Reproduction Circular). Under the Internet Reproduction Circular, in order to reproduce the work of others, Internet media companies must comply with relevant provisions of the copyright laws and regulations, and,
unless provided otherwise by law or regulation, must obtain permission from and pay remuneration to the owner of the copyright to the work, and must indicate the name of the author, as well as the title and the source of the work, and may not
infringe any other rights or interests of the copyright owner. Moreover, when reproducing the work of others, Internet media companies may not make material alterations to the content; and may not make editorial modifications or abridgments of the
work that change the works title or its original intent. When reproducing the work of others, we will need to comply with these strict requirements of the Internet Reproduction Circular.
We have adopted measures to mitigate copyright infringement risks, such as real-time monitoring and mechanisms for fast removal upon receipt of notices of
infringement.
On December 26, 2009, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress adopted the
Torts Liability Law
, which
became effective on July 1, 2010. Under this new law, both Internet users and Internet service providers may be liable for the wrongful acts of users who infringe the lawful rights of other parties. If an Internet user utilizes Internet
services to commit a tortious act, the party whose rights are infringed may request the Internet service provider to take measures, such as removing or blocking the content, or disabling the links thereto, to prevent or stop the infringement. If the
Internet service provider does not take necessary measures after receiving such a notice, it will be jointly liable for any further damages suffered by the rights holder. Furthermore, if an Internet service provider fails to take necessary measures
when it knows that an Internet user utilizes its Internet services to infringe the lawful rights and interests of other parties, it will be jointly liable with the Internet user for damages resulting from the infringement.
33
On December 17, 2012, PRC Supreme Peoples Court promulgated the
Provisions on Several Issues
Concerning the Application of Law for Trial of Civil Dispute Cases Involving Infringement of the Right
to Network Dissemination of Information
(Network Dissemination of Information Provision). The Network
Dissemination of Information Provisions stipulate that the dissemination by network users or network service providers of written works, performance or audio or video recordings without the permission of the holder of the rights to such
dissemination will constitute infringement of such rights, and that network service providers that aid or abet any network users infringement of the rights of another to network dissemination of any works or recordings may be liable for such
network users infringing activities.
Patent Law
On March 12, 1984, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress promulgated the
Patent Law
, which was amended in 1992, 2000 and
2008. On June 15, 2001, the State Council promulgated the
Implementation Regulation for the Patent Law
, which was amended in January 9, 2010. According to these laws and regulations, the State Intellectual Property Office is
responsible for administering patents in the PRC. The Chinese patent system adopts a first to file principle, which means that where more than one person files a patent application for the same invention, a patent will be granted to
the person who filed the application first. To be patentable, invention or utility models must meet three conditions: novelty, inventiveness and practical applicability. A patent is valid for 20 years in the case of an invention and
10 years in the case of utility models and designs. A third-party user must obtain consent or a proper license from the patent owner to use the patent. Otherwise, third-party use constitutes an infringement of patent rights.
Trademark Law
On August 23, 1982, the
Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress promulgated the
Trademark Law
(the Trademark Law), which was amended in 1993, 2001 and 2013. On September 15, 2002, the State Council promulgated the
Implementation
Regulation for the Trademark Law
, which was amended in April 29, 2014. Under the Trademark Law and the implementing regulation, the Trademark Office of the Administration for Industry and Commerce is responsible for the registration and
administration of trademarks. The Administration for Industry and Commerce under the State Council has established a Trademark Review and Adjudication Board for resolving trademark disputes. As with patents, China has adopted a
first-to-file
principle for trademark registration. If two or more applicants apply for registration of identical or similar trademarks for the same or similar
commodities, the application that was filed first will receive preliminary approval and will be publicly announced. For applications filed on the same day, the trademark that was first used will receive preliminary approval and will be publicly
announced. Registered trademarks are valid for ten years from the date the registration is approved. A registrant may apply to renew a registration within twelve months before the expiration date of the registration. If the registrant fails to apply
in a timely manner, a grace period of six additional months may be granted. If the registrant fails to apply before the grace period expires, the registered trademark shall be deregistered. Renewed registrations are valid for ten years.
Laws and Regulations Related to Encryption Software
In
October 1999, the State Encryption Administration Commission promulgated the
Regulations for the Administration of Commercial Encryption
, amended on February 3, 2016, followed in November 1999 by the
Notice of the General Office of
the State Encryption Administration Commission
. Both of these regulations address the use in China of software with encryption functions.
These
regulations require that encryption products purchased for use be reported. Violation of the encryption regulations may result in the issuance of a warning, levying of a penalty, confiscation of the encryption products and even criminal liabilities.
On March 18, 2000, the Office of the State Commission for the Administration of Cryptography issued a public announcement regarding the implementation of the regulations. The announcement states that only specialized hardware and software, the
core functions of which are encryption and decoding, fall within the administrative scope of the regulations as encryption products and equipment containing encryption technology. Other products, such as wireless telephone, Windows
software and browsers do not fall within this scope.
The State Commission for the Administration of Cryptography changed its name to the State
Cryptography Administration Bureau (SCAB) in March 2005. The SCAB maintains authority over the importation, research, production, sale and use of cryptographic products in China (products are defined to include any
cryptographic technologies and products to be applied in the encryption or secure authentication of information, other than state secrets). Legislation was issued to restrict the importation, research, production and sale of encryption products and
requiring that the encryption functions of such products be placed in escrow with the SCAB for reasons of national security.
We are in full compliance
with current PRC legislation governing encryption software.
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Laws and Regulations Related to Consumer Protection and Privacy Protection
Consumer Protection
The MIIT set forth various
requirements for consumer protection in a notice, issued on April 15, 2004, which addresses certain problems in the telecommunications sector, including ambiguity in billing practices for premium services, poor quality of connections and
unsolicited SMS messages, all of which impinge upon the rights of consumers.
This trend was continued with the issuance of the
Notice Regarding the
Ratification and Administration of Mobile Information Services Fees and Charges Method
by the MIIT on September 8, 2006.
On January 26,
2014, the SAIC issued the
Administrative Measures on Online Transactions
(the Online Transaction Measures), which took effect on March 15, 2014, to regulate online commodity trading and related online services and replace the
previous
Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Commodities Trading and Relevant Services
issued on May 31, 2010. The Online Transaction Measures stipulate various obligations of online service providers, including the
obligation to protect the interests of customers. Under the Online Transaction Measures, commodities or relevant services transacted online must comply with relevant laws, regulations and rules. When selling commodities or providing services to
consumers, online commodity operators must comply with all applicable laws with respect to the protection of consumer rights/interests, intellectual property rights of others and the prevention of unfair competition. Information on commodities or
services provided by online commodity operators or related service operators must be authentic and accurate.
On May 26, 2016, the MIIT issued the
Measures on the Complaint Settlement of the Telecommunication Services Users (the Complaint Settlement Measures), which took effect on July 30, 2016. The Complaint Settlement Measures require telecommunication services providers to
respond to their users within fifteen days upon the receipt of any complaint delivered by such users, the failure of which will give the complaining users the right to file a complaint against the service providers with the provincial branch offices
of the MIIT.
We are aware of the increasingly strict legal environment covering consumer protection in China, and we strive to adopt all measures
necessary to ensure that our business complies with these evolving standards.
Privacy Protection
The PRC Constitution states that PRC law protects the freedom and privacy of the communications of citizens and prohibits infringement of such rights. In
recent years, PRC government authorities have issued various regulations on the use of the Internet that are designed to protect personal information from unauthorized disclosure. For example, the ICP Measures prohibit an Internet information
services provider from insulting or slandering a third party or infringing upon the lawful rights and interests of a third party. In addition, PRC regulations authorize PRC telecommunication authorities to demand rectification of unauthorized
disclosure by ICPs.
Chinese law does not prohibit ICPs from collecting and analyzing personal information from their users. The PRC government, however,
has the power and authority to order ICPs to submit personal information of an Internet user if such user posts any prohibited content or engages in illegal activities on the Internet. In addition, the Several Provisions stipulate that ICPs must
not, without the users consent, collect information on users that can be used, alone or in combination with other information, to identify the user, or User Personal Information, and may not provide any User Personal Information to third
parties without prior user consent. ICPs may only collect User Personal Information necessary to provide their services and must expressly inform the users of the method, content and purpose of the collection and processing of such User Personal
Information. In addition, an ICP may use User Personal Information only for the stated purposes under the ICPs scope of services. ICPs are also required to ensure the proper security of User Personal Information, and take immediate remedial
measures if User Personal Information is suspected to have been disclosed. If the consequences of any such disclosure are expected to be serious, the ICP must immediately report the incident to the telecommunications regulatory authorities and
cooperate with the authorities in their investigations. We require our users to accept a user agreement whereby they agree to provide certain personal information to us. If we violate these regulations, the MIIT or its local bureaus may impose
penalties and we may be liable for damage caused to our users.
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On December 28, 2012, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress enacted the
Decision
to Enhance the Protection of Network Information
(Information Protection Decision), to further enhance the protection of User Personal Information in electronic form. The Information Protection Decision provides that ICPs must
expressly inform their users of the purpose, manner and scope of the ICPs collection and use of User Personal Information, publish the ICPs standards for their collection and use of User Personal Information, and collect and use User
Personal Information only with the consent of the users and only within the scope of such consent. The Information Protection Decision also mandates that ICPs and their employees must keep strictly confidential User Personal Information that they
collect, and that ICPs must take such technical and other measures as are necessary to safeguard the information against disclosure.
On July 16,
2013, the MIIT issued the
Order for the Protection of Telecommunication and Internet User Personal Information
(the Order).Most of the requirements under the Order that are relevant to ICP operators are consistent with the
requirements already established under the MIIT provisions discussed above, except that under the Order the requirements are often more strict and have a wider scope. If an ICP operator wishes to collect or use personal information, it may do so
only if such collection is necessary for the services it provides. Further, it must disclose to its users the purpose, method and scope of any such collection or use, and must obtain consent from the users whose information is being collected or
used. ICP operators are also required to establish and publish their protocols relating to personal information collection or use, keep any collected information strictly confidential, and take technological and other measures to maintain the
security of such information. ICP operators are required to cease any collection or use of the user personal information, and
de-register
the relevant user account, when a given user stops using the relevant
Internet service. ICP operators are further prohibited from divulging, distorting or destroying any such personal information, or selling or providing such information unlawfully to other parties. In addition, if an ICP operator appoints an agent to
undertake any marketing or technical services that involve the collection or use of personal information, the ICP operator is still required to supervise and manage the protection of the information. The Order states, in broad terms, that violators
may face warnings, fines, and disclosure to the public and, in the most severe cases, criminal liability.
On August 21, 2014, the supreme
peoples court promulgated the
Provisions of the Supreme Peoples Court on Application of Laws to Cases Involving Civil Disputes over Infringement upon Personal Rights and Interests by Using Information Networks
, pursuant to which
if an ICP operator discloses genetic information, medical records, health examination data, criminal record, home address, private events and or other personal information of a natural person online, causing damage to the person, the Peoples
Court should support a claim by the infringed party for recovery of damages from the infringing ICP operator.
On January 5, 2015, the SAIC
promulgated the Measures on Punishment for Infringement of Consumer Rights, pursuant to which business operators collecting and using personal information of consumers must comply with the principles of legitimacy, propriety and necessity, specify
the purpose, method and scope of collection and use of the information, and obtain the consent of the consumers whose personal information is to be collected. Business operators may not: (i) collect or use personal information of consumers
without their consent; (ii) unlawfully divulge, sell or provide personal information of consumers to others; (iii) send commercial information to consumers without their consent or request, or when a consumer has explicitly declined to
receive such information.
On August 29, 2015, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress issued Amendment (IX) to the
Criminal Law of the Peoples Republic of China (Amendment (IX)), which strengthens the protection of individual information and Internet security. Pursuant to Amendment (IX), network service providers who do not comply with laws and
regulations regarding the safe management of information on their networks, and who do not correct their conduct after they receive notice of such
non-compliance
from the relevant regulatory authorities, may
be sentenced to prison for up to three years, and may also be subject to public surveillance and fines.
Our current security measures and those of the
third parties with whom we transact business may not be adequate for the protection of user personal information. In addition, we do not have control over the security measures of our third-party online payment vendors. Security breaches of our
system and the online payment systems that we use could expose us to litigation and liability for failing to secure confidential customer information and could harm our reputation, ability to attract customers and ability to encourage customers to
purchase virtual items.
Laws and Regulations Related to Security and Censorship
The principal pieces of PRC legislation concerning information security and censorship are:
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The Law of the Peoples Republic of China on the Preservation of State Secrets (1988, as amended in 2010) and related Implementing Rules (2014);
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The Law of the Peoples Republic of China Regarding
Anti-spy
(2014);
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Rules of the Peoples Republic of China for Protecting the Security of Computer Information Systems (1994, as amended in 2011);
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Administrative Regulations for the Protection of Secrecy on Railway Computer Information Systems Connected to International Networks (1999);
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Regulations for the Protection of State Secrets for Computer Information Systems on the Internet (2000);
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Notice issued by the Ministry of Public Security of the Peoples Republic of China Regarding Issues Relating to the Implementation of the Administrative Measure for the Security Protection of International
Connections to Computer Information Networks (2000); and
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The Decision of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress Regarding the Safeguarding of Internet Security (2000)which has been amended in 2009.
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These pieces of legislation specifically prohibit the use of Internet infrastructure where it results in a breach of public security, the provision of
socially destabilizing content or the divulgence of State secrets, as follows:
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A breach of public security
includes a breach of national security or disclosure of state secrets; infringement on state, social or collective interests or the legal rights and interests of citizens
or illegal or criminal activities.
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Socially destabilizing content
includes any action that incites defiance or violation of Chinese laws; incites subversion of state power and the overturning of the socialist system; fabricates or
distorts the truth, spreads rumors or disrupts social order; advocates cult activities; spreads feudal superstition; involves obscenities, pornography, gambling, violence, murder, or horrific acts; or instigates criminal acts.
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State secrets
are defined as matters that affect the security and interest of the state. The term covers such broad areas as national defense, diplomatic affairs, policy decisions on state
affairs, national economic and social development, political parties and other State secrets that the State Secrecy Bureau has determined should be safeguarded.
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Under the aforementioned legislation, it is mandatory for Internet companies in the PRC to complete security filing procedures with the local public security
bureau and for them provide regular updates to the local public security bureau regarding information security and censorship systems for their Websites. In this regard, on October 1, 2004, the
Administrative Rules on the Filing of
Commercial Websites
(Commercial Websites Filing Rules) were promulgated by the Beijing Administration of Industry and Commerce (Beijing AIC),to replace the
Detailed Implementing Rules for the Measures for the Administration of
Commercial Website Filings for the Record
promulgated by the Beijing AIC on September 1, 2000. The Commercial Websites Filing Rules state that operators of commercial Websites must comply with the following requirements:
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filing with the Beijing AIC and obtain electronic registration marks for the Websites;
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placing the registration marks on the Websites homepages; and
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registering the Website names with the Beijing AIC.
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On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the
National Peoples Congress issued the
Internet Security Law
(the Internet Security Law), which will take effect on June 1, 2017. The Internet Security Law will require providers of services over Internet networks to keep
user information that they have collected in strict confidence and to establish improved systems for the protection of user information. Such service providers must provide notice of the purpose, methods and scope of their collection and use of user
information, and obtain the consent of each person whose personal information will be collected. Providers of services over Internet networks may not collect any personal information that is not related to the services they provide, or disclose or
tamper with personal information that they have collected, unless such information is encoded to prevent identification of individuals whose information is so disclosed or tampered with. Service providers who do not comply with the Internet Security
Law may be subject to fines, suspension of their businesses, shutdown of their websites, and revocation of their business licenses.
Sohu Internet and
Changyou have successfully registered the Sohu.com Website, the Changyou.com Website and the cy.com Website with the Beijing AIC and the electronic registration marks for the Websites are prominently placed on the homepages of the Sohu.com Website
and the Changyou.com Website and the cy.com Website.
In addition, the State Security Bureau has issued regulations authorizing the blocking of access to
any site it deems to be leaking State secrets or failing to comply with legislation regarding the protection of State secrets in the distribution of information online. Specifically, Internet companies in China with message boards, chat rooms or
similar services, such as Sohu, must apply for the approval of the State Secrets Bureau prior to operating such services.
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Accordingly, we have established an internal security committee and adopted security maintenance measures,
employed a full-time supervisor and exchanged information on a regular basis with the local public security bureau with regard to sensitive or censored information and Websites.
Internet Content and Anti-Pornography
The PRC
government has promulgated measures relating to Internet content through a number of government authorities, including the MIIT, the MOC, the SAPPRFT and the MPS. These measures specifically prohibit certain Internet activities, including the
operation of online games, which results in the publication of any content which is found to, among other things, propagate obscenity, gambling or violence, instigate crimes, undermine public morality or the cultural traditions of the PRC, or
compromise State security or secrets. If an ICP license holder violates these measures, the PRC government may revoke its ICP license and shut down its Websites.
In addition, the PRC government has issued several regulations concerning the installation of filter software to filter out unhealthy and vulgar content from
the Internet. In April 1, 2009, the Ministry of Education, the MIIT and certain other PRC ministries and agencies issued a notice requiring that, by the end of May 2009, all computer terminals connected with the Internet at all elementary and
secondary schools be able to include and operate Green
Dam-Youth
Escort, which is software aimed at filtering out unhealthy and vulgar content in text and graphics from the Internet and which, according to the
Website for the software, may be used to control time spent on the Internet, prohibit access to computer games, and filter out unhealthy Websites. The MIIT further expanded the scope of required use of this filter software by issuing a notice on
May 19, 2009 requiring that, effective as of July 1, 2009, all computers manufactured and sold in China have the latest available version of Green
Dam-Youth
Escort preinstalled when they leave the
factory and that all imported computers have the latest available version of Green
Dam-Youth
Escort preinstalled before being sold in China.
Green-Dam
Youth Escort is to
be preinstalled on the hard drive of the computer or in the form of a CD accompanying the computer and is also to be included in the backup partition and system restore CD. However, on June 30, 2009, the MIIT postponed the implementation of
this requirement regarding
pre-installation
of Green
Dam-Youth
Escort.
On
December 4, 2009, the MIIT and three other PRC government authorities jointly issued the
Incentives Measures for Report of Pornographic, Obscene and Vulgar Messages on Internet and Mobile Media
(Anti-Pornography Notice), to
crack down on online pornography. Pursuant to the Anti-Pornography Notice, rewards of up to RMB10,000 will be provided to Internet users who report Websites that feature pornography, and a committee has been established to review such reports to
determine an appropriate award. During a PRC anti-pornography campaign, which continued during 2014, many Websites (including mobile Websites) that contained pornography were closed down. In addition, China Mobile announced a temporary suspension of
billing for Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) services, as a means of fighting against Websites providing pornographic content.
On
April 13, 2014, the National Working Group on Anti-Pornography and three other PRC government authorities jointly issued the
Proclamation of Special Action Regarding Crackdown on Online Pornographic Content
(the Anti-Pornography
Proclamation). Under the Anti-Pornography Proclamation, Internet service providers must immediately remove texts, images, video, advertisements and other information that contain pornographic content. The relevant government authority may
order enterprises or individuals who flagrantly produce or disseminate pornographic content to stop conducting business, and may revoke relevant administrative permits. Moreover, an enterprise or individual who provides telecom operation services,
network access services, advertising services or payment services to facilitate dissemination of pornographic content may have criminal or civil penalties imposed under the PRC Criminal Law and other relevant laws and regulations.
Laws and Regulations Related to Unfair Competition
Pursuant to the
Anti-Unfair Competition Law
, which took effect in 1993, a business operator is prohibited from any of the following unfair activities:
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copying and using the registered trademarks of others;
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using the same or similar names, packages or decorations of well-known brand name products so as to mislead buyers;
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using the names of other enterprises without authorization so as to mislead buyers; and
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forging identification marks, marks indicating good quality and other marks on commodities or falsifying the place of origin or using other false indicators to mislead people with regard to quality.
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In addition, the Supreme Peoples Court has promulgated an
Interpretation on Several Issues Relating to the Application of the Law in Civil Trials for
Unfair
Competition
Cases
, effective as of February 1, 2007. This interpretation provides guidance on how to conduct trials involving unfair competition, protect the legal rights and interests
of business operators and maintain orderly market competition.
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Regulation of M&A and Overseas Listings
On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the MOC, the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Administration of
Taxation (SAT), the SAIC, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the CSRC), and the SAFE, jointly issued the
Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors
(M&A
Rule), which became effective on September 8, 2006 and amended on June 22, 2009. The M&A Rule includes provisions that purport to require that an offshore special purpose vehicle formed for purposes of the overseas listing
of equity interests in PRC companies and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicles securities on an overseas stock
exchange.
On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official Website procedures regarding its approval of overseas listings by special
purpose vehicles. The CSRC approval procedures require the filing of a number of documents with the CSRC. The application of this new PRC regulation remains unclear, with no consensus currently existing among leading PRC law firms regarding the
scope of the applicability of the CSRC approval requirement.
The M&A Rules also establish procedures and requirements that could make some
acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the MOFCOM be notified in advance of any
change-of-control
transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a Chinese domestic enterprise.
In February 2011, the General Office of the State Council promulgated a
Notice on Establishing the Security Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of
Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors
(Circular 6), which established a security review system for mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by foreign investors. Under Circular 6, a security review is required for mergers
and acquisitions by foreign investors having national defense and security concerns and mergers and acquisitions by which foreign investors may acquire de facto control of domestic enterprises with national
security concerns. In August 2011, the MOFCOM promulgated the
Rules on Implementation of Security Review System
(MOFCOM Security Review Rules
),
to replace the
Interim Provisions of the Ministry of Commerce on
Matters Relating to the Implementation of the Security Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors
promulgated by the MOFCOM in March 2011. The MOFCOM Security Review Rules, which came into effect on
September 1, 2011, provide that the MOFCOM will look into the substance and actual impact of a transaction and prohibit foreign investors from bypassing the security review requirement by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts,
indirect investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions.
Laws and Regulations Related to Antitrust
On August 30, 2007, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress of the PRC adopted the PRC Anti-Monopoly Law
(AML)
, which took effect on August 1, 2008. Pursuant to the AML, monopolistic conduct, including entering into monopoly agreements, abuse of dominant market position and concentration of undertakings that have the effect of
eliminating or restricting competition, is prohibited. To further implement the Antitrust Law and clarify certain issues, the State Council, MOFCOM, NDRC and SAIC, issued several regulations and rules, including
the Provisions on Thresholds for
Prior Notification of Concentrations of Undertakings
issued by the State Council on August 3, 2008,
the Regulation on the Prohibition of Acts Involving Monopolistic Agreements
issued by the SAIC on December 31, 2010,
the
Regulation on the Prohibition of Conduct Constituting an Abuse of a Dominant Market Position
issued by the SAIC on December 31, 2010,
the Regulation on the Prevention of Conduct Constituting an Abuse of Administrative Powers to Eliminate
or Restrict Competition
issued by the SAIC on December 31, 2010,
the Anti-Price Monopoly Regulation
issued by the NDRC on 29 December 2010,
the Declaration Rules for Concentrations of Undertakings
issued by the MOFCOM on
November 21, 2009, and amended on June 6, 2014,
the Assessment Rules for Concentration of Undertakings
issued by the MOFCOM on November 24, 2009, and
the Provisional Measures on the Investigation and Handling of
Concentrations between Business Operators which Were Not Notified in Accordance with the Law
issued by the MOFCOM on December 30, 2011.
Taken
together these various laws and regulations provide for the following:
Monopoly Agreement
: competing business operators may not enter into
monopoly agreements that eliminate or restrict competition, such as by boycotting transactions, fixing or changing the price of commodities, limiting the output of commodities, fixing the price of commodities for resale to third parties, unless such
agreements satisfy the exemptions under the Antitrust Law, such as improving technologies or increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of small and
medium-sized
enterprises. Sanctions for violations
include an order to cease the relevant activities, confiscation of illegal gains and fines (from 1% to 10% of sales revenue from the previous year, or RMB 500,000 if the intended monopoly agreement has not been performed).
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Abuse of Dominant Market Position
: a business operator with a dominant market position may not abuse its
dominant market position to conduct acts such as selling commodities at unfairly high prices or buying commodities at unfairly low prices, selling products at prices below cost without any justifiable cause, and refusing to trade with a trading
party without any justifiable cause. Dominant market position refers to a market position held by a business operator having the capacity to control the price, quantity or other trading conditions of commodities in the relevant market, or to hinder
or affect any other business operator to enter the relevant market, which will be determined based on the market share of the relevant business operator, capacity of a business operator to control the sales market, the degree of dependence of other
business operators upon the business operator in question in transactions, and the degree of difficulty for other business operators to enter into the relevant market. Sanctions for violation of the prohibition on the abuse of dominant market
position include an order to cease the relevant activities, confiscation of illegal gains and fines (from 1% to 10% of sales revenue from the previous year).
Concentration of Enterprises
: pursuant to the AML, where a concentration of enterprises reaches the declaration threshold stipulated by the State
Council, a declaration must be lodged in advance with the antitrust authority under the State Council. Otherwise, the concentration cannot be effected. Concentration refers to (1) a merger of enterprises; (2) acquiring control over other
enterprises by an enterprise through acquiring equities or assets; or (3) acquiring control over, or the possibility of exercising decisive influence on, an enterprise by contract or by any other means. Under the Provisions on Thresholds for
Prior Notification of Concentrations of Undertakings, the thresholds for prior notification of concentration of enterprises are the following:
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the combined worldwide turnover of all of the subject enterprises in the preceding financial year is more than RMB10.00 billion, and the nationwide turnover within China of each of at least two of the subject
enterprises in the preceding financial year is more than RMB400.0 million; or
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the combined nationwide turnover within China of all the subject enterprises in the preceding financial year is more than RMB2.00 billion, and the nationwide turnover within China of each of at least two of the
subject enterprises in the preceding financial year is more than RMB400.0 million.
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If business operators fail to comply with these
mandatory declaration provisions, the antitrust authority is empowered to terminate and/or unwind the transaction, dispose of relevant assets, shares or businesses and impose fines up to RMB500,000.
Regulation of Foreign Currency Exchange and Dividend Distribution
The principal regulations governing foreign currency exchange in China are the
Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations (FX Regulations)
,
which were last amended in August 2008. Under the FX Regulations, the RMB is freely convertible for current account items, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not
for capital account items, such as direct investments, loans, repatriation of investments and investments in securities outside of China, unless the prior approval of the SAFE is obtained and prior registration with the SAFE is made. Dividends paid
by a PRC subsidiary to its overseas shareholder are deemed income of the shareholder and are taxable in the PRC. Pursuant to
the Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange (1996)
, foreign-invested enterprises
in the PRC may purchase or remit foreign currency, subject to a cap approved by the SAFE, for settlement of current account transactions without the approval of the SAFE. Foreign currency transactions under the capital account are still subject to
limitations and require approvals from, or registration with, the SAFE and other relevant PRC governmental authorities.
In July 2014, the SAFE
promulgated
the Circular on Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration Over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment by Domestic Residents Via Special Purpose Vehicles
(Circular 37) which replaced
Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents Corporate Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles
(Circular 75).Circular 37 requires PRC residents, including PRC
institutions and individuals, to register with the local SAFE branch in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, referred to in Circular 37 as a special purpose vehicle, for the purpose of
holding domestic or offshore assets or interests. PRC residents must also file amendments to their registrations in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contributed
by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. Under these regulations, PRC residents failure to comply with specified registration procedures may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign
exchange activities of the relevant PRC entity, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent, as well as restrictions on capital inflows from the offshore entity to the PRC entity, including restrictions on the
ability to contribute additional capital to the PRC entity. Further, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange regulations.
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Under Circular 37, if a
non-listed
special purpose vehicle uses its own
equity to grant equity incentives to any directors, supervisors, senior management or any other employees directly employed by a domestic enterprise which is directly or indirectly controlled by such special purpose vehicle, or with which such an
employee has established an employment relationship, related PRC residents and individuals may, prior to exercising their rights, apply to the SAFE for foreign exchange registration formalities for such special purpose vehicle. However, in practice,
different local SAFE branches may have different views and procedures on the interpretation and implementation of the SAFE regulations, and since Circular 37 was the first regulation to regulate the foreign exchange registration of a
non-listed
special purpose vehicles equity incentives granted to PRC residents, there remains uncertainty with respect to its implementation.
On December 25, 2006, the PBOC issued the
Administration Measures on Individual Foreign Exchange Control
and related
Implementation Rules
were issued by the SAFE on January 5, 2007. Both became effective on February 1, 2007. Under these regulations, all foreign exchange transactions involving an employee share incentive plan, share option plan, or similar plan participated
in by onshore individuals may be conducted only with approval from the SAFE or its authorized branch. Under the
Notice of Issues Related to the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of
Overseas Listed Company
(Offshore Share Incentives Rules), which was issued by the SAFE on February 15, 2012, PRC citizens who are granted share options, restricted share units or restricted shares by an overseas publicly listed
company are required to register with the SAFE or its authorized branch and to comply with a series of other requirements. In November 2011, the SAFE approved our application to designate our PRC subsidiary Sohu Media to handle the registrations and
other procedures required by the Offshore Share Incentives Rules. In February 2012, the SAFE approved Changyous application to designate its PRC subsidiary AmazGame to handle the registrations and other procedures required by the Offshore
Share Incentive Rules. If we, Changyou or the PRC employees of Changyou and us who hold options, restricted share units or restricted shares fail to comply with these registration or other procedural requirements, we, Changyou and/or such employees
may be subject to fines and other legal sanctions.
The principal regulations governing distribution of dividends of foreign holding companies include the
Foreign Investment Enterprise Law
(1986), which was amended in October 2000 and October, 2016, and the
Administrative Rules under the Foreign Investment Enterprise Law
(2001), which was amended in February, 2014.
Under these regulations, foreign investment enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance
with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, foreign investment enterprises in China are required to allocate at least 10% of their accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds unless these reserves have
reached 50% of the registered capital of the enterprises. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, under the Corporate Income Tax Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008, the maximum tax rate for the
withholding tax imposed on dividend payments from PRC foreign invested companies to their overseas investors that are not regarded as resident for tax purposes is 20%. The rate was reduced to 10% under the Implementing Regulations for
the PRC Corporate Income Tax Law issued by the State Council. However, a lower withholding tax rate of 5% might be applied if there is a tax treaty between China and the jurisdiction of the foreign holding companies, such as is the case with Hong
Kong, and certain requirements specified by PRC tax authorities are satisfied.
Laws and Regulations Related to Employment and Labor Protection
On June 29, 2007, the National Peoples Congress promulgated the
Employment Contract Law of PRC
(Employment Contract
Law), which became effective as of January 1, 2008 and amended on December 28, 2012. The Employment Contract Law requires employers to provide written contracts to their employees, restricts the use of temporary workers and aims to
give employees long-term job security.
Pursuant to the Employment Contract Law, employment contracts lawfully concluded prior to the implementation of
the Employment Contract Law and continuing as of the date of its implementation shall continue to be performed. Where an employment relationship was established prior to the implementation of the Employment Contract Law but no written employment
contract was concluded, a contract must be concluded within one month after its implementation.
On September 18, 2008, the State Council promulgated
the
Implementing Regulations for the PRC Employment Contract Law
which came into effect immediately. These regulations interpret and supplement the provisions of the Employment Contract Law
.
We have modified our standard employment contract to comply with the requirements of the Employment Contract Law and its implementing regulations
.
We
have entered into written employment contracts with all of our employees.
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Conclusion
In the opinion of Haiwen, our principal PRC Subsidiaries and principal VIEs are approved to engage in the specific online services (categorized and addressed
in the above sections) as described in the respective scopes indicated in the corresponding licenses and/or permits issued to the respective companies.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
We regard
our patents, copyrights, service marks, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property as critical to our success. We rely on patent, trademark and copyright law, trade secret protection,
non-competition
and confidentiality and/or license agreements with our employees, customers, partners and others to protect our intellectual property rights. Despite our precautions, it may be possible for
third parties to obtain and use our intellectual property without authorization. Furthermore, the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property rights in Internet-related industries are uncertain and still evolving. The
laws of the PRC and certain other countries do not protect intellectual property to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.
We have
registered three service marks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. They are (i) Sohu.com, registered on August 1, 2000; (ii) Sohu.com (stylized), registered on August 1, 2000; and (iii) Sohu, registered on
June 13, 2000. We received the registration certificate for the mark SOHU.com issued by the China Trademark Office in September 2000. We have also filed registration applications with the China Trademark Office to register other key
marks, including Sohu.com logos, Sohu Fox logos, GoodFeel logos, Go2Map, Sogou logos, Sohu Focus, TLBB, ChangYou.com, cyou.com, TL logos, Blade Online, 17173 and their corresponding Chinese version marks. We succeeded in registering certain marks
such as Sohu.com logos, Sohu Fox logos, www.focus.com.cn, GoodFeel logos, Go2Map, Sogou logos, Sohu Focus, Sohu Auto, TLBB, ChangYou.com, cyou.com, TL Logos, 17173 and Dolphin Browser in the PRC under certain classes, while the others are still
under examination by the China Trademark Office. We also filed registration of trademarks relating to our subsidiary companies names and Changyous online games and other businesses in various countries and regions, such as the United
States, European Union, Turkey, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Brazil, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Our rights to these marks could be affected adversely if any of our applications are rejected. In addition, it is possible that
our competitors will adopt product or service names similar to ours, thereby impeding our ability to distinguish our brand and possibly leading to customer confusion.
Many parties are actively developing chat, search, Web directory and related Web technologies. We expect these parties to continue to take steps to protect
these technologies, including seeking patent protection. There may be patents issued or pending that are held by others and cover significant parts of our technology, business methods or services. For example, we are aware that a number of patents
have been issued in the areas of
e-commerce,
Web-based
information indexing and retrieval and online direct marketing. Disputes over rights to these technologies may
arise in the future. We cannot be certain that our products do not or will not infringe valid patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. We may be subject to legal proceedings and claims, from time to time,
relating to the intellectual property of others in the ordinary course of our business. See Item 3. Legal Proceedings
.
We also
intend to continue licensing technology from third parties. The market is evolving and we may need to license additional technologies to remain competitive. We may not be able to license these technologies on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
In addition, we may fail to successfully integrate any licensed technology into our services. Our inability to obtain any of these licenses could delay product and service development until alternative technologies can be identified, licensed and
integrated.
TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
We have built
what we believe is a reliable and secure network infrastructure, that will fully support our operations, which include one of the most comprehensive matrices of content and services, provided by Sohu and Sogou, and one of the most popular online
games in China, provided by Changyou.
