Item 1.01 Entry into Material Definitive Agreements
On November 17, 2006, Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon) spun off the companies that comprised its domestic print and Internet yellow
pages directories publishing operations (the Distribution). In connection with the Distribution, Verizon transferred to Idearc Inc. (the Company) all of its ownership interest in Idearc Information Services LLC (formerly
Verizon Information Services) and other assets, liabilities, businesses and employees primarily related to Verizons domestic print and Internet yellow pages directories publishing operations (the Contribution). The Distribution was
completed by making a pro rata distribution to Verizons stockholders of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.
In connection with the Distribution, the Company entered into agreements with Verizon to effect the Contribution and the Distribution, and to define responsibility for obligations arising before and after the date of the Distribution,
including, among others, obligations relating to employees, transition services, branding, intellectual property, and taxes.
Transition Services
Agreement
On November 17, 2006, Idearc Media Corp. (Idearc Media) entered into a Transition Services Agreement
(the Transition Services Agreement) with Verizon Information Technologies LLC (Verizon IT), pursuant to which Verizon IT and its affiliates will provide specified services to Idearc Media and its affiliates on an interim
basis. Among the principal services provided by Verizon IT are information technology application and support services, as well as data center services. The Transition Services Agreement generally provides that the services will be provided from six
to eighteen months following the spin-off, unless a particular service is terminated pursuant to the agreement. Idearc Media will generally be able to terminate a particular service on 30 days advance notice, subject to extension by Verizon IT
of up to an additional 30 days.
Idearc Media will pay to Verizon IT approximately $30 million in fees (exclusive of reimbursements of
third party costs) for services provided pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement, assuming each service runs for the full period as contemplated by the Transition Services Agreement.
Publishing Agreement
On November 17,
2006, Idearc Media entered into a Publishing Agreement (the Publishing Agreement) with Verizon and Verizon Services Corp. (Verizon Services), pursuant to which Verizon and Verizon Services named Idearc Media their exclusive
official print directory publisher of print listings and classified advertisements for wireline telephone customers in the geographic areas in which Verizon is currently the incumbent local exchange carrier. Under the Publishing Agreement, Idearc
Media agreed
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to fulfill Verizons legal and contractual obligations to publish and distribute white pages and yellow pages directories, and to include listing
information, in each of Verizons service areas, generally at no cost to Verizon or its customers. At Verizons option, Idearc Media will be obligated to fulfill Verizons publishing obligations in any new areas in which Verizon
becomes the incumbent local exchange carrier in the future, unless Idearc Media determines in good faith that the costs associated with fulfilling those obligations would outweigh the benefits of obtaining the rights provided in the Branding
Agreement (discussed under Branding Agreement below) for these areas.
Non-Competition Agreement
On November 17, 2006, Idearc Media entered into a Non-Competition Agreement (the Non-Competition Agreement) with Verizon, pursuant to
which Verizon generally agreed not to, and to cause its affiliates not to, publish, market, sell or distribute tangible or digital media directory products in Verizons service areas or any of Idearc Medias independent markets.
The Non-Competition Agreement restricts Verizon from competing with Idearc Media in the Internet yellow pages business for a period ending
one year after the effective date of the agreement, but does not prohibit Verizon from competing with Idearc Media in the electronic delivery products business, including by competing with SuperPages.com (although Verizon is prohibited from using
the SuperPages and Directories Corp. brands).
With respect to the Verizon service areas, the Non-Competition Agreement will remain in
effect for 30 years from the date of the spin-off. With respect to each of Idearc Medias current and certain prospective independent markets, the Non-Competition Agreement will remain in effect until the fifth anniversary of the date of the
spin-off, except that it may be terminated earlier with respect to any independent market if Verizon becomes a local exchange carrier in the independent market subject to legal and contractual obligations to publish and distribute directories.
Branding Agreement
On
November 17, 2006, Idearc Media entered into a Branding Agreement (the Branding Agreement) with Verizon Licensing Company (Verizon Licensing), pursuant to which Verizon Licensing granted Idearc Media a limited right to
(1) for a limited time and on a non-exclusive basis, phase out Idearc Medias use of certain Verizon marks in connection with the operation of Idearc Medias business, (2) for the term of the Branding Agreement and on an
exclusive basis, use certain Verizon marks in connection with publishing print directories in Verizons current wireline local exchange service areas and identify itself as Verizons official print directory publisher, (3) for the
term of the branding agreement and on a non-exclusive basis, use certain Verizon marks in connection with publishing print directories in Idearc Medias current independent
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markets, (4) for a period of time and on a non-exclusive basis, use certain Verizon marks in connection with publishing directories in certain
geographic areas outside Verizons service areas and (5) for the term of the Branding Agreement and on a non-exclusive basis, use certain Verizon brands in connection with Idearc Medias wireless yellow pages directories business.