Content and Services provided by Sohu and Sogou
As of December 31, 2016 we maintained approximately 40,000 servers in China. To fully support the operation of our content and services, we established
these data centers primarily through China Mobile, China United Network Communication Group Company Limited (China Unicom), and China Telecom Corporation (China Telecom), which are the three largest Internet connection
service providers in China, to support most of our core services. In addition, we have established branch nodes in different provinces throughout China through different telecommunication operators in order to establish national coverage and provide
fast and stable access to our Internet platforms properties to users across China. In addition, we have developed cooperation with several smaller private Internet service providers.
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We have developed a close working relationship with China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom and
smaller-size
telecommunication operators. Our operations depend on the ability of China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom to protect their systems against damage from fire, power loss, telecommunications
failure,
break-ins
and other events. These telecommunication operators provide us with support services twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. They also provide connectivity for our servers through
multiple high-speed connections. All facilities are protected by Uninterruptible Power Supplies.
For reliability, availability, and serviceability, we
have created an environment in which each server can function independently. Key components of our server architecture are served by multiple redundant machines. We also use
in-house
and third-party monitoring
software. Our reporting and tracking systems generate daily traffic, demographic and advertising reports. We deploy load balance equipment and cloud computing to avoid single point failure.
Our operations must accommodate a high volume of traffic and deliver frequently updated information. Components or features of our products and services have
in the past suffered outages or experienced slower response times because of equipment or software down time. These events have not had a material adverse effect on our business to date, but such events could have a material adverse effect in the
future.
Online Games, provided by Changyou
Changyou
supports its operations with a network of reliable and secure physical and cloud-based servers that have fully supported its operations for many years. As of December 31, 2016, Changyou maintained for its online game business approximately
6,000 physical servers that are located in Internet data centers in 16 major cities in China, and 2,000 cloud-based servers that are spread across mainland China, Hong Kong and North America. In order to enhance Changyous game players
experience and to improve connectivity, Changyou has located its physical game servers in a number of regions throughout China. This allows its players to connect to the nearest servers that are located in their region without exchanging data across
the national backbone network. Furthermore, to ensure high quality services for its game players, Changyou works with leading domestic cloud technology firms to provide efficient and stable game services using cloud-based resources. Changyou has a
professional technical support team that specializes in maintaining its quality technology infrastructure and online operating platform. Changyou monitors the operation of its server network 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Changyous remote
control system allows it to track its concurrent online users in real time, and discover and fix hardware or software problems on its server network in a timely fashion.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2016, we had approximately
10,000 employees. We also employ independent contractors to support our research and development, sales, marketing, and editorial departments. None of our personnel are represented under collective bargaining agreements.
We have entered into standard employment agreements with our employees through our subsidiaries and VIEs. All of our employees have entered into
confidentiality,
non-competition
and
non-solicitation
agreements with us. However, the degree of protection afforded to an employer pursuant to confidentiality and
non-competition
undertakings governed by PRC law may be more limited when compared to the degree of protection afforded under the laws of other jurisdictions. A number of our employees hold share-based awards
granted by Sohu, Sogou, Changyou, and Sohu Video, which provide additional financial incentives to them. Most of these awards vest over a period of four years.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Our corporate Website is located
at http://investors.sohu.com. We make available free of charge on or through our corporate Website our annual report on Form
10-K,
our quarterly reports on Form
10-Q,
our current reports on Form
8-K
and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or the Exchange Act) as soon as
reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. You will find links to copies of these reports, and to copies of Section 16 filings related to Sohu, by clicking on
Investor Relations on the first full English page. Information contained on our corporate Website is not part of this report or any other report filed with the SEC.
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Risks Related to Our Business
We are subject to the risks associated with operating in an evolving market.
As a company operating in the rapidly evolving PRC Internet market, we face numerous risks and uncertainties. Some of these risks relate to our ability to:
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continue to attract users to remain with us and use our products and services as one of the primary means of surfing the Internet switches from traditional PCs to mobile phones or other portable devices;
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continue to attract a large audience to our matrices of Chinese language content and services by expanding the type and technical sophistication of the content and services we offer;
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develop a sufficiently large advertiser base for our brand advertising and search and search-related businesses;
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maintain and attract online game users by periodically updating our existing online games and developing and launching new online games;
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increase the revenues derived from our
fee-based
services and products we offer online;
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build our Sohu Media Portal, Sohu Video, Focus, search and search-related, online game and other businesses successfully;
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attract and retain qualified personnel; and
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effectively control our increased costs and expenses as we expand our business.
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Our operating results
are likely to fluctuate significantly and may differ from market expectations.
Our annual and quarterly operating results have varied
significantly in the past, and may vary significantly in the future, due to a number of factors which could have an adverse impact on our business. Our online advertising revenue often fluctuates as our advertisers adjust their online marketing
spending as their industries go through business and economic cycles. We rely on third-party providers for high-quality news, video, audio and text content in order to make our Internet platforms, which include our Websites and our applications
optimized for mobile devices, or Mobile Apps, more attractive to users and advertisers. In recent years, video content costs escalated sharply and adversely affected our operating results. Sogou incurred substantial traffic acquisition costs for
leveraging traffic from Sogou Website Alliance members Internet properties to expand distribution of our advertisers promotional links or advertisements. If traffic acquisition costs increase sharply, Sogous operating results may
be adversely affected. A significant portion of our online game revenue is attributable to Changyous PC game TLBB; however, the popularity of PC games continues to decline as game players increasingly switch to mobile devices to access online
games. Despite Changyous efforts to improve TLBB, our game players have nevertheless lost interest in it over time and TLBBs popularity, revenues and profitability have continued to decline. If Changyou fails to improve and update TLBB
on a timely basis, or if Changyous competitors introduce more popular games, including mobile games, catering to Changyous game-player base, the decline in TLBBs popularity can be expected to accelerate, which could cause a
significant decrease in our revenues. Changyou made significantly increased expenditures for sales and marketing during 2013 and 2014, mainly for the promotion of its platform channel business. However, Changyou determined that its efforts were not
successful, and it is unlikely that Changyou will be able to recoup those expenses.
We depend on Changyous online games, and on
Changyous PC game TLBB and mobile game TLBB 3D in particular, for a significant portion of our revenues, net income, and operating cash flow, and TLBBs popularity has been declining recently.
We rely on Changyous online games, and on Changyous PC Game TLBB and mobile game TLBB 3D in particular, for a significant portion of our revenues,
net income and operating cash flows. For the year ended December 31, 2016, 13% of our total revenues and 56% of our online game revenues were derived from TLBB and TLBB 3D. If Changyous online game revenues from games other than TLBB and
TLBB 3D do not grow, or if they decrease, our revenues, net income and cash flows will be adversely affected. Furthermore, if there are any interruptions in TLBBs and TLBB 3Ds operations due to unexpected server interruptions, network
failures or other factors, game players may be prevented or deterred from making purchases of virtual items, which could also cause significant decreases in our revenues, net income and cash flow.
We face intense competition, which could reduce our market share and adversely affect our financial performance.
There are many companies that distribute online content and services targeting Chinese Internet users. We compete with distributors of content and services
over the Internet, including content sites, Web directories, search engines, online games, Internet service providers and sites maintained by government, educational institutions and other institutions. These sites compete with us for user traffic,
advertising dollars, online game players, potential partners and mobile services. The Internet market in China is rapidly evolving. Competition is intense and expected to increase significantly in the future, because there are no substantial
barriers to entry in our market.
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We have many competitors in the PRC Internet market, including among others Tencent, Alibaba, Baidu, Sina,
NetEase, TouTiao.com, Phoenix, Autohome, BitAuto, Youku Tudou, iQIYI, SouFun, Leju, YY, Qihoo, UCWeb, Google, Microsoft, Kingsoft, IGG Inc. NetDragon, Kalends Inc., Ourpalm Corporate limited, Century Cruises (formerly known as Giant Interactive
Group Inc.), Da Xing (formerly known as Perfect World Co., Ltd.) and Shulong Technologies (formerly known as Shanda Games Limited). We compete with our peers and competitors in China primarily on the following basis:
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access to financial resources;
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gateway to a host of Internet user activities;
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technological advancements;
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attractiveness of products;
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volume of traffic and users;
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quality of Internet platforms and content;
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strategic relationships;
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effectiveness of sales and marketing efforts;
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Our competitors may have certain competitive advantages over us including:
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greater brand recognition among Internet users and clients;
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better products and services;
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larger user and advertiser bases;
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more extensive and well developed marketing and sales networks; and
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substantially greater financial and technical resources.
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Our existing competitors may in the future achieve
greater market acceptance and gain a greater market share through launching of new products, introducing new technologies, or forming alliances among themselves, or may enhance their ability to compete with us through mergers and acquisitions or
financing activities. For example, during the past few years, many of our competitors have successfully raised significant amounts of capital through IPOs,
follow-on
public equity offerings, and convertible
bond offerings. Several of our competitors have also conducted private placements of equity or debt that included alliances with larger partners who are able to bring them strategic advantages in addition to financing. By enhancing their capital
bases and forming strategic alliances, our competitors have strengthened their competitiveness and gained greater brand recognition. Recently some of our major competitors have engaged in or initiated transactions that could make it more difficult
for us to compete against them effectively. For example, Alibabas recent acquisition of Youku Tudou has provided Youku Tudou with considerably greater financial and other resources than were previously available to it for developing and
expanding its online video business, which resources we are unlikely to be able to match. In addition, Qihoo, with which we compete in our search and search-related business, has delisted its shares from the New York Stock Exchange. These
transactions could enhance Youku Tudous and Qihoos competitive positions relative to ours by giving them greater flexibility in their business operations and an opportunity to seek high valuations on alternative share exchanges, such as
PRC exchanges, which could in turn provide them with increased capital resources, the ability to offer more valuable equity incentives for purposes of personnel recruiting, and valuable equity to use as consideration for strategic acquisitions.
It is also possible that new competitors may emerge and acquire significant market share. In addition, operators of leading Websites or Internet service
providers, including Tencent, Alibaba, Baidu, Google and Microsoft, currently offer, and could expand, their online products and services targeting China. Such entities may cooperate with other organizations in China to accelerate their entry into,
and to enhance their competitiveness in, the key Chinese markets in which we operate.
As a result, we are likely to need additional financial and
additional strategic resources in order to compete effectively in the primary markets in which we operate. If our competitors are more successful than we are in developing products or in attracting and retaining users and advertisers, our revenues
and growth rates could decline.
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If we fail to successfully develop and introduce new products, features and services, our ability to
attract and retain users and generate revenues could be harmed.
We are continually developing new products, features and services for our users.
The planned timing or introduction of new products, features and services is subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual timing may differ materially from original plans. Unexpected technical, operational, distribution or other problems could delay
or prevent the introduction of one or more of our new products or services. Emerging
start-ups
may be able to innovate and provide new products, features and services faster than we can. Moreover, we cannot be
sure that any of our new products, features and services will achieve widespread market acceptance or generate incremental revenue.
In addition, we may
experience difficulties in promoting our new products, features and services as a result of the significant market power of our competitors or any anti-competitive practices they might engage in. As a result, despite considerable efforts in this
regard, we may fail to attract and retain users.
As our products and services are currently accessed primarily through mobile phones, tablets and
other internet-enabled mobile devices, we believe that we must develop products and applications for such devices if we are to maintain or increase our market share and revenues, and we may not be successful in doing so.
Devices other than personal computers, such as mobile phones, tablets, wearable devices and other internet-enabled mobile devices, are used increasingly in
China and in overseas markets, and have surpassed personal computers as the primary means to access the Internet in the key Chinese markets in which we operate. We believe that, for our business to be successful, we will need to design, develop,
promote and operate new products and applications that will be popular with such devices. The design and development of new products and applications may not be successful. We may encounter difficulties with the installation of such new products and
applications for mobile devices, and such products and applications may not function smoothly. As new devices are released or updated, we may encounter problems in developing and upgrading our products or applications for use on mobile devices and
we may need to devote significant resources to the creation, support, and maintenance of such products or applications for mobile devices.
Our
business depends on a strong brand; thus we will not be able to attract users, customers and clients of our products and offerings if we do not maintain and develop our brands.
It is critical for us to maintain and develop our brands so as to effectively expand our user base and our revenues. We believe that the importance of brand
recognition will increase as the number of Internet users in China grows. In order to attract and retain Internet users, brand advertising, search, online game and mobile customers, we may need to substantially increase our expenditures for creating
and maintaining brand loyalty. Our success in promoting and enhancing our brands, as well as our ability to remain competitive, will also depend on our success in offering high quality content, features and functionality. If we fail to promote our
brands successfully or if our users or advertisers do not perceive our content and services to be of high quality, we may not be able to continue growing our business and attracting users, advertisers, online game players and mobile users.
Our failure to keep up with rapid technology changes may severely affect our future success.
The Internet industry is undergoing rapid technological changes. Our future success will depend on our ability to respond to rapidly evolving technologies,
adapt our services to changing industry standards and improve the performance and reliability of our services. If we fail to adapt to such changes, our business may be adversely affected. For example, with the emergence of cloud computing
technology, the primary Internet technology platform has been transformed from a traditional platform to a cloud computing platform. If we fail to adapt to the transformation, our products and services upgrade process will fall behind our
competitors, and accordingly weaken our capacity to adapt our technology to the market. Furthermore, cloud computing itself is a significant business opportunity. If we fail to seize the opportunity, we will lose our ability to capture a share of
that market. In addition, as mobile devices other than personal computers are increasingly used to access the Internet, we must develop products and services for such devices. To meet advertisers needs in targeting potential advertisers
accurately, we need to develop and operate a more effective system for our advertising delivery, tracking and recording. Otherwise, we will not be able to maintain or increase our revenues and market share. In the meantime, the MIIT and other PRC
governmental authorities can be expected to regularly promulgate standards and other regulations regarding Internet software and other Internet-based technologies. Adapting to any such standards and regulations could require us to make significant
expenditures in the future.
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Our strategy of acquiring complementary assets, technologies and businesses may fail and result in
impairment losses.
As a component of our growth strategy, we have acquired and intend to actively identify and acquire assets, technologies and
businesses that are complementary to our existing businesses. Our acquisitions could result in the use of substantial amounts of cash, issuance of potentially dilutive equity securities, significant impairment losses related to goodwill or
amortization expenses related to intangible assets and exposure to undisclosed or potential liabilities of acquired companies. For example, in 2014 Changyou recognized a $33.8 million impairment loss for goodwill and a $15.3 million
impairment loss for acquired intangible assets related to RaidCall, as a result of Changyous managements assessment that the impairments existed based on its conclusion that RaidCall was unable to provide expected synergies with
Changyous online games business. In 2015 Changyou recognized a $29.6 million impairment loss for good will and an $8.9 million impairment loss for acquired intangible assets relating to the Dolphin Browser operated by MoboTap, which
was acquired by Changyou in 2014, as a result of Changyous managements conclusion that expected synergies with Changyous platform channel business would not materialize.
We may be required to record a significant charge to earnings if we are required to reassess our goodwill or other amortizable intangible assets.
We are required under U.S. GAAP to test for goodwill impairment annually or more frequently if facts and circumstances warrant a review. Currently
our brand advertising business is losing money, and goodwill under the brand advertising reporting unit will be impaired if the losses continue. We are also required to review our amortizable intangible assets for impairment when events or changes
in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances indicating that the carrying value of our amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable include a decline in stock
price and market capitalization and slower or declining growth rates in our industry. We may be required to record a significant charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill or amortizable
intangible assets is determined. For example, Sohu recognized an impairment loss of $18.8 million in 2016, due to the fact that a recent restructuring of the sales team of Sohu Video had an adverse impact on Sohu Videos performance for
2016, which caused management to lower their estimate of the potential value of Sohu Videos purchased video content.
Any changes in
accounting rules for share-based compensation may adversely affect our operating results, our stock price and our competitiveness in the employee marketplace.
Our performance is largely dependent on talented and highly skilled individuals. Our future success depends on our continuing ability to identify, develop,
motivate and retain highly skilled personnel for all areas of our organization. We have a history of using employee share options and restricted stock units to align employees interest with the interests of our shareholders and encourage
quality employees to join us and retain our quality employees by providing competitive compensation packages. On January 1, 2006, we adopted revised guidance on accounting for share-based compensation, which requires the measurement and
recognition of compensation expense for all share-based compensation based on estimated fair values. As a result, our operating results contain a charge for share-based compensation expense related to employee share options and restricted stock
units. The recognition of share-based compensation in our statement of comprehensive income would have a negative effect on our reported results and earnings per share, which could in turn negatively affect our stock price. On the other hand, if we
alter our employee stock incentive plan to minimize the share-based compensation expenses, it may limit our ability to continue to use share-based awards as a tool to attract and retain our employees, and it may adversely affect our operations. We
cannot assure that there will be no changes in the accounting rules for share-based compensation in future; thus our operating results, our stock price and our competitiveness in the employee marketplace may be adversely affected.
Our failure to manage growth and adapt to evolving industry trends and business models could harm us.
We have experienced dramatic growth in personnel in the past and we expect to continue to hire additional personnel. This growth requires significant time and
resource commitments from us and our senior management. If we are unable to effectively manage a large and geographically dispersed group of employees or anticipate our future growth, our business could be adversely affected. As we have
approximately 10,000 employees, it can be difficult for us to fully monitor each employees behavior. In addition, as we are expanding our business into many cities throughout China to provide localized products and services, it is harder for
us to monitor and regulate the overall behavior of our branch offices or of individual employees at such branch offices, to effectively implement our strategy to local offices and to manage the growth of these local operations. We cannot assure you
that we will be able to maintain policies and procedures that are rigorous enough or that we will be able to cause all of our employees or all of our branch offices to behave in conformity with those policies and procedures, or to ensure that our
employees will not engage in conduct that could expose us to third-party liability or governmental sanctions, which may limit our future growth and hamper our business strategy. Additionally, our business relies on our financial reporting and data
systems (including our systems for billing users of our
fee-based
services), which have grown increasingly complex in the recent past due to acquisitions and the diversification and complexity of our business.
Our ability to operate our business efficiently depends on these systems, and if we are unable to adapt to these changes, our business could be adversely affected.
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Moreover, to keep pace with the rapidly developing and evolving Internet industry, we must explore new products,
services or revenue models for our business. For example, in addition to using traditional advertising forms, we have begun to embed product placements in our self-developed content; and for our real estate business, we sell paid memberships through
which potential home buyers can purchase properties from our partner developers at discounts. Since we have limited experience in these business areas, we may fail to manage growth and adapt to industry trends and business models.
In addition, the Internet industry has seen a significant shift from traditional personal computers to mobile devices and accordingly we must develop new
products and services that are adaptable to mobile devices so as to attract users and cause our existing users to remain with us. If we are unable to successfully adapt to new business models by developing and investing in new business strategies,
products, services and technologies, our ability to maintain and expand our business in the future may be impeded.
If we fail to establish and
maintain relationships with content, technology and infrastructure providers and with reputable and popular hosts for our online interactive broadcasting platforms, we may not be able to attract and retain users.
We rely on third party providers for high-quality news, video, audio and text content in order to make our Internet platforms more attractive to users and
advertisers. Most of our content providers have increased the fees they charge us for their content. This trend has increased our costs and operating expenses and has affected our ability to obtain content at an economically acceptable cost. Video
content costs have escalated sharply in recent years. If we are not able to purchase as much video content as we did before, the size of our video library will be reduced and our attractiveness to users will be severely impaired and advertisers may
choose not to advertise through our Internet platforms, including our Internet platforms for video. Except for exclusive content that we obtain from certain of our video content providers, much of the third party content provided to our Internet
platforms is also available from other sources or may be provided to other Internet companies. If other Internet companies present the same or similar content in a superior manner, it would adversely affect our user traffic.
We have made efforts to create a culture for UGC and PGC that will allow and encourage Internet users to play an active role in the process of collecting,
reporting, analyzing and disseminating content, and to encourage our users and other content providers to establish and disseminate their content through our Internet platforms. As the number of UGC and PGC writers on our Internet platforms
continues to grow, we increasingly rely on high-quality news, video, audio and text content provided by UGC and PGC writers to generate user traffic, retain our existing users and attract new users. If we are not able to continue to attract users or
other content providers to establish quality content on our Internet platforms, or if the UGC and PGC writers on our Internet platform are not able to provide quality content that is appealing to Internet users in general, the volume of our user
traffic may decrease and our business and prospects may be adversely affected. Also see We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may force us to incur substantial legal expenses and, if determined adversely to us,
materially disrupt our business.
As online interactive broadcasting has surged in popularity in China, we increasingly rely on our own online
interactive broadcasting platforms to attract and retain users. We believe that, in order for our interactive broadcasting services to be successful, we will need to establish and maintain relationships with a number of hosts who are both reputable
and widely popular among our existing and potential users. If we are not successful in identifying such hosts and establishing and maintaining relationships with them, or if we lose any of our existing hosts to our competitors, our ability to
attract and retain users may be adversely affected.
Our business also depends significantly on relationships with leading technology and infrastructure
providers and the licenses that the technology providers have granted to us. Our competitors may establish the same relationships as we have, which may adversely affect us. We may not be able to maintain these relationships or replace them on
commercially attractive terms.
We depend on key personnel and our business may be severely disrupted if we lose the services of our key executives
and employees.
Our future success is heavily dependent upon the services of our key executives, particularly Dr. Charles Zhang, who is the
founder, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and a major shareholder of our company. We rely on his expertise in our business operations. For Sogou, we rely heavily on the services of Xiaochuan Wang, Sogous Chief Executive Officer.
For Changyou, we rely heavily on the services of Dewen Chen, Changyous Chief Executive Officer. If one or more of our key executives and employees are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace
them easily and our business may be severely disrupted. In addition, if any of our key executives or employees joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose
know-how,
key professionals and staff
members as well as customers, suppliers and incur additional expenses to recruit and train personnel. Each of our executive officers has entered into an employment agreement and a confidentiality,
non-competition
and
non-solicitation
agreement with us. However, the degree of protection afforded to an employer pursuant to confidentiality and
non-competition
undertakings governed by PRC law may be more limited when compared to the degree of protection afforded under the laws of other jurisdictions. We do not maintain
key-man
life insurance for any of our key executives.
48
We also rely on a number of key technology staff for our business. Given the competitive nature of the industry,
and in particular our competitors increasingly aggressive efforts to provide competitive compensation packages to attract talent in the key Chinese markets where we operate, the risk of key technology staff leaving Sohu is high and could have
a disruptive impact on our operations.
Our growth may cause significant pressures upon our financial, operational, and administrative resources.
Our financial, operational, and administrative resources may be inadequate to sustain the growth we want to achieve. As the demands of our users
and the needs of our customers change, the number of our users and volume of online advertising increase, requirements for maintaining sufficient servers to provide high-definition online video and to provide game players smooth online game
experiences increase, requirements for search traffic and users requirements as to the quality of search services increase, and mobile activities increase, we will need to increase our investment in our network infrastructure, facilities and
other areas of operations. If we are unable to manage our growth and expansion effectively, the quality of our services could deteriorate and our business may suffer. Our future success will depend on, among other things, our ability to:
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access financial resources;
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adapt our services and maintain and improve the quality of our services;
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protect our Internet platforms from hackers and unauthorized access;
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continue training, motivating and retaining our existing employees and attract and integrate new employees; and
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maintain and improve our operational, financial, accounting and other internal systems and controls.
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Unauthorized use of our intellectual property by third parties, and the expenses incurred in protecting our intellectual property rights, may adversely
affect our business.
We regard our copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property as critical to our success. Unauthorized
use of our intellectual property by third parties may adversely affect our business and reputation. For example, a third-party Internet platform operator might provide its users access to video content on our Internet platforms while blocking
Internet advertisements embedded in our video content, which could adversely affect our online advertising revenues and our reputation with our current and potential advertising clients. We rely on trademark and copyright law, trade secret
protection and confidentiality agreements with our employees, customers, business partners and others to protect our intellectual property rights. Despite our precautions, it may be possible for third parties to obtain and use our intellectual
property without authorization. For example, some of our self-developed Web series video productions were disseminated by third parties without our authorization. Furthermore, under the
Patent Law
, the State Councils Patent
Administration Department may grant a compulsory license to individuals or entities to use one or more of our patents if our exploitation of the patents has been determined to violate the antitrust laws. Furthermore, the validity, enforceability and
scope of protection of intellectual property in Internet-related industries are uncertain and still evolving. In particular, the laws of the PRC and certain other countries are uncertain or do not protect intellectual property rights to the same
extent as do the laws of the United States. Moreover, litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others.
Future litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources. We cannot be certain that judgments from the lawsuits will be issued in our favor, or that any resulting damages will cover our business losses and litigation expenses.
If our campaigns and lawsuits against piracy do not achieve their intended effect, our business and operation may be adversely affected.
49
We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may force us to incur substantial
legal expenses and, if determined adversely to us, materially disrupt our business.
We cannot be certain that the products, services and
intellectual property used in our normal course of business do not or will not infringe valid patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. We have in the past been, and may in the future be, subject to claims and
legal proceedings relating to the intellectual property of others in the ordinary course of our business and have in the past been, and may in the future be, required to pay damages or to agree to restrict our activities. In particular, if we are
found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we may be enjoined from using such intellectual property, may be ordered to pay damages or fines, and may incur licensing fees or be forced to develop alternatives. We may incur
substantial expense in defending against third party infringement claims, regardless of their merit. Successful infringement claims against us may result in substantial monetary liability or may materially disrupt the conduct of our business by
restricting or prohibiting our use of the intellectual property in question. In March 2008, we were sued by four major record companies, Sony BMG, Warner, Universal and Gold Label, which alleged that we had provided music search links and download
services that violated copyrights they owned. Although the lawsuits were settled in 2013 without any payment of damages by us, we may be subject to similar lawsuits in the future. In addition, it is possible that content on our Websites and Sohu
News App, which not only includes content developed by us but also provides a platform for a significant amount of content generated by others, may violate the intellectual property rights of third parties. As we produce more self-developed content
for our Internet platforms as part of our new content strategy, we, as the primary provider of such content, may incur relatively higher monetary liability if such content is found to have infringed the intellectual property rights of third parties.
Also, as we increasingly rely on content provided by third-party UGC and PGC writers on our Internet platforms, either developed by the outlets themselves or adapted from content of parties separate from such outlets, it will become increasingly
difficult for us to fully monitor such content, which could make us more vulnerable to potential infringement claims. Furthermore, PRC governmental authorities have recently been drawing attention to issues regarding the infringement of online
intellectual property rights. For example, the Jian Wang 2016 campaign, which targets three primary types of Internet infringement and piracy, was launched on July 12, 2016.
We may be subject to, and may expend significant resources in defending against, claims based on the content and services we provide over our Internet
platforms.
As our services may be used to download and distribute information to others, there is a risk that claims may be made against us for
defamation, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement or based on the nature and content of such information. Furthermore, we could be subject to claims for the online activities of our users and incur significant costs in our defense. In the
past, claims based on the nature and content of information that was posted online by users have been made in the United States against companies that provide online services. We do not carry any liability insurance against such risks.
We could be exposed to liability for the selection of listings that may be accessible through our Internet platforms or through content and materials that our
users may post in classifieds, message boards, micro blog, chat rooms or other interactive services. If any information provided through our services contains errors, third parties may make claims against us for losses incurred in reliance on the
information. We also offer
Web-based
e-mail
and subscription services, which expose us to potential liabilities or claims resulting from:
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lost or misdirected messages;
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illegal or fraudulent use of
e-mail;
or
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interruptions or delays in
e-mail
service.
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Investigating and
defending any such claims may be expensive, even if they do not result in liability.
50
We may not have exclusive rights to trademarks, designs and technologies that are crucial to our business.
We have applied for initial registrations in the PRC and overseas, and/or changes in registrations relating to transfers of our key trademarks in
the PRC, including Sohu.com logos, Sohu Fox logos, www.focus.com.cn, GoodFeel logos, Go2Map, Sogou logos, Sohu Focus, ChangYou.com, cyou.com, TLBB, TL logos, New Blade Online, 17173 , TLBB 3D and the corresponding Chinese versions of the marks, so
as to establish and protect our exclusive rights to these trademarks. We have also applied for patents relating to our business. While we have succeeded in registering the trademarks for most of these marks in the PRC under certain classes, the
applications for initial registration, and/or changes in registrations relating to transfers, of some marks and/or of some of marks under other classes are still under examination by the Trademark Office of the SAIC, and relevant authorities
overseas. While we have succeeded in obtaining some patents, some of our patent applications are still under examination by the State Intellectual Property Office of the PRC. Approvals of our initial trademark registration applications, and/or of
changes in registrations relating to such transfers, or of our patent applications, are subject to determinations by the Trademark Office of the SAIC, the State Intellectual Property Office of the PRC and relevant authorities overseas that there are
no prior rights in the applicable territory. We cannot assure that these applications will be approved. Any rejection of these applications could adversely affect our rights to the affected marks, designs and technologies. In addition, even if these
applications are approved, we cannot assure you that any registered trademark or issued patent will be sufficient in scope to provide adequate protection of our rights.
We may be subject to claims for invasion of personal privacy, which may force us to incur legal expenses and, if determined adversely to us, materially
disrupt our business.
We allow users to upload written materials, images, pictures and other content on our platform and download, share, link to
audio, video and other content either on our platform or from other Websites through our platform. Procedures that we have designed to reduce the likelihood that content will be used without proper licenses or third-party consents may not be
effective in preventing the unauthorized posting or sharing of content. We cannot be certain that content uploaded or shared by our users is legal and will not violate the privacy of others. In August 2014, the supreme peoples court
promulgated the
Provisions of the Supreme Peoples Court on Application of Laws to Cases Involving Civil Disputes over Infringement upon Personal Rights and Interests by Using Information Networks
, which provide that if an ICP operator
discloses genetic information, medical records, health examination data, criminal record, home address, private events and or other personal information of a natural person online, causing damage to the person, the Peoples Court should support
a claim by the infringed party for recovery of damages from the infringing ICP operator. Defending invasion of privacy litigation is costly and can impose a significant burden on management and employees, and we may not obtain favorable outcomes in
such cases. Such claims, even if they do not result in liability, may harm our reputation.
We face risks related to health epidemics and other
outbreaks.
Our business could be adversely affected by the effects of H1N1 influenza, H7N9 influenza, avian influenza, SARS or other epidemics or
outbreaks. China reported a number of cases of SARS in April 2003. In recent years, there have been reports of occurrences of H1N1 influenza, H7N9 influenza and of avian influenza in various parts of China, including a few confirmed human cases and
deaths. Any prolonged recurrence of H1N1 influenza, H7N9 influenza, avian influenza, SARS or other adverse public health developments in China may have a material adverse effect on our business operations. These could include illness and loss of our
management and key employees, as well as temporary closure of our offices and related business operations, such as server operations, upon which we rely. Such loss of management and key employees or closures would severely disrupt our business
operations and adversely affect our results of operations. We have not adopted any written preventive measures or contingency plans to combat any future outbreak of H1N1 influenza, H7N9 influenza, avian influenza, SARS or any other epidemic. In
addition, other major natural disasters may also adversely affect our business by, for example, causing disruptions of the Internet network or otherwise affecting access to our portals and our games. For example, after the Sichuan earthquake in May
2008, we suspended our delivering of online advertisements and our MMOG operations during a
three-day
national mourning period.
We do not have business insurance coverage.
The
insurance industry in China is still at an early stage of development. Insurance companies in China offer limited business insurance products, or offer them at a high price. As a result, we do not have any business liability, loss of data or
disruption insurance coverage for our operations in China. Any business disruption, litigation or natural disaster might result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of our resources.
51
We depend on brand advertising for a significant portion of our revenues, but the brand advertisement
market includes many uncertainties, which could cause our brand advertising revenues to decline.
We derive a significant portion of our revenues,
and expect to derive a significant portion of our revenues for the foreseeable future, from the sale of advertising for posting on our Internet platforms. Brand advertising revenues represented approximately 27% and 30% of our total revenues for the
years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, sales to our five largest advertisers accounted for approximately 11% and 10%, respectively, of our total brand advertising revenues. The
growth of our brand advertising revenues relies on increased revenue from the sale of advertising for posting our Internet platforms, which may be affected by many of the following risk factors:
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The brand advertising market is still evolving in China. Some of our current and potential advertising clients historically have not devoted a significant portion of their advertising budget to Internet-based
advertising;
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Changes in government policy could restrict or curtail our brand advertising services. For example, during the last several years, the PRC government enacted a series of regulations, administrative instructions and
policies to restrict online medical advertising. As a result of these regulations, we may lose some of our existing medical advertising clients. For another example, see Government Regulation and Legal Uncertainties - Specific Statutes and
Regulations - Regulation of Other Services - Real Estate Services for a description of the Beijing Measures and other regulations affecting Focuss business.
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Advertising clients may adopt new methods and strategies other than brand advertising to promote their brand and therefore our advertising revenue would be negatively affected;
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The acceptance of the Internet as a medium for advertising depends on the development of standards for measuring the effectiveness of advertisements disseminated over the Internet, and no standards have been widely
accepted for the measurement of the effectiveness of brand advertising over the Internet. Industry-wide standards may not develop that are sufficient to support the Internet as an effective advertising medium. If these standards do not develop,
advertisers may choose not to advertise on the Internet in general or through our portals or search engines;
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Historically we have charged our advertisers on a CPC basis, where we charge when users click on our advertisers promotional links displayed on our Internet platforms. However, increasing numbers of advertisers
are indicating that in the future they will only enter into contracts with us pursuant to which we would charge on a Cost Per Action (CPA) basis, where users must not only click on the links but must also download and install the
advertisers promotional software or applications and run the installed software or applications at least once. If this migration from a CPC to a CPA payment model continues on a large scale, or if CPA advertisements cannot generate enough user
actions that can be tracked as delivered advertisements, our advertising revenues will be adversely affected; and
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We may not have systems that are sufficiently well-developed to support the CPM pricing models, and as a result, we may suffer system bugs that cause bad user experiences errors or omission in publishing our
clients advertisements, which could have a negative impact on our brand advertising business.
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In addition, our ability to generate
and maintain significant brand advertising revenues will also depend upon:
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the development of a large base of users possessing demographic characteristics attractive to advertising clients;
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the acceptance of brand advertisement as an effective way for business marketing by advertising clients;
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the effectiveness of our advertising delivery, tracking and reporting systems;
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the resistance pressure on brand advertising prices and limitations on inventory; and
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the establishment of a successful business model to make our new products adaptable to portable devices, which has required, and will continue to require us, to make significant expenditures for research, development,
promotion and operations.
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Many advertisers have shifted their PC online advertising budgets to advertising on mobile devices. Hence we must
successfully optimize, adapt and make attractive our various product and service offerings for access on mobile devices and must effectively deliver advertising content in a manner that attracts and retains users interest and attention or our
online advertising business will suffer.
52
Our costs for brand advertising have increased significantly as a result of our investment in online video
services. If we are unable to manage the growth of our online video business successfully and control its operating costs effectively, our business may be adversely affected.
In 2007 we launched our video service, and its operation requires significant upfront capital expenditures as well as continuous, substantial investment in
content, technology, infrastructure and brand promotion for both PCs and mobile devices. Although we have attempted to control our costs relating to content, bandwidth, marketing, and other items for online video services, our operating expenses
have increased significantly and may continue to escalate. As the acquisition costs for quality TV series and other online video content have increased dramatically in recent years, we have had to invest increasingly significant financial,
operational, strategic, technological, personnel and other resources in order to compete with vertical online video sites, such as those operated by Tencent, Alibabas online video subsidiary Youku Tudou, and iQiyi, that have substantially
greater financial resources or have raised significant capital through financing activities, which may significantly strain our resources and negatively affect our operating results. If we are unable to continue to acquire and provide on our video
platforms quality video content, we may not be able to grow or maintain the level of our user traffic, which could make our video platforms less attractive to advertisers and have a negative impact on our ability to generate advertising revenues
from our video platforms.
We are increasingly required to pay license fees upfront for video content prior to its production. There often are delays of
several months, or sometimes up to two or three years, between our payment of such
up-front
fees and the time when we are able to offer fully-developed content online and begin to receive advertising dollars.
These delays have often placed, and can be expected to continue to place, significant strains on our cash flow. Our
up-front
payments also subject us to a certain level of credit risk, as content producers to
which we make such payments may fall into financial difficulties and be unable to deliver the content we have purchased. We are also subjected to the risk that the quality of content will not be up to our expectations. In addition, when we purchase
rights to the online versions of TV series, we generally rely on the expectation that the series will be broadcast on nationwide TV channels according to a specified schedule. If there are delays in such TV broadcasts, we will have to delay, perhaps
indefinitely, our presentation of the online version of the series. We are also subject to the risk that TV content we purchase will be broadcast on less popular TV channels than expected, which will cause our online viewership to be correspondingly
lower than we expected.
We have spent, and expect to continue to spend, significant resources to develop our own TV series and other video content. We
have also invested, and will likely invest in the future, in the production of movies by selected independent third-party movie studios, where we have exclusive rights to distribute the online versions of such movies on our Internet platforms for
video. If our self-developed TV series or other video content, or movies in which we invest, are not well received by viewers and/or fail to attract sufficient advertising placements from advertisers, or if the development of such video content or
movies is not completed as a result of financial, regulatory or other restraints, we may not be able to recoup our production costs or investments in movie production.
We may not be able to maintain or increase the revenues from our online video business. If we fail to do so, Sohu Video may not be able to become
profitable, in which case we would be unable to recoup our substantial expenditures for the development of our online video business.
Although
Chinas online video industry has experienced substantial growth in recent years in terms of both users and content, we cannot assure you that the online video industry will continue to grow as rapidly as it has in the past, if at all. With the
development of technology, new forms of media may emerge and render online video Websites or Mobile Apps less attractive to users. Growth of the online video industry is affected by numerous factors, such as users general online video
experience, technological innovations, development of Internet and Internet-based services, regulatory changes in general, and regulations affecting copyright in particular, and the macroeconomic environment. If the online video industry in China
does not grow as quickly as expected or if we fail to benefit from such growth by successfully implementing our business strategies, our user traffic may decrease and our business and prospects may be adversely affected. For Sohu Video to become
profitable, it will be necessary for us to both maintain or increase our revenues from Sohu Video and control or reduce our expenditures for video content and other costs. If Sohu Video fails to become profitable, we will be unable to recoup our
substantial expenditures for the development of our online video business.
We rely on advertising agencies to sell our brand advertising services.
As the brand advertising market in China is effectively controlled by a small number of large advertising agencies, such advertising agencies may be in a position to demand higher sales rebates, which would adversely affect our gross margin.
Most of our brand advertising services are distributed by advertising agencies. In 2016, for example, approximately 70% of our brand advertising
revenues were derived from advertising agencies. In consideration for these agencies services, we are required to pay certain percentages of revenues as sales rebates. As the brand advertising market is effectively controlled by a small number
of large advertising agencies, such advertising agencies may be in a position to demand higher sales rebates based on increased bargaining power, which could negatively affect our brand advertising growth. During 2016 the biggest 10 advertising
agencies in China contributed approximately 28% of our brand advertising revenues.
53
As an attempt to strengthen our bargaining power in the real estate market, we carried out direct sales of our
advertising services instead of relying on agencies. If our direct sales fail to attract advertisers, we could lose our sale channels where we had previously relied on agencies.
The expansion of Internet advertisement blocking measures may result in a decrease of advertising revenues.
The development of Web software that blocks Internet advertisements before they appear on a users screen may hinder the growth of online advertising. For
example, some Rich Site Summary, or RSS, Internet platforms allow their users to access video content from our Internet platforms, while completely blocking our advertisements from being viewed by their users. Since our advertising revenues are
generally based on user views, the expansion of advertisement blocking on the Internet may decrease our advertising revenues because, when an advertisement is blocked, it is not downloaded from the server, which means such advertisements will not be
tracked as a delivered advertisement. In addition, advertisers may choose not to advertise on the Internet or on our Internet platforms because of the use by third parties of Internet advertisement blocking measures. In addition, increasing numbers
of browsers include technical barriers designed to prevent Internet information service providers such as us to trail the browsing history of the Internet users, which is also like to adversely affect the growth of online advertising.
If our video content fails to attract and retain users and advertisers, we may not be able to generate sufficient user traffic to allow us to maintain
or increase our video revenues.
The success of our online video business largely depends on our ability to generate sufficient user traffic,
through provision of attractive products, to in turn attract advertisers to place advertisements on our Internet platforms for video. In order to attract and retain users, we have needed, and will continue to need, to expend significant resources to
develop our own or acquire from third parties high-quality video content. In 2015 and 2016, we purchased significant amounts of exclusive video content, through which we generated user traffic and revenues by bartering for other video content
from other parties or distributing to other third parties, and in 2016 we developed several TV series. We cannot assure you that we will continue to be able to acquire exclusive content rights or develop premium content in the future and our user
traffic and revenues generated from such exclusive content rights and self-developed content could be reduced. Moreover, if we fail to produce by ourselves or acquire from third parties high-quality video content, or if video content we develop by
ourselves or acquire proves to be less attractive to users than we anticipated, our user traffic and our market share could be adversely effected, which could result in our being unable to maintain or increase our video revenues.
Videos and other types of content and materials displayed on our Internet platforms may be found objectionable by PRC regulatory authorities, may
subject us to penalties and other administrative actions, and may be subject us to liabilities for infringement of third-party intellectual property rights or other allegations.
The PRC government has adopted regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of videos over the Internet. In addition to professionally
produced content, we allow our users to upload videos to our Internet platforms. Our users can upload all types of content, including user-created and professionally produced content, and can upload graphic files for limited purposes, such as
updating user biographies. Although we have adopted internal procedures to monitor the content displayed on our Internet platforms, due to the significant amount of content uploaded by our users, we may not be able to identify all videos or other
content that may violate relevant laws and regulations, and the risk may be greater as we increasingly rely on content provided by UGC and PGC writers through our Internet platforms, as we do not have an opportunity to fully review such content
prior to its publication. Failure to identify and prevent illegal or inappropriate content, such as content that is defamatory, is racially or religiously discriminatory, compromises national security, or infringes the intellectual property rights
of third parties, from being displayed on our Internet platforms may subject us to liability.
To the extent that PRC regulatory authorities find any
content displayed on our Internet platforms objectionable, they may require us to limit or eliminate the dissemination of such content on our Internet platforms, with take-down orders or otherwise. The SAPPRFT publishes from time to time lists of
content that it considers objectionable, and we must dedicate teams of employees to continually monitor user-uploaded content and remove content that is deemed objectionable. In addition, regulatory authorities may impose penalties on us based on
content displayed on or linked to our Internet platforms in cases of significant violations, including a revocation of our operating licenses or a suspension or shutdown of our online operations. In the event that PRC regulatory authorities find the
video content on our Internet platforms objectionable and impose penalties on us or take other administrative actions against us in the future, our business and reputation may be adversely affected. Moreover, the costs of compliance with these
regulations may continue to increase as more content is uploaded by our users.
In addition, under PRC laws and regulations governing online advertising,
online publishers, such as us, are required to monitor advertising content displayed on their Internet platforms for accuracy, and for compliance with PRC law governing the dissemination of content over the Internet that is deemed to be unlawful or
inappropriate. If we were found to have failed to fulfill our obligation to monitor the advertisements of an advertising customer, we could be subject to various penalties, including being prohibited from providing advertising services for
advertisers in the entire industry of the customer.
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We have been involved in litigation based on allegations of infringement of third-party copyright and other
rights, such as privacy and image rights, due to the videos displayed on our Internet platforms. See Risks Related to Our Business - We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may force us to incur substantial legal
expenses and, if determined adversely against us, materially disrupt our business. While we have implemented internal procedures to review videos uploaded by our users and remove promptly from our Internet platforms any infringing videos after
we receive infringement notifications from rights owners, due to the significant number of videos uploaded by users, we may not be able to identify all content that may infringe on third-party rights. Moreover, some rights owners may not send us a
notice before bringing a lawsuit against us. Thus, our failure to identify unauthorized videos posted on our Internet platforms has subjected us to, and may in the future subject us to, claims of infringement of third-party intellectual property
rights or other rights. In addition, we may be subject to administrative actions brought by the NCA or its local branches for alleged copyright infringement.
We may also face litigation or administrative actions for defamation, negligence, or other purported injuries resulting from videos and advertisements that we
display on our Internet platforms. Such litigation and administrative actions, with or without merit, may be expensive and time-consuming and may result in significant diversion of resources and management attention from our business operations.
Furthermore, such litigation or administrative actions may adversely affect our brand image and reputation.
Our search and search-related revenues
may not sustain their growth or may decrease in the future.
The growth of our search and search-related revenue is subject to the following risks:
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As increasing numbers of users are using mobile devices to access the Internet, if we are unable to attract and retain mobile users to our products and services, we may fail to capture market share for mobile search;
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We may not be able to achieve greater market acceptance or gain additional market share from our existing competitors or new competitors;
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Many of our current and potential advertisers have limited experience with the Internet as a marketing channel, and historically have not devoted a significant portion of their marketing budgets to online marketing and
promotion. As a result, they may not consider the Internet to be an effective channel to promote their products and services as compared to traditional print and broadcast media;
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Although devices other than personal computers, such as mobile phones, tablets and other internet-enabled mobile devices, are increasingly used to access the Internet, many of our current and potential advertisers have
limited experience using the Internet as a marketing channel with advertising content delivered by Mobile Apps to such mobile devices, and may not be ready to devote a significant portion of their Internet marketing budgets to mobile Internet
marketing and promotion;
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Our success depends on providing products and services to attract users and enable users to have a high-quality Internet experience. A loss of users could weaken our brand and result in a loss of advertisers, which
would have a material adverse effect on revenues;
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We may be unable to retain our existing advertisers or attract new advertisers;
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We rely heavily on our nationwide agency network of third-party agencies for our sales to, and collection of payment from, our advertisers. We cannot assure that we will continue to maintain favorable relationships with
those agencies; and
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We rely on our Website Alliance members for a significant portion of our search revenues. If we fail to retain existing Website Alliance members or attract additional members, our revenues and growth may be adversely
affected.
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If Sogous collaboration with Tencent is terminated or curtailed, Sogous business would likely to be adversely
affected.
A substantial amount of our search and search-related traffic is generated from users of Tencent products and services. Sogou
increasingly relies on Tencent for the promotion of Sogou products and services on both PCs and internet-enabled mobile devices, such as mobile phones and tablets. In addition, Sogou collaborates with Tencent to provide differentiated products and
services. For example, Sogou launched a unique Weixin search function for both PCs and mobile devices that allows users to search the large amount of content that is published on Weixin accounts. If Sogous collaborative relationship with
Tencent is terminated or curtailed, or if Tencent does not continue to deliver an adequate level of access to its platforms or adequately promote Sogou products and services, Sogou business would likely be adversely affected.
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If we fail to retain key agencies or attract additional agencies for sales to our search advertisers, our
search business may be adversely affected.
We rely heavily on our nationwide distribution network of third-party agencies for our sales to, and
collection of payment from, our search (including
pay-for-click
services) advertisers. If our agencies do not provide quality services to our advertisers or otherwise
breach their contracts with them, we may lose our advertisers. We do not have long-term agreements with any of our agencies, including our key agencies, and cannot assure that we will continue to maintain favorable relationships with them.
We rely on our Website Alliance members for a significant portion of our search revenues. If we fail to retain existing Website Alliance members or
attract additional members, our revenues and growth may be adversely affected.
We enhance the distribution of advertisers promotional links
or advertisements by leveraging traffic on Sogous Website Alliance members Internet properties, and revenues generated from the Website Alliance account for a significant portion of our total
pay-for-click
revenues. If the Website Alliance members decide to use a competitors or their own Internet search services, or if we fail to attract additional members to join Sogous Website
Alliance, our
pay-for-click
revenues will be adversely affected.
If
we fail to detect significant fraudulent click-through, we could lose the confidence of our search advertisers and our search revenues could decline.
Our search business is exposed to the risk of click-through fraud on our paid search results. Click-through fraud occurs when a person clicks paid search
results for a reason other than to view the underlying content of search results. If we fail to detect significant fraudulent clicks or otherwise are unable to prevent significant fraudulent activity, the affected search advertisers may experience a
reduced return on their investment in our
pay-for-click
services and lose confidence in the integrity of our
pay-for-click
service systems, and we may have to issue refunds to our advertisers. If this happens, we may be unable to retain existing advertisers and attract new advertisers for our
pay-for-click
services, and our search revenues could decline. In addition, affected advertisers may also file legal actions against us claiming that we have over-charged or
failed to refund them. Any such claims or similar claims, regardless of their merits, could be time-consuming and costly for us to defend against and could also adversely affect our search brand and our search advertisers confidence in the
integrity of our
pay-for-click
service systems.
Risks Related to
Chinas Telecommunications Infrastructure
The telecommunications infrastructure in China, which is not as well developed as in the United
States, may limit our growth.
The telecommunications infrastructure in China is not as well developed as it is in the United States. Our growth
will depend on the PRC government and state-owned enterprises establishing and maintaining a reliable Internet and telecommunications infrastructure to reach a broader base of Internet users in China. The Internet infrastructure, standards,
protocols and complementary products, services and facilities necessary to support the demands associated with continued growth may not be developed on a timely basis or at all by the PRC government and state-owned enterprises.
We depend on China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom for telecommunications services, and any interruption in these services may result in severe
disruptions to our business.
Although private Internet service providers exist in China, almost all access to the Internet is maintained through
China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of the MIIT. We rely on this infrastructure and China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom to provide data communications capacity primarily
through local telecommunications lines. Although the government has announced aggressive plans to develop the national information infrastructure, this infrastructure may not be developed and the Internet infrastructure in China may not be able to
support the continued growth of Internet usage. In addition, we will have no access to alternative networks and services, on a timely basis if at all, in the event of any infrastructure disruption or failure.
We have signed Bandwidth Provision and Server Hosting Agreements with China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. Under these agreements, we maintained
servers in China to support most of our core services. However, as there are limited telecommunication infrastructure service providers, we may not be able to lease additional bandwidth on acceptable terms, on a timely basis, or at all. If we are
not able to lease additional bandwidth, the development of our business can be affected.
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To the extent we are unable to scale our systems to meet the increasing PRC Internet population, we will be
unable to expand our user base and increase our attractiveness to advertisers and merchants.
As Internet volume and traffic increase in China, we
may not be able to scale our systems proportionately. To the extent we do not successfully address our capacity constraints, our operations may be severely disrupted, and we may not be able to expand our user base and increase our attractiveness to
advertisers and merchants. Even if we scale our systems proportionately, any unforeseen increase in traffic may disrupt our operations and make it difficult for our users to visit our Internet platforms, or even cause users to be unable to access
our Internet platforms at all, which could result in a loss of users.
Unexpected network interruptions caused by system failures may result in
reduced user traffic, reduced revenue and harm to our reputation.
Our Internet platforms operations are dependent upon Web browsers, Internet
service providers, content providers and other Internet platforms operators in China, which have experienced significant system failures and system outages in the past. Our users have in the past experienced difficulties due to system failures
unrelated to our systems and services. Any system failure or inadequacy that causes interruptions in the availability of our services, or increases the response time of our services, as a result of increased traffic or otherwise, could reduce our
user satisfaction, future traffic and our attractiveness to users and advertisers. For example, on February 14, 2009, our blog services were disconnected because of a power loss affecting China Unicom. Although such disconnection did not have
any material adverse effect on our business, we cannot assure that our business would not be affected negatively by any future similar events.
Our
operations are vulnerable to natural disasters and other events, as we only have limited backup systems and do not maintain any backup servers outside of China.
We have limited backup systems and have experienced system failures and electrical outages from time to time in the past, which have disrupted our operations.
Most of our servers and routers are currently hosted in a single location within the premises of BTA. Our disaster recovery plan cannot fully ensure safety in the event of damage from fire, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, power loss,
telecommunications failures,
break-ins
and similar events. If any of the foregoing occurs, we may experience a complete system shutdown. We do not carry any business interruption insurance. To improve the
performance and to prevent disruption of our services, we may have to make substantial investments to deploy additional servers or one or more copies of our Internet platforms to mirror our online resources.
Although we carry property insurance with low coverage limits, our coverage may not be adequate to compensate us for all losses, particularly with respect to
loss of business and reputation that may occur.
Our network operations may be vulnerable to hacking, viruses and other disruptions, which may make
our products and services less attractive and reliable, and third-party online payment platforms that we partner with may be susceptible to security breaches, which may damage our reputation and adversely affect our business.
Internet use can decline if any well-publicized compromise of security occurs. Hacking involves efforts to gain unauthorized access to information
or systems or to cause intentional malfunctions or loss or corruption of data, software, hardware or other computer equipment. Hackers, if successful, could misappropriate proprietary information or cause disruptions in our service. We may be
required to expend capital and other resources to protect our Internet platforms against hackers, and measures we may take may not be effective. In addition, the inadvertent transmission of computer viruses could expose us to a risk of loss or
litigation and possible liability, as well as damage our reputation and decrease our user traffic.
Furthermore, we could be liable for security breaches
of our users confidential information, such as credit card numbers and expiration dates, personal information and billing addresses, stored by the third-party online payment platforms that we partner with. Since our revenues are derived in
part from such payment platforms, any security breach resulting from Internet payment transactions could damage our reputation and deter current and potential users from using our online services.
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Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure
Although the Sohu Group holds substantial amounts of cash and cash equivalents, a significant portion of such cash and cash equivalents is held by
Changyou and Sogou, and it can be difficult for Sohu to have access to the portion held by Changyou and Sogou.
Sohu has made significant
expenditures in recent years, and expects to continue to do so through the current fiscal year, particularly for the development of Sohu Videos business. Although we hold a significant amount of cash and cash equivalents in the Sohu Group, the
amount of cash directly available to Sohu, without including cash and cash equivalents of our subsidiaries Changyou and Sogou, is limited. Of approximately $1.245 billion in cash and cash equivalents that we held in the Sohu Group on a
consolidated basis as of December 31, 2015, approximately $431 million was held by Sohu, approximately $244 million was held by Sogou, and approximately $570 million was held by Changyou. Of approximately $1.051 billion in
cash and cash equivalents that we held in the Sohu Group on a consolidated basis as of December 31, 2016, the amount held by Sohu had been reduced to approximately $168 million, approximately $286 million was held by Sogou, and
approximately $597 million was held by Changyou.
Sohu can obtain access, for use in its business, to cash held or generated by Sogou and Changyou
only through dividends paid by Sogou or Changyou, as applicable, to shareholders, or through loans made by Sogou or Changyou to Sohu. Payment of dividends by Sogou or Changyou is subject to approval of the board of directors of Sogou or Changyou, as
applicable and, in the case of Sogou, approval of Tencent. In addition, cash held by Mainland China-based subsidiaries and VIEs of Sogou and China can only be available for distribution by Sogou or Changyou as dividends to shareholders after
compliance with restrictions and requirements imposed by PRC law, including PRC profit appropriation and PRC withholding tax, that will reduce the amount available for such subsidiaries and VIEs to distribute to Sogou Inc. and Changyou.com Limited
for payment of dividends to their shareholders. Further, payments of such dividends by Sogou or Changyou would reduce the cash and cash equivalents of the Sohu Group as a whole, as
non-controlling
shareholders
of each of those entities would be entitled to a pro rata share of such dividends. See Risks Related to Chinas Regulatory Environment
-Our
offshore entities may need to rely on dividends and other
distributions on equity paid by the China-based subsidiaries of our subsidiaries Sohu.com Limited, Sogou and Changyou to fund any cash requirements those offshore entities may have. Our offshore entities may not be able to obtain cash from
distributions because our subsidiaries and VIEs in China are subject to restrictions imposed by PRC law on paying such dividends or making other payments, and - Dividends we receive from our operating subsidiaries located in the PRC are
subject to PRC profit appropriation and PRC withholding tax.
Sohus ability to obtain loans from Changyou or Sogou for use by Sohu in its
business is subject to determination by the respective boards of directors of Changyou or Sogou that making any such loans is in the best interests of Changyou or Sogou, as applicable, separate from Sohu.
As a result of the foregoing, it could be difficult for Sohu to have sufficient cash available to fund its future expenditures without obtaining debt or
equity financing from sources other than within the Sohu Group, which might not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.
Our interests in our
two primary controlled subsidiaries could be significant diluted.
Our percentage and economic interests in our two primary controlled
subsidiaries, Sogou and Changyou, could be diluted by the implementation and operation of existing or future equity incentive plans or any equity issued by them as consideration for acquisitions. The occurrence of any of these dilutive events would
cause our share of the revenues and earnings of the affected subsidiaries to be reduced.
In order to comply with PRC regulatory requirements, we
operate our main businesses through companies with which we have contractual relationships but in which we do not have an actual ownership interest. If our current ownership structure is found to be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules
or regulations regarding the legality of foreign investment in the PRC Internet sector, we could be subject to severe penalties.
Various
regulations in the PRC restrict or prohibit WFOEs from operating in specified industries such as Internet information, online game, mobile, Internet access, and certain other industries. We are a Delaware corporation, and Sohu Hong Kong, our
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary and the parent company of Sohu New Momentum, Sohu Era and Sohu Media; Sogou HK, our indirect controlled subsidiary and the parent company of Sogou Technology; Vast Creation, our indirect controlled subsidiary and the
parent company of Sogou Network; Video HK, our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary and the parent company of Video Tianjin; and Changyou HK, our indirect subsidiary and the parent company of AmazGame, Gamespace, Beijing Baina Technology, are foreign
persons under PRC law. In order to comply with PRC regulatory requirements, we conduct our Internet and value-added telecommunication operations in the PRC through our VIEs that are incorporated in the PRC and owned by certain of our employees.
Through a series of contractual arrangements, our VIEs, for which Sohu is their primary beneficiary, are effectively controlled by our indirect wholly-owned and majority-owned PRC Subsidiaries.
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The MIIT issued a circular in 2006 that emphasizes restrictions on foreign investment in value-added
telecommunications businesses. In addition, a notice issued in 2009 by the SAPPRFT, the National Copyright Administration, and the National Office of Combating Pornography and Illegal Publications states that foreign investors are not permitted to
invest in online game operating businesses in China or to exercise control over or participate in the operation of such businesses through indirect means. While we are not aware of any internet company which uses the same or similar contractual
arrangements as we do having been penalized or ordered to terminate operations by PRC authorities claiming that the arrangements constituted foreign investment in value-added telecommunication services or a kind of control over or participation in
the operation of online game operating businesses through indirect means, it is unclear whether and how the various regulations of the PRC authorities might be interpreted or implemented in the future. For a detailed discussion of PRC regulations,
notices and circulars with respect to such restrictions, see Specific Regulations - Regulation of Foreign Direct Investment in Value-Added Telecommunications Companies and Specific Regulations - Regulation of the Online Game
Services - Online Games and Cultural Products.
Further, on January 19, 2015, MOFCOM, released on its Website for public comment a proposed PRC
law, the Draft FIE Law, that appears to include VIEs within the scope of entities that could be considered to be foreign invested enterprises, or FIEs, that would be subject to restrictions under existing PRC law on foreign investment in certain
categories of industry. Specifically, the Draft FIE Law introduces the concept of actual control for determining whether an entity is considered to be an FIE. In addition to control through direct or indirect ownership or equity, the
Draft FIE Law includes control through contractual arrangements within the definition of actual control. If the Draft FIE Law is passed by the Peoples Congress of the PRC and goes into effect in its current form, these provisions
regarding control through contractual arrangements could be construed to reach our VIE arrangements, and as a result our VIEs could become explicitly subject to the current restrictions on foreign investment in certain categories of industry. The
Draft FIE Law includes provisions that would exempt from the definition of foreign invested enterprises entities where the ultimate controlling shareholders are either entities organized under PRC law or individuals who are PRC citizens. The Draft
FIE Law is silent as to what type of enforcement action might be taken against existing VIEs, such as ours, that operate in restricted or prohibited industries and are not controlled by entities organized under PRC law or individuals who are PRC
citizens. If the restrictions and prohibitions on foreign invested enterprises included in the Draft FIE Law are enacted and enforced in their current form, our ability to use our VIE arrangements and our ability to conduct business through them
could be severely limited.
In addition, pursuant to Circular 6 and the MOFCOM Security Review Rules, a security review is required for mergers and
acquisitions by foreign investors having national defense and security concerns and mergers and acquisitions by which foreign investors may acquire de facto control of domestic enterprises with national security
concerns and prohibit foreign investors from bypassing the security review requirement by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions. These
national security review-related regulations are relatively new and there is a lack of clear statutory interpretation regarding the implementation of the rules, and PRC authorities may interpret these regulations to mean that the transactions
implementing our VIE structures should have been submitted for review. For a discussion of these PRC national security review requirements, see Specific Regulations - Miscellaneous - Regulation of M&A and Overseas Listings
If we were found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC law or regulations relating to foreign ownership of value-added telecommunications
businesses, including the Draft FIE Law if it becomes effective, and security reviews of foreign investments in such businesses, including online games businesses, regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over the operation of our business would
have broad discretion in dealing with such a violation, including levying fines, confiscating our income, revoking the business or operating licenses of PRC subsidiaries and/or VIEs, requiring us to restructure our ownership structure or operations,
requiring us to discontinue or divest ourselves of all or any portion of our operations or assets, restricting our right to collect revenues, blocking our Internet platforms, or imposing additional conditions or requirements with which we may not be
able to comply. Any of these actions could cause significant disruption to our business operations and have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, if changes were required to be made to our
ownership structure, our ability to consolidate our VIEs could be adversely affected.
We may be unable to collect long-term loans to officers and
employees or exercise management influence associated with High Century, Heng Da Yi Tong, Tianjin Jinhu, Sogou Information, Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace.
As of December 31, 2016, Sohu had outstanding long-term loans of $9.4 million to Dr. Charles Zhang and certain other employees. These long-term
loans were used to finance investments in our VIEs High Century, Heng Da Yi Tong, Tianjin Jinhu, Sogou Information, Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace, which are used to facilitate our participation in telecommunications, Internet content, online games
and certain other businesses in China where foreign ownership is either prohibited or restricted.
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The loan agreements contain provisions that, subject to PRC laws, (i) the loans can only be repaid to us by
transferring the shares of High Century, Heng Da Yi Tong, Tianjin Jinhu, Sogou Information, Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace to us; (ii) the shares of High Century, Heng Da Yi Tong, Tianjin Jinhu, Sogou Information, Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace
cannot be transferred by the borrowers without our approval; and (iii) we have the right to appoint all directors and senior management personnel of High Century, Heng Da Yi Tong, Tianjin Jinhu, Sogou Information, Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace.
Under the loan agreements the borrowers have pledged all of their shares in High Century, Heng Da Yi Tong, Tianjin Jinhu, Sogou Information, Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace collateral for the loans, and the loans bear no interest and are due on the
earlier of a demand or such time as Dr. Charles Zhang or one of the other employee borrowers, as the case may be, is not an employee of Sohu. Sohu does not intend to request repayment of the loans as long as PRC regulations prohibit it from
directly investing in businesses engaged in by the VIEs.
Because these loans can only be repaid by the borrowers transferring the shares of the
various entities, our ability to ultimately realize the effective return of the amounts advanced under these loans will depend on the profitability of High Century, Heng Da Yi Tong, Tianjin Jinhu, Sogou Information, Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace and
is therefore uncertain.
Furthermore, because of uncertainties associated with PRC law, ultimate enforcement of the loan agreements is uncertain.
Accordingly, we may never be able to collect these loans and we may not be able to continue to exercise influence over High Century, Heng Da Yi Tong, Tianjin Jinhu, Sogou Information, Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace.
We depend upon contractual arrangements with our VIEs for the success of our business and these arrangements may not be as effective in providing
operational control as direct ownership of these businesses and may be difficult to enforce.
Because we conduct our Internet operations mainly in
the PRC, and are restricted or prohibited by the PRC government from owning Internet content, telecommunication, online games operations and certain other operations in the PRC, we are dependent on our VIEs in which we have no direct ownership
interest, to provide those services through contractual agreements among the parties and to hold some of our assets, including some of the domain names and trademarks relating to our business. These arrangements may not be as effective in providing
control over our Internet content, telecommunications operations, online games operations and certain other as direct ownership of these businesses. For example, if we had direct ownership of our VIEs, we would be able to exercise our rights as a
shareholder to effect changes in their boards of directors, which in turn could effect changes at the management level. Due to our VIE structure, we have to rely on contractual rights to effect control and management of our VIEs, which exposes us to
the risk of potential breach of contract by the VIEs or their shareholders, such as their failing to use the domain names and trademarks held by them, or failing to maintain our Internet platforms, in an acceptable manner or taking other
actions that are detrimental to our interests. In addition, as each of our VIEs is jointly owned by its shareholders, it may be difficult for us to change our corporate structure if such shareholders refuse to cooperate with us. In addition, some of
our subsidiaries and VIEs could fail to take actions required for our business, such as entering into content development contracts with potential content suppliers or failing to maintain the necessary permits for the content servers. Furthermore,
if the shareholders of any of our VIEs were involved in proceedings that had an adverse impact on their shareholder interests in such VIE or on our ability to enforce relevant contracts related to the VIE structure, our business would be adversely
affected.
The shareholders of the VIEs may breach, or cause the VIEs to breach, the VIE contracts for a number of reasons. For example, their interests
as shareholders of the VIEs and the interests of our subsidiaries may conflict and we may fail to resolve such conflicts; the shareholders may believe that breaching the contracts will lead to greater economic benefit for them; or the shareholders
may otherwise act in bad faith. If any of the foregoing were to happen, we might have to rely on legal or arbitral proceedings to enforce our contractual rights. In addition, disputes may arise among the shareholders of any of our VIEs with respect
to their ownership of such VIE, which could lead them to breach their agreements with us. Such arbitral and legal proceedings and disputes may cost us substantial financial and other resources, and result in disruption of our business, and the
outcome might not be in our favor. For example, a PRC court or arbitration panel could conclude that our VIE contracts violate PRC law or are otherwise unenforceable. If the contractual arrangements with any of our VIEs were found by PRC authorities
with appropriate jurisdiction to be unenforceable, we could lose control over the assets owned by such VIE and lose our ability to consolidate such VIEs results of operations, assets and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements
and/or to transfer the revenues of such VIE to our corresponding PRC subsidiary.
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A failure by our VIEs or their shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements
with them could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
As all of these contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law
and provide for the resolution of disputes through either arbitration or litigation in the PRC, they would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. We would have to rely
for enforcement on legal remedies under PRC law, including specific performance, injunctive relief or damages, which might not be effective. For example, if we sought to enforce the equity interest purchase right agreements for the transfer of
equity interests in any of our VIEs, if the transferee was a foreign company the transfer would be subject to approval by PRC governmental authorities such as the MIIT and the MOFCOM, and the transferee would be required to comply with various
requirements, including qualification and maximum foreign shareholding percentage requirements. As these PRC governmental authorities have wide discretion in granting such approvals, we could fail to obtain such approval. In addition, our VIE
contracts might not be enforceable in China if PRC governmental authorities, courts or arbitral tribunals took the view that such contracts contravened PRC law or were otherwise not enforceable for public policy reasons.
Furthermore, the legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC
legal system could further limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In the event we were unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, we would not be able to exert effective control over our VIEs, and our ability to conduct
our business, and our financial condition and results of operations, would be severely adversely affected.
The contractual arrangements between our
subsidiaries and our VIEs may result in adverse tax consequences.
PRC laws and regulations emphasize the requirement of an arms length basis
for transfer pricing arrangements between related parties. The laws and regulations also require enterprises with related party transactions to prepare transfer pricing documentation to demonstrate the basis for determining pricing, the computation
methodology and detailed explanations. Related party arrangements and transactions may be subject to challenge or tax inspection by PRC tax authorities.
Under a tax inspection, if our transfer pricing arrangements between the China-Based Subsidiaries and VIEs are judged as tax avoidance, or related
documentation does not meet the requirements, our China-based subsidiaries and VIEs may be subject to material adverse tax consequences, such as transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could result in a reduction, for PRC tax
purposes, of adjustments recorded by VIEs, which could adversely affect us by (i) increasing VIEs tax liabilities without reducing our subsidiaries tax liabilities, which could further result in interest and penalties being levied
on us for unpaid taxes; or (ii) limiting the ability of our PRC companies to maintain preferential tax treatment and other financial incentives. In addition, if for any reason we needed to cause the transfer of any of the shareholders
equity interest in any of our VIEs to a different nominee shareholder (such as if, for example, one of such shareholders was no longer employed by us), we might be required to pay individual income tax, on behalf of the transferring shareholder, on
any gain deemed to have been realized by such shareholder on such transfer.
We may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by any of our VIEs
that are important to the operation of our business if such VIE declares bankruptcy or becomes subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.
Each of our VIEs holds assets, such as our core intellectual property, licenses and permits, that are critical to our business operations. Although the equity
interest purchase right agreements among our WFOEs, our VIEs and the shareholders of our VIEs contain terms that specifically obligate the shareholders of our VIEs to ensure the valid existence of our VIEs, in the event the shareholders breached
these obligations and voluntarily liquidated our VIEs, or if any of our VIEs declared bankruptcy and all or part of its assets became subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, we might be unable to continue some or all of our business
operations. Furthermore, if any of our VIEs were to undergo a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, its shareholders or unrelated third-party creditors might claim rights to some or all of such VIEs assets and their rights could be
senior to our rights under the VIE contracts, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business.