Under the Branding Agreement, Idearc Media may grant sublicenses with respect to specified licenses to its subsidiaries, resellers,
agents, distributors and dealers in connection with conduct in specified geographic areas. Idearc Media may not, however, grant any sublicense without Verizon Licensings prior written approval, and sublicensees must agree in writing to
compliance with the terms of the Branding Agreement.
Under the Branding Agreement, Idearc Media is prohibited from including on prominent
portions of its directory products, including the front or back cover or spines of its print directory products any advertising for, or any name or brand identified with, any provider of telecommunications services or video services other than
Verizon, except as required by applicable laws and regulations.
Idearc Media may terminate the Branding Agreement at any time. Verizon
Licensing may terminate the Branding Agreement with respect to any of Verizons service areas if Idearc Media fails to correct a deficiency in its use of any of the Verizon marks after Verizon Licensing has given notice of the deficiency. If
Idearc Media or any of its subsidiaries directly or indirectly engages in the provision of telecommunication services or video services in any of Verizons service areas, Verizon Licensing may terminate the Branding Agreement with respect to
the affected service area. If, however, an owner or an affiliate of Idearc Media is a provider of telecommunication services outside of Verizons service areas, Verizon Licensing may not terminate the Branding Agreement, so long as Idearc
Medias owner or affiliate does not provide telecommunication services in connection with Idearc Medias directory products in any of Verizons service areas. If Verizon Licensing has terminated the Branding Agreement with respect to
20% or more of its subscribers in the service areas, it may then terminate the Branding Agreement in its entirety.
Unless otherwise
terminated, the Branding Agreement will terminate upon the termination of the Publishing Agreement. If the Publishing Agreement is terminated with respect to some but not all of Verizons service areas, the Branding Agreement will automatically
terminate with respect to these service areas. If Verizon disposes of any of its access lines, or if Verizon ceases operations as a local exchange carrier in a service area, the Branding Agreement will terminate with respect to the applicable
Verizon service area or portion thereof.
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Listings License Agreement
On November 17, 2006, Idearc Media entered into a Listings License Agreement (the Listings License Agreement) with specified Verizon telephone operating companies (the Verizon Telephone
Companies), pursuant to which the Verizon Telephone Companies granted Idearc Media a non-exclusive, non-transferable restricted license of subscriber listing information at prices set forth in the agreement. The Listings License Agreement is
consistent with regulations promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission, which require that telephone companies license their subscriber listing information to publishers of directories. Pursuant to the Listings License Agreement, Idearc
Media is entitled to use the listing information (other than information regarding non-listed subscribers) for publishing directories in any format, and for soliciting advertising and listings for these directories. Idearc Media is entitled to use
the listing information (including the non-listed subscriber information) for purposes of distributing directories in any format.
The
Listings License Agreement has an initial term of one year, subject to automatic renewal for additional one year terms until either the Verizon Telephone Companies or Idearc Media terminate the agreement. Idearc Media will pay the Verizon Telephone
Companies approximately $2.5 million per year for services rendered pursuant to the Listings License Agreement.
Billing Services Agreement
On November 17, 2006, Idearc Media entered into a Billing Services Agreement (the Billing Services Agreement) with
Verizon Services, pursuant to which Verizon Services will continue to bill and collect from customers that are not migrated to Idearc Medias billing system. These remaining customers, who are also Verizon local telephone customers, consist
primarily of smaller customers serviced by the Companys telephone call center. Idearc Media will pay Verizon Services approximately $1.3 million for services rendered pursuant to the Billing Services Agreement.
Intellectual Property Agreement
On
November 17, 2006, Idearc Media entered into an Intellectual Property Agreement (the Intellectual Property Agreement) with Verizon Services, pursuant to which Idearc Media has the right to use specified intellectual property owned
or licensed by Verizon Services in the operation of its print and online directory business. The Intellectual Property Agreement governs Idearc Medias relationship with Verizon with respect to patents, software, copyrights, know how and other
proprietary information.
Under the Intellectual Property Agreement, Idearc Media granted to Verizon Services a royalty-free, fully
paid-up, irrevocable, nonexclusive license under certain of its statutory intellectual property to make, use or sell products and services. Idearc Media
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also irrevocably assigned to Verizon Services all right, title and interest in and to its customer listing data. Verizon Services granted to Idearc Media a
personal, royalty-free, fully paid-up, irrevocable, nonexclusive and nontransferable license to use, in the United States, intellectual property owned by Verizon Services, to the extent used in Idearc Medias business as of the date of the
Distribution. Idearc Media has the right to copy, reproduce and improve this intellectual property. In addition, Verizon Services irrevocably assigned to Idearc Media all right, title and interest of Verizon Services in and to specified statutory
intellectual property.
Under the Intellectual Property Agreement, Verizon Services also agreed not to grant any licenses to use specified
intellectual property to any person who competes directly with Verizon or Idearc Media. The Intellectual Property Agreement is terminable by Verizon Services only in the event of Idearc Medias bankruptcy, or in an event of default by Idearc
Media.