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Frequent press reports in the United States questioning the VIE structure used by us and other Chinese
companies publicly-traded in the United States appear to have created concern among investors, and may cause such an effect in the future.
In
recent years various prominent Western news outlets have questioned the use by Chinese companies that are publicly-traded in the United States of VIE structures as a means of complying with Chinese laws prohibiting or restricting foreign ownership
of certain businesses in China, including businesses we are engaged in such as Internet information and content, online advertising, online game, sponsored search, and value-added telecommunication services. Some of such news reports have also
sought to draw a connection between recent widely reported accounting issues at certain Chinese companies and the use of VIE structures. Such news reports appear to have had the effect of causing concern among investors in several Chinese companies,
including us, that are publicly-traded in the United States. While we are not aware of any causal connection between the recently reported accounting scandals and the use of VIE structures, it is possible that investors in our common stock will
believe that such a connection exists. Any of such circumstances could lead to further loss of investor confidence in Chinese companies such as ours and cause fluctuations in the market prices of our common stock and, if such prices were to drop
sharply, could subject us to shareholder litigation, which could cause the price for our shares to drop further.
Risks Related to Chinas
Regulatory Environment
Political, economic and social policies of the PRC government could affect our business.
Substantially all of our business, operating assets, fixed assets and operations are located in China, and substantially all of our revenues are derived from
our operations in China. Accordingly, our business may be adversely affected by changes in political, economic or social conditions in China, adjustments in PRC government policies or changes in laws and regulations.
The economy of China differs from the economies of most countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in a number of
respects, including:
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Since 1949, China has been primarily a planned economy subject to a system
of macroeconomic management. Although the PRC government still owns a significant portion of the productive assets in China, economic reform policies since the late 1970s have emphasized decentralization, autonomous enterprises and the utilization
of market mechanisms. We cannot predict the future effects of the economic reform and macroeconomic measures adopted by the PRC government on our business or results of operations. Furthermore, the PRC government began to focus more
attention on social issues in recent years and has promulgated or may promulgate additional laws or regulations in this area, which could affect our business in China.
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The PRC legal system embodies uncertainties which could limit the legal protections available to us and
you, or could lead to penalties on us.
The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike common law systems, it is a
system in which decided legal cases have little precedential value. In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. Our PRC operating subsidiaries Sohu New
Momentum, Sohu Era, Sohu Media, Video Tianjin, Sogou Technology, Sogou Network, AmazGame, Gamespace and Beijing Baina Technology are WFOEs, which are enterprises incorporated in China and wholly-owned by our indirect
off-shore
subsidiaries. Those WFOEs are subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China. In addition, all of our subsidiaries and VIEs are incorporated in China and subject to all
applicable Chinese laws and regulations. Because of the relatively short period for enacting such a comprehensive legal system, it is possible that the laws, regulations and legal requirements are relatively recent, and their interpretation and
enforcement involve uncertainties. These uncertainties could limit the legal protections available to us and other foreign investors, including you. Such uncertainties may also make it easier for others to infringe our intellectual property without
significant cost, and new entrants to the market may tend to use gray areas to compete with us. In addition, uncertainties in the PRC legal system may lead to penalties imposed on us because of a difference in interpretation of the applicable law
between the relevant governmental authority and us. For example, under current tax laws and regulations, we are responsible for paying business tax on a Self-examination and Self-application basis. However, since there is no clear
guidance as to the applicability of certain areas of preferential tax treatment, we may be found to be in violation of the tax laws and regulations based on the interpretation of local tax authorities with regard to the scope of taxable services and
the applicable tax rates, and therefore might be subject to penalties, including monetary penalties. In addition, we cannot predict the effect of future developments in the PRC legal system, particularly with regard to the Internet, including the
promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, or the preemption of local regulations by national laws.
The enforcement of the PRC Labor Contract Law and other labor-related regulations in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of
operations.
The Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress enacted the
Labor Contract Law
in 2008, and amended it on
December 28, 2012. The Labor Contract Law introduced specific provisions related to fixed-term employment contracts, part-time employment, probationary periods, consultation with labor unions and employee assemblies, employment without a
written contract, dismissal of employees, severance, and collective bargaining to enhance previous PRC labor laws. Under the Labor Contract Law, an employer is obligated to sign an unlimited-term labor contract with any employee who has worked for
the employer for ten consecutive years. Further, if an employee requests or agrees to renew a fixed-term labor contract that has already been entered into twice consecutively, the resulting contract, with certain exceptions, must have an unlimited
term, subject to certain exceptions. With certain exceptions, an employer must pay severance to an employee where a labor contract is terminated or expires. In addition, the PRC governmental authorities have continued to introduce various new
labor-related regulations since the effectiveness of the Labor Contract Law. For example, there are regulations which require that annual leave ranging from five to 15 days be made available to employees and that employees be compensated for any
unused annual leave days at a rate of three times their daily salary, subject to certain exceptions.
Under the
PRC Social Insurance Law
and the
Administrative Measures on Housing Fund
, employees are required to participate in pension insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance and housing funds and employers are required,
together with their employees or separately, to pay the social insurance premiums and housing funds for their employees.
These laws designed to enhance
labor protection tend to increase our labor costs. In addition, as the interpretation and implementation of these regulations are still evolving, our employment practices may not be at all times be deemed in compliance with the regulations. As a
result, we could be subject to penalties or incur significant liabilities in connection with labor disputes or investigations.
If we are found to
be in violation of current or future PRC laws, rules or regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, we could be subject to severe penalties.
The PRC has enacted regulations that apply to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. While many aspects of these regulations remain unclear,
they purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information and content, online advertising, online game, and mobile services.
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SAPPRFT issued the
Catalogue of Classification of Internet Audio-Video Program Services (Trial)
on
April 1, 2010, pursuant to which the business of providing public program searching and watching services through the Internet to the public is classified as an Internet audio-video program service for which a Permit for the Network
Transmission of Audiovisual Programs is required. On May 31, 2008, Sohu Internet received a Permit for the Network Transmission of Audiovisual Programs, issued by the SAPPRFT, and received a renewal on June 20, 2014. However, Sogou
Information has not yet been granted such a license. If Sogous provision of video search services is later challenged by the SAPPRFT, we may be subject to severe penalties, including fines, or the suspension of our video search services or
even our operations. In addition, Sohus online video businesses are operated under various Internet platforms, such as sohu.com, Focus.cn and sogou.com, but current PRC laws and regulations are lack of clear provisions indicating whether it is
permissible to provide video services over several Internet platforms that are owned by a single company under one permit and the SAPPRFT might claim that such operation under one permit is not allowed under the SAPPRFT Measures. If the SAPPRFT were
to make such a claim, we could face penalties from the SAPPRFT, such as fines, cancellation of our existing permit, or the forced discontinuation or restriction on our video services or even our operations. If we are ordered to suspend our services,
our user traffic will be reduced and therefore our revenues will be negatively affected.
We cannot assure you that we have fully complied with or will in
the future always comply with PRC rules and regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities. In addition, the PRC government may promulgate new laws, rules or regulations at any time. If current or future laws, rules
or regulations regarding Internet-related activities are interpreted to be inconsistent with our ownership structure and/or our business operations, our business could be severely impaired and we could be subject to severe penalties.
PRC laws and regulations mandate complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult
for us to make acquisitions in China.
PRC laws and regulations, such as the M&A Rules, which were jointly issued by six PRC regulatory
agencies on August 8, 2006 and were amended on June 22, 2009, the Anti-Monopoly Law, Circular 6 and the MOFCOM Security Review Rules, established additional procedures and requirements that are expected to make merger and acquisition
activities in China by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the MOFCOM be notified in advance of any
change-of-control
transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise, or that the approval from the MOFCOM be obtained in circumstances
where overseas companies established or controlled by PRC enterprises or residents acquire affiliated domestic companies. PRC laws and regulations also require certain merger and acquisition transactions to be subject to a merger control security
review. The MOFCOM Security Review Rules, effective from September 1, 2011, further provide that, when deciding whether a specific merger or acquisition of a domestic enterprise by foreign investors is subject to a security review by the
MOFCOM, the principle of substance over form should be applied and foreign investors are prohibited from bypassing the security review requirement by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control
through contractual arrangements of offshore transaction. Factors that the MOFCOM considers in its review are whether (i) an important industry is involved, (ii) such transaction involves factors that have had or may have an impact on
national economic security and (iii) such transaction will lead to a change in control of a domestic enterprise that holds a well-known PRC trademark or a time-honored PRC brand. If a business of any target company that we plan to acquire falls
into the ambit of security review, we may not be able to successfully acquire such company. Complying with the requirements of the relevant regulation to complete any such transaction could be time-consuming, and any required approval process,
including approval from the MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business.
In addition, under the PRC AML, which took effect in 2008, an antitrust notification must be filed with the MOFCOM prior to the closing of a business
combination that reaches certain notification thresholds. Although we believe that the Sogou-Tencent Transactions were not subject to the AML and we were not required to file an antitrust notification with respect to them, it is possible that MOFCOM
will consider the Sogou-Tencent Transactions to have constituted a joint venture that would require an antitrust notification under the AML. If the MOFCOM were to conclude that such a notification was required, and prevail in such conclusion, MOFCOM
might instruct us to discontinue the Sogou-Tencent Transactions, and within a specified time limit, dispose of the shares or assets, transfer the business and adopt other necessary measures to return to the state prior to Sogou-Tencent Transactions,
and impose a fine of up to RMB500,000 on us, which could disrupt Sogous operations and business.
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Even if we are in compliance with PRC governmental regulations relating to licensing and foreign investment
prohibitions, the PRC government may prevent us from distributing, and we may be subject to liability for, content that it believes is inappropriate.
The PRC has enacted regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of news and other information. In the past, the PRC government has stopped the
distribution of information over the Internet that it believes to violate PRC law, including content that is obscene, incites violence, endangers national security, is contrary to the national interest or is defamatory. In addition, we may not
publish certain news items, such as news relating to national security, without permission from the PRC government. Furthermore, the Ministry of Public Security has the authority to make any local Internet service provider block any Website
maintained outside the PRC at its sole discretion. Even if we comply with PRC governmental regulations relating to licensing and foreign investment prohibitions, if the PRC government were to take any action to limit or prohibit the distribution of
information through our network or to limit or regulate any current or future content or services available to users on our network, our business would be harmed.
We are also subject to potential liabilities for content on our Internet platforms that is deemed inappropriate and for any unlawful actions of our
subscribers and other users of our systems under regulations promulgated by the MIIT, such potential liabilities including the imposition of fines or even the shutting down of the Internet platforms.
Furthermore, we are required to delete content that clearly violates the laws of the PRC and report content that we suspect may violate PRC law. We may have
difficulty determining the type of content that may result in liability for us and, if we are wrong, we may be prevented from operating our Internet platforms.
Dividends we receive from our operating subsidiaries located in the PRC are subject to PRC profit appropriation and PRC withholding tax.
PRC legal restrictions permit payment of dividends by our China-based WFOEs only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC
accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, our China-based WFOEs are also required to set aside 10% of their net income each year to fund certain reserve funds until these reserves equal 50% of the amount of registered capital. These
reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.
Furthermore, the PRC Corporate Income Tax Law (the CIT Law) provides that a withholding tax
at a rate of up to 20% may be applicable to dividends payable to
non-PRC
investors that are
non-resident
enterprises, to the extent that such dividends are
derived from sources within the PRC. Under the Arrangement Between the PRC and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital
(China-HK
Tax Arrangement), which became effective on January 1, 2007, the dividend withholding tax rate may be reduced to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise is considered a
non-PRC
resident enterprise and holds at least 25% of the equity interests in the PRC enterprise distributing the dividends, subject to approval of the PRC local tax authority. However, if the Hong Kong resident
enterprise is not considered to be the beneficial owner of such dividends under applicable PRC tax regulations, such dividends may remain subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10%. On October 27, 2009, the SAT issued a Notice on How to
Understand and Determine the Beneficial Owners in Tax Agreement (Circular 601), which provides guidance on determining whether an enterprise is a beneficial owner under Chinas tax treaties and tax arrangements. Circular
601 provides that, in order to be a beneficial owner, an entity generally must be engaged in substantive business activities. A company that is set up for the purpose of avoiding or reducing taxes or transferring or accumulating profits will not be
regarded as a beneficial owner and will not qualify for treaty benefits such as preferential dividend withholding tax rates. If any of our Hong Kong subsidiaries is, in the light of Circular 601, considered to be a
non-beneficial
owner for purpose of the
China-HK
Tax Arrangement, any dividends paid to it by any of our PRC Subsidiaries would not qualify for the preferential dividend
withholding tax rate of 5%, but rather would be subject to the usual rate of 10%. All of our foreign-invested enterprises are subject to withholding tax, generally at a 10% rate.
Furthermore, to the extent that the VIEs have undistributed
after-tax
profits, we must pay tax on behalf of our
employees who hold interests in the VIEs when the VIEs distribute dividends in the future. The current individual income tax rate is 20%.
The
non-U.S.
activities of our
non-U.S.
subsidiaries and VIEs may be subject to U.S. taxation.
Sohu.com Inc. is a Delaware corporation and is subject to income taxes in the United States. The majority of our subsidiaries and VIEs are based in China and
are subject to income taxes in the PRC. These China-based subsidiaries and VIEs conduct substantially all of our operations, and generate most of our income in China.
65
In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP), we do not provide for
U.S. federal income taxes or tax benefits on the undistributed earnings or losses of our
non-U.S.
subsidiaries or consolidated VIEs because, for the foreseeable future, we do not have the intention to
repatriate those undistributed earnings or losses to the U.S. However, our practice of not repatriating undistributed earnings to Sohu.com Inc. limits that amount of cash that would otherwise be available to us to pay dividends or repurchase shares
of our common stock from the market. In addition, certain activities conducted in the PRC may give rise to U.S. corporate income tax, even if there are no distributions to Sohu.com Inc. These taxes would be imposed on Sohu.com Inc. when its
subsidiaries that are controlled foreign corporations (CFCs) generate income that is subject to Subpart F of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, or Subpart F. Passive income, such as rents, royalties, interest, dividends, and gain from
disposal of our investments is among the types of income subject to taxation under Subpart F. Any income taxable under Subpart F is taxable in the U.S. at federal corporate income tax rates of up to 35%. Subpart F income that is taxable to Sohu.com
Inc., even if it is not distributed to Sohu.com, may also include income from intercompany transactions between Sohu.com Inc.s
non-U.S.
subsidiaries and Changyous
non-U.S.
subsidiaries, or where Sohu.com Inc.s
non-U.S.
subsidiaries make an investment in U.S. property, within the meaning of Subpart F, such as
holding the stock in, or making a loan to, a U.S. corporation.
In prior years, Sohu.com Inc. has not been required to treat dividends received by its
Cayman Islands subsidiary, Sohu.com Limited, from Changyou as Subpart F income, which would be includible in Sohu.com Inc.s taxable income in the U.S., by relying on what is commonly referred to as the CFC look-through rule. Under this rule,
distributions from a lower-tier CFC to a higher-tier CFC are generally not Subpart F income if the activities that gave rise to the distribution arose from an active business. The CFC look-through rule is a temporary provision of the U.S. tax code
that has been extended several times by the U.S. Congress. The provision is currently scheduled to expire for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019. Unless further extended, the CFC look-through rule will be available for Sohu.com
Inc.s and Changyou.com Limiteds
non-U.S.
subsidiaries only through their taxable years ending November 30, 2020.Sohu.com Inc. would also be subject to U.S. corporate income tax under Subpart F
to the extent that Sohu.com Inc.s
non-U.S.
subsidiary sells Changyou ADSs at a price higher than the adjusted tax basis of such ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any such resulting U.S.
corporate income tax imposed on Sohu.com Inc. would reduce our consolidated net income.
Our offshore entities may need to rely on dividends and
other distributions on equity paid by the Mainland China-based subsidiaries of our subsidiaries Sohu.com Limited, Sogou and Changyou to fund any cash requirements those offshore entities may have. Our offshore entities may not be able to obtain cash
from distributions because our subsidiaries and VIEs in Mainland China are subject to restrictions imposed by PRC law on paying such dividends and making other payments.
Sohu.com Inc. is a holding company with no operating assets other than investments in Chinese operating entities through our intermediate holding companies,
our subsidiaries in the Cayman Islands, and our VIEs. Our offshore entities may need to rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by Mainland China-based subsidiaries of Sohu.com Limited, Sogou and Changyou for the cash requirements
in excess of any cash raised from investors and retained by Sohu.com Inc. or our other offshore entities. In addition, for subsidiaries engaging in Sohus business in Mainland China to be able to use the proceeds of cash dividends from Sogou or
Changyou, the dividends would have to be paid through the Sohu Cayman Islands entities (Sohu Search and Sohu Game) that hold Sohus shares in Sogou and Changyou. The primary source of any dividend payments to our offshore entities would need to
be our subsidiaries in Mainland China after they receive payments from our VIEs under various service agreements and other arrangements. It is possible that our Mainland China-based subsidiaries will not continue to receive payments in accordance
with our contracts with our VIEs that such payments will become subject to restrictions imposed PRC law. If our subsidiaries and VIEs incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay
dividends or make other distributions to us through the intermediate companies. In addition, amounts available for dividends are further reduced because transfers of funds out of Mainland China generally are subject to a withholding tax of 5%, if
transfers are made to Hong Kong and subject to Mainland China Hong Kong tax treaty, and of 10% in other cases, and any further transfers to Sohu.com Inc. in the U.S. would generally be subject to U.S. corporate income tax at a rate of up to
35%.
The PRC government also imposes controls on the convertibility of the RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of
currencies out of Mainland China. We may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currencies. If we or any of our subsidiaries are unable to receive the revenues from our operations
through these service agreements and other arrangements, we may be unable to effectively fund any cash requirements we may have.
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Activities of Internet content providers are or will be subject to additional PRC regulations, which have
not yet been put into effect. Our operations may not be consistent with these new regulations when put into effect, and, as a result, we could be subject to severe penalties.
The MIIT has stated that the activities of Internet content providers are subject to regulation by various PRC government authorities, depending on the
specific activities conducted by the Internet content provider. Various government authorities have stated publicly that they are in the process of preparing new laws and regulations that will govern these activities. The areas of regulation
currently include online advertising, online news reporting, online publishing, provision of online or mobile music, online securities trading, the provision of industry-specific (e.g., drug-related) information over the Internet and foreign
investment in value-added telecommunication services. Other aspects of our online operations may be subject to additional regulations in the future. For example, our online interactive broadcasting video platform enables users to perform real time
musical acts, exchange information, interact with others and engage in various other online activities. Although we have obtained a permit to engage in the online interactive broadcasting video platform services, we cannot assure you that the PRC
regulatory authorities will not issue new laws or regulations specifically regulating the operation of an online interactive broadcasting video platform. Our operations might not be consistent with current laws and regulations or any such new
regulations and, as a result, we could be subject to penalties.
Regulation and censorship of information distribution in China may adversely affect
our business.
China has enacted regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of news and other information. Furthermore, the
Propaganda Department of the Chinese Communist Party takes the responsibility to censor news published in China to ensure, supervise and control a particular political ideology. In addition, the MIIT has published implementing regulations that
subject online information providers to potential liability for contents included in their portals and the actions of subscribers and others using their systems, including liability for violation of PRC laws prohibiting the distribution of content
deemed to be socially destabilizing. Furthermore, because many PRC laws, regulations and legal requirements with regard to the Internet are relatively new and untested, their interpretation and enforcement may involve significant uncertainty. In
addition, the PRC legal system is a civil law system in which decided legal cases have limited binding force as legal precedents. As a result, in many cases an Internet platform operator may have difficulties determining the type of content that may
subject it to liability.
Periodically, the Ministry of Public Security has stopped the distribution over the Internet of information which it believes to
be socially destabilizing. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Security also has the authority to require any local Internet service provider to block any Website maintained outside China at its sole discretion. If the PRC government were to take
action or exercise its authority to limit or eliminate the distribution of information through our portal or to limit or regulate current or future applications available to users of our portal, our business would be adversely affected.
The State Secrecy Bureau, which is directly responsible for the protection of state secrets of all PRC government and Chinese Communist Party organizations,
is authorized to block any Website it deems to be leaking state secrets or failing to meet the relevant regulations relating to the protection of state secrets in the distribution of online information. Under the applicable regulations, we may be
held liable for any content transmitted on our portal. Furthermore, where the transmitted content clearly violates the laws of the PRC, we will be required to delete it. Moreover, if we consider transmitted content suspicious, we are required to
report such content. We must also undergo computer security inspections, and if we fail to implement the relevant safeguards against security breaches, we may be shut down. In addition, under recently adopted regulations, Internet companies which
provide bulletin board systems, chat rooms or similar services, such as our company, must apply for the approval of the State Secrecy Bureau. As the implementing rules of these new regulations have not been issued, we do not know how or when we will
be expected to comply, or how our business will be affected by the application of these regulations.
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We may be subject to the PRC governments ongoing crackdown on Internet pornographic content.
The Chinese government has stringent prohibitions on online pornographic information and has launched several crackdowns on Internet pornography
recently. On December 4, 2009, the MIIT and other three PRC government authorities jointly issued the
Incentives Measures for Report of Pornographic, Obscene and Vulgar Messages on Internet and Mobile Media
(the Anti-Pornography
Notice) to further crackdown on online pornography. Pursuant to this Anti-Pornography Notice, rewards of up to RMB10, 000 will be provided to Internet users who report Websites that feature pornography, and a committee has been established to
review such reports to determine an appropriate award. On April 13, 2014, the National Working Group on Anti-Pornography and three other PRC government authorities jointly issued the Anti-Pornography Proclamation, under which Internet service
providers must immediately remove texts, images, video, advertisements and other information that contain pornographic content. The relevant government authority may order enterprises or individuals who flagrantly produce or disseminate pornographic
content to stop conducting business, and may revoke relevant administrative permits. Although we require all users upon account registration to agree to our terms of service, which specify the types of content that are prohibited on our platform,
and we have deleted from our relevant channels and communities all Web pages with material that we believe could reasonably be considered to be vulgar and have strengthened our internal censorship and supervision of links and content uploaded by
users, it is possible that our users may engage in obscene conversations or activities on our platform that may be deemed illegal under PRC laws and regulations. For example, we provide an online interactive broadcasting video platform for users,
and because the video and audio communication on this platform is conducted in real time, we are unable to examine the content generated by our hosts and users on air before the content is streamed on the platform. There is no assurance that content
considered vulgar by PRC government agencies will not appear in the future. We may be subject to fines or other disciplinary actions, including in serious cases suspension or revocation of the licenses necessary to operate our platform, if we are
deemed to have facilitated the appearance of inappropriate content placed by third parties on our platform under PRC laws and regulations. In addition, if we are accused by the government of hosting vulgar content, our reputation could be adversely
affected.
Regulations relating to the online transmission of foreign films and TV dramas may adversely affect our online video business.
On September 2, 2014, the SAPPRFT issued a
Notice on Further Strengthening the Administration of Online Foreign Audiovisual Content
(the September 2014 SAPPRFT Notice), which requires that operators of audiovisual Websites obtain from the SAPPRFT a Film Public Screening Permit, TV Drama Distribution Permit, or TV Animation Distribution Permit for all foreign films
and TV dramas before they are transmitted via the Internet in China. The September 2014 SAPPRFT Notice further stipulates that before any foreign films or TV dramas for transmission exclusively via the Internet are purchased after the promulgation
of the September 2014 SAPPRFT Notice, operators of audiovisual Websites must declare their annual purchasing plans with the SAPPRFT before the end of the year preceding the year of the intended broadcast and obtain the SAPPRFTs approval. The
September 2014 SAPPRFT Notice also states that the number of foreign films and TV dramas to be purchased by an operator and transmitted via its Website in a single year may not exceed 30% of the total amount of the Chinese films and TV dramas
purchased and transmitted by the same Website in the previous year.
We rely heavily on foreign films and TV dramas to attract users and advertisers to
our online video Internet platforms and, accordingly, the promulgation of the September 2014 SAPPRFT Notice could have an adverse impact on our online video business. If we are not able to obtain the required SAPPRFT approval in time, there will be
a delay in our ability to broadcast such foreign films and TV dramas on our Internet platforms and in our generation of advertising revenues from such films and TV dramas. We are also subject to the risk that users might access pirated versions of
such films and TV dramas during any such delay, and become less likely to view them on our Internet platforms when they become available, which would cause our online traffic and advertising revenues to be lower than we expected. If we fail to
obtain the required approval by the SAPPRFT, we may not be able to recoup the costs we spent in acquiring the broadcasting rights of, and marketing, those films and TV dramas. In addition, it could be necessary for us to recognize impairment charges
related to foreign films and TV dramas we have purchased. The requirement of a minimum ratio of domestic video content to foreign-sourced content in the September 2014 SAPPRFT Notice may require us to purchase more domestic video content in order
for us to be permitted to maintain a sufficient portfolio of online foreign films and TV dramas. If, on the other hand, we respond to the minimum ratio requirement of the September 2014 SAPPRFT Notice by reducing our purchases of foreign films and
TV dramas, our attraction to users, traffic or advertisers on our online video Internet platforms could be reduced, resulting in a decrease in our advertising revenues.
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Regulation and censorship of online interactive broadcasting services in China may adversely affect our
business.
As online interactive broadcasting has surged in popularity in China, PRC governmental authorities have increased their efforts to
regulate it. The MOC issued an
Online Performance Notice
on July 1, 2016 and issued
Online Performance Measures
on December 2, 2016, both effective January 1, 2017, and the CAOC issued
Live Social Video Provisions
on November 4, 2016, providing for the administration and censorship of online interactive broadcasting. The Live Social Video Provisions require us to implement procedures to detect and block illegal, fraudulent, politically-sensitive and
inappropriate content and activities conducted through our online interactive broadcasting platform. Although we have implemented procedures for our online interactive broadcasting platform designed to detect and prevent material and activity that
we believe could reasonably be considered to be prohibited, it is possible that hosts and users of our platform may distribute content and engage in activities that may be deemed illegal, but that we do not detect and identify as such. Furthermore,
we may not be able to immediately block all such content uploads or activities generated by our hosts and users, because there is often a lag between the time our hosts and users upload and stream content on our platform and the time we are able to
examine such content. If PRC authorities believe that illegal or inappropriate activities haven been conducted through our online interactive broadcasting platform, or if there is negative media coverage concerning our platform, PRC government
authorities may hold us liable for
non-compliance
and subject us to administrative penalties or other sanctions, which could cause our business to suffer or have an adverse effect on our user base. See
Government Regulation and Legal Uncertainties - Specific Statutes and Regulations - Regulation of the Provision of Internet Content Online Cultural Products.
Regulations relating to sponsored search may adversely affected our search and search-related revenues and may continue to have an adverse effect on
such revenues.
On April 13, 2016, the SAIC and sixteen other PRC government agencies jointly issued a
Notice of Campaign to Crack Down on
Illegal Internet Finance Advertisements and Other Financial Activities in the Name of Investment Management
(the Campaign Notice), pursuant to which a campaign was conducted between April 2016 and January 2017 targeting,
among other things, online advertisements for internet finance and other financial activities posted on internet search portals such as Sogous. On June 25, 2016, the CAOC issued the Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Search
(the CAOC Interim Measures), which became effective on August 1, 2016 and require that providers of online search services verify the credentials of
pay-for-click
advertisers, specify a maximum percentage that
pay-for-click
search results
may represent of results on a search page, and require that providers of search services conspicuously identify
pay-for-click
search results as such. Also, on
July 4, 2016, the SAIC issued the
Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Advertising
(the SAIC Interim Measures), which became effective on September 1, 2016 and treat
pay-for-click
search results as advertisements subject to PRC advertisement laws and require that
pay-for-click
search results be conspicuously identified on search result pages as advertisements and cause revenues from such advertisements to be subject to the 3% PRC
tax on advertising revenues. In order to comply with these regulations, we have established more stringent standards for selecting advertisers for our
pay-for-click
services and have turned down certain existing advertisers, and have lowered the percentage that
pay-for-click
search results represent of results on our search pages,
which have had an adverse impact on our search and search-related revenues for 2016 and, along with the tax on advertising, are likely to continue to have such
an impact. Also, we cannot assure you that the PRC regulatory authorities will not issue new laws or regulations specifically regulating sponsored search
services, which could further impact our revenues.
Regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our ability to
acquire PRC companies and could adversely affect our business.
In July 2014, SAFE promulgated Circular 37, which replaced Circular 75, promulgated
by SAFE in October 2005 Circular 37 requires PRC residents, including PRC institutions and individuals, to register with the local SAFE branch in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, referred to in
Circular 37 as a special purpose vehicle, for the purpose of holding domestic or offshore assets or interests. PRC residents must also file amendments to their registrations in the event of any significant changes with respect to the
special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. Under these regulations, PRC residents failure to comply with specified
registration procedures may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant PRC entity, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent, as well as restrictions on capital
inflows from the offshore entity to the PRC entity, including restrictions on the ability to contribute additional capital to the PRC entity. It is unclear how these regulations will be interpreted and implemented as Circular 37 is newly issued and
it is possible that some or all of our and Changyous shareholders who are PRC residents will not comply with all the requirements required by Circular 37 or related rules. Any future failure by any of our, or Changyous shareholders who
is a PRC resident, or controlled by a PRC resident, to comply with relevant requirements under these regulations could subject us and Changyou to fines or sanctions imposed by the PRC government, including restrictions on our subsidiaries
ability to pay dividends or make distributions to us and our ability to increase our investment in these subsidiaries.
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We may be subject to fines and legal sanctions if we or our employees who are PRC citizens fail to comply
with PRC regulations relating to employee share options.
Under the
Administration Measures on Individual Foreign Exchange Control
issued by
the PBOC and the related Implementation Rules issued by the SAFE, all foreign exchange transactions involving an employee share incentive plan, share option plan or similar plan participated in by PRC citizens may be conducted only with the approval
of the SAFE. Under the
Notice of Issues Related to the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Listed Company
(Offshore Share Incentives Rule), issued by the SAFE
on February 15, 2012, PRC citizens who are granted share options, restricted share units or restricted shares by an overseas publicly listed company are required to register with the SAFE or its authorized branch and comply with a series of
other requirements. The Offshore Share Incentives Rule also provides procedures for registration of incentive plans, the opening and use of special accounts for the purpose of participation in incentive plans, and the remittance of funds for
exercising options and gains realized from such exercises and sales of such options or the underlying shares, both outside and inside the PRC. We, and any of our PRC employees or members of our board of directors who have been granted share options,
restricted share units or restricted shares, are subject to the
Administration Measures on Individual Foreign Exchange Control
, the related Implementation Rules, and the Offshore Share Incentives Rule. Circular 37 was the first regulation to
regulate the foreign exchange registration of a
non-listed
special purpose vehicles equity incentives granted to PRC residents, there remains uncertainty with respect to its implementation. If we, or any
of our PRC employees or members of our board of directors who receive or hold options, restricted share units or restricted shares in us or any of our subsidiaries, fail to comply with these registration and other procedural requirements, we may be
subject to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.
It may be difficult to enforce any civil judgments against us or our Board of
Directors or officers, because most of our operating and/or fixed assets are located outside the United States.
Although we are incorporated in
the State of Delaware, most of our operating and fixed assets are located in the PRC. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to enforce judgments outside the United States obtained in actions brought against us in the United States,
including actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or of the securities laws of any state of the United States. In addition, certain of our directors and officers (principally based
in the PRC) and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon those directors and officers, or to
enforce against them or us judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or of the securities laws of any state of the United
States. We have been advised by our PRC counsel that, in their opinion, there is doubt as to the enforceability in the PRC, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of United States courts, of civil liabilities predicated
solely upon the federal securities laws of the United States or the securities laws of any state of the United States.
If the status of certain of
our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs as High and New Technology Enterprises, Key National Software Enterprises or Software Enterprises is revoked or expires, we may have to pay additional taxes or make up any previously
unpaid tax and may be subject to a higher tax rate, which would adversely affect our results of operations.
The CIT Law generally imposes a
uniform income tax rate of 25% on all enterprises, but grants preferential treatment to High and New Technology Enterprises (HNTEs), pursuant to which HNTEs are instead subject to an income tax rate of 15%, subject to a requirement that
they
re-apply
for HNTE status every three years. During this three-year period, an HNTE must conduct a qualification self-review each year to ensure it meets the HNTE criteria, and will be subject to the
regular 25% income tax rate for any year in which it does not meet the criteria. The CIT Law and its implementing regulations provide that a Software Enterprise can enjoy an income tax exemption for two years beginning with its first
profitable year and a 50% reduction to a rate of 12.5% for the subsequent three years. An entity that qualifies as a Key National Software Enterprise (KNSE) can enjoy a further reduced preferential income tax rate of 10%.
Enterprises wishing to enjoy the status of Software Enterprises or KNSEs must perform a self-assessment each year to ensure they meet the relevant criteria for qualification. If at any time during the preferential tax treatment years an enterprise
uses the preferential CIT rates but the relevant authorities determine that it failed to meet applicable criteria for qualification, the authorities may revoke the enterprises Software Enterprise or KNSE status, as applicable.
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There are uncertainties regarding future interpretation and implementation of the CIT Law and its implementing
regulations. It is possible that the HNTE, Software Enterprise, and KNSE qualifications of our operating entities currently qualified as such, or their entitlement to an income tax exemption or refund of their VAT, will be challenged by higher level
tax authorities and be repealed, or that there will be future implementing regulations that are inconsistent with current interpretation of the CIT Law. For example, in 2016 the SAT issued a circular with new criteria for certifying a Software
Enterprise. Therefore, it is possible that the qualification of one or more of our PRC Subsidiaries or VIEs as a Software Enterprise will be challenged in the future or that such companies will not be able to take any further actions, such as
re-application
for Software Enterprise qualification, to enjoy such preferential tax treatment. If those operating entities cannot qualify for such preferential income tax status, our effective income tax rate will
be increased significantly and we may have to pay additional income tax to make up the previously unpaid tax, which would reduce our net income.
We
may be deemed a PRC resident enterprise under the CIT Law and be subject to PRC taxation on our worldwide income.
The CIT Law provides that
enterprises established outside of China whose de facto management bodies are located within China are considered resident enterprises and are generally subject to the uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate on their worldwide
income (including dividend income received from subsidiaries). Under
the Implementing Regulations for the Corporate Income Tax Law
, de facto management body is defined as a body that has material and overall management and control
over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel and human resources, finances and treasury, and acquisition and disposition of properties and other assets of an enterprise. Since substantially all of our operational management is currently
based in the PRC, it is unclear whether PRC tax authorities would require (or permit) us to be treated as a
PRC-resident
enterprise. If we are treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes, we will be
subject to PRC tax on our worldwide income at the 25% uniform tax rate, which could have an impact on our effective tax rate and an adverse effect on our net income and the results of operations, although dividends distributed from our PRC
Subsidiaries to us could be exempted from Chinese dividend withholding tax, since such income is exempted under the CIT Law for
PRC-resident
recipients.
Dividends payable by us to our foreign investors and profits on the sale of our shares may be subject to tax under PRC tax laws.
Under the
Implementing Regulations for the Corporate Income Tax Law
, PRC income tax at the rate of 10% is applicable to dividends payable to investors
that are
non-resident
enterprises, not having an establishment or place of business in the PRC, or which do have such establishment or place of business but the relevant income is not effectively
connected with the establishment or place of business, to the extent that such dividends have their sources within the PRC. Similarly, any profits realized through the transfer of shares by such investors are also subject to 10% PRC income tax if
such profits are regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC. It is unclear whether dividends we pay with respect to our share, or the profits you may realize from the transfer of our shares, would be treated as income derived from
sources within the PRC and be subject to PRC tax. If we are required under the
Implementing Regulations for the Corporate Income Tax Law
to withhold PRC income tax on dividends payable to our
non-PRC
investors that are
non-resident
enterprises, or if you are required to pay PRC income tax on the transfer of our shares, the value of your investment in our shares may be materially and adversely
affected.
Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to use our revenues effectively.
Substantially all of our revenues and operating expenses are denominated in RMB. The RMB is not freely tradable in capital account transactions,
which include foreign direct investment. Foreign exchange transactions classified as capital account transactions are subject to limitations and require approval from the SAFE. This could affect our China-Based Subsidiaries ability to obtain
foreign exchange through debt or equity financing, including by means of loans or capital contributions from us.
Further, although the RMB is at present
freely convertible in current account transactions, which include dividends, and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, and our China-Based Subsidiaries may purchase and retain foreign exchange for settlement of such
transactions, including payment of dividends, without the approval of the SAFE, the relevant PRC governmental authorities may limit or eliminate our ability to purchase and retain foreign currencies in the future.
Since a significant amount of our future revenues are likely to be in the form of RMB, these existing restrictions, and any future restrictions, on currency
exchange may limit our ability to use revenues generated in RMB to fund our business activities outside of China, or to make expenditures denominated in foreign currencies.
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We may suffer currency exchange losses if the RMB depreciates relative to the U.S. dollar.
Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. However, substantially all of our revenues are denominated in RMB. In July 2005, China reformed its exchange rate
regime by establishing a managed floating exchange rate regime based on market supply and demand with reference to a basket of currencies. The RMB is no longer pegged to the U.S. dollar and the exchange rate will have some flexibility. Hence,
considering the floating exchange rate regime, if the RMB depreciates relative to the U.S. dollar, our revenues as expressed in our U.S. dollar financial statements will decline in value. Also, we currently have outstanding loans from overseas banks
that are denominated in U.S. dollars. To repay these loans, we will need to first convert our cash denominated in RMB into U.S. dollars. If the RMB depreciates relative to the U.S. dollar, we will have to use a larger amount of cash in RMB for
any such loan repayment.
On May 19, 2007, the PBOC announced a policy to expand the maximum daily floating range of RMB trading prices against the
U.S. dollar in the inter-bank spot foreign exchange market from 0.3% to 0.5%. While the international reactions to the RMB revaluation and widening of the RMBs daily trading band have generally been positive, with the increased floating range
of the RMBs value against foreign currencies, the RMB may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar or other foreign currencies in the long term, depending on the fluctuation of the basket of currencies against
which it is currently valued. On June 19, 2010, the PBOC announced that it has decided to proceed further with the reform of the RMB exchange rate regime to enhance the flexibility of the RMB exchange rate and that emphasis would be placed on
reflecting market supply and demand with reference to a basket of currencies. While so indicating its intention to make the RMBs exchange rate more flexible, the PBOC ruled out any sharp fluctuations in the currency or a
one-off
adjustment. On April 16, 2012, the PBOC enlarged the floating band of RMBs trading prices against the U.S. dollar in the inter-bank spot foreign exchange market from 0.5% to 1% around the middle
rate released by the China Foreign Exchange Trade System each day. In February 2014, the center point of the currencys official trading band hit 6.1146, representing appreciation of more than 11.7% since June 19, 2010. On March 17,
2014, the PBOC announced a policy to further expand the maximum daily floating range of RMB trading prices against the U.S. dollar in the inter-bank spot foreign exchange market to 2%. Through 2016 the RMB continued its significant depreciation. The
center point of the currencys official trading band was 6.5486 in January 2016, and was 6.9189 in December 2016, which contributed to a decline in our revenues reported in U.S. dollars. In addition, there are very limited hedging transactions
available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to successfully
hedge our exposure, if at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert RMB into U.S. dollars.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
The market price
of our common stock has been and will likely continue to be volatile. The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, which may make it difficult for stockholders to sell shares of our common stock when desired or at attractive prices.
The market price of our common stock has been volatile and is likely to continue to be so. The initial public offering price of our common stock
in July 2000 was $13.00 per share. The trading price of our common stock subsequently dropped to a low of $0.52 per share on April 9, 2001. During 2014 the trading price of our common stock ranged from a low of $42.03 per share to a high of
$87.68 per share, during 2015 the trading price of our common stock ranged from a low of $40.2 per share to a high of $71.78 per share, and during 2016 the trading price of our common stock ranged from a low of $32.6 per share to a high of $55.21
per share. On February 22, 2017, the closing price of our common stock was $42.16 per share.
In addition, the NASDAQ Global Select Market has from
time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market prices for the securities of technology companies, and particularly Internet-related companies.
The price for our common stock may fluctuate in response to a number of events and factors, such as quarterly variations in operating results, announcements
of technological innovations or new products and media properties by us or our competitors, changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts, the operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors may
deem comparable to us, and news reports relating to trends in our markets or general economic conditions. Additionally, volatility or a lack of positive performance in our stock price may adversely affect our ability to retain key employees, all of
whom have been granted share options or other stock awards.
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We are controlled by a small group of our existing stockholders, whose interests may differ from other
stockholders.
Dr. Charles Zhang beneficially owns approximately 20% of the outstanding shares of our common stock and is our largest
stockholder. Our Chief Executive Officer, together with our other executive officers and members of our Board of Directors, beneficially own approximately 21% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Accordingly these stockholders acting
together will have significant influence in determining the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matters submitted to the stockholders for approval, including mergers, consolidations, the sale of all or substantially all of our assets,
election of directors and other significant corporate actions. They will also have significant influence in preventing or causing a change in control. In addition, without the consent of these stockholders, we may be prevented from entering into
transactions that could be beneficial to us. The interests of these stockholders may differ from the interests of the other stockholders.
Anti-takeover provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and our certificate of incorporation could delay or deter a change in control.
Some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and
by-laws,
as well as various provisions of the
Delaware General Corporation Law, may make it more difficult to acquire our company or effect a change in control of our company, even if an acquisition or change in control would be in the interest of our stockholders or if an acquisition or change
in control would provide our stockholders with a premium for their shares over then current market prices. For example, our certificate of incorporation provides for the division of our Board of Directors into two classes with staggered
two-year
terms and provides that stockholders have no right to take action by written consent and may not call special meetings of stockholders, each of which may make it more difficult for a third party to gain
control of our board in connection with, or obtain any necessary stockholder approval for, a proposed acquisition or change in control.
The power
of our Board of Directors to designate and issue shares of preferred stock could have an adverse effect on holders of our common stock.
Our
certificate of incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors to designate and issue one or more series of preferred stock, having rights and preferences as the board may determine, and any such designations and issuances could have an adverse
effect on the rights of holders of common stock.
If we do not appoint a third member of our Audit Committee before the earlier of our 2017 annual
meeting or August 4, 2017, our common stock will be subject to delisting from NASDAQ.
As a result of the resignation of Charles Huang from
the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors on August 4, 2016, as of the date of this report we do not comply with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(c)(2), which requires companies with securities listed on NASDAQ to have an audit committee
composed of at least three directors, but we are relying on the cure period provided by NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(c)(4), which will allow the vacancy to continue until the earlier of our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders or August 4,
2017. If our Board of Directors were to fail to identify and appoint a qualified replacement to fill the vacancy before the expiration of the cure period, our common stock would be subject to delisting from NASDAQ, which would substantially reduce
or effectively terminate the trading of our common stock in the United States.
Registered public accounting firms in China, including our
independent registered public accounting firm, are not inspected by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which deprives us and our investors of the benefits of such inspection.
Auditors of companies whose shares are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and traded publicly in the United States, including our
independent registered public accounting firm, must be registered with the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the PCAOB) and are required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess
their compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards applicable to auditors. Our independent registered public accounting firm is located in, and organized under the laws of, the PRC, which is a jurisdiction where the
PCAOB, notwithstanding the requirements of U.S. law, is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities. In May 2013, PCAOB announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement
Cooperation with the CSRC and the PRC Ministry of Finance, which establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations undertaken by PCAOB, the CSRC or the PRC Ministry
of Finance in the United States and the PRC, respectively. PCAOB continues to be in discussions with the CSRC and the PRC Ministry of Finance to permit joint inspections in the PRC of audit firms that are registered with PCAOB and audit Chinese
companies that trade on U.S. exchanges.
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This lack of PCAOB inspections in China prevents the PCAOB from fully evaluating audits and quality control
procedures of our independent registered public accounting firm. As a result, we and investors in our common stock are deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China
makes it more difficult to evaluate the
effectiveness of our independent registered public accounting firms audit procedures or quality control
procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to PCAOB inspections, which could cause investors and potential investors in our stock to lose confidence in our audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality
of our financial statements.
If additional remedial measures are imposed on the Big Four
PRC-based
accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, in administrative proceedings brought by the SEC alleging the firms failure to meet specific criteria set by the SEC, we could be unable to timely file future
financial statements in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
In December 2012, the SEC instituted administrative proceedings
against the Big Four
PRC-based
accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, alleging that these firms had violated U.S. securities laws and the SECs rules and
regulations thereunder by failing to provide to the SEC the firms audit work papers with respect to certain
PRC-based
companies that are publicly traded in the United States. On January 22, 2014,
the ALJ presiding over the matter rendered an initial decision that each of the firms had violated the SECs rules of practice by failing to produce audit workpapers to the SEC. The initial decision censured each of the firms and barred them
from practicing before the SEC for a period of six months. The Big Four
PRC-based
accounting firms appealed the ALJs initial decision to the SEC. The ALJs decision does not take effect unless and
until it is endorsed by the SEC. On February 6, 2015, the four China-based accounting firms each agreed to a censure and to pay a fine to the SEC to settle the dispute and avoid suspension of their ability to practice before the SEC and audit
U.S.-listed companies. The settlement required the firms to follow detailed procedures and to seek to provide the SEC with access to Chinese firms audit documents via the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC. If future document
productions fail to meet specified criteria, the SEC retains authority to impose a variety of additional remedial measures on the firms depending on the nature of the failure. While we cannot predict if the SEC will further review the four
China-based accounting firms compliance with specified criteria or if the results of such a review would result in the SEC imposing penalties such as suspensions or restarting the administrative proceedings, if the accounting firms are subject
to additional remedial measures, our ability to file our financial statements in compliance with SEC requirements could be impacted. A determination that we have not timely filed financial statements in compliance with SEC requirements could
ultimately lead to the delisting of our common stock from NASDAQ or the termination of the registration of our common stock under the Exchange Act, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our common stock in
the United States.
Risks Related to Our Financing Activities
Sogous status as a controlled, but less than wholly-owned, subsidiary of us could have an adverse effect on us.
Given that Sogou is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of us, it is possible that our and Sogous interests could diverge in the future as we may need to
consider the interests of other shareholders of Sogou. If Sogous interests differ from, or are contrary to, our interests, our business operations may be adversely affected. Furthermore, if our search business does not break even or achieve
profitability and we are unable to raise additional capital, we could be forced to suspend the operation of our search business, and even if we were able to raise additional capital, our interest in Sogou would be further diluted.
Moreover, since Sohu does not hold 100% of Sogou, certain transactions between Sohu and Sogou, as well as between their subsidiaries and VIEs, might expose
Sohu.com Inc. to up to 35% U.S. corporate income tax. In addition, certain transactions entered into by Sogou and its subsidiaries and VIEs, such as investing in U.S. properties, might expose Sohu.com Inc. to the risk that these will be treated as
transactions subject to U.S. tax. If Sogou were to pay a dividend to its shareholders, we, as one of the shareholders of Sogou, could be subject to U.S. corporate income tax at up to 35% on the portion of the dividend it received.
Changyous status as a public company could have an adverse impact on Sohu.
Changyous American depositary shares, or ADSs, are listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. As a separate publicly-listed company, Changyou
may have interests that differ from, or may even be contrary to, those of Sohu, and we may have disagreements on certain matters. Our business might be adversely affected by any such disagreements.
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Changyous status as a publicly-listed company may have adverse U.S. tax consequences for us. As the Sohu
Group has two listed companies, Sohu.com Inc. and Changyou.com Limited, which are regarded as separate legal entities for U.S. tax purposes, certain transactions between these two companies, as well as between their subsidiaries and VIEs, might
expose Sohu.com Inc. to U.S. corporate income tax at a rate of 34%. Moreover, certain types of transactions by Changyou and its subsidiaries and VIEs - investing in U.S. properties, for example - might expose Sohu.com Inc. to the risk that the
transactions will be subject to U.S. tax. If Changyou pays dividends, Sohu.com Inc., as one of the shareholders of Changyou, might be subject to U.S. corporate income tax at a rate of up to 35% for the dividends received. Under certain
circumstances, when we sell Changyou ordinary shares originally held by us at a price higher than our U.S. tax basis, a portion of the proceeds will be subject to U.S. corporate income tax at a rate of up to 35%.
Risks Related to Changyou.com Limited
Risks Relating
to Changyous Business and Industry
Overall Risks
The markets for Changyous products and services are evolving rapidly and significantly, which makes evaluating its business and prospects
difficult.
Changyous three primary businesses are the online game business; the platform channel business, which consists primarily of
online advertising; and the cinema advertising business. Changyous businesses and the industries in which it operates are evolving rapidly. Changyou was incorporated on August 6, 2007 in the Cayman Islands and began its online game
business as an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Sohu.com Inc. In 2007 Sohu transferred all of its PC game business to Changyou. In 2011 Changyou acquired 7Road and began generating Web game revenues. In 2012, Changyou began to develop and operate
mobile games, but did not begin to generate any significant revenues from mobile games until late in 2014 when Changyou launched TLBB 3D. In August 2015, as revenues from Changyous Web games Wartune and DDTank had begun to decline, Changyou
sold 7Roads operating company Shenzhen 7Road Technology Co., Ltd., or Shenzhen 7Road, and as a result Changyou has no remaining significant Web games in operation or development. In 2011, Changyou began to expand into the platform channel
business with its acquisition from Sohu of the 17173.com Website, which operates Changyous online advertising business. In December 2013, Changyou acquired RaidCall, which operates free social communication software; and in July 2014 Changyou
acquired a majority interest in MoboTap Inc., or MoboTap, a Cayman Islands company that operates the Dolphin Browser. However, Changyous acquisitions of RaidCall and MoboTap were not successful, as expected synergies did not materialize. In
2011, Changyou acquired the entities that operate its cinema advertising business. Changyous cinema advertising business experienced strong growth in 2016 and has become a significant part of Changyous overall business, but Changyou may
not be able to sustain that growth.
Changyous past successes in its online games business with PC games may not provide a meaningful basis for you
to evaluate its current business and prospects, as game players increasingly migrate from personal computers to mobile devices to access online games and the relative popularity of PC games continues to decline. In response to such rapid migration,
Changyou has devoted and Changyou expects to continue to devote substantial resources to the development of its mobile games as a critical component of its business strategy. However, Changyous mobile games strategy has not been proven, and
presents very different challenges from those presented in the past by its operation of PC games and Web games. We cannot be certain that Changyou will be successful in its efforts to continue to expand into mobile games. Despite the early success
of Changyous mobile game TLBB 3D after Changyou introduced it, the popularity of, and the revenues generated from, the game declined through 2016, and Changyou has not been able to generate comparable revenues from new mobile games to sustain
or grow its mobile game business.
You should also consider additional risks and uncertainties that may be experienced by companies operating in a rapidly
developing and evolving industry. Some of these risks and uncertainties relate to Changyous ability to:
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raise Changyous brand recognition and game player loyalty;
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develop, license or operate new games that are appealing to game players; adapt to new trends and game player tastes; meet Changyous expected timetables for their launch; and, if they are successful, have
acceptably long lifespans and result in an acceptable level of profit for Changyou;
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successfully adapt to evolving business models, industry trends and market environments by developing and investing in new business strategies, products, services and technologies, including, in particular, virtual
reality, or VR, technology, and new games;
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arrange for its mobile games to be distributed through popular mobile application stores with commercial terms, including revenue-sharing arrangements, that are favorable enough to Changyou and allow it to achieve an
acceptable level of profit from the games;
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integrate new technologies, businesses and personnel of acquired entities, and generate sufficient revenues to offset the costs and expenses of such acquisitions;
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maintain or expand Changyous marketing efforts to attract more game players to its games and to the game information portal of the 17173.com Website in a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive business
environment, and generate sufficient revenues to offset the costs and expenses of such marketing efforts; and reverse the recent decline in Changyous revenues from the 17173.com Website, particularly in view of the rapid emergence of mobile
games and the decline in the relative popularity of PC games and Web games as users increasingly switch to mobile devices; and
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successfully expand Changyous marketing efforts to attract advertisers to place advertisements in
pre-film
advertising slots that it purchases from operators of movie
theaters, which are critical to Changyous ability to recoup its significant upfront payments and committed payments under Changyous contracts with the operators of movie theaters.
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If Changyou does not adapt its business to address these risks and uncertainties, its ability to continue its past success or to expand its business in the
future is likely to be impeded.
Changyous business may not succeed in a highly competitive market.
Competition in the online game market in China is becoming increasingly intense. Changyou competes primarily with other online game developers in China,
including Tencent Holdings Limited and NetEase.com, Inc. Many of Changyous competitors have, or may over time be able to gain, competitive advantages over Changyou in terms of:
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greater financial and technical resources;
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more aggressive and effective strategies for hiring talent for game development, which may make it difficult for Changyou to retain its existing employees and attract new employees, which are necessary for Changyou to
be able to grow its business;
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substantially greater financial resources and more effective methods for acquiring exclusive license rights to the titles, characters, themes and story lines of popular works in order to adapt online games from such
works (which has become increasingly important for new online games to be successful);
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more aggressive and effective marketing strategies for promoting their online games and penetrating the mobile game market; and
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more capability for developing and releasing new software for mobile devices to attract a growing number of game players that access Internet products and services through mobile devices.
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The 17173.com Website derives revenue primarily from providing online advertising services to advertisers that develop, operate and distribute PC games. As
the market demand for PC games continues to decline, the 17173.com Website faces intense competition, particularly from mobile application stores and other Internet platforms through which game players access mobile games, for advertising business
targeting online players of mobile games. Changyou competes with other game information portals, such as duowan.com, operated by YY Inc., and game.qq.com, operated by Tencent Holdings Limited, and other Internet portals which have, or may over time
be able to build, competitive advantages over Changyou in terms of:
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greater brand recognition among game players and advertising clients;
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larger user and customer bases;
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more extensive and well developed marketing and sales networks;
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more attractive mobile versions of their game information portals and more extensive mobile game-related products and services, such as mobile game discussion forums, in response to the rapid migration of users of
Internet services from PCs to mobile devices such as tablets and mobile phones, and the unique preferences and demands of mobile users and mobile game players; and
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substantially greater financial and technical resources.
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Changyous cinema advertising business generates revenues through contracts that Changyou enters into with
advertisers to place their advertisements in
pre-film
advertising slots that Changyou purchases from operators of movie theaters. Changyou competes with Focus Media Group, Wanda Group and other companies
selling
pre-film
advertisement slots to advertisers. These competitors in general, and Wanda Group in particular, have, and may be able to build further, competitive advantages over Changyou arising from their
having significantly greater financial resources, greater brand recognition among operators of movie theaters and advertisers and more capable and effective sales and marketing forces and strategies than Changyou does. Wanda Group has a particular
competitive advantage over Changyou as Wanda itself is one of the largest operators of movie theaters in China. Therefore, it is cost-effective for Wanda Group to expand its own cinema advertising business together with its expansion of movie
theaters. In addition, Wanda Group is competing with Changyou for advertising slots in other movie theaters that Wanda does not own or operate, which may force Changyou to increase the price for such advertising slots, which may impair
Changyous ability to compete effectively in those markets.
In order to compete effectively in the PRC, as well as in the worldwide market, Changyou
must continue to invest in research and development, to enhance its technology and its existing games, advertising and other services, and to introduce new game products and services in order for it to adapt to industry trends and shifting demands
of game players and advertising clients and to remain competitive. If Changyous products and services are not responsive to the needs of its game players and advertisers, are not appropriately timed with market opportunities, or are not
effectively brought to market, or if its competitors are more successful than Changyou is in developing compelling products or in attracting and retaining game players and advertisers, Changyou may not be able to compete effectively.
Changyous business could suffer if Changyou does not successfully manage any future growth.
Changyou experienced a period of rapid growth and expansion through 2013 that placed strain on its management personnel, systems and resources. In addition,
to accommodate any future growth, Changyou anticipates that it will need to implement a variety of new and upgraded operational and financial systems, including procedures and controls, improvement of its accounting and other internal management
systems and security systems related to the foregoing, all of which require substantial management efforts and financial resources. Changyou will also need to continue to train, manage and motivate its workforce, and manage its relationships with
its third-party operators, distributors and service providers and its game player base. All of these endeavors will require substantial management effort and skills and the incurrence of additional expenditures. Changyou may not be able to
efficiently or effectively implement its growth strategies and manage the growth of its operations, and any failure to do so may limit its future growth and hamper its business strategy.
Changyou may not be able to avoid slowing growth or declines in its revenues, or future losses.
Changyous revenues grew significantly in a relatively short period of time prior to 2014, but its revenue growth stalled in 2014 and 2015, and revenues
decreased in 2016. Primarily due to the commercial success of TLBB, Changyous revenues grew from $623.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 to $737.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. However,
Changyous revenues increased only slightly to $755.3 million and to $761.6 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015, and Changyous revenues decreased to $525.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 2016. Even if Changyous revenues increase in future years, Changyou is not likely to experience rates of revenue growth in the future similar to those that it experienced prior to 2014. Changyou suffered a net loss
attributable to Changyou.com Limited of $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Changyous net income attributable to Changyou.com Limited was $212.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, but decreased to
$144.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Changyou also may experience declines in its revenues or suffer net losses in the future due to a number of factors, including, among other things, the continued decline in TLBBs
and TLBB 3Ds revenues and profitability, the uncertain level of popularity of Changyous future games (particularly its future mobile games as users increasingly switch to mobile devices), uncertainty as to Changyous ability to
develop and launch high-quality mobile games that are commercially successful and the relatively higher game development and distribution costs generally associated with such games; the need to expend greater amounts in order to develop or acquire
new games, technologies, assets, and businesses; and uncertainty as to Changyous ability to integrate such newly acquired games, technologies, assets and businesses. Accordingly, you should not rely on the results of any prior period as an
indication of Changyous future financial and operating performance.
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Changyous previous and any future acquisitions and/or strategic alliances may have an adverse effect
on its ability to manage its business and may also result in impairment charges.
Changyou has made acquisitions of, and may potentially acquire
in the future, technologies, businesses or assets that are complementary to its business and/or enter into strategic alliances in order to leverage its position in the Chinese online game market and expand its business domestically and
internationally. Such acquisitions or strategic alliances may expose Changyou to potential risks, including risks associated with the integration of new technologies, businesses and personnel including its continued reliance on the management teams
of the acquisition targets to operate the acquired businesses, unforeseen or hidden liabilities, the diversion of management attention and resources from its existing business, and the inability to generate sufficient revenues to offset the costs
and expenses of acquisitions or strategic alliances. Any difficulties encountered in the acquisition and strategic alliance process may have an adverse effect on Changyous ability to manage its business. In addition, acquired businesses may
not perform to Changyous expectations for various reasons, including the loss of key personnel or key clients, and Changyous strategic focus may change. As a result, Changyou may not realize the benefits it anticipated. If Changyou fails
to integrate acquired technologies, businesses and assets or realize the expected benefits, Changyou may not receive a return on its investment and its transaction costs for such acquisitions. The benefits of an acquisition or investment may also
take considerable time to develop, and we cannot be certain that any particular acquisition or investment will produce the intended benefits, which could adversely affect its business and operating results. Acquisitions could result in contingent
liabilities or amortization expenses related to intangible assets or write-offs of goodwill and/or intangible assets, which could adversely affect Changyous results of operations. For example, in December 2013, Changyou acquired RaidCall with
the expectation of generating benefits from synergies with Changyous online game business; in November 2013 Changyou acquired Beijing Doyo Internet Technology Co., Ltd., or Doyo, with the expectation of generating benefits from synergies with
Changyous online advertising business, and in July 2014 Changyou acquired MoboTap, which operates the Dolphin Browser, with the expectation of generating benefits from synergies with Changyous platform channel business. In 2014 Changyou
recognized a $33.8 million impairment loss for goodwill and a $15.3 million impairment loss for acquired intangible assets related to RaidCall, in 2015 Changyou recognized a $29.6 million impairment loss for goodwill and an
$8.9 million impairment loss for acquired intangible assets relating to the Dolphin Browser, and in 2015 Changyou sold Doyo and recognized a $1.9 million impairment loss for goodwill, as a result of Changyous managements
conclusion that the expected synergies would not materialize.
Changyou is dependent upon its management and upon its key development and technical
personnel; and Changyous business may be disrupted if it loses the services of any of them.
Changyous future success depends
substantially on the services of the members of its management and its key development and technical personnel, such as Changyous Chief Executive Officer Dewen Chen. If one or more of the members of Changyous management or key
development or technical personnel were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, Changyou might not be able to replace them easily, or at all. If any of the members of Changyous management or its key employees joins a
competitor or forms a competing company, not only would Changyou lose
know-how,
key professionals, staff members and suppliers, but such members of Changyous management and key employees could develop
and operate games and other services that could compete with and take game players and users away from its existing and future business. Although each of these members of Changyous management and key personnel has entered into an employment
agreement with
non-competition
provisions, these
non-competition
provisions may not be enforceable in China.
Changyous prospects for growth may be adversely affected if Changyou cannot successfully manage and make timely adjustments to its hiring needs to
support its business strategies.
The Internet industry in China is characterized by high demand and intense competition for talent, particularly
for game developers and related technical personnel, and Changyous success in the implementation of its growth strategies depends on Changyous ability to successfully manage, and make timely adjustments to, its hiring needs. The number
of Changyous employees decreased by 11.0% in 2014, by 41.9% in 2015, and by 13.0% in 2016, as Changyou emphasized the development of mobile games and laid off a number of employees who had been focused primarily on international markets and
the platform channel business. These layoffs could have an adverse effect on Changyous remaining employees morale and their loyalty to Changyou, and cause Changyou to lose employees whose talent and experience are important for its
business, and could also have a negative impact on its reputation as an employer and its ability to attract qualified employees in the future.
Laid-off
employees could also make claims against Changyou for
additional compensation, causing Changyou to incur additional expense.
78
Changyou may not have exclusive rights to trademarks, designs and technologies that are crucial to its
business.
Changyou has applied for initial registrations in the PRC and overseas, and/or changes in registrations relating to transfers of its
key trademarks in the PRC, including ChangYou.com, cyou.com, TLBB, TL logos, New Blade Online, 17173, TLBB 3D and the corresponding Chinese versions of the marks, so as to establish and protect its exclusive rights to these trademarks. Changyou has
succeeded in registering the trademarks ChangYou.com, cyou.com, TLBB, TL logos, 17173 and Dolphin Browser in the PRC under certain classes. The applications for initial registration, and/or changes in registrations relating to transfers, of other
marks and/or of some of these marks under other classes are still under examination by the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry & Commerce of the PRC (the SAIC) and relevant authorities overseas. Changyou
has applied for patents relating to the design of its games and to technology intended to enhance the functionalities of its games. Changyou has various patent applications under examination by the State Intellectual Property Office of the PRC.
Approvals of Changyous initial trademark registration applications, and/or of changes in registrations relating to such transfers, and approvals of Changyous patent applications are subject to determinations by the Trademark Office of
the SAIC, the State Intellectual Property Office of the PRC and relevant authorities overseas that there are no prior rights in the applicable territories. Changyou cannot be certain that these applications will be approved. Any rejection of these
applications could adversely affect Changyous rights to the affected marks, designs and technologies. In addition, even if these applications are approved, Changyou cannot assure you that any registered trademark or issued patent will be
sufficient in scope to provide adequate protection of its rights.
Changyou may need to incur significant expenses to enforce its proprietary
rights, and if it is unable to protect such rights, its competitive position and financial performance could be harmed.
Changyou regards its
intellectual property and proprietary rights as critical to its success. In particular, Changyou has spent a significant amount of time and resources in developing its current games and possible future games. Changyous ability to protect its
proprietary rights in connection with its games is critical for their success and Changyous overall financial performance. While Changyou has registered software in China for copyright protection and has taken various measures to protect its
source codes, such measures may not be sufficient to protect its proprietary information and intellectual property. Intellectual property rights and confidentiality protection in China may not be as effective as they are in the United States and
other developed countries. Policing unauthorized use of proprietary technology is difficult and expensive. In addition, while Changyou has registered some trademarks relating to its games in the PRC and other jurisdictions, and has applied for
additional registrations of trademarks, in some instances Changyou may not succeed in obtaining registration of trademarks that it has applied for in different languages, such as English. We cannot assure that these pending or future trademark
applications will be approved. Any failure to register trademarks in any country or region may limit Changyous ability to protect its rights in such country or region under relevant trademark laws, and Changyou may need to change the name of
the relevant trademark in certain cases, which may adversely affect Changyous branding and marketing efforts.
Despite Changyous efforts to
protect its intellectual property, online game developers may copy Changyous ideas and designs, and other third parties may infringe Changyous intellectual property rights. For example, certain third parties have misappropriated the
source codes of previous versions of TLBB and have set up unauthorized servers in China and elsewhere to operate TLBB to compete with Changyou. The existence of unauthorized servers may attract game players away from Changyous games and may
result in decreases in Changyous revenues. Any measures Changyou takes in response may not be successful in eliminating these unauthorized servers. Litigation relating to intellectual property rights may result in substantial costs to Changyou
and diversion of resources and management attention away from its business, and may not be successful. In addition, Changyous ideas and certain of its designs, if not fixed in a tangible form of expression or registered with the appropriate
PRC authorities, may not be protected by patents or other intellectual property rights. As a result, Changyou may be limited in its ability to assert intellectual property rights against online game developers who independently develop ideas and
designs that compete with Changyou.
79
Changyou may be exposed to infringement or misappropriation claims by third parties, which, if determined
adversely to it, could subject it to significant liabilities and other costs.
Changyous success depends largely on its ability to use and
develop its technology and
know-how
without infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties. We cannot assure you that third parties will not assert intellectual property claims against Changyou.
Changyou is subject to additional risks if entities licensing to it intellectual property, including, for example, game source codes, do not have adequate rights in any such licensed materials. The validity and scope of claims relating to the
intellectual property of game development and technology involve complex scientific, legal and factual questions and analyses and, therefore, tend to be uncertain. If third parties assert copyright or patent infringement or violation of other
intellectual property rights against it, Changyou will have to defend itself in litigation or administrative proceedings, which can be both costly and time consuming and may significantly divert the efforts and resources of Changyous technical
and management personnel. An adverse determination or settlement in any such litigation or proceedings to which Changyou may become a party could subject it to significant liability to third parties, or require it to seek licenses from third
parties, pay ongoing royalties, or redesign its games or subject it to injunctions prohibiting the development and operation of its games.
Risk
Related to Online Games
There are uncertainties regarding the future growth of the online game industry in China.
The online game industry, from which Changyou derives most of its revenues, is a rapidly evolving industry. The growth of the online game industry and the
level of demand and market acceptance of Changyous games are subject to a high degree of uncertainty. Changyous future operating results will depend on numerous factors affecting the online game industry, many of which are beyond
Changyous control, including:
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whether the online game industry, particularly in China and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region, continues to grow and the rate of any such growth;
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the availability and popularity of other forms of entertainment, particularly games on console systems, which are already popular in developed countries and may gain popularity in China;
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growth in users of the Internet and broadband and penetration in China and other markets in which Changyou offers its games, and the rate of any such growth;
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whether recent declines in the use of personal computers and growth in users of mobile devices (such as smart phones and tablets) in general, and for purposes of accessing online games in particular, continue or
accelerate in China and other markets in which Changyou offers its games;
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changes in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences; and
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general economic conditions in China, particularly economic conditions adversely affecting discretionary consumer spending, such as the slowdown in Chinas economic growth that occurred between the first quarter of
2010 and the third quarter of 2012 and from 2014 through 2015.
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There is no assurance that online games in general will continue to be
popular in China or elsewhere. If the current decline in the popularity of PC games continues or accelerates as users increasingly switch to mobile devices, Changyous revenues from its PC games may decrease significantly; and if the PC games
that Changyou has launched, or expects to launch in the future, are not successful, Changyou may not be able to recoup the investments in its development and marketing of those games.
Changyou currently depends on TLBB for a substantial portion of its revenues, and any continued decrease in the popularity of TLBB or interruption in
its operation would adversely affect Changyous results of operations.
Changyou currently relies on TLBB for a substantial portion of its
revenues. Changyou launched TLBB in May 2007 and TLBB is unlikely to sustain its current level of popularity over time. Despite Changyous efforts to improve TLBB, its game players have nevertheless lost interest in it over time as the relative
popularity of PC games (which are accessed through personal computers) continues to decline and its popularity, revenues and profitability have continued to decline. See
Changyou
may
not
be
successful
in
operating
and
improving
its
games
to
satisfy
the
changing
demands
of
game
players.
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To prolong TLBBs lifespan and slow down the pace of its decline, Changyou needs to continually improve and
update it on a timely basis with new features, including enhanced social interaction features, that appeal to existing game players and attract new game players (including those who played earlier versions of TLBB), and improve player stickiness to
the game. If Changyou fails to improve and update TLBB on a timely basis, or if its competitors introduce more popular games, including mobile games, catering to its game player base, the decline in TLBBs popularity can be expected to
accelerate, which would cause Changyous revenues to decrease at a faster pace. Furthermore, if there are any interruptions in TLBBs operation due to unexpected server interruptions, network failures or other factors, game players may be
prevented or deterred from making purchases of virtual items, which could also cause significant decreases in Changyous revenues.