Employee Matters Agreement
On November 17, 2006, the Company entered into an Employee Matters Agreement (the Employee Matters Agreement) with Verizon which addresses the treatment of employees and former employees with respect to their participation
in employee benefit plans as well as certain human resources matters relating to policies, programs, labor contracts and employee status. The Employee Matters Agreement also addresses the distribution of liabilities relating to employees and former
employees under the employee benefit plans.
Under the Employee Matters Agreement, the Companys workforce will generally participate
in employee benefit plans sponsored by the Company, which will provide comparable benefits to those benefits provided to these employees before the Distribution. The Employee Matters Agreement also contains additional information relating to service
recognition under the Companys plans; recognition of co-pays, deductibles, and out of pocket maximums and the like under the Companys welfare benefit plans; and the transfer of assets and liabilities from Verizon plans to Company plans.
Tax Sharing Agreement
On
November 17, 2006, the Company entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement (the Tax Sharing Agreement) with Verizon. The Tax Sharing Agreement governs Verizons and the Companys respective rights, responsibilities, and
obligations with respect to tax liabilities and benefits for the periods prior to and subsequent to the spin-off, along with the preparation and filing of tax returns, the control of audits and other tax matters. The Tax Sharing Agreement requires
the Company to indemnify Verizon and its affiliates against all tax-related liabilities caused by the spin-off failing to qualify for tax-free treatment for United States Federal income tax purposes, to the extent these
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liabilities arise as a result of any action taken by the Company or any of its affiliates following the spin-off or otherwise result from any breach of any
representation, covenant or obligation of the Company or any of its affiliates under the Tax Sharing Agreement or any other agreement entered into in connection with the spin-off.
Though valid as between Verizon and the Company, the Tax Sharing Agreement is not binding on the IRS and does not affect the several liability of Verizon
and the Company for all United States Federal income taxes of the consolidated group relating to periods prior to the spin-off.
Long-Term Incentive
Plan
On November 16, 2006, the Human Resources Committee of the Companys board of directors and Verizon, acting as the
Companys sole stockholder, approved the Companys Long-Term Incentive Plan (the LTIP). The LTIP, which is similar to Verizons existing long-term incentive plan, is designed to (1) optimize the Companys
profitability and growth through long-term incentives that are consistent with the Companys goals, and that link the interests of participants to those of the Companys stockholders, (2) provide participants with an incentive for
excellence in individual performance, (3) provide flexibility to help the Company motivate, attract, and retain the services of participants who make significant contributions to its success, and (4) allow participants to share in the
Companys success. All of the Companys and its subsidiaries employees and non-employee directors are eligible to participate in the LTIP, which is administered by the Companys Human Resources Committee.
Under the LTIP, the Human Resources Committee may grant various types of awards to employees, including:
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Performance shares and performance units, which are linked to the Companys performance over a performance cycle. These awards will be paid to the extent the Company obtains
corresponding performance goals, and are payable in cash, common stock, or a combination of cash and common stock.
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Restricted stock and restricted stock units, which are grants of the Companys common stock subject to risk of forfeiture or other restrictions that lapse when certain
performance objectives are achieved. The value of a restricted stock award is equal to the fair market value of one share of Company common stock on the date of the grant. Such awards are payable in cash, common stock, or a combination of cash and
common stock.
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Stock options, which represent the right to purchase a specified number of shares of the Companys common stock at a fixed grant price not less than the fair
market value of Company shares on the date of the grant. The LTIP does not permit re-pricing of previously-granted stock options, and the maximum term of a
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stock option is 10 years from the date of the grant. The purchase price of an option may be payable in cash, common stock, or a combination of cash and
common stock.
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Other awards, which may include stock appreciation rights, or other share equivalents denominated or payable in performance-based cash incentives.
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The Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee of the Companys board of directors has the authority to grant awards and make other determinations under the LTIP with
respect to the Companys non-employee directors.
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The Company is authorized to issue up to 2,500,000 shares of common
stock, adjusted for certain capital changes, under the LTIP. Specified transactions, such as a payout in cash of an award originally awarded in shares, cancellation or forfeiture of shares subject to an award, or payment of an option price or tax
withholding obligation with previously acquired shares, will restore the number of shares available under the LTIP. During the term of the LTIP, no more than 200,000 shares may be covered by awards made to any one participant in any calendar year,
and no more than $5,000,000 may be earned by a participant under a performance based cash incentive award.
To protect rights of the
participants, the LTIP provides that, in the event of a change in control of the Company, all stock options and stock appreciation rights awarded under the LTIP will become immediately exercisable, and any restriction periods on awards will lapse,
with all awards payable in full.
Other
Copies of the Transition Services Agreement, the Publishing Agreement, the Non-Competition Agreement, the Branding Agreement, the Listings License Agreement, the Billing Services Agreement, the Intellectual Property Agreement, the Employee
Matters Agreement, the Tax Sharing Agreement, and the LTIP are attached as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, and 10.10 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.