If the
market demand for PC games in general, and for the PC games that Changyou operates in particular, continues to decline and the number of game players of PC games continues to decrease, Changyous online game business and prospects may be
adversely affected.
A substantial portion of Changyous online game revenues are generated from its PC games, and from TLBB in particular.
However, the popularity of PC games continues to decline and an increasing number of online game developers are delaying or suspending their plans to develop and launch new PC games, as game players increasingly switch to mobile devices to access
online games. It has become increasingly difficult for PC game developers and operators to retain existing players of their games and the number of game players who are willing to spend time and money to play new PC games continues to decrease. If
this downward trend continues or accelerates, it may make it increasingly difficult for Changyous existing PC games in general, and TLBB in particular, to maintain their popularity and for its new PC games to ever become commercially
successful; the game player base of Changyous PC games in general, and of TLBB in particular, may continue to shrink, which would increase its costs to acquire and retain players of its PC games and would have a negative impact on its online
game revenues. In addition, Changyous PC games generally produce relatively higher profit margins for it than do its mobile games, because Changyou must distribute its mobile games through third-party mobile application stores and enter into
revenue-sharing arrangements with such mobile application stores. Accordingly, any decrease in Changyous revenues from its PC games may have a relatively larger negative impact on its overall profits.
As mobile devices such as tablets, mobile phones and other devices other than personal computers are increasingly used to access online games, Changyou
must continue to acquire or develop increasing numbers of mobile games that work on such devices.
Devices other than personal computers, such as
mobile phones and tablets, are used increasingly in China and in overseas markets. We believe that, for its business to be successful, Changyou will need to continue to develop versions of its existing games and any future games that work well with
such devices. The games that Changyou develops for such devices may not function as smoothly as its existing games, and may not be attractive to game players in other ways. In addition, manufacturers of such devices may establish restrictive
conditions for developers of applications to be used on such devices, and as a result Changyous games may not work well, or at all, on such devices. As new devices are released or updated, Changyou may encounter problems in developing versions
of its games for use on such devices and may need to devote significant resources to the development, support, and maintenance of games for such devices. Since 2014 Changyou has been investing, and it expects to continue to invest, significant
amounts in the acquisition, development, promotion and operation of games for mobile devices. If Changyou is unable to successfully expand the types of devices on which its existing and future games are available, or if mobile versions of games that
Changyou develops for such devices do not function well or are not attractive to users and game players, or if the mobile games that Changyou has launched, or expects to launch in the future, are not successful, Changyou may not be able to maintain
or increase its revenues and recoup its investments in the mobile market.
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Changyous business will suffer if it is unable to develop successful high-quality games, for mobile
devices, successfully monetize mobile games Changyou develops or acquires and maintain for a reasonable period the popularity and revenue levels of any mobile games that are successful.
Developing high-quality games for mobile devices is an important component of Changyous online game strategy. Chinas mobile games market recently
has been dominated by a small number of high quality games, which collectively generate a substantial majority of the total revenues and profits of all mobile games in the market. Changyou has devoted and Changyou expects to continue to devote
substantial resources to the development of its mobile games, focusing on those that Changyou believes have the potential to become high-quality games. We cannot guarantee that Changyou will be able to develop high-quality games that appeal to
players or, even if Changyou is able to develop high-quality games that are successful, that such games will have lifespans that are long enough to generate an acceptable level of revenues, as mobile games tend to have relatively shorter lifespans
than PC games. In addition, Changyou may encounter difficulty in integrating features on games developed for mobile devices that a sufficient number of players will pay for, or in otherwise sufficiently monetizing mobile games. If Changyou is unable
to develop successful high-quality games, or implement successful monetization strategies for its mobile games in general, its ability to grow revenue and its financial performance will be negatively affected.
Changyous ability to successfully develop and monetize games for mobile devices will depend on its ability to:
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expand the portfolio of mobile games, and particularly high quality games, that Changyou develops
in-house
and licenses from third-party developers;
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effectively develop new mobile games for multiple mobile operating systems and mobile devices;
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anticipate and effectively respond to the growing number of players switching to mobile games, the changing mobile landscape and the interests of players;
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attract, retain and motivate talented game designers, product managers and engineers with experience in developing games for mobile devices;
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minimize launch delays and cost overruns on the development of new games;
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effectively monetize mobile games without degrading the social game experience for its players;
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develop games that provide for a compelling and optimal user experience through existing and developing third-party technologies, including third-party software and middleware utilized by its players; and
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acquire and successfully integrate high- quality mobile game assets, personnel or companies.
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Further, even if
Changyou develops or acquires license rights to a mobile game that is successful, the games lifespan may be short, as even successful mobile games tend to have less sustained user loyalty than do successful PC games. For example, the revenues
generated from Changyous mobile game, TLBB 3D, which was launched in October 2014, declined sequentially through 2015 and 2016, which is typical for a mobile game. In addition, although a relatively large number of the mobile games available
at any given time may be
low-quality
games that attract fewer game players than do high-quality games, such games may on an aggregate level have the effect of attracting away a significant number of game
players who would otherwise play high-quality mobile games. In view of the uncertain lifespans of mobile games and the large quantity of mobile games competing for game players, it is necessary for Changyou to make considerable investments in order
to have a number of mobile games, and particularly mobile games that have the potential to become high-quality hit games, in its pipeline.
If Changyou is
unable to succeed in developing or acquiring new mobile games in general, and high quality games in particular, that are successful and in maintaining for a reasonable period the popularity and revenue levels of any mobile games that Changyou
develops or acquires that are successful, Changyou may not be able to recoup its development and acquisition costs and its ability to expand its business in the future is likely to be impeded.
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We believe that the chance of success for online games is improved if they are adapted from the titles,
characters, themes and story lines of popular works. However, there are many risks and uncertainties for obtaining the rights to adapt such works for online games, and Changyous games adapted from such works may not be successful.
We believe that, in order for many of the new online games that Changyou develops to be successful in China, it is important for it to obtain license rights,
and preferably exclusive license rights, to adapt the titles, characters, themes and story lines of popular works for use in the games. For example, Changyou developed and it operates its PC game TLBB and its mobile game TLBB 3D with various
features that are included in reliance on rights under its existing license agreements with the Chinese martial arts author Louis Cha with respect to his popular novel Tian Long Ba Bu. We believe that these features have had a critical role in
attracting and retaining many of the players of TLBB and TLBB 3D. However, it can be difficult to identify a sufficient number of such works that are suitable for adaptation for use in online games, and Changyou faces significant competition for the
rights to such works from other online game companies that also adapt their online games from popular works. Obtaining license rights, and particularly exclusive license rights, to adapt suitable works for use in online games can involve significant
expense. Even if Changyou obtains license rights for works, we cannot assure you that games that Changyou adapts from such works will be popular and commercial successes and that Changyou will be able to recoup the amounts it pays for the license
rights. Obtaining such rights and adapting such works for mobile games present additional risks, because of the relatively short lifespans of mobile games. Moreover, after the expiration of the terms of Changyous existing license agreements
with Mr. Cha and other holders of copyrights, Changyou may not be able to renew the agreements with commercial terms that are favorable to it, if at all. Changyous inability to renew such agreements could force it to discontinue the
related online games, and have a significant adverse impact on its online game operations and revenues.
Changyou may not be able to distribute its
mobile games through its desired Internet platforms, its profits from any successful mobile games can be expected to be relatively lower than the profits Changyou has enjoyed historically from PC games and its mobile game revenues are subject to
additional risks as Changyou relies on mobile application stores to collect payments from players of its mobile games.
Changyou may not be able
to arrange for its mobile games to be distributed through its desired popular third-party mobile application stores with commercial terms, including revenue-sharing arrangements that are favorable enough to it and allow it to achieve an acceptable
level of profit from the games. Changyous profits from mobile games, even if the games are successful, are likely to be relatively lower than the profits it generates from PC games, because, in order to gain access for its games on mobile
application stores, Changyou must enter into revenue-sharing arrangements that generally result in lower profit margins than those generated from its PC games. Changyou relies on mobile application stores to collect payments from game players for
their purchases of its virtual items and to pay to Changyou
pre-agreed
revenue-sharing amounts. If mobile application stores cease to offer Changyous games over their platforms, change their user payment
policies, such as return policies, or fail to make revenue-sharing payments that are due to Changyou, Changyous revenues will be adversely affected. When Changyou distributes its games through smaller, less well-known application stores,
Changyou may not receive revenue-sharing payments when they are due to it. In addition, the
iOS-based
mobile application store allows game players to use foreign currency to purchase virtual items or game
points in Changyous games, and the store pays to Changyou
pre-agreed
revenue-sharing amounts after converting the foreign-currency denominated revenues from such purchases into RMB using an exchange rate
effective at the time of the payment. Since there is usually a delay between the time of a game players purchase and the time when the store pays Changyou, if the foreign currency used has depreciated against the RMB during the delay Changyou
will receive lower share-sharing amounts at the time of the payment than Changyou would have received if the payment had been made at the time of the game players purchase.
Changyous new mobile games will be less likely to be successful if Changyou cannot adopt and implement innovative and effective marketing
strategies to attract attention to its games from game players in its targeted demographic groups.
A relatively large number of mobile games are
typically available at any given time in the markets in which Changyou launches and operates its mobile games, and such games compete for attention from the same game player population that it targets. Changyous ability to successfully promote
and monetize its mobile games will depend on its ability to adopt and effectively implement innovative marketing strategies, and particularly precision marketing through new media, such as Weibo, WeChat, bilibili.com Website and other online game
forums, targeting potential mobile game players in general, and game players in specific demographic groups for certain games in particular, and Changyous ability to cross-market mobile games to players of its current PC games and mobile
games. If Changyou fails to adopt and implement such marketing and cross-marketing strategies, or if the marketing strategies of Changyous competitors are more innovative and effective than Changyous, its mobile games will be less likely
to be successful and as a result Changyou may not be able to achieve an acceptable level of revenues from those games.
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Changyous development and operation of mobile games may be adversely affected by the promulgation of
new, and the implementation and interpretation of existing, PRC laws and regulations affecting mobile games.
As mobile games are a relatively new
type of online game in China, developers and operators of mobile games, including Changyou, have been facing increasingly intense regulatory scrutiny from PRC regulatory authorities regarding the development and operation of mobile games.
Substantial uncertainties exist regarding the timing of the promulgation of, and any changes to, current and future PRC laws and regulations and the effect of the interpretation and implementation thereof, which may, among other things:
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have an adverse impact on the way Changyou designs its games and game features, which may make the games less attractive to game players;
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have an adverse impact on Changyous ability to achieve an acceptable level of revenues and profit from its mobile games;
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make it harder to access Changyous mobile games and cause a decrease in its player base;
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increase the cost of the development and operation of Changyous mobile games; and
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require substantial management attention and effort in monitoring the development of, and ensuring Changyous compliance with, existing and future PRC laws and regulations affecting the mobile games business.
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For a discussion of the risks associated with PRC laws and regulations affecting online games in general and mobile games in particular,
see Risks Related to Doing Business in China in this Item 3 of this annual report.
Changyous new games may attract game
players away from its existing games.
With Changyous increasingly diversified game portfolio, we cannot assure you that players of
Changyous existing games will not be attracted to play other newly launched games, including its new mobile games. If this occurs, it will decrease Changyous existing games player bases, which could in turn make these games less
attractive to other game players, resulting in decreased revenues from its existing games. Game players who switch from playing Changyous existing games to its new games may also spend less money to purchase virtual items in its new games than
they would have spent if they had continued playing Changyous existing games, resulting in an adverse effect on its overall revenues. In addition, game players switching from playing Changyous existing PC games to its new mobile
games, as well as from its
in-house
developed games to its licensed games, could cause Changyous overall online game profits to be relatively lower, as its profits from mobile games and licensed games
tend to be relatively lower as a result of revenue-sharing arrangements.
Changyou relies on recorded data for game revenue recognition and tracking
of game players consumption patterns of virtual items. If its data systems fail to operate effectively, such failure will affect the completeness and accuracy of its revenue recognition, and also its ability to design and improve virtual items
that appeal to game players.
Changyous game operation revenues are generated through the direct online sale of game points and sale of its
prepaid game cards, and its recognition of those revenues depends on such factors as whether the virtual items purchased by game players are considered consumable or perpetual. Changyous revenue recognition policy with respect to perpetual
virtual items is based on its best estimate of the lives of the items. Changyou considers the average period that paying players typically play its games and other player behavior patterns to arrive at its best estimate of the lives of these
perpetual items. However, given the fast-evolving nature of the game industry and the various types of online games that Changyou offers to players with different tastes and preferences, its estimate of the period that players typically play its
games may not accurately reflect the actual lives of these perpetual virtual items. Changyou revises its estimates as it gain operating data, and it attempts to refine its estimation process accordingly. Any future revisions to these estimates could
adversely affect the time period during which Changyou recognizes revenues from these items. For example, an increase in the estimated lives of these perpetual virtual items would increase the period over which revenues from these items are
recognized.
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Changyou relies on its data systems to record and monitor the purchase and consumption of virtual items by its
game players and the types of virtual items purchased. If its data systems fail to accurately record the purchase and consumption information of the virtual items, Changyou may not be able to accurately recognize its revenues. In addition, Changyou
relies on its billing systems to capture such historical game player behavior patterns and other information. If such information is not accurately recorded, or if Changyou does not have sufficient information due to the short operating history of
any of its games, Changyou will not be able to accurately estimate the lives of, or the estimated average period the game players play its games with respect to, the perpetual virtual items, which will also affect its ability to accurately recognize
its revenues from such perpetual virtual items. If Changyous data systems were damaged by system failure, network interruption, or virus infection, or attacked by a hacker, the integrity of data would be compromised, which could adversely
affect its revenue recognition and the completeness and accuracy of its recognized revenues.
In addition, Changyou relies on its data systems to record
game player purchase and consumption patterns, based on which Changyou improves its existing virtual items and designs new virtual items. For example, Changyou intends to increase development efforts on the number and variety of virtual items that
its game players like to purchase, and Changyou may also adjust prices accordingly. If its data systems fail to record data accurately, its ability to improve existing virtual items or design new virtual items that are appealing to its game players
may be adversely affected, which could in turn adversely affect its revenues.
Changyou could be liable for breaches in the security of the online
payment platforms of third parties with whom Changyou transacts business, and any such breaches could cause its customers to lose confidence in the integrity of the payment systems that Changyou uses.
Currently, Changyou sells a substantial portion of its virtual game points and prepaid game cards to its game players through third-party online payment
platforms. In these online transactions, secure transmission of confidential information, such as customers credit card numbers and expiration dates, personal information and billing addresses, over public networks is essential if Changyou is
to maintain its consumers confidence in it. In addition, Changyou expects that an increasing amount of its sales will be conducted over the Internet as a result of the growing use of online payment systems. As a result, the risk of associated
online crime will increase. Changyous current security measures and those of the third-party online payment platforms with whom Changyou transacts business may not be adequate. Changyou must be prepared to increase its security measures and
efforts so that its game players have confidence in the reliability of the online payment systems that it uses, which will require Changyou to incur additional expense. Such increased security measures may still not make its online payment systems
completely safe. In addition, Changyou does not have control over the security measures of its third-party online payment service vendors. Breaches in the security of online payment systems that Changyou uses could expose it to litigation and
liability for failing to secure confidential customer information, and could harm its reputation, ability to attract customers and ability to encourage customers to purchase virtual items.
Any failure of third-party developers of online games that Changyou licenses from or jointly develops with them to fulfill their obligations under
Changyous license or joint operation agreements with them could have an adverse effect on Changyous operation of and revenues from those games.
Changyou derives an increasing portion of its revenues from PC games and mobile games that Changyou licenses from, or jointly develops with, third-party
developers. Under its license and joint development agreements for these games, Changyou relies on the third-party developers to provide game updates, enhancements and new versions, provide materials and other assistance in promoting the games and
resolving game programming errors and issues with bots and other intrusions. Any failure of third-party developers to provide game updates, enhancements and new versions in a timely manner and that are appealing to game players, and
provide assistance that enables Changyou to effectively promote the games, or otherwise fulfill their obligations under Changyous license and joint development agreements could adversely affect the game-playing experience of Changyous
game players, damage its reputation, or shorten the life-spans of those games, any of which could result in the loss of game players, acceleration of Changyous amortization of the license fees it has paid for those games, or a decrease in or
elimination of its revenues from those games.
Furthermore, for games that Changyou licenses from or jointly develops with third parties, Changyou may not
have access to the game source codes during the initial period of the license, or at all. Without the source codes, Changyou has to rely on the licensors to provide updates and enhancements, giving it less control over the quality and timeliness of
updates and enhancements. If Changyous game players are not satisfied with the level of services they receive, they may choose to not play the games.
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There are additional risks associated with Changyous licensing from overseas developers of online games
that are successful only in particular overseas markets, because such games may not be successful in the China market and other markets if Changyou is not able to successfully customize the games to adapt to differences in culture and user
preferences in the China market and other markets.
Changyou receives relatively lower profits from the operation of online games that it licenses
from or jointly develops with third-party developers.
Changyous revenue-sharing arrangements for games that Changyou licenses from or
jointly develops with third-party developers provide Changyou with relatively less profit than games that Changyou develops
in-house,
and in some cases Changyou may not be able to recoup its investments in
such games. Moreover, to secure the rights to games from third-party developers, Changyou often must pay
up-front
fees and also commit to pay additional fees in the future. Similarly, Changyou also has
invested in mobile game development studios in order to assure access to an extensive pipeline of mobile games. Changyou often must make such commitments and investments without knowing whether the games Changyou is licensing or jointly developing
will be successful and generate sufficient revenues to enable Changyou to recoup its costs or for the games to be profitable.
Changyou faces
significant risks and incurs substantial costs when it licenses its games to, or jointly operates them with, third-party operators, and Changyou faces additional risks and costs when it directly operates its games or licenses its games to, or
jointly operates its games with, third-party operators in overseas markets.
Changyou currently, and expects to continue to, exclusively license
to, or jointly operate with, third-party operators some of its games, including an increasing number of its mobile games, in markets that Changyou selects, including overseas markets. Changyou faces significant risks associated with the licensing or
joint operation of Changyous games, including:
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difficulties in identifying appropriate markets;
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difficulties in identifying, negotiating and maintaining good relationships with licensees or joint operators who are knowledgeable about, and can effectively operate Changyous games in, particular markets;
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difficulties in maintaining Changyous reputation and the reputation of its games when its games are operated by licensees or joint operators pursuant to their own standards; and
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difficulties in protecting Changyous intellectual property.
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Changyou currently licenses
and operates, and expects to continue to expand the licensing and operation of, some of its existing and future games, either directly or jointly with third-party operators, in selected overseas markets. Additional risks associated with the
licensing or direct or joint operation of Changyous games overseas include:
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difficulties and significant costs in protecting Changyous intellectual property in overseas markets;
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difficulties in retaining and maintaining local management and key development and technical personnel who are experienced and knowledgeable about, and can effectively operate Changyous games in, particular
markets;
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uncertainties relating to Changyous ability to develop its games and/or expansion packs catering to particular overseas markets;
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uncertainties relating to Changyous ability to renew its license and joint operation agreements with licensees and joint operators upon their expiration;
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for Changyous direct operation of its games overseas, interruptions in the operation of the games due to cross-border Internet connections or other system failures;
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significant costs for translation of its games into the local languages of, or customization of its games for, the overseas markets in which Changyou plans to license or jointly operate its games;
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limited choices of third-party Internet platforms to distribute Changyous mobile games in certain overseas markets;
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significant marketing costs to promote Changyous games in certain overseas markets where third-party Internet platforms do not include marketing services as part of the revenue-sharing arrangements;
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different game player preferences in certain overseas markets;
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difficulties and significant costs relating to compliance with the different legal requirements and commercial terms, such as game export regulatory procedures, taxes and other restrictions and expenses, in the overseas
markets in which Changyou licenses or directly or jointly operates its games;
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exposure to different regulatory systems governing the protection of intellectual property and the regulation of online games, the Internet and the export of technology;
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costs for compliance with different legal requirements and commercial terms in overseas markets;
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difficulties in verifying revenues generated from Changyous games by its licensees for purposes of determining royalties payable to Changyou;
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difficulties and delays in contract enforcement and collection of receivables through the use of foreign legal systems;
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changes in the political, regulatory or economic conditions, or public policy, affecting online games in particular foreign countries or regions;
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the risk that regulatory authorities in foreign countries or administrative regions may impose withholding taxes, or place restrictions on repatriation of Changyous profits; and
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fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
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If Changyou is unable to manage these risks and control these costs
effectively, its ability to license or operate its games in China or in regions and countries outside of Mainland China, either directly or jointly with third-party joint operators, may be impaired.
Changyou may not be successful in operating and improving its games to satisfy the changing demands of game players.
Changyou depends on purchases and continual consumption of virtual items by its game players to generate revenues, which in turn depend on the continued
attractiveness of its games to the game players and their satisfactory game-playing experience. Various issues could arise that would cause its games to be less attractive to its game players or could limit the continued attractiveness of its games.
For example:
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Changyou may fail to provide game updates, expansion packs and other enhancements in a timely manner due to technological or resource limitations, resources or other factors;
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Changyous game updates, expansion packs and new versions may contain programming errors, and their installation may create other unforeseen issues that adversely affect the game-playing experience;
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Changyou may fail to timely respond and/or resolve complaints from its game players;
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Changyou may fail to eliminate computer bots which can disrupt its games smooth operation and reduce the attractiveness of its games; and
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Changyous game updates, expansion packs and other enhancements may change rules or other aspects of its games that its game players do not welcome, resulting in a reduction in the active accounts or active paying
accounts of its online games.
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Changyous failure to address these issues could adversely affect the game-playing experience of its
game players, damage the reputation of its games, shorten the lifespans of its games, and result in the loss of game players and a decrease in its revenues.
Changyou may fail to launch new games according to its timetable, and its new games may not be commercially successful.
All online games have limited lifespans. Changyou must launch new games that can generate additional revenue and diversify its revenue sources in order to
remain competitive. Changyou will not generate any meaningful revenue from a game in development until it is commercially launched after open beta testing, and we cannot assure you that Changyou will be able to meet its timetable for new game
launches or that its new games will be successful. A number of factors, including technical difficulties, lack of sufficient game development personnel and other resources, failure to obtain or delays in obtaining relevant governmental
authorities approvals and adverse developments in Changyous relationships with the licensors or third-party operators of its new games could result in delayed launching of its new games. In addition, we cannot assure you that
Changyous new games will be as well received in the market as TLBB and TLBB 3D have been, and you should not view Changyous historical game revenues or the success of TLBB and TLBB 3D as indications of the commercial success of any of
its new or future games. Changyou may fail to anticipate and adapt to future technical trends, new business models and changed game player preferences and requirements, fail to effectively plan and organize marketing and promotion activities, or
fail to differentiate its new games from its existing games. If the new games Changyou introduces are not commercially successful, Changyou may not be able to generate sufficient revenues from new games to sustain or grow its revenues or to recover
its product development costs and sales and marketing expenses, which can be significant.
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Changyou generates all of its game revenues under the item-based revenue model, which presents risks
related to consumer preferences and regulatory restrictions.
All of Changyous games, including PC games and mobile games, are operated
under the item-based revenue model. Under this revenue model, Changyous game players are able to play the games for free, but are charged for the purchase of virtual items in the games. The item-based revenue model requires Changyou to design
games that not only attract game players to spend more time playing, but also encourage them to purchase virtual items. The sale of virtual items requires Changyou to track closely consumer tastes and preferences, especially as to
in-game
consumption patterns. If Changyou fails to design and price virtual items so as to incentivize game players to purchase them, Changyou may not be able to effectively translate its game player base and their
playing time into revenues. In addition, the item-based revenue model may cause additional concerns with PRC regulators who have been implementing regulations designed to reduce the amount of time that Chinese youths spend on online games and
intended to limit the total amount of virtual currency issued by online game operators and the amount purchased by individual game players. A revenue model that does not charge for time played may be viewed by the PRC regulators as inconsistent with
these goals. The item-based revenue model may not continue to be commercially successful and in the future Changyou may need to change its revenue model to a time-based or other revenue model. Any change in revenue model could result in disruption
of Changyous game operations, a decrease in the number of its game players and a decline in its revenues.
Undetected programming errors or
defects in Changyous games could harm its reputation and adversely affect its results of operations; and breaches in the security of Changyous server network could cause disruptions in its service, facilitate piracy of its intellectual
property, or compromise confidential information of its game players.
Changyous games are subject to frequent improvement and updates, and
may contain bugs or flaws that may become apparent only after the updated applications are accessed by users, particularly as Changyou launches new updates under tight time constraints. If for any reason programming bugs or flaws are not resolved in
a timely fashion, Changyou may lose some of its users and its revenues will be affected negatively, and its reputation and the market acceptance of its games may also be harmed.
Changyou stores on its servers and transmits over the Internet considerable and continually increasing amounts of data, much of which is essential to the
operation of its business or is highly confidential information concerning its business and its game players. In addition, the expansion of Changyous business to include mobile games and its need to comply with PRC regulations requiring
real-name registration of its game players are likely to cause the amount of personal data concerning its game players that is transmitted over its networks to increase over time. Any breaches of Changyous network by hackers could cause
severe disruptions in its service, allow piracy of the source code used in the operation of its games and allow pirated versions of its games to enter the marketplace, or result in the release of confidential personal or financial information of its
game players, any of which could have an adverse impact on Changyous business, its revenues, and its reputation among game players. In order to minimize the likelihood of such breaches as Changyous business expands and the amount of
confidential and sensitive data increases, we expect that Changyou will need to expend considerable resources to maintain and enhance the effectiveness of its security systems.
Rapid technological changes may increase Changyous game development costs.
Technological development in online game industry is evolving rapidly, so Changyou needs to anticipate new technologies and evaluate their possible market
acceptance. For example, the use of VR technology has become prevalent in the industry, and an increasing number of game players hope to have VR included in online games that they access. Changyou has begun investing, and expects to continue to
invest in the future, resources to develop VR technology and online games using VR technology. However, Changyou is not aware of any proven business or monetization model for online games using VR technology, and playing online games with VR
technology generally requires devices with particularly high-level technical specifications, which may limit the number of players. If online games using VR technology that Changyou develops and launches are not well received by game players,
Changyou may not be able to recoup its related development costs. In addition, government authorities or industry organizations may adopt new technical standards that apply to game development. Any new technologies and new standards may require
increases in expenditures for PC game and mobile game development and operations and continuing professional training of Changyous development and technical personnel, and Changyou will need to adapt its business and prepare its workforce to
cope with the changes and support these new services to be successful. If Changyou falls behind in adopting new technologies or standards, its existing games may lose popularity, and its newly developed games may not be well received in the
marketplace.
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The proliferation of cheating programs and scam offers that seek to exploit Changyous
games and players harms the game-playing experience and may lead players to stop playing its games.
Third parties have developed, and may
continue to develop, cheating programs that enable players to exploit Changyous games, play the games in an automated way or obtain unfair advantages over other players who play fairly. These programs harm the experience of players
who play fairly and may disrupt the economics of Changyous games. In addition, unrelated third parties may attempt to scam Changyous players with fake offers for virtual items. Changyou needs to devote significant resources to discover,
disable and prevent such programs and activities, and if Changyou is unable to do so quickly its operations may be disrupted, its reputation may be damaged and players may stop playing its games. This may lead to lost revenue and increased costs for
Changyou to develop technological measures to combat such programs and activities.
Game players spending on Changyous games may be
adversely affected by slower growth in the Chinese economy and adverse conditions in the global economy.
Changyou relies on the spending of its
game players, which in turn depends on the players level of disposable income, perceived future earnings capabilities and willingness to spend. The real estate market in the PRC and the level of exports from the PRC have both experienced
significant declines recently and, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the growth rate of Chinas gross domestic product, compared to that of the previous year, went from 7.5% in 2012, to 7.7% in 2013, to 7.4% in 2014, to
6.9% in 2015, and to 6.7% in 2016. Such growth may also slow in the future, which could in turn result in a reduction in spending by Changyous game players.
In addition, the global economy has experienced significant instability and there has been volatility in global financial and credit markets in recent years,
recent growth in the United States economy may not be sustainable and some analysts are concerned that the European Community may experience a sustained downturn. It is unclear how long such instability and volatility will continue, whether it will
increase, whether it will lead to a renewed worldwide economic downturn such as the one that began in 2008, and how much adverse impact such instability and volatility or any such downturn might have on the economies of China and other jurisdictions
where Changyou operates its games. Any such instability, volatility or adverse impact in China or in overseas markets could cause Changyous game players to reduce their spending on its games in China or overseas and reduce its revenues.
Risks Related to the Platform Channel Business
Notwithstanding Changyous significant investment in its platform channel business, Changyou was unable to successfully monetize it beyond the
operation of the 17173.com Website, and Changyou was not able to recoup all of its investment. Changyou may have similar adverse experiences with future investments.
During 2013 and 2014 Changyou made significant investments in acquiring assets and marketing, including both domestic and overseas marketing, and spent
considerable sums to increase its staffing levels, with the goal of expanding and promoting its platform channel business beyond the operation of the 17173.com Website. However, Changyou did not generate meaningful revenues from such additions to
its platform channel business as its efforts to monetize those products and services were not successful, and does not expect to be able to make its platform channel business apart from the 17173.com Website profitable or to recoup the investments
it made in assets, marketing and staffing for the platform channel business. For example, after Changyous acquisition of a majority interest in MoboTap, Changyous management concluded that the Dolphin Browser operated by MoboTap would
not be able to provide expected synergies with Changyous platform channel business, and Changyou recognized substantial impairment charges as a result. Also see Changyous previous and any future acquisitions and/or strategic
alliances may have an adverse effect on its ability to manage its business and may also result in impairment charges.
Online advertising
revenues from the 17173.com Website could fail to grow, or could decline further, as a result of the shift from PC games to mobile games in the online game market and uncertainties in the online advertising market.
Changyous online advertising revenues of $39.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, which were mainly derived from the operation of
the 17173.com Website, represented 7.6% of Changyous total revenues for the year, and represented a decline of $18.4 million, or 32%, from its online advertising revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015. Changyous ability
to avoid further declines in, or grow, its online advertising revenues may be adversely affected by any of the following risk factors:
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Changes in government policy could restrict or curtail Changyous online advertising services;
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The decline in the demand for online advertising services from developers and operators of PC games, as the relative popularity of such games continues to decline;
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Advertising clients may adopt new methods and strategies other than online advertising to promote their brands, which would have an adverse impact on Changyous advertising revenues; and
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The acceptance of the Internet as a medium for advertising depends on the development of a measurement standard. No standards for the measurement of the effectiveness of online advertising have been widely accepted.
Industry-wide standards may not develop sufficiently to support the Internet as an effective advertising medium. If these standards do not develop, advertisers may choose not to advertise on the Internet in general, or through Changyous
Websites.
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In addition, Changyous ability to generate and maintain significant online advertising revenues will also
depend upon:
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the development of a large base of users possessing demographic characteristics attractive to advertising clients;
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the development of successful mobile versions of the 17173.com Website and the provision of extensive mobile game-related products and services in response to the rapid migration of users of Internet services from PCs
to mobile devices, such as tablets and mobile phones;
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the acceptance of online advertisements, either through PCs or mobile devices, as an effective method of business marketing;
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the effectiveness of Changyous advertising delivery, tracking and reporting systems;
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the extent of resistance from existing or potential customers to online advertising prices; and
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the development of new formats for online advertising, such as streaming video.
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The expansion of
Internet advertisement blocking software may result in a decrease in advertising revenues.
The development of Web software that blocks Internet
advertisements before they appear on a users screen may hinder the growth of online advertising. The expansion of advertisement blocking on the Internet may decrease Changyous revenues from the 17173.com Website because, when an
advertisement is blocked, it is not downloaded from the server, which means that it will not be tracked as a delivered advertisement. In addition, advertisers may choose not to advertise on the Internet or on the 17173.com Website because of the use
by third parties of Internet advertisement blocking software.
Changyou relies on advertising agencies to sell online advertising services on the
17173.com Website. If current trends of consolidation of advertising agencies in the Chinese market continue, the bargaining power of the large advertising agencies resulting from such consolidation may permit them to require that Changyou pay
higher sales rebates, which would adversely affect Changyous online advertising revenues.
Most of the online advertising services of the
17173.com Website are distributed by, and most of the online advertising revenues of the 17173.com Website are derived from, advertising agencies. For example, in 2016 Changyou engaged six advertising agencies, which contributed approximately 98% of
the online advertising revenues of the 17173.com Website. In consideration for these agencies services, Changyou is required to pay certain percentages of revenues as sales rebates. If the online advertising market is consolidated and
effectively controlled by a small number of large advertising agencies, such advertising agencies may be in a position to demand higher sales rebates based on increased bargaining power, which could negatively affect Changyous online
advertising growth, as Changyou books its online advertising revenue net of its sales rebates to advertising agencies.
Risks Related to the
Cinema Advertising Business
There are uncertainties regarding the future growth of the cinema advertising industry in China.
Changyous cinema adverting business experienced strong growth in 2016 and has benefited from robust growth in Chinas cinema and movie
industry in recent years. If the recent growth in Chinas cinema and movie industry slows or the industry declines in the future,
pre-film
advertising slots are likely to become less attractive to
advertisers, which would have an adverse effect on Changyous cinema advertising business. In addition, advertisers are increasingly turning to new advertising formats, such as video streaming, as Internet technology develops. If
pre-film
advertising becomes less attractive to advertisers than such new formats, Changyous cinema business will be adversely affected. Moreover, the growth of Changyous cinema advertising business in
recent years placed strain on its management personnel, systems and resources. Changyou may not be able to efficiently or effectively implement its growth strategies and manage the growth of its cinema advertising business, and any failure to do so
may limit its future growth and hamper its overall business strategy.
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Changyou may not be able to successfully manage its growth in the highly competitive cinema advertising
market.
Changyou faces intense competition for the acquisition of the rights to and placement of
pre-film
advertising slots. See Changyous business may not succeed in a highly competitive market. Changyou may not be able to effectively compete with its competitors in developing, maintaining or expanding the types of cooperative
relationships with operators of movie theaters that will permit it to maintain its existing rights or to obtain additional rights to
pre-film
advertisement slots at reasonable prices, on the one hand, and in
attracting advertisers that will place their advertisements in the
pre-film
advertisement slots that it offers, on the other hand, as Changyous competitors may have greater financial resources, greater
brand recognition among operators of movie theaters and advertisers and more capable and effective management, sales and marketing forces and strategies than it does, which would have an adverse impact on the prospect for growth of its cinema
advertising business.
Changyou faces risks related to its purchase of
pre-film
advertising slots.
In order for Changyou to compete effectively in its desired markets, Changyou must continue to build and maintain a competitive reserve of
pre-film
advertisement slots in those markets and has incurred, and expects to continue to incur, significant upfront costs to acquire the
pre-film
advertising rights for such
pre-film
advertising slots under long-term contracts, typically with one to three year terms, with operators of various movie theaters, which has placed, and will continue to place, constraints on its cash
flow. There is a risk that Changyou will lose those upfront acquisition costs, because Changyou is not able to generate corresponding revenues and begin to recoup the costs until it has both entered into contracts with advertisers for the
pre-film
advertising slots that it has acquired and displayed the advertisers advertisements in those slots. Such delay in generating corresponding revenues may also place constraints on the cash flow
available to Changyou for maintaining and expanding its cinema advertising business. Moreover, Changyou may be forced to make additional payments to operators of popular movie theaters in certain regional markets that are particularly competitive if
the average market prices for
pre-film
advertisement slots in such markets increase significantly during the contract period and the operators threaten to terminate their contracts with Changyou in order to
enter into more profitable contracts with its competitors.
Changyou may not be able to maintain or expand the revenues that it receives from cinema
advertising services.
Changyous cinema advertising business generates revenues through contracts that it enters into with advertisers to
place their advertisements in the
pre-film
advertising slots that Changyou has purchased from operators of movie theaters. If Changyou is unable to sell to advertisers a large enough portion of the
pre-film
advertising slots, it may not be able to recoup its upfront payments and additional committed payments under the contracts with the operators of the movie theaters. Any failure by Changyou to develop,
maintain or expand cooperative relationships with advertisers could cause its cinema advertising revenues to decrease.
Risks Related to
Changyous Corporate Structure and Corporate Governance.
If the PRC government determines that the VIE structure for operating
Changyous business does not comply with applicable PRC government restrictions on foreign investment in telecommunication industry, it could face severe penalties.
Various regulations in China currently restrict foreign-invested entities from engaging in value-added telecommunication services, which are defined by PRC
authorities to include operating online games and providing platform channel services. Because of these restrictions, Changyou operates certain aspects of its game business and platform channel business in the PRC through its principal VIEs, which
are not owned of record by it and include Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd., or Gamease; Beijing Guanyou Gamespace Digital Technology Co., Ltd., or Guanyou Gamespace; Baina (Wuhan) Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Wuhan Baina
Information; and Shanghai ICE Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Shanghai ICE, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gamease. Each of the nominee shareholders of Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace and Wuhan Baina Information is either a PRC citizen or a
PRC company. Through a series of contractual arrangements, Changyous VIEs are effectively controlled by its wholly-owned subsidiaries in China.
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The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or MIIT, issued a circular in 2006 that emphasizes
restrictions on foreign investment in value-added telecommunications businesses. In addition, a notice jointly issued in 2009 by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, or the SAPPRFT, the National Copyright
Administration, and the National Office of Combating Pornography and Illegal Publications states that foreign investors are not permitted to invest in online game operating businesses in China or to exercise control over or participate in the
operation of such businesses through indirect means. Due to a lack of interpretative materials from the relevant PRC authorities, there are uncertainties regarding whether PRC authorities would consider Changyous corporate structure and
contractual arrangements to be a kind of foreign investment in value-added telecommunications services or online game operation businesses. While Changyou is not aware of any online game companies that use the same or similar contractual
arrangements as Changyous having been penalized or ordered to terminate operations by PRC authorities claiming that the arrangements constituted foreign investment in value-added telecommunication services or a kind of control over or
participation in the operation of online game operating businesses through indirect means, it is unclear whether and how the various regulations of the PRC authorities might be interpreted or implemented in the future.
Further, on January 19, 2015, the Ministry of Commerce, or the MOFCOM, released on its Website for public comment a draft foreign investment law of the
PRC, or the Draft FIL, that appears to include VIEs within the scope of entities that could be considered to be foreign invested enterprises, or FIEs, that would be subject to restrictions under existing PRC law on foreign investment in certain
categories of industry. Specifically, the Draft FIL introduces the concept of actual control for determining whether an entity is considered to be an FIE. In addition to control through direct or indirect ownership or equity, the Draft
FIL includes control through contractual arrangements within the definition of actual control. If the Draft FIL is passed by the Peoples Congress of the PRC and goes into effect in its current form, these provisions regarding
control through contractual arrangements could be construed to reach Changyous VIE arrangements, and as a result Changyous VIEs could become explicitly subject to the current restrictions on foreign investment in certain categories of
industry. The Draft FIL includes provisions that would exempt from the definition of foreign invested enterprises entities where the ultimate controlling shareholders are either entities organized under PRC law or individuals who are PRC citizens.
The Draft FIL does not make clear how control would be determined for such purpose, and is silent as to what type of enforcement action might be taken against existing VIEs, such as Changyous, that operate in restricted industries
and are not controlled by entities organized under PRC law or individuals who are PRC citizens.
In addition, under the
Notice
of
the
General
Office
of
the
State
Council
on
Establishing
the
Security
Review
System
for
Mergers
and
Acquisitions
of
Domestic
Enterprises
by
Foreign
Investors
, or Circular No. 6, promulgated by the State Council of the PRC, or the State Council, on February 3, 2011 and the
Rules
of
Ministry
of
Commerce
on
Implementation
of
Security
Review
System
of
Mergers
and
Acquisitions
of
Domestic
Enterprises
by
Foreign
Investors
, or
the MOFCOM Security Review Rules, promulgated by the MOFCOM in August, 2011 to implement Circular No. 6, a security review is required for mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors having national defense and security concerns
and mergers and acquisitions by which foreign investors may acquire de facto control of domestic enterprises with national security concerns and prohibit foreign investors from bypassing the security review requirement by
structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions. As there is no explicit provision or official interpretation stating that the business of
MoboTap falls into the scope subject to security review, Changyou did not submit for security review its acquisition of a majority interest in MoboTap. However, these national security review-related regulations are relatively new and there is a
lack of clear statutory interpretation regarding the implementation of the rules, and PRC authorities may interpret these regulations to mean that the transaction should have been submitted for review. For a discussion of these PRC national security
review requirements and media reports, see Specific Regulations - Miscellaneous - Regulation of M&A and Overseas Listings.
If Changyou
was found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC law or regulations relating to foreign ownership of value-added telecommunications businesses, including the Draft FIL if it becomes effective, and security reviews of foreign investments in
such businesses, including online games businesses, regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over the operation of Changyous business would have broad discretion in dealing with such a violation, including levying fines, confiscating
Changyous income, revoking the business or operating licenses of PRC subsidiaries and/or VIEs, requiring it to restructure its ownership structure or operations, requiring it to discontinue or divest ourselves of all or any portion of its
operations or assets, restricting its right to collect revenues, blocking its Websites, or imposing additional conditions or requirements with which it may not be able to comply. Any of these actions could cause significant disruption to
Changyous business operations and have an adverse impact on its business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, if changes were required to be made to its ownership structure, Changyous ability to consolidate its VIEs
could be adversely affected.
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For a detailed discussion of PRC regulations, notices and circulars with respect to such restrictions, see
PRC RegulationRegulation of Value-Added Telecommunication Services, PRC RegulationRegulation of Foreign Direct Investment in Value-Added Telecommunications Companies, and PRC RegulationRegulation of
Online Games Services and PRC RegulationRegulation of the Provision of Internet Content Online Cultural Products.
Changyous contractual arrangements with its VIEs and their shareholders may not be as effective in providing control over Changyous VIEs as
direct ownership of the VIEs and the shareholders of its VIEs may have conflicts of interest with it or with each other.
Changyou has no
ownership interest in its principal VIEs Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace, Shanghai ICE, and Wuhan Baina Information and it conducts most of its operations and generates substantially all of its revenues through contractual arrangements that its indirect
subsidiaries Beijing AmazGame Age Internet Technology Co., Ltd., or AmazGame, Beijing Changyou Gamespace Software Technology Co., Ltd., or Gamespace, and Baina Zhiyuan (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing Baina Technology, entered into with
Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace, and Wuhan Baina Information, respectively, and their shareholders. Such contractual arrangements are designed to provide Changyou with effective control over Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace, Shanghai ICE and Wuhan Baina
Information. Changyou depends on Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace, Shanghai ICE and Wuhan Baina Information, directly or through their subsidiaries, to hold and maintain certain licenses and permits necessary and material for its online game business and
for its operation of the 17173.com Website and the Dolphin Browser. Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace, Shanghai ICE, and Wuhan Baina Information, directly or through their subsidiaries, collectively own all of the key necessary intellectual property,
facilities and other assets relating to the operation of Changyous online games, the 17173.com Website and the Dolphin Browser that are not owned directly by its subsidiaries, and employ personnel for the operation and distribution of its
online games, the 17173.com Website and the Dolphin Browser that are not employed directly by its subsidiaries.
These contractual arrangements may not be
as effective in providing Changyou with control over Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace, Shanghai ICE and Wuhan Baina Information as direct ownership. For example, if Changyou had direct ownership of Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace, Shanghai ICE and Wuhan Baina
Information, it would be able to exercise its rights as a shareholder to effect changes in their boards of directors, which in turn could effect changes at the management level. Due to Changyous VIE structure, it has to rely on contractual
rights to effect control and management of Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace, Shanghai ICE and Wuhan Baina Information, which exposes it to the risk of potential breach of contract by the shareholders of Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace and Wuhan Baina
Information. In addition, as each of Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace and Wuhan Baina Information is owned by its respective shareholders, it may be difficult for Changyou to change its corporate structure if such shareholders refuse to cooperate with it.
Furthermore, if the shareholders of any of Changyous principal VIEs were involved in proceedings that had an adverse impact on their shareholder interests in such VIE or on Changyous ability to enforce relevant contracts related to the
VIE structure, its business would be adversely affected.
The shareholders of Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace and Wuhan Baina Information may breach, or cause
Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace or Wuhan Baina Information to breach, the VIE contracts for a number of reasons. For example, their interests as shareholders of these companies and the interests of Changyou may conflict and it may fail to resolve such
conflicts; the shareholders may believe that breaching the contracts will lead to greater economic benefit for them; or the shareholders may otherwise act in bad faith. If any of the foregoing were to happen, Changyou might have to rely on legal or
arbitral proceedings to enforce its contractual rights. In addition, disputes may arise among the shareholders of any of Changyous principal VIEs with respect to their ownership of such VIE which could lead them to breach their agreements with
it. Such arbitral and legal proceedings and disputes may cost Changyou substantial financial and other resources, and result in disruption of its business, and the outcome might not be in Changyous favor. For example, a PRC court or
arbitration panel could conclude that Changyous VIE contracts violate PRC law or are otherwise unenforceable. If the contractual arrangements with any of Changyous principal VIEs were found by PRC authorities with appropriate
jurisdiction to be unenforceable, Changyou could lose its ability to consolidate such VIEs results of operations, assets and liabilities in its consolidated financial statements and/or to transfer the revenues of such VIE to its corresponding
PRC subsidiary. In addition, such a finding of unenforceability by PRC authorities could cause more than 75% of its gross income or more than 50% of its assets to be passive in the year that this finding was made or in subsequent years, which, in a
given year during which Changyou otherwise did not expect to be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes, could cause Changyou to be classified as a PFIC.
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Under the contractual arrangements with Changyous principal VIEs and their shareholders, no shareholder or
group of shareholders of any of its principal VIEs has the ability to unilaterally terminate any of the agreements between the VIEs in which they hold shares and its corresponding PRC subsidiary. However, (i) the shareholders of Gamease and
Guanyou Gamespace have a termination right under the loan agreements if Changyous corresponding PRC subsidiary engages in gross negligence, fraud or other material illegal actions or if its corresponding PRC subsidiarys existence is
terminated as a result of bankruptcy, dissolution, or legal process by government authorities and (ii) the shareholders of Changyous principal VIEs, other than Wuhan Baina Information, have a termination right under the equity purchase
right agreements if the corresponding VIEs existence is terminated as a result of bankruptcy, dissolution, or legal process by government authorities.
In addition, as all of these contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through either arbitration or
litigation in the PRC, they would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. Changyou would have to rely for enforcement on legal remedies under PRC law, including specific
performance, injunctive relief or damages, which might not be effective. For example, if Changyou sought to enforce the equity interest purchase right agreements for the transfer of equity interests in any of its principal VIEs, if the transferee
was a foreign company the transfer would be subject to approval by governmental authorities such as the MIIT and the MOFCOM, and the transferee would be required to comply with various requirements, including qualification and maximum foreign
shareholding percentage requirements. As these governmental authorities have wide discretion in granting such approvals, Changyou could fail to obtain such approval. In addition, Changyous VIE contracts might not be enforceable in China if PRC
governmental authorities or courts or arbitral tribunals took the view that such contracts contravened PRC law or were otherwise not enforceable for public policy reasons.
Furthermore, the legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC
legal system could further limit Changyous ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In the event Changyou was unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, it would not be able to exert effective control over Gamease, Guanyou
Gamespace, Shanghai ICE and Wuhan Baina Information, and its ability to conduct its business, and its financial condition and results of operations, would be severely adversely affected.
Changyous contractual arrangements with its principal VIEs may result in adverse tax consequences to it.
Under PRC law and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by PRC tax authorities. Changyou could
face adverse tax consequences if PRC tax authorities determined that its contractual arrangements with any of Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace or Wuhan Baina Information were not made on an arms length basis and such PRC tax authorities adjusted
Changyous income and expenses for PRC tax purposes in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could result in a reduction, for PRC tax purposes, of adjustments recorded by any of its principal VIEs, which could
adversely affect Changyou by (i) increasing the tax liability of such VIE without reducing the tax liability of Changyous corresponding PRC subsidiary, which could further result in interest and penalties being levied on Changyou for
underpaid taxes or (ii) limiting such VIEs ability to maintain preferential tax treatments and other financial incentives. In addition, if for any reason Changyou needed to cause the transfer of any of the shareholders shares in any
of its VIEs to a different nominee shareholder (such as if, for example, one of such shareholders is no longer employed by it), Changyou might be required to pay individual income tax, on behalf of the transferring shareholder, on any gain deemed to
have been realized by such shareholder on such transfer.
Changyou may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by any of its principal VIEs
that are important to the operation of its business if such VIE declares bankruptcy or becomes subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.
Each of Changyous VIEs holds assets that are critical to Changyous business operations, such as its core intellectual property, licenses and
permits, and/or joint operation agreements relating to its games and game operations. Although the equity interest purchase right agreements among Changyous wholly foreign-owned entities, or WFOEs, its VIEs and the shareholders of its VIEs
contain terms that specifically obligate the shareholders of its VIEs to ensure the valid existence of its VIEs, in the event the shareholders breached this obligation and voluntarily liquidated Changyous VIEs, or if any of Changyous
VIEs declared bankruptcy and all or part of such VIEs assets became subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, Changyou might be unable to continue some or all of its business operations. Furthermore, if any of Changyous VIEs
were to undergo a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, such VIEs shareholders or unrelated third-party creditors might claim rights to some or all of such VIEs assets and their rights could be senior to Changyous rights
under the VIE contracts, thereby hindering Changyous ability to operate its business.
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Nearly all of Changyous revenues are generated through its principal VIEs Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace,
Shanghai ICE and Wuhan Baina Information, and Changyou relies on payments made by these entities to its subsidiaries AmazGame, Gamespace and Beijing Baina Technology, respectively, pursuant to contractual arrangements requiring the transfer of any
such revenues to these subsidiaries. Any restriction on such payments and any increase in the amount of PRC taxes applicable to such payments may adversely affect Changyous business and its ability to pay dividends to its shareholders,
including us.
Changyou conducts nearly all of its operations through its principal VIEs Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace, Shanghai ICE and Wuhan Baina
Information, which generate nearly all of its revenues. As Changyous VIEs are not owned by its subsidiaries, they are not able to make dividend payments to Changyous subsidiaries. Instead, Changyous China subsidiaries AmazGame,
Gamespace and Beijing Baina Technology are parties to a number of contracts with their corresponding VIEs, pursuant to which the VIE pays the PRC subsidiary for certain services that the PRC subsidiary provides to the VIE. However, depending on the
nature of services provided, certain of these payments are subject to PRC taxes, including value-added tax, or VAT, which effectively reduce the amount that Changyou receives from the VIEs. The PRC government might impose restrictions on such
payments or change the tax rates applicable to such payments. Any such restrictions on such payment or increases in the applicable tax rates could limit Changyous ability to receive payments from the VIEs or limit the amount of such payments,
and could in turn adversely affect its business, its net income and its ability to pay dividends to its shareholders, including us.
Risks
Related to Doing Business in China
Adverse changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government could have a material and
adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could reduce the demand for Changyous products.
Most of Changyous
business operations are conducted in China and most of its revenues are generated in China. Accordingly, its business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects are affected significantly by economic, political and legal developments
in China. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement, the level of development, the growth rate, the control of foreign exchange, and the allocation of
resources.
While the Chinese economy has grown significantly in the past 35 years, the growth has been uneven geographically among various sectors of the
economy, and during different periods. The Chinese economy may not continue to grow, and if there is growth, such growth may not be steady and uniform; if there is a slowdown, such a slowdown may have a negative effect on Changyous business.
The Chinese economy experienced high inflation in 2010 and 2011, and to curb the accelerating inflation the PBOC, Chinas central bank, raised benchmark interest rates three times in 2011. Partly as a result of these measures, the real estate
market in the PRC experienced significant declines in those years. The level of exports from the PRC also declined significantly recently. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the growth rate of Chinas gross domestic
product, compared to that of the same period in the previous year, slowed from 7.5% in 2012, to 7.7% in 2013, to 7.4% in 2014, to 6.9% in 2015, and to 6.7% in 2016. Various macroeconomic measures and monetary policies adopted by the PRC government
to guide economic growth and manage inflation and the allocation of resources may not be effective in sustaining the growth rate of the Chinese economy. In addition, such measures, even if they benefit the overall Chinese economy in the long run,
may have an adverse effect on Changyou if they reduce the disposable income of its game players or if they cause its advertising clients to reduce their spending for Changyous online advertising services on the 17173.com Website.
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Uncertainties with respect to the Chinese legal system could have a material adverse effect on it.
Changyou conducts most of its operations in China through its principal PRC WFOEs AmazGame, Gamespace and Beijing Baina Technology, and its
principal VIEs Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace, Shanghai ICE and Wuhan Baina Information. Changyous PRC subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China and, in particular, laws applicable to
WFOEs. Changyous VIEs are generally subject to laws applicable to domestic companies in China. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes and regulations. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential
value. The PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of laws and regulations are not always uniform and enforcement of laws and regulations involves uncertainties. We cannot predict the effect of future developments in the
PRC legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, the preemption of local regulations by national laws, or the overturning of a local governments decisions by a
higher level of government. These uncertainties may limit legal protections available to it. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. For example, on
December 1, 2016, the MOC issued a Notice of Ministry of Culture on Regulating Online Game Operation Strengthening Interim and
Ex-post
Supervision, or the Online Game Operation Notice, effective on
May 1, 2017, which stipulates that game operators are prohibited from providing lucky draws or lotteries that are conducted on the condition that participants contribute cash or virtual currencies in exchange for virtual items and services;
must timely publish the name, properties, description, amount and probability of winning for such lucky draws or lotteries on either the Website of the game or the Web page on which such lucky draws or lotteries are provided; and must require online
game users to register their accounts using their real names, supported by valid identification. In order to comply with these requirements of the Online Game Operation Notice, Changyou will be required to spend more financial and human resources in
designing new game content for lucky draws or lotteries and developing real-name registration and verification and data tracking, recording and publishing systems. These requirements in general, and the real-name registration requirement in
particular, may cause a decrease in Changyous game players.
If Changyou is found to be in violation of current or future PRC law and
regulations regarding Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, it could be subject to severe penalties.
The PRC government has
enacted regulations that apply to Internet-related services and telecom-related activities, and purport to limit and require licensing of various aspects of the provision of Internet information and content, online games, and online advertising
services.
Under regulations issued by the Ministry of Culture, or MOC, commercial entities are required to apply to a local branch of the MOC for an
Online Culture Operating Permit if they engage in the production, duplication, importation, release or broadcasting of Internet cultural products; the dissemination of online cultural products on the Internet or the transmission of such products via
Internet or mobile phone networks to user terminals such as computers, phones, television sets and gaming consoles; the provision of Internet surfing service sites such as Internet cafés; or the holding or exhibition of contests related to
Internet cultural products.
Many aspects of the existing regulations remain unclear. In addition, the PRC government may promulgate new laws or
regulations at any time. If current or future laws or regulations regarding Internet-related activities are interpreted to be inconsistent with its ownership structure and/or its business operations, Changyous business could be severely
impaired and it could be subject to severe penalties.
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The SAPPRFTs, the MOCs, and other PRC authorities regulatory supervision of the online
game industry may adversely affect Changyous online game operations.
The SAPPRFT has issued a series of regulations affecting the online
game industry and providing guidance regarding online game operations. The SAPPRFT issued a notice in September 2009 stating that the SAPPRFT would be the only governmental agency with the authority to review and approve online games, including
reviewing and approving the importation of online games from offshore copyright owners, and that all online game operators must obtain an Internet publishing license in order to operate online games and related services and obtain additional
pre-approval
from the SAPPRFT to make any changes to, or any new versions or expansion packs of, the originally approved online games. On May 24, 2016, the SAPPRFT issued a
Notice
of
the
SAPPRFT
on
Administration
of
Mobile
Game
Publishing
Services
, or the Mobile Game Notice, which became effective on July 1, 2016. The Mobile Game Notice provides that the content of mobile
games is subject to review, and that mobile game publishers and operators must apply for publishing and authorization codes for the games. Under the Mobile Game Notice, significant upgrades and expansion packs for mobile games that have previously
been approved for publishing may be regarded as new works, and the operators will be required to obtain approval for such upgrades and expansion packs before they are released. In the event of any failure to meet these license and approval
requirements, an operator may face heavy penalties, such as being ordered to stop operation, or having its business license revoked. Changyous online game business may be adversely affected by these SAPPRFT notices, as the launch of online
games, new versions, expansion packs and imported games might be delayed because of the approval required. Such delays may result in higher costs for Changyous online game operation and have an adverse effect on its game revenue.
The MOC also has issued regulations affecting the online game industry. For example, on June 3, 2010, the MOC issued the Interim Measures for Online
Games Administration, or the Online Game Measures, which became effective on August 1, 2010. The Online Game Measures stipulate that the MOC has the power to review the content of all online games except online game publications that have been
pre-approved
by the SAPPRFT. However, the Online Game Measures do not clearly specify what constitutes online game publication. Furthermore, the Online Game Measures provide that all domestic online
games must be filed with the MOC, while all imported online games are subject to a content review prior to their launch. If a substantial change (for example, any significant modification to a games storyline, language, tasks, or trading
system) is made to an existing imported or domestic online game, it will be subject to a new content review. Changyous online game business may be adversely affected by the Online Game Measures. The Online Game Measures do not set forth any
specific procedure for the required filing and content review procedures for online games and therefore may cause delay when Changyou tries to file or apply for content review with the MOC. For Changyous imported licensed games, the
requirement for
pre-approval
by the MOC of any substantial change in Changyous games may cause delay in releasing its expansion packs of the games, which may result in higher costs for its online game
operations and have an adverse effect on its game revenues. In addition, the Online Game Measures do not resolve certain inconsistencies and ambiguities resulting from pronouncements included in previous notices issued by the SAPPRFT and the MOC.
Because there is ambiguity in the scope of the authority and the roles and responsibilities of governmental departments, such as the SAPPRFT and the MOC,
with oversight of the online game industry, Changyou may face stricter scrutiny of the
day-to-day
operations of its online game business. If any of its online game
operating entities cannot comply with any of the stipulations of any PRC governmental department regarding the online game industry, Changyou may be subject to various penalties and its online game business may be adversely affected.
PRC law and regulations governing the online game industry in China are evolving and subject to future changes. Changyou may fail to obtain or maintain
all applicable permits, approvals, registrations and filings.
The online game industry in China is highly regulated by the PRC government.
Various regulatory authorities of the PRC central government, such as the State Council, the MIIT, the SAPPRFT, the MOC and the Ministry of Public Security, or the MPS, have the power to issue and implement regulations governing various aspects of
the online game industry.
Changyou is required to obtain applicable permits, approvals and registrations from, and make necessary filings with, different
regulatory authorities in order to operate its online games. For example, as an online game operator in China, Changyou must obtain an ICP license from the MIIT, an Online Cultural Operating Permit from the MOC and an Internet publishing license
from the SAPPRFT in order to distribute games through the Internet. Any online game Changyou operates needs to be approved by the SAPPRFT prior to its launch and filed with the MOC within 30 days after its launch. Once a new online game or any
upgrade, expansion pack or new version of any existing game is launched, such new game or such upgrade, expansion pack or new version must be filed with the MOC and approval must be obtained from the SAPPRFT for online publication. If Changyou fails
to maintain any of its permits, approvals or registrations, to make any necessary filings, or to apply for and obtain any new permits, approvals or registrations or make any new filings on a timely basis, Changyou may be subject to various
penalties, including fines and a requirement that it discontinues or limits its operations.
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As the online game industry is at an early stage of development in China, new law and regulations may be adopted
from time to time to require additional licenses and permits other than those Changyou currently has, and address new issues that arise. In addition, substantial uncertainties exist regarding the interpretation and implementation of current and any
future PRC law and regulations applicable to the online game industry. Furthermore, as mobile games are a relatively new type of online game, there are uncertainties relating to whether a game developer, such as Changyou, which provides mobile games
to mobile device users, needs to obtain a separate operating license in addition to the ICP license that it has already obtained. For any mobile games Changyou launches, Changyou may be required to apply for a separate operating license for the
mobile applications. Therefore, it may not be able to obtain timely, or at all, required licenses or any other new license required in the future, and it may be found to be in violation of current or future PRC law and regulations, which could
impede its ability to conduct business.
Changyou operates some of its existing games, and plans to operate certain of its future games, with
Internet authorization codes that it obtained through third-party electronic publishing entities. If the SAPPRFT challenges the commercial operation of any of Changyous games that are operated with Internet authorization codes obtained through
third-party publishing entities, Changyou may be subject to various penalties, including restrictions on its operations.
Under regulations issued
by the SAPPRFT and the MIIT, online game operators are required to have an Internet publishing license, and an authorization code obtained under such a license is required for each game in operation and publicly available in the PRC. Changyou
publishes certain of its existing games with authorization codes obtained under Internet publishing licenses held by third parties. See PRC RegulationRegulation of Online Games Services and PRC RegulationRegulation of
the Provision of Internet Content Online Cultural Products. Current PRC regulations are not clear as to the consequence of obtaining authorization codes through the licenses of third-party entities. Changyous past and expected
future practices might be challenged by the SAPPRFT, which could subject Changyou to various penalties, including fines, confiscation of publishing equipment and the revenues generated from the publishing activities, the revocation of its business
license, or the forced discontinuation of or restrictions on its operations.
Restrictions on virtual currency may adversely affect Changyous
online game revenues.
Changyous online game revenues are collected through the online sale of game points and sale of its prepaid cards,
which are considered to be virtual currency as such term is defined in the
Notice
on
Strengthening
the
Administration
of
Online
Game
Virtual
Currency
, or the Virtual
Currency Notice, which was jointly issued by the MOC and the MOFCOM in 2009. PRC laws and regulations, including the Virtual Currency Notice, provide various restrictions on virtual currency and impose various requirements and obligations on online
game operators with respect to the virtual currency used in their games, including that (i) the total amount of virtual currency issued by online game operators and the amount purchased by individual users in the PRC is subject to limits, and
online game operators are required to report the total amount of their issued virtual currency on a quarterly basis and are prohibited from issuing disproportionate amounts of virtual currency in order to generate revenues; (ii) virtual
currency may only be provided to users in exchange for payment in RMB and may only be used to pay for virtual goods and services of the issuer of the currency, and online game operators are required to keep transaction data records for no less than
180 days; (iii) online game operators are prohibited from providing lucky draws or lotteries that are conducted on the condition that participants contribute cash or virtual currency in exchange for game props or virtual currencies;
(iv) online game operators are prohibited from providing virtual currency trading services to minors; and (v) companies involved with virtual currency in the PRC must be either issuers or trading platforms, and may not operate
simultaneously as issuers and as trading platforms. On December 1, 2016, the MOC issued the Online Game Operation Notice, which will become effective on May 1, 2017. The Online Game Operation Notice stipulates that online game operators
generally may not allow online game virtual currency to be exchanged for real currency or physical items. Changyou must tailor its business model carefully, including designing and operating its databases to maintain users information for the
minimum required period, in order to comply with the requirements of current PRC laws and regulations, including the Virtual Currency Notice and the Online Game Operation Notice, in a manner that in many cases can be expected to result in relatively
lower sales of its game coins and an adverse impact on its online game revenues.
Changyous business may be adversely affected by public
opinion and governmental policies in China as well as in other jurisdictions where it operates its online games or licenses its online games to third parties.
Currently, most of Changyous game players in China are young males, many of whom are students. Due to relatively easy access to personal computers and
Internet cafés, the increasing use and popularity of mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets connected to the Internet, and the lack of other appealing forms of entertainment in China, many teenagers in China frequently play online
games. This may result in these teenagers spending less time on or refraining from other activities, including education, vocational training, sports, and resting, which could result in adverse public reaction and stricter government regulation. For
example, the PRC government has promulgated anti-fatigue-related regulations to limit the amount of time minors can play online games.
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Adverse public opinion could discourage game players from playing Changyous games, and could result in
government regulations that impose additional limitations on the operations of online games as well as game players access to online games. For example, under the Monitor System Circular online game operators are required to adopt various
measures to maintain a system to communicate with the parents of minors playing online games and are required to monitor the activities of minors and suspend the accounts of minors if so requested by their parents. We believe that stricter
government regulations, such as regulations imposing stricter age and hour limits, limiting the issuance of virtual currency by online game operators or the amount of virtual currency that can be purchased by an individual game player, and extending
anti-fatigue-related regulations to adults, could be implemented in the future. Any such adverse public opinion or tightened government regulations could adversely affect Changyous ability to maintain or increase its revenues.
In addition, the PRC State Administration of Taxation, or the SAT, has announced that it will tax game players on the income derived from the trading of
virtual currencies at the rate of 20%. It is currently unclear how the tax will be collected or if there will be any effect on Changyous game players or its business, but collection of such a tax might discourage players who are interested in
trading virtual currencies from playing its games, which could reduce its revenues.
Moreover, similar adverse public reaction may arise, and similar
government policies may be adopted, in other jurisdictions where Changyou licenses or operates its games, which could similarly adversely affect its revenues.
Regulation and censorship of information disseminated over the Internet in China may adversely affect Changyous business, and Changyou may be
liable for information displayed on, retrieved from or linked to its Websites.
The PRC government has adopted regulations governing Internet
access and the distribution of news and other information over the Internet. Under these regulations, Internet content providers and Internet publishers are prohibited from posting or displaying over the Internet any content that, among other
things, violates PRC law and regulations, impairs the national dignity of China, or is obscene, superstitious, fraudulent or defamatory. When Internet content providers and Internet publishers, including online game operators, find that information
falling within the above scope is transmitted on their Websites or is stored in their electronic bulletin service systems, they are required to terminate the transmission of such information or delete such information immediately, keep records, and
report to relevant authorities. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the revocation of Changyous ICP license and other required licenses and the closure of its Websites. Internet content providers may also be held liable
for prohibited information displayed on, retrieved from or linked to their Websites.
In addition, the MIIT has published regulations that subject
Internet content providers to potential liability for the actions of game players and others using their Websites, including liability for violations of PRC law prohibiting the dissemination of content deemed to be socially destabilizing. As these
regulations are subject to interpretation by the relevant authorities, it is not possible for Changyou to determine in all cases the type of content that could result in liability for it as a developer and operator of online games, and as an
operator of the 17173.com Website and the Dolphin Browser. In addition, Changyou may not be able to control or restrict the content of other Internet content providers linked to or accessible through its Websites, or content generated or placed on
its Websites by its game players, despite its attempt to monitor such content. To the extent that regulatory authorities find any portion of its content objectionable, they may require Changyou to curtail its games, which may reduce its game player
base, the amount of time its games are played or the purchases of virtual items.
Changyou may be subject to the PRC governments ongoing
crackdown on Internet pornographic content.
The PRC government has stringent restrictions on online pornographic information and has launched
several crackdowns on Internet pornography. Regulations jointly issued by the MIIT and three other government authorities jointly provide for rewards of up to RMB10,000 to Internet users who report Websites that feature pornography, and the MIIT
established a committee to review such reports to determine an appropriate award. Changyou has not, to date, received any penalty from the PRC government in this regard. However, it is possible that content considered pornographic or vulgar by PRC
government agencies will appear in the future on Websites or games that it operates. In the event that Changyou is accused by the PRC government of hosting pornographic or vulgar content, its business and reputation could be adversely affected.
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There are currently no laws or regulations in the PRC governing property rights with respect to virtual
assets and therefore it is not clear what liabilities, if any, Changyou may have relating to the loss of virtual assets by its game players.
In
the course of playing Changyous games, game players can acquire and accumulate virtual assets, such as game player experience, skills and weaponry. Such virtual assets can be highly valued by game players and in some cases are traded among
game players for real money or assets. In practice, virtual assets can be lost for various reasons, such as data loss caused by delay of network service by a network crash, or by hacking activities. As there are currently no PRC laws or regulations
governing property rights with respect to virtual assets, it is unclear who the legal owner of virtual assets is and whether the ownership of virtual assets is protected by law. In addition, it is unclear under PRC law and regulations whether an
operator of online games such as Changyou would have any liability (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) for loss of such virtual assets by game players. Based on several judgments regarding the liabilities of online game operators for loss of
virtual assets by game players, the courts have generally required the online game operators to provide well-developed security systems to protect such virtual assets owned by game players. In the event of a loss of virtual assets, Changyou may be
sued by game players and may be held liable for damages.
Changyous online game operations may be adversely affected by implementation of
anti-fatigue-related regulations.
The PRC government may decide to adopt more stringent policies to monitor the online game industry as a result
of adverse public reaction to perceived addiction to online games, particularly by minors. Eight PRC government authorities, including the SAPPRFT, the Ministry of Education and the MIIT, jointly issued regulations, or the Anti-Fatigue Notice,
requiring all Chinese online game operators to adopt an anti-fatigue system in an effort to curb addiction to online games by minors. Under the anti-fatigue system, three hours or less of continuous play is defined to be
healthy, three to five hours is defined to be fatiguing, and five hours or more is defined to be unhealthy. Game operators are required to reduce the value of game benefits for minor game players by half when
those game players reach the fatiguing level, and to zero when they reach the unhealthy level. In addition, online game players in China are now required to register their identity card numbers before they can play an online
game. This system allows game operators to identify which game players are minors. These restrictions could limit Changyous ability to increase its business among minors. If these restrictions were expanded to apply to adult game players in
the future, Changyous revenues could be adversely affected.
These eight PRC government authorities subsequently promulgated additional regulations,
including a
Notice
on
Initializing
the
verification
of
Real-name
Registration
for
Anti-Fatigue
System
on
Internet
Games
, or the Real-name Registration
Notice, to strengthen the implementation of the anti-fatigue system and real-name registration. The Real-name Registration Notices main focus is to prevent minors from using an adults identity to play Internet games and, accordingly,
provides stringent punishment for online game operators for not implementing the anti-fatigue and real name registration measures properly and effectively. The most severe punishment contemplated by the Real-name Registration Notice is termination
of the operation of the online game if it is found to be in violation of the Anti-Fatigue Notice, the Real-name Registration Notice or the circular entitled
Implementation
of
Online
Game
Monitor
System
of
the
Guardians
of
Minors
, or the Monitor System Circular. The Real-name Registration Notice increases Changyous operating risks, as it will be required to spend more resources on the real-name verification
and anti-fatigue system, which will lead to an increase in its operating costs. In addition, the amount of time that minors will be able to spend playing online games such as Changyous will be further limited, which can be expected to lead to
a reduction in its revenues. Furthermore, if it is found to be violating these regulations, Changyou may be required to suspend or discontinue its online game operations.
In February 2013, 15 PRC government authorities, including the SAPPRFT, the Ministry of Education, the MOC and the MIIT, jointly issued
the
Work
Plan
for
the
Integrated
Prevention
of
Minors
Online
Game
Addiction
, or the Work Plan, implementing integrated measures by different authorities to prevent minors from being
addicted to online games. Under the Work Plan, the current relevant regulations will be further clarified and additional implementation rules will be issued by relevant authorities. As a result, Changyou may have to impose more stringent limits for
minor game players, which may lead to an increase in its operating expenses and a reduction in its revenues from minor game players.
In July 2014, the
SAPPRFT issued the
Notice
on
Further
Launch
Verification
of
Real-name
Registration
for
Anti-Fatigue
System
on
Internet
Games
, stating that, in view of
some of the hardware and functionality limitations inherent in mobile devices, anti-fatigue system requirements applicable to Internet games do not currently apply to mobile games. If the SAPPRFT in the future decides to expand the anti-fatigue
system requirements to mobile games, Changyous operating expenses would be likely to increase.
100
Contract drafting, interpretation and enforcement in China involve significant uncertainty.
Changyou has entered into numerous contracts governed by PRC law, many of which are material to its business. As compared with contracts in the United States,
contracts governed by PRC law tend to contain less detail and are not as comprehensive in defining contracting parties rights and obligations. As a result, contracts in China are more vulnerable to disputes and legal challenges. In addition,
contract interpretation and enforcement in China are not as developed as in the United States, and the result of any contract dispute is subject to significant uncertainties. Therefore, Changyou may be subject to disputes under its contracts, and if
such disputes arise, it may not prevail. Due to the materiality of certain contracts to Changyous business, such as its license agreements with Louis Cha regarding its rights to develop and operate TLBB, any dispute involving such contracts,
even if without merit, may adversely affect Changyous reputation and its business operations.
SAFE Rules and regulations may limit
Changyous ability to transfer funds it holds overseas to its subsidiaries and VIEs in the PRC, which may adversely affect its business.
On
March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated
the
Notice
of
the
State
Administration
of
Foreign
Exchange
on
Reforming
the
Administration
of
Foreign
Exchange
Settlement
of
Registered
Capital
of
Foreign-invested
Enterprises
, or Circular 19, which allows foreign-invested enterprises generally to decide when to exchange into RMB their foreign
exchange denominated
paid-in
capital, but only up to a maximum percentage specified by SAFE. The maximum percentage specified by SAFE is currently 100%, but SAFE may choose to adjust the permitted level at any
time. The use of any such RMB funds by foreign-invested enterprises is also subject to review and approval by SAFE or local SAFE branches or designated banks. Circular 19 further provides that any such RMB funds of a foreign-invested enterprise may
not be used for any purpose outside of the entitys business scope or if such use would violate the laws and regulations of the PRC. For example, such RMB funds may not be used for the making of
RMB-denominated
entrusted loans that are not within the enterprises business scope, for the repayment of inter-enterprise loans (including third party advances), or for the purpose of relending to third
parties
RMB-denominated
bank loans made to the enterprise. Circular 19 may limit Changyous ability to transfer foreign exchange-denominated funds that it holds overseas to its subsidiaries and VIEs
in the PRC, which may adversely affect its business.
PRC law establishes complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign
investors, which could make it more difficult for Changyou to make acquisitions in China.
Applicable PRC law and regulations, such as the
Regulations
on
Mergers
and
Acquisitions
of
Domestic
Enterprises
by
Foreign
Investors
(the M&A Rules), which became effective on September 8, 2006
and were amended on June 22, 2009, the Anti-Monopoly Law, which became effective on August 1, 2008, the
Notice
on
Establishing
the
Security
Review
System
for
Mergers
and
Acquisitions
of
Domestic
Enterprises
by
Foreign
Investors,
or Circular 6, promulgated by the General Office of the State Council and the MOFCOM Security Review Rules, mandate procedures and
requirements, including requirements in some instances that the MOFCOM be notified in advance of any
change-of-control
transaction in which a foreign investor takes
control of a PRC domestic enterprise, or that approval from the MOFCOM be obtained in circumstances where overseas companies established or controlled by PRC enterprises or residents acquire affiliated domestic companies, that can be expected to
make merger and acquisition activities in China by foreign investors time-consuming and complex. PRC law also requires certain merger and acquisition transactions to be subject to a security review. The MOFCOM Security Review Rules, which became
effective September 1, 2011, provide that, when deciding whether a specific merger or acquisition of a domestic enterprise by foreign investors is subject to a security review by the MOFCOM, the principle of substance over form should be
applied, and foreign investors are prohibited from bypassing the security review requirement by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, or control through contractual arrangements. Factors that the
MOFCOM considers in its review are whether (i) an important industry is concerned, (ii) such transaction involves factors that have had or may have an impact on national economic security and (iii) such transaction will lead to a
change in control of a domestic enterprise that holds a well-known PRC trademark or a time-honored PRC brand. If the business of any target company that it plans to acquire falls into the ambit of security review, Changyou may not be able to
successfully acquire such company. Complying with the requirements of the relevant regulations to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval process, including approval from the MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit
Changyous ability to complete such transactions, which could affect its ability to expand its business.
101
Regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit Changyous ability
to acquire PRC companies and could adversely affect its business.
In July 2014, SAFE promulgated the
Circular
on
Issues
Concerning
Foreign
Exchange
Administration
Over
Overseas
Investment
and
Financing
and
Roundtrip
Investment
by
Domestic
Residents
Via
Special
Purpose
Vehicles
, or Circular 37, which replaced
Issues
Concerning
Foreign
Exchange
Control
on
Domestic
Residents
Corporate
Financing
and
Roundtrip
Investment
through
Offshore
Special
Purpose
Vehicles
, or Circular 75. Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct
establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, referred to in Circular 37 as a special purpose vehicle, for the purpose of holding domestic or offshore assets or interests. Circular 37 further requires amendment to a PRC
residents registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as an increase or decrease in the capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other
material event. Under these regulations, PRC residents failure to comply with specified registration procedures may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant PRC entity, including the payment of
dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent, as well as restrictions on capital inflows from the offshore entity to the PRC entity, including restrictions on its ability to contribute additional capital to its PRC subsidiaries. Further,
failure to comply with the SAFE registration requirements could result in penalties under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange regulations.
Different
local SAFE branches may have different views and procedures as to the interpretation and implementation of the SAFE regulations, and it may be difficult for Changyous ultimate shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents to provide
sufficient supporting documents required by the SAFE or to complete the required registration with the SAFE in a timely manner, or at all. Any failure by any of Changyous shareholders who is a PRC resident, or is controlled by a PRC resident,
to comply with relevant requirements under these regulations could subject Changyou to fines or sanctions imposed by the PRC government, including restrictions on the ability of AmazGame and Gamespace to pay dividends or make distributions to
Changyou and on its ability to increase its investment in AmazGame, Gamespace, or its VIEs.
Under Circular 37, if a
non-listed
special purpose vehicle uses its own equity or share options to grant equity incentive awards to directors, supervisors, members of senior management or employees directly employed by a domestic
enterprise that is directly or indirectly controlled by such special purpose vehicle, or with which such employees have established employment relationships, any of such directors, supervisors, members of senior management or employees who is a PRC
resident must, prior to exercising their rights, file an application with the SAFE for foreign exchange registration with respect to such special purpose vehicle. However, in practice, different local SAFE branches may have different views and
procedures as to the interpretation and implementation of the SAFE regulations and, since Circular 37 was the first regulation to regulate the foreign exchange registration of a
non-listed
special purpose
vehicles equity incentives granted to PRC residents, there remains uncertainty with respect to its implementation.
To fund any cash
requirements it may have, Changyou may need to rely on dividends, loans or advances made by its principal PRC subsidiaries AmazGame, Gamespace and Beijing Baina Technology, which are subject to limitations and possible taxation under applicable PRC
law.
Changyou may need to rely on dividends and other distributions on equity, or loans and advances, made by its PRC subsidiaries AmazGame,
Gamespace and Beijing Baina Technology to fund any cash requirements Changyou may have, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions, if any, to its shareholders, including us, and to service any debt it may incur. The
distribution of dividends and the making of loans and advances by entities organized in China are subject to limitations. Regulations in the PRC currently permit payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits as determined in accordance with
accounting standards and regulations in China. AmazGame, Gamespace and Beijing Baina Technology are also required to set aside at least 10% of their
after-tax
profit based on PRC accounting standards each year
to their general reserves until the cumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50% of the entities registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends, loans or advances. AmazGame, Gamespace and Beijing Baina Technology
may also allocate a portion of their
after-tax
profits, as determined by their boards of directors, to their staff welfare and bonus funds, which may not be distributed to it. In addition, if AmazGame,
Gamespace or Beijing Baina Technology incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to it. Furthermore, under regulations of the State
Administration of Foreign Exchange, or the SAFE, the RMB is not convertible into foreign currencies for capital account items, such as loans, repatriation of investments and investments outside of China, unless prior approval of the SAFE is obtained
and prior registration with the SAFE is made, which could delay or prevent any transfers of funds from Changyous PRC subsidiaries to it.
102
In addition, there are uncertainties under the CIT Law with regard to the PRC withholding tax on dividends paid
by AmazGame, Gamespace and Beijing Baina Technology to Changyous Hong Kong subsidiaries. See Risk FactorsRisks related to Doing Business in ChinaThere are significant uncertainties under the Corporate Income Tax Law of the
PRC, or the CIT Law, regarding its PRC enterprise income tax liabilities, such as tax on dividends paid to it by its PRC subsidiaries. The CIT Law also contains uncertainties regarding possible PRC withholding tax on any dividends it pays to its
overseas corporate shareholders and gains realized from the transfer of its shares by its overseas corporate shareholders. Should such dividends be subject to PRC withholding tax or be subject to the usual CIT Law withholding tax rate of 10%
rather than the preferential dividend withholding tax rate of 5% provided under the
China-HK
Tax Arrangement, the amount of cash available to Changyou for its cash needs, including for the payment of dividends
to its shareholders, including us, would be reduced.
Furthermore, Changyou controls its principal VIEs Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace and Wuhan Baina
Information through contractual arrangements rather than equity ownership. To the extent that there is any distributable profit in Gamease, Guanyou Gamespace or Wuhan Baina Information, it may be difficult for these entities to distribute such
profit to AmazGame, Gamespace or Beijing Baina Technology, which may further limit the amount that these PRC subsidiaries can distribute to it.
As
the special tax qualifications of certain of Changyous PRC subsidiaries and VIEs as High and New Technology Enterprises, Software Enterprises or Key National Software Enterprises expire, or if they are
revoked, Changyou will have to pay additional taxes to make up any previously unpaid tax and will be subject to a higher tax rate.
The CIT Law
generally imposes a uniform income tax rate of 25% on all enterprises, but grants preferential treatment to High and New Technology Enterprises (HNTEs), pursuant to which HNTEs are instead subject to an income tax rate of 15%, subject to
a requirement that they
re-apply
for HNTE status every three years. During this three-year period, an HNTE must conduct a qualification self-review each year to ensure it meets the HNTE criteria, and will be
subject to the regular 25% income tax rate for any year in which it does not meet the criteria. The CIT Law and its implementing regulations provide that a Software Enterprise is entitled to an income tax exemption for two years
beginning with its first profitable year and a 50% reduction to a rate of 12.5% for the subsequent three years. An entity that qualifies as a Key National Software Enterprise (a KNSE) is entitled to a further reduced
preferential income tax rate of 10%. An enterprise wishing to enjoy the status of a Software Enterprise or a KNSE must perform a self-assessment each year to ensure that it meets the relevant criteria for qualification. If at any time during the
preferential tax treatment years an enterprise uses the preferential CIT rates but the relevant authorities determine that it failed to meet applicable criteria for qualification, the authorities may revoke the enterprises Software Enterprise
or KNSE status, as applicable.
In addition, the CIT Law and its implementing regulations provide that Software Enterprises can enjoy an
income tax exemption for two years beginning with their first profitable year and a 50% reduction to a rate of 12.5% for the subsequent three years. A number of Changyous PRC Subsidiaries and VIEs qualified for exemptions or rate reductions in
2014, 2015 and 2016.
There are uncertainties regarding future interpretation and implementation of the CIT Law and its implementing regulations. It is
possible that the HNTE, Software Enterprise, and KNSE qualifications of Changyous operating entities currently qualified as such, or their entitlement to an income tax exemption, will be challenged by higher level tax authorities and be
repealed, or that there will be future implementing regulations that are inconsistent with current interpretation of the CIT Law. Therefore, it is possible that the qualifications of one or more of Changyous PRC Subsidiaries or VIEs will be
challenged in the future or that such companies will not be able to take any further actions, such as
re-application
for qualification, to enjoy such preferential tax treatments. If those operating entities
cannot qualify for such income tax reductions, Changyous effective income tax rate will be increased significantly and it may have to pay additional income tax to make up the previously unpaid tax, which would reduce its net income.
103
There are significant uncertainties under the Corporate Income Tax Law of the PRC, or the CIT Law,
regarding Changyous PRC enterprise income tax liabilities, such as tax on dividends paid to it by its PRC subsidiaries. The CIT Law also contains uncertainties regarding possible PRC withholding tax on any dividends Changyou pays to its
overseas corporate shareholders and gains realized from the transfer of its shares by its overseas corporate shareholders.
Changyou is a holding
company incorporated in the Cayman Islands which indirectly holds, through its Hong Kong subsidiaries, its equity interests in its subsidiaries in the PRC. Changyous business operations are principally conducted by its principal PRC
subsidiaries and its principal VIEs. The CIT Law and its implementation rules provide that China-sourced income of foreign enterprises, such as dividends paid by a PRC subsidiary to its overseas parent, will normally be subject to PRC withholding
tax at a rate of 10%, unless there are applicable tax treaties that reduce such rate. Under the
Arrangement
Between
the
PRC
and
the
Hong
Kong
Special
Administrative
Region
on
the
Avoidance
of
Double
Taxation
and
Prevention
of
Fiscal
Evasion
with
Respect
to
Taxes
on
Income
and
Capital
, or
the
China-HK
Tax Arrangement, the dividend withholding tax rate may be reduced to 5%, if a Hong Kong resident enterprise is considered a
non-PRC
tax resident enterprise
and holds at least 25% of the equity interests in the PRC enterprise distributing the dividends, subject to approval of the PRC local tax authority. However, if the Hong Kong resident enterprise is not considered to be the beneficial owner of such
dividends under applicable PRC tax regulations, such dividends may remain subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10%. On October 27, 2009, the SAT, issued a
Notice
on
How
to
Understand
and
Determine
the
Beneficial
Owners
in
Tax
Agreement
, or Circular 601, which provides guidance on determining whether an enterprise is a beneficial owner under Chinas tax treaties and
tax arrangements. Circular 601 provides that, in order to be a beneficial owner, an entity generally must be engaged in substantive business activities, and that a company that is set up for the purpose of avoiding or reducing taxes or transferring
or accumulating profits will not be regarded as a beneficial owner and will not qualify for treaty benefits such as preferential dividend withholding tax rates. If any of Changyous Hong Kong subsidiaries is, in the light of Circular 601,
determined by the SAT to be a
non-beneficial
owner for purposes of the
China-HK
Tax Arrangement, any dividends paid to it by any of Changyous PRC subsidiaries
would not qualify for the preferential dividend withholding tax rate of 5%, but rather would be subject to the usual CIT Law rate of 10%.
We believe
Changyou is not a PRC tax resident enterprise, but it is not clear whether Changyou or any of its Hong Kong subsidiaries will be deemed to be PRC tax residents under the CIT Law. The tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination
by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term de facto management body. Under the CIT Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a de
facto management body within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax on its global income at the rate of 25%. The implementation rules define the term de facto management body as
a body that exercises full and substantial control and overall management over the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. On April 22, 2009, the SAT issued a circular, known as Circular 82, which provides
certain specific criteria for determining whether the de facto management body of a
PRC-controlled
enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies
to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the SATs general position on how the de facto
management body text should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. Under Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a
PRC tax resident by virtue of having its de facto management body in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the
day-to-day
operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprises financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval
by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprises primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting
board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC. If Changyou is considered as a PRC tax resident under the CIT law by the PRC tax authorities, Changyous global income will be subject to corporate income tax at a rate of 25%.
Although Changyou intends to take the position that any dividends it pays to its overseas corporate shareholders or shareholders or ADS holders of
Changyou.com Limited will not be subject to a withholding tax in the PRC, if Changyou or any of its Hong Kong subsidiaries are considered to be PRC tax resident enterprises for tax purposes, any dividends Changyou pays to its overseas corporate
shareholders or shareholders or ADS holders of Changyou.com Limited as well as gains realized by such shareholders or ADS holders from the transfer of shares or ADSs may be regarded as China-sourced income and as a result be subject to PRC
withholding tax at a rate up to 10%. The implementation rules of the CIT Law provide that, if an enterprise that distributes dividends is domiciled in the PRC or if gains are realized from transferring equity interests of an enterprise domiciled in
the PRC, then such dividends or gains are treated as China-sourced income. However, it is not clear how domicile might be interpreted under the CIT Law, and it is possible that domicile could be interpreted to mean the
jurisdiction where the enterprise is a tax resident.
104
Due to the lack of interpretation of the CIT Law, it is difficult to ascertain how it will be implemented by the
relevant PRC tax authorities. If dividend payments from Changyous wholly-owned subsidiary Changyou.com (HK) Limited, or Changyou HK, or other overseas subsidiaries of Changyou are subject to PRC withholding tax, Changyous financial
condition, results of operations and the amount of dividends available to pay its shareholders may be adversely affected. If dividends Changyou pays to Changyous overseas shareholders, including us, or gains realized by such shareholders from
the transfer of their shares are subject to PRC withholding tax, the withholding tax will generally be at a rate of 10% and reduce their investment return and the value of their investments in Changyou.
Heightened scrutiny of acquisition transactions by PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on Changyous business operations and its
acquisition strategy.
Pursuant to the Notice on Strengthening Administration of Enterprise Income Tax for Share Transfers by
Non-PRC
Resident Enterprises, or SAT Circular 698, effective on January 1, 2008, and the Announcement on Several Issues Related to Enterprise Income Tax for Indirect Asset Transfer by
Non-PRC
Resident Enterprises, or SAT Announcement 7, effective on February 3, 2015, issued by the SAT, if a
non-resident
enterprise transfers the equity interests of
or similar rights or interests in overseas companies which directly or indirectly own PRC taxable assets through an arrangement without a reasonable commercial purpose, but rather to avoid PRC corporate income tax, the transaction will be
re-characterized
and treated as a direct transfer of PRC taxable assets subject to PRC corporate income tax. SAT Announcement 7 specifies certain factors that should be considered in determining whether an indirect
transfer has a reasonable commercial purpose. However, as SAT Announcement 7 was issued relatively recently, there is uncertainty as to the application of SAT Announcement 7 and the interpretation of the term reasonable commercial
purpose.
Under SAT Announcement 7, the entity which has the obligation to pay the consideration for the transfer to the transferring shareholders
has the obligation to withhold any PRC corporate income tax that is due. If the transferring shareholders do not pay corporate income tax that is due for a transfer and the entity which has the obligation to pay the consideration does not withhold
the tax due, the PRC tax authorities may impose a penalty on the entity that so fails to withhold, which may be relieved or exempted from the withholding obligation and any resulting penalty under certain circumstances if it reports such transfer to
the PRC tax authorities.
Although SAT Announcement 7 became generally effective as of February 3, 2015, it also applies to cases where the PRC tax
treatment of a transaction that took place prior to SAT Announcement 7s effectiveness had not yet been finally settled as of the time SAT Announcement 7 became effective. As a result, SAT Announcement 7 could be determined by PRC tax
authorities to be applicable to the historical reorganization of 7Road and Changyous acquisitions of the equity interests of 7Road and MoboTap, and it is possible that these transactions could be determined by PRC tax authorities to lack a
reasonable commercial purpose. As a result, the transfer of 7Roads or MoboTaps shares to other parties could be subject to corporate income tax of up to 10% on capital gains generated from such transfers, and PRC tax authorities could
impose tax obligations on the transferring shareholders or subject Changyou to penalties if the transferring shareholders do not pay such obligations and it does not withhold such tax.
SAT Announcement 7 and its interpretation by relevant PRC authorities clarify that an exemption provided by SAT Circular 698 for transfers of shares in a
publicly-traded entity that is listed overseas is available if the purchase of the shares and the sale of the shares both take place in open-market transactions. However, if a shareholder of an entity that is listed overseas purchases shares in the
open market and sells them in a private transaction, or vice-versa, PRC tax authorities might deem such a transfer to be subject to SAT Circular 698 and SAT Announcement 7, which could subject such shareholder to additional reporting obligations or
tax burdens. Accordingly, if a holder of Changyous ADSs or ordinary shares purchases its ADSs or ordinary shares in the open market and sells them in a private transaction, or vice-versa, and fails to comply with SAT Circular 698 or SAT
Announcement 7, the PRC tax authorities may take actions, including requesting Changyou to provide assistance for their investigation or impose a penalty on it, which could have a negative impact on Changyous business operations. In addition,
since Changyou may pursue acquisitions as one of its growth strategies, and may conduct acquisitions involving complex corporate structures, PRC tax authorities might impose taxes on capital gains or request that it submit additional documentation
for their review in connection with any potential acquisitions, which may cause it to incur additional acquisition costs or delay its acquisition timetable.
105
Changyou may be subject to fines and legal sanctions if it or its employees who are PRC citizens fail to
comply with PRC regulations relating to employee share incentives granted by overseas listed companies to PRC citizens.
Under the
Administration
Measures
on
Individual
Foreign
Exchange
Control
issued by the PBOC and related implementation rules issued by the SAFE, all foreign exchange transactions involving an employee share
incentive plan, share option plan or similar plan participated in by PRC citizens may be conducted only with the approval of the SAFE. Under the
Notice
of
Issues
Related
to
the
Foreign
Exchange
Administration
for
Domestic
Individuals
Participating
in
Stock
Incentive
Plan
of
Overseas
Listed
Company
, or the Offshore Share Incentives Rules, issued by
the SAFE on February 15, 2012, PRC citizens who are granted share options, restricted share units or restricted shares by an overseas publicly listed company are required to register with the SAFE or its authorized branch and to comply with a
series of other requirements. The Offshore Share Incentives Rule also provides procedures for registration of incentive plans, the opening and use of special accounts for the purpose of participation in incentive plans, and the remittance of funds
for exercising share options and gains realized from such exercises and sales of such options or the underlying shares, both outside and inside the PRC. Changyou, and any of its PRC employees or members of its Board of Directors who have been
granted share options, restricted share units or restricted shares, are subject to the Administration Measures on Individual Foreign Exchange Control, the related implementation rules issued by the SAFE, and the Offshore Share Incentives Rule. If
Changyou, or any of its PRC employees or members of its Board of Directors who receive or hold share options, restricted share units or restricted shares, fail to comply with these registration and other procedural requirements, Changyou may be
subject to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.
The enforcement of the PRC Labor Contract Law and other labor-related regulations in
the PRC may adversely affect Changyous business.
The Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress of the PRC enacted the
Labor
Contract
Law
, or the Labor Contract Law in 2008. The Labor Contract Law introduced specific provisions related to fixed-term employment contracts, part-time employment, probationary periods, consultation with labor unions
and employee assemblies, employment without a written contract, dismissal of employees, severance, and collective bargaining to enhance previous PRC labor law. Under the Labor Contract Law, an employer is obligated to sign an unlimited-term labor
contract with any employee who has worked for the employer for ten consecutive years. Further, if an employee requests or agrees to renew a fixed-term labor contract that has already been entered into twice consecutively, the resulting contract,
with certain exceptions, must have an unlimited term, subject to certain exceptions. With certain exceptions, an employer must pay severance to an employee where a labor contract is terminated or expires. In addition, PRC governmental authorities
have continued to introduce various new labor-related regulations since the effectiveness of the Labor Contract Law. For example, there are regulations which require that annual leave ranging from five to 15 days be made available to employees and
that employees be compensated for any unused annual leave days at a rate of three times their daily salary, subject to certain exceptions.
Under the
PRC
Social
Insurance
Law
and the
Administrative
Measures
on
Housing
Funds
, employees are required to participate in pension insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance,
unemployment insurance, maternity insurance and housing funds and employers are required, together with their employees or separately, to pay the social insurance premiums and housing funds for their employees.
These laws designed to enhance labor protection tend to increase Changyous labor costs. In addition, as the interpretation and implementation of these
regulations are still evolving, Changyous employment practices may not at all times be deemed in compliance with the regulations. As a result, Changyou could be subject to penalties or incur significant liabilities in connection with labor
disputes or investigations.
Changyou has suffered currency exchange losses, and Changyou may continue to suffer currency exchange losses if the RMB
continues to depreciate relative to the U.S. dollar, and fluctuations in the value of the RMB may have an adverse effect on Changyous shareholders, including our, investment in Changyou.
Changyous reporting currency through the year ended December 31, 2016 had been the U.S. dollar. However, substantially all of its revenues are
denominated in RMB. In July 2005, China reformed its exchange rate regime by establishing a managed floating exchange rate regime based on market supply and demand with reference to a basket of currencies. The RMB is no longer pegged to the U.S.
dollar and the exchange rate will have some flexibility. If the RMB depreciates relative to the U.S. dollar, Changyous revenues as expressed in its U.S. dollar financial statements will decline in value. Changyous currency
exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict its ability to convert RMB into U.S. dollars. On the other hand, Changyous proceeds from overseas financings and from overseas game operations will decrease in
value if Changyou chooses not to or is unable to convert the proceeds into RMB and the RMB appreciates against the U.S. dollar, which may reduce the value of a shareholders, including our, investment in Changyou.
106
On March 17, 2014, the PBOC announced a policy to expand the maximum daily floating range of RMB trading
prices against the U.S. dollar in the inter-bank spot foreign exchange market to 2%. The RMB may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar or other foreign currencies in the long term, depending on the fluctuation of
the basket of currencies against which it is valued.
The successful operation of Changyous business and implementation of its growth
strategies, including its ability to accommodate additional game players and advertising clients in the future, depend upon the performance and reliability of the Internet infrastructure and fixed telecommunications networks in China.
Almost all access to the Internet in China is maintained through state-owned telecommunications operators under the administrative control and regulatory
supervision of the MIIT. Changyou relies on this national information infrastructure to provide data communications capacity, primarily through local telecommunications lines. Although the PRC government has announced plans to further develop this
infrastructure, it may not be further developed as planned. In addition, Changyou will have no access to alternative networks and services, on a timely basis if at all, in the event of any infrastructure disruption or failure. The Internet
infrastructure in China may not support the demands necessary for continued growth in Internet usage.
Changyou may be subject to, and may expend
significant resources in defending against, claims regarding the content and services it provides over its Websites.
As Changyous services
may be used to download and distribute information to others, there is a risk that claims may be made against Changyou for defamation, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement or based on the nature and content of such information.
Furthermore, Changyou could be subject to claims related to the online activities of its visitors and incur significant costs in its defense. In the past, claims regarding the nature and content of information that was posted online by visitors have
been made in the United States against companies that provide online services. Changyou could be exposed to liability for the selection of listings that may be accessible through its Websites or through content and materials that its visitors may
post in classifieds, message boards, chat rooms or other interactive services. If any information provided through Changyous services contains errors, third parties may make claims against Changyou for losses incurred in reliance on the
information.
Changyou does not carry any liability insurance against of the foregoing risks.
Changyou does not have business insurance coverage.
The insurance industry in China is still at an early stage of development. Insurance companies in China offer limited business insurance products, or offer
them at a high price. As a result, Changyou does not have any business liability, loss of data or disruption insurance coverage for its operations in China or the operations of its joint operators in China and overseas. Any business disruption,
litigation or natural disaster might result in Changyous incurring substantial costs and the diversion of its resources.
The limited use of
personal computers in China and the relatively high cost of Internet access in relation to per capita gross domestic product may limit the development of the Internet in China and impede Changyous growth.
The penetration rate for personal computers in China is significantly lower than it is in the United States and other developed countries. Furthermore, the
cost of Internet access in China is still relatively high as compared to other developed countries. The limited use of personal computers in China and the relatively high cost of Internet access may limit the growth of Changyous business. In
addition, there may be increases in Internet access fees or telecommunication fees in China. If that happens, the number of Changyous game players may decrease or the growth of Changyous game player base may be adversely impacted. Slow
growth of, or a decrease in, the traffic on the 17173.com Website may also cause Changyous advertising clients to reduce their use of Changyous online advertising services, reducing its online advertising revenues.
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Changyou may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow in U.S. dollars in the future to service its debt
obligations, which would cause it to default under its matching loans to Sohu and SoEasy.
During 2016, certain of Changyous subsidiaries
entered into a series of matching-loans arrangements with certain subsidiaries of Sohu and certain subsidiaries of SoEasy Internet Finance Group Limited (SoEasy), pursuant to which Changyous subsidiaries are entitled to draw down
U.S. dollar-denominated loans from the Sohu subsidiaries and the SoEasy subsidiaries. Since Changyou conducts most of its business operations in Mainland China and generates most of its revenues in RMB, and its existing loans owed to the Sohu
subsidiaries and the SoEasy subsidiaries are denominated in U.S. dollars and are repayable in U.S. dollars, in order for it to make scheduled payments on those loans, Changyou may need to rely on dividends or loans from its PRC subsidiaries, which
would be subject to restrictions under PRC laws and regulations, including those regarding foreign exchange controls, and may be time-consuming. Also see - To fund any cash requirements it may have, Changyou may need to rely on dividends,
loans or advances made by its principal PRC subsidiaries AmazGame, Gamespace and Beijing Baina Technology, which are subject to limitations and possible taxation under applicable PRC law. If Changyou fails to timely receive U.S.
dollar-denominated cash from its PRC subsidiaries, it may default on its payment obligations with respect to those loans.
Changyou faces risks
related to health epidemics and other natural disasters.
Changyous business could be adversely affected by the effects of H1N1 influenza,
H7N9 influenza, avian influenza or other epidemics or outbreaks. In recent years, there have been reports of occurrences of H1N1 influenza, H7N9 influenza and of avian influenza in various parts of China, including a few confirmed human cases and
deaths. Any prolonged recurrence of H1N1 influenza, H7N9 influenza, avian influenza or other adverse public health developments in China may have an adverse effect on Changyous business operations. Adverse effects could include illness and
loss of Changyous management and key employees, as well as temporary closure of its offices and related other businesses, such as server operations, upon which it relies, and a decrease in the number of its game players. Such loss of
management and key employees or closures would severely disrupt Changyous business operations. Changyou has not adopted any written preventive measures or contingency plans to combat any future outbreak of H1N1 influenza, H7N9 influenza, avian
influenza, or any other epidemics. In addition, other major natural disasters may also adversely affect Changyous business by, for example, causing disruptions of the Internet network or otherwise affecting access to its games.
Risks Related to Changyous Shares
Changyous operating results for a particular period could fall below its expectations or the expectations of investors or research analysts,
resulting in a decrease in the price of its ADSs and the value of our interest in Changyou.
Changyous operating results may vary
significantly from period to period as a result of factors beyond its control, such as the slowdown in Chinas economic growth that occurred between the first quarter of 2010 and third quarter of 2012 and continued from 2014 through 2016,
caused in part by measures adopted by the Chinese government intended to slow such growth and to temper real estate prices and inflation, and the significant instability recently experienced in the worldwide economy, and the European Community
facing disruptions as a result of crises in the economies of Greece and Spain, among other countries, and such factors may be difficult to predict for any given period. Other factors also could cause significant fluctuations in Changyous
operating results, including the timing and success of its new game launches, its costs of developing and launching new games, and the level of user activity of its games in China during particular fiscal quarters. If its operating results for any
period fall below its expectations or the expectations of investors or research analysts, the price of Changyous ADSs is likely to decrease, which would reduce the value or our interest in Changyou.
As a holder of Changyous Class B ordinary shares, we will experience dilution when additional Class A ordinary shares are issued in
settlement of restricted share units or upon exercise of options.
As a holder of Changyous Class B ordinary shares, we will experience
dilution to the extent that additional Class A ordinary shares are issued upon settlement of restricted share units or exercise of outstanding options that it may grant from time to time. As of the date of this report, there were outstanding
9,986 Class A restricted share units, with each such restricted share unit settleable upon vesting by the issuance of its Class A ordinary share, and outstanding options for the purchase of 2,800,090 Class A ordinary shares at a
nominal price.
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Changyou may need additional capital and may sell additional ADSs or other equity securities or incur
indebtedness, which could result in additional dilution to its shareholders, including us, or increase its debt service obligations.
Changyou may
require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions it may decide to pursue. If its cash resources are insufficient to satisfy its cash requirements, Changyou
may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The sale of additional equity securities or equity-linked debt securities could result in additional dilution to its shareholders, including us. The incurrence of
indebtedness would result in debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict Changyous operations. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to
Changyou, if at all.